Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Our "Going Out" Outfit

Anna was wearing her cutest onesie, the one with lambies, but we were going to the mall and I didn't want her legs to get cold so I put on her 'babylegs' - legwarmers basically.
I thought it was pretty funny.

Also, here's a taste of her with the lambies


Postscript: I'm sorry if this is an endless stream of Anna. Right now all I can think about is Anna and the paper I have due next week. and nobody knows what my paper is about, including me, so I can't discuss that.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Setting up for a hard fall

A baby's dependence on the pacifier is like America's dependence on oil.

Sometimes it cures the hiccups, and gets her to sleep, but at what price?

It may work for now but you are in for a real hard fall down the road.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Blessing Day

We blessed Anna on Friday (we couldn't do it during ward conference and we wanted the Francisco's to be there) The dress and bonnet set is courtesy Aunt Jan, the blanket is actually made in Bethlehem, compliments a second-mother of mine. Anna also had on a cute little silver bracelet made by my cousin.


Pictured are Bishop Bilson, Grumpa Bus, Ben G., Anna, Christopher, Uncle Jethro and Uncle Ben F.
We didn't get a picture of the dress to my satisfaction so we might just have to dress her up again for a photo shoot.

accidents do happen

I accidentally bought non-fat yogurt again yesterday.

That's the worst.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Comic Strip fun times

My cousin linked this site on her blog, it's really funny

And for other depressingly hilarious and slightly disturbing comics, here is my favorite but everything on the site is a gem.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Journal Entry 3-8-08


I'm so glad that Ben is home for the weekend. Anna and I are getting along well enough but we run out of things to (not) talk about.

So you know when you are babysitting and the baby gets fussy and you think
"Oh, she just misses her mom, if the mom were here she would know just what to do to calm this baby down" Well guess what - The baby still fusses and I still don't know what to do and I'm the mom.
That's why I'm grateful for Grumma's. Mine and hers. Grummas have already figured it out and now get to impart their hard earned knowledge as a sort of do-over for our benefit. Because you know they had to be nearly as clueless with their first child.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Are You Ready To RUMBLE!?


In this corner, at 2 weeks old and now weighing 7 pounds 1 ounce and reaching a length of 20.5 inches is Anna Lynne Gaines!!!

and here are some bonus pictures from this past week

Thursday, February 28, 2008

So much baby


Here is a thoroughly baby post, I wouldn't expect much else from me for quite a while.

Journal Entry 2-28-08

Well, Anna has been alive for 1 whole week now - here are some things to note about this precious child.
  • Everyone says she's beautiful - she looks extremely cute especially for a newborn. She never got that conehead look or very splotchy skin.
  • She is very well behaved. We could leave her in her crib by herself and if she didn't have anything to complain about, and if we didn't like holding her so much, she would be fine. she never wants/needs her pacifier. Grumma Sue thinks she is the most well behaved and content baby she has ever seen.
  • People are already picking out traits and claiming if she will look more like me or Ben. Her dark hair is, of course, Ben. She has very dark eyes, almost black, I think they will go brown eventually, another for Ben. Her nose has been declared almost unanimously mine - it turns up at the end. Her lips and mouth I have always thought - since I first saw her - are Ben's, same shape.
  • She is a fast learner, she learned how to nurse very quickly, she is working on long sleeping periods. She has also learned to tolerate her bath.
Overall she has us wrapped around her little fingers and we don't care to be unwound.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Never fear, She is Here!

At 12:32 a.m. on February 21st Anna Lynne Gaines was born into this world
6 lbs. 7 oz. and 18.5 inches, she's a little guy but super healthy and ultimately perfect.
Here are some pics.
I'd also like to give a shout out to all the wonderful nurses who so diligently tended to us. Beetle, for being my own personal CNA in the hospital, my mom for staying up all night after working all day and to myben for being such a selfless helper to me, this has been a great experience to see love all around.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

A Baby

I've been in the hospital all day. Having a baby. But she's still not here.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

I dare you

It was the ultimate in cheesy, but I dare you to listen to "Lady in Red" again and tell me it doesn't take you back to the glory and memory of teenage crushes and stake dances.

Perspective

I was just looking through all the pictures I took through this pregnancy - I can't believe I thought I looked pregnant in these. I Can't Wait to look like this again and be able to wear all those clothes that have been gathering dust.

