Baby Ballet

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If you lower the volume on the online music box in the side bar under 19th Hole you will not have conflicting music with the video.

Say it isnt so....

Today at our first MOPS meeting of the year one of our mentor moms asked about Travis. She casually asked "how old is he now?" I replied, "Almost 10 months."

My how time has flown, last year this time I was pregnant with him. I was fixated on her question pretty much all day. For some reason I was just really stuck on it. Could it be because he is just shy of a year old and will enter the toddler years? Is it because he might be the last baby we have? Is it because he is almost "not" a baby anymore? I know, I know. He will always be my baby. But seriously he is just shy of not being a B-A-B-Y anymore. This truly made my heart sad.

So tonight when I was putting him to bed, I inhaled all his baby freshly bathed scent I possibly could. I snuggled him a little tighter. I prayed over him just a little bit longer. I shed a tear when I lied him down and slowly walked out the door whispering "Good Night Travis, I love you....baby."

Ike destruction....locally

So Ike has come and gone. It left some damage around for many to repair and sort through. It also left behind sadness as for some along the coast lost their livelihoods, homes and sadly lives. In our area up north it seems as if life is getting back to "normal." Grocery stores are almost at 100% as far as product. Gas, electricity and ice don't seem to be in such demand although last nights news reported that electricity is still out for over 19% of the entire metro area. That might not sound like a lot but after living with out power for days upon days I feel grateful that I am not one of the families in that 19%. There are a few streets in our neighborhood that are still with out power. I hear the hum of generators and am reminded that a natural disaster brings many to their knees. I praise God that we were protected from the storm and hold those that are without so much in my prayers daily.

This is part of our backyard right after the storm.
Clearly nothing but a few branches and leaves.

Then this is Daddy and Campbell out in a little rain and wind to "live" in the moment. Notice the tree down in the background of picture.

Blocked in a neighbors driveway....luckily not one of our trees.Here are the kids trying to entertain themselves during the power outage.
The heat was the worst the first two days. So they basically were naked most of the time.

This is Campbell trying to be helpful and handy with a rake. What a good sport she was. This was also day three after the storm and the generator (by fence in picture) had just arrived. Thanks Uncle Evan for the wonderful machine we got to borrow...so happy your power came on right away and we got to break it in for you. This was also the same day the cold front was to move in at night....cold front just meant that it wasn't HOT....not burrrr Cold!

Here are a few pictures from up and around our area. Thanks to Michelle and Missy
for sharing their IKE photo footage with me.

These are Michelle's photo's from around our neighborhood. Notice one tree crushes two cars. The sedan's frame was all the way down to the floor and the roof was collapsed. Yikes.
Also her husband is standing next to the root system of a tree
that clearly shows how small we are to nature.

Missy's photos I have placed in the side bar as a slide show. Be sure to take a look.

So our first hurricane has come and gone. This is my final thought on it....I have always said I wasn't one to camp....but I did survive a city wide power outage for days....maybe camping wouldn't be so bad.

Wordless Wednesday

We have Cable/Internet!!!

Imagine a child running around excited about a new toy. That is how I reacted this morning when I realized the clock was on the cable box. That meant we were UP and RUNNING!!!!!
Yahoo!
More later.

SURVIVED!!!

Just a brief update as I am borrowing an air card and don't want to ROAM to much on this card.

We survived IKE and I think I am ready to move back to the desert after all of this no power, no ice, no water, stores closed, no gas, etc.

We had no damage to our home or yard. Thank God for that. I am relieved that the babies slept right through the activity in the wee hours too.

I will post some pictures of our surrounding area when we are back up to speed with our Internet/cable connection. I don't know when that will be but we have power finally!!! We got that yesterday in the late evening.

Sorry to have report that the Sun Devils lost to Georgia last night. Good thing is that I got to watch the second half with A/C!!!

My First Hurricane!!!!

Hurricane Ike is approaching. We are buckling down for the storm. See you all on the other side.

6:10pm:OK will try to post some updates. Wind is starting to kick up in our area. Seems a bit erie...maybe it is because I know what is coming...though I don't know to expect.

9:08pm: Wind picking up steam. Trees are really swaying. Feels different outside from just your typical thunderstorm. About 10 minutes ago I was talking to BFF and we got cut off so I am thinking phone lines are going down. Received an email from Lance's Aunt in Florida and she said she has tried to call all day but that a recording keeps saying circuits in area are busy. Babies are tucked in bed now for three hours. Hopefully they will sleep through the storm and we will be spared a tree falling on house or windows breaking. We do have a safe room set up just in case and we have items packed ready to go in case we have to leave our home. Pray that we don't need to do that and that we weather the storm well.

10:44: I feel the storm is getting closer. I am watching a favorite show on DVR from today. I just couldn't take any more non stop IKE drama. But as I sit here I keep noticing my beautiful Magnolia tree (huge by the way) swaying oh so strongly in my backyard. No rain yet but I am sure it is on it's way. I think it is about time to go upstairs and unplug the router and turn off all the electronics so that we don't get damaged from a huge power surge. I will need to post again in the morning...that is if we have power. Oh! what was that. I think a branch that just feel on the deck from the pine tree. See ya!!!

