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Eating Outdoors and Weekly Update

the magic of climbing trees

We had quite a bit of sunshine this week, and spent as much time outside as possible! Mike got me a picnic table and umbrella for Mother’s Day, and we have been eating as many meals outdoors as possible. It makes for beautifully serene meals, with no floor to sweep up afterwards! The kids run around the yard afterwards until it’s time for bed, too – another bonus!

I’m well into my third trimester of pregnancy, and my usual fatigue instead of nesting instinct is settling in much more comfortably than I would choose. The end of the school year is approaching, and there’s a lot to get done, but this is how I would LOVE to spend most afternoons:

childhood slumber

Maybe I would get to, if I could look anywhere near that adorable…

I am getting more done than I usually do, thanks in large part to my discovery of maternity support belts – can’t believe it took me four babies to work out what a difference those can make for back and nerve pain! Thanks to this discovery, I’ve gone geocaching, on another trip to Old Sturbridge Village, and spent three hours at Johnny’s preschool game day with minimal negative consequences. I also passed my blood glucose test with flying colors, partially making up for the fact that I’ve been on antibiotics for a month and am stuck on them at least until I deliver this baby. Definitely beats a preemie baby, which was looking like my alternative…

One very sobering thing from this week – my dear friend from college lost her mom to cancer. It makes the Small Hands Creating Hope fundraiser all the more meaningful to me. If you enjoy reading this blog and can spare a donation of any size in support of the American Cancer Society, it would mean a lot to me. Follow this link to donate directly to the American Cancer Society – and a huge THANK YOU to all have donated so far!!!

How was your week?

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

23 thoughts on “Eating Outdoors and Weekly Update”

  1. Oh my goodness! I’ve never used (or seen) maternity support belts!!! I have THE WORST sciatic nerve pain I’ve ever experienced… and wish I’d come across this two months ago! I’m fairly pleased with how much I’m getting done, in spite of daily naps and pain!

    So sorry about your friend’s mom.

    1. I really wish I’d tried one when I was pregnant with Johnny – someone even suggested them to me (which is why I looked into it this time round!) and I was stupidly stubborn! I thought about mentioning it the last time I visited your blog, but you’re so close to your due date it probably doesn’t make sense.

  2. I should have invested in one of those maternity belts… I survived 4 pregnancies w/out them, but I sure was uncomfortable in my 3rd trimester with this last one…

    Outdoor meals sounds absolutely lovely. An outdoor picnic table is on my wishlist for someday…

  3. Elisa | blissfulE

    Love not sweeping up after meals!! I weigh up the effort involved in carrying everything back and forth with the time saved not wiping up the floor. Outdoor eating is great!

    I first used a maternity support belt with my fourth child, too. So glad you’re feeling the benefits!!

  4. aren’t those support bands great? i had to use one of them :) glad to hear that everything is going well with the baby :)

  5. I adore that picture of Lily! How much sweetness can one photo capture?! That one definitely raises the bar :)

  6. I’m sorry to hear about your friend’s loss :(

    Lily looks adorable! How fun to have a picnic table. I never used a maternity belt, but I remember my sister mentioning them to me.

    That’s great that you passed your blood glucose test! Bummer that you have to be on antibiotics for so long though.

    1. Thanks, Jenny. I’m so tired of this disease causing so much heartbreak.

      We are loving the picnic table!

    1. Thank you, Rebekah. Mike lost his dad in 2003, and it’s hard to see a friend go through the same thing.

      The picnic table is amazing.

  7. I never used maternity support belts. Maybe I should have! It wasn’t too bad with Joshua but I had so much back and leg pain with Emma Grace. Can’t believe you’re already in your 3rd trimester!

    1. My midwife recommended using one with Johnny, and I ignored the advice. Definitely would have made my life easier!

  8. I am sorry about your friend’s loss. I remember fondly maternity belt… and remember fondly not needing it any longer. Picnic table sounds like a great gift!

    1. Thank you, Natalie.

      I’m sure I will also enjoy no longer needing my maternity belt! We are loving the picnic table!!!

  9. So sorry to hear about your friends mum – I have been spreading the word about the project to my family and friends and hopefully at the begging on the month (when we all get paid) you will have an influx of people donating to support the cause very dead to our hearts.

    I was given a support belt with J because of the SPD/PGP that I suffered – or octopus belt as I nicknamed mine. I think if I had had it earlier it would have been very good – luckily with T I never suffered with any problems with joints or ligaments instead it was all hormonal. I hope the heat isn’t afffecting you too much.

    1. Thank you, Cerys.

      It hasn’t been too hot so far, here. I remember my midwife recommending a support belt with Johnny, but I didn’t get one. Definitely should have!

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