It's a . . . . .

Here I am at 21 weeks (just over 5 months for the layman)!

Boy!

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails
That's what little boys are made of!

Tomorrow's the big day!

Tomorrow we are going in for our ultrasound. I have my own prediction. What's your's?

Goodbye 7303! Hello 6905!

During Spring break, J and I started looking for a bigger house. Little did we know that the house we would choose was only nine blocks from our first house. So, over Memorial Day weekend, we made the long move.

A ate her first chocolate covered donut on the first morning in our new house. Despite all of the changes and adjustments that come with being in a new house, A seems unscathed, wouldn't you say?
We hauled boxes until about 1 p.m. and then quickly got started on painting the family room. J and I agreed that the seafoam color needed to go, and go NOW!

Thankfully, we were able to set up the living room with no immediate painting necessary.

Very Belated Easter Adventures

A's first experience with an Easter bunny didn't start off too well, and, too be honest, I completely understood. Is this not the most freakish Easter bunny you've ever seen?

It got a little better once the rain stopped, and we could let A explore the football field sectioned off for 0-2 year olds. J faithfully carried the basket as she watched all of the other equally confused children be prompted to "pick up an egg" by their parents.

Fortunately for us, my parents came to visit over Spring break, and A enjoyed her first Easter basket.

Doesn't A look lovely in her Easter dress from ND Grandma and Grandpa?

Announcing . . .

Our newest addition was 10 weeks and 5 days, according to yesteday's ultrasound.

Shamrock Run '07

So . . . I participated in my first ever 5k run on March 11th with about 13,000 of Portland's finest. I had fun, especially because it didn't rain! And, I think I'll do another for Cinco de Mayo. The race photographers captured the following lovely photo at the very beginning of the run -- in fact I think we're barely moving. But, I thought I'd show you this one, instead of the three UGLY ones of me at the end. I'll spare you the details. Can you tell which one is me? :)

http://www.backprint.com/go.asp?18571115

Snow Days - WA Style!

Perhaps you've heard that WA is getting uncharacteristic weather lately. . . . . specifically SNOW. Weather forecasters and journalists have storm-team coverage 24/7. Meanwhile, at our house, we decided to venture out in the . . . 30 degree weather (yes, you heard right). Consider us brave.



A is being pulled in her red wagon down the middle of the street. We don't recommend this to the layman.





















J and A decided that the slide was safe if they went down together.
















From this pose, she almost reminds me of a celebrity baby, bossing her drivers around. No dad, turn left. LEFT! Actually, she seemed to enjoy the bumpy ride, with only minor complaints.
















I loved being out in the fresh air, after feeling cooped up in the house. I think A and J felt the same way.

















A and I decided to brave the slide too. It doesn't get much crazier than this!

First Snow

A didn't really know what to think of the white stuff. But, she didn't want to keep

her mittens on. I think she had to touch it for herself.
A and her cousins had fun during their first official snow day.

Stairs

Our house doesn't have stairs. So, when we spent a few days in a house with stairs, at first there was no temptation. After watching us for a few days, the intruigue began. And, on the day before we left she took the plunge and didn't look back. Well done A! Boy, are we ever glad we have a one story.

A little fun in the sun!

What would a pool party be without a little breaking of the rules? Number 5 specifically - no horseplaying, running or diving. Without a lifeguard present, we decided to take our chances. Seen here, I am attempting what we affectionately titled "the Double." By the way, I landed it! Also seen here is John in what appears to be an alpine skier pose. Wrong sport John. :)

Deer - need I say more?

Sunriver is full of deer. When we were there at Christmas time, I so desperately wanted my parents to get a good sighting. But, no. Apparently they aren't around in the winter. Fortunately, we had the privelage of seeing them on our recent trip. They even came up to our deck to eat the berries off a bush. We were prepared the next time they came close and handed, yes, you heard me right, handed them lettuce leaves. It was great!

Look, no hands!

The seasoned biking pro that she is, A showed her older cousin Sydney how to ride the two seater in Sunriver, OR. They both had a blast as we rode the miles of trails, and it proved to be a great place to catch some zzzs when taking a nap wasn't appealing in a new place. We're going to have to get one of these so we can ride at home.

What would summer be without a garage sale?

We did it. We attempted our first garage sale as a married couple. And, we actually had fun, got rid of of who knows what, and had a little green in our pockets when the two-day extravaganza was all said and done. The secret? We invited our friends Heather and Bruce, Anne and Jerry, Sherri, my in-laws Martha and Eric, and my sister-in-law Rebecca in on the fun. The hours flew by with so many people there to help and talk to. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Well, maybe in a few years.

Celebrity sighting at the beach!

We went to Long Beach, WA for our annual Lofgren family trip. This was A's first trip, of course. We strolled her right out to the ocean, and as we were coming back we overheard the following: Hey, she looks like a real celebrity!

Her first bicycle ride!

A and her friend Mara went for a bike ride in Mara's double seater. Mara was an experienced rider, so she sat up and loved the wind in her hair. And A? Well, about 100 feet from the driveway was good enough for her.

It's swim time!

I took A to the pool today, in the hopes that she would enjoy it more than the first time we tried it (scared, cried, clung to us the whole time). And she had a wonderful time! She splashed and laughed and was in there for over an hour. It's been over a 100 the last few days, which is atypical for our area, so this was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.

Posing for the camera?

I thought these dresses adorable - thus, the camera came out again. I know A recognizes the camera sound when I turn it on, but I had to laugh when she did two poses for the camera. Does she know what she's doing? Who knows, but she's had plenty of practice!


















This dress just came in the mail from Grandma - and we had to try it on right then and there. I'm glad we did!

Happy Anniversary

J and I went to Lincoln City, OR to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. This was our first time there, and we enjoyed beautiful, clean beaches, the roar of the ocean, and lots of seafood. I did lots of shopping at the outlet mall, too!

Truthfully, we picked Lincoln City, because the Wheel of Fortune contestant bus was there. And, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try. Of course, neither could about 4800 other people. Needless to say, I didn't get to try out, but I'm glad I tried.

Happy 4th!

We went with J's family to the Ridgefield 4th of July parade (north of Vancouver a few miles). They know how to throw a great hometown parade! They threw a ton of candy, and we're looking forward to the day when A will be able to enjoy it!











This was A's second parade. In both parades she did well until the big fire trucks started honking their horns. I sat with A on my lap, after the loud fire trucks came through.













For most the parade, she just sat and watched all of the action.

A wagon ride

Today, we bought a new Mega Blocks wagon with blocks for A, and, on a whim, thought it might be fun to see if she would like to take a ride. She seemed to like it!