July Heat

This summer is flying by and so is the pregnancy.  But of course it would have to be the hottest summer in the record books! As of today we have had 30 days in the 90's and usually we get about 17 days an entire summer and we are only half way through the summer.  Thank God we have air in our house and at work. Unfortunately, there have been many nights when we can't go outside and enjoy the fresh air because it has been too hot for Owen and I. As you will see below I am getting quite big and the hot weather is just not real enjoyable for me at this point.  

Week 29 Bump

Week 30 Bump

 One thing we have been doing to get refreshed and stay cool is going to the Splash Park nearby. It is the greatest invention, I wish we had these when we were growing up. It is a free park by our house where there are a bunch of splash fountains and buckets that drop water and little ones can run around and get wet. Owen loves it. He is quite the dare devil, running through the circles of water and under the buckets.

 Our garden is also not enjoying this heat. We have definitely seen a reduction in crops compared to previous years. There are some things that never even came up, hence the open spaces in the garden.

 This was the first year that I planted carrots and they have been growing. I have picked 2 so far and as you can see a few more are about ready.

 The tomatoes are finally beginning to turn red. However, there are definitely not as many as previous  years and they are taking a lot longer to ripen. Hopefully they will and not just stay green.

 This year I decided to do a portabello mushroom box. As you can see below, that is doing wonderful! When we came back from Michigan I had about 30 mushrooms and this was from last week when I got 5 gigantic mushrooms. We sautéed them up and they were delicious!

 Lynn's boyfriend, Drew, finally entered the wonderful 30's with Ryan and I. So we had a surprise party for him last weekend to bring him into the next decade. I think he was surprised and he definitely enjoyed the festivities!

 We also spent part of last week in LaSalle Peru celebrating the wedding of my cousin Mark and his wife Susan. It was a fun weekend spent with family.  Owen's highlight was riding on the luggage carrier through the halls and down the elevator. The little things that bring joy to little ones! It makes me step back and realize how simple life is in the eyes of a 1-year old.

 Owen and the guys. In a few years he will be dressed up with them enjoying the family weddings.  He just had fun eating his apple and hanging out with us before we departed for the reception.

 The entire Bogdonas clan. It was so fun to be able to spend the night with all of us together. I think we dominated the dance floor again like most weddings we attend. I would be interested to see the video from the wedding because I constantly saw it following one of us and it caught my cousin's wife Mary Ann and I doing a baby bump together. I am sure that was quite the scene, but let me tell you people kept requesting it.

 Love my sisters! Can't wait to hopefully sooner than later celebrate their weddings!

Michigan Trip from Reality

Week 27 and heading into the final trimester! I just can't believe this baby is coming so soon. It has been quite the mover and shaker in my stomach. Not sure if that means we are in for quite a ride with this child?! Overall I am feeling good but not enjoying this beautiful, hot and humid weather. 

Owen enjoyed some yogurt and his first ice cream sandwich. Well, I think he enjoyed some of it even though most of it was just all over him.  He definitely does not mind getting messy one bit.

 Last week we got away from reality and heading north to Michigan along lake Michigan in the northern part of the state. It was absolutely beautiful weather in the 80's, sun every day and no humidity.  It was just the break from work, heat, and life in the fast lane that we needed.  Every day we slept in, went to the beach, and just enjoyed not being on a schedule. Although by dinner time Owen was suffering from not sticking to his nap schedule and was usually in desperate need of sleep. But he proved that he is a beach baby! Loving the sand and lake and everything about the beach life.

 The only hat we have been able to get Owen to wear for a decent amount of time recently was this cowboy hat. Not sure where he gets it from because Ryan and I definitely are not country fans. But he loves his Papa and seems like he will do anything for him!

 A day in Fishtown. We had a lot of fun checking out this cool little Fisherman's village and buy some Petoskey stones!

 Ryan and I went for a hike with Lynn and Drew up and down a sand dune and then walked along Lake Michigan back to Drew's parents' house. It was a beautiful hike, with wonderful scenic views of the lake.  We said next year Owen is hiking with us and can slide down the dune. He seems to love to climb these days so we figured it would be right up his alley.

 This was at the top of the dune before making the plunge down.  The guys sprinted down while Lynn and I closed our eyes fearful of them tumbling down amongst the rocks. Lynn and I slowly walked down the dune.

 It was quite the hike down. We look like ants down at the bottom from the top of the dune. I said we needed to take pictures so that I could show my Nona. Should would have a heart attack knowing that I hiked down this pregnant. But I survived and so did the baby.

 Owen was always excited to make the trek down the trail from Drew's parents' house to the lake. He knew we were heading toward the water. He never wanted to be held, but instead wanted to walk like a big boy. Even if it meant a very long walk to the water! He is becoming more and more of a little man, wanting to do things on his own and becoming more independent. It is cute yet hard to see because my little baby is turning into a little boy. He will often swat our hand away because he wants to do something by himself.

 Owen has become quite the handy man. He loves tools and anything that has a cord or can plug into things. Here he found a cabinet large enough for him to sit in and he used my phone charger and was trying to plug it into the hinge on the door. He sat in here for quite a while babbling away to himself as he worked on the door. I swear he is going to be an engineer or something along those lines because he is constantly taking things apart, putting things together and trying to plug everything into one another. He is so busy, he makes me exhausted by the end of the day, but it is a good exhaustion watching my little boy explore the world.  I look forward to seeing him and his new sibling explore together in the next few years. It is amazing what children can do from such a young age and the things he understands and figures out on his own.

Summertime Fun!

I have some catching up to do on this blog post. Time has flown by, May came and went, and now it is summertime.  I am in  my 25th week, almost on the home stretch of the final trimester! Feeling the baby  rocking and rolling in my stomach.  Owen is turning into a little boy, exploring his world and having fun getting dirty and doing wild and crazy things that boys like to do.  He loves anything that has to do with the great outdoors, it is our second home these days now that the weather is nice.

Week 21 Bump

 Owen is still obsessed with any type of vacuum. He plays for hours with the shop vac out in the garage, he is his father's son!

 Getting his first taste of summer with 90 degree weather in May and playing out in the pool at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

 The morning of the Rockford Marathon.  Of course happens to be one of the hottest days in May with temperatures in the 90's by the end of the race. Andrea successfully ran her first half marathon. It was fun to run the race with her and cheer her on until the end. People were staring at me, probably thinking that I was crazy running while pregnant. Andrea commented when we got to the race how everyone was looking at my stomach.  Surprisingly, I felt great throughout the race and never felt sore the next day. I am still running and feeling good.

 Week 22 Bump

 Memorial Day weekend was spent up north at the cottage. We spent every waking minute outside with Owen. He was in heaven playing on the bobcat and backhoe loader.  From the minute he woke up in the morning he would point outside for us to take him to the equipment and play on it.  I guess we need these machines in our yard!

 Owen also found a love for the boats and being by the water. He was content walking around in the fishing boat, exploring this new surrounding.

 Let's just say that Owen loves anything that moves and makes noises.  He is definitely 100% BOY! He loves anything with power, getting dirty, being on the move and acting rough!

 Owen was not fond of the life jacket, but eventually we got him to calm down and relax while sucking on his pacifier and holding on to a container of animal crackers.  I guess that I do not blame him though for not liking the life jacket. I think I would probably cry also if I had to wear one for an entire boat ride.

 Loving his High Life just like his dad! Maybe some day, like  in 20 years!

 Chillin with grandpa, driving the pontoon