As promised, here are some pictures!

Just a quick drive by update, since I realize I've been neglecting my LJ duties.

Taylor Marie was born on December 20, 2008. She was 7 pounds, 3 ounces. She had a rough start. 3 hours of pushing and a vacuum extractor later, she came out with the cord around her neck. She was blue and not breathing. The doctors got her breathing soon, though, and she is doing great now. She's our perfect little angel. I'll try and post some pictures later. She's got a full head of dark hair (which is good, cause it covers up the huge lump on her head from the vacuum extractor). And as of yesterday, she's already gained a pound and a half! Holy moly! She's my little chunky monkey. So anyway...yeah. That's the story! Hope you all are well.

It's been awhile since I've posted, and I'm not gonna post a "real" post right now...

But all I have to say is...

Obama for the win! Woohoo! I am so excited to see what the future holds for our country.

Well, we went to the doctor yesterday, and got a sonogram! It's amazing to be so in love with something you've not really "met" yet. This little one is already like it's mommy - it hates getting it's picture taken! Nearly the whole time, little hands and arms were in front of the face, so we couldn't get a good shot. But we did get some decent face shots.




No pictures!!!!



Our little one FINALLY cooperates.



Okay, I'm done cooperating, leave me alone.



Cute little baby butt! Those arms look pretty buff...I'm sure I'm gonna get kicked and punched plenty before this is over!

Okay, so Trista reminded me that I should be taking progress pictures as my pregnancy gets further and further along. I don't really have a "starter" picture, so there's not much to compare this to, but here I am at around 16 weeks:



I'm debating whether that round spot around my stomach is from the baby, or if it's leftover beer belly. Something tells me it's probably the latter, as baby is about the size of an orange right about now. But seriously, I don't remember being that round. Looking at this picture more closely, though, I highly suspect that the weight I have been losing has been coming from my legs...or something. Maybe it's actually coming off of my belly and I just can't tell. Who knows? All I know is that it is completely disconcerting to be losing weight, and finding that you can't button your pants anymore. TOTALLY backwards. But I'm hoping that this is a sign that I won't gain much during pregnancy. Cross your fingers!

I know it's not a great picture, but here's the first glimpse we got of our new little one, at 7 weeks 3 days.



We'll be having another ultrasound at ~20 weeks to make sure baby is developing okay and everything. But in the meantime, we go in once a month to hear the heartbeat and make sure that I'm still medically sound - sugar levels, protein levels, blood pressure, etc. We're going in for our next visit on Tuesday, and will then hopefully schedule the big ultrasound. I'm really hoping to get it scheduled for July 30, because that's our anniversary. How cool would that be? Get to see our little one exactly 3 years after we got married. So...I'll keep you all updated! Hopefully all goes well!

Okay, so I know I haven't updated in awhile, and it's because I didn't want to accidentally break some news, but here goes...

I'm pregnant! Matt and I are expecting a little bundle of joy on December 20. We are positively thrilled, even though I've spent the past couple months sick and exhausted and everything. But I'm finally in the second trimester, and so hopefully those symptoms will be clearing up soon!

Okay, it has been way too long since I've updated. I'll try to keep this short and sweet.

I got back from Holland two weeks ago. I had a lot of fun, but I'm actually pretty happy to be home. Matt came over to visit me in February, and we drove from Enschede, Netherlands (near where I was staying) down to Munich, Germany and stayed there for a couple of days. Then we went to Venice, Italy and stayed for a few days. Then we went to Paris, France for a few days. Then back home. So we got to see Holland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and Belgium. Then in early March, I found some cheap airline tickets (note to self, discount airlines are discount for a reason...) and flew to London, which was a lot of fun. If you're interested in details, you can ask me about more, but I don't want to bore all of you. So...pictures!

Hmm...lots to say. I'll keep it short, as I just got off shift and am ready to crawl into bed. I've been in Holland for almost two weeks now. The day after we flew in, we took the train back into Amsterdam (we're about 2 hours east of Amsterdam, near Enschede) and visited there. What a unique place...can only be described best through pictures - which I've luckily supplied. Enjoy.

Once again, I SUCK at keeping up to date with LJ.

I am officially going to Europe in January. I am to report to Urenco Nederland B.V.  on January 7, 2008. I'm excited and scared and happy and nervous all at the same time. This will be my first trip to Europe, and I'll be there for nearly three months. Two of my favorite coworkers are also headed over at the same time, so I know it's going to be a fun time, but it's also going to be stressful for me to be away from Matt for so long.

So...that's pretty much my life. Nothing too exciting. My Steelers rock again this year, so football season has been fantastic. Work is great, Halloween was great (even if I drank myself sick with vodka), Matt and I are great, my friends are great, the pets are doing well, and we're loving our house. I am truly enjoying life right now. I am so happy with how this past year has turned out, especially having made some major life changes.