tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332501642024-03-12T20:19:17.219-04:00Bagpipe FeverOur two year stint in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland has ended, and we're back in Richmond, trying to figure out what to do next with our lives.I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.comBlogger318125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-43502185353234747852010-03-23T23:04:00.004-04:002010-03-23T23:10:45.018-04:00We've Moved!Since the Murphy family will be moving on Saturday (hallelujah, Praise Jesus, our days as River City Real Estate tenants are almost over!) I thought this blog might like a new home as well. <br /><a href="http://bagpipefever.wordpress.com/"><br />Here's where you can find us.<br /></a><br />Please excuse the dust as I spruce up the new place.I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-84618164889924900482010-03-01T22:53:00.000-05:002010-03-01T22:59:51.254-05:00Month 3Jack, you've reached a milestone in your sleeping in your third month of life: you're establishing your nap schedule. Up until a few weeks ago, your naps were 45 minutes each, but now they are getting longer and longer, typically 1.5-2 hours. We owe this development to a couple of things: from what I've read, you are just now becoming biologically able to nap for longer periods, and...YOU FOUND YOUR THUMB!!! You've been working on this since you were born, but you finally are able to get your thumb in your mouth and keep it there.<br /><br />I can't tell you how excited your Daddy and I are for this new feat. Now, when you wake up at the end of your first sleep cycle (about 45 minutes into a nap), you get fussy for a few moments, and then you start sucking away on your thumb and drift blissfully back to sleep again. No more searching for that pacifier, no more going into your room to try to get you to take the pacifier and get a few more minutes of sleep. You're growing in your ability to soothe yourself, and we're so proud of you, since it's such an important part of your development. If you read this when you're older, you'll no doubt think we're crazy for being so excited about thumb-sucking, but you'll understand when you've got kids and you're losing sleep.<br /><br />As a result of this we've changed how we wrap you up to sleep. We've swaddled you from the beginning, but didn't do that great of a job until we started using a <a href="http://www.miracleblanket.com/index.htm">Miracle Blanket</a> thanks to two of our friends who graciously let us borrow their blankets. That thing is true to it's name. From day one of using it, you fell asleep faster and slept longer. You loved it, and would start to relax as soon as we started wrapping your arms up. We liked to call you, "our little burrito." <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3RgYKefysw6wxEV5bVKFLcEMCaFeKrW6aLWE44VYMycyFj6yb37bWRtBHmLSfHI8gLwd7zF7UUUUW3JbUJ1QsExb1MupN7vDeL8yGwDC_1FtjJYLNXJkR8bhIEMOCARBVP0C/s1600-h/IMG_5863.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3RgYKefysw6wxEV5bVKFLcEMCaFeKrW6aLWE44VYMycyFj6yb37bWRtBHmLSfHI8gLwd7zF7UUUUW3JbUJ1QsExb1MupN7vDeL8yGwDC_1FtjJYLNXJkR8bhIEMOCARBVP0C/s400/IMG_5863.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443863329360190850" /></a><br />But since finding your thumb, we started swaddling you with your hands free; not quite a burrito anymore, but still pretty cute:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zleHNDXF4leomFNkGDbr7fd1S443dwv4Zh_jGOvNlGseCro2a_OlBJmPZtlqzxtW0Z1Glp2h-Zyv6x9xCWw51ay6WJujVC6Tnil4B8VBtJsi2T_frzLlVl5QaGW0iir9BcI6/s1600-h/IMG_5854.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zleHNDXF4leomFNkGDbr7fd1S443dwv4Zh_jGOvNlGseCro2a_OlBJmPZtlqzxtW0Z1Glp2h-Zyv6x9xCWw51ay6WJujVC6Tnil4B8VBtJsi2T_frzLlVl5QaGW0iir9BcI6/s400/IMG_5854.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443864888546507202" /></a><br />As far as nighttime sleep, you've slept for 12 hours on two occasions, but you aren't ready to let go of that last middle of the night feeding for good yet. I'm okay with that for now.<br /><br />Speaking of feedings, nursing you has gone amazingly well. You like to eat. A lot. Thankfully, the good Lord has blessed me with lots and lots of milk. We're a good pair. It took about 6 weeks for us to really find our rhythm, we were both new at it, but now it feels like I've been doing this for years. I'm so grateful because I know it can be a really difficult process, and it's great to know you're getting the best food you can get. And hello, it's free! <br /><br />I think it's safe to say from your weight (16 pounds) and your fabulous chubby belly, you're getting plenty to eat:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1tyB-clkA-hpGg5OeSnnLXauYYlzRTxbFhrp-dgE0pn7-IBc_YMmkE8xvNfiqOBGVpuQC9pa8abDwlcrtee2HA0Fd64ASON6PpcBdY0yivqQ_jZ3UDvf2wvPfUAYvT4pVwB9/s1600-h/IMG_5826_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1tyB-clkA-hpGg5OeSnnLXauYYlzRTxbFhrp-dgE0pn7-IBc_YMmkE8xvNfiqOBGVpuQC9pa8abDwlcrtee2HA0Fd64ASON6PpcBdY0yivqQ_jZ3UDvf2wvPfUAYvT4pVwB9/s400/IMG_5826_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443878611230307826" /></a><br />You continue to melt our hearts with your smiling, squealing, and "laughing." I don't think we've heard an official laugh yet, but you're getting there. Your temperament is starting to emerge, and we love it. I keep hearing people describe you as, "content." It's helpful for me to hear this, because taking care of your every need sometimes keeps me from taking a step back and enjoying the big picture. It's true, you are a content baby; the only times you get upset are when you're hungry or tired (or when you get a shot, like today; you had two and your sad cry broke my heart, poor guy). Though recently, you've become more sensitive to things that surprise you. A couple of times you've been startled by people and your lower lip pouts out and you let out the most pitiful little cry. But, it's just a part of you becoming more aware of your surroundings, which is fun to watch.<br /><br />Another new thing you're experimenting with is grabbing. You've grabbed your feet once or twice, and you're starting to grab some of your toys. One day you were in your swing (which you still love) and as you started to drift off to sleep, you held on to a little bear you were playing with. It was pretty stinking adorable.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLADUY_Ld11BZUK3GCKwGj82mHaNTA3MYFjb_h4JFV8IdaWVDVqIMub4rW2YEIvXu8Jfcn9FqIMUycOd9BI0Zm51JXD96L9LvUfm8WfuCAyFM0vXZFjWTGhzAoAtgarfZnaPzd/s1600-h/IMG_5760_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLADUY_Ld11BZUK3GCKwGj82mHaNTA3MYFjb_h4JFV8IdaWVDVqIMub4rW2YEIvXu8Jfcn9FqIMUycOd9BI0Zm51JXD96L9LvUfm8WfuCAyFM0vXZFjWTGhzAoAtgarfZnaPzd/s400/IMG_5760_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443388769589051586" /></a><br /><br />I could continue to go on and on about all the things you're doing and the way you're soaking in everything about your world, but to be a good mom to you, I need some sleep, so I'll end with this: we're so thankful that you're our son.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaij9uQ7DpZr8hu79E5XdbSXFKBZkXwXOmaOvh3LbhvQukLU_g4X-2CZN1wPxhYc30yQHOmGxn8B_uo23nytHytO3ThIQhTos8unoNthX5W5an1ek5mb0QAJKewyQvNc_EX3Z/s1600-h/IMG_5838.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaij9uQ7DpZr8hu79E5XdbSXFKBZkXwXOmaOvh3LbhvQukLU_g4X-2CZN1wPxhYc30yQHOmGxn8B_uo23nytHytO3ThIQhTos8unoNthX5W5an1ek5mb0QAJKewyQvNc_EX3Z/s400/IMG_5838.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443876164031152962" /></a>I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-76293492810557607842010-02-28T14:34:00.002-05:002010-02-28T14:39:33.079-05:00Playing Dress-UpBefore we had Jack, our dog Owen was our pride and joy. We loved taking silly pictures of her and family photos of the three of us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy_axaNuo0y7HkcsLJ5SJoQrtzsoLNxZsCbYY2yeDBMXldeHzxI6We1yCKrr3ogzZ1lf5QKi4yCFzS1C0gmj_fqFbjmsCoH0qiwnHDFfMDt-ZQFnCehJZRBQAcW61p3lZ2-YCLg/s1600-h/Photo+294.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy_axaNuo0y7HkcsLJ5SJoQrtzsoLNxZsCbYY2yeDBMXldeHzxI6We1yCKrr3ogzZ1lf5QKi4yCFzS1C0gmj_fqFbjmsCoH0qiwnHDFfMDt-ZQFnCehJZRBQAcW61p3lZ2-YCLg/s400/Photo+294.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090575140341381538" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPQQAHqEp_MB2f6Rv1Be65xrdcQZ5XOK-XOdR7P_uEah7qs86k8CiP8e2fprNqLq9DpTtKhRtdbTbNRiveSsMjGa6Lv8ZQ2RPPs07u3Is3x5GoxN7iwcFBqYnDC3mFwfo5l5Z5g/s1600-h/Photo+296.