Baby Mania

I'm going to be a total mom here, and post a gazillion pictures of our kid.

He or she is only 13 weeks along but has had two photo-shoots under his/her belt already! What's a mom to do, but post it all?!

I had to go in and see our midwives unexpectedly on Friday, so we got some pictures then. And then once Jeff got home, we went again on Monday and got some more pictures and heard the heartbeat. 

You guys: our kid is flippin' awesome. As I was watching him on the ultrasound screen, I got this sense that he or she (I'm gonna say he to make it easy...if he ends up being a girl, sorry honey!) is the happiest little buddy. He is sooo joyful! He was having a great time, just hanging out, bouncing around, and was just so active and happy. How do I know he's so happy? I have no clue, I just do. I seriously think our kid is going to bring so much more joy into our lives, if that is even possible. We are completely thrilled and so grateful that he's healthy and doing wonderful. 

After seeing pictures and watching him for awhile, it makes this little life much more real. I've been feeling great (other than that dumb virus)...so great that sometimes I would even forget I was pregnant. But after seeing him, he's constantly on my mind, if not in the front, then in the back. He's a little 2.5" long human that I find myself talking to now, praying for and love already. 

So are you guys ready for some baby mania?! Here you go - enjoy!

This is his first picture. See that his ankles are crossed? 

I think that's super cute, but what makes it more cute is that Jeff crosses his ankles when he's laying down to go to sleep too. :) So sweet.

This is him getting measured. He did good - he stayed still for this part.

The rest of the time he was moving around quite a bit. 

I love this one because of his sweet face! Doesn't that look like a smile? 

Right after this picture he took his arm and put it back behind his head - chillin'. 

Here he's sucking his thumb!! (Can you see the individual fingers?) I did the same thing as a baby. 

Fist pump for being the fastest sperm!!!

And it looks like he's wearing the mask of Zorro. You go, little baby.

Hide and seek. I have no clue where he is here.

The rest of the pictures are from Monday, which is why he's changed positions. 

When the pictures came out the midwives were shocked at how clear everything showed up. 

 We just adore the little profile. 

We enter the 2nd trimester this week.

Thanks for reading!

Adventure isn't missing!

Recovery

I made it back from Costa Rica...barely. You should've seen me you guys. Ever seen The Walking Dead? I was like a zombie - but not angry or hungry - more like dead, just dead. But I had to actually move if I wanted to get home on that last travel day. Somehow I made it, one foot after the other, one airport after the other, with a fever and aches and all that. I've never been more glad to crawl into my own bed.

Sorry for the dramatics. It probably wasn't that bad. What happened is on the last day at the resort I contracted this nasty respiratory virus and have had trouble breathing and coughing. (Apparently when you're pregnant, your immune system is shot, and it takes much longer to recover from normal bugs.) I'm on this really expensive medication to make sure that the baby gets enough oxygen. No biggie. I just can't breathe. Again, sorry for the dramatics. I'm just in that kind of mood. Me & the babe will be just fine.

I finally felt more energy yesterday, so Nikki and I walked downtown and got some Mexican food and gelato. It was a beautiful night! And the duckies were out at the lake. :-) It's good to be home.

But I have to say this, Costa Rica is a beautiful place, and the people - the PEOPLE - that's what I really miss. If you're my Facebook friend or follow me on Instagram, you've probably seen all my photos, but I'll post my favorites here. They hopefully give a look into how wonderful this trip was. Despite my strong dramatics about getting sick, my gratefulness at being able to experience this completely exceeds all that. 

Yes, that's a volcano! Somewhere in Central America.

Baby Samuel - there are no words for how precious this boy is.

Ash in action.

fresh mangoes

rainy season

local schoolyard

Puentarenas, CR - where we stayed our last two days

Jeff's $6 haircut. No joke.

gosh I love this man

Adventure isn't missing,
Rose

A couple of things.

Tonight I leave for Costa Rica!! I'm traveling with my friend Ashley, and we're meeting up with my husband who is already there with the MC team. We'll be spending a couple days in San Jose, and the last two days in Puentarenas. It's a quick, six day trip, but I am so glad to go! I'm so glad to be with Jeff while he's traveling this year. (Last year, I got to meet up with everybody in North Carolina.) The church we go to has close ties with Pastor Diaz and his church in San Jose. I've heard about how wonderful they are for years, and am looking forward to finally getting to meet them.

