a visit from Grandma and Grandpa

Mum and Dad came to visit a couple of weeks ago, on their way home from celebrating Mum's (big) birthday in France. It was great to see them for a few days! 

We didn't do much while they were here, except drink lots of tea and take Semilla to play in the river. 

Sometimes drinking tea involves reading books. 

Sometimes drinking tea involves picnics on the floor, with a naughty dog. 

Semilla loves the river. 

She never gets tired of the ol' stick-in-the-river game
(even though we do). 

Exploring with Grandma. 

Jim and Claire came to visit as well. We went to the Rio Grande Nature Center (leaving Semilla behind) and looked for ducks and turtles. Unfortunately, the turtles were all on vacation and we didn't get to see them (this time).

"I see one! I see a duck!"

Thanks for the visit! We hope to see you again soon.....

the egg is getting ready to hatch...

We have three weeks left until our due date, and things are getting big.

Enjoying the spring sunshine!

It's approaching the time that we can start to compare BITO with the expiration date on Paloma's milk.

"Mama, why are you taking photos of my milk?"

Everyone is well. We're getting excited and taking bets on whether the baby will be a boy or a girl. Paloma says it will be a boy because then we will have two girls (Mama and Paloma) and two boys (Papa and BITO).

What do you think?

flippin' heck!

Crikey, that's getting to be a big belly! We only have a month or two to go, and it's really starting to show...

Look familiar? 

The good news is that BITO has flipped and is no longer breech. I felt a big tumble in my belly yesterday and it was confirmed by our wonderful midwife this morning. BITO is now head-down and ready to go.

Hooray!

A new home...

Paloma has found a new home for herself.

"Hey Elephant! Do you like the new place?"

Honestly, she just climbed right in and made herself at home!

Note the book she is reading: Little House on a Small Planet.  

(It's Semilla's little house. We were having trouble getting to Semilla to sleep all night and it was driving us crazy, so we dusted off her old crate. She loves it! In fact, both of the girls like to climb in there and nap.)

Happy birthday, Aussie Grandma!

We hope you received your card in time. 

Yep, that's the Burdett tongue sticking out. 

A lot of work went into that card...

If you listen closely, you will hear Paloma ask for a toothpick to spread the glitter.

And several iterations....

A glimpse into Paloma's busy little mind....

Until Paloma got it just right.

Happy birthday, world traveler!

Happy Valentine's Day

Howard is out of town for a few days for a meeting of fish folk. Paloma and I decided to make him a Valentine's card. She really got busy....

turn, turn, turn

Two months to go!

Two quick months and BITO will be here.

Trying to convince Semilla to stick her nose in the picture. 

My belly is getting bigger and bigger - the little creature will spend the next couple of months fattening up and so will I.

At the moment, BITO is head up. We're hoping that s/he will turn, turn, turn in time.

And, it seems that the season is beginning to turn too. Our chickens are enjoying running in the yard and garlic is starting to poke up out of the ground.

Afternoon sunshine in our backyard. 

Afternoon ragamuffin in our backyard.