tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89952260219063659842024-03-13T12:08:51.716-07:00Our Sub LifeJoe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-73837159539913689212011-08-21T14:55:00.001-07:002011-08-21T14:55:51.665-07:00They also serve..."They also serve, those who only stand and wait."
<br />-- J. Milton, delivered in a speech made by Eleanor Rickover
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<br />Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-20620605927581476692011-07-25T10:16:00.000-07:002011-07-25T10:41:55.400-07:00Enjoying EVERY momentMy focus to keep positive throughout this journey...... <br /> Positive Thought:<br /><br />Deployments(even those that are just looming)remind you to enjoy every little moment your family has. It forces us not to sweat the small stuff. It is a constant reminder to laugh as often as possible. Embrace one another. Cuddle even when it's hot. You enjoy these little moments...because for VERY long spans of time there are no little moments. no big moments. There just aren't any moments. It's lonely, sad and at times heartbreaking. <br /><br /> Some of our latest "little" moments:<br /><br />Icecream for dinner at Buttonwood Farms<br />Breakfast in bed while Savannah was at Nonna's. <br />Kiss tolls in the house (This is when you MUST stop and pay a kiss toll- for the monkey council has declared you owe them for some grievance)<br /><br /> Ah, LIFE IS GOOD. We are healthy, happy....and planning to MAYBE try for BABY #2 before deployment (Sam being pregnant while Joe is deployed. Joe comes home to a VERY pregnant wife. We have baby- Joe is there. This is everything going to "plan"- Usually the NAVY laughs at "plans". We still like to pretend though. Anyway... This possible baby #2....should come as a suprise:) It did to us. <br /><br />Mommy Monkey :)Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-90391800102916828222011-07-22T09:25:00.000-07:002011-07-22T09:35:25.727-07:00Ready or not...here it comes.Deja Vu....<br /><br />Last night Joe had duty. And I remembered what sea duty will be like. Except this time I'll have Savannah too! Yes- we'll be starting slow. He'll be out for 15-28 days and then back in ...out and then back in...and then BAM deployment - where he'll be out 6-8 months. (repeat cycle for 3-4 years, then back to shore)<br /><br />Phew! Am I ready for this again? I'm always fine when he's gone. I miss him- but life goes on. I have a lot of things on my plate including both of my jobs, my family....and well life. But now I have this other little person to factor in. A little person that I love so much. A little person that I don't want to be sad. or worried. or confused. <br /><br />So many thoughts/questions ran through my head last night;<br /><br />Will it be easier because of Savannah? We have to stay even more busy!<br />Will she understand why he isn't around? <br />Will she be sad? Will she forget him? <br />Will they share they same wonderful relationship that they do now when he comes home?<br />Will I be able to shuffle everything?<br />Will I be sad that Joe is missing all of our new adventures?<br />Will we be able to get pregnant as hoped before deployment?<br />Will my pregnacy go easy?<br />What will happen if he gets extended or I give birth early?<br />What's the plan if we don't get pregnant before deployment?<br /><br />Everyone tells you they will help - and they will - BUT they have their own life and so most of it does fall on you as the military wife. I am thankful for my support system especially those that watch Savannah. BUT...<br /><br />whew.. Am I ready for this? I guess it doesn't matter.<br />Ready or Not. It's here. <br /><br />Good BYE shore duty.<br />Hello SEA DUTY. Hello USS ANNAPOLIS!<br /><br />Mommy Monkey - signing off!<br /><br />P.S Weekly Newsletter will be starting again for those friends and family who want more personal updates. Please facebook or email me your email address so I can add you.Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-6226531714186712052011-07-19T14:42:00.000-07:002011-07-19T14:43:06.325-07:00Wow...Wow, time has flown!<br /> Here we are again......and Sea Duty is looming in the near future. We'll be leaving our shore tour about 9 months early (Boo). More details to come. And some updated Savannah Grace pictures!Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-49272209611074467572010-12-30T03:12:00.000-08:002010-12-30T03:15:34.054-08:001st Christmas<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/TRxpR_lWVBI/AAAAAAAAAc0/GsBrq4dGWjY/s1600/Sav%2BChristmas%2B2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/TRxpR_lWVBI/AAAAAAAAAc0/GsBrq4dGWjY/s320/Sav%2BChristmas%2B2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556431798115128338" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/TRxpSwbzG-I/AAAAAAAAAc8/gprLsXUFU5c/s1600/scan0001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/TRxpSwbzG-I/AAAAAAAAAc8/gprLsXUFU5c/s320/scan0001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556431811228408802" /></a><br /><br />Happy Holidays!