Rutabaga Sunset

From Jen's email with Baby Julianna's size descriptor for week 25:

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Had sunshine today!!! It has been a while since I've seen that strange yet vaguely familiar yellow orb in the sky. Of course, it only got up to 45 outside (and the temp is already down to 41.7 and rapidly falling) but it was beautiful to see and feel some sunshine instead of the grey drippyness that has been so constant lately. Pictures are just before and after today's sunset.


Have my weather station all set up -- found a handy nail by the front door to hang the outdoor temperature and humidity sensor and have the wind gauge on the pole I also use for the bird feeder. The nuts securing it to the U clamp are only finger tightened -- when my downstairs neighbor returns home, I'll ask if he has a wrench or some other tool to properly tighten the gauge to the pole.

Baby Corn Christmas

Seeing Jen today reminded me that I had neglected to share this week's Baby Julianna size descriptor:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Had a nice low key Christmas -- talked to Stephanie on the phone while I opened my gifts from her -- love the framed photo of her and the K's, my Maxine desk calendar, the ornaments, and Token's coat (with hood) is too cute. She's having a fun Christmas in southern Kansas at the K's parents' house before they head to the K's sister's house in northern Kansas.

Today, Mike and Jen came over the coast range for a visit and to celebrate but the weather was terrible. They had chunky rain (a snow/rain/ice mix) coming over the Wilson River summit and there was a ferocious hailstorm here just as they arrived. We decided it would be a short visit so they could get back over the pass before the snow levels fell. The summit is 1,500 ft and snow levels were predicted to be down to 1,000 ft by mid to late afternoon.

We had a wonderful visit in a short amount of time. Got to rub Jen's belly (so much bigger) and poke at Baby Julianna Corn trying to get her to kick back at me but to no avail. Jen and Mike got me the cutest bird feeder, a pair of Rachel Ray silicon large spoons that are notched so ya can hook them on the pot rim (eliminating having to use a spoon holder next to the stove), and a way cool weather station (with wind gauge!) and I've been putting batteries in the various components and reading the set up manual. My old weather station died earlier this year and I've been having to rely on online sites for temperatures. My old station was also a gift from Jen many years ago when I was still at the cabin.

No picture up top because there has been nothing but gray drippy skies -- and because I forking forgot to take pictures while Jen and Mike were here. Doh!

Merry Christmas From The Family

Merry Christmas From The Family -- Robert Earl Keen.

From my family to yours... Merry Christmas.

Early Christmas

Stephanie sent personalized Christmas ornaments that she found online this year. She had me open the box when it arrived while we were talking on the phone.

Ohmystars, just look at it! Token has a red collar (like he did when he was a puppy), Baileycat is gray and always looking away, there is a warm fire blazing with the critters on opposite sides as they prefer, and Christmas stockings for me and my girls. I got all misty eyed when I unwrapped it, and looking at it still brings a smile to my face.

She also found the perfect one to send to Jen:


I love that Dublin and Dodger, Jen and Mike's dogs, are in the sled.

The Digital Story of the Nativity

Answering the question: What if Joseph and Mary had Facebook and Twitter 2,110 years ago ... The Digital Story of the Nativity

Mango Sunset

Haven't had much sun this week -- in fact, the pictures up top are the before and after from the only bit of color I've had -- and are from Wednesday. The sun peaked out from below the ever-present layer of clouds just in time to share a wee bit of color before the clouds closed in again.

From this week's email from Jen with Baby Julianna's size descriptor:

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Jen had a doctor appointment this week and the doc said Baby Julianna Mango measured exactly what she should measure at 23 weeks. Wonder what next week's size descriptor will be ...

Squash Christmash

Baby Squash is Julianna's size descriptor from Jen's email:

Here is this weeks update.

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Stephanie sent me her Christmash Lihst and said I could share. Had me totally cracking up laughing:

Dear Mama Elf (Santa's special helper :D),

I have been really good this year! If you could please, I would especially like an iPad :D I know they are expensive...but it would be nice to have so I can get on the internet anywhere and randomly buy my mommy presents throughout the year, plus you can always dually use it to listen to college lectures and sermons!