Speaking of Ashley...she is a gem, and will be such a fun travel partner! I've known her since she was 13, and now she's 21. My very first memory of her she was wearing black chucks. I believe she still has a pair. She's got quite the eye for photography...probably because she's got a unique eye for life. Well, she had an idea of a fun new project we just started working on...

It involves video and pictures at all of our favorite places. 

She's going to be documenting...my pregnancy!!! 

You read right! We're gonna have a baby in December. Can you believe it? I can hardly believe it. I guess that's normal though, when two people fall in love...babies happen. 

Jeff and I are thrilled. We have names picked out. We can only guess at how dramatically life is going to change, and we are believing for health and miracles all along the way. We have no idea how everything's going to work out - - where we'll live, how we'll live off of one income, how stir-crazy I have the potential to get being in that tiny apartment all the time - - but we know that God has made our lives a living testimony of His goodness, so, it's all up to Him. And it's going to be beautiful and faith-building and glorious.

Meanwhile, I'm exhausted and queezy, but feeling really good, other than that!

Speaking of babies, my sister Heather just celebrated her first Mother's Day with little Ollie! She's doing it so gracefully and joyfully. Ollie is growing so much, and is healthy and strong. His eyes are able to really focus on faces now. He's got a strong grip with those long fingers of his. He's going to be the best cousin in the world, I can just tell.

One other fun thing, I just turned 33! My birthday morning I went to meet my good friend Connie for coffee downstairs at her apartment (yes, she lives in the same building - I highly recommend living near your besties). I walk in (late and nauseous). She had arranged for some of my favorite people to come over and have breakfast with me. It was so fun and SUCH a surprise! What Con did blew my mind, and was so special. I love all those ladies in my life. Then my pastors (they're like family) had THE HUGEST flower arrangement I've ever seen delivered to my office. It took two guys to carry it up the stairs, grabbing each end!!! I wish I'd taken a picture. It was stuffed with lilies, roses, hydrangeas...oh my. So lovely. Jeff and I were going to hit up a BBQ that night, but I ended up being sick all day and had to cancel. I slept most of the evening, then woke up and we walked downtown for some pho. He is the sweetest. He totally blessed me with my dream pedicure, spending money for summer clothes (I got this, this, this and this), some beautiful peonies, and a tambourine. Yes, I've been wanting a tamba really bad. :)

For some reason, holidays (particularly birthdays) aren't my favorite. I like normal, unexpected days. I'm sure it probably has to do with that feeling of being afraid of disappointment - WHEN I HAVE NO REASON TO BE DISAPPOINTED!! Anyway, that's a conversation for another day. But this day turned out to be so sweet and I felt so loved.

that's my new birthday tank!

I am blessed. :) Here's one corner of our apartment with all my fresh peonies Jeff got me. The amazing thing is that by the time those flowers were about done, they'd faded all the way to white and light yellow. I think that's incredible how peonies morph like that.

I've got a few other fun things coming up in June....a trip to Cabo with my dear 2nd family, the Somers. And a kayaking trip on San Juan Island with my friend Nikki. This baby in me is getting all the adventure before even being born. :-) And he's only the size of a kumquat!

So there's my little catch-up blog. Sorry for it's length! Thanks for reading. I'll be giving more updates now that I got the big news out of the way. Have a great week and I'll be back after Costa Rica.

Adventure isn't missing. :)

xoxo

p.s. This weekend I was wondering what Mother Theresa looked like when she was a young lady. 

Look at those eyes. What a woman.

This cracked me up.

It's official!!!!..............

..............I STINK AT BLOGGING!!!

But trust me, life is awesome, and I will fill you in soon.

And with that, I leave you these totally rad pictures of my husband dressed as...I have no clue.

It started out innocent enough.

Then it slowly began to morph.

Then he decided to dress up in clothes from our church lost n' found.

We went to a party and he pushed me in a wheelchair while I wore his curly beard on my head.

Do I look disturbed? I am.

If you're wondering...there IS a way to work the dance floor with your best moves while spinning around in a wheelchair. Super sexy, we were. But careful now, this kind of thing leads to babies being made.

The Nicest Place on the Internet

This seriously made me happy! Am I weird?! It's sort of an odd concept, but I totally found myself with a big old grin as I watched. Ha! What do you think? (I confess, I kind of want to make one and give the world a big fat hug.)

