Chahlston

We made one last " long" road trip before our little one gets here, headed down to Charleston (you have to say it with a huge drawl) to see Andrea. Once again, I was shocked to find another place I never knew existed that is absolutely beautiful. There's a ton of history there, and downtown Charleston is one of the most unique places I've had the opportunity to visit. I have to say though, North Carolina still beats South Carolina in beauty overall by a long shot. Enjoy some more pics. Pictures never do a place justice, we needed to do the 360 view on a couple of these waterfront houses. You could see Fort Sumter and Cooper bridge from here, as well as a couple of battleships and an aircraft carrier.Sullivan beach, I wish I would have brought my swimmingsuit.
My pregnant belly...or just Joni standing behind me.Rainbow Row, the houses here are required to be painted specific colors and it can't be the same color as the one next to it.
Candy apple anyone?

We took a tour of the hospital where the baby will be born. I have to admit I don't like hospitals very much, and I got a little light headed when we were standing in the room where it will all happen. Reality hit me hard, you know that unmistakable sterile smell means you are in a place where big things happen. I've always seen hospitals as a sad place, but my friend Mike helped me put a new spin on it with his always positive attitude. Hospitals are places where miracles happen, and where people are humbled enough that they have to put all their trust in someone other than themselves to get better. So although I don't feel completely confident, I feel better thinking of hospitals in that way.

Yesterday when my hand was on Joni's belly I felt the baby's heel press hard against my hand, and I moved it about four inches across Joni's belly before it dissapeared. It was so crazy, I also felt her hiccup for about 5 minutes, she is so close to being here. Joni is at 35 weeks now, I think she's doing great and I think she is a lot tougher than she thinks she is.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes and presents. Aside from having our identities stolen it was a pretty good day.

Where the buffalo roam

Hey everyone! Joni here. I decided to post some pictures of our place. I have to admit I was pretty worried about sending Paul off to find it all on his own, but he found the perfect duplex for us. Yes, it is out in the wilderness of North Carolina where there are no sidewalks and the nearest Urban Outfitters is a 18 mile drive, but I'm pretty darn proud of his choice. At first I thought the total quiet surrounding our house was eerie, but now it's growing on me. The sounds (chirping) and smells (nature, with a hint of buffalo) that I experience each morning walking out the door make me feel like I'm camping, and I love it.

This is deck off the side of the house. It's weird because there are no stairs that go down to the ground - but also perfect because Dilly loves hanging out there all day, and I know shes not going to run off chasing a squirrel.



Here is the front view, complete with a wooly mammoth on the front porch.





In a few days I will be 34 weeks along!!! I went to my new doctor at UNC hospital last week. He immediately made me feel reassured, answered all my questions thoroughly, and was super nice (a far cry from my previous CT doctor, but thats a different conversation). We still have no idea what the little bean's name will be. We used to try to figure that out, but after changing it so many times we decided to keep a list of ~3 names and pick from that pool when we have to. I don't know why girl names are so HARD for me! Any last minute suggestions?

Going to any store with baby clothes is a BAD thing for me right now. The brilliant merchandisers don't have to work hard to convice me my baby will NEED a ruffle dress in every color with booties and a headband to match. Because I know this about myself I have to take extra caution to avoid the baby section, and I decided to make some cute stuff on my own. I have to give a shout out to both Jen B and Kendi for introducing me to the world of Etsy. I found some super cute onsies on there and decided to try my hand at hand-crafted baby clothes. Here are a few of the onsies I made this week... sorry for those of you who have already seen these.




Here is the monthly belly picture for those of your who are a fan of globes.


And finally, a video tour of the inside of the house. Enjoy :)

Another tour...

Joni's dad Brent sent us some great pictures that I had to share with you, I hope he doesn't mind. One of his most favorite things to do in his spare time is wake up at 2-3 in the morning and go find the perfect spot to take pictures. He waits for hours sometimes to get the perfect shot, and he has won several awards for what he does. I think its so cool that he is so into it, and it makes me appreciate what it takes to get the "perfect shot" sometimes.I must have laughed out loud for 5 minutes at this picture. Brent also works for UPS and his son Zach had a surprise waiting for him when he got home.

