tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50879822905371970572024-03-12T19:30:22.391-07:00The Ertman-Trowbridge FamilyDave. Valerie. Sylvia. Veda. Guinevere. And the animals.Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-68456503102516345382012-08-15T13:16:00.001-07:002012-08-15T13:16:22.913-07:00The Old Man Pants: Phase 3Do you remember the Old Man Pants? They first made their appearance in November of 2008, I believe. Since then they have returned a couple times. And here they are again:<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRs9i45R5QdYF5mZaBxqwromj_rf081NxuwFoVC3xv_xm8_pURiESdIDwCgc8QZt64lzCGRiU-0aBDcOsJ19-TIa5Yze0wKRE_b2qdE-lgw5VeHHlZSjvShSxvu-Ju7c0ojQHHNRXOqY/s640/blogger-image-873005033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRs9i45R5QdYF5mZaBxqwromj_rf081NxuwFoVC3xv_xm8_pURiESdIDwCgc8QZt64lzCGRiU-0aBDcOsJ19-TIa5Yze0wKRE_b2qdE-lgw5VeHHlZSjvShSxvu-Ju7c0ojQHHNRXOqY/s640/blogger-image-873005033.jpg" /></a></div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-54951792057340187872012-05-28T21:04:00.002-07:002012-05-28T21:04:12.881-07:00Babies Grow A Lot in Four Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was Guinevere earlier today, Memorial Day 2012. Today was significant for our littlest one because she got her first "real food." Being premature, she did not even begin to take an interest in food until two weeks ago, at six months. We started her with cereal first, and today we gave her sweet potatoes. This makes our third daughter who experienced sweet potatoes for her first food feeding.</div>
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But Evvie hasn't always been this big. These next couple of pictures were taken on Veda's second birthday in January:</div>
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This second picture shows Daddy and Evvie looking through a seed catalogue to figure out what to plant in the raised beds this year. Since then, two raised beds have been built, and squash, tomatoes, peppers, salad mix and cucumbers are already planted. Carrots are in separate planting containers and beans, chard and another kind of cucumber are yet to be planted. We did have strawberry plants with little berries present, but they were accidentally mowed over. Oops!</div>
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Did I mention a second birthday? Yep. Our VedaBug turned two on the 27th of January. We had a small family celebration with her at home and then the next day I held a very mini party where we got the first-ever picture of my three girls with their two cousins, or all of Oma and Opa's kids in one shot.</div>
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I know it looks like Guinevere is squashing Lincoln but, trust me, he was fine. Not only did Veda get more presents at her little party, but she also got another specially made cake from her Auntie Stephie:</div>
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It was a purple jeep! Veda continues to love her cars. And shoes. She loves cars and shoes. I often see her racing her cars around the house while wearing green galoshes. Then she pauses to remove galoshes and put on purple Maryjane's. And then I look back a while later and she is wearing her sister's school shoes, leaving a wake of shoes and cars behind her.</div>
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Something else exciting happened when Veda turned two: She got her first knitting bag and the opportunity to go with Mama to knitting! If you have been following along for a while, you will remember that Sylvia got this same experience. Veda was just as excited as her older sister had been.</div>
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But back to Guinevere . . . </div>
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First sleep sack (as opposed to being swaddled.) This happened in mid-February. It always made me sad when we transitioned from the swaddlers to the sleep sacks, so I decided to commemorate the transition of our third with a photograph. But if I thought putting her in a sleep sack was rough, about a month later we moved her cradle from our room into her big sister (Veda's) room. THAT was rough! For me. Not Evvie. She did great. I was the one crying.</div>
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First smiles! We saw Evvie's first smiles in mid-February as well. It is hard having a preemie as all those things you long to see in your baby take much longer to appear. By mid-February Guinevere was already four months old. That was a lot of late nights we had to endure before we got any kind of "reward." But her smile is so gorgeous that is was totally worth the wait!</div>
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And somewhere in the middle between now and then, she got some good snuggles with her big sisters:</div>
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Guinevere had her six month Wellness Check last week. She is growing well! She is still kind of little at only about 13 1/2 pounds (5th percentile) but her length is closer to average and she remains consistent with her growth. She was also given a "performance review" a couple of weeks ago to track her milestones against where she "should" be at according to her gestational age. She performed at the equivalent of a four month old, and this puts her within the "competent" range. I realize it does not sound very exciting, but it actually is a nice reassurance that she is growing and gaining and beginning to show her personality in a timely manner.</div>
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As an example of how wonderful her gains in development are, this was a picture taken in April. She was contentedly swinging with Mr. Frog. If I were to try and take this same picture now, I would be hard pressed to because she would be holding onto Mr. Frog and the poor fuzzy amphibian would be clutched in her hand and flopping all over the place!</div>
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Cute, isn't she? We think so.</div>
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And, well, I couldn't resist that last one!</div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-79956960994661062092012-02-09T15:57:00.000-08:002012-02-09T15:57:46.628-08:00Asking for PatienceMy dear followers, I have learned something. I have learned that three small children, one of whom is still a new baby, means that I have virtually no time to myself. No time to knit, read, spin, or even blog. I hardly have time to sleep, but when I do have a small snippet of time it is this last activity that you will be likely to see me doing. And so, while things keep happening here, and many are things I would simply love to tell you about, I am struggling to find a spot in my day to upload photos, edit photos, and write. <br />
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Stay tuned. I will always try to share what I can, when I can.Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-3368740551759630572012-01-01T21:55:00.000-08:002012-01-01T21:55:40.428-08:00Hand Knits, Cousins and Dresses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FkgeXwbCsmQ/TwE6kKB-Q_I/AAAAAAAAB3I/NdZOkoROvek/s1600/DSCF0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FkgeXwbCsmQ/TwE6kKB-Q_I/AAAAAAAAB3I/NdZOkoROvek/s400/DSCF0687.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This is Miss Wonderful, as her name tag says. And Miss Wonderful is growing! I made her an adorable (according to me!) hand knit outfit:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fU-rvxOJq_A/TwE-k_z-M-I/AAAAAAAAB38/eisqQ0jMtZ0/s1600/DSCF0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fU-rvxOJq_A/TwE-k_z-M-I/AAAAAAAAB38/eisqQ0jMtZ0/s400/DSCF0689.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And she wore it for the first time on New Year's Eve:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vfRNLkud8DA/TwE_QibZo6I/AAAAAAAAB4I/_gr1fGeasWo/s1600/DSCF0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vfRNLkud8DA/TwE_QibZo6I/AAAAAAAAB4I/_gr1fGeasWo/s400/DSCF0693.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> As you can see, she shocked even herself that it fit so nicely already! She simply had to show it off to her cousin, Lincoln, born exactly seven weeks before her:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qjXqZGnk-zw/TwFAz0GzHxI/AAAAAAAAB4g/74Mg-SJe-gw/s1600/DSCF0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qjXqZGnk-zw/TwFAz0GzHxI/AAAAAAAAB4g/74Mg-SJe-gw/s400/DSCF0732.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He, um, didn't care for it much at first. Miss Wonderful took the rejection very personally. So, they attempted to make up:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOfUgA-SOLg/TwFBk7kawzI/AAAAAAAAB4s/ckPRhrikaJ0/s1600/DSCF0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOfUgA-SOLg/TwFBk7kawzI/AAAAAAAAB4s/ckPRhrikaJ0/s400/DSCF0734.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Things took a while before they warmed to one another again, but finally a peace agreement was met: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yLcAasdFLEc/TwFCawuuQaI/AAAAAAAAB44/RU8Utnuh0WA/s1600/DSCF0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yLcAasdFLEc/TwFCawuuQaI/AAAAAAAAB44/RU8Utnuh0WA/s400/DSCF0735.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No worries, they have generally gotten along well in the past:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4HAh45E3-m0/TwFC0k9H7dI/AAAAAAAAB5E/qJTaM6LCooY/s1600/DSCF0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4HAh45E3-m0/TwFC0k9H7dI/AAAAAAAAB5E/qJTaM6LCooY/s400/DSCF0552.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of cousins, these older two are doing well and staying very chummy. They both got rocking chairs for Christmas. Lovebug's belonged to her Oma and her Great Aunt, and Dax's belonged to Opa:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N1U_mXqHZDY/TwFDSbGEa5I/AAAAAAAAB5Q/PnoycJTNlJo/s1600/DSCF0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N1U_mXqHZDY/TwFDSbGEa5I/AAAAAAAAB5Q/PnoycJTNlJo/s400/DSCF0683.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lovebug felt it very important that I include another picture with her and Dax. This is because she wanted to show off her own lovely dress that she was wearing for New Year's Eve (and Oma's birthday):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yocS3tn89oc/TwFD2bVRUHI/AAAAAAAAB5c/m3dhCfWWi1w/s1600/DSCF0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yocS3tn89oc/TwFD2bVRUHI/AAAAAAAAB5c/m3dhCfWWi1w/s400/DSCF0698.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She, however, does not understand the necessity of facing the camera in order to show off said dress. Dax doesn't seem to get it either. Oh-well. And in case you are worried that the Pumpkin is sitting silently in a corner somewhere, never fear. She makes it thoroughly impossible to ever forget her presence:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPSQ0TLmUtU/TwFFRQ_xm1I/AAAAAAAAB50/t8Y9ojjm4oQ/s1600/DSCF0605+-+COPY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPSQ0TLmUtU/TwFFRQ_xm1I/AAAAAAAAB50/t8Y9ojjm4oQ/s400/DSCF0605+-+COPY.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-HkKY6hb7I/TwFFlT_6_lI/AAAAAAAAB6A/I9bx3JAa9Rc/s1600/DSCF0607+-+COPY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-HkKY6hb7I/TwFFlT_6_lI/AAAAAAAAB6A/I9bx3JAa9Rc/s400/DSCF0607+-+COPY.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Happy New Year!</b></div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-54329193546200561642011-12-22T18:35:00.000-08:002011-12-22T18:35:12.350-08:00Happy Christmas Weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-muqIgJkYo18/TvPbDFMFn2I/AAAAAAAAB04/Ga5vZmPqGRE/s1600/DSCF0629+-+COPY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-muqIgJkYo18/TvPbDFMFn2I/AAAAAAAAB04/Ga5vZmPqGRE/s400/DSCF0629+-+COPY.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FD78bYfJ8uw/TvPc9iLcZ-I/AAAAAAAAB1U/Bqn_RI2zlDo/s1600/DSCF0631+-+COPY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FD78bYfJ8uw/TvPc9iLcZ-I/AAAAAAAAB1U/Bqn_RI2zlDo/s400/DSCF0631+-+COPY.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1E8MKfbY2MM/TvPgJ8iJIrI/AAAAAAAAB1s/WOW4OyKKj04/s400/DSCF0630+-+COPY.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8vKWvv9xlxQ/TvPlV3ojWoI/AAAAAAAAB2s/NTwKsCw3bss/s1600/DSCF0640+-+COPY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8vKWvv9xlxQ/TvPlV3ojWoI/AAAAAAAAB2s/NTwKsCw3bss/s640/DSCF0640+-+COPY.JPG" width="426" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NX2emeXYd7c/TvPkLGfniMI/AAAAAAAAB2g/ZFTrT7qZoqk/s1600/DSCF0635+-+COPY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NX2emeXYd7c/TvPkLGfniMI/AAAAAAAAB2g/ZFTrT7qZoqk/s640/DSCF0635+-+COPY.