State of the Union 2008

Unfortunately, I have nothing intelligent to say about last night's State of the Union adress. Bryan and Shadow were distracting me away from George Bush.

Well, I do have some thoughts: the 2008 tax rebate will be nice (if it passes the Senate). But couldn't Washington have taken less taxes out in the first place? Also, why are 35 million Americans who did not pay taxes receiving a rebate? And those in the upper tax brackets not receiving any of their hard-earned money back? I guess it's because they are the evil rich people who are selfishly ruining America...

Tis the season for...bridal showers

Like many other people, one of my favorite times of the day is checking the mail - and I especially enjoy receiving mail! Yesterday I received not one but two invitations to bridal showers! Unfortunately, I am declining both invitations. Neither shower is local - one shower is in Boston and the other shower is in Dyersburg. However, my mom will be attending the Dyersburg shower in lieu of me. Eat some cake for me, mom!

Weekend Playdate

Our friends, Beth and Mark Ernest, recently rescued a dog. Colby made quite an impression on Shadow this weekend.

Baby's Doctor

In case anyone was wondering, here is a picture of Dr. Martinelli -- the doctor who will deliver our Little Swimmer.

No matter how many deliveries she has during a week's time, Anne is always upbeat and personable when we see her. In fact, her enthusiasm is contagious. She's great! Here's a link to her medical profile.

Fuzzi Bunz diapers

I've been really impressed about the high-quality cloth diapers that are now available. Fuzzi-bunz is one of the most popular cloth diaper brands, and their company promises no rash, no leak, no waste. Furthermore, these diapers are cute! They come in any color (blue, red, pink), and there are patterns, like flowers and trains.

Here is a fuzzi-bunz cutie. The diapers are a bit more expensive initally--about $18 per diaper...but over the long haul and 2 or 3 kids later, the pay off should be tremendous. More info, click here.

First Baby Movement

I felt distinctive movement today; it occurred on the right side of my uterus. I guess the baby likes blueberry yogurt!

19 week appointment

Bryan and I had our 19 week check up yesterday. Here is what we learned:

AB blood pressure: Great!
Baby Bell heartbeat: strong
AB weight gain: approx. 8 pounds

As Dr. Martinelli was searching the womb for the baby's heartbeat, she kept telling the baby things like "stop moving so much" and "slow down." Based on the baby's squirrley movement, Anne gave a prediction on the sex: she thinks the baby is a boy!

We will find out for sure (hopefully) on Feb. 5th.

So far it's 3 to 2; 3 people think we're having a boy (Bryan, Dr. Martinelli and Cyndy, Bryan's mom), and two people think we're having a girl (my mom and Dr. Randy Prestash--Bryan's boss). I'm undecided.

Purge the American Church of the Health, Wealth and Prosperity gospel

Health, wealth, and prosperity are not bad things in themselves. But sometimes, these three are preached from the church pulpit of what a person can look forward to when becoming a follower of Christ. But is this biblically correct?

Pastor John Piper speaks of the "prosperity gospel" on youtube.com. The video is only 3 minutes...please click below to watch this short video (and be sure your speakers are turned on).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukcV-xtU3hc

Treasure the Giver more than the gifts.

18 Week Belly Shot

So...I don't think I've gained much weight yet, but I'm definitely feeling more pressure on the right side of my lower abdomen. I'm still wearing normal clothes...hopefully soon I can wear my cute maternity pants and shirts.

Shadow's tree

We mentioned in our Christmas newsletter that Shadow made friends with the bunny who leaves beneath our pine tree. Here is a tree shot.

Pureed Black Bean Soup

Nicky, our future sister-in-law, sent me the book What to Eat When You're Expecting. I made a couple of recipies from it this weekend, and the black bean soup was marvelous! Besides being tasty, the soup only took 20 minutes to make (and most of my time was spent chopping veggies). Go ahead--try it!

(serves 4-5ppl)

1 T olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium yellow bell peppers, chopped
2 t cumin
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 14 oz cans chicken broth
4 T chopped cilantro

Saute onion, garlic, bell pepper and cumin in hot olive oil (5 minutes) or until tender (use saucepan).

Add beans and broth, heat through.

Transfer mixutre to a blender; blend with 2 T cilantro until everything is pureed.

Transfer back to saucepan and heat until through (won't take long - a couple of minutes).

Put in bowls with rest of cilantro; serve with chopped tomatoes, cheddar cheese (a MUST), or avacado slices. Super yummy!

That Yucky Feeling

So, I'm 16 weeks along in my pregnacy, and I woke up yesterday with a terrible cold! I have major yucko drainage and a sore throat. Fortunatley, the pharmacists make safe medicine like Tylenol cold and flu, sudafed, Robbutsin DM...and there's always salt water to gargle!

Bryan started his new job in Oconomonc on Wednesday, and today he's working the morning in Milwaukee and the afternoon in Oconomonoc. What a lot of driving! Here is info on the new clinic

Jamie's Wedding

She's married. Yay!

Sorry...I take the responsibility for leaving our camera at home...my fault. I'll do an online link when the professional pictures are posted in January.

Christmas Highlights

Eating pumpkin roll, Shadow chasing Bryan down the sledding hill, listening to 4 kids run around the house (it sounded like 14 kids!), hosting 13 people at our house for Christmas, watching Shadow unwrap her toys, watching Bryan search around the porch for his new ladder, holding up 3 HUGE maternity shirts, wondering if I'll ever fit into them...spilling chicken broth on the kitchen floor, having Shadow lick up the chicken broth, showing off our Christmas cards from 2004 until present (yes, we save our Christmas cards in a photo album and display them each Christmas).

Christmas with Todd Agnew and Chris Tomlin

Bryan and I spent an evening with Todd Agnew and Chris Tomlin...along with about 300 other people at Alliance Bible Church in Oconomonoc. It was so neat to meet Todd Agnew after following his career from its incepation at Germantown Baptish Church in Memphis.

13 Week Appointment

Ashley and the little swimmer had their 13 week check up yesterday, and we heard the heartbeat for the first time. Here are the stats:

Heartbeat: 160
AB cholesteral: good
AB blood sugar: good
AB weight gain: 1 pound

No belly measurements were taken, but Ashley can detect small changes (her JCrew cordoroys don't fit like they used to)...

Next appointment: Jan. 15th (Happy Birthday Jimmy!)
The BIG ultrasound appt: February 12

Where are my blankets?

5 inches of snow on the ground, not a warm day in sight

Shadow rushes in from outside with a fright.

Ice glued to the trees, something's not right.

At least our baby keeps me warm at night!

Granddaddy's house

"I don't like dogs," has been my grandfather's motto since 30 years of working as a US postman in Dyersburg. As you can tell, he definitely hasn't taken to Shadow.

Thanksgiving 2007

As always, Thanksgiving was a wonderful holiday to spend with my TN family. One night in Dyersburg, one night in Memphis, and two more nights at Granddaddy's in Dyersburg.

My cousin Leah introduced Bryan to her pet rat (see Bryan's shoulder).

Jamie's Wedding

Our friend and neighbor, Jamie, is getting married on December 29, 2007. Congrats Jamie!

I am helping her with the big day by making the invitations, researching wedding party jewelry, and making the wedding programs.

Check out our bridesmaid dresses! The color will be wine red.