Quote I Like

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

Lately

List of our 'Latelys': Our first snowfall; Noah growing SO fast - and lovin' his tiny red wagon; Connor battening down the hatches for winter... Now, off to Canada for a quick weekend trip to spend time with our loved ones.

Thanks and Giving

Mmm, Sweet Potatoes (that Grandma made special, just for me)!

Thanksgiving this year was very memorable. Most all of our nearby family and friends were around and we had a great time together! Roll call: Cousin Aaron (he is awesome-a hilarious and creative free spirit), Grandma and Wayne (intregal 'connectors' of our family), Kristin, Lindy (prego!), and Kim - all beautiful as ever, Carly and Matt (who performed surgery - well, removed my 16 stiches over break!), Aunts and Uncles and Daniel and Leanne (17 really?), and many many more! We had lots of visiting time, eating time (of course),excellent music (JAM, Aaron and Matt)... We had a total blast! We greatly appreciate all the work my Mom did with cooking and organizing - she fed the multitudes! We will not forget this trip! Family is key.

As for life back in Maryland, we are nearly fully moved into our new house thanks to my Dad and Mom's help. They should go into business for moving - since Carly and I have moved out for college, they have supported nearly every move we have made (that's a lot!).

Why Does Packing Take Sooooo Looooong?

Well, apart from all the crap you painfully learn that you've accumulated over the years...

You also have to smell it, wear it, paint it, and try it on one last time. You try out those long-forgotten nail polish colors, perfume scents...skirts...oh, and those boots - I haven't seen them since college!

JACKPOT!

~My Miracles~ (w/ clarification)

So, let me clarify here: I am not pregnant (sorry grandparents). :) I did have someone think that after reading this post, so I wanted to add clarity. This post is a little saga about my recent life events. In a nutshell:
A really bad doctor --> a mis-diagnosis (of a rare & horrible disease) --> a pregnancy --> a birth --> a re-birth (mi) --> a bouncing baby (Noah) :)

Here are my ramblings...I thought it would be a good time to share a few of the biggest, most tangible ways that God has touched my life over the past year, year and a half. These are my miracles. He has given me so much, and I am so thankful.

1. My Son. My future.



















April and May of 2006 were two of the most challenging and transforming months of my life. Since I have been old enough to burp a baby, I have known that being a mother was one of my life's greatest desires. In April of '06 my life was turned upside down. This dream, my health and my future were in peril.

Back in the beginning of April '06, I saw a new-to-me OBGYN (in San Jose), who turned out to be a terrible doctor. Walk down Memory Lane... This doctor performed nearly two months of testing on me for a rare endocrine disease she thought I had based on elevated hormone levels returned during routine bloodwork. This was a terrible, trying time for me. This disease was awful. It would have been life-debilitating. During a work trip at the end of May '06, when the final round of tests came back, she went as far as to diagnose me with this disease - over the phone. She told me I would need life-long drug therapy. This disease would have rendered me infertile, and much much worse. In addition to the testing / diagnosis, this doctor also did a biopsy and coloscopy on my cervix during this time for dysplasia she found(see #2).

Guess what. I was pregnant (despite our use of BC). In fact, when I finally found out, I was about 2 months pregnant! It was a very scary thing at first. I made an appt with an endocrynologist. He went through all my lab work, all my family history and answered all my questions. He additionally did follow up research on my all my bloodwork results and concluded that all my hormone levels were completely within normal limits for pregnancy. I have no disease, just a healthy pregnancy. In fact, my hormone levels were skewed, b/c I was pregnant (not due to a disease!). I was FINE.

Just when you think there is no way out alive - and it is all over - God will create a brand new escape route for you. Yes, this was an incredibly bad doctor, but God healed all that hurt and removed any doubt or fear from me. He ensured my health - He gave me new life and a new future. It is beyond words how grateful I am for this precious gift God has given me. My Son, Noah.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

2. My Health.

After the healthy delivery on my son and a move across the country, I settled into a new doctor's office that did follow up work on the cervical dysplasia uncovered in CA. Additional biopsies confirmed that I had CIN 3 (high-grade) cervical dysplasia. The doctor was very concerned and wanted to remove the abnormal tissue. She told me that this type of dysplasia would NOT clear on its own and would most likely turn into invasive cancer.

So, I underwent her recommended operation. When the final labwork came back on the biopsied tissue though, it did not come back with the expected reading of high grade. Or low-grade for that matter. It came back NORMAL. Healthy tissue! This was a direct and definite answer to prayer. He is so faithful!

Dragons and Pumpkins

Such a Little Man

Noah posin' for the camera - these were taken on Saturday. We were heading to Vipul and Smita Amin's fabulous party in DC! Noah was all snazzed up.