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPQQAHqEp_MB2f6Rv1Be65xrdcQZ5XOK-XOdR7P_uEah7qs86k8CiP8e2fprNqLq9DpTtKhRtdbTbNRiveSsMjGa6Lv8ZQ2RPPs07u3Is3x5GoxN7iwcFBqYnDC3mFwfo5l5Z5g/s400/Photo+296.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090575763111639474" /></a><br /><br />It's much more fun and a heck of a lot cuter to dress up our little baby Jack.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy0L3iq7Vr3uEIs9E9mScDB1OTPG38d1nWg0f19TsqkIzOAtdc9dSZIOm60HCwYf3sFyfEaHHPRPeNLWMCfju0Di21sf2txEvIw5JnX3EVFccQtdVYZTBuG58_Vm6SA0e2XFu/s1600-h/IMG_5789_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy0L3iq7Vr3uEIs9E9mScDB1OTPG38d1nWg0f19TsqkIzOAtdc9dSZIOm60HCwYf3sFyfEaHHPRPeNLWMCfju0Di21sf2txEvIw5JnX3EVFccQtdVYZTBuG58_Vm6SA0e2XFu/s400/IMG_5789_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443380334302849618" /></a>I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-73080188607242633762010-02-20T00:06:00.008-05:002010-02-20T00:28:39.304-05:00A Boppy ComparisonHere's Jack at about a week old:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHaM1V1v_rcDqcxxV6hK5fxwGmAZfItww5cotoOEfcD2uiP-SSCQk4P6VkTw6J8bppEu7pCzaoIoR_iHa91OWGvpeUy9XCDj_k0nBOHZ9GySoihNozma8f9Ay8V2fNlm6vUXK/s1600-h/FaulweddingBeachJackXmas+064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHaM1V1v_rcDqcxxV6hK5fxwGmAZfItww5cotoOEfcD2uiP-SSCQk4P6VkTw6J8bppEu7pCzaoIoR_iHa91OWGvpeUy9XCDj_k0nBOHZ9GySoihNozma8f9Ay8V2fNlm6vUXK/s400/FaulweddingBeachJackXmas+064.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440191366260781282" /></a><br />About a month old:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRkd-4DHSAb3c6uHskiIneuNMS6u0skTUXi5Ik8NFVlXn5vBMX1OgCtkfIdOsVY8wK4CYe59Yj1hV6UaXqVvcP3aFCcykQkXS7kT_iqWGWDS7XWQvWHnxbrG47XxJ9gVod9su/s1600-h/IMG_5483.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRkd-4DHSAb3c6uHskiIneuNMS6u0skTUXi5Ik8NFVlXn5vBMX1OgCtkfIdOsVY8wK4CYe59Yj1hV6UaXqVvcP3aFCcykQkXS7kT_iqWGWDS7XWQvWHnxbrG47XxJ9gVod9su/s400/IMG_5483.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440188961787023618" /></a><br />And here at about 2 months:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefL17XUhYJdFz66JDfmGZMAvG8TkPJyZZez4rS4NwLpDwLc3dETP1by9Lq4FYtDdztRVPcUUME1jI46R-HrNFpGrsR0sbtlBSZ3xaNp9moMQB4yfICNoLrb2sr2RaRuXKZwFS/s1600-h/IMG_5690.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefL17XUhYJdFz66JDfmGZMAvG8TkPJyZZez4rS4NwLpDwLc3dETP1by9Lq4FYtDdztRVPcUUME1jI46R-HrNFpGrsR0sbtlBSZ3xaNp9moMQB4yfICNoLrb2sr2RaRuXKZwFS/s400/IMG_5690.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440188119904636066" /></a><br />Caught mid-sneeze.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCzLnSI0lni4NnXLG45H2vMabgGTyAqWkj9kBnZ1m0IGWKem5rd76TDwdT9_atMygo5TAsEaMZq5-HfFNISxW8CQ2kDd68sZ9BldGiYHcEpTcCNs8VATZs2puBlviPCug8Rvf/s1600-h/IMG_5694.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCzLnSI0lni4NnXLG45H2vMabgGTyAqWkj9kBnZ1m0IGWKem5rd76TDwdT9_atMygo5TAsEaMZq5-HfFNISxW8CQ2kDd68sZ9BldGiYHcEpTcCNs8VATZs2puBlviPCug8Rvf/s400/IMG_5694.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440187913047335906" /></a><br />And finally, these are from today, he's just shy of 3 months:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YUyPvbsvc_mkq-3rrXCdXu73Zhsq9hs0Hk-yrdH6iq8zSF1xn77eOa6ofGXfU9nKgs_LWwF3gDI8h8qDdIPxh0OGr4TGDoVAXJrt5NxBYKVR1Vn0wvBTxf2pgN3OkLvVkiWC/s1600-h/IMG_5774.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YUyPvbsvc_mkq-3rrXCdXu73Zhsq9hs0Hk-yrdH6iq8zSF1xn77eOa6ofGXfU9nKgs_LWwF3gDI8h8qDdIPxh0OGr4TGDoVAXJrt5NxBYKVR1Vn0wvBTxf2pgN3OkLvVkiWC/s400/IMG_5774.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440192511007094034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKHKhGhyphenhyphenUqpiaO-TXjA1y4XWiy27Rb3UtYRVWf0qJaGtLDSDfR27YTiZcYPB4AD6B_JZlIQGGiVvFSbfRgFVCXdffkXBzAj6Oej_lFZwP94V7R3XtfPpI218HClghWOHOrHCo/s1600-h/IMG_5773.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKHKhGhyphenhyphenUqpiaO-TXjA1y4XWiy27Rb3UtYRVWf0qJaGtLDSDfR27YTiZcYPB4AD6B_JZlIQGGiVvFSbfRgFVCXdffkXBzAj6Oej_lFZwP94V7R3XtfPpI218HClghWOHOrHCo/s400/IMG_5773.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440192418360154658" /></a><br />We'll probably be forcing the poor guy to carry around the boppy so we can get a photo-op when he's graduating from college.I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-82376634724778675842010-02-17T10:14:00.012-05:002010-02-17T12:14:26.598-05:00Meeting the Great-GrandparentsJack had the privilege of meeting some of his great-grandparents this past weekend. We drove up to Pittsburgh to spend the weekend with GiGi and Pappy (Jean and Jack), James's mom's parents. It was also Jack's first overnight trip away from home. But the most special part of the trip, was being able to introduce Jack to one of the two great-grandfather's that he's named after. <br /><br />There was lots of oohing and ahhing over, and cuddling of baby Jack. He also got to meet James's aunt & uncle and some of their kids and spouses. He doesn't remember since he was sleeping, but he also Skyped with his dad's cousin's baby girl (I have no idea what she would be to Jack, fourth cousin by marriage once removed? who knows.) who was born two weeks after he was. You can read all about the adorable Ava Faulhaber <a href="http://web.me.com/mjfaulhaber/Site/Blog/Blog.html"> here</a>. <br /><br />We had a great time. Beside the obvious enjoyment of being with family we don't get to see very often, we were so glad to get away from our apartment for a bit (if you've ever been over and experienced the ridiculous noise levels, you'll understand completely), and just get out of town. We've spent so much of the last two and a half years traveling and moving, we were getting a bit stir crazy.<br /><br />Jack traveled really well, we were so grateful. We made it the 6 our drive with only one stop each way.<br /><br />Jack, meet Jack.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLl7fHG7T8EUj_xWHr6F3cKgeyCtmnCCv7eMr7jXTNZThbm5ywdOvcZZmWABMHlOUHyShdl6YjosZP-qcBx4B2xmItDoo40hD13iBx4ZeLfkhxiikTnXtGn4moN9O9vtPYlMn/s1600-h/IMG_5713.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLl7fHG7T8EUj_xWHr6F3cKgeyCtmnCCv7eMr7jXTNZThbm5ywdOvcZZmWABMHlOUHyShdl6YjosZP-qcBx4B2xmItDoo40hD13iBx4ZeLfkhxiikTnXtGn4moN9O9vtPYlMn/s400/IMG_5713.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439257641896156658" /></a><br /><br />and meet your great-grandmother Jean, get ready for lots of fun spoiling which you are sure to love.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyrP1ndsbpwanQdvOGo3Vn5UD2eQJTJOKphTxqNsuFE6tPViauMoAZmoLRhwylVMVvfqYEI4XPmyl0iY_9A5xKnMJk5UE87-aKWxj0UrX4VjJFXGm1f6gaTH-DAW296HESh-P/s1600-h/DSCN0050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyrP1ndsbpwanQdvOGo3Vn5UD2eQJTJOKphTxqNsuFE6tPViauMoAZmoLRhwylVMVvfqYEI4XPmyl0iY_9A5xKnMJk5UE87-aKWxj0UrX4VjJFXGm1f6gaTH-DAW296HESh-P/s400/DSCN0050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439256955322266482" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXt0zI7Hwvo344_zwiFrQpJY6YQ-Su4Z2LbZY_ukk5PFhDVeSAj9l0TK9mLpPpBWanRUcQekM8RPKfbBI9a8kbNSSc9IRS_ZcxucNv4VcDSvlA6JatizqyKsJSpZJBp-MIKPTt/s1600-h/IMG_5721.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXt0zI7Hwvo344_zwiFrQpJY6YQ-Su4Z2LbZY_ukk5PFhDVeSAj9l0TK9mLpPpBWanRUcQekM8RPKfbBI9a8kbNSSc9IRS_ZcxucNv4VcDSvlA6JatizqyKsJSpZJBp-MIKPTt/s400/IMG_5721.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439231922031177298" /></a> <br /><br />Second cousin Mae-lin. I guess they're second cousins, I'm not really sure how all those extended family relations work.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyyukV3PO5buzdG6u63pcNGWpwUJNLUkDpLAnd_6DTTnv8Fsiyl-0xrF600PBPQl-XLFsd2gPajacamXK54VrC6_RsvM2QO59ZvvjclL7bbEsOlfED8vb3YUFswb9Rszu39Y1/s1600-h/DSCN0062.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyyukV3PO5buzdG6u63pcNGWpwUJNLUkDpLAnd_6DTTnv8Fsiyl-0xrF600PBPQl-XLFsd2gPajacamXK54VrC6_RsvM2QO59ZvvjclL7bbEsOlfED8vb3YUFswb9Rszu39Y1/s400/DSCN0062.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439256258671648674" /></a><br /><br />There was so much snow there, we were dying to let Jack play in the snow for the first time. James found a snow suit on Craig's List right down the street from his grandparents house. As you can see, Jack was thrilled.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXoJMSW45lvPP6GnQMDoE8ndrEbZVlUFY6vXJppK4GVqIVbydKrefk9uqvUWpa61PSMd_pnFThpJgpU_lYmoZU79_j0XDXBgen4tC0OOV0X6bTwu6D4woKSR-IxciXLIWQ843/s1600-h/IMG_5727.