The Bell Blog

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-20T08:52:00.000-08:00

Wow! It’s been 7 months since I have updated this blog. I’m not even going to try and write about the last seven months, lol. All of you without Facebook should really reconsider..... But here are some recent pictures of the kiddos (that’s what most people want to see anyways). Hope you are all well. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Greysen Deen is Born! (2 of 2)

2011-05-09T21:08:00.000-07:00

Greysen Deen is Born! (1 of 2)

2011-05-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

Spring is here!!

2011-04-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I realize my blog has fallen victim to facebook....I'm sorry to those of you without FB accounts. Anyway, things are going great here. I am 34 weeks pregnant with our baby boy Greysen. I will be induced on May 10th if he doesn't arrive before that. Only 5 more weeks!! We are getting very excited. Olivia is doing fantastic--she just keeps getting smarter and more beautiful every day:) She is starting to say a ton of words and keeps Josh and I laughing constantly!

Josh and I took Liv to Mesquite last week to enjoy one last trip before Greysen's arrival. We spent three awesome days laying by the pool and watching Liv play on the playground. It has been wonderful spending time with my little family this past week. I'm sad our mini-vacation is coming to a close. Below are some pics from our trip:)

Olivia iceskating--baby boy 21 weeks

2011-01-02T17:03:00.000-08:00

The holidays were fantastic for us! Watching Olivia xmas morning was such a treat! Santa (g'ma and g'pa) suprised Olivia with a rocking horse and baby with a baby stroller for Liv to push around (among a ton of other toys and goodies). Josh's work schedule has been lite the past week and we have really enjoyed spending extra "daddy time" with him. Today we went iceskating (well, I just watched), it was such a blast. Liv loved every second of it! We also took her to the Mayan restaurant so she could watch the cliff divers while eating her lunch:) She is getting so big and continues to be the highlight of every day! My pregancy is going well. I had my 20 wk ultrasound a few days ago and everything looks great! Crazy to think I'm already half way done!!

November Already? And We're Pregnant!

2010-11-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's been two months since I have posted anything on the blog. The past couple months have been a blur. I can't believe November is already upon us. Olivia is almost 16 months old and is progressing daily. She is so smart and sassy! She was the most adorable little pirate for Halloween. However, she was still battling a bad virus and was an extra grumpy pirate! Josh just returned from a week training in DC. The training went well but I am glad that he is back home. We are heading to Wyoming next week for the Marine Ball. It will be nice to get away for a couple days.

Josh and I are also expecting Baby Bell number 2! Yep, we are 12 weeks along and due late May. We are very excited and praying for another healthy beautiful child. We are hoping to find out the gender of the new baby by the end of the month. Well, I guess that's about it for now. Hope all is well with everyone!

2010-08-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics from out recent trip to Oregon and WA. Taking Liv to the beach was such a memorable experience. Enjoy the pictures!

2010-07-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

Josh took me to a rodeo and riding for my birthday. It was such a fun weekend! Love you sweets!

1st Birthday Party and 1yr Appt

2010-07-20T18:42:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday we had a party with family to celebrate Olivia's first birthday. It's no surprise that she got totally spoiled and has enough toys and clothes to last her a lifetime! Thank you so much for everyone that was there and for all the gifts. It means so much to have all of you so involved in Olivia's life.

We also went to her one year appointment last week. She weighed in at 20lbs 10oz (25%) and measured 30.5 inches long (50%). Seems like so many people comment on how tall she is but she really is avg height and skinny for her age. I think people think she is older because she is walking around like a two year old and doesn't have a baby face.

She is now saying "hi" (accompanied by an enthusiastic wave), momma" and "dada". It is the cutest thing ever! We miss you all so much! Love, Kaysha and Lula

Birthday Girl

2010-07-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

It was a year ago today that I went to the hospital to have Olivia. I can't believe that a whole year has already passed and my little 5 lb 10 oz newborn is now a 20lb walking toddler! The past year has been the best of my life and I feel so blessed to have a beautiful and healthy child. Olivia brings so many people joy and laughter and I couldn't be more content being her mommy. As we celebrate her birthday tomorrow, we will be thinking and missing all the family and friends that can't join us and hoping that we will see you all soon. Thanks to everyone that has helped out and been supportive over this last year. The initiation into motherhood has been extraordinary and I couldn't have done it without my family. Happy Birthday Baby Girl..Momma Loves You!!

I will post more pictures on our facebook page. I hope you enjoy the ones below. Lots of Love.

Challis and Idaho Falls

2010-06-22T08:55:00.001-07:00

We headed to Challis, ID last weekend for the annual recruiting camping trip/training. We however, stayed in a motel because the thought of camping in general doesn't interest me let alone with a young baby. Anyway, we had a good time and it was a beautiful area. Liv did pretty well but it was constant work watching Olivia since we were near water and fire the whole time. On the way home we stopped in Idaho Falls to visit Deeno's grave. Liv placed two little pinecones on his grave...it was really cute. After a long day of driving home, Liv went to her grandma and grandpa's house and passed out tired in her swing! Wish the weekend wasn't over!

Weekend from Hell!

2010-06-07T09:59:00.001-07:00

For those of you that don't know, we had a rough weekend with Olivia. We spent Friday night in the ER trying to get Liv's temp down and getting antibiotics for her urinary tract infection. Not to mention her sore throat and hard-core teething. We got home from the ER at 2:30am and our neighbors were having a loud ass party. Thanks a lot neighbors. My poor baby felt awful all weekend and none of us got any sleep. Yesterday, I finally got rid of her temp and she is starting to feel a little better. I just wish I could take it all away:( Now that Monday has arrived I think I'm feeling crappy--or maybe I just need to sleep. Here are a couple pics of her trying to be a trooper this weekend. Sleepy girl.

Moab Pictures

2010-05-31T14:11:00.000-07:00

We took a little trip to Moab last week. We went to visit Dead Horse Point again (last time we were there it was snowing) and the weather was gorgeous. After our Moab trip, Josh and I went to Mesquite to lay be the pool for a couple days. It was so nice to get away and have some alone time. However, we both missed Liv and we were happy to get back home to her. Thanks mom and dad for watching her for us!!! Hope everyone had a great memorial day weekend!

Cupcakes, Smiles, and Pony's!

2010-05-07T20:06:00.001-07:00

Here are pictures of Olivia's first pony ride and first cupcake! What a cutie! There is also a pic of the plants that mom and I planted on the front porch. Now if the weather would just warm up......

2010-05-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

The past few days I've been taking a lot of pictures of Liv because she is starting to change so much! Here are a few of her at the little gym, at her first softball game, swinging at sugarhouse park, and around the house. Today she took nine steps all on her own! I'm such a proud mommy! Love ya all!

