tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52745620364006491872024-03-21T22:26:53.238-07:00Colonel Crump HouseMissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-2243222469526013542010-07-28T11:34:00.000-07:002010-07-28T13:26:20.219-07:00Up On The Mountain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdZ4d3OcACxyCN1J-vXYZUjlTvcfyGTohBpmODT5vpgiLEeAuF0hEmiC_L9wYt_qhqUSSWFTSNm_aWIyC4sCFJUO-v-Hl3bbqoe-7wPgeqVf2dveoG55gZR9Wy_FFn9MB_p_Knd0M_v4/s1600/IMG_2214.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdZ4d3OcACxyCN1J-vXYZUjlTvcfyGTohBpmODT5vpgiLEeAuF0hEmiC_L9wYt_qhqUSSWFTSNm_aWIyC4sCFJUO-v-Hl3bbqoe-7wPgeqVf2dveoG55gZR9Wy_FFn9MB_p_Knd0M_v4/s400/IMG_2214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499028681144093730" border="0" /> <meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--></a>We are here in Asheville, up on Flat Top Mountain at the Meltzer cabin. It is mighty nice to be here, as the temps are cooler, there is a little lake down the way, and trails on the mountain are plentiful (of course it is nice to see Grandma and Grandpa Meltzer too!). I took advantage of Gus’ naptime to head down near the lake and tried my hand at some nature photography.
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<br />Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-16179505898619727472010-07-26T08:35:00.000-07:002010-07-28T12:29:17.320-07:00Star City<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hweA1VIXVj6POfkKOT6bn3bIX2CYnMTzD3bPQz8AdwCbfXMW51-g3rQWDCWNNMRNNhwUAgx0HE1jVasLLLXLJ5fZ2lRE585s83QHrc3YrLPenOVuW01Er9CXi3iCJSjIy1vZs-5aPcA/s1600/IMG_2100.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hweA1VIXVj6POfkKOT6bn3bIX2CYnMTzD3bPQz8AdwCbfXMW51-g3rQWDCWNNMRNNhwUAgx0HE1jVasLLLXLJ5fZ2lRE585s83QHrc3YrLPenOVuW01Er9CXi3iCJSjIy1vZs-5aPcA/s400/IMG_2100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499039711978974354" border="0" /></a><br /><blockquote></blockquote>I have really been lagging behind with new entries of late, as I am sure you know. Trust that I have not forgotten about Colonel Crump, but rather, we have been on the go for the past few weeks since we returned from Minnesota. We now find ourselves in our old stomping grounds of Roanoke, after a quick four days back in Bowling Green with the Meltzer grandparents. As we came to the end of our eight hour drive from BG to our old hometown, we eagerly scanned the mountainous skyline for the infamous neon star atop Mill Mountain. It feels great to be back, though quite weird to pass on by our old house on Albemarle. We are doing the things we used to love (and still do), and are introducing Gus to them along the way... Like hiking up Mill Mountain, eating gourmet grilled cheese at Pop's Soda Fountain and walking along the Roanoke River on the greenway. There are also things we are having to go out and do on our own while one stays behind and watches over Gus, like bike rides on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and trail runs on the mountain. The other day Josh went up and visited the spot where we scattered Sally's ashes last summer.<br />We our staying with our great friends Eric (a regular reader and comment contributer to this blog) and Nicole and their little gal Aspen. We got to witness Eric produce about 100 liters of homemade Ginger ale for the wedding we all attended this past weekend: Angie and Peter. The couple have dated for years, and much to our excitement, they finally tied the knot in a Quaker ceremony out near the Peaks of Otter this past Saturday. What was distinct about this ceremony was that there was not an officiant. Instead, Pete and Angie began with their vows they had written for each other, and then we sat in silence until various members of the congregation stood to contribute a message to the couple. Because of this, the ceremony was a distinct and personal, and by its end so much had been revealed about how wonderful this pair is. Afterward we all headed over to a nearby park where we were treated to Eric's Ginger ale along with fresh tomatoes, cukes, squash and melon from Angie's dad's garden, along with pasta and potatoes and chicken. Music was provided by a local bluegrass trio, the Black Twig Pickers, and later in the evening the bride and groom, along with several of their friends performed musical numbers. We drove back to Eric and Nicole's under a full moon on a warm night, as Aspen and Gus snoozed in the back seat, with sounds of their light little snores keeping us company along the way.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxegcYmD6mYaUQWBo6fxzR6__RwNqic-cJTDgR5JzXlKGuORxlvmbam9BWutyTA3PvTL3YdbbQ45GFwqigj-XwE_H-KPyeJtg_EypAtD6NimbgDhy6y-yO-TWY_g-qTq1FqtI7ymDOhM/s1600/IMG_2126.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxegcYmD6mYaUQWBo6fxzR6__RwNqic-cJTDgR5JzXlKGuORxlvmbam9BWutyTA3PvTL3YdbbQ45GFwqigj-XwE_H-KPyeJtg_EypAtD6NimbgDhy6y-yO-TWY_g-qTq1FqtI7ymDOhM/s400/IMG_2126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499039729081410418" border="0" /></a>The North Cross gang at Angie and Pete's wedding<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtssNg6YlEG1Dnhtwtqfqk44amHoVxXf5difEVXz6l6y-eA93LorkVs5o0vUyVRt8wGWyfsX6DEMlL6n3wh0Hhf0Vmaj1MQISiFZLoNSln6-_8X18Hak8_3IB_nvr9YkjMGpJyejey73Y/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtssNg6YlEG1Dnhtwtqfqk44amHoVxXf5difEVXz6l6y-eA93LorkVs5o0vUyVRt8wGWyfsX6DEMlL6n3wh0Hhf0Vmaj1MQISiFZLoNSln6-_8X18Hak8_3IB_nvr9YkjMGpJyejey73Y/s400/IMG_2125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499039724863364594" border="0" /></a>Dinner!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtssNg6YlEG1Dnhtwtqfqk44amHoVxXf5difEVXz6l6y-eA93LorkVs5o0vUyVRt8wGWyfsX6DEMlL6n3wh0Hhf0Vmaj1MQISiFZLoNSln6-_8X18Hak8_3IB_nvr9YkjMGpJyejey73Y/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG"><br /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9cFrnAuYRZVi_fvyHsW2hFvVVLhmRxefLZCV-m2KP8x9YZj3WjB4K63z-W1hj9TyjXLB-5w1TGa5sjsO3YyooAxisBn_W7yYIN84wzIH4PmXMwLvbhJkxEGrAzz3PocFrbxG1jgm2ZY/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9cFrnAuYRZVi_fvyHsW2hFvVVLhmRxefLZCV-m2KP8x9YZj3WjB4K63z-W1hj9TyjXLB-5w1TGa5sjsO3YyooAxisBn_W7yYIN84wzIH4PmXMwLvbhJkxEGrAzz3PocFrbxG1jgm2ZY/s400/IMG_2114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499039721375295234" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O-6DJxErMKeaqTOTvMQj5V_zPuQObQ2LV_K0LCqjv-J_vM45_DRvSXj0gyQ5LWdGaikrGjd-MbOWHXEhlJ4CNg-kbWhyXsrk4Ix3Elc7cfxw8-T13_sqfutf5MKXzh4yTrc2M2_lc_8/s1600/IMG_2107.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9O-6DJxErMKeaqTOTvMQj5V_zPuQObQ2LV_K0LCqjv-J_vM45_DRvSXj0gyQ5LWdGaikrGjd-MbOWHXEhlJ4CNg-kbWhyXsrk4Ix3Elc7cfxw8-T13_sqfutf5MKXzh4yTrc2M2_lc_8/s400/IMG_2107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499039716046921602" border="0" /></a>The Macy-Landon's and Gus and Aspen<br /><br /></div>It has been great fun to see old friends, many of whom have added to their families while we have been away... Like Katie and Jeff and their firecracker of a son Sully. We watched Joy and Richard's 2-year-old scale the kitchen cabinets in search of more Captain Crunch. 10-month-old Apen's eyes widen and she coo's when she comes within range of Gus. Beth helped calm a distraught Gus as we ascended Mill Mountain. We had dinner with a group of great old friends last night in the company of all their wee ones playing under water misters in the back yard. Despite the fact we have been away for a few years, we slipped right back in where we left off. We sure have missed all these good people.<br />Tomorrow we will add to Gus' fast-growing list of visited states as we head down to Asheville, North Carolina and stay at Gus' grandparents' cabin up atop a mountain. We can't wait to dip the little bugger's toes in a lake once again.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ak5vTkR744J2wCncPhzByHdnBb6e2uu_Ra3gxesCfgl4BXjOTbZm2sjhHGVJGsdeqgyoHuqsQg-3MR_d8lJ_mMIULKiCi12MhOh8o10ZV8ZOYTU2RxiZaG9UM2yFK6fBFObf9Ua5zS8/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ak5vTkR744J2wCncPhzByHdnBb6e2uu_Ra3gxesCfgl4BXjOTbZm2sjhHGVJGsdeqgyoHuqsQg-3MR_d8lJ_mMIULKiCi12MhOh8o10ZV8ZOYTU2RxiZaG9UM2yFK6fBFObf9Ua5zS8/s400/IMG_2164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499040006040862882" border="0" /></a>Aspen and Gus<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6Mudaz3HCpCL5yxjbSgmj5OuTpotoXukxr48HlaSpv5_xDAULR4mQfW2e3ugHa2rrxzDqe-wow38j966HpdwCY7-b1gwXAQlu0_MK-2oX4UFqqi6VKiJ9lL2fPIr8tCbhgvpxhC-dOo/s1600/IMG_2152.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6Mudaz3HCpCL5yxjbSgmj5OuTpotoXukxr48HlaSpv5_xDAULR4mQfW2e3ugHa2rrxzDqe-wow38j966HpdwCY7-b1gwXAQlu0_MK-2oX4UFqqi6VKiJ9lL2fPIr8tCbhgvpxhC-dOo/s400/IMG_2152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499040004432750322" border="0" /></a>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-38934029322782241752010-07-11T16:30:00.000-07:002010-07-13T10:22:10.251-07:00What we've been up to lately<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDNJqonQzpBNZlUPYCGyzbm1bYTzq23LHa0snhhYUAL1gYuskbUrJJmjdJua9sP0yyGUkIQxnyZCRy2SW_SGU_N_dk8znewCkEZX9YRHs2JLKJ_qoQQDiuNPPFfZzd0gfwtZYeMThM-Y/s1600/beach.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDNJqonQzpBNZlUPYCGyzbm1bYTzq23LHa0snhhYUAL1gYuskbUrJJmjdJua9sP0yyGUkIQxnyZCRy2SW_SGU_N_dk8znewCkEZX9YRHs2JLKJ_qoQQDiuNPPFfZzd0gfwtZYeMThM-Y/s400/beach.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493441464682883026" border="0" /></a><br />We have had a terrific time here in Minnesota, and it is hard to believe we are reaching the end of our stay. We think Gus might think he lives with his grandparents, as he has spent more time in Minnesota than his home state of Kentucky at this point.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvUvkha5jQjXzh2gsvV_vJBHZZMzwAwIdXFkHPb4Cnf9EDb9XNIMF5jye3TZwQDV8VWmhYKiKhzdkQXPef8vFrnEzInOih0RjM0EMUU8fbHoIt-1P6OX6piZ6po970jUbzSv3MLoH08U/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv_jUQ7rTuCRQmT40MnrGAyMrAnYnIGB5eEqKv90B1K7VRLTEpSTwtZOtPfNbmIaj1MRzPJy9xQ8lAKXYTF01P3c7z82H62PCKeboV69rjEC-m6q1P528hKnpvHE-Rhh_4VnqSiqk3Hs/s1600/IMG_0586.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv_jUQ7rTuCRQmT40MnrGAyMrAnYnIGB5eEqKv90B1K7VRLTEpSTwtZOtPfNbmIaj1MRzPJy9xQ8lAKXYTF01P3c7z82H62PCKeboV69rjEC-m6q1P528hKnpvHE-Rhh_4VnqSiqk3Hs/s400/IMG_0586.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492798992047413362" border="0" /></a>Below follows a little re-cap of the past few weeks<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv_jUQ7rTuCRQmT40MnrGAyMrAnYnIGB5eEqKv90B1K7VRLTEpSTwtZOtPfNbmIaj1MRzPJy9xQ8lAKXYTF01P3c7z82H62PCKeboV69rjEC-m6q1P528hKnpvHE-Rhh_4VnqSiqk3Hs/s1600/IMG_0586.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvUvkha5jQjXzh2gsvV_vJBHZZMzwAwIdXFkHPb4Cnf9EDb9XNIMF5jye3TZwQDV8VWmhYKiKhzdkQXPef8vFrnEzInOih0RjM0EMUU8fbHoIt-1P6OX6piZ6po970jUbzSv3MLoH08U/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvUvkha5jQjXzh2gsvV_vJBHZZMzwAwIdXFkHPb4Cnf9EDb9XNIMF5jye3TZwQDV8VWmhYKiKhzdkQXPef8vFrnEzInOih0RjM0EMUU8fbHoIt-1P6OX6piZ6po970jUbzSv3MLoH08U/s400/IMG_2044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492800221236295810" border="0" /></a>My brother-in-law brought two kayaks to the Warp abode, and we have enjoyed paddling to the various sand bars near my folks' place.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg22kTvWyW3XPpRXguuAgXJtEiY_T6Cf67-E2PHyQJsV2C5j_U2Ez1bwkYxTSwZOgwxJ62kkeEg1D4I2hDSlxkHuKVmgLtm9oB9xYWe5boM44ecz7drwbR6pdDKrfnpLPczOSBZRWNc_A/s1600/IMG_0572.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg22kTvWyW3XPpRXguuAgXJtEiY_T6Cf67-E2PHyQJsV2C5j_U2Ez1bwkYxTSwZOgwxJ62kkeEg1D4I2hDSlxkHuKVmgLtm9oB9xYWe5boM44ecz7drwbR6pdDKrfnpLPczOSBZRWNc_A/s400/IMG_0572.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492816525499319522" border="0" /></a>Gus was in his first Fourth of July Kiddie Parade in Moose Lake<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1Nm-gKVVb6RZPSs2ZVjFKc5LESoL1eKVHImgabY8xbiH1wuTZDLAvwvdd_Kt55vxD1ap3d1Ss00Y3Nw7HpAMTe36YG8RQIINi51B5FmSZfBkkiXE0g5aUJNop5qBkrsKtNnN95fmM1c/s1600/IMG_1920.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1Nm-gKVVb6RZPSs2ZVjFKc5LESoL1eKVHImgabY8xbiH1wuTZDLAvwvdd_Kt55vxD1ap3d1Ss00Y3Nw7HpAMTe36YG8RQIINi51B5FmSZfBkkiXE0g5aUJNop5qBkrsKtNnN95fmM1c/s400/IMG_1920.