Maybe we should hire a lawn service?

Smokey the Bear

This is why we used to have an electric lawn mower....

What a YEAR!

So...It's been a while...I know...A lot can happen in a year! Especially for us. Add Baby, new job, a new city, and viola - you have one busy family! For those that don't know Oke took a new job in Richmond. We moved in August and arrived here in a our new home on the 25th. Here's a peak...


Oh, and I QUIT my job and am now a SAHM - stay at home mom for those that aren't in the club. Which brings me to what occupies my days [and nights sometimes]

ANNIKA

SHE'S 9 MONTHS OLD TODAY - YIKES.

One Month Old

Here are some photos from Annika's 1st month...

http://picasaweb.google.com/lizasya/AnnikaS1stMonth

Enjoy!

She's Here!

I am pleased to announce the birth of our baby girl, Annika Evelyn!

Annika was born on 12/23/07 at 4:13pm. She weighed in at 7 lbs and 1 oz and 20.5 inches long.

Labor and Delivery was a piece of cake - especially after the epidural!! I was able to get a good night of sleep before my contractions started the morning of the 23rd. Oke was a fantastic coach - he kept things lighthearted and easy. He continues to be a wonderful husband and father each and every day!

As each day passes, we continue to grow more and more as a family. Annika has already gained a pound and continues to flourish. Her big sister, Abby, is a wonderful companion and stays by my and her side during the day while Oke is at work. I couldn't have asked for a better gaurd dog!

The weather this week has been glorious - in the 60's and 70's. Oke, Annika, Abby, and I took advantage of this break from the cold and took our 1st neighborhood walk in our new jogging stroller. Yes, I felt silly 'walking' using the jogger, but maybe one day I will jog!

Thank you to everyone who has sent their well wishes and good thoughts our way - we have a beautiful and healthy baby girl and can't wait for everyone to meet her!

Less than 45 days to go...but whose counting?

We're in the home stretch now!

Weebs, as we've fondly taken to calling the baby [short for weeble] is an amazing acrobat and enjoys kicking and rolling around inside of me as though it was a full contact sport! It is mostly active when I am sitting at work trying to concentrate on something or laying on the couch relaxing. Lately, hiccups have become a daily ritual - and now I can even see the movements on the outside as much as I can feel them on the inside.

Oke and the weeble have found some time to bond as well. My favorite time of day is in the evening when we sit on the couch together and Oke puts his hand on my belly to check out what's new with Weebs. One time, Oke put his ear to my belly and got a surprising kick in the face. It's amazing how strong the baby's movements are becoming!

Although nothing is in its rightful place yet, the house has slowly been taken over by baby items. Abby seems to be fairing pretty well with all of the new additions. I don't think she has any idea of what is to come - and maybe she has it right, ignorance can be bliss!

A few other things we've been up to:

--Oke has been taking advantage of our fabulous fall weather and taking hikes with a few friends, and Abby, in the national parks near our home. I take advantage of his early morning departures by sleeping in!

--We [as in someone we've hired] are painting the rest of the upstairs. So far, the baby's room, hall bath, and stairway/hallway is complete. Master bedroom and master bath should be done by Saturday. We'll post some pictures once everything is back in place.

--Our crash course childbirth class is this weekend; 2 days at 4 hrs each day of non-stop labor and delivery information...what a treat! Hopefully neither one of us will run for the hills afterwards....

Thank you to everyone for your words of wisdom, love, and support. We are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family!

With Love,

Liz

You have to be in it to win it.

Everyone has heard the saying that you have to be in it to win it. Well, with the powerball over $100,000,000 I decided now was the time to get involved. I called a co-worker in DC and ordered up $10 worth of powerball tickets. With 10 tickets and 6 numbers on each ticket I was sure to win something.

Unfortunately, out of the 60 numbers (actually 38 unique numbers), I matched 3 of them. Early retirement will have to wait. It amazing though, how the simple thought of winning the lottery can brighten your day. Hopefully there won't be any winners and I can play again for the Saturday drawing.

~Oke