<br />Gosh, life is busy with our wonderful baby- but we wanted to get these pictures up before 2011<br /><br />P.S<br />Halloween 2010 (She won 2nd place in the Quaker Hill 5 and under contest!!!):<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/TRxpiYFCUrI/AAAAAAAAAdE/AC9JkIdmY3I/s1600/Cow%2B2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/TRxpiYFCUrI/AAAAAAAAAdE/AC9JkIdmY3I/s320/Cow%2B2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556432079568392882" /></a>Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-72018517404569358342010-06-24T13:48:00.000-07:002010-06-24T13:53:54.808-07:00...where time has gone..Where time has gone...I have no idea. :)<br /><br /> I need to start posting... But I have this wonderful tiny monkey that takes up my spare time. Today, I got on the actual internet(I use my phone for it) and am enjoying catching up with everyones blogs, posts and emails!<br /><br /> Joe and I are enjoying adjusting to our new roles as parents while still enjoying our role as partners. Easier to say then do! But, we're finally in a place where we feel like we have accomplished the right balance. We really have so many friends and family members to thank!<br /><br /> Things we've done since Savannah's birthday on 3/28:<br /><br />-Bought a brand new Chevrolet Equinox - LOVE IT<br />-Celebrated Mother's Day<br />-Celebrated Father's Day<br />-Drove straight(There and Back) to IL to visit family! <br />-Had a huge party to welcome Savannah(and celebrate her 7 week bday)<br />....and I am sure I am missing a bunch of things....<br /><br />Anyway... I promise to post pictures soon! She's wonderful and beautiful...and well, I'll post soon!<br /><br />Samantha(The little monkey in the family)Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-21705415838907352512010-04-07T10:40:00.000-07:002010-04-07T10:48:34.161-07:00...and she's here!Savannah Grace LaCouture was born on March 28th 2010 weighing 8lb 10oz and 20 and 3/4inches long! She had a tough entrance into this world.... Came out with her head and hand together (vac extracted). No movement in her right arm/shoulder when she first came out- plus her heart hadn't been doing good as I was pushing. We were about 10 seconds from a C-section...and we had one more pull with the vac extractor- and phew! I got her out! Luckily the fluid pockets in her head healed and drained on their own. And her shoulder/right arm now has full movement. NICU at L and M were fantastic- as were all the nurses and our amazing doc!<br /><br /> Talk about a birth plan...not going to plan!<br /><br />Mommy has 30 stiches! Recovery hasn't been very fun, Joe has been wonderful though. And our family is enjoying it's time together. <br /><br />Here are some pictures. Joe didn't get to cut the cord because she needed NICU attention-but we staged a cord cutting(a shortening). The picture of the three of us is the first time I got to hold her after she had NICU attention. They were actually still sewing me up(an hour later).<br /><br /><br />The only thing that has gone to "plan" is the breast feeding. She's a fantasic latcher! We were able to get that started on our first try. Took about 4 minutes and she was a pro! We're really glad that we haven't struggled with this. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S7zEigKfbKI/AAAAAAAAAcg/vc3GyS0ODr0/s1600/Savannah.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S7zEigKfbKI/AAAAAAAAAcg/vc3GyS0ODr0/s320/Savannah.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457452945494731938" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S7zEiMc3sBI/AAAAAAAAAcY/nQwNwQnboO8/s1600/Joe+cutting.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S7zEiMc3sBI/AAAAAAAAAcY/nQwNwQnboO8/s320/Joe+cutting.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457452940203110418" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S7zEhrg9S3I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/GXAkvaW83xE/s1600/family+together.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S7zEhrg9S3I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/GXAkvaW83xE/s320/family+together.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457452931361885042" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S7zEhalkMWI/AAAAAAAAAcI/U3Y9qhnVEm8/s1600/breastfeeding.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S7zEhalkMWI/AAAAAAAAAcI/U3Y9qhnVEm8/s320/breastfeeding.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457452926817808738" /></a>Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-21179999464693023222010-03-25T18:38:00.000-07:002010-03-25T18:41:21.493-07:0040 weeks and 3 days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S6wQmYEWBdI/AAAAAAAAAcA/sh-5dIsMKAc/s1600/40+weeks+and+3+days.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S6wQmYEWBdI/AAAAAAAAAcA/sh-5dIsMKAc/s320/40+weeks+and+3+days.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452751500320572882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S6wQl13DaQI/AAAAAAAAAb4/X3FfACfx_c4/s1600/40+weeks+and+3+days+belly.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S6wQl13DaQI/AAAAAAAAAb4/X3FfACfx_c4/s320/40+weeks+and+3+days+belly.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452751491138021634" /></a><br /><br />Savannah's due date of March 22nd came and went...... and we wait... and wait...and wait... and we're still waiting. Walking 2-3 miles a day and playing around with a lot of what our midwife calls... "seduction induction"....<br /><br /> :) We hope to meet her soon!<br />Doc Appointment tomorrow morning so we will see what they say!