It is quite possible that - for me - the "icing" on the proverbial parenting "cake" is ...

... Lazslow, who stands just close enough to me that his tail taps on my thigh incessantly - tapping out all the messages he sends to me each day:

I'm here! Did you notice me? I think I can talk- just listen. Food now. I can get there faster than you can, wherever you're going - let's race! just watch me go! Out now! Pet my butt. SQUIRREL! In now! Oh wait, out again!

I love my dog, he's good to me and I feel safer with him around. But I do think it's safe to call him the icing on the cake. Or would it be more precise to say, the straw on the donkey's back?

34 weeks, and this may be the only pregnant picture we have!

This is a picture in front of our finally finished wainscoting & base boards (the columns are still a work in process). We are at 34 weeks now - 6 short weeks from the day "they" "say" baby will come. I have been told to plan for earlier, so that if it goes later, I'll be thankful. I realized a few weeks ago that I was counting on being at least 6 days overdue ... considering work tasks and home tasks. But a friend wisely suggested that I should plan for the other option since not being ready would certainly have more significant consequences.

We've been talking with neighbors and friends, establishing plans for when he does decide to make his debut. My mom won't be able to join us in advance, which is tough, but realistic, considering her school schedule (and I'm glad to know in advance). I will really miss having her there when he comes into the world - it was special having her in the room when G was born. She'll still have good time to make a significant impression, though. I know she won't be able to stay away for long - we'll make sure she knows all the flight times for a quick and timely purchase when he does decide to begin his entry march.

Graham is doing well - his favorite toy is still his ladder - this has been a consistent favorite for over a year now. The type of imaginary play changes daily - from a "robot center store" (with the laundry basket) to a choo-choo train, to a grocery store, to a fort / house / tugboat. I love to see the imagination at work! I'm including a few pics of some of his other favorite toys, and one with Daddy when we visited Pat's site to see "Daddy's crane!"

What I've been up to lately (part of it)

Perhaps it's something I have considered a vice (or a secret closely kept), but I must now freely admit: I entertain a few aesthetic pursuits. Knitting and quilting being the prime examples right now. In the process, I've made a couple of special things for my two boys.

The newest member of our family has about 4 hats right now, and a new pair of legwarmers, but my proudest knitting moment was the little "Nash's Sweater" I made from a small-projects knitting book I found several months ago. I hope it looks as good on him as it does sitting on my couch. I find I'm tempted to make another. Good thing yarn costs money.

We decided that when the new baby arrived, we wanted the boys to be in their own rooms, to ensure quality sleep for both (and for us!). Since the room with the crib is decidedly more "baby" than "big boy," we decided to keep it pretty much as is, and move Graham to the room next door. This was all fine and good, and we probably would have bought some cute comforter from Pott-Barn - until we visited Sisters, OR, and I went into the Stitchin' Post. I was inspired by all the lovely and simple quilts ... and I proceeded to pick out some wonderful fabrics and buy a pattern.

Looking back, it would have been much easier to have made a more simple quilt, not that this is all that complicated, but I do have visions of the simple square quilts that seem so sweet and easy. But this is Graham's owl quilt, and this is how it is - and I love it. I love the colors, I love the fabrics, and I love how he loves it.

I realize I'm implying that it's done, and it's not. The top is done, and now I need to assemble the backing, make the sandwich, and quilt the whole thing. For those of you who have seen my mom quilting in our living room, or at soccer/basketball/volleyball games and the occasional lengthy stoplight, you may be pleased to know that I've learned from her more recent endeavors, and I will be using a sewing machine to do the quilting. Mom, thanks again for the hand-me-down sewing machine - so fun!

Scroll down for an update on the most important project we've been working on ...

Update on Baby 2: still no name ... such a significant decision, and by golly, we sure like the name Graham! It's hard to choose a new one. Baby is 33 weeks "old" today, which puts us seven short weeks from our expected date. Kind of funny, but this baby will likely come pretty close to Mother's Day, and Graham's birthday hovers right around Father's Day every year. I like to think that this makes us appreciate our roles, and the greatest gifts we have given each other.