To the Zoo We Go!!

2010-04-27T16:04:00.000-07:00

Olivia, Shea, Quinten, Karma, and I all headed to the Zoo today to check out the animals and have a little picnic. Both Q and Liv seemed to enjoy the experience and we had a chance to take some cute pictures. Lula rode the train and the carousel; she was a little skeptical at first but by the end of both rides she was wearing a big smile. She didn't have a ton of interest in the animals but one little monkey took special interest in her! He (the monkey) came right up to the window eye level with Liv and looked right at her. Then he started preforming tricks and break-dancing for her--it really was hysterical! Anyway, it was a really fun day out and I can't wait to go back!

2010-04-23T20:51:00.001-07:00

Ok, here are some adorable pictures of my nine-month old angel. She can now stand up without any assistance and this morning she took six steps all on her own. I can't believe my Lula is starting to walk already!! The THREE teeth that are coming in seem to bother her but she is a trooper and is really taking it better than I thought she would. Her sleep pattern is hit or miss right now but I miss her so much during the night that I don't really mind getting up with her (ok, maybe I mind a little bit). Liv went to "The Little Gym" for her class this week. She did really well considering she is by far the youngest baby in the class. I am excited to watch her learn and develop in these classes. I also like that she is spending some time around kids that are her same age. Well, I guess that's about it--I think she is just the most precious thing on the planet:) Miss you all! ~Kaysha

Just thinking

2010-04-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

This isn't going to be a exciting post...no pictures....no big news...just my thoughts (for anyone who cares). So, Olivia is nine months old--I wish time wouldn't go so fast. Her first tooth is starting to break through her gums, she crawls around the house like a monster, she can feed herself finger foods no problem, and I swear she is close to walking! As excited as I am about all this, I feel like it's going by too fast. For example I took her to a couple classes this week at "The Little Gym" and "Gymboree". She had a blast, well actually we both did, but seeing her around other kids I realized how agile she is. Don't get me wrong, I am super proud of her but I wish she would just slow down. The teachers in class told me that I would have to put her in the next age range because she would get bored with her age group. I'm feeling like it's zooming by so fast and I hardly have time to take it all in! Anyway, I registered her for the class they recommended and she starts next week. It is really cool to watch her romp around all the gym stuff and I am excited to see what she will learn there. Oh, she has also started dancing. She likes to clap, bounce, and smile whenever music comes on. It is seriously the most adorable thing I have ever seen. She has her 9 month pediatrician appointment tomorrow morning, I will post her stats and her nine month picture when I get them. She truly is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I would try to describe how I feel about her but there are no words. This little girl is the coolest, most beautiful, amazing, and busy little being in the world!

Josh and I are doing well. We had a trip planned to Mesquite early next week but we had to cancel because of his work. I hate to bitch, but this recruiting thing is really a drag....I mean really a drag. I feel so lucky to be close to family and friends but his job stresses us both out and it seems like the end is nowhere in sight. I wish he could see Olivia more, I really feel badly that he never really gets to spend time with her.

The house is good, we are all liking it here. I want to get a cute little bird feeder and some potted plants to put out front (with some help from Mom). I am so excited that the weather is warming up....I hate the cold. Tomorrow a group of us are going to the Tulip Festival for Grams birthday. The weather and the flowers should be gorgeous!

Well I guess that's about is for now. I will post some pics soon. Hope all is well with everyone! Miss you all!! Kisses, Kaysha and Liv

hvcfertryyythrrfge4w(Liv just typed that....what a goof!)

Happy Easter

2010-03-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

Yeah!! April is almost here! I am so eager for Spring and the warm weather to arrive. I was going so crazy in this cold weather that Olivia and I went to Mesquite for a few nights with my cousins. We had a blast! My little Lula (yes, Lula is her new nickname) was a trooper the whole trip. Thanks again for letting us tag along Shea, we really had a great time.

Liv is doing great..she is now frequently standing without assistance for 10-20 seconds. She loves to clap her hands and is getting better at giving hugs and kisses. She bear crawls around the house and up the stairs with ease. We just got the baby gate installed at the top of the stairs and are getting one for the bottom soon. Olivia has made it a habit to crawl on top of me any chance she gets. For example, I have been trying to type this post for about 20 minutes and every 30 seconds or so I am peeling her off my back and trying to redirect her. Funny how nothing seems as exciting as crawling on my back or pulling my hair. No teeth have made an appearance yet, but we have all been struggling through her tough teething days. She heads back to the pediatrician on the 15th for her 9 month check up. I can't wait to see how much she weighs and how she is doing developmentally.

Josh and I are taking a well overdo weekend away in mid April. We will be heading south to Mesquite to spend two days basking in the sun poolside. I know I am going to miss my Lula horribly but we really need a little reality break. I am sure my parents will have a blast watching her. We are so thankful that they are close to help us out. Thats all for now. Hope you all have a fantastic Easter! Enjoy Lula's 8 month pictures-there is one of her standing by herself!! What a big girl!!

2010-03-07T09:59:00.000-08:00

Oh my...look at these pics! These are Olivia's 7 month photos. Isn't she a doll??

2010-02-26T08:34:00.000-08:00

I'm just getting around to writing, but things have been busy as usual around here. Josh, Liv, and I just got back from a much needed trip to Moab. The weather was horrifically cold but we still had a good time. Olivia did great in the car and was well behaved the whole trip. Josh was working while we were in Moab so Liv and I had some down time in the room to relax and watch the Olympics. We also spent some time at the indoor pool. I think that little Liv is going to be a fish like her mommy! We braved the cold and went to Arches National Park one morning. We took the car tour but it was too cold to spend a lot of time outdoors. We are looking forward to going back when the weather is warmer and walking some of the trails and getting a better look at the arches.

During our Moab trip, Olivia mastered crawling. I can't believe it..crawling around the house already! She is also experimenting with clapping, puckering her lips for kisses, and giving long hugs (my favorite). She loves climbing on both Josh and I and pulling herself up into a standing position. She is dying to walk but I hope she waits awhile! She is already 7 1/2 months old and the times just keeps flying by faster and faster.....

2010-02-01T18:23:00.000-08:00

Look at my cute little swimmer!! I couldn't wait until Liv was 6 months old so I could take her to the pool. She did great--no crying, just splashing, and smiles. Even though there was a ton of people at the pool, she took everything very well. Luckily, the water was warm and they had a section for the little ones. We spent about an hour in the water before her eyes started getting heavy and we called it a day. Once summer arrives, we will be spending many afternoons at the pool!

