the weekend.

20 weeks pregnant (yesterday)...the halfway point! I can't believe it - the first 20 have gone by so quickly, and I know with moving the next 20 will probably do the same. All is well with mom and baby so far!
The three of us went to the park this morning, where Benjamin enjoyed the swings, slides (especially the big ones with dad), and snacks. It was a perfect morning for the park!
All three (Benjamin was telling us about something while Tim took this):
Swinging (high!):
Peeking through the tunnel:

i'm feeling...powerless.

Yesterday morning I was in the shower when Tim said, "the bathroom downstairs and the stove have no power." Hmmm. Turns out that the thermostat, bathroom lights, garbage disposal, stove, refrigerator, hall light, and playroom downstairs AND the upstairs loft, guest room, Benjamin's room, and extra bathroom are all without power. We have a warranty with our realtor (thankfully) BUT the electricians can't send anyone out until TUESDAY. I currently have an extension cord running from the fridge to the living room (where everything works) so our food stays good, and am attempting to figure out what I can make with my microwave. And I could plug the toaster into the bathroom outlet, which also mysteriously works. I'm thankful that at least we have hot water, it's not too hot or cold out right now so we need neither the AC or heat, and that at least our food didn't spoil before we realized what was going on! Now, to be creative, cooking with a microwave...At least we already had dinner plans for tonight...

In happy news, my friend Lori and her family were in Chapel Hill and Benjamin and I went to visit them! I met Lori when she left her job at OHS that became mine, and she helped me with a bunch of APES planning, and then she came back and subbed the next year when we were pregnant at the same time. We were asked often if we were related. :) It had been almost a year since we had seen each other, and it was so fun to sit on the lawn of the Carolina Inn, drink Shirley Temples, talk and let the boys play. I'll post more photos once Lori emails them to me, but here are a couple we got with my camera. (the first photo is actually one of Benjamin and Grant before they moved - from last April):
Grant was telling us about something:
We got zero photos (with my camera anyway) with both boys looking at the camera at the same time...

ba [ah-ah-ah-ooo]

My dad was here to visit from Thursday evening through this morning! Benjamin calls him "Ba - ah - ah - ah - ooo" since my dad sneezes and elicits belly laughs from my son. We mostly just played around the house, but did go to the museum of life and science, ate out often, and had good naps every day! Photos from the visit:

The house grandpa made:
"Helping" mom fold the laundry:

it's a...

BOY! (i'm not putting on the definite boy shot...i'll save that for his teenage years. haha!)

We went to see Spamalot last night - it was so funny, and it was nice to get dressed up. Benjamin was rebelling against being in a photo with us since we took his grandpa away to take a photo of us. So it's just us and the new little pumpkin in my belly! :)

another "buh day" (beautiful day)

These photos are actually from two days, but they were both beautiful! From April 10:
Benjamin on his tiptoes to reach some trains (thank you for the cute outfit, Joanie and Phil!):Reading "Fox in Socks" with mom:
April 11, at the Museum of Life and Science.
Checking out the butterflies:
A bear:
Walking with dad:
Checking out the bear with mom:

us (a silly blog thing, just for fun)

How long have you been together?: 11 years, 6 months, 11 days

How long did you date?: 3 years and 5 days

How old is he?: 29 - one month and 15 days younger than me.

Who eats more?: He does, usually. But pregnant me eats more. At least more often.

Who said ‘I love you’ first?: He did - but I think we both would have at the same time.

Who is taller?: He is - not tough when I'm a mere 5'3". (The doctor claims I'm 5'2 3/4", but I'm sticking the former. I'm NOT shrinking yet.)

Who is smarter?: In math & music, he is. In science, I am. In many, we're the same.

Who does the laundry?: We both do, depending on when it needs to be done

Who does the dishes?: He usually does

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?: He does - my side is closer to the bathroom. :)

Who pays the bills?: I do the act of paying, though he makes the money that pays them.

Who mows the lawn?: He does - grass makes me sneeze.

Who cooks dinner?: I usually do, but we often do together.

Who is more stubborn?: Both. Equally.

Who asked who out?: He asked me out first. (But I did ask him to come watch a movie in my dorm with a bunch of friends and me, don't know if that counts)

Who proposed?: He did - and it was great.

Who is more sensitive?: I am, but he definitely has moments.

Who has more friends?: We basically share the same set of friends, and we each have some separate friends, so it's about the same. And we love you ALL!

a video (finally)

We got a wonderful video camera for Christmas, and I've finally managed to edit some of the video we've taken these past few months. Enjoy! (Birthday video coming soon!)

a blog to read.

I spend some time reading blogs during Benjamin's naps (when I'm not cleaning/doing work on photographs/eating/etc). One of the blogs I check on every week or so is this one. You should go read it. And pray for this family.