A GIFT!

We got our first baby gift from Emily Pool this week! Thank you Emily for the soft white blanket. I made Shaun hold it like there was a baby inside to see how it would work. I couldn't hold in my delighted squeals as I observed how adorable Shaun looked as a father figure!

He has been so such a good sport and also very helpful this week. I just started feeling morning sickness on a regular basis and I'm not loving it. But, Shaun has put up with my disgusts for certain foods and smells. I love him SOOOO much!

Our secret is out.

So, Shaun and I are pregnant. Because we don't have insurance...we have yet to see a doctor and are not sure on the REAL due date. In our attempts to buy additional insurance until Shaun's starts up in January. AND...we make too much to apply for State pregnancy coverage. We'll see. I'm not eating much sugar at all and trying to eat healthy in hopes of keeping the baby healthy--and reducing chances of gestational diabetes. (Which makes the baby larger--and more difficult to deliver--and many other issues come up too.) (Diabetes runs in our families.)

So, back to the due date--it may be as soon as June 5th, or as late as July 5th. I don't want to explain the details in a blog as to why we think this--but we didn't test positive until October 23. We're both REALLY excited and looking forward to the growth of our family. Since I don't know the due date...maybe I'll have to get two widgets for the blog--so, I can see the range of possible growth. Baby's usually come 2 weeks late anyway, right? I'm just hoping the little kid doesn't interrupt my birthday on July 20, 2009 to make an appearance. That would be distracting for my guests. But really, we'll be excited whatever happens. I can't say we are prepared for everything, but we know that Heavenly Father is always directing us toward good opportunities and challenges.

AND--for those of you who think it's going to be a girl, like me, you're on my rooting team; and those who thinks it's going to be a boy--you're now on Shaun's team. (Please note that this is all in loving jest as we will be happy either way.) YEAH! A baby is coming! Pray that it will be healthy and happy...and not make me feel sick please.By the way, we have the names (boy & girl) picked out--and they both start with an "E." So, we're calling it "Baby E" until we find out the sex.

Please let us know what types of things (materially speaking) are essential to having a baby? Your top baby picks, if you will.

Normal Life

To update ya'll, Shaun is a big fan of Vegemite and Spiced Apple Cider with Ginger. He ordered the Vegemite over the Internet and has been putting it on his morning toast all week. I mentioned in a post in August or September that Shaun had found this apple cider at Whole Foods in Bellevue, but we recently found they started carrying it at Fred Meyer. This is wonderful for both of us, because Whole Foods is a busy store on Saturdays.
We made Chicken Parmesan from a healthy foods recipe and it was alright. It looked pretty, but I think I like Tyler Florence's Ultimate Chicken Parmesan better because you make a homemade sauce and use egg to get the breading to stick.

Then on Wednesday, I started my new calling--Activities Day Leader. The girls made Veteran's Day cards and I taught them how to play bug-a-low. I don't know why they all think they're thugs in this picture. They didn't do this at any other point in the evening. But, I think we'll all have a lot of fun. We meet every other Wednesday night and do various activities. The girls are between the ages of 8 and 11. They're really sweet!

Then on Thursday night, after regular office hours, we had a photo shoot for the Buri Funston Mumford, PLLC Christmas card. It's kind of a big deal. As you can tell from the below pictures, we all found time to pass the time between pictures. You'll have to wait to see the final product to see how it turned out.

I think this look really "works" for Philip's authoritative style. It help me to know, he can be serious no matter what the situation--if it's called for. (Really, Philip is a hoot!)

Karen on the other hand is a Blast and not afraid to show off her special tongue-rolling skill. Not everyone can do that!

And Tom, should probably go on the road with his banjo and help relax the world. He's a positive spirit---and his teeth sparkle (please refer to picture).

It's a good time of year--but I forgot how much it rains here. Luckily, today we've had some sun!

Bye!

Change is in the air...

We went on a trip to Bellevue to visit the Temple this weekend. We had a lovely time. Afterwards, Shaun and I went by his family's house to say hi. Ree, Shaun's brother, hadn't told anyone else we were coming, so, they were surprised when we walked in the door. LUCKILY, we made it early enought to meet Critt's date (Shaun's sister). His name was Max.

Of course, Richie was VERY excited to see us...or should I say his playful Uncle Shaun! Richie learned to pop balloons with a toothpick. (Richie had no fear.) Unfourtunalty, the popping could not last very long without bothering everyone else.

BUT, our family was excited to see us and speak with us.

Anyway, we then decided to say hi to the Tuppers while we where in the area. We grabbed some Applebee's with them for dinner and decided we DO NOT LIKE the 3 Cheese Penne. Way too much cheese--actually made us feel sick. Our buger was much better---as well as the boneless buffalo wings. Emma still remebered us from last weekend and we didn't have to wait for her to show her silly side.

Then we drove home and went to sleep. We had a long day! On Sunday we were able to speak with my family on the phone. People were happy to chat and plan for future get togethers and events.

As much as I love Christmas--I really am looking forward to July when all the fireworks will be popping out and my birth-day will brighten up everyone's lives. (A bit self centered, right?)

Oh, well, have a good week everyone!

Grow where you're planted--even if it's in a pumpkin patch.

This is some lettuce that's growing in the driveway. The seed was very far from the garden. It reminded Shaun of the inspirational thought, "Grow where you're planted." I loved that!


Our friends the Tuppers came to Bellingham for a day of Pumpkin Patch Fun at Stoney Ridge Farms. Please see the pictures below to observe the delight!
We took them to La Fiamma. Emma had buttered noodles....she stuck each noodle on her fork before eating it. Yummy...Dessert was a toasted smore....we enjoyed them as you can tell.
There were many pumpkin themed pictures to take.I thought the Pumpkin tree was cool!

And I liked how classic mini-pumpkins looked in this old bicycle basket.

At the patch--Emma discarded her gourd for a spot in the wheel barrow. (Classic.)
Of course--even though there are many pumpkins--we had to find just the right ones.

Emma rode this train--not on this round though. I thought it was uniquely-youthful that the children could enjoy going in a circle.
This is a goat food plank. The goats climb up a walk to get to the food that the public raises on a pulley. It's a cool way to make a quarter Stoney Farms.

Did we mention how beautiful it was this weekend?! That's Mt. Baker.And we went to the Ward Pinewood Derby Saturday night after the Tuppers left. Shaun and I didn't win the whole caboodle, but we each won one race each!

Then Sunday got a little boring and Chip--the dog--really wanted attention. So, Maren and Sofie dressed him up in one of Sofie's dress-up gowns. He was a good sport...and he seemed to like the attention.

And...then after that--Maren had to vacuum...and again was able to entertain me.

It was a good weekend with lots of friends and good memories.

Chow!

PS--It was my brother Shawn's birthday Saturday! Happy 24th Shawn!