Here are Fraser and Hammie enjoying some raspberry picking (and eating) in our backyard this morning. Fraser isn't usually this concerned about bugs, but I guess due to the insane amount of rain we have had this summer the Japanese Beetle and Earwig populations are pretty overwhelming here.

Unfortunately this has been another fairly rainy and icky week here, and the amount of time we have been stuck inside is starting to wear on me and on the boys. Even today is very damp and cloudy. Still, since Hammie isn't allowed in the lake or any kiddie pools until after his follow up appointment next week, it is much better cool and damp than a zillion degrees with bright sunshine.

I am now definitely counting down the days if not the hours until my surgery. I've entered that fabulous last phase of pregnancy where decent sleep is almost impossible to achieve. My hands and arms now fall asleep at night, which inevitably means I am up for at least an hour wandering aimlessly around the house waiting to regain feeling, and this is, of course, in addition to the 6 or 7 (or 12) times a night I have to get up to pee. I am wearing Andy's shirts pretty much everyday since they are the only clothing that is at all comfortable and I frequently have to sit down and rest after such monumental exertions are carrying Hammie up a flight of stairs or making dinner. Have I mentioned recently just how much I love being pregnant?

On the brighter side, my parents are coming on Monday and I am also counting down the days, if not the hours, until their arrival so I can hopefully get some kind of a break before the baby arrives. I think my basic plan is to give them a solid 10 to 15 minutes to settle in when they arrive and then unceremoniously dump my children on them and lock myself in my room for a day or two. You don't think they'll mind do you? It seems like such a reasonable course of action to me right now....