Once Again

Once again I haven't been very good at keeping up with our blog. I have several complaints that I need to keep everyone posted on what we are doing.

Every month Josh takes a baby belly picture. I'll show February's because I have a feeling March is going to be ugly. (HUGE)

The first weekend I skipped I had a huge surprise. Alana, Lana, and Brig flew out. I had no idea they were coming. I was tucked away in bed when there was a knock on the door. Josh asked me if I heard that and I said yes-"who would knock on our basement door?" He went to the door and I told him "don't just open it-look!!!" Then walks in the three girls! I couldn't believe it! I couldn't even jump up and do the pee-pee dance with excitement because I had been in bed already for a few hours and was hot. I took off my PJ bottoms!!! They all laughed when I told them I was hot and I didn't have any pajama bottoms! The things you say when you don't expect company or when you've been sleeping for a couple of hours.

I showed them around a bit. We went tot he Pentagon Memorial, Georgetown, and the White House. Brig always likes to say "one scared we're all scared" and we had a few stories like that!

Alana got caught in the doors and the security sensor at Barnes and Noble- I can't even begin to explain the noise that came out of her-I still laugh when I think about it. It was the first time Lana was here! I wish I could have shown her around a bit more.

Josh and I decided on new running shoes for each other for Valentines Day! I picked out some hot new Asics.

The following week I was hit with the FLU BUG! and I thought I was going to die...Agh I hate being sick! Lucky for Josh he didn't get it. He was working alot and was at a conference. I think it was better that he was gone. I slept for several hours and it felt so good to just sleep.

February is my B-day month. I turned 30! I can't beleive it-I saw it written at the doctor's office-Ouch 30! Am I really 30?

With that I spent another weekend with Alana, Lana, and Brig. They threw a party for me and "Nubs." I got several cute stuff to help Josh and I with the baby. Catey my neice has been super helpful throwing out names. Josh and I have a small list that we narrowed it down to. But I think we are going to have to see the little guy to make our final decision! But...I'm open for suggestions-we still have time.

Our appointments seem to be going well-I've had a couple follow-ups when it come to radiology. It seems the little guy doesn't like to sit still. They've tried having me lay on my side. Use the restroom. Walk around. The last appointment led us to another hospital-where they have a stronger machine/different level. They final got the views of his spine and all four heart chambers. My attitude toward it all-"IT IS WHAT IT IS." There's no need to get all worked up about it, I can't stress the what if and maybes. It seems to be working for me! I don't have to go back in until late this month. Which after so many appoinments last month I'm cool with that.

Tease

I always like to brag about the weather when it is warm here. Rumor has it February is suppose to be the worst one in years. Well, this weekend we spent the last two days outside. It's 65 degrees out right now and it's not even 1:00 in the afternoon.

I promised last year that I wouldn't write about running anymore. Josh came back out of retirement and is planning to run three races that I know of and God only knows how many other ones he signed up for. So today we hit the trail. I like to be referred as "coach" I follow him with my bike and take in the nice weather. For those who've been out here, we went to Gravely Point (where we watch the planes land) It's eight miles round trip. I just wanted to prepare you all there will be another year of photos of Josh racing!

We went to "Match Box" a restaurant in the city. It was so yummy. We had to wait a bit but it was worth every minute. http://www.matchboxdc.com/

I got kicked out of the Lab. I had some lab work to do. I went to the hospital started the procedure and when asked what I had for breakfast-I was told I needed to come back. Apparently I didn't pick the best breakfast! I'm a sucker for Honey Smacks...Little tiny sugar cubes as the guy at the clinic refers them to! So this week there will be another trip to the hospital.

Ju-Ju is loving the nice weather too! He has his friends he meets up with on the path and he has his spots he has to mark every walk!

What happened to January?

January just flew by! And I haven't wrote a thing down in this blog for weeks! I guess I will just have to do a recap. In the start of January we did a fast trip to Ohio. Josh is working on his masters and I had a couple trips to the doctors. Ju-Ju has a new favorite snack-cookies!!!

The inauguration was very exciting. The city was buzzing for days. I took some pictures when they were setting up. Josh spent many hours at work. I didn't make it to "the mall" but watched it on a big screen at the town square in Alexandria. I took a few pictures just to show you how many people were there.

This year I have started off work with a bang. Really some interesting projects and clients. We have been asked to help a novelty shop! Lately I have been laughing a lot. The drapery workroom I work with said-you got to take the jobs where you can get them! The town is extremely upset the shop is even there and we have the pressure of classing the place up! Wish me luck. Besides that we are still pretty busy it's fun to meet people, see how they live, and help them make there place a home!

