Nursery Day 1

Here is the progress Day #1. The new windows are in - we have to get creative for what is going to replace where we took windows out. The framing for the whole room is done and you can see where the closet will be.

The Pond

Joe worked on the front landscaping this weekend and I think it looks fabulous!!! He added some flowers (perenials) and some cool pond plants. Awesome job!! The irrigation is next upon return from Puerto Rico. Nicky thought the sun was a bit bright for posing!

The Good News OR The Bad News

I arrived home from work on such a high because our contractor started today and things look great!!! I wasn't home long and Joe called --- I was ecstatic talking about the baby room and he finally says, "do you want the good news or the bad news?". Nothing like sending my heart through the floor - it's never good enough good news to overcome the bad, right?? Well, I asked for the good news first - all is going well with the house per the contractor and his meetings went well today with his boss (OK, it's not the house and it's not his job) - I'm confused! The Bad news - he's on a plane in 7 hours back to Puerto Rico!!!! Bummer....but he'll be back by the 4th (possibly on exactly the 4th or the 3rd about midnight)!!! Poor guy - he's so sick of traveling. I guess we'll have some dinner, maybe take the dog to the park and we'll send him off to the airport -- again! Earn those frequent flyer miles and hotel miles - he's going to need a fun getaway with me and the baby!!!!

I've got a webcam!

I bought my laptop just before the days when most of them have built in webcams. I never really saw a need, but now that more of my family has them and with Joe's extensive traveling....I decided to get one! Joe uses MSN messanger at work, so he and I are going to try to use that to communicate while he's away - has anyone done it?? We are having a hard time figuring out how to "talk" and hear eachother - so far we can only see eachother. I have also downloaded Skype which my co-workers 5 year old can use....so hopefully I can figure it out. Let me know if you want to webcam chat!!!

I missed out....

I woke up slightly early this morning and knew that Joe didn't sleep well, so I opted let him sleep and skip church. I saw that the Target ad had the Wii Fit advertised.....so I left my house ASAP and headed to Target. I called them while driving to make sure they really had some in stock and the guy said, "maybe". "maybe", I replied, "you mean I have to come to the store to find out?". He said, "oh, they are unpacking them right now". It was 8:00 and I was in the store by 8:15.....and NO GO! They had 6 in stock and they were sold out that fast! Bummer.... I guess I'll try again in a few weeks.

Seinfeld was great!

I finally got to see Jerry Seinfeld! I really felt a little star struck! We had awesome seats up close on the floor. His opening act was Tom Papa and he was hilarious!!! I would pay to see him sometime. Jerry did a great show as well - it was appropriate for me at this point in my life. A lot of his act was based on marriage and how children have changed his life. We thought the show was pretty clean and felt he was holding back a bit --- and I think we were right. We do live in Mormon Country and on Saturday the news was commenting on the family friendly approved for 8 years and over comedy show by Jerry Seinfeld. We decided we still want to see him in Vegas sometime for a REAL Jerry Show! If he's in your neighborhood - you've got to go! He's great!

Congrats Grandpa and Grandma!

Congratuations on 60 great years of marriage! I hope you are having fun in the Ozarks!

Tommingos celebrate 60 years
Bob and Eunice Tommingo will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on June 26, 2008. They were united in mar­riage in Goldfield in 1948. Their children are Larry and Barb of Charles City, Steve and Crystal of Clive, and Dan and Mary of Minneapolis. They have six grandchildren and one great­grandchild arriving in October.
To celebrate this event, the couple and their family will be spending the weekend at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osagc, Beach Mo.

Sad Day at work

It was just one of those days yesterday. I walked into work with the pregnant walk comment within 3 minutes. I was attempting to eat my lunch when the code bells went off. It was on my floor and it was a real one. I was in the dress and heals, so I let my co-worker do the fast running and I followed behind her. It was a bad one - it was a small baby and despite a whole team of effort he didn't make it. I have been to many codes and unfortunately too many kids don't make it. I always fight back tears while I'm there and have to keep redirecting my focus on my role and trying not cry...but yesterday was different. Everyone always said pediatric pharmacy would be different when I had kids and they were right. It broke my heart in a completely different way. Hug your kids -- they are a precious gift!

On a more postive note, my presentation to the pharmacy staff went well. I presented on Biliary Atresia and I think I taught my colleagues something new and I sure learned a lot from doing the research. It worked out really well. I always stress about presenting in front of my colleagues - it's much harder than other groups to me, but for once I didn't turn beat-red and my practice and preparation paid off.

We also had dip night in the pharmacy last night and it turned out to be a really great potluck. We had a variety of dips and dippers and my caramel apple dip was a real hit!

