One Year -A Look Back

Basement Room with a View

I should start by saying that there is a reason for my slowed posting pace. A couple of weeks ago we packed up our house and relocated temporarily to my dad's basement. The remodeling project we've been talking about for several years has finally begun. My dad's house is conveniently about 1/2 way between Mike's work and my work and did I mention he has a walk-out basement with a full-bath, bedroom, and mini kitchenette?

Not being in your own space, especially when you have a baby in tow, can be challenging and stressful, but we've been very fortunate. The transition has gone smoothly. And, yes, this beautiful view greets us every morning!

The work started on December 10th and the project timeline is 4 months, but if we don't run into any surprises the contractors are confident it should be done closer to 3. You always hear remodeling takes twice as long as you anticipate so I guess we should be ready to be here until summer.

Thank you to all of you who posted a comment! And for those of you who haven't there is still time.

And now that my laptop is re-connected to the Internet posting may happen at any time. In fact, why don't you tune in Wednesday for a special birthday treat!

Want to be in the Baby Book?

I'm planning to have the 1st year of this blog printed and made into a book. I thought it might be nice for Maryn to have when she's older--a sort of baby book of her first year. I also thought it might be fun for her to be able to look back and see who all was checking in with the blog. If you are interested, I encourage you to post a comment with your name and perhaps how you know our family/Maryn or how you found the blog.
You can post a comment without having a blogger account here's how:

Click on the post title or comment link (at the bottom of the post).

Type your name and/or comment

Then select "anonymous" from the drop down box under "comment as:" and click "post comment"

If you get an error try clicking "post comment" again or try back later

If it goes through you will be asked for a word verification. Simply type the word you see in the box & click "post comment" and you are done!

Thanks for taking the time!

Another Neuro Visit

Yesterday was Maryn's 4th visit to the pediatric neurologist (to see the last one click here). I was so anxious about this visit, as many of you know, not because I thought he would see anything unusual during his evaluation-which he didn't, but because I was certain he would order another MRI. It's apparently difficult to see detail on a newborn MRI, but the MRI of a 1 year old shows much more. I was ready to fight it, at least for now. She's been exposed to enough radiation already in her short life and it's likely another swallow study is in her future.


So, he examined her, took her measurements, asked me some questions about her development and various other specialist appointments she's had and said, "Okay, she's progressing nicely, we'll see you again in April."

"No, MRI order?"

"No, I don't see a reason for one right now."

And that was that.

Still Working on that 1st Tooth

It's close I can feel it! Literally, I mean .. I can feel the tip.

First Thanksgiving Snippets

11 Months & Winter Hat

She's looking so grown up lately.

Out of the Gate

Maryn is really moving now. If I leave the gate to the playroom open while running to the kitchen or bathroom I'm bound to turn around and see this ...

We spent the majority of last weekend in the yard. Maryn was chilling on a blanket in the front while we raked leaves and trimmed bushes. She enjoyed all the leaves - Mike and I really didn't.

The last two were taken this morning.

Atlanta Aquarium II

The wave tank was fantastic! A wave would crash against the rocks over our heads every couple of minutes or so which would send sediment swirling, eventually filtering down to the tank floor.

The last pictures are from the huge tunnel. We spent about 45 minutes making our way through this thing! Several Whale Sharks and divers swam above and around us making their way through the other marine life.

Halloween at the Children's Garden

We had been meaning to get back to the Morton arboretum before all the fall color was gone and decided October 31st would do just fine.

It's hard to believe .... last fall we were here for our baby shower with friends and family. I still have the buckeye the arboretum tour guide gave me for good luck tucked away in my winter coat pocket.

Yesterday, Mike, Maryn and I had the place to ourselves. Her Halloween costume was practically a snowsuit so she didn't seem to mind the cool air and brisk wind. The day turned into a bit of a fall themed photo shoot, which we all seemed to enjoy.

I got the feeling they usually see large crowds this time of year. There were various Halloween themed activities and treats for kids (pumpkin carving and painting, gnome scavenger hunts etc.). A kind of fall market outside the visitor center had free wine tasting, kettle corn, and a place to make your own carmel/chocolate covered apples. The visitor center itself was full of people. Some were there to grab a bite, enjoy a warm beverage, or browse the lovely gift shop while others were guests at a beautiful wedding reception.

It was a fun filled day. And while I'm sure the cool air (and later the full bodied October fest beer at the German restaurant) didn't do much to stop the progression of my cold (at least that's what I hope this is) it was well worth it. Now, I need to get rid of this sore throat by the end of the day so I'm off to have a cup of hot tea.

Hi Finks!

We really enjoyed spending last weekend with the Finks. Here are a couple family shots ...too cute!

The last picture is an overhead view of an aquarium "petting zoo." I've seen this type of exhibit before at other aquariums (Monterey Bay with Judi when she lived in California), but this one accommodates more people which is certainly helpful on a busy Saturday. We checked this out about 30 minutes before closing time, and while Maryn was a little young to touch the rays and sharks, she certainly enjoyed watching me do it.

I think I've got one more aquarium post coming, but it will have to wait until after Halloween.

School & Planet Shark

Owen and Maryn enjoying the school of fish swimming along the entrance to the aquarium. She was still in her stroller at this point, but you can see the big smile on her face as she watched them speed by.

The aquarium had a shark exhibit that was quite impressive. Apparently you are not allowed to take pictures in Planet Shark. Nieka and Scott informed me of this after I took the picture of the big shark (below). I thought you just couldn't use your flash so I had turned it off. Opps, no harm done I guess.