Puhleez

Baby Haller: Please stop using my right rib cage as a spring board for your back flips. My uterus is not a trampoline and I'd like to be able to sit without arching my back for comfort.

Thank you and I'll see you soon :)

The Last Hoorah

Being the adventurous and brave 8-months-pregnant wife that she is, Jenny and I decided to have one last hoorah before baby Haller is born in a month or so(!) Inspired by the movie The Last of the Mohicans, we headed to Chimney Rock State Park to see some of the sights where the movie was filmed, as well as some awesome views from the top of Chimney Rock. After two hours of an uncomfortable ride for pregzilla, we went up winding, steep roads leading to the park entrance. We hiked a few different trails, climbed many steps and boardwalks, and enjoyed views from the top. We concluded the trip by hiking to a waterfall, and left wondering why so many families thought bringing a stroller on a bumpy, steep trail was a good idea!?

Chimney Rock

On top of Chimney Rock, overlooking Lure Lake

8 months beautiful!

Hickory Nut Falls

Overlooking the other side, towards the waterfall and the Blue Ridge Mts.

Jenny wanted to let everyone know that on the way home, I was snorezilla! I look forward to many more adventures with Jenny and the baby in the backpack.

Long Time, No Post

For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life. But there was always some

obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.

This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness.

Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. - Souza

Things are going well here... time is FLYING by and we're preparing for one of the biggest changes of our lives. No, of course we're not ready. Who is? We are prioritizing our way towards January 13th with many conversations we've never had before. It is stressful at times and exciting at times. I think we can both agree that we're nervous. And we can both agree we're thrilled to be having a baby; we talked about having children on some of our earliest dates in college (not the best idea when you then have to wait 3 years to get married).

At my shower, friends and family shared much advice that I really appreciated. Take a nap whenever possible. Don't set yourself on a rigid schedule. Accept help from others. The first month is really hard but it gets better (movie stars who say pregnancy and mothering is easy are ridiculous). Don't worry/stress about educating yourself- those natural instincts will kick in. You CAN do it. You have children of God, don't label otherwise.

Our goals, priorities, schedules, plans, careers will all pause when we'll look into the eyes of our little creation.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Its (Jenny's) mom's birthday! Yeah! We hope you have a fantastic day and enjoy every minute! If I was there, we would go to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, California Pizza Kitchen for lunch and El Toucan for dinner :):) We'd go to the beach, shop all afternoon and take a nap!

Miss you and see you soon!

Why We Love the Mountains

Written by Dan (for once!)

Sunday we left early for Pisgah National Forest to hike to the top of Looking Glass Rock. We passed it on Blue Ridge Parkway back in May when we were camping and thought it looked fun and challenging to hike. We began hiking around 11:00 with plenty of water and snacks. We passed many streams and switchbacks on our way up, and stopped about half way up for a nap and reading on the first rock face with awesome views. The top was pretty cool, but we liked the first stop better and were able to relax more. After some pictures and a video from the top, we made our way back down and were finished by about 5:00. We had a great time, but were pooped after the 6.5 miles we hiked. I was very proud of my wife for being so tough at 6 months pregnant! Below are some pictures and 10 reasons (in no particular order) why we love the mountains.

1. There are trails everywhere and plenty to keep you busy!

2. It's great exercise!

3. You can go the bathroom anytime, anywhere!
4. Leaving the stresses and busy-ness of the world is a liberating feeling.

5. It's the ultimate relaxation: not a sound can be heard but birds chirping and wind blowing.
6. People of every age can enjoy it...even those not yet born!
7. The views are incredible.

8. It's a supernatural feeling being alone with Creation and God.
9. Accomplishing a goal from start to finish is a great feeling!

10. There are lots of things to talk about while hiking: children, values, playing ABC memory games, etc!

Here's a short video from the top...sorry for the clicking...it's our camera.

You know you're pregnant when...

