Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Google and me
So have you heard the new apple nano advertisement? I have and I begged John to look up the song. Because well, it was catchy and I liked it. So your welcome because here it is!
Feist
Feist
Gianna woke up exceptionally early this morning- 3:30 and 5:30. But today she did NOT go back to sleep! Why is it when you think that babies will "make up" for sleep that they don't? Gianna is a solid 1 hour napper. It is a RARE occasion that she will go longer. So today I'm trying to convince her that she needs more sleep.
Here is pic of Gianna and a friend that's part of the co-op. Yes, it's going great.
Here is pic of Gianna and a friend that's part of the co-op. Yes, it's going great.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Proud Papa
Going to church is always a big, fun, exciting time. I really love worship, the sermon and now I can add one more thing to my Sundays. Charissa dresses Gianna so well. And with this well dressed, pretty girl, I get to run around church and show her off. How does this all work, you ask... I shall describe to you pride in its purest form......
I am in the lobby of our church talking to a friend when this vision of beauty catches my eye. Its clear from the smile, graceful walk, and radiance it is my wife. She too is always gorgeous. In her arms is a baby. No, no, not just a baby. This is the always smiling, ready to party, everyone is a friend kind of baby. She is in her sailor suit her grandmother bought for her and looking quite nice.
I am in the lobby of our church talking to a friend when this vision of beauty catches my eye. Its clear from the smile, graceful walk, and radiance it is my wife. She too is always gorgeous. In her arms is a baby. No, no, not just a baby. This is the always smiling, ready to party, everyone is a friend kind of baby. She is in her sailor suit her grandmother bought for her and looking quite nice.
Now as she enters the lobby not only do I feel excited about the two beautiful women in my life approaching but my ears pick up whispering. "Look at that cute baby." "Awwwww. " "Now that is adorable." Soon the whispering is matched by pointing and gawking. She is the buzz. Strangers now come up to tell us how cute she is. "The cutest outfit ever." "She always looks so good." "Can I hold her?" Gianna now rewards her onlookers with a smile gift to each of them as a 'Thank you' for there compliments and well wishes.
But the admiration train does not end here. No, Dad must get more out of this. So onward to Sunday School we go. By passing the nursery with quickness we go to where our friends are and hopefully more oncoming traffic of enthusiast. One class leaves as the other enters. A perfect spot to perch, as if by coincidence, and await the gazes and drooling. For she is a little girl. And even her toes send people into putty. With this personality to compliment the dress she is officially the worlds perfect baby. And I, I hold the proof. They now pour out of the room "running into us" and saying how lovely she looks. The masses now began to grow and we are the source of the blocked hallway. Praises rain down and what she does not soak up I then gather in. Charissa is catching up now, for she is in the middle of real conversations. But not I. No this is the highlight of my week.
Sadly it is now time for Sunday school to start. So I hand Gianna back to Charissa to go to the nursery. I know my show off time went very well and with my smile as big as the door I step into the room.
After we come home we talk about what we learned. I put Gianna down for her nap and then realize I have to wait 6 and 1/2 more days to do it again.
But the admiration train does not end here. No, Dad must get more out of this. So onward to Sunday School we go. By passing the nursery with quickness we go to where our friends are and hopefully more oncoming traffic of enthusiast. One class leaves as the other enters. A perfect spot to perch, as if by coincidence, and await the gazes and drooling. For she is a little girl. And even her toes send people into putty. With this personality to compliment the dress she is officially the worlds perfect baby. And I, I hold the proof. They now pour out of the room "running into us" and saying how lovely she looks. The masses now began to grow and we are the source of the blocked hallway. Praises rain down and what she does not soak up I then gather in. Charissa is catching up now, for she is in the middle of real conversations. But not I. No this is the highlight of my week.
Sadly it is now time for Sunday school to start. So I hand Gianna back to Charissa to go to the nursery. I know my show off time went very well and with my smile as big as the door I step into the room.
