JERK

For those of you who know Ryan well, you'll understand how it just gets better and better. I told him that I posted his "skinnier" comment. His response (smiling) was, "Were we even married then?"

"Yeees. It was last summer."

"Are you sure?"

"YES!"

"...oh."

Open mouth, insert foot. Has no one told this man that he has a major role in making me feel skinny, even when pregnancy has made me as big as a whale?

Little Dresses Ministry

When we still lived in Kentucky, our congregation participated in the Little Dresses Ministry. Dresses are sewn out of pillow cases to help clothe little girls in Africa. Here's the website to learn more Little Dresses for Africa. Renee called today to say that several of the ladies from Melber Church of Christ (part of the Bread of Life Humanitarian Effort) are posted in the Sewing Across America gallery on the Little Dresses website. It was so neat to see myself and others there, especially a few of the dresses I had made. (Ryan had to point out how much skinnier I was... Jerk.)

Here is a pillowcase dress I made for Elayna Vaye back in May.

These are dresses Jess made for Mabry and her friend Avi.

Nursery Color

Some of you have already noticed the poll and voted. Let me explain for those of you who have no idea what's going on:

SOME time ago, I painted the nursery a sage green. I wanted to get antique white furniture, but couldn't pass up a totally awesome deal on the cherry finish we currently have. CLICK HERE to see the cherry furniture against the painted sage nursery. After purchasing the cherry, all I could see was Christmas (with the red, green, white, and cream). I eventually got over it, but have recently fallen back into that impression of the nursery. It's driving me nuts. Painting this close to the due date sounds a little absurd, but I don't know what else to do. I'm considering making or buying a slipcover for the maroon chair. Maybe that'll help tone it down some. But anyway, the poll closes at the end of the month. It's completely anonymous. Let me know what yall think.

Full Term

Can you believe how fast the time has gone by...?

She's Full Term!

Keep those fingers crossed!

Too Much Information

I understand this is "TMI," but I can't contain my excitement. At the last doctor's appointment, Ryan & I got to see little miss Elayna Vaye via ultrasound. Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures. But the great news is that she's turned! Head down is one step closer to baby being born! YAY! And this Tuesday begins my weekly appointments... I hope I get the doctor I like.

Madigan Army Medical Center is a teaching hospital. Instead of being assigned to one particular doctor, I'm assigned to the Jade team, which has five or six. I've seen each doctor on my team and there's only one I like. Dr. Paymaster. (Sounds like a movie title or something.) Anyway, he's the only one who doesn't treat me like cattle-- something to be seen, measured, poked, prodded, and then rushed out the door. In fact, my last visit was with him and we had to wait over an hour past our scheduled appointment time. This'll shock so many of you, but I didn't care! I knew I would get the same special treatment. Dr. Paymaster actually takes the time to inform and educate me on how pregnancy works and what's happening (or will happen) to my body. He gladly provides detailed answers to any question I have. He's the only one so far that demonstrates a desire to provide excellent care to his patients. Go Dr. Paymaster! You ROCK. So keep your fingers crossed that Elayna's ready to come SOON and that Dr. Paymaster is the doctor on call to deliver her.

pics

While the Oakes are visiting family in Pennsylvania, I'm weiner-sitting. For the past year, Lucy has considered herself Dax's girlfriend. I think he's finally begun to accept her advances... possibly because there's no escaping her. When she's around, she's around him. (Click on the photo to zoom and check out the smug expression on Dax's face. Lucy's just daring someone to challenge her place next to him.)

This is what the first two days looked like: A constant stand-off between Lucy and Juju. When Lucy's in the house, naturally, she tries to chase the cats. Boo's smart enough to stand just on the other side of the baby gate I've put up to keep Lucy in the main living area. Juju tests his luck. Or maybe Lucy's testing her luck b/c she too receives her fair share of chasings.

Of course I can't forget to show you Ryan's new motorcycle. This was his first ride on his new bike. He's so excited to have it and is more than willing to run small errands for me.

Here he is in a Harley-Davidson store looking at his options. He chose the one pictured above from another Harley-Davidson store.

We've been to two Mariners games. I'm not very impressed, but it's something to do. Ryan took this picture (I say that only because he barely ever touches the camera.)

Sorry, no belly shots... Hopefully soon there will be baby shots! Heh, that's wishful thinking at its best! Yall keep your fingers crossed.

You're just gonna have to wait.

Sorry, no internet until Monday when Comcast comes out to hook everything up. That's right, no more Qwest. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

dirty politicians

I hate when election times come around. No, take that back, elections aren't the problem, I despise the competition, "Don't vote for so-and-so, they pick their nose," "He'll look at you cross-eyed," "She doesn't wear the right clothes," "He's got a hook nose," and so on and so on. Instead of pointing out EVERY SINGLE BAD quality of competitors, why not promote their own endeavors and progress?! Geesh.

Okay, good night!

The Lovely "Tacoma Aroma"

It's been SO LONG since I've last posted and there is SO MUCH to update yall on. Lots of pictures will be up soon... hopefully tomorrow since I'm off. But, tonight, just a few things:

1. I saw this on the news the other night and again tonight. Irresponsible pet owners (and just downright awful people) absolutely disgust me.

2. This story is almost too familiar. And no, Jess, I didn't grow up with this guy, whoever he is.

3. Fifteen people were recently arrested... five men and ten women (two were underage). They advertised themselves as escorts on CRAIGSLIST. Craigslist! Apparently, you really can find anything and everything imaginable in the classifieds.

4. A teenager shot and killed a woman, mistaking her for a bear... How does that happen?!

5. The other day, I was "browsing" at Once Upon a Child when another shopper panicked because she couldn't find her car and thought it to be stolen. She explained that her family was military and they keep EVERYTHING (marriage license, birth certificates, social security cards, spare keys, etc.) in their car because they move around so much... STUPID STUPID STUPID.

And

6. Unrelated to the nastiness that is Tacoma, Korrie had her baby girl VERY early this morning/late last night: Jovie Faye Johnston, 9lbs 3oz (holy moley!), 21 inches.

He's the Man

And Ryan's being promoted this month!

She's Got a Name!

We've FINALLY chosen a name for the child! Elayna Vaye Mabry. (Sorry Grandma, I know Vaye looks nothing like Marie.) So we'll either call her Elayna or EV. I guess it'll depend on her personality and what not.

Ready for Anything

I got a call from Jess this morning telling me to look at our Northwest Guardian (Fort Lewis newspaper). So I waddle out to the end of our driveway, pick it up, bring it in the house, and LOW and BEHOLD, there's Ryan on the front page. Click here for the online article and pictures.