Charlie: 3 Months

Currently Charlie is 3 and a half months. I've quit counting the weeks, but I think it's like 14 or 15.

He's growing like crazy. Some of the 6 month clothes we have for him are a little snug. I wish baby clothes were consistent. It's hard to know what will fit and what won't.



Everyone said that things get better at three months. They were right. He's sleeping consistently. Eating well. And is starting to show some of his personality.



He loves laying on my legs facing me and talking. Every day he makes new sounds. Yesterday were more G sounds, today it's more H sounds and squawking. It's precious.



He's starting to pull things toward his mouth. So I started trying to help him put his pacifier in his mouth himself. He wants to do it and is getting better and better every day.



He doesn't care to be held too much. Preferring to lay on the couch cushion, floor, or in his swing. But he does tolerate us holding him up to look out at the room. He's almost got full control over his head. Almost.



He's beginning to play with toys. Especially with his baby gym.



The Rock-n-Play is pretty much the greatest baby contraption ever and I'm going to be really sad when he outgrows it. He naps in it every day. And we will put him in it when we are outside in the garden or eating on the front porch.

The last few days we've been transitioning to a new schedule/routine. He is eating every four hours instead of three.

We still swaddle him, but I'm wondering how long we should continue to do so. I like to do it because it's a signal to him that it is nap or bed time. But he almost always gets out of it. He does sometimes wake himself up with his hands. I have a feeling that the swaddle will end within another month or so.  But I'm sure a lot will change in the next month or so. They grow up fast!

Soggy Garden Update

Good morning. It's a bit wet here today but I ran out between rain showers to snap some photos. 

I was finally able to get some plants in the ground this past weekend! Nothing makes me more anxious than having things that need planting but not finding the time. 

Here's what things are looking like as of this morning: 

Garlic, Aspargus, carrots, volunteer potatoes. I planted some edamame seeds on Saturday on the right hand side. I've heard garlic and beans do not do well together. We'll see what happens. 

I planted some basil seeds and cucumber seeds in the far too right bed. Peppers and tomatoes will go in the middle bed over the next few weeks. 

It's nearly impossible to see in this picture but I planted a jet star tomatoe in the top left. Some potatoes coming up in the bottom right, but it's mostly just weeds. Peppers and tomatoes will go in middle bed soon. 

The back bed was completed this weekend! Three types of beans planted and four types of tomatoes. Glory! 

Hello, sweet young things! 

I was also able to convince Bryan to plant two hydrangeas I purchased at a plant sale under the redbud and spread mulch. It's amazing the difference this makes. 

Now if we could just do something about the weed infested yard! 

I'm pleased with the progress and anxious to see the rest of the beds planted. The rest of my tomato starts will be planted soon enough. My peppers are a few weeks behind since the first batch never sprouted. 

Pyramid Bass Pro Shop

A couple weeks ago something big opened in Memphis. Our landmark Pyramid recently opened as a Bass Pro Shop. So weird, I know.

The Pyramid has been vacant the last ten years or so since the FedEx Forum (more commonly known as the Grindhouse in these parts) opened. This is sad since it's such a cool building, but what can one do with a giant pyramid?  The last several years there was talk of a theme park possibly going on, but in the end Bass Pro cut a deal with the city. Even though we've known this was going to happen for two years or so now, it still seemed so surreal.

Last week Bryan mentioned wanting to go for his lunch break, so we did.





Inside is two floors of retail, restaurant, and bowling. There is also a hotel inside. And also massive aquariums.



This is the largest freestanding elevator in the U.S., I believe. It takes you to an observation deck outside on the top of the pyramid. We skipped that this trip as it was $10 a person and we were hungry for lunch.



Charlie enjoyed watching the fish.



Here's a view from the second floor. On the third and fourth floors it looked like there were screened-in balconies for the hotel rooms. I imagine they have a nice view of the tree tops and hanging moss.

We aren't Bass Pro shoppers, but this new shop is pretty darn amazing. We enjoyed looking at the grills, camping equipment and boats.

If you are in the Memphis area it is definitely worth checking out.

Garden update Monday

Good morning. 

