tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28739685147337424782024-03-14T13:34:15.011-04:00Not Her OwnI know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10160001206273686631noreply@blogger.comBlogger271125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-67747361741261216562010-12-18T19:09:00.000-05:002010-12-18T19:09:35.169-05:00Busy Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552175472128080914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LO4SPz-XDwrs-WNvlhLLlGkfTL9hITP5YsOZrHU6F_tBbowpEOeSW-NmTGPx56O-CaUf0H5RFepFNKoj3Q3au9xu7Y6IIhbWPx1B46mKg_P5DGYQLxOtyfwDLwm6jHQbryi9JfebE4FF/s400/_MG_9886.JPG" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></div><br />
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Thomas is really a busy guy these days. At 10 1/2 months, he moves really fast - pulling up on all the furiture and any willing (or just still) person he can find.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552175478479569506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zbC40TZ_LBM1ghkJeGnhinnA6hl3msnDDFrzZ78j5PAh47BBYeFP4314vDVvsrE2baysgprJqqZDstVhS1Yj1Yex7bz5Eur3AUh0kZTWeQk6hguUccvXr4r4ba5Mk4fY0IxMTLc0zJln/s400/_MG_9902.JPG" style="display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />He loves his "DA" as he calls John. They have a lot of fun doing horsy rides, train rides, airplane rides and countless other things that make Thomas laugh. <br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552175474302512914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioF5yWqW_tzQtbRiH1i9cgykHJNxAugtMjrB7lgYml5gv13Ztq4drvgRBBOeR_5a5d2t4hvJ1GKxwS2hfizRcKv0NDC34JcEyZ47Yw5Dht6dFpHzoqbYbSgplwpAsJAbwd_3cVowxQChOu/s400/_MG_9896.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" />I continue to have a blast playing with Thomas and watching him grow in his abilities an understanding. He is quite a fun little guy and loves to be involved in anything I am doing! I've been working part time from home for the last couple months during his naps, so time has really been flying by.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN6wTtk6Vb0GeQu01_pikCrow43mK4_G6BpM9HqHLeBmAfpzcwDlIAdmWEaO5aMEVpNrAY2WLqNBXuaE-hJF7C4l-HgoHpRoNWzxWBZ-2hfEu_w2jxx_fdYLa6xqsbf8b-Obxvqq1jb77/s1600/blog+2010-12-Thomas-2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552175763799852146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN6wTtk6Vb0GeQu01_pikCrow43mK4_G6BpM9HqHLeBmAfpzcwDlIAdmWEaO5aMEVpNrAY2WLqNBXuaE-hJF7C4l-HgoHpRoNWzxWBZ-2hfEu_w2jxx_fdYLa6xqsbf8b-Obxvqq1jb77/s400/blog+2010-12-Thomas-2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></a><br />
He is getting quite confident on his feet, but will still tumble down several times a day. We're wondering how long it will be until he's able to walk alone.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zDMX_pT3nkveh9GVTIgsNRW_G3om9mH8p2v_C99tqA2NTOJH3bk6JiU99B-AH3sm4H7I8svpNhGO-qrn0YJi5EMFbaUnDhwEN3rkItQmTFi7LA37LJmFLUbQgEyAVcIZefHREqVymfwS/s1600/blog+2010-12-Thomas-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552175487387264050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zDMX_pT3nkveh9GVTIgsNRW_G3om9mH8p2v_C99tqA2NTOJH3bk6JiU99B-AH3sm4H7I8svpNhGO-qrn0YJi5EMFbaUnDhwEN3rkItQmTFi7LA37LJmFLUbQgEyAVcIZefHREqVymfwS/s400/blog+2010-12-Thomas-1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Thomas plays hard, but when he's tired, he loves to be held!<br />
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvPTIKvj_vRN1teqtIDBj6QLCwqZDyIh6UQesAHRi3eQCqOvUunvye19mOEZNs2eDQUD7yUVpIcih8sGSDPO2PUPY3Q_kwn0OhJkFg-8pBVpD4iChxY20qLyhUTa-YNb6O4q0YjnykdlZ/s1600/blog+2010-12-Thomas.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552175483186808226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvPTIKvj_vRN1teqtIDBj6QLCwqZDyIh6UQesAHRi3eQCqOvUunvye19mOEZNs2eDQUD7yUVpIcih8sGSDPO2PUPY3Q_kwn0OhJkFg-8pBVpD4iChxY20qLyhUTa-YNb6O4q0YjnykdlZ/s400/blog+2010-12-Thomas.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
I had a lot of fun watching John take these pictures. John would run to one end of the hall, call Thomas then snap a couple pictures as fast as Thomas raced toward him. Then off John would go to the other end of the hall and start taking pictures again! I love all the different expressions Thomas has in these pictures!</div>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-51726704848764263302010-09-22T13:59:00.004-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.644-05:00Smiling Thomas<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2BYd8N1v1nY2sj5DZtQAmbhESUUSZA5JaqQjIZYjZLGi2u13MZBWLst2_MjKpzPaHWH5lsuXMrVYmHVMtFJ15lUGtmD5qyPK0qP7qICklrf1Oxnjm2Ea4ig3KjtWToMbeaKKwAaKL8w8/s1600/IMG_7184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2BYd8N1v1nY2sj5DZtQAmbhESUUSZA5JaqQjIZYjZLGi2u13MZBWLst2_MjKpzPaHWH5lsuXMrVYmHVMtFJ15lUGtmD5qyPK0qP7qICklrf1Oxnjm2Ea4ig3KjtWToMbeaKKwAaKL8w8/s400/IMG_7184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519803256346401458" border="0" /></a>Fun-loving Thomas is now almost 8 months old!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCGtPrlriy8mSBAlcr4PF3ihfHyAL1MlHd7cdKbaWblxKiVWYsv6tmOi-IHsY-L5UFpsfaNKlJWHAh_hCvmRm1LMqZj9lQbIMYxKOoktnoqikZDzFov3nQq22Xg66wZcEKm1D1xtIT-IB/s1600/IMG_7202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCGtPrlriy8mSBAlcr4PF3ihfHyAL1MlHd7cdKbaWblxKiVWYsv6tmOi-IHsY-L5UFpsfaNKlJWHAh_hCvmRm1LMqZj9lQbIMYxKOoktnoqikZDzFov3nQq22Xg66wZcEKm1D1xtIT-IB/s400/IMG_7202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519803273983343490" border="0" /></a>His preferred method of transportation is crawling on his forearms!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyt8xlT89No84kaz24Aw_Pj-RvaTAiM3I67vv7Nx1UmrOiLalcuj6yztpM3KcX6db8IEh7ciEbLc8-VxFFZPmOm8RPQWblXPc0ZpYiYwDxDaOc8iAASKsNQhjwJRQ96Jdat7DPXytlZc5/s1600/IMG_7177.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyt8xlT89No84kaz24Aw_Pj-RvaTAiM3I67vv7Nx1UmrOiLalcuj6yztpM3KcX6db8IEh7ciEbLc8-VxFFZPmOm8RPQWblXPc0ZpYiYwDxDaOc8iAASKsNQhjwJRQ96Jdat7DPXytlZc5/s400/IMG_7177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519803272342209074" border="0" /></a>He doesn't pull up very often yet, but does enjoy standing up at times!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhxixgt8BlxQ840pcjsEIJhXqkhGz4EU0g7FSCLWgQdV2iJs6YHzb5VH0dvGR8udhYwLGtJnqg48STFFCCGEKuOzgELnBJ5Jxqs8rDZRvAkqv8IprAco2MO4Gfqlqo08kg0hMDtAU3OYZ/s1600/IMG_7199.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhxixgt8BlxQ840pcjsEIJhXqkhGz4EU0g7FSCLWgQdV2iJs6YHzb5VH0dvGR8udhYwLGtJnqg48STFFCCGEKuOzgELnBJ5Jxqs8rDZRvAkqv8IprAco2MO4Gfqlqo08kg0hMDtAU3OYZ/s400/IMG_7199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519803250152546130" border="0" /></a>He loves a joke and has a big smile that shows off his first two teeth!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4Id8CISJ_xR8tcoVKhsQEqvNUB0zF20VIunpHOL0HdiPEHpgZuLeY-m46GobF-0cdRoLSn6uCZ7o_vjyxTiuMSI5o-D99HNBIuyqz_-uOC5rWN19lARi0ErdmWORO7Ll9Iqmlf_k1GE8/s1600/IMG_7454.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4Id8CISJ_xR8tcoVKhsQEqvNUB0zF20VIunpHOL0HdiPEHpgZuLeY-m46GobF-0cdRoLSn6uCZ7o_vjyxTiuMSI5o-D99HNBIuyqz_-uOC5rWN19lARi0ErdmWORO7Ll9Iqmlf_k1GE8/s400/IMG_7454.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519812108106620962" border="0" /></a>Daddy and Thomas are best buddies! Thomas gets so excited when John comes home each day as he knows that now it's time to laugh and play!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ__w6OtCUovPWdJ7xGvTZfGueGrMSuRQiexiFVMR4jJ0duTnIsTqVq6bnybpDEVn-fNS575HRH9CD2bJpHYf3Bobz5B3ut_RiOP1mwcM_FEi7qz-NmwNZ-ZO6SZtYKzsaeLgEuU2pyri/s1600/IMG_7210.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ__w6OtCUovPWdJ7xGvTZfGueGrMSuRQiexiFVMR4jJ0duTnIsTqVq6bnybpDEVn-fNS575HRH9CD2bJpHYf3Bobz5B3ut_RiOP1mwcM_FEi7qz-NmwNZ-ZO6SZtYKzsaeLgEuU2pyri/s400/IMG_7210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519803290615431842" border="0" /></a>Life as a mommy is fun!<br /></div>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-87395673012924302502010-08-23T09:19:00.000-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.648-05:00Mowing the grass is amazing! (If you're Thomas)<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6JcC12WnUtfh_s9ARzaRsSs8Vni34aDvMI9Fv6HcO-0XDYl3IPnQtTkTFXTBoV_sG0Tnx341o_jH9si5tPAFZK-ou437f8X6CXtiGFaPdgdejhN3G7h9dydpXn8OwFdC6A2KIU1LO_0x/s1600/IMG_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6JcC12WnUtfh_s9ARzaRsSs8Vni34aDvMI9Fv6HcO-0XDYl3IPnQtTkTFXTBoV_sG0Tnx341o_jH9si5tPAFZK-ou437f8X6CXtiGFaPdgdejhN3G7h9dydpXn8OwFdC6A2KIU1LO_0x/s400/IMG_0631.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdifhpytiaTQoIH3ZNWSbneQoCu5awBsCM0lFZtvz2ZSvQorE_RQ4T-2q6Me0H1I16jFbKiR8BoyhX_V8pHIYz55ct5A9tgp1cnCVrWsuB6uSZR7kP1maQtfwoVLyxoBHkWWWaidjxsy6F/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdifhpytiaTQoIH3ZNWSbneQoCu5awBsCM0lFZtvz2ZSvQorE_RQ4T-2q6Me0H1I16jFbKiR8BoyhX_V8pHIYz55ct5A9tgp1cnCVrWsuB6uSZR7kP1maQtfwoVLyxoBHkWWWaidjxsy6F/s320/IMG_0632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MQW6nOTi_8UaVQrK5a8QtYiIm0csAvboMTehyeIU1VVZlh4IRjON5FUxWdsiigKUuBjaIOMbp-xsfq3kqGEXyimgohyphenhyphenBMkC48bjL-L39oqA1t_gMOBkgIWYZiVOLItATp_CBF5lgoM4j/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MQW6nOTi_8UaVQrK5a8QtYiIm0csAvboMTehyeIU1VVZlh4IRjON5FUxWdsiigKUuBjaIOMbp-xsfq3kqGEXyimgohyphenhyphenBMkC48bjL-L39oqA1t_gMOBkgIWYZiVOLItATp_CBF5lgoM4j/s400/IMG_0634.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Rs7ZDmGVzHILDnC3kEZDMgCGGK1BoOT5KUHidHsk8axEGddUg_fDxwhYVQsXtlZPbJNdMd3qK9OWvswbzjEeysfiRHri7DsLW3lg84H01WF2FcX5lAbLA3piViPFPYcZcQxiAWb2LZO9/s1600/IMG_0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Rs7ZDmGVzHILDnC3kEZDMgCGGK1BoOT5KUHidHsk8axEGddUg_fDxwhYVQsXtlZPbJNdMd3qK9OWvswbzjEeysfiRHri7DsLW3lg84H01WF2FcX5lAbLA3piViPFPYcZcQxiAWb2LZO9/s400/IMG_0639.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioAEFOxCP7iSLv1sg_Eg1K5OZnS8U-5C2F5B-8RWMMvUdCRapImiYtDCte5OVwMAsknk70raHE1kQuYlP4SUiN2IfwKUKDby2ovuZgKqh-yNI29166o46b15sk02wBpOavzGf2Vsnd1Rc/s1600/IMG_0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioAEFOxCP7iSLv1sg_Eg1K5OZnS8U-5C2F5B-8RWMMvUdCRapImiYtDCte5OVwMAsknk70raHE1kQuYlP4SUiN2IfwKUKDby2ovuZgKqh-yNI29166o46b15sk02wBpOavzGf2Vsnd1Rc/s400/IMG_0640.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When John mows the grass, Thomas enjoys sitting at watching every time! Even if he was formerly cranky, he immediately calms down and watched intently as John goes back and forth accross the lawn!</div>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-92065064433611509712010-08-10T22:43:00.000-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.652-05:00Summer Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzLA6lCY9dpJM-xYSVebtGwUgy0CVZQn36_O89KRa4KKZArly_mM8IZjh6zfaJkBMldYTAENUTHh6-wZzfsSwy0EHpQC1oZ7j5_cMPnbwkVuTA2T-J5MSnF-5dlbddlKIomZlMqbnZ2bv/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzLA6lCY9dpJM-xYSVebtGwUgy0CVZQn36_O89KRa4KKZArly_mM8IZjh6zfaJkBMldYTAENUTHh6-wZzfsSwy0EHpQC1oZ7j5_cMPnbwkVuTA2T-J5MSnF-5dlbddlKIomZlMqbnZ2bv/s640/IMG_0159.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> The last few days have really felt like summer up here. The sun has been out full force for much of the day and temperatures have been almost 90 (I know this is probably cool compared to what you guys in Alabama are experiencing, but it does feel hot!). Thomas loves being outside!