The Alpaca Farm

This is Ticky.
She greeted us on our arrival to the Alpaca Farm in Carpinteria.




Grandma Shudu and Papa James took us to see these cute fuzzy friends.

Abby loved getting to pet them. She even got to give Ticky a kiss. Ticky believes she is part human, by the way....she was bottle fed by the owner. We got to see an alpaca who had just been born a few hours earlier. He was pretty cute...kinda wobbly like Bambi.



It was a beautiful spot to see the sunset overlooking the Carpinteria Valley and the Pacific!

I got a hair cut today...

Or as my family would say...I had more than one cut...or I had my ears lowered. I had had it with the school marm look...I'm not even a teacher anymore...and I had the eternal "up-do" If I wore my hair down my cute little newborn would flail his arms about and manage to get tangled in the mop...so it's "mom-hair" time...you can be brutally honest...weigh in with a thumbs up or thumbs down. I can take it! Fortunately my husband likes it!

take what you can get...

Here's Abby's preschool portrait...pretty cute if you ask me.

I have been getting hints that some have thought I have lagged in the area of blog updates...WELL YES!!! As I type I am holding sweet Aaron in one arm, while I type one handed...as you can guess this is not the easiest endeavor. We are managing to survive through the fog of VERY LITTLE sleep...well for me at least...Aaron manages to sleep through most of the day still...well I hope you will all forgive my absence from the blog world...

Halloween Fun!

What a fun day to be a mom! Abby was on cloud nine all day! She loves to dress up...so a whole day dedicated to it is like bliss for her...she would be happy if there were a dress up hour every day...kind of like the siesta tradition of Spain...I digress. This morning Abby's school had "Fall Festival" with an Ocean theme...her class were the Rainbow Fish. They paraded around the courtyard. What I really should have been taking pictures of were the hoards of parents crowding around with every form of camera related technology trying to capture the moment...too funny us ridiculously proud parents!

After that it was time to go to Daddy's school. Abby changed into her Tinker Bell Costume which my friend Tina sent her (extremely thoughtful of her...knowing I would have NO time to shop for a costume this year!!! Before we left her school she wanted to show EVERYONE her new costume...she was BEAMING!!!

A few years ago I made Andy a costume...let's just say it's a lot of yellow for one man...he is the perfect "Man-with-the-yellow-hat" (by the way I am still mad that they gave him the name "Ted" in the movie...but don't get me started) So what better costume for Aaron than to be CURIOUS GEORGE! My friend Sarah gave us some cute little brown jamies for Aaron...I slipped on the shirt from one of Abby's stuffed Curious George monkeys, sewed some ears onto the hat...and VOILA the cutest monkey you've ever seen! At Andy's school they had an assembly and he held Aaron up in front of the school like a proud father (anyone seen Lion King...picture pride rock...Simba...it was adorable!)






p.s. sorry tosay but this was not one of my better photo days...lack of sleep has damaged my attention to detail!

Pumpkin Patch

Abby is in that hillarious stage where she cracks jokes that make sense only to her...but we all laugh heartily. Today on the way to the pumpkin patch she was singing (to the tune of On Top of Old Smokey)"On top of my pumpkin all covered with pumpkins I lost my poor pumpkin patch when I went to the pumpkin patch...HA HA HA!!!" She had a blast sprinting through the pumpkins (okay so it was more like a wiggle run...if you've seen her you know what I'm talking about).


Aaron even got in on the fun with a wagon ride...okay so not exactly a ride...but he did get to sit with his cute big sister IN the wagon...so close enough.



It was a fun family outing...seen through the eyes of an eager three year old most things are a lot more fun!

Trump Card of all excuses...beware the long post!

I am sure you have been missing my blog updates...terribly!!! I have been a little busy lately...I guess giving birth to an 8lb 11oz baby will earn you a "get out of jail free" card. My friend Brad had a great post about making excuses for not blogging. The truth is I have too much to say...

At first I wanted to tell you all the gory details of labor...but I thought the better of it...there is such a thing as TOO much information. I do want to say how deeply grateful I am for all the support I received throughout the labor process. I was truly in God's hands the whole time and I felt it! It was an event covered in prayer!!!

