Wednesday, July 08, 2009

17 Week Update

  • I'm 17 weeks along today. Hopefully four weeks from tomorrow we'll find out what we're having!

  • BJ's out at camp for the rest of the week. In an effort to save vacation days for da baby, I'm spending the week working... boo!

  • BJ got our invisible fence installed last week! Now I'm working on training the pups to avoid flags. :) We're still looking for a good home for our sweet Zoe. She's a really really wonderful puppy... but the two of the wrestle and run around so much in the house we're afraid a baby would get trampled. Independantly the dogs are both pretty calm and lazy... but together they are just a little too hyped up! If you know of anyone looking for a sweetheart dog... let us know!

  • I've back in the swing of sewing up a storm! I made 5 birds like this last night!

Monday, June 29, 2009

It's That Time of Year!

Here are a few photos of what's been cropping up lately...

This year we've expanded things a bit... Not including all the new fruit trees (the "orchard" has doubled in size), we are working on: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelon, sweet corn, 8 types of tomatoes, 8 types of peppers, corn, spaghetti squash, zucchini, and sun flowers! Whew!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

15 Weeks Today!

Slowly but surely things are moving along with the baby and preperations for baby. :) I'm reading a lot, peppering my mom friends with questions, and even doing a few things to get the nursery ready (we now have a crib, mattress, and bedding's on it's way). For the most part, I feel really great, and my plan is to do as much as possible now... before I am a house and can't move anymore!


Nursery Details: (for those of you who might find this fun)

Here's a piece of my nursery plan (I'm a nerd, I know). I am going to paint a tree mural (no-voc paint, of course) with a growth chart blended in... and hopefully incorporate a cute bird house like this one somewhere as well. I'm making mobiles... hence the flying birds. Also, the crib in the illustration is our actual crib, but the bedding is different.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Heartbeat!

We heart the heartbeat for the first time this morning (at the ultrasound last month we could see it, but not yet hear it)! I am practically skipping everywhere I am so excited. Everything is going SO well so far!

We are on a doctor rotation during the pregnancy, where we see a different doctor (all women) from the practice every time we go in. I've now met all of them and they're all so great. I'll be happy with any one of them delivering our baby! :)

Happy happy happy day!

Now back to our regularly scheduled blogcast...

So you may be wondering why I've been so bad about updating this thing... The truth is that we've been just a little preoccupied. We are have a BABY!

We found out super early (not even 4 weeks) - which was a blessing but it also made the wait to share the news even longer. At this point, I am 13 weeks along and just starting trimester #2!

Four weeks ago we had our first baby photoshoot... Lil' Murph (I'm told) looks a bit different now (more like a human... less like a gummy bear)...

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Happy Birthday BJ

Once again... for one month... we're the SAME AGE! We have such wonderful friends. Thanks for celebrating with us!
Here I am with my FULL rack of ribs. Mmmm Mmmm barbecue!

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Siblings...

Bill, Dad (John), Bobbie, & Jean

Vance Reunion

This past weekend, while BJ was helping with the high school Ignite retreat, I headed to Illinois to visit with my family. For the first time in nine years, all of my dad's siblings were in one place. AND we have a new addition to the family with my new cousin (who traveled all the way from Scotland like a champ!) Isla! She's amazing!



Thursday, March 19, 2009

iPhone Photos of the Pups

BJ just sent these over to me via the iPhone... they love each other... awwww....

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

I Could Kiss BJ...

...for wanting to move out to the country. This morning... AH-mazing.

I think we have...

...officially offset our carbon footprint. :) Spring has just sprung and we have already planted 108 trees! Between this year and last year... easily 250 trees planted!

Orchid Show...

This weekend we had such a nice visit with my parents! They got to meet our new pup which was an added bonus. On Saturday we headed out for lunch with Eric and Erin and got to catch (on accident) the orchid show at the Krohn Conservatory!

My Famous Mom!

My mom is so great! :) Check out this video highlighting one of her classes at Saint Mary's College. I am so fortunate to have her help with financial things too. This year she helped me complete our taxes... by myself... using the actual forms! I checked my work with TurboTax and was spot on. :)

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/41312962.html

Monday, March 09, 2009

why I couldn't resist...

Here's more of our new addition. She's had three names in the past five days... and we've finally settled on Zoe.... my great friend Jess had a beagle named Zoe and so without thinking that's what I kept calling this new one... even though we had changed her shelter name (Chelsea) to Delilah. But then we discovered how close Delilah and Layla sound... so Zoe it was. Hope Jess doesn't mind! :)

Thursday, March 05, 2009

New Puppy!

We got Layla a new friend today... we're not quite sure what she is... Here are her Petfinder photos...
She came from (as BJ describes...) the in-sorry-shape Aurora animal shelter. She had been there since February 17th and we don't know much else. The best news is that she is handling Layla's spazziness like a pro. She's independant but so sweet - she curled up in my lap the first second I met her. Now... we just need to figure out a name...

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Everythings Amazing, Nobody's Happy

I just have to share this one... JUST in case you missed it. :)

Outlet Boots

Ever since Alaska I've had my eye out for a great pair of rain boots... thank you outlet mall! :)

Falling Water

On our way back from Seven Springs Chris, Chrissy, BJ and I were able to stop in to visit Frank Loyd Wright's famous 'Falling Water'. It was amazing! We weren't able to get a tour of the inside... but this meant less people overall so we were able to walk around nearly by ourselves!



Seven Springs (PA) Ski Trip

We had an awesome mini vacation this weekend in Seven Springs! JUST what we needed. :) Can you tell I was too cold to care about showing my face?



Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Valentine's Day Treats

I love my husband. :)

Gorman Heritage Farm

For Valentine's Day BJ and I signed up for a tree pruning class at Gorman Heritage Farm and we LOVED it! We learned all about pruning fruit trees, met some nice people who also love fruit trees and... as an added bonus... we were able to see dozens of baby lambs, many of which just a week old!



Monday, February 02, 2009

BJ's Photos... Interrupted

BJ was taking photos when he spotted a few of these guys in the next lot over... a little scary! :) Thankfully Layla wasn't with him or we might have one less dog right now.
Can you spot the two coyotes in this photo?

BJ's Photos of the Snow...




Friday, January 30, 2009

Winter Photos

Just wondering if our road will EVER get plowed.
The back yard in all its glory. :)

Snowed In

So I've finally been set free after three days snowed in! BJ planned ahead and so he was prepared to stay at a friend's if need be on Tuesday night (thanks Tom and Erin!)... so I was on my own for a couple of days. I've got a few winter photos to come... but here are some of my house companions.

Just had to grab some photos of Sid before I kicked the cats off the couch...
Layla was quick to remind me... stop taking photos and get them OFF!!
Here's a hourly occurrence in action... Sid making a hiss face at Layla. We decided that Layla actually does back off with this warning (and it's warranted... Layla is big and Sid is small and very vulnerable). Look at those EYES! I love love love her eyes... even when she's ticked off. :)
Layla reluctantly submitting. Oh the humiliation.

Daily Progress

Our paperwhites bulbs (thanks Linda!) have been so much fun that I think I'll be making this a yearly tradition. They grew about an inch a day and are now so tall I have them held up straight with raffia.

Friday, January 23, 2009

This is Why...

...my plants are all succulents. Anything else and they would be devoured.