God Bless America

Today we remember. Today we strive to never forget. Today we ask for God to Bless America.

Wordless Wednesday

Baby Ballet for Campbell

So Campbell is doing some fun activities this year. She is in Baby Ballet and Gymnastics. I have to give a H-U-G-E thank you to Nana & Papa for taking care of these fun activities this year, what a treat! She has dance on Tuesday afternoons and gymnastics on Wednesday afternoons. It is fun getting her all dressed to go and she absolutely loves attending. She of course is two so listening and following directions from the dance instructor and coach is sometimes hard for her to do. But I must say she is really trying and getting better each week. She has been in gymnastics now for three weeks and it is hard to get photos because we (parents) are only allowed in a viewing room which is way up high in the gym. Needless to say the zoom on my digital camera isn't capturing the best shots. However with dance class we are free to take all the photos we would like until they install the blinds. The blinds as they were explained last week in parent and child class is so that parents can't be seen from little ones that might cry. So till then I will have to capture my shots through the looking glass. She had her official first dance class today and here she is, our tiny ballerina.

Getting ready to go into the studio. Carrying her very first ballet shoes in a very cute bag. A warm thank you to Aunt Kristine and Uncle Matt for those items.

Here she is waiting for dance class to be called upstairs. She is trying to wait patiently when all she wants to do is run and touch all the cute leotards on display. Doesn't she look like she is about to be "sassy" with her mommy?

And finally we are in class getting ready to "bust a move."

I can't wait to see how much she learns this year from these classes where they actually learn skills and in dance actually has a recital. I'll be sure to keep you "posted".

Take the field and Take a WIN!!!

Thanks to Comcast for having a little ole channel called Fox College Sports.

It makes my football season possible as they broadcast PAC 10 games.

Sun Devils played their first conference game and was it a game!!!

Sun Devils 41 vs. Stanford 17

Go Gold! Next opponent is UNLV (non conference) but one should never underestimate the challenge.

Excitement is building up for the big Georgia (ranked #1 at start of season) game....cant wait!

Happy 9th month Travis!!!

Today my baby boy turned 9months old.
It has been so different mothering a boy after having a girl.

I believe we are entering the tough or should I say "tougher than mommy stage."
He is just so strong...he can wear you out during a diaper change.

He can pretty much jump out of your arms when he wants something bad enough now and talk about a grip when he wants to use your body as a means to stand up. But seriously I have enjoyed every minute of these last nine months and look forward to many many more days, months and years with him.

My sweet baby boy, I love you and all your new found "toughness."

PS. Travis says Fork'em Devils!!!!

Learn the Fight Song...2 days till Game day!

So Saturday we play Stanford who is no slouch and in our conference. So let's get rolling with some school spirit! Learn the song and sing along. Give a big shout....Go Devils!

Fight, Devils Down The Field
Fight With Your Might and Don't Ever Yield
Long May Our Colors Outshine All Others
Echo From The Buttes, Give 'Em Hell Devils!
Cheer, Cheer For A-S-U
Fight For The Old Maroon
For it's Hail, Hail, The Gang's All Here
And It's Onward to Victory!


Oh yeah. "Bear Down what?"....never too early to think about the rivalry game!

Wordless Wednesday

Labor of Love...OK. C-Section of Love.

OK. So I officially don't fit into this category but just for fun I thought I'd do this meme that I came across over at in their own time. In honor of Labor Day, it's about...well, labor. And not the kind you get a day off for, either.

How long were your labors?

Kid #1, 0 in less you count waiting time for surgical unit. I had an emergency C- section.
Kid #2, back to counting waiting time...no emergency C-section this time. Just a repeat.

Wanted to do it the old fashion way but God had other plans. When given the option of doing it for second child I just couldn't bare the "what if" risks. Besides really in the end the result is the same no matter how you give birth....a baby and being a mommy. I got over the guilt pretty quick.

How did you know you were in labor?

Kid #1, No labor. Was hemorrhaging when I gave my sample at my OB visit. Doctor said "get her ready to go"
Kid #2, Planned repeat. No labor.

Where did you deliver?

At a hospital. Where the drugs are. They were both born at the same hospital 16.5 months apart.

Drugs?

Oh yes. Both with a spinal block. First time no issues in recovery (except for child being whisked off to NICU) The second I was sicker than a dog each time I sat up to nurse my baby.

C-section?

You bet. Not by choice the first time (dangerously low placenta previa...on bed rest....then hemorrhaged at doctors office.) Second decided to go for the repeat after dwelling over the pros and cons of a VBAC.

Who delivered?

Same Doctor. If I have a third and it is a girl I might just name her after him. Love his last name for a girl. Dudley. Gotta be a whole lot of something to pull that off. Grin. Mine would be. Grin, wink, Grin.
Same Hospital too. Great Food. I'd love to deliver there again especially now that they are opening up a newer women's center in an already new hospital.

Emergency C-Section made me very emotional and nervous...it all worked out fine.

Added plus to having a repeat c-section is you get to have a good hair day!! Grin. Not to mention I think I laughed most of the delivery because I was so relaxed.

What's your Labor story?