Michael, Jane & Eliza Jane

Some November and December

2012-01-05T22:07:00.000-08:00

I'm a little behind and haven't put our Christmas pictures on my computer yet...we went home to Salt Lake for Christmas weekend which was wonderful...but I've wanted to share a few of these little glimpses into our babe's blossoming personality over the last couple months...

note the gold shoes to match the gold-lettering in her ghetto tracksuit. Ah yeah!

Running with the folks. We are signed up to run the Seattle Rock 'n Roll marathon in June. I'm still not sure how training is going to go with the running stroller...those extra long runs will be tough... we'll see!

Her first Thanksgiving. We spent it with Mike's fellow residents here in Seattle.

It is so hard to get pictures of her now. She will not and cannot stop moving! She is anxious to learn and get her hands on everything she sees in the world around her.

Can't believe this girl is almost one!

Olympic National Park & T to the Twilight

2011-12-11T16:27:00.001-08:00

Over Thanksgiving weekend we went up to one of the most beautiful places on earth- The Olympic National Park.

Our sojourn began on the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. We then drove another couple hours to get there.

Lake Crescent. If we are ever billionaires I want a cabin here. As we drove back at the end of our trip, Mike pulled over right where this picture was and decided it would be a good time to go for a swim. So, in the rain and utter darkness (did I mention it was night?), he changed into his swimsuit and jumped into the November freezing cold water!

Hike to Marymere Falls

I kept waiting for the trolls to come out.

Hoh Rainforest- one of the few temperate rainforests in the U.S.

It was raining the whole time, SURPRISE!

These pictures don't do this place justice. I seriously wanted to climb a tree, build a house out of moss, and live there.

And we stayed in FORKS! The Twilight Mecca!

So embarrassed as all the cars pass me by.

This is for realsies.

Did you know that a fictional vampire doctor actually has a parking spot reserved at a hospital! We were dying inside as we tried to find it. Imagine driving around a real, live, functioning hospital where real, live, sick people are being treated, looking for the parking spot of the aforementioned fictional vampire doctor just so you can get a picture. Ohhh the strange turnings in our stomachs!

Now, imagine that feeling doubled as you approach a normal home, in a normal neighborhood, where a family is looking at you from their living room window. You stop and take some pictures of their house as they look back at you from their house. You feel like the stalker in a murder story, only you are not. Because this is Forks, and this is the house with the "Home of the Swans" sign out in front. Regardless, the discomfort is almost too much to bear, and this is when you speed away and remind yourself that it is their fault you went in the first place. They put the sign out, after all.

This wasn't so bad; "Bella's car" is at the Visitors' Center. And Mike didn't make me get out to take a picture with it.

A beach in La Push. This is the Indian Reservation of the Quileute Tribe. What a mystical, beautiful place! Apparently Jacob the werewolf lives nearby, but we didn't have time to visit his house.

It really was so fun to visit the Twilight capitol of the world. I wanted to do it before we moved from Washington. And there is so much to do and see in the Olympic National Forest. We will definitely have to go back!

And it's Fall...

2011-11-04T01:25:00.000-07:00

I'm still reveling in my memories of Maui, but we've been back for a month now and I guess it's time to put up some pictures of what we've been doing with our last (sniff sniff) autumn in Seattle. I know everyone says it, but Fall is truly breathtaking. We went on a run tonight on one of our favorite trails that borders Lake Sammamish and the State Park. There are trees absolutely everywhere here, and I just loved the perfect mishmash of deep oranges and browns. I'm only sad it doesn't last longer. Ok, I'm done.

One more thing. Mike is asleep next to me, and he just sang "Baby, baby, baby ohhh" in his sleep. He must be at a Justin Beiber concert somewhere in dreamland. haha!

Eliza Jane on her 9 month mark!

Always eating everything

My mom came to visit! Eliza Jane loved spending time with her Mimi.

Just realized all these pics have the same background (right outside our apartment) ha!

Pumpkin Patch

cutest duo

Our Eliza Bug on Halloween!

Ward Halloween Party- we were lame and didn't dress up.

And we officially have a walker! Near the end of her eighth month she started taking steps by herself, and she has taken more and more since. On Halloween we went trick-or-treating with some friends, and then to a little party with a bunch of kids, where Eliza just got up and started walking around with them! She still likes to crawl as well, but is walking more consistently.

MAUI

2011-10-14T23:26:00.000-07:00

We went to Maui the last week of September. Oh my gosh! It was the greatest. I took a billion pictures and did my best to just pick out a few here, but there are a lot, so.... We were SO lucky to be able to go with our friends Jonny & Suzette Baird and their baby Katalina Coco. We stayed at their family's house in Hana. Here are a few highlights from the trip.