2CELLOS

Look these guys up!

The first guy in this video is cracking me up. He reminds me of Jeff. But wow - - the talent and patience to be in each others space like that is pretty impressive.

Ollie's here!

My little buddy Ollie made his appearance early! 

Stats: 6 lbs. 6 oz., 19" long, super sweet & snuggly

*yawn*

*good morning eyes*

I'm so glad he's finally here, he's safe, he's doing great. My sister Heather was a courageous mama, and went for the natural birth route. She's my hero! I don't know if I could do that (coming from the girl with zero pain tolerance). It's going to be so fun to watch this little guy grow up. I'm looking forward to lots of play time & snuggle time.

Adventure isn't missing.

xo

Smile, then cry, then smile again.

Watch this and find yourself with a huge smile!

She's this gal's landlady.

So awesome!!

And this video just made me cry...

The little buddy was fighting brain cancer when this happened. 

Again, so awesome!!

Bob

You've got to meet Bob.

He's the man with the kind, sparkly eyes wearing the fishing hat that walks around Kirkland on nice days. I'd guess he's about 85.

I first met him about 8 years ago at a coffee shop on Lake Street. I was meeting a friend for my birthday, and he was there with his other pal (a sweeter Marty & Angelo from Return to Me come to mind). He somehow heard it was my birthday and made me a balloon animal.

I've never forgotten his sweet face.

Then yesterday I spotted him as I was walking to lunch. He probably thought I was crazy.

"Bob! You made me a balloon animal once!"

He grabs my hand. "Did I? Would you like another one? The kids just love them."

"Of course!"

He pulls out a long pink balloon, and before I know it, I have a poodle.

Thanks Bob! You completely made my day.

This was my dream as a girl...

...except it would be with wolves, and they would be nice.

No. 1

Get ready for a booty load of pictures.

But, before that, some context.

Jeffrey and I celebrated our 1-year anniversary of being married last Saturday. We had a perfect weekend away at our dear friends beach house on Hood Canal. (Thank you Cline's! The other Cline's, with a "C".) These are some photos of our fun time. 

But, as a side note, it was more than a fun time. It was a reunion! He'd been out of town for 10 days, prior to our trip, so....how do I say this....a mini-me may be on the way. I'm joking!! But not really. Who knows. We are open to being parents any time now, but aren't really trying. If you get my drift. What else do you expect after being away from your love for 10 days?!

Anywho.

It was a great weekend. We did lots of sleeping in (does 7am count?), took lots of naps, ate yummy meals, had yummy drinks, and had some really thoughtful, defining conversations. I so love life with this man. 

Coming from the girl who always wanted to be Pocahontas, my favorite part was getting in the canoe and paddling to the other side of Hood Canal. This is about a mile of water we covered, each way. We put in right before sun set, and made it back by dusk. Every slice (push? stroke?) of the paddle was a moment I was made for. I need more of those times in my life! It's doing something together that requires genuine work, with beauty all along the way.  

All photos are from my iPhone, unaltered. Enjoy!

Olympic Mtn. Range in the background

we conquered it

the last morning

Lilac plant - smelled a-mazing

happy to be on vacation

Jeff introduced me to Citizen Kane - such an interesting story.

Congrats if you've made it this far through the post. I know it's a long one. Thanks for sticking with me!

Have a wonderful Good Friday and Easter weekend. 

We have so much to be grateful for! 

Adventure isn't missing,

Rose

xo

 This morning I was reminded that there's a very real connection between

the sound of the rain pounding on my roof

and wishing I could stay in bed.

Welcome to Spring.

Dig.

I would've forgotten it's St. Patrick's Day except that when I left the house this morning I saw that everyone here in downtown Kirkland is walking around wearing green. Not only that, it's a gorgeous spring day. So everyone is out, with dogs and green leashes, green earmuffs (it's still quite cold), and I even saw someone driving a green 90's Ford Taurus. Coincidence? I think not.

And I'm home, unintentionally revolting against the holiday by staying in and blogging, eating a burrito and drinking a Belgian beer. Kind of a fun one too...New Belgian Brewing Co. comes out with a seasonal beer, every season. Winter's was called Snow Day, and Spring's is called Dig. I dig it.

