Watching over us...

This year has been a re-affirmation to me how closely the Lord watches over us. On so many occassion, the Lord has heard and answered our prayers. On so many occassion, he has tested and tried us....and thus, strengthened us. Probably, preparing us for this new year of change and new jobs and new everything.
So...the latest greatest news....we listened to our voicemail last night before heading to bed late...and realized, the school across the street had called to confirm that Christian had indeed gotten a spot there and that he will find out today who his teacher is and who is in his class. I felt an intense sense of relief and gratitude...knowing full well WHO had provided that for us. Christian is not here so he does not know yet...but I can only imagine what that little man is going to feel. He deserves it....and I really needed it. Gavin was almost nearly excited as I was. And although its very last minute, school starts on Thursday, we are most grateful and humbled!
YEAH!!!!

Padres Game

No summer is complete without a trip to Petco Park to watch a Padres game. This year we went with Mark & Tracy and kiddos on Cub Scout night. We got great seats for half the price. Our boys just love being there...its a great tradition...one that never gets old. Shane shook his booty and Christian and Carter acted crazy to try and get on the big screen. And the weather was LOVELY!! To top it all off...the Padres came back from behind to win the game. Not too shabby.

New Camera...

When we got on the plane to NY for our anniversary, we were lucky enough to have our camera die with the 1st picture we took....so we replaced it in NY with a lame temporary one...then exchanged that lame one for a little better one. But I have been lazy and FINALLY downloaded the software for it.

So...I have quite a bot of picture catching up to do...

Fourth of July Fireworks Craze

Trip to De & Chad's HouseThe only way to enjoy/endure the AZ heat

Little Hospitality from Raw Hide...even a dust bowl to make it real...

Definitely an outlaw

Swearin' in the deputies

Hanging out with old friends in their new home

Make up your minds...

At my appt this last week...it seems that my regular OB is still going by my original due date (10/26) and is wanting to take the baby Oct. 19th. Should I adjust my ticker? I feel so fickle...but really, its not me...its these darned doctors that can't make up their minds. I should have known better than to change the ticker...they always say the initial dating is the most accurate. Baby Bob is still moving along at his little self pace...I am super curious what having a "littler" baby will really mean....are we talking 8 lbs, 7lbs, 6lbs or less?? Christian was my smallest so far at 7lb 9oz....and he was 2.5 weeks early (can you imagine the size that bubba would have been?) We will find out in 10 weeks=)

Milestone for Christian

Tomorrow Christian turns 8 years old. Tonight 8 years ago, I laid in Tri City Hospital laboring with pitocin inducing my labor...while Gavin was on a long flight back to SD after his 1st day of medical school in NY. If I remember correctly, Gavin arrived at the hospital at midnight. Then Christian was born at 9:56 AM via semi-emergency C-section. And the journey with him has been a dream. He was/is an amazing 1st born...he did everything perfect and contrary to the stereotypical normal baby...he slept well, ate well (well...nursed horribly..but ate well) and was so perfectly mild mannered. And has continued to do so. We are so lucky to be his parents and he teaches us every day. He adjusts amazingly to new circumstances...something neither of us ever had to do nor think we could have...I mean, what kid do you know is starting at his 4th elementary school and is only beginning 3rd grade=) And how many children do you know that have been under anesthesia 4 times by the age of 8 years old for surgical procedures? I know we are terribly bias about him....but we really are impressed by his resiliance. We could go on endlessly, but mostly we just think he's an awesome son and brother and athlete and kid=)

At any rate, Happy 8th Birthday Christiano! We love you so very much!!

Venting...

My insides are churning and I want to scream at someone so...I will scream at my blog! I got a call as I was making dinner tonight...from a lady from the school district to inform/apologize to me...that somehow she had miscounted the number of 3rd grade spots available and because there is one less than she thought, Christian is now considered only provisional to go to tha school around the corner. We spent 15 minutes on the phone discussing the situation...it sounds like she has emails that seem it is still possible for him to go there. But she had to inform us that it is a distinct possibility he may have to be placed at a nearby school. I am SUPER frustrated! After all the stress getting in and hurriedly getting the last spot...I thought for sure the lady was joking. So...we are praying that they have a spot for him. Or, as the lady suggested, I could pitch a fit...she said because of the situation it very well may work if I did. Not really my first choice to become a beast in the new district/school we could be in for 3 years...BUT, I cannot imagine how not going to that school would impact our lives...no walking, no neighborhood friends with same schedule, no help taking Christian to school after baby is just born....I think I could go on!
Frustrated! Helpless! Dissappointed! Angry! Hormonal!~(why would they do that to a pregnant lady?)Sad!....Yet, hopeful, prayerful and faithful!!
Venting over.

