Raised Bed. Our garden

I've had a few questions about our garden since I posted a pic of the little girl and her daddy pulling early spring weeds from it :-) I wrote an email to one blogger, and after a few other questions and prompts for a post on it.....I am turning my email into a post. Why didn't I think of it on my own. blogger fail. 

A few years ago I asked the hubby to build a raised bed for our summer garden. We don't have a huge 

back yard (long and narrow) and we had tried a small garden on the ground the previous summer, but I wanted a raised bed. 

Matt started to do his research and he found that the wood typically used to build a raised bed was treated and the chemicals would leach into the soil and our plants. The untreated lumber wouldn't last but a couple years before it rotted and would need to be replaced. So we started looking into bricks. There are lots of options, the prettier the brick/block, the more pricey. Our budget (as always) was limited. So ultimately we decided to use the cinder block. For a few reasons, cheap and we figured (kids, nieces/nephews) could paint on it or draw with chalk on it so it would be an extra space for outdoor fun- as well as a fabulous place for a garden. The biggest sell on the cinder for me was the holes in the cinder block that allowed perfect spots for herbs to grow alongside the plants. Fresh cilantro, basil, chives, parsley, rosemary...All ready for me at anytime throughout the summer.

Our yard is kind of sloped. So on one end the garden it is pretty short and low to the ground, but on the far end its about 4 blocks high! (too your waist) At first I didn't really like how tall it was. But considering we don't have a large area for plants- esp. the kinds with vines the tall end has allowed us to grow cucumbers and put old chairs up against it and give the vines a way to grow out and towards the ground! It's worked great in that respect. We love cucumbers and having a garden without them was just sad for us.

It's been 3 years and I love that it's up off the ground and you don't have to bend over to weed it! Since this will be the 2nd spring/summer I've been pregnant and using the garden, having to not bed over to weed/plant/harvest....SOLD. Seriously, you can sit on the edge of the block and reach all the way to the middle!

It was relatively easy for the husband and FIL to build. (they are pretty handy). We needed a sizable truck load of dirt (which we got from a farm friend out of a cow pasture. Grows amazing after years of "fertilization"! :-) But it was a several days of them working on it and getting it level. Then filling with dirt. They did pour a little concrete in a few of the cinder holes to keep it from moving over time and having the weight of the dirt push it out. Each year the dirt has settled a bit and we've had to add a little top soil. But nothing expensive or that a few bags of dirt didn't solve.

My one complaint is that its a bit of an eye sore in the winter. A big cement block structure in the back yard without much in it. But with that said I don't care that much about what others think and its in MY back yard and I think that as our kiddies get older I will have them paint on it. What mama doesn't love the artwork of their children....even the scribbles of a toddler. 

I would say we probably spent about $150 or less on the initial building of it. I think more in the $120 range. But after Matt broke a tool and a saw blade we were probably in the $150 range :-)

Let me know if you have any questions! We love it.

Here are a few pictures from the past couple summers.

I love photos of my husband working on projects with his dad. Something warms my heart every time.

Done! Ready for dirt!

First year we tried "square foot gardening" although my square feet weren't exactly right.

Early cucumbers planted right on the end of the tall side so we could have plenty of room for other plants

Cucumbers growing over tall end. Chairs not shown. We added those about this time so they could vine a bit more before hitting the grass.

Basil!

Good luck in your gardening ventures this spring/summer. I hope to try and document our produce and garden this summer. Remind me as I will likely forget I wanted to blog about it!

My daughter loves the dirt

Working in the garden with daddy!

A little bit of this and that.....Randoms

Things have been super busy around these parts. - But really, when aren't they?

I'll share below the randomness we've been up to.

Last weekend we hosted Babypalooza 2.0. :-) Some of our college friends are starting to have babies as well. Two couples so far to be exact. (That we are close with) Our first one was in Michigan in late summer. We all got together this past weekend. A total of 3 couples (6 adults) and 3 babies at our house. We don't have a big house at all. We were pretty much filled to max capacity. But we had the best time! The weather was amazing and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was awesome to see the kiddos- they grow and change so fast! It was a bit of a joke all of us trying to get out of the house. One bathroom and 3 kiddos on different nap/sleeping schedules. I was totally wore out from all the hosting, but no complaints and would do it all over again. We are making memories here, and loving every bit of it.

Simple happiness!

The neighbors have a 5 year old and he has grown out of a Little Tykes slide. So they washed it up and brought it over to us. Presley is in love! She loves the slide at the park, but really is thrilled to have her own in her back yard!