Six Months

2010-01-19T10:06:00.000-08:00

Well, its been six months since little Liv arrived. I seriously can't believe it! She had her check up last Friday--she weighed in at 15lb 3oz (25%), 27.5 inches long (90%), and her little head is still in the 10th percentile. She is exceeding her developmental milestones and looks perfectly healthy! She has mastered sitting unassisted and is starting to pull herself up into a standing position. She is also starting to experiment with the crawling position. She doesn't move forward yet, she just bounces back & forth..it's very adorable. The pictures above are taken with the same ball and mitt that we used for her "12 days old" pictures (Those are posted in the July 2009 postings). It's so amazing to see how much she has grown!

Liv has made it a habit to cover both eyes with little fists while she drinks her bottles and loves to scrunch her nose and make snorting sounds when she is playing. Olivia continues to adore bath-time and has realized the hilarity of splashing. She has experimented with many types of baby foods and is fond of almost everything.

Josh's mom was here for a visit this past week. Liv had a great time with her Grandma Bell and we were sad to see her go. I have been battling a nasty cold since Saturday night and have been spending time up at the Ranch so my folks can help with the baby. Josh is well but has been working an obscene amount of hours. I will be glad when January is over. I will post more pictures soon. Love, Kaysha

2010-01-05T14:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!!

Welcome 2010!! I am really looking forward seeing what this year brings for Liv, Josh, and I. When the weather warms I am going to sign Olivia up for some Little Gym classes (so she can interact w/kids her age) and swim lessons (we plan on spending a significant time at the pool in our neighborhood this year). Josh and I both came up with a New Year resolution that we are excited to start working towards. And, of course, I have the generic New Years resolution of getting into better shape (yada yada yada).

A Very Merry Christmas!

2009-12-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

Olivia's first Christmas was fantastic! We had such a good time watching her open her new toys and play with Grandma and Grandpa. We spent the morning and afternoon at our house with family eating and opening gifts. It was so nice to have Olivia and her cousin Micah together. By the end of the day Olivia was spent--she took a relaxing bath and drifted off to sleep. What a little Angel!! Hope you and yours had a wonderful day too! Merry Merry! Love, The Bells

Olivia 5 Months

2009-12-15T17:08:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that Liv is 5 months old!! Watching her explore and learn is incredible. Every new phase she enters is my new favorite. She can do so many wonderful things. Here are some of her new tricks:

-roll over both ways

-reach for toys that are out of reach

-bear all her weight on her legs and stand up alone holding on to the ottoman.

-smile frequently

- sit unassisted when propped up by her hands (for a few seconds).

-look for a dropped object

-turn in the direction of a voice

-hold and grab toys

-goo and ga ga (and all sorts of funny sounds and squeals).

-throw fits--and drive her mommy crazy!

She is really starting to interact with me and show her personality. She makes me laugh all the time. I can't wait to see what the next phase will bring:)

Now, having said that... for some reason today my little Liv was super grumpy (but an adorable grumpy:). So, after a stressful afternoon and evening my little angel fell asleep at her normal 8pm bedtime. After she fell asleep, I needed some much deserved relaxation. So, I found myself indulging in Merlot and bacon...yes, Merlot and bacon. As disturbing as this sounds, I suggest it to anyone (especially new moms) in need of some tranquility!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

Wow, the holidays are already here!! We had a spectacular Thanksgiving up at my mom and dads house. The food was fabulous and the house looked beautiful. Liv, mom, and I also got the Christmas tree up at our house, I'm so excited for her first holiday season. My sister-in-law and my cousin had there babies recently. They are both perfect and healthy. I am so happy that Olivia will have kids her age to romp around with! Here are some recent pics that I hope you all enjoy.

Liv's 1st Grizzles Game!

2009-11-24T15:33:00.000-08:00

Olivia attended her first Grizzles hockey game last weekend. Mom and Dad had their 28th wedding anniversary so Josh and I decided to celebrate by taking them to the hockey game. We all had a blast and little Olivia sat wide eyed taking it all in! During the third period, she fell asleep and slept through all the noise even when the Grizzles kept scoring! Happy anniversary mom and dad--we had a great time! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving; travel safe and be careful! Love, Kaysha

4 Month Check Up

2009-11-16T09:09:00.000-08:00

Well, little Olivia had her four month appointment this morning. The doctor said she is just perfect! She weighed in at 12 pounds 15 ounces (25th percentile), measured 25 1/4 inches (75th percentile!!), and her little head was 39cm (5th percentile). Basically, she is tall and skinny:) She has already mastered all of the four month developmental actions and will begin experimenting with rice cereal this evening. Well, I guess that's about all for now. I hope everyone is doing well. Love, Kaysha

Marine Ball 09

2009-11-11T08:55:00.001-08:00

I can't believe a year has gone by since the last ball. This year it was held at the Marriott in Research Park. We had a great time but it was very different from the Marine Ball in VA. This one was a lot smaller and didn't have as much of the "party" atmosphere as the ones back east. Karma and I spent the day getting our nails and hair done--it was so nice to be able to relax and have girl time. Josh was in the sword ceremony and looked fantastic as usual. I am so proud of him and what he does; I am so blessed and fortunate to be married to such a wonderful man. I love you baby:)

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-01T12:58:00.001-08:00

Happy Halloween! Josh, Olivia, and I had a great Halloween. We spent the morning carving Liv's first pumpkin and baking pumpkin seeds. Later that afternoon, we went to a neighbor's house for a Halloween party. We had a great time, and as usual, Liv was the center of attention in her little lion costume.

As most of you know, Liv is about 14 weeks old. She has started to explore her voice more and occasionally will let out a little giggle. A week ago she rolled over for the first time but hasn't done it since. She is also starting to discover her hands...and loves to put them in her mouth! She is just now grabbing onto things when you place them in her hand but I'm not sure she understands that she could reach out and grab things herself. She is always a happy and smiley baby first thing in the morning. She loves sleeping on her side with one arm over her eyes. Right now, she is sleeping 8-10 hours straight during the night. She is the most amazing little girl and I love her to pieces!

Breast Cancer Walk

2009-10-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Josh, Liv, Kaydence, and I walked in the "Making Strides" breast cancer walk this morning with my cousins Jer, Shea, and Kimber. It was chilly at first but once we started walking we warmed up quick. After the walk, we went to the pancake house and ate a huge breakfast (nothing like biscuits and gravy after a long walk!) There are also a couple pictures from Laura and Paytons visit that I am just getting around to posting. Hope everyone has a good weekend! Love, the bells

Finally Photos!

2009-10-06T19:16:00.001-07:00

Yeah!! I finally got the device to download my pictures! Here is a handful of photos of Liv that are just adorable:) Hope you enjoy! Will post more tomorrow. Love, Kaysha

Olivia Two Months

2009-09-16T16:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am way behind on posting pictures of my little angel. Here are a few from my cell phone--I will post some better quality ones soon.