Race for the Cure

Komen Race for the Cure
Donate Here

Tomorrow morning I will be pariticpating in the 2007 Susan G. Komen for the Cure Race Event in the Hunt Valley/Sparks area (Maryland). I will run the 5K event in the morning at 8 with some local ladies that I met out here, including Brooke, the mom I am doing our nanny share with.

Yes, this is super short notice! Most things in my life operate this way it seems - making the most of every moment. If you have time and can swing it, this is a very noble cause to be a part of and donate to. Komen Maryland sponsor grants increase the number of women who have annual mammograms and clinical breast exam screenings. And, early detection is the best protection for breast cancer. More info here!

Thanks and Giving, and My Miracles

I thought it would be a good time to share a few of the biggest, most tangible ways that God has touched my life over the past few months and years. These are my miracles. He has given me so much, and I am so thankful.

1. My Son. My future.
April and May of 2006 were two of the most challenging and transforming months of my life. Since I have been old enough to burp a baby, I have known that being a mother / having babies was one of my life's greatest desires. In April of '06 my life was turned upside down and not only was this dream seemingly snuffed out, but so was my health and my future.

Walk down Memory Lane... Back in April of 06, a new-to-me OBGYN I saw in CA ran about 4 weeks of bloodwork on me in an effort to get a baseline hormone reading. The bloodwork came back with several super elevated, out of whack hormone levels. This doctor soon began testing me for a rare endocrine disease she thought I had based on these elevated hormone levels. This disease would have been life-debilitating. During a work trip in May of '06, when the final round of tests came back, she went as far as to diagnose me with this disease - over the phone. She told me I would need life-long drug therapy. This disease would have rendered me infertile, and much much worse. In addition to the testing / diagnosis, this doctor also did a biopsy and coloscopy on my cervix during this time for dysplasia she found(see #2).

Guess what. I was pregnant. In fact, when I finally found out, I was about 2 months pregnant! It was a very scary thing at first. I made an appt with an endocrynologist. He went through all my lab work, all my family history and answered all my questions. He additionally did follow up research on my all my bloodwork results and concluded that all my hormone levels were completely within normal limits for pregnancy. I have no disease, just a healthy pregnancy. I was FINE.

Just when you think there is no way out alive - and it is all over - God will create a brand new escape route for you to climb through. God has given me health and life - a future. It is beyond words how grateful I am for this precious gift God has given me. My Son.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

2. My Health.

After the healthy delivery on my son and a move across the country, I settled into a new doctor's office that did follow up work on the cervical dysplasia uncovered in CA. Additional biopsies confirmed that I had CIN 3 (high-grade) cervical dysplasia. The doctor was very concerned and wanted to remove the abnormal tissue. She told me that this type of dysplasia would NOT clear on its own and would most likely turn into invasive cancer.

So, I underwent her recommended operation. When the final labwork came back on the biopsied tissue from this procedure, it did not come back with the expected reading of high grade. Or low-grade for that matter. It came back NORMAL. Healthy tissue! This was a direct and definite answer to prayer. He is so faithful!

417 Charles Street Ave: Our First Home

We purchased our first home! Since we moved out to the Baltimore area, we've had our eye on this one picturesque road. It is a winding, woodsy old back road, only blocks away from the quaint little downtown area of Towson. There is a rocky creek meandering down one side of the road and lodge-style homes set back up the hill, lining the street. You feel like you are out in the country, yet you are right downtown. It is a special spot!

There are a many, many below, but here are even more pictures!


View of house from front


Back deck and patio (where we will spend all our time)!

Stone steps up to the playgound.

Playground swings

Backyard

An old spring house in the back of the property - we are going to fix it up - add lights and benches!


Stream down the hill from the house


Backyard


Screened-in patio off dining room


Living room and loft


Kitchen

Quote I Like

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

All New Things

First and foremost, before I dive headfirst into how beautiful, bizarre, and full our life is right now, let me give you a link to recent (ish) pics of the little man. Grammie Akulis and Auntie Carly took these earlier this month (Noah is ~8.5 months):
Click here: our Mr. Happy!



Tasty!

A common Noah expression :D

Can you keep a straight face when you look at this last pic! Lol! Guess we knew he'd inherit The Goof!

NEW BLOGS
Also, do you like the new Blog look? It was time for a makeover, and Blogspot made it easy with their fabulous, easy-to-use upgrades. Again, don't forget to check out Carly's word in the swamp at MattnCarly's Blogspot!

NEW PERSPECTIVE
After our Wallenpaupak adventure, we packed our bags for Asheville, NC to celebrate our 3-year anniversary. Pictures of the amazing 3 DOZEN roses my husband brought home for me will be posted soon! Noah stayed with Grammie while Connor and I enjoyed our first trip together away from Noah. Admittedly, it was nice...once we remembered how to relax...and sit still...and just be. The following week I had a work trip planned on very short notice, so I flew out to Colorado Springs. After just being away from Noah for 4 days, I found this very difficult. In fact, on this last business trip, I had what I would consider to be a mild breakdown in front of my boss and a few working peers. I felt, all at once, all the pressure I've been placing on myself to be perfect at work, as a wife, mother, daughter, friend, and I just can't. There aren't enough hours (or energy). So, I had a turning point ...a perspective check, and it was needed. I have renewed my mind. Now, I am back to letting things go, just doing my best and being happy at all costs. Which I really am. I am focusing on all my MANY blessings - mostly, my son, friends, family and the many miracles God has worked in my life.