Not a Baby post

I finally finished the shirt-quilt I was working on for Ben.

He kept getting inexplicable holes in the left elbow of his work shirts so I saved them up until I got a sewing machine and made a little quilt.
The gray and the back (a blue shirting) are the only fabrics I bought, and instead of tying it, I sewed on buttons from the shirts. For the binding I used the button strips on the front of the shirt, but they don't look great.
anyway, it was a fun project, one thing to note is that it wrinkles easily - who'da thought?

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Still NO Baby

Just to keep you all updated, and so you don't need to ask, we still have 'nobaby.

I'll probably be induced around the 27th-28th (happy birthday grumpa bus)
So ask me then if I'm a mom.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

38 weeks



This is for all of you who couldn't wait to see what I look like with a salad bowl under my shirt.
Just kidding, that's just Anna.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Please Leave me Alone

This post is not meant to offend - it's just personal reflection.

Why I Don't Do Pyramid Schemes
1- I don't know people
2- I am against coercion
3- I'm not self-motivated - deal with it.
4- I'm horrible at Sales (see #2)
5- With the truth of #1, I don't want to alienate any people that are still willing to associate with me.
6- I hate throwing any kind of party. (may be the cause of #1)

The only Pyramid I'm comfortable moving up is Maslow's

Monday, February 04, 2008

Gruen Gruen Gruen sind alle meine kleider



I just got back from a quick trip to Albertson's, I bought potatoes and a few canned goods, then a $1 impulse item. When I got to the checkout I saw they were selling reusable "'green" shopping bags for $1. This is the trend now, and I really want to be on it. I could have very feasibly put back my impulse item and bought my first reusable bag - but I didn't. Now I have to air my guilt for you all in this blog.

In Dublin they are now charging .33 cents for plastic shopping bag use.It just makes more economic sense for them to buy the reusable. I figure, it's the least I can do, plus it will make me ahead of the trend. plus, who likes to store all those used plastic bags? So I'm going to try to buy one bag each time I go to the store until I have sufficient. Then the trick is remembering to take them with me when I go anywhere.

I also think i'm going to start recycling my cardboards more diligently - we have the receptacle, why aren't we using it?

Thursday, January 31, 2008

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

So at 37 weeks, Anna and I are considered "full term" and could go to the hospital any day now.
It's growing increasingly discouraging to hear "any day now."

Some are more anxious than others, here's the scene in Anna's crib


(Ben set this up, they have been patiently waiting for weeks)
Unfortunately that game is progressing slowly with their limited vocabularies -

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

What's a Productive Life?

At the Institute I'm taking Gospel and the Productive Life. We've been talking about goal setting and are next going to tackle finances. This class has allowed me to evaluate how I do things, and why I do them like that.
example:
I've never been much for procrastination, and even less so now. If I know there is something I need to do, in school or around the house, rather than fight with it in my head, I get it done and out of the way so I can go on with my life basically guilt free.
This works with most things (one notable exception would be Visiting Teaching- very guilt laden).

Now I'm starting to notice something about Priorities.
I always seem to be bracing myself for having no time/money for the future. I live with this drive to do everything on my list in case at some future time, I won't have time to do it. (This existed long before Anna's impending arrival). Unfortunately this led me to have to limit myself.
Given all the class syllabi of a full college load, I would, with this fear, try to complete an entire course as soon as possible, because I wouldn't have time to do it later. I tempered this irrationality by doing homework for only one week of only one class - that way I know when I can stop, otherwise I would just keep doing homework and wear myself right out. This also leaves me with enough time at the end of the semester to finish up on papers and study for finals, especially because profs fall behind and if I keep a week ahead, eventually I will catch a free week.

anyway, I don't know if this rant is interesting or applicable, but it turns out that eventually prioritized items get accomplished and you should have some leisure time on your hands.
But what if I don't have time/can't afford to do the very lowest priorities on my list in the future? (this more easily applies to finances)

Friday, January 25, 2008

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Automatic Reaction


I realized the other day that despite the fact that my car has an automatic transmission, I still drive like it is a manual.
I accelerate until, instinctively, I take my foot off the gas - to give it a chance to shift. However, I think this has been detrimental to my car - now unable to believe me when I want to accelerate- usually the car has already shifted just before I decide to take my foot off the gas again.
I have problems.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Toni Gaines, one in a million


HowManyOfMe.com
LogoThere are
20
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?