My good friend Laura and her baby Payton were here this past week. We had a great time and it was amazing to see our little girls together. She is a wonderful mother and I have learned a lot about the transition into motherhood from her (not to mention that Payton is adorable!).

Olivia is growing and changing so fast! I can't believe how amazing she is. She has become so vocal and smiles all the time. She is also getting better at lifting her head and focusing on small objects. During the night she is sleeping from 10pm-3am. That may not sound like a lot of sleep but I am enjoying not getting up to feed her every two hours. She had her two month check up with the pediatrician this past week. She weighed in at 10 pounds 4oz (25% for her age), was 22 inches long (50%), and her little head is still only in the 10th% for her age group. She continues to eat like a champ and I am sure will grow into her little body before we know it!

Josh's dad, grandpa, and sister are coming this weekend to meet Liv. We are excited for their visit and can't wait for Olivia to meet more of her family!

2009-08-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update on whats going on here.....Josh has been working a ton of hours but it looks like he will have this weekend off. We are headed to the Toby Keith concert tonight with Krista. It should be a blast. Mom and dad are going to take Liv overnight and I am already missing her. I know she will be fine, its me that I'm worried about! Olivia has been really active lately and staying awake a lot more. In the middle of the night last night, she really was awake! I get so tired staying up with her late in the night but she is so darn cute its always worth it. Well I guess that's about it for now, not too much to report!

One Month Old

2009-08-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

I can't believe Olivia is already a month old. The time has gone by so fast!! She is finally getting some baby fat on her--her little legs and cheeks and filling out and she loves to eat like her mommy:) Her small cooing sounds make my heart melt and her smiles usually bring tears to my eyes. Like we expected, she is a very strong baby and loves to lift her head especially when I am trying to burp her. And speaking of burps...I'm amazed at the big sounds that can come out of such a little thing! Liv really enjoys "naked time" and "bath time", I like them also because it seems to make her tired and sleep longer:) Here are a couple recent pics, hope you enjoy!

So Adorable.....

2009-07-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

Our gorgeous baby girl had another doctors appointment this week. Everything looks great--she has gained a pound since birth (she is now 6 pounds 10oz) and the doc said she is healthy as can be. Here are a few pics that my uncle Ted took of Olivia. Isn't she precious?

More pics

2009-07-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Olivia leaving the hospital. There are also a couple pictures of her first bath at home and first stroller ride! What a cutie:)

Olivia is born!

2009-07-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

Baby Liv has finally arrived!

Last Monday (July 13th), when I went to my checkup appointment my blood pressure was through the roof -- it was time to be induced! Mom and I went straight from my doctors appt to the hospital where Josh met us a short time later. Katrina was working that day and was assigned to be my nurse. Since my BP was so high, I was put on Magnesium Sulfate to prevent seizures during labor. The magnesium is really crappy stuff that makes you feel flu like and weak. It is also used to stop pre-term labor....so the pitocin and the magnesium were really fighting against each other. Long story short, I was in labor for 21 hours (2.5 of those hours I was pushing).

Olivia entered the world at 8:04am on July 14th. She weighed a tiny 5-lbs 10-oz and measured 19.5 inches! Unfortunately, later that night when we were moved to recovery she turned blue and stopped breathing--the amount of magnesium in her system was to much for her little body to handle. She had a total of 3 episodes where she stopped breathing. She ended up in then newborn ICU for 5 days and finally came home with us on Sunday. It was so great to finally leave the hospital! The past couple days we have watched her become much more alert and strong. Josh and I are both very tired but are just blown away at how perfect she is. Here are a few pictures from the hospital and her first few days. These are cell phone pictures so they aren't very good quality but that's all I have right now. Once I get the others downloaded I will post them.

I am still feeling pretty beat up but getting better every day. I have already lost 20 pounds (I gained 45--obviously a lot of that was water weight from the toxemia). Josh was able to get some time off work which has been a nice change. He is such an amazing father already. Our life has changed so much--this is by far the most incredible thing I have ever experienced.

We are in the new house! Still no baby:(

2009-07-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

I seriously can't believe its been so long since I posted an update. Long story short--Josh and I finally got into the house. My folks and brother were a huge help in this whole process, thank you guys SO much! For the most part the house including the nursery (I will post pictures soon) is put together. All the boxes that I didn't want to deal with I just stuck downstairs in the unfinished basement and plan on just ignoring them for awhile. We really like the house and both Kaydence and Regean adjusted flawlessly.
Josh has been working his tail off. We rarely get time together and I am sure he is dog tired all the time. For his 30th birthday, he had to work (on a Sunday) and when he got home he wasn't feeling well and we went to a urgent care. Not to mention I still have not got him a gift yet....man I really dropped the ball this year. I will make it up to you baby don't worry;)
As for baby Olivia, she is really giving me a rough time. A couple weeks ago we found out the I have toxemia and need to be monitored twice a week at the hospital (and go to my weekly pre-natal visits). My amniotic fluid has been a little low so they are watching that as well. A week ago I ended up in the hospital for the evening but at least I got a shot of morphine out of it (thanks Alicia...you made me feel soooo good for about three hours--until the morphine and Big Mac w/fries caught up with me on the drive home; not a pretty sight!). Every time I go in for monitoring I am having contractions and they say that I am on the verge of labor; that must be a relative term because I have been on the verge for weeks now! Yesterday my contractions got much more intense and I thought for sure that labor was happening. Josh and I headed for the hospital and before we could get there the contractions eased up. So, we didn't end up going to the hospital but I am convinced that those strong contractions were labor contractions and they had to have changed my cervix! At this point, even though I am supposed to be on bed rest, I just want to get her out! I have already decided she has way more patience than her mommy! So, keep your cell phones close and good thoughts for us in your head because Liv will be here in no time....I hope.

Bedrest and House News

2009-06-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here is the latest...
I went to my doctors appt on Monday for my 34 week check-up. During my exam, we found out the I am already 70% effaced and little liv is sitting at -2 station (really low and engaged in the pelvis). My midwife could actually feel the baby's head! Although my cervix hasn't started to dilate, it is already soft. So, I am on bedrest which is driving my crazy. I have to be laying down 4 hours a day and just lounging around the rest of the time. I head back to the midwife this Friday for another exam to see if I am any more effaced or dilated. The midwife said that the baby really needs to stay in for at least another week. After that, they won't try to stop my labor. But you never know, I could continue to carry her for another 6 weeks (unlikely)! I guess we will just have to wait and see!
Regarding the house that we have been trying to close on for what seems like forever now....The realtor called this morning and we found out the we indeed will be granted the grant by the homerun program (great news). We are scheduled to close tomorrow at 4pm (however, we have heard this before...); keep your fingers crossed and think good thoughts! If we close tomorrow, we can try to schedule the movers for next week. How great would it be to actually have a nursery set up before Liv arrives!
Well, I guess that's about all the big news I have for now. My baby shower last weekend was a blast, thanks everyone for everything!