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abJZ15-jY1k/TvPhI1qJcRI/AAAAAAAAB14/UXx28NKtb2k/s1600/DSCF0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abJZ15-jY1k/TvPhI1qJcRI/AAAAAAAAB14/UXx28NKtb2k/s400/DSCF0641.JPG" width="266" /></a>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-3747553828757545422011-12-08T14:45:00.000-08:002011-12-08T14:45:16.696-08:00"First" Bath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiy2jdUHGt99hHsJ-BJ7VQUZZ9xc3QSkov_FsQq_rmny_M4o1cQ8BGJ-FBOwCpRg0g5M_Ea-JA3OtavJHyZttxXmDCcXxvO3kKd48nL3bioRz-111o17G53jLcg46Z6hEI-SfL8ZqlbxU/s1600/DSCF0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiy2jdUHGt99hHsJ-BJ7VQUZZ9xc3QSkov_FsQq_rmny_M4o1cQ8BGJ-FBOwCpRg0g5M_Ea-JA3OtavJHyZttxXmDCcXxvO3kKd48nL3bioRz-111o17G53jLcg46Z6hEI-SfL8ZqlbxU/s400/DSCF0512.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>So, like nearly all newborns, we took pictures of Evvie's "first" bath. It is her "first" because she had several while in the NICU. We even bathed her while she was in the NICU. It is also her "first" because this bath was given at my folks' house the night before we all headed home. But, needless, this was indeed her first bath after leaving the hospital.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB6BIm9ix8zGKpoEMfFXyy_7SZq3lTBCEDuC2RP5XmLSktMsMnbNi_ETkjSOzi88CrxvQyKPWcSYphltjw-sf8SXy4KwXXRJ4nC_2jjrnaKlcesRNY1hNFNkOthq8vPjIrPPRNy2bPHU/s1600/DSCF0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidB6BIm9ix8zGKpoEMfFXyy_7SZq3lTBCEDuC2RP5XmLSktMsMnbNi_ETkjSOzi88CrxvQyKPWcSYphltjw-sf8SXy4KwXXRJ4nC_2jjrnaKlcesRNY1hNFNkOthq8vPjIrPPRNy2bPHU/s400/DSCF0513.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Unlike many newborns, she has cried only once during a bath thus far. And, of course, it was the bath we photographed! Otherwise, I have been amazed at how patient and calm she remains during bathing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxjFYPOlLg0n6gHXDCAjjerXB9qDwIvIR2fjsbyIpMcfcEXYtSZbJjlN0BVktb-W0jpGk0oZtdTJeuKeVrkv6dhGR1oatxRVYZW3vyhWJpJXVVIjUnKLF5Hd7Il2zR5R1V2htvw9P_14/s1600/DSCF0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxjFYPOlLg0n6gHXDCAjjerXB9qDwIvIR2fjsbyIpMcfcEXYtSZbJjlN0BVktb-W0jpGk0oZtdTJeuKeVrkv6dhGR1oatxRVYZW3vyhWJpJXVVIjUnKLF5Hd7Il2zR5R1V2htvw9P_14/s400/DSCF0514.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Almost done! Just a little more rinsing off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGdRU0kEh1ZbbHAgIGWRoUyhk50AFeWqiHHIsRwXN7uxKYeFtBycFCbYRqfHrYOkE7iC94XsYcog6WwTemBz9jYwhL5Y3scicqfVR1YLuLvNQa1dT3c04K0Js7pvt8Sgdf_gg0IKFBCA/s1600/DSCF0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGdRU0kEh1ZbbHAgIGWRoUyhk50AFeWqiHHIsRwXN7uxKYeFtBycFCbYRqfHrYOkE7iC94XsYcog6WwTemBz9jYwhL5Y3scicqfVR1YLuLvNQa1dT3c04K0Js7pvt8Sgdf_gg0IKFBCA/s400/DSCF0515.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Phew! Warm and cozy in the towel!Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-18247403142623190762011-11-27T21:42:00.000-08:002011-11-27T21:42:57.581-08:00Before the Homecoming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Xma04edXmW7ewlB0uhVEMOpnAUc6Kiu6OScCty2O7gvYTEijZQk4Fxvy6OxtFkC7iRRbESgmVVnuB76rRv0f8eMI899SvdI5svsVR8D69pwyI9ESCYwKNmBmV7FGgXC6wzIOvKoSiUE/s1600/DSCF0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Xma04edXmW7ewlB0uhVEMOpnAUc6Kiu6OScCty2O7gvYTEijZQk4Fxvy6OxtFkC7iRRbESgmVVnuB76rRv0f8eMI899SvdI5svsVR8D69pwyI9ESCYwKNmBmV7FGgXC6wzIOvKoSiUE/s400/DSCF0473.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was decided that we would not go directly home after Guinevere left the hospital. We were encouraged to stay close by for the first couple of nights, in case Evvie did have problems. And on Monday Dave officially takes over his new position at work and had already said that he was planning on being in the office that day. Originally my mother-in-law was going to come up to help me care for the children and do all those things that I cannot yet do (such as lift Veda), but God had other plans. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This past Tuesday morning my father-in-law's father (Dave's grandpa) passed away. He was ninety-three, adored my children (and even liked me), and while his death was expected, it is still always hard when the end does finally come. His funeral is tomorrow and this is where Dave's family will be. There was just no way that we could attend services, given our own family's situation. But there will be an additional service at the Veteran's Home (where he was a resident) and we will attend this memorial.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so, our family has continued to take up residence with my folks, whom have been most supportive. And it was to their house that Evvie was first introduced. She was greeted warmly by both of her sisters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYy4-IAzmg6Eqls3sew4Xtby6GCmi6AG6-p-lx9xH-FeysSoHS3G4djRsG1t42fMZbOX9OWBPHpNwEge-_IKQNugGo20ISifT6RLmgFFcgQqUCczJZkMk3MuzVDm4ppqfj_S2QBhsF6E/s1600/DSCF0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYy4-IAzmg6Eqls3sew4Xtby6GCmi6AG6-p-lx9xH-FeysSoHS3G4djRsG1t42fMZbOX9OWBPHpNwEge-_IKQNugGo20ISifT6RLmgFFcgQqUCczJZkMk3MuzVDm4ppqfj_S2QBhsF6E/s400/DSCF0471.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfvQTAmQXlYR7JPpKrXEySMiRFoQa_LYcA5nVuq3GvUVZMwLV7EyzchFx4hr2KDhEEBKOV_iznd7UWET5t-Vqa2m2dOBoarNDtgS8jX6Qk3uPZz7Igfh8XkjR6H6WxYGhY6thVSguLVU/s1600/DSCF0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfvQTAmQXlYR7JPpKrXEySMiRFoQa_LYcA5nVuq3GvUVZMwLV7EyzchFx4hr2KDhEEBKOV_iznd7UWET5t-Vqa2m2dOBoarNDtgS8jX6Qk3uPZz7Igfh8XkjR6H6WxYGhY6thVSguLVU/s400/DSCF0476.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As we suspected, we have already had some trouble with Sylvia being a little too motherly. We have had a couple of incidents where she has been "holding" Baby Evvie and then has not wanted to give her up when I have said that it was time for me to take her. It is very sweet, and the Little Pumpkin is a truly caring big sister, and when you're three and as independent and stubborn as my Sylvia, you think you <i>can</i> do it all as well as Mommy. Guidelines will be given and over the next several weeks I am hoping that Sylvia will learn all the ways in which she can help Baby Evvie while not causing unintentional harm to her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFF2K8mVhd8kaH0wI1mWROsaflH5tBGFQNBvVph9QoGF9rTahkJ9-ZcXD9IM1mMATY3kYlNqo3yw82PYmn38o5y7ZeFHsmOfw50ok1Z4ArOjwVqsFGT4nQ5MMDFHEaqVM0c5T7qQcMkA/s1600/DSCF0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFF2K8mVhd8kaH0wI1mWROsaflH5tBGFQNBvVph9QoGF9rTahkJ9-ZcXD9IM1mMATY3kYlNqo3yw82PYmn38o5y7ZeFHsmOfw50ok1Z4ArOjwVqsFGT4nQ5MMDFHEaqVM0c5T7qQcMkA/s400/DSCF0479.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lco6BgSMpkzNl8BI-J_3iYL18oCoFycqhxpQrcLHkmwKYpX8zjVA8tJ6NzNF5Ie6DhDnLQowBvZc9J3AUdToHBrUHxyNLIWuPm6-syfZn9kknhqa_rMXd4cS87MpJb7Z_CQDp-rfDBc/s1600/DSCF0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lco6BgSMpkzNl8BI-J_3iYL18oCoFycqhxpQrcLHkmwKYpX8zjVA8tJ6NzNF5Ie6DhDnLQowBvZc9J3AUdToHBrUHxyNLIWuPm6-syfZn9kknhqa_rMXd4cS87MpJb7Z_CQDp-rfDBc/s400/DSCF0480.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>What has surprised me is the initial interest Lovebug has shown in her baby sister. She has wanted to hold her (which she sort of did once already), and she has "helped with feedings," and has often run over to check on her. But probably the sweetest thing is the last couple of nights while climbing the stairs to her bedroom she looks behind her, waves her little hand and says, "Night-night, baby." And this all coming from the girl whom when I told her we were getting Baby Evvie from the hospital and bringing her to Oma and Opa's house she looked at me, shook her head, and said, "No, no."<br />
<br />
But as it begins to sink in that Evvie is a permanent fixture, we will see some jealousy begin to emerge (from both our older children). Sylvia sort of understands that Guinevere is now a part of our family and that she will be going home with us. Veda, I do not believe, can yet comprehend that when we go home Guinevere is coming with us. Guinevere is going to be in Veda's house now, a place where Veda has only ever known her mommy and daddy and big sister and pets have ever resided. It will be interesting, to say the least.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69HpJWq831SYj_FRfFtgpGbBVsMlSh-Lz6wxi0WqAK-BlTRGJ-63tacQhXq1KT7wjASJPVPpylj61COd-FnM-_SuhD4wE44cR_KigefJi_8Q4YpHXQJkcGErOuhCDMN8X4P_-RgDD8qc/s1600/DSCF0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69HpJWq831SYj_FRfFtgpGbBVsMlSh-Lz6wxi0WqAK-BlTRGJ-63tacQhXq1KT7wjASJPVPpylj61COd-FnM-_SuhD4wE44cR_KigefJi_8Q4YpHXQJkcGErOuhCDMN8X4P_-RgDD8qc/s400/DSCF0483.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This and the following pictures are all of Evvie today. She is eating like a "real" newborn and is quickly filling out! She is growing chubby cheeks, and her tummy is beginning to get round. She is adorable. She is a miracle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wfzJripkNqRYCluUR2Bsuf8v6TrBk0t90zaN7GYdbNacEd8I_ml9ytv6TPSUd97Yb8doz8kBtRC_eE03RwIohFAqV4c1RIQKk00T45_Wk7ZzvjHg_7o_Oqd3jUYqm9F4GvEW_JWBBfM/s1600/DSCF0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wfzJripkNqRYCluUR2Bsuf8v6TrBk0t90zaN7GYdbNacEd8I_ml9ytv6TPSUd97Yb8doz8kBtRC_eE03RwIohFAqV4c1RIQKk00T45_Wk7ZzvjHg_7o_Oqd3jUYqm9F4GvEW_JWBBfM/s400/DSCF0485.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2peefoiWefNU0JTBFEd2FyazHfXHxdxH9pZUbvI6i9JmuCpba-l8Tc01PUZ-3qGj4_L9nH2_J2FLCf3SjFNiDb6LUHYuGGVh_u2bdxbVMm-Itl-hHCQON0fsFvSgi1QuMgRQ2FdP0Bc/s1600/DSCF0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2peefoiWefNU0JTBFEd2FyazHfXHxdxH9pZUbvI6i9JmuCpba-l8Tc01PUZ-3qGj4_L9nH2_J2FLCf3SjFNiDb6LUHYuGGVh_u2bdxbVMm-Itl-hHCQON0fsFvSgi1QuMgRQ2FdP0Bc/s400/DSCF0487.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I knit those booties months ago already. I made them especially small as all of my children have always had small feet, and I suspected that I may not deliver a full term baby as Veda came early. But still I worried that those booties would never fit on my third daughter's feet. It is the feared crisis situation for every knitter. But in the end, not only do those booties fit, they are too large. She has the teeniest ankles and the most narrow feet I have ever seen. But again, she is growing fast and those adorable preemie outfits she has been wearing will be packed away in the closet probably far more quickly than I am prepared for.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUsf5T3Or27aWkP3xa90toFJoqjDeZsov8Tvg_6tl64Zh9MWNo50Z2hMcIr7M25gCjGhJJyzOmGm4gZ4o-AqfYrMBk7ndvtC6-phRMijCVOxxtQVCdS3aD0QiDWNMGmN6p7maWhc4jzE/s1600/DSCF0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUsf5T3Or27aWkP3xa90toFJoqjDeZsov8Tvg_6tl64Zh9MWNo50Z2hMcIr7M25gCjGhJJyzOmGm4gZ4o-AqfYrMBk7ndvtC6-phRMijCVOxxtQVCdS3aD0QiDWNMGmN6p7maWhc4jzE/s400/DSCF0498.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>Dave is a very happy Daddy. The love he has for his girls is amazing to me. I always knew that when the time came and we decided to have children he would be a good father, but I had no idea just how much love is inside this man. This coming Sunday will be our seven year wedding anniversary and while we have been through some remarkable struggles and continue to face some present hardships and will certainly have many challenges ahead of us, I would marry him again and again and again.<br />
<br />
Late Tuesday morning Guinevere has her first doctor's appointment. It will be the first time Dave will get to attend one of our girls' first doctor's office visits. He had to work for the other two and my mom had to drive me and my daughter. It is after this appointment that we will return to my parents' house, load the rest of our stuff into the van (including our three girls) and then finally head home-- together as a family of five.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp0E5Dpv5-cZmapsypEAuOiX_oAtpKpgcmjGJMVScKQzLtYplCIwTMsfmR3986X7w6a6s4Xm6u8DmPNBk2YdhUivt6qD1tRTtdebE3M0UccUYnSvdrLCU-Ems9OceNrIvkZ8Z4uCXtF4/s1600/DSCF0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp0E5Dpv5-cZmapsypEAuOiX_oAtpKpgcmjGJMVScKQzLtYplCIwTMsfmR3986X7w6a6s4Xm6u8DmPNBk2YdhUivt6qD1tRTtdebE3M0UccUYnSvdrLCU-Ems9OceNrIvkZ8Z4uCXtF4/s400/DSCF0493.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And as a final note: My day to day life is hard. We live in a very rural area with no support anywhere in the immediate vicinity (not to discount Phil, who has been amazing in caring for the animals these past couple of weeks), and there are no local places to bring the children so they can run around and burn off energy (and we live in a very small house). I have one child with special needs that do affect our daily life and, well, I now have <b>three</b> very small children. I do worry about this winter. It can be very isolating by us, and now with a preemie who is not supposed to go anywhere except to the doctor and back, it will be just me and my girls. <br />
