Just as every one is different, every pregnancy is different and every labor is different.  With Charlie & Jackson it was a relatively uneventful pregnancy until my water broke and they were born prematurely at 23 weeks.  With Lauren there were a few complications during pregnancy, she was born at 38 1/2 weeks but labor was short and easy.  With July…this kiddo just seems quite comfortably and content.  Everything we have done to encourage July's debut has ended in fizzle.  We thought for sure since Charlie, Jackson and Lauren were all born on the 1st that this kiddo would be born on the 1st as well, around the 38 1/2 week mark that Lauren was born.  So when on June 30th I began having contractions and they started to become regular (albeit not that strong) we made the trip to the hospital where the quickly started to fizzle and the report was dilated to 1…argh.

So back home with rest, more spicy food, walk walk walk, more contractions…and then they faded.  Yesterday we walked and walked again and the contractions were stronger in the evening, to the point that around 2am or so I thought I would have wake Nathan up to go to the hospital, but after waiting for an hour or so they faded again.  Today not too much in the way of contractions, baby is moving around but we (the baby and I) both seem a bit tired, so if I go by that, it will be later this evening when I am ready to get some sleep.  I am actually ok with that.

My eye twitch has gotten stronger in the last couple of days and it very annoying, and the swelling in my legs is still hanging around.  I am looking forward to both leaving with the birth of July.  Hopefully July decides to make an appearance soon.

I love that I call Olympia home and that the sense of community is so strong amongst our friends and neighbors.  What has been accomplished in such a short amount of time is nothing less than amazing.  This project started as a small idea from the pricipal at Avanti High School.  A joint venture with Madison Elementary to have a garden.  Perhaps just a raised bed or two in the shared parking lot between the two schools.  A project that would get the kids from both schools working together.  There was interest and after a meeting of interested parties this idea evolved from a couple of raised beds in a parking lot to a magnificent working garden in what was once referred to as "The Madison Pond."  Parents, volunteers, students, and the community came together to make this project a reality.

This garden has already been a fantastic learning experience for the students, and they have already reaped the rewards in the form of salad and ownership.  Most of the students can tell you which plant they grew from a seed and then planted in the garden, what it is, and they are excited about it!  And it just isn't gardening they are learning, there have been reading lessons, math lessons, social studies (complete with a borscht and salsa garden) and it is all growing right outside the windows to the school from the tiny seed of an idea.

When we walk by the school during recess it is great to see that some of the kids actually spend their free time in the garden, walking the paths, checking for weeds, enjoying the space.  Community members and neighbors use it as a spot for picnics and to take care of it.  Food produced from the garden will go to families who need it and the Food Bank during the summer when kids are not in school.  It is truly amazing what has transpired from that tiny seed of an idea.

Just imagine what we could do as a community if we all put our little bit of effort into something.  A marshy portion of a field became a garden in a matter of a few months and a handful of work parties.  People who have no vested interest in either of the schools got involved.  We had adults and kids alike who were there for a baseball or soccer game during a work party pick up a shovel and pitch in, they wanted to be involved.  Amazing…simply amazing.

During this whole process a neighbor and photographer Steven Herppich came and took photos documenting the process and he was kind enough to put those photos into a very moving slide show.  It was shown at the garden dedication and it was very emotional for the adults but for the children as well.

And now you can see how far the garden has come, and the fabulous thing is, it is just going to continue to get better and amaze us all.

http://animoto.com/play/kR4NEGWY1jv4rSXEKG0N7g

Well she is at it again, our little girl is growing faster than her clothes can keep up.  Currently she is wearing 2T and 3T clothes.  The 2T is starting to become a little too short, the 3T is just slightly too big.  And I fear another growth spurt is eminent.

In the last week Lauren's food intake has been up, and her naps have been long.  Today alone before nap Lauren had consumed, one cup of watered down apple juice, a serving of granola with yogurt that would have been enough for me for breakfast, a scone, a banana, some animal crackers (she was helping pick them up after momma dropped the container again), two mints from a guest room (that she hid to eat, but at least unwraps them now), half and apple, home made macaroni and cheese with bacon, a cup of water, and a slice of bread.  I don't think I could eat that much food before 1:30pm!  She laid down for a nap at 1:45pm and now we are approaching the three hour mark for nap!

People who haven't seen Lauren for a couple of weeks have commented that she has grown, so she probably has.  I think they have a tendency to do that, but sometimes it is amazing how fast they grow!

Yesterday she refused to leave the house unless she was carrying her black handbag and wearing my kayaking hat (which fits her head by the way).  Today she refused to wear two shoes.  She would only wear one sock and one shoe on one foot, the other foot had to remain bare.  She has her own views on the world and isn't afraid to assert herself and let you know what she thinks.  She has new words all the time. Sit, seat, hello, nice to meet you (while shaking hands), cheese.  She still uses signs for some things, but still gets frustrated and doesn't want to and just grunts and throws a fit when you don't know what she wants.  She is fascinated by birds, especially likes ducks and loves to stop and smell the flowers.  What a sweetheart she is.  I know she can't wait until she has a little counterpart to get into trouble with!