Monday, December 14, 2009
baby shower
Saturday, December 5, 2009
...and we're back
Sunday, November 1, 2009
as promised...
As promised, here are some pictures for your enjoyment. These first pictures came from the lunch we had with my mom today. The Cheesecake Factory was our destination of choice, both for it's wide array of culinary choices and its gargantuan proportions (which can be taken to work for lunch later).
Friday, October 30, 2009
words from the baby mama
"I'm happy to report that the pregnancy is coming along quite nicely- no major bumps or even hiccups, if you will (because I will). The doctor said we most likely won't be having another ultrasound unless we either want to pay for it or have insurance that will cover it, which really bummed me out but hey, it means we have a healthy little girl growing up a storm in my belly and that's what really matters. I will say that the belly is starting to feel quite heavy, but I don't look huge (yet). Most people find it hard to believe that I'm nearly seven months along, but when I look in a mirror it's really not all that shocking. I asked the doctor if I look normal and she said that since I'm tall the baby has more room to grow- and isn't forced to grow out instead of up and down. Whew. I have to say that even if no one else thinks I have gained that much weight, I can certainly feel the extra weight not only in my belly, but in other places as well. I've been trying so hard to use my regular wardrobe for as long as possible, but it's safe to say I'm at a point where I can't do it much longer, if at all. I own a grand total of three maternity shirts, one sweater, and two pairs of pants and I'm not sure how much I'll be able to rotate those items out before I start looking like a hobo."
Monday, October 12, 2009
pre-appointment update
However, in the meantime, Andrea and Elska are doing fine. Andrea's belly will occasionally morph into different shapes depending on Elska's position or activity. Based on what we see from the outside, I figure she's starting a pilates routine early. We'll keep you up-to-date on what happens at the doctor's office next week.
Cheers!
P.S. I want to give a point of clarification. Calling the baby Elska is not mandatory. It's just a specific name to give her for now so you don't have to say "your little, baby girl" or something as 'wordy' as that. However, if Elska is hard to remember...no need to worry about it!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
the vote's in
For now, we shall call our daughter....ELSKA!
Keep in mind that this is temporary but this will give you all a name to call her in the meantime. We'll be in touch soon with updates!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
thank you!
Monday, September 21, 2009
No. 6
Friday, September 18, 2009
Ladies & Gentlemen.....
Next Appointment Coming Soon
Monday, August 10, 2009
at the midway point
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Sedona-Flagstaff Trip '09
SOOOO....life has been hectic. So hectic, in fact, that we just had to get away. I (Cody) have been running myself so hard lately that I've been feeling sick, fatigued and I even developed a big 'ol cold sore on my nose near my eye (you may think it's the plague or the swine flu but, fear not, it isn't). Yeah, I need a breather.
Anyway, friends of ours have access to their parents' very nice home in Sedona and they invited us to join them on a trip. So for a grand total of $35 (plus gas) we are enjoying the generous hospitality of our friends. We are very grateful for them.
In Flagstaff there is a great coffee house called Macy's. It's a cool, bohemian coffee shop that I highly recommend if you like that kind of thing. The picture in this blog is from their menu. Good stuff.
Also, I am finding that relaxation is a learned habit. It's too easy in our society to get really busy and to push ourselves too hard. Hard work is a good thing but it must be kept in balance with the rest of life. Now, I can't really say that hard work constitutes my woes. I am not saying I'm lazy but I tend to stress about details more than I should. It is mainly this stress that has torn me down. I intend to change this.
Just so you know, I'm OK and you don't need to worry about me. God has used the stress and uncertainty of late to really show me how little I know about life and how to live it. There are pratical things that need to change (like sleeping more) and there are old worldviews that need to be overhauled (like what 'hope' is). I do believe that all things have reasons behind them and that life is a great adventure. Sometimes you need to fan away the fog and wait in order to see clearly.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Monday, July 27, 2009
Doctor's Appointment 7/27/09
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
A Quickie
Friday, July 3, 2009
Prayer Request
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Doctor's Appointment 6/29/09
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Diapers (by Cody)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Babysitting and photo fun
For those who know Cody and me, it is safe to say that when it comes to babies, we have absolutely no clue what we are doing. Although I have a brother and a sister and a nephew who is more like a brother than a nephew, I grew up an only child, and Cody grew up the oldest of three. I remember when I was eight years old I begged my mom for a little brother or sister because my friend who lived down the street just got a new baby sister, and she was so cute, I wanted one too. Needless to say I never got my wish, but I wouldn't change a thing. I liked my life growing up as an only child- it's not as lonely as people who grew up with siblings will try to make you believe, I promise. And while we all have our issues, I would like to think I'm not a total screw-up as a result.
