Second Anniversary

I know, we are the most adorable couple ever. December 18, 2004 really feels like much farther away then 2 years. Marriage is great- I highly recommend it!

I love our Christmas... Tree?

Once again Nathaniel and I are headed out of town for almost 2 weeks for Christmas. This fantastic (not to mention needed) vacation plan leaves us, once again, unable to get a live Christmas tree for fear that it will burn down our house mid party with the ornaments while we're away. Getting a fake tree has been proposed, but storage space is a definite problem in our little house- so, this year we've come to have a Christmas tree/banister. And what better place to hang the stockings too?!

Winter

Hooray! Winter is here. Too bad the winter out here in MD just means COLD, not necessarily snow. In any case- good timing to bust out those huge warm sweaters to cover my expanding...everything.

Belly (after 3 pieces of pizza and a bowl of icecream).

This weekend cousin Zerelda and baby Joseph came to hang out with us. The ambitious adventure of the weekend was to trek to Ikea to buy a new bookshelf to organize all of my crafts, etc. in the 2nd bedroom closet. I'm thrilled. I can actually see all of the yarn, scrapbook stuff, books, etc. that I have AND get to them all easily. It's fantastic.

Sweet Joseph "helping" to assemble the new shelf.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was loads of fun and food. I spent the morning putting in a turkey and setting the table- then watching the macy's parade and knitting. Nathaniel spent his morning out on the football field in the annual ward turkey bowl playing with a serious knee brace. Success. He scored a touch down AND didn't get hurt. What more could a girl ask for?

Cousin Dan supervising the carving of the turkey

What would a gathering be without a game of Settlers? (congrats to winner Robert)
Later that weekend things got crafty. Charity in action:

I am a knitting machine

I love to knit- it's just a relaxing and productive way to pass the time. Here is the latest project: Our Christmas stockings. The pictures didn't come out very well... But you get the general idea.

I had to put "mom" and "dad" on the stockings instead of our names because "Nathaniel" would have wrapped around the other side of the stocking! So... it was either "Man" or "Dad". "Dad" won because I didn't particularly want "Woman" on mine.

On my stocking, I need to go back and fix it. "Mom" looks more like "HOH"... that just won't work....

A girl and her toolbelt

You could probably ask me to do just about any "handy" task, and I'd be happy to oblige, so long as I could wear my pink toolbelt! This particular task ended up being a lesson learned. For literally months, Nathaniel and I have been dealing with a running toilet. We're all familiar with the line "just jiggle the handle!" and goodness- how many times this toilet has had it's handle jiggled- one knows not. FINALLY- upon the wisdom of a wise and all-knowing friend (BJ) we went to Home Depot, and dropped the whopping $5 that it would cost to solve our problem.
Toolbelt on, part in hand- and voila- 30 seconds later- silence! The lesson is: Get a friend like BJ. That, AND, (the lesson that Nathaniel threw out there that would work for a talk) sometimes we let a problem seem like more then it is- drag on for months, when it is really a quick fix. Whatever- so long as I get to wear my pink toolbelt.

Removing old part. Cute toolbelt- see my hammer?!

Putting in new part. Cute toolbelt.

You tell me...

In response to MANY a question "are you showing yet?!" Nathaniel and I took some pictures at the temple this Saturday- you tell me... am I showing? haha. We're 5 months pregnant (20 weeks)! I'm so happy time is flying by. He likes to kick me every now and then- especially to let me know that my pants are getting to tight and they're restricting his growing environment. Maternity clothes... It seems like such a scary realm. I think I'll continue to put it off until absolutely necessary...Can't I just wear pj's to work?

I don't look all that super in this picture- but you can tell we're happy- so. that's good. :)

Growing girl... and boy.

My goodness, he is a HANDSOME man.

Vicarious Fall for Melissa

Fall out here seems to have sort of snuck up on me. Not the way that summer sneaks up (in a very sinister way), but just all of the sudden the leaves were BRIGHT oranges and yellows, and then the next day, they were all dead and the branches were bare. My favorite part has been driving down the tree lined freeways and having leaves blow down on my car like snow. The best part about this is that even though it is just as enchanting (in it's own fall way) as snow, the MD drivers don't seem to FREAK OUT (read: slam on breaks) they way that they would to a "light snow flurry." My jackets are happy- they don't feel lonely at all- except that most of the lighter jackets have been quickly abandoned for my winter coat. There are still a good deal of leaves on our massive tree waiting to fall- probably waiting for snow just so they can break and make a real mess. Nathaniel has been quite a champ raking all of the leaves up- though we're still trying to figure out what we need to do with them so the recycling people will pick them up like they're supposed to.... Hmm. I think I would very much enjoy still being in flip flop weather- I LOVE any excuse to wear flip flops. Maybe we should swap states, just for a week or so. ;) Then you can enjoy the smell of decomposing leaves (yuck) and stomping on crunch leaves (yay) and I'll enjoy the sunshine and t-shirt weather. Though- today we're actually having quite warm weather- always good to have a curve ball thrown in the mix. Alright. There you have it Meliss- MD fall just for you.