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDmMNaCST5eww3p-9URCDbWt3mV4F2F7qIqemiEALPZRE6gEchBPP-A2ASLKv1nuKC2mBtgZlX2vqNOEDj1uHRu6iFoeyFuR3-61qSMHLPHAB_bSDM23NXT6PyoqpG3c86KiyAC-yWRgY/s1600/2010_08_09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDmMNaCST5eww3p-9URCDbWt3mV4F2F7qIqemiEALPZRE6gEchBPP-A2ASLKv1nuKC2mBtgZlX2vqNOEDj1uHRu6iFoeyFuR3-61qSMHLPHAB_bSDM23NXT6PyoqpG3c86KiyAC-yWRgY/s640/2010_08_09.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Yesterday when John came home for lunch, he found us outside. Thomas was enjoying just sitting under a tree. As I couldn't decide which pictures to show, I decided to use them all. It's amazing all the different expressions Thomas can make in just a few minutes as well as how many different ways he sucks his thumb and fingers!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_XFMTyocAR_jzQX7mwGt4CCxVxAYDGyS_7ckufP1q-282sveO5fXnp0mA7554nLLu4eGInLW9PzoxJQnHXSg4URALWPyPRFFfdDjtz48_s8jiRlRW8CLsnZxvi0h4eu9swKmwyDlGKiu/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_XFMTyocAR_jzQX7mwGt4CCxVxAYDGyS_7ckufP1q-282sveO5fXnp0mA7554nLLu4eGInLW9PzoxJQnHXSg4URALWPyPRFFfdDjtz48_s8jiRlRW8CLsnZxvi0h4eu9swKmwyDlGKiu/s640/IMG_0158.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>As Thomas enjoys himself in the shade, I've been enjoying using the summer sun to dry our clothes. Since Thomas loves being outside, he's less fussy if I spend time hanging the clothes up and folding them as I take them down then if I were to do that inside. I also like knowing that we're using less energy and thus saving some money by using the great clothes line that came with our house. Hanging clothes is also great if you tend to forget about checking and turning back on the clothes in the dryer. If you forget them on the line, they will just get dryer the longer you wait (as long as it doesn't rain!). Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-48322756216112253662010-07-13T18:24:00.002-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.656-05:00Weekend Camping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2KqpsYmLHi9EiRAGov_Pw-LvFdXQtp_twi2Q-qxKbTwXx_20me_-20aP5bnXezm6Y3Ti2T7GVo1VVJS2ahP6azjPhZzFDqasVCNJb6FSgm8AyX6afGOSLD_syuHwOXLOgImqt7YgRbNX/s1600/IMG_9564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2KqpsYmLHi9EiRAGov_Pw-LvFdXQtp_twi2Q-qxKbTwXx_20me_-20aP5bnXezm6Y3Ti2T7GVo1VVJS2ahP6azjPhZzFDqasVCNJb6FSgm8AyX6afGOSLD_syuHwOXLOgImqt7YgRbNX/s320/IMG_9564.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXTcKO7MDSz9EQjjcRRKRTh6f-NNTnd6ztKJB_UsWfL3pfocjubidIixdFdJGNtMLPWsDXCsgboBaWD5aV5XdvKmMz3Ks-_FD2B4vB4A9JHIatlmIvrGEE9jEFqKA71DVA2SFMFUCcgtM/s1600/IMG_9563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXTcKO7MDSz9EQjjcRRKRTh6f-NNTnd6ztKJB_UsWfL3pfocjubidIixdFdJGNtMLPWsDXCsgboBaWD5aV5XdvKmMz3Ks-_FD2B4vB4A9JHIatlmIvrGEE9jEFqKA71DVA2SFMFUCcgtM/s320/IMG_9563.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="213" /></a>This past weekend, John and I took Thomas camping at <a href="http://www.mohicanstatepark.org/"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;">Mohican</span> State Park</a>, a beautiful park only about half an hour from our house. Some of the guys John works with had organized a trip, and we enjoyed being a part of the group of eight who came. There had been a lot of rain all day, but everything cleared up as we left for the campsite that evening. We enjoyed some great Chicken Pa Thai that John made us for supper when we got there! We used our new camp stove for the first time as well. It was fun to be outdoors and enjoy a nice fire with some friends.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIJ48Pvt2p4OQS3cH52if-TlWrcENXx1E0EsLESqJG2EG2SyD0pEVFsXyg4EvTAgMXVA5me_1Jv2nPpqi-ibghlXilekSeyJlPUHCa38qtwi9QEdqi8djJpg2NJ23fUFQu653YTt1rRmh/s1600/IMG_9533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIJ48Pvt2p4OQS3cH52if-TlWrcENXx1E0EsLESqJG2EG2SyD0pEVFsXyg4EvTAgMXVA5me_1Jv2nPpqi-ibghlXilekSeyJlPUHCa38qtwi9QEdqi8djJpg2NJ23fUFQu653YTt1rRmh/s400/IMG_9533.JPG" border="0" height="265" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqcLB4LTvhAmtU5Fgsfry1hxAd00WcTBVD2_pm1z_EjMJgDvTd9NVSwPpyNUOTHKRfVK7tzPYF5WGhfsSE5IUK2iD7TFxgC2KPdGKJrOSeJw4l3zRiRYHdC9QP5L8SIBfT8Gj_61PneQX/s1600/IMG_9545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqcLB4LTvhAmtU5Fgsfry1hxAd00WcTBVD2_pm1z_EjMJgDvTd9NVSwPpyNUOTHKRfVK7tzPYF5WGhfsSE5IUK2iD7TFxgC2KPdGKJrOSeJw4l3zRiRYHdC9QP5L8SIBfT8Gj_61PneQX/s320/IMG_9545.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="212" /></a><br />The cool night air made for perfect sleeping! The camp sites were more primitive than we've typically camped at and didn't have any electricity or water so it was really dark at night!<br /><br />There is a really pretty stream right across the road from these campsites. It was awesome to hear the water flowing as we fell asleep!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ07HxEJ1x-6Knpt7BHPK6i7YpF185RiVrt1XRPkzoMMXT0h892pXqyhVa7XVfQYTcKVfGgYYwqAZhdu2l_aKqAFQHnlOMW0a3sGGPYensVUfNrqc5X3LNkjZbuImc7AVlLpApADejY2Ub/s1600/IMG_9531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ07HxEJ1x-6Knpt7BHPK6i7YpF185RiVrt1XRPkzoMMXT0h892pXqyhVa7XVfQYTcKVfGgYYwqAZhdu2l_aKqAFQHnlOMW0a3sGGPYensVUfNrqc5X3LNkjZbuImc7AVlLpApADejY2Ub/s320/IMG_9531.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="212" /></a>The next morning, Thomas was ready to be awake bright an early so I took him on a nice level trail to the base of the dam. By the time we got back to camp, he had fallen asleep!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-x2VUrYYiIDQ-5obChV5-UGZG6GEEPyQBnHrrAOsy7VzikwN8ONl7xxjBmc3WxgkhdpugyjdXY5SIdagf1eDJec7nneAALPJvggzJIf4tsX39ZulHrPeFzzFiKjOv-13NNgxtumjpu390/s1600/IMG_9568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-x2VUrYYiIDQ-5obChV5-UGZG6GEEPyQBnHrrAOsy7VzikwN8ONl7xxjBmc3WxgkhdpugyjdXY5SIdagf1eDJec7nneAALPJvggzJIf4tsX39ZulHrPeFzzFiKjOv-13NNgxtumjpu390/s400/IMG_9568.JPG" border="0" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br />Thomas also enjoyed getting to meet a dog that some friends brought.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixz7Ng-G_5S_Gk8sa0pMsF1KHmdrlk9q8Ylc-yCViWFR1KTrBSowp9CYhDJqVhD1VNTfbV_5QbAUmwpFdKxBGq2kLEXhltj-IstY5AbWJkBwBoDuzxST_GG3HbPmXwrPdplHZ4237x6QTU/s1600/IMG_9549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixz7Ng-G_5S_Gk8sa0pMsF1KHmdrlk9q8Ylc-yCViWFR1KTrBSowp9CYhDJqVhD1VNTfbV_5QbAUmwpFdKxBGq2kLEXhltj-IstY5AbWJkBwBoDuzxST_GG3HbPmXwrPdplHZ4237x6QTU/s400/IMG_9549.JPG" border="0" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>Overall the trip was perfect! A great time to relax in beautiful surroundings!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhlbVj4m7AfoAqz9BVSM8uZM1zLcz-RISh8xH1lcU3fG1WN4yT0APhiez3fhlmBNwHt9trzsyPdgPC-hPrKgXo7KNOwhUVl2B-70bcLIb6FzSvHpxrzzqCjmQ5bHtb9ogRJgS5nnmogPJ/s1600/IMG_9544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhlbVj4m7AfoAqz9BVSM8uZM1zLcz-RISh8xH1lcU3fG1WN4yT0APhiez3fhlmBNwHt9trzsyPdgPC-hPrKgXo7KNOwhUVl2B-70bcLIb6FzSvHpxrzzqCjmQ5bHtb9ogRJgS5nnmogPJ/s640/IMG_9544.JPG" border="0" height="640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FTy5IgHt1LMUTnqjjctP23-f3Pd6Fl-F-b-plP3o62TzW9Q-an9qXzIVLzM3mEzG7NgDk4WHXk56B2lNrE5PSbmApwOu6XkdopGFNm8v5-TRBnDpwmLOCKo836PKPGvgO4ms2AuyQYvV/s1600/IMG_9551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FTy5IgHt1LMUTnqjjctP23-f3Pd6Fl-F-b-plP3o62TzW9Q-an9qXzIVLzM3mEzG7NgDk4WHXk56B2lNrE5PSbmApwOu6XkdopGFNm8v5-TRBnDpwmLOCKo836PKPGvgO4ms2AuyQYvV/s400/IMG_9551.JPG" border="0" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here he is getting flown back to the car for a diaper change :) It was quite an explosion!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS56jAxAG1LpznQ2qJlaJPHAE9W_VtJNa_FdbrIphRAZf0J7xMd6d_Zhyphenhyphenqp0e1flY3kXZDuywA_V-KpoFdczn1O_Z0781VlbtXuJytzltMVDvA_dzB_RoUyDnIDqoShgDxxrkQyATNOnJo/s1600/IMG_9556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS56jAxAG1LpznQ2qJlaJPHAE9W_VtJNa_FdbrIphRAZf0J7xMd6d_Zhyphenhyphenqp0e1flY3kXZDuywA_V-KpoFdczn1O_Z0781VlbtXuJytzltMVDvA_dzB_RoUyDnIDqoShgDxxrkQyATNOnJo/s400/IMG_9556.JPG" border="0" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Our little boy is getting big!</div>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-17635001201890369312010-06-17T18:38:00.000-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.660-05:00Grandpas!Last weekend, we took a trip to Missouri for John's cousin's wedding. It was fun to be a part of the celebrations and to meet many of John's relatives. Many of them had come to our wedding, but there were also a good number that I had never gotten to meet before. John's parents and siblings came as well and we enjoyed getting to spend time with them!<br />
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Another cool part about the trip was getting to have lunch with my own dad who was on his way to Kansas City. To have the opportunity to get caught up with him again was a lot of fun! So Thomas got to see both of his grandpas on the same day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMm74rT4iLZ3XL_IvkoXdvRw2hhow2ojgBujdf0AIymGMA65QhBXpb4xunJFA6GNUU0HHCdbCVXg-e2kJtk27Qjz-Co4Xy3CaAzBEmquqa2gtsWxeF6A7bd4JEp-voXtMIQ6BmfEroiCB/s1600/IMG_8640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMm74rT4iLZ3XL_IvkoXdvRw2hhow2ojgBujdf0AIymGMA65QhBXpb4xunJFA6GNUU0HHCdbCVXg-e2kJtk27Qjz-Co4Xy3CaAzBEmquqa2gtsWxeF6A7bd4JEp-voXtMIQ6BmfEroiCB/s400/IMG_8640.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before dad left, we took a picture (or two)! In this one, it looks as though Thomas is having fun and eager to tell us about it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFXaP3Gm8Cn1p_9i8iccPVeZ9EPnVGWMtI-inmDmd5R1RwW9UGSTW2a3AaEUY_2slezVG-LtC59oUN9sbXVEe9H__ZO6uf_VXbFg8daD_aHOtwLfCZg7FnfiMXSCRj3h41y494CZwa-uc/s1600/IMG_8642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFXaP3Gm8Cn1p_9i8iccPVeZ9EPnVGWMtI-inmDmd5R1RwW9UGSTW2a3AaEUY_2slezVG-LtC59oUN9sbXVEe9H__ZO6uf_VXbFg8daD_aHOtwLfCZg7FnfiMXSCRj3h41y494CZwa-uc/s400/IMG_8642.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is his serious - I'm looking at the camera now face.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGWC5ZDmWGfucIEBERmiveTp-33sbZdqu0wkWoKLbLNp9CExezA2YdB6bQDECJNONlEdhNH7lQ5_NJpHEtlJgt-oWhDDu6PjzawuMU7O2PfxplISlRueCgzJEd2bcqlHJbWC80eHhiK03/s1600/IMG_8641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGWC5ZDmWGfucIEBERmiveTp-33sbZdqu0wkWoKLbLNp9CExezA2YdB6bQDECJNONlEdhNH7lQ5_NJpHEtlJgt-oWhDDu6PjzawuMU7O2PfxplISlRueCgzJEd2bcqlHJbWC80eHhiK03/s400/IMG_8641.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally! Smiles!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE4TxVw5iBdshJKIcDQ6A_fWLkZruVK0cp9GF0ro7MJV2OfuwvwkQGwrWi8wLgGr4W9_Z5IQeZDGONFco1QroVBAJgD3AR8KGdZ-CvRI9UqCm6raldRvshLegUDVkOsg8wIonjNTXKoJV/s1600/IMG_8645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE4TxVw5iBdshJKIcDQ6A_fWLkZruVK0cp9GF0ro7MJV2OfuwvwkQGwrWi8wLgGr4W9_Z5IQeZDGONFco1QroVBAJgD3AR8KGdZ-CvRI9UqCm6raldRvshLegUDVkOsg8wIonjNTXKoJV/s400/IMG_8645.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">When I joined the picture, Thomas just wouldn't take is eyes off me! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj260ymIcBwR9Cjqqc9nP-NSNtHblKYLXM0qpuWHKqCB-nC7M6ff4CSU3mu5oM5LHxTnjKnXQV5OIrM3Wygqw_6A4ZB7u9IWnLMCjKb9-JqcskKCRJJlIvZtIehN4qWbUJOVnGv4fSRS0eG/s1600/IMG_8646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj260ymIcBwR9Cjqqc9nP-NSNtHblKYLXM0qpuWHKqCB-nC7M6ff4CSU3mu5oM5LHxTnjKnXQV5OIrM3Wygqw_6A4ZB7u9IWnLMCjKb9-JqcskKCRJJlIvZtIehN4qWbUJOVnGv4fSRS0eG/s640/IMG_8646.