Last night we went to the Aquarium. It was my niece's 3rd birthday. It was such a blast! Presley loved it. She was able to walk around. (or ride in her stroller if she needed a rest or snack) It's so fun to see her enjoy new things. I love being able to experience all these things with her. I can't wait for her to be pointing out the fish or sharks to her little sister! Life.is.good.

Pointing out the octopus to daddy!

A lift from Uncle Dave. Birthday girl all smiles

Loved to make the frog go ribbit!

Checking out Mighty Mike with Grandma!

"What's this floor mommy?"

I don't know about you all- but it was kinda (dare I say) Hot this week? 87?!?! It's apparent that I need my AC charged, Presley and I were sweating running errands yesterday. Poor girl! We don't have central air (gasp! old house) Our window units work quite well, but aren't installed this early! Luckily, it's cooled off. Let's hope we get a little normal spring weather. It was one thing thinking I would have June/July to be a HOT preggo mama. But add 2 additional months to that.......not so cool. (literally)

Poop story.........:-) I know all you mama's have them.
Last night after getting home from the aquarium it was time to get Presley a bath. Girlfriend was dirty and I know she put her little hands on anything she could at the aquarium. We don't like to bring dirt in our beds....:-) So, I strip her down....let her get a little air while I run bath water and grab her a cup of milk for after her bath. Normally she is running to the bathroom when she hears the water running! Well I was in there running the water and she didn't come. So I called for her. You know, a guarantee that she will come now. But nothing. So I get up and go to find what she is up to....Well out sweet little love bug was pooping! On the floor. Apparently, she needed to go and she needed to go now! I screamed (not a mad one) - the kind where you are shocked by what you are witnessing. LOL It startled her and she stepped in it. Squished between the toes and into the carpet! YUCK! Hubby was laughing, I was laughing. Presley was just confused. Hubby cleaned it up- I bathed her and cleaned up the tub.  Never a dull moment these days. :-) Let's just hope she doesn't make it a habit. And I will be leery of letting her run around without a diaper....ever again!

Otherwise, we have spent most daylight hours (off work) outside. The weather is truly amazing and we love it. Presley loves being outside. Getting dirty and exploring all the things she can. We go to the park- there is a perfect sized one not to far for her to climb on. Pictures are limited because it's hard to photograph and be on duty watching the kid. We've been eating dinner on the porch and having snacks out there too. She seems happiest when we are outside playing. I am too! So it's awesome.

Park snack for a tired girl!

Pushing her car outside.

Hi everyone! I have my purse full of chalk!

Matt goes out of town for a whole week soon and I will miss him desperately! Then, in a few weeks, I leave for work for 3 days. I'm nervous already. First time I will have ever been away from here overnight. (Well there was once, but it was for just over 12 hours (6p-7a kinda thing) 

It's a.........

Hubby and I went for an ultrasound this AM. 7:30am to be exact. I could hardly wait to find out about Baby #2....let alone wait all day the day of the appointment. 

So we went in, and right away the tech was measuring our little one's long legs. A trait we are obviously passing on to baby #2. I knew immediately when she was measuring her legs what we were looking at. I exclaimed to the hubby! "You're right!" Before the tech even was looking in the area.... The tech said, "Oh I wasn't checking out that yet" :-) I told her she could double check for me, but I knew :-)

We will be having another girl! I kinda knew we were. Only because we have a boy name picked out...and I knew that wasn't the name of the child in my belly. But that's all I knew. Hubby has said for weeks we are having another girl :-) He's been dying to hash out names. I have been refusing, because....we don't have the same girl name taste at all. So it will be another journey to find the perfect name :-) 

I guess now we have to start working on that...Naming baby girl #2!

We are feeling overjoyed that Presley will have a sister and another precious little girl in our house. Our hearts are overflowing. We know that little girls 19 months apart will be a handful and full of some of drama. But ultimately, we can't wait to raise two best friends and teach them how to love and care for one another in a way only sisters can. 

I am still in a bit of shock on the fact that I am the mom of girls! As I've said before, I grew up the only girl with 3 brothers. One girl is one thing, two girls is something that will be completely new to me. It's going to be an adventure, I can't wait to see what this girly ride is going to be like. :-) 

My scanner is broke- I will scan the U/S pictures when its back up and running. 

Double Stroller Recommendations?

OK friends...I need a little help.

I'm looking for a double stroller. Prefer something light weight, as we already own a travel system. And although I love it. It's heavy and I don't want to own another heavy bulky stroller.