Also an iHome would be nice, I'm kind of like to blast music while I'm cleaning my house, crocheting blankets, knitting sweaters and reading my Bible.

It would also be nice to have a Barnes and Nobles/Borders gift card (not an online one since I like to look at books in the store) so I can buy books on Philosophy, Bio-Chemistry, Female roles in the home, and Learning to speak Dutch.

Also, maybe an Oregon Ducks sweatshirt and sweat pants and tee shirt (I like them a lot) you know...simple ones that aren't that shiny material, I don't like those. But, they would be nice to have so I can lounge around the house reading books from my Barnes and Noble gift card.

A new Tom-Tom would also be nice one with a free lifetime traffic update subscription so I can get around without being lost and stranded in mountains for the mountain men and bears to find me.

A Hobby Lobby Gift Card is always nice too, I enjoy that store greatly.

One of These in a size Large.

These in XL? I think...lol

1 2 3 4 5

This in a size 11

Hmmmm, I'm thinking that that is almost all that I can think of. These are just a bunch of ideas :D

Thanks Mama Elf!!

P.S. I've been really good!!!!

Love,Stephanie

Sunset Through My Window

The view from where I sit at the computer. That's the finch feeder Teddy gave me hanging on the pole at the corner of the deck.

The bank of 3 windows -- the center is the best for viewing the bay and sunsets -- the view out the 3rd is mainly the stand of trees you see framing the right side of a lot of my pictures.

A close up of the after sunset glow.

Finally, one that was not taken from inside -- this is from the deck just outside the front door -- showing the last of the fading glow

It cold out there taking it. Scurried backside and stood next to the blazing wood stove trying to warm up.

Baby Carrot Sunset

From Jen's email with this week's size descriptor for Julianna:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

Tonight's sunset -- before, during, and after.

Sunday Sunset

Been a while since I've had a sunset -- today the drought sorta ended. Had some sun today, not a lot, but enough to give me hope that the clouds would be held at bay long enough for some color at sunset instead of the usual gray that's been so prevalent lately.


As the sun was dipping below the clouds, the clouds deepened and closed off any further color. No actual sunset but it sure was pretty. Within a few minutes of taking this last shot, the gray was back.

Julianna Banana

This week, my future granddaughter is Julianna Banana (yes it rhymes).

From Jen's email with this week's size descriptor:

You're at the halfway mark — congratulations! Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (The way your baby is measured changes now.) He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (although some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

I forking forgot my camera (dagrabbit) so took the cell phone photo up top of Jen's baby bump. As you can see, she is quickly moving from baby bump to baby belly. She looked wonderful and served up quite a Thanksgiving spread. Mike's brother Tim and sister-in-law Stacy was also there along with their two teens. The food was incredible and there was lots of laughter and love served with the turkey and all the fixings. Last night when I crawled into bed in Jen and Mike's guest room, I was still feeling stuffed. Token was very well behaved and spent most of our visit there going from lap to lap -- his favorite thing!

Jen sent me home with the turkey carcass. I'm looking forward to making turkey rice soup from the leftovers.

Baby Tomato (with pictures)

Baby Julianna waving hi to the world:

Shy baby Julianna -- she has her hands up and her face is in profile between her arms:
Legs crossed:
Baby Tomato per this week's email:

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The hair on her scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Pictures are from the ultrasound that told us Baby Tomato is a Julianna and not a Nathan.

Girl!

Girl!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow -- from Annie. In just 24 hours, Jen will find out if Baby Bell Pepper is a boy or a girl. Is it tomorrow yet?

Diavolo

Zucchero featuring Solomon Burke -- Diavolo (Devil In Me).

Baby Bell Pepper

Baby Bell Pepper is the descriptor of the week per Jen's email:

Head to rump, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, although he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

She finds out if Baby Bell Pepper is a boy or a girl this coming Thursday, the 18th. So exciting!!! Less than a week!!!