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some Grandpa time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYpGjWtWh6JHhuss9In980x-Guo1-I7c5-aDf_Vry4ceGprf0i81GiK80nqMDfKakyDhYlnW0zqOWAGTPemy63YEdxMr7mi2bEWUCi8B_CFf2cz21dzPMWPGtvmRKm1AbUbbO-I0CJ_-q/s1600/IMG_8648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYpGjWtWh6JHhuss9In980x-Guo1-I7c5-aDf_Vry4ceGprf0i81GiK80nqMDfKakyDhYlnW0zqOWAGTPemy63YEdxMr7mi2bEWUCi8B_CFf2cz21dzPMWPGtvmRKm1AbUbbO-I0CJ_-q/s640/IMG_8648.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dad with his littlest grandson</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gU615J2y1y-GuBK6dWO8333YBmZcDGGmNzBQiYqyT7QV4Cg9WPW7ywRAHsR6kcq6phr8yZb_bOJD6xGC26CIVHukkBBNe2XAlxkYnBkL85dBCjWho3opu_dSQgij4ntSYYPCN7zSrAD1/s1600/IMG_8723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gU615J2y1y-GuBK6dWO8333YBmZcDGGmNzBQiYqyT7QV4Cg9WPW7ywRAHsR6kcq6phr8yZb_bOJD6xGC26CIVHukkBBNe2XAlxkYnBkL85dBCjWho3opu_dSQgij4ntSYYPCN7zSrAD1/s400/IMG_8723.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>That night we attended the rehearsal dinner and then gathered after that in the hotel lobby to celebrate Lisa's birthday. By then, Thomas was pretty tired as you can see in these pictures!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lSRBrERIYtOWOJhWGV_tdjCJehBE8Sh7n8em7JFJEoefVj9OgoHmmMlMP1F37g5pybnRafXl5BTm5Xcbxqec9RLT3znHFCOzhB1DPJprjx5IiL58NSXIRiJb9ct8Jn4LJEzGtQZJuDcm/s1600/IMG_8725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lSRBrERIYtOWOJhWGV_tdjCJehBE8Sh7n8em7JFJEoefVj9OgoHmmMlMP1F37g5pybnRafXl5BTm5Xcbxqec9RLT3znHFCOzhB1DPJprjx5IiL58NSXIRiJb9ct8Jn4LJEzGtQZJuDcm/s400/IMG_8725.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He's still curious and was staring fixedly at the camera as his Grandpa held him.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVqHNrW3WauzgzfkxM5JHBoFNefro-PML8LqQSXbcZdD52mSe3x9-jh-dAP0AUMEuhhdIBwiapvp8aXPGJCXy2qKk9mMdnMRNAtxSsJNhq7BrflqvsXmkgqDu_bm3dnxdZyuAuCr73a1h/s1600/IMG_8727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVqHNrW3WauzgzfkxM5JHBoFNefro-PML8LqQSXbcZdD52mSe3x9-jh-dAP0AUMEuhhdIBwiapvp8aXPGJCXy2qKk9mMdnMRNAtxSsJNhq7BrflqvsXmkgqDu_bm3dnxdZyuAuCr73a1h/s400/IMG_8727.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grandpa tells hims some amazing facts :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0MNaIpacfp7kNKsyoNTJ49m8hdhA_pvlg0jZnd7bR2rE4EyeX9eh-o8UA-yanAApCzqXUy3-SD4wreUoRsJ-UqgIVpUVVTHvfMnC39mNNsk9TsYryn3jOF1J_DjSgjRx_P4aIqRd1w-V/s1600/IMG_8730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0MNaIpacfp7kNKsyoNTJ49m8hdhA_pvlg0jZnd7bR2rE4EyeX9eh-o8UA-yanAApCzqXUy3-SD4wreUoRsJ-UqgIVpUVVTHvfMnC39mNNsk9TsYryn3jOF1J_DjSgjRx_P4aIqRd1w-V/s400/IMG_8730.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">What a joy it was to be with family!</div>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-87561181711601182152010-06-08T19:21:00.001-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.663-05:00Thomas is 4 months!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_ChN7OjgyJpPO4wP3VtyKP4r29KUzNGE5-rfSeISDMoEyJPUwtCWnzXnarMk-0QaFkNvMyP9a_fraNKhZt2CfRPGijI8PM5zgwQVZ6xyZs-cEDsfq6SAnlC0xA2jeVyKV5S7rEt14i_B/s1600/IMG_8417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_ChN7OjgyJpPO4wP3VtyKP4r29KUzNGE5-rfSeISDMoEyJPUwtCWnzXnarMk-0QaFkNvMyP9a_fraNKhZt2CfRPGijI8PM5zgwQVZ6xyZs-cEDsfq6SAnlC0xA2jeVyKV5S7rEt14i_B/s400/IMG_8417.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thomas has developed quite a cute and happy personality. As long as he's not tired or hungry, he is quite a joy! He is quite generous with his smiles these days. We have a lot of fun smiling back and forth at one another.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBJAGE7mHr3VWM5MQwRQkuS4DWyOrpKnK60LVbBW5e8VDl52Mvw4Ak-shVISavRzOUYlpDdOP0LDhZe2Vfn83Zv_qJCUb6LyY1Ndpv2qUf1AQ6sVv6LxUawG41U6DR93s784eq3xkdtGp/s1600/IMG_8404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBJAGE7mHr3VWM5MQwRQkuS4DWyOrpKnK60LVbBW5e8VDl52Mvw4Ak-shVISavRzOUYlpDdOP0LDhZe2Vfn83Zv_qJCUb6LyY1Ndpv2qUf1AQ6sVv6LxUawG41U6DR93s784eq3xkdtGp/s400/IMG_8404.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thomas also enjoys studying things quite intently. I've begun reading a book to him before each nap and now he will stare at any type of book or magazine that is placed in front of him. I think he's going to be a bookworm!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZBUAgNO4ByJT6u2KmsoVB8HtNFFO_i57f0q-mGOnGgEiRRBdJmBV8YMVnkvIO9VEuFmoz9gl24fGmEbCH_ib-7DZv6ysGGr35mECqO33YcTDXqfzLIRF98euN00HxRUbkFnASJfiY9_m/s1600/IMG_8422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZBUAgNO4ByJT6u2KmsoVB8HtNFFO_i57f0q-mGOnGgEiRRBdJmBV8YMVnkvIO9VEuFmoz9gl24fGmEbCH_ib-7DZv6ysGGr35mECqO33YcTDXqfzLIRF98euN00HxRUbkFnASJfiY9_m/s400/IMG_8422.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">John has taken so many cute pictures of Thomas that it's hard to know which ones to share! </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpMm0apUahqbw0tWiGqZakcGMGnz72bslqAAXr2V0Kl5U4MKk4A96KwROXp2lo3Mnr8w67Ja2vxbGk4LDb6sSqcRhOQDM5DKXKsKOsAsbDkEsLg_vHrOnQ6FYa5YzUFTpcqbrLc0bjY_2/s1600/IMG_8435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpMm0apUahqbw0tWiGqZakcGMGnz72bslqAAXr2V0Kl5U4MKk4A96KwROXp2lo3Mnr8w67Ja2vxbGk4LDb6sSqcRhOQDM5DKXKsKOsAsbDkEsLg_vHrOnQ6FYa5YzUFTpcqbrLc0bjY_2/s400/IMG_8435.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love seeing his wide open smile!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxOglg7GRYzlTuQhlgXKcTGGUHKVWT3h1yYXsnsmozcCmIMEenLb9gVokXy90KFxuDPQ4ML_t0P-It0auQPFWe_ntsP76ouD_-Q19fhiaj0DCl7FJgBFeagkthxtiv1W867dFVXIvnQk6/s1600/IMG_8441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxOglg7GRYzlTuQhlgXKcTGGUHKVWT3h1yYXsnsmozcCmIMEenLb9gVokXy90KFxuDPQ4ML_t0P-It0auQPFWe_ntsP76ouD_-Q19fhiaj0DCl7FJgBFeagkthxtiv1W867dFVXIvnQk6/s400/IMG_8441.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Thomas has definitely "found" his feet in the last couple weeks. He has fun pulling them toward his mouth though he usually doesn't manage to get them in. Since his fingers reach is mouth first, he typically get's distracted by his fingers and sucks them, dropping his foot at the same time!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQnii9o7UcvnfsNSyGKNqCmEpbpOsjagsJeW1BGP0khw1-ruqfvMqgMGIsxsgSRSDk21yBcSMaVlf1fusUB03HBQylJlFvdsV53RhepYa5roGGlRglBQLT1AF_WjMqr45l8Huke5HsuD0/s1600/IMG_8442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQnii9o7UcvnfsNSyGKNqCmEpbpOsjagsJeW1BGP0khw1-ruqfvMqgMGIsxsgSRSDk21yBcSMaVlf1fusUB03HBQylJlFvdsV53RhepYa5roGGlRglBQLT1AF_WjMqr45l8Huke5HsuD0/s400/IMG_8442.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
He's been more drooly lately, but so far no teeth. He also loves to roll over from his back to his tummy. He's started rolling over almost every time I put him down in his crib. I guess he never read the medical association recommendation that babies should sleep on their backs. He seems to prefer sleeping on his tummy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioox6iy3ZFa5Md9X27a-cISVUzlcEC5AdEXdw-ul4jX78Yshq1ka5xCANODTdzMJp6m5RzOx5QWbDKfNuNBWe9mCVfgP5_wQ48WvQ5XXZ_JyQFPfTtgNbAoXfxoN1o16UloHD0zRSgjRus/s1600/IMG_8410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioox6iy3ZFa5Md9X27a-cISVUzlcEC5AdEXdw-ul4jX78Yshq1ka5xCANODTdzMJp6m5RzOx5QWbDKfNuNBWe9mCVfgP5_wQ48WvQ5XXZ_JyQFPfTtgNbAoXfxoN1o16UloHD0zRSgjRus/s400/IMG_8410.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>He loves to look at you and stare at things like ceiling fans.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyPzcM_lFCcNTCWycL-RgXknxaSgTv56XWFLWHmbQDvlVNBDKaeR6w7PExa9xJU18C_aGC6935XRxeK-IAiLC7QTlNheA-QKOgUPA_u8mIwZqorKqk8LfxEj5iJLBQcVKmOL03GfchgmY/s1600/IMG_8426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyPzcM_lFCcNTCWycL-RgXknxaSgTv56XWFLWHmbQDvlVNBDKaeR6w7PExa9xJU18C_aGC6935XRxeK-IAiLC7QTlNheA-QKOgUPA_u8mIwZqorKqk8LfxEj5iJLBQcVKmOL03GfchgmY/s400/IMG_8426.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sometimes the things you say will simply amaze him!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-46392213354821698152010-05-03T22:17:00.001-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.667-05:00Zoo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5fBab9VBuvvmOkVqVRQgjBeytPNdqWBemJlM4IhOPHf1bs3RV3k2IhQ-FouUPlE0qZ2nKRcF877ra9VTXul_xi7NGb6mDkJzX5B4fIzTfHTaJLnXhsYSnrVVBx71vUXwnhhq50gE0Y_L/s1600/blog+2010-04-24+Zoo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5fBab9VBuvvmOkVqVRQgjBeytPNdqWBemJlM4IhOPHf1bs3RV3k2IhQ-FouUPlE0qZ2nKRcF877ra9VTXul_xi7NGb6mDkJzX5B4fIzTfHTaJLnXhsYSnrVVBx71vUXwnhhq50gE0Y_L/s400/blog+2010-04-24+Zoo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467237222297653234" border="0" /></a>A couple weeks ago, we took Thomas to the Columbus Zoo. It's a large zoo, and we ended up enjoying ourselves immensely. We spent the entire 2 1/2 hours of our visit in the Australia and African Forest <a href="http://www.columbuszoo.org/assets/zoo/user_files/File/pdf/Zoo_Map.pdf">side of the zoo</a>. I really enjoyed watching the kangaroos and all the monkeys. One of the monkeys had a 7-week old baby and it was really fun to watch that mommy carrying around and feeding her little one. Of course Thomas is a little young to enjoy the animals, but he enjoyed being outside while John and I looked around!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuovU3xly1LT-0jymbTtsSFCgBd2irskRkxHfvf4P0aPPWzN45kZF8-lgbrr-v1NqBLppaUB9efI-kiZ0-a3vyx5TK0neOfseuUnDeS_8fgfWemvhr38rZU4qIPPgg1dq5ZZXC4vvadKr/s1600/blog+2010-04-24+Zoo1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuovU3xly1LT-0jymbTtsSFCgBd2irskRkxHfvf4P0aPPWzN45kZF8-lgbrr-v1NqBLppaUB9efI-kiZ0-a3vyx5TK0neOfseuUnDeS_8fgfWemvhr38rZU4qIPPgg1dq5ZZXC4vvadKr/s400/blog+2010-04-24+Zoo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467237215823677234" border="0" /></a>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-81255525597990981832010-04-13T21:15:00.004-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.671-05:00It's hard to look dangerous when wearing a onesie!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj56C9vJImJ7MX4ZIf3bVOtBec9lhxdBdEkjL1ThFtPccrBb4HE4PN-Uwat6snLsDJkgw-zDcIwNrtMHgcP0YOzZETLZTdOmyvOKKuGHA4l6KP2DvpSQCpLTAidhq-wH-GQEtGgkCmr0h/s1600/IMG_6264.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj56C9vJImJ7MX4ZIf3bVOtBec9lhxdBdEkjL1ThFtPccrBb4HE4PN-Uwat6snLsDJkgw-zDcIwNrtMHgcP0YOzZETLZTdOmyvOKKuGHA4l6KP2DvpSQCpLTAidhq-wH-GQEtGgkCmr0h/s400/IMG_6264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459796323582926530" border="0" /></a>At nine weeks, Thomas experiments with his dangerous look :)Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-40399055007354276932010-03-05T00:37:00.003-05:002010-11-16T08:37:41.676-05:00Five Weeks Already!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5R4k9G7RkXbAHoggOYVG0-Cz43J51E-m05vvuDATJjtT0GBFpKn03S2ddvau59a242HaBHfudWSOTBpPU4v7flCnBT9Ccec0qIF67EebCtE7IfPgUk-mPjruEUYERzYwEoKnRhy0wdYj/s1600-h/IMG_4891.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5R4k9G7RkXbAHoggOYVG0-Cz43J51E-m05vvuDATJjtT0GBFpKn03S2ddvau59a242HaBHfudWSOTBpPU4v7flCnBT9Ccec0qIF67EebCtE7IfPgUk-mPjruEUYERzYwEoKnRhy0wdYj/s400/IMG_4891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445021108049527442" border="0" /></a>Thomas is now 5 weeks old! He is getting more interactive and enjoying playing with Daddy each day at lunch time and in the evenings. John has been great with Thomas and totally willing to take a turn changing and helping with him when he gets home! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSW-6x8m7M57ttxyNRCw64fRlQeNzM7-pKnzoaiE7wVyoFHjvOKbYGaSfy71buPAg6RuTaLaW9G6ALr-07-fx-y6s6e5h5MzmZHKNTEuGgh0XJp4njVFUYqqAna10wMWcl_zPVscOkRh7/s1600-h/IMG_4890.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSW-6x8m7M57ttxyNRCw64fRlQeNzM7-pKnzoaiE7wVyoFHjvOKbYGaSfy71buPAg6RuTaLaW9G6ALr-07-fx-y6s6e5h5MzmZHKNTEuGgh0XJp4njVFUYqqAna10wMWcl_zPVscOkRh7/s400/IMG_4890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445021102612568370" border="0" /></a>Thomas really looks into John's eyes and seems to try to communicate with him already!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnXiQtCQUAvy6ZbKH3U32LIX9JsMf0vN-nyYrc4G5-ef10Oi7vdN1pv5_9TLNd8yFfjsQCfMffYNOLszleZi5ldA_v_IYokA8kJjn_5tHsEi-jb8dGxMHFDxz4EyOchmVfPhSWclWh648/s1600-h/IMG_4883.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnXiQtCQUAvy6ZbKH3U32LIX9JsMf0vN-nyYrc4G5-ef10Oi7vdN1pv5_9TLNd8yFfjsQCfMffYNOLszleZi5ldA_v_IYokA8kJjn_5tHsEi-jb8dGxMHFDxz4EyOchmVfPhSWclWh648/s400/IMG_4883.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445021100244090706" border="0" /></a>My days go by very quickly and are filled with nap time and feeding this little one. Thomas seems to be a relatively calm little guy. He's definitely all baby though :) He and I are trying to work on some sort of regular schedule - but so far we have some good days/nights and some that are more exhausting! Thankfully Thomas is typically willing to sit in his bouncy chair or swing for a while each morning while I get a few things done or get ready for the day. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6dHPqg2FJUCYihShkSTXkuqcv3aRtzc1Tvrfuo0Qt0bS5Dq3gviQdetphTnzYyiRNeoubtTCN5ax6kT9O7gAiq4oJqmFHs5FZ8wvDE97gHe9XaQZb36DlY46XapJTX4siOEcO7UNJOVb/s1600-h/IMG_4873.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6dHPqg2FJUCYihShkSTXkuqcv3aRtzc1Tvrfuo0Qt0bS5Dq3gviQdetphTnzYyiRNeoubtTCN5ax6kT9O7gAiq4oJqmFHs5FZ8wvDE97gHe9XaQZb36DlY46XapJTX4siOEcO7UNJOVb/s400/IMG_4873.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445021092568498802" border="0" /></a>Being a mom has been fun so far, and I think it will be even more fun as Thomas becomes more capable of doing things and communicating with us!Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-42352911426949072532010-02-06T10:17:00.002-05:002010-11-16T08:37:41.680-05:00Awesome Snow!The snow continued to fall last night. Here are some views of the outside world this morning!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu-lDdgds5tz8YOR0YaFcdbjGR-b9PWtmnl3sNyn6WXSjDr7c5sAU-maK5GO828_mT6I-wvkaAXG0gOEa3_2beLnlR2EAEVrz6dAmhck8Iif5HhxHWsXZqH7QVlgktjAKw1CuI3hCqc3T/s1600-h/IMG_3642.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu-lDdgds5tz8YOR0YaFcdbjGR-b9PWtmnl3sNyn6WXSjDr7c5sAU-maK5GO828_mT6I-wvkaAXG0gOEa3_2beLnlR2EAEVrz6dAmhck8Iif5HhxHWsXZqH7QVlgktjAKw1CuI3hCqc3T/s400/IMG_3642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435153336703111154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO84YnC6ZnpVDlgKX4YwngoE_7D8iAtNyhnUp1SMjtmw0qPp_FE_GBCZhSgE1mJJGZBM0MyrNE8ol-vVgT9DKrR-e8SGg3EIAidYw-HvxSHg0QE1xoR1MNOVfGrB2SnHA5pn7m5KM1yM9X/s1600-h/IMG_3643.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO84YnC6ZnpVDlgKX4YwngoE_7D8iAtNyhnUp1SMjtmw0qPp_FE_GBCZhSgE1mJJGZBM0MyrNE8ol-vVgT9DKrR-e8SGg3EIAidYw-HvxSHg0QE1xoR1MNOVfGrB2SnHA5pn7m5KM1yM9X/s400/IMG_3643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435153329518276546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmlpXOAQUIe2FmyqO0OQT0U7Mnbe9gteRFtIqhJNLx4xSRJU4sjhatR_01JuYsiEUe_gAmYisWwXeKDolOwmX1752-_UsXyOIQWJRr7lyUyFZLZdFfiaNM0OAbXf0jJaH8G623NlzmwnL/s1600-h/IMG_3652.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmlpXOAQUIe2FmyqO0OQT0U7Mnbe9gteRFtIqhJNLx4xSRJU4sjhatR_01JuYsiEUe_gAmYisWwXeKDolOwmX1752-_UsXyOIQWJRr7lyUyFZLZdFfiaNM0OAbXf0jJaH8G623NlzmwnL/s400/IMG_3652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435153322068437026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar0otNlCO5mzW-49OtKAf-YerafR-T3FJ7fokfuHwa7NqaI8Sl82bgymwvq-KM0W9jXXiCfZgEr29JZNdg4SAgn83DjWHlUNKZEb3HQdQtMGoW2t_iCAI0fOwW6R3J9lcLqZf-5cyF7MR/s1600-h/IMG_3653.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar0otNlCO5mzW-49OtKAf-YerafR-T3FJ7fokfuHwa7NqaI8Sl82bgymwvq-KM0W9jXXiCfZgEr29JZNdg4SAgn83DjWHlUNKZEb3HQdQtMGoW2t_iCAI0fOwW6R3J9lcLqZf-5cyF7MR/s400/IMG_3653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435153317417519618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyE7lOqRwiZqbH6R5naR0iHvM2BWT1CxOKvy6-eccNxYVzCGArwVKenxgGmXPTHaOMhV7rrevZ0B6PRZ1ZSeVRe4SmRPWyqs7e609-JycJfGDJvhgdxWkIqneamXd4d4Iu2KL649OB0RyF/s1600-h/IMG_3658.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyE7lOqRwiZqbH6R5naR0iHvM2BWT1CxOKvy6-eccNxYVzCGArwVKenxgGmXPTHaOMhV7rrevZ0B6PRZ1ZSeVRe4SmRPWyqs7e609-JycJfGDJvhgdxWkIqneamXd4d4Iu2KL649OB0RyF/s400/IMG_3658.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435153312405808786" border="0" /></a>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-5542833411054298362010-02-05T20:10:00.000-05:002010-11-16T08:37:41.684-05:00Last Profile Pictures - week 38 to 40!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATTnb6VCbwbXtYWLM1i86GHHkFu7u3ODmOATMdZpaaQ3nbvlF2yd1ILizO6TF48nSD2pDam3hpG0iUmtVWFY_FnOvlfrA8Vfr6pLHvf0VzzzEHs5edFvy4KB2FQGHgYASeHrUb5bKNYmU/s1600-h/to+38+to+40+weeks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATTnb6VCbwbXtYWLM1i86GHHkFu7u3ODmOATMdZpaaQ3nbvlF2yd1ILizO6TF48nSD2pDam3hpG0iUmtVWFY_FnOvlfrA8Vfr6pLHvf0VzzzEHs5edFvy4KB2FQGHgYASeHrUb5bKNYmU/s400/to+38+to+40+weeks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434885775149653730" border="0" /></a>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-46157372014808831292010-02-05T18:22:00.004-05:002010-02-05T19:13:58.190-05:00Ohio Snow Shower!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjR0Xq4mMpL5PfEhr9rRpLOm09cZmlXyIZ3fl69lpM7kTxBsf7hEbIwlAfyywNA9NFRx6hAkNzYPuxGknCAf6h9mMj6YEGHYaPT5I-e4-2XyTG46VOkuzQJKCD9yEWf8CHtI40QD1k-mWe/s1600-h/IMG_3535.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjR0Xq4mMpL5PfEhr9rRpLOm09cZmlXyIZ3fl69lpM7kTxBsf7hEbIwlAfyywNA9NFRx6hAkNzYPuxGknCAf6h9mMj6YEGHYaPT5I-e4-2XyTG46VOkuzQJKCD9yEWf8CHtI40QD1k-mWe/s400/IMG_3535.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434906092049363362" border="0" /></a>My sister Anna was planning to drive up here today, but decided to postpone her trip a day or two when we saw the weather forecast.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNm95-CwfICPNu2apE0ttPWhPS_h2FWtD7hiyt-RnQVWc5JDJitb8dS68dPuF-M2-NMqpGwRUb5GDvmgdfbICGQjJwdoDQxui5OIYMSVgMAOiZj580hDtGeZYDtSiYhnvTNeV4Z8OVr7z/s1600-h/IMG_3519.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNm95-CwfICPNu2apE0ttPWhPS_h2FWtD7hiyt-RnQVWc5JDJitb8dS68dPuF-M2-NMqpGwRUb5GDvmgdfbICGQjJwdoDQxui5OIYMSVgMAOiZj580hDtGeZYDtSiYhnvTNeV4Z8OVr7z/s400/IMG_3519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434906067954343330" border="0" /></a>That was definitely a good plan as this is the view outside our windows as of an hour ago. Note that we had almost no leftover snow on the ground at 1pm!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6s-K80ls6ZWLuB4GqUciKUffAf_3fyH5cC36lR1AcdiPdwSNWmRK9l8bBRUiNGQ9zA7Mn5PxhLpYarZjlxELfbOd7ZPh5k6KxwVia9tYA-IVrtDsdVYwxh2rrDF3PWwof4Rhwj2zi-c4/s1600-h/IMG_3532.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6s-K80ls6ZWLuB4GqUciKUffAf_3fyH5cC36lR1AcdiPdwSNWmRK9l8bBRUiNGQ9zA7Mn5PxhLpYarZjlxELfbOd7ZPh5k6KxwVia9tYA-IVrtDsdVYwxh2rrDF3PWwof4Rhwj2zi-c4/s400/IMG_3532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434906085533532562" border="0" /></a>The weather didn't bother Thomas as he enjoyed being held by Grandma!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfpvcOfWDfNGKh30He2VLk6BddFIj2bcUiIPeCqT2NupqbPrzBoj2v5C5jNjub-wSAEuWXo5nkJok-rt1izPlelQq_9uX4A3YzGKbh7TbSezuwfXRUSqeeSj0_yirrX8AOweyf2tDYk_x/s1600-h/IMG_3526.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfpvcOfWDfNGKh30He2VLk6BddFIj2bcUiIPeCqT2NupqbPrzBoj2v5C5jNjub-wSAEuWXo5nkJok-rt1izPlelQq_9uX4A3YzGKbh7TbSezuwfXRUSqeeSj0_yirrX8AOweyf2tDYk_x/s400/IMG_3526.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434906083753199586" border="0" /></a>We're hoping that the snow stops by tomorrow as is predicted so that the travel plans of Anna and Grandma aren't affected.<br /></div>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-75470951974708263662010-02-05T17:39:00.006-05:002010-11-16T08:37:41.687-05:00Welcome Thomas Enoch!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLyXoFKv_bsnoCd1ZydmGaE_58dlEpmTcgrrI3FRUXqI6cipeUgVDqoqqHSnLXx1fGqu83tYHMXxLOtWhgyLrrrHvLfxamE-JVdkwscTdCHAu3zQAjFvD_8r13PqzyAY7thdH1DoG-27V/s1600-h/IMG_2930.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLyXoFKv_bsnoCd1ZydmGaE_58dlEpmTcgrrI3FRUXqI6cipeUgVDqoqqHSnLXx1fGqu83tYHMXxLOtWhgyLrrrHvLfxamE-JVdkwscTdCHAu3zQAjFvD_8r13PqzyAY7thdH1DoG-27V/s400/IMG_2930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895913339705634" border="0" /></a>Thomas Enoch was born on Thursday January 28th at 8:41 pm!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADRz-EbjXCQFLKewLd57Ou3xOECQnQQgBBSBiQtr3mSpBhyphenhyphen39hYHvwVxIlUmQyOnsWbcDfQ0PVlZ7a2WA0mFleA61LvDQxEibFt7n4O_UGpmLQHqdcEqBmssfbJsbiLD-JzWu_HXGV5k5/s1600-h/IMG_2931.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADRz-EbjXCQFLKewLd57Ou3xOECQnQQgBBSBiQtr3mSpBhyphenhyphen39hYHvwVxIlUmQyOnsWbcDfQ0PVlZ7a2WA0mFleA61LvDQxEibFt7n4O_UGpmLQHqdcEqBmssfbJsbiLD-JzWu_HXGV5k5/s400/IMG_2931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895090159927410" border="0" /></a>He weighed in at a healthy 8 pounds 12 ounces!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOT5NqpDkXhr8U1GEWnwtiOUmoJTIFCt-f_P361FTL7P368VPnlOkGvfKP2BCvFe4iytbCP_Fr5chf9skddF-M9sL1w9ucGPDpdhlTwb4_hGhzoSwoSXr729U4gGk_H6Rwu11Ie-RVDU6/s1600-h/IMG_2934.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOT5NqpDkXhr8U1GEWnwtiOUmoJTIFCt-f_P361FTL7P368VPnlOkGvfKP2BCvFe4iytbCP_Fr5chf9skddF-M9sL1w9ucGPDpdhlTwb4_hGhzoSwoSXr729U4gGk_H6Rwu11Ie-RVDU6/s400/IMG_2934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434896104633927938" border="0" /></a>He was 20 1/2" long<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZg-q350ZoEaWzZ_zsZUADG0LlPl2zLJXhgO_aMhsLfalDdNzczWyg0V6EDHCnPjvE4wyTbbowzjM_scuX35FGDCfhwMT66818tES3ga6U9r-ozsG86HdzObMELbtTYbNl2Eocl4cfATIH/s1600-h/IMG_2937.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZg-q350ZoEaWzZ_zsZUADG0LlPl2zLJXhgO_aMhsLfalDdNzczWyg0V6EDHCnPjvE4wyTbbowzjM_scuX35FGDCfhwMT66818tES3ga6U9r-ozsG86HdzObMELbtTYbNl2Eocl4cfATIH/s400/IMG_2937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895085749180306" border="0" /></a>He was born exactly one week before his due date - for which we're very thankful as I can't imagine trying to push a bigger baby out!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CrmZGX0VZa8PEcdJ-GJ3V-jK9JxOMd6QbYv_X5QMxi222bIulI2slwX0IGw1w34ACL4dpmTo28TRIe7R_6aqAaVmnFkvOyAWvDPMLvCo0JfuHu543qSyNW_qdx-hdmWfrFEXu4EnePUA/s1600-h/IMG_2940.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CrmZGX0VZa8PEcdJ-GJ3V-jK9JxOMd6QbYv_X5QMxi222bIulI2slwX0IGw1w34ACL4dpmTo28TRIe7R_6aqAaVmnFkvOyAWvDPMLvCo0JfuHu543qSyNW_qdx-hdmWfrFEXu4EnePUA/s400/IMG_2940.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895084935032578" border="0" /></a>He was born in our home as a planned home birth.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHtqsmjIrS-bvWFCqgwk-rvkS7gBhrc-0pMGtR5Qoq2NXiNWn0x-fmKsdraszrbYVZxACF8HBgYJtrrDbyM-IexyilWbrAzOZdJqJc0MnXahFDLmca0lql0Ttb4-WykrL3PPY-bw8PdZ9/s1600-h/IMG_2942.