Baby Shower - Change of Venue

2009-06-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

Quick note to those of you coming to the baby shower on Saturday...
Since Josh and I are not in the new house, the shower will held up at my moms house. I think I sent all of you an email but if not, let me know and I will get you directions. Thanks! Can't wait to see you all this weekend!

Still Prego.....

2009-06-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctors this morning to get my lab results back from last week regarding my blood pressure. Unfortunately, my midwife had just stepped out to go deliver a baby and I wasn't able to see her. However, I got 3 out of the 4 lab results back and things seems to be just fine. I am scheduled to go back next Monday for another check up; I can't believe I have an appointment every week until the baby gets here! I am getting so excited to see my baby! Olivia is still active as ever and her movements are becoming increasing uncomfortable but its comforting to know that she is alive and well in there. I have been having some major bone pain through my hips and tailbone. I took some Tylenol pm last night and was finally able to get some much needed sleep. I feel like

Josh is in training all this week and has gotten off to a good start being a recruiter. He snagged his first recruit last week! I am so proud of him! We are still waiting to get into the house. I am pretty sure that I will have to move my baby shower to my moms house this Saturday; I don't think there is a prayer that we will be moved in and set up by this weekend. This house thing is driving me crazy.......

32 Week Check Up

2009-06-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

Mom and I went to my 32 week check up yesterday. My belly and baby Liv are finally measuring right on track and she is still in the head down position. Her heartbeat was beating strong at 140bmp and she is looking healthy and active! My blood pressure is still a pinch too high so they are going to run a couple test to make sure that toxemia isn't inching up (just was a precaution). By the end of this week, Olivia should weigh about 4 pounds and measure over 17 inches long—about the length of a pair of above-the-knee boots! She should be busy blinking, looking around, grabbing things, making faces, practicing her breathing, peeing and listening to everything around her. She may (or may not) have a full head of hair now.

Josh heads back to work tomorrow; I wish he could take a little more time off but I think he is looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. We have our final walk through on the townhome this afternoon and hope to close within the week. I can't wait to start working on the nursery! This past weekend, we had a BBQ at mom and dads house and the Flint family came up to help us eat some good food. We had a great time and can't wait to have them up again. Mom and I (with some help from Josh) finally got the baby shower invitations in the mail today. My good friend Sylvia is going to fly in from California to attend; I can't wait to see her! Well, I guess that's about all for now, wish us luck at the walk through!

love, kaysha dawn

31 Weeks - Maternity Pictures

2009-05-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

Wow! We are now almost 32 weeks pregnant! The end is in sight (thank goodness!!).
I know that I have been telling a lot of you over and over that I am going to post updated maternity pictures. So, here they are...finally. This is me at 31 weeks; taking pictures when you are this pregnant isn't very fun. I pretty much felt like a cow the whole time but I am sure that they will be fun to look back on. My uncle Ted is the one that took the pictures; he did such a great job. Thanks again Ted!

I am starting to feel consistently uncomfortable but all in all, things are going well. Josh and I head back to the doctor for our 32 week appointment on Monday. We are still waiting to get into the new house; at this point we hope to close before "Olivia" gets here!

Baby news, painting, and hockey!

2009-05-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

Josh has finally gotten my dad back out on the ice playing hockey. In a weeks time, dad has gone from not skating in 30 years to playing on a Park City hockey team. Below are a few pictures of his first time back on the ice since high school. I will take some more pictures at their next game.

Josh and I have been trying to get things ready for the nursery even though we don't have a house yet.....(grr). We went out and bought some shelves and painted them this week; I think they are going to look super cute in Olivia's room (yes, we have decided on a name...).

We also had another check up (30 week appointment) with the doctor yesterday; Olivia is now head down! She is still moving around like crazy and keeping me up at night. At least we know that she is healthy and strong! Well, I guess that's about it for now!

28.5 week appointment/breached baby.. :(

2009-05-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

I went to my 28 week baby check up today. Generally, things are going well. Both the baby's health and my own are good. By 28 weeks she (the baby) is just over 15 inches long and close to 3 pounds!

However, the midwife said that the baby is breached and measuring a little small. Usually by this point in the pregnancy the baby's head has settled down into the pelvis. Well, this baby's head is up high near my rib cage and her feet are sitting low in my pelvis. Hopefully she will turn on her own since she still has eleven weeks to bake. If not, the midwife mentioned sending me to a doctor that does aversions (where they try to manipulate the position of the baby) around 36 weeks. From what I hear it is not fun or comfortable for the mom to be so I am hoping that she will wiggle down and settle in the right position.

As for the baby measuring a little small, the midwife isn't too concerned at this point; hopefully she will have a growth spurt in the next two and our next appointment will go better than this one. I go back for my next appointment on the 20th; I will let you all know how it goes! love, kaysha

3 Months to Go......

2009-05-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

Well, 12 more weeks of this pregnancy stuff. Even though I am still working out I feel as big as a house....more like a mansion. I just keep packing it on! I will post some pictures this weekend when Josh gets back. We are attending a baby class on Saturday (8 hours!); that should be interesting. For the class I was told to wear comfy clothes and bring two pillows....sounds like nap time to me (I wonder if they will serve cookies and milk too:)

Anyway, Josh will be traveling back from DC late Friday night. He will be bringing Reagan (my kitty) with him.....wish him luck! Picturing Josh with his suitcase, military bag, hockey equipment and my precious Reagan (one of the meanest cats on the planet) makes me giggle. I hope Reagan will arrive alive...

Tulip Festival

2009-05-01T09:10:00.001-07:00

Josh and I took Gram to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point last week. It was so beautiful and we had a really good time. The gardens there are so impressive! We just wish it would have been a little warmer. I think we will go back again later this spring or early summer.

I have officially started the third trimester of my pregnancy! Only 12 weeks to go. My doctors appointments have been going well and the baby seems to be growing perfectly. My last appointment confirmed that I was anemic so I got on some iron pills to help with that. I also got the gestational diabetes results back and everything was normal. I am beginning to feel regular discomfort in my hips and feel like there is no room in my stomach when I eat. I am still working out daily (well..almost daily) and that seems to always give me a burst of energy. The baby is starting to roll more that kick now that she is taking up more room. At this point the baby is coming up on 15 inches long and 2 1/2 pounds....no wonder I feel like there isn't a lot of room in my belly! My next appointment is on Wednesday; I will post with any updates after I see the doc! Hope all is well! love, kaysha

Drive across the country with Dad

2009-05-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

I realize that my dad and I got back from our cross-country drive awhile ago but I am just now getting around to posting the pictures. The majority of the pics were taken at Mesa Verde. Others were just random places including a cute little place we stopped at for breakfast on Colorado. What a fun trip!!