This is of my first and last name together, I feel...endangered.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

The Last Days?

I've been feeling very guilty for the past few days. I have all this time now that I'm not working or going to school all day and feel bad that I'm not spending every minute cleaning the house or completing one of my multiplying projects.

My paper is now 16.5 pages (it started at 13 so don't be too impressed) and I'm sure if I could find research to back up any of what I'm saying it would be nearly long enough with all the footnotes. But that's just not something I want to do all day. Especially if it includes taking trips to the HBLL.

I started a quilt, my first actual piecing quilt, and it looks pretty good but I know that if I sit down to work on it, I will a) spend the rest of the day and night on it until exhaustion forces me to stop and b) get very sore in back, legs and bum as I'm not quite as agile and resilient as I once claimed to be and c) if (a) comes true then that means I will also watch TV for all those hours which will inevitable lead to a brain-dead Toni, and I won't be able to finish my paper.

As far as getting ready for the baby, I feel like I should be doing things to set up and prepare myself but I have no idea what. Soon I will have outfits and things to organize but for now, I just hang out with the crib in an almost full room. (how will we fit the dresser?)

So all day I try not to spend all my time on one thing, that's the only way I know how to balance my activities.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Eternal Worth

Yesterday mymom invited me to attend her Stake Women's Conference, they had Virginia H. Pearce coming to speak to them (the H is for Hinckley). It was all quite exciting.
Before the meeting she same around to the early birds and shook hands with us, even asked about my baby, I was flattered.

Her talk, though, was quite impressive, it wasn't new or groundbreaking, but she seriously re-emphasized the fact that we are individually of infinite worth to God, and that our worth is all the same. God loves Gordon B. Hinckley and Osama bin Laden equally because they are both His sons.

I've been trying to type up all my old college notes to reduce the amount of storage boxes. I was recently going through my notes from my very first institute class in 2003 up at the U. In it was written the following:

"There are two kinds of people in the world, Lamans and Nephis. Laman's say 'God plays favorites' Nephi's say 'God must love everyone because he loves me'"

I wish I could be a Nephi, it is a refreshing perspective on things.


p.s.
In another book of institute notes I found this
"Humility is knowing there is a God and that it is not me."
that made me laugh.

Friday, January 11, 2008

What I Did Yesterday

Yesterday, I was a woman possessed. I went to the fabric store early in the morning to get some straight pins, but while I was there I remembered my secret wish to make Anna a dress out of some material I had, so I went to the patterns and bought my first ever.

I went home and spent the rest of the day - seriously - I stopped only to eat some lunch, forgetting all day to take my pills or even drink any water all day, and I made these two dresses. The green one I think of as the Sound Of Music play clothes made from curtains, but it was just a practice, the red one is really the one I was excited to make.



The best part, is that I made them from old skirts, which I had made from pillow cases. Just passing on the tradition.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Our Boston Baby

These are the onesies that Ben got while he was in Boston in October.




They are so CUTE!

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Birth Class - A Toni Perspective

We went to our first birth class tonight at the hospital.

I had some hurty contractions.

But I didn't cry.

Also, they didn't show any movies to scare us, which was nice.

I have >6 weeks to write a 25 page paper.

Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy Friggin New Year


This is how I feel about celebrating New Year's

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Sacrifice and Obligation

In church today I took the time to list all the scripture/publishings that we are told to study daily.

Book of Mormon 30-60 mins/day
Bible
D&C
Pearl of Great Price
Preach My Gospel
Current Ensign
most recent Conference talks
Sunday School Lesson

Not only do "they" say we should read each of these individually but as a family as well.

WHAT?!

Add to this additional admonitions to do genealogy, temple work, service, VT and HT and fulfill callings.

It's almost enough to make you give up eh?


When I showed my list to Ben, he wrote the following
"In order to be saved you need to do this every day, for at least 31 hours."
and I wrote "and go to the temple and understand it"
he continued, "and baptize 14 friends/week"

Juno - The Cautionary Whale

Ben took me to see "Juno" to celebrate my good report card. I've been wanting to see it for awhile and it just came out here on Christmas.

I really liked it, it's a little Napoleon Dynamite but way more believable characters. The writing and music are very hip. I'm not sure if it glorifies or criticizes teen pregnancy, but she doesn't get an abortion, which was nice and pretty intense.

