Still a boy

During the first ultrasound, we were told we were having a boy. Then the OB told us to stop getting ultrasounds from trainees and according to the internet, he was right (snarky, but right). So for about a month there, we were back to not knowing if the baby was a girl or a boy. Well after the 19 week ultrasound, he's back to be being a boy. So if anyone would like an attic full of pink clothes, we've got you covered.



He continues to look happy and healthy in there. He's not as shy as Veronica either. I never once felt Veronica kick, but can already feel him rolling around.

With all the excitement about the new baby, Veronica is feeling the pressure to step up her game. She been endearing herself to Daddy by helping out around the house. And even started practicing her most important role as a big sister.

CAMP!

Is there anything left to say about Camp? I haven't even started. It's the best week of the year and pictures don't quite capture the bliss of rotating between dips in the lake and fistfuls of junkfood.

Camp is the place where seven layer dip becomes seven hour dip. Beer and coffee are the only beverages. Even a lake house can be called Camp. 2011 will be the year Chi-Chi jumped off the dock for the first time without a life vest. The year the house was probably a little too nice. And the year we needed three of everything to be exactly the same. And the year a trucker hat was chic.

Sad to see you go Camp. We'll remember you fondly.

Weekend with Henry

We are weeks behind here at Veronica Tales, mostly because we've been away taking pictures. Hopefully there will be a flurry of posts and we can catch up to real time before anything else interesting happens.

How long ago were these pictures taken? We had even caught Women's World Cup fever yet. And we haven't seen symptoms of that for weeks. Veronica got to see her boyfriend Henry for an entire weekend and we got to see unforeseen levels of patience exhibited by a 5 year old. Henry was a great sport tolerating Vv as Veronica wanted to do everything he was doing all the time.

Speaking of good sports (actually a terrible segue tothe Mariners) we went to daycare compatriot Victor's birthday party at Safeco Field, home of the hapless Mariners. Luckily the Mariners were on a road trip, guaranteeing a great time by all. The day at the park included playing in the centerfield playground, a tour of the visitor's locker room, a walk through the dugout, a short press conference, and a behind the scenes look at major league baseball. Thanks to Victor for such a fun day and thanks to Victor's parents for setting the birthday party bar so high at daycare before we've even hosted one.

Boy, oh boy

What better cure is there for insomnia than staying up because you have to? Now that Vv is out of diapers and helping herself more and more everyday, we're diving back in. Mama is now 13 weeks along and can now explain why she isn't drinking and is so obsessed with pasteurization. The baby looked happy and healthy during the 12 week ultrasound. We saw the baby play, we saw the baby sleep. We saw the baby's feet and we saw the baby's hands. Then we saw what we didn't expect to see for another 8 weeks, that the baby is a boy. He is due to arrive on January 19th.

Vacation: Phase II

The second half of our vacation took us to wine country in the Niagara region of southern Ontario to celebrate the wedding of Alex and Tim. And despite what you might think, Canadian vineyards are not filled with hops and barley. However, most of those grapes are going to be harvested at -8 degrees Celcius to make something called Ice Wine. Oh, Canada.

Vv is accustomed to being the prettiest girl when it comes to dressing up, but this event had serious competition. Mama served as a bridesmaid to college classmate and friend of the blog, Alex McIntyre-Smith-Jackson (Miss Jackson if your nasty). The ceremony was beautiful with nary a dull moment. And thanks to Grammy and Grampa for making the trip too to allow us to celebrate deep into the night. Although Vv now expects ice cream after every meal. I guess you get what you pay for when it comes to babysitters.

Is Questions the weak link in Kings?

It's the most wonderful time of the year. No time of year is more rich with traditions than a June weekend in Cape May. Veronica reunited with old friends and even met a new one. The whole gang got together for a weekend of fun in the Sun, crazy nights out, and beer croquet. Ok... maybe we applied the SPF 50 twice to get the necessary 100 SPF, spent more time at breakfast than Carneys, and had to loosen the rules of beer croquet to just croquet. But we've got young folks in training to think about. And we need them fully committed to Brendan Tour so they can help us replace Questions once they're old enough.

Father's Day

Best Father's Day ever. We celebrated from the beaches to the mountains and all the important spots in between. Daddy and Vv started the day with their annual Top Pot breakfast. Then we burned off those delicious calories by trying to stay warm at the sculpture garden and throwing rocks at the beach. Mama was waiting for us at home with a present, which she wisely wrapped without Vv seeing it first. Next, we met Henry and the Heaters for a hike to Franklin Falls. Veronica was a trooper and did the whole 2 mile hike herself.