Rookie Number 3

Sport is HERE!!! The past 10 days...

Worlds Greatest Sound!

December 4th, 2:56am

Brock James made his surprise arrival at 35 weeks, 2 days after more than 28.5 hours of labor. He arrived screaming, pink, breathing on his own, and nursed right away. He is tiny yet perfect. Stay tuned to read his story.

Mr. Brock

How does this tiny 35 weeker have full cheeks and a double chin?

Tatum and Brock

Tatum is in love with her baby brother. She is very protective of him. In the hospital when the nurse took him to the nursery for tests and weight check, Tatum would cry worried the nurse wasn't going to bring him back. She wants to help with every task; feeding, changing, you name it. She wants to share everything with Brock, even her cold. Yes Brock caught his first cold at one week old. Poor little guy is stuffy and in need of snuggles, which we are all quick to offer!

These Days

It is hard to explain the contradicting feelings inside me. I feel complete joy Brock is safely here. Yet equally and at the exact same time I feel complete sorrow Payton isn't. Brock looks exactly like his big sisterS, Tatum and Payton. When I look at him I see him. Yet I also see Tatum and Payton. When he stretches, smiles in his sleep, or makes an adorable facial expression I cannot help but to fall more in love. Yet my heartbreaks I never got to see Payton smile or make adorable facial expression. Every moment the tears are just behind the surface, tears of happiness and tears of sadness. The feelings aren't battling each other as I would have thought. The contradicting feelings live peacefully beside each other, strangely not contradicting each other at all but complimenting each other.

I miss Payton every day even more now. There was aways a difference in Dustin and I's grief from other grieving parents went met. Not more or less, just different. We had an older child, we had Tatum. We knew every moment we missed without Payton. We didn't have to guess or imagine. We KNEW. We knew how it felt to hold our baby all day and night. We knew how it felt to watch our baby sleep, checking her breathing every few minutes. We knew how it felt to gaze into our baby's eyes wondering what she was thinking, wondering who she would become. I knew how it felt to spend quite moments nursing our baby. 1 year, 10 months, 23 days ago I lived knowing and missing every moment without Payton. Now I'm reliving every moment I didn't get to share with her. I'm not sure which is more heartbreaking, then or now.

When family met Brock most commented how much Brock looked like Tatum as an infant. Not one mentioned Brock also looked like Payton. In fact, no one uttered Payton's name. I understand they may have not know what to say or maybe didn't want to upset us. But I would like them all to know that by not mentioning Payton you are causing us more pain. She is our daughter too. We haven't forgotten her. We will never forget her. We need to hear you haven't forgotten her either. It causes pain that only now, now that Brock is here do family view Tatum as a big sister. Tatum has been a big sister for nearly two years. If any acknowledged Payton as her sister they would see Tatum is already a wonderful big sister; loving, caring, and thoughtful.

Taterisms

"I'm waiting so patiently".

"That's okay it was an accident".

"That's not appropriate for me".

"That's not appropriate for tree-year-olds".

"Email online dot com".

"I really enjoyed..."

"I have a great plan..."

"No that's not a good plan. I have a better plan".

"Rudolf the Red Nose Asian".

Tebow-ing

Breathe Baby

Thanksgiving morning I spent several hours in labor & delivery triage unit of the hospital. I was there to have the first of two steroid injections to help Sport's lungs mature. It might not seem like a great way to spend a Thanksgiving, but to me it was perfect. Lying there listening to Sport's heartbeat, hearing the nurse say he past the NST (non-stress test), and knowing the sharp pain in my hip was to help him was wonderful.

After the hospital I visited Payton's grave. Visiting her grave never seems to get easier, yet is important she is included in the holidays. Dustin, Tatum, and I spent the rest of the day together.

