Tom's Big Day Out

Check out my new office chair, I spent some big money on it. My other one snapped at the back while I was leaning back in it this afternoon, dumping me on the floor. I'm lucky I was facing my work computer, if I'd been facing the one pictured here, I would have cracked my head against my desk on the way down.



I actually got another chair at Office Max today, a little more comfortable than the one pictured here. My work computer also decided to stop working today, the network gurus at work think the hard drive has crashed. It took me over five hours to get it to boot into Windows and I'm in the process of saving my files one directory at a time, a somewhat painful process. Thankfully I had my work laptop that I use when travelling, so I'm a little lighter in the hardware department now, which isn't a bad thing.

Thanks to these little distractions, I got absolutely nothing done today, and will get to spend my night playing catch up. Yippee!

Speed Post

A couple of pictures of Brenna in nursery during church last Sunday. We can't get her to stay on her belly for us, but she seems at ease with the whole thing here.

Brenna!

How's that for a creative header. I just finished posting a HUGE Hoes update (hint), so I'm about of ideas for tonight.

Below are a few new Brenna pictures from this weekend, including a few of her in pig tails. Yep, her eyes are still blue, and I don't think they can get much bluer, actually.

I would also be remiss if I don't mention that our church today voted on and approved a new pastor who came in and preached today. Very small world, he's coming from Scottsboro, AL, right up the road from where I lived before moving to AZ. If anything, it was very comforting this morning listening to someone with a southern accent, and reminded me ever so briefly of my time living back east. Living so far away from most of my family, I tend to grab hold of anything that reminds me of them, and this man did it for me.

He told a brief story during his sermon that stuck with me throughout the rest of my Sunday. To summarize, it was about a man who was about to become a lawyer, that saved another mans life by pushing him out of the road from an oncoming car. The soon-to-be lawyer was crippled severely in the injury and the other man went on to live his life as normal, which turned out to be one riddled with law breaking, debauchery, etc. The man who was pushed out of the road from oncoming traffic never gave this other man another thought.

In the end, this man was eventually arrested for murder, and during his trial he came to realize that the person presiding over his case, the judge, was that lawyer that had saved his life many years ago. Realizing this, the now defendant breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he would spared a severe sentence. The judge however showed no leniency, and sentenced him to life in prison without parole. The convicted yelled out at the judge "Don't you remember who I am, I'm the person who's life you saved those many years ago!". The judge's reply was, "Yes, I remember, and I've never forgotten you. Back then I was your savior, but today I'm your judge".

Anyway, I'm doing this story a horrible injustice trying to recount this story while listening to Montrose playing "Roll Over Beethoven", but the point of it was that Christ died for all our sins, in essence pushing us out of the street from that oncoming traffic, but the day will come when our time here on earth is through, that we will be judged, and if we lived our lives denying Him and deny Him when that final day comes, our sentence will be harsh. Believe and be faithful, and salvation and eternal life with Him is guaranteed.

Two For One, aka "I'm Sorry I Got Fat"

I have two pictures to share since the last update, the first one is me feeding Brenna carrot "sauce". Why didn't anyone tell me I was getting this large? Wow, little did anyone know that we're expecting our second child, and I'm carrying it! I hope what you see before you in this shot is from poor posture on my part and not the ill effects of too many Pop Tarts for breakfast.

Two Wesley Willis songs come to mind looking at this picture, "I'm Sorry I Got Fat", and "Slimming Down", both equally funny.



That's all you get for now, one new Brenna picture, and our daughter is dwarfed by my gut.

To save time in posting a separate Hoes blog, below is a yellow rose blooming on the north side of the house. We have a small hanging bottle that we put cut flowers in from time to time, I'm curious to see how long this bloom will survive at this point. The flower has a nice buttery type smell, if that makes sense.

VIDEOS

Better late than never, I suppose.

I've uploaded five videos tonight, each with it's own special little significance (after these, there's a new post with some stills of the carrot eating):

ONE - Brenna chatting with Emily in her crib, testing our her "ma" sounds. Once again filming was conducted in the dungeon.

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i8/xbel76/?action=view&current=07041401.flv

TWO - Two in one, Brenna still in the dungeon, chatting AND grabbing her footies, transitioning into Brenna in her new high chair and eating on her binkie. Notice near the end of this video how she drops her binkie, and through the magic of (my horrible) video editing, it bounces back in her mouth, on it's own. Hmm, fascinating.

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i8/xbel76/?action=view&current=07041402.flv

THREE - Brenna still in her high chair, playing catch daddy's hand, segueing into her first taste of rice cereal. This is the video to watch if you're wanting to see some slight gagging and interesting facial expressions from our daughter. Priceless.

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i8/xbel76/?action=view&current=07041403.flv

FOUR - Brenna chuckling up a storm while mommy entertains her.

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i8/xbel76/?action=view&current=07041404.flv

FIVE - Brenna tasting carrots for the first time.

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i8/xbel76/?action=view&current=07041405.flv

Hello Again

I've finally found time to upload some recent pictures, this past week has been rather busy with work. I was clocked in today from 3am to noon, not pleasant, but everything I was assigned went pretty well. I get to take a short breath before the next project comes due on May 1.

Below are a couple of pictures of Brenna sitting on me entertaining herself (and being entertained by me, she finds my facial expressions amusing). We took her in for her six month checkup earlier this week, she weighed in at 16 lbs 4 ozs (50th percentile), and 25 1/4 inches (20th percentile)... it's possible that Emily's height challenged genes are starting to kick in! Time will tell if that holds true. We were given a good report for her ear infection, we were happy about that.