After we come home we talk about what we learned. I put Gianna down for her nap and then realize I have to wait 6 and 1/2 more days to do it again.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Thoughts on infertility
This one has been brewing in my head for a while and I'd like to dedicate it to my friends Holly and Justin, who show humility and joy and sensitivity all at the same time.
So, as many of you know John and I had a 3 1/2 year battle with infertility. (I know it looks silly to put the 1/2 in there, but when you are in the middle of it the 1/2 can seem like an eternity.)
Last year John and I got to give a talk to the Young Married/Newly Wed class that we mentor on family planning and infertility. What we tried to impress most were helpful hints and suggestions on how to love those who are struggling.
#1 Please do not suggest adoption to us. Adoption is not something we have not already thought of and it is NOT a quick fix to get us a kid right away.
#2 Did you know that 1 in 6 couples have some kind if infertility issue? That's a lot of people. More than you really think. So be sensitive when discussing fertility and pregnancy issues in public.
#3 I want to hear about your news. I am excited for you. It is also a sad reminder of my own infertility issues, so it might be helpful to tell me prior to your announcing it so I have time to grieve privately. A couple of my friends did this for me and I will ALWAYS remember that kindness.
#4 Don't say "Just relax." If I had a nickle for every time I heard that one....
#5 Do be a good listener. We don't need someone to solve our problems (that's what we pay the doctors for), but we do need friends and listeners that love us and just listen.
#6 It's OK to go to counseling. Sometime it's too big and you need some help to remember that God is a good God.
That was just some of the highlights of the talk, but you get the idea. Infertility is real and it is really painful. But, I also know there was no sweeter time, that John and I leaned on each other, and it really challenged us to look to Jesus to be our comfort and not anything here on this earth.
So, as many of you know John and I had a 3 1/2 year battle with infertility. (I know it looks silly to put the 1/2 in there, but when you are in the middle of it the 1/2 can seem like an eternity.)
Last year John and I got to give a talk to the Young Married/Newly Wed class that we mentor on family planning and infertility. What we tried to impress most were helpful hints and suggestions on how to love those who are struggling.
#1 Please do not suggest adoption to us. Adoption is not something we have not already thought of and it is NOT a quick fix to get us a kid right away.
#2 Did you know that 1 in 6 couples have some kind if infertility issue? That's a lot of people. More than you really think. So be sensitive when discussing fertility and pregnancy issues in public.
#3 I want to hear about your news. I am excited for you. It is also a sad reminder of my own infertility issues, so it might be helpful to tell me prior to your announcing it so I have time to grieve privately. A couple of my friends did this for me and I will ALWAYS remember that kindness.
#4 Don't say "Just relax." If I had a nickle for every time I heard that one....
#5 Do be a good listener. We don't need someone to solve our problems (that's what we pay the doctors for), but we do need friends and listeners that love us and just listen.
#6 It's OK to go to counseling. Sometime it's too big and you need some help to remember that God is a good God.
That was just some of the highlights of the talk, but you get the idea. Infertility is real and it is really painful. But, I also know there was no sweeter time, that John and I leaned on each other, and it really challenged us to look to Jesus to be our comfort and not anything here on this earth.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Football with my Girl....
We had a great time together watching the Cowboys beat the Dolphins. And to my pride and excitement, I caught Charissa holding her in front of the TV explaining to Gianna the wishbone formation. (slow tear) It was a great Sunday.
This video is one Charissa took of the two of them developing rhythm.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sticks and Stones
Did someone ever say something to make you sad?
How about now as an adult?
Someone said something to me and it cut me to the quick. I was caught off guard and surprised. I was even embarrassed to the point of shame.
Some people I know don't let things like that bother them. They are able to externalize the problem and rationalize it. I, however, am not able to do that. I take things personally and obsess over them.
You know that part in You've got Mail, when Meg Ryan's character says that she always thinks of comebacks, but only after the situation is over. I usually feel like that too. But not this time. I'm at a loss. I know confrontation will bring no resolution. And avoidance is well... Avoiding.
So here I sit typing on my computer, letting time go by as a healer.
How about now as an adult?
