Our goings on, as of late.

A week an a half ago, Colleen asked me to feed her cats while the family went camping.  "No problem", I said, "I even still have a key".  I put Bertie in the stroller and we walked over there (it's about 3 miles round trip).  I pulled the stroller on to the stoop, put the key in the lock, and it didn't turn.  I took it out, and tried again.  No luck.  I called Amanda to see if she had a key to her sister's house.  She did not.  I walked to their neighbours (who are acquaintances of ours).  They had had a key, but gave it back recently.  I texted Brian, to see if he had a key to his brother's house.  He did not.  I looked around and saw the bathroom window was open.  So I decided I'd come back and see if I could get in through there.  We walked back home, and talked to Dennis.  I asked it he could hold a ladder while I climbed in.  He and I drove back over.  I showed him the window, and he suggested we look around the back.  He looked at the back door, and said he could pop the lock; which he easily did.  I went in, and fed the cats.  Colleen left a quilt that she made for Bertie.  It is so pretty.  I still need to take a picture.  I was nervous that one of her neighbours would call the cops since we looked pretty suspicious.  

A few weeks back we had a 50th Anniversary party for Janet and Dennis.  It turned out really well, and I think everyone had a good time.  It was supposed to be really hot that day, but the temperature was actually almost perfect.  Aaron called in and did his toast over the phone.

We didn't do much on the 4th of July.  We had a BBQ at Aaron's folks house.  But that was really it.  We gave Fiona a sedative.  The last time we tried this (and followed the dosing instructions from the vet), Fiona was practically catatonic.  She could barely walk, and was leaking urine as she did.  I cut the dosage by more than half.  She gets really nervous about the popping and banging.  The meds seemed to help this time, she as still nervous, but she wasn't trying to crawl under everything, and she didn't have any accidents.

We found out that the camp that Aaron ran last summer was having a lot of issues.  And they asked Aaron to come up for a couple days to help try to fix things.  Originally he was going to drive up with a co-worker on Sunday morning, but we decided it would be better to go up on Saturday, to get more time with the staff.

First on Saturday, we went to the flea market (as we do the first Saturday of every month).  We got up early-ish and went over there.  There weren't as many vendors as usual, maybe because it was a holiday weekend.  But we found some good books for Bertie and Aaron found some pulp sci-fi.  I got a silver chain to put my Boy charm on, and a cell charger for my car.

We came home, and got ready, and hit the road again to make the 154 mile journey to camp.  Bertie did ok.  We stopped in Tracy so I could pee, and baby was fussy.  So I rode in back with him for a while.  He's such a funny baby.  I love him so much.  He actually took a pacifier for about 20 minutes too!

We arrived around 3:30.  We got to camp and wandered around for a bit.  Most of the staff was in town.

Bertram was asleep when we arrived.

Aaron and Bertram in nature.

Feeding Bertie in the great outdoors

 A good family portrait.

Bertie and I left a little after 6 to make the drive home.  (Aaron is going to get a ride home with the co-worker on Monday night).  Bertie didn't do as well on the ride home.  He was fussy and awake.  We stopped in Oakdale (the first town in the valley) so I could pee.  I meant to get food there too, but I missed my opportunity.  Then I needed to wait til Escalon (the next town in the valley 20+ miles away) to get food.  When I was waiting at the drive through baby started screaming.  Once I was able, I got him out, and fed and cuddled him.  He really wanted cuddles, as he was overly tired.  But I couldn't cuddle him for too long, since we needed to go home.  He proceeded to cry from Escalon, to Manteca, to Mountain House.  (33 miles).  Fortunately, he slept for the last hour or so.  

Today Bertie and I went to church.  We sat in the cry room.  He did pretty well.  A couple came in with their 18 month old boy (who was full of energy).  He hugged Bertie a couple times, and tried to play with him.  18 month olds don't know the meaning of gentle.  But he did ok.  I tried to go to Sunday school, but Bertram was really tired, so we came home.  Once we got home, I found ants in his room!  They were on his bed!  I set him on my bed so I could vacuum and spray.  Once I was done, I went back to get him, but he was already asleep!  I pumped 5 oz!  We had a relaxing afternoon.  I napped too.  

Tomorrow is Bertie's 4 month appointment.  Janet is going with me since Aaron got called away unexpectedly.