Rewind: mid-August

Drove down to Charleston, SC, to visit family back in August - the last time before baby Melodie arrives. It was the first time all the little cousins on my side of the family were together: Alicia, Antonia, Louise, Violette, and Miles. It's a special occasion since half of them live in Germany.

Miles closely observed what the big girls were up to.

Miles met some big fish and other sea creatures at the Aquarium.

Sleep interrupted

I realize that stress impacts sleep and that being nearly 30 weeks pregnant doesn't help. The frustrating part is that I wouldn't be as stressed if I could just get a full night's sleep. I wake up consistently every night and can't go back to sleep for several hours - last night 3. During those dreaded hours I stress out about that I am not asleep and how tired I will be the next morning. My mind just won't shut up. Argh. Hopefully that will pass once this big work thing is over. I have also read that it's the body's way of preparing for the newborn infant sleepless night stage that I will be facing very soon. At this rate, I should be very prepared.

In other news, Miles has graduated to a big boy bed. A twin mattress on a wooden platform his papa built. The transition has been surprisingly smooth. The first couple of mornings, he would still call out our name, as he used to do when sleeping in his crib, letting us know he was awake and ready to be picked up. I had to remind him that he could now get out of bed himself! By now he happily comes out of his bed in the morning and walks over into our room. The only difference now is that he likes to keep the light on when he first falls asleep - but that might be because he can reach the switch to the lamp near his bed which he couldn't do before. He definitely likes to do everything himself "my did it" (his way of saying that he wants to do something himself), which is everything. He is 2.5 years old afteral.

Rewind: early July

Earlier this summer, gramana, came to visit. We went to visit Thomas Jefferson and his mansion together. Amazing place. He was quiet the gardner.

Taking notes for our future vegetable garden.

Admiring the vineyard.

Exerting all that toddler energy after studying the Declaration of Independence and the house tour. The rooms in the mansion are very small (maneuvering through the rooms with a stroller was a real challenge. We almost had to trade in Miles when Frank bumped into a 18th century door with the stroller, the tour guide didn't like us too much). Jefferson had many children (I think 12 total) and it was hard to imagine them all hanging out in these small rooms together.

Once in a while I get to be in a picture too.

a normal evening at home

Just before he got a hair cut.

Miles loves Jam and Bella

Just made my third batch of jam this summer - this time peach. Miles and I can finish a jar in a week! It's pretty much impossible to ever buy jam again now. Fresh fruit from the farmers market homemade jam is hard to beat.

Miles truly enjoys being around Bella and dogs in general. He mimics her behavior, like a sibling, maybe a little too much. Several times a day we have to remind him "Miles you are not a dog!" Some of it is cute like when he lays next to her on the floor and when he laughs out loud when playing with her. Other times it's not so cute like when he places his food on the floor to eat just like a dog or when he actually eats her food. It's about time for a real sister :)