special helper

No doubt about it, Dorothy is one sassy girl. However, I think she has an extra dose of sweetness inside of her to make up for all that sass.

Thankfully I am on my way out of the morning sickness days.
But there is one thing I will miss from all those moments
with my head over the toilet.
This sweet girl,
my special helper,
liked to find me mid-yack
and rub my back.
"Momma,"
she would say in her sweet voice,
"it's okay. You'll feel better now."
Then she would pretend to cough and sputter a bit herself
and run off to cause some mischief.

Nothing like a two year old.

An Angel

An angel just called to tell me that she is bringing me dinner. I literally cried a few tears of joy when I got off the phone with her.

I've been feeling a little better yesterday and today, and I am very excited to think I can put all my efforts into trying to get my house clean and organized. No dinner (or dinner pots and pans!) to take care of tonight!

Who knew getting a chance to scrub my shower could make me so happy:)

I want THAT.

I get pregnancy cravings. No doubt about it. With Dorothy and Lucy, I hate to admit it, I craved donuts, ice cream, and pastries. I tried not to give in too often, but there was the occasional run to stop and shop at 9 pm to fill a "need." I remember cringing as the self scanner practically yelled across the store "please move your PASTRY to the belt."

This time around I have more varied cravings. However, instead of wanting something once every few weeks, I find myself wanting one thing for a week straight. My cravings this time have included:

Caesar salad wraps (but NO chicken, please. It currently makes me wretch.)
slurpees
eel, avocado, and cucumber sushi
pork quesadillas
fresh fruit
pizza (in varying degrees of quality)
potato salad
churros and hot chocolate (although this one was never fulfilled)
rainbow sherbet
flavored seltzer water
cheese and crackers

The caesar wraps were a little out of control. I literally ate one (or two) a day for about a week and a half. I was bringing all the fixings to church and making them in the kitchen to get through the meetings with a happy tummy. I was making them before bed to eat while I read. I don't know that I ever allowed myself to have one for breakfast, but I am sure that I thought about it. I'm a little sick of the wraps part now, but I have given in to eating just straight croutons and salad dressing. Once. Maybe twice.

I am always fascinated that when the sound of most food makes me want to yack, those dear old cravings go down nice and easy. Thank goodness for grocery stores and a husband willing to run a few extra errands.

My new Best Friend

Zofran.
It gets me through the days.
It gives me the ability to enjoy this summer with my family.

With a dose of nausea medication in my tummy,
we have had some truly delicious summer days:

The beach.

I too often forget to enjoy living 10 minutes from the ocean.
But these little girls love it so much,
I'm sure that we will be going much more frequently.

We braved a bumpy ferry ride over to Martha's Vineyard
for one of my favorite summer days.
Who doesn't love boat rides, picnics, carousels, and ice cream
all in the same day?

We headed over to Battleship Cove to see the ships,
walk along the water,
ride the carousel,
and,
of course,
jump up and down like Rocky at the top of these steps.

I mostly just love getting outside.
The fresh air is,
well,
refreshing,
and I always feel grateful when I think about
the long winter months that will be here before we know it.

Look at that dirt-covered face.
Now that is beauty.