Thanksgiving Day she will be exactly 20 weeks, the halfway point. She's planning her baby shower for the end of January down in the SF Bay Area at her dad's house. His place is great for hosting parties (her bridal shower was held there) with a great backyard if weather is good and a snazzy great room if its not. All her girl friends will be there -- I've not seen the girls since her wedding and it will be good to catch up with them and her dad's family.

No sunsets in a while -- been overcast or drippy when it's not raining. Saw the sun for a wee bit today but the high clouds are doing a pretty good job of keeping it hidden this afternoon. Another storm is headed this way and it should start raining again late tonight and last tomorrow and the extended forecast is a chance of rain for every day for the next week.

Picture is of Jen and Mike at the pumpkin patch last month.

Lets Do The Time Warp

Lets Do The Time Warp -- from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Don't forget to spring forward, fall back your clocks an hour in just one hour (as of the time of this posting).

Busy Forking Week

Sorry for the lack of posts -- its been a busy forking week -- saw this and had to share it with ya:


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Jen let me know that the baby is now Baby Turnip:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Her baby bump is getting bigger as Baby Turnip grows:

Friday Sunset

Sunshine on the coast today. There is a controlled burn up at the top of Cape Lookout that makes it sorta look like a volcano. The red glow up there at night is spooky but I've not figured out how to photograph at night with my camera. Tis the time of year for controlled burns, now that we've had some good-sized soaking rains, the burn prohibition has been lifted.


The next photo is of tonight's sunset as seen from the deck. The sun has moved a lot further south and is almost clearing the trees from this angle. You can see some of the smoke drifting north above the spit from the controlled burn.


The last picture is of the sunset from the breakfast room. That room has the least obstructed view of the bay and the sunset has cleared the trees when viewed from it.


My future grandbaby is now Baby Avocado. From Thursday's email:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length . Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too.

Jen finds out if Baby Avocado has a stem or not November 18th. She's currently 16 weeks and has begun to wear maternity pants. I expect by Thanksgiving, she'll have started to wear maternity tops also. By then, she will be 20 weeks along and halfway there.

Jen and Mike have invited me to celebrate Thanksgiving with them again this year -- twill be their first Thanksgiving at their new house. I'm looking forward to the celebration. Mike's brother and sister-in-law will be there along with Tim and Stacy's two teens and they are all a lot of fun to be with. The food will be magnificent based on previous Thanksgivings. Jen should be showing a lot more by that day and I'm looking forward to teaching Baby Avocado how to kick on command.

Baby Apple

Steph and I insisted that Jen stick out her tummy in these photos trying to get the baby bump from Baby Apple to photograph.

This is from the weekly email Jen gets about baby development and size comparison that she forwards to me:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam.

The weekly emails trade off between the he and she pronouns -- Jen finds out on Nov. 18th if Baby Apple is a boy or a girl.

My Girls

Jen, me, and Stephanie.


Jen and Stephanie at the pumpkin patch.

The Greatest Gift

Woke up around 11, looked at the clock, and rolled back over to sleep for a wee bit more. I was expected to head to Jen's to celebrate my birthday and I had told her I would get there sometime between 2 and 3. Got up at noon, and called Jen at 12:30 to let her know I was on my way. Tis about an hour and a half to Jen's so I knew I had plenty of time. Got to Jen's at 2:15 and, of course, had to use the bathroom right away. Put my purse down in the living room and headed to the bathroom. Afterwards, as I entered the living room, I saw a figure standing to the left sorta in the corner.

OHMYSTARS it was STEPHANIE!!!

I immediately enveloped her in my arms and was crying and laughing at the same time. She had flown in from Colorado to see me for my birthday!!! I get teary just thinking about it -- and how both Jen and Stephanie conspired to give me the best present of all -- being with both my girls at the same time. I'm just amazed.

Best Birthday Ever doesn't even cover how wonderful the afternoon was. Steph took pictures and will email them to me when she gets back to Colorado tomorrow.

