Titus Anthony Sobel

He's here!

Titus Anthony Sobel

Born September 24, 2013

7 lb. 9 oz. 19.5 in.

Birth story to follow

Fresh Produce

Here's the garden update for you. We love living in a home with property! We don't miss the condo living with no yard at all. I've had to let a lot of the weeding go since its hard for me to bend over for the last few months, but thankfully some things are still growing for us. Lately we've been enjoying the tomato harvest. Mmmm. I used to hate raw tomatoes--I always pulled them off of things. But sometime in my 20's I grew up and really enjoy them now. You still won't catch me eating them like an apple, but the garden tomatoes are so delicious that perhaps that is the next step. I'm not sure how we will go back to store bought tomatoes when the season is over!

Besides salads, we have been making fresh pasta and tomato soup out of them. I tell you what, it pays marrying a guy who spent a lot of his life in Italy. Such great pasta!! (Although you can't go wrong by smothering it is cheese like the picture below).

Potatoes and Carrots and Rosemary from the garden. I planted several varieties of potatoes and don't remember what went where now so its always a surprise of what type I will dig up when I go out there.

The green (and yellow and purple) beans are long done, but we really enjoyed them while they were coming.

More potatoes and rosemary--and butter (not yet from our property-haha, but maybe someday?).

The Swiss Chard was sadly neglected, and I almost thought I had left it out in the garden too long for it to taste any good, but when we finally picked it and cooked it was delicious! Cooked in lemon and butter--yummy!

And yummy blackberries. We enjoyed these through August and a little into September. They grow crazy in the Northwest and are somewhat of a nuisance when they get out of control, but the berries are so delicious!

Handmade Gifts

We have received so many wonderful things for our sweet boy so far, both used and new. Our little nursery is bursting at the seams with things to make life easier for little Titus and his parents! Each gift is special but I thought I'd showcase some of the handmade gifts we have received because these, I know, take extra time and love poured into them.

Baby Toms knock-offs: "Titus'" made by Rebecca.

Crocheted blanket by Shannon, suspenders and bow ties by Rebecca, crocheted sweater, hat, and matching ducky by Linda.

Quilted blankets by Aunt Judy (back and front below), Aunt Cherrie, and Judy.

Reversible bib by Aunt Tammie, quilt by Tinsey, crocheted blanket by Debbie.

Some Favorite Things

Some things we've been enjoying lately:

End of the summer harvest, particularly some yummy garden tomatoes:

Flowers blooming around the yard:

Flowers and Sunsets:

A new dishwasher installed after another year of life spent washing dishes by hand. So thankful my husband blessed me with this!

A glimpse of sweet little Titus who we should be meeting in person very soon! He likes to keep his arm in front of his face for his photo shoots, so see if you can make him out below. Look for his chubby cheeks first.

Look Who's Been Growing this Summer

34 weeks

35 weeks

36 weeks

37 weeks (starting to feel a lot bigger!!)

Meanwhile, we've let the carrots grow to be monster carrots:

Third Time's a Charm

Wow! I know I'm blessed to have had three baby showers for this little guy, and truly the third one was charming. Talitha with help from her sisters, mom, and Rhaquel and Kaylee too, I think (who drove 2 hours to be here!), put together this really special event. The guests included friends from our old church here, and other miscellaneous and dear friends from around the Vancouver/Portland area. Some I have known for more than a decade, but a lot of them have only become friends since I moved here 2.5 years ago and I thought that was really special to see how much the Lord has blessed us with good friends now.

The food included berries and cream and fondue~both chocolate and cheese. YUM!

The decorations went along with the theme I'd like to have for Titus' nursery: World/Travel. And so each table had a different continent that Titus was traveling to.

Some of my sweet and beautiful guests:

Mrs. Mack read a short chapter of encouragement to remind me that not everything has to be perfect in my house once baby is here.

It was such a warm and delightful evening that we enjoyed being outside until I was opening gifts in the dark. A thunderstorm rolled in just as we were finishing. Again, I was so blessed by some wonderful things for our little guy. I have some handmade ones to highlight in the next post.

The hostess with the mostest and the special gift she made for Titus' room.

33 weeks. The following two were taken by Shannon.

Beach Vacation

Earlier in the summer we were considering driving down to New Mexico to visit Chris' family while he had some leave time. Timing just didn't work out though so we ended up scheduling a few days at the coast with his parents who kindly flew up here and rented a cottage for us. It was a really relaxing trip in every way and a special way to spend our last few days off together before Chris went back to work. Life for 4 days basically consisted of eating, sleeping, chatting, walks on the beach, more eating, reading, playing guitar, crocheting, and hanging out. It really was wonderful.

We let Wolfie hop on the bed when we got there-something he does not get to do at home. He was a little puzzled but I think he liked it. Still, not room for all 3 (plus baby) of us at night though so back to the floor for the dog.

My high school self would be appalled at the fact that I only have one tiny mirror in my house right now--hardly a good spot to take bump photos, so I had to take advantage of the one at the rental to show off my growing bump. ~31.5 weeks here~

My view as I worked on crocheting. Chris is enjoying playing classical guitar with his dad.

Reading together on the porch.

Checking out the views.

Together again!

I tell you what, having a dog has been good incentive to keep moving during my pregnancy.

Wolfie loved running on the beach. He was spoiled to get several walks/runs down there each day from various family members.