Friday Harbor

Some time ago, we planned a weekend getaway to a bed and breakfast in Friday Harbor. We knew that this would probably be our last chance to do nice vacation before baby came along. Also, Melissa was going to be in town with us still, so we thought it would be fun to include her, and treat her to a nice weekend away after having her slave away while here (she and Doug cleaned the carpets and moved furniture earlier in her visit). So this was the long awaited weekend, and it was just perfect! The weather behaved and we ended up with sunshine the entire weekend with the exception of one cloudy morning that eventually cleared into a beautiful sunny day.

At our bed and breakfast we enjoyed a cozy room, delicious gourmet breakfasts (all including dessert!), yummy homemade cookies every afternoon, and relaxing bubble baths.


We enjoyed exploring San Juan Island and came across many beautiful views and a few of the local wildlife.





We also enjoyed tasting what the local restaurants had to offer…from fancy seafood restaurants to “world famous fish and chips” from a local bar. We even enjoyed ice cream on the wharf even when the weather was probably a bit to chilly for a frozen treat.



The rest of the time we were either just relaxing, or walking the docks and streets of Friday Harbor soaking up the warm rays of sunshine and just enjoying the fact that we didn’t have to do anything or be anywhere…such a wonderful feeling.

On our way home, we made a detour and stopped at one of the tulip fields in the Skagit Valley. We just happened to hit the end of the tulip festival season, so we got to treat Melissa to the amazing view of thousands upon thousands of tulips, and a variety of tulips that you would only find in a bulb catalog…needless to say she was on cloud nine, and her camera is full of the colorful blooms.

Nesting?

With spring the the air and Easter just around the corner, these little cookies seemed like the perfect treat.


(picture inspired by K's bird nest cookie making last year)

Cream Puffs

The other day I was talking to Doug about cream puffs and he had no clue that I used to make them, so I thought I had better do my wifely duty and give him a sampling. Okay, maybe it was a more self satisfying motive, but hey what better excuse! Here are some pictures of my completed work...they almost look too good to eat, but I am sure that won't stop us.



Just heard on the radio that March is national nutrition month, HA!

Ultrasound

Here are the long awaited first pictures of Corey Thomas! The doctor says everything looks good. We are on cloud nine here looking forward to our beautiful baby boy!

Valentine's Day

I was supposed to work today, but on a whim, I called to see if they needed to cancel anyone...sure enough I got a call saying I didn't need to come in. Ah, the things that make my day ;0). Anyway, I hadn't planned on being home for Valentine's day, so needless to say, dinner was not planned. I did have some leftover roasted potatoes in the fridge, and by pure chance (or cupid?) I ran across some bacon in the freezer earlier today. So when I was thinking dinner it all came together...we wouldn't have dinner at all...we would have breakfast! Our menu consisted of homemade buttermilk pancakes, roasted potatoes, scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, and fresh green beans. And although we could have gotten by without the pancakes (trust me, we had PLENTY of food), they were the only food item that made it a Valentine's day meal.

A touch (or kick) of reality

Well, I mentioned before that this whole baby thing doesn't feel real yet. Maybe it is because no one can even really tell that I am pregnant, even though I feel huge! Or maybe it's because I was feeling so gross for a while there that I really couldn't focus on anything other than that. Well, for the past week things have started to set in. I have started to feel better...much better, which is a wonderful relief, and last week I finally started to feel baby move inside of me! And boy do we have an active baby in there! He/She seems to kick kick kick all the time. Doug has even been able to feel the kicks. With reality setting in, we have started to think about things like car seats, baby cribs, strollers etc. etc. etc. etc. (you would be amazed at the list of STUFF that is suggested for a newborn...yikes). And instead of focusing on the pregnancy books, I have turned to books about raising baby (currently On Becoming Babywise by Gary Ezzo is in the stack, and although not a great literary work, its ideas and recommendations seem very useful). At our next appointment we will have our first sonogram. If baby is willing we may be able find out if baby is a boy or a girl. So more updates to come in a couple of weeks.

In case you are wondering...

...all is still well with us. With all the media reports of Microsoft layoffs, we are pleased to say that as of today, Doug still has a job. We were a little concerned when we first heard the news of the layoffs as we were literally right in the middle of emptying a large portion of our savings in order to refinance our condo. But our concerns were fleeting as we know that whatever happens, God will provide.

As for baby, my belly continues to expand. I am officially 4 months along, and still waiting for energy and wellness that seemed to be promised in the second trimester. Somehow it doesn't quite seem real yet. Maybe once I start feeling baby move it will set in, but for now I am just feeling ill and pudgy ;0).