06/26/2007

"Tweet Tweet!" We are always most taken with the birds, it seems. Did you know that sometimes chickens can be quite social? Today, one chicken was so particularly delighted with Nathan that he nearly ran him over in anticipation of a good feather-rubbin'. In trying to establish ourselves as 'true' Texans, the toddler and I spent a good share of today on a ranch. We drove out of Houston into Lone Star country which has a significantly less cluttered landscape than our usual drives through suburbia. Really the only thing that popped up now and then (other than the typical flora) was a herd of cows. Down a country road we headed until we arrived at Oil Ranch. Really, it's less a 'working ranch' and more a setup to convince us 'city folk' that we've had some sort of authentic taste of farm life. But, anyways, we had a hoot. We exhausted ourselves long before we exhausted all the fun options on the farm, but I think we took in many of the highlights. We'll have to head back out to the ranch sometime soon and drag Daddy with us--we think he would really like it!

So, this particular chicken is hiding in the barn during an early morning downpour. I was worried it might rain all day, but except for this one short spell we enjoyed lovely weather. While it rained we explored the 'big barn'. The barn houses a small petting zoo (there are two petting zoos on the property), the horses (which are regularly taken outside so the young visitors can ride them), baby animals, and a massive pile of hay designed particularly for being jumped in! Nathan is not timid around any of the animals, but did literally fall to the ground when a horse whinnied at him. I said, 'That is how the horse says 'hello'." Nathan paused for a moment, got up off the ground, threw his hand in the air and said, "HI!" We also got a chance to pet the horses while they were outside. Nathan was considering riding the smallest one (a white pony), but wasn't so sure about sitting in that saddle. Maybe if Daddy was with us Nathan could be persuaded. Here is another picture of Nathan in the indoor petting zoo. You can see in the background all sorts of sheep/goats. After the rain let up we headed outside and took a ride on a little train that runs around Lake Buenas Noches (really just a pond on the ranch). We rode right alongside grazing cows...they totally stole Nathan's heart. He even said the word 'cow' several times whilst pointing in their direction. I appreciated the chance to sit down and enjoy the view with a breeze blowing over my sweaty face. Chasing the toddler is not for the faint of body. The ranch is truly sprawling and thus we covered a lot of ground today. I admit to being totally spent when we were through. Good news! So was Nathan. He fell soundly asleep in the car on the way home and is still out like a light. Blessed moments!
The little red barn to the right in this next picture is the Oil Ranch Dairy. Nathan is obviously thrilled with the cows (behind the fence). He thought they were horses, which is strange, because he regularly announces that horses are dogs. He has a bad case of Animal-Alzheimer's. Anyway, inside the little barn they keep one great big milk cow named Belle. The point is that a worker will help you milk the cow for, as they say, an 'udderly' amazing experience. Anyways, Nathan didn't care about milking Belle but was elated to have the opportunity to feed her a treat. His only regret was that they didn't allow him to feed her the entire bucket of treats. I believe he would have been content to spend his day supporting Belle's gluttony. I actually wish I had grabbed a picture of him giving her a treat--it would have been darling. But, you know how it is...when there is only one parent and one child, picture taking is secondary to ensuring Nathan isn't headed over to inspect a pile of manure or to yank on a rooster's giblet. We'll share more photographs on the experience if we head out again with Nick. That way someone can be the designated "documenter." I volunteer for that job--it is 100 times easier than volunteering to be the designated toddler-chaser.
Unrelated to our ranching experience, I have the first of my third-trimester Ob appointments tomorrow afternoon. I suppose it is about time for the doctor to order that blood-sugar test where they determine if Nia Madelynn has caused diabetes. I hate that test primarily because it involves drinking a detestable liquid and then waiting...just waiting...for a significant amount of time. Oh, please. It's enough to drive me batty. Fortunately I was able to schedule the appointment at a time where Nick can care for Nathan. He is never an asset to my Dr. appointments. I've been hoping that they'll all the sudden realize that they were TERRIBLY off on Nia's due date and that I should expect her before the end of the month. I'm sure this will not happen, but the sentiment is clear: I'm ready to not be pregnant any more! Nine months is such a long time! I can't wait to write a post showing pictures of our new baby girl!!