Anyway, if you're looking for some really indie music and George Michael (from Arrested Development) in really short shorts, you should see this movie.

Also I cried.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Boastful Buckets

I could only think of a few things to blog. I hope I don't sound snooty. That's not what we're here for.
My wedding rings no longer fit on my fingers. This is sad for several reasons, a) my hands are swelling up and Anna is preparing to take over the world. b) I'm horribly afraid that I'm going to lose them, forget where I put them, accidentally throw them away etc... That would be sad. Ben might forget that he's married to me.

I got a 4.0! I think that has only happened one other time - in high school. But I took 15 credits in this my senior year and got A's up and down! Ben says I can have a party. I'd rather have a baby...A really smart baby.

Merry Christmas to all, Ben and I are in town so don't hesitate to call us, we like you all.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Christmas Bells are Ringing

There are only 8 days until Christmas. This is alarming, I feel like I haven't even been living it up! Soon the day will be past and gone and I'll have to listen to regular music and take down the tree and have nothing definitive to look forward to for the next few months.
It's upsetting.

Friday, December 14, 2007

The end of Enlightenment

Since school and work has ended (for me) this week, I've begun reading all those novels that I've never had time for.
First on the list was some short stories by Tolstoy. "The Happy Life" is beautifully written, I don't want to spoil anything so if you've read it recently, I'd love to discuss it. I just have a new found love for Tolstoy.
After a few more Tolstoy's I'll be moving on to reread "The House of Seven Gables" having recently been to Salem and touring the house.
Then, the perennial favorite, "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" and I don't want to hear anything from those of you proposing we burn the gothic novel.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Husben of the Year

This weekend we took a much anticipated trip to Salt Lake, we stayed 2 nights at the Hilton and lived it up in SL. We got there Friday night and went to dinner with a friend who is in her 3rd year of med school at the U. Unfortunately about 4 inches of snow fell while we were in the restaurant and there were no plows in sight, it was quite a hairy situation we found ourselves in. In our efforts to return our friend safely in the hilly concourses of the Avenues we hit the curb half a dozen times, and unfortunately caused significant damage to the car, at least our alignment if not more.
Keeping in mind the conditions we endured on the roads the night before, Saturday we found ourselves afoot. We took trax up to Trolley Square (Ben's new favorite mall). We also found a cute bakery/deli called Paradise Bakery right on 4th south (Ben's new favorite bakery/deli) and did a walk through at Wild Oats across the street (Ben's new favorite health food store). All of this adventuring had Ben quite convinced that we would be moving up to Salt Lake within the month.
Possibly my favorite moment was when we decided to buy trax tickets even though we were only one stop outside the free ride zone, the only cash I had was a $20, so I got $16.30 back entirely in change.
Back in mid-town we stopped at the German food/restaurant Siegfrieds where Ben excitedly ordered Bratwurst mit Rotkohl und Spaetzle. It was really good, we then proceeded to spend much moneys on European chocolate.
Saturday night was the big work party extravaganza, we arrived 40 minutes before most everyone else. I was wearing 3-inch hooker boots (they hurt a lot) with my maternity dress and a red scarf, I looked pretty retro I think, but nice. Dinner was fun, I met a lot of people who think quite a lot of myben and we ate some interesting food.

The BIGGEST news of the night however is that MyBen was awarded the Employee of the Year for his department. It was really exciting and he totally deserved it. This included not only a clever little trophy but a $500 bonus. So now we can fix the car.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

The most common dreams I have about the baby are disastrous. So we have this baby but I neglect it severely, feed it once a day then go to school for the rest of the day. Change diapers occasionally but we never give it any attention. and I wake up very sad and realize that I'm not making the sacrifices in that dream that I probably will have to make.


But Matilda had the same problem and she turned out telekinetic. So maybe it's okay.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

BYU adventure

I went to the BYU today to use their library.
Complaint #1 - no parking
Complaint #2 - campus is really big and quiet because no one talks to each other
Complaint #3 - the HBLL is GINORMOUS. I had to go to 3 different rooms to find 4 books on the same subject
Complaint #4 - I gave a dollar to a copy machine that didn't work and wouldn't give me my dollar back. Then I found another copy machine, gave it another dollar, made 4 copies and forgot to get my change
Complaint #5 - I was walking around so much and so frustrated that I got some pretty heinous side-aches, which I think are actually contractions

Redeeming Quality - I saw cousin Lauralee and we chatted on my way back to my car.