I totally forgot about this picture, I was dared to stand under this waterfall...made for another great shot. We said goodbye to West Hartford last week. Our time there went by so fast. Connecticut was such a fun place to live, and once again we realized that we can be happy no matter where we are. We have been fortunate to have loved every place we've been along the way. We had one last Wipeout Wednesday, and some of Joni's friends were nice enough to throw her a baby shower before we left.We'll miss our friends and hope to keep in touch...(sorry Janae, I overheard you say you didn't want this picture on a blog but we loved this picture of everyone, Joni was strategically hiding behind the couch)On to North Carolina...we'll post some pics of our new place soon. We live out in the country on 82 acres of trees, pastures, and roaming buffalo (thats right...buffalo). We drink well water and I swear every morning I walk outside I feel like I'm camping. We love it so far, and this will be far and away the most different living situation we have ever experienced. My office at work is right on the plant floor, and I'm totally excited to work around my kind of people once again, brings back memories of Lowe's. These are people that live simple lives, and they've worked for the same company for up to 35 years. They all have great stories to tell, and enjoy the most important things in life. Everyone is so laid back, polite, and southern accents are very thick here.

Joni has a wonderful doctor, and she'll be having the baby in one of the best labor and delivery hospitals in the US at UNC Chapel Hill. We feel very blessed. I think Joni is doing pretty well considering she feels like a wooly mammoth all the time (hot and huge), she doesn't look that big but I guess it has to be pretty uncomfortable to be pregnant in more ways than one. Just a few more weeks to go.

Utah 2009

We loved this picture of Carter flying a kite on the beach

Cecily buried...but protected from the wind

Joni, Rhett and Olivia made some homemade hummingbird brew that attracted some hummingbirds. Too bad they are so fast we didn't grab the cameras in time for a picture (the birds were fast not the mad scientists). The brew consisted of melted sugar, otter pops, twizzlers, and water. Joni thought it was weird that Joel, Rhett and I shared a blanket while star gazing at night...now that I just wrote out that sentence I guess it does sound strange.

Carter loves bugs...Dad and Susan striking a pose...speaking of striking a pose, check out Bess and Cecily...this one reminded us of a high school dance. We told them to pose and Cecily went to town posing, then Bess really got into it. I mean really got into it...hahaha

For some reason this picture reminded me of the African ladies who carry baskets on their heads while trekking through the water...sorry Joel.
Glen and Rhett laughing it up after dunking my Dad in the icy lake

Last week we were in Utah, and we were able to see some of our favorite places that we haven't been to in a while. After spending the first night in Salt Lake we stayed in Logan, we love that place. Honestly, if there were more good jobs there I would move to Logan in a heartbeat. We met up for Todd and Kimiko's wedding, then we showed the newest Aggie Madison around campus. We were still used to Eastern Standard Time because we couldn't sleep in. I woke up at 6:45 and took a jog through Logan and ran down along the ridge by the temple, brought back a lot of good memories.

Thursday we went up to Bear Lake and spent a couple of days with some family at a beautiful cabin. We had fun just hanging out with everyone and playing at the beach. The water was freeeeezing and it was really windy, but we still managed to have fun. We played a lot of games, sang some songs, did some skits and never quite got onto a good sleeping schedule so by the time we were done we were completely exhausted. Joni had a rough time because she has been so tired lately, but we really enjoyed getting to know some family we don't get to see often, and those who weren't there were missed. Thanks to Glen and Kendi for being our personal taxi, and Bed & Breakfast...and thanks to my Dad for the cabin.

After Bear Lake we spent a day with Joni's family in Evanston, Wyoming. Joni actually took this picture there that turned out really well. You have to have an eye for beauty to find something like this in Evanston :) Joni's brother Ryan has always wanted to paint a picture on a pregnant belly, and since his wife never let him do it, Joni was the guinea pig...NBA theme and all...

It was good to see so many people we love, we wish we could have seen more of you but the trip just wasn't long enough.

Thoughts from an expecting parent...future dad's view

So I had a wake up call yesterday. Since Joni first found out she was pregnant I think we've both been pretty excited. It's just not how I ever imagined it would be, I always pictured myself crying when I first found out I was going to be a dad and then reading a baby book all the way through because I was so excited...just doing the things an expecting father is supposed to do or that you see people do in movies. It's been weird to go shopping for strollers and think about baby names and all that stuff, but it wasn't until yesterday when I held a 2 week old little girl that the magnitude of this whole experience hit me. That thing that makes Joni's "tumor" in her belly grow each day, and that "kicks" my hand when I place it against her belly is a living, breathing, human with emotions that we will be responsible for.