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXoJMSW45lvPP6GnQMDoE8ndrEbZVlUFY6vXJppK4GVqIVbydKrefk9uqvUWpa61PSMd_pnFThpJgpU_lYmoZU79_j0XDXBgen4tC0OOV0X6bTwu6D4woKSR-IxciXLIWQ843/s400/IMG_5727.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439232099377108738" /></a><br /><br />"I can't put my arms down!" A gold star for you if you know that movie quote.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28MgbuozBx-oDsoyw7DBCNPX7NGUrqIdnXbXTHajG_CnA3DyJx1hexEIjahf1V-_F4GsGHvl_oRv6yrtREldP7foJflOf3KSGwIJVVH9xgDX6B3Tdj4qMPm9q45uPl3q_k2N_/s1600-h/IMG_5729.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28MgbuozBx-oDsoyw7DBCNPX7NGUrqIdnXbXTHajG_CnA3DyJx1hexEIjahf1V-_F4GsGHvl_oRv6yrtREldP7foJflOf3KSGwIJVVH9xgDX6B3Tdj4qMPm9q45uPl3q_k2N_/s400/IMG_5729.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439232192544361282" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguss1jI2TlbQMR9BwkZ-Jq1BK_oUUHzqkDPs52bCtKft93MqPRUQJfinyrhR52bpq8l-u-Jw8u4smsZboS-A7pb2VX-tJ29dVaEdRAgpnbEAmIQvHFfiw-MtyjenAm8oxbm-IX/s1600-h/IMG_5735.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguss1jI2TlbQMR9BwkZ-Jq1BK_oUUHzqkDPs52bCtKft93MqPRUQJfinyrhR52bpq8l-u-Jw8u4smsZboS-A7pb2VX-tJ29dVaEdRAgpnbEAmIQvHFfiw-MtyjenAm8oxbm-IX/s400/IMG_5735.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439232376343963874" /></a><br /><br />I'm envisioning many adventures ahead for the two of them that will be sure to make my heart stop a few times.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH_u_2sxUx8ZsPnyd9tYLe_sYc315w53XwGhCfdm5m5hNsyXYd1yWBrFVZiW_CnzDLbxeuiEX3jFJxb7xRAjEqa0IU2ghjI4hG8MJQOHC0t2xievafBFk3s41NolAjOF0M-pm/s1600-h/IMG_5746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH_u_2sxUx8ZsPnyd9tYLe_sYc315w53XwGhCfdm5m5hNsyXYd1yWBrFVZiW_CnzDLbxeuiEX3jFJxb7xRAjEqa0IU2ghjI4hG8MJQOHC0t2xievafBFk3s41NolAjOF0M-pm/s400/IMG_5746.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439232509789991810" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvSDnWzNYvTJxAfFgZVAwHb_3St_rhBxZr7j5RwL_D-mHZcgzy-ceLAL9qUJFYH3sst1_vUo2dAHNuxHmZ16lW5xG39DHQiHV6GdXsjEy2O32ofQREwynkmWKShB9Wsez89cG/s1600-h/IMG_5752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvSDnWzNYvTJxAfFgZVAwHb_3St_rhBxZr7j5RwL_D-mHZcgzy-ceLAL9qUJFYH3sst1_vUo2dAHNuxHmZ16lW5xG39DHQiHV6GdXsjEy2O32ofQREwynkmWKShB9Wsez89cG/s400/IMG_5752.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439232640554603986" /></a><br /><br />Good times, great hospitality, and wonderful family.I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-27069802817205639382010-02-08T10:12:00.001-05:002010-02-08T16:15:17.205-05:00Mr. ChatterboxLately our little man has been chattin' it up. We have little "conversations" and it cracks me up. Everyday he seems to smile and laugh more and more. Here's a taste of it:<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx2iDgiNWN02qBYPbqSRaQna3gzi251Wmdz0e1MZOdJJK1DgM-i60uHIrW-TOtMRHO8sg6MyXrtDg8' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-10274553222386890272010-02-06T19:53:00.003-05:002010-02-06T21:26:46.742-05:00Bizarre ProduceOne thing we never lacked during the first two months of Jack's life was delicious food, and not because we were doing any of the cooking. So many people prepared incredible meals for us and even delivered them. We ate so well and we are so grateful for those gifts of service. <br /><br />I knew having a newborn would be a lot of work, but I didn't anticipate just how much I would dread having to cook a meal when dinnertime crept around. But thanks to our awesome friends and family, we never once had to do anything more complicated than put something in the oven or punch buttons on the microwave. <br /><br />As a result of these glorious meals given to us, the only food cabinets I opened were the ones containing the cereal and granola bars. These onions are proof of that. We found them the other day; I'm not sure how long they have been there, but they're definitely older than Jack is.<br /><br />Kinda scary, don't you think?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8TJzbONAiXyFRWi4jrq8476VVuVh8x-Zthh8bQr8MN8Te267msWOHUYgvINI66Pbxrv8a2CJDC6dC1bWDzgiAC7OsE5cTdNWjunvH9TUDQuZh3I2bydEFKEMm_JWqMpdZ5De/s1600-h/IMG_5664.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8TJzbONAiXyFRWi4jrq8476VVuVh8x-Zthh8bQr8MN8Te267msWOHUYgvINI66Pbxrv8a2CJDC6dC1bWDzgiAC7OsE5cTdNWjunvH9TUDQuZh3I2bydEFKEMm_JWqMpdZ5De/s400/IMG_5664.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435298594008729794" /></a>I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-1949437457107026342010-01-30T14:10:00.011-05:002010-01-30T20:10:30.083-05:00Month #2Dear Mr. Jack,<br /><br />That is one of the many nicknames we have for you. In your second month of life, you continue to put smiles on people's faces. We hear a lot of, "he's so cute!" and while many babies are cute, you are especially cute. You've started smiling much more and you're finding your voice. You've been cooing some, and doing lots of squealing and making gurgle noises, it's so much fun to have this kind of conversation with you, it seems like you'll have a lot to say when you add words to your repertoire of sounds.<br /><br />Growing is something you do well. At your 2 month check-up you weighed 14 pounds and were 24 inches long, that means you're in the 95th percentile for your age. You were really brave when it came time for a shot. You made a really sad face, whimpered a bit and then laughed at me a minute later. The worst part was when we had to take the band-aid off later that night. Next time we'll just do without the band-aid<br /><br />You're noticing your surroundings so much more; a couple of days ago you couldn't tear your eyes away from a tree for 10 minutes. You love watching your mobile, seeing yourself in the mirror, being in your swing, and just yesterday you started splashing around in your bath for the first time. But your favorite thing of all is seeing people stick their tongue out at you, you think that is the funniest thing you've ever seen, and you work really hard at mirroring our actions. We love playing that game with you and don't care at all that it makes us look like fools.<br /><br />One day as I was putting you to sleep, you were staring up at me, wide awake, with your beautiful blue eyes. Suddenly, you gave me a completely unsolicited smile. You melted my heart, once again.<br /><br />A song I've been listening to recently sums up how your Daddy and I feel:<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">You will lose your baby teeth, at times you'll lose your faith in me; you will lose a lot of things, you cannot lose my love. <br />You may lose your appetite, your guiding sense of wrong and right; you may lose your will to fight, but you cannot lose my love. <br />You will lose your confidence, in times of trial your common sense; you may lose your innocence, but you cannot lose my love. <br />Many things can be misplaced, your very memories be erased, no matter what the time or space, you cannot lose my love.</span> <span style="font-style:italic;">-Sarah Groves</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtgqVAQMnKqIv2L1j1ZzWKjmtSPBR7c2AGiQQ5VbCqPmVFoFw_sg9Rd3xuJxhdRvrZTvXJ-oZ7xP-FUH5kF8bnHTr9E4fWP2xtWR7WLSSxYJMDQR9zZW98rSQ0syHoSbfnD8H/s1600-h/jack+113_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 362px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtgqVAQMnKqIv2L1j1ZzWKjmtSPBR7c2AGiQQ5VbCqPmVFoFw_sg9Rd3xuJxhdRvrZTvXJ-oZ7xP-FUH5kF8bnHTr9E4fWP2xtWR7WLSSxYJMDQR9zZW98rSQ0syHoSbfnD8H/s400/jack+113_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432659036489759394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFkHlIRDRvSX2UiUifAF_X3RzRbAfHm2eado_oNydBiptU_x-9nAHrcnoOOhK9Kh8Rn2HbS1-L9rzS2M64rpONMrthNGsqKj9Bi9mmo6XRwWt452bsm8uUzq286ieR9v9H1Tn/s1600-h/LotsOfJack+191.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFkHlIRDRvSX2UiUifAF_X3RzRbAfHm2eado_oNydBiptU_x-9nAHrcnoOOhK9Kh8Rn2HbS1-L9rzS2M64rpONMrthNGsqKj9Bi9mmo6XRwWt452bsm8uUzq286ieR9v9H1Tn/s400/LotsOfJack+191.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432699540798449330" /></a>I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-82506515905102632682010-01-27T08:00:00.003-05:002010-01-27T08:14:19.136-05:00It's Been Too LongSurely you're dying to see more pictures of Jack. No? Well, you'll have to forgive me, he's by far the most exciting thing going on around here, so pictures of Jack are what you're gonna get. <br /><br />The way he loves to stick his tongue out is really cute right now, but I imagine there will come a day when his motives change, and we're not going to think it's very cute.