UVSC Complaint #1 - Vending machine prices are skyrocketing, I can't believe there's a market out there for 80 cent bags of skittles.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The Devil's Food

I read the "Screwtape Letters" at work today. I'd never read them before and thought it was really good. The theme I caught most powerfully was Selfishness. It seemed to be everywhere. What did you think when you read it?

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Pregnancy Post

I realized last night that in the not too distant future, this baby will actually want to be on the outside of me. This is unfortunate because I'm quite comfortable with things as they are. I could go on being pregnant for a while, and at this point, it seems a better, although misguided, goal than the reality of the situation brings.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

A Word on Tedium

There are 116-118 elements on the periodic table. Let me tell you how I know this.

Yesterday my boss asked me to use her label maker and print out the atomic mass numbers because the 4 charts she bought for the tutoring center lacked that pertinent information. After printing they then had to be trimmed down to fit in the space allotted. So 116 x 4 = over 7 hours of work and a minor case of carpal tunnel.
And while this sucks, I figure it's the least I can do to earn my wage, rather than sitting around doing my homework.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

See, I'm Awkward

Yesterday evening Ben and I were in Salt Lake for our ward youth conference, we had a speaker (Jon Bytheway) and we went to dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (the Roof). Once we got back to Orem and dropped off the teacher we were shuttling we remembered that we didn't have any sacrament bread for today so we'd have to stop at Target on the way.

I was exhausted so I sat in the food court area while Ben fetched the bread and some other necessities. While I was waiting I spied coming towards me a guy I work with. We aren't particularly friends but we usually say hi even though we don't really want to do so. At this juncture he was holding hands with some manner of girlfriend. So in an effort to avoid awkwardness I had a few options, I could look away, find something distracting on or around me - but instead of these practical, believable methods, I just closed my eyes. This way he didn't have to say hi to me and I didn't have to acknowledge that I saw him when he walked right in front of me.
Told you I'm afraid of people.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

If Not For You

There are some days when
you are just sitting around --
unimpressive and idling
the hours by with mindless activities--
taking stock of your moderately
moderate
life

then your friend Bob Dylan
pops up on iTunes and you know
that there are still
things to make you smile.
Like a raspy
steady
monotone
voice.


Thanks Bob.


Sunday, November 04, 2007

Overcompensation

I got a haircut yesterday.
I find it ironic that the hairstylist can put 5-6 different products in your hair and your hair still feels very natural and un-product-y.
But when I try to put even one bit of product in my hair it invariably makes my hair both look and feel nasty.

Probably because as an amateur, I want to make sure that the product is going into effect, and I can only tell when I can see or feel it in there, and by then it's too late.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

I was Tagged

1- I'm afraid of people, I get very nervous in social situations and usually withdraw. I get very anxious in rowdy groups of strangers (Mutual activities). And I don't really get to know people quickly, it usually takes weeks-months of interaction before I feel comfortable.
2- I love crafting supplies, like scrapbook things, but I rarely use them.
3- I hate it when I find spiders in the bathtub.
4- I've become disenchanted with movies. There are myriads coming out every week, but how do you decide which will really become great movies and worth seeing - how will they stand out in the test of time? and if I don't know that, why should I see them.
5- I'm convinced that Anna is absorbing tons of information while still in the womb. When she's born, she will recognize my Professors voices, Christmas carols, and other sounds that she is hearing now.
6- I hate food. Everything is bad for you. Too sugary, too salty, too fatty, too refined. and I hate vegetables. I'd rather not eat at all but Anna gets sick when I do that, so I end up eating crap because if you're going to eat any of it, you might as well eat what you like.

