A Different Kind of Seedling

A couple of weeks ago I planted some spinach, mixed lettuces, arugula, carrots, and romaine.  Last year I grew everything from seedlings I bought at the farmer's market but nothing from seed.  Other than a few flowers I've started from seed, this will be a whole new experience and I have no idea what I'm doing.  

I've been keeping my soil moist each day and looking for minuscule signs of future leafy goodness.  Those seeds are so tiny it really is hard to believe that they are capable of anything, but they are starting to peek out of the soil in anticipation of early March sun. 

Doesn't look like much but I'm incredibly optimistic.

In other news, we're also working on growing a completely different kind of seedling.  One that takes a long time to grow and completely changes your life after harvest. 

Back in mid December I began to have some "feelings" that I might be expecting.  On Christmas morning when I almost saw my breakfast casserole for the second time that day I was 99% sure there was something other than indigestion going on in there, but on Christmas morning in Pampa, TX there wasn't any place to pick up a pregnancy test to be sure.  The day after Christmas Rob snuck out of the house to snag a digital pregnancy test (hey, the ones with the lines can be faint!) and there was no mistaking the result that said "Pregnant".  We were thrilled and immediately told our family we had one more gift for everyone.   

The last few months have been a little on the rough side as far as morning  twenty-four hour sickness goes.  Oh, and the first trimester exhaustion, sheesh!  Hence my lengthy absences from the blog.  Clinging to the couch trying not to heave has been a bigger priority lately.  Luckily, I think I'm turning a corner but every now and then a tsunami wave of nausea washes over me that is impossible to escape.  It's been a very different experience so far from my pregnancy with Cora,  so I'm thinking maybe it's a boy? 

Last week my belly just popped on out and now any sucking-in of the stomach efforts are futile...and I still have a loooooong way to go.  This little sprout/sproutette should make an appearance around the first of September.  Rob and I are so excited and trying to wrap our minds around caring for TWO little ones.  Cora has no idea at this point, but as soon as my belly starts getting bigger and we know if the baby is a boy or a girl (I think we are going to find out this time!) we'll start looking at some books with her and trying to explain a little.  Here's to another  growing season!