Family Time at the Park

Scout at the park--pre-Molly and pre-Jack

Before we had Jack, Dave and I used to take the Scout to the park every weekend.  We had a great park that was walking distance to the townhouse (but we often drove because Scout would exhaust herself so badly at the park that she couldn't make it home).  It was an opportunity for Scout to get off the leash and zoom around.  When we got Molly, we decided to take both of them...that didn't turn out so well.  We got to our usual open field and let both dogs off their leashes and Scout began to frolic around and Molly just took off.  Dave went off looking for Molly (not at a fast enough pace for my liking) with the leash.  I stayed in the field with Scout and called for Molly to come back.  She finally came back and I had to pin her to the ground (PETA friendly style) until Dave got back with the leash.  We never took Scout and Molly back to the park again...

(dry your tears, there's more to the story)

until...we decided to take everyone the park Saturday morning.  We loaded up the girls and Jack in the car and headed to the park.  I took a ball and some bubbles to entertain Jack and we assumed the girls would be entertained by the wide open spaces and lots of smells.  We walked to our favorite field and  let the girls off of their leashes.  Scout immediately began to frolic and Molly darted for the surrounding wooded area.  Dave called for her and she looked back as she continued to run.  The Alpha Dog  I called for her and she stopped and turned around and came to me.  We tried to get Scout to zoom, but Molly kept trying to herd her-which pissed Scout off pretty bad.  Jack enjoyed the bubbles and ball some, but he was also just happy to run free in a wide open space like his sisters.

Dave and I had Scout run between us a few times because we thought Jack would like it.  Molly, being a herder by nature, just followed her everywhere.  Once Jack saw Scout make a few laps between me and Dave, he decided it was his turn.  Little did he realize just how far apart we were.  About 15 yards into his run from me to Daddy, Jack got tired and started grunting with every step.  It didn't stop him...he just kept going.  It kind of reminded me of some of the Olympians we saw from some of the smaller countries.

After everyone was good and exhausted we made our way back home.  Since everyone was on their very best behavior, we just might do it again.

Here come the girls.  Thankfully they know to stop and not knock me over.

Daddy showing Jack how this works

Jack keeping the leash close in case Molly gets out of hand

Jack starting his run to Daddy

Jack hits a wall

Jack pushes through...he's almost there

Later that day while eating lunch, Jack was so inspired by his run, he decided to do the Mo-Bot like his favorite runner, Mo Farah

Baby # 2--28 weeks

I had my doctors appointment and glucose test when we got back from our trip.  I was feeling HUGE and was worried that the doctor was going to yell at me and I was really worried that I would fail my glucose test.  I got there a little early and was ushered back to the lab to drink my cocktail (at least that's what I told myself it was) and was then told to be back for my blood draw in one hour.  I'm not sure why everyone makes such a big deal about the drink.  It doesn't taste that bad and you don't have to drink that much.  I kind of reminds me of those drinks Little Huggies that I only got to get when I was going on a field trip for school.  In the meantime, I saw the doctor and she said I was measuring right on track and my blood pressure and everything else looked great!  Shwew, that was a relief!  When my hour was up, I headed back to the lab for my blood draw and they were able to get my results immediately.  I tested within the normal range for my blood sugar and my iron looked great! 

I'm down to doctors appointments every two weeks until the final month of pregnancy, so my next appointment is August 28.

Family Time

I know that I posted a lot about the Olympics, but more important than the Olympics we were able to spend loads of time with family while we were in England.  Jack was able to get so much quality time with his grandparents and uncles and aunts and for that I am so happy!  It is hard having family so far away and with technology, we are still able to see them and talk to them regularly, but it's just not the same as doing it in person and getting hugs and kisses.

*All pictures can be enlarged if you click on them*

Enjoying a beautiful sunny day in the garden at Grandad and Nanna's house.

Jack thought it would be a good idea to show the birds how to use the bird bath.  He really enjoyed posing while playing in it.

Grandad and Nanna put Jack to work while Mommy and Daddy were gone.  He had to help feed the birds, do the laundry and sweep the floors.

Jack met his Nanny and Tony (and Tony's daughter Becky) and really made them work for a good picture!

Jack got some special bonding time with Uncle John and Auntie Helen.  Uncle John won Jack a stuffed dog from one of those claw machines at the pub.  Uncle John is Jack's hero!

We pulled out the paddling pool on a beautiful afternoon and Jack had a blast playing in the back garden.

One morning, we headed to Southend to see the "beach" and wander through the arcades and amusement park.  The tide was out about a mile while we were there.

Another day, we headed to Barleyland to see all the livestock and enjoy another beautiful English day.