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492799358312762978" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ah0Dqdu2SHJNc_RCtWDqe5mF1rh6nkCmbtNxnv-BGTay8_EbbtBV5f57ox0DkEygB15fsYNQxExZstyN1wE45XH6KsiYHvpl4f1ZLllO2K2TmmMnAt-T6Ab_KjIiiQVOkNwgMf8zpRc/s1600/IMG_1990.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ah0Dqdu2SHJNc_RCtWDqe5mF1rh6nkCmbtNxnv-BGTay8_EbbtBV5f57ox0DkEygB15fsYNQxExZstyN1wE45XH6KsiYHvpl4f1ZLllO2K2TmmMnAt-T6Ab_KjIiiQVOkNwgMf8zpRc/s400/IMG_1990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492800022384177698" border="0" /></a>Gus' cousins had the chance to do a little bonding with him<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67TF0dwKrKIcGthyAYWR_nVHTy9CZ33lBHoiihvexVY5k2yO8cdqa4h_vIWtC47XXQmXgVocgaaCCDT4tU3knhxn-9IkHPdU7t3v7bD5k2OyTL2wzvJSLni51H5tr9UcUYKPgxwouUpk/s1600/IMG_0596.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67TF0dwKrKIcGthyAYWR_nVHTy9CZ33lBHoiihvexVY5k2yO8cdqa4h_vIWtC47XXQmXgVocgaaCCDT4tU3knhxn-9IkHPdU7t3v7bD5k2OyTL2wzvJSLni51H5tr9UcUYKPgxwouUpk/s400/IMG_0596.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492798998316608706" border="0" /></a><br /></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVc_jceohz-7fqjwCo5UQc2G4nvJi9dqsGgUi_oXMv58G3eG8R0VicAmcfuUpv0-ELkpTeKTjegH92eCQ9RsFt9vpWvneAtZJTxPjZfuub49YokbHIVI_NwEV9YDukXI4y5GeetaZTDc/s1600/IMG_1969.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVc_jceohz-7fqjwCo5UQc2G4nvJi9dqsGgUi_oXMv58G3eG8R0VicAmcfuUpv0-ELkpTeKTjegH92eCQ9RsFt9vpWvneAtZJTxPjZfuub49YokbHIVI_NwEV9YDukXI4y5GeetaZTDc/s400/IMG_1969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492799718885250370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-7BUkmDLoKPHRp1xSwtUUURPF3GfT4O2-7m-y9zF262anMYq6VXKab2D3FvUsbp491vBM8uWuy5lYBZpVVic6Tnl8XRBLWGarw6MSGkgKDsLGBAx-fzPKTqK7dt0reJSbntIVw4m4BY/s1600/IMG_1965.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-7BUkmDLoKPHRp1xSwtUUURPF3GfT4O2-7m-y9zF262anMYq6VXKab2D3FvUsbp491vBM8uWuy5lYBZpVVic6Tnl8XRBLWGarw6MSGkgKDsLGBAx-fzPKTqK7dt0reJSbntIVw4m4BY/s400/IMG_1965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492799710793535538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyX9N9mStCx1cjwg7swNUR0EJjWZiTqDCsZ8TnRgDk3UNZeWjnaO60LxAqiRf-PcATBp5Z__J6mAP99EZ8tWuYDbnwvPfWzHNQVjVIYMFh_tBs6NQdLwD9jzdp1aeHDB-CzUGU1iCZ5A/s1600/IMG_1960.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyX9N9mStCx1cjwg7swNUR0EJjWZiTqDCsZ8TnRgDk3UNZeWjnaO60LxAqiRf-PcATBp5Z__J6mAP99EZ8tWuYDbnwvPfWzHNQVjVIYMFh_tBs6NQdLwD9jzdp1aeHDB-CzUGU1iCZ5A/s400/IMG_1960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492799703983450338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBci3Smtp6a79srvagFqy41eV4n1-MJ-OIe0XrD9FboUuN5s4dk95wC3UW9dnuREilrZ1aN-9XAh9eBjUlSMkCFt88xvueEk5qtry7aXb4DHieAVwUcuKmifWWqpcWxwZ00MVrrogCnzw/s1600/IMG_0607.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETanyeZzNxVtHx3FFxmjBIg0MWAfQ0Wrd_KuUmTQLVeF1c3_mIN289vJs5lc8Ic_qwPmVnweY1xwfumEnqZbrH2wVY8zSL1jUHbowUW0_hupin53jdhR22cj5BNuKAEvCUgw1LTN7OfE/s1600/IMG_1907.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETanyeZzNxVtHx3FFxmjBIg0MWAfQ0Wrd_KuUmTQLVeF1c3_mIN289vJs5lc8Ic_qwPmVnweY1xwfumEnqZbrH2wVY8zSL1jUHbowUW0_hupin53jdhR22cj5BNuKAEvCUgw1LTN7OfE/s400/IMG_1907.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493382000089264610" border="0" /></a>We picnicked with all the kiddos in the backyard<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElZCSkISlzdAbgK13ZTedaoEE5iad06Qb9tKwbDxKVXmSTQ9f3VRmKTJcfW-yjUVdMsOvWi6HeOYt7k57gY6lrCD4Bhsh2N-a9Sc-dP-c1si8FRkqTENNPFf1wLfJ5xaOlErCv02i8fw/s1600/IMG_0577.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElZCSkISlzdAbgK13ZTedaoEE5iad06Qb9tKwbDxKVXmSTQ9f3VRmKTJcfW-yjUVdMsOvWi6HeOYt7k57gY6lrCD4Bhsh2N-a9Sc-dP-c1si8FRkqTENNPFf1wLfJ5xaOlErCv02i8fw/s400/IMG_0577.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796631348026290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidc4pL6z-JGOxtr6YKPe2wsnWP808JIQH5opAQEcqPQhOYRDtj0ZspdbIGpCDkN6vuXf9aMtau1pHHAdxJPY9_cBLtwnATEZh841eKOw08ioHG4xKBHukwA3ZU2GiX32BYU-K__4kxQSY/s1600/IMG_0575.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidc4pL6z-JGOxtr6YKPe2wsnWP808JIQH5opAQEcqPQhOYRDtj0ZspdbIGpCDkN6vuXf9aMtau1pHHAdxJPY9_cBLtwnATEZh841eKOw08ioHG4xKBHukwA3ZU2GiX32BYU-K__4kxQSY/s400/IMG_0575.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796629886604626" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKGrgHr7L9cqkH7V8RH8ZdmI9t6G1OOPXc3kTdM98ehFe2KiIRQY5dy1lRp0rbBnOEKyccJlBX7nOm5O0KZ-MkstJefCvMOfGdOxiXoteb95Uh5HntF483mTuofmlBk7otgD6P8jZR50/s1600/IMG_0557.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKGrgHr7L9cqkH7V8RH8ZdmI9t6G1OOPXc3kTdM98ehFe2KiIRQY5dy1lRp0rbBnOEKyccJlBX7nOm5O0KZ-MkstJefCvMOfGdOxiXoteb95Uh5HntF483mTuofmlBk7otgD6P8jZR50/s400/IMG_0557.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796611091322898" border="0" /></a>All the cousins, sans Natalie, gathered in the sun porch with the grandparents<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc39mST5ni-kx8Wbx1dGac9tRJedB_8Jtw3O74y6nM3yl1OIqYRZ1TMTlJsDd5f0R931ZFLd05sP2JMb3caGS0xxtkF9Km_lXS6sowrwet7xAIz5okZV83RaW6f2lLRyDTIUBmIJeZv3M/s1600/IMG_0544.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc39mST5ni-kx8Wbx1dGac9tRJedB_8Jtw3O74y6nM3yl1OIqYRZ1TMTlJsDd5f0R931ZFLd05sP2JMb3caGS0xxtkF9Km_lXS6sowrwet7xAIz5okZV83RaW6f2lLRyDTIUBmIJeZv3M/s400/IMG_0544.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796608378099170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNcLLPL-YOyzThPVSHleZlePHG1MhnfsDo1a58xlM90rsi_Segjrj_uh-_y89tk-8ykEiGrRYsV-mj3oYkbbYRH7I58o5Fntwl6FtwQbxbudIWOjJ2N5qa5Dg4fAXdTtZI3XqjrzFb2o/s1600/IMG_0543.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNcLLPL-YOyzThPVSHleZlePHG1MhnfsDo1a58xlM90rsi_Segjrj_uh-_y89tk-8ykEiGrRYsV-mj3oYkbbYRH7I58o5Fntwl6FtwQbxbudIWOjJ2N5qa5Dg4fAXdTtZI3XqjrzFb2o/s400/IMG_0543.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796217092280402" border="0" /><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0wUEfbysBIhHQWivlzrXWPkWu8oZ8rd2hpa_Bdqi40OnVw1h2bWJ2q7d2gsDLLeLwqgqAlSILQVXMMSzwckwFBdqnsAB4vF23s9tl3rzW3zcfyWviGFC_29Bw7AWsoXvyPf1W2NFOHw/s1600/IMG_2029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0wUEfbysBIhHQWivlzrXWPkWu8oZ8rd2hpa_Bdqi40OnVw1h2bWJ2q7d2gsDLLeLwqgqAlSILQVXMMSzwckwFBdqnsAB4vF23s9tl3rzW3zcfyWviGFC_29Bw7AWsoXvyPf1W2NFOHw/s400/IMG_2029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492800037963263586" border="0" /></a>An intense card game with the kids<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0wUEfbysBIhHQWivlzrXWPkWu8oZ8rd2hpa_Bdqi40OnVw1h2bWJ2q7d2gsDLLeLwqgqAlSILQVXMMSzwckwFBdqnsAB4vF23s9tl3rzW3zcfyWviGFC_29Bw7AWsoXvyPf1W2NFOHw/s1600/IMG_2029.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUTJzFkYSIY9Y1sqdswXyalAJsIzJv6qpKAakvLh_wwHx9LuKkysG-9MEY04k5w5qUQZatnCh23vfS4cnyrkr3fPyaAeDcb30i_Gl7d6pUWdd2Xe-H7MGwqCW2W2cPPLNv94K-4jInNY/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUTJzFkYSIY9Y1sqdswXyalAJsIzJv6qpKAakvLh_wwHx9LuKkysG-9MEY04k5w5qUQZatnCh23vfS4cnyrkr3fPyaAeDcb30i_Gl7d6pUWdd2Xe-H7MGwqCW2W2cPPLNv94K-4jInNY/s400/IMG_2025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492800033070494834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn3q6WzfHWPcCsGJ9idki4my8Nr9hPB09y3GyGnkH5IzUeOCgpP6Ve_MEgh_i3XogonSza9A-HkbXC3OMUJbd1lJ1MYpVCzWDyaAWmkTeh1v-lVeHfU0lNZIZR9hHTaSjKkXwUnw6-XU/s1600/IMG_0540.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn3q6WzfHWPcCsGJ9idki4my8Nr9hPB09y3GyGnkH5IzUeOCgpP6Ve_MEgh_i3XogonSza9A-HkbXC3OMUJbd1lJ1MYpVCzWDyaAWmkTeh1v-lVeHfU0lNZIZR9hHTaSjKkXwUnw6-XU/s400/IMG_0540.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796205781559970" border="0" /></a>Gus has been sporting the g-diapers with success. We realized it appears as though we have monogrammed Gus' diapers with his initial.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn3q6WzfHWPcCsGJ9idki4my8Nr9hPB09y3GyGnkH5IzUeOCgpP6Ve_MEgh_i3XogonSza9A-HkbXC3OMUJbd1lJ1MYpVCzWDyaAWmkTeh1v-lVeHfU0lNZIZR9hHTaSjKkXwUnw6-XU/s1600/IMG_0540.jpg"><br /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZ39p-dUzkTgOsw2d-QD6O5Od7LBDamqzOZ_vO8W5bcUL6X6tWIK-Ch8EgTcP-ng8wXzXymyZ9AtAlPjXoHfwSws7hAud9AvC4WYsKtJe9xNKuBLn2kYzaA3fmL4z0HfsJzPfGRwtXYI/s1600/IMG_0479.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZ39p-dUzkTgOsw2d-QD6O5Od7LBDamqzOZ_vO8W5bcUL6X6tWIK-Ch8EgTcP-ng8wXzXymyZ9AtAlPjXoHfwSws7hAud9AvC4WYsKtJe9xNKuBLn2kYzaA3fmL4z0HfsJzPfGRwtXYI/s400/IMG_0479.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795894817686690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQcoTdzYZYeIEyzoxnMM3jQMXiqCKE6wpblbrWKM29v8WPVTITRPthardUWQdgPpgBinpTTQUnl1j5DoSmgQK3HeKjmNytHSF99B88ifgHSDRHKD0jfYlWlXvuTMm9p8LlnHO7LA6iBI/s1600/IMG_0536.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQcoTdzYZYeIEyzoxnMM3jQMXiqCKE6wpblbrWKM29v8WPVTITRPthardUWQdgPpgBinpTTQUnl1j5DoSmgQK3HeKjmNytHSF99B88ifgHSDRHKD0jfYlWlXvuTMm9p8LlnHO7LA6iBI/s400/IMG_0536.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796193363254770" border="0" /></a>And now on to the many faces of Gus. Our cameras are covering his every move, and below follow some of my favorite picks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSG6rTJV8NbWazmJjPclccm4EBL2jCp-R8rmWjdiihw9BmhB77D_FugaslHz6IH8YmCxJ45C93G0U8-v89ECkQupIT6ppdmfY8a-dn3I6nOrzvK8ssA40pNzqDv-9jdpN-T7jAxRYydU/s1600/IMG_0511.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBci3Smtp6a79srvagFqy41eV4n1-MJ-OIe0XrD9FboUuN5s4dk95wC3UW9dnuREilrZ1aN-9XAh9eBjUlSMkCFt88xvueEk5qtry7aXb4DHieAVwUcuKmifWWqpcWxwZ00MVrrogCnzw/s1600/IMG_0607.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBci3Smtp6a79srvagFqy41eV4n1-MJ-OIe0XrD9FboUuN5s4dk95wC3UW9dnuREilrZ1aN-9XAh9eBjUlSMkCFt88xvueEk5qtry7aXb4DHieAVwUcuKmifWWqpcWxwZ00MVrrogCnzw/s400/IMG_0607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492799010416157858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSG6rTJV8NbWazmJjPclccm4EBL2jCp-R8rmWjdiihw9BmhB77D_FugaslHz6IH8YmCxJ45C93G0U8-v89ECkQupIT6ppdmfY8a-dn3I6nOrzvK8ssA40pNzqDv-9jdpN-T7jAxRYydU/s1600/IMG_0511.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlD-ngQyzPwwFPGcOrcU7G-e1V1TnNQGTYFSoCr8DziB8fpn7mY4y7tsWSrqmu3ji4wGw02P4JMWrbJM_mUb9oUfe4ZMdJCet3XwDpnmszJyxr8sR3RubeAlGgAQWtydu5mbJb1d-Odc/s1600/IMG_0598.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlD-ngQyzPwwFPGcOrcU7G-e1V1TnNQGTYFSoCr8DziB8fpn7mY4y7tsWSrqmu3ji4wGw02P4JMWrbJM_mUb9oUfe4ZMdJCet3XwDpnmszJyxr8sR3RubeAlGgAQWtydu5mbJb1d-Odc/s400/IMG_0598.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492799005385389826" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ910ppBoD9soZPKGv8aMbEH7Q_5IzVMks_BC1WHAy_9Qf4SSihAnkZho2UqTtOojPxzCjbWqilC69btudthzXIfuN51lkBxwUDsKwOD0SgPhdVM3t4I8szgO7UH54x2iLcif6N7jFNs/s1600/IMG_0502.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ910ppBoD9soZPKGv8aMbEH7Q_5IzVMks_BC1WHAy_9Qf4SSihAnkZho2UqTtOojPxzCjbWqilC69btudthzXIfuN51lkBxwUDsKwOD0SgPhdVM3t4I8szgO7UH54x2iLcif6N7jFNs/s400/IMG_0502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795910865706322" border="0" /></a>Gus with his great-grandma Ollie<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOXvGMwgWIByWp9BQKCP5FKi_xq1AJNbq796fLZ6Ml_FewFo2Sluf_T1OIqS7MpcBTXbZFdVTne0crkXvRWrq_PhkITLeTqNNBsfmMhf-FNo8r-R2yo4p-69soRaIES0tlrBbDNm-lIE/s1600/IMG_0487.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOXvGMwgWIByWp9BQKCP5FKi_xq1AJNbq796fLZ6Ml_FewFo2Sluf_T1OIqS7MpcBTXbZFdVTne0crkXvRWrq_PhkITLeTqNNBsfmMhf-FNo8r-R2yo4p-69soRaIES0tlrBbDNm-lIE/s400/IMG_0487.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795896985862082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZazWwphp-8RRxz37XYAIW9m5ghet_YBtyd8zfHt1ox3IhKva9sIJSKTYQ65qzqWc0Cs8KF08nCLn37gnE-UxOBubiDytKdjXC2z9AMBt_qPqAyFCxze7-C2x3cwvoC-rxbrS0JcLoFjI/s1600/IMG_0466.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZazWwphp-8RRxz37XYAIW9m5ghet_YBtyd8zfHt1ox3IhKva9sIJSKTYQ65qzqWc0Cs8KF08nCLn37gnE-UxOBubiDytKdjXC2z9AMBt_qPqAyFCxze7-C2x3cwvoC-rxbrS0JcLoFjI/s400/IMG_0466.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795882159398530" border="0" /></a>In order to accurately represent this little one, I thought I had better include a couple of crying shots.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZazWwphp-8RRxz37XYAIW9m5ghet_YBtyd8zfHt1ox3IhKva9sIJSKTYQ65qzqWc0Cs8KF08nCLn37gnE-UxOBubiDytKdjXC2z9AMBt_qPqAyFCxze7-C2x3cwvoC-rxbrS0JcLoFjI/s1600/IMG_0466.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSPrGN6sVnAEOyf7Mino4P93ajhcxKPGe2d_XKueyDmSsupRm0XWXstCG5ow3LBfVTG-S33LUFYS39pXTi8icmr4795HRm7d-FPJ7EyhsVgcD6XRgG5RyRVlSIP6o2SK5t6z2IzABd5o/s1600/IMG_0512.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSPrGN6sVnAEOyf7Mino4P93ajhcxKPGe2d_XKueyDmSsupRm0XWXstCG5ow3LBfVTG-S33LUFYS39pXTi8icmr4795HRm7d-FPJ7EyhsVgcD6XRgG5RyRVlSIP6o2SK5t6z2IzABd5o/s400/IMG_0512.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492796189769459058" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_AMV-Cag18_1T5qtlgxtBm0iK4yJGfqBXnhAt1CqTV1tWO6FTMQ3k17GzdVWMHRIiRHPcLgzfptrTJ77Vbh5-jWxq6E_Jp92Q2SYW3zkExveaSHoV_Jc85S_D6jMzvFcFdr3EaEnjoI/s1600/IMG_0381.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_AMV-Cag18_1T5qtlgxtBm0iK4yJGfqBXnhAt1CqTV1tWO6FTMQ3k17GzdVWMHRIiRHPcLgzfptrTJ77Vbh5-jWxq6E_Jp92Q2SYW3zkExveaSHoV_Jc85S_D6jMzvFcFdr3EaEnjoI/s400/IMG_0381.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795344653109970" border="0" /><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhZsxiOkTcuG4zRBBAMURMq973OZO2xesLw3ksVXz6tbx8ktIbPFws-H4hFdrpS5BEAlj6SV4noZ-6DXqtuv6ZDOyX6aWfHO6XqXKhZL9ws4kRsVk6XR4wFi24UU1PsTc6bJ4_5olw_w/s1600/IMG_0385.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhZsxiOkTcuG4zRBBAMURMq973OZO2xesLw3ksVXz6tbx8ktIbPFws-H4hFdrpS5BEAlj6SV4noZ-6DXqtuv6ZDOyX6aWfHO6XqXKhZL9ws4kRsVk6XR4wFi24UU1PsTc6bJ4_5olw_w/s400/IMG_0385.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795358979998514" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSjZHEYkPo4JdL8RZQkLU2IXYOPjj8SiF30kmI9TC5EH1FfAVa3h6AONdui33dBQMlKP0QIWuRZ1RyMFyuD3pt6FzUWBsPhaYYPsUwEfLJpRq2sH2u7QGVauYqzrpgGj50y1_oBwLPFY/s1600/IMG_0456.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSjZHEYkPo4JdL8RZQkLU2IXYOPjj8SiF30kmI9TC5EH1FfAVa3h6AONdui33dBQMlKP0QIWuRZ1RyMFyuD3pt6FzUWBsPhaYYPsUwEfLJpRq2sH2u7QGVauYqzrpgGj50y1_oBwLPFY/s400/IMG_0456.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795676421693522" border="0" /></a>Gus has been meeting my good friends like Angie...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiHvUHN1U4uoEwHj-DMyV3vWh5Rm4_5wlEIYy9aQMYgOGvjaWlV4WU2QApTdS-uaZioI8uusn-hn9Cz7g15l2SQevCa0vNe9skSsdLlqJOJu7P1wBAhQHi86IvY1cDAsUQ8zYdqjwdVQ/s1600/IMG_0468.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiHvUHN1U4uoEwHj-DMyV3vWh5Rm4_5wlEIYy9aQMYgOGvjaWlV4WU2QApTdS-uaZioI8uusn-hn9Cz7g15l2SQevCa0vNe9skSsdLlqJOJu7P1wBAhQHi86IvY1cDAsUQ8zYdqjwdVQ/s400/IMG_0468.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795885800829906" border="0" /></a>Amanda<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuN-GvRE1cLRFGWRIwYQaXhWtjSWn2TSKS9Td_6gR1z7amubeyQlqNTqk3ty5oZJHOOmFrZVZl0X0DIRPC9DPPGqMJl5yLOp8EAYAVakWKUh9fQSyLcxQSPpRvMs_k95TZ2nO3hfNbvg/s1600/IMG_0651.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuN-GvRE1cLRFGWRIwYQaXhWtjSWn2TSKS9Td_6gR1z7amubeyQlqNTqk3ty5oZJHOOmFrZVZl0X0DIRPC9DPPGqMJl5yLOp8EAYAVakWKUh9fQSyLcxQSPpRvMs_k95TZ2nO3hfNbvg/s400/IMG_0651.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492799356583208610" border="0" /></a>The Hart-Bennett Family<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewtBxsyYOh-4IApDryUNqtsft0e8c1ed0uTcLBeHed35vcquM0B3NH-e29SFJXKODfPrCLteG1woeqIWJFquPACQZIm200F6T6v455da991AgpKOuCzcjlovFdXmtnXY1n7nhStzkVbE/s1600/IMG_0443.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewtBxsyYOh-4IApDryUNqtsft0e8c1ed0uTcLBeHed35vcquM0B3NH-e29SFJXKODfPrCLteG1woeqIWJFquPACQZIm200F6T6v455da991AgpKOuCzcjlovFdXmtnXY1n7nhStzkVbE/s400/IMG_0443.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795666115255858" border="0" /></a>We brought him to a BBQ restaurant where the owner (pictured above) went over the menu with us.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh480s_3R0AU0U94kX624ayQCyHDdRb6KQD-Ci6b3_Wqc9LMO_zzoenM_1hVT3Q3jpG_n1sdY2emMInEr9XLapiGhscYXH2S3OcZQDKsNgktLIgZ74ORw2ye-0zmumt2dtnnbZpWpa1JMs/s1600/IMG_0432.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh480s_3R0AU0U94kX624ayQCyHDdRb6KQD-Ci6b3_Wqc9LMO_zzoenM_1hVT3Q3jpG_n1sdY2emMInEr9XLapiGhscYXH2S3OcZQDKsNgktLIgZ74ORw2ye-0zmumt2dtnnbZpWpa1JMs/s400/IMG_0432.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795658894043554" border="0" /></a>Gus has loved cuddling with his grandma<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEhr4-OOIbMFIXLv2yh0Tuu_gB9DOs9LEbHiuvdKoeVKMUjBWxvmTCl15bTJP-wzdVB8vk6-XkQtbphjGgW3KdTPxvhyfRZsjiFOAZAEfs_l6soxLSU3Ia1LTIBdSNj660saLveJn6Ug/s1600/IMG_0415.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEhr4-OOIbMFIXLv2yh0Tuu_gB9DOs9LEbHiuvdKoeVKMUjBWxvmTCl15bTJP-wzdVB8vk6-XkQtbphjGgW3KdTPxvhyfRZsjiFOAZAEfs_l6soxLSU3Ia1LTIBdSNj660saLveJn6Ug/s400/IMG_0415.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795644666290338" border="0" /></a>Down on Sand Lake<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxQEOMa7xZTBPOJfG6BkN0vYada2KEKxetTYUT0p5gR3vaOv72Fh3llQRpnFYiyRKckVwdwufca96L2-sguHdpqIyGXycjV_dpO0oDTafExm9Rz7RN7ckPo88vQTl4jv9vmm0UKACH9Y/s1600/IMG_0383.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxQEOMa7xZTBPOJfG6BkN0vYada2KEKxetTYUT0p5gR3vaOv72Fh3llQRpnFYiyRKckVwdwufca96L2-sguHdpqIyGXycjV_dpO0oDTafExm9Rz7RN7ckPo88vQTl4jv9vmm0UKACH9Y/s400/IMG_0383.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492795352548899714" border="0" /></a>Skyping with his aunt Emily, who is living in Ghana<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_AMV-Cag18_1T5qtlgxtBm0iK4yJGfqBXnhAt1CqTV1tWO6FTMQ3k17GzdVWMHRIiRHPcLgzfptrTJ77Vbh5-jWxq6E_Jp92Q2SYW3zkExveaSHoV_Jc85S_D6jMzvFcFdr3EaEnjoI/s1600/IMG_0381.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yG8lalrPFvNk4_3ngwts0m-tceurKeCXqskKhQnl3CzitZNxRMxXcA-Nng9yojF7LUsbq6q7DqCQ2M9DUVZemTV6UccXkGqy0CZIyhpnd-YVn6atpLnFzUTS1jVr9hy7-c1vYQsi8_o/s1600/IMG_0627.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yG8lalrPFvNk4_3ngwts0m-tceurKeCXqskKhQnl3CzitZNxRMxXcA-Nng9yojF7LUsbq6q7DqCQ2M9DUVZemTV6UccXkGqy0CZIyhpnd-YVn6atpLnFzUTS1jVr9hy7-c1vYQsi8_o/s400/IMG_0627.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492799337312059506" border="0" /></a>Taking a snooze with grandma Sandi while car shopping<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBb-NAk-v6truKBcRrf_nI9JfXVKFtY3J2MXAyuKmD1S7jNPATCfW4ABlQrThEMunqMfzj6HzKDWO1boHhx30vUMcVKPGJE4tLuDLIxw6enxxW0VtUcFTlnUiZ1cbuRmGcRBz6o7vZcpU/s1600/newcar.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBb-NAk-v6truKBcRrf_nI9JfXVKFtY3J2MXAyuKmD1S7jNPATCfW4ABlQrThEMunqMfzj6HzKDWO1boHhx30vUMcVKPGJE4tLuDLIxw6enxxW0VtUcFTlnUiZ1cbuRmGcRBz6o7vZcpU/s400/newcar.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493441452599621218" border="0" /></a>The new car purchase. So long old Subaru.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L4lG1QxrkfmQ0r1RTeQzX7bqUADJjd44JWsQ-PdIo9kDCBUyXdyQzW7Kr_FttSiYB6igRv7l50mBgvaAF_JW8qC1be9O2UGMAUhOXh98SSPYAupnY0vkQr8yCPEaU26IFPMOZZkfgUo/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L4lG1QxrkfmQ0r1RTeQzX7bqUADJjd44JWsQ-PdIo9kDCBUyXdyQzW7Kr_FttSiYB6igRv7l50mBgvaAF_JW8qC1be9O2UGMAUhOXh98SSPYAupnY0vkQr8yCPEaU26IFPMOZZkfgUo/s400/IMG_2050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492800229566713362" border="0" /></a>Watching the Tour d'France with his papa.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_AMV-Cag18_1T5qtlgxtBm0iK4yJGfqBXnhAt1CqTV1tWO6FTMQ3k17GzdVWMHRIiRHPcLgzfptrTJ77Vbh5-jWxq6E_Jp92Q2SYW3zkExveaSHoV_Jc85S_D6jMzvFcFdr3EaEnjoI/s1600/IMG_0381.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoDacZlzZut1hUxVOBGwYK6ZfUgH2gwXmJa2IrH2qYFZ_sK3aBa-Q_OyTloLrGhxzY7ZB8EaQhvd490rRD8OdW6d9LKC0ttsLSMT-DHi9NlwmMzoFpVoYJLXj13ctyHrm3l4muA7Td6c/s1600/IMG_1982.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoDacZlzZut1hUxVOBGwYK6ZfUgH2gwXmJa2IrH2qYFZ_sK3aBa-Q_OyTloLrGhxzY7ZB8EaQhvd490rRD8OdW6d9LKC0ttsLSMT-DHi9NlwmMzoFpVoYJLXj13ctyHrm3l4muA7Td6c/s400/IMG_1982.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492800014463580850" border="0" /></a>9:00 pm sunsets<br /></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-69925887792725930442010-07-07T09:23:00.000-07:002010-07-07T09:38:44.576-07:00A Slice of Heaven<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fTTNfJ-2E9LjdSdQRDAqmc0LyxDwdwbQbK5_wrwiiCdQagALZHBfVsH494jD5MidDUE9J6lBFzwYiFdyJoSOViAPWAj4LkZn380c0i68CD_Zhas0oHaVKpaJOGwIUA4BRbMxezQdF6E/s1600/gus_2010-07-06_1869.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fTTNfJ-2E9LjdSdQRDAqmc0LyxDwdwbQbK5_wrwiiCdQagALZHBfVsH494jD5MidDUE9J6lBFzwYiFdyJoSOViAPWAj4LkZn380c0i68CD_Zhas0oHaVKpaJOGwIUA4BRbMxezQdF6E/s400/gus_2010-07-06_1869.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491204156741111090" border="0" /></a><br />Josh and I have been keeping busy with family at my parents' place on Sand Lake, which has provided a welcome break from computer time. I will return to post more photos soon, but for now I wanted to direct you to Josh's <a href="http://joshmeltzer.com/blog/2010/07/07/summer-in-minnesota/">blog</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgHEuQaFlDnTCvvoJr0T3GK2vOh8WW_sgZhAzN7ANx4MxDMLSlsq3KJSIRChJZgrb4gHsqdON3o_ajZHKf6qumrWX8R_XVA90BSDHfidLIFhgSQQVJYuf-RXfgAU0xCxdRG-pQYgBS68/s1600/gus_2010-07-05_1861.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgHEuQaFlDnTCvvoJr0T3GK2vOh8WW_sgZhAzN7ANx4MxDMLSlsq3KJSIRChJZgrb4gHsqdON3o_ajZHKf6qumrWX8R_XVA90BSDHfidLIFhgSQQVJYuf-RXfgAU0xCxdRG-pQYgBS68/s400/gus_2010-07-05_1861.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491204145670109314" border="0" /></a>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-21693172655783100872010-07-01T19:22:00.000-07:002010-07-01T20:41:30.816-07:00Mama StatusFour weeks after the delivery of Gus, I thought I'd turn the focus on his mama for this post. How am I faring? Quite well, overall. I was actually feeling much myself a couple of weeks after his delivery, when I took the first post-Gus ride on my speedy green bike. It felt wonderful and a bit freaky to be moving so fast on the road again. And I could only think of my child back home being cared for by dad, and how empty I suddenly felt without the little guy. The same feeling hit me a few days prior, when I headed out on a walk and was called by Josh. Gus was crying in the background and Josh had an urgent tone. The kid needed something that Josh could not provide. And now that we are in Minnesota with my folks, Josh and I both are able to head out on bike again, but I dare not go much beyond an hour until I have some reserve milk supply for the caregiver.<br />Every once in a while it really sinks in that we now have a son. When I walk past a mirror holding the little guy, I have to take a second glance at the person holding the babe... Yep, that's me, and that's my kid. When he is crying almighty, Josh and I cannot give him back to someone else and have them deal with it.<br />Eating meals is different. Sometimes I have breakfast at 7 am, sometimes I am lucky if this happens by 10 am. And when I do eat, I am often doing so while holding the babe, or am quickly shoveling the food in so I can take my shift. Showers are overrated. My clothes now carry a milky scent. I am learning to sleep in a more upright position as I cradle Gus on my chest. I am not so alarmed as he cries and holds his breath, letting us know how very angry he is. And I nearly melted yesterday as he appeared to truly look into my eyes for the first time as I lay on the floor beside him.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-5809089515109387742010-06-27T08:00:00.000-07:002010-06-27T08:48:19.520-07:00Wadena ChangedWe visited my grandparents in Wadena on Friday, and witnessed how incredibly destructive the tornado was. Below are images from our trip to see Bruno and Louise. <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Click on the images for a larger view</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA-IqhoL-c9G4svL7YnBa4MBHC29K8NNZlBKUl8VtFnHtFJoCBOo1ocAMwMcx1Uk23ZIpbO7tWWhxj5Bv0JhIfEOxp_kUpfG_M8_RDVsvlV7oTBjWEk_MWo2gAF3PYG3bKSD8vd9Occ8/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYNwvQ6gog2xnD87coUh_DDk8W9GlRGfmvoaM5Ug4nP9u8Om8DEjWRFj1kTOltV0ZA5efLn-RP7BZWR4iBqRyHqgId2ZhKFV-PE4UdXE1jDb31yepdB7ujVNLzgVd8mLgUGXJS_ultNs/s1600/house.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYNwvQ6gog2xnD87coUh_DDk8W9GlRGfmvoaM5Ug4nP9u8Om8DEjWRFj1kTOltV0ZA5efLn-RP7BZWR4iBqRyHqgId2ZhKFV-PE4UdXE1jDb31yepdB7ujVNLzgVd8mLgUGXJS_ultNs/s400/house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487469632227518706" border="0" /><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2nvUZXYwWR4csZ62TjJJLqUTz-5koaQH_4KCzkQx_T5Byb05l85IE5Dr6DO3WHiWK7a6g0srRUsxY4k6bcZxcySVynZ3p1y7MhMGI_Dx65gBnz_U98gArD-FILSiGdBWL2hyphenhyphenDmPYycQ/s1600/backyard.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2nvUZXYwWR4csZ62TjJJLqUTz-5koaQH_4KCzkQx_T5Byb05l85IE5Dr6DO3WHiWK7a6g0srRUsxY4k6bcZxcySVynZ3p1y7MhMGI_Dx65gBnz_U98gArD-FILSiGdBWL2hyphenhyphenDmPYycQ/s400/backyard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487468862521286418" border="0" /></a>The garage and screen porch are completely gone.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCovECE_cooTfNSjds9RE0ure48Lr9veuNtbt3XACS4qiEahpQkeMhUjOgzQGxt3dMNvMUWjBnLQQfCF1MZfjNPf9DGggBepdqzWdAKHTiThVPH6ohTqvg2ICVNqNIEDpzPUxWzHTSoyQ/s1600/bedroom.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCovECE_cooTfNSjds9RE0ure48Lr9veuNtbt3XACS4qiEahpQkeMhUjOgzQGxt3dMNvMUWjBnLQQfCF1MZfjNPf9DGggBepdqzWdAKHTiThVPH6ohTqvg2ICVNqNIEDpzPUxWzHTSoyQ/s400/bedroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487468868630322274" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Jvv0cAiYTuF9ut5U_aMv27x82SFBvAvbffVEs4zhcFp4QYLfjTkBb9Lc6801U2QaUqxpIHUMoRTPCzXoFyluvwdK8WtPOgmKeB0fvcFDruXAG-kytXDvmXWE-efj1I1Cv3EPtD2gEpk/s1600/dining.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Jvv0cAiYTuF9ut5U_aMv27x82SFBvAvbffVEs4zhcFp4QYLfjTkBb9Lc6801U2QaUqxpIHUMoRTPCzXoFyluvwdK8WtPOgmKeB0fvcFDruXAG-kytXDvmXWE-efj1I1Cv3EPtD2gEpk/s400/dining.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487468875452965842" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMj86ecnz6fP0pxlY0WfpjvuOJG1l7CRSj6Elyym1mVnGDA251Lm6Ey1LErx8uIOQy0lNFaRVilupoDgNI4vEQVG6iaOvzWlE9Ksk8_A57zQh4j6NaBMf5fo9gWOPnCNFQ1A_GG1GCCM/s1600/garage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMj86ecnz6fP0pxlY0WfpjvuOJG1l7CRSj6Elyym1mVnGDA251Lm6Ey1LErx8uIOQy0lNFaRVilupoDgNI4vEQVG6iaOvzWlE9Ksk8_A57zQh4j6NaBMf5fo9gWOPnCNFQ1A_GG1GCCM/s400/garage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487468881878339042" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTdzc1YGA7P9p7LCr76IA1maoyW4rl8zqyI2t_7pcweqeqIBpGKVSZC60FBpx_DeSw-qZeoKHLOyqMRc7ZxfGi3Jil7RHNliUaAxFkLD3Ps9EjJg-ZjqGMdtlDi3qDdB9TcNbD0Il_34/s1600/garden.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTdzc1YGA7P9p7LCr76IA1maoyW4rl8zqyI2t_7pcweqeqIBpGKVSZC60FBpx_DeSw-qZeoKHLOyqMRc7ZxfGi3Jil7RHNliUaAxFkLD3Ps9EjJg-ZjqGMdtlDi3qDdB9TcNbD0Il_34/s400/garden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487468886032822850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA-IqhoL-c9G4svL7YnBa4MBHC29K8NNZlBKUl8VtFnHtFJoCBOo1ocAMwMcx1Uk23ZIpbO7tWWhxj5Bv0JhIfEOxp_kUpfG_M8_RDVsvlV7oTBjWEk_MWo2gAF3PYG3bKSD8vd9Occ8/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhyNPuCmTjKzCWW5vEe8RclZD-UBQGy-k6_VHmoZOotdABohwn8IsSOeefFpDpFUWLrNum2pg5CaiDL29dkLKAAEe6bFh75YYmfpFBTim5e7UTPK1Aha9FMeZmym0lavnSlRpfP-DiPg/s1600/IMG_1866.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhyNPuCmTjKzCWW5vEe8RclZD-UBQGy-k6_VHmoZOotdABohwn8IsSOeefFpDpFUWLrNum2pg5CaiDL29dkLKAAEe6bFh75YYmfpFBTim5e7UTPK1Aha9FMeZmym0lavnSlRpfP-DiPg/s400/IMG_1866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487474812193106306" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZxYLIRqiU_-7gjUMQ-YYttIfWeDIi6O4IlVxd2foCCZHFRcr-pCC4nY1pPZpVzz9uS8Wn4ijiEMq-xYoq549ry7ltRya_ZabvndFKBZV8iM90k1IE7jIuVPp79ocaM-E3qs-0xd1eck/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZxYLIRqiU_-7gjUMQ-YYttIfWeDIi6O4IlVxd2foCCZHFRcr-pCC4nY1pPZpVzz9uS8Wn4ijiEMq-xYoq549ry7ltRya_ZabvndFKBZV8iM90k1IE7jIuVPp79ocaM-E3qs-0xd1eck/s400/IMG_1856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487474807862427442" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_ffL1AQSA5gIi8Z8o2evB1veqqXXR4AkL9i7nRMqhvvgsvLuj1xbhFcwUOEpYGBZn_HuKOGcziJB0ncF99JpUfqVaPSWxtM8qE5SYnNblW67CV8IcZjGudCyMu0HlO9YVUh9n_oRQQc/s1600/IMG_1823.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_ffL1AQSA5gIi8Z8o2evB1veqqXXR4AkL9i7nRMqhvvgsvLuj1xbhFcwUOEpYGBZn_HuKOGcziJB0ncF99JpUfqVaPSWxtM8qE5SYnNblW67CV8IcZjGudCyMu0HlO9YVUh9n_oRQQc/s400/IMG_1823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487469646535104338" border="0" /><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuGU13v3IuGB5cdQUIgTa-kAdQrae-FF7pJIkVU66DIjQTh_Wg5m0RdeDVvwt-WWFjLkQp5qwlZbnzqVJiZ3jFleUPd6jjDhMxeAJh1E37AcnKlA7Eo5dBy4vMXyXNSVf5reIAMHKc4Q/s1600/IMG_1812.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuGU13v3IuGB5cdQUIgTa-kAdQrae-FF7pJIkVU66DIjQTh_Wg5m0RdeDVvwt-WWFjLkQp5qwlZbnzqVJiZ3jFleUPd6jjDhMxeAJh1E37AcnKlA7Eo5dBy4vMXyXNSVf5reIAMHKc4Q/s400/IMG_1812.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487469638733258290" border="0" /></a>The hole in the basement wall where a block blew out and hit my grandma<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuGU13v3IuGB5cdQUIgTa-kAdQrae-FF7pJIkVU66DIjQTh_Wg5m0RdeDVvwt-WWFjLkQp5qwlZbnzqVJiZ3jFleUPd6jjDhMxeAJh1E37AcnKlA7Eo5dBy4vMXyXNSVf5reIAMHKc4Q/s1600/IMG_1812.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU8-KMaHplHuLX_O6c2yaUo_0htYKXBRm2402SwLXfcceQGfKQ440AsvWVS8cccmp3CZTOBdff4rNEeqf5uXyv63CtMaZB4dPK69Jb6vdKb8eD5_tNPwZhZvNIL-29rtLap8p4-X2LXg/s1600/IMG_1844.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU8-KMaHplHuLX_O6c2yaUo_0htYKXBRm2402SwLXfcceQGfKQ440AsvWVS8cccmp3CZTOBdff4rNEeqf5uXyv63CtMaZB4dPK69Jb6vdKb8eD5_tNPwZhZvNIL-29rtLap8p4-X2LXg/s400/IMG_1844.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487474788775323314" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctTApGUWWbR6Jo06oS0_NgL6N3dnZS5ZpPic4lfSoMgvc_yZkaap7oEDANJmfaoMa5-QTsBh7sRolTlwzC3RNovHJPQ5kcGuzCtvvRuv19x5zidmf-eH6K_z48xAH57mQJK-D8sHfOh4/s1600/IMG_1843.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctTApGUWWbR6Jo06oS0_NgL6N3dnZS5ZpPic4lfSoMgvc_yZkaap7oEDANJmfaoMa5-QTsBh7sRolTlwzC3RNovHJPQ5kcGuzCtvvRuv19x5zidmf-eH6K_z48xAH57mQJK-D8sHfOh4/s400/IMG_1843.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487469667620607650" border="0" /><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKLtDRCLYwaEoEKWAnBDG29d-SWMkbYupGatWgg3uGsiztwmWz3oFHCJnMRLDdvzI3xHYyVKD2WeXLUfDyJpx2cAbnTKtYgpX-XyKoTQ9M2dB7rCvdSDG2OmD3V7ExePD3VINp1KHbCc/s1600/IMG_1888.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKLtDRCLYwaEoEKWAnBDG29d-SWMkbYupGatWgg3uGsiztwmWz3oFHCJnMRLDdvzI3xHYyVKD2WeXLUfDyJpx2cAbnTKtYgpX-XyKoTQ9M2dB7rCvdSDG2OmD3V7ExePD3VINp1KHbCc/s400/IMG_1888.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487476179548927250" border="0" /></a>A brighter note: my cousins from Idaho were visiting along with us, which made the mood a little lighter. Above is Olive, 10 months old, and her mom Naomi and aunt Sarah.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcSGYQm563p90X_s9C8rzRh7VzEzD1gOhqyY_Pph3lyoOZ3RFF8UVFJ51PhuSvkdXL0WiJm8AQWvHX1vYPPmBoXLRkTtO-Dv9Ni_5bV873_Or9sePgXyCc5QqYuzWysmDlAK-666pFo/s1600/IMG_1874.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvcSGYQm563p90X_s9C8rzRh7VzEzD1gOhqyY_Pph3lyoOZ3RFF8UVFJ51PhuSvkdXL0WiJm8AQWvHX1vYPPmBoXLRkTtO-Dv9Ni_5bV873_Or9sePgXyCc5QqYuzWysmDlAK-666pFo/s400/IMG_1874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487474821461749234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhyNPuCmTjKzCWW5vEe8RclZD-UBQGy-k6_VHmoZOotdABohwn8IsSOeefFpDpFUWLrNum2pg5CaiDL29dkLKAAEe6bFh75YYmfpFBTim5e7UTPK1Aha9FMeZmym0lavnSlRpfP-DiPg/s1600/IMG_1866.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDwTWvd9tUbxA4dl3yaeojBVOjtUVh1EFXh3dUoeOpETD2D298IF33wB-nv9Dk2kwma_JA7GRH1gzHzhW03-n3skngMxb6VyMAFtBcVBeQTrxoe6ZN8btG7xR5PYS8AkeZXvNPcsFVGg/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDwTWvd9tUbxA4dl3yaeojBVOjtUVh1EFXh3dUoeOpETD2D298IF33wB-nv9Dk2kwma_JA7GRH1gzHzhW03-n3skngMxb6VyMAFtBcVBeQTrxoe6ZN8btG7xR5PYS8AkeZXvNPcsFVGg/s400/IMG_1849.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487474800365538082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctTApGUWWbR6Jo06oS0_NgL6N3dnZS5ZpPic4lfSoMgvc_yZkaap7oEDANJmfaoMa5-QTsBh7sRolTlwzC3RNovHJPQ5kcGuzCtvvRuv19x5zidmf-eH6K_z48xAH57mQJK-D8sHfOh4/s1600/IMG_1843.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusbFb3hwDQ9XQPGWh6W0g7Jm9e00LP6U2ZwLnPEspFISIdv5Py5y4NNaS4Jqk5K-G9IfzVk5ippnBS16wNwu1EzH5uIfZ4McwJeD3lf3lWA_zK6bkXxXxDMpwPjdhqcL4eWx85840f_o/s1600/IMG_1829.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusbFb3hwDQ9XQPGWh6W0g7Jm9e00LP6U2ZwLnPEspFISIdv5Py5y4NNaS4Jqk5K-G9IfzVk5ippnBS16wNwu1EzH5uIfZ4McwJeD3lf3lWA_zK6bkXxXxDMpwPjdhqcL4eWx85840f_o/s400/IMG_1829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487469652272226466" border="0" /></a><br />A couple more shots from the neighborhood, which was obliterated by the storm.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2nvUZXYwWR4csZ62TjJJLqUTz-5koaQH_4KCzkQx_T5Byb05l85IE5Dr6DO3WHiWK7a6g0srRUsxY4k6bcZxcySVynZ3p1y7MhMGI_Dx65gBnz_U98gArD-FILSiGdBWL2hyphenhyphenDmPYycQ/s1600/backyard.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA-IqhoL-c9G4svL7YnBa4MBHC29K8NNZlBKUl8VtFnHtFJoCBOo1ocAMwMcx1Uk23ZIpbO7tWWhxj5Bv0JhIfEOxp_kUpfG_M8_RDVsvlV7oTBjWEk_MWo2gAF3PYG3bKSD8vd9Occ8/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA-IqhoL-c9G4svL7YnBa4MBHC29K8NNZlBKUl8VtFnHtFJoCBOo1ocAMwMcx1Uk23ZIpbO7tWWhxj5Bv0JhIfEOxp_kUpfG_M8_RDVsvlV7oTBjWEk_MWo2gAF3PYG3bKSD8vd9Occ8/s400/IMG_1898.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487476199516228898" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiousA1JFL03Olj7S76Ngv2KQ_BQaky6bP9HERxNxsid2G73a7zWcmFEBpyJ71hnxeS9gA5LxpvDwHpDG1img8i9jvmnpOZ9cxI0kxqlqTJpPmS2WrVWTspWlt0IpEiJGkgTMesXA-8034/s1600/IMG_1881.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiousA1JFL03Olj7S76Ngv2KQ_BQaky6bP9HERxNxsid2G73a7zWcmFEBpyJ71hnxeS9gA5LxpvDwHpDG1img8i9jvmnpOZ9cxI0kxqlqTJpPmS2WrVWTspWlt0IpEiJGkgTMesXA-8034/s400/IMG_1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487476170780559490" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR72pVbVEBe4VwT4G5I6r_384N_Grt8oVsvVCCiFus5ERZ7TLkxxSfP6IyU4rvmJJ3WjFO7-nLFXusJBFaPJud45-JZYN9YZTZlZ8E77tH8eLjqIXSNpqlVsLY55IJfdnkikT7yLUSkI/s1600/IMG_1891.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR72pVbVEBe4VwT4G5I6r_384N_Grt8oVsvVCCiFus5ERZ7TLkxxSfP6IyU4rvmJJ3WjFO7-nLFXusJBFaPJud45-JZYN9YZTZlZ8E77tH8eLjqIXSNpqlVsLY55IJfdnkikT7yLUSkI/s400/IMG_1891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487476185899439122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA-IqhoL-c9G4svL7YnBa4MBHC29K8NNZlBKUl8VtFnHtFJoCBOo1ocAMwMcx1Uk23ZIpbO7tWWhxj5Bv0JhIfEOxp_kUpfG_M8_RDVsvlV7oTBjWEk_MWo2gAF3PYG3bKSD8vd9Occ8/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG"><br /></a>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-78952870864756170712010-06-24T09:55:00.000-07:002010-06-24T12:28:18.187-07:00Up North With the Babe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL9qYm5WZWVNuQmTa8m1-7tFXG3bSQOtLsAvJb8JGp167XGtlW7YuTxVOwSXuNUl5xoYpkPRA7iKxlO03T7e3UdknoP3n4DhVqqH_wlaIzd_oyUm9rTTZQ1oYkg1vZyKNfRmpXpV2CqA/s1600/GetAttachment-3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL9qYm5WZWVNuQmTa8m1-7tFXG3bSQOtLsAvJb8JGp167XGtlW7YuTxVOwSXuNUl5xoYpkPRA7iKxlO03T7e3UdknoP3n4DhVqqH_wlaIzd_oyUm9rTTZQ1oYkg1vZyKNfRmpXpV2CqA/s400/GetAttachment-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486396986758763186" border="0" /></a><br />Well, we managed the 16 hour, 2 day car ride fairly smoothly, as Gus decided against looking at the scenery in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota and slept for most of the ride. While Josh or I was driving, the other sat in the back with Gus and used the Boppy® pillow as a headrest in order to catch some zzz's as well. We arrived at Grandma and Grandpa Warps' place in the evening (after a stop to see Aunt Shawn in Minneapolis) and were happy to pull the bikes and Gus' stroller off the top of the car and settle ourselves for a while.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZJAo4ID6x0NZNtfwgKrbUHe1Nr_s5E3dfZ7o0c_Udp4Jsa5773i08OUEijBJ-nz_tKDMwz4cEflIhuL1VOZDK_kjAA351Zski_ZTd_fwrhZgGhaX4DCHI_g5tVv0OAPT3Rit19_0I1c/s1600/GetAttachment-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZJAo4ID6x0NZNtfwgKrbUHe1Nr_s5E3dfZ7o0c_Udp4Jsa5773i08OUEijBJ-nz_tKDMwz4cEflIhuL1VOZDK_kjAA351Zski_ZTd_fwrhZgGhaX4DCHI_g5tVv0OAPT3Rit19_0I1c/s400/GetAttachment-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486396967553907586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNUa-3DTyA-NIsJHq6Xg-FIYpps_aHrv8AqCfT0IHg28Ektrfm7nN8913k9j2dCKbkWPTHiaTD7oBOcMGE_cLU3DYBT0WvaIU0kcO2ZuQ8VpoClcdV6zBBqKEtvCNpsOUZe4Hl8O2JO0/s1600/GetAttachment-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNUa-3DTyA-NIsJHq6Xg-FIYpps_aHrv8AqCfT0IHg28Ektrfm7nN8913k9j2dCKbkWPTHiaTD7oBOcMGE_cLU3DYBT0WvaIU0kcO2ZuQ8VpoClcdV6zBBqKEtvCNpsOUZe4Hl8O2JO0/s400/GetAttachment-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486396982258767490" border="0" /></a><br />The weather has been cool and somewhat sunny and it has been wonderful to look out from my folks' place and see the lake out front. The day after we arrived, we entrusted Gus' care to Grandma, and managed a bike ride followed up by a swim in Sand Lake. Yesterday we all headed to Duluth and stopped at our favorite pub, the Brewhouse, and picked up some Whitefish to grill for dinner. We also took a walk down along Lake Superior and along the way I was suddenly more aware of other people with strollers and small children. Our visits to old haunts will have a different twist now that we have a third little one to consider.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ls_59xEvNmnTZAUXq_L6CXN5dvCQEPQjupJc5eUhUqdCYXl9c27nteIBSrGJp5s0f6wt-_c8QGUQAHdavUhhAKyXzGq_xuzXfcbZkziYQ-Xx-jiESEMOqcMHlKWwnsfl-Pq2RD92Q9o/s1600/GetAttachment.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ls_59xEvNmnTZAUXq_L6CXN5dvCQEPQjupJc5eUhUqdCYXl9c27nteIBSrGJp5s0f6wt-_c8QGUQAHdavUhhAKyXzGq_xuzXfcbZkziYQ-Xx-jiESEMOqcMHlKWwnsfl-Pq2RD92Q9o/s400/GetAttachment.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486396993938509346" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNjF4GMOdOwCPeRkzXToKVMjbG486_n7H-5fTn8uMwHTrNR5FA4QMgRDYdw3RFv4AHPqSLUW61YdHkZ3n7HU3qW-XU0o5K2l-uvVXYV-EoRPNojQuxBKC0MaAlMm-bAhARGPiG1FXaLI/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNjF4GMOdOwCPeRkzXToKVMjbG486_n7H-5fTn8uMwHTrNR5FA4QMgRDYdw3RFv4AHPqSLUW61YdHkZ3n7HU3qW-XU0o5K2l-uvVXYV-EoRPNojQuxBKC0MaAlMm-bAhARGPiG1FXaLI/s400/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486396996532512786" border="0" /></a>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-83026340548625490192010-06-18T17:17:00.000-07:002010-06-19T09:33:03.437-07:00A Broken Heart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4PZ1O302wzv8c0hBDiTcJ9vtHBn4ivRspSaYOg5l0OWQz1th77BUye7aDbxTaD1Z8jUb9mwCRoDlHN7MRAkBrjOBYZv4kwtUJXM9nIBO4cTXOEF4b01jT9P33Y5FOxBiz2gqn62kiQQ/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hc2QlhQnBXXenWHeoNdXP70n7sjS1XgrYeAkUyrDhgBO4bgWDhf2yagGxMkWFuXxFi9s9JGXUAd-xdjsJLLKjWwdi-UW19BY5_1hOF50PI3nzsun7LdzcFe8eY_x5mdXqrPhyphenhyphenNKrVYg/s1600/104_0435.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hc2QlhQnBXXenWHeoNdXP70n7sjS1XgrYeAkUyrDhgBO4bgWDhf2yagGxMkWFuXxFi9s9JGXUAd-xdjsJLLKjWwdi-UW19BY5_1hOF50PI3nzsun7LdzcFe8eY_x5mdXqrPhyphenhyphenNKrVYg/s400/104_0435.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484519670898371362" border="0" /></a><br />Thursday evening I was rocking Gus, trying to calm him down for the night, when I received a call like no other from my mom. She was in Wadena with her brother, visiting my grandparents at their home of 46 years when a tornado struck the town. They all thankfully managed to get down to the basement upon hearing sirens, and soon after the twister touched down, carrying off my grandparents' garage and destroying their house completely. My grandma was hit in the head with a cement block that blew out from the basement wall, which led them in search of medical attention (<a href="http://www.wadenapj.com/event/article/id/18794/group/News/">read story here</a>). Much relief to all, she turned out to be okay, and incredibly, no one in the town of 4,000 was killed.<br />My mom said they were scared to head up the basement stairs and open the door after the tornado hit. What they soon found was a completely different scene than what they left moments prior. I have yet to see photos of their house, but apparently the roof was blown off, pieces of other people's homes are lodged into the back side of my grandparents' home, my grandpa's car was turned on its side, the trees on the entire street are gone. The town was hit hard. Along with my grandparents' neighborhood, the school and community center were destroyed along with countless other homes.<br />My grandparents are both 89 years old, and were definitely approaching the point where they were needing to "down-size" into a senior-friendly, one-level home. But it is heart-wrenching to think that the decision was made ever so abruptly for them on Thursday evening. They did not have the chance to take their time in parting with what they have known to be home for 46 years. I look at the photos below thinking about how much time was spent perfecting their garden, flowers, shrubs and trees. How my grandpa had a spotless garage with his tools arranged just so. How the inside of their home had been so comfortable for them for so long.<br />It amazes me to think of the timing, and that both my mom and uncle happened to be visiting their folks during this disaster. We are so thankful that everyone was okay, and more thankful still that my grandparents were not alone when this happened.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6bXaQzIubQGuOdSnlaXsjefa95B4Z5K1Fyp7HWMorqP8XX1rQ7Y9xnCkZkmq7E2vho5b2r590lZDd5h5IIyJNONDe9cfXeGy5hZLxKCrB7HE6qbRXZcZ4TIlyN0BENM2VMteMTsPS48/s1600/IMG_0772.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6bXaQzIubQGuOdSnlaXsjefa95B4Z5K1Fyp7HWMorqP8XX1rQ7Y9xnCkZkmq7E2vho5b2r590lZDd5h5IIyJNONDe9cfXeGy5hZLxKCrB7HE6qbRXZcZ4TIlyN0BENM2VMteMTsPS48/s400/IMG_0772.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484519703019328082" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNb4KbmwkL7ej5A7hJJC_E_6Sp1-x_gd-hK-fxVaX8LcmCeIyV52Gnk75v3DwtqtziEQIwOpEn_q4Qt_iL_Q-o0bf0F35KnhzX3yLwTAe7_hr_ZslOyH_WW-hQjS49Msn_pinipjFvqU/s1600/IMG_0752.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNb4KbmwkL7ej5A7hJJC_E_6Sp1-x_gd-hK-fxVaX8LcmCeIyV52Gnk75v3DwtqtziEQIwOpEn_q4Qt_iL_Q-o0bf0F35KnhzX3yLwTAe7_hr_ZslOyH_WW-hQjS49Msn_pinipjFvqU/s400/IMG_0752.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484519693145329346" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNb4KbmwkL7ej5A7hJJC_E_6Sp1-x_gd-hK-fxVaX8LcmCeIyV52Gnk75v3DwtqtziEQIwOpEn_q4Qt_iL_Q-o0bf0F35KnhzX3yLwTAe7_hr_ZslOyH_WW-hQjS49Msn_pinipjFvqU/s1600/IMG_0752.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbH35juzcw5fM-b5cTcqrhr1a43CsRMWQoE6GP_i2_Q3z-irwpHz193DcHWyrJdwXFXMwG9bDHMH08U8hY55qrrUM7ka3zJ4tVe6Fj_ZiECMyaKLfVPflHQ1JB97y8xwS9CaV0sBYPf5o/s1600/IMG_0751.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbH35juzcw5fM-b5cTcqrhr1a43CsRMWQoE6GP_i2_Q3z-irwpHz193DcHWyrJdwXFXMwG9bDHMH08U8hY55qrrUM7ka3zJ4tVe6Fj_ZiECMyaKLfVPflHQ1JB97y8xwS9CaV0sBYPf5o/s400/IMG_0751.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484519683156859698" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4PZ1O302wzv8c0hBDiTcJ9vtHBn4ivRspSaYOg5l0OWQz1th77BUye7aDbxTaD1Z8jUb9mwCRoDlHN7MRAkBrjOBYZv4kwtUJXM9nIBO4cTXOEF4b01jT9P33Y5FOxBiz2gqn62kiQQ/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4PZ1O302wzv8c0hBDiTcJ9vtHBn4ivRspSaYOg5l0OWQz1th77BUye7aDbxTaD1Z8jUb9mwCRoDlHN7MRAkBrjOBYZv4kwtUJXM9nIBO4cTXOEF4b01jT9P33Y5FOxBiz2gqn62kiQQ/s400/IMG_0776.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484522426853869858" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33D-0Yjl09PEJIdRMRTlCYvoW4zirWCCnO07gwIUp_h5X1EpoG6lEDs_maxT0dYyEYTSqyWSGsXukQ-BldW2Z1FQti-NIvyJUtFNbm4CgH_9qEaGjrmVSqvNAFwEaXwDWJHd7fiYuLLc/s1600/IMG_0758.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33D-0Yjl09PEJIdRMRTlCYvoW4zirWCCnO07gwIUp_h5X1EpoG6lEDs_maxT0dYyEYTSqyWSGsXukQ-BldW2Z1FQti-NIvyJUtFNbm4CgH_9qEaGjrmVSqvNAFwEaXwDWJHd7fiYuLLc/s400/IMG_0758.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484522416718990386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4PZ1O302wzv8c0hBDiTcJ9vtHBn4ivRspSaYOg5l0OWQz1th77BUye7aDbxTaD1Z8jUb9mwCRoDlHN7MRAkBrjOBYZv4kwtUJXM9nIBO4cTXOEF4b01jT9P33Y5FOxBiz2gqn62kiQQ/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg"><br /></a>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-2465266605426136562010-06-15T16:18:00.000-07:002010-06-15T20:08:43.749-07:00The Heat<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j3sTeoVXRCSN6ZfIBXJB-0IiHMk4tydSbKZ5HbJP89oAzHIj-Ifv5ID3B6p5Dpvb7cnMwgzBuTeo7nnxzdyHkrmdZCW_yk5gI6vsQ1IOP25R11ZdTxRkU8CMEbWvx0CIvrxydL7f7Ks/s1600/photo(3).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j3sTeoVXRCSN6ZfIBXJB-0IiHMk4tydSbKZ5HbJP89oAzHIj-Ifv5ID3B6p5Dpvb7cnMwgzBuTeo7nnxzdyHkrmdZCW_yk5gI6vsQ1IOP25R11ZdTxRkU8CMEbWvx0CIvrxydL7f7Ks/s400/photo(3).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483147262416277106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >* Note: Do not be alarmed, for we only briefly exposed Gus' milky white skin to some rays for this photo op. </span><br /></div><br />It's been in the nineties these past few days, with no reprieve in sight through this week's end. This does not make us, nor Gus too happy, as we're going a little stir crazy staying indoors. Before the thermometer spiked, we took a late morning walk over to the skate park and past fountains where kids were cooling off. The three of us are soon bound for cooler temps and Gus' introduction to Grandpa Warp and all the other Warp relatives up in Minnesota.<br />And how is Gus? Terrific. Though Josh and I are really trying to adjust to the lack of sleep. Last night we decided to take on Gus duty in shifts, so I fed him and promptly headed to the guest room to sleep for a couple of hours. At around 2:30 am, we tag-teamed. Then Josh was back on duty around 6 and I was able to sleep until 9. Whew. We were agreeing that when evening hours approach, we both become a bit anxious, worrying about how Gus is going to perform for the evening. Thankfully neither of us have to report to work in the mornings (for now!), so we can take the mornings slowly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpx4TJz-7wujEpn_XGU-KIycBz85zJ-Lmf_wOAjYKJFgA1gkKz5ZGpRaRME7dA7HAmcVWHr2neo7LzvLEe5iTY42LapriVcy5Z4_FEU71RKzBn4c3wwK1LYpOzgN40u28e1PQNJnu_iQ/s1600/photo.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMTramkkIZWIqh4xZM9Yw2Vp7pwEFpu_BpuXgAaVIhMdr9BbFzHD5Z6OICiSfXk9s02Q_xqrRNmb7hsMcBdGdJ-Idakr-6u73xGQxEsuooQIqV05np6_OyzCX0W5MffGDTwES0lGeIag/s1600/photo(2).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMTramkkIZWIqh4xZM9Yw2Vp7pwEFpu_BpuXgAaVIhMdr9BbFzHD5Z6OICiSfXk9s02Q_xqrRNmb7hsMcBdGdJ-Idakr-6u73xGQxEsuooQIqV05np6_OyzCX0W5MffGDTwES0lGeIag/s400/photo(2).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483144916599509906" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpx4TJz-7wujEpn_XGU-KIycBz85zJ-Lmf_wOAjYKJFgA1gkKz5ZGpRaRME7dA7HAmcVWHr2neo7LzvLEe5iTY42LapriVcy5Z4_FEU71RKzBn4c3wwK1LYpOzgN40u28e1PQNJnu_iQ/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpx4TJz-7wujEpn_XGU-KIycBz85zJ-Lmf_wOAjYKJFgA1gkKz5ZGpRaRME7dA7HAmcVWHr2neo7LzvLEe5iTY42LapriVcy5Z4_FEU71RKzBn4c3wwK1LYpOzgN40u28e1PQNJnu_iQ/s400/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483144912196882930" border="0" /></a>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-90574486923315675822010-06-11T10:50:00.000-07:002010-06-11T11:20:01.850-07:00The "S" Word<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfH_tH1yuog_NSgT4Y03CUrboSwLw3EEXdNAjsU7ZbOcduy8mQv7fbsw_yJjIz9by6fWnpQsk7t8DEK0WpR7el4oPp3AEaPNC3YS-q59ttiIuyKqTpazAc6Za-EVuXdG1UcXtAa0_iv8/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfH_tH1yuog_NSgT4Y03CUrboSwLw3EEXdNAjsU7ZbOcduy8mQv7fbsw_yJjIz9by6fWnpQsk7t8DEK0WpR7el4oPp3AEaPNC3YS-q59ttiIuyKqTpazAc6Za-EVuXdG1UcXtAa0_iv8/s400/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481577719860636290" border="0" /></a><br />Well, we are 11 days into this parenting gig and are no where near closer to figuring this little one out, namely in the sleep category. No two days have been the same, nor nights, and while adrenaline and reserves were getting us through the first week, today it has all caught up with us. Gus was awake for most of the day yesterday, which threw us for a loop. While he is awake there is not much multi-tasking to be done, as all focus is aimed at making the babe happy. He decided to call it a night early (at half-time of the Celtics vs. Lakers game that is), but was rearing for a midnight snack, and then was ready to start the day at 4am. He is mighty cute though, so while the grogginess tests our patience, Gus still has our hearts won over.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajbldknBqQ2UdNhvYWul8qa4klso7bx9pIcUqOU8sGEBAPCVvY-LzwOI89KY2WDFS7cfWxWsBEH7_7k3DZIvHa_Jb34V3AvtHovTDLwghw2u467BQ_PGIsudxrtyUEyHOfjnuJvhaabg/s1600/photo(2).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajbldknBqQ2UdNhvYWul8qa4klso7bx9pIcUqOU8sGEBAPCVvY-LzwOI89KY2WDFS7cfWxWsBEH7_7k3DZIvHa_Jb34V3AvtHovTDLwghw2u467BQ_PGIsudxrtyUEyHOfjnuJvhaabg/s400/photo(2).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481578053827892082" border="0" /></a>I don't dare move him as I type this entry one-handed!<br /></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-57753493104459827382010-06-09T09:03:00.001-07:002010-06-09T09:28:24.951-07:00New Parenting 101: Chapter I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RTbJcynNNyK5zz0VF4V5eceMpMK2XHeMZm2oaa0aCy1Vo8E8e41BAKXwEfcOBycFJbjqikxM3BG1bJCejiJk6gM8-ieNldqDKYRAksFkCpwjNHssQwExfKZ1yiLAePwKsIgVsSQrSUg/s1600/IMG_1721.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RTbJcynNNyK5zz0VF4V5eceMpMK2XHeMZm2oaa0aCy1Vo8E8e41BAKXwEfcOBycFJbjqikxM3BG1bJCejiJk6gM8-ieNldqDKYRAksFkCpwjNHssQwExfKZ1yiLAePwKsIgVsSQrSUg/s400/IMG_1721.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480806006139061266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">One-handed typing </span><br />We are sure to become masters at this, cuddling Gus in one hand, stretching to hold shift to capitalize a letter with the other.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyBs6Efu9tjhw06bfoHvQJ4BOafZMYCEbBFPeB3B5eiuz2TaF2xYKsdfMyW2gC0APYTt-Trmh2iIuGZoYNS7-Fp9nthfgx0Yw835nRjhishGQqQPAs13Aq-eayCAKWqO5CDM_dcCXNLs/s1600/IMG_1715.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyBs6Efu9tjhw06bfoHvQJ4BOafZMYCEbBFPeB3B5eiuz2TaF2xYKsdfMyW2gC0APYTt-Trmh2iIuGZoYNS7-Fp9nthfgx0Yw835nRjhishGQqQPAs13Aq-eayCAKWqO5CDM_dcCXNLs/s400/IMG_1715.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480805971018606466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Moses Basket</span><br />We received this from our neighbors across the street. At first we didn't think we'd be putting it to use, but this is where Gus seems to like to sleep. At night we put this right in the middle of the bed with us. Above Josh is demonstrating his rocking technique-- not only soothing to Gus, but a good strength conditioning exercise for Josh.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bgWTyousMqCOp7GTAAx36uSvdNByRubhWoH2GXggUiMWjSab6THTYCOjxe3vIgEdt40Ck9-rW2AWQuHujQaDmf3WyE2ZMzFYpYIWcH9_78OSR2QEv3zW8f7ea3Uvc-LeNh5ZSg2ARMM/s1600/IMG_1720.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bgWTyousMqCOp7GTAAx36uSvdNByRubhWoH2GXggUiMWjSab6THTYCOjxe3vIgEdt40Ck9-rW2AWQuHujQaDmf3WyE2ZMzFYpYIWcH9_78OSR2QEv3zW8f7ea3Uvc-LeNh5ZSg2ARMM/s400/IMG_1720.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480805988458196226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Facial Expressions</span><br />When Gus is waking he goes through about 20 different little expressions. Our favorite is the opera singer pose. I will post video of this sequence soon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIy-pFHzOA8p_vvLg8c2VZjIXR24uVossNJYctCP2mnIV92Bg6FQGgagmJ5bbStpgV-OgnRigqDPEG0bnJPZbs65bP8DmFytRXpR5M_GfWVcVK5V2jKkkMFJVeenu4OcewgsAm1OlSASQ/s1600/IMG_1717.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIy-pFHzOA8p_vvLg8c2VZjIXR24uVossNJYctCP2mnIV92Bg6FQGgagmJ5bbStpgV-OgnRigqDPEG0bnJPZbs65bP8DmFytRXpR5M_GfWVcVK5V2jKkkMFJVeenu4OcewgsAm1OlSASQ/s400/IMG_1717.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480805976236270466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crying</span><br />We are learning to go through the various checks when this occurs.<br />a) Hungry?<br />b) Diaper Change?<br />c) Hot or Cold?<br />d) Burp?<br />e) Wants to play?<br />f) Just plain uncomfortable and peeved?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Diaper Changing</span><br />After several surprise showers by Gus during diaper changes, we are learning to keep the little guy covered while shifting between dirty and clean diapers. Even still, we had another incident this morning which brought us directly to the tub for a wipe down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Znp7AGLiC1PO8MR_ywwa94LLiSfdbMIM42U9zAdgpN60gNbzs6iFeRC7vWT0fpkadG9QMRE1hdHm8C_VaVKQ0ioeSHdZnKMZi87yzU0e9nO60LG-QCKD7ABKH8d6olDxgTjixD1EIrM/s1600/IMG_1712.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Znp7AGLiC1PO8MR_ywwa94LLiSfdbMIM42U9zAdgpN60gNbzs6iFeRC7vWT0fpkadG9QMRE1hdHm8C_VaVKQ0ioeSHdZnKMZi87yzU0e9nO60LG-QCKD7ABKH8d6olDxgTjixD1EIrM/s400/IMG_1712.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480809985545012658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Close Range</span><br />We are noticing his little eyes busy at work trying to focus on people and objects at close range. Above, Ingrid is demonstrating her stimulation technique.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Znp7AGLiC1PO8MR_ywwa94LLiSfdbMIM42U9zAdgpN60gNbzs6iFeRC7vWT0fpkadG9QMRE1hdHm8C_VaVKQ0ioeSHdZnKMZi87yzU0e9nO60LG-QCKD7ABKH8d6olDxgTjixD1EIrM/s1600/IMG_1712.jpg"><br /> <br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivtqaPIraSJRHTO_x4bGp1tkR9tWuuU3nMXt0U1si5-RzJTcpOs0N0SOw4Lm27xqpYPn3eDe05uNI1xxMbuFmFedyw0FW-kLi2hpPqgVyBcF7pyDGJYoe2OexQelwSBvFvrlG_uZ5UOg/s1600/IMG_1704.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivtqaPIraSJRHTO_x4bGp1tkR9tWuuU3nMXt0U1si5-RzJTcpOs0N0SOw4Lm27xqpYPn3eDe05uNI1xxMbuFmFedyw0FW-kLi2hpPqgVyBcF7pyDGJYoe2OexQelwSBvFvrlG_uZ5UOg/s400/IMG_1704.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480809978060698658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tummy Time</span><br />We were advised that Gus should spend a bit of time every day on his stomach, working his neck muscles and allowing his limbs to "free squirm." It's also fun for us to watch his little legs tuck into the frog pose, as seen above.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyBs6Efu9tjhw06bfoHvQJ4BOafZMYCEbBFPeB3B5eiuz2TaF2xYKsdfMyW2gC0APYTt-Trmh2iIuGZoYNS7-Fp9nthfgx0Yw835nRjhishGQqQPAs13Aq-eayCAKWqO5CDM_dcCXNLs/s1600/IMG_1715.jpg"><br /></a>Chapter II coming soon.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-60281086606403823932010-06-07T17:00:00.000-07:002010-06-07T20:32:27.232-07:00One week old<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs_NVzAHl-a_kP0EC_1cJ-YrP3H4HkhSn9Zs4lJVJrKTZyqcW4svTWlmpCUhnPiF4ADE9DykuNe3SMH3M43BiY3a1391eCCofYSrbOhK8UhMWF9yqm1ZlQFt9WxTZm90WLLljG4uuU9g/s1600/IMG_1697.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs_NVzAHl-a_kP0EC_1cJ-YrP3H4HkhSn9Zs4lJVJrKTZyqcW4svTWlmpCUhnPiF4ADE9DykuNe3SMH3M43BiY3a1391eCCofYSrbOhK8UhMWF9yqm1ZlQFt9WxTZm90WLLljG4uuU9g/s400/IMG_1697.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480189115606980610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPWv0eIcsRzwFYy18wi1KrDoQGA3dpITzhzV4LnqW9gWnQsqiTyi-ZdBBUqwj5HbNi_i4WieUNHvhH6QQCu19BhcPaHyyFVy7Qai_g5AcyZP3CwKAgXXfuFBuD8Pnbf_UMohvPptnUE4/s1600/IMG_1693.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPWv0eIcsRzwFYy18wi1KrDoQGA3dpITzhzV4LnqW9gWnQsqiTyi-ZdBBUqwj5HbNi_i4WieUNHvhH6QQCu19BhcPaHyyFVy7Qai_g5AcyZP3CwKAgXXfuFBuD8Pnbf_UMohvPptnUE4/s400/IMG_1693.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480189107506523234" border="0" /><br /></a>A warning that is probably obvious to you at this point: you are going to see a lot of baby photos and read a lot about a baby in the coming weeks/months. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, this is a momentous day, as Gus has been with us on the outside for a week now. We still look at him in wonderment, not believing he is really ours. I am totally smitten with him, so much so that I could not focus on the movie we were watching this evening; I had to go to where he was sleeping and scoop him up just to stare at him. Speaking of sleep, Gus managed to let us sleep in until 9 this morning, with just a couple wake-up calls for feedings.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-79599884525674699502010-06-05T12:54:00.000-07:002010-06-06T09:22:29.837-07:00These First Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFdhWBHb2-JrmcPpqw31M1he6CSFILarhbZYFPBYT-V6G_IreZyQwq59ejGoSqlY6l1R9I17SuEESMSK9sWZOs_jETEW_mkGowiMgjhNuVooht3Lvx6nr4Pe6_ikpSWBhdSx1OWYTUJw/s1600/IMG_1611.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFdhWBHb2-JrmcPpqw31M1he6CSFILarhbZYFPBYT-V6G_IreZyQwq59ejGoSqlY6l1R9I17SuEESMSK9sWZOs_jETEW_mkGowiMgjhNuVooht3Lvx6nr4Pe6_ikpSWBhdSx1OWYTUJw/s400/IMG_1611.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479433406044164498" border="0" /></a>Oh Gus. We have had quite a time these past few days just staring at this little being, as well as holding and cuddling with him and letting him sleep on our chests.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTBVH7jxlqe3iObrCx5rfHN_Mi3AdtJAhL1NU9kPjQJyyPPhpzyYXQ6d-dIoJpoD-3xUjZfEKzuKeDYGa0Bq9KYyoQRq2dGbggg7MDHrnbCTuGUD5yhC4oFdVEMT5T3AwMcoxYAvxI7o/s1600/IMG_1556.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTBVH7jxlqe3iObrCx5rfHN_Mi3AdtJAhL1NU9kPjQJyyPPhpzyYXQ6d-dIoJpoD-3xUjZfEKzuKeDYGa0Bq9KYyoQRq2dGbggg7MDHrnbCTuGUD5yhC4oFdVEMT5T3AwMcoxYAvxI7o/s400/IMG_1556.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479432913981438258" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIRSpfNQwRw7IdHaVMD0f65uk2W8-XNnojS6ywyS01QMvX-bMsRfXQ2vU3oeeW8qwEVSu7POTsGnm_r9Qk1Co1pblQNz4OoDOdSn0imyCZTxv-_ibvHAHwkAAitsnDeVUMSqg_oaAy4A/s1600/IMG_1598.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIRSpfNQwRw7IdHaVMD0f65uk2W8-XNnojS6ywyS01QMvX-bMsRfXQ2vU3oeeW8qwEVSu7POTsGnm_r9Qk1Co1pblQNz4OoDOdSn0imyCZTxv-_ibvHAHwkAAitsnDeVUMSqg_oaAy4A/s400/IMG_1598.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479432935119045810" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidCBYg79zzPvPS44BjTfJJa2vOQtUBYF8Vb0fOkiY3n639rDZQNXmR6N4LAg5j4h2JXwDRuZC2hshMJUyykpU7fJ-uibT02y0r6I_ugDseqJHvjiQLigGbkooHnhE6CXJM5HZpcJfJAE/s1600/IMG_1580.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidCBYg79zzPvPS44BjTfJJa2vOQtUBYF8Vb0fOkiY3n639rDZQNXmR6N4LAg5j4h2JXwDRuZC2hshMJUyykpU7fJ-uibT02y0r6I_ugDseqJHvjiQLigGbkooHnhE6CXJM5HZpcJfJAE/s400/IMG_1580.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479432933947408258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjsIwkXcM2ZfOP_oFhdv0DQ3VvIkQTQ3f9vT0s-MKnuC6W4NGIwLkfOlWM5JD4pfP2rJR6C1uJqCMo45j69gvYuL7PeqjUU1wpX-c8-5HUDirgseu_5n7hrkz1aPQsOMuvgWoYbM2Ts8/s1600/IMG_1619.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjsIwkXcM2ZfOP_oFhdv0DQ3VvIkQTQ3f9vT0s-MKnuC6W4NGIwLkfOlWM5JD4pfP2rJR6C1uJqCMo45j69gvYuL7PeqjUU1wpX-c8-5HUDirgseu_5n7hrkz1aPQsOMuvgWoYbM2Ts8/s400/IMG_1619.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479433409868657122" border="0" /></a>My in-laws and my mom are here in town, scurrying about the house cooking and cleaning and taking turns holding and watching over this little one. There have been countless moments where we are huddled around him, amused by an expression or position.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT2OXA1bT4ZDxUYdoZjS8_DiLBBNjxqT8tryIHIwcKvo5t0Rhr0gdZNk9ITbvCdRvEpcFbJHkNyzbsu-o7aQzxtlOJyp_zWMCydnzbP08YTt0Swt4laPsGyhYBRS3bOjcSjrGiAr5mwI/s1600/IMG_1625.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT2OXA1bT4ZDxUYdoZjS8_DiLBBNjxqT8tryIHIwcKvo5t0Rhr0gdZNk9ITbvCdRvEpcFbJHkNyzbsu-o7aQzxtlOJyp_zWMCydnzbP08YTt0Swt4laPsGyhYBRS3bOjcSjrGiAr5mwI/s400/IMG_1625.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479433416061065698" border="0" /></a>The freezer loaded up with meals that should last us some time<br /><br /></div>We are eating amazing meals cooked by Angela, Josh's mom. My mom and Richard headed out to our garden plot yesterday and weeded in the high humidity for a few hours. Richard spent this morning hanging a bird feeder outside our dining room window, and my mum went out to purchase more items for Gus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkU8JjGDQ1RmajyMzq-trMmUMvTvGs-zEH-5_79kWubtJ9Xw8t9exfS1udsB9_4xSz1Xs3l5WZ2oiLs8uavz-f7LQmkEWLBvWm7jJtCHVk3rbTFYoQ7d2GQQr7wI55e5UQKkkdtd6cYo/s1600/IMG_1631.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkU8JjGDQ1RmajyMzq-trMmUMvTvGs-zEH-5_79kWubtJ9Xw8t9exfS1udsB9_4xSz1Xs3l5WZ2oiLs8uavz-f7LQmkEWLBvWm7jJtCHVk3rbTFYoQ7d2GQQr7wI55e5UQKkkdtd6cYo/s400/IMG_1631.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479433421300957298" border="0" /></a>Josh, Gus and I went to Gus' first doc appointment yesterday, which was quite eventful. Upon arrival we began filling out paperwork and Gus became a little fussy, so I began my first attempt at breastfeeding in public. Then he pooped, and the "virgin" diaper changing set was graced with his mark. I brought him back into my arms, proceeded the feeding, and pee gushed out all over Gus' onesie and my skirt. Round two with the diaper changing set. We were brought into the examining room and Gus let out another delivery of poo. Round three. We began to worry as we only had two remaining diapers, and our back-up onsie was already put into use. Gus was measured and weighed and began to pee again and we were on to #4. It was completely apparent at that point that his little body was doing what it should be, and that he is getting plenty to eat!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY_92Lk8-ZiX-fseuVno6YeWEU5T35bTX0jocx1PKfSQIAcqQ7bchO8JE4m7xuM_kYV0jK2p8HN_N8TcY6m2el7V7q35FJAcqM2iq9CuSFCVvSKQ2WprP-qEp_2roy_JShJgr2NQJEuY/s1600/IMG_1633.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY_92Lk8-ZiX-fseuVno6YeWEU5T35bTX0jocx1PKfSQIAcqQ7bchO8JE4m7xuM_kYV0jK2p8HN_N8TcY6m2el7V7q35FJAcqM2iq9CuSFCVvSKQ2WprP-qEp_2roy_JShJgr2NQJEuY/s400/IMG_1633.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479433501057443746" border="0" /></a>Josh resting on the new quilt made for Gus by his great Auntie Dale<br /><br /></div>Our only challenge at this point is helping little Gus flip his schedule back to sleeping more during the nights. We had a really successful time of it last night, where he slept in 2 hour blocks between feedings. We are hopeful that this will become more the norm.<br /><br />** I am completely overwhelmed by the number of photos we already have of this little guy. Make sure to check out Josh's blog (titled <a href="http://www.joshmeltzer.com/blog">Gus</a> under Blogs of Interest above) for many more photos to come.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-41141420227983513002010-06-01T12:31:00.000-07:002010-06-01T12:37:08.159-07:00Gus Benjamin Warp MeltzerOr to keep it short and easy, little Gus. Though actually, he was quite big, much to mum and dad's surprise. 8 pounds 11 and 3/4 oz, 22 inches long. We love him dearly.<br /><br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="soundslider" height="290" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.joshmeltzer.com/gus/gus_dayone/soundslider.swf?size=2&format=xml&embed_width=400&embed_height=290"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><embed src="http://www.joshmeltzer.com/gus/gus_dayone/soundslider.swf?size=2&format=xml&embed_width=400&embed_height=290" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" menu="false" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="290" width="400"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ3mw0OYRJ4dIHGFNmT9ETK_CYLVesj5XjP04fxcXtKTYu3D4WUARnIFaik4NZt9PPgfOx0EE2Vv-6C4pm1NmxPPhCrekJQ6KoXR1VTJNKTasECMiSvmcxvv5at7-3R6gRXt949sBcD8/s1600/IMG_1550.JPG"><br /></a>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-75038683593413778152010-05-30T12:13:00.000-07:002010-05-30T12:26:41.884-07:00Will it be a May babe?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYgJUOB5r81K8A9dlMmTxGwD_RELDQeTM7asDcmwxfIf2A36db4Rotp1qsGUGYii-QGU1EfcMwSVIzTOAzgyQIC3kiMzlgPDoZuyVsgkysR9U4ZFIr2Q7ORduCnawM34Bxfguqn9dBcE/s1600/belly_compare_may.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 70px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYgJUOB5r81K8A9dlMmTxGwD_RELDQeTM7asDcmwxfIf2A36db4Rotp1qsGUGYii-QGU1EfcMwSVIzTOAzgyQIC3kiMzlgPDoZuyVsgkysR9U4ZFIr2Q7ORduCnawM34Bxfguqn9dBcE/s400/belly_compare_may.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477144633164359378" border="0" /><br /></a>No babe yet, but the contractions have begun... meaning it could be today, or a couple days from now. Either way, I thought I'd go ahead and post what I believe is the final piece of the belly progression sequence (click to see the larger view). We have begun timing these suckers... about nine minutes apart, and pretty tolerable. Can't wait to welcome this kiddo into the world.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-2842615207370204812010-05-25T11:14:00.000-07:002010-05-25T12:00:48.275-07:00We Are Going Crazy.While Josh sits across from me at the dining room table singing along to the (not so clean) lyrics of Doctor Dre I realize it has come down to this: we are going crazy. Despite the fact we are still four days from the due date, we are so ready to have meltzarp. With the school year complete, we are trying hard to distract ourselves with work on the "farm," cleaning bikes, painting, lynda.com tutorials and rediscovering old books to browse through. I don't think I am nesting, I am just trying to stay sane. I saw our friend Mike walking down the sidewalk yesterday evening and ran out to catch him, with Josh on my heels. He and little Mila were a good distraction for 15 minutes.<br />This morning we woke with the task of finding ourselves a diaper changing table. After visiting a number of consignment shops and considering a variety of options (if we hack the legs off of that dresser, it will be at the perfect level), we ended up settling on a pretty boring and cheap little number, with hopes that something more exciting will come along later.<br />We just saw the movie <span style="font-style: italic;">Babies</span>, where a new Mongolian mum, dad, new infant and toddler all squeeze together on a motorbike and ride home from the hospital. The reason I note this is because I am going back to that car seat issue. The car seat is ready, yes, but it is the car that has been out of commission. After the heavy rains something went awry, and we have been waiting for over a week to have it diagnosed and fixed. Fortunately we do not have to turn to a motorbike for transport, but we really are hoping to hear back from the mechanic today.<br /><br /><object height="231" width="384"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VVYszQrKo9g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VVYszQrKo9g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="231" width="384"></embed></object><br /><br />Well, the mood has changed, as Josh has now changed the Pandora station to <a href="http://devotchka.net/">DeVotchKa</a>. I had better get going, as I still have a long list of not so necessary things to get through today. And regarding meltzarp, don't worry, we'll keep you posted.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-26067801617487426412010-05-24T07:15:00.000-07:002010-05-24T07:49:51.635-07:00Crump House Barber Shop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYDVwvgCA6qqXooIY4CC3B028ocGACIx8veIAiJ1PUfFhblNciTNhz0g-8TWxDmH3TOTbpM_3hilRbRwmNQfx9GA_iPZKxguB7CDy_liIPQAeHzOb8_MNoLyyfDyFPZ4RIcMNVz4eIIc/s1600/josh_hair2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYDVwvgCA6qqXooIY4CC3B028ocGACIx8veIAiJ1PUfFhblNciTNhz0g-8TWxDmH3TOTbpM_3hilRbRwmNQfx9GA_iPZKxguB7CDy_liIPQAeHzOb8_MNoLyyfDyFPZ4RIcMNVz4eIIc/s400/josh_hair2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474843201446309922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_987l7xa1pZZtdYo7HcTcDd254Cj0m8JMNJAqiUQm-fEU6sHd_enOBJkfomwDlsagvtvar09lphRBfPDJ0MDs531jZS6kG7dhKuz3NRWGkjVztQ9LmcY6LkG6EeEKmemKn89HwkSbvo/s1600/josh_hair1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_987l7xa1pZZtdYo7HcTcDd254Cj0m8JMNJAqiUQm-fEU6sHd_enOBJkfomwDlsagvtvar09lphRBfPDJ0MDs531jZS6kG7dhKuz3NRWGkjVztQ9LmcY6LkG6EeEKmemKn89HwkSbvo/s400/josh_hair1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474843196204465730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_987l7xa1pZZtdYo7HcTcDd254Cj0m8JMNJAqiUQm-fEU6sHd_enOBJkfomwDlsagvtvar09lphRBfPDJ0MDs531jZS6kG7dhKuz3NRWGkjVztQ9LmcY6LkG6EeEKmemKn89HwkSbvo/s1600/josh_hair1.jpg"><br /></a>Much to my happiness, Josh spent his year in Mexico, and opening months in Bowling Green visiting the barber shop for his haircuts, and always came away with a sleek-looking do. But after his last experience waiting on a slow-working, ultra-careful barber last month, Josh lost all interest in wasting time and money going somewhere for his hair needs and has taken the task back into his own hands. So he performs an act as seen above, standing over the sink and garbage can with a razor, running the electrical cutting device back and forth and all around his head until he comes out with a somewhat uniform military-esque cut. Then I am summoned for the clean trim along the neck line and around the ears. I dislike this. But if Josh is happy to have saved $10 and a half hour, who am I to judge?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gVdNCoPRoHeZfozVavrLI_SEXGDqwRpfOAzAF7Q5qBbXDb7zArkkVTHjJt96G9Xg3NbH2k2VELuUKYF8SsRV0cvmmDSK42u06rjWVW_9dNzPSiIOnkT0aMcAnohZ0HbxnT9nLtRoeP0/s1600/josh_hair3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gVdNCoPRoHeZfozVavrLI_SEXGDqwRpfOAzAF7Q5qBbXDb7zArkkVTHjJt96G9Xg3NbH2k2VELuUKYF8SsRV0cvmmDSK42u06rjWVW_9dNzPSiIOnkT0aMcAnohZ0HbxnT9nLtRoeP0/s400/josh_hair3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474848447281773042" border="0" /></a>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-33819317042095897122010-05-19T16:49:00.000-07:002010-05-20T19:53:55.732-07:00The Probable Gemini<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5b69DGDVKigB3eB3TH5zIWdZhhWJgxaaKHWJgisJ7MABTzZuQ_BG-xp1-rSQTPw2Rnc6Z8ZJhkNdLdvIDF1UCuqdAp0bE8xuDR81gd7c0BwaM83v4nMXVyQqhRzd0Z240WMCLc0_FyI/s1600/GetAttachment.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/AVvXsEhP5b69DGDVKigB3eB3TH5zIWdZhhWJgxaaKHWJgisJ7MABTzZuQ_BG-xp1-rSQTPw2Rnc6Z8ZJhkNdLdvIDF1UCuqdAp0bE8xuDR81gd7c0BwaM83v4nMXVyQqhRzd0Z240WMCLc0_FyI/s400/GetAttachment.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473550930753265362" border="0" /></a><br />Now that school is over, Josh and I are experiencing an unfamiliar calm... which surely is about to change. We are waking pretty early, despite the need to do so, and have been heading to our "farm" each morning. On Monday we were ashamed of our plot compared to the neighboring gardens that looked oh so orderly. We had neglected the farm while wrapping up our last weeks at Western, and weeds had hungrily taken over after the great rains we received. But on day three of weeding and rescuing smothering vegetables, Josh remarked "the other people aren't going to know what hit them", as though the awesomeness of our patch was going to blow all other plot renters away.<br />On the babe front, we are on the 10-day countdown to the due date. We are trying to lull this little one into the world with loud commands to "come out now," despite people's advice that we need to enjoy these remaining child-free days.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-75593945100233175592010-05-15T12:33:00.001-07:002010-05-15T12:37:25.387-07:00Los Panzones<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgASpQNV6fV47cAUCgxUsr8_IjhubTNfsprhWEruyRgatvuEoJwYsQQGrKl6OtOVtmBiM53fx5tCNZHoBKs1uNGyyfEcRH7nNJr87KR2N7sLt6NDsfj-TI31KQ0KsJ-a_XXnG5EqBKg_Q/s1600/MELTY.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgASpQNV6fV47cAUCgxUsr8_IjhubTNfsprhWEruyRgatvuEoJwYsQQGrKl6OtOVtmBiM53fx5tCNZHoBKs1uNGyyfEcRH7nNJr87KR2N7sLt6NDsfj-TI31KQ0KsJ-a_XXnG5EqBKg_Q/s400/MELTY.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471582278751059586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgASpQNV6fV47cAUCgxUsr8_IjhubTNfsprhWEruyRgatvuEoJwYsQQGrKl6OtOVtmBiM53fx5tCNZHoBKs1uNGyyfEcRH7nNJr87KR2N7sLt6NDsfj-TI31KQ0KsJ-a_XXnG5EqBKg_Q/s1600/MELTY.jpg"><br /></a>Or, big-bellied people. It's pretty crazy that the watermelon under Josh's shirt appears to be smaller than our babe. Photo taken by Josh's photo student Leslye Davis at their end of the year picnic.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-56341091551480871582010-05-12T17:19:00.000-07:002010-05-12T18:30:02.371-07:00The babe has droppedOr so they say. And so it feels. This little one is enjoying nuzzling its head down hard on my bladder, and gives me a start every once in a while. As the babe pokes me on the sides with its elbows or heels, I try and poke it back, or rub the surface of the "poking" appendage in order to try and guess which body part it is. It responds quickly by pulling back in.<br />I am no longer riding my bike to school, and am trying to take it easy. While our friends Pete and Angie visited this past weekend it was nice to lounge around the house and eat good food, get caught up, and share laughs. Overlapping with them was our good friend Michael, who was en route to Minnesota from Alabama. So we had a houseful, and they all got to see my big buddha belly and gave the large mass a few rubs.<br />The semester is nearing its end, with graduation this weekend. Josh and I will wrap everything up on Tuesday, and then we move on to baby focus. There is a stack of books beside my bed that I am determined to speed read. We have to settle on this kiddo's name. That car seat still needs to find its way to my car. And it could be any day now...Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-12369456171229408582010-05-03T19:40:00.001-07:002010-05-03T19:57:23.789-07:00Lakeside Homes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGOrtIPcQ3k7EYB3m8ok8-NMEYwmnILbZ_UVoTscxXPIfEaqyCqonLDxLCOdKoyN9VuJMAhp8yQRwP8joTp7X6f-yj4TwhtbPMokTIUmYCVHf8EatIJp_l-GW_7KGXxYUZZyJoVpeZyo/s1600/GetAttachment-1.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/AVvXsEhVGOrtIPcQ3k7EYB3m8ok8-NMEYwmnILbZ_UVoTscxXPIfEaqyCqonLDxLCOdKoyN9VuJMAhp8yQRwP8joTp7X6f-yj4TwhtbPMokTIUmYCVHf8EatIJp_l-GW_7KGXxYUZZyJoVpeZyo/s400/GetAttachment-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467239407994270018" border="0" /></a>It began raining on Friday night, and did not cease until Sunday evening. And it was coming down <span style="font-style: italic;">hard</span>. It was as though the sky was releasing some major pent up frustration. As Josh and I drove to run errands on Sunday morning, my car sputtered and stalled a few times, likely due to something soggy under the hood. We saw a number of homes that were precariously near (or in) newly formed ponds. In the middle of the night we were awakened by a large crash, which turned out to be a tree limb. It thankfully did no damage to our house (or us!), and we were about as relieved that it did not crush the fig tree we transplanted to our yard from Roanoke (we are so proud of that tree, now sporting about 15 young, green figs).<br />While leaving campus this evening, Josh and I walked by this humorous item in a frat house yard... who knows how long this "pond" will remain, but for now it is being put to good use.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-67507325020249469052010-04-30T16:06:00.001-07:002010-04-30T16:21:09.307-07:00Friday Evening<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqqhIBb9-XQQb1fz_CpCj0-Aozujxm4s97g7bNEeSaRbyjoUcHl2C5RH7swU4rYzzXRoQpTyxFOruotrSvHWIfDQgQmzYrMIB74AMwxbqMjF7Nr5rNrPUjjj30k42liw7Eh_CroJoKTk/s1600/mush.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/AVvXsEhJqqhIBb9-XQQb1fz_CpCj0-Aozujxm4s97g7bNEeSaRbyjoUcHl2C5RH7swU4rYzzXRoQpTyxFOruotrSvHWIfDQgQmzYrMIB74AMwxbqMjF7Nr5rNrPUjjj30k42liw7Eh_CroJoKTk/s400/mush.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466071129124391490" border="0" /><br /></a>This evening I returned from work feeling fairly deflated. I began the day with an oatmeal upchuck, and throughout the morning this babe kicked me over and over. My back was sore, my hips seemed to give out each time I stood up, and my walk home felt like a major feat. I entered our house, opened the windows, and plopped down on the sofa and snoozed a bit while listening to the breeze. Somehow, I had a second wind and decided to head out on a walk. This is a small assortment of photos from my 5 or so block stroll around the neighborhood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDJXf45uKkPJjb4yh-PvbDnAvdN3afLbO8e9ciBHIeBU2J-Bc6rbbdW614irfT4IEYbeJ4z_jVwHvumOalfPNOLViSIM0_u2v1gJikVMvTxlS1Z31sYl1gLsyDp1G8Xfd3j_YbKYQD8o/s1600/leaf.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/AVvXsEigDJXf45uKkPJjb4yh-PvbDnAvdN3afLbO8e9ciBHIeBU2J-Bc6rbbdW614irfT4IEYbeJ4z_jVwHvumOalfPNOLViSIM0_u2v1gJikVMvTxlS1Z31sYl1gLsyDp1G8Xfd3j_YbKYQD8o/s400/leaf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466070997888251010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_P8OGkqlfZVR4tuHToQJmnxx0YgwM9ZAHq_bt2xVgeCOKAOVM2WS57a_HuxX8OQEGS2BE4EWLrHjjBE2cwnTlLb-NR27t4wW83JXxTaBaIojYxCe3qMhKMhJcykdJN6mbbTjBCP1Jzwo/s1600/honey.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/AVvXsEh_P8OGkqlfZVR4tuHToQJmnxx0YgwM9ZAHq_bt2xVgeCOKAOVM2WS57a_HuxX8OQEGS2BE4EWLrHjjBE2cwnTlLb-NR27t4wW83JXxTaBaIojYxCe3qMhKMhJcykdJN6mbbTjBCP1Jzwo/s400/honey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466070992472140738" border="0" /></a>I remember collecting (what we called honeysuckle) Columbine flowers when we were young and eating the ends of the flowers where the "honey" is stored.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7NZNpcYHDb7AgO9K3t7zeIVhPTVK2l5uDug8KStmiysX0Bqv26mQPDdGkA1rgLizOZu6nufvPSvHvu1AgjYCueXkBwjFVMwbKq7ROtwGeX-Nzut7F7LCF3ZW68MsXwLVOONKmfsmV9E/s1600/fleur1.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/AVvXsEhs7NZNpcYHDb7AgO9K3t7zeIVhPTVK2l5uDug8KStmiysX0Bqv26mQPDdGkA1rgLizOZu6nufvPSvHvu1AgjYCueXkBwjFVMwbKq7ROtwGeX-Nzut7F7LCF3ZW68MsXwLVOONKmfsmV9E/s400/fleur1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466070989149303298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqBNhovJekt7Xq1iZAig9B0VnJQlyOXwkLvnQkx2QSmsdG9T481uCiFK0yW_yXWlEvpquk95XKiiF6dPe5XQ_sT6PpxadiDG3KxsahhYWkw-zSbDEHzyNXyLqISN7l38rpy-5AMu09SM/s1600/dandy.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/AVvXsEhRqBNhovJekt7Xq1iZAig9B0VnJQlyOXwkLvnQkx2QSmsdG9T481uCiFK0yW_yXWlEvpquk95XKiiF6dPe5XQ_sT6PpxadiDG3KxsahhYWkw-zSbDEHzyNXyLqISN7l38rpy-5AMu09SM/s400/dandy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466070981654840898" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0jIn5Wu2TXSJfZakTsw1bGZ37XbOcuZLEja596xfP82N7HJw9CxA4JnMvPNAMygBut2OtG3DpbPx_HqxJQpiGb3df3iNnFIKrZ-iCq72fJrjOpnWO6YDAFhR3XyISZXoJ_MFDQ5AWnI/s1600/belly.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/AVvXsEix0jIn5Wu2TXSJfZakTsw1bGZ37XbOcuZLEja596xfP82N7HJw9CxA4JnMvPNAMygBut2OtG3DpbPx_HqxJQpiGb3df3iNnFIKrZ-iCq72fJrjOpnWO6YDAFhR3XyISZXoJ_MFDQ5AWnI/s400/belly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466070977256038514" border="0" /></a>While taking photos, I was distracted by my bump.<br /></div>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-27013344002389139192010-04-27T12:30:00.000-07:002010-04-27T16:27:03.956-07:00Head DownWe just returned not long ago from an appointment to check on this babe's progress. By simply feeling my stomach (and performing a few other checks), the doc could tell this little one is positioned head down, aiming for the exit. We don't even know our son/daughter yet, but he/she is already making us proud. Somehow this has assured us that the babe is right on track for delivering "right," and it has sense enough to start getting into position. I am a little nervous that he/she might change his/her mind and flip back up, but at 5 1/4 pounds and 18 inches long, this sucker's running out of room to maneuver him/herself. Now those jabs under the ribs and at my sides are making a lot more sense, as I imagine its little legs bending and straightening.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-32041698880043000502010-04-24T15:17:00.000-07:002010-04-28T13:41:54.610-07:00Good for the belly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SKcUrQF_b4H676HV2Qr1po6libWsS8jzh8ykHj0USMZIDcFTnVRkeP87AWSDKaos2Xe9Omg-F0M7IKBVQVqfCRCLT3IQJ-ARvOS9ee_dS1Jh2RLQOy0E56LlPZozYn3Y6GOhTzwEgJ0/s1600/veg_table.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/AVvXsEj2SKcUrQF_b4H676HV2Qr1po6libWsS8jzh8ykHj0USMZIDcFTnVRkeP87AWSDKaos2Xe9Omg-F0M7IKBVQVqfCRCLT3IQJ-ARvOS9ee_dS1Jh2RLQOy0E56LlPZozYn3Y6GOhTzwEgJ0/s400/veg_table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463832236339067970" border="0" /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A2-CaZbEjzIcAXDDRWpkjLDpBd-pEYTrJNgXRrkTLhnFlK0-ZczHIIGxNXSvz4kY-tN-F9gfFy4U7SoZuoEYDdxfRMG0gXtAQBZZCl1osafPDWJ-mYBDprRrxhhma3xWuWKZn1gvRDo/s1600/veggies.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/AVvXsEg7A2-CaZbEjzIcAXDDRWpkjLDpBd-pEYTrJNgXRrkTLhnFlK0-ZczHIIGxNXSvz4kY-tN-F9gfFy4U7SoZuoEYDdxfRMG0gXtAQBZZCl1osafPDWJ-mYBDprRrxhhma3xWuWKZn1gvRDo/s400/veggies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465291298780338610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SKcUrQF_b4H676HV2Qr1po6libWsS8jzh8ykHj0USMZIDcFTnVRkeP87AWSDKaos2Xe9Omg-F0M7IKBVQVqfCRCLT3IQJ-ARvOS9ee_dS1Jh2RLQOy0E56LlPZozYn3Y6GOhTzwEgJ0/s1600/veg_table.jpg"><br /></a>There are two weeks left of classes left at WKU, and unbelievably, the beginning of Baby 101 will soon follow. Despite the nausea that has failed to cease (or ceased to fail?) during these past eight months, the time has gone faster than I imagined it could. The babe inside has now found a crevice under my ribs and delights in poking under them once in a while. When I feel movement, I put my hand on my stomach and feel its little bum, or elbow, or head... who knows!<br />To ask us if we feel prepared, our answer is wishy washy. The diapers are stacked up, little onesies are waiting to be spit up upon and the blankets are ready to swaddle.<br />But. We are not settled on names, especially in the male category. The car seat is not installed. And most importantly, will we know what to do with this new being? Will it love us as much as we are prepared to love it?<br />I thought I would include a photo of my recent purchases from the back up and running farmers market... this week we are enjoying asparagus, greens, strawberries, beets and new potatoes. And I was just out to our "farm" (ie; the community gardens) and was pleased to see large onion, corn, bean, and pea sprouts (along with a large crop of weeds!). I added tomato, pepper and squash plants to the mix and then called it a day before the rain rolled in.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5274562036400649187.post-48676194924986874812010-04-16T19:22:00.001-07:002010-04-16T19:46:32.470-07:00Call Us Crazy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScX8W95-Iq-zMdmHl8YsGmpkbhL4SC0Oz2SiIdCeMbGRphhmvzxYi1OKrUjqI-LGtu9Eje1CYIWWQw_Y0BD5CX-UtAN_58VZOQ9Z1R3JEepzAJwVuK4iT-JILFsm8etY5d4nVgUq_hDE/s1600/g_box.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScX8W95-Iq-zMdmHl8YsGmpkbhL4SC0Oz2SiIdCeMbGRphhmvzxYi1OKrUjqI-LGtu9Eje1CYIWWQw_Y0BD5CX-UtAN_58VZOQ9Z1R3JEepzAJwVuK4iT-JILFsm8etY5d4nVgUq_hDE/s400/g_box.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460926370761246338" border="0" /></a>Or later you can tell us "I told you so," but we're giving the cloth diaper bit a trial. With a little twist... these are hybrid cloth diapers, otherwise known as <a href="http://www.gdiapers.com/">gdiapers</a>. They have a cloth exterior with Velcro® tabs and...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKk4Up8ehaR1uDGr2pAtD7aeIjxAmazZAoWlMJHPofkyWqRgz4CLFcMk-apJPfDPfvjQ3pEyYn44C7oq2JpLYnmrjBIRQU-Bvrfy8iNJl9bDnzm-EApbc3mRF5m3ZvpJd0lI_5whKPTs/s1600/g_back.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/AVvXsEgLKk4Up8ehaR1uDGr2pAtD7aeIjxAmazZAoWlMJHPofkyWqRgz4CLFcMk-apJPfDPfvjQ3pEyYn44C7oq2JpLYnmrjBIRQU-Bvrfy8iNJl9bDnzm-EApbc3mRF5m3ZvpJd0lI_5whKPTs/s400/g_back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460926363827570530" border="0" /></a>A removable plastic snap liner, which contains a disposable insert. Or one might use a cloth insert. The disposable option obviously makes it the hybrid. But instead of taking 500+ years to decompose, it takes two months. We're not trying to be weird, we just think this makes sense. Figuring how many diapers a babe goes through in a day/week/year, that's a pretty hefty plastic footprint. And expensive one at that. So we'll keep you posted, but for now, we are sold on them, and hope it is a successful venture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc69mrDKeGFyw6vOLTPwEfsF8khCWJXfA0Yp34DtqyXe6r-u0d0iJDqyWXUOAVKWvHZDikKOpZJtUOUFWlQdiS7DKbSEsZGkmrMJfCacF1LTRGwpM1qwMqs5Od1LF5INkgfJ2uhyphenhyphenrCDg/s1600/diaper_open.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc69mrDKeGFyw6vOLTPwEfsF8khCWJXfA0Yp34DtqyXe6r-u0d0iJDqyWXUOAVKWvHZDikKOpZJtUOUFWlQdiS7DKbSEsZGkmrMJfCacF1LTRGwpM1qwMqs5Od1LF5INkgfJ2uhyphenhyphenrCDg/s400/diaper_open.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460926359500599954" border="0" /></a>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361586288402781591noreply@blogger.com3