18 May 2014

May 11-18

This is where we see how efficient the grapevine is.  Last Sunday, we made an announcement to (mostly) family and (a few) friends.  Bryan and I have a system.  He gets to choose how to spread the word about the odd numbered babies and I get to do the even numbered ones.  Bryan's method is simple: blurt out the news as soon as possible.  :)  So last Sunday, after taking a positive test Saturday, we started letting people know that baby number 3 will be arriving in mid to late January.  If you're just finding out now, I apologize, because somehow you are woefully out of the loop.  If you bring it to my attention, we will attempt to fix it for next time.

We told Olivia that she was going to have a new brother or sister.  Upon hearing this news, she said, "Yes, a sister would be fine."  The next day, her grandma asked, "Are you going to have a new baby?" and Olivia replied, "A sister."  When it comes time to make predictions, keep in mind that Olivia has thrown all her resources into making sure this baby is another girl.  :)

Another day, we asked Olivia if she had any ideas for names.  Her front runners:  For a girl - Doggie, Yellow Duck.  For a boy - Gretchen.  We told her we'd take her ideas into consideration.  :)

It makes it easier to discuss the baby if we have a name for it.  I was just going to go with boring Number 3, but then we got name suggestions from Olivia.  Henceforth, this baby shall be referred to as Yellow Duck, or perhaps just Duck for short.

Gretchen talks.  A lot.  There are very few distinguishable words, but she likes to make the sounds.  She looks so serious when she talks, like she fully expects us to know exactly what she's saying.  As far as "might be actual words" go, "bye" seems pretty consistent, as does "mamamamama" and "yeah".  She also sings along to Old MacDonald, chiming in with her (slightly mangled) version of EIEIO.  It was recently discovered that Gretchen also participates in The Itsy-Bitsy Spider when that song is sung.

Olivia takes full advantage of the fact that one of Gretchen's only understandable words is "yeah."  We do think Gretchen actually means "yeah" most of the time, and that it's not just a filler sound, but she's also at the age where she'll answer "yeah" to pretty much anything.  Olivia has begun asking Gretchen questions, usually phrasing them carefully so that Gretchen eagerly agrees to whatever nonsense Olivia is suggesting.  Then Olivia turns to me and says, "Mom, Gretchen said yeah."  As if that's all the explanation required when I discover her trying to pick Gretchen up and/or take Gretchen's toys.

I have a garden!  And things are growing in it!  Bryan built me a box to put on the driveway (since that's the only place that gets consistent sunlight).  I filled it with dirt and, utilizing the Square Foot Gardening method, planted zucchini, green beans, peas, carrots, and beets.  I already have sprouts of everything except carrots.  :)  I still need to buy green pepper and tomato plants.  

Bonus post on Wednesday!

Pictures and Video:
Vimeo Video (password BarhorstBrewed):

This is how Gretchen wears socks all clothes when she puts them on herself (the sock, not the sleeper):

Olivia sits in "Daddy's Box:"

Bryan builds old man strength:

Sunglasses:



Olivia was especially tired one morning:

Sorting rocks at the playground with the girls:

Gretchen plays peek-a-boo:

2 comments:

  1. A growing garden :) what a novelty....poor Tom can't get the ground prepped. Great job on the box!

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  2. I love the names. They shouldn't surprise you, after all you were about the same age when you named your baby "seed". :)

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