Odd as it might sound, this year I'm thankful for the hospital staff who gave up time with their family so that my son would have a greater change of breathing if he arrived early. I'm thankful for the King Sooper employees who gave up time with their family so that I could buy flowers for my daughter's grave. I'm thankful I get to watch Tatum grow each day. I'm thankful for my small broken family and able to spend time with each of them even if in unusually ways. Happy Thanksgiving.

Realizations

Cleaning and organizing has always been therapeutic for me. I know I’m crazy! In the past when ever I was worried about a big exam or a problem I would clean and reorganize closets. Hours later I was stress-free, had an answer to my problem, and a clean place- cannot beat that! But lately I haven't had time or energy to clean. The result? Anxiety, anxiety, anxiety, oh and irritability. It was past time to do something about it. Therefore, Dustin being the loving, wonderful, accommodating husband that he is and I spent the last three days deep cleaning our house. Now when I say deep cleaning I mean cleaning everything: walls, doors, light switches, baseboards. If it is in the house it needs to  cleaned. My preferred cleaning supply? A toothbrush! It works best to get into the little crevasses.  My poor husband! He thinks if stuff is put away the house is clean. Yet he indulges me. And I'm thankful for his help, even if I go behind him and reclean areas he missed.

Over the past two years our closet has become the household dump for anything that doesn't have a place. While cleaning out the closet I came across multiple bins of Tatum's old clothes. I guess it is finally time to get rid of them. Payton will never wear the closets. It is time to let go of the dream of another daughter wearing big sister's clothes. Realizing again the loss of Payton and now the loss of another living daughter wasn't expected, least of all during cleaning. I never imagined getting rid of old, too small, and some stained clothes would bring some many painful tears. Never imagined the loss I'd feel. Another unexpected trigger. Do the triggers ever stop? 

Later, another realization came. I dislike dusting or anything the needs to be dusted. So the few mementos in our home are all personal and sentimental. For example the few Willow Tree statues: father holding an infant (for Tatum), angel holding a butterfly (for Payton), and mother holding her pregnant belly (for Sport). Each comes with a printed named and explanation. The given name has never meant anything to us. The meaning we associate with the statues is where the sentiment comes. So when dusting I was surprise to find the printed name for the mother holding her pregnant belly sitting next to the statue- "Cherish- Awaiting A Miracle". I guess when the statue was bought the words were meaningful to me, they are now. The words brought tears. We are 'awaiting a miracle'. Awaiting Sport's arrival. Awaiting joy.   

Without Saying Much

The reason for starting a blog was to remember periods of our life- good and bad. However, in the beginning I guess I needed help to see any ray of goodness in our life while living every day with all the bad. I got into a habit of sharing happy events and when I didn’t have anything happy to write I simply didn’t.  I guess it’s just easier that way. But I’ve always felt I wasn’t being honest about who I am or who our family is. A few months back I vowed to myself to write more honestly. To write about the essence of our life, to express how I feel, and what we are going through. But when things are specifically hard it’s hard for me to express my feeling on paper. I find myself more tangible and it’s impossible to make sense on paper.  (If you could look into my mind you’d understand the degree of tangibility I’m talking about. Yet somehow it makes sense in my head). Anyway, I’ve tried to make sense on paper what we have been going through the last several weeks and my feelings related to, but the posts remain unpublished.  Not because they express negative thoughts and feelings. But because I’m afraid to put all the negative energy ‘out there’ for fear they come true. So for now those posts will remain unpublished as they are. All I can do is ask for prayers that God grants the doctors the wisdom to make the best decision for our family and that wisdom allows us to bring our son home.

What's For Dinner

Lately I've been obsessed with paninis. Even bought a panini maker. Combine panini with our garden grown butternut squash, now we're talking.

Butternut squash soup with gourmet grilled brie and swiss cheese with tomato sandwich. YUM! Perfect meal for a cold fall evening. (Oh the pumpkins are from our garden too!).

Happy Cards

 Tatum is a sweet and thoughtful little girl! She made "happy cards" for Dustin's co-worker who gave her some old clothes, Ms. Laura who is sick, Baby Payton and God because she loves and misses them.