Yesterday, Cody and I spent the afternoon with our friend's little 7-month-old, Cruz, while his parents Jason and Jessica Williams were out doing a photo shoot for their new business, Session 9 Photography. Jay and Jess are two of the best people we have ever had the privilege of calling friend, and their little boy is so adorable you could just eat him up. So it was a no-brainer to embark on our first babysitting adventure as a couple with Cruz at the helm.
What a day! We had fun rolling around on the floor with him, keeping him entertained with his toys and various ridiculous faces, watching Finding Nemo, taking him for a ride in his stroller through their neighborhood, marveling at the sheer volume of spit-up that a single child can produce, and learning that baby wipes aren't meant to be thrown by themselves into a Diaper Genie (definitely something I will NEVER FORGET AGAIN). Cruz is such a happy baby that even when he's fussy he's still a joy to be around. And I am so happy that we have this particular family alongside us through this totally unpredictable journey we find ourselves on, because their own experiences and uncertainties parallel ours in so many ways, and things have turned out more than fine for them. It's such an encouragement to both of us.
On another note, Cody and I are going to start taking belly pictures in the very near future. I'm not showing yet, but it will be fun to document the progress over the next several months. If I were funnier and more creative and also 25 weeks further into my pregnancy, I would have thought of this first, but I digress.
We have our first photo shoot with Session 9 next weekend and we are SO EXCITED. I say first shoot because they will be doing our maternity and hospital shots as well! The only experience I have had as a "model" was at our wedding- and funny story, I was so barfy at our wedding that I spent half the time that would have been spent taking pictures in the bathroom, and now I'm in my first trimester and am feeling barfy all the time... so I'm 0 for 2 at the moment. Good news is that I haven't actually "finished the job," if you know what I mean; I just constantly feel on the brink of it. It will be fun to get all decked out for this shoot since these days my favorite thing to do is not wear makeup so I don't have to make the effort to take it off at night, because that is A LOT OF EFFORT. I am anxiously awaiting my blood test results from the doctor so they can tell me that yes, I am indeed anemic, and then they will give me a magical pill that will take the edge off the simply unreal fatigue that is brought on by this building-a-human-being business, and I can finally wake up from this haze I have been living in for the past month and start to feel normal again.
And yes, I am fully aware that "normal" as I once knew it has ceased to exist. This "new normal" will be quite a ride.
(Originally published at Baby Steps to Mom on June 7, 2009.)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Oh baby! We're having a baby!
Monday, February 16, 2009
The House Chronicles...
Monday, February 2, 2009
finally....
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
January 20...
...has come and gone, and no house yet. I was all jazzed to show up Obama on his new digs, but apparently that wasn't in the cards for us, haha. Cody and I have been counting down the days until we could move into our home and for whatever reason the lender was still verifying our information this afternoon, which should have been taken care of at least by last week. At this point we're just hoping we can move in by the weekend, and perhaps even sign the documents tomorrow.
All that to say, there are three things we are most looking forward to:
1. Our kitchen.
2. Cody's music room, and
3. My craft room!
Say a little prayer for us. We're getting anxious and can't wait to stop tripping all over ourselves on a day-to-day basis. I feel like I'm suffocating here.
Andrea is a mom to two "fur-babies," an amateur seamstress and homemaker a la Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray, a connoisseur of imported beers, an upcoming barista and restaurant manager, a Petlane Pet Advisor, an Icelander at heart, an occasional vegetarian, and a self-proclaimed correcter of grammatical errors (a.k.a. "grammar Nazi"). The intensity of her beauty is matched only by the passion she has for life. And she loves her husband more than life itself (yes, Cody wrote that part).
Cody is 100% lovable nerd and a budding musician. He is a thoughtful theologian, cultural critic, artist at heart, movie trivia buff, and fellow dog lover. He loves adventure, travel and seeking out everything that God has planned for him, which may or may not be his day job as an Academic Advisor at ASU, but it's a good way to pay the bills for now. His biggest desire is to go to seminary (although this really depends on the day) and his sense of humor is one of many things that others love most about him. He takes amazing care of his wife and their "fur-kids" (though he prefers to be called a "dog owner." Whatever.). He loves his wife more than life itself (he wrote that all on his own).
Together, the Alleys are navigating this thing called life by seeking out the Lord's guidance and wisdom. They love getting to know each other more and more every day. There is so much to learn and experience and this is where you'll find their journey.