Snapshot #1161: "I Think I Can, I Think I Can"

March 31, 2015.  Vancouver, Washington.  The hardest day of the week is Tuesdays--shopping day.  My back is tired, my feet are throbbing and swollen until they're Hobbit-like, I have acid-reflux, I'm overly emotional and I still have one store left.  I used to get home around 2:00, today it will be some time between 4:00 and 4:30; I'm definitely slowing down over here.

Snapshot #1160: Apple Blossoms

March 30, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  My first ever apple blossoms on my first little tree on my first piece of land.  Smile.

Snapshot #1159: Sand, Soil & Mulch

March 28, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Because one project at a time isn't enough.  I had 2 yards of 3-Way (sand, soil & mulch), 8 bags of steer manure, 1 bag of alfalfa pellets, 1 bag of lime, a rake, and a wheelbarrow delivered today to fill our newly-constructed garden boxes.    

Snapshot #1158: Playtime at the Park

March 27, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I have attempted to start a "Music Makers" class on Fridays with the Playgroup here, but it hasn't taken wings yet...so it was our third week in a row at the park.  No complaints here though--maybe we should save music makers for rainy days.

Snapshot #1157: Picnic Under the Crib

March 26, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  "We're having a picnic, Mom."  I guess it was worth it for these two sets of hands to move all these toys from Hazel's room into the nursery just for a picnic under the crib.

Snapshot #1156: Greg Wrubell

March 25, 2015.  Portland, Oregon.  Just found this photo of Dave with Greg Wrubell, "Voice of the Cougars" in Portland a couple weeks ago.  Love it!

Snapshot #1155: HypnoBirthing

March 24, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  HypnoBirthing is supposed to be a gentle and relaxing way to give birth.  It is based on the principal that labor doesn't necessarily have to be painful.  That I can place myself in an ultra-calm state using visualizations, music, breathing and relaxation techniques -- minimizing pain and discomfort.  That's the goal!

Snapshot #1154: Cinderella

March 23, 2015.  Vancouver, Washington.  A friend invited Hazel and I to go to the movies today to see Cinderella.  Sure, there were a few times I wanted to yell at the poor girl to take charge of her own destiny, but I refrained; and Hazel loved it when the mice were turned into horses.

Snapshot #1153: Nearly Nine Months

March 22, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  In case there was any doubt...It's exactly two weeks until due date.  Plane tickets are purchased for both Mother and Mother-in-law.  Nursery just needs some wall decor.  The cradle needs to be brought up to our bedroom from the garage.  The guest room needs curtains hung.  The hospital bag needs one more check.  Hazel's bag needs to be packed.  The car is finally cleaned out--a million thanks to Dave--but the car seat needs to be installed.  I need to practice my breathing every day.  And I need to believe in myself and the power of my body to do this thing it was created for.

Snapshot #1152: Flour Face

March 21, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I'm not sure if more flour ended up on the counter, on her face, on the floor, or in the bowl.

Snapshot #1151: Grass Valley Park

March 13, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Hooray for friends!

Before & After Snapshot #1150: Project Dresser

March 12, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  Project nursery is coming along.  I used Annie Sloan's chalk paint for this dresser.  I mixed one part Scandinavian Pink with one part Old White to get this color.  Then I brushed on a little dark wax followed by the clear wax.  I'm not loving the streakiness of the dark wax, but overall it turned out pretty good I think.

Snapshot #1149: Selfies

March 11, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I have no idea where or when Hazel took these photos of herself; I just found them on my phone.  hahaha!

Snapshot #1148: Muddy Feet

March 10, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  I don't think it's rained in two weeks, but there's an area of our yard that sits in shadow and never seems to dry out.  Hazel had a ball...until a nightcrawler slunk over her foot.

Snapshot #1147: Spring Flowers

March 9, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  They keep saying this uncharacteristically good weather is going to turn, but I just couldn't help myself.

Snapshot #1146: Project Square Foot Garden--Begin

March 7, 2015.  Camas, Washington.  It has been delightfully (and uncharacteristically) sunny the last couple weeks, so I talked Dave into assembling some raised garden boxes for our backyard.  Ohhh, the potential.