November Rose

I Love it for some reason when flowers bloom so late in the year! This is a rose that bloomed on our rose bushes that, until this rose, I hated. This rose came out a different color then all of the other ugly roses that bloomed on it- maybe the pruning (massacre) of the thing helped... I'll have to read up on rose care for the summer and maybe we'll get more like this!

Weekend madness

<-- This is my favorite picture. It is Charity pretending to be Jeffy (Family Circus Christmas Special) putting 'Granddad's Star' at the top of her own custom ladder and tape Christmas tree. Sisters!

Goodness! What a busy (but fun) weekend! On friday after work Nathaniel and I zipped over to the MVA (DMV for all you non-Maryland folk) to spend the rest of our money paying sales tax and registration on our NEW CAR. I am entirely infatuated with our Mazda Tribute. As Nathaniel would say- it is a dream to drive. We feel so spoiled. Anyway... Later that evening the Johnson's came over for a game of settlers. The game was painfully pitiful on my end (3 points), and to be honest, I can't remember who won? Nathaniel, maybe? I was just happy to have the game over. In between Friday night and Saturday morning Charity appeared at our house. She's like a fun Christmas present! That or Santa's work elf on loan... She and I spend a good portion of Saturday painting "the baby's room" (as Tabitha has been calling it since long before we were pregnant). The room was all pink! It's not an invasive pink, but no matter- pink simply will not do for a little boy. We went gender neutral in the chance that kid number 2 is a girl and painted it yellow. She and I also put together the crib! It was laying in pieces all over and we needed to figure out how big it was anyway. Here is a little picture outline of our progress:

Cher the hottie:

Yah- I know I'm a terrible sister putting herthrough this- One day, I anticipate payback time.

BYE BYE PINK WALLS

Honestly, what would painting be if we don't write our names with it on the walls???

Trying to figure this thing out!

Hanging the curtains back up! Yay yellow walls! (Charity's height comes in so handy!)

Good times with the sister on Saturday. Ahh! Also on Saturday I finally felt like when I woke up that my little Zucchini was becoming more noticeable! I still may just look a bit chubby to someone new that I meet, but people who know me can tell. I feel him move every day, and while Charity says "weird" every time I tell her that, I love it. Little kick right there for ya'll from baby. :) Saturday night Nathaniel and I went to a housewarming/farewell party(2 different couples) for some friends. Lots of good fun and chili, just a late night. Sunday we got up early to drive our dream ride out to Carroll County for baby Charlotte's blessing! Meeting Rob and Julie's family was a kick- and I could tell who belonged to which family without having been introduced. I wonder if that's how it is for the Hill kids? Hmm.... After lunch at Charlotte's house (who are we kidding- when kids come- it's their house now) we went home for some more bonding time with Cher-the-babe before she took off for PA again and then we got ready to go out to the Neilsens for some dinner and Settlers. This time I definitely remember who won. ;)

Little *BOY* under construction.....

Horray! We have a little boy on his way (mind you- we're not even quite to that 1/2 way mark though). We are so entirely excited and delighted.

We had a busy day yesterday: Our sonogram was at 2pm, and then as soon as we got home, our new car arrived! Momma's got a new ride! Nathaniel worked tirelessly to find us an amazing deal on a 2005 Mazda Tribute. We'll be riding in style! After all this fun, I dragged (tears can be very persuasive) Nathaniel out to Target. I needed to celebrate by buying something boyish :). We settled on a little set of 3 sleepers. I'm so excited for this little boy to come be a part of our family!

I'll try to figure out how to get a picture of baby boy up here soon.