Grandad and Nanna had a Bar-B-Que (grilled out for you Southerners) one day and we got to see Uncle John, Auntie Helen, Uncle James and Auntie Tatum.  Jack really enjoyed eating in his highchair in the back garden.

After lunch with Nanny and Tony, we got some pictures with Uncle John and Auntie Helen.

Jack hanging out around Grandad and Nanna's house.  Helping Dad with the laundry and loving on Nanna.

We had such a great time while we were in England and were sad to leave everyone.  For those of you with family close by, be thankful. 

**disclaimer** This post was not meant to offend anyone.  It is a recollection of our family vacation in England.  If something has upset you- it was not intended and we love you all very much!

20 Months

Holy Moly!  We go to England with a 19 month old and somehow we came home with a 20 month old.  How the heck did that happen?

Let's get to the good stuff!

This month, Jack:

• wears size 18 month clothes (still some 12 month stuff)
• wears size 4 diapers during the day and size 5 overnights
• knows several animal noises (dog, cat, cow, duck, horse, lion)
• runs around all the time
• loves to help out around the house 
• has found his penis!
• loves to play on his riding toys
• says "oh no", "yeah", "car", "door"
• made his first trans-Atlantic trip
• got to ride in the Mini and would prefer to ride in it every time
• loves to get in the front seat of cars and play with all the knobs and buttons
• will point the camera or our cell phones and say "cheese"

And just because his monthly photo shoots crack me up so much:

Athletics

Today was the last Olympic event we were attending and we got to go inside the Olympic Stadium for Athletics (Track & Field).  We were, once again, amazed at how good our seats were.  We were just 11 rows from the track.  I'll try to tell this tale with minimal words and lots of pictures:

Dave outside of the stadium in front of the rings

Dave and Elizabeth when we first got in the stadium

The Olympic flame

See how close we were to the field

Pole Vaulters warming up

Wenlock showing of his moves

Sir Patrick Stewart saying hello to the Mulleys

The Minis get ready to take the field

The Mini waiting for the hammer so it can be returned

Sir Patrick (getting toasty by the flame)

Pole Vaulters in action

Decathlon 100m start

Hammer throw

Decathlon 100m in action

Decathlon praying getting ready to set

Mo Farah in the 5000m heats

Mo again

and again

After the 5000m heat

Mo Farah waited for the last guy to finish and then walked him in--that's a true Olympian

Galen Rupp in his 5000m heat

Alysia Montano in the 800m

Decathlon Long Jump

I wasn't the only blimp in attendance...

"Street" performers outside the stadium

The crazy crowds of people making their way into and out of the Olympic Park

I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful our Olympic experience was.  All of the volunteers and workers were very friendly and so helpful.  If we had a question or even just wanted someone to take a picture for us, all we had to do was ask.  I was treated like royalty because I am pregnant.  No waiting in lines and if I was tired I was told to flag down a golf cart and they would transport me.  I think London did a wonderful job of hosting the Games and they should be very proud of themselves!  Somehow the good people of Great Britain were even able to schedule beautiful weather for a majority of the days.  I mean, who else goes to London on holiday and comes home sunburned like me?

Synchronized Swimming

Today, we went to the Aquatic Center in Olympic Park for the synchronized swimming finals.  It was so cool to be in the Aquatic Center and get to experience a medal ceremony.  We got to Olympic Park a little early, so we wandered over to the Mega Store to get some souvenirs, but there was a really long line to get in so we went back to the Aquatic Center and decided to do our shopping after the event.

We had a great view of the pool!

The pool- 25m by 30m

Where the athletes come out

The really cool camera that shoots above and below the water

While waiting for the competition to start, I did a little people watching...

Wow!  That is some hairdon't!

Dave was a little more obvious in his people watching...

Let me see that a little closer

Finally, the athletes came out and the show began!

The finalists

We watched 12 teams compete in the free routine including a Team USA and a Team GB.

Team USA walking out to start

flopping around

fancy legs

waiting for their scores

The crowd went crazy-wild when Team GB came out

Team GB waiting on their scores

After all 12 teams performed, we waited for a short while before the medal ceremony.

Silver, Gold and Bronze waiting for their medals

The official results

Team Russia

Team Russia's crazy ass makeup

Posing with their medals

After the medal ceremony, we headed over to the Mega Store to get some souvenirs before heading home. 

A quick picture in front of the rings...stupid girl wouldn't move

"Street" performers around Olympic Park

The line to get into the Mega Store--which they let me bypass because I am pregnant

The BBC studio which was situated atop a bunch of shipping crates

All in all, another excellent day at the Olympics! 

Up next:  Athletics tomorrow