Many things were the same as last time...I was induced so there was no rush to the hospital in the middle of the night..there was a LOT of "waiting" for those in the "waiting room"...and Team Andy and Dawn were stellar as usual with keeping me calm and relaxed...as was the epidural administered by Dr. John Keating...who as many of you know has "ministered" his care for me on several occasions. That man will have a MANSION in heaven! The care I received from the nurses of Labor & Delivery was AMAZING...although ask Dawn to tell you about the "break nurse" sometime...PERFUME should be outlawed in L&D...

Here is what was REMARKABLY different..for starters I walked into the hospital without my husband having to help me take each and every step...last time I was in so much pain from my "pelvic" injury that I could not MOVE without assistance...then there is the fact that the labor process was only 17 plus hours as opposed to 31 hours....The other major encouragement was being able to tolerate real contractions for more than 35 minutes without begging for an epidural...this time I lasted 2 hours...and I only did so to prove to myself that it WAS NOT in my head last time around...my injury had been so severe I simply could not tolerate the pain because there was never a break from it...sidenote...I think my husband thought I was a bit bonkers for WANTING to experience pain this time around...I am glad I did.

By far the best difference was that this time I was able to hold Aaron immediately after he was born...with Abby there were breathing problems so the NICU nurses had her right away...I really only had about 10 minutes with her when she was born...then we weren't reunited for several hours...with Aaron I got to hold him...and kiss him and introduce him to family all in the delivery room. What a peaceful difference from last time. And the love in my heart is full~and getting more full by the minute!

Tommorrow is BABY DAY...unless he decides it's today!

How does THURSDAY sound??? Or earlier!

I am so thankful that this cooperative little bundle has listened to his mommy again! I FERVENTLY asked him to stay put this week so that week could get through the memorial service for our good friend Matt. It was indeed an amazing service and I am so thankful to have been there for it...and more importantly that Andy was able to play guitar for worship.

That same afternoon we had an ultrasound to check on the size of the baby....(we've been struggling with the whole juxtaposition of joy/sorrow...life/death this week...this was just another example of that). So as for the size of the baby... he is already PLENTY big!
I told myself if he was bigger than 7 pounds I would go through with an induction appointment scheduled for next Thursday. WELL....
So...unless he decides to come sooner...
We'll get the ball rolling on Thursday, Oct. 12th!

Roll over! Sit! Head down! Good boy...okay he's not a dog...but he is a GOOD BOY!!!

Went to the doctor today and he did an ultrasound to determine that Baby Boy White (by the way Abby stopped calling him Magical Boy Pony White....and now calls him Daddy Boy...a real name is going to be an adjustment for her) is HEAD DOWN!!! He is no longer breech. What an answer to prayer! As an added bonus I am getting kicked in the ribs while I type this...he must know I'm talking about him. I must say the kicks are far better than the Zidane-style head-butts to the rib cage. Now just pray that his little noggin doesn't put too much pressure on my unstable pelvis!
For those of you rooting for an earlier arrival (it's not just me right? RIGHT?)...things don't appear at this point to be going that way...but hey last week this boy was breech and now he's not...so a lot can happen in a week...I'll keep you posted!

And now for a joke for my husband...he has been calling our boy "Ronaldino" whenever he kicks...so here's another comparison of last week to this week!

I suppose today could have been worse...

Well, this morning started off great with a really fun music class (that is once my daughter got over her tears from being disappointed that she couldn't sit in my lap...doesn't she realize I have NO LAP!!!) I got sneaky and decided to drop in early for my OB appointment with a new doctor (my plan involves meeting all the doctors who could be on duty in the hospital when I deliver). Dr. Barnes was able to fit me in even though my appointment wasn't supposed to be until later...She was great...I told her about some weird pain I have been having in my legs...inner thighs down to the ankles...not your typical muscle pain. She said, "I don't like the way that sounds..." and "scheduled" me for an ultra sound with the vascular radiologist to look for clots.