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Yes, it is hard. But I cannot complain. I have been given three precious little lives. I often lie in bed at night and feel overwhelmed with gratitude that for some reason I have been entrusted with these amazing daughters. And I am so excited to get to know them and watch them grow and I can only hope and pray that I can have the same positive impact on them as they have already had on me. When it comes right down to it, I love my life. I feel as though I have been blessed far beyond what I deserve. <br />
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And so, Lord, thank you for all my blessings, particularly those in the form of my loving husband and three beautiful girls.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-41919836389311175562011-11-27T15:27:00.000-08:002011-11-27T15:27:04.739-08:00Escaping the Hospital!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAZ_nuNDbpw1A262jvjUPcVLeutimlXRsMDd2ELNf_UXw8TtngxxaXZU4aOaPVfoHdf_7Zd0btlWNY2cT0mlOoS_XreMsx2J1TOABgjcIHVpdnlRsGPvKEoNCvejsAaOSecURE4ILWHU/s1600/DSCF0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAZ_nuNDbpw1A262jvjUPcVLeutimlXRsMDd2ELNf_UXw8TtngxxaXZU4aOaPVfoHdf_7Zd0btlWNY2cT0mlOoS_XreMsx2J1TOABgjcIHVpdnlRsGPvKEoNCvejsAaOSecURE4ILWHU/s400/DSCF0456.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>Friday was the day! Evvie was going to escape from the hospital! We arrived late morning, and as we weren't sure how long discharge was going to take, we quickly grabbed a bowl of soup from the Cafe (one last meal in that place, which is actually pretty good). And then we headed upstairs and flashed our "parent bands" one last time . . .<br />
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I had gotten a phone call that morning from one of my favorite nurses in the Special Care Nursery, Martine. She was calling to let me know that Guinevere was discharged. The paper work had all been signed. We just had to let her know an approximate time for our arrival to come get her!<br />
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In the above picture she is wearing what was supposed to be her hospital picture outfit, but it didn't get used for that purpose. In fact, Evvie never really got any "real" hospital picture taken, and she never even got her second week picture taken by the professional photographer who comes into the hospital to photograph the preemies. Oh well. The outfit served a far finer purpose: It was her going home outfit! We couldn't get a good picture, but it is kind of difficult with a baby that small to figure out how to prop her to show off her cute little duds. I had made the booties (and a scad more for other babies) months earlier.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qkjMdqJEkWc0cuiXbFDTDManQaSi3BWkl-bxY5N9BI2zoi2wQeoz7ccuWg-rDu5iwLOpTDhnYO0_lAoZdG7YEX1Pv3cFao5L8GK9Qt84YEqQG60Zg3tZtcbILtPe-uaQkXSR8bvq-Gk/s1600/DSCF0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qkjMdqJEkWc0cuiXbFDTDManQaSi3BWkl-bxY5N9BI2zoi2wQeoz7ccuWg-rDu5iwLOpTDhnYO0_lAoZdG7YEX1Pv3cFao5L8GK9Qt84YEqQG60Zg3tZtcbILtPe-uaQkXSR8bvq-Gk/s400/DSCF0458.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>This was the first time I got to photograph the whole going home process. Before, I had always been too close to my surgery to think that clearly to get all these classic shots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh1GQWzN6-iUMv_5QwPVIHTJBRyMvDFapTqmU9FLwhGfHLJf7Gox4723K2_lpM7tiy2BVcnBflQo_1X3elimQQg0N8rH1Ak9bAlWUGmn_zA7aDoQVEcA8VcrpfKZ2dqsLyu1BFpodNWY/s1600/DSCF0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh1GQWzN6-iUMv_5QwPVIHTJBRyMvDFapTqmU9FLwhGfHLJf7Gox4723K2_lpM7tiy2BVcnBflQo_1X3elimQQg0N8rH1Ak9bAlWUGmn_zA7aDoQVEcA8VcrpfKZ2dqsLyu1BFpodNWY/s400/DSCF0461.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As Evvie and I waited for Dave to pick us up, we sat by the Christmas tree that had been put up near the front entrance earlier that week. I looked down and realized that she was the most perfect little present sitting under this tree:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISlXSu9dM9KTfGghkyRRcIsuIKaHF9wa1YDY3HnTEaJw1kqyrwYO9Hxqv6Bh8pR6blCMqQKs5uB5Tf5ANVKcwS01acMS623NH8ewe34Ka6rhccP9nFWyYEZxmh5Ab-7JNm9et3XoWHX4/s1600/DSCF0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISlXSu9dM9KTfGghkyRRcIsuIKaHF9wa1YDY3HnTEaJw1kqyrwYO9Hxqv6Bh8pR6blCMqQKs5uB5Tf5ANVKcwS01acMS623NH8ewe34Ka6rhccP9nFWyYEZxmh5Ab-7JNm9et3XoWHX4/s400/DSCF0463.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>You may need this closer shot to see that she is actually there!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9rhFn-HcXWvLrT9RMIKG7vEjZ81JhZo0qnw0kUk-sVWn_VPW9oRYpXwdSw5g1FVrCV26vDDjerhjxT_J5k7Z1HnxRlMwQtMYT__vUebZPFaIfIC6VBwx-gDUsCwSCuIBRuJLNEDRoio/s1600/DSCF0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9rhFn-HcXWvLrT9RMIKG7vEjZ81JhZo0qnw0kUk-sVWn_VPW9oRYpXwdSw5g1FVrCV26vDDjerhjxT_J5k7Z1HnxRlMwQtMYT__vUebZPFaIfIC6VBwx-gDUsCwSCuIBRuJLNEDRoio/s400/DSCF0465.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It was a gorgeous day. Dave and I did not even need to wear our coats! It was probably about 50F and sunny. There could not have been a more perfect late November day to bring our little girl home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg5JUvD_ooF11NA7zIhmkhEMe7xYwoh6z0iBKeNffucY6eb7PZeUABr9X5AYDikee0c6ZSG10WwN_LTbS17O8tZTollRbnNcly8Fa7gH6VZHayqC7K_tT3yNIJhjHvZDzWjBLKe0Ez6A/s1600/DSCF0467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg5JUvD_ooF11NA7zIhmkhEMe7xYwoh6z0iBKeNffucY6eb7PZeUABr9X5AYDikee0c6ZSG10WwN_LTbS17O8tZTollRbnNcly8Fa7gH6VZHayqC7K_tT3yNIJhjHvZDzWjBLKe0Ez6A/s400/DSCF0467.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-3752207482690015522011-11-27T15:02:00.000-08:002011-11-27T15:02:22.259-08:00A Thankful Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04f3Hwf6GO_GzcMq8bmwUGD9xKBiT3gU5PFoJ8cyHbQ82CtwQKRI-2_YPxV1duAy4EYdlps1NOpqRsBWR9Hf3_IbjT3m73etgLe6DSVaqP7NVhI22aAaUbbL73GM2g27R4m019zqTpJg/s1600/DSCF0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04f3Hwf6GO_GzcMq8bmwUGD9xKBiT3gU5PFoJ8cyHbQ82CtwQKRI-2_YPxV1duAy4EYdlps1NOpqRsBWR9Hf3_IbjT3m73etgLe6DSVaqP7NVhI22aAaUbbL73GM2g27R4m019zqTpJg/s400/DSCF0436.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This was the precious face that greeted us Wednesday when we went to the Special Care Nursery. This was a very happy day. We learned that Guinevere had passed the last 24 hours with great success. She had taken more than enough with her feedings (needing a required 180 milliliters of milk in four feedings in twelve hours, and having taken over 200 milliliters!). She also had only one small alarm earlier that morning but she came out of it herself. She was doing so well that we were told that if she "behaved herself" then she would maybe get to come home the following day, Thanksgiving Day.<br />
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The next morning I phoned the NICU, eager to learn if we would get to celebrate the holiday with our entire family together. The nurse answered, I gave our "parent code" and then asked how Evvie was. The first thing I heard was, "She's doing great. In fact, we think she gets to go home tomorrow!" <i>Tomorrow?</i> I was surprisingly disappointed. I had been preparing myself for a Friday discharge, just so that I would not experience this precise disappointment. And yet, disappointment still came, especially after learning why she was not being discharged: She had only gained ten grams <i>two days earlier</i>. Two days earlier? If that was the beef, then couldn't they have told us that the <i>da</i>y <i>before</i>?!<br />
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Oh well. We were just thankful that our daughter was doing spectacularly well and that she would be coming home the next day. And we enjoyed our Thanksgiving Feast:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghoATEKLUodjwsn3a9r9pPv8VxiLlpuSl4k9ykB6xJdhvqIMadStsmW1jM2z41RQa9zL095OrnzRlSW8D63FlZleVoPyYsGJHCWucWAS4okCeDlPJ0OW4qZTvQYap1m87yVCGWu65sYE/s1600/DSCF0444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghoATEKLUodjwsn3a9r9pPv8VxiLlpuSl4k9ykB6xJdhvqIMadStsmW1jM2z41RQa9zL095OrnzRlSW8D63FlZleVoPyYsGJHCWucWAS4okCeDlPJ0OW4qZTvQYap1m87yVCGWu65sYE/s400/DSCF0444.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVIJI41mVPwyF32Aq8zWcXAJ_HQVCFDiiwLZMWjoeNG8mu1xt1DEMmKxvTxdl1P7CFkjjPBTCssUiq87tm8ru2EBluWNd52joy9xPhkvW1XdK7ntKi7Ta1KrxmJnISTDws6r79PrzJP8/s1600/DSCF0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVIJI41mVPwyF32Aq8zWcXAJ_HQVCFDiiwLZMWjoeNG8mu1xt1DEMmKxvTxdl1P7CFkjjPBTCssUiq87tm8ru2EBluWNd52joy9xPhkvW1XdK7ntKi7Ta1KrxmJnISTDws6r79PrzJP8/s400/DSCF0445.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And after the food was eaten and the children were down for their naps, we went to celebrate with Guinevere (and watch a host of videos and listen to a lot of lectures on how to be a parent, all the while thinking to ourselves, "Hmmm . . . We have done this whole newborn/infancy (and even preemie!) thing two other times in the last THREE years . . . I think we're pretty good on all categories." But we would do whatever it took to bring our daughter home.) This is Dave and Evvie "celebrating" this wonderful Day of Thanks together:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTKnQUzYw2JLoiG6asuUa8TXP461QT2MmpbW7kbe7cwN9XzWsVUo4Uc9ZY07xo9A6kQWKHiL9lE3Nv2gJvr2zxZ-sWieJb6p4u5NxxpUaikQUTijHe2t6GTXHgeEwU3lW-uo4Jy_EGN4/s1600/DSCF0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTKnQUzYw2JLoiG6asuUa8TXP461QT2MmpbW7kbe7cwN9XzWsVUo4Uc9ZY07xo9A6kQWKHiL9lE3Nv2gJvr2zxZ-sWieJb6p4u5NxxpUaikQUTijHe2t6GTXHgeEwU3lW-uo4Jy_EGN4/s400/DSCF0454.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-53380504189689487252011-11-21T21:19:00.000-08:002011-11-21T21:21:07.256-08:00Taking a Closer Look<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugErzaU1DQqaPdd4IIrrpY11w6BGrJgio-Xns-zkvPnSG4ooANQW3_oXO3UCVk_mPQE3Oukli2RQ-W5q2ef7wIUbExBsCJ82yq_5GcmwgqaOEPHM21OKlid-QMcitTA-ra5LnLbTa7hA/s1600/DSCF0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugErzaU1DQqaPdd4IIrrpY11w6BGrJgio-Xns-zkvPnSG4ooANQW3_oXO3UCVk_mPQE3Oukli2RQ-W5q2ef7wIUbExBsCJ82yq_5GcmwgqaOEPHM21OKlid-QMcitTA-ra5LnLbTa7hA/s400/DSCF0400.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Evvie sported her "cool sunglasses" (as her biggest sister, Sylvia, says) for two days. We were happy to arrive at the hospital Sunday afternoon and find that she was no longer the "blue light special" of the NICU. Her bili count did climb a little today, but not enough to warrant any concern. We were told that we are in the holding phase right now. She just needs to grow a bit more and be able to bottle enough food and then she will be ready to come home. She will not be home for Thanksgiving, like I had originally hoped, but she should be ready to come home at some point this coming weekend. But aren't those some cool shades? Let's take a closer look . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQk09Fd35aQhBd5c_VAEYaaQUlEhKgdnkGUMBL47A0idKG3bYd0Ni9y8mDiSvAB5rBkpUSOKttDChkt4jQFRjc7cwZF-6GM0jRknhqIqnac79hS5E4QW4n5Df2mSj1BvbsQpdtF2Qzuk/s1600/DSCF0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQk09Fd35aQhBd5c_VAEYaaQUlEhKgdnkGUMBL47A0idKG3bYd0Ni9y8mDiSvAB5rBkpUSOKttDChkt4jQFRjc7cwZF-6GM0jRknhqIqnac79hS5E4QW4n5Df2mSj1BvbsQpdtF2Qzuk/s400/DSCF0398.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsdMXOXKWvuGWPo_Cwi-9RQaAigCuK7aStRqYJSbAKx27NrHGFl40tMe9fS8Z2-ltS1cch_RfCKeEahA7bsLc7EZhWoD1OnqsRJ4A8svrQFuFCLrHLnIkh5OBAPzPYLVBl7_SdMzEf8I/s1600/DSCF0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsdMXOXKWvuGWPo_Cwi-9RQaAigCuK7aStRqYJSbAKx27NrHGFl40tMe9fS8Z2-ltS1cch_RfCKeEahA7bsLc7EZhWoD1OnqsRJ4A8svrQFuFCLrHLnIkh5OBAPzPYLVBl7_SdMzEf8I/s400/DSCF0405.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>As I said, Evvie needs to be able to take enough food from a bottle before she is ready to come home. She did really well today, nippling most of her feedings and needing only small "leftovers" put through her tube. Dave is demonstrating this feeding technique, called gavage feeding. But let's take a closer look and see what Evvie thinks . . .