This is the backyard of where we stayed. Yeah.

Standing by herself!

Hamoa Beach


Bauman, Baird, & their adorable baby girls

Hike through the Bamboo Forest

Pools at Oheo- We did some cliff jumping!

Beautiful Suzette with the babes

Another pool

Me looking graceful as always

Waianapanapa Beach

Eliza Jane LOVED having Coco to play with the whole time. Coco is just 3 month older, and taught Eliza many new things. In fact, the day after we got home, Eliza took her first two steps! What great friends they will be.

We went to Lahaina for a day and spent some time at a really nice beach there. I saw a giant sea turtle while snorkeling!

We took some family pictures at the end of the trip. This was one of my favorites.

We were blown away with the amount of fun we had. We loved every minute of it. I usually miss a place a couple days after I get home, but then get over it. I still miss Hana and Maui and I don't know when it will go away. Probably never! At least not until next time.... :)

Ee-eye Ee-eye Oh!

2011-09-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

A couple weekends ago, on Eliza's 8-month mark, we went to a nearby Farmer's Market and and took some of my new favorite pictures...

Eliza Jane is absolutely full of life! She gets into everything now and has started throwing some impressive tantrums. She is also the happiest baby! She smiles and laughs all day long. She's acting like she wants to walk any day now. She's a little daredevil and is constantly falling. And she LOVES to shove everything in her mouth, which keeps me on my toes. Sometimes I feel like she runs me ragged. But she is such a joy and constantly makes us laugh. Here is some of what we've been up to lately:

Ferry to Bainbridge Island...

Eliza Jane's first hike over Labor Day...

Swimming...

We always love Pike's Place...

Unless we are running, Eliza can't stand just sitting in her stroller. She either has to ride it like a roller-coaster,

or stand up. This makes things a little tough for Mom and Dad.

I was laughing so hard here. She is obstinate!

The Puyallup Fair...

A Very Tiny Pianist

2011-09-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

We couldn't take our piano to Portland, so we stored it with some friends in Seattle. I missed being able to play for Eliza and show her how fun pounding the keys can be. We were so happy to get it moved back last week! Eliza looks right at home on that piano bench :)

Ta-Da!

2011-08-29T00:07:00.000-07:00

Eliza Jane is now 7 1/2 months!

She started crawling a couple weeks before her 7 month mark. And soon after, she decided it was time to pull herself up and walk around on anything she could hold on to. She is in a big hurry to walk! She only crawls in pursuit of a place to stand up and walk. She also has one bottom tooth now.

She doesn't sit still for long

We had the opportunity to visit Utah twice in the last couple months. Once in July for Mike's family reunion, and then again in August for Mike's friend Randall's wedding. I was starting to get used to going home often, kinda sad we can't keep it up!

Some pictures from July...

with Grandma & cousin Jenny

with Aunt Meredith and cousin Tessa

with Grandpa

And from our trip in August...

We had a last-minute change of plans, which included hopping in the car and driving through the night. And guess who drove 9 of the 13 hours...me!!! I'm a wuss, so its a big deal. I gloat, but poor Mike has some serious reasons to be tired. We stopped at a cute little diner for breakfast on the way.

Look at that dainty fist!

Mimi & Grandaddy-O

At the zoo

with her cousins

this is right after she walked along furniture for the first time

with her little friends, Eedie & Annabelle

Kirsten, Amanda, and little Beckham

Let the flirting begin!

My cousins Abbey and Angie

Back home in Seattle on my 26th birthday

Loved spending it with Michael and my little lady!

Lighthouses & Fireworks

2011-08-16T00:03:00.000-07:00

I have a little catching up to do.... The last weekend of June we came up to Seattle to get our apartment. On our way back to Portland we decided to drive down the Washington Coast. My mom was with us, and it was one of the most beautiful drives any of us has ever been on. We first went to Gray's Harbor in Westport, WA to visit the lighthouse we were engaged in almost 2 1/2 years ago.

Here we are March 7, 2009

And back again in 2011

We went to the nearby beach and got some darling photos of Eliza. These are just a few.

Her new favorite food, next to paper, is sand!

Love those two faces

Westport was having "Pirate Days" so we walked around for a while

Then we drove down to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse

Mike's parents, my dad, and brother Harrison joined us a week later to help us move

We went to Pike's Place on the Fourth of July. It was our little Portland baby's first time there!

It was such a clear day you could see Mt. Rainier

We went to Gas Works Park on Lake Union to see the fireworks. We won parents of the year award by sitting right next to where the music was blaring. Poor Eliza Jane.