<br /> Love,<br />A very excited Joe<br />A very over-it Samantha<br />A very stubborn SavannahJoe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-88634977409024024532010-03-18T08:15:00.000-07:002010-03-18T08:18:05.289-07:0039.5 weeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S6JEEqcV1GI/AAAAAAAAAbw/oFI8qHKNxEM/s1600-h/39.5+weeks.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S6JEEqcV1GI/AAAAAAAAAbw/oFI8qHKNxEM/s320/39.5+weeks.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449993345975047266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S6JEERsnxVI/AAAAAAAAAbo/Y2trKwKM8fg/s1600-h/39.5+weeks+bare+belly.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S6JEERsnxVI/AAAAAAAAAbo/Y2trKwKM8fg/s320/39.5+weeks+bare+belly.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449993339332445522" /></a><br /><br />Here I am at 39.5 weeks. <br /><br />We're doing everything to naturally induce Savannah to come into the world :) We even did a 3 mile walk yesterday(mostly uphill). She's not budging. Stubborn like Daddy. <br /><br />Can't believe my due date is Monday. It just seems crazy. Time has flown. We can't wait to get her out and about this spring and summer.Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-34207729918354525302010-03-02T05:18:00.001-08:002010-03-04T02:29:26.748-08:0037 weeks!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S40RceXxuWI/AAAAAAAAAbg/Poc8wv0IzUs/s1600-h/DSC01634.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S40RceXxuWI/AAAAAAAAAbg/Poc8wv0IzUs/s320/DSC01634.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444026705447598434" /></a><br /><br />Belly cast! Now we have to sand it.... and of course paint it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S40RcITsgSI/AAAAAAAAAbY/RsoIyvEvD7M/s1600-h/DSC01633.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S40RcITsgSI/AAAAAAAAAbY/RsoIyvEvD7M/s320/DSC01633.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444026699524899106" /></a><br /><br />Almost done!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S40Rbv7q5bI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/e5Lwzj_T3Ho/s1600-h/DSC01631.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S40Rbv7q5bI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/e5Lwzj_T3Ho/s320/DSC01631.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444026692981679538" /></a><br /><br />An awesome Christmas present from Joe. So, here we are at 37 weeks doing our belly cast which we plan to paint on our anniversary March 5th(Friday).<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S40RbcbvDpI/AAAAAAAAAbI/At6iOS7vPMc/s1600-h/DSC01626.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S40RbcbvDpI/AAAAAAAAAbI/At6iOS7vPMc/s320/DSC01626.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444026687747460754" /></a><br /><br />37 Weeks! :)<br /><br />20 more days until Savannah's due date!Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-44438854727297880992010-02-03T03:51:00.000-08:002010-02-03T03:59:21.482-08:00CT showerMy shower in CT was beautiful. Thank-you to Becky- and her helpers: Mrs. Butler, Katelyn and Stephanie for throwing such a beautiful shower!<br /><br />I had over 100 pictures (thank-you photographer Katelyn!) - but here are some of my favorites. Aren't these cupcakes awesome!!!! And... the last picture is the rocker that my mother-in-law got me. SO comfortable! I want to sit in it every moment now that I'm at big as a hippo.<br /><br />We feel blessed for all the love from that day!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2lkaS4lliI/AAAAAAAAAbA/TgzCcGj3y_U/s1600-h/DSC01472.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2lkaS4lliI/AAAAAAAAAbA/TgzCcGj3y_U/s320/DSC01472.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433984828307772962" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2lkZw2X7aI/AAAAAAAAAa4/-oqFk_LZ-9I/s1600-h/DSC01484.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2lkZw2X7aI/AAAAAAAAAa4/-oqFk_LZ-9I/s320/DSC01484.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433984819171683746" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2lkZXqObjI/AAAAAAAAAaw/_RiJbsoFmpo/s1600-h/DSC01444.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2lkZXqObjI/AAAAAAAAAaw/_RiJbsoFmpo/s320/DSC01444.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433984812409843250" /></a>Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-34916094443758917792010-01-27T03:04:00.000-08:002010-01-27T03:15:12.988-08:00Gifts from far away and RI Shower :)We've been getting a lot of wonderful gifts from special friends and family from out of state these last few weeks. Two recent favorites are the beautiful submarine sweater and this adorable monkey:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2Af6FnhubI/AAAAAAAAAao/tOd4mUCYvz0/s1600-h/Joesubsweater.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2Af6FnhubI/AAAAAAAAAao/tOd4mUCYvz0/s320/Joesubsweater.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431376233409657266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2Af51EGRuI/AAAAAAAAAag/g_NRbb0vX0k/s1600-h/Ali+Monk2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2Af51EGRuI/AAAAAAAAAag/g_NRbb0vX0k/s320/Ali+Monk2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431376228966090466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2Af5UdyLZI/AAAAAAAAAaY/SkTo8knEcSA/s1600-h/Alli+Monk.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S2Af5UdyLZI/AAAAAAAAAaY/SkTo8knEcSA/s320/Alli+Monk.