Terrific Twos.

Lately when I put Charlie to bed, we have little conversations about things. He's in such a mild and snuggly state but doesn't want me to leave his room. I was trying to think of what he thought was such a funny idea last night, and then I remembered tonight when he brought up Meow. I was talking about Thanksgiving and said that Meow was going to come to the farm with us... he thinks this is hilarious. We also decided this morning that Meow should have her own sock and shoes. And she's afraid of babies.

~Becky

Plumb worn out.

This is what a little hard-core gardening in the morning will do to a couple of fellows (Meow just loves to nap). I should seriously get some garden pics up, too, but this is it for now...

We ate good food today: breakfast of farm-fresh eggs and grass-fed bacon with toast and peaches; grilled porkchops from Mum and Dad for lunch, with a side of baked and seasoned sweet potatoes and a giant salad containing lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, broccoli, sliced radishes (all picked fresh this morning) and topped with parmesan cheese, sunflower seeds and poppy seed dressing. We felt completely lucky while eating, watching Charlie mash sweet potatoes all over himself and his high chair, dropping as many as possible on the floor. Afterwards Tav sat down with Charlie while I cleaned up the mess. And that's where we're at on this Saturday afternoon.

~Becky

Charlie in the House.

Needless to say, we are in full baby-proofing mode… outlet plugs, cupboard latches, and most importantly, electric cord wraps (and duct tape). He’s having a hard time exploring right now because I have to keep stopping him… from getting into everything! He did find Meow’s vacant house, though. I sent some toys in, and he stayed playing in his new fort for awhile.

~Becky

Sorry Pops.

Charlie's got high hopes for this season.

Actually, when we bought our television we got free store credit on NFL.com, and Trav plans to use it to even things out with something Viking's. We have to play it fair around here- but until then, Go Packers!

In other news...

Trav's grandmother crocheted this beautiful baby blanket for Charlie- we sent her this picture today.

And Charlie and Meow are getting closer. We never shoved Charlie in Meow's face, and she doesn't seem to really pay much attention to him most of the time- her main concern is trying to sneak into the bedroom. We let her be in there now, but only when we're awake. I don't know that she would even try to sleep with him, but now that its getting colder out you just never know. Anyways, today I put Charlie by her on the bed, where she was taking a cat-nap. I'm pretty sure she never even noticed him. Actually he didn't really notice her either.

~Becky

Sweet Charlie.

So far, we've learned that Charlie loves to be held; especially tummy time with his dad. He also loves his plush swing- often he just sleeps in it, but he was awake all morning looking at himself in the mirror while the mobile of baby lambs twirled around his pretty little face.
He also has the sweetest little lips I've ever seen, especially when he's sleeping and they just droop down because he is so totally relaxed. And he can fall asleep at the drop of a hat; anywhere, at any time. He's sleeping in my lap right now- which means I should also get to bed, while I can.

Sweet dreams...

~Becky

No cats on the table!

And please, please, please, watch this music video! - 70 million by Hold your Horses. (I'm serious, especially KT, Liz and Kali.)

I plan to blog baby stuff, as we're getting our nursery ready, and as I am working on some baby projects, shortly here. I know I'm due a picture of my belly, too. With that 2-plus pound bundle-of-joy in there, I'm definitely passed the point of obviously 'knocked up'. And enjoying most every minute (*except the swollen ankles, actually just my right ankle- I am officially outlawing potato chips) (27 weeks today!!!).
Until then, I leave you with this blog that I've been following... Pacing the Panic Room.
There are two Maternity Series on there that I've been wanting to share- now that's how to take maternity pictures.

Love,

Becky (and Baby)

I said, "Sounds like a lot of work." He said, "Sounds like a lot of Fun!"

It was so beautiful today, I didn't have the heart to make Trav stay inside to work on the bathroom - as if I could have stopped him from getting out his tiller (his Christmas present from his dad). I took a bunch of pictures to try to get a good one, and I swear he is grinning in every single one. He just got a good 'ole dose of Vitamin D today (and is currently snoozing on the couch behind me while I type this, big smile on his face).

