Our Shock and Sympathies

We are still in shock over last evening's tragedy here in Minneapolis. The 35W bridge that collapsed is one that we use frequently and is only a few blocks from the U of M campus where we both work. It was quite freaky to actually see my office on in the background on CNN's coverage. Sadly, It will take our city years to recover.

On my lunch break only minutes ago. I took my camera down the street to document whatever I found....mostly tons of people lining the streets just trying to see whatever they could. The authorities kept everyone away from the scene. Media from all over the world are set up in a staged area near the scene. Satellite trucks, reporters, cameras etc. line the edge of University Ave. Anderson Cooper of CNN (Cooper News Network) isn't here yet....but give it time.

Our hearts and prayers are with those that are most affected by this tragedy.

Below is 35W looking north from the point at which the road is still intact. Looking south from this point is where the scene takes a much darker view (1st photo at top).

Spectators everywhere!

God Bless the survivors as well as those still lost.

It's a kicker!!

It's official - Baby Archibald is kicking! I started feeling what I *thought* was movement a couple weeks ago, but I wasn't sure. Then last week I suddenly felt a definite POP! There was no denying that was the baby making its presence known! A few of the kicks have even been strong enough to feel from the outside. Tom was able to feel it last week. He thought I was playing tricks on him by moving the blanket that was on my belly, but it wasn't me! It was our little "Jackie Chan" karate kicker. :) (We've also referred to him/her as "Walker" for Walker Texas Ranger, but somehow Jackie Chan just seems better.)

The web design business has also been keeping us busy lately. There is never a dull moment. Tom is almost done with his summer semester of school (2 more weeks to go!) then he gets 4 weeks off before the fall semester starts. Yippee!! A break from night school will be SO nice.

It looks like I will be going back to work part-time, at least between now and November. I will be going back to the same office at the University where I worked before. I am so lucky - they have offerred me a part-time position that will allow me to split my time between the office and working from home. I will only have to go to the office 2 days a week. Part of me is not completely excited about going back to work, but at least it will give us some extra funds to buy much-needed baby items and they are being so good to me with the flexible schedule. Plus, it's only until the baby arrives in November and then I can decide whether or not I want to go back. I really am blessed to have so many options.

This weekend we are going "up north" to northern MN to visit my family for the weekend. Hopefully we will be able to get out on the boat! We haven't been on the lake at all this year. The land of over 10,000 lakes and we can't seem to get on 1 of them even once. Summers just go by too fast - and of course it makes it harder when you don't own a boat - ha! It will be great to just relax and enjoy time with family in the northwoods. We are also taking pictures at a wedding reception up there. My former boss asked if we would come take pictures at her mom's wedding reception. That will be exciting, too - and more photography experience!

This past weekend was a busy one. We had a long client meeting on Saturday with a web site client and we also got some work done on the house. We finally finished painting our upstairs hallway - hooray! It had been half-painted for a few months. We still have lots of areas to finish painting, but one step at a time. Sunday was hectic but FUN as we went to Babies R Us and Target to register for their baby registries. It was nice because it helped relieve some of our shopping urges - we felt like we were buying all kinds of stuff - yet we didn't actually buy anything. It was fun just picking things out. We only have one more registry to complete (Burlington Coat Factory) and then we are done. It was definitely a fun day!

Well, I guess that is it for now. We hope everything is going well for all of you and would love to hear from you! Take care and enjoy your summer!!

Joy

We Have Wallpaper!!

After several weeks of paint but no wallpaper in the nursery, we finally finished the wallpaper border today! Yippee!! It was quite a task involving a big bucket of water, a large sponge, a few curse words and only a couple minor arguments. :)

Our nursery is now complete - well, the paint and wallpaper part is complete - there's still a long way to go with furniture, supplies, etc. The next big step will be the furniture. Once we have that, we will add the finishing touches - pictures, shelves, etc.

Here's a picture of the nursery as it is now with the new wallpaper border and the window valance.

And here's a close-up of the border:

Some "ducky" little friends just waiting to play with Baby Archibald:

It's such a relief to have this piece of the project complete - the nursery is getting there! Our goal is to have the nursery completely ready 1 month before the due date. Here's hoping! Progress will be stalled for a while now that we are saving for the big furniture purchase.

We hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the summer. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Tom, Joy and Baby Archibald

Say Cheese, Baby Archibald!!

Well, today was the "big day" - our big Level II ultrasound! The little one was NOT very cooperative. It laid with its back toward us almost the entire time and would not roll over. The tech kept poking and prodding, trying to get the little one to move and FINALLY at the very end it rolled over just long enough for the tech to get the few images and measurements she needed. We got one quick profile shot and that was it, so here it is...

A doctor came in and reviewed all the scans and measurements and said the little "bean" looked great! He/she weighs 8 ounces (1/2 pound), which is exactly where it should be at this point. All the measurements (organs, limbs, head, etc.) were normal and the heartbeat was good and strong (151 beats per minute).

We also have a new nickname for the baby - Skeletor! Okay, we won't really call it that, but there was one picture we got from the ultrasound of the baby looking directly at the screen and you saw the outline of the skull (eye sockets, nasal opening, etc.) - it looked just like Skeletor! Tom thought it was too scary.

It's strange to think how much this little one has grown in the past couple of months - from a little tiny "peanut" to a tiny human - and a stubborn, uncooperative human at that! Is this a sign of baby's behavior to come? Yikes! :)