Someone said something to me and it cut me to the quick. I was caught off guard and surprised. I was even embarrassed to the point of shame.
Some people I know don't let things like that bother them. They are able to externalize the problem and rationalize it. I, however, am not able to do that. I take things personally and obsess over them.
You know that part in You've got Mail, when Meg Ryan's character says that she always thinks of comebacks, but only after the situation is over. I usually feel like that too. But not this time. I'm at a loss. I know confrontation will bring no resolution. And avoidance is well... Avoiding.
So here I sit typing on my computer, letting time go by as a healer.
Monday, September 10, 2007
new link
Take a second to look at the new link "Because I said so" It is HI-larious and I love to read it. It's a mom of six kids and how she does it!
And Look:
And Look:
Gianna is EIGHT months OLD!!!!!! Can you believe it?
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Warm Fuzzy
Do you remember in college when you had to fill out those bubble sheets on the professor when the semester was almost over? What ever it took to just get out the door faster? Did you take the time to fill out the comments part? I almost NEVER did.
I had to give them to my students at Blinn. I wasn't expecting too much from mine. Well, today I got to read mine from last fall, my very first professorship. And let me tell you I got all kinds of warm fuzzies! Most of them actually wrote something down in the comment section.
Four year olds don't always know how to say you are doing a good job. It does feel good to know that my 18 year old students did like the class and could tell I was passionate and excited about teaching special education to them.
So now Gianna is down for her nap and I am going to prepare for my next class.
I had to give them to my students at Blinn. I wasn't expecting too much from mine. Well, today I got to read mine from last fall, my very first professorship. And let me tell you I got all kinds of warm fuzzies! Most of them actually wrote something down in the comment section.
Four year olds don't always know how to say you are doing a good job. It does feel good to know that my 18 year old students did like the class and could tell I was passionate and excited about teaching special education to them.
So now Gianna is down for her nap and I am going to prepare for my next class.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Labor Day in Galveston
This Labor Day weekend we went to Galveston. This weekend, like most, we did our favorite things. We went to lunch at Bennos, good cajun seafood, dessert afterwards at Rainforest Cafe where we got a volcano and topped it off with dinner at Salsas. Next day we went to the beach, took a drive across the island, and of course showed off Gianna to all who took notice of our beach girl. Below are some pics of our great weekend.
New pics here.
New pics here.
Date Night
Well as promised Here is the blog on our Date night!
We had a wonderful time. We kept it really simple and headed over to Olive Garden. We ordered my favorite: Stuffed Chicken Marsala! It's seasonal so it only comes around in the fall. (But it's still 100 degrees outside so I'm not sure that qualifies as fall, but to Olive Garden it does!)
We then made our way to Ben and Jerry's. I had espresso chip and John had coffee ice cream. Are we new parents or what!?!?!?
Out side B&J's is a big fountain and we had a great time reconnecting and enjoying the water show. We only talked about Gianna for 75% of the time we were there. After all she is an interesting topic!
Gianna did great back at home. She did have a cry in her sleep, but she went right back down. I always worry that it when we go out will be that one time that we go that she can't be consoled and she cries the entire time for the baby sitter. But not this time- she was a champ!
So YEA for the Baby sitting Co-op!
We had a wonderful time. We kept it really simple and headed over to Olive Garden. We ordered my favorite: Stuffed Chicken Marsala! It's seasonal so it only comes around in the fall. (But it's still 100 degrees outside so I'm not sure that qualifies as fall, but to Olive Garden it does!)
We then made our way to Ben and Jerry's. I had espresso chip and John had coffee ice cream. Are we new parents or what!?!?!?
Out side B&J's is a big fountain and we had a great time reconnecting and enjoying the water show. We only talked about Gianna for 75% of the time we were there. After all she is an interesting topic!
Gianna did great back at home. She did have a cry in her sleep, but she went right back down. I always worry that it when we go out will be that one time that we go that she can't be consoled and she cries the entire time for the baby sitter. But not this time- she was a champ!
So YEA for the Baby sitting Co-op!
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