Pikes

If only I loved this position as much as she does.

Two Trains

There are two trains that leave from the Alexandria train station.

Don't take the wrong one or you'll end up stranded in Woodbridge.

This is Leah and I having fun waiting for the train.

Everyone was very nice once I realized what happened.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and Leah started crying.

David came to our rescue in rush-hour traffic and pouring rain.

The day ended better than ever though. Despite the fact that Leah had her shots today--and she whimpered and cried a lot because her legs hurt--as soon as I laid her on the carpet in our house, she started laughing! True chuckles, giggles, laughs. I couldn't believe it. I rushed to get David so he could see, and she did it again, and again for at least 5 minutes. So there you go even the worst day can end way better than it started with just a few laughs.

P.S: I'm grateful for people who will offer a stranger a ride and give up their seat for someone like me. It makes me happy to know people like that are still out there.

Four Month Stats

Height: 25 1/4 inches, 75th percentile
Weight: 11 lbs 14 oz, 25th percentile

Small Town

You know you are in a small town when you go to the post office at noon, and you are the only one there.

I had to get something in the mail today, and I was sure I would have to wait in line. I was so surprised when I found the Manassas Park Post Office in the middle of a neighborhood. I thought the building was abandoned until I saw two silhouettes though the window. Then I got a little creeped out, because I knew they were watching me.

I was in and out in 5 minutes!

Another sure sign of a small town, huge trucks. I saw one of these as I left the post office.

Post-Pregnancy Workout

I've been doing Tracy Anderson's Post-Pregnancy Workout for the past couple weeks. If you can get past her glammed out DVD covers, it's a great workout.

I haven't made it all the way through yet--I cheat and take little breaks--but I'm absolutely loving it. It reminds me of all of the ballet lessons I took years ago. She developed her method to transform any body type into a New York ballerina body.

I want to buy her dance cardio DVD next...

Curls

It's really humid here. Yuck.

Lucky for Leah it makes her hair curl.

It just makes me hot and sticky.

Home Sweet Home

We are so happy to be home.

Leah loves sleeping in her crib.

She rolled all over the place before finally finding the perfect spot.

Utah Re-cap

The time went by way too fast. We did a lot of things like:

Visited my grandma's sisters, Donna, Connie, and Shirley


Took several naps


Rocked on the front porch


Read stories


Visited friends


Went out to eat, lots

We had a really good time.

Show and Tell

Leah made an appearance at Mrs. Carrier's 2nd grade class.

The students were excited to see her and asked lots of questions.

New Tricks

Blowing rasberries

Clasping, sucking, looking, and talking to her hands.

Goodbye binkie. Hello thumb.

New Nephew

Introducing Grant Michael Mathis
Born on May 14th, 2009


Congratulations Jenny, Mike and Aaron.

Leah will have lots of fun playing with her Mathis cousins.

Happy Mother's Day

It was a beautiful one.

I'm so grateful for all the wonderful women in my life.

Four generations of women.


Grandma & Grandpa Carrier


My sweet mother-in-law, Barbara.


Being a mother is pretty great.

Graduation and Retirement

Utah is absolutely gorgeous!

It was perfect weather for a big weekend full of celebrations.

Lisa graduated from the University of Utah.


David McCullough spoke. It was fabulous and not boring.


My Mom's retirement party.

This a picture with her Mom and two brothers.

We are so proud of them both.

New Things and New People

Leah survived her first flight.

She could have used a little more leg room like the rest of us.


Leah loved meeting new people. She smiled and talked to them all.

Kaila and Josh

The dog Sophie and Uncle David


Great Grandma Sides and Aunt Linda.

...and many others that we weren't able to get on film.

Utah Here We Come

We leave exactly 12 hours from now, and we can hardly wait.

The Move - Part II

Most of our stuff has a home now...

Living Room: Couches may stay or be moved downstairs.


Dining Room: Currently storage for things that will go downstairs.


Kitchen: Nearly perfect.


Eat-in Kitchen: Plant and bookcase will move eventually.


Leah's room: Paint color looks great!


Den: Also storing things until the basement is ready.


Master Bedroom: Just need some pictures on the walls.

Still to do:
Paint basement and get new carpet
Blinds and window treatments
and an assortment of other little odds and ends.

Quality Time

We've seen a lot of Lisa this week.

Her internship ended, and she leaves for Utah today.

We watched a lot of this:

...and she cut my hair short.

The Move - Part I

New carpet was installed two days before the move.



We had lots to pack and get ready for Saturday morning.



Everything fit beautifully in a 17 ft truck.



We divided into cleaning teams with matching shirts.

It was totally uncordinated and very funny.



Even Shannon and Leah matched.



We were so grateful for everyone that helped us:

load and clean

and unload and organize

Things are starting to come together.

We'll post some pictures of the new place with furniture soon.