We dug out all of the carrots and a few parsnips. (We ate parsnips for supper with steak and peas from last year, and oh man! Plus I have a roast full of carrots going right now.)
Beautiful, beautiful carrots...
Trav and one of his big turnips...
Liz and Brad should have stuck around- we got all kinds of goodies today. And Trav planted a whole ton of peas and a few radishes. Its difficult to imagine, after a sunshine filled day like today, that our hard workin' garden gnome looked like this, just a week and a half ago. I almost brought the poor fellow inside back then (which maybe I should have done, because not all of the onion seeds came up). But he was waiting patiently (or impatiently if I am perhaps figuratively talking about Trav) for Spring thaw.
It was such a good day, even my bread turned out. Yay for the sunshine!
Good Night! (I know we'll be sleeping good...)
~Becky

Misc.

A few random thoughts...

Picture of my new bowling shoes- We've been bowling for about 5 weeks now, and I think I am progressively getting worse, instead of better. I had a 188 a few weeks ago, in one game, a long with some other pretty good scores (which got my handicap really low); but now I'm pushing to get over 130 again, and have gotten under 100 several times (and with my handicap, it sucks even worse).
My next game is dedicated to my Mummy. She supports me even though I swim crooked and belly-dive, I can't seem to be able to properly use breaks on roller blades or my bicycle, and through my short-lived careers in gymnastics (KT is much better) and wrestling, just to name a few examples of my non-graceful approach to most sports. Needless to say, 188 was pretty amazing, but we'll see how the rest of the "season" plays out (its about another 7 months, so one would think I'd be really really good by that time, or really really bad the way things are going).

We do seem to have a pretty good time, though, so I guess that's the point. We even have our own group of cheerleaders that yell supportive comments at us, as we walk out the door of the bar (Schneip's Bar is our sponsor, and that's where we meet every week).*The stars glow in the dark.

This is the little baby sweater I knit for our friends' baby; we got to meet her last week, and she was about the best and cutest baby I've ever met. She was very laid back and smiley.


And, I realized I hadn't posted Meow since she grew her one white whisker; she's very wise now. She's been a sweetheart since its so chilly- she gets so cuddly when she wants a little body heat.

~Becky

Hey Good Lookin'

Here's what's cookin' tonight...

Italian Zucchini Casserole
3 medium zucchini, sliced (about 6 1/2 cups)
3 TBS. olive or vegetable oil, divided
1 medium onion, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained (I used fresh)
1 TBS. minced fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil
1 1/2 tsp. minced fresh oregano or 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 cups dry instant stuffing mix
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

In large skillet, cook zucchini in 1 TBS. oil until tender, about 5-6 minutes; drain and set aside. In the same skillet, saute the onion and garlic in remaining oil for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, garlic salt and pepper; simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Remove from heat; gently stir in zucchini. Place in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Top with stuffing mix; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven for 10 minutes or until golden.

Apple Cole Slaw- recipe from allrecipes.com

I think Meow is tuckered out from our new schedule. She hardly got up for breakfast this morning, and the whole time I was in the kitchen she was sleeping here on the bed (on the afghan Trav's grandma made :)

~Becky

Green Fever...

Trav is one busy guy...

Eggplant

Red Cabbage

Peppers

Tomatoes and Basil

Tomatoes and Basil- Peppers on the sides

Brassicaes

We've got all kinds of goodies goin' on.

~Becky

Wash Cloths - lots and lots of wash cloths

I finally used up all of my cotton yarn stash - which originally was 5 cones and many little balls. Which makes me wonder, how many washcloths/dishcloths did I actually make in the last year? I'm definitely ready to move on and try something else for a while.
I did make some scrubbies last weekend that looked really nice, but when my mom and I tried them out over the weekend, we both decided that acrylic is just not as good as the veil-type material that her other ones are made out of. She loves those things, as do my grandma and mother-in-law, so I'm going to have to get some different stuff (not sure what the real name is for that material). Oh well, it was kind of fun experimenting.
More dishcloth pictures (kind of hard to see, I think it was too dark - of course Meow had to be in every single picture)...