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ykASFzH7C4n3ExpjfE8KMHaKjy00I-FytzK1dqlP9tHFNclxMhchmc1duKGDnXwDohAvqjXbTjmjArRn0MacsGrF6POhZKNJlYP6a7i_WSyCzxEihPhR_XxTrVvAPpToNr9p/s1600-h/LotsOfJack+154.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ykASFzH7C4n3ExpjfE8KMHaKjy00I-FytzK1dqlP9tHFNclxMhchmc1duKGDnXwDohAvqjXbTjmjArRn0MacsGrF6POhZKNJlYP6a7i_WSyCzxEihPhR_XxTrVvAPpToNr9p/s400/LotsOfJack+154.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431405143284581250" /></a><br />But if he grins at me like this, he might get away with most anything.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMynnOqSphQM3PxXTjqn1A3zQQhyphenhyphens23LEfqaON29w3dnPUe-KMVv9tqrLGQOFjCDTSrA6w2BkA6ddyYlwSyQuXE1TqHLElUT5jP2hmlnCMHo9KFrolHEWS2K2J-CVW2KGZzTG/s1600-h/LotsOfJack+155.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMynnOqSphQM3PxXTjqn1A3zQQhyphenhyphens23LEfqaON29w3dnPUe-KMVv9tqrLGQOFjCDTSrA6w2BkA6ddyYlwSyQuXE1TqHLElUT5jP2hmlnCMHo9KFrolHEWS2K2J-CVW2KGZzTG/s400/LotsOfJack+155.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431405022816794322" /></a><br /><br />See all those chins? I think he grows a new one each day. This kid enjoys his food.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVk1TfqD-sFjlYxnu5eIArgmXKBEV1uaASbrImT72p7GbCTAUMZGwpgh-WlNPw-4EIrN_S0dfv6glApRgB3l7m3SN8EDXbbpCyZzngy60iLWlxYES6gWudWN3BX4_sxS-8Lj7/s1600-h/LotsOfJack+171.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVk1TfqD-sFjlYxnu5eIArgmXKBEV1uaASbrImT72p7GbCTAUMZGwpgh-WlNPw-4EIrN_S0dfv6glApRgB3l7m3SN8EDXbbpCyZzngy60iLWlxYES6gWudWN3BX4_sxS-8Lj7/s400/LotsOfJack+171.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431404883827977538" /></a>I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-67416757259052603372010-01-15T12:28:00.004-05:002010-01-15T14:24:54.195-05:00Our Little ManHis little hands and little feet are just two of the things I want to burn into my memory because he will continue to grow, faster than I'd like, and there will be a day when I will be shocked at how quickly the time has gone and we will be thinking back to the days when he was this little. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Vf3VuwoPyk9fdexRnBqw4AeNF1SxGWO5jqGj_xW26Rm0ddEQs3Q5rrR4yIslllU0WdXuQ7EhxLGE4kI_Pjll8cB86N2yA3G768oiqbhaZzUOT6x9lUTh8ahkg4X2i9hSZ4Pt/s1600-h/IMG_5539_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 334px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Vf3VuwoPyk9fdexRnBqw4AeNF1SxGWO5jqGj_xW26Rm0ddEQs3Q5rrR4yIslllU0WdXuQ7EhxLGE4kI_Pjll8cB86N2yA3G768oiqbhaZzUOT6x9lUTh8ahkg4X2i9hSZ4Pt/s400/IMG_5539_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427021830233653650" /></a><br /><br />But that day hasn't come yet, so I'll attempt to treasure every moment and keep soaking up grins like these:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OBUf2Ubnmd8g4gV92haPXrMRbmRq7NsRf6PHp301fxd16m6FcUzPtC_WI9h3ixc2uAHWtdMHS1d1kkKWZd6JzZ2INt9i5iDX-TVDIk1T5Bc7jdQ8VX4oCd0nCeWByjn0d0tY/s1600-h/IMG_5571.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OBUf2Ubnmd8g4gV92haPXrMRbmRq7NsRf6PHp301fxd16m6FcUzPtC_WI9h3ixc2uAHWtdMHS1d1kkKWZd6JzZ2INt9i5iDX-TVDIk1T5Bc7jdQ8VX4oCd0nCeWByjn0d0tY/s400/IMG_5571.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427023929323554098" /></a>I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-83564747622173361332010-01-06T16:27:00.009-05:002010-01-06T16:45:57.987-05:00The Many Faces of JackThough I took these photos, it was <a href="http://madeinrichmond.net/">Valerie</a>, who is far more creative and witty than I am, who wrote the fabulous commentary to go along with each photo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYkN4cCahHQpq-aadRfpEuYkNtkiodlhTht2pZQJl1QK82xEq8-m6l0UcCnRVOLgNI44FP6obco8Dsfomr5cwfMQuj4CRcz-prJWoBM8Ti7TghB479UL6dD09ijPhTpG9Beln/s1600-h/IMG_5507.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYkN4cCahHQpq-aadRfpEuYkNtkiodlhTht2pZQJl1QK82xEq8-m6l0UcCnRVOLgNI44FP6obco8Dsfomr5cwfMQuj4CRcz-prJWoBM8Ti7TghB479UL6dD09ijPhTpG9Beln/s400/IMG_5507.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423741642642515954" /></a>"Why am I not eating? What is happening here?"<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY8tfJhyV0y6RX-LFGSyQMKE6VRAyHGmQ6oBPx5kqX19UOunOkhD4jnzthLRDCXx_R5NFUEJ2SMA2HIB10aq-jusbiyWkLUOdkxulFS6j1GlandoJDndl4JCu32k7S924MxEo/s1600-h/IMG_5508.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY8tfJhyV0y6RX-LFGSyQMKE6VRAyHGmQ6oBPx5kqX19UOunOkhD4jnzthLRDCXx_R5NFUEJ2SMA2HIB10aq-jusbiyWkLUOdkxulFS6j1GlandoJDndl4JCu32k7S924MxEo/s400/IMG_5508.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423741953977173730" /></a>"That's shocking."<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRLXe3Rk-BXZbiILyfDkM1lQuUh1VDzS2v4PxPmF1OF8MnAH2nNex8aI50b3mzLJ8MkSolD73AEnJFNYrDkUxKWRRka8dJN6fQCAQydDL9r9GK6iD9ZgipYuANnBDZNNNnxbi/s1600-h/IMG_5512.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRLXe3Rk-BXZbiILyfDkM1lQuUh1VDzS2v4PxPmF1OF8MnAH2nNex8aI50b3mzLJ8MkSolD73AEnJFNYrDkUxKWRRka8dJN6fQCAQydDL9r9GK6iD9ZgipYuANnBDZNNNnxbi/s400/IMG_5512.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423742382951189474" /></a>"Go Phillies!!!"<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hT4gO9iiX-NGp6d7dCd152jsbDUQ9WtIUJ4KPldpmqGZwPp-cEHnyNqOCF5b3fZWWo6o4ULs4P_zWtnbd3qR1MtAog2t2o22__5PtvT-Zryx4M7vn1WE70N0HlXXniBMOEuG/s1600-h/IMG_5515.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hT4gO9iiX-NGp6d7dCd152jsbDUQ9WtIUJ4KPldpmqGZwPp-cEHnyNqOCF5b3fZWWo6o4ULs4P_zWtnbd3qR1MtAog2t2o22__5PtvT-Zryx4M7vn1WE70N0HlXXniBMOEuG/s400/IMG_5515.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423742588947831410" /></a>"Again with the not eating."<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_cgc1GrCWSX6yXBP1nkaR-n3HwHohhQfcwL9cfed59jVT0hcwcpi3V8HmRhyDNhRR9zKNn2bP3FBUTWuudK2OVj4EdTYAtYeYgLNa2szLUNzmLZmOhnP0NhKaL8cyPT4dpuy/s1600-h/IMG_5517.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_cgc1GrCWSX6yXBP1nkaR-n3HwHohhQfcwL9cfed59jVT0hcwcpi3V8HmRhyDNhRR9zKNn2bP3FBUTWuudK2OVj4EdTYAtYeYgLNa2szLUNzmLZmOhnP0NhKaL8cyPT4dpuy/s400/IMG_5517.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423742822910268914" /></a>"Oh Mama, you're so funny."<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvbKY8oq7LnKx4znbWfg8fpiauDgEYvpcKqkMMQxiTj3jOnKHPB366pzZmqSLds0xewvR0jy8G-9Xa14ulrVwrXfnyXSzxZd9uvaj4ewOi-c2ABE_p825HM-HI4VCxmUl7g2c/s1600-h/IMG_5521.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvbKY8oq7LnKx4znbWfg8fpiauDgEYvpcKqkMMQxiTj3jOnKHPB366pzZmqSLds0xewvR0jy8G-9Xa14ulrVwrXfnyXSzxZd9uvaj4ewOi-c2ABE_p825HM-HI4VCxmUl7g2c/s400/IMG_5521.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423743087061160146" /></a>"How you doooooooin?"<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIaRhgm_gJVg-msITFRhHeQTc1gSo56EN6SApjGR0OwfC5ry-g-M3OIEV-vB19iTBZeMqxdyndzUidnsJU_TFBUjpznNnz0LS8XQYAQISyvxACavuE-6M5c6ByhZa8iH0AAGq/s1600-h/IMG_5527.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIaRhgm_gJVg-msITFRhHeQTc1gSo56EN6SApjGR0OwfC5ry-g-M3OIEV-vB19iTBZeMqxdyndzUidnsJU_TFBUjpznNnz0LS8XQYAQISyvxACavuE-6M5c6ByhZa8iH0AAGq/s400/IMG_5527.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423743625946338834" /></a>"Well, this is fun!"<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1eBy8iVVeYQCTg-uL4awwxlgOH7Yr3_RRQnImp1L4k8zkFqg1PhhF7zpqXeeNyDLn6EQcDsLFmEDh9uD4mEm2rvV4EIc9D7OW3CAmprq8Fid1ibCXN0FZ4LdLr5L6Vn1KeTd/s1600-h/IMG_5529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1eBy8iVVeYQCTg-uL4awwxlgOH7Yr3_RRQnImp1L4k8zkFqg1PhhF7zpqXeeNyDLn6EQcDsLFmEDh9uD4mEm2rvV4EIc9D7OW3CAmprq8Fid1ibCXN0FZ4LdLr5L6Vn1KeTd/s400/IMG_5529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423743776068797234" /></a>"I'm impossibly sweet and worth all of the sleepless nights because, c'mon, look at this face."I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-55293493431711611212009-12-28T13:59:00.019-05:002009-12-30T09:20:39.154-05:00Jack's One Month Birthday<span style="font-style: italic;">(I've enjoyed Valerie's <a href="http://madeinrichmond.net/13-months/">monthly posts about JR</a> so much that I've decided to shamelessly copy her and do the same for our son Jack. Hope you don't mind Val, thanks for the idea!)