Speak now...

I just adjusted my baby ticker...the new due date they have been going off of is Oct 30 (my lil' bro's bday)...and although they still can't decide for sure...why not go with the later one...less anticipation.
On another note....unless you like the name BOB...which Shane has so cutely named fetus....we are welcoming any SUGGESTIONS for names. We have 2...which I will not share right now...but have not fully decided on anything. We are certain its a boy...the parts are hard to miss on the 99th sonogram. So...speak now or forever hold your peace...well, actually...in the end we may still decide on one of our 2...but give a shout out for your favorite names before its too late!!
ANOTHER thing....I need some help...I need a new infant seat and stroller...the one I had for Christian and Shane had seen better days, not to mention was not even safe any longer. I have a sit 'n stand stroller for multiple child trips...but I need a need every day stroller that can be used with an infant seat and without it.... I know there are amazing things out there that I have not found yet...please inform!!

Water Park 2009

Last week we took a trip to Irvine with the cousins to go to Wild Rivers. I was trying to remember the last time I had even been to a water park...probably nearly 20 years. I do recall Gavin asking me out to a water park when we were getting to know each other...which I totally shot him down. I didn't even know him, come on!

Anyhow...the kids had a blast. Christian was able to go off with the bigger boys...while I stayed with Shane in the kid's area. It was an awesome deal...I only had to pay for myself...the kiddos were free. (Well, I say deal...but just myself with a coupon was $25...whoa inflation!)

Of course I had my camera...inside my bag locked in the locker, safe and dry....so the only pics I have are ones my SIL took.

Much healthier in CA

The running joke with many of my friends in Corpus was how nasty and lethal Corpus was for all of our healths...it seemed to be swarming with some kind of illness or pollution or something. While there...we had our fair share. But as a point of interest on the subject, since we have been back in San Diego, we have:

- been able to help our Baby Bob to catch up on his growth...where it was quite deficient in Corpus.

- Baby's kidney which was abnormal in Corpus...is no longer such an issue

-The latest great news, Christian's ear which required 2 surgeries in Corpus with a crazy, somewhat-rare ear disease called cholesteotoma...just was examined by a new great ENT doc here in San Diego and recieved a clean, healthy bill of health. What a relief. We think it may have been the 1st time in many years this has been so. The only new discussion is when/if to do a surgery to assist his hearing. But it would not require cutting off his ear, as in his previous 2 surgeries. It would take place inside the ear cavity that was made much larger at his last surgery. We are so encouraged by this check up....And can't help but think maybe it has something to do with location=)

Did we mention how much we love to be back here in sweet home SD??

Another tender mercy

Baby Bob (Shane's new title for growing baby above) had an important follow-up visit today at the UCSD Fetal Specialist. Long story short...he had been growing very small for his gestational age and still had a dilated kidney. In the 3 weeks since my last sono and visit, we have prayed and many have fasted on our behalf. Today was such an answer to those pleas....Baby Bob has grown quite a bit in those 3 weeks...he actually almost grew an extra week...which puts him a little less than a week behind due date...which a happy spot for baby and for the doctors monitoring my progress. And the kidney that was dilated has decreased already some and is barely on the range of normal/abnormal size. The doctors are pleased with the progress and are confident that with time the kidney will continue to resolve. As I teared up at the sight of the growth numbers and tried to hide it from the technician...not sure if she would even understand the stress and concern we had endured for the last 3 weeks...well, actually for the whole process of getting pregnant and staying so....I just felt an overwhelming confirmation that the Lord is aware and loves us. Perhaps we just needed a reality check with HIM to make sure we are continually thankful and recognizing His hand in all things.