Tatum telling Payton she is making her a happy card.
♥Love the smile as she talks to her sister♥! 

Tatum decided Payton and God could share cards becasue they are together in Heaven.

Girl Divided

Go Dolphins! Go Broncos! Go Dolphins!

2011 WTR

This year the weather was cold and rainy for Walk To Remember. Many people decided not to attend or to leave early. As Dustin put it, "We weren't given a choice of losing our daughter. We are given a choice to honor and remember her". I couldn't have said it better. We battled the elements, bundling up in layers, jackets, hats, gloves, and ponchos. Thank you, Grandma Sue and Aunt Suzy for toughing it out along side us.

It was, as expected, an emotional and beautiful event. Listening to others stories brought up many old feelings: blissful ignorance (how I miss you!), happiness, anticipation, confusion, brokenheartedness, devastation, defeat, sadness, anger, frustration, detachment, hopelessness, loneliness. It also brought up new feelings: fear, anxiety, panic, obsessiveness, dread, impending doom. Underlining every feeling is love. It always amazes me how different each stories is, yet the love and feelings are the same.

After the walk Brooklyn's M.C. Pizza offered 50% of sales to benefit WTR. A local (not a chain) dive restaurant, good food, not having to cook, and benefiting WTR I couldn't resist. We filled our bellies with cheesy garlic bread and calzones. For dinner we took home eat eggplant pizza and cannoli. All of the food was delicious. Tatum thought the sauce was so good she drank it.

Dustin and I are careful what we say in Tatum's presence so we were surprised on the way home when she told us "We lost Payton. She has wings in Heaven. Everyone has wings in Heaven. They can fly all around". Dustin asked how she knew Payton had wings. She answered, "She told me".

Cold, wet, and emotionally drained we spent the rest of the day snugging in bed watching movies. As is every day, Payton was in our thoughts.

Triple D Denver Tour, Part 1

In case you haven't been paying attention I’m obsessive with everything Food Network: the shows, the stars, the food, everything! Recently Triple D (Diners, Drives, and Dives for you non-foodies) aired two episodes featuring Denver restaurants. Naturally I HAD to go. Dustin indulged me, so to Tocabe- Native American joint we went. I cannot have been more excited to see the two owners,

Matt (right) took our order and Ben (left) was in the kitchen cooking.  Yes I fancy myself on first name bases. On the wall was Guy’s favorites, which I had to try. The Chicken Indian Taco was yummy!

(Pictures from http://www.tocabe.com/. I took pictures on my phone, but cannot upload.)  

All Pregnancy Events Lead Back to Fear

Sport had an appointment with the perinatologist, Dr. G. Dustin and I decided to take Tatum so she could see her baby brother. I told myself it was because of scheduling- we don't have childcare on Thursdays. In reality, we took her because God forbid something happens she at least got to see her brother once, if only by ultrasound. Morbid thought I know.

Tatum was super excited. During the ultrasound she, yelled "Oooh that's my baby brother. See that’s his head, that's his body, that's his nose, etc.". Tatum got to see Sport's tongue when he yawned. The tec did a 3-D ultrasound, which allowed Tatum to see Sport sleeping with his arm covering half his face. The best part was Tatum was given her own picture, which she loves.

Tatum was so cute. Dustin and I loved to see her excitement and joy. The entire drive home she talked about seeing her baby brother, explained her picture, and how much she loves her brother.

As lovely as it was to see her happy, it brought up many negative feelings; fear, anger, resentment, and sorrow. 10 more weeks. 10 long agonizing weeks till we hit the 36 weeks mark which is when we lost Payton. As much as I try to stop my brain from spiraling down that path, I cannot.  I hate that Dustin and I cannot just be blissfully happy we are pregnant with our third child, our first boy. Instead I am terrified our son will die too. Terrified I'll have to bury another child. Terrified I’ll have to explain to Tatum again our baby went to Heaven. I wish Payton were here. I wish there was some reassurance Sport is mine to keep.