This morning I was getting ready for church, and thinking about a shirt I own, and the story surrounding it, and thought I'd tell it here on my blog. It's kind of fun. It has to do with when Jeff and I first got together about two years ago.

This shirt is one of my favorites. It's a black & white baseball tee with red leather numbers stitched on the back. 5's are my favorite number. A couple years ago I saw that number everywhere I went. I even got a new license plate and the numbers on it ended up being 555. I wasn't even suprised. Plus, 5 means grace, which is such a great word.

So I was out shopping, right around the time I was really starting to dig Jeffrey Kline. It was when he was always subconciously in the back of my mind, if thoughts of him weren't already making their way to the front of it. I was starting to admit to my closest friends that I was crushin'.

Anyway, there used to be this shop in downtown Kirkland (now about a block from where we live) that sold clothes that reminded me of someplace trendy and sunny (Vegas & Miami come to mind). I was familiar with it because I had done some design work for them, but the styles of clothing they sold weren't really my thing. But one day, I guess I though I'd check it out. I searched & searched and the only thing I liked was this baseball tee. I tried it on, I loved it, I bought it at 75% off, and it had 5's on the back. Perfect.

The thing that makes my eyes cross happened next. I looked at the tag to see what the brand was.

the shirt

Jeffrey Kline.

That's right. My future husband's name was on the tag of my 55 shirt. .....what? To me, that is odd. That is downright weird. He doesn't own a tee shirt company and is not affiliated with this shirt in any way, other than the girl wearing it was going to fall in love with him someday.





Am I the only one that thinks this is crazy? Call me sentimental, but.... it gets better.

Once Jeff and I got together, I told him about this story and the shirt. He then proceeds to tell me that his baseball number growing up was 55. His nickname was Double Nickels.

I'm telling you, you can't make up coincidences like that!!!

That's my story! On that note, have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day.

Adventure isn't missing!

To Matthew, From Jack

"Keep your faith, and chin up Matthew! God will find you a new kidney too!"

What a little buddy! I'm not waiting for a kidney, but his message totally lifts my heart! Happy Wednesday everyone. :) :)

It's a beautiful day.

Spring is almost here! It was a gorgeous weekend here in Kirkland. I didn't get any pictures because I was out & about all weekend, so busy!

My highlight: on Friday we had a couples dinner at our dear friends, Jon & Renee's house. There were four couples, an amazing meal, good wine, inspiring conversation and TONS of laughing. We've been going through the "Five Love Languages" at our church small group, and on Friday we focused in on how we best communicate appreciation to our spouses. It was so good to be reminded that our men need to know we as wives trust them and respect them. And for the ladies, we want to be encouraged by them on an identity level, as nice as it is to be told how pretty we look. (Note: being a brat does not inspire these kids of words from them. :) It's so nice to have friends we can be totally real with, and leave feeling more encouraged than ever. I'm so grateful for that.

Here's a fun video to get you in the mood for Spring. I lived on a Dairy Farm for years as a kid, and never saw the girls do anything quite like this. Have a great Monday!

Happy Friday.

Have a wonder-full weekend, everyone.

Adventure isn't missing.

Fireworks in Reverse by Julian Tay

I just have to brag about my husband.

Yesterday, I came home on my lunch break. He surprised me by deep cleaning the WHOLE APARTMENT. And by that I mean he bleached the shower to perfection (every flippin' tile and crack), there was fresh paint, vacuum lines in the carpet, windows open with fresh air streaming in, stuff put away, dishes washed, and everything looking just shiny and new.

The cherry on the top was that he made me lunch too.  I swear to you, I'm not exaggerating...it was the best turkey sandwich I've ever had.

If you want to know what he did...he did the usual turkey, lettuce, tomato, avocado. Then he added honey mustard and truffle flavored cheese from Trader Joe's.

Oh my.

It was good.

Anyway! I couldn't believe he took his day off to do that for me/us. I feel so humbled by his kindness.

If you're reading this, thanks love. xoxo
Adventure isn't missing.

song of my life

March 1.

March along, dear March. We need the sun to come out so we can go riding.

We also want to celebrate our 1st anniversary like we did a year ago - 60 degrees with an open sun roof. If we can't get on the bike, then at least we want to open the E30's sun roof without getting drenched or frostbitten.

You have 23 days to get it right.

photos found here