Hank Checking In

After my incident with the window, my blogging privileges were restricted, but now I am back and I have a lot catch you guys up on.

First of all, we finally got that great white stuff today! I say great because one, mom always stays home from work and snuggles with me when it comes; two, it is fun to go play in at the baseball field with my girlfriend Gracie; and three, it is tasty and refreshing. As you can see below, I have no aversion to the cold. The hot girl on the right is Gracie.

There has been a lot of excitement around this town recently. We got a new president last week. I hear he is looking for a dog for the White House. Here are some of the qualifications a first dog should have: house trained, on alert at all times (can't always trust those Secret Service guys), photogenic, sophisticated yet playful, and likes to travel (doesn't get airsick). Now I'm not saying I don't enjoy my current home, but I have placed my resume on monster.com and we'll see what happens (c'mon, who wouldn't want that huge backyard and personal chef?).

Speaking of the White House, mom and dad recently took two field trips: one to the West Wing and then to President Bush's Departure Ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base. Of course it is annoying for me that they leave for hours at at time on the weekend, but I get to hear all about the good stuff when they come home and we discuss it. They especially enjoyed hearing Bush speak before he got on the plane for Texas. He had a lot of positive things to say about our new president, and talked about how grateful he was for his family, his dogs, and everyone in the administration. He also said that his first faith-based initiative in his retirement was letting Laura buy a house without him ever seeing it. I'm sure it will be just fine.

Mom and Dad in the White House press room

Mrs. Cheney, President Bush, Mrs. Bush

Well, I have a lot to do in the next few weeks to get ready for Grayson. I'm pretty sure I am in charge of putting his room together and installing the car seat. So, this is probably it until after he comes home.

Love, Hank

Baby Grayson Update

It has been a while since we have talked baby, and we are drawing ever nearer to our due date! I will start off by saying that at this point I feel like I have been pregnant for my entire life. I think Joe feels the same way. In actuality I have been pregnant for 35 weeks now, with a little over a month left to go. Grayons is about 5 lbs now and the doctor doesn't think he'll get much past 7 lbs, which would be great. At this point he is so active that you can watch his movements from across the room. He has already dropped quite a bit (relieving the rib pain) and is busy planning his escape in my pelvis. (Sorry if that is too much information). Because of this relocation I am finding it quite difficult to move around, especially after being on my feet for a couple of hours. It is kind of a creeping/waddling movement that I do now. I constantly hear whispers behind my back at school such as "I can't believe she is still walking" and "There's no way she will make it to February", etc. Everyone at school has been very gracious and helpful, which I am thankful for. However, I have decided to stop working starting Feb. 2nd. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to rest and nest for a few weeks before Grayson is due!

This weekend we took our 2 day childbirth class at the hospital. Of course within the first few minutes they put up detailed slides of anatomy and Joe and I realized, while stifling giggles, that we weren't quite mature enough for the class. Luckily, we were sitting in the back. It was pretty amazing to listen to some of the questions the professional, educated fathers-to-be asked. Probably the craziest was "What are the adverse effects of breastmilk?" Whoa! That's how God made us, buddy! But, we got through it and learned some very helpful information.

Most of all, we are just dying to meet the little guy! We can't wait to see what he looks like and hold him and tell him how much we love him!!! We'll keep you all updated.....

P.S. I don't think the above picture really shows the enormity of the situation

The Presidential Box

Well, as far as birthday surprises go, Joe has peaked early in our marriage. My birthday is tomorrow, and for the BEST birthday present ever, he called in a few favors to (awesome) friends and got tickets to a musical at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts...in the PRESIDENTIAL BOX...i.e. where the President sits when he goes to any show or does the Kennedy Center Honors. WOW! Luckily, he (the President)was not interested in seeing Legally Blonde: The Musical so that we could! So, on Sunday afternoon we got a taste of the high life and have decided to post a list of the Top 10 Perks for watching a show Presidential Style.