Been Here Before

I woke feeling rested, energetic (yay for being able to keep down prenatal vitamins in the morning). I bounced downstairs. Dustin, noticing the difference in my demeanor. I explained I felt great and while I had energy I wanted to complete a few unfinished projects because in 10-12 weeks we could have a baby at home. I ate breakfast, said goodbye to Dustin and Tatum, and headed upstairs to begin work. Minutes into the project it hit me. I've been here before.

Weeks leading up to Payton's death we were busy closing on our house, finalizing packing and moving plans, unpacking, decorating the girls bedroom, and getting ready to bring a baby home. The difference is with Payton there wasn't a 'we could have' or 'maybe we'll have' or 'if we have'. We were having a baby. We were bringing her home. No doubts.

Now there are many doubts. People keep telling me to have faith. I had complete faith with Payton. Obviously we all know the outcome. I still have faith, but not the way others tell me too. I have faith God has a plan. I have faith I don't know His plan, which is what sucks. I don't know if His plan and mine are the same. So rather I rely on hope. Hope I'll hold a screaming, heart beating, breathing baby boy in my arms. Hope I'll see Dustin's face full of pride rather than sorrow. Hope I'll bring this little guy home. Hope I'll watch Tatum shower her baby brother with love. Hope I'll watch the two of them grow up together.

Groupies Anonymous

Hi, my name is Elainna and I'm a Food Network groupie.

It's true. I cannot hide it anymore. I watch Food Network constantly, attempt to cook FN recipes, follow FN trends (see previous food truck post), buy FN chef's products, and stalk FN celebrity chef judges. Yep, that's right I stalk FN chefs ☺.

A dear friend suggested we dine at a popular restaurant D Bar Desserts.

I looked forward to meeting up with friends but the place didn't matter. Until I learned one of the owners is Keegan Gerhard celebrity chef/judge on 'Food Challenge'.

All day I was excited. Literally giddy! It was as if I could fulfil my dream of being a untrained culinary judge. I gladly accepted the job.

For dinner I selected Kobe beef sliders with a side of parm fries.

The sliders were moist and tender. The whole meal was DELISH! Not usually a dessert person but being D Bar I had to choose one. The creme brulee was heaven in a bowl. Okay I need to work on my food descriptions if I'm going to be a judge. But I know good food and this was perfection!

We didn't see Keegan. Trust me I kept looking but he wasn't to be found. My friend, who has been to the restaurant a few times said he is known to chat with customers on slow nights. Looks like another trip to D Bar is needed ☺.
(photos from http://www.dbardesserts.com/ and http://www.foodnetwork.com/keegan-gerhard/bio/index.html)

With Us

In an earlier post I wrote about Tatum's annoying imaginary friends. I left out anytime we enter/leave the house or car Tatum holds the door open and calls each name as her friends go in/out. "Come on Oso, Dotty, Wolfie, Koko, Wilson, Rooster (it's actually Brewster)". You might say I'm a little too accommodating, but it's either waist 30 seconds or listen to Tatum cry for 30 minutes. I choose to waist 30 seconds. Plus I tell myself I'm helping foster her creativity rather than crush her soul. Whatever the justification it makes my life easier ☺.

Anyway, after her friends 'got' into the car I walked to the driver side. As I opened my car door I heard Tatum say, "Come on Mommy and baby brother" (yes you read that correctly- baby brother). I thanked her for calling my name. Ornery Tatum, corrected me that she also called her baby brother. She continued by saying everywhere Mommy goes her baby brother goes because he is in Mommy's tummy. She pointed out that everywhere she goes with Mommy she goes with her baby brother. I was thinking wow I have the smartest three-year-old, when her next comments took my breathe away. She continued, when she isn't with her baby brother she misses him. And she misses Payton because she isn't is Mommy's tummy anymore.