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431376220215455122" /></a><br /><br /> My mom gave a beautiful shower in RI this past weekend- Pictures are on the way!<br />-Samantha, Joe and Savannah(32 weeks cooked)Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-57887535736451474092010-01-21T05:52:00.000-08:002010-01-21T05:55:24.701-08:0031 weeks!Here I am at 31 weeks. Things are going well. We're taking the birthing class at the hospital we plan to deliver at. Our doula has scheduled a few visits before Savannah's "birth-day" that we're excited about. We are practicing all the different positions and breathing techniques we have learned every day. I'm still enjoying my pre-natal Yoga class and we're still putting a few finishing touches on the room. Savannah Grace will be here before we know it! And we're excited!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S1hcp49Va2I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/1G2i0JYlM94/s1600-h/31+weeks.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S1hcp49Va2I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/1G2i0JYlM94/s320/31+weeks.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429191225529166690" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S1hcpc_GAcI/AAAAAAAAAaI/M3Dpb5eREBs/s1600-h/31+weeks+bare+belly.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S1hcpc_GAcI/AAAAAAAAAaI/M3Dpb5eREBs/s320/31+weeks+bare+belly.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429191218020352450" /></a>Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-22831353456454241322010-01-19T08:09:00.000-08:002010-01-19T08:11:27.875-08:00New Years Eve<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S1XZhDnVRBI/AAAAAAAAAaA/gKBI1d0EEvc/s1600-h/New+Years+Eve.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/S1XZhDnVRBI/AAAAAAAAAaA/gKBI1d0EEvc/s320/New+Years+Eve.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428484087794189330" /></a><br />Still catching up on blog pictures and information- Sorry!<br /> Christmas was wonderful- Great time spent with many friends and Family.<br /><br />We knew we didn't want to be out late on NYE- but wanted to do something special. We went and saw Avatar and then to the Melting Pot for their special dinner that evening. We were home by 8:30 and sleeping around 11:00. Joe did wake me up to say Happy New Year.<br /><br /> 2010 should be a special year for us.<br /><br />I'm 28.5 weeks in the picture on NYE.<br /> xoxoxo<br />The LaCouture familyJoe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-90798534648030348602009-12-28T04:46:00.001-08:002009-12-28T05:44:00.695-08:00Christmas Eve TraditionChristmas Eve Gingerbread Cookies (for Santa!)<br /> Yum. Savvy even participated!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzitaJ_arBI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/LEcjtPrYLnQ/s1600-h/DSC01344.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzitaJ_arBI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/LEcjtPrYLnQ/s320/DSC01344.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420272816410504210" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzitZmeV5_I/AAAAAAAAAZw/M4Y3wIcaiTg/s1600-h/DSC01333.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzitZmeV5_I/AAAAAAAAAZw/M4Y3wIcaiTg/s320/DSC01333.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420272806876538866" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzitZbt0BjI/AAAAAAAAAZo/wsae8IJE-64/s1600-h/DSC01334.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzitZbt0BjI/AAAAAAAAAZo/wsae8IJE-64/s320/DSC01334.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420272803988637234" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzitZOT2E4I/AAAAAAAAAZg/V-hfBL37eGc/s1600-h/DSC01328.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzitZOT2E4I/AAAAAAAAAZg/V-hfBL37eGc/s320/DSC01328.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420272800390058882" /></a>Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-17467765560423677942009-12-23T10:14:00.000-08:002009-12-23T10:21:38.766-08:0027 weeks with crib and changer!Room is coming along... Crib (Thanks to Joe's mom) and Changer (Thank-you Dad and Becky!) are all set up. We have a little more touch up painting to do and I'm going to start putting away all of her clothes (Thank you Mitchell and Blank family).<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzJffOZTAnI/AAAAAAAAAZY/ufSoq7Hs6g4/s1600-h/DSC01314.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzJffOZTAnI/AAAAAAAAAZY/ufSoq7Hs6g4/s320/DSC01314.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418498291724911218" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzJfehNrrOI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/CZWEKnFUCq8/s1600-h/DSC01313.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzJfehNrrOI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/CZWEKnFUCq8/s320/DSC01313.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418498279596600546" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzJfeUqhStI/AAAAAAAAAZI/XoYxJihKTKk/s1600-h/DSC01299.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzJfeUqhStI/AAAAAAAAAZI/XoYxJihKTKk/s320/DSC01299.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418498276227893970" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzJfeNsnEZI/AAAAAAAAAZA/baWfhn-eEI0/s1600-h/DSC01300.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SzJfeNsnEZI/AAAAAAAAAZA/baWfhn-eEI0/s320/DSC01300.