Pregnancy Public Service Announcement:

One of the more bizarre things about being pregnant is the unsolicited commentary other folks like to bestow upon you. Here are some top things you might want to steer clear from saying:

1. "You don't look so bad."
2. "How's the weight gain?"
3. "You're going to be miserable this summer, trust me."
4. "I know someone who (insert horror story here)."

Conversely, things that sound wonderful to a mama-to-be:

1. "You look beautiful!" - especially when I don't feel it.
2. "(anything at all that has nothing to do with the belly or being pregnant, like, "Nice day, huh?)"
3. "Can I get you a homemade mango smoothie? Ice cream? Del's Frozen Lemonade?" *

* for non-Rhode Islanders, Del's Frozen Lemonade is AMAZING. I also recommend their frozen pink grapefruit juice. There's real rind in these ices, no colorings, and they have a cultlike following among my kids. Sour, cold, and quenching! Ahhhh.

Reading to the Baby

You know how they say you should read to the baby in utero? I'm not sure this is what they meant.

Talk about being a feminist from the get-go!

Good Advice!

Out of the mouths of babes... or first-graders, at any rate.

Memorial Day, 2009

The parade goes right by our front door. This year, we watched with our upstairs neighbors, which just made it that much more fun.

"Look, Bean, antique cars!"

This one we just can't explain, but without pictures, no one would believe us.

Nothin' says patriotism like Storm Troopers... ?

California.

I want to send support to all the folks in CA who are dealing with today's diappointing State Supreme Court decision on Proposition 8.
I am hopeful, perhaps naively, that complete equal marriage for all is not unattainable in CA. Time will tell. In the meantime, know that we are sighing for you over here in New England, and hurt with you, too.

College Reunion

M.'s, not mine, so this'll be a post of few words from me. She may add more later, we'll see.

For now, suffice to say that it was a lovely day of seeing old friends...

...and making new ones (girls and ducks both)...

...taking pictures...

...revisiting old memories, in old haunts...

...while never quite forgetting either present or future, both of which are growing almost before our eyes.

Just a photo for Granna 5/22/09

Gardening with Jen.