The Fischies visit the fishies.

Yesterday we traveled south to Monterey and the wonderful aquarium on the bay that we've been hearing so much about since we moved here. It was an easier drive than we anticipated and we were able to head out from San Jose after B's gymnastics class, so its like we had a head start! Parking in Monterey was a bit ridiculous, especially since everyone else seemed to have the same idea as us on this rainy holiday weekend. Fortunately we've never minded walking and we were able to find a spot (on a very steep hill) for free! Yoohoo! The aquarium was beautiful and packed with people, but we are now full-fledged members so we'll be able to go back as many times as we want; and we'll even get to use a special, top secret members only entrance (maybe not top secret, but still very cool). There was a very fun toddler play area that B loved and lots of cool hands on exhibits. Afterwards we walked down Cannery Row a bit and ate some yummy BBQ before heading home. We are really looking forward to going back many more times!

Welcome Miss Madison!

Thank you, again, everyone who prayed for our friend and her family. Madison Irene Lawry was born February 9th and weighed a very impressive 3 lbs 6 oz at almost 10 weeks early. Every day we hear that she is getting stronger and looks to be headed down a very healthy and happy road! They both will continue to benefit from your prayers and well wishes in the future as Nicole battles this Lupus flare and Madison continues to develop and grow.

Happy Valentines Day from us to you!

Make a Smilebox greeting

The Little Mama

B is really taking to play acting and she likes to do what we do (ooo, better be very careful from now on)! The last few days she has especially liked to take care of her dolls and her brother. For now, C loves any attention B gives him and is more than willing to be her living doll. We love seeing how much they can enjoy each other, and we certainly hope its not a short lived phase. For the time being, though, we are loving this phase, short or long. Such a sweet little mama!

Keep Up Those Happy Thoughts!

It looks like our friend, Nicole, might be delivering her baby girl as early as tomorrow or Monday. She just hit the 30 week mark today, so that is a positive. But her Lupus has flared and her kidneys are in danger, the pregnancy appears to be doing too much damage to her body and they can't give her the full range of meds while the baby is still inside there. We thank everyone who is praying for her and keeping them in your thoughts right now. Keep up the good work and hopefully we will be able to report a very happy ending to this tale.

Tea and Tents

What do little girls like most? Tea sets and play tents of course!

The Socks Photo

Every parent looks for that perfect moment in their child's life when they just know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that if a photo existed it would possibly mortify their child for years, thus being the perfect leverage. We found that moment already with sweet little C and we can already hear our future selves saying things like "Do you want us to show the socks photo to your friends? Then I suggest you clean up your room."

What comes around goes around, and then it comes back around again

Our streak has finally ended and it looks like the Cold Bug has come to visit... indefinitely. We had always heard that illness visits more frequently the more children there are in the home and it turns out to be true. First B was sick, then she gave it to T who gave it to C and today B is down with it again! Will it ever end? So far J has managed to avoid the ickyness (as usual) and we're keeping our fingers crossed that he continues to be healthy because, well, someone has to be! Its not anything serious, although we did have to take C to the doc to be checked for a rash (something with a 'v' that is viral and appears at the end of the illness) but he's on the upswing now and finally starting to be our mellow, smiley boy again (during the day anyway, nights are still loooooong). It didn't help that he's starting the wonderful teething process, so he's just been having a hard time. That makes two non-well baby visits for him so far and zero for B. Every family has one (an illness/accident prone member) and it looks like C might be ours.

Prayers for Nicole

Our good friend, Nicole Lawry, is in her 29th week of pregnancy and is experiencing some complications that put in to question how long she will be able to sustain the pregnancy and remain healthy. She just celebrated her second anniversary of remission from Lupus and it is everyone's greatest hope that she will be able to make it to 34 weeks (we hope for 36) without ending her great "flare-free" streak. There is no one we know who is a greater believer in, or example of, the power of prayer. So we ask that you please take a few moments out of your day to pray for our friend Nicole and for her little baby girl, that they will be able to remain one for a while longer and that when the blessed event does happen that mother and daughter are healthy and happy throughout the experience. They deserve that more than anyone we know.