Hot Time, Summer in the City

We have had a gorgeous summer so far in Portland.  It was off to a slow, cool and rainy start but now everyday is nearly perfect.  Today Doug and his brother Jeff (the wedding crier) are installing some windows in the attic.  This is quite the improvement over the gaping holes in the side of the house that have been there for a month or two.  It's really coming along up there, slowly but surely!

I offered my help but my protective Doug didn't want me on any ladders or the roof or carrying heavy objects.  Shucks.  I'll just have to play outside.  The garden has been a super awesome delicious fest this year.  The baby girl eats well.

Building this raised bed was the best move ever for the tomatoes.  They are in love with the sun.  Each year I've been really excited to have an abundance of tomatoes to can but that has never happened.  I feel the change in the air this year.

And here's the change in my belly.  I did just eat a cheeseburger before this was taken.

We have both been working a bit but still enjoying our sweet summer vacation.  Doug's been working with a contractor and also worked one river trip while I was in Michigan.  I have been doing a little catering and working for Portland Parks and Rec helping disabled kids of all varieties participate in the summer parks programs.  Yesterday I spent my morning chasing an autistic boy who was really interested in neighborhood lawn mower noises and enjoyed slapping me and throwing his shoes at me when it wasn't time to get on the slip and slide yet. 

I just recently started a job with Discovery Education reviewing a new online textbook they are creating.  I have just barely started but it's really interesting, pays well and I'm actually using my masters degree.  Who would have thought that would ever come in handy?  Next weekend we'll be in the wild, camping with the Cach side of Doug's family.  They are a good-timin' crew so it should be a whole lot of fun to watch them drink.

20 weeks down, 20 more to go

Last week we went in for our 20 week ultrasound.  It was crazy to see the baby in such detail although most of the time I had no idea what I was looking at.  We did find out that we're having a girl, which we are both very excited about.  We both had a feeling that she might be a girl before the check up.  She didn't really want to show us much of her face but we did get one peek at her profile.

And here's my profile.

Doug has been very busy working on finishing the attic which will become her room when she's ready for it.  It was finished to begin with but just kind of gross up there.

After completely gutting it, taking out the chimney and adding a roof vent, this is where it is now.

We got some brand new windows to put in so that will come next along with some wiring.  In the end, we hope for it to be a little something like this.

 While working on the attic, Doug also wants to take the chimney out of the main floor which will open up a lot of space but leave our living area a construction zone for awhile.  I can't say I'm thrilled about this prospect.  Let's remember that it is summer vacation so relaxing is a top priority, for me anyway.  So this weekend we headed up to Doug's family's cabin and did a little kayaking and fishing on Trillium Lake to beat the heat in Portland.  I love summer.