Yuuuummmm...

There is nothing, nothing, better than a fresh garden tomato--especially one from our own garden.  It needs zilch but begs for salt, pepper, mayo, and white bread.

During summers past, we would make plans for fresh salsa, pizza toppings, tomato pie, mustard based tomato pie (Cooking Light, of course), tomato and cucumber salad, caprese salad, and giving away our little treasures.  Regular watering and trimming hasn't been top priority this year, although we are overrun with jalapeños, banana peppers, bell peppers.  I'm not allowed to cook.  I can, though, make a sandwich.  

Tomato sandwich, you are king.  I love you.

Grandjane, we really are going to have very low yield.  Don't hesitate to bring some more of yours over.

Go Cocks! 35 Weeks

We made what is now our weekly trek to visit Dr. Keith today where we listened to Cocks's heartbeat, a slightly speedier 155 beats per minute, and measured my fundal height, slightly longer than 36 centimeters. The 36 week-type measurement confirms my belief that Cocks is not just big but advanced.  I am guessing that delivery of a full term Baby Cocks will happen in the not too distant future, and it's easy to get dizzy with anticipation.  Meanwhile, I am increasingly frustrated with my physical limitations when it comes to executing my nesting instincts.  Poor Daddy is balancing it all, including my incessant list making along with his own recent office move.  Right now, my heaven would include cleaning my own windows and helping Cory settle into his new office space.  I already received pre-approval from Dr. Keith to do some more activity once we hit 37 weeks, and I plan on taking care of a few items.  They're on a separate list.

Last Sunday not only marked 35 weeks gestation for Baby Cocks but also the big half birthday for Henry.  Can you believe that we are parents of a three and a half year old?  Crazy!  My big boy keeps me entertained, and we recently started playing hooky on Mondays.  He stays home from school, and we watch movies and Jake and the Neverland Pirates, read books, snack all day, take a nap, and sit around talking.  This Monday, we watched Beauty and the Beast.  He was mesmerized.  I was thrilled.  I may never have a child who will sit with me through all of The Sound of Music, but Beauty and the Beast is a close second.

Happy Half Birthday to Henry and Happy Gettin' Close to Baby Cocks!

The Last DJ

Henry and Daddy heard this song on WNCW on the way home from school one day, and H loved it for its Superman reference.  We catch him singing "I'm Superman, I'm Superman, I'll take you away... " when he's brushing his teeth, working a puzzle...

We are lucky that we are in listening range of a legitimate radio station that allows its real live DJs to play local and big label recordings, and its variety runs the gamut--especially since some of the music comes from their private stash.  The plethora of music at their disk jockey's fingertips, though, means that they don't spin the same song multiple times a day, so you might hear something you like then may not hear it again for a while.  For the last couple of weeks, Cory searched the playlists for the title and artist to no avail.  Just about 15 minutes ago, he emailed Roland Dierauf, the afternoon DJ, explained that our three year old son really liked this certain song, and Roland responded back with the song and artist name in about five minutes.  He included a little background info, too.  

Seriously?  We are Roland fans for life, and Henry will love hearing this song again.  Here's to the last DJ!  

I feel lucky

Tonight, Cory, Henry, and I were sitting on the couch looking at an "I Spy" book from the library.  (Thanks, Nana, for introducing us to these addictive picture riddle books.)  Henry was in the middle, and in the midst of searching for a mermaid, he looked at Daddy then at me and and said, "I'm so glad to be with my Mama and my Daddy."  Then he looped his arms around our necks and squeezed us together.

Appease of Work

Yesterday, when Henry came to give me a hug and kiss before leaving for school, I mentioned that I was really going to miss him but hoped that he had a very fun day.  He looked into my eyes and said, "Yeah.  I'll miss you, too.  I'm sorry I have to go to school."

Go Cocks! 34 Weeks

Last week (33 weeks gestation), we had our tenth ultrasound.  Cocks was determined to keep his head buried in my bladder, so there weren't any cute profile or scary skull shots this time.  Instead, we saw the top of his head which was all round and adorable. He was also, as usual, happy to show off his male parts.  Boys.

While the technician was taking measurements, I kept thinking that there was something wrong with my ultrasound screen to eye to brain function.  Surely I wasn't reading that he was measuring at a 36 weeks gestational age.  Then, she looked up and asked me if previous measurements showed Cocks to be large.  I just said, "Does that say what I think it says?  Does it really say 36 weeks?"  She asked me a couple of times through the rest of the images if I was OK.  I could feel the extreme width of my eyes.

Yep, Cocks is big--really big.  I knew he was measuring large in previous images, but not this big.  This time, at 33 weeks, he was already estimated to weigh almost six pounds and in the ninety-sixth percentile for overall size.  We didn't even look at the head measurements.  I don't want to know.

Dr. Keith attributes the size to the lying around factor which leads to my blood and nutrients being used mainly by Cocks and not by me.  We are thankful that he's getting all sort of good stuff, and we're also very grateful that all signs of a healthy baby continue.  He's practicing breathing, and his heart is steady and strong, which is always a relief to hear.

Now, let's all pray for a safe delivery for our linebacker.  (Not really a linebacker.  Despite Grandjoe's football career, I hope both my boys receive mathlete scholarships.  And they'll wear a helmet for those academic bowls, too.  Somebody could get seriously hurt in a fury of over eager buzzing in with the correct answers!)

Another Word

I remembered another mispronunciation.

Gremote=Remote