Happy Thanksgiving

There are quite a number of things I could blog about, my cousin Janelle's beautiful wedding, our family's Thanksgiving dinner last night, and of course - Jericho and his many growing talents. I can talk about all that later, instead, today I am devoting this post to cranberries. It seems only fitting seeing as the time of year where a tonne of cranberries are consumed are - you guessed it - Thanksgiving.

My dad has been a cranberry farmer for a number of years now. I can't remember how long, but I know it took several years after they were planted for the vines to even be able to produce a single berry. And there have been plenty of frustrations - from Ocean Spray and their ability to control the market price of cranberries - resulting in several farms declaring bankruptcy... to years where as a result of weather or vines being damaged there was low return... it's been a long journey. But of all the jobs my dad has had, I truly believe he is the most passionate about cranberries. You'll have to ask him why... but I think he is just fascinated by them. And he seems to have been able to discover many secrets to having a successful cranberry farm. One is a big word in farming today - diversification.

Now, as a result of the preceding paragraph, some of you may already be sleeping, some may be a little intrigued.. and some may be looking forward to all you may learn about the harvesting of cranberries. Yep. That's what this is all about. My little family and I headed out to one of my dad's fields and watched as the berries were being boomed and slowly sucked up onto a modified blueberry picker. If you have the machinery... why not just make it work for you instead of going out looking for it? It's quite cool to watch actually. I remember being 21 or somewhere around there and helping. I hated it then, but now to be able to see it from the outside seems more exciting somehow.

After we took a bunch of pictures, we headed over to the processing area which is only a few years old in regards to being able to process cranberries. If any of you know where my parent's live, it's just a little ways down closer to the bridge in a big gray and red building. My dad was there and he was pretty much in his glory. I think cranberry harvest just might be his favorite time of the year. He has designed and built a structure that works perfectly for getting berries from point A to B. The trucks that are filled with berries from the bogs unload into an 18' deep cement encasement. The walled area is filled with water for several reasons. One, cranberries float easily. Two, having strong sprays of water slowly moves the berries up conveyor belts. And three, the berries are cleaned as they go through several points being sprayed. After the conveyor belt, there is a shaker area with small holes. The berries fall through and hopefully most leaves and twigs don't. They they go through a blower which takes away remaining leaves and twigs. Then they are dumped into huge boxes and wrapped in plastic ready for freezing, selling, or whatever their destiny may hold.

It was a fun day just to watch all the activity. Jericho had fun too. Apparently he really likes cranberries. I think he ate about 10 or so. And he found some bamboo stick he wouldn't let go of for awhile. All in all, it was about as much fun as the pumpkin patch and a lot less busy!

I took many, many, many pictures... Hopefully you can better understand the process by perusing them. Oh - and we got a 25 lb box of cranberries and if you want a cup or two, come on down.

Random

# of days until my due date: 134
# of months Jericho will be tomorrow: 11
# of steps in a row he took tonight at my moms: 3
# of auditions missed because he can't fully walk yet: 1
# of pictures I need to sift through to pick the ones I want to print for his scrapbook: 1181
# of months of his life not included in that count: 2
# of days until one year of NOT being a church secretary: 17
# of days until my baby turns one: 32

Long Time No Blog

Several people have mentioned to me that my lack of blogging has left them feeling a little out of the loop on my life. I even received a phone call from New York. So, to all my devoted fans - here are the last few weeks in point form... enjoy!

1. Our one night cruise was amazing. We had a great time shopping in Seattle, having a great dinner with friends at the Cheesecake Factory, and the boat! Wow. It was awesome. Nate and I did plenty of exploring and had a fun dip in the hot tub on the front top deck with Steve & Michelle. We saw almost our whole group walk by at one point or the other. For those who may be concerned that a pregnant woman was using a hot tub, this hot tub was more like a warmish bath. I would get out once in awhile to get away from the steam... but it was lovely to just relax. Saturday night I was starting to really miss my boy. I cried for a bit, but got over it once I was on my way to dinner. I even had a pedicure afterwards. There were a lot of different things that were fun and a lot of funny happenstances - like Nate and his pig addiction and Bethany with her mustache. Overall, I am very glad I came and thank my friend Rachael for inviting us.