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418498274357612946" /></a>Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-12417067837526926332009-12-10T11:46:00.000-08:002009-12-10T11:52:21.921-08:0025.5 weeks cooked :)....and getting bigger!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SyFRazs8LiI/AAAAAAAAAY4/lGjIAB1kShU/s1600-h/25.5+weeks4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SyFRazs8LiI/AAAAAAAAAY4/lGjIAB1kShU/s320/25.5+weeks4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413697748073197090" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SyFRaWk9_eI/AAAAAAAAAYw/_7nUVXvNxG4/s1600-h/25.5+weeks3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SyFRaWk9_eI/AAAAAAAAAYw/_7nUVXvNxG4/s320/25.5+weeks3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413697740255133154" /></a><br /><br /><br />Well... I am 25.5 weeks cooked! And I feel large. Savannah is measuring about 13 1/2 inches long, she weighs approximately 1 1/2 lbs. Savannah actually had her 6 month check up today. She is measuring on target. The doctor confirmed she was a girl ( thank god! ) and counted all her fingers and toes! Woohooo! <br /><br />I'm not totally uncomfortable yet-but I do have my sore days. I think prenatal yoga has been helping a LOT. I was sad my 6 week session ended on Wednesday. I'll be happy to start it back up early Jan again. I did book a prenatal massage for Tuesdy. It was a gift I was holding on to from Daddy Steve and Becky from my birthday. The time seemed perfect.<br /><br />That's really it from us. We're done shopping, wrapping, sending and have a full schedule of holiday visitors ( We're not going anywhere for the month of December!). I finished menu planning and grocery shopping for all of December- so we're enjoying our outdoor and indoor decorations with the family and friends we love.Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-2469194336065182272009-12-01T15:50:00.000-08:002009-12-01T15:54:11.802-08:006 months.... 3rd Tri- WOW<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SxWsWF-5wgI/AAAAAAAAAYo/AOoAHGDMzhM/s1600/24+weeks.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SxWsWF-5wgI/AAAAAAAAAYo/AOoAHGDMzhM/s320/24+weeks.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410420022918627842" /></a><br /><br />Wow! 24 weeks! 6 months! Whew! <br /> 3rd trimester.<br /><br />Here we are! Things are good. Looking forward to the holidays. Getting big and I tire easily. Nose bleeds(although I hear they are normal) aren't that fun. Other then that- Life is good!<br /><br /> Can't wait to meet our little girl in March!<br />Samantha and JoeJoe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-21775612814319145472009-11-09T04:23:00.000-08:002009-11-18T07:48:43.378-08:0022 Weeks Cooked!Over the 1/2 way point! Whew!<br /><br />We had maternity pictures taken at 20 weeks. We have pregnancy pictures scheduled again at 34 weeks. I've been trying to post them-but the files are too big! I'll try again later!<br /><br />Things have been good. Belly is growing. Joe felt his VERY first kick last week. It was very excited. It was so strong and the look on his face was PRICELESS! She doesn't kick much but when she does- she's strong. I'm thinking SOCCER player. Which is great! <br /><br />We spent two weeks ago in New York for the Peterson/West wedding. Beautiful day, Beautiful bride. We were really glad to be included in such a special day for them. <br /><br />We have finally finished registering at Babies R Us. One more thing to check off our list! We're also glad to have made more progress on the nursery. Here is what it looks like with the border up:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SwQT5rUUYVI/AAAAAAAAAYg/QsWyTY0tmA4/s1600/DSC01244.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SwQT5rUUYVI/AAAAAAAAAYg/QsWyTY0tmA4/s320/DSC01244.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405467334352855378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SwQT5LKH_rI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Dte0vx9wGo8/s1600/DSC01242.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SwQT5LKH_rI/AAAAAAAAAYY/Dte0vx9wGo8/s320/DSC01242.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405467325720166066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SwQT4xGYZII/AAAAAAAAAYQ/1_Bo4bmejeg/s1600/DSC01239.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SwQT4xGYZII/AAAAAAAAAYQ/1_Bo4bmejeg/s320/DSC01239.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405467318725141634" /></a><br /><br /><br /> xoxoxo<br />Joe,Samantha and Savannah(who is 22 weeks old this week!~)Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-87028866274470789392009-11-03T07:10:00.000-08:002009-11-03T07:19:52.504-08:00More Room Renovations<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SvBJXO_eJyI/AAAAAAAAAYI/HZWY5Pgyn9c/s1600-h/DSC01179.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SvBJXO_eJyI/AAAAAAAAAYI/HZWY5Pgyn9c/s320/DSC01179.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399896616727357218" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SvBJW5sqIOI/AAAAAAAAAYA/SCbA2Zkexsw/s1600-h/Joe+Painting.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SvBJW5sqIOI/AAAAAAAAAYA/SCbA2Zkexsw/s320/Joe+Painting.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399896611011305698" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SvBJWbbfJrI/AAAAAAAAAX4/2Behoahr8Gc/s1600-h/beckypainting.