The week between 2 and 3.

Our first week without family in town was a success; Devin and I managed pretty well.  We mastered things like using our car seat, assembling strollers, cleaning bottles, wiping pee off the wall next to the changing table, taking Yeti out while juggling Elliot, and so on.

Early in the week we decided to utilize our bitchin' UppaBaby stroller.  We plopped El in and walked to have lunch at a cafe with outdoor seating.  It was amazing!  We realized that yes, we can do this!  We can have our baby and drink wine too.  ;)  We really felt quite accomplished.

I also decided it was a good time to try breastfeeding in public, what with Devin around to help.  I just went for it and it wasn't so bad.  I'm not a fan of the cover - it gets in the way and is mostly a pain, but i guess its better than the alternative.  Also, do you like my shades? Yeah, they are Devin's sunglasses.  Apparently I didn't bring mine.

We also took our boys to the beach.  Elliot was in the carrier, I promise.

The best dog in the whole wide world turned 8 on December 12th and enjoyed a steak in celebration. (The pictures are a bit blurry, but you get the idea.)  We love love love you, T!  This year is an adjustment for all of us and you're doing well so far!

Steak coma.

Elliot finally met Kirsten!  She had been with us in the hospital through his birth, but had to leave before she was able to meet him.  This was an emotional introduction for me because Kirsten was such an important figure in Elliot's birth story.

The rest of the week, in pictures...

BTW, I can't read this book to Elliot withs sobbing.

He loves his Sandy Beach picture!

xoxo

39 Weeks and Counting

I don't have much time left, and I really want to get a few more pictures up before our little guy graces us with his presence…

I've had a few more ultrasounds than normal with my pregnancy because I'm in the "high risk" category of pregnant women.  Why?  I have borderline high blood pressure, which has been controlled with medication, but has still been watched closely by my primary doctor, my OB and my Perinatologist.  Seriously.  (I can't complain, I've had fabulous prenatal care.)  Here are a few pictures from our 28 week (papaya) ultrasound.

Our little guy has been looking good all along - average for weight and good movement.  I've heard that a lot of women miss feeling their baby's movement in their belly, and I believe it.  I'm thrilled to meet him, but it's nice knowing he's safe and sound in there.

It can't all be about Baby...  

Mom has made 5 trips to San Francisco since June!  (Her 5th is currently in process.)  Each visit has been filled with checking-things-off-the-list.  She has helped shop, build furniture, make food, clean, and she painted the little guy's room!  Mom, we can't thank you enough...

Our 32 week (winter squash) ultrasound.  He continued to look good!  (We had another ultrasound at 36 weeks (honeydew) but no pictures because he was being shy and stubborn and didn't want to have his picture taken.

Working on his room...

His buddies...

Susie Bear, Dean the Giraffe, Stacey Face, and Yeti

Devin - practicing…

My belly...

In non-baby news, Yeti, dressed as "Devin" for Halloween again this year.

"Is this really necessary, Mom?"

At the end of October we went out to dinner with a group of friends - 5 couples in total.  All the guys are in class together and the women...we were all pregnant and due within a month of each other!  (One in early November, two late November, and two early December.)  As I write this one baby has been born and my due date is next on the list!

The next time we all get together we'll have a 50% population increase.

And now, we wait...

ALASKA (part II)

8 July - 15 July

Juneau

Devin, Yeti and I got into Juneau (on Monday) a few days before my parents (Wednesday), but the same day as Laura, Adam and Isaac.  (Beth and Matt got there there a week earlier to take care of wedding details.)  Pete wasn't planning on coming but surprised us by showing up with Bubba on Thursday.  Do you care when everyone got into town?  Probably not, but it'll help me organize pictures and details.