Jen made a banana nut bread for my 'cake' and I blew out all my candles on one breath so my wish will come true. I was so happy I could hardly think but think I was able to come up with a pretty great wish.

When Steph sends me the pictures she took this afternoon, I'll put up a new post with descriptions of our good time and my presents. I'm still just blown away and have a big ole goofy grin on my face. The last time I had both my girls with me at the same time was at Jen and Mike's wedding in May, 2008. I've seen them each individually since then but not both at the same time. During the 6 months that Steph was in Oregon last year, we just never all hooked up at the same time.

Last time I saw Stephanie was when she headed to Colorado 'for 6 weeks'. That was August a year ago -- she loves Colorado and decided to stay there. She looks so good -- seeing her looking so good was exactly what I needed. She's a grown woman but she will always be my baby girl and until I saw her today, I had worries about how she was doing. All those worries were put to rest immediately the minute I saw her.

The afternoon flew by and before I knew it, it was time for me to head back home. I really regret that rolling over for more sleep this morning -- that time could have been an extra hour spent with both my girls.

Jen looks wonderful. She is glowing with that 'pregnant glow' and her baby bump has gotten bigger. Gave her, Mike, Baby Lemon, and Steph multiple kisses and hugs when we were saying our g'byes. I was waving madly and blowing kisses out the window as I drove away until I was around the corner and could no longer see them. Wish I could have stayed longer but I don't see as well as I used to when it is dark and try to avoid driving after dark if I can.

Best. Birthday. Ever!

Hippo Birdies

Hippo birdies two me
hippo birdies two me
hippo birdies deer me
hippo birdies two me
..... and mini s'mores.....

Thursday's sunset -- the sunsets are moving further and futher south. Soon, the trees will no longer block my view and I'll watch it set behind the spit. Spent the afternoon with my friend Teddy hanging out here, at a great cafe in Oceanside, and then showing him both Cape Meares and Cape Lookout. We had a great time and are going to do it again real soon. Twas his first time at the Oregon Coast. The day was drizzly and overcast but shortly after he headed back to Portland, the clouds lifted.

Neon

T'was an ugly gray day today so I'm sharing sunsets from earlier in the week instead of bitching about my day and whining about the weather.

Both have a slightly different view -- they were taken from the breakfast room by the front door. Tis directly over the bedroom of the downstairs unit so I don't use it as an office as I had originally planned. Really does have a great view but the living room has the wood stove.

Tuesday's sunset was neon -- you can tell that the setting sun is still hidden behind the stand of trees on the right but it won't be long -- it is moving south daily.

This was Wedsnesday's sunset. Pretty but not as electric as the day before.


I'm sure my take on the day today was colored by being in a very foul mood. I'm sure I'll be in a better mood tomorrow... ok, later today.... and will be back to waxing about the silvery clouds, the sounds of falling rain and the way the trees sway in the wind. Today was a bah humbug kinda day.

As always, click on the pictures to make them bigger.

Baby Lime Moves!

Baby Lime as of Friday.

I drove over the hill to spend time with Jen and Mike Sunday afternoon. Jen looks wonderful! She has a nice baby bump and pictures from her ultrasound Friday for me to coo over. We looked at paint chips for the nursery, with various scenarios pending the results of the testing November 18th that tell her if Baby Lime is a boy or a girl. Mike made a scrumptious chocolate chip cake with vanilla frosting while Jen and I talked babies.

Jen told me the technician at the ultrasound Friday told her she had a very active baby and was surprised that Jen wasn't feeling movement yet. While we were sitting in the living room chatting, she got very still, her eyes got big and in a wonderous voice, she said she thought maybe she felt the baby move. I knelt down beside her and put my hand on her lower belly and we waited...

Sure enough, a minute or two later, I felt a wee little rumble of vibration through my thumb! Mike came over and sure enough, he felt it too. We musta stayed like that for at least 5 minutes, with Jen and I exclaiming did you feel that as we felt Baby Lime move several more times.

Baby Lime was saying howdy to his/her Grams.

