A Farewell

Old pilots never die, they just go to a higher plane...



On Sunday, January 25 2009, my grandfather passed away at 79 years of age. He was just a few months shy of his 80th birthday. While he truly is in a better place, he has and will continue to be missed by those who came to know him. He was the kind of person that would do anything for you. He was filled with stories, opinions, advice and knowledge...all of which he shared. His love of flying and for aviation in general could spawn hours of endless stories. He was a hard working man that loved his family, his faith, and his friends. He had a way of reaching out to people and making them believe in themselves...inspiring them to do more or push a little harder. I can remember he would always tell me, "anything worth having in life takes hard work...and if it were easy, then everybody would do it." He was very active in his community and genuinely cared for people...he was a true gentleman and deeply cared for by all who knew him.

I am extremely lucky that I have had all of my grandparents around for this long and have learned so much from them...they have all played a huge roll in my life and I owe them many many many thanks! Though I am suffering a deep loss, I know how blessed I am!

Looooooooong Day

Looks like someone had a long day at work!!! It's a good thing there are a few days off in his future!!!

Goofing Around

After our trip for the ultrasound, Lexie came home...took a good nap...and has been wired (in a good way) ever since! Too bad we haven't gotten to Toys R Us yet to swap out the ball pit...we could use it today! She has been flying her airplane, dancing with Elmo, (see video below) playing in her kitchen, riding the "pony" (thanks to her daddy) and even bouncing off the walls--literally (she had Russ's hat over her eyes, couldn't see and ran...full steam, right into the walls)! Luckily, she was laughing when we looked under the hat!















On a side note...I tried to get some videos to load...but was having some trouble...check back later!!! Sorry!

Oooooooh, We're half way there.....

Hard to believe that we are well into the second trimester and at the 20 week/half way point! Today the three of us loaded up and headed to the imaging center for my ultrasound. The tech could not have been ANY nicer, and we couldn't have ask for better behavior out of Lexie. The ultrasound lasted 45 minutes, though I could have stayed for hours! It is so unreal to see the baby moving, all ten fingers and toes, the heart beating, and everything progressing like it should! I told the tech that if I could get an ultrasound ever day I would!

During the first ultrasound, the baby's heart was beating at a rate of 167bpm...now it is 148bpm, (all well within the normal ranges!!!) and is tipping the scales at 10oz!!! The head circumference, abdomen, and thigh bones all measured on track for a June 12th arrival. The tech said that everything looked great and by all accounts healthy! While I wish we would have gotten pictures of some of the other images, here are a few good ones!


This photo is the first profile shot we saw...what a cutie pie already!!!


Another profile shot...if you look half way down the picture on the right hand side, you can see a foot! And between the forehead and the nose you can see some fingers!



This shot shows the baby in deep thought...that is a hand just above the baby's eye! It was amazing to see this live...it started to scratch a bit and you could see every little finger!


So tell us what you think...it is a boy or a girl??? We will have to wait until June to see if you are right!!!

Football Fever

Lexie is ready for some football!!! Go Steelers!!!!

Toddler Time

We decided to enroll Lexie in Toddler time using some of the money Lexie got from Granny and Grandpa for Christmas. It is a class full of music, dancing, and FUN! Miss Debby, the class instructor, leads the kids with fun filled songs and encourages them to clap and dance and participate in the fun with lots of interesting instruments. Lexie was on cloud nine! She had so much fun...it is definitely money well spent!




Lexie and Megan head for Miss Debby's big red bag full of fun musical instruments!



Here is Lexie sharing an instrument with her new friend Jake



She took a liking to the tamborine...maybe it was because it matched her outfit!!!



Miss Debby and the class march around the room singing and dancing with their instruments.

Breaking in all the new Toys!

It is a good thing that we finished the basement so Lexie could have a place to play with all of the new toys she got for Christmas! She will now stand by the door leading to the basement or tug on your pant leg then run to the door to let you know she is ready to play!!

She has become quite the chef these days playing in her new kitchen and is even showing daddy a thing or two!




Another day and it is back to the kitchen she goes!



I don't know what came over me...but a few days ago I got real brave and decided to blow up Lexie's ball pit. After expelling a whole bunch of hot air...and feeling a bit dizzy...Lexie couldn't wait to give it a try!!!



She absolutely loved it and was cracking herself up!


After she was done bouncing, jumping, and throwing all the balls out...she decided to take it easy and watch some Noggin from the comforts of her new ball pit.

Unfortunately the ball pit has to go back since there seems to be a small leak in it that we can't find...but rest assured, we will be coming home with another one! I think Lexie AND Russ have too much fun not to!

Sneak Preview!!!

