4th and a long way to go!!

Our anniversary was yesterday. Seems like just yesterday that Katt came "raking" out to Storybook Farm where I used to live. That was Jan. 21st, 2002. And to boot, we have the front porch swing where we ate biscuits (cookies) and drank milk. Now the swing will be for rocking a baby to sleep, or mom, whoever needs it!!

It was also my parents anniversary...43 years, me thinks. Boy do Katt and I have a long way to go. But my folks have been exemplary role models, I only hope Katt and I can be as marginally good a pair of parents as my folks have been.

Happy Anniversary to all those who have a significant other in their life...and to those that don't, it's cliche, but 'tis true, there is someone out there for you.

textbook pregnancy--looking ahead

These are the words of the mom-to-be Doc to Katt yesterday. Measurements are good--including weight gain, stomach circumference, anything that could matter to pregnancy--and mentally things are good! Which for me, is a wonderful thing. My lovely wife doesn't even look on me in disgust when I pour myself a glass of wine (however she does look at me kinda funny when I tear off a piece of chipotle dark chocolate!!)

At 32+ weeks, things are almost ready. The Baby room is 90% set, but diaper bags need to be filled with whatever is supposed to go in them...I'm guessing not cycling shoes or endurox R4. OH, and the ever-talked about "hospital bag" needs to be packed. Be prepared, right?

So, what is the best piece of advice someone ever gave you before becoming a parent? Think about that for a while amongst yourselves, and if you have a good one, let us know!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
Slainte'!

Give me the steal sign! Or just guess away.

More guesses--as we don't gamble, these are guesses, not bets ;-)

Courtney: Boy/July 10th/6 lbs 11 oz/2:35pm
Sheila: Boy/July 11th/7 lbs 12oz/3 am
Dot: girl/July 13th/6 lbs 6 oz/2:30am
Becky: girl/July 13th/7 lbs 2 oz/11:45pm
Joyce: girl/July 14th/ 7 lbs 15oz/midnite
Harriet: boy/ July 20th/6 lbs 10oz/2:30pm
Debbie: boy/July 8th/7lb 11 oz/2:30am
Dave and Cindy: girl/July 16th/6 lb 2 oz/11:25pm
Barbara B: boy/Jul 9th/7lb 9 oz/9pm
Barbara L: girl/July 18th/6 lb 10 oz/9:30pm
Thiru: girl/July 10th/7 lb 10 oz/4:32 am
Kay: boy/July 11th/6 lb 9 oz/9:30pm
Sheila B: boy/July 12th/7 lb 6 oz/3 am
Brenda: boy/July 12th/7lb 9 oz/7:30pm
Todd: boy/July 4th/7 lb/12:26pm
Michele: girl/July 3rd/ 7 lb 3 oz/6:45 am
Gail: girl/June 26th/6 lb 12 oz/3:22am
Darrin: girl/June 24th/6 lb 1 oz/7:10pm
Judy G: girl/July 6th/6 lb 11 oz/1am
Margaret: boy/July 7th/7 lb 2 oz/5pm
Donna D: girl/July 8th/6 lb 11 oz/3:33am


As we get more, it seems there is a 50/50 split between boy and girl. Interesting case study!
More to come...

April showers bring May flowers...and babies

Well, May showers bring babies! Sort of. After Mother's Day last weekend and baby showers, it seems like I've never been around so many babies, and moms, and soon-to-be moms...it is overwhelming. It is overwhelming to think that we are about to become parents.

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness and support from family and friends.
We are overwhelmed that with so many problems in today's society, we decided to bring a child into this world.
We are overwhelmed that this Spring has been so full of rain, and that it seems that the weather is working in concordance with us in getting ready for the events to follow this Summer.
We are overwhelmed at how much work it is to get ready for a baby, not to mention AFTER the child arrives!
We are overwhelmed at the love that we repeatedly see from some parents to their kids...hopefully we can emulate them.
But mostly, we are overwhelmed at the good fortune that we HAVE this opportunity to raise a kid, because we know that there are some who never get this chance.

With a little luck, maybe we can make good on this endeavor...
Cheers to the moms!!

we miss you already, Grandma...

Hazel Curran Lefler

SALISBURY - Hazel Curran Lefler, 85, of Salisbury died, Monday, May 5, 2008, at her residence.

Born May 7, 1922, in Stanly County, Mrs. Lefler was the daughter of the late Fleet C. and Mamie Lowder Curran. She was educated in Rowan County schools.

Mrs. Lefler was employed for Rowan Mills for a number of years and retired from Food Service for the Rowan County School System.

She was a member of Faith Baptist Church and the Annie Mae Goodwin Sunday School Class and was a Sunday School teacher in the Children's Department for many years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Shelley Winsdale Lefler, on Feb. 13, 2002.

Survivors include her children, S. Dale Lefler and wife Judy of Rockwell, Barry Lefler and wife Sheila of Salisbury and Karen L. Pinyan and husband Ronnie of Salisbury; sister Blanche Stutts of Salisbury; brothers Rayvon Curran of Salisbury and Haskell Curran of Greenville, S.C.; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Service: Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 7 at Faith Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronnie Parker and Rev. Ronnie Pinyan officiating. Interment will follow at Faith Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Summersett Funeral Home, and at other times, will be at the home of Mrs. Lefler.


"Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin"
There is no hearth, like your own hearth.

"And down the stretch they come..."

Seems appropriate. Heading into the 30th week, Katt feels like she is on the back stretch of the Kentucky Derby. Last trimester, last few weeks, and all of it uncomfortable. My lovely wife has been a trooper to say the least. Even though she has gained almost 30 pounds, and has 10 weeks (maybe) to go, people STILL tell her she doesn't look pregnant. That's the sad state of affairs in this country, when Katt's body style "looks normal" and yet she is 30 weeks pregnant. I'll not get on my soap box here...

She is glowing though!! And a beautiful pregnant lady. I can't say enough about how she has handled herself, and how she has handled becoming a new mom. She has carried herself, and Olaf, in a proud and magnificent way!

Have a great Derby weekend.

(Oh...the picture is of my dad, Katt, and my mom at my sister in law's wedding last year in Ireland)