Nubs got his/her picture taken again! We get the joys of doing the sonogram over. After 45minute of flips, twists, and turns. They didn't get very good pictures and asked that I come again. The tech was trying to show us the baby and couldn't even click the key board. As soon as she had it centered there was a wiggle flip whatever the baby was gone! She held the wand to my tummy very still and had us watch the screen it was bouncing all over the place.

Josh has been excited because he gets the feel the baby too! His most often asked question is "how do you sleep?"

Josh flew to a conference and had a quick return due to weather. They have been very busy. He even got to bring a sleeping bag to work this month and spend a few days in his office! Poor guy.

We went to dinner with a small group of friends. The place was empty and the staff was pushing out! It was extremely weird. We all tipped and then realized the tip was included too. So they got a reasonable amount! I wasn't sure what there rush was. There wasn't a big group waiting for a table. I still think about it!

January ended up being pretty chilly for a few days! I'm feel guilty because it's nothing compare to what my family and friends live through in Wisconsin. But we are getting spoiled the 1st of February and it's almost 60 degrees out! Josh, Ju-Ju, and I are going to get outside and enjoy this weather!

Ohio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45DFVyriVI0

The past few years I've been singing this "bowling for soup" song! Whenever we mention Ohio or plan on going to Ohio I get this song in my head.

Our recent trip to Ohio was interesting in many ways. Neither Josh nor I could get going straight away. We both had some work to do. Josh had to get his paper work and I had to travel to a new clients. That's right travel. It was well over an hour one way. Then turn around and go back to the store only to be picked up passed the location I was just at, to go to Ohio! That's when the song starts in my head!
The trip there went smooth. The only trouble was getting the bowl game on the am radio! Okay I lied also the tension of only hearing and not seeing the plays when Texas beat Ohio! We speed in just to watch the last few minutes of the game.
The next morning we woke up to ice. We still had to travel to get to Josh's parents home. The news and his brother informed us that one highway was even closed off until 10am! We got in and I took a little cat nap. The day before I had been in the car about 10hrs! I just wanted to stretch and take a real nap! I had a little trouble. I was frozen like a Popsicle and I'm just not use to having an eight year little girl and a four year old boy bounce off the walls!

Grandma's wake was lovely. There was beautiful flowers and she looked so peaceful. I struggled trying to remember who's who and how do they know my name?! The weather continued to play tricks. It wasn't awful but it just wouldn't let up.
We went back to Monte and Pam's. Anna and Ayden continued to bounce off the wall. I'm sure the koolaide and chocolates from the funeral home weren't helping at all!
Brandee stopped by with the girls. As I was getting off my dress and getting my night stuff together little Stella was busy playing in the toilet! Poor Kent had to clean her up. Silly Stella!

Again Josh and I woke up to yucky weather. We snuck away and had breakfast together. We then got ready and went back to the funeral home. The weather quickly changed to snow and a little more wind. We had lunch with the family in the Church basement. We wanted to try to get on the road sooner then later. We gathered our stuff said our goodbyes and headed for the interstate. The wind was strong and the snow/rain wouldn't stop. Trying to pass the semi's was so hard-just a big puff of grey! The plows were out and so were the cops. We then decided if people started to go in the ditch we would pull over and call it a night. We continued for a bit. Highest speed of 40mph on the interstate just wasn't fun! I looked up some hotels off the GPS and started calling for availability. We were behind well over an hour. Cars were going off in the ditch and Josh said he was done! We just didn't see the point to try to risk it. The nasty weather was right over us. We called it a night. The puppy played in the snow, we showered and watched a movie and actually relaxed for a bit.

The next morning was sunny. We climbed back in the car and started for home. Well, we drove right back into the mess! If it wasn't rain-then snow. Once we got in the mountains the temp dropped for 30something to the teens! Brrr They were hit by and ice storm it looked so pretty every single blade of grass covered in ice! The trees just shimmered! And our car crept. We ended pulling up to our house a 4:00 in the afternoon. Both our jobs understood but that didn't mean people were covering for us.
Friday was both long days for us. Spending hours in the car is a drag! We were glad to make it back. Grandma Evan's was so sweet-we didn't want to miss it.

There's Nothing Wrong With Ohio...Except For The Snow and the Rain!