This next shot is Brenna sitting in her high chair for the first time. She's taken a liking to playing with these little plastic cups that Emily gives her.

This next shot is one of Brenna's first tastes of carrots. She's big on holding the spoon while Emily feeds her, and enjoys slurping her food and/or blowing bubbles in it. All in all, she's been a big fan of the carrot puree, not such a big fan of the rice cereal.

Ahhh, the look of someone that's enjoyed a fine meal of carrot puree! I sometimes look like this after I've eaten my favorite meal as well! And yes, she did actually eat some of the carrots, they aren't all on her.

Videos are coming, I promise, that's the next project! Stay tuned!

Videos Coming... Eventually

I promised Brenna videos some time ago, and we have accumulated some good ones, but I haven't had time lately to upload them, convert them, etc. I may have time Saturday afternoon, but we'll see, work has been bearing down pretty hard here lately, with a big project completing Friday night. Today I worked from 5am to 9pm, capped with a five plus hour call with one customer.

Stay tuned, good stuff to come!

Many Blessings

There are so many reasons to be thankful on this special day. First and foremost, Emily and I are both rejoicing that we have a Savior that loves us so much that he gave his life so that we may experience eternal life with He and His Father. Furthermore, while still here on this Earth, we're both joyous for the blessing we've been given in Brenna, our healthy and happy six-month old. We're both thankful for our loving families and know that with God's guidance we'll raise our little one as He intends.

Now, without further ado, be prepared to be dassled by the cuteness that is Brenna in her Easter outfit. Shots forthcoming were taken on Ron and Becky's back porch. And yes, ladies and gentlemen, Brenna's eggs are stuffed with what every little girl desires in her heart of heart... socks.

I feel like these pictures don't really need any further explanation, so enjoy and celebrate, for He is risen!

An Easter Post

Our little family has had a fun-filled weekend that wrapped up today at Emily's parents' house. Below are some pictures from this afternoon.

Be warned that a few of these pictures were taken by my wife, so I'm taking a little creative license here in my descriptions.

I believe in this first shot, sister Beth and father Ron are tracking down rogue carpenter bees, bent on ruining are afternoon in the yard. You would certainly think, though, from looking at this that they were watching an alien spacecraft landing in the neighbor's yard. Maybe in Roswell, NM, but I suppose not here.

Here's another action shot of the master hunter tracking his prey. Beth seems to be enjoying the manner in which he's tracking the carpenter bee.

The next shot doesn't need much explanation, just daddy and Brenna sitting in the yard enjoying the cool, cloudy afternoon.

A few more people join in for this picture, Emily's mom, aka Grandma Becky, and Rachel, Beth's daughter, Emily's niece, Brenna's cousin, friend to all, etc. Rachel is holding up an Easter egg from that afternoon's egg hunt (and/or one of many). Yet another holiday brought to you by Voivod, the greatest Canadian heavy metal band ever know to walk this Earth.

This picture goes out to my homeys on the east side, mad props and much love for Easter. Don't let the pastiness of my legs blind you, it's the new style.

Brenna is working out in a bouncie seat in this next shot. She revels in propping her feet in this seat, as well as others when she has the chance.




Finally, in this final shot, Beth seems spent from the day's festivities. Fun had by all, etc.

New Hoes Blog

I've posted some updated yard pictures today. I hope to upload some Brenna video's soon, including some chatting and her eating her first solid food!

Stay tuned!

More Brenna Moments

While I have a quick moment, below are a few more recent Brenna pictures for your viewing pleasure.

The first one here is Brenna enjoying her back yard swing. She's now more interested in holding the ropes than the ride itself, or so it would seem. Good for her posture, sitting straight up and all.



Here is Brenna in an outfit Grandma Linda got her recently, she wore this to church on Sunday!



Here we are on Sunday afternoon, hanging out on the couch and being silly. Well, one of us is. Notice how Brenna's onesie suddenly changes colors from while to red. Hmm, I wonder how that happened.

Finally, a couple of shots from tonight, we're SO not ready for bed, although Mama is trying as we speak to put her down.

"I will not go quietly!!!!"

Big Day At The Festival

Yesterday the three of us went out to the Renaissance Festival for a few hours to check things out, and visit Grandpa Ron, who's been working out there this season.

Brenna's already relaxed in this first picture and ready for a day of being pushed around and carried throughout the park.

Our first stop is at the Rialto Theatre, where Grandpa Ron is working, and where Emily has for numerous years before this one. Brenna is absolutely enthralled by the act on stage in this picture, Dextre's high wire act. She is seen here being held by Grandma Becky.

In this next shot, Brenna and I are staying out of the sun... sort of.

Brenna is seen here posing with a fairy of some sort. Definitely not of the Rainbow Coalition variety. Our little one is more interested in looking at the fairy than me.

In this shot, Brenna had confiscated my hat to chew on, and she and Emily are having a conversation about how absolutely filthy it is.

In this next shot, Brenna takes a moment to look at me, my hat still clutched in her hand.

Here's another shot of Brenna looking at the other people in the picture, instead of me. In this one Grandpa Ron is entertaining her.

Here is Dextre posing with Emily and Brenna, while Grandpa Ron mysteriously shows up in the background.

After a long day in sun (well, three hours), Brenna crashes in her jumperoo in this final shot. Fun was had by all!