Eliza Jane is bursting with more and more personality as each month passes!

The Little Model

2011-07-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

My friend NaRee took these photos of Eliza Jane while we were still in Portland. I love them!

Goodbye Portland

2011-07-08T22:12:00.000-07:00

Our time in Portland has come to an end. I really loved it there. I can't help but be attached to the place our little Eliza Jane was born. It was a great place to live for 6 months! I'll miss the friends we made there too.

We are back to Seattle and it has been quite the week. A week before we moved in to our new apt. we came to check it out and I noticed how close it is to the freeway. Naturally, the first thing my paranoid mind thought was, "what if there is a car crash and a car flies off the freeway into our house." I mentioned this to Mike and my mom (who came a week early to help) and they both scoffed (the freeway isn't THAT close).

WELL, two days before our big move an elderly man in our new apt.'s parking lot accidentally hit the gas instead of his break. His car came crashing into our bedroom window!!! I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the news. How often does that actually happen? Thank goodness we weren't moved in yet. And the poor man wasn't hurt either. I am more careful now in voicing my fears. Well, sort of....

So things are in the process of getting fixed, but we are now in. And Mike has just begun his 4th and LAST year of residency!

Here are a couple things we did last month:

I went to Utah again! This time for my friend Sara's wedding. While there, Eliza and I got to meet her newest cousin, Tessa. They are only 4 months apart, and are going to be best little chums.

We need to teach her some manners

Sharing a laugh

We visited Grandaddy-O at his office

with her Great-Grandma McKnight

We made it back for Mike's first Father's Day

What a cute Dad

We took Eliza to the Portland zoo. Turns out it was a great place for a long nap. And when she was awake she enjoyed looking at all the people. She may have glanced once or twice at an animal ha!

But she did like petting the goats. She was only sad she couldn't chew them.

5 months

2011-06-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

Portland Saturday Market, which is downtown next to the Willamette River. We went during the Rose Parade, which made it very crowded and very fun.

Eliza Jane started sitting up by herself at 4 1/2 months

rice cereal

out for a walk

Mike's sister gave us this cute little shirt in honor of his mission, Holland (if you can't read it).

And then we found this amazing outfit in honor of mine (Oakland). She looks ghetto-fabulous in her white and gold-striped tracksuit. Holla!

such a joy!

Oregon Coast

2011-06-06T17:29:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago we took another day trip to the Oregon coast. We're moving back to Seattle in less than a month, so we figured we better make any free time we have count. Bauman and I have enjoyed exploring whenever we've had the chance, and now that we have little Eliza coming along it is even more fun!

We had to visit this place one more time. Their ice cream is soooooo good! Especially in their waffle cones.

Moooo

ooo I want some

just a bite please?

pleassssse

aww drat!

There was a car show going on in the parking lot. Eliza was having the time of her life! Nothing like old cars to make a baby smile.

Seaside Beach: "The End of the Lewis & Clark Trail"

Feeling sand for the first time

Arrh matey!

ah! cold!

4 Months +

2011-05-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

Mom's first Mothers' Day

Those strange looking things belong in my mouth...

Hmmmmm

Yuck!!

sooo sleepy

playing with Daddio

I love to go for walks in my stroller

streeeetch

swinging with my buddy Oliver

hitting some golf balls with the folks

I know I'm only 4 months old, but I really like being on my feet. Now I have a new toy I can jump around in!

watch me roll!

Snapshots from Utah

2011-05-15T17:32:00.000-07:00

We spent a week in Utah at the end of April. Here are some highlights from our trip...

We blessed Eliza Jane on Easter. All of Mike's family was able to be there (which doesn't happen as often these days), and so was mine. It was a sweet day!

Eliza played outside,

went on an Easter egg hunt,

played with her cousins,

and loved being held constantly!

It was great to also spend some time with friends...

'Til next time SLC!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-22T23:49:00.000-07:00

Daddy's Girl

2011-04-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

Eliza is now 3 months old, and her absolute favorite person in the world is her dad. The minute he comes home and looks at her she lights up and starts babbling away. Any time I want a picture of her smiling, I ask Mike to come talk or sing to her. Here are some pictures courtesy of her pops...

She is also starting to laugh now, which is easily the sweetest thing we've ever heard. Here are some more pics of her lately...

We went to the park for our ward's playgroup and she went on the swing for the first time. She got to swing with two of her little friends, adorable twins Bentley & Greyson.

