Halloween Party

For Sale

It's a Girl!

No, we don't know the sex of the baby-to-be. However, Danijela is displaying clear signs of becoming girlie girlie. She has always had a shoe thing. She wants to try on every pair in which she comes into contact.


Now she has a hair thing. We put a clip in her hair recently to keep her fast growing hair from getting in her eyes. Now she says "fiss it" & gets rather irritated until I get her hair fixed. I'm starting to see signs of a clothes thing too.

Tata Toss

On Saturday after the farm visit & nap Tata & Danijela played in the trees. Tata would hold her in the tree & swing her down (again & again). Not sure who enjoyed it more. They were both laughing & enjoying each other tremendously.

Farm Animals

Owens Country Farm

The weather was beautiful today. We visited Owens Country Farm. For a small token a tractor takes you for a spin. I accompanied Danijela ... the first time ... and could hardly fit my rear in the darn barrel train. Subsequently, Danijela took three additional rides by herself. It didn't appear she was having fun, but kept wanting to go again & again & again.

Confused

The posted sonogram image has a printed date of 2006 April08. Without paying attention to the year I thought it was the presumbed due date initially. Well, obviously I'm not past due. If I am I must say I look incredible. No, I'm edging toward 11 weeks & due in early May 2007. So, with all that said, I have zero idea what the past date references. It was a portable sonogram machine & may have simply had an erroneous system date.

Rose Window

My sister home schools her children. Every Friday they have craft time with friends. This past week we made rose windows. They are really quite beautiful. I admire my sister & am inspired by her creativity.

Simple Beauty

There is something so peaceful about my sister's home. The living space is glass from floor to ceiling. You have a great view of their property & the kids playing. I was just commenting the other day about the miracle of glass.

Donkey

We went for an evening walk after dinner (in Austin). At the end of the cul-de-sac we encountered an incredibly friendly donkey. Yep. A donkey. Long story but we acquired the keys to the donkey's property & the kids got to pet the donkey & some goats. In the image below there are enormous catfish heads hanging on the fence. Don't ask because I definitely don't have an answer for that one.

Happy Day

For the longest time Danijela has said 'habby day.' It always sounds so cute, but we never quite understood what she was trying to express. Well, last night we went to a 50th birthday surprise at Keller's Hamburgers. We were telling her it was Bill's birthday & she just started singing the Happy Birthday song. The happy birthday part comes out as "habby day." Who knew she learned the Happy Birthday song? Certainly not her parents. And Danijela turned 20 months yesterday. Kiley is close behind. So, habby day, girls.

Traveling

Traveling between my parent's & sister's homes is pretty amazing. Imagine walking to your grandparents every morning to have breakfast or just to say "hello." Only a few acres separate them.

Andi & Sam

Danijela had such an awesome time with her cousins, Andi & Sam. She is a firecracker by nature & she was all over the place on our visit. Definitely wired for sound. It's a great environment for kids (and parents). There was dancing, singing, running, jumping, swinging ... you name it.

Nap Buddy Returns

Danijela & I left for Waco Thursday around naptime. Tata was there on business. Then our small (but growing) family continued on to Austin for a long weekend. The Nap Buddy came in handy although it's definitely not slump-proof. It's fine if baby is directly in the center of the carseat. The minute she leans, like most unconscious people do, the Nap Buddy becomes somewhat worthless. Good thing babies (even toddlers) are bendy.

Mouse

What a special moment! We went to the zoo last week (yes, again) and Danijela touched her first mouse. Last time we visited the zoo Danijela touched her first rat. The assistant said rats are excellent pets (not!). Funny memory. One evening I was walking near the National Portrait Gallery in D.C. when an enormous rat ran across the walkway. Seriously this rat must have weighed 6 lbs or more. It gives me the oogies just thinking about it.

We are in Austin for the weekend. I'm taking lots of pictures ... but failed to remember my PCMCIA card to download. Silly me. But I have many images I haven't had time to post. You'll be seeing those.

son·o·gram

I had an OB/GYN appointment today. They directed me to my doctor's office. I knew that meant there would be no exam. For those that don't know, I miscarried twins before becoming pregnant with Danijela. Mind you that was after two years of trying. I miscarried at 9 weeks; held them until 13 weeks. I'm a tidbit anxious. Although, honestly, I have complete faith in God. That doesn't mean I'll give birth or give birth to a healthy baby. I have faith that He loves us & will carry us through whatever happens.

Apparently hearing the heartbeat this early is a little difficult & a sonogram is not covered by insurance. I requested the sonogram anyway. Primarily because I woke throughout the night with pretty severe pains. Shoot. They woke me up & caused me to walk around the house. I just needed to see our baby. And did. Praise God.

Pumpkin

She is truly beautiful. I appreciate her spunk, determination, belly laugh, crooked walk and silly grin. Oh, how she has changed me forever. I'm sure her father would say the same. My prayer is we will discipline & love her well without compromising this God-given spark of hers. I wait with anticipation to see what she chooses to do with this gift of life. May she journey through with the same gusto she arrived. I love you, Pumpkin.