2. Jericho has been growing like a weed lately, and also developing a tiny bit of an attitude. Those who know him well know that usually when he is startled by loud noises, or people or when we say "no!" that sometimes this results in plenty of tears. I was beginning to think he would be a very sensitive boy, but lately has been much less noise sensitive and almost bully-like to some younger babies. It's nice and not so nice at the same time. I don't want him to be so mean, but I don't want him to cry like a "ahem" baby every time someone speaks to loudly. I'm working on it.






3. I had a bit of a scare last week. I woke up in the middle of the night a few times worrying that there was something wrong with baby #2. I can't explain it, just know that it was a physical feeling and it scared me. A lot. I called the midwife and she did reassure me that because I wasn't experiencing other symptoms, it sounded like nothing. But to keep my eyes open. I am feeling better. We thought that when we went for our ultrasound they would be able to answer any concerns. Which brings me to #4.

4. The ultrasound was a bit of a disappointment. I had these concerns, and she didn't address anything. I know she's only a technician, but she barely said anything of merit besides the fact that my dates may be wrong. She was a very sweet young woman, and I know she's only doing her job, I just wish I didn't have to wait for my midwife to get the results before I know anything. Argh. Plus, if my dates are very wrong that means that my due date will change which means that I may not be half way. Another argh. But I spoke with my midwife today and she said they don't usually change a due date unless it's off by more than 10 days.




5. We went to say a quick goodbye to some friends who are moving away. The day was spend waiting for them to get their U-Haul that they had booked 5 weeks ago. NEVER ever ever rent a U-Haul.



6. Jericho's little friend turned one on Sunday. Tasia has been a fun little friend for him and when her and her parents were over Thursday evening it was fun watching them play. At one point, Tasia was on his wooden walking toy and he was pushing her around. Later they traded spots and she got a turn. They are really cute together. Being at her first birthday reminded me that in a few short weeks my little man will be celebrating his first year as well. Time to plan a party!!!

More Pictures

I realized that I haven't even put up pictures from our trip to the zoo yet!! I have some really cute ones on the camera right now, but the battery died.. so they will have to wait until later. Just know that there is an adorable one of him in his monkey Halloween costume. Not sure where we'll go trick or treating and he can't eat the candy anyways... but the costume was too cute to pass up. Anyways, back a few Saturdays we made a family trek to the zoo. Nate and I hadn't been since just before we were married and that day was miserable. This time it was a HOT September day and the three of us had a great time. We weren't sure how Jericho would react to the animals, if he would notice them at all... but he was really into it. He would just stare at the giraffes, watch the coyotes (which we can see at home), and he even was brave enough to pet a donkey! So enjoy the pictures!

This Friday Nate and I leave for a one night cruise from Seattle to Vancouver. The cruise doesn't leave until Saturday, but we're heading down a day early to shop and have fun with our friends. It should be a good time where we can just get away and it will be interesting to see how the little man does at Grandma & Grandpa's - for two whole nights! Only two more days... I better get working on the laundry...

Oh - and I got this email the other day and it was talking about this massage therapist who was looking for pregnant women as she has a school with 7 students and they need to practice on pregnant people. So it was for a FREE massage with a gift certificate for another FREE massage after baby comes. Sign me up! It's downtown, but I decided that I don't care. I get to relax and feel nice and it won't cost me more than a Skytrain ticket. Plus it's right before we leave for our trip. Perfect. So tomorrow around 1:20 think of me as I make my Homer Simpson drooling noises. Not too attractive, but again.. I don't really care. Afterwards, I'll be heading to my Mom's for a Pampered Chef shower for Janelle. She's getting married soon. Very soon. I asked someone to babysit Jericho for the reception, but I haven't heard back. I better get on that. My list of "to do's" is getting longer..