I have been meaning to post these photos since the end of November, but finally got them scanned into the computer! As you all know, Lexie is expecting a sibling in June and here is your sneak preview. These images were taken toward the end of the first trimester. We have another ultrasound scheduled next week which could potentially allow us to find out if Lexie is going to have a baby brother or sister! (I am convinced it is another girl...I guess we will know for sure in June!) I will be sure to post pictures so you all can try to guess for yourselves! (PS...Emily...you will have to secretly email me if you/Keith guess...since you all have an advantage-he is a radiologist;)


The photo shows the fetal heart rate...167. It was down to 153 at the last check up (for all of you that buy into the old wives tales).





This image shows the Crown to Rump Length...I was measuring 11 weeks and 2 days according to the baby's growth. I think the length was 4.46cm!!! So tiny!



you can see both feet in the top picture below and one tiny little hand in the bottom picture!

The Check Up...Checks Out!!!

The month of January brought us a new year...as well as a trip to the doctor's office for Lexie. Not to worry...she is in GREAT health and even managed to dodge that stomach bug that plagued Russ and I!!!

This trip was a scheduled visit...her 15 month check up!!! It is SOOOOO hard to believe that our little one is already 15 months old! She is still topping all the growth charts, although she is slipping in the weight category.

In height: She is still taller than 93% of kids her age (ie 93rd percentile) coming in at 32 1/4 inches

In weight: She is down 5% to the 70th percentile weighing 24lbs and 4oz.

The pediatrician said he was extremely pleased with her growth and development and said she looked healthy and happy! (Until that pesky vaccination that is :) The tears only lasted for a few seconds!! :)

Christmas in Kentucky- TAKE FOUR..I think!

About a week after Christmas we loaded up and headed south to spend a few days in KY. We made a pit stop our first night in Huntington to visit with some good friends...The Watsons! We had such a great time and Lexie enjoyed getting to meet Gatsby and Oscar! I don't know what I was thinking, but didn't get any of it caught on film! They were gracious enough to let us spend the night and Emily cooked us a wonderful meal...make that two!

The next morning we were off to see Granny, Grandpa, Dad and Miss Jennifer. Lexie was so excited to see everyone but hated to leave Miss Emily's house! Once we got settled in, she was ready to celebrate "Christmas" all over again! It was a great visit, but like always, too short!



Lexie picked out which one she wanted right away...problem was, there was 1/2 a room full for her! I swear...next year, we are going to celebrate a holiday that doesn't involve exchanging of gifts!



Lexie tackling her BIG present...she gets her da-da to help! (Notice how excited the Huxtables are in the background...I guess I should have cropped the picture!)



Lexie's very own AIRPLANE!!! THANKS Grandpa! (It makes all kinds of fun airplane sounds, music, and noise...noise...noise!)



After PRYING her off of the airplane...it was time to open another present...what could it be?


It is ELMO LIVE! Yes this little guy tells jokes, sings, dances, gives kisses, tells stories, and all kinds of FUN LOUD NOISES!!! I am seeing a theme here! Thanks again dad/grandpa! :)



And yes...there is more! I wasn't able to capture it on film when she actually opened this gift...and we haven't been brave enough to blow it up...but I am sure she is going to have a blast in this! (Our insurance premiums are paid up right Russ???)


If having her very own ball pit wasn't enough, check out this gift to complete her fabulous new kitchen.. (SORRY ABOUT THE STOCK PHOTO...but you get the idea)





Here is Lexie catching a few minutes of down time (they are very rare these days) with Granny!


Here is Lexie with Russ for her very first attempt being airborne!!!


We can't seem to keep her off of this airplane! SHE LOVE LOVE LOVES IT!!!



Not quite ready for a solo flight, she enlists the help of grandpa for a smooth take off and landing!


Flying sure is a lot of FUN!


Lexie takes some time away from her flying to talk shop with Great Grandpa-Don! Listen up Lexie...he's got some gooooood stories!



All of that flying and storytelling worked up an appetite.


Talking to grandpa before we had to leave.


Our Christmas travels have come to and end...I guess it was our own version of FOUR CHRISTMASES...thank God we didn't have to do it all in one day! Like I said before...it was great to see everyone and spend the holidays with MOST of our friends and family...but next year, we are staying put! I'm pooped! :)

Happy New Year!

Since Russ had to work New Year's Eve AND New Year's Day, we couldn't really do much to bring in 2009! We didn't even get to watch the ball drop together! Russ had to work until midnight, then had to be back in at 7AM...so, he ended up staying at the hospital that night.

So in order to make the best of it, Lexie and I decided to help the ER staff celebrate and bring in the new year! Since they were stuck working NYE, we thought we would take them some tasty treats so they could have a little "party" of their own! She had a great time delivering food and putting on a show for all of her daddy's co-workers! She even managed to stay awake for the trip home, but was fast asleep before 2009 was here!