Picture is of Baby Lime, head on the right facing the left in profile (isn't that the cutest little nose), chest and tummy, and legs bent at the knees with the feet not visible in this particular image.

Exploring

Token and I walked along the path to my neighbors to the north today. They have a great view of Netarts Bay, from the mouth of the bay to the north to Lookout to the south. Here's a few of the pictures I took before the camera battery died.

The path:

The view of the mouth of the bay, 3 Rocks (barely visible in the mist), and Cape Meares:


A closeup of the north view, showing the communities of Oceanside (on the left center), Happy Camp (alongside the beach at the middle), and Netarts (on the right).


Looking south towards what I call 'the far point' and Cape Lookout.

The view from my deck after the walk -- with the far point on the left:


As always, click on the pictires to biggify.

Monday Sunset

Wasn't much of a sunset tonight -- no color and the gray deepened to dark -- so I'm sharing Monday's sunset with ya.

The marine layer was present most of the day. Many times during the day I could not see the spit. Hell, at times I could not see the far point nor even the leaning tree on the closer one and then I would look a few minutes later and could see clearly. Didn't think I would see much color as the evening approached but then I saw the mist start to glow:


Shortly thereafter, the mist faded away and things started to look gray as the sun sank below the horizon.


I was about to the point of thinking that was it for color and that the dark overhead clouds were going to win when I noticed a treat starting to appear on the horizon:

My patience was rewarded with this:

Baby Kumquat

Baby Kumquat's ultrasound picture taken this past Thursday.

Baby Kumquat isn't as cute sounding as Baby Grape sounded. Baby has gotten bigger (measuring 4.01 cm) so a kumquat it is.

UPDATE: Jen just let me know that last week, when this photo was taken, baby was kumquat sized. Now baby has grown to Baby Fig size.

I Not Have

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Time to give Token his ear drops - something he does. not. like.

Token

Am home from picking up Token at the vet's. Sure was hard dropping him off last night -- he gave me puppy dog eyes when I handed him over to the vet tech for his sleepover. While he was under anesthesia, they trimmed his nails, gave him his vaccinations, and did a couple other procedures he doesn't like.

He is doing well but is still groggy. Poor little guy had 3 extractions so the bill was a wee bit more than I had hoped for. My trip up to the Seattle area to sight see and visit with friends is on hold until I restock the cookie jar. I hope to be able to head up there after winter is over so I've got plenty of time to save up. I don't like driving on ice and/or snow -- and on the plus side, springtime is so pretty up here so it will be an enjoyable trip.

Token is curled up in his bed next to my chair at the computer report. He sipped a wee bit of water when he got home, gave Bailey cat a half-hearted tail wag in her direction, and climbed into his bed. He's on no food and limited water until 6pm when he is allowed to get a wee bit of soft food. If he holds that down (he's not had problems after previous dental procedures), he should be good to go for all food and water by 7pm.

He was sent home very well medicated. I was given a baggie with his pain meds - one dose per day of the liquid in the syringes for 3 days starting tomorrow. The meds are slightly sweet and he has lapped them up in the past so I anticipate no problems -- unlike the trying to give him a pill experience. Token's chart at the vets now has bold letters "DOES NOT DO PILLS".

He's cute but he's stubborn. Today, he's cute, stubborn and has a goofy grin on his face.

Monday

Just before sunset:


A wee bit after sunset:


Token got his pre-dental antibiotic shot today. I drop him off at the vet's Wed late afternoon for a sleepover. His cleaning is set for 8:15am and I don't do 8am well at all. The tech said his tail never stopped wagging and he didn't seem the least bit bothered by the injection.

After Sunset

After sunset tonight. So calm and peaceful.

A New Generation

Jen, me, my mom
at Jen's wedding 2 years ago

Instead of 3 generations, we will soon be 4...

In April, there will be a new addition to the family tree -- Jennifer the bride will become Jennifer the mom. She's gonna be such a wonderful mom!

I've known for a month but she wanted to keep it on the qt for a wee bit -- today she announced on Facebook "my eggo is preggo".

Woohoo -- I'm gonna be a grandma.