Pregnancy

People say the dumbest things to pregnant people!!! I have been racking my brain to think of all the dumb things I used to say. Yesterday I was walking up the stairs to work with a load of things in a cute dress and heals. Our pharmacy secretary spotted me and said, "oh Laurie, you have the pregnant walk". I was irritated!!! Yes, I have a big belly....but I don't waddle or have a pregnant walk!!!!! I am also tired of all the people who say "how are you feeling?". I don't mind when my family and close friends who really do care about how I am feeling ask this....but almost strangers -- it's getting old!!! I still don't know what my reaction will be when a complete stranger tries to touch my belly --- any suggestions? Please be kind to all the pregnant women you see today!

Las Vegas Whirlwind Trip

Joe was in Vegas for a conference all week. I traded out of my shift on Monday and flew with him into Vegas Sunday night. We lucked out with a great room at Paris - beautiful view of the Bellagio Fountains (they tried to charge us an additional $70/night and Joe said no thanks, and then they gave it to us anyway -- check in late on a Sunday night and upgrades happen). We walked around a bit on Sunday night and tried to see the Sirens of TI show, but it was cancelled due to high winds.....weird. I slept in Monday morning and Joe headed out to his conference. I was headed to the Forum Shops at Ceasars when I saw some commotion on the street. They were filming something so I just asked if I could come in! I found myself a chair amongt all the sweaty, crabby people and tried to figure out what was going on. It was already over 100 degree at 10AM and I found out they had filmed "The View" live at 8AM and these people had been in line since 4AM to see it. The View was over, but now they were filming a scene for Entourage as if they were on The View. I've never seen the show, but it's on our Netflix list. Anyway, I watched them to 5 takes and then it was over. I saw the Entourage cast as well as Whoopi, Elizabeth, and Sherri. It was a fun star struck hour!

Joe and I met for lunch and I tried to buy some cute Kate Spade slides, but they didn't have my size (probably a good thing -- still crazy money even at 50% off) -- I'll have to watch for them online. I spent my afternoon at the pool. My trip ended with a fabulous dinner at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Great views - if you ever go, only go in a group of 2 - the good tables are all along the window and the big tables are in the middle with a nice view....but you have to look over all the couples! Date place for sure. Excellent service and food.

It was a quick trip, but I'm glad I got to relax and spend a little time with Joe. He got home last night and is off to the office today (I'm not sure they'll remember him after all his travels). Enjoy the pics!

Baby Shower

The shower was such a success. Thank you to my family for all making it such a special weekend. Jeff and Nicole even made it from Denver! Huge THANKS to Steve and Crystal who hosted a fabulous shower and entertained us all weekend long. We received so many kind, thoughtful gifts and our baby is sure lucky to be joining such a great family! Our little one is already so loved! Joe had a blast with the poopy diaper game and we failed together at putting the cloth diaper on the baby - disaposables it is for us! Enjoy the photos!

I'm Back

I arrived home yesterday in time to pick up Nicky and make it to work. It was a fabulous weekend. I had quality time with my family and got to see a ton of my extended family. The BBQ/shower was great and we have so many thoughtful gifts as well as gift cards to shop with!!! Vegas was relaxing -- I didn't do much.

I'll post pictures soon, but I have a presentation to give to the pharmacy staff tomorrow and I have to get that done!! Check back on Friday!

The Good Ol' Days....

This morning I am doing laundry and getting organized for the trip to Iowa. I have a family memeber working on a photo album....so I was going through my box of college photos trying to find a few photos for her. I am cracking myself up! I sure had a good time in school - mostly the haircuts everyone went through make me laugh the most! It's been an entertaining morning and I think I found some good photos to share!

Law & Order

2 1/2 hours of testifying in a court hearing is a stressful and 'not so tv like' experience

here is the link to the story:

http://www.dailysentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2008/06/17/court_Christian0617.html

[sorry not as good at blogging as my lovely wife]

Happy Birthday Marlow!

I had a fun night out with my work friends last night. We had a fabulous Italian dinner and then went to Sex and the City.

We built a pond!

It's a work in progress..but it looks pretty good. Most of my flowers are surving and I just love our pond filter which is a fish blowing water! It was alot of work and our yard still looks like crap all torn up...but it will be great when it is all done!

Trenching the Front Yard

We hired a guy to come trench our front yard and it looks like a battle zone out there! Poor Joe needs to be in town long enough to get going on the piping for the sprinkler system!! The plan is to begin on Wednesday and hopefully finish by the 4th of July!

