Zip Line

This is Stockton's new favorite activity at occupational therapy. Sorry the quality is so poor, but this was filmed on my phone. :)

You Are What You Wear

It's going to sound like I'm really obsessed with my "fatness" after I do this post, but it is only because of the comments people have made to me during this pregnancy. The number has at least tripled compared to the fat comments I received with Stockton; and, considering that I'm only one pound shy of what I delivered Stockton at, I suppose most of the comments are true. In any case, some of the comments are kind of funny, so I thought I'd share them. You tell me if I'm wrong for taking a stab at my self-esteem after hearing some of these:

Friendly neighbor: Maquel, when are you due?
Maquel: October.
Friendly neighbor (with a look of shock on her face): Oohhh
Maquel: I'm having twins.
Friendly neighbor (with a look of relief on her face): Oh, well then you look good.

Tactless brother: You're fat.
Maquel: starts crying (I blame this to 1st trimester hormones)

Maquel: I'm surprised how fast I'm getting big (said when I was only 20 weeks).
A very petite hair-stylist: Yeah, I never got that big my whole pregnancy, but you are having twins.

Young woman in ward: Your belly looks like a Buddha statue.
Maquel: Are you really saying I look like Buddha?

Very knowledgeable to the fact I'm having twins relative: Maquel, I think you've got bigger on this trip.
Maquel: just smile and nod

Same knowledgeable relative (on a different occasion): You really have a good belly there.
Maquel: just smile and nod

And the latest classic that was spoken last Sunday:

Kindest and most tactful woman you'll ever meet: Maquel, you look really good.
Maquel: Oh, you're so nice.
Kindest and most tactful woman you'll ever meet: No really, you don't look too big in this dress. You were wearing something the other day and I thought, 'oh she's really big,' but you look really great in this dress.
Maquel: with a courtesy chuckle, Oh, thank you. Still wondering what I was wearing that made me look "really big."

Me, at 24 weeks in the above mentioned dress:

You are what you wear, I suppose, but I've never been more grateful for the reason why I'm fat.

Mowing the Lawn

For one day its time for Dad to run the blog.

For about the last year Stockton has been my 'mow lawn' helper. Last Saturday a random passing runner took off her headphones and said I needed to record him helping me. So this week Maquel pulled out the video camera for some of our mowing fun.

We've long known that Stockton is a special boy. Unfortunately, others rarely get to see the real Stockton because his ability to communicate is still very underdeveloped and he particularly struggles in social situations. However, to me this video seems to explain Stockton, the little boy, as well as anything. He is the most innocent soul I've ever met, with a pure enjoyment for the simple things in life, and through whom the love of God is shown almost daily (John 9:2-3) - as long as he's gotten his sleep.

Most Saturday nights Stockton expresses in his prayers, "thankful for mow front-yard and for mow back-yard." A few hours later, even greater thanks are offered by the other participant.

Here's a higher quality video, but you'll need a good internet connection:

A New Milestone

I am now officially in my "late twenties." My 27th birthday was yesterday. I'm definitely closing the gap between me and Clark now--at least I don't think he'll win the award for "the youngest significant other" at his next high school reunion. Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes!