23 weeks

Here are Ashley and Baby Girl Bell at 23 weeks.

Our Spaghetti Eater

It happened again!

Bryan and I were eating spaghetti at our coffee table as our small group began to arrive at our house. Beth and Mark Earnest were the first to arrive, along with their dog Colby. Shadow and Colby were playing around in the foyer...then Shadow left while Bryan and I were taking the Earnests' coats.

I heard the sound of a dog wolfing down dinner...Bryan's dinner...of freshly-hot spaghetti and cheddar cheese. Obviously, we have a lot to learn about Shadow.

3AM Hunger Pains

I'm 22 weeks into my first pregnancy, and I had an insatiable hunger at 3am this morning! Could our swimmer be eating more than usual? We had a filling dinner last night (tuna melts and salad), and I was really full...my then this morning I was so hungry that I contemplated getting out of bed to have my morning bowl of cereal. I didn't leave the bed, though...I was cozy-warm. But I did toss and turn until our 6:30 alarm went off. Then I had my whole-grain flakes & granola cereal.

Happy Birthday Nanna!

Nanna, I wish I could make you a cake as beautiful as this.
A kiss to Nanna

Happy Birthday to Ashley's Nanna! She gets younger every year.

Nanna, we hope you're enjoying the mild Memphis temperatures!

Valentine's Day

Bryan and I celebrated Valentine's Day on Sat., Feb. 9 with 50+ other couples from our church. We enjoyed a nice dinner and entertainment in the church lobby. Bryan and I almost won a prize for having the youngest baby --but then the game host said that the baby must have a social security number.

Our hamburger-eater

Shadow has disappointed me greatly.

Our bible study met at our home on Tuesday evening. Because Bryan and I carpooled to work together that day and because snow was falling (again!), our drive home took a little longer than usual. Since our drive took an hour, we decided to stop at a Kopp's custard stand for burgers and custard.

I was enjoying my burger when the doorbell rang at 7:30 - our small group was arriving. Shadow and I greeted Todd Taylor (the dark-haired guy in the picture), and as I took Todd's coat, Shadow ran back to the living room where I was eating my burger. As soon as I realized that my burger was left on the coffee table, I ran back to the area. It was too late. Shadow ate my burger.

Pictured above: 1) my lonely bun and onion rings; 2) Todd Taylor and Darrin Ellenbolt mourning the loss

Celebrating Valentine's Day (2008)

Happy Hallmark Day! Bryan and I have already had a sweet day.

This morning Bryan got hostess doughnuts - I surprised him with the powered kind and the chocolate frosted kind. YUMMY! And there's more for tomorrow!

When I walked downstairs this morning, I found a couple of nice gifts on the kitchen table for me - a bottle of lotion and a package of sweet tarts. Also, Bryan gave me a super-nice card.

I'm planning to leave work early this afternoon to get home with plenty of time to make dinner. We're having basil and rosemary stuffed pork chops, homemade apple sauce, some sort of veggie, and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.

This should be a sweet day!

2008 Home Projects

• Fireplace office/book shelves
• Electric fence for Shadow's yard
• Painting: foyer, hallway, living room, dining room
• New front door?
• May or June neighborhood yard sale
• Anything else?

Weekend highlights

We had an extra-cold weekend. Here's what we did despite the three feet of snow:
Friday night:

• Dined at Texas Roadhouse, courtesy of Ashley's boss, Bill Ikpi. He gave us $25 in appreciation for Ashley's hard work during the week. Ashley ate the chicken-fritter salad; Bryan had a slab of ribs
• After dinner, Bryan worked on making a clinic handbook for Summit Eye. Ashley began reading What to Expect During the 1st Year.
• Bryan designed our built-in bookshelves that will (hopefully) be installed before the baby. They will go on each side of the fireplace.

Saturday:

• Slept until 9AM
• Made a ham and red bell pepper omelet
• Took Shadow for a walk (31 degrees)
• Ashley napped 2 hours
• Bryan worked on handbook
• Attended our church's sweetheart dinner (ate chicken parmesean and raspberry cheesecake w/decaf coffee)
• Bryan worked on computer
• Ashley read some more
• Stayed warm while the temperature dropped to -4

Sunday:

• Ushered at Church
• Ate leftovers for lunch
• Went to home of neighbors Baiio and Jill Marchan - they gave us their really nice baby crib. In return we gave their 2 labs lots of attention and love
• Journeyed home; Bryan worked on his manual; Ashley read
• Made chicken, cheese and rice skillet for dinner (kraftfoods.com). It was yummy!
• After dinner...Bryan worked on manual. (I know, he needs a laptop). Ashley watched Elizabeth Bennett win Mr. Darcy's heart in Pride and Prejudice (on PBS).

20 weeks

Pictures of Ashley at 20 weeks along.

The Swimmer is a GIRL!

We are thrilled to know what color clothes to buy our little swimmer. She is a healthy girl! So far, she looks like she might make the 2028 Olympics--her arms and legs are measuring a little long for her gestational (sp?) age. I guess she takes after her daddy!

It's crazy to imagine that one day she might be taller than her mommy.

Our due date is on track of being June 22.

Shadow and snow

Shadow has enjoyed our day off as well. She got a haircut, and then we went for a walk. Snow sticks very well to the underbelly of my dog.

The great February snowfall...

Today is a free day. Work was cancelled for me, and Ashley decided to stay home as well. Before the snow started flying we had a record 50+ inches of snow. And today we are supposed to get another 10-18 inches. Check out the driveway.

Driveway at 8:30 AM
Immediately after snowblowing clean

Driveway at 10:40AM


Driveway at 2:25PM

Sweet, We so far have had nearly 3 inches in the center of the driveway, more where the wind was blowing.

The Big Day

We have our first ultrasound today...I'm so ready to see if our Swimmer is a boy or girl. After waking up at 4AM for a potty break, I couldn't go back to sleep out of anticipation.