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHtqsmjIrS-bvWFCqgwk-rvkS7gBhrc-0pMGtR5Qoq2NXiNWn0x-fmKsdraszrbYVZxACF8HBgYJtrrDbyM-IexyilWbrAzOZdJqJc0MnXahFDLmca0lql0Ttb4-WykrL3PPY-bw8PdZ9/s400/IMG_2942.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895077458439906" border="0" /></a>We had the wonderful help of a great midwife and her assistant. The midwife lives only a few miles away and was awesome both in the prenatal appointments, delivery and follow-up visits!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BXjG7YfxJr-RvyUWoO6FroK66tMdYztgMRRqgME2ZEkPIt_ocd0rvpc3scVwseRuOA9xi6OMZTHErGU9jy1C0xTHAqYWF2_vu_g7dgVAhMdvHd7gRrZ7sCB9GxQKQPU9gNxF3Qbo3K_a/s1600-h/IMG_2959.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BXjG7YfxJr-RvyUWoO6FroK66tMdYztgMRRqgME2ZEkPIt_ocd0rvpc3scVwseRuOA9xi6OMZTHErGU9jy1C0xTHAqYWF2_vu_g7dgVAhMdvHd7gRrZ7sCB9GxQKQPU9gNxF3Qbo3K_a/s400/IMG_2959.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895925163066082" border="0" /></a>We are so very thankful to God for the way He gave me the strength for the labor and delivery. My time in labor was much shorter than average. My water broke at 7 AM, contractions started a few hours later and got harder and closer together such that by noon I needed my husband home. He more than happily left work to be with me. <br /><br />John was such an asset in rubbing my back and helping me to relax during the contractions! Though it may not be one of those valentine messages that will ever end up on a little candy heart - I've lovingly called him "my epidural!" I really felt that the pain was much less when he was by my side. The Bradley method classes we took were incredibly helpful for both of us. I knew I needed to relax and focus only on what was happening at that moment and John was a great coach in helping me to do just that!<br /><br />My contractions continued through the afternoon as we tried to relax through a short bath and then rested and tried to take a nap. By around 5:30pm, I was feeling an incredible urge to push so John called our midwife and she came right over and set up to catch our baby. The next hours seemed long, but were productive as we got closer and closer to the baby's birth. Finally at 8:41 PM, our son was born! John was able to see the baby crown and we both rejoiced as he took in his first breath!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqyiUQJNeC_e117KkOr7jxPFNUxLswCFt75gOmPqyXKvJYftYuOoaDtya_K0mqAf_uEiH5S_C9fG_TWxEop5uyn-oKwDkAkesPj81xBh3hYVazl7L-wg-uN5X1-JJ4mt3EQ4hDrhSHgZy/s1600-h/IMG_2965.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqyiUQJNeC_e117KkOr7jxPFNUxLswCFt75gOmPqyXKvJYftYuOoaDtya_K0mqAf_uEiH5S_C9fG_TWxEop5uyn-oKwDkAkesPj81xBh3hYVazl7L-wg-uN5X1-JJ4mt3EQ4hDrhSHgZy/s400/IMG_2965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895920806117218" border="0" /></a>Here we are, admiring our brand new baby boy!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mWO2re1O_hrpJg88GKzWdDEjKR3-eWYfqr8mjIzpbm7OIswjhyphenhyphenzs665dZjLC8QWzO3cGqD-jcKm6kHeESKXpOERJGPQvAJXg5lrsk4K-KOeZNh9wK2QYL2xqmLNK7Mrfrr0CSEkKbqBt/s1600-h/IMG_2970.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mWO2re1O_hrpJg88GKzWdDEjKR3-eWYfqr8mjIzpbm7OIswjhyphenhyphenzs665dZjLC8QWzO3cGqD-jcKm6kHeESKXpOERJGPQvAJXg5lrsk4K-KOeZNh9wK2QYL2xqmLNK7Mrfrr0CSEkKbqBt/s400/IMG_2970.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434895079112586178" border="0" /></a>We had a little trouble sleeping that first night. Not really due to the baby waking us up, but because we just couldn't believe he was already here! We had it in our minds that he would for sure not come early, but there he was! We're having a blast with our little guy and loving life as new parents!Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-22900473438649590472010-01-26T21:04:00.003-05:002010-11-16T08:37:41.691-05:00Baby Shower!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy43hZqdAtlTqURhpwDJX5kJlYwW6pfz_rKEmN_CFSilCIwQYy72QB9Sx77BC4rUEvX_07kFUZRp3rYCVlW4-ScJ3NbJ1_L4z1RHvSvzztLVGPlZzQySVOy0Z71Ursw1hmM003ejDVbJet/s1600-h/DSC_0024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy43hZqdAtlTqURhpwDJX5kJlYwW6pfz_rKEmN_CFSilCIwQYy72QB9Sx77BC4rUEvX_07kFUZRp3rYCVlW4-ScJ3NbJ1_L4z1RHvSvzztLVGPlZzQySVOy0Z71Ursw1hmM003ejDVbJet/s400/DSC_0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431236345791713250" border="0" /></a><br />The ladies of my church threw a very nice baby shower for us this past weekend! We were able to hold the shower in the basement of our new house which ended up being a lot of fun!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNE2U8US4-KWhyphenhypheno4ByYx1HfxwPe7-BFpen38-pbF3guG_jPFM1vJY6gbsU-V8XmyPpnYxWHIjEwZcpNf7iqbl1c3PcvgawvtI8NSBcmiRCNBq4Ac53cxu2K5HgML9uGSvHWgo-EqMu5P-/s1600-h/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNE2U8US4-KWhyphenhypheno4ByYx1HfxwPe7-BFpen38-pbF3guG_jPFM1vJY6gbsU-V8XmyPpnYxWHIjEwZcpNf7iqbl1c3PcvgawvtI8NSBcmiRCNBq4Ac53cxu2K5HgML9uGSvHWgo-EqMu5P-/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431236363685280322" border="0" /></a>We played games like trying to see who could pin a cloth diaper on a baby the fastest in teams - each with one hand. No, my team did not win!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFfLTI1_iW96RHUVhheYEuw1gSGJYBwn7Al7iizH4U1eOVOx32jcTVzFM1Gob385-pn30z1iI2kZ4Dnplcw3UEwDjWrJ862mKb5jLaUyy1S4dupYmC-VMiAHw-WHltd1-8lPpPoHi-nLb/s1600-h/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFfLTI1_iW96RHUVhheYEuw1gSGJYBwn7Al7iizH4U1eOVOx32jcTVzFM1Gob385-pn30z1iI2kZ4Dnplcw3UEwDjWrJ862mKb5jLaUyy1S4dupYmC-VMiAHw-WHltd1-8lPpPoHi-nLb/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431236360154897714" border="0" /></a><br />We were given so many nice baby items! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqz62F0IDEg3WcInjB6x8YdTR6OuloweJdhmWDyTH4yGHLxmiugEPQsyWzxVGXTrjwQYW3NgJb3EPqKToz6ta54LmJ4pH6XiyBsrfKbmfUAICwjsf9aZP0fT11jQOEDZG6dyTPS7TrW5Q-/s1600-h/IMG_2850.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqz62F0IDEg3WcInjB6x8YdTR6OuloweJdhmWDyTH4yGHLxmiugEPQsyWzxVGXTrjwQYW3NgJb3EPqKToz6ta54LmJ4pH6XiyBsrfKbmfUAICwjsf9aZP0fT11jQOEDZG6dyTPS7TrW5Q-/s400/IMG_2850.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431236356722173234" border="0" /></a>What a blessing our church family is to us! Hopefully our baby will come soon and we'll be putting these items to use!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDXpPc4O3mrlIqfVctsBf3rtoo5y0DHpB5iDg55MxkL9fXRVaP3Zhaj-dpVBVMxFuBEmay61IrI2XACQ-OhTEmNZAoDtgo3tQ1m1CFnABhTOylPpJHsDOxgpRVx4sWAYeM7v2KppQ4P59/s1600-h/DSC_0028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDXpPc4O3mrlIqfVctsBf3rtoo5y0DHpB5iDg55MxkL9fXRVaP3Zhaj-dpVBVMxFuBEmay61IrI2XACQ-OhTEmNZAoDtgo3tQ1m1CFnABhTOylPpJHsDOxgpRVx4sWAYeM7v2KppQ4P59/s400/DSC_0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431236349521009842" border="0" /></a>These are the ladies who worked so hard to host this party! Thanks to both of you! You did an awesome job!Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-68125478169275235042010-01-14T21:31:00.004-05:002010-11-16T08:37:41.695-05:00Just a Little Longer!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZxBV0Jhok0zwF4vlS7_qm1Gvt-LX4PdwmxP32SgmJXEWEGo46W1NUp054gqD2GY-Gw-Riv4zGsvwDFUvk5v34qpAx03wlDBWeUlLS31ebIVCwcNg-rzjaM-FmeLsc0Bdi3gSLQirXy27/s1600-h/to+21+weeks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZxBV0Jhok0zwF4vlS7_qm1Gvt-LX4PdwmxP32SgmJXEWEGo46W1NUp054gqD2GY-Gw-Riv4zGsvwDFUvk5v34qpAx03wlDBWeUlLS31ebIVCwcNg-rzjaM-FmeLsc0Bdi3gSLQirXy27/s400/to+21+weeks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385575198478258834" border="0" /><br /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfSn9S0C0wrR4XimYpNiEume6v-Bi7ZSKsRpLuEOAfbDg7ekOjQQCJS7q-snlFVw0bMrcAGXBMY8Q4Kmwb6-X14TbIHgcnX-nR8klOO_BamYSOHvJiJPSTaOnXhfXcM9dyv3kent3WX_4/s1600-h/zz+2009-01-24+Miriam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfSn9S0C0wrR4XimYpNiEume6v-Bi7ZSKsRpLuEOAfbDg7ekOjQQCJS7q-snlFVw0bMrcAGXBMY8Q4Kmwb6-X14TbIHgcnX-nR8klOO_BamYSOHvJiJPSTaOnXhfXcM9dyv3kent3WX_4/s400/zz+2009-01-24+Miriam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403921980501327794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY18YTIFWPfYvzwfFkZjrH5itpulpXQXJaO3GHG9ELwKOm89j9O8OURvGidiA5Pp6MYwKtiJyL-CSdQZN6qINITlG5STOyo17ZJr7zePZvvHtcQJgoK8OnDgVeRdeBTxuysTmDkS-DPeqS/s1600-h/to+37+weeks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY18YTIFWPfYvzwfFkZjrH5itpulpXQXJaO3GHG9ELwKOm89j9O8OURvGidiA5Pp6MYwKtiJyL-CSdQZN6qINITlG5STOyo17ZJr7zePZvvHtcQJgoK8OnDgVeRdeBTxuysTmDkS-DPeqS/s400/to+37+weeks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426789270879104210" border="0" /></a>A lot of changes in the last weeks! It's fun for me to look at all of these pictures at once! Of course it will be more fun to take a final picture holding our baby in my hands instead of in my belly! All still seems to be going well. This baby likes to stretch out it's feet and push against my right side - sometimes it's not the most comfortable feeling so I push it's little feet or knees back into a more comfortable position!<br /><br />So far I can only complain of typical pregnancy aches, waking up a lot at night, odd dreams, some harder breathing, and a little feet swelling when I don't rest. So, it's been what I would guess is a good pregnancy. We're praying all will continue as normal and that the birth will be without complication. <br /><br />Not too much longer now - 3 weeks if he or she shows up "on time." But, we're also trying to prepare for the definitely possibility that the baby can't read a calender and maybe would like to stay inside for a little while past our due date! I'm sure by the time that date comes around, we'll be very eager to see our little one!Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-79589860404300595372010-01-10T16:29:00.003-05:002010-01-10T16:44:46.000-05:00Swagbucks - extending your fun money!<a target="_top" href="http://swagbucks.com/refer/MiriamR"><img alt="Search & Win" title="Search & Win" src="http://prodegebanners.sitegrip.com/images/swagbucks-468x60Alt5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In our budget, we have categories we call fun money (one for me and one for John). John tends to use his for camera's and lenses, and so far I've been mostly saving mine for a laptop-though I occasionally use some money to purchase books I'm interested in.<br /><br />One way in which I've painlessly increased my book fun money has been to use <a href="http://swagbucks.com/refer/MiriamR">swagbuck</a>s as a search engine. It's similar to searching with google - though it seems to take slightly longer and you will receive sponsored links in addition to regular links.<br /><br />I've been using<a href="http://swagbucks.com/refer/MiriamR"> swagbuck</a>s for a few searches each day since about May and have earned $25 in amazon gift cards (one amazon gift card can be redeemed with 45 swagbucks). There are many other prizes as well, but the amazon gift cards tend to give the greatest flexibility in spending them. Some of the bucks can be earned through entering codes given through their searchbar which you can download <a href="http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-plugins">here</a> after becoming a member. According to one blog I read, this week there will codes in the toolbar each day for a free swagbuck, so now is a good time to join.