Abigail at 33 weeks

Here is the latest ultrasound shot of Abigail.

It is pretty grainy looking, but that might be because she is so big, who knows. Any how the blob above her forehead is her hand, kind of looks like she is giving us a thumbs up!

This last ultrasound tech was a different person than normal, and it was a guy, so I am glad that I didn’t have to have a vaginal scan done as that would have been a little awkward.

He took the time to show us things we hadn’t seen like her: bladder, kidneys, lips, nose, hair on her head, eye sockets (her face was creepy looking like something from a horror movie poster, but cute too….), diaphragm, heart vessels, brain, tongue, along with the usual, legs bones, spine, stomach, head, etc. We saw her sucking with her mouth and apparently she emptied her bladder during the scan, so it looks like that is working 

She is estimated to weigh 4lbs 8oz already, which is right on target for 33 weeks. Her heart rate was 143 beats per minute, again perfectly normal. If she gains the estimated half a pound a week from now until, let’s say 39 weeks, she would be around 7 ½ pounds at delivery.

Abigail is head down and ready to go. The tech did not see anything that would indicate a cord around her neck and felt that we were “in the clear” as far as an accidental umbilical cord death, being that she doesn’t have much room to move around now. Yes, of course I think about those kind of things!

Her movements have changed because she has less room, and because she is head down. The other day we felt her foot clear as day! That was pretty ____ (fill in the blank). It is those kinds of things that really blow your mind and make you feel like you have an alien in there.

The other good news is that my placenta has moved 2.8 cm from the cervical opening, and from that the technician didn’t feel that a c-section would be needed. Looks like I will have to come to grips with the fact that she is going to be pushed out of my body. Lovely.

My OBGYN took me off the “restrictions” that I have had the whole pregnancy. YAY!!! Been waiting to hear that for a LONG time, it seems. Obviously it isn’t like I am going to go do a marathon or lift hay bales, but it is nice to know that I could take the dogs for a walk if I wanted to without feeling like I am putting myself or Abigail at risk.

All an all things are progressing as they should. Mere weeks left to go! Let’s hope she keeps baking for at least another month.

A year has passed...

A year has passed since performing with the cast of Tony n Tina’s wedding and it is hard to believe that much time has passed.





Looking back on that experience, I can honestly say it was some of the best times I have ever had! By the time the show was over it our cast felt like family.




Most of us still keep in touch to this day. However, because of the show I met two amazing guys that have become very good friends of mine. Our time together made last summer one I will never forget! And we will never be able to recreate that magic either. We were all living in the moment and taking full advantage that it wouldn't, well couldn't last forever. The friendship will last a lifetime, but the lack of sleep and alcohol consumption would take its toll no doubt.





We spent many a days and nights together after that hanging out, laughing, going on adventures, and getting to know each other. It was so much fun! We began to refer to ourselves as the threesome because we were spending so much time together. In fact, the guest bedroom became known as Jeff and Andrew’s room.

But things change – life goes on and we will always have our memories. Oh what memories we have!

Bamboletta Dolls

In my constant searches for homemade lovelies and how we can incorporate the good old fashioned way of life into our growing family I found these dolls.

They are Bamboletta Dolls, which means ‘little doll’ in Italian and is a term of endearment that parents use for their children.

All their dolls are handmade. They use a wonderful thick cotton interlock from the Netherlands for their ’skin’. It hardly pills, it retains its shape and it is oh so soft. They use wool for the hair of the doll that has been cleaned and carded using eco friendly methods. And then top all that goodness off with the most adorable hand made clothes I have ever seen.

Just take a look at this doll? I would love for Abigail to have one of her one. I should start saving now so by the time she is old enough to properly care for one I can afford it!

If you too are charmed by the unique adorable-ness of these handmade dolls you can visit their website at www.bamboletta.com.

My dad is on Facebook!

I know it probably doesn’t seem like a big deal to most of us that have been online with various accounts for what seems like forever. But I think it is pretty cool.

A great thing has happened because of his efforts. He found Carol, a foster child that lived in their home growing up! They have since reconnected and Carol has also been in contact with my grandparents.

I have always thought that my grandparents are above and beyond special, but Carol who lived with them until she was 18 months has always felt the same way. She wrote them and to say that she has also considered them to be her second parents and she has told people that her entire life. She even wanted to find my grandpa a few years back when she was engaged, so he could walk her down the aisle since her adoptive parents had both passed away.

Although Carol was very young when she knew them, she never forgot their kindness and they were always in her mind and close to her heart.

Like I said, my grandparents are very special people. Someday I will blog about the wonderful things they have done together.

Caleb and Ashley Strine

May 23rd, 2009, Gabe married his brother is true Strine tradition at the Alexis Hotel in Seattle.

It was a small, private ceremony that included a few close friends and family, only 14 people including the bride, groom and the two boys.

Caleb’s vows were beautiful. Poetic, thoughtful, and pretty much everything a girl dreams about. There was not a dry eye in the room, including Caleb. In fact, the sweetest part of his vows in my opinion was that he got “I have never” out before he was so over come with emotion that he couldn’t go on. Not for awhile anyways. He was a trooper and kept going, taking breaks momentarily to catch his breath and wipe away the tears.

Then the icing on the cake was when he finished his vows to Ashley and he turned to the boys, who at this point were playing a game of “destroy the daisy” in my lap. He made a vow to the boys. It brought the room down, not in a bad way, but if you weren’t already having your heart strings yanked, there was no way getting around it now.

Ashley started to audibly sob, which scared Kiernan because he didn’t quite understand that they were happy tears. He curled up into a ball on the floor and started crying.

It was a big bawl fest all around and it was lovely! Just what a wedding is supposed to be – full of love and raw emotion.

I am thankful that the two of them found one another. I am thankful that we now have two beautiful, fun and unique nephews to play around with and one pretty awesome sister in law!

The day was long but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything!

Reese Emery Myers

Oh what joy, oh what fun! May 19th our family was blessed with a little bundle of cuteness weighing 5lbs 11oz. My older brother Chris and his wife Misty became proud parents of Reese Emery.


It has been a long time coming for these two and I am elated for them! It brings me to tears each time I see pictures.



This is the first time in my life that I have seen my brother look this happy, and that is something that touches me on a deep emotional level. The “tough” outer shell that he puts up has disappeared and the joy of being a dad is beaming from him.

When I saw the picture below of my dad holding Reese, with my brother looking over, I was over come with emotion and I cried and cried. Tears of joy.



After what Gabe and I have been through, I can’t imagine the pain, disappointment and emptiness that Chris and Misty must have shared over the last 8+ years of trying to conceive. My heart ached with them.



We are so excited for them. Excited for their family, our family and for the future. Excited for next summer up at the lake cabin watching Abigail and Reese get to know one another!

I can’t say it enough – what a blessing. And now all is right in the world!