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SvBJWbbfJrI/AAAAAAAAAX4/2Behoahr8Gc/s320/beckypainting.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399896602886219442" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SvBJWMkKOFI/AAAAAAAAAXw/YkQYHM8BPrc/s1600-h/colors.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SvBJWMkKOFI/AAAAAAAAAXw/YkQYHM8BPrc/s320/colors.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399896598896064594" /></a><br /><br /><br /> And we're making progress. Becky came to help with Savannah's room. We are doing the lower part the dark purple and the higher part the light pink. We have a beautiful border that we are going to put up with Joe's Mom. More pictures soon!<br /><br />Thanks for the help Becky!<br /><br />xoxoxo<br />Samantha, Joe, SaavyJoe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-77274653383437564542009-10-28T07:29:00.000-07:002009-10-28T07:37:13.237-07:00Savannah's Room Renovations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuhWH8ZpHnI/AAAAAAAAAXo/S5MHbq0UHbU/s1600-h/hole5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuhWH8ZpHnI/AAAAAAAAAXo/S5MHbq0UHbU/s320/hole5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397658847876292210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuhWHnW7w-I/AAAAAAAAAXg/cfgV80fy-cE/s1600-h/hole3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuhWHnW7w-I/AAAAAAAAAXg/cfgV80fy-cE/s320/hole3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397658842227786722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuhWHBQJGaI/AAAAAAAAAXY/_Yqnej3H1gc/s1600-h/hole2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuhWHBQJGaI/AAAAAAAAAXY/_Yqnej3H1gc/s320/hole2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397658831998753186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuhWG793e_I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/CsARRR7JtTE/s1600-h/hole.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuhWG793e_I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/CsARRR7JtTE/s320/hole.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397658830579923954" /></a><br /><br /> Joe and "Uncle" Josh patched up Savannah's ceiling yesterday evening so that we can start painting and getting her room ready over the coming months. They did a great job. Now a few more coats of mud, some sanding and some ceiling paint- Good as new!<br /><br /> More pictures of her room as we get it done....<br />xoxoxoxo<br /> Joe, Sam and SavvyJoe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-3228720803625852412009-10-25T09:43:00.000-07:002009-10-26T07:44:25.003-07:00It's a GIRL~<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuW1xb9HUkI/AAAAAAAAAXI/xfZyavpVbTQ/s1600-h/more+3d.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuW1xb9HUkI/AAAAAAAAAXI/xfZyavpVbTQ/s320/more+3d.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396919589395714626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuW1tlkOgFI/AAAAAAAAAXA/wB-TW8TKn74/s1600-h/3d.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuW1tlkOgFI/AAAAAAAAAXA/wB-TW8TKn74/s320/3d.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396919523256205394" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuSAdaVG3KI/AAAAAAAAAW4/_-Zxx2rnuHI/s1600-h/full+baby.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SuSAdaVG3KI/AAAAAAAAAW4/_-Zxx2rnuHI/s320/full+baby.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396579496269110434" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Savannah Grace LaCouture will be joining us around our due date in March!<br /> We are very excited and plan to paint next Sat. <br /><br />We'll post more pictures!<br /> Samantha, Joe and SavyJoe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-77743391338517352162009-10-17T19:52:00.000-07:002009-10-17T20:01:12.389-07:0018 week belly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/StqDxxyK1gI/AAAAAAAAAWo/4elbfyCnbSQ/s1600-h/bare+belly+18.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/StqDxxyK1gI/AAAAAAAAAWo/4elbfyCnbSQ/s320/bare+belly+18.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393768394930181634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/StqDxaV2xbI/AAAAAAAAAWg/PbXIxcLrmGU/s1600-h/18+wks.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/StqDxaV2xbI/AAAAAAAAAWg/PbXIxcLrmGU/s320/18+wks.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393768388637410738" /></a><br /><br />Here is it - the 18 week old belly. Appointment on Thursday went well. Doppler picked up his/her heart beat at 150. Very normal. Also baby was down VERY low. This indicated(old wives tale) that it's a BOY. Who really knows though. Our Doc will tell us on December 10th. We can pay and go in town as early as November 2nd. We're not completely sure what we are going to do but we think we'll be going into town. Gives us an extra month to prepare.<br /><br />You may also notice Samantha is missing about 8 inches of HAIR! I found an organic salon near the house and chopped it off. Since it was still falling out- I thought smaller pieces would be less depressing(And I was right!). Cut is easy and soft- and I truly love it even if I was worried. I haven't had my hair this short in a while! Joe claims it's very soccer mom"ish". At my instance for clarification- he back pedaled and claimed he meant.. " you know...the stylish soccer moms who are busy mom but still hot". Not sure if I buy it- but whatever. He's never been one for complimenting words.