Trip to Cali/Dr. appt/House Update

2009-04-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

I can't even begin to explain how great it was to see Josh this past weekend. We had such a blast together. We stayed in a cute little cottage close to the beach. On Saturday we went to Sea World (Josh had never been) and out to dinner with some friends. On Sunday we spent about 5 hours at Mission Beach. The weather couldn't have been more spectacular; we both got sunburned but it was well worth it. We had such a good weekend, that we both seriously considered me staying out there instead of coming back to Salt Lake. But, with as much time as he spends in class and with how demanding his schedule is we thought it best that I come home. Josh was able to feel the baby move the second he put his hands on my stomach! It was amazing how much she moved when he was around! Josh spent a lot of the weekend touching my belly and laughing every time the baby kicked him back; it was so awesome~

I had my 6 month doctor appointment yesterday. Everything went well and the doctor said that I am measuring perfectly. The baby's heartbeat sounds good and with as much as she is moving around the doctor assumes that she will be a strong and healthy little girl. Now that we are getting later into the pregnancy I will go to my checkups every two weeks. I am excited about that; hearing the heartbeat never gets old.

Finally, some news on the house. Josh and I heard back (there was a counter-offer) about our offer on the townhome. I am going to head out to Eagle Mt. later this morning and look at the house one more time but I assume that we will go ahead and accept the counter-offer. We should be closing in about a month! It is so exciting but super scary at the same time! I can't wait until we get our furniture from DC and I can start decorating!

Well, I guess that's about all for now. Hope all is well.
Love, Kaysha

We Made An Offer!!

2009-04-01T17:19:00.000-07:00

Since arriving in Utah a week ago I have been super busy. I have been trying to find Josh and I a home to live in. We really want to be settled in somewhere before the baby is born. So, after a few long days of driving around Utah County, I think I found a townhome that I like in Eagle Mountain. We put offer on it today. The offer may or may not be accepted but we should know by Monday COB. Hopefully all goes well, but if not, I will keep looking! I am off to Cali tomorrow to see Joshua; I cant wait, it has been so long. My belly has gotten so much bigger since we saw each other last! I can't wait for him to feel the baby move!!! Will post when I get back from my trip! love, kaysha

Baby Crib!

2009-03-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

My parents bought the baby a crib and a changing table today! Mom and I searched in stores and online and finally decided on this one. We love how simple and elegant it looks. Thanks mom and dad!

Packing on the Pounds!!

2009-03-27T07:43:00.000-07:00

I am just over 5 1/2 months pregnant and don't feel like I have gained that much weight...Well, that was until I weighed myself today!! I have put on 15 pounds! Last night I was looking at pictures of me really early in pregnancy and before I got pregnant and I don't even remember my tummy looking that small...ever! Of course that baby will be worth every pound but in a way it's hard when your body changes so much on you. At least the vast majority of the weight gain is all in my belly (so far).

Provo, Utah...Here we come!!!

2009-03-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

Well as ironic as this may sound, Josh found out that he will be recruiting out of Provo, Utah! I am sure that makes some of you laugh but honestly, we couldn't be happier about it. Josh was the only one (out of 260 people) to get stationed in Utah. And the fact that Provo is close to family and friends is amazing (especially with a little one on the way). Josh doesn't finish school until the end of April but I have started looking into getting a townhouse or house in Utah County.

Dad and I just got back to Utah yesterday. The drive across country was long but we had a really great time. We ate at some fun places and toured Mesa Verde along the way. I already miss my friends back in DC but it feels good to be home.

I am heading to California next weekend to visit Josh and I can't wait! I miss him so much; it has been over a month since we have seen each other! The baby wasn't kicking hard enough for him to feel her a month ago before he left but I know she will be kicking like crazy next Thursday when she hears her daddy. Every time I talk to Josh on the phone, she goes crazy; its really kinda cute:)

I feel the baby move several times a day and other people have been able to feel her for about 3 weeks now. It is such an amazing feeling...indescribable. It makes me smile inside every time I feel her. Josh and I are still talking about names but we both seem to really like "Olivia" (baby 'Liv'...just sounds right to us. Most people have already started calling her Olivia but I am not 100% sure yet. Any suggestions are welcome:)

Kaydence is adjusting to her temporary home. She gets along well with the other dogs and is having a blast playing in the snow and running on the property.

I have some pictures to post from the drive but will have to post those later. Hope all is well!

VA Baby Shower!

2009-03-15T17:56:00.001-07:00

My great friend Laura threw me an amazing baby shower over the weekend (I am almost 21 weeks). I am so sad that its my last week in VA! We had a really fun group of girls at the shower and I got some really great things for the baby! I can already tell she is going to be spoiled! For all of you that attended, thank you so much. It meant so much to be able to celebrate with such a wonderful group of women. Laura, thank you so much for a memory that I will never forget; friends like you are hard to come by:)

Computer Fixed!!!

2009-03-13T16:34:00.000-07:00

So, for the last week I have had terrible computer problems; today is the first day that I am back up and running. Thank goodness! I can't believe how dependent I am on my laptop! I was going crazy without it!

Josh continues to do well with his schooling in California; they are keeping him very busy! Kaydence and I are getting ready to head out west next Thursday. I am sad to leave the good friends that I have met here but I am looking forward to spending some time with my family.

Tomorrow my good friend Laura is throwing my "VA Baby Shower". I am super excited; I am sure that there will be plenty of cute pictures to post after this weekend. The baby is kicking more and more everyday. Other people have been able to feel her too; I can't wait until Josh gets his turn! Below is a silhouette picture that I took with my cell phone; the quality isn't that good but it shows my growing belly! Well, I guess that's all for now. Hope all is well!

Update

2009-03-04T04:55:00.000-08:00

Hello~
It's been awhile since I have posted so I thought I would give an update on whats been going on around here. I am currently 19 weeks pregnant; crazy to think that I am halfway done! By now, the baby weighs about 9 ounces and measures about 5.6 to 6.4 inches from crown to rump! I can now feel her move several times a day...it is the best feeling in the world and I can't wait for others to be able to feel her too! Between the bathroom breaks and my lower back hurting I am having trouble sleeping but all the morning sickness has passed. The second trimester so far has been a breeze compared to the first! I am barely fitting into my pre-pregnancy jeans (even with the buttons and zipper undone) and the weight seems to be coming on faster now than it did in the first trimester. My next appointment is on March 10; I always love hearing the heartbeat. On March 17th, I go in for my 20 week ultrasound (I will actually be 21 weeks); I am very excited for that. I am hoping to get another confirmation that its a girl since I have started shopping already!