</span><br /><br />I imagine I'll be saying this a lot throughout the life of our son, but seriously, where did this past month go?! It's hard to believe this beautiful little man has been in our lives for a month. He definitely took his time getting here, he must have been incredibly comfortable since he was almost two weeks late and I was in labor for 32 hours before he made his grand, and miraculous, entrance. Eventually I'm going to write out his birth story and will share that with you here, but right now I'm busy taking care of a newborn.<br /><br />As many of you know, we lost <a href="http://murphyjenn.blogspot.com/2008/08/hello-again.html">our first baby</a> to a miscarriage in 2008, so being able to meet our second child was a joyful occasion on so many levels. One of the thoughts I had during Jack's first week was how exciting it is that we will get to tell him about his sibling that he will one day meet in heaven.<br /><br />So a bit about our little guy. He is named Jack Charles after his two living great-grandfathers: my dad's father and James's mom's father. They are both wise, honorable, caring, godly, family-loving men and we would be so proud if Jack grew up to have traits like them. Of course, we would love him just the same if he didn't, but we liked the idea of honoring family members who have had a huge impact on our lives and having their legacy live on in our family.<br /><br />So far, Jack does a few things really well, like most newborns, he likes to sleep, eat, and fill his diaper. Let's talk about the eating. We're breastfeeding (I say we because it's definitely a collective effort between me, Jack, and James. I wouldn't be able to get by without James to encourage me and bring me all sorts of stuff when Jack is eating. My husband is amazing.) and though he's a fast eater, he must get lots of food in a short time because he is gaining weight incredibly fast and becoming a little chubster, which I love. He was incredibly adorable when he was born, but chub makes him even cuter. Eighteen days after he was born, he had already packed on two pounds, doubling the average daily weight gain for newborns. See for yourself:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xWzhJWN2x2uYmYVSL9m3cpNGW9PfDywqA9nyprWN3J35iKePhg1z6FeQ7V1DjoagiYm5OaKfducAJhDHxqzMbDBHbvCiJY2X5Mogcy7F5vSVwNOoumKt_-wQRmTBFF3Sd9FT/s1600-h/jacksbirthday+109.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xWzhJWN2x2uYmYVSL9m3cpNGW9PfDywqA9nyprWN3J35iKePhg1z6FeQ7V1DjoagiYm5OaKfducAJhDHxqzMbDBHbvCiJY2X5Mogcy7F5vSVwNOoumKt_-wQRmTBFF3Sd9FT/s400/jacksbirthday+109.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420501079049963954" border="0"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD81xZJFhtJUpqk8-CtosoVFtWCLseXkIdgyWNwQFhSPX6MKNpfLL-UXnMh3Qn9k_agU16vKaVfKOD6BTUG7zC3UUbXZtKYg4dSqjIbtGgNulU6gdW5kWZZjauaJEFp5YmpSIb/s1600-h/IMG_5483.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD81xZJFhtJUpqk8-CtosoVFtWCLseXkIdgyWNwQFhSPX6MKNpfLL-UXnMh3Qn9k_agU16vKaVfKOD6BTUG7zC3UUbXZtKYg4dSqjIbtGgNulU6gdW5kWZZjauaJEFp5YmpSIb/s400/IMG_5483.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420413153290103010" border="0"></a><br /><br />Other than eating, here are some of his other likes and dislikes:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jack likes:</span><br />-Taking baths, as long as it's not a sponge bath, and only if we run the hot water before hand to get the bathroom really steamy.<br />-Looking at any kind of black and white pattern<br />-Stretching and yawning. It's so adorable, one day I'll record it and share it with you.<br />-Sleeping in his car seat when we're out. He's a marathon sleeper in that thing.<br />-Snuggling. This was clear from the first moment I held him.<br />-Folding his legs up like a little frog.<br />-Being swaddled.<br />-Holding his hands by his face (a reminder of one of the reasons labor was so difficult for me) and rubbing his head and face with his fingers. He's fast asleep in this picture:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm7fYQn9Mz6xhrU1nePjcjFAB5oIgD9lDM0KRZwF6ctPNNkf1UO7j1gnMWFqqrSLYQ8xx30essY_2YdjOdeqVWQxUi-in7aNKUaQzYRubxnwu4Xq0OT0EzSRILxtESme9c9jm/s1600-h/IMG_5437.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm7fYQn9Mz6xhrU1nePjcjFAB5oIgD9lDM0KRZwF6ctPNNkf1UO7j1gnMWFqqrSLYQ8xx30essY_2YdjOdeqVWQxUi-in7aNKUaQzYRubxnwu4Xq0OT0EzSRILxtESme9c9jm/s400/IMG_5437.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420419551172351570" border="0"></a><br />-Being in a baby carrier. I think it reminds him of being in the womb.<br />-Being held like this when his belly hurts:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoI1WAWc0nTj_23U_ie66rf2SBCC9p5hjRvSynN77s4JDZ9It2kARS1wSmO_5D28wJ_z5_O_yo7J9YYl8skSJQ7dTyA6stdRlFjaun_uQsXRkpZJEJMXvEAZ8cmIxNgIIiDn6/s1600-h/12-11-09+106_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoI1WAWc0nTj_23U_ie66rf2SBCC9p5hjRvSynN77s4JDZ9It2kARS1wSmO_5D28wJ_z5_O_yo7J9YYl8skSJQ7dTyA6stdRlFjaun_uQsXRkpZJEJMXvEAZ8cmIxNgIIiDn6/s400/12-11-09+106_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420828071321874866" border="0"></a><br />-Being sung to.<br />-Getting silly kisses from his dad.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy2ZuJC8Gtl0N12T76iVIyjWUGYWcwvFv7qDabZ8O5JQAVfvuHKFHX2ZC-C8D-W5CYlAC-TDy0ymOY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jack doesn't like:</span><br />-Being naked when it's cold. I don't like it either, so it's understandable.<br />-Having clothing pulled over his head. Any outfit with all buttons or a zipper up the front are our favorite.<br />-When we don't put him down for his nap when he's ready. When we miss that window of opportunity, he let's us know that he's not happy about it.<br />-To wait too long to eat. When that belly is empty, he's ready and can't quite understand why he's being made to wait any longer than five minutes. Then we hear what we have dubbed his "angry cry," but it's more like a guttural yell. He's got two parents that really like to eat, I should've seen this coming.<br /><br />This little man has already brought so much joy into our lives, it's so exciting to look forward to watching him grow and change into the person he will become.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWSbZ-v_aLyFGzGOS0emorsuFNZzFKsCgDgFVe_4NuTPVdVO_ENtY1DpoQGGMwrtbkHma_rcHnTaAFvPz6fiX12WZh44iTX4-stfY4lvpWJ18i0cuxF5VRdW0m1yc5wyIt4SG/s1600-h/IMG_5469.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWSbZ-v_aLyFGzGOS0emorsuFNZzFKsCgDgFVe_4NuTPVdVO_ENtY1DpoQGGMwrtbkHma_rcHnTaAFvPz6fiX12WZh44iTX4-stfY4lvpWJ18i0cuxF5VRdW0m1yc5wyIt4SG/s400/IMG_5469.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420418666514930482" border="0"></a><br />We love you so much Jack, and that will never change.I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-9432215866966576942009-12-09T08:50:00.008-05:002009-12-15T21:05:58.666-05:00This kinda blows my mind:This was me and my big belly on November 26th, Thanksgiving: <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlvhGXJCJmhRKEGUX6f9DtE5ktffVec8_7MvU_CnJXoJ6Ey-FCbGjCWBrWIkqk5mcODbM8XTnKvKqNZUyeypbLifOabG6jsSHb8F2GtOQgNMF2lbQ71v5x7_7j4rfLgxWBaEB/s1600-h/IMG_5376_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlvhGXJCJmhRKEGUX6f9DtE5ktffVec8_7MvU_CnJXoJ6Ey-FCbGjCWBrWIkqk5mcODbM8XTnKvKqNZUyeypbLifOabG6jsSHb8F2GtOQgNMF2lbQ71v5x7_7j4rfLgxWBaEB/s400/IMG_5376_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413233868937364178" /></a><br />Then, a little more than 3 days later, on November 30th we got to meet Jack, our beautiful baby boy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UmE0EkbO8CsaLIP-aYR6T5qQvUj_wJHZvwwwdHvJ7CbuhpvIEy4hX8O-upCqAcGybyduHbKdUjQz1FDcjdP0S12ZtfY6bmALb-UX7pDXmjY-hhO0qf3Xu66_bIghvx_fV8HQ/s1600-h/jacksbirthday+109.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UmE0EkbO8CsaLIP-aYR6T5qQvUj_wJHZvwwwdHvJ7CbuhpvIEy4hX8O-upCqAcGybyduHbKdUjQz1FDcjdP0S12ZtfY6bmALb-UX7pDXmjY-hhO0qf3Xu66_bIghvx_fV8HQ/s400/jacksbirthday+109.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415637039669932594" /></a><br />I mean seriously, the fact that he was inside my belly is hard to believe. All those kicks, jabs, and hiccups came from him. Amazing. Babies are miracles.I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-44521804346131489422009-12-09T08:42:00.008-05:002009-12-09T08:48:05.597-05:00Introducing...Jack Charles Murphy!<br /><br />We are so incredibly grateful for this huge blessing! He came into our lives November 30th at 3:09 am, weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces and measuring 22 inches long.