Drumroll....NEW HOME!!
A lengthy post with few pictures - very unlike me! Well, pictures soon...as we have HUGE news and things to show: WE JUST BOUGHT OUR FIRST HOUSE!! Yes we did. Yikes! But, I will post pictures and more on the new home next week.

A Quote Worth Repeating:
"The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others."
~ Sonya Friedman

Mountains, Mountains!

From the lake...to Asheville's Blue Ridge mountains and onto the Colorado Rockies! And, our three year anniversary was in the mix - which we celebrated at the exact spot where we tied the knot! It was very memorable. We renewed our vows in the Blue Ridge mtns. Noah stayed with Grammie Akulis...

Make sure you check out Carly's stories from the swamp. Visit her new blog at Mattncarly.blogspot.com - link is also on the side here!

More pics and updates soon to follow!

Lake Wallenpaupack: Boats, babies, camping, and the Pachanga 19

Yes, it is the boat Connor and I met on six years ago. It is our latest purchase and the consumer of all our spare time (what they say about boat ownership is absolutely true). It was also a total blast this Labor Day weekend 2007. We met a group of friends - some old & close friends (and new babies) and some new friends - and their cute kids, and we camped the weekend away, eating(/wearing) smores! Long days on the boat, pizza picnic parties and good times, once again, on the Pachanga 19!

Video clip (warning the camera's operator (mwha) needs some work ;- ):

Folks, We're Crawlin'!

Noah Sam is up, up, up and away! When I returned from my tradeshow, I was floored to find that he was on all fours ... and hightailin' it across the carpet!

A huge thanks to Aunite Carly for flying out to care for our little guy this past week! After a sick nanny called in on Monday (and two backup sitters sick or unavailable as well), we had a mini crisis on our hands - no childcare for Daddy. Carly really came to our rescue!

Our Canada family visit was very meaningful - having our brothers, grandmas and grandpa, aunites and many other loved ones get to meet Noah - it was a memorable time. My San Jose tradeshow also turned out to be a success - a very productive time as well as an enjoyable one. However, I am SO glad to be home and back with Noah. I get separation anxiety now ...except not his, mine!!

Just back from a $450 target run and a grocery trip is still needed (second one this weekend) - it's been a loooooong time! Our cart was loaded with a highchair, big tent for next week's camping expedition, more babyfood than I care to mention, a fresh supply of binkies, and more!

Below: Crawling video from Friday, August 24th (hint: hit your mute button! My voice: think Denise Austin, Power Yoga!), and a pic from our SES tradeshow!

Bugs and Bears

Snuggle Bug, Noah Bear...

Yes, I find myself adding these words to the end of nearly every name I select for my son...is this a form of brain damage? Or, maybe just affection...it is all part of that mental shift that happened on January 1, 2007! Here is a pic taken two days ago. The little guy is growing so fast - lots of laughs, blowing bubbles (well, technically I guess that is called spitting), and EATING, his fave (comes by that honestly!).

A quote for today (hopefully it lingers longer than a day!)

"Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet
is fighting some kind of battle."

We Now Announce, Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Raynor

Carly and Matt's Wedding was amazing! All Wedding pics from my camera are here. Pictures from Becca's camera are here. Ultra classy, incredibly memorable. It was the Event of the year! Oh, and yes, his name is uniquely spelled with one 't', which is quite fitting for the very talented, one-of-a-kind man that my sister married. I love them both, and am SO very happy for their future together.

The following weekend (July 27-29) was our family reunion - we hung out with Uncle Dick and Uncle Perry, and laughed it up with Uncle Darryl and cousin Brent...and many many others! It was a great time seeing a family I am so blessed to have. No pictures on that event, but did want to mention what a wonderful time it was! A big thanks is due for cousin Valerie and Rich who hosted a fabulous event at their historical villa - you could spend your entire life fully sprawled out right in a deep rocker on their spacious front veranda! It was awesome!

We are off to Canada tomorrow (I am late to update this post...ho, hum sounds abt right these days!), August 11th and then I fly from Winnipeg to San Jose for my next tradeshow, the Search Engine Strategies conference where I and one of my counterparts will exhibit at this very energetic event! Here we go, hang on tight!

Noah Sam is 6 Months! "Holy Smokers!"

A VERY happy guy! Pics from earlier this week (just woke up here!) and Noah's first boating outing, end of June. Yes, they make life jackets for infants under 20 lbs!