The Davolts

So, I had my 30 week check-in yesterday and honestly, the appointment was so boringly good, that I forgot to write an update. Really, not much to report. Blood pressure is low per usual (98/60) and weight gain is at 22 pounds overall. Dr. Williams did ask me to schedule another growth ultrasound, just as we approach the point at which the abruption occurred in my previous pregnancy. Her hope is to see the health and position of the placenta, as well as make sure Baby is measuring appropriately. I don't mind getting another peak at the little man. Like I said, things are boringly good! I'll borrow from my sister-in-laws pregnancy blog and offer some questions and answers you might be wondering. How far along? 30 weeks even Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively. Jeff teases me because I'm either wearing a dress or lounge shorts and a tank. There is no middle for now.  Stretch marks? I felt so blessed to survive my pregnancy with Nathan without a single mark and (knock...

After much planning, moving of furniture, selling of furniture, painting, assembling, and moving furniture again, Nathan was finally ready to sleep in a brand new twin bed last night for the first time.  We decided to purchase some bunk beds as they were a much better value and would give us a bed for baby boy #2 as well when we need it. Other benefits of buying bunk beds include we can bunk them up if we ever see the need, we have a small guest bed again (the other twin is in our playroom), and the top bunk came with built in rails that will keep Nathan from falling off the bed. The beds were super simple to assemble if I had followed the directions. Of course I did not read them and so I had to assemble them three separate times in order to have them set up properly.  Once assembled Nathan got right to work jumping on his new bed. As you can see Nathan quickly learned how to jump on the bed and throw himself down.  We had to make sure to let him kno...

On Sunday, July 14th, I had the distinct honor of serving as a Groom's Maid in the wedding of our close friend Sam. We first met Sam when he transferred to my school to teach science four years ago. He is an energetic, fun-loving guy that we have enjoyed having in our lives. Despite my efforts at matchmaking, Sam turned out to be the best man for choosing his future bride. Through one of his many hobbies, swing dancing, Sam met and fell in love with the swing dance teacher Mindy. When he proposed to Mindy earlier this year, I was thrilled for him. Then, he asked me to stand on his side on the day of their wedding, and I was truly honored. Being a Groom's Maid is a little unconventional, maybe less so these days. No, no bachelor party for me! Up until the big day, I participated in bridal events such as the shower, bachelorette party and wedding errands/preparations. Then, when it came to before wedding pictures and when the ceremony began, I was standing on the groom's si...

Dear Erin,    It has been 13 years since I asked you to be my girlfriend, one day on that little hill side overlooking the Ballard Locks, and 8 years since we committed the rest of our lives to each other.  In that time we both have grown and changed but I love you more now than I ever have.  There are a thousand little things about you that make you just perfect.  I love your laugh, and your freckles.  I love how you always challenge me, and attempt to keep me on the straight and narrow.  You bring out the best in me, and want me to be a better person.  You teach me new things all the time.  You are amazing in so many little ways I cannot count them all.    Eight years seems like a long time, but I feel we are still at the beginning.  So much has changed over these years, that I wonder what will be in store for us in the next 8, or 16, or 24.  Two houses, two kids (well soon) two master's degrees, and of course just tw...

About three weeks ago or so, Jeff and I discovered a new neighbor had moved in. She is a quiet neighbor, mostly keeping to herself. She does keep a watchful eye on the comings and goings of the street though.  Yep, our new neighbor is a little mama robin! She built her nest on our front porch. From the windows, we can likewise keep an eye on her. She doesn't seem to mind too much when we go in and out of the door, but keeps more distance when we're working in the front yard.  Then, earlier this week, I noticed a little beak popped up while Mama was away. And then another. And a third! Three little beaks with puffy gray down heads waiting anxiously for Mama Robin to return with food. She has been very busy all week, collecting goodies for her babies, feeding them and then starting again. One little baby head waiting anxiously for a meal!

As we continue through the list of things for our summer, we woke this morning with plans to go raspberry picking. Not far from home, we found a farm that was crowded with families and plenty of yummy berries. At first, Nathan used his bucket to collect small twigs and things on the ground. Then, he insisted that the berries I plucked go into his bucket, which he tried to dump on the ground. More than half way through our time, he decided he was going to try one and within a few moments, his bucket was empty again! Needless to say, I stopped picking berries for his bucket and left him chanting "more, more, MORE". We couldn't spend as much time as we would have liked, given the two year old who was becoming more hungry and tired so after about an hour we headed home. The bowl on the left is our picking and the flat on the right was purchased on our way out. We enjoyed some more with lunch and now have to decide what to do with the rest. 

When we first met our next door neighbors, back in January, we inquired about the neighborhood. Both said it was a pretty quiet place, until the Fourth of July, when it becomes "a war zone". In the six months since, Jeff has proposed all sorts of ideas for how we should spend our Fourth, but I was curious to stick around home and see if all that we had heard was true. Literally every night since the 28th of June, when fire works went on sale, we have heard the familiar boom and crackle in the evening sky. The neighboring city of Ridgefield hosts an Independence Day celebration that included a morning parade, so with Nathan and Auntie Jennifer in tow, we found our way to the small town that is Ridgefield and found our spot on the sidewalk. There were plenty of people anxiously waiting for the festivities to start and every kid seemed prepared with a plastic bag for collecting candy (and they were not disappointed). We enjoyed the parade, which mostly included ...