Josh left about a week ago for training in San Diego; he will be there for two months! Since he will be gone for so long, I am going to head out to Utah at the end of the month and spend April with my family. Dad and I will be driving from DC to Salt Lake so I am sure I will have some fun pictures to post after the cross country adventure!

Josh's first day of class is today. Good luck baby!!! I know you will do great! I can't wait to see you when I come to visit in April! Below are a couple pictures that I took of Josh wearing the "Empathy Belly" during out "Baby Boot Camp" class. What a good sport:)

Meeting the President

2009-02-24T04:57:00.000-08:00

Josh and I got the opportunity to meet President Obama yesterday in the Oval Office. He is such an impressive man and was very welcoming. He asked us about "the little one on the way" and how far along I was. After we walked out of the Oval Office, we were waiting in another area of the West Wing and VP Biden just happened to be walking through the same area. He was just as surprised to see us as we were to see him! He was very pleasant and hung out and talked with us (there was a group of us) for a few moments. He was standing right in front of me and was staring at my belly for at least 3-4 seconds. I think he was just about to say something about the pregnancy but then decided not to just in case I wasn't pregnant. It was so funny but awkward at the same time. It was a awesome experience and we feel very lucky that we got the opportunity.

A Baby Girl for Valentines Day!!!

2009-02-14T17:03:00.000-08:00

It's A Girl -
Josh and I found out yesterday that we have a baby girl on the way (at least they are 99% sure)!!!! My dad said that she will most likely have a softball mitt in her hands before she takes ballet lessons! We are so excited; it was the best Valentines Day gift ever. Below are the belly pictures that I have been promising (4 months pregnant). Hope everyone had a great Valentines Day!

Look at the Baby!!!!

2009-02-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hello!
Josh and I went to go get a sonogram yesterday to find out the gender of the baby....well, the baby didn't tell us if it was a boy or a girl but the sonogram was an amazing experience! From one angle, it looks like a girl for sure! From another angle, it looks like a baby boy! The baby has grown SO much and it actually looks like a baby now! We will be going back tomorrow afternoon to see if the baby will cooperate better...looks like the little one is already stubborn!!!

Red Wings Game!!!!

2009-02-12T05:31:00.000-08:00

For Christmas I got Josh tickets to the Red Wings vs Capitals hockey game. We went with our friends Craig and Melissa. Even though the Wings lost, we all had a really good time. We had amazing seats on the 7th row and could see pretty much everything. Go Wings!

A Snowy Day!

2009-01-27T17:30:00.000-08:00

Today it snowed more than I have ever seen it snow in VA! As most of you know, if more than one snow flake falls here, the whole city shuts down. So, Josh got home early from work and we took Kaydence to the football field to play in the snow. She had such a good time that we had to share a couple of the pics. Hope all is well!

BUN IN THE OVEN!!!!

2008-12-31T10:19:00.000-08:00

Josh and I are so excited to announce that we are expecting! We are just over ten weeks and got to hear that baby's heartbeat and see our first ultrasound today. During the ultrasound we saw the baby swimming around like crazy and waving it's little arms. It was the coolest experience ever! We have been trying for a baby since July and found on November 20th that we are pregnant. I had a lot of trouble with morning sickness (that lasted all day long) over the last month but the doctor gave me some anti-nausea medication that has made a world of difference. Our estimated due date is July 29. We will keep you posted as things progress. Below are a couple pictures from the ultrasound as well as a some others that we have taken since we have found out about the baby.

10 week ultrasound

10 weeks ultrasound

2 1/2 months

6 weeks

November 20th/Positive Pregnancy Test!

Pre-Pregnancy Belly

Christmas!!

2008-12-30T16:05:00.000-08:00

Josh and I went to Ohio for the holiday and had a wonderful time. We spent time with Josh's family and visited "The Christmas Story" movie site. Josh's brother Jason also got married while we were in Ohio. They had a beautiful small ceremony and we are so glad that we got to be there for their special day!

White House Tour

2008-12-30T05:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Every year the White House has special tours for those service members (and their families) that provide security services to the President and his staff. Josh and I went this year and it was really beautiful! Not only were the decorations amazing but they also had people singing Christmas carols spread out during the tour. We had a really good time; hope you enjoy the pictures:)

Mexico Pictures

2008-12-14T13:53:00.000-08:00

Josh and I got back from our amazing Mexican vacation early this morning. We had a fantastic time with mom, dad, Krista and Jason! We spend most of the time soaking up the sun and sitting on the beach or by one of the many pools at the resort. Hopefully someday we can go back! Thanks mom and dad for everything!!!

Off to Mexico!

2008-12-05T14:17:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have not been blogging a lot lately; things have been really busy around here. Josh and I had a good Thanksgiving. We had some good friends and family to the house for dinner. Josh's brother Jason was here with his fiance Tamara. We had a really great time hanging out with them! Congrats on the engagement; we are so happy for the two of you!

Well, Josh and I are heading out for our long awaited trip to Cancun with my parents and Jason and Krista. We are super excited!!!! I will post pics as soon as we get back! I am sure there will be lots to write about;)

Love, Kaysha

Marine Ball

2008-11-10T06:01:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend Josh and I went to the Marine Ball held at the Sheraton in Tysons Corner. We had such a blast! It was so fun to see everyone dressed up and out for a nice dinner and dancing! Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Great Day for Baseball!

2008-11-03T11:23:00.000-08:00

Josh is in a fall baseball league and he had a game this past Sunday; the weather was perfect for it! Here are a couple pics of the game. They are heading into the playoffs next weekend:) Good luck boys!

Bowling!

2008-11-02T06:46:00.000-08:00

After spending the day at Lunga Park, Josh and I went bowling with our friends Mike & Stephanie. We had a BLAST! They are a really fun couple to hang out with. I think its safe to say that I suck at bowling (and I can't blame it on the beer)! Josh of course is fantastic.....grr;)

Lunga Park

2008-11-02T06:29:00.000-08:00

The weather was so awesome yesterday! Josh and I decided to spend the day outside at Lunga Park with Kaydence. Lunga is a gorgeous park/campground with a huge reservoir and is only about ten minutes from the house. We had a good time playing frisbee, fetch with the dog, and walking through the woods. I wish the weather would stay sunny and 70 degrees:)

Pics of the new house!

2008-10-31T06:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!
Josh & I have been SO busy the past couple of weeks! I haven't had much time to get good pictures of the new place but here are a few. We are still working on getting everything put together but we really like it so far. I will post more pictures once I get a free moment! There are also a couple pics of Kaydence and my mom. She came to visit last week and we had a great time! I miss her already! Love you mom:)

We Moved!