<br /><br />It certainly wasn't easy getting him here, but definitely worth every second of the 32 hours I was in labor. One day soon I'll sit down and write out the details before it slips from my sleep-deprived mind.<br /><br />Hope you enjoy these photos as much as we're enjoying him!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk2QQhrnnHzHwC7_CdW5XO-0N9eQEVO3nANC4DWS4-w7edgPvwVKvKdVHws14O_RkXel_ynw-TA8-87nswWfuDLr8eMaiz7Wc4NsZwMSNlN4UU1OYEVCcLKe3Fag650hMx-Sr/s1600-h/IMG_5399.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk2QQhrnnHzHwC7_CdW5XO-0N9eQEVO3nANC4DWS4-w7edgPvwVKvKdVHws14O_RkXel_ynw-TA8-87nswWfuDLr8eMaiz7Wc4NsZwMSNlN4UU1OYEVCcLKe3Fag650hMx-Sr/s400/IMG_5399.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413232486412797058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwJLBgs_KW3VHwv_4jhE4PY-2dIxQBUcx2nT5YQASU2oFCIL4wvRGbLPEDwNpAQxud1cqSmFHAhPjjrOaacd43E05DxtWNU1coyNmJHQotazxV9k2UQWNHyTlgADcX4XdEsrc/s1600-h/IMG_5416_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwJLBgs_KW3VHwv_4jhE4PY-2dIxQBUcx2nT5YQASU2oFCIL4wvRGbLPEDwNpAQxud1cqSmFHAhPjjrOaacd43E05DxtWNU1coyNmJHQotazxV9k2UQWNHyTlgADcX4XdEsrc/s400/IMG_5416_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413232196537738274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1R3VUY5OhJJu_fUdfjRtFNzqt3Kp275CWfDIPFH6OQA_REmR8Ad6EH-cz9rs8TpRUBFe1LWksvRxjJ2HQZLGOlikd3gGMb2oaetIHexu2SxBmrzpFFGD7_IDxGgcueJtt_7R/s1600-h/Jack+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1R3VUY5OhJJu_fUdfjRtFNzqt3Kp275CWfDIPFH6OQA_REmR8Ad6EH-cz9rs8TpRUBFe1LWksvRxjJ2HQZLGOlikd3gGMb2oaetIHexu2SxBmrzpFFGD7_IDxGgcueJtt_7R/s400/Jack+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413231992211757986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhaN07Pqz2KQ0He2wS6v1lwkAFkj_hu1d0ft4-YnE1I2_7CrmYVrhGXzvMFASH7GrknYVF-ycr_tOD2WwPvoGOUk_nK-OnzJVP2he-Mo8WFDoo5l8FvfgV-JcAqSC6_vUlBJZ/s1600-h/Jack+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhaN07Pqz2KQ0He2wS6v1lwkAFkj_hu1d0ft4-YnE1I2_7CrmYVrhGXzvMFASH7GrknYVF-ycr_tOD2WwPvoGOUk_nK-OnzJVP2he-Mo8WFDoo5l8FvfgV-JcAqSC6_vUlBJZ/s400/Jack+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413231881551231026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcIbHmvpn5iVdb1oC7Qx1FMAip4TXKyg-wnppXVAVKBz1qsjFPKE1aPbt9YD6c41V5dTxKLFynk2tUFcgoA1phPVNMrOXShVV8JOBGjgCr4fCAM-8_OI0ornBQOpDYClEicoh/s1600-h/jack+027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcIbHmvpn5iVdb1oC7Qx1FMAip4TXKyg-wnppXVAVKBz1qsjFPKE1aPbt9YD6c41V5dTxKLFynk2tUFcgoA1phPVNMrOXShVV8JOBGjgCr4fCAM-8_OI0ornBQOpDYClEicoh/s400/jack+027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413231721914230354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPtF3KsnRiAwL1Kp0MwNjZDNjfGb3kxZ2jTqBCb46YYbivewISDO4tqbl-hfbqOFzZdj2YWfSREWCvONbutfEHesTvxKRirbQPnx-hhyphenhyphen7B3IFMjDKbz-S-hkOofGr1JazrLXF/s1600-h/jack+032.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPtF3KsnRiAwL1Kp0MwNjZDNjfGb3kxZ2jTqBCb46YYbivewISDO4tqbl-hfbqOFzZdj2YWfSREWCvONbutfEHesTvxKRirbQPnx-hhyphenhyphen7B3IFMjDKbz-S-hkOofGr1JazrLXF/s400/jack+032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413231563836396738" /></a>I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-89221998623252623652009-11-20T09:09:00.007-05:002009-11-20T10:17:29.689-05:00Fashionably LateLike most first babies, our little guy has decided to wait a bit longer than his due date to make his grand entrance into our lives. Since I am now 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant, we have officially started the waiting game. But, even as I say "officially," I know it's not actually official. Over the course of the first half of my pregnancy, I was given three different due dates, ranging from November 13th to November 26th, so I could be only 39 weeks pregnant at this point. <br /><br />My midwives are going by the 19th due date, but have told me that if the 26th comes and goes, and the baby and I both look healthy, they won't be in any big hurry to induce. Which I am very thankful for. I'm of the opinion that the baby will arrive when he knows it's time, and who am I to rush him along just because I'm ready to meet him? Of course, if it looks like the baby is running out of amniotic fluid, my placenta is breaking down, he's not getting the nutrients he needs, or any other issues are going on that are threatening either of our health, then of course, an induction would be necessary and favorable. <br /><br />I found out at my last appointment that the <a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/labor-contractions.aspx">chemicals that start the labor process</a> are released from my babies brain; not the female parts of my body, but from my baby. He's the one we're waiting on to tell us when the time is right. I think that's a pretty cool process that was designed by our Creator. Doctors and scientists have attempted to duplicate these chemicals but, thankfully, have been unsuccessful. Babies and the birth process are mysterious miracles and we as humans have messed up many aspects of it, hopefully this is one aspect we won't be able to duplicate. <br /><br />Until we meet our little guy, I'll be attempting to enjoy every second of freedom that comes with not caring for every need another human. While I am so excited to meet him, I realize that our lives are going to be turned upside down, in lots of great ways, but they will never be the same. So I'm going to take long showers, spend too much time on the internet, take a nap when I feel like it, get an almost full night of sleep (minus all the obligatory trips to the bathroom), and lots of other things that won't be as easy with a newborn.<br /><br />Another thing I'll be doing is trying not to let sarcastic responses slip out when I'm faced with all the, "You're <span style="font-style:italic;">still</span> pregnant?!" and, "You haven't had that baby <span style="font-style:italic;">yet</span>?!" comments that come from people I'm speaking with face-to-face. One of the things I've realized over the last 10 months is, if you're not sure what to say to a pregnant lady, know that, even if you don't mean it this way, many things could come across as hurtful and frustrating. A sincere, "How are you feeling?" or "You look great," are always a safe bet. Even if the latter isn't completely true, she enjoys hearing it because she most likely doesn't actually believe it herself. Coming down off my soap box now.<br /><br />Stay tuned, we'll keep you posted as things progress!I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-89213489229112895922009-11-13T10:55:00.004-05:002009-11-13T12:45:29.147-05:00Déjà VuThese last few days of rain, wind, and gray skies have transported me back to Scotland.<br /><br />Typically, this long of a stretch of weather like we've had this week would have quite the depressing effect on my demeanor, but this time it has a slightly comforting appeal to it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not wishing for weather like this to continue and I definitely am not preferring it over blue sunny skies, but now that we've had the chance to step away from constant dreary weather of Scotland, and have been exposed to a (somewhat) hot Virginia summer and a beautiful fall, I can appreciate it a bit more and not get so annoyed with it. <br /><br />I think behind my contentment is the knowledge of a stretch of sunny skies and warmer weather that is right around the corner, a luxury we didn't have in Scotland.<br /><br />I could get deeper about how this is a reflection of my attitude toward life and how if I could learn to appreciate the gray skies as much as the blue skies, and keep the perspective that there are always blue skies around the corner, I might just learn more from the rainy days and see the joy in all the seasons of my life, no matter how gray the sky is or how long the rain sticks around. <br /><br />But instead, I'll soak in this gray, rainy day and reminisce about the great times we had in Scotland, and more importantly about all the incredible people we met who love us like their own family and who we miss terribly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLC664cZv8-WLuYz4MdEYYS3J7VmjhngpWn-ZP7Y8oYnNedsF50UXABgH6ZSr85U_Y4ciM6clEZuATZSZMrR4Kx_XYSWZPgT86OQMtZ41dDZUembk-e_FTp_csGipDM0_E68R/s1600-h/IMG_4752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLC664cZv8-WLuYz4MdEYYS3J7VmjhngpWn-ZP7Y8oYnNedsF50UXABgH6ZSr85U_Y4ciM6clEZuATZSZMrR4Kx_XYSWZPgT86OQMtZ41dDZUembk-e_FTp_csGipDM0_E68R/s400/IMG_4752.