Catching Up

I didn't write a whole lot about Christmas. Josh and I had a wonderful time. It felt so good not to be at work and spend hours in our jammies! Ju-Ju loves all the attention and the snacks! I had wonderful packages sent! My Dad took good care of us this year-he went to a local candy shop in Appleton and bought chocolates. I wasn't the only one that got treats, Ju-Ju received cookies! We both got so many, the sad thing is my chocolates are gone and Ju-Ju still is working on his bag of cookies! Josh unwrapped tools.We haven't had too many projects recently but I'm sure he can use them as we start buying things for the baby.

Josh and Ju-Ju spoiled me rotten. We always go a little overboard over the holidays but it's nice because we both pick out great things for each other. I have a new bag which works out really handy with my extra drinks and snacks I tote to work. I also received a new makeup kit. I'm not really a master yet. I must of missed that stage when I was young but I have been practicing! I came across some pictures Josh's granny gave to us this summer. I took them to the photo store and had two photos of Josh, Brian, and Todd blown up. I think that surprised Josh the most. Josh also really loves his new red North Face coat.

Last was our surprise from Jeff and David (Owner/Boss at work) I was in the store Christmas Eve when David gave me my gift. He told me I had to wait to open it with Josh. So I took the gift and walked home. I have about a mile walk from the store to our house. I thought about tons of things we have in the store. It was so flippin heavy! I thought it was a bust or a statue. Really, to top it off I had to finish a few things in the office that day because I had spent so many days at a clients home-I knew I wasn't going to be in the store all day so I took Ju-Ju to work with me. So picture it-my new body! This heavy gift and my crazy dog walking home from the store. Finally when I made it home it didn't take Josh too long before he was home too. We opened the gift and came across at note. It Read:

Tiny fingers and tiny toes,

Bright baby eyes, cute baby nose;

Hear baby gurgles and baby sighs,

As New Mom and Dads sing lullabies.

Life will change, but that's okay;

It's fun to spend glad hours each day,

Take time for all the good

That comes along with parenthood.

Congratulations!

Our Christmas gift to you all is a new crib

for little nubs to lay.

So Ju-Ju can only look but stay away

We hope you find something for the little nub

A place he/she can call their hub.

Merry Christmas

Love jeff, david, & bella

Included in the package was a catalog of children furniture. So, we can pick out our own crib for the baby! It was like a scene from t.v. it was such a pleasant surprise I pretty sure we both could have shedded a tear! What an amazing gift.

Everyone was extra good to us this year!

I guess I need to explain a little...Awhile back when we were at one of the many doctor's appoint the dr. pointed out where the babies arms and legs are growing and refereed to them as nubs. Since then it really stuck and we have been calling the baby nubs! I know how sad is that. We do have both boy and girl names picked out but until then; I think we are just going to continue to call the baby nubs-Just don't tell he or she later! I know I wont be getting mom of the year award just because of that!

I feel bad because I don't have much to say about New Years. I went to bed extra early and didn't even make it to midnight. The following day we spent snacking away and watching movies with our friends. We were lazy but finally it wasn't because we were hung over!

So far January is flying by. My Brother Gary just celebrated another Birthday! They cooked on the grill and made tini's! Wish we could have been there.

Josh is back in school doing on-line courses. He seems to be adjusting-it's just a lot of reading to squeeze in his day or get papers in by the week's end.

2008

As you see I have been horrible at blogging! Josh and I continue to be very busy with work, and both on very long hours. I'm happy to say I get overtime and it looks lovely on my check! However it is very sad to be Josh, he can work 8 or 15hrs and it says the same thing every time! Poor Josh.
Well 2008 flew by. We snuck a few trips in. Josh ran some really good races improving his time. I had visitors come out. All in all 2008 was pretty good to us.
Recently we have been excited sharing our baby news! Ju-Ju still has no idea-he's world will be turned upside down! But I do however think he knows something is up! He has taken very good care of me. He loves our walks when I get my exercise, he's the best at taking naps and relaxing! And he's into the whole rub down of cream for the belly-I just spend more time rubbing his belly-we all know he wont have stretch marks!

Sad News

Tomorrow we will hit the road to Ohio-Grandma Evans Past away this weekend. We will miss her very much. I will miss most of all her letters! If you ever received a note from her you will know what I'm talking about. She wrote all over the card, in a circle, on the left, in the back across the print, or on the photo, and my favorite on the margins she had empty...it took several minutes to figure out but you knew she wrote them and that's what made it special! We will miss you grandma.