anniversary

It's been 8 years... not since I last wrote ; ) But on August 28, it was 8 years that David and I have been married. Wow. Time has flown. And now that there is a little person in our lives (about to be two of those), its hard to remember her not having been here for 4 1/2 of those years. Sometimes, I think back on a situation, and try to remember, "Where was Aubie?" and then realize it was a couple of years before she was born. She has added so much joy to our lives--I am looking forward to seeing what this new little person will be like. That being said, it was nice to have Pop watch her for the evening so David and I could go out on a date.

I'm still not on my computer, left my camera at Renee's this past weekend, and have a child with strep throat, so this isn't a long post. I'm tired of having pictureless posts, though, so I thought I'd dig up an old anniversary photo from Leah's computer. This is from two years ago--just look at our cute little baby : )

I'm baaa-aaack

"It doesn't take anybody that long to move!"

"I think she just don't wanna do it any more!"

"What could possibly be taking so long?"

"That Aubie Lane says funny things all the time--she could at least put one of those on there!"


In case you have been thinking one, or maybe all of these things, I'm sorry that I have been the cause of a slightly negative attitude. Once we get a cable modem in our room, I will put some pictures on here, and tell you funny things that Aubie says. Its just been a bit hard to write in unfamiliar territory. But as you can see, I am testing the waters at this very moment, and it has proved to not be as difficult as I had expected.

While I'm here let me give you an update: I am 34 weeks. Which means, at the latest, I am 7 weeks away from holding my little bundle of joy! We were really scared that he was breach, but he isn't. He's head down! That hard place that kept feeling like his head is actually his bottom. (Aubie tends to be a bit hard-headed sometimes... What will a hard-bottomed child act like?) He looked absolutely adorable on the ultrasound--chubby little (face) cheeks and cute little fingers and feet. He is around 5 pounds 5 ounces right now, and is measuring about a week ahead of schedule. Let's hope he stays a week ahead--the heat is about to do me in!

moving

Hi. In case you are wondering why I haven't posted, I'm not dead. Just moving. Which, by the way, is not-fun enough when you aren't feeling as big as a cow. But when you do feel as big as a cow, let me tell you, it's way not-fun. So, I promise I will begin to blog again next week. Sorry I haven't been posting--I really have had a good excuse this time! : )

Aubie is always telling me how to reply to her questions. Like, if she wants some "gummies"(fruit snacks), she'll say, "Mommy, I have some gummies? Say, 'Ok, Aubie.' " So the other night before bed, she asked me, "Mommy, I have somefin?" I reluctantly replied, "I guess so. What would you like?"
"How 'bout some peanut butter crackers?"
"Um..."
"Say, 'Crackers it is!' "

Then yesterday, though not in response to a question, she told me what say. I am so proud of how quickly she just up and started wearing panties all the time and going potty, so I was telling her and she said in a sentimental voice, "Say, 'Our wittle monkey's growing up." So I did, because that is exactly what she is--our little monkey.

A picture of the little monkey who decorated her pajamas with stickers and made sure that her eyes were crossed before I snapped the picture : )

I can't believe I didn't post this before now--10/09/08

As of somewhere around 1:20 on July 20, Mimi's house is no longer ours. No longer our family get-together location, or our there's-not-enough-room-at-my-house-let's-have-it-at-Mimi's spot. It has passed from one Joe and June to another Joe and June (one of the many coincidences that help us all feel better about letting go). David will not have to keep up the pool any more, as he has done for the past two years, but we don't have one to swim in anymore either. I am so thankful that Mimi's house didn't sit on the market for a huge-long time, but it really is sad to have to completely say goodbye. I've known that house my whole life. I could drive the road to Mimi and PaPa's blindfolded. But, blindfolded or no, I won't be driving that route anymore, and its a sobering realization. Anyway, here are a few pictures from the night before closing.

poor puppy

Aubie's puppy (see the post from December 21, 2006) has finally been disassembled. It has now become a jump rope (or several jump ropes), pancakes, lines laid in the floor for one to follow, necklaces, a cake, something else I can't remember, or just beads. When David was taking the puppy apart, Aubie said, "Oh no. My puppy's head is dead." She could actually see what part of the bead clump was a head, but now the puppy is no more. Aubie wasn't traumatized by this occurrence at all, however. In fact, in the middle of the project, when David had to get the phone, she sat there and finished taking the beads apart. I asked her what she was doing and she looked up at me at and said, "I just doin' my Daddy's work." When she got them separated she said, "He be so happy!" This is a picture of the once-puppy pancakes.

It kinda reminded me of the story of Jesus in the temple when she said it. Whenever I heard the story growing up, I'd always thought he sounded a bit snobby when he said, "Didn't you know I'd be about my Father's business?" But when Aubie said that, it hit me as to what Jesus had really been saying. Not the too-big-for-his-britches tone that I had always heard it in--"Didn't you know...?"--but "I'm just doing my Daddy's work." It was really sort of a revelation to me. Out of the mouths of babes...