2008-10-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well, Josh and I got through the "moving" weekend. So far we like the new place. We hope to get everything set up and organized in the next couple of days. Thank you so much to the people that came over on Saturday to help, we really appreciate it. I misplaced the camera during this weekends chaos but once I find it I will post pictures of the new place. Hope all is well:) -Kaysha

Happy Friday!

2008-10-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

I am so happy it's Friday! I started working in the office 5 days a week again and it is kicking my butt! I hate DC traffic; if you have never lived here, you just don't understand! Anyway, Josh and I are staying very busy trying to prepare for our move next Friday. Moving is such a pain but we are looking forward to our new place on base. We are especially looking forward to the backyard so we don't always have to put Kaydence on her leash to go outside. Plus, we will have a 2 car garage just in time for winter!

Josh's hockey season started a couple weeks ago and he is having a good time playing. He got his first goal of the season last night; I have yet to see a game this Fall because they start so late at night. He is also having a great time playing baseball in the Prince William County league. My mom coming out to visit at the end of the month, we are so excited to see her! Other than that, nothing else to report. Once we get pictures of the new place I will post them! Hope all is well!
Love, Kaysha Dawn

Kaydence's Birthday!

2008-10-01T06:41:00.001-07:00

It's already been a year since our gorgeous puppy Kaydence was born! Last night Josh and I took her shopping at Petsmart for a bed and a new pink tennis ball (Reagan seemed to like the dog bed and tennis ball too!). We also had a little birthday party with some special birthday dog goodies! Josh and Kaydence didn't really seem to care much about out little party but I thought it was fantastic!

Thinking of Gram...

2008-09-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

As most of you know I have the most fantastic grandparents in the world! This past Friday, my Gram (my moms mother) had surgery at the Hunstman Cancer Institute. She is still in the hospital recovering so keep her in your thoughts. Those of you that know her, already know she is a trooper and can bounce back from anything! We expect her to get better soon! Love you Gram!

My Parents trip to Playa Las Tortugas

2008-09-17T05:14:00.000-07:00

Morning-

My parents just got back from a fantastic trip in Mexcio. They stayed at Playa Las Tortugas, beachfront homes in the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. One of the many amazing activities to do there is to help save sea turtles. Guests patrol the beach at night to harvest and protect turtle eggs and also release hatchlings, sometimes thousands at a time, back into the ocean. My folks thought it was a tremendous experience!

While my parents were away in Mexico one of the alpacas back at the ranch decided to have a baby! Thank goodness my Gram was there to help deliver! She said the birth happened so fast, she decided to name him Flash. What a cutie!

Moving on Base!

2008-09-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

Hey all-

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up and let you know that Josh and I are going to be moving on base in OCT. We will start to move into the new place on the 10th but will still have possession of our current place until the 31st. We are really excited about it; we will now live closer to our friends and Kaydence will have a backyard to play in! Not to mention we will have a 2 car garage (that will be nice with the cold weather on its way). I will send out our new address once it gets closer to our move date. I will also post pictures from the move and the new house once we get settled. The thought of moving again is stressful but we think that it will be worth it. We told Kaydence about the move and you can see by the picture, she isn't happy about it! I wonder where she got her attitude from?????

One Year Anniversary!

2008-09-08T04:45:00.000-07:00

It's official! Josh and I have made it through our first year of marriage! As some of you know, we were supposed to go to New York for our anniversary but that didn't work out. Then, we planned to head to VA beach with the dog but tropical storm Hanna hit! So, we spent most of our special day hanging out around the house and relaxing. For dinner Josh and I made steak and garlic mashed potatoes (served with buttered bread and sun dried tomatoes in olive oil) and our favorite wine. Dinner was followed by warm berry pie and vanilla bean ice cream served with coffee! It was fabulous!

Josh got me a beautiful flower arrangement; he also made me a small picture book that I can carry with me that has pictures of our first year together as a married couple. It was so sweet! I framed the lyrics to our wedding song (Lost in this Moment) in a gorgeous frame as a gift to him. The day was perfect!

She is getting so BIG!

2008-08-25T05:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Kaydence is almost a year old! Seems like just yesterday she was a tiny little fur ball! There is a dog bakery near where we live and I am going to get her a birthday cake for her and her dog friends for her birthday party! Isn't she pretty?

Q Town: East Coast Regional CHAMPS

2008-08-19T10:35:00.001-07:00

Josh and I after the awards ceremony

The Team!

After and Amazing come back!

STRIKE OUT

2008-08-12T05:54:00.000-07:00

I guess a strike out happens to the best of em'! The penalty for a strike out on the HMX softball team is having to wear a tacky bright pink shirt until you redeem yourself! Doesn't he look good in pink? He has been hitting great ever since!

Beer Pong!

2008-07-29T05:35:00.000-07:00

So, last weekend we didn't have much planned so Josh and I invited the neighbors over and had a mini beer pong tournament. I have realized that my beer pong skills are much better earlier in the evening. After a couple games in I just can't seem to concentrate! Josh of course did a marvelous job the whole evening. I guess that's what years of beer pong practice will do! We had a couple cups spill on the floor and Kaydence was able to sample her first taste of alcohol. What a lush!

The BIG 25!

2008-07-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes! I had a great birthday. I spent the day at a spa and enjoyed every moment! Josh got us plane ticktes to New York for our wedding anniversary in September! I am so excited! He also made me a yummy cheese cake and painted my finger nails! What a sweet husband:)

The JAM

2008-07-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

Well, we did it again! Katrina and I survived yet another year of Country Jam (barely)! It was great to spend time with her and get to know her boyfriend Ben better. They are such a cute couple! However, after 5 days of camping I was ready to come home to Josh and Kaydence.

Josh loves baseball!

2008-07-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

Since Josh and I got married he has wanted to take his dad and grandpa to the Field of Dreams movie site in Iowa. Well after some planning and working around busy schedules he finally got to do it! His dad, grandpa and brother all got to play catch and bat in the field. What an awesome boys trip!

Shirlington Dog Park

2008-07-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share some pictures of Kaydence at the Shirlington dog park near DC. As you can see from the pics, she has fully recovered from her "intestinal issue" that was an absolute nightmare for Josh and I! I can't believe she is 10 months old already!

2008-07-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Good morning -

I have decided to start a blog for Josh, Kaydence and I. This way, our family and friends can stay "in the loop" regardless of how many miles apart we are (since Josh and I are the only two people on the planet that don't have a myspace or facebook page). I am new at this whole blog concept so be patient while figure out how to make our page look pretty and learn how all the features works.

Please don't forget to leave comments! We would love to stay connected with everybody as much as possible! I will try to add news to the blog weekly if not more:)

Hope all is well! love, kaysha dawn