Baby Beats

We just returned from the Doctor where we heard our new baby's heartbeat for the first time. I hadn't realized how nervous I was about the possibility of not hearing it until he actually pulled out the Doppler and started looking. But it was strong and fast, and pronounced both 'excellent and healthy' - even finished off with a tiny kick for good measure. Such a wonderful, reassuring sound! Ry and I (both champion worriers) were thrilled.

Reese had fun too, but mostly since the kind doctor let her press all the buttons on his machine.

We're into the Second Trimester now and oh-so-excited at the prospect of morning (the worst misnomer I've ever heard of) sickness finally passing, and moving on to the fun stuff like kicks and hiccups, and finding out if we'll be buying pink or blue. Huzzah!

Little Things

One of the things I love the most about being the mom of an almost 3-year-old is that the things I've seen for years and thought were 'old hat' are suddenly brand new and positively thrilling.

Case in Point: Since Reese was so good at the store today I told her she could pick out a treat. After pacing up and down the candy aisle for several minutes she settled on a Toy Story Pez Dispenser of Rex, the Dinosaur. She proudly and excitedly carried it to the cashier and out to the car. When we got inside I put a packet of little purple candies inside and handed it back to her, showing how his head popped back to push one out. Her eyes lit up and she happily munched it.

I pulled out of the parking lot, and heard her exclamation from the back seat a few minutes later:

"Mommy! There are MORE candies in the dinosaur!!! More, and more, and MORE candies in the DINOSAUR!!!" I busted up laughing.


Isn't it funny how much we take for granted, and how we think only the big things will make us truly happy as we get older? Thank heavens for kids and Pez dispensers that can still get me to laugh and love life when I'm feeling sick or the skies are gray or the future is unsure!

Local Olympics

Here is the latest project we put together as a little book to send off to the grandparents. We think it turned out pretty cute- be sure to click on the shots to get a good look at Reese- she is SUCH a cutie, if I do say so myself. :)

Strange=Stupid?

Today in Ryan's Portuguese class they discussed Brazilian culture. I should first explain that his class is 95% fresh-off-the-mish guys who are just. . . weird, but think they're hilarious and as a bonus just happen to know everything. After all, what freshly returned missionary doesn't? ;)

The teacher showed this well-known, modern-art painting:




and asked,

"What are your impressions of this painting?"

A student raised his hand, scoffed, and said, "Stupid." A few of the other guys in the class chuckled.

"Stupid? Why?" she returned.

"Cause it's strange. It's weird!"

She raised an eyebrow. "And strange equals stupid to you?"

"Well, yeah. Different stuff is stupid."


Seriously?! How utterly sad that this is what attends a center of higher learning.

Yay- We didn't raise a heretic!

Those were Ryan's words Sunday night when, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, Reese gave the prayer. :)

After my last post, when I wondered if she would ever willingly consent to do more than fold her arms, I'm happy to report that my child prays. :) Yep. She prays now. And after the exulting jubilation that followed (you would have thought she explained just how to cure cancer), she has been overjoyed to continue the practice.

Thank you Pavlov, your dog, and the wonder of positive reinforcement.