Pictures from Hawai'i - Diamond Head

Pictures from Hawai'i - USS Arizona Memorial

Baby Briggs' 2nd Pictures...

Baby Briggs playing with the umbilical cord.

Baby Briggs showing off it's hands.


Wow...what a heartbeat...158 bpm.

Baby Briggs' 1st pictures...

Here are the first ultrasound pictures of Baby Briggs.

Presidential Candidates on Life Issues...

Here is a blog discussing the current Presidential Candidates and their views regarding Life...

http://blog.aul.org/2008/05/20/the-presidential-candidates-on-life-issues/

Granny Airbag video...

This video that is posted on my brother Daniel's blog is just too funny!

Take a look: http://danielandanu.blogspot.com/2008/05/granny-air-bag.html

Summer or Winter on Memorial Day?

Louisa, my sister-in-law, is out visiting us for Memorial Day. So...we decided to show her beautiful Lake Tahoe...only we could barely see the lake through the drizzling rain. On the way over the summit, it was SNOWING...in May...in California...can you tell I'm amazed!!! So, in order to place blame somewhere...Louisa has offered herself up as the guinea goat...I'm not going to call her a pig...at least while she is still visiting us...:)

Here are some of the photos we took of beautiful CA with Louisa, Carrie (aka Mommy Briggs-to-be) and me:

Active Baby Briggs...is anyone surprised?

Well, Carrie and I had our second OB appointment on Friday where our doctor was unable to located Baby Briggs' heartbeat because he/she was moving around so much. We actually had to get another sonogram where we were able to see the baby moving around, playing with it's umbilical cord, kicking, etc.

The doctor was still unable to pick up the heartbeat so had to try Doppler and record in order to get the beats per minute (bpm). She said that the range they were looking for was between 110-160...Baby Briggs came racing in at 158 bpm. A very healthy Baby Briggs! :)

Carrie is still feeling good though alternating from being tired and being hungry. We are very excited and seeing the changes in the ultrasound pictures compared to last time.

Carrie is starting to show and the maternity clothes that Louisa and Kristi got her and the clothes that my mom has made will start coming in handy.

Louisa and Kristi surprised us with an amazing start to the baby nursery. Beginning with some adorable baby clothes, two stuffed animals and this incredibly soft blanket (that I am tempted of "borrowing"). We are making room in the bedroom closet to hang everything up. :) Out of the way of Jackson's inquisitive mind and mouth...:)

When crossing one's legs doesn't help...

Poor Jackson realized belatedly that crossing one's legs was of little assistance...one of his free falling body parts decided to retreat to the "safety" and warmth of this abdomen. Unfortunately for Jackson, that meant that he had BOTH a boy AND girl surgery!!! He is recovering nicely so we are thankful that it is finally over and Mozart seems to be getting some relief. :)

Jackson...cross your legs...

Tomorrow is D-Day for poor little Jackson...

At O800, Mr. Jackson will be undergoing a little snip, snip, clip, clip procedure...thankfully, for our sakes, his will not be the painful procedure Harrison underwent (the girlie kind) since Harrison's decided to stay up where it was warm and cozy instead of free falling.

Hopefully, this little procedure will give some relief to our poor cat, Mozart. You get the hint! :(

Spring blooms in the front yard...

New landscaping at RCGCC...

Here are some pictures of the new landscaping and painting at River City Grace...

Surprise...

My Mom surprised Carrie on Mother's Day with a dress she was able to make in about a day. Carrie wore it today to work and had several envious co-workers. :)

Antics of crazy dogs...

Backyard is blooming...

Whirlwind next two weeks...

These next two weeks are going to be a whirlwind for me and in turn for Carrie! I am flying up to Seattle for a day meeting and then turning around the next day and driving south for another meeting. Then two days later, I am flying out to Minneapolis and Fargo for 6 days. It is a combination pleasure and business trip. Going out early to visit Carrie's Grandma Ottis and her mom's side of the family and then driving back to Minneapolis to attend the International Diabetes Center training.

The day after I get back home, Louisa arrives for Memorial Day weekend which we are so excited about having her come out. And I know that she is looking forward to utilizing my parents new backyard pool while she is out here. :)

So, with all that being said...please pray for safety and for Carrie while I am gone.

Maternity clothes...

What an amazing blessing it has been that my Mom has offered to make maternity clothes for Carrie! My Mom has made 6 pieces of maternity clothes in the last week! Not only do they look cute on Carrie now, I'm sure they are going to look better when she starts showing more!

New top with navy pants made by Mom.

New top and pants made by Mom

New capris and top made by Mom.

New top with capris by Mom.

New top with pants by Mom.

Baby Briggs cometh in November...

Since it has been, well, a while since we last posted to our blog, we decided to make it a BIG posting...

Carrie and I are expecting our first child in the middle of November. We had our first OB appointment last Wednesday where we saw the heartbeat, the head, arms and legs. It certainly moved me to tears. The HCP informed us that both Carrie and the baby seem to be healthy.

Gratefully, Carrie has not been suffering from morning sickness though she seems to be in two constant states...tired and hungry...which happen to not be mutually exclusive. :)

I really enjoy seeing Carrie GLOW! Pregnancy really does sit well with her and I can't be anymore thrilled!

Immediately following the OB appointment, we proceeded to call all of our family and our out-of-town friends. Your excitement on our behalf was powerfully supportive! Both set of grandparents are eagerly a waiting this little one's birth! My mom has already started picking out patterns to make maternity clothes for Carrie, baby clothes, and other items for the baby's room. Grandma Ottis was so excited because she "never thought she would be a great-grandma."

People at church, however, had to wait a little while longer.

We hosted a BBQ on Saturday for our Bible study and close friends at church where we made the announcement. When we did, it was met with an enthusiastic response which frankly overwhelmed us with your love and support. This morning we told Pastor Greg and Laurie, the Wolfe's and several others before Pastor Greg made it official by telling the church body. We were very moved by the outpouring of love and encouragement from everyone at church and our family.

Thank you to everyone who have been praying on our behalf! We continue to seek your prayers for the health and development of the baby and Carrie's health as well.