Zucchini in California are not for Equal Opportunity

Alternately titled "How to Overcrowd your Vegetable Garden"
Alternately titled "When Maybe You Didn't Need That Second Helping of Miracle Grow"

When we planted the tomatoes, I had in mind the tall, slender tomatoes my dad grew in Virginia. Then we Miracle-Grew them because we're afraid of killing all our plants (please see grass in the picture of Henry below). They are planning their premier in "The Incredible Hulk" and are twice as wide as my expectations. The zucchini... to be fair, the zucchini also happened to be over the sprinkler line we had cracked (before we fixed it) and was routinely receiving LOTS of extra water. (Our fix didn't last too long, either, so we're not using the sprinkler system (hello, hose!) until the garden dies out and we can get to the crack again.) Apparently, it is impossible to over-water zucchini.

Anyhow. The garden has taken over the yard and is plotting to take over all of California. With produce for all. The zucchini however, is not into sharing sunlight and is currently trying to crowd out the tomato and basil with huge hand-like leaves. Just like a younger sibling. Please compare with our first picture of the garden with baby tomato plants, a teeny tiny (manipulating) zucchini and kolanchoe (the flowers.. they've since been removed due to overcrowding) with this current view of the jungle:
The tomatoes do not appear to be phased and are producing blossoms and shiny green pre-tomatoes at an alarming rate.

The zucchini blossoms on the other plant (which is incidentally, not using the TONS of room it has in its own garden across the patio) are starting to fall off to make room for edible things.


Today is Henry's first birthday. He is celebrating in his usual manner... with lots of attention and naps.

A sneak preview of the baby's room with its new coat of paint and recently-assembled crib (FULL of baby shower clothing). It will be classy and it will be all boy. Stay tuned.

Guilty of Stalking

Dear Brett Baker, I stalk your blog. Despite having met you one time ever. But I knew your husband in highschool... does that make it less... or more... creepy?

Either way, you read mine too.

With that said, I found this quote on the Bakery today and I loved it:

"normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. let me not pass you by in quest of some rare & perfect tomorrow. let me hold you while i may, for it may not always be so. one day, i shall dig my nails into earth, or bury my face in a pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky & want, more than all of the world, your return."
-mary jean iron

My Pregnancy, 6 1/2 Months

Today I stopped by the grocery store to pick up eggs and milk. I got the carton with 18 eggs, instead of 12, rationalizing that we use eggs often and they'd get used up before I knew it. When I came home, I promptly dropped the entire closed carton onto the floor, cracking 17 of the 18 eggs. We're having quiche for dinner. And omelets for breakfast.

We're watching a friend's dog for the weekend. So last night, it was me and three snoring boys. I think if Nate wasn't receiving all his oxygen from me, he would have snored, too.

My physical therapist said if the muscles in my hip/leg don't chill out, she's going to have to order a maternity belt for me (think: girdle). This was Jon's solution. Tie the dog's leash under my belly. Thanks, Honey.

When I Call Toll Free, I Expect to Have to Fight for Help

Which is usually the case. I mean it. Almost always.

I had to call AT&T three times. THREE TIMES. to cancel our internet in Pensacola. Each time they said, "No problem. You'll stop receiving bills now." Each time I received a bill in my inbox the next month. Guess what just showed up in my inbox two days ago? I try to reserve this insult for slow drivers in the left lane, but I can assure you that AT&T is entirely worthless.

This is why I love USAA and OXO (the kitchen gadget company), because they are 100% helpful, every single time I call, bend over backwards to help me and I always understand what's going on and receive prompt, efficient service. We can now add Wusthof (the German knife manufacturer) to the list.

Today I call. I explain that although I adore the knives I've been using for two and a half years (not kidding. best knives in the universe.), my kitchen scissors seem to be rusting on one edge. "Oh," is the reply, "send it to our customer service and we'll send you a replacement!" Just like that. No questions. I must only include a phone number and my address.
Dear Wusthof, you exceed my pessimistic expectations. I will remain faithful in return. Brand loyalty status achieved.

A Little Boy Quilt

I finally finished the first quilt for the boy child. I have to say, I am very pleased with this one. I made mistakes, but I'm probably the only person who'll notice. I love the manly colors with a bit of little boy softness. It looks like a serious circus.I can't wait to wrap up my sweet baby in it and kiss his tiny nose. Henry also is ready for him to arrive. He needs a little boy to play with him.
Look at the garden we made! We dug up the nasty grass, cracked the sprinkler pipe, fixed the sprinkler pipe (Home Depot stocks instant fix-it kits! Who knew?), built a wall with stone (muscle flex) and filled it up with dirt and tomatoes and zucchinis and rosemary and basil and marigolds and green onions and flowers. I hope it works.

Also I am getting huge. I ate dinner at the coffee table last night, sitting on the floor, and my tummy got stuck under it. Jon had to push the table out so I could escape. Yikes.

Maternity Clothes are not Cool

But this one is.But it's lots of money. So I'm going to try to make it. Hah. Wish me luck.

My neighbor brought over two huge pieces of lasagna and I ate both before Jon got home.

Also a quote:

Me: Thanks for making me feel so loved on mother's day!
Jon: All it takes is donuts!