Blah and Yay... Random Post.

So, I've reached that point. That one point in pregnancy when you can't breath or get comfortable EVER. And you start to get annoyed with the sound of your own complain-y voice. And because you complain so much, your husband loses all sympathy for you (except for his OWN magically imagined "sympathy" aches and pains that require massaging) because he's become desensitized to your "pitiful" face and grunts and groans and frustrations with your huge, lumbery, prison of a planet body.

In a desperate attempt to feel validated for my less than perky demeanor, I lovingly provided Sam with a small, but poignant demonstration. I had him sit on the couch and, not without great effort, climbed aboard and put my knee in his diaphragm. Then I shoved one fist in his bladder and the other under his ribs on one side and told him to go ahead and get comfortable like that so we could relax and watch some TV. Then I sat there all smug for my ingenious empathy-inducing object lesson.

I've had to repeat my demonstration a couple times since then, pretty much just whenever Sam starts getting that less-than-perfectly-understanding-and-doting look about him. He's really grateful I'm so willing to take the time to teach him exactly how sorry he should feel for me...

Don't be jealous.

BUT, aside from all THAT, I will say, autumn in Hyde Park makes me all mushy inside. There's so much lush, colorful goodness that I can't help but feel invigorated whenever I venture out of my apartment---once a week.

We made our way to the annual pumpkin patch/apple orchard fiesta in Indiana last week and had ourselves a glorious time. In fact, I was so drunk off of fresh cider, fudge and pumpkin donuts I hardly took any pictures at all.

But alas, there are a few to share:

The munchkin herd. Notice the "3 Little Pigs" homes behind them. The two little imps on the right holding hands were discovered trying to sneak off to the grass one for a little alone time.

No, but seriously, we have been startled to happen upon them smooching a time or two. Like, serious smooching. Josh, however, HAS been rumored to be romancing a slightly younger woman in our group of friends as well. One with an equally luscious hairdo... So I've been trying to teach Leah a few of her mother's "hard to get" tricks. Seeing how she is generally the big fat kissing instigator, I don't think it's sinking in... the little hussy.

Some of the gang.

Leah was a power monger with her little map, shouting around directions and being a bully in general. Till we mocked her mercilessly for carrying it upside down.

Matt, Mimi and Josh on the tractor out to the orchard.

Seconds before the Pumpkin Police had to taze Sam for getting unruly with the squash.

What is it with overaged children turning into crazed lunatics when presented with a swarm of toddlers and toddler-aged toys? I swear, the next 5+ year old I see fighting with a 2 year old over a trike is going to get leg-clipped from behind. By ME. Oh, and their parents, too.

Sorry. Merely spouting off a little steam about Leah's ill-fated attempts to play with this here little tractor amidst a gang of unsupervised 5-year-old hoodlums wreaking havoc in the toddler play area.

Speaking of, I couldn't resist snapping a few incognito shots of this little gem who was king konging around the fun toys at the mall...

His awesome mom lovingly ignored all of the blaring height and age limit signs that day and dropped him off so she could get some much needed shopping time by herself...

This next one is my favorite... in the infant play section:

It was a precarious situation for all children involved that day. Leah, in particular, came dangerously close to losing her life on five separate occasions... but I'm super glad his mom got to have some "me" time.

End Tangent.

This little beauty (Carina's newest addition)...

...had her baby blessing two Sundays ago and we were thrilled to host the post-blessing luncheon at our house.

There was delicious cuisine...

And delicious company...

(You'll notice the extreme duress my non-maternity shirt is under in this picture. Poor little shirt. Never hurt a fly.)

I didn't take one single picture the whole time so I had to steal these from Carina. BUT, our house was happily packed with love and laughter and high-fiving... my very favorite things.

The end for now.