I'm Back

Long time no see, huh?

I know. I tell you we're having a baby and then I disappear for weeks. You see, the last four weeks feel like they were sort of invisible to me, too. I opened my planner tonight for the first time in weeks to see that other than an ultrasound a few weeks ago, nothing has been written in there for four weeks. That's about the time that I began to feel pregnant, though I'd known for almost a month at that point.
For the last month, I didn't plan many things because I was nervous I wouldn't feel up to doing anything. Mostly because I have been a sick lady. I'm beginning to feel better now, though, and have had about 5 consistently good days and thus, I opened my planner to begin to make plans!
I'll be honest- I got a bit of a rush looking at those pages and wondering what I'll fill that time with!
This wasn't exactly the timing we thought we'd be getting ready for a baby, but let me tell you, I am so, so thankful that we are. Any sooner or later and Gabe would have been in the midst of his hectic semesters during my sickest time, but thank God for knowing what (& who) I'd need and when. Now, Gabe was still pretty busy during his break, but it was nice to know that if I needed another smoothie from Starbucks or mashed potatoes from Boston Market, he was my guy and would make a run for me, day or night. Needless to say, I can likely count on one hand the amount of times I've cooked in the last month. Food & I have had a complicated relationship, but I feel we're close to finding an understanding.
Anyway, we are still so, so excited about this new phase in our lives and chances are, when I actually do appear over here, I'll talk much about our little one. I already can't help myself. :)

Happy weekend!!

A Little Secret We've Been Keeping...

I hope this explains why I've been so stinking quiet around here lately. We're over the moon excited already.

Chickens, Week 3

Edith and Mary

So, when I last wrote, we were keeping an eye on Violet to make sure she wasn't seriously injured. She wasn't, but we thought she was & I almost took a $4 chicken to a $75 vet appoitment. Thankfully we gave her one more day before taking her- she's doing pretty great now, other than having her place as head chicken taken away Edith, our runt. 

It's quite ridiculous, but true. Edith picks fights with all the girls, but especially Violet.

Sybil

Otherwise, the girls are doing great. They've now had their wings clipped twice in the three weeks we've had them, and they are testing those wings out at every chance. Gabe had to cover their box last week after Vioet started juping on top of their feeder. Edith now dominates the top of the feeder, and I've witnessed Mary jumping from a dead stop, past the top of their box. 

Our girls are becoming hens.

ba

They've spent most of this week in the garage, but I have to admit that I did bring them back inside  yesterday because it was soooo cold in the garage. I'm a softie when it comes to those chicks.

Mary

It is amazing to me that these girls have more than tripled in size since we brought them home three weeks ago! They're just about to their awkward teenage season, and it's quite funny to watch. They are so noisy & chirp all day long. 

Edith

They enjoy crunched up cheerios, cut up strawberries, and hard boiled eggs for snacks, and they love to perch on our fingers.

Chickens, Week 2

So, we're now almost finished with week two of being chicken owners/farmers. I took these photos at the beginning of the week, and people, I cannot express enough how quickly these girls grow! Their wings are SO much more than what shows here. They are a joy to take care of, and are so entertaining. 

We're not entirely sure what happened, but Violet seems to have injured her foot and/or wing. I noticed yesterday that she was really lethargic and so unlike her usual feisty self. She's the bully of the group, so I was concerned when the other girls were picking on her while she continued to try to sleep. We were quite worried about her last night, so Gabe sectioned off a part of their box last night with a screen. to give here a chance to rest and not be bothered by the others. I was so relieved when I came to check on her this morning and she was walking around and chirping for her sisters. We're keeping a close eye on her and are hoping that we can let her back in soon, but she still needs some rest away from the girls.

Violet

The other girls are fine, if not a little nutty. We've now caught two chickens sitting on top of their feeders, so we've had to top it with unused window screens. Then, this morning as I was watching them, Mary jumped straight up from a standing position, on the ground, and almost touched the screen. They are growing up SO quickly! 

Mary

Sybil is much less of a momma's girl than she was in the beginning, and they all run for the same corner when either of us try to pick one up. They act like we're going to torture them. They seem to forget who gives them food & fresh water.

Sybil

So, that's how things are going around here. We're still having a blast, but they're definitely throwing us some curveballs! 

For some reason, I didn't catch a photo of Edith his time around. I'll try to get one for next week.

Plant Life

In addition to our four girls, I've been itching to add a bit more life to our home by bringing home a few plants. I've NEVER had good luck with keeping them alive, but I've never really done any research before, either. I found two pretty succulents at the store last week, and it sortof put me into motion. After looking for planters at Lowe's & Target and seeing nothing that I loved, I actually came up some pretty gorgeous planters at Anthropologie that just happened to be marked down so low that they cost less than the plain & boring ones I'd seen elsewhere. So, I bought three of them.

I found two more succulents while out & about over the next few days, and then I decided to get to work.

I remembered that I had this old wood cart in the garage just sitting there, unoccupied, and so I put it to good use!

So far, all of my succulents are doing well, but my poor basil plant can't decide if it likes it's new home. It's currently outside and the jury is out on whether or not I'll need to get a new one. I guess it's good that I only paid $3 for it at Trader Joe's huh? 

I did move the cart inside & it's sitting nicely in our living room, right next to a large window, bringing a new pleasantness to the room.

What kind of a chicken momma would I be if I didn't share a few new photos? This is Sybil with my tiniest of succulents before I transplanted them. Isn't she sweet?