One of Aubie's favorite names for her dolls, puppies, etc. is Sella. It waned in popularity about a month or two ago, but has since made a comeback. Yesterday, Mom, Aubie, and I were playing with her Little People, and she named the baby Sally, Mom named one of the other girls Sella, and I can't remember what my person's name was. When I asked her what the boy's name should be, she said, "Sella". We tried to get her to come up with a boy name, but she couldn't think of one, so Mom said, "How about Saul?" Aubie said, "No. A Saw cut fings"(things, not fingers).

big girl

Well, I guess you guys are going to just start checking once every 2 weeks, now, huh? Sorry once again. But I really haven't had much computer time lately. No pictures this time (not even the beach ones I promised), but I do have excellent news! My big girl is COMPLETELY potty trained! No sleeping in pullups or anything. Yes, I know it was a long time coming, but the great thing is, it only took one day : ) Two days after her first day in big-girl panties, we had a long car ride and a 6 1/2 hour tour of IKEA and not one accident to speak of. Just thought everyone should share in my joy--the joy of a mother who has only 13 1/2 weeks before the poopy diapers start all over again ; )

sad

Well, a week and a half. I'm getting better, huh? Hope everyone had a lovely 4th of July. Ours was very nice, though sad. It was probably our last time swimming (or doing anything else) at Mimi's house as a family. David and Aubie and I may go one or two more times since he will be working on the pool till closing on July 31st, but that's it. Though I never lived there, I am sadder about it's being sold than I have been about any move that we ever made growing up. There are good memories and not so good memories, but that house has always been a part of my life. Its not the same anymore, though.
posting this on 10/09/08

Florida

Well, it's been another 2 week stretch between posts again. I wanted to post Florida pictures the day after we got back, but as you can see, that didn't happen.


Aubie and her baby--this picture taken right after she asked me for the 50th time, "Where the beach? Are we here yet?"

Singing a song while waiting for our food at the Olive Garden Monday night. We decided to have Olive Garden night on Monday since it was raining something awful and there was nothing else for tired travellers to do (except go to the gym in the condo--which is exactly what Dad, Daniel, David, and Elena did before getting ready to go eat).

The somewhat cloudy view from our condo on Tuesday. It got sunnier as the week progressed, but I didn't get pictures of that.

Aubie and Elena getting their first taste of Dip-N-Dots!

Aubie standing outside the coolest looking Goodwill I have ever seen (located in Destin)! The prices are only cool on Mondays, because all clothing is half price. Sadly, this was Wednesday.

A close up of the artwork.



We girls at the beach in Destin at sunset.

As if I needed any more reason not to like shrimp! Blechhh!

Aubie rode the luggage cart to the car when we were leaving.
I'll have more beach pictures after I get them developed. I didn't want to ruin our camera by taking pictures while we were lounging in the sand (been there, done that--bye, little camera, I miss you!), so I used a disposable. Since I didn't use it up, it may be a couple weeks before those get posted. It seems that I only post every couple of weeks here lately anyway... Just kidding. I'm going to try to work on that. : )

Florida

So I guess I posted another one about Florida. This one just didn't make it.--10/09/08

hello darlin'...

nice to see ya. It's been a long time... Sorry about that. I really have been meaning to post. The free time I was so looking forward to once school got out hasn't arrived yet. I keep waiting for it, but so far, since the last day of school, I have been busy with: the end of year party--which ended up being a surprise baby shower for me and the other pregnant lady (which as wonderful as it was, adds more to the to-do list with all the thank you notes I have to write), New Attitude (plus all the preparation and unpacking that went with it as well as the driving back and forth to take Aubie to Mom and Dad's and to pick her up), dealing with a spoiled rotten child who now wants to stay at Graham and Pop's all the time, a doctor's appointment, pulling my hair out over potty training issues, a church merge, trying to get more involved locally by going to the library story times, Oh yeah! Aubie's birthday party, and this week, helping lead music for the 3 and 4 year olds in VBS. It may not sound like a lot, but for a pregnant lady beginning a long, hot summer, its making me kinda tired.

I did take pictures the other day, though, that I thought you might enjoy. This is Aubie and Hank the Cowdog. I was a bit surprised at her standing there long enough for me to get her picture. The library lady told everyone to get a high five and you could take pictures if you brought your camera. Well, Aubie shook his hand, got her picture, and as we were walking away, she said, "Mommy, I not get a high five." So, we had to get back in line and give this scary dog a high five. I was quite impressed with her bravery. I doubt that I would have done so at her age. I was scared to death of Santa Claus.

And here is a picture of "The Flour Girl Returns". Once again, she only floured one piece of meat and then played for the rest of the time. In fact, I was putting supper on the table and she was still playing. I know its a bit early, but to all the aunts and uncles and grandparents of this child, if you want to give her something she will absolutely love for Christmas, a bag of flour will be just the thing!

I've got a...