Tears fell as I realized what a profound three-year-old she is. Many adults in our lives cannot comprehend how we miss Payton when she was only in my womb. Yet a little three-year-old completely understands Payton was with us every day for "a lot, a lot, a lot of days and nights", 36 weeks and 3 days or 255 days. She went everywhere with us. She was and is a part of us. We miss her! Her sister misses her! Tatum I love your heart, soul, and brain; and everything else about you.

Sane Week

Every two weeks Dustin and I meet with our OB or perinatologist to hear Sport’s heartbeat or see Sport. When my OB suggested this plan I didn’t think I needed to be seen so often early in the pregnancy. I wasn’t worried about the early months. But she offered and I accepted.

You might think being seen every two weeks would bring relief, reassurance even. Wrong! Well partly wrong. After an appointment Dustin and I enter what we termed the “sane week”, meaning we are reassured Sport is doing well. We feel confident and peaceful.

It doesn’t last! A week later, the “irrational crazy week” begins. As each day passes and leading up to our next appointment, the anxiety and fear builds until I’ve convinced myself Sport doesn’t have a heartbeat and I’m going to vomit. Ah, I had heard subsequent pregnancy after a loss was Hard. I guess somehow I thought I’d be okay (read Sane) until the end. Not the case!

Sport started moving but is still so little (and breach) that I don’t always feel the moves, or I second guess myself  what I felt wasn’t really a move, and then full on panic hits as I cannot think of the last time I’m sure I felt Sport move. So this “sane week” we are enjoying Knowing Sport is alive. And to help maintain my sanity I bought a few cases of orange juice. Each time Sport moves I sing my own version of “I Like To Move it”. It goes.:

I Like When Sport Moves It, Moves It

Mommy Likes When Sport Moves It, Moves It

Sport Likes To Move It, Move It

Keep Movin’ Movin’!

The song is best sung in the lemur voice from “Madagascar”.

Cluck, Cluck, Lunch from a Truck

Since Dustin started his new jobs (yes job plural- mental health/disabilities support specialist and assistant football coach) we rarely see him. He leaves in the morning before Tatum wakes and arrives home after she is in bed. I decided we'd have a picnic in the park, that was until Dustin uttered two little words. All I can say is he had me at "food truck".

Tatum and I drove to Dustin's downtown office. The three of us walked the few blocks to Civic Center Park. Under a shady tree we filled our bellies with Greek gyros, Argentinean steak sandwiches, and Mexican tacos (no chicken, just needed a word to rhyme with truck for the title). The food was YUMMY, like an explosion of flavors in my mouth. But my favorite part was spending time together even Sport excitedly moved about. Not even the 99 degree heat could ruin the afternoon.

Unwanted House Guests

Recognize these characters? Than you are a fan of Disney Junior or have a preschooler who is. What you don't know is Oso, Dotty, Wolfy, and their three parents have invaded my home and life. They eat my food, dirty my dishes, soil my clothes, take up space in my car, and leave doors open allowing flies in my house without even a thank you. Okay, I guess I shouldn't expect a 'thank you' from Tatum's imaginary friends. But seriously these imaginary friends are annoying and costly. Dustin and I ask each other whether Tatum has an over active imagination or early signs of schizophrenia (hazards of the job). Guess only time will tell.

Speed Racer

Tatum didn't enjoy mini-golf as much as we thought she would. Maybe the game moved too slow. Think about it; it takes time to hit a ball into a hole. To speed up the game she picked up the balls and dropped them into the hole. Fastest game of mini-golf I've ever played. 

The go-carts were more Tatum's speed. And to her delight she was tall enough to ride passenger. (I have a video but cannot upload)

The Secret Is Out

Yesterday we had a snuggle and watch movies in bed day. Late afternoon Tatum was laying on me. She scooted down to lay between my legs with her head on my stomach. She sat up, faced me, rubbed and patted my stomach, and said, "Mommy your getting fat. Your tummy is getting fat". As the saying goes, 'Out of the mouths of babes' ☺! She then laid back down. She repeated this several times, rubbing and patting my stomach and telling me I'm getting fat. She asked several times why I was getting fat.