My Poor Alma Mater

Iowa City is just a mess - there is water EVERYWHERE! I can't believe the entire state I lived in for 25 years in under water and we have a guy coming today to trench our lawn so we can install a sprinkler system. Ironic, huh?

The photo is Dubuque St in Iowa City - the exit I used to take from I-80. That's Mayflower Residence Hall at the top - flooded!

I'm thinking of you Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Charles City is ready for flood #2 today - the national weather service is predicting a crest of 20.7 feet early Sat AM so unfortunately everything that flooded on Monday will flood again, but hopefully not as bad. So Sad!!! My family is safe, but there are sure a lot of displaced people in Iowa.

New Deodorant

I've been using this new deodorant for a few weeks and the verdict is....It Works! Give it a shot if you are ready to try something new for summer. It's worth the extra cash.

Our Windows Arrived

Our windows for the nursery are here. They look so nice. They arrived a week - 2 weeks earlier than expected and our contractor will begin on June 27th. I'll keep you posted with pictures. Our baby will have a brand new nursery!

Thinking of everyone in Iowa

Poor Iowa just can't catch a break this summer. The whole state is in shambles! Hang in there everyone and be safe. Thinking of you all. I am so sad for those poor boy scouts killed by the tornado. It's just not fair. It sounds like southern Iowa is now in danger including Des Moines and Iowa City. I don't like seeing Iowa on CNN! Charles City is getting ready for a repeat flood today. Hang in there everyone. The pictures you have sent are so sad. The photo is what's left of the swinging bridge. I hope we can all really be together next weekend - I am worried with all the washed out roads!

Charles City Update

Sadness all around town. I spent the morning talking with most of my family. They are all safe, but many of their friends and neighbors are displaced from their flooded homes. My mother is acting as an aide at the nursing home instead of doing her usual job and have to drive around town to get to work as all the bridges are closed. She took her doggy with her because she may not make it home. My step-mom is going to my home church which is a redcross shelter to volunteer. My Dad is one of the few that made it to work and my grandparents are home without power watching the water rise just one block from their home.

The swinging bridge is gone. It just brought tears to my eyes. It is the picture that represents charles city and it washsed away last night about 11PM. It is so sad. I grew up with that bridge.

Please say a prayer for all those in the midwest!!

Prayers to those in Northern Iowa

My home town of Charles City is flooding!!! My family all has water in the basement and I am thankful they don't live along the river. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I pray for dry sunshine and no more rain!!! I just read online that the water treatment plant is out in nearby Mason City. So sad!

Pregnant Laurie - 22 weeks

Here you go - here's the belly shot you were all waiting for. I'm feeling pretty pregnant today with my big cankles from traveling. It's mostly the maternity wardrobe for me!

Puerto Rico

I'm home....but it wasn't an easy task yesterday. I barely made my connection at JFK and I ran through the airport like Forest Gump and begged them to re-open the boarding door and they let me in!!! Unfortunately my bags are arriving today. I managed to get ready for work with the random Lancome gifts I always keep.....


Here are a few photos!

We drove to the rainforest directly from the airport when I arrived on Sunday. Just to the right of the photo is the "road closed" sign. It's rainy season and they closed the rain forest - crazy, huh? Kind of a bummer...

We toured Bacardi. Poor tour, but it is the largest rum distillery in the world!

Ahh...the wall of Bacardi - I said no thanks to samples.

The Irish Space Pub. It's a huge dome we could see from our hotel and Joe had been intrigued by this for days.....we were never able to go. We figured out it was a concert venue and not really our thing. Different though.

My view at the pool - this is where I spent most of my time while it wasn't raining!

This was only blocks from out hotel - Joe felt the need to take this crazy photo, so this is for you! Disgusting!

The do not disturb sign really cracked me up - I guess Embassy Suites has to be classier than that!

Back to work for me. Joe travels home tomorrow - travel safely!

Shout Out to my Sis!

Congrats on landing the great new job!!! This has been a long time coming and I am so excited for you. I have to say I am sad for Boys Hope Girls Hope and especially sad for those cute little girls you have been turning into outstanding women....but the time has come for you and I am thrilled!!

Go Alyssa!!! You will continue to make the world a better place!

I made it!

I am in San Juan. It was a long trip and I was sure sleepy yesterday. Plane sleep is never good. My ride from JFK to San Juan included a seat next to a 7-month old who just learned to scream....lucky me! I now understand the purpose of those Bose Noise cancelling headphones and I think I would invest in a pair if I were a business traveler.

The hotel is great and Joe is off to work. I enjoyed a nice breakfast and next will head to the pool. It's cloudy and will likely rain....but it's warm and the humidity feels great on my beyond dried out desert skin!!!