1. Easy to remember your seat number: Box 1.

2. Enclosed with your tickets is a friendly reminder that as you are considered guests of the President and the First Lady, you need to act appropriately towards the performers. Whew! That saved us a lot of embarrassment.

3. The only box that allows drinks and snacks. We know this because the sweet usher lady, upon seeing our tickets, said,"Oh! You get to go in the one with the refreshments!"

4. The bathroom might as well be a bulletproof saferoom. It is soundproof, probably because it might be awkward if dignitaries heard each other going to the bathroom.

5. Red, white and blue Presidential M&Ms in their own special box.

6. The people in the boxes around you think you have obviously done something pretty special to be sitting in THAT box.

7. Special Korbel Champagne with the Presidential seal on the bottle- Joe, at least, enjoyed that.

8. Before the show you get to hang out and hear war stories from the Secret Service guys. (Just kidding, no Secret Service for us)

9. Obviously, the BEST seats in the house!

10. It just feels good.

Outside the entrance to the box

The view when you walk in

The entrance to the theater from the inner box- can't take pics out there

Special Presidential Champagne

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yea for blogs!

We would just like to say thank you to those of you that have blogs. Over the past few months we have really come to appreciate them. We have noticed that they help us feel apart of your lives more than just occasional emails and phone calls. Because we live states, or even countries, away from most of you, we miss out on so much, especially with all the growing babies now! Reading about important moments, seeing pictures and being able to comment on them is such a joy for us and something we look forward to.

And hint, hint, if you don't have one maybe you should think about it...:)

Tour de South

Before Christmas, we were thrilled to be able to take a quick road trip down South to visit some dear friends before Grayson comes. We went to a baby shower for Sara and Allen, as well as our old church, Shandon Baptist in Columbia, SC. Then onto Atlanta to see the Bagwells' growing family and Betsy and new baby Ellis. Finally we drove back through Charlottesville, VA to see UVA and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. We did it all in 5 days, and EVERY part was perfect, although short. We are so thankful to have seen all of you and miss you already!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Sick Boys

I just couldn't help it. Joe came home early from work today with a bad cold. Him and Hank promptly curled up on the couch to nap it out. So now I have two pitiful boys to take care of, which makes me feel good because they have been taking extra special care of me for over 7 months now.

p.s. Went to the doctor today- everything is ship-shape with Grayson. His head is already down and I will now start seeing the doctor every 2 weeks. We're getting close! (at least that's what they say- I feel like I have been pregnant my entire life at this point. :)

Christmas Catastrophe

(Well, I guess it was technically a day after Christmas.)

Last night, I was giving Joe a haircut in anticipation of a mini-road trip we were supposed to take today (Sorry Tom and Jenny!). Hank heard someone walking by, and ran downstairs as usual to bark at them in his best guard dog voice. However, this time we heard a loud CRASH! He had broken through the window at the bottom of the stairs that he likes to jump on and paw at. If you know Hank, you know he is easily scared (yes, I know this doesn't line up with his guard dog persona) and he immediately ran upstairs with a terrified look on his face. As we petted and soothed him as he trembled, we noticed the blood on the carpet. We carried him to the tile in the kitchen to examine his little paws. One of them in particular bled quite a bit very quickly. Joe did some excellent doctoring (that may have included duct tape) to last through the night. Hank on his part had the most pitiful look on his face all night, and barely stirred at all. This morning we took him to the vet to see how deep the cuts were. Of course he needed to be put under to get stitches, recieved a cone for his head and an unbelievable vet bill, so much that Grayson probably can't go to college now. Post-surgery he is groggy and wants to be very close to mama.

The window

After being doctored by Joe- note the worried look on his face

Back home from the million-dollar vet's office

It will be an interesting week with the cone, as every time he moves he bumps into something which frightens him and makes him jumpy. The stairs are a nightmare, as he hasn't learned to pick his head up yet, so he gets scared when the cone hits a stair and then he won't move AT ALL. (And for those of you who have not been to our place, it has 3 stories). Good times ahead!