The big news dampened by life

Today Jon and I have been making phonecalls about insurance and doulas (because I've decided I really want a doula this time around). It turns out that insurance companies aren't too keen on insuring pregnant women. Though in a way we're in luck, because the company we'd decided on pre-pregnancy doesn't offer maternity coverage the whole first year of having a policy, so we would have been stuck if we'd gotten pregnant sometime next year. (And considering that the baby bug bit me about 6 months after Caleb was born, the likelihood was pretty high that we'd get pregnant this next year.) As for doulas, well, good luck finding one south of I-30. The closest one I can find is almost 3 hours away. I called an OB office in town and they didn't even know what a doula was! The nurse asked if I had a good friend in town that I could ask to help out. So let's hope I make some really good friends in the next eight months.

That, plus another look at the budget--which for some reason is not adding up--and I just don't feel real excited about my news. We haven't told anyone but close family (and those are good stories I'll be sure to tell eventually). I know I need to call a few friends, but just don't feel chipper enough to muster an excited announcement.

Dave and Karen are coming over tonight to celebrate, and I know they will be encouraging and happy. Sounds like just what we need!

State Fair of Texas

Jon and I have been married for seven years, and we have gone to the State Fair of Texas six of those seven years, so far as we can remember. Every year we go with a different couple or group. Last year I was pregnant, so we took it nice and slow and probably spent a little too much time resting in the latest and greatest Toyota Tundra, as evidenced by the people waiting for their turn when we finally got out.

This year we decided to take Caleb. It's been a special tradition for us, and I wanted to share it with Caleb even though he won't remember it. Since we'd been so many times, it wasn't as important to us to see the shows or ride the rides. We found out that the State Fair offers lots of discounts during the week, so we went on a Wednesday for two Dr Pepper cans and a few dollars!

The morning dawned grey and rainy. I had Bible study that morning, and Jon was working, so I hoped for the sun to come out before we left. As the day progressed, I realized we were in for a wet time, so I ran out and bought a rain cover for the stroller, hoping we wouldn't have to use it. Caleb and I picked Jon up downtown at 2pm and headed to Dallas.

This was our first view of the State Fair.

Not very promising, I know. But by the time we got our tickets and made it inside, the rain had stopped! It wasn't even drizzling! Everything was wet, but it wasn't raining, and for that I was happy.

Jon and I really go to the fair for the food. Here's Caleb trying fair foods:

Okay, so maybe he didn't try the nacho with the jalapeno....

A nice lady in the exhibit section gave Caleb a ball.

We listened to the Vita Mix guy...who gave us a hard time because we've been six times and still haven't bought one. Okay, so maybe we're just there for the samples...if anyone has $300 to drop on us, we'd love a VitaMix. :)

We saw Elsie the cow...

Got a caricature of ourselves by this guy! That was so much fun!

And Caleb and I went into the petting zoo to see these guys.

The camel with his pet donkey really made me laugh.

When the sun went down and the Midway started picking up, the fair gets kind of creepy. So we finished up for the evening and headed home. It was a great day.

Roomie Reunion, To the Zoo!

Besides going out on the town, my roomies and I headed to the zoo during Roomie Reunion 2009. We loaded up the boys and headed out. The boys...well, they sacked out before we even got there!

But they managed to wake up when we arrived.

See mom? I'm ready to see the animals, I promise.

And animals they saw! Here are their reactions to the gorillas.

Aunt Leanna showing Caleb the white tiger.

Ian pushing his stroller...such a helper!

Caleb checking out another animal.

Our group: Karen, Leanna, Ian and Caleb.

Ian using a "walking stick."

I think Caleb enjoyed the zoo.

Roomie Reunion, Cousin-Style

When I still worked, Caleb got to spend one day a week with his cousin. It was good bonding time for the boys, but Caleb was so tiny, and Ian so active, that it wasn't until the end (when Caleb could sit up) that they really started interacting with each other. So it was so much fun for Caleb and Ian to spend some quality time together during Roomie Reunion 2009.

First, there was the puppy that visited us. Ian absolutely fell in love with him, and who wouldn't? Look at him!

We were all pretty smitten, and tried several times to take him to a shelter, but each time he disappeared. I guess he liked his life of freedom.

Then there was bathtime fun. The boys got on a roll with the splashing! The mamas had to protect themselves with a towel!

Caleb is now big enough to really enjoy playtime with Ian, though Ian still got the best of him sometimes.

Caleb didn't seem to mind.

Little Elf

Eight Days 'Til Christmas!

And a little elf is making up a vacuum cleaner for someone special!