Another busy fun day. I took this photo in the morning and it really represents one of Thomas’ favourite things to do right now. He just loves it when we read to him. The only problem is that it makes me want to buy him more books. There are some really booooring books for kids and we definitely have our fair share. But reading to Thomas is still one of my favourite things to do – especially when he starts “reading” along with me. (Side note: Kei gave me the eye roll when I went to take this photo. He’ll thank me later. :))

Sunday was a beautiful day – not too hot, not too cold and not a cloud in the sky. We decided to make the most of it by heading to the zoo. Yes, we spend a LOT of time at the zoo… 🙂 On the way there I started thinking about how this will probably be the last time we go on a family outing with just the three of us. Next weekend will be busy as I try to get some cleaning done in preparation for Mum’s visit and I don’t think we’ll have much time for fun and then the weekend after my Mum will be here and Kei has a class so not much chance of a family outing then either. (I do have a pedicure scheduled for Sunday – the day before my c-section. Do you think I jinxed it?)

It’s a little bittersweet. While there is no doubt that I am excited about this baby and how he will add to our family, I am a little sad about this part of our life ending.

Where was I? Oh yes, the zoo. Thomas spent a lot of time in the sandpit, the elephants were in fine form and we had a very relaxing, stress-free visit.

I think the zoo membership was possibly one of our best purchases. It doesn’t matter if we don’t see all of the animals or if Thomas just wants to hang out with the elephants all day. There will always be a next time. Which is why Kei and Thomas can spend some time just chilling.

Once again, Thomas fell aslep in the car on the way home and, once again, he decided to skip his nap. Good thing Kei needed some “help” out in the garden so Thomas sepnt some time out there while I tried to get some rest. But then I did some weeding and the laundry so I suppose I am a little bit of a masochist. I am definitely feeling it today. Very achy and tired and really getting ready for this baby.

Happy birthday to me. Yes, Saturday was my birthday – my 33rd. Of course with everything else going on right now it didn’t have quite the celebratory feel that it has in the past, but I had a great day just hanging out with Kei and Thomas.

We started the day with breakfast at one of our favourite places. We have been going there since we moved to Portland 5 years ago and it has the most amazing Crab Cakes Benedict. The best thing is that it’s also family-friendly but still an adult restaurant. That means the noise level is just enough so that we don’t have to stress about bothering other diners and the food is quick.

Next we went and chose light fixtures. I know, pretty exciting, but the good news is that we did manage to decide on almost everything.

Then off to Target where I picked up some toiletries for the hospital bag and some socks for Thomas (thrilling, huh?). Thomas fell asleep on the way home which meant a 15 minute nap, which then meant no nap when we got home. He played in his room for about an hour but no sleeping.

We then headed to a first birhday party for a friend’s daughter where there was much cake and frivolity – including a pinata. Here is Thomas and his friend Evan dividing the booty.

Thomas managed to eat quite a bit of candy before we cut him off. I don’t know how he managed to learn how to unwrap those suckers so fast. Oh, and in case you’re not paying attention, Thomas at this stage had not taken a nap, had eaten some cake and was now onto candy. So we have now moved to the stage of tired loopiness coupled with a sugar high.

So of course I can’t cook on my birthday so we headed out to get some takeout sushi. Thomas decided he wanted to walk like Daddy with his hands in his pockets. At least he’s happy when he’s tired.

But the day was not over. We got home at about 5:30 and Thomas helped Kei make some birthday brownies, complete with a candle to blow out. Thomas was so excited to carry the brownie over to me – so cute now that he gets the whole birthday thing.

The tally for Thomas at the end of the day: No Nap, Birthday Cake, Pinata Candy and a little bit of Birthday Brownie. We did manage to get him to eat some sushi but basically a full sugar diet. This led to a post sugar crash and a VERY deep sleep that lasted until 8:30am. Thomas NEVER sleeps past 6:30/7:00.

Kei and I ended the evening watching Michael Clayton (great movie) and just chilling.

Overall a great, relaxing birthday with my two favourite boys and my very last birthday as a mother of one.

What I love about this photo.

• That it shows how Thomas dances down the street when he’s happy.
• The way the sidewalk goes off into the distance.
• The beautiful pink flowers that signal that finally spring may be here
• The gorgeous porta-potty that managed to make it into the shot. Perfect! (OK, not so much).

This photo just says happy. 🙂

Here’s my little boy in print. So exciting to see one of my LOs published and Thomas was pretty impressed too. As soon as Kei got home Thomas couldn’t wait to tell him that he was in a magazine. I was paid for it too. Not enough to retire but a little bit of pocket money. Of course I would have to publish about 10 pages a week to cover my maternity leave

Proud of this one – almost straight out of the camera. Just a little cropping, a defog action and voila! Of course it took about 5 minutes of me saying Thomas’ name and begging him to look at me before I was able to take the photo, but it’s all about the setup, right?

Taken at the end of a long day – capped off by Kei getting a flat tire on his bike and Thomas and I having to go and pick him up. It did mean we missed the drywallers (is that a word?) who wanted to stay late because they were on a roll. So exciting now that we almost have walls. Real walls – not the pieces of cardboard that passed themselves off as walls on our second floor before we began this adventure. Oh no, THESE walls have insulation (I think I mentioned how fantastic that stuff is).

Oh and today I have had a few contractions and a lot of aching in my lower back. I have been madly drinking water and am tempted to lie on my left side under the desk just to keep this child in. (Kei’s advice was to clench.) I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow so I’ll let you know if I’m imagining things.

I am going to have to update my locket photos pretty soon. Kei bought this for my birthday a couple of years ago and I have not changed out the photos since I added these when Thomas was about six months old. Of course the problem is going to be when I have three boys in my life and only two spaces for photos. Kei has already accepted the fact that he will have to give up his position. I think he accepted it a long time ago…

P.S. In addition to providing more variety in my photos, I also promise more focus – as in, not blurry.