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403645028488165746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9Ilm7O_5SJtcwojbSuIibVLj_WTMVzAFTnX6o67UAV7e9i3hCfxLEpxoaytfezYZwoKDVsgEuVDeoGz44RUM6TyLGXs-82HKJwd03iRTQrHJpHoHoFjhRfM1z3_Ax-w9SPxO/s1600-h/IMG_3128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9Ilm7O_5SJtcwojbSuIibVLj_WTMVzAFTnX6o67UAV7e9i3hCfxLEpxoaytfezYZwoKDVsgEuVDeoGz44RUM6TyLGXs-82HKJwd03iRTQrHJpHoHoFjhRfM1z3_Ax-w9SPxO/s400/IMG_3128.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403643694186926610" /></a>I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-74306551292570479332009-11-07T10:09:00.001-05:002009-11-07T11:18:27.184-05:0038 Weeks, and a RealizationAbout a week ago, a funny thing happened. I saw my profile in a mirror and realized that for the first time, my big belly seemed normal to me. Up until then, I would see my reflection and be surprised or just shake my head in disbelief that this ever expanding belly is actually a part of my body.<br /><br />It only took 9 months to get to that point, but I'm finally here. Having a child grow inside my body is such a bizarre, and incredible, experience, I can't even begin to explain it; and I never would've been able to understand what it's like without experiencing it.<br /><br />So here we are, 38 weeks pregnant and two weeks to go until D-day. But of course, a due date, as everyone knows, is merely a suggestion, especially for first babies. Our little guy could decide to arrive any day, or it could be another four weeks from now. My hope is he'll arrive on the day that is best for him, he can take as long as he needs to grow and develop...as long as it happens during the month of November. <br /><br />In the last week, I've been dealing with some pain in the hip/pelvic area. From what I've been told, ligaments are loosening up down there to prepare for this little man's arrival, which is one of the reasons for pain. Another issue I've been having is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciatica">sciatica</a>; apparently he's camped out on a nerve which is causing random shooting pains through my hip and leg and pain whenever I take a step. But I've talked to ladies who've had this kind of pain for 2/3rds of their pregnancy, so if it's only the last 3-4 weeks that I'm having to deal with this, I'd say that's pretty good and I'm super grateful.<br /><br />I'm off to pack my hospital bag. I'm a horrible procrastinator when it comes to packing for a trip, I usually do it after midnight the night before a trip. That obviously won't work this time since I imagine the last thing I'll feel like doing in the midst of labor pains is packing a bag with all the necessities. <br /><br />Here's where I could use your help: any suggestions from you mothers (or fathers) of items I definitely will want or items you took and definitely didn't need?I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-64947505060156944662009-10-26T23:17:00.006-04:002009-10-27T00:14:38.204-04:00Almost 37 Weeks, and a Few Random TidbitsEven as I type the title, I have trouble believing it. As each day passes, I'm getting more and more excited about meeting our son. And surprisingly, I'm also getting more and more excited about the process I'll have to go through to meet our son. Maybe it's a case of ignorance being bliss, but it might also be that I'm reading a book that is helping me look more at the positive aspects of labor and delivery and not dwell as much on the aspects of it I've been focusing on up until now (those are mainly thoughts that have to do with the size of a baby and the size of my body. yikes!).<br /><br />Lately he's been jumping around in my belly like he's trying to break out. It's funny because it seems as though the more squished he gets in there, the more he's moving around like a maniac; you'd think he would calm it down a bit. <br /><br />It is a relief to be so close to 37 weeks, since that's when a baby is considered <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/6_your-pregnancy-37-weeks_1126.bc">full term</a>. But I'm definitely not wishing for his little guy to be born now. I'm much more comfortable with the idea of him coming around my due date (November 19th). I want him to have as much time as he needs to fatten up and be fully ready to face this world. Plus I need a bit more time to get organized. But I have this sneaking suspicion that even if I had another 9 months, I'd never be as organized as I'd like to be.<br /> <br />Two of my lovely sisters-in-law (Jenna & Leah) headed up the effort to throw us an incredible baby shower yesterday. Although it was more like a torrential downpour than a shower: the ladies who came to celebrate with me were all incredibly generous, I think I opened gifts for 90 minutes straight! <br /><br />Last Wednesday, James and I took what was probably our last overnight trip for quite some time. James's sister's former boss gave her an incredible gift of two tickets to the final game of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_League_Championship_Series">NLCS</a>. She then generously passed the tickets on to us. James's favorite team, the Philadelphia Phillies were playing the Dodgers in Philly. It was so much fun. One day, little Murph (as nicknamed by <a href="http://madeinrichmond.net/">Val</a> & Ross) will be excited to see evidence of his first, and surely not last, Phillies game:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt1kRAO-un2axDfOy0DrBlwxJ65pVNbeX52uGQ63RGKyWMUgDWcrnoXtThuKXr2hbo3bFMX5hOEXQlqn8IrKm13r7_VRllJw7tLvqenwQVuENioW5PN19V-CSZrtXMAKkW7pb/s1600-h/IMG_5249.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt1kRAO-un2axDfOy0DrBlwxJ65pVNbeX52uGQ63RGKyWMUgDWcrnoXtThuKXr2hbo3bFMX5hOEXQlqn8IrKm13r7_VRllJw7tLvqenwQVuENioW5PN19V-CSZrtXMAKkW7pb/s400/IMG_5249.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397123339542621474" /></a><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLnMJAlk-6AjvdmF2gjDInBsmmEFxHLyTR6LHhZvADv_sxINTwkkT3zYyCS7r-Qjfmgst_yIcUHTqoU8ZmGoin0CzvY3WgnUOmQcCYLgsqoVvx3fL-Nc8Ag9ZA2iAJGkR-Lo1/s1600-h/IMG_5247.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLnMJAlk-6AjvdmF2gjDInBsmmEFxHLyTR6LHhZvADv_sxINTwkkT3zYyCS7r-Qjfmgst_yIcUHTqoU8ZmGoin0CzvY3WgnUOmQcCYLgsqoVvx3fL-Nc8Ag9ZA2iAJGkR-Lo1/s400/IMG_5247.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397123717142165218" /></a><br /><br />That's all for now because sitting upright for too long causes some intense back pain. An inconvenience I'll gladly deal with since it means getting to soon meet Baby Boy Murphy!I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-4236592614699611442009-09-02T23:00:00.001-04:002009-09-02T23:06:21.847-04:00The LatestI've been hesitant to post anything lately about what life has been like since we moved back, and it could be for one of the following reasons, but I'm going to go with the idea that it's probably a combination of all of them<br /><br />-I'm 29 weeks pregnant and that seems to consume most of my brain power on most days. Funny how using one's body to grow another person and then the prospect of bringing that person into this world, to then be responsible (thankfully, in conjunction with my husband) for said person, can really sap one's energy.<br /><br />-Add a sinus infection that's been going strong for a week to the mix and subtract all the medications non-pregnant people can take, you've got one miserable week. <br /><br />-Then there's the chaos of moving back from living in Scotland, finding a place to live, a job for my husband, health insurance, transportation, and re-connecting with people we've been away from for two years, all while living with my parents and some with my sister and brother-in-law (thank the Lord for their hospitality and generosity because without them our lives would be even more ridiculously chaotic).<br /><br />-Throw in some traveling around the East Coast and Mid-West. To be exact, 31 days of traveling spread over the space of 63 days.<br /><br />-Figuring out how to transition back to living in America, after being in the UK for two years, when our future seems so unclear.