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzU2-JhraErjcBaanHZxA0pslBrIfFVE6CMkIU4_5qG61VooZu03i5OBsBV-myQ5VILPYFsv-tn7PdhyMJK2SZd4aSl0B48fEKA2bz9XXbPl5ksxBf3ZW999sn2OzO05Qq9NBIj4aY8w/s1600/DSCF0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzU2-JhraErjcBaanHZxA0pslBrIfFVE6CMkIU4_5qG61VooZu03i5OBsBV-myQ5VILPYFsv-tn7PdhyMJK2SZd4aSl0B48fEKA2bz9XXbPl5ksxBf3ZW999sn2OzO05Qq9NBIj4aY8w/s400/DSCF0408.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Hmmm . . . I'm not sure what she thinks, but I do think she looks tired and isn't too sure about the tube in her nose. Let's see what bottle feeding with Daddy looks like:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlxCKjvdr_StwIW4oZLVP1wiS9TZvUQZB1F3mgeTr316YxN8pQby_aROINzaeBhiD727NQQrXIACQqwSmP7wZZpTuFsqYZQpIukI3RSIhmxs9ao3k6vxYLuidX1OeWeMgUxBUcEaz2W0/s1600/DSCF0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlxCKjvdr_StwIW4oZLVP1wiS9TZvUQZB1F3mgeTr316YxN8pQby_aROINzaeBhiD727NQQrXIACQqwSmP7wZZpTuFsqYZQpIukI3RSIhmxs9ao3k6vxYLuidX1OeWeMgUxBUcEaz2W0/s400/DSCF0418.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>You may notice that Evvie is lying on her side while Dave is feeding her. Preemies are best fed when held in this position. It allows the milk to pool in the side of their cheek, giving them a little more time to swallow and decreasing the amount of sputtering and choking that may occur. Taking a closer look again we can see that Evvie is very happy and content with her bottle feeding:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXX6Fu23PmjpFXOYwdjX7h3hZj46mAyycRosGNKatMHfXTf3ZNo3CUOlKj4V9pYl-W1_FpfsStOIolMAZ0RCcQNtqG72pSM-zyCtNTc5mnAkRnJhXBuIG5NaCTe1RYtJSsZWpc-Wg3m34/s1600/DSCF0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXX6Fu23PmjpFXOYwdjX7h3hZj46mAyycRosGNKatMHfXTf3ZNo3CUOlKj4V9pYl-W1_FpfsStOIolMAZ0RCcQNtqG72pSM-zyCtNTc5mnAkRnJhXBuIG5NaCTe1RYtJSsZWpc-Wg3m34/s400/DSCF0415.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Truth be told, she was a little too happy and content. Very shortly after this she had fallen into a deep sleep and could not be roused to finish her bottle and we had to commence with the G-tube feeding. This is what happens with preemies, they work so hard to suck, swallow, breathe that they often pass out before they can finish their feeding. But with a little more time, she will put on more weight and gain more energy and then she will probably be sucking down bottles like they were chocolate milk.<br />
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And I spent some quality time with Evvie today, teaching her a very important skill:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDY4K8BvoZ39KbdI0uaESRq7yUmdctgqJZOskB5Q8o8bI6dGdSQnkkuRw1k2Fh3ALlCM56NIST-7x5n2jO0mdneVpgfJFY0D_jJT89PEXH9Mo2a3wJV9o7s4C5TPp9uYCP62oQuhCYLU/s1600/DSCF0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDY4K8BvoZ39KbdI0uaESRq7yUmdctgqJZOskB5Q8o8bI6dGdSQnkkuRw1k2Fh3ALlCM56NIST-7x5n2jO0mdneVpgfJFY0D_jJT89PEXH9Mo2a3wJV9o7s4C5TPp9uYCP62oQuhCYLU/s400/DSCF0423.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Yes, we were knitting together. I am nearly finished with her entire layette set (cardigan, pants, hat, headband, booties, and stuffed animal) and I figured, as she came so early, she could at least help me complete her goodies.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh357ysdfZ7-4i6Up_7Z_CfJtVtjLFBNtciyyQ2HCGXk0swOrcrBkYf_auHY8otrWVKm7dmENHfgzv0RoAIn24qBkzZT9KRl-z4G6ALRmfHDZHiJKVF2GoKQC_xhc4TRmz14JTfX-9-vbI/s1600/DSCF0425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh357ysdfZ7-4i6Up_7Z_CfJtVtjLFBNtciyyQ2HCGXk0swOrcrBkYf_auHY8otrWVKm7dmENHfgzv0RoAIn24qBkzZT9KRl-z4G6ALRmfHDZHiJKVF2GoKQC_xhc4TRmz14JTfX-9-vbI/s400/DSCF0425.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And what is that? Do I have a born lover of fiber lying on my lap? Let's take a closer look:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS41Ef47vLNGVXdkA6ai7Cto6KiMCWadQmTd4mxIbyQnWJRm86FjM7MvkaLciKX68bxWMoJddu3HOrFFzRHvdRZJ9S7FSCA_KgIhxL0GG8JddsDJQES7a6eTEz2qomq0qY5vLDf6_8tvI/s1600/Evvie+with+Yarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS41Ef47vLNGVXdkA6ai7Cto6KiMCWadQmTd4mxIbyQnWJRm86FjM7MvkaLciKX68bxWMoJddu3HOrFFzRHvdRZJ9S7FSCA_KgIhxL0GG8JddsDJQES7a6eTEz2qomq0qY5vLDf6_8tvI/s400/Evvie+with+Yarn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Why, yes . . . Yes, I do!Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-43181282927412673232011-11-19T16:15:00.000-08:002011-11-21T21:20:37.949-08:00Fidget is Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdvJgDenAeD0wmlc2Dm8r54Y96RfWlF4eaYdZKs_geysvz_FQiAut8Rc8yHXGYfN666mbWKMMMk76BIoIEMrE0IviN9AuvoBzGP2gddLTcQDOHw4n4EJpVg3I40FSp2SG1KVQdE-QloU/s1600/DSCF0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdvJgDenAeD0wmlc2Dm8r54Y96RfWlF4eaYdZKs_geysvz_FQiAut8Rc8yHXGYfN666mbWKMMMk76BIoIEMrE0IviN9AuvoBzGP2gddLTcQDOHw4n4EJpVg3I40FSp2SG1KVQdE-QloU/s400/DSCF0386.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I am still in some shock as I write this, announcing to you that this past Sunday afternoon (2:15 p.m., to be precise) our little Guinevere "Evvie" Rae was born! She entered this world with some sass, crying and fussy-- no greater sound to parents of a baby born nearly six weeks early. She was 5 lbs. and 5 oz and 18" long. Dave was able to hold her and show her to me and then got to walk her down to the NICU himself.<br />
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Once in the Special Care Nursery (NICU), she was given an x-ray to check her lungs, placed on oxygen, and had some blood drawn. The x-ray came back with a reading that she possibly had pneumonia, but the hospital pediatrician said she thought the scan was blurry only because Evvie took a deep breath in, expanding her lungs and moving her body a bit, to scream at the precise moment the x-ray was taken. Blood work confirmed this theory, as everything came back normal.<br />
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She was quickly weaned from the oxygen and within a day or so was removed from air altogether. She has never been placed back on. Her first two days proved that she is an amazing little girl. She began to nipple from a bottle, often taking her entire feeding through a bottle (and not her tube). She was also completely weaned from her i.v. by Tuesday evening. Wednesday we began to see her tire out a bit and her bilirubin count was rising. She began to take less of her feedings from a bottle as she just got too tired to continue sucking. I was discharged from the hospital Wednesday afternoon.<br />
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By Friday her bilirubin was so high that she was placed in a bili blanket (this replaces the old "blue lights" of the past, and has proven to be about 3x more efficient). Yesterday was a hard day for her. She ate very little from the bottle and most of her milk was given to her through her tube. She had also lost an additional 2 ounces, putting her weight under 5 lbs. While I got to feed her without the bili blanket, the rest of the time she was snuggly wrapped in one, glowing a nauseating blue. Evvie gets to wear "cool dude shades" to protect her from getting a headache or even sick to her stomach from the glow, but the rest of us cannot look at her for too long without feeling a migraine coming. Dave had been at work for part of the day and by the time he could have gone to the hospital to see her it was already dark in the nursery, making the blue light even more intense. He decided to just let her sleep in peace and visit her today with me.<br />
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Today she was doing so much better! Her bilirubin count had dropped by nearly 4 points and she had gained 2 ounces back. She did not look nearly as orange and was eating better. She was also alert for most of the two feedings we got to do with her today, which was not the case yesterday. She knew when we arrived at the nursery, because when she heard our voices she promptly stirred, opened her eyes and began to search for the voices. This was really neat to see.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHak3NnN4i3ycPmFh3tn5AUHeCqOxu2DomhPiIytiZqVTKLxD7AYFZlx8BnUNa-Wh6pjAu-hAL5Ybv67x66jqA6-IKIy7DppY2xJ0A-VbITje7oCgGAW2vHg6tbyirid_BDuW3Bj02RyI/s1600/DSCF0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHak3NnN4i3ycPmFh3tn5AUHeCqOxu2DomhPiIytiZqVTKLxD7AYFZlx8BnUNa-Wh6pjAu-hAL5Ybv67x66jqA6-IKIy7DppY2xJ0A-VbITje7oCgGAW2vHg6tbyirid_BDuW3Bj02RyI/s400/DSCF0393.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>So, what happened? Why did she come so early? This is the question(s) I have been asked a lot this past week. The short answer is that I went into labor. The long answer: I woke up Sunday morning with contractions around 4:00 a.m. but did not think much of it yet because I had been waking up around the same time every morning with contractions. But by about 9:00 a.m. I began to wonder a bit. I took a shower and got dressed and at around 10:00 I decided to let Dave know that we were maybe going to be having a baby that day. At 11:00 we piled the kids in the car and headed for my parents' house.<br />
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On the drive down I finally heard back from the on call doctor. It was, of course, the one doctor I had never even see, much less met before, from my OB/GYN's office. He sounded rather skeptical on the phone and when I told him we were already on the way he just said, "Well, I guess we'll see what you've got when you get here." [As a side note: I had decided that we were <i>not </i>going to drive 70 miles, burden my parents with the kids, only to be told to go back home. I <i>was</i> going to make sure I was actually in labor and that a child <i>was</i> going to be born before deciding to go to the hospital.]<br />
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The doctor came into my room shortly after our arrival. He casually sat down in a chair across the room from me, looked me over and said, "Well, you do have a look about you. That look that I often see on women in labor . . ." Meanwhile, I'm thinking, <i>Will you just check me already and get this show on the road?!</i> ". . . Because, you know, we don't take delivering a 34-weeker lightly . . ." <i>Yes, I know! Will you just check me already?!</i> "So, I'll check you now and we'll see what's going on." <i>It's about time!</i><br />
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He checks me, gives what almost seemed like a little sigh and then looks right at the nurse and says, "Oh, yeah, she's in labor. This is a no brainer. I'll make the phone calls." <i>Finally! </i><br />
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Surgery went very well. No complications. And the doctor actually proved to be a pretty great guy. He's a little odd, but he knows his stuff and was even willing to do sutures instead of staples at my request. My recovery time went without a hitch as well. And a little after 9:00 p.m. I was able to be wheeled down to the Special Nursery to see Evvie and do some Kangaroo Care with her (also known as skin to skin). Below is me holding my baby for the first time:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh2OyQWtvQpUVcUmENDclohBaRNkvsah4jSHI0upePT8K3ubBHRRdL4EgD3_7L6YUqhmctQT7ppP5DUcZuQAUttiHK0g2xa-R1iUSFJ2IaY3zrWxA7hhpRr6hmey3WoAXcfGwr_IT21s/s1600/DSCF0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjh2OyQWtvQpUVcUmENDclohBaRNkvsah4jSHI0upePT8K3ubBHRRdL4EgD3_7L6YUqhmctQT7ppP5DUcZuQAUttiHK0g2xa-R1iUSFJ2IaY3zrWxA7hhpRr6hmey3WoAXcfGwr_IT21s/s400/DSCF0381.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>And please remember that I am only six hours post-op at this time, so my appearance should be somewhat excusable. She was already sucking, the pacifier (or "pipe" as we call them in my family) is evidence of that. And currently, even when she takes little from her bottle during feedings, she has already begun to establish a very good "suck, swallow, breathe pattern." In many ways this is more important than her taking her entire bottle.<br />
