Hiking Season

Sean and Finn started off the hiking season with the family this weekend. Here are a few fun shots:

"My get wet, Mama!"

Finn is an outdoors man through and through. I am a big fan myself, but he really takes after his Dad in his need to explore streams. We are all happier when we get outside during the day. Luckily, I have discovered we can walk across the street to a private road with almost no traffic and Finn can run to his heart's content. The folks who live on the road also have several trails through their woods and they said they don't mind if we walk them. This has been really nice to get some of Finn's energy out while being easy on me as I waddle around. However, the streams are running and Finn can't help but jump right in and see where they lead. This has led to some tough times this week as I have had to run after him through the brush only to carry back a sopping wet and very upset toddler. I love his need to explore and admire his enthusiasm, but he also won't listen and stay in a specified area. I am not sure how to get him to recognize some boundaries while still enjoying our time outside. Today, I decided, if I couldn't stop him, then I might as well take pictures. Here he is having a blast in what is quite chilly water. It doesn't seem to faze him in the least. For what its worth, I did have mittens for him and we went right home and warmed up when he had his fill.



We always take "monster truck" on our walks these days:

Okay, now we are headed home and Finn is taking the most complicated route:

Gardening Prep

Last week, we had a few really nice days that really put us in the mood for spring. We went and got all of our seeds for the planting season. We want to be really organized this year because we will have a newborn when plants need to start going in. Sean started digging more garden plots and Finn helped by assessing the soil and worm situation:

34 Weeks

Oh, one of these days, I will actually do my hair and try to look presentable for a belly shot. Plus, Finn took this one, so the angle isn't exactly the most flattering. But, who said pregnancy was glamorous? Here I am with just 6 weeks to go!
Really, nothing new to report. I had my check up yesterday. Finn enjoys hearing the heartbeat when we go. It was in the 160s and Peapod was kicking around the whole time. Still head down and ready to go. I have recently had two friends give birth at 38 weeks. Alternatively, I have had friends go after 41 weeks. So, it is crazy to think I could have anywhere from 3 weeks to 8 weeks left. I would be happy with a due date baby. We still have done nothing to prepare and I really feel like I need more time to get so much done.

Finn's Sensitive Side

We all know Finn is a "manly man" with trucks and motorcycles and dirt and mud, but he is more than secure to rock his sensitive girly side too....particularly with the help of his princess-loving cousin!

He REALLY NEEDS to NAP!

Ever since the big paci removal, we have been hit or miss with naps. Yet, Finn still really needs that rest! He turns into an overtired, maniacal, destructive, tantrum-prone little boy without it. Yesterday, after two failed attempts to get him to lay down and sleep, I was at my wits' end around 4pm. I broke down and turned on a cartoon so I could breathe and regroup a minute. I went back in to check on him after 15 minutes and this is what I found! Poor kid needs to sleep! I let him go for another 10 minutes, but then had to wake him up lest we never get him to bed. On the upside, we got him to bed by 7:15 and he slept til 5:45! Here's hoping for a nap today...for both of us!

Sweet Potato

Finn has been doing almost weekly playdates with his cousin Annalise so that I can get some work done during the weekday. Kate took this picture of them playing Mr. Potato Head together.