Dustin and I could see the wheels in her brain spinning. She noted Daddy wasn't getting fat nor was she, only Mommy. She then asked, "Mommy, do you have a baby in your tummy?". She is so perceptive it blows my mind. (This wasn't the first time she asked. Before, I side stepped the question by telling her she was in my tummy when she was a baby.) After a quick glace at Dustin I answered, "Yes, there is a baby in Mommy's tummy". Tatum asked if is was Baby Payton. We told her Payton was in Heaven, the baby in Mommy's tummy was a different baby. Tatum was quite for a few moments. Dustin asked, "Do you know what that means?" No response. We told her the baby was her brother or sister. Her face light up. She asked many age appropriate questions; "Is the baby a girl or boy?", "Is the baby a sister or brother?", "What's the baby's name?". She also asked some advanced for her age questions; "Where does the baby go potty?" and "How does the baby eat?". We answered her questions simply and honestly. She told us she wanted the baby to be a girl and to name her "Alex Girl".

Then her nesting began. She made a mental list of all the items we needed for the baby. "We need to buy diapers. We need to buy wipes. We need to buy changing table. We need to buy car seat. We need to buy milk. We need to buy bottles. She can use my baby's [dolls] bottles". We let her know we would buy all the things the baby needed and she could help pick everything out, but the baby wouldn't be here for a few more months. She was so excited she told us, "I can help change her. I can help feed her. She can sleep with me. I will give her lot of snuggles and kisses". Tatum's response was sweet and adorable (you can probably imagine all her facial expressions that went along with the conversation), but extremely anxiety provoking.

This morning I woke to a little voice, "Mommy I don't want Kitty to ruin the baby". Not believing what I heard I asked her to repeat it. She again said, "I don't want Kitty to ruin the baby". I was sleeping on my side with the cat on top of me. I assured her the cat wouldn't harm the baby. She immediately started her mental list of baby needs. However, this time wasn't content with a mental list. She grabbed a piece of paper from the printer and pen to write it down. She added a few things for herself ☺.

On the way to daycare she said, "We need a car seat for our baby. The baby can sit right next to me. I'd love the baby to sit next to me. We need to buy a car seat for Mommy and Daddy's car. Not anyone else's car. We have to keep our baby safe". By this point fear was taking ahold of me. I thought 'if only I could keep this baby safe'. She continued, "Some people want to take our baby". I asked what she meant. She answered, "Some people take babies. I don't want people to take our baby. We have to keep our baby safe". My heart broke for my sweet poor little girl. As excited as she is she must have her own fears. I assured her we would do anything we could to keep our baby safe (even if I don't believe it).

Now that Tatum knows about Sport we are even more scared. Tatum cannot loss another sibling. Before we could protect her from a possible loss and go about the day without thinking of it. That has all changed.

I've joked with Dustin that I feel like an elephant, not because of size but because I feel like this has been the longest pregnancy ever. This pregnancy just got longer. And I miss Payton more!

Grandma Brenda's Big Surprise

Happy birthday Mom. Hope you enjoyed your surprises.

Farewell to Goldie

According to Dustin when I called him to pick Tatum up from child care I told him I was in a fender bender.

(my computer isn't recognizing my phone to download picture)

When Dustin saw my car he said, and I quote, "Is it a fender bender if you don't have a fender?".

Goldie thank you for giving me your best 8 years.

