Introducing Marie's new friend, Lucy (and our new friends Amy and Scott)! Maggie and Amy met a few weeks ago at Barnes & Noble story time. The girls are just a couple of months apart in age, and both mommies are pregnant and due within two weeks of each other. They're expecting a baby boy, and we don't know the gender of our little rugrat,

who at the moment is causing me much abdominal grief.

It was a very welcome surprise to make such good friends in such a short time, since our dear friends (whom we miss ever-so-much), the Peters, moved away very recently. They moved away in the physical sense, but we still love them very much!

Anyway, Amy took these photos of Marie and Lucy yesterday while we are at their daddies' soccer game:

Being silly widdle girlies.

A game of chase.

They ran out to meet their daddies after the game.

Reading time.

More reading, Lucy cuddling the soccer ball
...and Maggie making an odd face.

We've officially decided on a boy's name, but are definitely in trouble if this kiddo is female. Any suggestions are welcome with open arms. We're both into traditional (non-made-up) names, that are not extremely common, but still recognizable. Please help us. Actually, Joel's pretty laid back about the whole thing, but I'm seriously distraught. And to top it off, I really think we're having another girl! I would love that. Joel's such a great daddy to Marie. I can just see him in a house full of women.

I'm copying Jen. I want a pink Dyson vacuum, too! Thanks for the heads-up Mrs. Leman. Sign-up to win by Oct 1st. Okay, now I'll go try to be productive again. Bye bye!
http://www.5minutesformom.com/2334/dyson-pink/#comment-396116

Okay, so I didn't like opening the blog to a giant picture of me and my pregnant belly. I love my pregnant belly and the baby inside of it, but it was just a little in-your-face. Anyhow, here are a few pictures from yesterday:

Marie playing in her fort with "chicken".
If you squeeze chicken, an egg pops out of his bottom.
She used to be afraid of him, but now they're
good pals.

Eating some goulash that she helped Mommy make.

I learned something new about my husband yesterday. He's got some mad cookie-making skills. He taught me a thing or two. Marie got to pick out which cookie cutters to use, and daddy did all of the rolling and flouring. Way to go Team!

Some of Marie's preferred shapes. We made a ton of airplanes, hearts and cars, as those were her favorites. Unfortunately, she had to go to bed before we made the colored frosting. Tonight, at small group, Marie will be sharing her cookies with her friends.

21/40 weeks

Miscellaneous Pictures from
August and September

Yorktown August 11

Marie with ponytail

Buckethead. Currently a favorite game.
Hey, she may look like her daddy, but that
doesn't mean she's got his smarts!

Her wild hair could use some taming.

Practicing for winter and learning about
different items of clothing.


This morning on our walk. Marie's first

time feeding the ducks/geese.

Joel and his mini-me...um...I mean, daughter.

My posting has been pitiful these days. Life seems to be flying by at warp speed this summer. What with a new baby on the way (e.d.d. Jan 28th), an impending move (just across town...don't worry), visitors from Nebraska and Minnesota, a trip to Nebraska and Georgia, and a little jabber-mouth of an 18-month-old to run after...I barely have time to breathe, let alone post pictures! However, I have had plenty of time to stuff my face with delicious foods (milkshakes, hershey's kisses, McDonald's hamburgers). I'm gross.

The big news this month is that Joel and I have a new niece! Ada Mae Meehan was born on August 16th (in the wee hours of the morning). Apparently she arrived around 90 minutes after Tim and Carissa got to the hospital. Good work, Mom! We won't get to meet her until Christmas, but here are a couple of pictures of the cutie patootie:

In other news, Joel has been a soccer playing fool this summer. Come rain, or shine, or really really really shiny 100 degree shininess, he's out there playing nearly every week. League starts up again in the Fall. Here are some pictures of their championship game from their Spring League. They lost by one goal, and had a chance to tie it up in the last seconds. Surprisingly (for those who know Joel), he made it through the season concussion-free. Photos courtesy of Beth Vanderkin :-)

"Out of my way, Inferior Athlete!"

"I'll be taking that ball from you now. Have a nice day."

Getting a little rough.

The three teammates from Trinity Community Church.
Thomas, Joel and Tim.


And, finally, here are a few from our trip to Lake Burton, GA at the end of July. Joel is absent from the photos because he wasn't able to attend. My dad, brother and one of my step-sisters all flew in to Raleigh and we drove down to GA together. Marie enjoyed meeting all of my family, whom she hadn't ever met before, but warmed up to very quickly.

Celebrating the belated birthday of our great nation.

Cousin Jackie, who introduced Marie to the wonders of back-rubs. She becomes comatose.

Not sure why this one is so small. It is Marie, freshly bathed, playing by the lake (under heavy supervision, of course).

Just me and the little goober.

My dad, Isabelle (step-sis), me and my little brother, Patrick.
Patrick taught Marie to call my dad "Geezer" instead of "Grandpa". Very nice. She referred to Isabelle as "Izzy" and Patrick was shortened to "Pat". She did very well with their names and enjoyed having them around to play with.

The family celebrating Grandpa's 86th birthday.
The country club even had child care for Marie. My aunt and uncle generously rented out this beautiful balcony room overlooking the Smoky Mountains for the celebration.

Me and my Grandpa DeBord with the ever-present cocktail in hand.

Gramps, Tristan (cousin) and I. Tristan just returned from his second deployment and will be promoted to Major soon.



I must also mention that Ralph, Barb and Dan Meehan all came for a visit earlier this month, but I only took a couple of pictures during their visit, and haven't gotten the chance to upload them onto the computer yet. We had a lovely time of sports-playing, cards, games, picking on Ralph and fellowship. We even made chocolate-chip-free pancakes for Dan (long story). The time was too short, as usual!

We're still in Nebraska...heading home tomorrow.
Here are a few more from the rest of our trip.

PIGTAILS!

Marie's first encounter with her happy, bubbly second-cousin
Cole David.

She warmed up to him after a few minutes :-)

Joel's...er...Marie's first trip to the Children Museum.

This is an update from the Great State of Nebraska.
We are spending a week here (June 30 - July 6).
Marie has been having a ball, as you will see in the pictures to follow.

"You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?"

She finally emerged from her coccoon.

Me being ridiculous.

Joel doing his interpretive dance, "Metamorphosis"

Getting on the zoo train.

A lovely rendition of "If You're Happy And You Know It"
while we're waiting for the train to start chuggin' down the tracks.

The fire station at the zoo.

Taking time to stop and smell the flowers.

"Shim"ming at Grammy's. That's how Marie says "swim".

Being silly with Grammy. Marie calls her "Gamma".

Brushin' her 12 teeth.