Baby's cooking nicely, time for dad to play

To start off, just an update on the incubation of our soon-to-be first born: all is well, Erika is really starting to pop out and show off the oven. Erika tells me on numerous occasions that our little bug can be pretty active, and likes to kick mommy around a bit (that's my boy!). We just had a visit with the OB today and she gave us the thumbs up. Always good to hear that

the pregnancy is progressing normally according to the doc.

Since mommy is "burdened" by a growing Jr., it is up to daddy to pick up the summer playing slack (sorry mommy!!). Last week I had the opportunity to climb up Mt St Helens with the boy scouts - what a great time!


Looking up a boulder field towards the crater

Not very often you can climb 4500 feet in a day and peer into the crater of an active volcano. Truly a fascinating adventure, even if the climb up took its toll on me due to some severe cramps. But I did get to the top, and what a view!


At the top of the crater, Mt Adams in the background

Looking down into the crater and lava dome

Pretty cool stuff!

This week is a 3-day backpacking trip with the boys, will have an update and pictures of that adventure next week. Stay tuned....

AZN

Its....Its....Its..........

Wassup kiddies-

If we haven't contacted you already with the news, here it is:

"Dr. Case says I'm a boy - thanks, doc!" (The arrow reveals the truth)


We had our "22nd week" ultrasound last Wednesday with the maternal radiology specialist, and he reported that everything is looking great and proceeding according to plan. Erika and I are very happy and relieved to hear that, and so glad to know we are having a little boy!

It is soooo nice also to finally be able to call the baby "him" and "he" instead of always referring to "the baby", "it", and "our little dragon". In fact I think we are already getting used to calling him by his name.....

Anyway, we'll leave you with his first mug shot - at least it is not from jail or prison. Enjoy!

(Yeah, it looks like a blob at first. But if you look carefully, you can see his nose, eye, and mouth, with his elbow right up front and his arm covering his left eye. The dude has it going on early, must get that from his daddy!)

Dig the new do

Hi ya'll-

Just a quick update for the 3 people that actually look at this thing. Erika got her hair done, and it looks almost as good as it cost! (Just kidding dear...it looks BETTER than it cost!)

Since the camera was already out, we decided it was time for a tummy shot:

(Our little bug is growing in there!)

Saturday turned out to be really nice, so we spent the afternoon in downtown Seattle - did a little shopping and went to Pike's Market. Good times had by all....

And that's it for now, back to work -

AZN

Finally an update!

Hi all-

Its been soooooo long since we have updated this wacky blog, I decided it was time to do something about it. As you may have noticed, we are well into the pregnancy thing and all is going very well. Erika is back at work and busy as ever, a little worn out by the end of the work-week but none the worse for wear. Although I am sure she misses being at home on "rest", I am certainly getting more work done in my office with her not around. Our last ultrasound was a few weeks ago, and it was super cool to see the little bugger moving around, kicking, stretching, and posing. Here is my favorite: "crouching tiger, hidden baby".

We just celebrated our first Mother's Day today - a precursor of many, many such mother's days to come. Of course I made a super meal of BBQ pork chops, grilled bell peppers and potatoes, and green salad (top that Jayne!!) for the little wife. It was a great ending to a fun-filled weekend for us.



Time to try and get this posted - this is my first attempt at a blog so we'll see how it goes. We really appreciate all the support we have received during this special time in our lives, much thanks to all our friends and family!

AZN