<br /><br /> That's all from us!<br />Samantha, Joe and the Baby (Who right now is the size of a turnip- until Monday when he/she will be the size of a green bell pepper)Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-36485854197099744452009-10-05T12:27:00.001-07:002009-10-05T13:17:42.834-07:00A Special Project..<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SspJMvdFVLI/AAAAAAAAAWI/Hs4RqNOcA0s/s1600-h/pouch+open+(1).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SspJMvdFVLI/AAAAAAAAAWI/Hs4RqNOcA0s/s320/pouch+open+(1).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389200387347928242" /></a><br />Here is the latest project, its small and not anything crazy but is one of the most important to me. Its a much better tobacco pouch, it should hold about three pipes full of tobacco. This project was made from some of the leather that my Great Grand Father had. By the time I came around he was not doing leather work anymore since his eye sight had degraded. My mother still talks about the coin purses he made out of leather with the hair still on. He did do a lot of wood working, and he forgot more then I could every learn about it. He built 13 of the 19 houses on the street he lived on. He lived in three of them, two were taken by the bank, the last one he got to keep. He ran two green houses and a good sized garden up until he died. His home also butted against a good track of woods with a brook going down the middle, what more could a young boy ask for? Some of my best memories as a child are getting out of school early on Wednesday, it was a half day when I was in grade school, and going there. It was free day care and it was great. Grandpa didn't talk a lot but when he did you listened, and he liked to show you how to do things once and then let you figure out how to do it from there. I never really watched TV as a kid, they didn't have cable and the outside was way more interesting. I know I get my love of learning from those times. Much to my wife chagrin I get my desire to try a bunch of new things from him too. I learned wood working, cement casting, figure carving, gardening, hunting, fishing, and the list goes on and on. I also learned a lot more. My work ethic comes from that time in my life. It's hard to stop weeding when the 70 something guy is there doing it with you. You can't really complain when something breaks because he would just take it as a challenge to fix..<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SspNh0yh7RI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/CCzUFTswFPs/s1600-h/DSC01169.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SspNh0yh7RI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/CCzUFTswFPs/s320/DSC01169.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389205147603823890" /></a><br />Turns out you learn a lot about things when you take them apart to fix them. I get my love of quiet contemplation from him too, I think that's why I love motorcycles so much, I don't have a tree in my front lawn to sit under and just think, but I do have the bike. I know I got my love for apples from him. It just made me think that I miss him. I wish that he and BooBoo (That was what we all called my Great Grand Mother, that's a whole other post) could be here for me having a little one of my own. I remember how important they were in my life and all the great influences that I had growing up. I hope my kid gets that, the Navy life is going to make it hard. The soon to pop out kid will have a Great Grand Meme, so they won't totally miss out. Still its good to go back and think of those influences that got you where you are. I know he would be proud.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SspPa6RBjWI/AAAAAAAAAWY/LGAH9Npa-9M/s1600-h/DSC01172.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SspPa6RBjWI/AAAAAAAAAWY/LGAH9Npa-9M/s320/DSC01172.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389207227838074210" /></a><br />I also get my habit of walking around in stocking feet from him.<br />-JoeJoe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8995226021906365984.post-16014633273076099152009-09-28T22:33:00.000-07:002009-09-28T23:08:00.310-07:00Sam's New LEAF -CookingThere are SO many things we're doing to get ready for little miracle- One is understanding that both Joe and I will have new roles. <br /><br />Joe really wants me to be a SAHM. That is something that I don't want to do but before we got married I said that I could compromise and work less. That started a whole train of job/career switching and brought me to the wonderful world of contract work. Contract work I love- Inspiring High School students year round as a motivational speaker. This gives me the ability to have all holidays and the summers off! I've worked in a little boutique in Mystic to stay busy since we didn't have kiddos yet-but that will soon end(or decrease). The job with Making It Count allows me to have adult time, reconnect and network with the other speakers (about 280 of us in the US) twice a year at trainings and feel like I'm participating financially. We've eased into it and it's been great. It should be easy to co-op with another parent and be able to keep my same speaking schedule. Some months (September, January) are really busy and others(May,December) aren't. All in all - I'll only be away from my peanut a maximum of 15 hours a week. How blessed am I? It's like having that cake and eating it too! And Joe feels good about the compromise as well. <br /><br />Well this little compromise I made two years ago has come to bite my little behind. We have realized that I will now be the chef of the house. I thought Gift buyer, card sender, laundry do"er", bill payer, finance manager...etc was enough. But after much thought and deliberation- We realized that chef will need to be added. Well, those who know me... You know this is VERY new uncharted territory for me. I am (of course) up for the challenge though. I got out cook books. I made lists. I made menus. I am diving in head first. (What other way do you dive in?).