I think everyone imagines having a perfect, healthy, beautiful child. I always imagined a cute little blonde girl with curly hair, but that's about as far as my thoughts have taken me. Am I ready for this? We haven't even enrolled in a class and we've really just lived our lives the same as we always have. Everyone says "you'll know what to do" or "everything will be allright", but then they smile at me without saying anything and I know they are thinking "you have no idea what you are getting yourself into". Will I still dry heave when snot comes pouring down their face, or when they have a poop explosion while we are waiting in line at the grocery store? I don't think I will ever be able to "bare-hand" a booger like I've seen some parents do.


We were at Babies R US the other day staring at the strollers and this couple must have known exactly what we were thinking. The big macho husband who looked like a college linebacker said "you totally have to get that one, the ease in which the car seat comes in and out is fantastic".
Upon further inspection I noticed this macho frat boy had a full blown Abercrombie & Fitch shirt full of baby vomit, and he didn't care in the least bit...I followed his advice and I was actually excited to have a stroller.

Joni's belly this week...

So here's the deal if you want to know what its like to be an expecting father for the first time, not saying I'm an expert, just a few thoughts:

1) Understand that your wife will be going through a lot of pain, insecurities, and emotions that will be new to her and you will not be able to understand in the slightest. Just listen and be supportive.

2) You will find that there are bathrooms in public places that you never knew existed. In fact, employees will go out of their way to walk a pregnant woman to these secret hideouts.

3) Feeling the first kick is not what you would expect, it feels like she just has a stomach thats hungry or gassy.

4) There is a lot of psychology and thought that usually goes into choosing a name, but when it comes down to it, its just a name and you may be surprised about what names you end up liking.

5) You will most definately be surprised as you see her eat things she has never eaten, and hate things she has never hated. Some of the most delicious foods become nauseating to her.

6) She can smell you making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich 2 rooms away.

7) Her feet and back ache more than usual, so don't think its an "excuse" to be rubbed. In fact, just don't ever think anything she says or does is an excuse if you want to survive through the night.

8) If you see her not wearing her wedding ring don't be offended, because when you see what her one-time-loose wedding ring does to her finger you'll understand.

9) She will cry more...'nuff said.

10) I always wondered deep down if I might feel different about my wife when I saw her pregnant and going through so many physical changes. I still think she is absolutely beautiful, and she definately has that glow.

So I guess if I've made it this far, I think I can make it to actually holding my own child...I think. For now I just have no idea what that will be like, but I don't think it will be like anything I could possibly imagine.

The Perfect Day

Saturday was one of those days that we just didn't want to end. It all started with a round of golf, although I'm not very good it was fun anyways. Mike and I both lined up for the last hole (a par 4) and smacked our drives right onto the green. I ended up with a birdie on the hole, so even though I stunk up the other holes it was an awesome end. The girls were eating breakfast together while we were out so when we came home, we finished up what they couldn't...awesome food. All of the wives are pretty close, they have book club together and every time someone has a birthday they have breakfast together.

Then we decided to go to a swimming hole that we found by accident a few weeks ago. We saw signs that said "members only" but since Mike is the friendliest guy I know, he struck up a conversation with a nice lady on her front porch and she ended up inviting us to be her guests. We parked the car behind some bushes, and thanked our new friend Sarah for the invite. The lake has a nice little beach and a floating dock about 50 yards from the shore that we swam out to and laid on for most of the afternoon...did I forget to say we stopped to get slurpees on the way out there? It was so fun to not think about anything else but what we were doing in that moment. Thats the sign of a great day. We finished it all off with some steak and rolls with cinnamon butter at Texas Roadhouse. And what would the perfect day be without a little Dr. Mario at the end of it?

Its so fun to look back on "the best days" of our lives, but its also easy to forget that we can still have those days anytime we want right now, that's what weekends are for. Come to think of it...we have had so many of those types of days lately. This has been a very busy July for us, for work and church callings, but most of all spending our free time with good people, family and friends.

We have decided to move to North Carolina over Kentucky this time around, although we'll probably end up in Kentucky by next May. We are very excited to have made a decision, and we feel its the right one which is all we can ask for. We should be moving over Labor Day weekend in September, off to another part of the country we've never been before. Thanks to all who have come to visit recently, my mom, Joni's Dad and family...we love having visitors and playing "guide". Other July highlights: Printing our first Blog book (looks awesome), 4th of July fireworks and BBQ, finding a bunch of baby clothes for cheap at a tag sale, visitors, finishing our new wooden rocking horse, and Joni giving a beautiful talk at church, and check out Joni's first layered cake. Happy early birthdays to Joni on the 22nd and Melecia on the 23rd!