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Her sisters are allowed to visit her. They have been twice now. Tuesday morning Dave brought them and he again came with them after nap time today. Sylvia is rather fascinated and smitten with her sister, but Veda remains a little stand-offish. This does not come as any great surprise. We fully expect the jealousy issues to be more severe with our second daughter than with our first. Our primary concern with our eldest is that she will be too much of a mother to "Baby Evvie" and we may need to intervene during some of her "caring" for her baby sister.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OJNJxZSK9I84o6EI6E09jivH6e7uar3iqKTswkPbeNLLyehOtUjeKP5YnAEYUwZ0puonmRt5RNSTQ3lBgI7IQ_XTe_5EvILQ82vidIeQxzQZhj9GPYI6dANX9aGay4Yna-jJdjjDhok/s1600/DSCF0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OJNJxZSK9I84o6EI6E09jivH6e7uar3iqKTswkPbeNLLyehOtUjeKP5YnAEYUwZ0puonmRt5RNSTQ3lBgI7IQ_XTe_5EvILQ82vidIeQxzQZhj9GPYI6dANX9aGay4Yna-jJdjjDhok/s400/DSCF0382.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Her name: Guinevere we just really liked, much like her sisters' first names. Also like her sisters' names, her middle name is after a late family member. Rae is after Dave's grandpa, Raymond. Dave always had a huge respect for his grandpa and I was lucky enough that I got to meet him and spend some time with him before his passing from lung cancer. He was a pretty neat guy, and I know he really liked me and I suspect he knew that Dave and I were going to marry one day. And so, Guinevere is his little girl in name. And, also like her sisters, she has a second middle name- my last name.<br />
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We have been calling her "Evvie" for a long time already. I just thought it was a cute nickname but it is also easy enough for both of her sisters to say. And Sylvia has, in fact, been talking about and to "Baby Evvie" for quite a while. [Please note: The name is Evvie with two v's and not Ewie, with a w. I chose the two v's so that people would know the E was short and not long, as in Eve-y. But perhaps I only added to the confusion!]<br />
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While Evvie is in the hospital all of us are staying with my parents. This is both wonderful and stressful all at the same time. We hate being an added stress and burden to my parents, but we also know that they are more than happy to help us. We need to be close to Evvie and the girls need someone to watch them so we can spend time with our youngest. We are immensely grateful to my folks for all their help and support. Likewise, not enough can be said for the ways in which Dave's folks have also been amazing in their willingness to help. My mother-in-law has been available to come stay with the girls so that my mom can bring me to the hospital or to run some errands or to just be able to get a cup of coffee in peace. She has also been our "gopher," willing to pick up all those last minute essentials. And while I am still recovering from surgery (which will be for several more weeks), we need all the help we can get!<br />
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This is, believe it or not, the short synopsis of our last week! I will try to keep everyone updated on Guinevere and as soon as I know she gets to come home, I will be sure to let you know too!Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-91437098538462183182011-11-05T15:20:00.000-07:002011-11-05T15:20:42.783-07:00Halloween Faeries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDhZiiTmhRI_c2SCGRgwW-8R4mEu16tegEi-i-KeTDff_2sZ0rwTu0k3Yp10vyC8GVgfFRPc2AV6Yx53r0JRNucvSokIU-IycmcbK7SVKDch52xLsWIYTf9ymObGAHdqlBxV32onyF_w/s1600/DSCF0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDhZiiTmhRI_c2SCGRgwW-8R4mEu16tegEi-i-KeTDff_2sZ0rwTu0k3Yp10vyC8GVgfFRPc2AV6Yx53r0JRNucvSokIU-IycmcbK7SVKDch52xLsWIYTf9ymObGAHdqlBxV32onyF_w/s400/DSCF0358.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This year the girls were faeries for Halloween. And just like last year, I could not get a nice picture of either of them. But trust me, they were adorable! Lovebug, especially, was just too cute with her chubby butt cheeks. (Something I am sure she will appreciate me having said about her in the future!)<br />
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Trick or Treating was at a minimal this year. We were at my folks' last Saturday afternoon and the girls got their treats from Oma and Opa and then we headed to Dave's folks' for the evening where the girls went Trick or Treating at three different doors at their house. This was very fun and it gave the Pumpkin the impression that she really had gone Trick or Treating. And she had, even if it was in miniature form! We do not live anywhere near an area where trick or treating is a real possibility for the kids, so in the years to come we will have to be on the lookout for weekend activities that we can take the kids to.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbakBYnC7h7mroOQodZ6TpWeLIzU7iEk6uh7CZnhSJinSzOE2fBKAurJS0y8cZqP8yOTfpTHdy8kTl1Sjwc4Wd3Y6R07fSySBbbuN5WyGiutiupFEPL3eVZbuxmjjURVm8Pl9umOa3s8/s1600/DSCF0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbakBYnC7h7mroOQodZ6TpWeLIzU7iEk6uh7CZnhSJinSzOE2fBKAurJS0y8cZqP8yOTfpTHdy8kTl1Sjwc4Wd3Y6R07fSySBbbuN5WyGiutiupFEPL3eVZbuxmjjURVm8Pl9umOa3s8/s400/DSCF0366.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Last year we took the girls (and Stepher and Joe took Dax) to Aunt Selma's nursing home. We had such a wonderful time and this is my last good memory of Aunt Selma before she passed away in December. It made for a kind of bittersweet time this year as I just kept remembering Aunt Selma wheeling herself in front of all of us down the crowded hallway and telling <i>everyone</i> who passed that "These are all my nieces and nephews behind me. All my nieces and nephews." She adored the babies and even that last night that she saw Veda she was trying to reach for her to hold her. Aunt Selma was stubborn, crotchety, and an obsessive worrier, but I really do miss her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6jl533_w4Nl7Cd8Z_IQcKkJ0iZsw3HMa_UKE67f6Jhe34W29XhrUtlfPDc319RAohrEWF12oRAmxc4CF9OfQ2DAUo8z5mM63ToYVuHIpPPsetQ7ipV_W26hqMM_pXxkGqqRGkr3Qnhg/s1600/DSCF0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6jl533_w4Nl7Cd8Z_IQcKkJ0iZsw3HMa_UKE67f6Jhe34W29XhrUtlfPDc319RAohrEWF12oRAmxc4CF9OfQ2DAUo8z5mM63ToYVuHIpPPsetQ7ipV_W26hqMM_pXxkGqqRGkr3Qnhg/s400/DSCF0362.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>I am aware that my daughter has her finger up her nose. Despite all my demands (and my mother's as well) to pull her finger out, she refused. So yes, Veda, you had adorable chubby cheeks and you picked your nose!Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-90421284969360304482011-10-10T19:45:00.000-07:002011-10-10T19:45:11.220-07:00Nursery Revamped and Playing In the Leaves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEAmmO5bDFMh9kGeQ8f2bc457R7zmEPGMRTDsRk_tp1GiWTmeGhrJvtjYKZQacFNlNemfASyGM1aJSTAB_wCNSJfG_gH2ThFxl52xT_lGiteAsS9M4ljuG2X1lYCoxVlMSX19KEQmg1A/s1600/184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEAmmO5bDFMh9kGeQ8f2bc457R7zmEPGMRTDsRk_tp1GiWTmeGhrJvtjYKZQacFNlNemfASyGM1aJSTAB_wCNSJfG_gH2ThFxl52xT_lGiteAsS9M4ljuG2X1lYCoxVlMSX19KEQmg1A/s400/184.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I have been working on Veda's room trying to get it ready for her little sister to move in when that time arrives. Veda's theme has always been owls and we are kind of just sticking with that for LG. (Or my husband has begun to call her "Fidget," as she is constantly on the move. I think it's pretty cute). We are, I guess, officially making "her" animal a squirrel (like Veda is owl and Sylvia is frog), but really the room has a very feather-friendly feel.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-Fh4aWBLMntifFLjLbB0bhLgVhy-aHawPZ75cFJc6uY1VWFQUpkh1RqGYWOuBI6KkVaTRTnx30pf7FyGjQnXyoFGsdRsdsuIl7FNNtBnV6NTOMOd3EQuKwoqed86qixkkHj9nS-MX7o/s1600/182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-Fh4aWBLMntifFLjLbB0bhLgVhy-aHawPZ75cFJc6uY1VWFQUpkh1RqGYWOuBI6KkVaTRTnx30pf7FyGjQnXyoFGsdRsdsuIl7FNNtBnV6NTOMOd3EQuKwoqed86qixkkHj9nS-MX7o/s400/182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I am certainly not a decorator, but I like how the room looks. I have a very eclectic sense of style with a little of this and a little of that and a knick knack here and another one there. (My mom calls this clutter, but what does she know?!) But what I really love about this room is the handmade aspect. My sister, Stephanie, painted the owl on the wall you see above the little dresser/changing table. A friend made the window valance after Lovebug was born and Grandma's handiwork is in the crib bedding and pillow. Nana Jeanne has a cross stitch contribution. Even my mom has a tiny piece, by way of an adorable little pillow for Veda's Babydoll that is sitting in her crib. And my knitted work can be spotted in various places.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWLb61gVwFoGPYXfrC2UIfUSrNP9eH4j61BuNAFwS9Lv1RY1OyMFUWG5lpDvX7OvvTtdmDDbes1gyEe6DdzFzDVXu1tvX-TXKaNA1cqDG5tZbc8zfrupR9YwMoIkgLrXm__RfKGTAcso/s1600/174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWLb61gVwFoGPYXfrC2UIfUSrNP9eH4j61BuNAFwS9Lv1RY1OyMFUWG5lpDvX7OvvTtdmDDbes1gyEe6DdzFzDVXu1tvX-TXKaNA1cqDG5tZbc8zfrupR9YwMoIkgLrXm__RfKGTAcso/s400/174.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It is hard to see, but that dark painting is of three owls. My sister painted it and I received it at my baby shower two Saturdays ago. Stepher was not there, as she was still only six days past giving birth, but my mom and youngest sister brought it with them. I love it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl4TA-nCsx7RXOe78F8KV3oLw1EKr-DaK6xyeF7AizCiJejLHhBiWdGhWu06b3xPVU20_GP6TYWBzZU3pxlSgYwBuvHqrhZC7nqWvWmoSs8pojwADuDaTjtEx3MQ6lm9JNq59D8chF8k/s1600/134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl4TA-nCsx7RXOe78F8KV3oLw1EKr-DaK6xyeF7AizCiJejLHhBiWdGhWu06b3xPVU20_GP6TYWBzZU3pxlSgYwBuvHqrhZC7nqWvWmoSs8pojwADuDaTjtEx3MQ6lm9JNq59D8chF8k/s400/134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Yesterday we were at a birthday party for a friend of Sylvia's (who turned three recently). My girls had a great time (and the parents did too!), but the most fun had by my hubby and kids were when they were playing in the leaves.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVY38hfB-V8ZT_xn_dG1mpbKjsyIItmEn6szvsFbaJvq6NvMHKumDZnPBUZbNGl_eMdOyCn1f6IVQ4dfn9aVuLkXULRHRoAUG_C52fEZ44saGSWQ2DzYmhbbfUrqr0l85NwA71n9BReHA/s1600/124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVY38hfB-V8ZT_xn_dG1mpbKjsyIItmEn6szvsFbaJvq6NvMHKumDZnPBUZbNGl_eMdOyCn1f6IVQ4dfn9aVuLkXULRHRoAUG_C52fEZ44saGSWQ2DzYmhbbfUrqr0l85NwA71n9BReHA/s400/124.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Jen, mom of the birthday girl, looked at me and sarcastically said, "They seem to be having a really good time in the leaves over there. You know, if you want to bag some up and take them home with you that would be fine." I laughed and replied, "As if we don't have enough!" To which she said, "Yeah, that whole living in the middle of the woods thing." But it is funny. My kids get to play in leaves all the time, and yet, when presented with more that's where they will be.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hp0MU7VYIluE6a4sfQl5jYkB7Kb8VQ3-XIZzaSaLNGJa5BBkaidgEq512XskpxNfxc0r6FtAbUe13dJ8cbsAKKKM4YweJJAjnqiC_j-65kz3_eMPI8JwzlG7mPS-r5VAMI5xve2XEmA/s1600/095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hp0MU7VYIluE6a4sfQl5jYkB7Kb8VQ3-XIZzaSaLNGJa5BBkaidgEq512XskpxNfxc0r6FtAbUe13dJ8cbsAKKKM4YweJJAjnqiC_j-65kz3_eMPI8JwzlG7mPS-r5VAMI5xve2XEmA/s400/095.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-5079375209776871052011-09-27T19:34:00.000-07:002011-09-27T19:44:49.935-07:00Power in My Fingers OR Introducing Lincoln Josiah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6I5nN0b0QaLJtrlioVSaYh3_5M0wxsU-EnBSijXlT3FDo4rnFEBT5qARSmPKwdTLxH-7YmeAbjN3AWVotJLAskr5JyVpbtuISQ9toDm0qjF1xLRsWN4vxAzuHpU-Put8W3_wt4cqbvxA/s1600/Lincoln+Joshiah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6I5nN0b0QaLJtrlioVSaYh3_5M0wxsU-EnBSijXlT3FDo4rnFEBT5qARSmPKwdTLxH-7YmeAbjN3AWVotJLAskr5JyVpbtuISQ9toDm0qjF1xLRsWN4vxAzuHpU-Put8W3_wt4cqbvxA/s400/Lincoln+Joshiah.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Lincoln Josiah, my newest nephew, was born this past Sunday morning, the 25th of September 2011. He was an easy and smooth delivery and my sister was thrilled! He was a perfect 7lbs 3oz and 19.5" long.<br />