The first thing Devin and I wanted to accomplish upon our arrival was to get a good picture of Yeti next to the tiny pair of Xtra Tufs we'd purchased in Anchorage.  Why?  The day we left for Anchorage - back on July 3rd - we'd had our 20 week ultrasound and found out we were going to be having a BOY!  But we hadn't told anyone yet, so we created little cards to give to our family once everyone got to Juneau…

We took Yeti and Letti to Sandy Beach for the photo shoot.

Devin was taking this picture…

…while I took this one.

Yeti photo shoot.  I have about 80 pictures similar to the following:

No.

Not bad, but no.

Nope, not these.

The winner!

And that was the end of that.

The final product!  

We had the cards printed at a great little place in town.

(We told everyone on Wednesday, July 10th)

Adam, Laura, Isaac, Me, Devin
(Yeti and Letti couldn't be bothered with the camera.)

Devin, swinging in Jill's living room.

Tired dogs.

Crabbing.  9 July  

Jill lives with a great guy - Matt.  Matt's dad, John, took a few of us crabbing out on his boat!  It was awesome!!  We caught about 25 Dungeness crabs - roughly $500 market value!       

A HUGE thanks to Matt and his dad for taking us out that day!

Matt, baiting one of the rings with the frozen head of a chum salmon.

We would drop 3 rings, wait, and then go pick up the first one.  We'd pull up a ring, make sure the crabs where male and mature (big enough), throw the keepers in a cooler, toss the females and small guys back, drop the ring, and proceed to the next ring.  Repeat, repeat, repeat…

We also did a little fishing.  Matt's trying to remind me how to cast.

 

I love this picture!

 

We were visited by a few Humpbacks.

Auke Bay Harbor

  

We figured that since we were going to eat these crabs, we'd better be the ones to kill them.  

Messy work, but it made the next evening that much better…

Crab feed.  10 July

Matt and John Kern and lots of crab legs!

No butter needed.

Jill.  Riding in the back of her truck with the dogs.

Fishing.  12 July

The next fantastic outing Jill planned was a day of charter fishing with our immediate family.  We were ALL there!  It's hard to believe!    

Pete takes this business very seriously.  ;)

Nice work, Suz!

Silvers

Me, Pete and a fish eye.

Christmas card? 

Even our little guy is in there, hidden by the 3 jackets I had on!

Wedding.  13 July

(The picture above is courtesy of Beth, taken by her wedding photographer.)

Mother Nature was smiling on Beth and Matt that day - the weather was beautiful!  The ceremony and reception were held at the top of Mt. Roberts, one of the mountains that provides Juneau with it's amazing backdrop.  Guests took a tram up to the Timberline Bar & Grill and the views were spectacular.  

Adam did a wonderful job officiating the ceremony - it was short and very sweet.  Isaac carried the rings and provided comic relief when he sprinted down the aisle.  Matt cleans up wonderfully ;) and Beth… she looked gorgeous!!

The food was great - I especially remember the cake - and the music was fun!  We were a small group, but the energy was high and everyone had an awesome time!   

The Rev and Laura

Isaac and Bubba

Juneau, from the tram after the reception.

Looking across from Juneau to Douglas Island (where Jill lives) and Mt. Jumbo.

The reception on the mountain had to end early due to the tram's run time, so the dance continued at a bar in town.  I think the wedding party took up the majority of the space that night.

Laura and a tired Isaac.  And Adam's picture of the ladies - he centered us nicely, don't you think?  ;)

 

Dancing Dad - he was sore the next day!

Thank you, Beth and Matt!  Well done!

Neature walk.  Jill's backyard is pretty amazing.

The day after the wedding, Pete, Devin and I took a walk to the creek that runs near Jill's house.  We really lucked out on the weather during our time in Juneau - it was another glorious day!

From their back porch.

Pete, looking at nothing.

We had such a great trip!  Alaska continues to amaze me with its incredible landscapes and I've only seen a small section of the state.  Even more wonderful is spending time with family in such a beautiful setting.  

A very special thank you to Jill, who put her life on hold to make everyones trip memorable…