Felicity and The Beltway

So. Roughly two hours of my day are spent each week day driving on the beltway. You could say that the beltway and I have a love/hate, stop and go kind of relationship. Some days- it is fabulous (usually Fridays- though today disappointed), however most days The Beltway seems to say to me, "I hate you, go back home." I would happily follow this advice to go back home, but... work beckons.
When I drive anywhere I have this little mental race car game going in my head... I pick and choose a 'team' among other drivers. Sometimes a car will be on my team, but as soon as they pass in front of me without a courtesy wave- OFF my team!
On the little note of courtesy wave- Honestly. Is it a difficult thing to do to flick your wrist and wave at the car that so graciously let you cut in? I know it was a remarkable physical feat to put on the blinker as you start cutting into my lane, but for my mental health, could you PLEASE just wave? It's amazing the difference in my daily commute when a driver waves. One grateful woman even rolled down her window, stuck her entire arm out, and waved enthusiastically. Made me grin the entire rest of my drive in.
Can I just say to my fellow commuters heading home last night: It's only a broken down car getting towed, NO NEED TO HIT THE BREAKS. Blows my mind how that can create a traffic jam. It's one thing when it's a fender bender in the CENTER LANE (of 5) that decided to PARK THERE, rather then pull off to the side like all signs direct- those drivers give us no choice-we have to slam on the breaks to avoid hitting them. When I'm on the phone to my sweet husband during these discoveries of the cause of a back up, he asks if people are honking. Nope. We're all so disillusioned with it all- just keep on going- water under the bridge. I'm not quite that broken in yet- makes my blood boil (clearly) but eventually I recover... I will...
Well anyway- enough on that. Already takes up too much time in my life as it is, no use continuing in the 'ode to the 495'. One last thing to say to my old pal Beltway: Our days are numbered- I hate you too.

Maximus

Max is son to Annie and BJ. He is happy and carefree, as every 6 month old rightfully should be. He greets with smile and now lifted arms! I think his coo's are adorable- as is this picture- taken by Annie:

Purdy boy

Man, I'm fired from this blogging thing!
Life has been fun and exciting for us. Yesterday was our 22 month anniversary and Nathaniel (once again) surprised me when I came home with some red roses and some homemade brownies! They didn't turn out quite like planned, but with some vanilla icecream we'll be all set.
Last weekend Nathaniel and I drove down to North Carolina to visit his grandma Jacque, her husband Ike and many many other extended family members. Nathaniel is an instant hit wherever we go. Many a stranger (relative or not) has come up to touch his face and say "YOU a purdy boy!" At church, as I was standing amongst the women admiring my husband, one oh-so-gracious soul told me how lucky I was to catch him. uh-huh. thanks to you too lady. We enjoyed our stay there, I even got to see some remnants from Captian Blackbeards ship!
Pregnancy- well it's far more fabulous now that I'm past the 1st trimester. Tomorrow I'll be 17 weeks! On November 1 we'll find out what the baby is...we'll see how that poll holds up! At first, almost everyone I talked to thougt that I was having a girl "for sure!" and now, most people I talk to seem to think we'll have a boy. So. We'll keep you posted.

My very own 'Purdy Boy' and Grandma Jacque

Joella (1st cousin once removed or something like that...) and her crew with Nathaniel

Emily (same relation as Joella) and crew with me and Nathaniel. Please note my very first pair of maternity pants (everyone should have pants like these for the holidays and all-you-can-eat buffets).

Ike and the ever glamerous Jacque

Thoughts?

Where's the Baby??

THERE S/HE IS:
What happened?! Well.... on our second month on Clomid I went in for my blood test to see if I had ovulated and it came back negative. Very discouraging. Apparently my progesterone level was at .7 when just the month before it had been 29. Durn it all. I went in to talk to my doctor to talk about 'options'. It was looking like we'd take one more go round on the Clomid, though at a double dose, and then after that it would be on to a specialist. Seeing as I hadn't ovulated my dr. prescribed Provera to bring on my cycle- but before I could start that I would need to take a standard blood pregnancy test. Ya'll are seeing where this is going... right? I called in for the results and my lovely doctor let me know that the test had come back positive! After having 4 or 5 blood tests to make sure my levels were rising appropriately we got to have our first glimpse at the little.... yolk sac. Hmm. A week later we got to have another sonogram to make sure that the pregnancy was viable. Our little Jelly Bean was just visible! And yesterday- we saw our jumping bean. The baby seems to have grown so much! It is amazing to see little arms and legs waving all over and the tiny heart beating so quickly. With the crazy circumstances of actually getting pregnant- they still haven't tagged one specific due date. I'm gonna go with April 2 since we've been dated anywhere from March 30-April 6. Love to all- and we'll keep you posted.