I don't want to pressure anyone into doing this but if LJ, Marci, Anna Heath and Coach Amy want to, feel free to post 6 things about yourself.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

It was my idea

For FHE last night Ben and I cranked up the Christmas songs on itunes and played scrabble.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Just to fill space

So I had been thinking about getting a Masters degree in Library Science, there are some programs that are offered online from other states and etc...
However, we've decided against it. I talked to a lady at the Graduate School Fair, she was really helpful and really pumped me up for this program that does a lot online but also gives classes on the weekends in Salt Lake. Turns out it wouldn't work.
When I talked to Ben about it and I realized that the top pay was around $40,000 - which is what I could probably get with just my BA, we agreed that the investment was probably not worth it.
So I'm not doing that anymore.
in case you were wondering.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Stirrings

Today at church Anna kicked me so hard! and in the upper belly too! I was so excited, but disappointed that Ben wasn't there to feel it (he was in YM and still hasn't really felt her). She must have really been enjoying the lesson on the power of procreation that we were hearing in young womens.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Ranting

I wish I was one of the people with an innate and demanding sense of justice. Someone who will fight for what they think is right even if they might look foolish half of the time.

I just got finished with a rather arduous test at the testing center on campus. Not a location I usually frequent. When I finished, my head still buzzing, they told me I wasn't supposed to write on the test (most of it was in the bluebook but there was a map portion that would normally have been on this separate piece of paper) and that there was a $1 fine. So I went out to my car to get a dollar, wondering if this instruction was written somewhere and I had missed it. When I returned to pay this indignity I asked to see the test again to see if it was written. It wasn't. They explained that it was in the instructions when they gave me the test. Apparently the IDIOT who gave me the test CAN'T do his job and I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT!

I wish now I had refused to pay and raised a stink, they probably would have just detained my bluebook and caused me to fail... They have the ultimate power I guess.
what a crappy way to end a crappy week at school.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

More pretty pictures -

I got the pictures from my post-wedding bridal photo shoot. These are some of the best, I had like over 100 shots to choose from so enjoy these, I can only do so much.



Raquel said she was going to put some up on her professional site at raquelallenphotography.com, so you can check those out too.

Monday, October 15, 2007

SO Pregnant

So I've finally accepted the fact that I'm showing, we bought maternity clothes to that effect, tell me what you think.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

SITT Day 3

We went to Sea World. It was pretty cool, I touched a dolphin. Here's documentation to that effect.

They went on all the rides, but there were no pregnants allowed, so I watched the Clarky while they did all the stuff I wouldn't want to do anyway.

We came home exhausted and a little grumpy and made some delicious Chinese food, and that helped.

Then the girls stayed up to watch a movie, and got less sleep than we needed.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

SITT Day 2

Yesterday was really fun, we played with Clark all morning while Ben F. was taking his test, when he got back we went for a drive into the country and you know what we found? OUTLET MALLS!!!

They have tons of outlet malls about 45 minutes from here, we went into a lot of ridiculous and pricey stores, like Georgio Armani and Saks 5th Avenue. but alas, it was at the less extravagant stores that we found what we wanted. I was really the only one who needed to shop, I got a pair of red church shoes and some maternity shirts. Not a bad day, we were there 3-4 hours I think, I got very tired, so did Anna.

When we got home the Aunties babysat while the Frannies went to a movie. It was great, except for the part when he wouldn't go to bed. Luckily Auntie Beetle is an old pro and got the job done.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Sisters in Texas Trip Day 1

Arrival and the Alamo

we arrived without a hitch in Sanantonio yesterday afternoon. We somehow made it to Jan's apartment (she gets lost a lot). We had lunch and distributed gifts, then Clark and Beetle took a nap and I worked on a baby quilt I'm making. After naps we went DOWNTOWN. Again, getting slightly lost, but it was worth it. The downtown is very cool. We went to the Alamo but it was closed. That's okay though, Jan says the gardens are the best part, they were as well manicured as temple grounds might be.
The Riverwalk, is a below street level paradise, a canal runs through the middle while hundreds of restaurants set up on the sides with patios in every one looking over the ducks and boat tours. It is luxuriously landscaped and utterly beautiful. We ate at one of the many semi-mexican food restaurants touting happy hour and the best margaritas in town. We took their word for it.
After we found our way back to the apartment we got ready for bed and watched the office. It was a great way to start a vacation. and we are totally enamored with the young squire of the house, he is still a bit wary of us.

Monday, October 08, 2007

Thankful

I would like to thank my gracious mother for providing a great forum for a family getaway. It was so comfortable and we couldn't have eaten better. thanks mom.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

What is this thing?!

Well, it's a girl frankly.

We got the ultrasound and...we were right.

We've decided on the name Anna,
Anna Lynne Gaines

please refrain from calling her Annalynne - that's not her name.
it's Anna.

that's all.