<br /><br />If you join using my link, you will help me to earn more swagbucks in addition to receiving 3 free yourself for signing up.<br /><br />Just click <a href="http://swagbucks.com/refer/MiriamR">here</a> or on on the banner below to sign up!<br /><a target="_top" href="http://swagbucks.com/refer/MiriamR"><img alt="Search & Win" title="Search & Win" src="http://prodegebanners.sitegrip.com/images/swagbucks-468x60Alt5.jpg" border="0" /></a>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-64705872709068820782010-01-05T17:39:00.001-05:002010-11-16T08:37:41.698-05:00A Winter Walk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzA-DF7MVCtoASIWIZGrTF01BItdbTIo1TToblXgy3AG0mvZCPU-C4DJ_qZN2ACS2wq8SECAjHlPirRtdgBAf3YtsxDqMPvj94PinWyiRc0zHTRVF-MsBc3L6GqZ2D2sz_PDmsgdsaKzYx/s1600-h/P1040553.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzA-DF7MVCtoASIWIZGrTF01BItdbTIo1TToblXgy3AG0mvZCPU-C4DJ_qZN2ACS2wq8SECAjHlPirRtdgBAf3YtsxDqMPvj94PinWyiRc0zHTRVF-MsBc3L6GqZ2D2sz_PDmsgdsaKzYx/s400/P1040553.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423390674413176434" border="0" /></a>After taking not one, but two naps today (!), I was ready for some fresh air and exercise. The temperature is cold, but was not terrible as it did reach the lower 20s today. The above picture is a tree in our front yard. Maybe next year we'll put lights on it so it will look even more like a Christmas tree!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVcitFvIAuiOMu2PJxKo5ais3aU2n7LbMtjvrm4eAV3Ix7yjE23jS9NIfeM74sDEp8OJYA6oLYyQtNPaF-E6fJfxQSz2zsnG97PYgBullCwHfsLtCuUvvUgVAEIWO8mC47IKYHcdLpodj/s1600-h/P1040551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVcitFvIAuiOMu2PJxKo5ais3aU2n7LbMtjvrm4eAV3Ix7yjE23jS9NIfeM74sDEp8OJYA6oLYyQtNPaF-E6fJfxQSz2zsnG97PYgBullCwHfsLtCuUvvUgVAEIWO8mC47IKYHcdLpodj/s400/P1040551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423390670940268626" border="0" /></a>I was nice and bundled up for the walk. The streets were quiet and I enjoyed spending 30 minutes walking through the neighborhood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5f4H1Ks4dx8cpTT5HmOgsx2B2vWhDSfe0wadxQ2Ob94AqkTb7Y6b7_5B0Yfj6gDYcllrxD4qd7TeKMtDOrMN-gLjY09ciGqecqwjxgcGR1Ws6zrnRRadivR3DNIpeg5bGuje39o0Msd-A/s1600-h/P1040543.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5f4H1Ks4dx8cpTT5HmOgsx2B2vWhDSfe0wadxQ2Ob94AqkTb7Y6b7_5B0Yfj6gDYcllrxD4qd7TeKMtDOrMN-gLjY09ciGqecqwjxgcGR1Ws6zrnRRadivR3DNIpeg5bGuje39o0Msd-A/s400/P1040543.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423390649928226738" border="0" /></a>We have a small hill on the way out of our neighborhood. It's amazing how walking up even a slight incline makes me so much warmer!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSXlIey2LhCPGiZ0Y73VovLTHPHgvwXrgvMPYrV_Md8Wb2UZyynPgP6QAovX8AsRC-emWwNpJ1YFXz6OrtOOXOmH6c82t4PykDliMQ6-hGuRXjn6tVr8tNx6-hQ_nBzSuV7hAT_le-d6r/s1600-h/P1040547.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSXlIey2LhCPGiZ0Y73VovLTHPHgvwXrgvMPYrV_Md8Wb2UZyynPgP6QAovX8AsRC-emWwNpJ1YFXz6OrtOOXOmH6c82t4PykDliMQ6-hGuRXjn6tVr8tNx6-hQ_nBzSuV7hAT_le-d6r/s400/P1040547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423390659700485986" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSONaggwOWSV23gpQ-A-cOrFQqNfIj8RInGIS8n97E4PE-Z5AncDnWLYTp74Yr0E3ns0aEq-zgHQReXdBhBDDjvfDp-2Vr8Q158A8aFDu2z6LKJmBH7VoWr7ZEkr0ndYWcnsOdnEAqiApK/s1600-h/P1040545.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSONaggwOWSV23gpQ-A-cOrFQqNfIj8RInGIS8n97E4PE-Z5AncDnWLYTp74Yr0E3ns0aEq-zgHQReXdBhBDDjvfDp-2Vr8Q158A8aFDu2z6LKJmBH7VoWr7ZEkr0ndYWcnsOdnEAqiApK/s400/P1040545.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423390656776161602" border="0" /></a>We have gotten some snow every day for the last few days. It's fun to see how much accumulates. I'm enjoying living in a place with snow!Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-50139084462663269472009-12-29T10:18:00.006-05:002010-11-16T08:37:41.703-05:00Busy Christmas Week!Because of our baby due in less than six weeks, John and I had decided this fall that we would stay home for Christmas. We thought this would make the Christmas season less busy and more restful:) Well, we did stay in town, but instead made our Christmas week really busy:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3-HlcJyf7dabSQxGArDqIKX4vGqKEBG3mM0YOy0LPWFG3CpBn0m94YiHT6WCfYJUDgJLktIgLr540u7qtw8VJuSHzJgkfMxQ4DWSC5ZfpRcyg0-b39qD8nwc0wQi0_FeUrpqeiZydRzM/s1600-h/IMG_2084.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3-HlcJyf7dabSQxGArDqIKX4vGqKEBG3mM0YOy0LPWFG3CpBn0m94YiHT6WCfYJUDgJLktIgLr540u7qtw8VJuSHzJgkfMxQ4DWSC5ZfpRcyg0-b39qD8nwc0wQi0_FeUrpqeiZydRzM/s400/IMG_2084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420680205217703298" border="0" /></a>On the Tuesday before Christmas, we closed on a house! The above picture is our first meal in our new house. The house is in great shape and was move-in-ready. The former owners had made everything clean and neat and ready for us. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsyJBN3ryAVcvvqJqpYtAxAmynvDMstbV54iYLJ6R6o0lb31lOXB_YlP5Q6gHGX71kmv0ek1BRHrfXt58hOga5EIMTzz9gm26ihgvq6XiC3GXyUT5b3Pl05eb9991c3F2RMjmZK_h8JCO/s1600-h/IMG_2085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsyJBN3ryAVcvvqJqpYtAxAmynvDMstbV54iYLJ6R6o0lb31lOXB_YlP5Q6gHGX71kmv0ek1BRHrfXt58hOga5EIMTzz9gm26ihgvq6XiC3GXyUT5b3Pl05eb9991c3F2RMjmZK_h8JCO/s400/IMG_2085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420680807224996130" border="0" /></a>They even left curtains for us - so everything was ready for new occupants. This was a really good thing, because our first night there on Wednesday would find not only us, but 11 members of our family in the house!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UDI_EwKz5GdtF6WwM0USHl7ezcLBG84wcy4-uVk1hqerkWJcv7oA8fphucy4_WIXeLTUJU7J-G_TVL8Fnoz_MkpmIpsDZYukaGNijZ3ckPQHqHhFngQ1dW1Cj_keOw22Y9yL9g54mF-N/s1600-h/IMG_2121.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UDI_EwKz5GdtF6WwM0USHl7ezcLBG84wcy4-uVk1hqerkWJcv7oA8fphucy4_WIXeLTUJU7J-G_TVL8Fnoz_MkpmIpsDZYukaGNijZ3ckPQHqHhFngQ1dW1Cj_keOw22Y9yL9g54mF-N/s400/IMG_2121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420680208677167874" border="0" /></a>On Wednesday, with the help of many friends from church and my family who had arrived the night before, we moved everything out of our apartment and into our new house!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad3FHs629g90bIDQfhn1RPaO8QCnOSVQqfSiMFXTWS97kExwl-FNeBk7Dg2grNTInwrk2rHXcnY9Jir7K-9g2VVAzfnb39M_jOLsI4KFRHNGdoAU4710F6xrFEzG4R9sGJKMWMOUMtGor/s1600-h/IMG_2146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad3FHs629g90bIDQfhn1RPaO8QCnOSVQqfSiMFXTWS97kExwl-FNeBk7Dg2grNTInwrk2rHXcnY9Jir7K-9g2VVAzfnb39M_jOLsI4KFRHNGdoAU4710F6xrFEzG4R9sGJKMWMOUMtGor/s400/IMG_2146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420680217009212802" border="0" /></a>We had worked up an appetite by lunch time and had our first big meal with friends in our new house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIrw2nOaCBNahYSKBQGB7M0f1Dl0S6TmD27uCFlE7yYqyPW-2eTtYv3HNbXk2y9vd09OF2nwPTzFOJnUCt5outnNNp8V23pb42pFwq31f8RDZrBULGtie_4fkhKW5xB1IuNf65MCXgrSw/s1600-h/IMG_2162.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIrw2nOaCBNahYSKBQGB7M0f1Dl0S6TmD27uCFlE7yYqyPW-2eTtYv3HNbXk2y9vd09OF2nwPTzFOJnUCt5outnNNp8V23pb42pFwq31f8RDZrBULGtie_4fkhKW5xB1IuNf65MCXgrSw/s400/IMG_2162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420680222755116706" border="0" /></a>By evening, most of the boxes were unpacked, our new table and chairs had been assembled and we were feeling comfortably settled in the house. We enjoyed chili and cornbread for supper and had a nice evening with my family. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbE9Q7jl_Bnvyw8Nrg1EfKSUGDzcbaB8KgxIJ7dafMpW-bfKzCzNE0UoImdfxF74pydiDag47LwCznF7PTjtSGD1b-d2ulzvL0nK0Tvh-HO6c5vAdR948OS_BqxVEPr9GZbcYjoc9gRzZ/s1600-h/IMG_2163.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbE9Q7jl_Bnvyw8Nrg1EfKSUGDzcbaB8KgxIJ7dafMpW-bfKzCzNE0UoImdfxF74pydiDag47LwCznF7PTjtSGD1b-d2ulzvL0nK0Tvh-HO6c5vAdR948OS_BqxVEPr9GZbcYjoc9gRzZ/s400/IMG_2163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420680223600469906" border="0" /></a> John's family arrived later that night, so we had a lot of fun Christmas eve with both sides of the family playing our favorite game this year <a href="http://www.daysofwonder.com/tickettoride/en/index/marklin/">Ticket to Rid</a>e (Both US and German on different tables - the German version is even more fun as it has additional ways to earn points!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbuA0IfnWd2TDK_BT-mtmlkAxcokCXoDpx4dxV3B9WSs7GYorr4z9nvkV4PI1yveZNVzQOhAEZCHyalbyA7scDhL0xFqgXqLV5YQ1nEzPiVDeXHnUx0DvL-5gEj4jL5CO8yI65vMBlJwj/s1600-h/IMG_2180.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbuA0IfnWd2TDK_BT-mtmlkAxcokCXoDpx4dxV3B9WSs7GYorr4z9nvkV4PI1yveZNVzQOhAEZCHyalbyA7scDhL0xFqgXqLV5YQ1nEzPiVDeXHnUx0DvL-5gEj4jL5CO8yI65vMBlJwj/s400/IMG_2180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420685997142128834" border="0" /></a>After many games, we were ready for some exercise and so headed outside where my sisters had made snow people to represent me and John and our future children! I somehow doubt though that we'll have 15 midget children!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaemnNdjHBGO95p7v2KoQsAlcF0LDc2kY33Jh3WgZ0Ejx0In8QUESNKKRnsvjT8J0OmqPO9FuZdfayzBU7fSpcy0UU2Fcux4oGrqOWIZ5JyeWA95ijSalLBDtgpPo94Ck7W_zgmNXY_pH/s1600-h/IMG_2186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaemnNdjHBGO95p7v2KoQsAlcF0LDc2kY33Jh3WgZ0Ejx0In8QUESNKKRnsvjT8J0OmqPO9FuZdfayzBU7fSpcy0UU2Fcux4oGrqOWIZ5JyeWA95ijSalLBDtgpPo94Ck7W_zgmNXY_pH/s400/IMG_2186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420685990005331858" border="0" /></a>We paused for a group picture before the walk. Some neighbors seeing us all assembled probably wondered how many people had moved into that house!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3H2XqlkcnWB2CmX1aDQJbf1JP1ioN32rERpxPJKWJwesab2RzDZQR3cLvjqA-DO_vVoH9a7ZZLwkjIiqmcsYDtC0xjxsa6xPi2vd7XVT__vUgPjFepW62KFK_Bqvddmkir1907te0iQbN/s1600-h/IMG_2219.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3H2XqlkcnWB2CmX1aDQJbf1JP1ioN32rERpxPJKWJwesab2RzDZQR3cLvjqA-DO_vVoH9a7ZZLwkjIiqmcsYDtC0xjxsa6xPi2vd7XVT__vUgPjFepW62KFK_Bqvddmkir1907te0iQbN/s400/IMG_2219.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420687532836901554" border="0" /></a>The walk didn't remain calm for long! Soon almost everyone was involved with a snow ball fight. There was just enough snow along the road to refuel occasionally. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgZYl2m5Dy5nfznDzRMONqjRM1SEvuTuLMuUUSnyptCCDCVGvbYyoKp1hP9IClk16DdpSuyLF5lB5tMy_T2QjG2m2jRmBc4tqbUIGd9uNqiGmzwSHHWxSVFM8-w9tgpyfToqf9_AUH3l0/s1600-h/IMG_2222.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgZYl2m5Dy5nfznDzRMONqjRM1SEvuTuLMuUUSnyptCCDCVGvbYyoKp1hP9IClk16DdpSuyLF5lB5tMy_T2QjG2m2jRmBc4tqbUIGd9uNqiGmzwSHHWxSVFM8-w9tgpyfToqf9_AUH3l0/s400/IMG_2222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420687536256914706" border="0" /></a>The walk felt really nice!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeifEO5bKzZVQ3950618z-sOgPatpEfN0HvXNlBLslSIU1xfwktdFQ8foxErSzn6TTMUyhPycaC7AOwb9LTDfVDA7PHKLmcHrt5m2z90Avj8zSqSH2cIoPCKkh-XmpoYV8gpDzkWZglZX/s1600-h/IMG_2289.