Maine - Part 4

After nap on the same day as the last post, we went down to the town beach again to pick more blackberries. In the morning, we lacked a proper collection container and ended up using Poppy's hat. We returned that evening with a bucket and long pants to protect us from the thorns. We picked a ton of berries on the way down to the beach. Elliott actually put some in the bucket - but he still ate most of the ones he picked or was handed.

Looking for boats on the water.



When we returned to the beach, it was now high tide. The small rocks you can see out in the water are those we were standing on in the morning. It is such a beautiful area.

Catching the evening light.

Looking a little guilty after taking blackberries from the bucket. Who? Me?

My little rock climber.

Riding the rock.

I know I'm his mother and all but I find his coordination and agility to be impressive!

On our way to and from the beach that evening, Elliott really wanted me to carry him. With the belly, it's pretty hard for me to do so. He resisted anyone else carrying him. Poppy suggested he ride the "Poppy horse" without success. Then he tried the "Poppy cow." I can't explain it but that worked and Elliott rode the "Poppy cow" for a while on the way back to the house. He is clearly deep in conversation with Sue here.

Walking part of the way.

Still more to come . . . hope you aren't sick of Maine pictures yet!

Maine - Part 3

It has been a few days since I last posted - Elliott and I had a couple of busy days and then we joyously welcomed Jesse home on Friday night. I wish I could have captured the excitement and smiles when Elliott, in his PJs, went running up to Jesse at the arrivals area of the airport. I opted to keep him up past his bedtime to go to the airport and it was totally worth it to see how happy we all were. Welcome home, Jesse!

 Here we go with more pictures from Maine.

Looking out at the water with Sue.



Elliott and I had some one-on-one time one early evening with the "adults" (I am still a kid in my head) went to a lecture in town. Elliott and I went down to the beach, this time at high tide. He liked to throw rocks in the "naner" (water).

For those of you who can't get enough of Elliott, here is a video of throwing rocks. I'm impressed by his coordination, seeing that watching me throw rocks is often comical.

Oh, how I love this little boy. These days, I ask him, "are you a big boy?" He responds with, "no, little boy." And I melt every time.

After dinner that night, Elliott was playing with my iPad. I took a video mostly to show Jesse but thought some of you might be interested also. He was very excited to see pictures of himself and learn how to go between the home screen and the photo program.

The next day, we walked down to the town beach, a half mile or so from Taz and Sue's house. Elliott was excited to get in his carrier and "ride the Coco." We found the terminology quite amusing.

The carrier was more comfortable for Poppy so we switched to "ride the Poppy." Elliott and Poppy practiced counting.

On the way to the beach, we found the motherlode of blackberry bushes. More on those later.

Elliott was excited to get down and run around (and nearly give Coco and Poppy heart attacks while they worried about him falling).

Cheeks!

Cool man,

I love the juxtaposition of his softness and the jagged rocks.

A budding geologist.

Remember these big rocks when you look at the next post. This was at low tide.

Loving the highwater pants.

Putting shells in Poppy's pocket to take home.

My A+ support network, looking good in matching outfits.

My dad and me :) We tried to get some cute shots with Elliott but he was squirming so much that they all look like torture shots.

Reading "Cars and Trucks and Go" with Taz.

 

Baby Update

We interrupt the Maine posts to bring you a baby update. Today marked the 36th week of my pregnancy. According to the app on my phone, the baby is the size of an 18.75" crenshaw melon. I had to google that as I've never heard of such a thing. I had an ultrasound today to determine size and position of the baby. Good news! Baby is head down and measuring spot on with my due date. They estimate the weight now at 6 lb 3 oz. Babies tend to gain about a half a pound a week at the end of pregnancy. That would put full term weight at 8 lb 3 oz. Elliott weighed 8 lb 6 oz so it is right in the same neighborhood. 

So, everything looks good in the land of the fetus! I would post a picture but little baby kept his/her hand right in front of his/her face the entire time, preventing any good shots. Just a few more weeks and we will get to see this little person in the flesh.

Maine - Part 2

More pictures from our first full day in Maine. After Elliott's nap, we went down to the beach at Taz and Sue's house. Coco and Elliott almost there.



Little boy on the rocks.

He liked to pick up (and throw) the rocks.

Once again, looking for boats on the water with Poppy.

Taz and Sue's beautiful house.

Everyone took turns reading Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go to Elliott. Poppy probably did more than his fair share of "Go Go Trucks," as Ned called it.

Coco and Poppy (and Taz and Sue) were extra helpful with Elliott since my big belly gets in the way, and is rather uncomfortable) when I have to wrangle him. Here is Coco putting Elliott to bed. You can see his bunny under his right hand. Bunny goes to bed with him every night.

On Tuesday, we went to the local quilters' fair around noon. Elliott was all tuckered out from waking up early and fell sound asleep in the car and then the stroller.

We had delicious lobsters for dinner that night. Elliott checked them out when they were still kicking.

Sue taking a turn at reading Go Go Trucks to Elliott.

Still much more to come . . . 

Maine - Part 1

Elliott and I just returned from a week in Islesboro, Maine with my parents, visiting my uncle Taz and aunt/godmother Sue. We had such a wonderful time. It seems that I took about a million pictures so expect a few posts about Maine.

This origin of this trip is entertaining. A few weeks ago, I announced to my parents that they should travel more - see the world. My mom said she is reluctant to schedule travel because we never know when Jesse will be gone and I will need their help. Completely joking, I said, "you can just take us with you wherever you go!" The next day, while Taz and Sue were visiting Canada, the talk of a trip to their house in Maine began. And suddenly Elliott and I were going, too. I tried to talk them out of it - you know a trip with a toddler is not a vacation, right? But they all insisted and so we drove up immediately after Danielle's baby shower and arrived the next day.

What would a trip to Maine be without a stop at L.L.Bean in Freeport?



Getting a special view of the ferry coming towards us as we waiting for our trip to Islesboro.

Relaxing with Poppy.

Oh, Poppy.

You're so funny!

Looking out the window with Coco while on the ferry. We were parked so close to the rail and the car next to us that we could not get out of the car.

Elliott went climbing in the back of Coco's car (the ultimate road trip vehicle), all over proof of our stop in Freeport.

The next day, Monday, we went sailing on Taz and Sue's sailboat. This trip constituted Elliott's first time on a boat. He was very excited. Here he is getting his life jacket on before heading down the dock.

Poppy taught Elliott to wave at the other boats with his hat.

Waiting for Taz and Sue to bring the big boat to the dock to pick us up.

Looking at all the boats.

Happily sailing on Symphony with Sue at the helm.

Ahhhh.

Elliott practicing to be a sailor.

Deep in conversation with Sue.

When we were nearing the end of our sail, we ventured up to the bow. Elliott loved it up there.

Big smiles!

Waving at the other boats.

Looking out with Taz.

The handle on his life jacket was quite handy!

More to come . . .