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I finished knitting his gift at about midnight, and at about midnight my sister's water broke. I am really beginning to think I have been given a supernatural knitting gift. Does God grant such things? Probably not, but the timing was still impeccable. Below you can see Lincoln and his two friends: I made him the dog (though I don't think it is a very good picture of him) and my sister made the darling felt giraffe (remember our Monster Family from last Christmas?). Despite his appearance in this picture he is overjoyed by the companionship. Trust me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX6UZ19WliS5RZU6b1c3qZ-XsOMbi2xvnvuIreUAzbUEY_pxB8BEd4X2L0BxK6XyZIru0eV1m6uZXwxctmNvOX4h3OsuX5dSgzIxshwp7LAw7vU1x3Ts5On6OkcdVbUbmejveOm_Etic/s1600/Lincoln+with+Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX6UZ19WliS5RZU6b1c3qZ-XsOMbi2xvnvuIreUAzbUEY_pxB8BEd4X2L0BxK6XyZIru0eV1m6uZXwxctmNvOX4h3OsuX5dSgzIxshwp7LAw7vU1x3Ts5On6OkcdVbUbmejveOm_Etic/s400/Lincoln+with+Friends.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>And now my sister is part of a family of four. And I think this suits them very well. "The Foreman Four" has a nice ring, don't you think?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BQNlTnb0zUxq6CQDXAnxkolUiXXldwSmN4zdJXqVIGhpOesD6JFTY0WPcGFuczcsD8QgXPDYsEzAPNv4au3oBaRHzeTbKYzFJuCg_YJV8sM3jBTatjtz2ZcCmDHUwR3S3nsOltuEnz0/s1600/Foreman+Four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BQNlTnb0zUxq6CQDXAnxkolUiXXldwSmN4zdJXqVIGhpOesD6JFTY0WPcGFuczcsD8QgXPDYsEzAPNv4au3oBaRHzeTbKYzFJuCg_YJV8sM3jBTatjtz2ZcCmDHUwR3S3nsOltuEnz0/s400/Foreman+Four.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-59158767004766205282011-09-24T12:10:00.000-07:002011-09-24T12:10:20.141-07:00A Good HeartThat's what our Little Guy has, is a good heart. Several weeks ago she had her fetal echocardiogram and despite the hassle and headache she caused the technician, her heart looked fantastic. She was, once again, extremely active but also very unwilling to allow a good view of her heart. The sonographer was bumping my belly, rotating me so my feet where well above my head, had me use the bathroom twice . . . And still, LG remained obstinate. And please keep in mind that a fetal echocardiogram requires <i>many </i>measurements, well beyond a standard growth and anatomy scan. In the end, all measurements were attained and the much relieved tech was, I think, happy to see us leave.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTJnUQww0BRfVCEZjYGWoMXw_EFankay3NTjJSWrasYjCxu-uqhP0trPMcmue6JvoEfxbS9iSjtxo7d_EMMqUO87z9a2-02aW6LKPB-UOwC9JCsnDUyx_2m5vNyKhSxaQAiJJLmKnaUw/s1600/LG+24+weeks.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTJnUQww0BRfVCEZjYGWoMXw_EFankay3NTjJSWrasYjCxu-uqhP0trPMcmue6JvoEfxbS9iSjtxo7d_EMMqUO87z9a2-02aW6LKPB-UOwC9JCsnDUyx_2m5vNyKhSxaQAiJJLmKnaUw/s320/LG+24+weeks.PNG" width="291" /></a></div><br />
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The brief meeting with the doctor afterward told us what we had already gathered, LG's heart looked completely normal for her fetal stage of development. Additionally, the growth and anatomy scan that preceded the echo confirmed the same thing. She was in the 45th percentile for weight/size, planting her firmly in the "average" category. Hallelujah!<br />
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I return in two more weeks for what may be my final ultrasound. There is no concern that precipitates having this scan, it is merely a precaution given my history and the still somewhat unknown feature of carrying a child with VHL.<br />
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Meanwhile, my sister is expected to deliver her second son pretty much any day now. The family is in eager anticipation, and I am knitting his "welcome to the world" gift. I joke that he will not come until I am finishing his present. Neither Daxton nor Veda decided to come until I was literally making the final stitches to their gifts. (And perhaps this is why Daxton waited until 41 weeks to make his appearance! Hmmm . . . Better get stitchin'!)Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-73480196651526198632011-08-13T20:42:00.000-07:002011-08-13T20:42:44.736-07:00The Vedabug<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8RtSnhwERyMk5lvhK4T-P6UawwW57nR92oyQOKKbDIvm3CoAw6rfKnW10652sIDmvTx0GijxXiny2v4IPS5SdfGGK8jfy9prxKWwwCd5UZ8myYYnaxkY9cfqO7q9wmxwT7_n6KWx1CM/s1600/DSC05977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8RtSnhwERyMk5lvhK4T-P6UawwW57nR92oyQOKKbDIvm3CoAw6rfKnW10652sIDmvTx0GijxXiny2v4IPS5SdfGGK8jfy9prxKWwwCd5UZ8myYYnaxkY9cfqO7q9wmxwT7_n6KWx1CM/s400/DSC05977.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>At some time, quite a while ago now, we condensed the name for our second daughter to "Vedabug" (coming from Lovebug and Veda). And this seems to suit her to perfection. To me, Vedabug conjures images of utter cuteness combined with an often shockingly subtle approach followed by a quick sharp sting. For example, she sits in wait for her sister to leave her crackers unattended. And then she ever so quietly, and without drawing any notice to herself, maneuvers to the bowl of crackers left on the table. Sometimes she gets lucky and quickly scarfs whatever is left. But if she reaches her prize and discovers the bowl empty she looks up with this look of shock and disbelief and gives me a look that screams, "I have been cheated!"<br />
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Veda is doing well, very well. She had her 18 month wellness check recently and she looked great. She is still somewhat small, weighing about 21 1/2 lbs. and reaching nearly 32" in length, but statistically she has leveled off and remains very consistent from one appointment to the next. She has a very sharp sort of personality. She is so laid back about a lot of stuff and then there will be something that will just totally turn her inside out and topsy turvy. She is happy and I think all is well and then before I can even begin to guess what has gone wrong she is angry-- and I mean ANGRY. She cools off quickly (unlike her sister) but when her temper flares, it is sometimes best to stand clear. Veda will fight with me and insist on her way in a manner that Sylvia has never done. Sometimes it really can just come down to strength: I am larger, the purse is mine, and I <i>will</i> remove that purse from your little body no matter how much you clench and scream "MINE, MINE, MINE!"<br />
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Are these "bad traits?" Not necessarily. I have told her many times that she had better get control of her anger now because it is just not worth the expenditure of energy. She does not yet seem to understand this. And I suspect it will take a very long time before she will. But I really admire her fight. She will not let someone take her down, no matter how big or strong or powerful they may be. She will stand up for herself. At least, this is the aspect of her personality that I hope to encourage. She has a strong will, both of my girls do, but I love seeing how they exert themselves in ways that are totally unique to them.<br />
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I am so in love with my children. They are each so different and vibrant. They make me smile and laugh while at the same time giving me endless amounts of frustration. There are points during every single day that I am ready to pull my hair out. But then I turn around and Sylvia tries to tell me, actually vocalizes the words (such a tremendous feat for her), she's sorry and that she loves me. And Vedabug comes to me and pulls my leg and stares up at me with these big, blue, pleading eyes and says "Up." And after lifting her she gives me a hug and then buries her little head in my shoulder. I am not sure it is possible to love anything or anyone as much as I do my little girls.Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-23785552796890949282011-08-11T19:13:00.000-07:002011-08-11T19:13:53.658-07:00Over Half Way There!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5osWgFqU4UJlHuSdSzSCmjyu6GpYfLEcwHvzj90EaBuYd9umu0lUiCreKD1BC63e2VxtTF2yOpxYgJW-HuINZItX-Z0qUkv_subPt9tMp3oCKcWODeWQsTGC6aOaBMKjBgcQKdFPZOg/s1600/dandv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5osWgFqU4UJlHuSdSzSCmjyu6GpYfLEcwHvzj90EaBuYd9umu0lUiCreKD1BC63e2VxtTF2yOpxYgJW-HuINZItX-Z0qUkv_subPt9tMp3oCKcWODeWQsTGC6aOaBMKjBgcQKdFPZOg/s400/dandv.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Dave and I attended the wedding of a dear old friend of mine two weeks ago. It was a gorgeous wedding on the beaches of Lake Michigan. Here are the two of us enjoying the beach, enjoying the hot weather and our feet in the cool water, and also enjoying being over half way to LG's debut!<br />
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I had my 20 week scan a couple of weeks ago and LG continues to look great! She is growing well and I am becoming more and more uncomfortable as she kicks and squirms and does whatever else she does to occupy herself. Heartburn has finally set in with full force, the back pain is beginning and my energy level is beginning to decrease. But I am not complaining. I am thrilled that LG is doing well and that I am doing well too. The normal aches and pains of pregnancy are welcomed by me and I remain optimistic that maybe, just maybe, this pregnancy will be smooth and without major complications.<br />
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We did learn late last week that the genetic testing came back positive. LG has VHL. While this is not our first choice for any of our children, we are comfortable with the results. We gave a lot of thought and consideration and ran through a number of "what if" situations before we even considered having children. We know that some unique trials and struggles are in our future, but every parent is faced with this same possibility. We feel fortunate that we already have an advance notice.<br />
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And right now we are just thankful for my health, LG's health and are eager for the day we get to meet our newest little girl. Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-56764209316478716702011-07-16T04:31:00.000-07:002011-07-16T04:31:09.909-07:00Too Funny (a.k.a. Sock Humor)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ibKevI3CXxkx3kLVl3w-dDYsFNOk6IRLWbjAbtASnLTKWTsfBfPBdRZeukmjIyStHqWZGJwYq6bSOJq4cdeiCqRdUu4PqNgB2t2tL3J_OnsNrmEM7ewSFLbZOpbsoVhNyWIhdRrn6wk/s1600/DSC05859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ibKevI3CXxkx3kLVl3w-dDYsFNOk6IRLWbjAbtASnLTKWTsfBfPBdRZeukmjIyStHqWZGJwYq6bSOJq4cdeiCqRdUu4PqNgB2t2tL3J_OnsNrmEM7ewSFLbZOpbsoVhNyWIhdRrn6wk/s320/DSC05859.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sylvia loves socks. She loves to tell you what is on her socks. She loves to undo a pair of socks from the little bundle I make them into when folding laundry. She loves to pull them all out of her drawer, take them apart and bring them to bed with her. She loves to put on several pair at a time. Sylvia loves socks.<br />
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The other night when we went in to change her before going to bed we found her with 16 pair of socks on her feet! 16 PAIR, 32 SOCKS total! They were not all matching pairs, and I was impressed that she had the exact same number on both feet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslIbWW08ALYuijiQr9fdC59XVq2StXHv7RqNS96zPotmRJtxMhYs9bvhgDe3YFZhAFkyjifXdVWE_lK4YSOf6d3d2eqk1W3v4Ji0J3aF0BQA2mypt4ui5Uu6DBr0bhxRnjyFWvbVEN1k/s1600/DSC05858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslIbWW08ALYuijiQr9fdC59XVq2StXHv7RqNS96zPotmRJtxMhYs9bvhgDe3YFZhAFkyjifXdVWE_lK4YSOf6d3d2eqk1W3v4Ji0J3aF0BQA2mypt4ui5Uu6DBr0bhxRnjyFWvbVEN1k/s320/DSC05858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Part of the reason that Sylvia likes putting socks on so much is that it is one fine motor activity that she "gets." She knows how to put on socks and it gives her a sense of independence. She also thinks it's funny. Fortunately, we caught her before she had two feet that had fallen asleep!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuEC5IYuLDAes7zjP7ubkfW2lwwg08j5UmjmXov0HI5clbKw9eFjhHeOHc10e7buTMtWQn5ENzt-OidZLxNy19jq-mPgkvedSO4OMoctcTiikKZxmHMHYE673pisbaICBQiPOyUZ_C8s/s1600/DSC05861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuEC5IYuLDAes7zjP7ubkfW2lwwg08j5UmjmXov0HI5clbKw9eFjhHeOHc10e7buTMtWQn5ENzt-OidZLxNy19jq-mPgkvedSO4OMoctcTiikKZxmHMHYE673pisbaICBQiPOyUZ_C8s/s320/DSC05861.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-4521468632519644462011-07-14T18:44:00.000-07:002011-07-14T18:47:50.915-07:00All About "Little Guy"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurI6yv5sVCFMDFuJmMNRGhwOw3usVpicQJTsFB9nGvmlBss69qHu2R4B50otLNUxvLeQb8R-LUcXDwoXcvSjpNHWR-4hXPBK3z_cfaN9DQhts_Xd8jqfovLWjD5zh1IT5xIHKaJJ5ow8/s1600/LG2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurI6yv5sVCFMDFuJmMNRGhwOw3usVpicQJTsFB9nGvmlBss69qHu2R4B50otLNUxvLeQb8R-LUcXDwoXcvSjpNHWR-4hXPBK3z_cfaN9DQhts_Xd8jqfovLWjD5zh1IT5xIHKaJJ5ow8/s320/LG2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Early last week I had the amniocentesis to check for the genetic disease "owned" by both Dave and Sylvia. We also always have a basic chromosome analysis done to check for other common genetic mutations. Typically we have results from the basic chromosome count the day following the amnio. This year, however, they decided to run a full analysis of the chromosomes, resulting in a 7-10 day waiting period for results. (Please keep in mind that the results for VHL testing take 4-6 weeks.)<br />
