Ohio Skype Baby Shower

Today we had our very first baby shower. I never thought i'd experience a baby shower let alone a virtual one. My side of the family (Scott) threw us a shower from Ohio. They had treats, we had treats, and we shared each others company in a different way than we are used to.

We received lots of useful baby gifts- books, a car seat, stuffed animals, bottles, blankets, etc...It was great but it was even better seeing family face to face.

Leila got a gift too. Jessie Owens thought it was for him too.

Katie's grandma Kathy, Katie, Vivian (mom) and Aunt Theresa were present.

Leila waiting to pounce on the appetizers.
Katie made strawberry lemon bars and coconut macaroons.


This blanket was Katie's when she was a baby.

Next week is Our Spokane Baby shower. We leave Wednesday and are excited to see our friends! Can't wait!

Leila Takedown

Joli and Leila enjoy a bout and Leila gets a little carried away. This is what happens when nine people and a dog share a cabin for a weekend.

The Homestretch

33 Weeks. Our birth month is quickly approaching and we are doing great. Katie continues to have aches and pains but these don't limit her ability to complete the day to day. We have had to say no to some hiking with friends or reconsider when there is a lot of walking involved.

We had a wonderful visit from Jason and his new girlfriend Rachel.

Great conversation, great food and lots of down time made for a great time.

Jason walking the border. To the left- Canada. To the right- United States.

Peace Arch Park is the Northwest border crossing.

It is the month of the baby shower. Three baby showers in three weeks. Next week is a skype shower with the Ohio family, then a Spokane shower, and then Yakima.

31 Weeks.

Here's the 31 weeker. Baby Lyon is 3lbs and very active. We love to lay in bed at night and watch Katie's stomach change shape as our little girl stretches out and completes somersaults. I will press my ear to her stomach and get a quick swift kick as if she's saying, "Seriously! It's cramped enough in here!" Other than a couple aches and pains as well as some difficulty with getting comfortable at night, Katie is doing great. Thank you to those who have already sent us baby gifts! We really appreciate your thoughtfulness. Can't wait to share the next few weeks with you.

When it's good to be inside.

Kaleb, Teanna, and Joel enjoying some coffee on a cold Saturday. Leila decided to literally jump into the photo landing over my shoulders.
I snapped this photo last night at 1:40 am while I was stoking the fire on a chilly night.
This is for Bill and Colleen. Leila instigating a playful match. Jessie had to warm up to her.

He did...

Until baby...Leila is cheap entertainment. Though she is growing increasingly irritated with my annoying attitude. Here she lets me know it.

26 Weeks

Baby Lyon is kicking and rolling more than ever. Mom is doing great. Third trimester here we come!

Grow a pair.

I've done a lot of things lately that I don't want to do. In my prayers, I've asked for greater opportunities to serve. Of course that won't be easy. I have to drop my selfish attitude, man up, and press on. My biggest success lately, in my eyes, has been heating the house. We have electric heat (high cost) and a wood burning stove. It's not the last thing I want to do at the end of a work day but it's close. I arrive home and exchange the tie and slacks for gloves, a head lamp, and a maul. Soon, our small home will go from 60 to 80 degrees. This usually means a happy wife still wrapped up in a cocoon of blankets and me on the top of the covers with beads of sweat dripping off my forehead. We haven't been taking a whole lot of pictures lately so I thought I'd post these. These are the 20 week ultrasound photos. Baby Lyon is now 25 weeks so these pics are old news. I, dad, love feeling her kick and punch my hand. Katie would have a different opinion on the matter. There's nothing like getting sucker punched in the bladder and then having a grown man talking baby talk while poking your belly. Let me tell you...that girl can kick! It used to be cute but last night I pulled my hand back and looked at Katie and said, "That just ain't right."

She has cyclist legs.

I had great intentions to throw down something good in this post. Something insightful. Something memorable. But when I look at her pictures I can't get past the tibia. She has metatarsals and phalanges. It's amazing. I look at her heart ventricles and nasal bone (She got Katie's thank God!). She also has my heart. I'm experiencing a level of ownership and protection like never before. It's overwhelming. Then i'm reminded there is One Greater. One who knows and allows her blood to flow. That makes it easier and much more enjoyable.

Quit the whining. Quit the complaining. Do what's been asked of you. Take the criticism from those who love you. Walk the dogs cause you need it more than they do. Treat your patients not just for their health but because they feed your wife and child. It's not about you Scott. It never is and never will be...ever. And that's ok.