The Ultrasound Says....

As much as John hoped and prayed for a boy we are blessed to be having another beautiful little girl. The tech. is 95% sure too. I am ok with the outcome. I think in the back of my mind I always new it, but hoped for a boy for John. All is well with the baby. She is measuring well and all her organs are good. They couldn't see the 4 chambers of the heart so we will have to get another ultrasound in another month or so. In May we will welcome Piper Suzanne. Sorry for no pictures. John will scan them in later.

What effective branding can do ...

The other day, since I couldn't work on the bathroom because the girls needed to sleep and I needed to make lots of noise to make progress, I decided to pull out an old apple iBook - a "turquoise clamshell". It is 1997 or 1998 era laptop, that originally came with OS 9. It is not a particularly powerful laptop, but it could be used for minimalistic purposes.

I don't have a use for the laptop, but I wanted something on it for Mallory to use. Well, Mac OS 9 no longer has anything really useful for it. Since I had some time, I started working on getting Linux installed on the computer so I could put some children games on it. It took me a little while to find something that was compatible, so I was working on it the next day as well. Mallory saw the computer and asked me "Is that going to be my computer daddy?" I told her it was, if I could get it to work.

As I was working on it, Mallory saw the lid, which of course has the Apple logo on it, rather large. Mallory saw that and called it her "Apple Computer". Apple has always been good at marketing.

I eventually did get it working. Mallory now loves it, and dislikes when she can't do things her way. She does enjoy working on her computer, just like her daddy.

Kid Kard

We went to Mallory's preschool today for a little show. They recited nursery rhymes and sang a Christmas song. It was adorable. Because I took Sadie with me I forgot my camera. The teachers with the students had a gift for the parents. It was a tiny loaf of homemade wheat bread with strawberry freezer jam. Delicious!!! Here is Mallory's report card for Nov./Dec.

Perfect...I know my shapes
almost...I recognize letters D-G
perfect...I can trace my name
almost...I can cut with scissors
perfect...I love to sing
perfect...I can say 2 nursery rhymes without help

The only thing in the comment area was WOW! They constantly tell me how how great Mallory is and what a big help she is. I wish I could have gone to this preschool! This is an old picture of Mallory but I love how innocent she looks!

A Guy's Wish

Above is a picture that John took while he baked and cut out Christmas cookies. Can you tell what he wants for Christmas? (pst..JJ is the nickname of the baby if it is a boy.)

Doctor's Appointment

Things are going well. I haven't gained or lost any weight this month so I am happy. My appetite came back and I am so happy. I have missed food. The baby's heartbeat was at 155 beats per minute. My blood pressure is finally in the good normal range and I can feel the difference. We schedule the ultrasound for Dec. 30th. It would be nice if it is a boy since John's birthday is the next day. We have decided either JJ (Jackson John) or Piper Suzanne.

Happy Birthday

For my birthday today John and I went on a date. Thankfully this year we didn't have to go to another boring ROTC ball like last year. We ate at Olive Garden and had to think of things to talk about since there were no children there to distract us. Then we went to see Twilight. I loved the books and know that movies are never as good as the books. However, I did enjoy it and had a smile on my face the whole time. The baby did too. I felt it kick for the first time during the fight scene in the ballet studio. Another hint that he is a boy...maybe.
Mallory enjoyed it being my birthday too. She kept asking me if I was excited and I even let he blow out my candles. 27 isn't a lot but I knew she would enjoy the helping part. Here's to another great year!