<br /><br />Yeah, I'm gonna go with the idea that all of these things together cause me to not even know where to start when it comes to processing and writing out how I'm feeling about all this stuff. <br /><br />Don't get me wrong, this is not a list of complaints, (ok, well maybe the one about the sinus infection is a complaint, but can you blame me?) these are all wonderful (and when it comes to the baby, miraculous) experiences, exciting adventures, and fabulous times with people we love. But, I'm realizing, especially now after writing it out, that it's a lot to handle all at once, and that realization is helping me do something that my husband has been pleading with me to do for months: cut myself some slack, stop trying to do so much stuff, and ask for/accept help from people.<br /><br />So as we figure out how to navigate this new form of our lives, I'm hoping to keep everyone updated, but can't make any guarantees to the updates having any sort of consistency. <br /><br />For now, I'm going to relax and enjoy feeling our little guy start his nightly kick-boxing routine in my belly. He's a feisty fella, and I love it!I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-70036518490528389752009-09-02T22:43:00.003-04:002009-09-02T22:51:08.551-04:00Mark the CalendarI received my first, "you look like you're ready to pop" comment from a total stranger today. I knew the tactless, random comments from strangers were inevitable, I just didn't expect it quite yet. <br /><br />Maybe it was the surprised look on my face, or the fact that I obviously had no idea how to reply, that made the lady follow up with, "oh it's just that you're so petite, that's why you look like you're ready to pop."<br /><br />Goodness, I've still got 11 weeks left, and this baby has lots more to grow; what will they be saying when I'm really and truly ready to pop?I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-7280540009692509632009-09-01T20:23:00.003-04:002009-09-01T21:01:10.769-04:00Funny SignsI laughed all the way through reading Stacy and Kyle's report on the <a href="http://salesinscotland.blogspot.com/2009/08/signspotting.html">Funny Signs Exhibition</a> in Edinburgh, Scotland. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-23685697649132485722009-08-19T21:39:00.002-04:002009-08-19T21:52:02.539-04:00At the BeachI've had the chance to relearn what the word "relax" means. <br /><br />We're halfway through our week-long family beach vacation (my first instinct was to write beach <span style="font-style:italic;">holiday</span>, UK English is still prominent in my mind sometimes) and I've realized I haven't truly relaxed, for an extended period of time, in the past two years. Maybe I've had short times of physical relaxation or mental relaxation, but never at the same time. This week I truly feel like my whole being is decompressing. <br /><br />I really needed it and it feels great, so I'm going to stop writing about it and go relax some more.I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-11600940474170242212009-08-11T14:37:00.005-04:002009-08-11T15:03:53.459-04:00The Mystery SolvedThough it's been less than a month since we've returned to Richmond from our two years in Scotland, it feels like we've crammed 8 weeks of life into the last three.<br /><br />The most exciting event thus far has to be finding out that we're having a BOY!!! AND, that our little boy looks as though he is perfectly healthy and growing right on schedule. <br /><br />I'm somewhere between 25 and 27 weeks along, I've been given three different due dates, so this baby will most likely make his appearance somewhere between the middle and end of November. I'm liking the ambiguity though, that way I (hopefully) won't be so anxious if the baby decides to hang out for a bit longer than my original due date of mid-November.<br /><br />We even got to see our little guy in 4D! We weren't expecting it at all; all of the sudden, the technician flips a switch, and SURPRISE, there's an image on the screen of our baby that makes it seem like we're looking at him face-to-face. Technology blows my mind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYapIC3DlV8qodsyv4ll7aNSx_RyjILZxwzOLaWqIKVtDyAqhrT8kZT-xq4wUml744IHOf2h58-ZForfLTo8ExMjAxgVhN-Q9J-lUDnCCdo043n2jiUxll2mKTpKBmKx7Cztk/s1600-h/boy2Dultrasound.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYapIC3DlV8qodsyv4ll7aNSx_RyjILZxwzOLaWqIKVtDyAqhrT8kZT-xq4wUml744IHOf2h58-ZForfLTo8ExMjAxgVhN-Q9J-lUDnCCdo043n2jiUxll2mKTpKBmKx7Cztk/s400/boy2Dultrasound.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368779138323884834" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbH8CUtOcDNSoYknMiZyejNBgBnQY1X1QerIbeLbocojvpnm5i0x4ZgRnrlpuxbc6TlSwpLvGBLHbQ1hnB__Z_hS9QfrO8YFDihSBiSENxreiMfhslJnVuthJ6z137k5OViBl/s1600-h/boy4Dultrasound.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 379px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbH8CUtOcDNSoYknMiZyejNBgBnQY1X1QerIbeLbocojvpnm5i0x4ZgRnrlpuxbc6TlSwpLvGBLHbQ1hnB__Z_hS9QfrO8YFDihSBiSENxreiMfhslJnVuthJ6z137k5OViBl/s400/boy4Dultrasound.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368778367121640274" /></a><br /><br />Life's pretty crazy for us for the next couple of months; this whole transitioning thing is harder than expected, and we haven't even officially begun transitioning yet since we're hopping all over the east coast until October. But overall, life is great. We're loving being back in Richmond, though we're missing Dornoch and all our friends there more than words can express. We're already making plans to for our first visit back to Scotland!I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-19275015615317930832009-07-03T15:27:00.004-04:002009-07-04T06:22:29.829-04:00And the Ultrasound Results are...We're Having a....Sorry for the let down, but we still don't know. Our little one just didn't feel like spreading his legs for us to get a good view of his nether regions. (I know, I know, it's probably confusing that I'm still writing "he," even though we don't know which pronoun we will be using permanently, but I'm sticking with the pronoun I chose in the beginning to make things easier. I'm not into writing "he/she" or "it" for 4 more months so until we know more, "he" it is.)<br /><br />But really, the opportunity of finding out our baby's sex was the least important bit of information we could've received on Wednesday. I am so incredibly grateful for all the great news we got. During the ultrasound, the technician looked at the baby in even greater detail than she would have at a typical 20 week ultrasound. I take a medication to control epilepsy and with it comes some risk of birth defects, so they wanted to make doubly sure that everything looks ok with our baby, specifically with his heart. She didn't see any cause for alarm, and every measurement showed his growth as being right on, or even a little bit ahead of, schedule. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88uH9BJg5J08tcSJ15f1l9c_o7P4buukClCIF5Uv5VQwIA2T2UQcotEnThP6eySb9jY0YthVs2Rijhc8M_ZyE_eek5EOoprHIp8PuCjfrHtJgjI3KNy1a-NGpcBFwYaYG2Dv1/s1600-h/20weekscan3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88uH9BJg5J08tcSJ15f1l9c_o7P4buukClCIF5Uv5VQwIA2T2UQcotEnThP6eySb9jY0YthVs2Rijhc8M_ZyE_eek5EOoprHIp8PuCjfrHtJgjI3KNy1a-NGpcBFwYaYG2Dv1/s400/20weekscan3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354326120574154034" /></a><br /><br />Still, everyday, I'm struck with how amazing it is that a baby is able to grow inside of me. What a miracle.I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33250164.post-41633929807446774262009-06-29T06:21:00.003-04:002009-06-29T06:46:08.175-04:00Year of the Visitor: Part 11, The Final ChapterIn keeping with my recent life tendencies, this post is overdue, but I'm getting it done nonetheless. <br /><br />Six days ago we said goodbye to our last set of visitors (unless of course, we have some surprise visitors sometime in the next 16 days, which we are open to!) in Scotland: my parents and my 11 year old nephew Noah. We had an awesome time with them and got to do some sightseeing things we hadn't done yet. <br /><br />It was pretty easy to say goodbye since we knew we'd see them in three weeks.<br /><br />I hadn't spent that much non-stop time with my nephew in years and it was such a blast to see how he's grown and changed. He's developing quite the sense of humor and is very witty. He's also incredibly thoughtful and generous for a boy his age. He kept us laughing which made the entire trip (and especially the car rides to far-away sightseeing places) much more fun! <br /><br />Pictures soon to come, for now it's back to packing.I'm Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00733545625387035014noreply@blogger.com0