Tom's first studio shoot

The fact that "Baby Time" is getting so close still takes us by suprise at least a few times each day. In just over a month, our lives will certainly be changed forever. We think we have all of the necessities in place. We met with a pediatrition this morning and he seems like a nice guy so we have decided to give him a try. We also have an appointment with the Sheriff's Department to install the car seat. And finally, on a recent shopping trip we completed our list of what we think are the most essencial baby items to have on hand.

The above portrait of Joy is just one sample from the dozens that Tom took for his first portraiture assignment. Tom couldn't wait to post them online despite Joy's humble resistance.
View a slide-show of Joy's portrait session by clicking here.

Today is Tom's birthday (45), so he took the day off. Tonight is our final "Baby Class". After six weeks of "Heeh-Heeh-Heeh" ing, we are excited to move on with our lives. Though we have a much better understanding of what to expect here in a few weeks. The tour of the maternity ward at Fairview Riverside Hospital was also very exciting and informative.

In other news... The Web Shack is thriving while Tom struggles to keep up with the web design work and still keep his 4.0 average at school. Perhaps the baby will keep us home and allow us to get more work done.......well......probably not. I must have just been day dreaming.

Fall is in the air with temperatures falling into the 50's. Today is very windy and a bit chilly. A good day to stay inside and try to get some work done.

Oh Happy Day!

The nursery is nearly complete! Grandma and Grandpa Lamolli bought the crib - thank you Grandma and Grandpa! The furniture has been assembled, the new baby clothes all washed and put away, and the daybed has been moved up from the family room downstairs. So, after a very busy weekend of purchasing some final items, we are happy to have everything done except for a few final touches (mostly things to put on the wall) and purchasing more of the "necessities" like blankets, extra crib sheets, carriers, boppy pillows, etc. - but the big stuff is done!

Ok...now where do we put the rest of the stuff like toys, playpen, exersaucer, bouncy seat, and all of the other stuff that once filled this room. We are already talking about what can go in that infamous space "under the stairs". I guess these things will work themselves out.

100 days to go.... What do we do now?

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