So Much For Today....

Ever felt like an entire day was wasted? Today the grand plan was that I was going to be an extra in a movie for the very first time. I was excited, and nervous. I didn't receive the call from the agent about where I was supposed to be and when until around 9 last night and she tells me I need to be in North Vancouver by 7:45 am. Pretty much worst case scenario for us. You see, we only have one vehicle and I would have to drive my hubby to work in order to take the car to the set. He works in Richmond. That would mean leaving our house at 5:20, dropping Jericho at G'ma R's and proceeding to drive and drive and drive. I was prepared to make it happen. I was willing to make the sacrifice for the thrill of a new experience. But I was up until 11 doing laundry, I wanted to make sure I only brought the clothes that looked the best on me. Megan even lent me her straightener. *sigh* I finally made it to bed and was counting in my head the few hours of sleep I would get. Then Jericho decided to wake up and cry and scream and basically drive me mad. I find whenever I have something I'm stressed about, he seems to pick up on it. Either that, or he's teething. I finally fell asleep around 12:30 to be woken up by the lovely boy again around 2. It took a long time to fall asleep and when 4:45 rolled around, I told Nate I wasn't going. I had to call my mom and tell her we weren't coming... then called the agent and tell her. That was not a fun phone call. Part of me wishes I had gone, and the other part shakes her violently and says, "you are silly!" I know what I'm like when I haven't slept well, especially when I'm pregnant.

Speaking of which, the midwife says everything looks good. Baby's heartbeat is around 156 and the only worrisome thing is she wants me to get my kidneys tested. My back is a little tender right around my right kidney so I got to make sure everything is hunky-dory. But that other blood test came back and my ferritin levels are just fine.

So overall, I'm happy about my new babe, but sad about missing out on a fun adventure for today. What do you think? Am I a wimp for not going or did I make the right choice?

Clapping!

Yay Me!

Just to let you all know, I am 17 weeks pregnant and have yet to gain a single pound. This is good news. I already have a bunch of weight leftover from last time and according to my midwife, I'm doing GREAT!!!

10 months

In a short two months, my baby will be a year old. I can't believe it. He's growing and learning so fast now. It's really cute when Nate gets home I get to show him the new things he's doing. He's not walking yet, but he'll climb up your leg until he's standing and then slowly walk behind you as he's attached himself to your pant leg. The other day he just started clapping. You could see his little mind work as he first started to just flay his arms then they slowly came together. Rachael noticed first how he only seems to move the one hand when he claps. I got him to do it by saying "yay!!" and now he does it often. Sometimes when he's finished a meal, or sees me smile at him. Very cute.

In relation to my second child, I had a dream about him/her last night. In my dream it was a her. It was time to have her and we went to this private clinic. This weird doctor was there and he was delivering 4 other babies as we waited. He then came out with this beautiful tiny little baby girl with a shock of very dark hair. He gave her to me and told me it was my baby. Ummm... ok.. he hadn't even delivered the one inside me yet. I insisted it was not mine while pointing at my protruding belly. So he took me to the delivery room and delivered, after a very easy labour I might add, the most enormous black baby girl with the biggest afro ever. She was gorgeous, but clearly not mine either. But I had given birth to her and we took her home. Anyone want to take a stab at telling me what THAT dream meant?

I haven't been able to feel the baby much... every once and awhile at bedtime I THINK I can feel it, but it never lasts like it did with Jericho. This might be a more sedate child..here's hoping. I'm also off diclectin as I ran out and I'm on day two of no vomit - a little bit of morning sickness, but not bad. That makes me very happy.

I also started thinking ahead to Jericho's bday. I'm very excited about it. I think it's a big deal and I want to plan a nice little to-do for him. Even though he likely won't remember any of it. Anyhow, enjoy these pictures of my adorable son who I LOVE.