The radiologist was able to fit me in at 1:30 this afternoon. That gave me enough time to rush back with a lunch for Abby at preschool...where she would spend a spontaneously long day. Everyone tells me she did great. After that I had a bit of time to grab lunch and head to the Biltmore wall for a little "get with God" time. Dawn swore me off of doing any internet research to self-diagnose and worry...solace with God was a much better plan.
Back at the Sansum Clinic (I should point out that it was clearly one of those "God Things" that my appointment was at this Main Clinic in the first place...the other OB office is a block away...but worlds away in terms of phone calls and fighting the system that would have had to take place if I was being seen there...instead the nurse walked five doors down...chatted with the radiologist and had an impromptu appointment in seconds!!!) The radiologist was VERY thorough (she spent about 3-5 minutes behind each knee...the main one being..."You will tell me if you see something suspicious right????" She assured me that she would....BUT fortunately she didn't have to...I AM CLOT free...and blood is flowing like a charm! Praise God from whom all blessings flow...are you singing with me???

MEANWHILE IN OTHER NEWS!!!

Baby Boy White is stubbornly in breech position...he should be heading downward by now...Dr. Barnes did a quick ultra sound to confirm what I could have already told her... I have been saying this boy thinks he will be exiting via my rib cage!!! This could still change...so pray that he will!!! If he doesn't I'll for sure opt for a C-Section...Lord knows my pelvis doesn't need any more trauma!

Be Careful What You Ask!!!

So we've been reviewing with Abby that some of the people we know have different names when we're at school. For example we happen to be close friends with the director Jeannine, who is also known as Nani...Well Abby has thus far done a great job with greeting her at school saying,"Good Morning, Mrs. Morgan" She also knows that at school Mommy & Daddy are Mr. & Mrs. White. Today when we were visiting with the teachers I asked her what my "at school" name is...she said Mrs. White. I then asked her what she called me...she said "MOMMY!" with great enthusiasm. I should have quit while I was ahead...but then I asked her, "What does Daddy call me?" She confidently answered, "Issues!" Everyone laughed! I have not laughed that hard in months! But maybe I should be considering marriage counseling! Just kidding...I KNOW the truth! I AM issues!


Do they make a souvenir license plate with that name?

Abby's "FIRST"day at Preschool

What a fun day! Abby started preschool today. She is VERY familiar with the environment having spent so much time "dropping in" last year while I played music for chapel...but now it is HER school! She was very excited and bounded right into the room. She tolerated me making her take pictures with her teachers....who by the way are FABULOUS!

Before my elementary teaching days I used to be an assitant to Cathy...who is phenomenal with these kids!

I also got to know Zoe last year during Abby's drop in days, and she is a natural with this age group as well. I really like her!

As an added bonus...one of the assitant teachers in the preschool is KJ! Our babysitter from the last two years! Abby was very excited to see her this morning.
Once I was finished torturing my child with photos, she got straight to the business of playing...First stop was to find the "beautiful dress" in the dress-up corner. I have a feeling this will be her first stop DAILY...does this surprise anyone? Yeah me either!

So I have to brag for one moment (because you have to take these when you can get them...) During her first social playing moment I was snapping pictures, and I actually heard her say, "Sure! You can have some...here you go!" This picture proves it...and if you still don't believe me you can ask Miss Zoe. She and I were both feeling proud for Abby's first act of sharing in preschool!

First "Official" Haircut

Big spenders that we are...we took her to a high class salon...known as "Le Samuel Fantastique" Abby was super excited to participate in this highly fashion oriented endeavor...though I must say the motivation was in part functional, as her hair was getting dangerously close to the "popo" (our word for bottom). Even Abby saw the urgency of this matter and inquired rather seriously of her stylist whether her hair was now short enough so it wouldn't touch the "popo"...too funny! Anyway we went conservative because daddy and I both love the long hair...and the best part according to Abby was of course the LOLLIPOP...which she kept insisting I take a lick of (which of course I cannot do...see previous entry below).
Enjoy the pictures!

It's Official...I have Gestational Diabetes!

HERE'S THE HAPS:


WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? I get to meet with an endocrinologist (easy for you to say):


TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO DO THIS:


OR WHETHER TO JUST GO FROM THIS:


TO THIS:


ALL IN ALL...it means once again that I am NOT a normal pregnant woman...It was fun while it lasted! The good news is that I only have about 8 weeks to deal with all of this! We would still appreiciate your prayers!