24 weeks. I feel large but these pics dont show how I really feel!

There's the belly! (and Bauer in the background!)

You know you're pregnant when... (please add more if you think of some!)

-You sneeze and you pee your pants

-You drop something in the car and listen to it roll the entire time because you cant reach it.

-Heartburn is now a common occurrence.

-Dinner conversations include breast milk, strollers and insurance.

-Painting your toenails is painful

-You have a 'shelf' on which crumbs reside.

-You get really upset when the store doesn't have the frosting with the little colored pellets.

-Strangers tell you what gender you're having all because of your size

-Then they tell you what you should name your baby...because their opinion really matters.

-Your husband asks to have ice cream every night and is annoyed that you crave chips and salsa.

-The alarm clock is too bright and must be covered each night in order to sleep.

-You're afraid of toilet bugs and turn the light on 4 times to pee at night.

-The body pillow is the third human in the bed.

-When you burp so loud the dog gives you a funny look (its uncontrollable, I promise!)

-Your belly button is spread out like an Asian Cyclops monster.

-The neighbor's italian sausage feast down the street makes your nose hurt.

-You forget what you're talking about.

-Dinner consists of an english muffin, chips and cheese and chocolate milk.

-You cry during banking commercials.

And theres so much more! But we're having fun in this adventure. Dan and I spend time at night feeling the baby kick inside me and we can now see it in my belly! Its amazing to be building a human!

This morning

Love is patient. BeepBeepBeepBeep.... The alarm was going off for at least 10 minutes before MY patience wore out and I attempted to awaken the slumbering giant next to me... okay, he's not a giant but without the energy to even make a fist, pushing him out of bed seemed daunting as facing a giant. I tap him lightly on the back, reminding him that his alarm is blaring. After all, love is kind.

I had this morning off... I do not work today and planned to go to the pool, read my book, listen to my new CD and enjoy the sunshine. Dan, however, worked really hard last night at Firebirds, not to mention a second day full of school. Our schedules are different, but we have love. He did not envy, I did not boast.

I gently woke him letting him know what time it was (3o minutes post alarm). Love is not rude. I got up and made his breakfast, lunch and smoothie; a routine I am proud to do out of love of my husband; even if he's late 90% of the time. He's aware of his weakness and we're comfortable with our routine. Love is not self-seeking.

The house is a mess; I mean, a disaster. We've not been home, Bauer is losing hair, cobwebs are thriving and my histamines are NOT blocked making for a 15 sneeze walk down the stairs. I could not stop sneezing, itching, watering, scratching, and sniffling. I tripped on my shoes coming into the kitchen and the garbage smelled like rotten cabbage. My hair was tickling my eyes and the dog kept whining to go outside. The chore chart is collecting dust and nothing has been checked off (by either of us). Love is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

I put on the kettle for some tea, manage to burn some leftover cheese on the glass stovetop and stink up the kitchen before 8am. I dropped the tea bag in the mug and got shells in Dan's egg in the skillet. While making his lunch, I got mustard on my leggings. The dog is still whining though he is now outside and I can faintly hear the annoying noise. Dan comes down to say goodbye as he rushes out the door, we manage the 'drive safe', 'have a great day', 'I love you', 'call or text me', 'what time will you be home?'

35 seconds later; Dan rushes in, "I forgot my phone." "Where is it?" "I dont know, call it". "Here it is!" Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

I plump down on the couch with my raspberry leaf tea and turn on the news. I left the dog outside. He's an animal, he'll be fine. 2 minutes pass by and I hear pounding on the front door. Bra-less and and still sneezing, I run to unlock it and see my distraught, late, sad husband with smoothie all over his khaki pants. ALL OVER his pants; he peed blueberry. He strips down and I toss him some non-ironed khakis, promise to get the stain out of his new ones and he runs out with towels to clean up his mess...We manage to apologize and promise our love to one another.

Really thats all that matters anyway. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.