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeifEO5bKzZVQ3950618z-sOgPatpEfN0HvXNlBLslSIU1xfwktdFQ8foxErSzn6TTMUyhPycaC7AOwb9LTDfVDA7PHKLmcHrt5m2z90Avj8zSqSH2cIoPCKkh-XmpoYV8gpDzkWZglZX/s400/IMG_2289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420686010378029826" border="0" /></a>We sang some Christmas songs that evening and opened our gifts before bed. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71pgPYfAupSpw3stz5FOVOLesIt5J272l8_T1JOFxgDLgw6e5OiKvjzWMn9jKqt_OXVRTO9k_j7Ofax_SMo9Sq8t_m8XLfE-KUTjqJFMgpbFklcEDk_EFdtp1KSK0OLZ1ZYV-FWymZcoJ/s1600-h/IMG_2366.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71pgPYfAupSpw3stz5FOVOLesIt5J272l8_T1JOFxgDLgw6e5OiKvjzWMn9jKqt_OXVRTO9k_j7Ofax_SMo9Sq8t_m8XLfE-KUTjqJFMgpbFklcEDk_EFdtp1KSK0OLZ1ZYV-FWymZcoJ/s400/IMG_2366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420686005164167186" border="0" /></a>Christmas day brought more good food as everyone pitched in to make a wonderful turkey dinner.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqT3n2wJtrHaftK5tHTJtuMlNz6BE2zS9zGSUONhrCqGkM-mZ_4HHkoSSHd4eS6NvoVkWFjBG8a2fm9_kFmXVxJShqbKajByFV8kiaVqyuB1RYdn3jiWrkS962zdvwSbYw1QWBA19Z6lb/s1600-h/IMG_2457.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqT3n2wJtrHaftK5tHTJtuMlNz6BE2zS9zGSUONhrCqGkM-mZ_4HHkoSSHd4eS6NvoVkWFjBG8a2fm9_kFmXVxJShqbKajByFV8kiaVqyuB1RYdn3jiWrkS962zdvwSbYw1QWBA19Z6lb/s400/IMG_2457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420687540841579778" border="0" /></a>On Saturday, my brother Luke and his family arrived to bring even more energy and fun to our gathering. We enjoyed some Indian food prepared by John and his dad for lunch!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCa19k5qkOURaBs1PGZ4VmSjtIK5YnkTsDtFrdfxBjN6gtGF8JQEl-ATSPiqCtsOBgUwuPGR3uNEhBnLjvtJksLuexgP3th9EPB10ZbcYOVC_7Ax2eNhhf1EVljDB_xE8NBRPlWqV47mw/s1600-h/IMG_2448.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCa19k5qkOURaBs1PGZ4VmSjtIK5YnkTsDtFrdfxBjN6gtGF8JQEl-ATSPiqCtsOBgUwuPGR3uNEhBnLjvtJksLuexgP3th9EPB10ZbcYOVC_7Ax2eNhhf1EVljDB_xE8NBRPlWqV47mw/s400/IMG_2448.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420686015654570770" border="0" /></a>Our nieces and nephews are growing up fast so it was great to see them once again!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gYKrVGi1aR36kOGL4hl5FT4_DG01YJ9505mx2I7ZzAAbJ5RHcq_iISggCXxI84G2Xp8S4SZbpr8871U_zKzM_MMkZ3305JQ-nwZL-AK4zVrtf8Xj1vMpIdzMIDgeKVqGWHECFqq3M5v-/s1600-h/IMG_2520.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 443px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gYKrVGi1aR36kOGL4hl5FT4_DG01YJ9505mx2I7ZzAAbJ5RHcq_iISggCXxI84G2Xp8S4SZbpr8871U_zKzM_MMkZ3305JQ-nwZL-AK4zVrtf8Xj1vMpIdzMIDgeKVqGWHECFqq3M5v-/s400/IMG_2520.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420687544778353554" border="0" /></a><br />So, that was our week of Christmas! It was definitely a bit of a whirlwind week. My family had to leave early on Sunday and we spent a lot of time Sunday and Monday sleeping and relaxing. Now, John is back to work and we're enjoying spending a few more days with his family before they have to go back home.Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-83656105756616791692009-11-14T06:35:00.003-05:002010-11-16T08:37:41.707-05:00Pregnancy Update!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfSn9S0C0wrR4XimYpNiEume6v-Bi7ZSKsRpLuEOAfbDg7ekOjQQCJS7q-snlFVw0bMrcAGXBMY8Q4Kmwb6-X14TbIHgcnX-nR8klOO_BamYSOHvJiJPSTaOnXhfXcM9dyv3kent3WX_4/s1600-h/zz+2009-01-24+Miriam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfSn9S0C0wrR4XimYpNiEume6v-Bi7ZSKsRpLuEOAfbDg7ekOjQQCJS7q-snlFVw0bMrcAGXBMY8Q4Kmwb6-X14TbIHgcnX-nR8klOO_BamYSOHvJiJPSTaOnXhfXcM9dyv3kent3WX_4/s400/zz+2009-01-24+Miriam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403921980501327794" border="0" /></a><br />All is going well right now with me and the baby. As you can see, this baby must have been doing a lot of growing in the last month or so! I'm suddenly to the point where random strangers in stores are asking me when my baby is due :)<br /><br />I'm officially in my third trimester already. It's really amazing to think that in 12 weeks, we could be holding our own baby in our hands. What a change that will be! Right now our baby is making him/herself known through plenty of kicking, flipping and punching, but soon we'll be hearing, smelling and seeing our baby!<br /><br />In life news, I will officially be changing my job from full time design engineer to full time home engineer :) December 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> is my last day at work. I'm looking forward to having time to prepare our home and life for a baby. So far, we really haven't done a lot to get ready. I'll also be getting ready for having my family visit for Christmas. We didn't want to travel this year and are so excited that my family is going to be able to come to see us! <br /><br />John and I have also had some fun in the last month looking at houses. We're renting right now, but are keeping our eyes open for a good house to buy at some point. It's been fun to see some houses and start to mentally clarify what's most important to us about such a huge purchase. <br /><br />Life and time are quickly passing. Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving? We're going to visit John's family over Thanksgiving and just can't wait!Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-10243212322376457252009-10-15T19:19:00.003-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.711-05:00Binder Clip Suspenders<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGWFBvGntQJHfM9VPa52QlcrJQo5td2ixqkGbegPYtKJtzhukg80BbibsmbXdFwH5hYpkWt0tG76KZM3_QxJsthbyUMn59z0dC11MQrnQRX4tRo0yt9Mi6P5VH8zCZwXm38y3LlpXppJw/s1600-h/IMG_1332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGWFBvGntQJHfM9VPa52QlcrJQo5td2ixqkGbegPYtKJtzhukg80BbibsmbXdFwH5hYpkWt0tG76KZM3_QxJsthbyUMn59z0dC11MQrnQRX4tRo0yt9Mi6P5VH8zCZwXm38y3LlpXppJw/s400/IMG_1332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392970739780210882" border="0" /></a>In fashion news, there has been a breakthrough in the maternity clothing segment! If you are one of those people who can't fit your regular slacks, but have trouble keeping your maternity slacks up, there is hope! It's as close as your desk drawer. . . <div> </div> <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4p7FYkk8eGnhCjhvdqlpciA96FpgDTTKzmO3IhKCN3gsGz8tE8Y_la8smZeIr0w_cMKNXnPEdgB_lYLKNI-VPI2QWBfCy03BKdeomd5ae9ILmvqNO2fUUFj-yMEB33Ccn1K3nS_x_blh/s1600-h/IMG_1335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4p7FYkk8eGnhCjhvdqlpciA96FpgDTTKzmO3IhKCN3gsGz8tE8Y_la8smZeIr0w_cMKNXnPEdgB_lYLKNI-VPI2QWBfCy03BKdeomd5ae9ILmvqNO2fUUFj-yMEB33Ccn1K3nS_x_blh/s400/IMG_1335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392970743309866482" border="0" /></a>Take two medium sized binder clips and clip your undershirt to your pants! It works wonders!</div> <div> </div> <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r-a180rtVTpNgs1zL-4zt41TEInRcRnCVx2ELy2hlDUv4CsDM0qRNYVnA6IbP7uRG_AQ4XPvx_YsTnUb8FmdcLH8AzbuWaSMOv2_4ddscF2zI2yBhq7XErTXznYIrAOZD5uvMUdOsFYJ/s1600-h/IMG_1338.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r-a180rtVTpNgs1zL-4zt41TEInRcRnCVx2ELy2hlDUv4CsDM0qRNYVnA6IbP7uRG_AQ4XPvx_YsTnUb8FmdcLH8AzbuWaSMOv2_4ddscF2zI2yBhq7XErTXznYIrAOZD5uvMUdOsFYJ/s400/IMG_1338.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392970751135745410" border="0" /></a>In other news, camping is just around the corner. . . I hope to see many of you at our fall camping trip tomorrow!</div>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-65333899664806241282009-09-25T18:05:00.004-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.715-05:00Big Blog News!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Wf-47KDYxNd2BR_mTCXVf0LD1fi2XE-LdZ_ZbagPUTllpEFWU3q_0I0LS5vLjeR1XcUZBJk1QUHtBd7rLrjaEAxxyioAID4ZepwJEy39R2mSbp1b7cX1hOY5w1IaJ_KNULfbpioEdijy/s1600-h/zz+2009-01-26.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Wf-47KDYxNd2BR_mTCXVf0LD1fi2XE-LdZ_ZbagPUTllpEFWU3q_0I0LS5vLjeR1XcUZBJk1QUHtBd7rLrjaEAxxyioAID4ZepwJEy39R2mSbp1b7cX1hOY5w1IaJ_KNULfbpioEdijy/s400/zz+2009-01-26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385575183558596626" border="0" /></a>It's now time for this fun news to go public! I finally told my office the news today, so it's time for the "blog world" to know. John and I are expecting our first child in early February! Our "official" due date is February 4th, but we'll just have to wait and see when our little one decides to be born. We're not intending to find out our baby's gender, so are just going to have to wait and see. <div> </div> <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eFCD6HnSSPEq04oCZH9kwfxKhBUNRs2Ovd2_cNz-kST9PlCJZhIDpEX5nwCma-NEEANc0-OLh9YJYXY60cycls1BesiIIgw_BG0ImDEOsAoEPvqmPW8d7WUXMJCOjChSP5vrXrEAvJKZ/s1600-h/sleepy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eFCD6HnSSPEq04oCZH9kwfxKhBUNRs2Ovd2_cNz-kST9PlCJZhIDpEX5nwCma-NEEANc0-OLh9YJYXY60cycls1BesiIIgw_BG0ImDEOsAoEPvqmPW8d7WUXMJCOjChSP5vrXrEAvJKZ/s400/sleepy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385575204191698434" border="0" /></a>We're now at 21 weeks, so more than half of this pregnancy has already passed. It's been a lot of fun to feel our active baby move in the last few weeks. Sometimes I'm convinced that this baby is doing flips inside of me! Pregnancy has not been too terrible, but it actually has been harder than I imagined. I feel as though I slept through this summer. I was so tired during the first trimester, that I did little but work and sleep each day. Somewhat regular (mostly evening) vomiting and a uncomfortable stomach also kept us from enjoying food during that time. Thankfully, I now feel much more like myself and have been able to keep food down without problems.</div> <div> </div> <div><br />We started a Bradley class nearby a couple weeks ago, and are enjoying learning more about what is to come. With the required tracking of my diet to ensure adequate amounts of protein, I'm eating more and gaining steady weight. We hope to give this baby plenty of nutritution during this time! </div> <div> </div> <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZxBV0Jhok0zwF4vlS7_qm1Gvt-LX4PdwmxP32SgmJXEWEGo46W1NUp054gqD2GY-Gw-Riv4zGsvwDFUvk5v34qpAx03wlDBWeUlLS31ebIVCwcNg-rzjaM-FmeLsc0Bdi3gSLQirXy27/s1600-h/to+21+weeks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZxBV0Jhok0zwF4vlS7_qm1Gvt-LX4PdwmxP32SgmJXEWEGo46W1NUp054gqD2GY-Gw-Riv4zGsvwDFUvk5v34qpAx03wlDBWeUlLS31ebIVCwcNg-rzjaM-FmeLsc0Bdi3gSLQirXy27/s400/to+21+weeks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385575198478258834" border="0" /></a>It's quite odd to now have such a big belly. I know that what I have is nothing yet, but even so, it's really strange to see it prodruding from my body! I just started wearing maternity clothes and have found them so comfortable. It doesn't look too big yet under my shirt, but it feels big! My friend Barb and my sister-in-law Michele gave and let me borrow a huge amount of clothes! I think I have more options to wear during my pregnancy than I do when I'm not pregnant! What a blessing they have been!</div> <div> </div> <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuxKzdoTgeTuRUv90GgoUbev33vVjMpSQoLpYB6MqJUeQdrKp40h1oggzJCpBfrVt36RA23E5wQkjxPe5yeZzAdo3ALRO6yOTNMqdNFuyX1xFIERW7i8V3UTqDoJ2ILrHAxfFT-yBzJD1/s1600-h/IMG_1052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuxKzdoTgeTuRUv90GgoUbev33vVjMpSQoLpYB6MqJUeQdrKp40h1oggzJCpBfrVt36RA23E5wQkjxPe5yeZzAdo3ALRO6yOTNMqdNFuyX1xFIERW7i8V3UTqDoJ2ILrHAxfFT-yBzJD1/s400/IMG_1052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385577852673935346" border="0" /></a>So, now those of you who didn't know thru some other means have a good idea of part of my reasons for not blogging much in the last months!