Curve Ball

Approaching 18 months without Payton made me an emotional wreck- again. Dustin and I decided to head south to Sand Dunes. Instead, life threw me a curve ball. The evening of the 19th I was in a car accident. I was hysterical, to put it mildly. I yelled at anyone who would listen, "I'm 15 weeks pregnant. 18 months ago my daughter died". The firefighter took pity on me and sent me the the ER for an ultrasound. Paramedics attempted not to take me to the hospital where I delivered Payton. Yet, due to the location of the accident and traffic that is where I found myself. I was only in the ER (not the maternity unit) but forced to return 'to that place'. As I lay in the exam room I was flooded with memories of delivering Payton and of holding her in my arms. My mind raced with the thought of losing another baby. After what seemed like a life time, the doctor completed an ultrasound. Sport has a heartbeat and is actively moving around!

I'm thankful to the people who helped. I'm still angry at the adults in the other car. As a parent who lost a baby, I'm angry two adults put six children in a car without seatbelts. I try not to be bitter that people who make irresponsible decisions as to the safety of their children are able to have children; while so many mother's and father's are living without their babies. BTW, I am fine and believe all the other parties are fine too.

The ironic part is before I left work I was reading an article which stated some unfortunate events in our lives are God’s way of waking us up (I'm simplifying). Later that night I wondered what God wanted me to pay attention to? I believe God wanted me to realize how much I already love Sport and regardless of my trying to emotionally distance myself it won't work. I love Sport as much as I love my other two children.

Needless to say, in the end we didn’t go to Sand Dunes. On the 21st we went to Payton's gravesite. We survived 18 months. Yet, I still cannot stop thinking how different our lives should be, what Payton would be like, what would she look like, or a million other questions. Will I ever stop thinking of the should be's or the what if's? Probably not.

Rediscovery of a Culinary Masterpiece

Like most people, after college I entered the 'real world', got a 'real job', and stopped eating Ramen. Why did I ever stop eating this salty noddle concoction? These days, if it were up to me I would eat Ramen every day for every meal. No joke! I might get a little adventurous and mix it up, there's also beef and shrimp flavors to choose from!

Doesn't that look DELISH?!!

"Bacon, Bacon, Baaacon"

Said in my best Beggin' Strips dog voice.

My OB recommends I gain more weight by eating more protein. Her protein of choice? Pork. Most of you probably know, I don't eat pork. But if my OB says to I'll give it a try (to Dustin's delight) at least for the next several months.

The verdict? Hidden between an English muffin, egg, and cheese (cheese makes everything taste better) it was surprisingly yummy. However, by it's self it was rubbery and prompted an immediate visit to the toilet.

It's A Girl

Maybe or maybe not. This morning before our OB appointment I consulted a Chinese gender predictor site. The chart indicated, based on my Chinese lunar age at pregnancy and the Chinese lunar month in which I conceived, we are having a girl! The site goes on to warn "remember, this tool has a 50-50 chance of being right". Duh, could it be more generic?

During our appointment, Sport wasn't being cooperative as he/she had his/her hands between his/her legs. Hum, on second thought sounds more like a boy.

British Invasion

When we signed Tatum up for soccer camp, we were asking if we would be interested in hosting a British soccer coach. We quickly said yes, believing it might be a good experience for our family. It was. Coach Dale was a delightful houseguest. Tatum loved him and Dustin found his long lost British twin ☺. We all had fun showing Coach Dale a few of Denver's attractions and introducing him to new foods.

♫Casa Bonita Casa Bonita, la la la la la♫

Water World

Forth of July Weekend



Our little groupie



Tatum loved the sparkers. I was terrified.

Summertime

So far this summer has been busy decorating, gardening, yard work, party planning, and a hundred other items on Dustin's honeydo list. Yet we still managed to squeeze in a little fun! 

Oasis water park



Romantic afternoon tea in Georgetown



Tatum's first movie theater experience- Kung Fu Panda 2

Annual Father's Day camping and fishing trip

A Young Dustin

Tatum loves going to Grandma Sue's because there anything Tatum wants Tatum gets. Flowers, dolls, Christmas decorations, candles, anything. Recently she asked for this picture because, "Daddy you have a young soul". Where does she come up with this stuff?