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These pictures are from the ultrasound that takes place prior to the amnio. Baby looked good and baby was active! We have always had active children during ultrasounds but I do not believe we have had one this active before. It was kind of fun to watch but it also terrified me as we really needed baby to calm down before they put a huge needle inside of me and within millimeters of my baby! Fortunately, by the time of the amnio, baby was sleeping soundly. (Phew!) The tech had a hard time getting a decent measurement of anything and the best information she could give was that baby was weighing in at about 5 oz. This was a good weight for baby's gestational age. We got a guess to baby's gender, but again, with that much movement there was never the opportunity to really see things clearly. The tech said that while baby looked one way, she was hesitant to give any kind of an affirmation. Having seen over 30 ultrasounds myself I agreed with her gender prediction but also understood why she was hesitant to offer confirmation-- this kid was simply unable to keep still for even one instant!<br />
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Today I contacted the high risk maternity office and learned that results were in from the amnio and that the genetics counselor would be giving me a call later in the afternoon. Baby's chromosome count came back normal! This news makes Dave and me so happy. Additionally, we got confirmation that we are about to welcome into our home another girl! Dave and I were not surprised and excited to learn at the ultrasound that it looked like we had another daughter on the way. And much like when we were expecting Veda, we once again have a girl name picked out but had no clue as to what we would name a son. And, yeah, I realize the name Little Guy doesn't really make sense, but I don't want to change it. It is how I have been referring to her for a few months already. (And I really hate the word "gal.") Perhaps we will start calling her "LG." That would work for me, but in my heart she will always be my Little Guy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMK73RUAysYxdEcJeEterjCZBw9hKxw5jzzu7QKUCg7tj6Hhdri8esAKSmaREBb6-gASUAEHz2iKw0gZL-jtZW5cxwAmpOHYmI-ZyBuXPHXLDa0iw2N8XOkinzpkm1dWOpjFHEQRuSDr0/s1600/LG4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMK73RUAysYxdEcJeEterjCZBw9hKxw5jzzu7QKUCg7tj6Hhdri8esAKSmaREBb6-gASUAEHz2iKw0gZL-jtZW5cxwAmpOHYmI-ZyBuXPHXLDa0iw2N8XOkinzpkm1dWOpjFHEQRuSDr0/s400/LG4.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-869108738341401572011-07-12T06:11:00.000-07:002011-07-12T06:11:42.352-07:00Summer Moves Forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjOKlFYXIwtAcnX2s4teOsEEog-1Sts0VcrPaIuTuNCVZSJB89FO_So7NFdco6oQ0ADLgOjAYoZkPP9ppjmEBh8Jpl8DMNpd3Lhv_WkKZPHvKJmYvbfxAh_HwMx1eJJhBntlTfu_dVJo/s1600/DSC05758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjOKlFYXIwtAcnX2s4teOsEEog-1Sts0VcrPaIuTuNCVZSJB89FO_So7NFdco6oQ0ADLgOjAYoZkPP9ppjmEBh8Jpl8DMNpd3Lhv_WkKZPHvKJmYvbfxAh_HwMx1eJJhBntlTfu_dVJo/s320/DSC05758.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Summer is plodding forward this year. It has been a rough one. There has been so much rain and once the rain clears, the mosquitoes appear. This may be our worst mosquito year to date. We have stuff we put in our ponds and we try to tip over any standing water, but when you live in a wetland there is only so much that can be done. We can't drain the woods! So, to the girls, getting to play outdoors is a special treat. Sad, but true.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34g3K6imX1sO2Pxgk-_awMAnR_gyx-JdJUw67OzuG8M4agF8E0aCgW-DYXAYP4S3NN9cLdjv05fLM5alWT0xPkXDLExFfdsDFyeQr9IJ3bQz-naWQNfKn_I6qJI0MoXAMrdATYXTGyLY/s1600/DSC05795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34g3K6imX1sO2Pxgk-_awMAnR_gyx-JdJUw67OzuG8M4agF8E0aCgW-DYXAYP4S3NN9cLdjv05fLM5alWT0xPkXDLExFfdsDFyeQr9IJ3bQz-naWQNfKn_I6qJI0MoXAMrdATYXTGyLY/s320/DSC05795.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>But we have been making it work. We have plenty of indoor activities and the girls always seem to create new ones. Whether or not they are always mom-approved is another story! A few weeks ago the kids wanted an impromptu fashion shoot with a new chair that Grandma had brought. Above and below are the results.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcugQzvqvEsJN8qq16bRPD1jpJXIiCptYvyTx2xpVjY9e9lR2Vt4GPBRNxB_0Npx34A68egtptBRJFVVH3oVSkAnM5q6doOMzfUYTgNKn3eN_FKgTIrgl2ereveNLD-_MGJ92tf4RLHP0/s1600/DSC05813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcugQzvqvEsJN8qq16bRPD1jpJXIiCptYvyTx2xpVjY9e9lR2Vt4GPBRNxB_0Npx34A68egtptBRJFVVH3oVSkAnM5q6doOMzfUYTgNKn3eN_FKgTIrgl2ereveNLD-_MGJ92tf4RLHP0/s320/DSC05813.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sylvia is the hardest to get on camera now. (As I can no longer say "on film!") She does this quick 2 sec. pose and then comes rushing over to look at herself on the camera screen. No matter how many times or in how many ways I try to explain to her that she needs to wait a little longer (until after she hears the "click"), she still rushes prematurely to get a glimpse of the photograph that wasn't taken yet or that shows a single arm rushing from the shot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC3_SxHVcM28CBXu93famYxDGyHgI2mOo2x1U3GNyrjC4Go9cEehirHy4f6Z0v6LUQNCsZ1xyNFV-HovlLwSLwLIl6aoo1HBSimM1sON7rBdvs6g1bIbbqEWhpRt_2B4d_utvlGWI_5E/s1600/DSC05816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC3_SxHVcM28CBXu93famYxDGyHgI2mOo2x1U3GNyrjC4Go9cEehirHy4f6Z0v6LUQNCsZ1xyNFV-HovlLwSLwLIl6aoo1HBSimM1sON7rBdvs6g1bIbbqEWhpRt_2B4d_utvlGWI_5E/s320/DSC05816.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Veda is an absolute scream sometimes. She currently loves cars and trucks. She loves making them go "beep, beep" and she also has this really deep growl/gurgle for engine noise. But her girly-ness comes through when she insists on making sure that someone is always driving the vehicle. It needn't necessarily be a person, a chicken will do! And, in fact, sometimes <i>only </i>the chicken will do, as was the case in the above incident. She desperately wanted that chicken driving this construction truck, but the chicken kept flying out of it. She would get so angry. So, I would try and be helpful and put a person in instead, as the person could be secured inside the vehicle. Well, that made her even MORE angry! So, she spent about twenty minutes driving and then yelling at the chicken and shoving her back in the truck and then driving again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkTCa0tYb1GcUxKNCAV7ghhNCpgk-TCHChyl6n09zX4UJcmCOMdnpwiP5F5pSwGk6QAN7RHledlcyBDJTZzoQB8R9qOJu_rgZTo6RyB4M8oWHHtlv86XwsBAPGLcgGpqC_1ReiA_UKBs/s1600/DSC05826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkTCa0tYb1GcUxKNCAV7ghhNCpgk-TCHChyl6n09zX4UJcmCOMdnpwiP5F5pSwGk6QAN7RHledlcyBDJTZzoQB8R9qOJu_rgZTo6RyB4M8oWHHtlv86XwsBAPGLcgGpqC_1ReiA_UKBs/s320/DSC05826.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And this is Sylvia's play. She is very interested in making family connections. Everywhere we go there is a baby (or "Za-Za," what she calls herself) and a mama. "Za-Za" and mama always "match," as is in the above picture. The big pony/horse is the mama and the little horse is "Za-Za." The white furry bear is the daddy and the little jaguar is "Baby" (in this case she means Veda). And, yes, she really calls herself "Za-Za."<br />
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That is really about it for the news around here. We will have more concerning Little Guy soon, but for now just enjoy the antics of the older two!Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-4613226102411856122011-06-13T20:08:00.000-07:002011-06-13T20:14:38.473-07:00The Secret Revealed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbQXlmgDAmpfc60latyOpH5SwSi3THwbFy4jTnrJ9IztIdIi2blpT7V2Kd6citW78D5kpIIBENXLFoBVx7DJEFVPNGsuEl_mUHagvbg3OWXElyIEvaJllz0G7A-H5Gh0soBHR71ReiH4/s1600/DSC05839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbQXlmgDAmpfc60latyOpH5SwSi3THwbFy4jTnrJ9IztIdIi2blpT7V2Kd6citW78D5kpIIBENXLFoBVx7DJEFVPNGsuEl_mUHagvbg3OWXElyIEvaJllz0G7A-H5Gh0soBHR71ReiH4/s400/DSC05839.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I realize I have been more than a little negligent in posting on our blog, but I have been a little tired lately. A little nauseated too.<br />
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The above is a picture of our no. 3. That's our "secret revealed!"<br />
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I am currently in my 13th week of pregnancy (or the beginning of the second trimester). While we have named baby, "Little Guy," we do not actually know a gender yet. I had my third scan this morning and Dave was thrilled to be able to join me. He hasn't been involved in any of the prenatal stuff yet and he always feels more connected after he gets to see baby in action. And baby was in action! (I always seem to have very active children during scans.) Today we saw him opening and closing "his" mouth, kicking and stretching, and waving "his" little arms about.<br />
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I also felt my first confirmed baby movement today. There have been a couple of times in the past week when I have wondered if I felt baby, but this morning on our drive to the doctor I definitely felt a very faint, but familiar "thump, thump." Very cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmYnAxQhkppPGf8Ci7sEuRxXH6_B347R07KEQzcUtmaX3aPiqN2nasD87_4eVn3-wcnEfNzB44oUZP9vTzDb5ZeEOs9xjBZ4GWWG59OV_hKWZ-HqdpIDOmPWi8T6AIU9SKlUgGp2034s/s1600/DSC05837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmYnAxQhkppPGf8Ci7sEuRxXH6_B347R07KEQzcUtmaX3aPiqN2nasD87_4eVn3-wcnEfNzB44oUZP9vTzDb5ZeEOs9xjBZ4GWWG59OV_hKWZ-HqdpIDOmPWi8T6AIU9SKlUgGp2034s/s400/DSC05837.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This above picture is looking down on Little Guy. The left arm is on the top, face to the left of that and right arm swiping across the right cheek. We have named him Little Guy because I am convinced that this must be a boy. As mentioned, we have no confirmed gender yet, but today's heart rate was the lowest of any of my children. We'll see what the amniocentesis tells us in three weeks!<br />
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Yes, we are doing another amnio to check for Dave and Sylvia's genetic disease, Von Hippel-Lindau Disease. When I was pregnant with Sylvia I was quite certain she had the disease. When I was pregnant with Veda I was quite certain she didn't. I was correct both times. This time I have no feeling either way.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8jQf53oTm1vJswb_nkKinCyoU_CiM8x-lQNr2nhsm-WZg5c9FWAP3YPYjAHVgc_nf3SBu7vm_VRTCLEa6jBIZQp-xOcxz6MzZS0jPJ2Y1v7kcPuSCTg40sTESUQyRPopOmvbLyW6TpY/s1600/DSC05834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8jQf53oTm1vJswb_nkKinCyoU_CiM8x-lQNr2nhsm-WZg5c9FWAP3YPYjAHVgc_nf3SBu7vm_VRTCLEa6jBIZQp-xOcxz6MzZS0jPJ2Y1v7kcPuSCTg40sTESUQyRPopOmvbLyW6TpY/s400/DSC05834.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I am a softie for feet pictures. Perhaps if you have been reading long enough you have gathered this about me already. We got a really great foot view today, but the sonographer wasn't able to print a picture of it. But we still got this above shot. There are those little legs and feet hanging out on the right hand side, already beginning to kick me.<br />