But, I'm totally open for looking into most everything. It may turn out I ditch the travel system stroller for something else.

What recommendations do you all have? Will two strollers be a s good as a double? I could simply get an additional umbrella stroller for Presley and use the other for the new baby.

Oh choices...

Words :-)

So at 14 months (post is late) this is the list of words, signs or sounds for words Miss Presley is making.

Mom

Dada (she says dad waaay more often. Little Stinker!)

Elmo (doesn't say it all the time, but she she does- it's very distinct and directed right at her favorite character)

Bluuuu for blueberry (favorite fruit)

Aaaaa for apple (2nd favorite fruit)

Baw for ball

Dog

Woof

More and signs more at the same time

Signs bath- sometime squeaks our a "ba" at the same time

Uh-oh 

Hat

 

She also seems to understand so much. She complies with "sit on your bottom", "go get your ball", "throw you ball", "go get your book"- many other things she is understanding but I can't think of them at this moment.

"bump" 19 wks. Excuse the dirty mirror, messy bed, etc. But as you can tell- baby 2 is there and growing and I'm thankful for the overall weight loss. I have a long way to go once baby 2 is born.

Jumping on the couch after she put on her dad's hat backwards. Cracking me up on a daily basis!

Super silly "daddy's girl" Loves her blanky and hats!

typical toddler pass out.

morning apple snack. loves them. requests them specifically

passionately saying "aaaaaa". She loves apples

At her great-grandparents. Proud smile for figuring out the toy. This is my grandpa. Love him so!

My mom playing "puppets" with my neice Reese. Reese will be three this month and has a fantastic imagination! Also, note her sunglasses. This was about 7pm and they are totally upside down.

My niece Camille (Cami). She is 19 months and such a beauty with curly dark hair. And the sweetest little love bug!

Presley having a snack of carrots and cranberries. She is about to feed her snack to the dog.

"Mmmmm"

Here are some photos of this past week/weekend.

Update: 19 weeks!

How far along? 19 weeks

Baby’s Size: Large Mango :-) (6 to 8inches)

Total Weight Gain:-20 lbs total. Seriously, this is going to slow or stop and at some point with the amount of food we've consumed (baby and me) we are going to gain.

Maternity Clothes:Yes. Wearing maternity pants and a mix of tops.

Gender: We find out on 3/12! 11 more days! Hubby swears its a girl. I don't care...he doesn't either, but he is sure its a girl for some reason.

Movement: Yes! Not crazy yet. But feeling this little one do gymnastics in my belly is fun :-)

Sleep:  Great! Up 2-3 times to pee. Presley is sleeping better. 

Symptoms: Starving. Lower back pain. Saw a chiropractor for the first time 2 weeks ago. It's been very helpful, but most helpful are the exercises she has me doing. About a week ago, this bump "popped" out. And there it is :-) random folks are probably still wondering about a beer gut, but those who know...most definitely see baby bump these days. 

Food Aversions: Cheese alone. This is so sad for me, as I believe that cheese and crackers is an important food group. :-) With a large glass of wine. But, cheese by itself...no longer has a place in my heart. I hope this will change soon. 

Food Cravings: Meat- ribs (we went on a date 2 weeks ago and got this craving...now I want more) Steak. Also went to one of our favorite Butchers and got some yummy Filet's and a tri-tip. And grilled out. Need to do that again - ASAP. Standard, carbs :-) 
Chewing gummy candy- orange slices, swedish fish. skittles. 
Fruit. Lots of fruit. Probably eat the most of this. Although, I crave the others more :-) Me and apples are BFF's- same as with Presley.

Best Moments this week: Scheduling the ultrasound for 3/12! Having my back feel better and feeling the baby move more. 

What I miss: Wine. I don't know when I will stop missing this. I guess not till I can drink it. 

What I am Looking forward to: 3/12! Ultrasound. Finding out if Baby W R2 :-) is a boy or girl!

Milestones: Bump popping out. More baby movement. Being past what would have the "half way point" with Presley - Since she came 9 days early. Note to baby2...9 days early is the perfect time. Fully cooked, but mommy is more than ready. So if you do as your Big Sister, we are officially to the half way point ;-) (Not, counting on anything...baby's do their own thing)

OK, I keep forgetting to get a bump photo. Bad me! Cause I got one to show. Instead, here's a face shot of P and I on my day off yesterday. She is all excited about this toy, UNTIL the camera comes out. Then she gets shy and sucks those lips in.