It's what's for breakfast! [Glucose Tolerance Test Part 2]

No it's not an illegal substance...it is pure sugar!!!!!! 100 grams of dextrose to be exact. First off, you can't eat ANYTHING all night and for three hours during the test (a near miracle in and of itself for a pregnant woman!) Then they draw your blood (for one of 4 times!) After a lovely prick in the arm... breakfast this morning in liquid form was like drinking 4 seven-ups in one 6 oz. bottle. SO GROSS!!! Three hours of trying to control the urge to rid my body of that pure sugar...meanwhile the little boy inside me has decided to try to get out too...RIGHT OUT THE BELLY!!! He was NOT liking the menu this morning...and I don't blame him one bit! NOT my idea of a fun morning. I don't know the results yet...but I don't think I passed...I'll keep you posted.

When Girls Play with Cars...

So I was feeling proud that my daughter loves to play with her collection of cars from the recent Pixar movie, Cars. Well, I definitely realized there is nothing "tom-boy" about my girl.(I should say I have supected this for some time now considering the I MUST WEAR A DRESS OR SKIRT DAILY...and ABSOLUTELY NO PANTS!!!) Once in a while she sends the zooming across the floors. Today however, instead of "vroom, vroom...crash!" this is what we heard..."It's okay cars, it's time for a little rest. Here you go, I'll sing you a song...go to sleep...zzz zzz etc." They're all still happily resting underneath their pink blanket!

God is So Good

I found this old tape the other day and since my husband runs a recording studio he was able to convert it from "Old School" Cassette to mp3 format...then I got carried away and made it into a video. Enjoy!



on a side note...has anyone noticed that I changed the name of my blog to "dot-dot-dot" That is because I have an addiction...to the ellipsis... I did some research...google style that is...and found that I am abusing them and using them improperly. I don't even make them right...it's supposed to be dot-space-dot-space-dot. The truth is I tend to use them instead of just putting a period, a space, and then a capital, which would technically be less work...oh well...I'll just keep on dot-dot-dotting to my heart's content...if you're interested here's the scoop on the ellipsis. . .

Oh my aching back!

Oh Man! Back pain stinks! I woke up in the middle of the night to go pee (for one of my seven trips...no joke!) as I stepped onto the ground sharp shooting pains went down my left leg...I stood there for a solid minute deciding whether to take another step. Once I finally took another step...OUCH...so the funny part is what do you do once you reach the toilet...that is a LONG way down...will I ever get back up if I get down there?
So this morning I finally asked Andy to help me...he makes a really good "walker" minus the tennis balls on the ends of his feet of course. So the story of my day today will be ice and rest...since I can't take any of the lovely products available to help the pain...

Sorry... NOT for you prego!



Oh...if only I could alleviate the pain this way!

Abby's Headphone Day



Abby is Clark's number one fan! We went to a gig on Friday night. She loved it! After every song she clapped and yelled, "Good job Daddy! Dana & B!" But like any three year old she got pretty distracted at about half-way through the set. She made good use of the listening station...she chose the perfect time since Clark was playing their fabulous song, Headphone Day!

I'm a normal pregnant woman!

Hey that's a quote from the doctor...not me! I had my follow up ultra-sound yesterday...and ALL IS WELL! I had originally been told at my 20 week that I had a "low-lying" placenta (sounds like an insult to my placenta if you ask me...you dirty-rotten-no-good-low-lying placenta!) But seriously this is good news! It would have been guaranteed bed-rest and C-section...so I am thankful to have that burden lifted. The other good thing about having another ultra-sound is that I got to see more of our cute little boy! Here is another picture of him sleeping with hand over his eyes. Too cute! Thanks for praying!

Summer is in full swing!

Abby started swim lessons with Judy Cooper today. Check out those "kickers"! I remember when my little friend Elie first started, and we all filed in to watch. Wasn't that just a couple months ago??? Today it was just Abby and I, but I made for a good cheering section! She was more brave than I could even believe! For a girl who doesn't like to get messy, she LOVES to get wet...and has no problem dunking her full head under water! Her swim instructor was soooo impressed with our little fish girl! I have to say, I was a proud mommy!


In other news..Abby was in a "home-town-fourth-of-july-parade this weekend! Her gymnastics class won first place in the parade! Abby was adorned in her American flag headband, blue leotard, and red hula skirt as she performed her donkey kicks for the masses...okay so it was only a couple hundred or so people lining the streets of Carpinteria...but whose counting. Check out a video of the PARADE here!




Happy Fourth Everyone!