</div>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-47534556711682040222009-09-06T11:00:00.000-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.718-05:00One Year Ago Today. . .<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yMzAocWBlZWqsSCFs2bAhqxH7WW33EQ9y9DwkaM_h8oyGpUHA5NiqVIWvOLwV8Kx-_kz_kf34rbmodIjB14tCy-sV30RTZpr9H20BDHyUJXS40EbOBmzn0Xdzr3u_1u9o0ORk_LStdwv/s1600-h/046.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yMzAocWBlZWqsSCFs2bAhqxH7WW33EQ9y9DwkaM_h8oyGpUHA5NiqVIWvOLwV8Kx-_kz_kf34rbmodIjB14tCy-sV30RTZpr9H20BDHyUJXS40EbOBmzn0Xdzr3u_1u9o0ORk_LStdwv/s400/046.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p>One year ago today, John and I exchanged wedding vows in Alabama. To celebrate that wonderful event, we decided to come back to Alabama to visit. Last year, I drove to Alabama a week early and then John flew in a couple days before our wedding. This year, we cooked up a fun surprise. We drove down together, but didn't tell anyone in town that we were coming. What fun we had in surprising everyone and seeing family and friends again!<br /><br />This year has been so very good. Some of the reading we did before marriage warned of how difficult the first year can be. It almost made me afraid to marry - but not quite! But this year has been good in so many ways. Having John as my husband this past year has been wonderful! To come home from work and have a constant friend to eat with and spend time with each evening is great. Having shared goals, struggles and joys is wonderful. John has been very kind, loving, sensitive and supportive to me. He is way more than I could ever have imagined or deserved. I'm so thankful that God brought us together!<br /><br />We've done a lot of traveling this past year. Visiting Washington, British Columbia, Illinois, Alabama, Kansas, South Carolina, Florida and Pennsylvania has kept us busy and more in touch with friends and family than I imagined would be possible. Spending weekends at home relaxing or getting to know friends we've made here has been fun as well. We look forward to the many changes that God will bring us in the next year of marriage!</p>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-21023904845997238952009-07-20T23:11:00.008-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.723-05:00Baby FacesHello everyone!<br /><br />This last weekend my wife and I spent the weekend with her brother's family. Their youngest child, less than a month of completing the first year of life, is quite an attraction. I enjoyed the first real opportunity to use my new Canon 40d to photograph a stunning subject other than my wife :)<br /><br />So, here are a few pics below. They were taken in a very short period of time. Enjoy....<br /><br /> The mind of a one-year old in pictures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtjruGfz8EoErteBY939blvkR-XQxs_UkDbhrgUdFEjxxt_vaDC5e2-C3CmXE_LQ23FAawbbEvd74eiQzPKxxNRxvzQW2xzguH_cxEFoG-V1ib1j4nytUclNTMDjrW3y628XjYcmvno72/s1600-h/IMG_9632.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtjruGfz8EoErteBY939blvkR-XQxs_UkDbhrgUdFEjxxt_vaDC5e2-C3CmXE_LQ23FAawbbEvd74eiQzPKxxNRxvzQW2xzguH_cxEFoG-V1ib1j4nytUclNTMDjrW3y628XjYcmvno72/s400/IMG_9632.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360751578327460530" border="0" /></a>Hi up there, it is hard to look at you. It is kind of bright out here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX0juj2CHCy2xrGVM5JrYhuNGir7ER8qvszSK2qPDg9n80GfiYxzefRDJ7mHzax3WxaoWF3pX4xFtZQR9mO2oBdq2uwGMry8jVBGA-L1vgMTrzKVk8tWX0QHlGJUm4ARH6Tcyqj1TTwmC/s1600-h/IMG_9633.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX0juj2CHCy2xrGVM5JrYhuNGir7ER8qvszSK2qPDg9n80GfiYxzefRDJ7mHzax3WxaoWF3pX4xFtZQR9mO2oBdq2uwGMry8jVBGA-L1vgMTrzKVk8tWX0QHlGJUm4ARH6Tcyqj1TTwmC/s400/IMG_9633.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360751584661052594" border="0" /></a>Oh!! That is soooo sad! It is sooo terrible!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z-hvb03VYFw45elD0P70yuTFJEi4hgcKbDnYrn3ATc4SQWJNGUybMlD7Qf5Kjq1TYkHDj_LL2r7u46PVkhSX6P9isDrpg8hxX8CuCffA_mnoP8cOaJAtwd8PRx2bPU0DZyIzK3pEPqMY/s1600-h/IMG_9634.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3z-hvb03VYFw45elD0P70yuTFJEi4hgcKbDnYrn3ATc4SQWJNGUybMlD7Qf5Kjq1TYkHDj_LL2r7u46PVkhSX6P9isDrpg8hxX8CuCffA_mnoP8cOaJAtwd8PRx2bPU0DZyIzK3pEPqMY/s400/IMG_9634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360751585487542802" border="0" /></a>Hey you all! A major, and I mean <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">major</span> crisis is going on here! Are you even noticing?! Come here! Pay attention to me!! I have something to tell all of you!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPanItHbS_ty0EewuT18wlCN7Z9unuILzVGl-yEY2CPIxt49X4viGnAtlCI4JZgICU-ODpwcZKorv_piV0AXUQjILzpEyjDzKYPxOwM57Qh9aMTEaz7SAV5vpRo2DRohoKBp4pDHsN-6V/s1600-h/IMG_9635.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPanItHbS_ty0EewuT18wlCN7Z9unuILzVGl-yEY2CPIxt49X4viGnAtlCI4JZgICU-ODpwcZKorv_piV0AXUQjILzpEyjDzKYPxOwM57Qh9aMTEaz7SAV5vpRo2DRohoKBp4pDHsN-6V/s400/IMG_9635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360751593001220754" border="0" /></a>I am not getting the attention I deserve. Oh well! I guess I am a bit tired, after all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lbakNRf_npm3mavpwSgGhyg27wcDQp2Hivwy0UP_XZ_wQjbLoRkcNl4qJVRKAg228UxWl3yYna9Do740SmkpLJuEfqgfqLoxcbFVZuvhzlJqQ83JGxesES2jmjo1qDWqMZREmkGmMxHL/s1600-h/IMG_9636.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lbakNRf_npm3mavpwSgGhyg27wcDQp2Hivwy0UP_XZ_wQjbLoRkcNl4qJVRKAg228UxWl3yYna9Do740SmkpLJuEfqgfqLoxcbFVZuvhzlJqQ83JGxesES2jmjo1qDWqMZREmkGmMxHL/s400/IMG_9636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360751596924712610" border="0" /></a>But hey! What is this? Something interesting is going on here! I must see what it is!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0XR0shrjXaNnKXczcf-5zDiGb91urjZYK7jWCFAqz5-KS9eihjraVukAE9e3vZYmu_LNJnBITHRVnARW86sRcYxmqm7mEmeT6yTqFho5kwjo5w0LnD-LuEYiVwJGB5SfvAez1MCMUwUK/s1600-h/IMG_9637.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0XR0shrjXaNnKXczcf-5zDiGb91urjZYK7jWCFAqz5-KS9eihjraVukAE9e3vZYmu_LNJnBITHRVnARW86sRcYxmqm7mEmeT6yTqFho5kwjo5w0LnD-LuEYiVwJGB5SfvAez1MCMUwUK/s400/IMG_9637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360752233121986226" border="0" /></a>Hmm. That <span style="font-style: italic;">is </span>really interesting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEF6cazHFX9toP8LXIbV2b_4xh_dsnNL3oEp6GsDFYNptE64mH9OU0WGMA8ftCePLhfJAAugs_QQn7BO4m_wv7E-HdtHyVLLXqiYgVF66zgqlFLt_0wMifDoH-r9EGMtMJrYN1YVat2l9/s1600-h/IMG_9638.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEF6cazHFX9toP8LXIbV2b_4xh_dsnNL3oEp6GsDFYNptE64mH9OU0WGMA8ftCePLhfJAAugs_QQn7BO4m_wv7E-HdtHyVLLXqiYgVF66zgqlFLt_0wMifDoH-r9EGMtMJrYN1YVat2l9/s400/IMG_9638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360752237088565074" border="0" /></a>So that is how that works!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAuSdZvVVDS3BNjQHDlAJm7izUi2ZWV4Mi2pHymgMBNUII9dgRkQzJVRABzrXvm6HSJqUXS2Xf7t73wgJ0GqgJ5-KMkkok7U_D_u6v23OjJm8xgf65jkuexKRhfNqlxsBZ5h-hc1nl-gq/s1600-h/IMG_9639.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAuSdZvVVDS3BNjQHDlAJm7izUi2ZWV4Mi2pHymgMBNUII9dgRkQzJVRABzrXvm6HSJqUXS2Xf7t73wgJ0GqgJ5-KMkkok7U_D_u6v23OjJm8xgf65jkuexKRhfNqlxsBZ5h-hc1nl-gq/s400/IMG_9639.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360752240517119458" border="0" /></a>I'll observe that one more time! I am watching closely!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUt6musDrRXY1mClJ_8BHWhtfLqCOxaOTmSwUJd4kwxE_MJpMo_UM0tHo_e50msiSES0d3Z-NU-xRKePywPhjZOXGGWa02I1Ju2zZNvIIT_4-KL6WhXmI2LYSd8YNTEpRE1rSuoosM6LQ/s1600-h/IMG_9640.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUt6musDrRXY1mClJ_8BHWhtfLqCOxaOTmSwUJd4kwxE_MJpMo_UM0tHo_e50msiSES0d3Z-NU-xRKePywPhjZOXGGWa02I1Ju2zZNvIIT_4-KL6WhXmI2LYSd8YNTEpRE1rSuoosM6LQ/s400/IMG_9640.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360752245375438738" border="0" /></a>Ahh! I got it! Now, I'll download this memory to my permanent hard-drive of memories. This knowledge might be important for a future occasion.Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2873968514733742478.post-81075143868513605782009-06-29T19:26:00.003-04:002010-11-16T08:37:41.727-05:00Fun Date with John!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352896832386895650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e1qBcxCPc-yg-gylEagtFUPRSPn8_aP9PR8hVvHKmv5JYqh1i3OtHYmQY4WicnPzaI1-BgxLqBildY-EYbZWTigLzgFgSsREeX_6FMjmmG1nLrC318GmxRb3YeZ2bJaUKboVfT9ICD9C/s400/IMG_9152.JPG" /> On Friday evening, John and I met at <a href="http://www.mohicancanoe.com/">Mohican Adventures</a> for a date-night! It's a convenient 30 minute drive from Mount Vernon and on my way home from work. The weather was comfortable - lower 80's I think. After a busy work week, taking time to have fun is great!<br /><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352896837632522818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JNtG4mC5XH7WRo9jL2eT4RWgWej-G5VmPZyXmRRW0DJhokkcmPC4cAfXiD7qhmpP75qb4JR-tmCzvLJybgPuTywfmg7_WdS4yP5zBaC9HkU71WIDBr9_vZfyS2AfpkAhToWYRQCnnt0l/s400/IMG_9154.JPG" /></div><div>John is a good consistent golfer (and very handsome too!). He was ahead of me most of the game. I would barely catch up just to have him pass me once again. It was a bit perturbing to see how he so exactly could aim for the right place and usually hit is mark!</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352896844229673810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tKSIZEp2VpskQ625xv6I6uHfYkoculuCN2wlJMUb32YkS8qbbxrpbbYvzWzS-2-o_vGHy-JSjEWlCFDdfNoNjCP3eVSTqoaywj6JLXmPyKjXQ9hBqApXStUPNCer6JJ0RoK8ROPq6K_d/s400/IMG_9155.JPG" /> Though I'm also and engineer and should be just as exacting, I tend to be a pit more impetuous. Thankfully, I also had a bit of luck and ended up with two holes in one! We took this picture after the first one. I posed with one thumb up just like Grandma and little Elijah did in Arkansas when he was about 1 or 2 and they both got a hole in one on the same hole! </div><div> </div><div>Well, it ended up that I got my second hole in one on the very last hole! That hole in one tied our scores so we ended the game with a tie! As we're tied in marriage, we figured that was perfect! </div><div> </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGNcwkAKIzLAscImRhZXQvBWTK-pM10i1mMFEiLMoqof-Vxc1KuQ60tHNobHWj9F5pn0MLB7EfaW_-m6pT3Zy8A0L5DzgD_QIqMUR1kPCTT-azyvvwrR1T2-WIQMTBC8WSpkcZnJwrlTA/s1600-h/IMG_9153.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352896833720598818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGNcwkAKIzLAscImRhZXQvBWTK-pM10i1mMFEiLMoqof-Vxc1KuQ60tHNobHWj9F5pn0MLB7EfaW_-m6pT3Zy8A0L5DzgD_QIqMUR1kPCTT-azyvvwrR1T2-WIQMTBC8WSpkcZnJwrlTA/s400/IMG_9153.JPG" /></a> The golf was fun, the weather was perfect and the company was great! We capped off our evening with a great dinner at a local pizza place. Going on dates with your spouse is awesome!</div></div>Miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10541747157328897657noreply@blogger.com2