The news is out!

Yesterday was such an exciting day. I left work early and Molly and I headed into Visalia to see the Doctor. We were so curious to find out how far along Molly is and get a tentative date of our baby. We met with our Family Nurse Practitioner (Rita Barron, who came highly recommended) for the first time and really liked her. She pushed and prodded at Molly and deemed her very healthy and told her to keep doing what she has been doing.

When she found out it was my birthday she said we would definitely need to see a picture of the baby. She brought Molly in for a sonogram and we got to hear the heartbeat (fast!) and a picture of the baby. It was so exciting. She estimated that Mol is about 8 weeks pregnant and gave a very tentative date of arrival for January 1st. We go back in a month for an ultrasound, and she said she would be able to give a more firm date, but it looks like a Christmas/New Year's Baby.

After our appointment we called our families and lifted the gag order we had imposed on them. Our moms were chomping at the bit to share our good news and it's nice to know they don't have to keep anymore secrets.

Besides all the great baby news, Molly and I are are also looking at buying a home. We have a family friend here in town who is a Realtor helping us out. We are excited at the prospect of having a place of our own. Between the house and Molly being pregnant, we except everyone to come visit soon.

My backcountry season is rapidly approaching, and the back bedroom is quickly filling up with lots and lots of yummy food. Molly and I have had a blast filling up carts at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Target. Rita gave Molly the go ahead to hike this summer to see me, just warning her that it would wear her out much quicker than last year. I also can't make her work when she comes out. It will be a relaxing trip, not a working trip. My schedule this summer will be different than last year. I won't be gone the whole summer, I'll work 10 days in the BC and have 4 days off in which I will hike out to be with Molly. This will be better for everyone, but even tougher to be be away from Mol this summer.

Hopefully I can keep you all up to date on this site with pictures and news as the time goes by.

Almost summer...

We enjoyed a couple of overcast days this week, probably our last before the heat of the summer descends upon us. We even had a little rain, which Molly and I always love. Especially when we know we won't see it again for about 6 months.

Molly and I attended our third wedding yesterday in the last month. All three were beautiful in their own way, but each very unique. About the only constant (besides two people getting married) was how gorgeous Molly looked. The highlights of yesterdays nuptials was the setting and a great little Bluegrass band. Molly and I, of course, entertained the guests with our typical dance moves. We may not know what we are doing, but we sure have fun trying.

I am trying to get ready for summer. The food boxes are starting to pile up in the back room and I have begun to sort through my gear that has been boxed up since last October. I will begin this summer lighter than last summer, but probably in worse shape. I am still having knee problems that are limiting my activity. Molly and I took the dogs for a walk today, though, and I was encouraged by how things felt. Maybe the homeopathic stuff is working.

Molly is doing well even though she managed to get a bit of poison oak. (We think Bucky was the culprit.) It seems that one of us gets it every spring. So today she is sporting a little pink in the form of Calamine lotion. She has little bouts of nausea and gets tired a bit more than normal, but otherwise is holding up well. She is a tough cookie.

We are looking forward to our appointment on the 18th. We have lots of questions and we hope to use this as our green light to share our good news with everyone. It was so fun to get to tell our parents and we both are looking forward to the reaction from some of our close friends.

I included a few pictures from the wedding we attended yesterday.

We couldn't wait!

Molly and I were going to try and wait for Mother's Day to tell our folks the big news, but we were too anxious. We made all our calls tonight. It feels so good to be able to share news with our families. Our sisters got to hear right away, so now they don't have to keep any secrets. Our first appointment with the Nurse/Midwife isn't until the 18th, and if everything is going well, we will start telling our friends. And then, of course, the chaos will ensue.

We have gotten a break from the heat the days which has been nice. Molly has been holding up really well, taking her vitamins, and eating well. Tonight she made one of her famous homemade veggie pizzas. (Don't worry, I'm not making her do all the cooking.)

We have another wedding this weekend ('tis the season) and other than that things are quiet in the Park. We are trying to get me ready for another season at Little Five which is rapidly approaching, and someone has a birthday coming up. And sweet boy dog, Hamilton, celebrated his second birthday (14th to him) last week.


















Party dawgs!