New Attitude (0k, just had to use the song). New Attitude was so great. We enjoyed awesome worship, great teaching, and fun fellowship. Those of us on the worship team at 0ur church are looking forward to incorporating some of the wonderful new songs we learned this past weekend. Though most of the pictures you see here were taken by me, I didn't have the camera as much as David, so he took most of the pictures while we were there (I wanted to take some really awesome pictures, but my bag was already so heavy, carrying a camera bag as well would have done me in!).

Ok, Pictures. As chronological as possible:

Steve and Renee (and Elena's arm and the oatmeal cream pies) at our lunch stop at some school's parking lot in Tennessee--this just after our visit to the fabulous Truck Stop where a complete stranger started talking to us about the beauty queen of that region not being very pretty and wearing extremely large undergarments (this was one of my pictures--Don't you love the Little Debbie advertisement?).

A picture I took while passing this awesome t-rex in Kentucky. Sorry his head is chopped off, but we were going about 70 miles an hour, so...

An example of seating arangements. We had to hurry to get seats together before every meeting--sometimes a whole row, most times 2 half rows.
Our hotel was a couple of blocks away from the conference center, so we all got plenty of exercise to walk off the 8 hour drive and all the fast (and not so fast : ) ) food.

This is a shot I took of the foggy security camera that Leah fondly referred to as "the dream sequence". "Remember that time at Arby's when we waited an hour in line to order?" (begin playing dreamy-harp-flashback music).

Last night of the conference. Drove a few miles into Indiana to Steak and Shake to discuss the conference, but mostly John Piper ; ) I personally was voting for the Waffle&Steak (we left our camera!!!! and I didn't get a picture), but Steak and Shake probably had more available seating.

Failed attempt to get the head on the way home. Didn't even come close this time... but got a nice shot of the sign.
As you can see, we had a lovely time. I am so grateful for the experience. I learned so much and have been trying to start putting it into practice. Now if I can just get caught up on my sleep : )

maternity refashion

The before pictures: 1. A horrible wonky pair of maternity capris that never fit and the only time I wore them was the other day, suffering the entire time. (paid $4.00 for them during first pregnancy) 2. A good pair of jeans-- though not quite enough flare, plenty long!--but the waist went up a bit too high even when I wasn't pregnant (got them on sale for $9.00).

3. the After picture. Looks a bit wonky (the sewing is, a bit. but they fit, so maybe I'm a bit wonky). Newly made maternity jeans! Cost: $13.00 in all, but once you figure the age of the wonky capris and the previous use of the long jeans, I'd drop the cost down to at least $10.00. More refashions to come!

family party

Aubie had such a fun time at her family party. She actually didn't mind having another party since, as I mentioned before, she got to see all her favorite people: MarMar, MarMar, MarMar. Oh, and the rest of us (Ma, David, Me, Aunt Leah, Uncle Daniel, Graham, Pop, Elena, Aunt Jackie, Nathan, Caleb, and Uncle Mark). It was such a lovely evening! We all enjoyed the time together outside.

Here's Aubie patiently waiting for the time to open her wagon load of presents.

Aubie looking at her games from Aunt Leah and Uncle Daniel. We've already played Candyland: Dora the Explorer Edition a couple of times. Aubie really likes it! Oh, and isn't the cake great? Elena, Leah's exchange student, made it. She said her favorite part about birthday cake when she was little was the candles, so she wanted Aubie to have lots! It definitely makes for a great picture (Great job, David!).

what happened to my comments?

Just doing a test post to see if the little comment thing comes up at the bottom. It didn't on the picture of my grumpy girl.

school picture and school party

School is out for the summer. Woohoo!
Many of you have heard my agonizing story of the school pictures. For those of you who haven't, this picture pretty much explains it all. Basically, I'm in the picture to get Aubie to be happy enough to get her picture taken. Obviously, it didn't work. This was the only one that was taken, and it is pitiful, isn't it? When they gave everyone else 8 sheets, they only gave me one. Wonder why? ; )
The other picture is from Aubie's school party. She DID NOT want a real party. Just a school party. Better for me, because a school party is definitely cheaper. I decided to take advantage of a Saturday birthday, though, and sneak in a family party Saturday afternoon. Since she gets to see MarMar and Ma, she's ok with that kinda party.

Bo-ee

Yesterday, when we called Pop to tell him what we were having, I let Aubie tell him. She said, "Hey Pop. Mommy hab a baby in her tummy." I had to prompt her to tell him what kind of baby. "We hab a bo-ee." Pop asked, "It's a baby brother?" "NO. It's a bo-ee."

It's a...

Boy! I am so excited! I would have been happy to find out it was a girl, but since I kept feeling like it was a boy, I'm very glad to know I can trust my gut ; ) Oh, and now I know I can trust "the Oracle" as well. She's been saying "bruvver" the whole time.

I would post a picture to prove it to you (I know some of you are probably doubting the validity of such methods), but I don't want him fussing at me in a few years for posting "photos" of him on the internet. So, if you would like to see the proof, I will show you the pictures in person. Otherwise, just believe me. It's a boy.

Yea!

Only two more days till my next Ultrasound! Woohoo!