<br /><br />And...so it has begun. Right now - I'll be making 4 "dinner" dishes and 1 dessert dish every week. We may add more in the future-but right now, this is what I am starting with. My new chef job started on Sunday(9/27). I had an assistant for my first day(he was really cute too!). I learned a lot. I'm actually really excited to provide for my family in this way too(Who would have thought!!!). <br /><br />So my first main dish was Prosciutto, Spinach and Pasta Casserole. It was YUMMY. Not bad to make either. 25 minute prep. 25 minutes to cook. <br /><br />Ingredients- 2 and 2/3 cup of dried pasta, 2 medium onions(thin wedges), 2 cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of butter, 1/2 tsp of anise seeds, 1/2 cup flour, 1 and 1/2 of chicken broth, 1/4 cup of grated parm cheese, 1 10 ounce pgk of chopped spinach (thaw and drain), 2 ounces or prosciutto, 1 medium tomato (seed and chop). <br /><br />Cook Pasta and drain. Rinse with cold water. <br />Cook Onion and garlic in hot butter until onion is tender. Stir in flour and anise seeds. Add milk and chicken broth. Cook and stir until slightly bubbly and thickened. Stir in Parm Cheese(I added more then called for!). Stir in cooked pasta, spinach and prosciutto. Spoon mixture into 2 quart casserole dish. <br /><br />Bake covered for 25 minutes at 350. Serve with chopped tomato (optional)<br /><br />It smelled the house up something very YUMMY. When reheating -we've enjoyed it with some provolone cheese melted on top.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGgW3sKw1I/AAAAAAAAAVo/IL5ts78OvYk/s1600-h/Pros+Spinach+Cass+DONE.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGgW3sKw1I/AAAAAAAAAVo/IL5ts78OvYk/s320/Pros+Spinach+Cass+DONE.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386762944078594898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGgWAyhbcI/AAAAAAAAAVg/uaLEzMaFL6w/s1600-h/ProsSpinach+Cass+3.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGgWAyhbcI/AAAAAAAAAVg/uaLEzMaFL6w/s320/ProsSpinach+Cass+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386762929341296066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGgVsjSFHI/AAAAAAAAAVY/QQHX9yqRBRs/s1600-h/ProsSpinach+Cass+2.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGgVsjSFHI/AAAAAAAAAVY/QQHX9yqRBRs/s320/ProsSpinach+Cass+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386762923908666482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGgU57j6cI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/GTMOvhB6vH8/s1600-h/ProsSpinach+Cass.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGgU57j6cI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/GTMOvhB6vH8/s320/ProsSpinach+Cass.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386762910320290242" /></a><br /><br />My first dessert dish was Brownie Pie. A little longer on the prep(40 minutes) and longer cook time(50 minutes). My husband is a chocolate nut- so this was a must for my first dessert. <br /><br />Ingredients: (1/2 cup butter, 3 ounces of unsweetened chocolate, 1 single pie crust, 3 eggs(beaten), 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar, 1/2 cup of flour, 1 tsp of vanilla, hot fudge topping and 1 cup chopped walnuts(optional, hubs doesn't like them-so I didn't)<br /><br />Filling First- Melt butter and chocolate in saucepan. Cool for 20 minutes<br />Preheat oven to 350. Prepare/Make/Roll out Pie Crust. Use 9 inch pan. Crimp edges<br />For Filling - Combine eggs, sugar, flour and vanilla. Stir in Chocolate mix<br />Pour Filling into pie crust. Back 50 minutes. Add fresh fruit or hot fudge sauce.<br />Yum<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGi1_NgpgI/AAAAAAAAAWA/_sQ90L3YsUc/s1600-h/Brownie+Pie+Sliced.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGi1_NgpgI/AAAAAAAAAWA/_sQ90L3YsUc/s320/Brownie+Pie+Sliced.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386765677696689666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGi1f65w-I/AAAAAAAAAV4/RS3tk73Oj4o/s1600-h/Brownie+Pie+DONE.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGi1f65w-I/AAAAAAAAAV4/RS3tk73Oj4o/s320/Brownie+Pie+DONE.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386765669297144802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGi05IF8GI/AAAAAAAAAVw/p5Pvvt1ujQ8/s1600-h/Brownie+Pie.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DCvY807AMTg/SsGi05IF8GI/AAAAAAAAAVw/p5Pvvt1ujQ8/s320/Brownie+Pie.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386765658883485794" /></a>Joe and Samanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169015767431738695noreply@blogger.com2