Guess Who

Okay everyone, it's the post you have all been waiting for...... predictions for the gender of our baby. I thought this week, the week of my due date (wow!), I would dedicate some posts to our new baby, who ever he/she may be.

So, for your reading enjoyment and for my own entertainment, I have done a little research and have found it quite fascinating:

I'm carrying High- Girl

The baby's heartbeat is always around 130-135- Boy

Chinese Zodiac calendar- Boy

Craving Sweets- Girl (I call this baby my little cupcake, for good reason)

Needle on thread over tummy- Boy

My Nose hasn't doubled in size (I don't think at least)- Boy

Parents Magazine Gender Predictor Test- Boy

Childbirth.org Gender Predictor Test- Girl

Old Wives Tales Test- Girl

Asian Ladies at the Mani-Pedi salon- Boy

My Pregnancy compared to the other three- different, in someways like Max (the first 4 months especially) in other ways like Lizzy (these last few weeks for sure), with some elements of Rosie (throughout). So, you figure it out!

Rosie- Boy

Lizzy- Girl

Max- A brother, named Charlie Brown

So there it is. And now, I wish to poll the audience. What do you think? I'd love to read your predictions!

Great to Be 8, Part 2

I suppose we had a water themed birthday this year including a friend (and Nana, who really is a playmate) swim party, a mermaid cake and then a baptism. Hmmmmm, I didn't really plan it that way, but I'm liking the idea. I'm also liking the idea of the festivities being over and done with, so I can now put all of my focus on baby!

Yes, 8 really is Great!

On May 8, 2010, Elizabeth was Baptized. In was a momentous occasion:
Dear neighbors and close family friends were in attendance,

along with best of friends,

her school teacher,

all three of her Great-Grandma's,

and almost all of her extended family.

Her Father had the privilege of baptizing his first born,

while the rest of her family cheered her on, and was so delighted to do so.

Another event to note: Rosie and Max made their musical debut singing a duet for the Program. I'm certain you can expect to see great things from that duo. We enjoyed listening to our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers share their testimonies with Lizzy, they are such lovely Ladies, so lovely in fact that we pray Lizzy will grow to be just like them.

Now, it's on to new adventures for our Lizzy D, the first one being Activity Days. She may not get a uniform of sorts, like the cub scouts do, but I do believe that this outfit that she put together for her first activity will do! Happy Birthday Elizabeth, Congratulations and thank you for making your parents look so good.

Mother Earth

Fishing in Yellow Stone
Deep in a Forest Glade, Kauai

Spring in Monterey

"How very special are we

For just a moment to be

Part of life's eternal rhyme

How very special are we

To have on our family tree

Mother Earth and Father Time

He turns the seasons around

And so she changes her gown

But they always look in their prime

They go on dancing their dance

Of everlasting romance

Mother Earth and Father Time"

lyrics from Charlotte's Web

Celebrating Earth Day with just a few favorite spots in our beautiful world. We are so lucky!

Snow or Shine

With snow on the ground and Conference to watch, Easter was a little different. Thankfully there was still all the necessity's for success: "Twirly" Dresses, Chocolate, Big Meals, Chocolate, Easter Egg Hunts (where Max gave me all of his good chocolate) and time to relax. The Easter Bunny brought swim essentials among other things in the Easter Baskets this year; I think he was hoping the goggles and swim toys would last at least through June. That bunny seems to really enjoy thinking of the year's Easter Theme and shopping accordingly....my kind of bunny; and how did he know I had been craving Dove Chocolate eggs? Amazing.

Lifers, Part 2

One thing I loved about growing up the eldest of 6 was: there was always someone to do something with. Anytime I wanted a playmate, shopping buddy or movie pal, I got it. As I watched our 2 girls and Max interact on our trip, I hoped they were having the same experience. So far, they seem to be perfectly content playing with each other and truly enjoy one another's company. It's been a blessing the girls are close in age and enjoy the same things. Max is content with either, but seems to favor Lizzy if she is home. They have meshed to together, our three, and I am thankful. Our prayer is they also become "lifers", that they establish a strong sibling bond that will lead them through adulthood as friends and confidants. How will baby #4 fit in? This I have wondered and at times worried about. But, as I quietly watch and listen to their interactions with each other, I'm lead to believe their love too will multiply, not divide, and soon we will have four "lifers" to love.

Lifers, Part 1

Through our 10 years, Kelly and I have enjoyed many friendships. Some we still talk to frequently and others we take time to catch up during the holidays or through blogging. There are however a few couples that will remain forever life friends no matter how infrequently we see them. Most of these friends were made in the newlywed stages of our life. Friends we spent years with in San Fran knew us before we had children and life was fresh and new. We were all poor and a little homesick, finding unity with those in similar situations. What fun we had as kid-less couples, living it up in the City By The Bay. Then came our friends who helped us through Residency, a stressful time. We were new parents, as were they, adoring our babies and having fun planning for the future. These were bonding times. Now, we don't live by most of these friends, but love taking time to see them on vacation, where it feels like no time has passed. This last week we had a chance to see two of these said friends.
The Rebers are close school/residency friends who we loved living by and were so sad when they moved to AZ. We had a great time with them in Las Vegas while the husbands were busy learning how to fix feet, the wives and children played (and played).
The Emetts knew us as we began the residency years: Kelly, always gone and me, an apartment manager. They met us for a weekend in Zions, one of their favorite vacation spots. We appreciated their graciousness as they showed us around this magnificent place.
We laugh now at how our families have grown. What started as both of us having one, has now turned into growing families with lots of kids. They have seen how far we've come, and vice-versa. We feel lucky to have several of these friendships and know we will be friends through life, lifers.