Winter 2010 STX!

This has got to be the best STX ever! We got to fly around in Black Hawks!! That was cool. STX stands for situational training exercises FYI. Here are some pics for your enjoyment.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

  

  

 

The 15th Week

We have now entered into the 15th week. As I write that I kind of feel like I'm one of those narrators for some science horror movie. But no, we aren't building a Frankenstein. At least I don't think we are. The baby is about the size of an apple. Shalyn is kind of allergic to apples though. They give her tongue a rash.
Our baby can currently sense light although the eye lids can't open. If we were to shine a light onto Shalyn's belly, the baby would shy away from it. But she can't feel the baby so it wouldn't matter.
  

The Riverside Sermon

This is a funny joke I just read: The Riverside
      A preacher was completing a temperance sermon; with great expression he said, "If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
     With even greater emphasis he said, "And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
     And then finally, he said, "And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
He sat down.
     The song leader then stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, "For our closing song, let us sing Hymn # 365: "Shall We Gather at the River."

I thought this was funny, just having come from church.

The 13th Week

 

 On Thursday Shalyn and I went to the doctor's office for another check-up. This time we got to hear the baby's heartbeat with the microphone equipment that the nurse used. It was pretty neat; Shalyn said, "the heartbeat sounds like a train."

     After we visited with the doctor we went down to the basment of the clinic and talked to the financial guys down there. This kid is going to be expensive if we cant get on Medicaid! We're talking $8,000 minimum. I was blown away, and started praying that we would qualify for Medicaid. 

     The picture above refers to the size of the baby. It's about the size of a medium-sized shrimp. When I compare last week's comparison to this week's, the shrimp actually looks smaller than the lime.

     On another note, school is definitely keeping us busy. I am always either in class, doing homework, or at work. Shalyn and I do find time to go have fun though. The other night we went to Craigo's to get some dinner and then came home and watched the next episode of Lost. Man, we are so into it. But this season is taking it's time to give answers. As of now, we don't really know what's going on.

     The last time we went on a date, we played Rummikub and watched a movie on the Netflix instant watch. The movie was "The Iron Giant." We were so wrapped up in the movie that we kept forgetting whose turn it was in the game. Funny.

Baby Lime

Today is the 12th week for Shalyn's pregnancy. The website we are following says that baby is about the size of a lime. Reflexes are forming as well as the kidneys are starting to function. This is all really exciting when you think how intricate and impossibly complex the growth of a baby is. In my opinion there's no way this is all happening by chance, by some "Big Bang."

"Row-t-c"

So I joined ROTC last semester and it's been tons of fun ever since. This semester every morning I wake up at 5:35 a.m. and go do PT with the other cadets. The waking up part is probably the hardest part, but once I get there I have fun.
     The other day I was preparing for the lab we would be having in ROTC and Shalyn asks me, "When do you have to leave for 'row-t-c?'" I thought that was the funniest thing. She calls it 'row-t-c.'

     

Hello and Welcome!

Welcome to the first post of my blog. The intent of this blog is to inform relatives and loved ones of how our little family is doing. And to just have fun. :)
     Shalyn, my wife, is doing well. She is 11 weeks pregnant and looking great. Just yesterday she came to me saying, "This is the first time I've had to keep my pants unbuttoned because it was uncomfortable."
     We are so excited for this new edition to our family in August and will post pictures of baby as he/she grows.

(above is a picture I took for my photojournalism class. I really like it. as you can see, there is snow everywhere here!)