Early last week I planted new herbs I purchased at the plant sales: pineapple mint, lemon verbena, marjoram, dill, cilantro, tarragon, and curry! 

Mints

Sage and oregano from last year, newer herbs to the right. 

Herbs! I love the cinder block holes for planting herbs. 

It may be hard to see above but asparagus is starting to come up! In 2-3 years I'll have a harvest we can eat!

Some potatoes are sprouting. I need to add more dirt to this bucket. 

Tomatoes! On the right I purchased another Jet Star from a plant sale. It did great for us last year but I totally forgot to save seeds. 

Lettuce! Pretty soon I can make a salad! Fresh home grown lettuce is so tender. 

The pepper seeds I planted had shown no activity so I planted some more on Tuesday. On Saturday I saw this:  

The first seeding starting to pop out of the original pepper tray. I'm still not expecting much from this tray, but it was a nice surprise. 

I don't have too much planned for this week other than weeding and watering.  Pretty soon though it will be time to get things in the ground. 

What is happening in your garden?

Grizz Growl Towel Bib - Naptime Craftime

One day last week I was feeling the itch to create. Before Charlie I would occasionally get my hands busy with some sort of creative endeavor. Whether gardening, sewing, arranging, cooking, pretty much anything. But it has been a while since I've done anything extra creative and it was starting to get to me. I wanted to paint! And I have no drawing or painting skills.

If you follow basketball you know it's playoff time. We love the Memphis Grizzlies and are excited for their playoff run this year. We have a stack of Growl Towels from previous years and I thought maybe I could do something with one of them.



I broke out my sewing basket and the sewing machine and got to work. First I cut off a strip of towel at the top and bottom to make straps. I sewed up the rough edges and then sewed the straps to the top of the towel.



Here Roux models it for me.



And here's Charlie putting it to use. It's a bit long horizontally for a traditional bib. He loves to have his hands up by his face during feeding time. But for something I whipped up in under an hour and got to enjoy some creative time, I think it's okay.

7

This past weekend Bryan and I celebrated 7 years of marriage. In some ways it's hard to believe it's been that long. In other ways I can't remember a time without Bryan in my life.

To start off the celebrations we had a family lunch at Beauty Shop. Charlie got to come and was on his best behavior. 

We dropped him off at my parents house afterwards and went car shopping. Back in January I was in a wreck and insurance totaled my beloved Saturn. We've been using Bryan's car ever since. It really hasn't been an issue since Charlie was born two weeks after the wreck and Bryan hasn't been traveling much. May starts the travel season so we have been looking for a few weeks now.

We went out to Collierville and ended up purchasing a new Dodge Journey. We aren't new car people, but we got a good deal and it was only $2000 for a new car over last year's used car. Seems worth the extra money to us. 

After having it a few days I'm in love and now look for reasons to drive. Still working on a name for it, though. 

For dinner Bryan made reservations at Andrew Michael's Italian Kitchen. It's one of our favorites but it's a special occasion place. We got the five course chefs tasting and it was wonderful. I'd definitely recommend it if you go. 

We enjoyed spending some time together without Charlie. Date nights for the win! 

Fruit update!

This week I didn't do too much in the garden besides weed and water. So I thought I'd give an update on some of my fruit. 

The pear tree I planted last spring in the front yard is thriving. All winter it looked like a sad stick in the yard, but a few weeks ago it busted out in leaves in practically a day! Now it is covered in leaves and putting out new branches. If it puts out any fruit this year I'll be shocked. 

The existing blackberry bushes are also putting out new growth. I have high hopes for an even bigger yield this year. Maybe even enough for a whole cobbler. 

My limes did not fare very well this winter. One looked to have a disease and the other I think got too cold. I thought they might be dead, but behold! New growth! This particular one is looking better than the other. 

My lemon, I'm afraid, is dead. 

The fig tree I purchased last year wintered inside and is doing well. We will need to plant him soon. 

Strawberries! Looking healthy! 

Tomatoes are growing well. Peppers are still showing no growth. I'm going to try starting some more from seed this week. 

I went to some spring plant sales on Friday so I have a little work to do with new purchases today. I'll post on those next week.