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I am doing well. The first ten or eleven weeks were rough, but since then I have had a little more energy and haven't been feeling as sick. There is one small concern. Today's scan confirmed placenta previa (the placenta is covering the cervix). There had been suspicions before but it isn't until about the 13th week that the location of the placenta in relation to the uterus can be viewed on ultrasound. There are no huge threats or concerns. It just means I can't lift, pull, push, or do heavy exercise. Generally the placenta "moves" up and away by about the 26th week. [Technically, the uterus expands, the placenta does not actually move.] So, we'll just keep tabs and see what happens.<br />
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I realize this news may be rather surprising to many of you. It kind of was to us too, but we are very excited to welcome our newest family member in early-mid December!Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-3738291743501888172011-05-11T17:07:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:20:53.774-07:00Those Who Make Me Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5fuAp3lPWYZuPuSJlTf4XrXzoMZEAc16HPQPPkGMKu5UuZG5-1-BqfotMUOHlEYDO78ZC-1NSwUG8jkyvX0HCKOFIdgRiXmBIuYy0ppEyva3WbxoDDk_-VQ6W7FeyiO2Pt7__jov3CM/s1600/DSC05755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5fuAp3lPWYZuPuSJlTf4XrXzoMZEAc16HPQPPkGMKu5UuZG5-1-BqfotMUOHlEYDO78ZC-1NSwUG8jkyvX0HCKOFIdgRiXmBIuYy0ppEyva3WbxoDDk_-VQ6W7FeyiO2Pt7__jov3CM/s400/DSC05755.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>These two cuties are who make me a mom. I am so blessed to have them in my life. I realize this mom sentiment is a bit belated, as the official day of recognition is now behind us, but I figure every day can be a Mother's Day. (And blogger was refusing to upload my photos on Sunday.)<br />
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My children have changed me in ways that I never could have imagined. I knew, and was probably too aware, of how much my life would change after having children. But I don't think I had any idea just how much <i>I </i>would change. For the most part, my own needs and wants have happily taken a backseat to the needs and wants of my children. I am also suddenly full of curiosity about how children develop and have been avidly searching for information regarding brain development and have devoured information regarding Sylvia's special needs. While an all natural and organic lifestyle has always appealed to me, it was only after having children that I began to do thorough research and decided to change our lifestyle in a drastic way. There is something about having one child who has, as the doctor calls, "the most hypersensitive skin" she has ever seen and another child with an array of special needs, that suddenly makes you call into question what we consume and surround ourselves with in our homes.<br />
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But probably the most obvious and immense way in which I have changed is that I have discovered a brand new love. I now know what it means to have a compulsive, uncontrollable sort of love. I choose to love my husband and my friends and family. I got to know them and then I fell in love with them. My children are different. They were born and I began to love-- instantly. I struggled severely with PPD after Sylvia was born but even then I felt an overwhelming love for my daughter. I cannot help but love my children. This kind of love is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced.<br />
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And so, while it is a little late, Happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere. To any woman who has felt the compulsory love I am talking about, my thoughts are with you today and every day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v42oYnVMrN1hvIXdIbDhYEoxfgBkWu-or7uPbpah1qCef-6O2TRPZunKXbLN77s-waP6nN8YZyahuXj1vYQoWaqapXGc8s3NzFplZHS3Sq2iL6lDgBURDMsXa8dB_P1ie7SlHFUPwn4/s1600/DSC05724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v42oYnVMrN1hvIXdIbDhYEoxfgBkWu-or7uPbpah1qCef-6O2TRPZunKXbLN77s-waP6nN8YZyahuXj1vYQoWaqapXGc8s3NzFplZHS3Sq2iL6lDgBURDMsXa8dB_P1ie7SlHFUPwn4/s400/DSC05724.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-59087407807617330602011-04-26T05:23:00.000-07:002011-04-26T05:25:02.672-07:00Our One Day of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKygH773m5s-XedK6yq-ch2us9mUlytaAF65haju1eV26_ahUB8fZ-NzeNqEbauzt8BZlJEXQBiFez2NvrdtuWlBCLbzKGcAUA30aWwyq8uDVb6f5DV9Jg4o-lW2eyWcfOxIEP5JvRccg/s1600/DSC05626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKygH773m5s-XedK6yq-ch2us9mUlytaAF65haju1eV26_ahUB8fZ-NzeNqEbauzt8BZlJEXQBiFez2NvrdtuWlBCLbzKGcAUA30aWwyq8uDVb6f5DV9Jg4o-lW2eyWcfOxIEP5JvRccg/s400/DSC05626.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This has been a hard late winter and early spring. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have been able to to take the girls outdoors to play. But a couple of weeks ago we were blessed with an absolutely gorgeous weekend and we took full advantage of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsFqiGoiOhPjECU3bAizforqgvQemmSjTc_OXy90_kVS816HpqOFVasO6CfIEoWl3xQR7jqGwnjVLbNNtfnaqgJHCOXFLRHUxVSqxhd8bbpa7Ohw-2RgIxMeZyVVbf6CevHlPyHzQyIk/s1600/DSC05627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsFqiGoiOhPjECU3bAizforqgvQemmSjTc_OXy90_kVS816HpqOFVasO6CfIEoWl3xQR7jqGwnjVLbNNtfnaqgJHCOXFLRHUxVSqxhd8bbpa7Ohw-2RgIxMeZyVVbf6CevHlPyHzQyIk/s400/DSC05627.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I love this picture. There is something about her little body walking away from me that just makes me smile when I see this shot. She was on a mission: To get to Daddy's rocks!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcL8VuXg3z-wbZRsybYVm25-hzUQDKLpu4rBDGaWLpoJlmF_Ri-4xrC6jjPByF3Z6eZEnSisapTGPU4T6_oxXUcnl9fVXaNeBVa1htyl7xYGrlZsi-qtQlPIrKmnUuj1W8Gg3U5TNztw/s1600/DSC05632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcL8VuXg3z-wbZRsybYVm25-hzUQDKLpu4rBDGaWLpoJlmF_Ri-4xrC6jjPByF3Z6eZEnSisapTGPU4T6_oxXUcnl9fVXaNeBVa1htyl7xYGrlZsi-qtQlPIrKmnUuj1W8Gg3U5TNztw/s400/DSC05632.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Dave has a collection of rocks by the fire pit. I am not sure what he intends to do with them, but he is always out there collecting rocks. He has all sorts of dreams: A rock wall, a larger fire pit, a rock garden. Perhaps one day one or two of these dreams will come to fruition, but in the meantime, we just have a lot of rocks!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nMopY9f9ysqmyHkpCYS0Ze88TlpSSjhiVyNHwfGzm_RFJDcyb2qrBl8_Y4LAOB38dt3Q2eyTLgQHsS9Qvgd95Auk5qCtsdQ3lOPKVuHGV9p7ZsQKkL9fOz9n-sX4HWuJc73EXrPotIc/s1600/DSC05637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nMopY9f9ysqmyHkpCYS0Ze88TlpSSjhiVyNHwfGzm_RFJDcyb2qrBl8_Y4LAOB38dt3Q2eyTLgQHsS9Qvgd95Auk5qCtsdQ3lOPKVuHGV9p7ZsQKkL9fOz9n-sX4HWuJc73EXrPotIc/s400/DSC05637.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>For those of you wondering, Veda is not yet walking. She is so close and she has indeed taken a few steps here and there, but there has still been no consistent attempts to master the biped move.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5KTr-FfmaZDTpu9qhcpDWgStuRWpNaFqBwbswiEbGjdljnoooUxBouNlBbGzolpdENh2Zoe2WvJPRhXsKavhlfMWJD6iTfqnpaqCKHJuq7d-Mn4w6AULxhv7e-1SMA39nMgWqO4gCBI/s1600/DSC05638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5KTr-FfmaZDTpu9qhcpDWgStuRWpNaFqBwbswiEbGjdljnoooUxBouNlBbGzolpdENh2Zoe2WvJPRhXsKavhlfMWJD6iTfqnpaqCKHJuq7d-Mn4w6AULxhv7e-1SMA39nMgWqO4gCBI/s400/DSC05638.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>One of my most favorite things about spring is the frogs. I simply love hearing the frogs sing. I am going to try and post a little video snippet from my walk, but I am not sure our internet connection will allow me to do so. But here I am on my way to take a listen to the frogs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IlykQ2XGuzqtp5hMRY93LAFvbQQ1mSspTUtcZMoG3hVVLs7qazHCgf2em0F1N0b5FpPPzj-nrDuvyCsw_sMYaxCfFI-7qQOSZF8pEztHVpds8sne8TzqiP7eYsD6mAOBhcGC3yDTABk/s1600/DSC05605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IlykQ2XGuzqtp5hMRY93LAFvbQQ1mSspTUtcZMoG3hVVLs7qazHCgf2em0F1N0b5FpPPzj-nrDuvyCsw_sMYaxCfFI-7qQOSZF8pEztHVpds8sne8TzqiP7eYsD6mAOBhcGC3yDTABk/s400/DSC05605.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx-2wM-lv7AqpUmzbYO4uiX75w-0aizXYu9G-Ti-k9gxmyi_fNyw6wmLXOVbSR5JQHZ5847XDYEBMhCboi_Fw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Happy Spring!Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-43727966053140586242011-04-07T18:03:00.000-07:002011-04-07T18:05:07.215-07:00"What?!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtzK5ery1qvICrhYnI7rs6nuNM3KVm9g-u_A_NandQAcdJBzgejMDpA8DURb5-5uvwRZX704NdbSPKs4PMZHPnw882pGfvMyy3q4FfKYZXVXzgg5O-8Jyf1rSAfQey4HRlBtrBhPgU5U/s1600/DSC05534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtzK5ery1qvICrhYnI7rs6nuNM3KVm9g-u_A_NandQAcdJBzgejMDpA8DURb5-5uvwRZX704NdbSPKs4PMZHPnw882pGfvMyy3q4FfKYZXVXzgg5O-8Jyf1rSAfQey4HRlBtrBhPgU5U/s640/DSC05534.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Who says you have to be neat to eat?"</span></div>Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087982290537197057.post-74158304848936998162011-03-31T20:54:00.000-07:002011-03-31T21:00:06.564-07:00Cow Invasion!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQiJ28OIVCe02zsAEmb1bsTymUaQgrh6IN2RFKCUTY2ZbXwjJ1oV0wS8XTRUOe63zyvFffameBQgnKpv4OQkCg-8NlDkogqUQoKSO1-At82LLLRrKBe2bmNwRtb-eLY1vKGnlxhr9Crc/s1600/DSC05563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQiJ28OIVCe02zsAEmb1bsTymUaQgrh6IN2RFKCUTY2ZbXwjJ1oV0wS8XTRUOe63zyvFffameBQgnKpv4OQkCg-8NlDkogqUQoKSO1-At82LLLRrKBe2bmNwRtb-eLY1vKGnlxhr9Crc/s400/DSC05563.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This past Saturday morning I was looking out the window admiring several deer in our backyard. There were about nine of them grazing and they all seemed so peaceful. It was very serene. And then all of those relaxed deer started to tense up a little and then I saw them begin to swiftly walk east. I went up to the window for a closer look. I saw what looked like a large deer begin to come out of the woods, but as the animal drew more fully into the open I saw that this was no deer. This was a large and kind of shaggy cow!<br />
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Our yard was invaded by four cows. These large animals casually traipsed through our backyard and then through our side yard where Sylvia got to watch them (with glee!) from her bedroom window. Finally they rounded to the front of our house and eventually walked down our driveway and out onto the street. The last I saw they had crossed the road and had wandered into the woods.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa9Lc6LLyiR4hV97TZnn6O8krH4PmdN3WbSNAR9aQWejGlqUVbNFAr9qxwe4JJIiTHZM8pF_I_YgatD9T34UOUclPMG5j1t5oGRuWKMGuQiqzErZ4lgX9iBRpxkaXgZW1Wu7dLlE_Nqg/s1600/DSC05569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa9Lc6LLyiR4hV97TZnn6O8krH4PmdN3WbSNAR9aQWejGlqUVbNFAr9qxwe4JJIiTHZM8pF_I_YgatD9T34UOUclPMG5j1t5oGRuWKMGuQiqzErZ4lgX9iBRpxkaXgZW1Wu7dLlE_Nqg/s320/DSC05569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu1CgXuwE3nvNu6XvY5sttnGZzzUgF67z3vru_B2ob7eX1dBz2YWaYYhqkkJFpp3oH6Uwq2-2WEEAcDJJUOF7T5WAwTnJJVEpYyIKi-s3vaSWvTB2tMvuMXoz_ZQyaYXYCDYfF2G2zV0/s1600/DSC05571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu1CgXuwE3nvNu6XvY5sttnGZzzUgF67z3vru_B2ob7eX1dBz2YWaYYhqkkJFpp3oH6Uwq2-2WEEAcDJJUOF7T5WAwTnJJVEpYyIKi-s3vaSWvTB2tMvuMXoz_ZQyaYXYCDYfF2G2zV0/s400/DSC05571.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHIoaAjKnmtWBpYL_s3MVAJ72wxM4HvwmoxrtEW838_GjEGMAM5R76IPREUAQG08gx71x9FGYGpkMGLoIooE5-mi4sk_lNQwwhNiz4tD27PQ_SR1o4Zw6zNLHCclkzFxBldlQl2mpZEI/s1600/DSC05575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHIoaAjKnmtWBpYL_s3MVAJ72wxM4HvwmoxrtEW838_GjEGMAM5R76IPREUAQG08gx71x9FGYGpkMGLoIooE5-mi4sk_lNQwwhNiz4tD27PQ_SR1o4Zw6zNLHCclkzFxBldlQl2mpZEI/s400/DSC05575.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We are not sure where they came from, but we think they must have gotten loose from a hobby farm. I tried calling the sheriff's office, but the first number I called gave me this recorded message: "The number you are trying to reach has been disconnected . . " The second number I tried calling gave me this message: "We are currently closed. Our regular business hours are . . ."<br />
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Yep. Life in the country is never dull.<br />
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Oh! And both our girls can now tell you what a cow says, "Mmmmmm!" (Because, yes, Veda imitates her sister before she will imitate us.)Ertman-Trowbridge Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386542216382534202noreply@blogger.com1