The Twinkle in his/her Father's eye: If you look at this picture sideways- it looks more like an eye and eyebrow than a baby....

Our little Jelly bean: It looked like most of it was just a beating heart!

Yesterday's portrait: These pictures aren't transferring on here very well... but I hope you can make out the head, body and legs.

Do Not Attempt.

For Labor Day, Nathaniel decided to take me out someplace that we have never been before. FREDERIC, MD. Well. As it was a holiday most stores and restaurants were closed with the exception of every "novelty" shop and pub. Uh huh. We quickly strolled up and down the streets (Nathaniel was a champ on his now less-gimpy knee) looking for something decent to look at. The first think we found was this little bridge. Ahh, aren't we sweet?

This... well. This was just interesting. And of course Nathaniel naturally had to mimic this tortured mural man.

Then... it was our turn to be tortured. Not having found a decent place to eat in all of the 'downtown' we decided to eat at a restaurant called Roy Rogers. I was entirely intrigued as I had never heard of the place before! Would they serve Shirley Temples too?? Never did I imagine that it was a sick, twisted, and worse version of a KFC and Arctic Circle in one. However, Nathaniel posed perfectly for this picture:

The feast that should not have been:

Call out to the birthday girl...

TAMAR! Happy 30th!


<-- Caption "Sis, it seems like just yesterday you were a little boy."

I'll get a picture of Tamar as a child on here soon. ;)

So much for that...

Hours and hours I spent toiling in our front yard attempting to grow grass. I had a vision of a lush soft lawn, perfect for a mini picnic or mini mini slip n' slide or... not. In anycase, my vision did not come to pass. At first little shoots of fresh grass sprung up everywhere! It was so exciting, but the first rain storm took a good toll- wiping out my crops. Then, our trip to california left the poor lawn parched and it never quite recovered. Finally, to top it all off... last week verizon came and destroyed what was left of my little lawn to instal fiberoptic cables. Hmph.

So, now what should I do? I've heard that now is the time to re-seed. But man. It seemed to take way too much energy for nothing in the first place!! Maybe I'll find the motivation this labor day weekend. Wish me luck!

Orange you glad?

August 18, 2006:
I came home to beautiful flowers, a coordinating bear, and a lovely card (which, at first glance, looks like it's us!) ! Inside the card: "Orange you glad we're married?!" My sweet sentimental husband. I love that he celebrated our 20 month anniversary :) Yes, my darling. I am so glad that we're married forever.

New Camera!!! Yay!

Horray! I Love my new camera!! In an effort to make sure that it was a quality and worth owning camera I had to test it out. First- take a picture of the fan on low. Result- nice and clear. Second- take a picture of the fan on high. Result- suprisingly nice and clear. Third- toss Belle (you all know Belle, I hope) into the air for a dual action shot. Result- highly successful! I started laughing so hard, that I took like 12 of these pictures. Here is the best of Belle, along with a little other pal that Nathaniel threw in there.

Another really cool feature of the camera: Nathaniel shakin' his groove thang.

Not for the faint at heart....

So! Now that said new camera is up and running, I managed to get off all of the other pictures that we had stored on our memory card! I warn you... Do not scroll down if you get squeamish at the sight of a recently operated on knee (which by the way, is healing slowly but surely).
Before: The before shot- after Nathaniel went to town on his knee with my venus razor. He was certain with his experience shaving his legs that he would be better qualified then the medical technician. I'm sure he was right- what a beautiful knee:

AFTER: Nathaniel still drugged up- Sweet wife, Felicity, gets to change the 'dressing' and take pictures.

Like a hole in my head...

Yes... I need a hole in our lovely painted ceiling like a hole in my head. Regardless of my needs, however, we have a hole in our ceiling. On Monday- in true Monday fashion- when Nathaniel walked in the door from work he was greeted by our dining room ceiling with a drip of water right down in front of him. While in some cultures, this could be a sign of good luck, such was not the case for our AC unit. The past months record breaking temperatures took their toll on our sweet AC unit and it froze over. Can you say "DANG IT"? We did!
Thankfully! We have a wonderfully talented friend named BJ and his very accomodating wife who promply came over to calm my husband while I was still at work and to blowdry away the ice. I'm really not sure if Nathaniel and I would have qualified to be homeowners without having the Mitchells as our friends. I'll try to work our camera and document this hole for all to see shortly!