And finally- Eliza & I went to Utah for my friend Mary's wedding last month. Eliza finally got to meet both of her grandpas, and many uncles, aunts, cousins & friends. We are going again next week (we are blessing her on Easter), and this time Mike gets to come! Here are just a few pics from our trip in March.

with her cousins Will & Noah

with her second cousins? (my cousins' kids) all born within a month of each other

4 generations- with her Granddad and Great-Grandma McKnight

with Great-Grandma Bauman ("GG")

And back home to Daddy. He was terribly missed. She was so happy to see him!

Tired girl

2011-04-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

The other day Eliza Jane fell asleep sitting up in her Bumbo. She was pooped from our trip to UT!

Always making me smile

Two months old

2011-03-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

Eliza Jane smiling

This is a picture overload. Consider yourself warned!

Daddy's favorite onesie haha

A couple weeks ago Mike had a weekend off and we drove to the Oregon Coast. We first went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Eliza Jane spit up all over this cow; I wish that instead of being way embarrassed we would have gotten a picture of it!

Then we went to the Cape Meares Lighthouse. Exactly two years ago on that very weekend Mike and I got engaged in a lighthouse in Washington.

We woke Eliza up to get a picture with her...she wasn't too happy

Just in case you missed it...

The Octopus Tree

Cannon Beach with Haystack Rock in the background.

Closer...

Took us long enough to get to it!

Helping Mom do laundry

First time in her Bumbo!

6-7 weeks

2011-03-04T15:58:00.000-08:00

All cozy and ready for a run in her stroller

Smiley girl! She started smiling at us recently. We can never tell when she'll dazzle us with one, but nothing warms our hearts more.

Multnomah Falls

Eliza Jane's little red nose got LOTS of attention

All dressed up for church

Too many kisses!

We love our Eliza Bug!

Doll Baby

2011-02-20T16:03:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Dreamer

Holding my first Valentine from Grandma and Grandpa Bauman

and one from my cousin Bailey

sleeping on my throne

I make so many faces... here is one of my mom's favorites... ooooooooo

Mom is always posing me... and I humor her

I'm too cute for words

Like I said, I make some pretty amazing faces!

Waking up

I'm not happy

I said I'M NOT HAPPY!!!

Oh the drama!

Whew! *yawn* being a drama queen makes me tired

I know my feet are cute, but really dad? At least he's holding me!

February 10- a whole month old!

Doll baby

I don't care if Mom is trying to get a picture of my outfit, PICK ME UP!

Daddy to the rescue!

And.... peaceful...ahhhh

Sugar and Spice

2011-01-31T22:11:00.000-08:00

I can't believe Eliza Jane is already 3 weeks old! I just want her to stay my little newborn baby.

Eliza Jane Bauman 01.10.11

2011-01-19T20:20:00.000-08:00

The greatest moment of our lives...
can't even describe how this felt

Finally going home!
Cute little Eliza bug

Eliza Jane Bauman was born January 10, 2011 at 7:35 pm in Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, OR. She weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and was 20 inches long. The process to get her here was long and unexpected... my due date was January 8, but she didn't come then and my wonderful doctor had said that I could be induced on January 9. I went in the night of Jan. 8 to get the process started and the next day they got the pitocin going. I wasn't having strong enough contractions, so that night they decided to turn it off, and try again the next day. On Jan. 10 they turned the pitocin back on, broke my water a few hours later, and then I finally understood what it meant to have labor pains (owwwww!). A couple hours later I got an epidural, and we continued to wait for my body to be ready to give birth. That evening, when my body was finally ready, my doctor said that her head was not in the right position. We couldn't know exactly why, whether she was too big for me or her shoulders were preventing her rotating correctly, but regardless, it would be dangerous to continue to labor. So I had a C-section, and then, suddenly, she was here! They took me away to a different section of the hospital for post-surgery treatment, but Mike got to spend a couple hours holding her by himself. I was just grateful that she was safe and healthy, and that she was with her daddy. So, not the birth experience I expected, but all that mattered was that I finally got to have her in my arms!

Mike was lucky to be given that whole week off. I don't know what I would have done without him. We spent most of it in the hospital, but it was a beautiful experience I will always remember. I love watching him with her. We have such an overwhelming love for our baby girl. Since we live away from everyone we know and love, I will try to update this blog with pictures of Eliza Jane often...it seems the best way let people see her without actually being able to meet her.

Moving to Portland

2011-01-19T20:13:00.001-08:00

We had fun in Leavenworth, WA with Mike's parents on Christmas Eve

We spent the week after Christmas moving to Portland. Both Mike's and my parents came up to help us. I kept hoping our baby would come early so they could all see her, but that apparently wasn't the plan! My dad stayed the whole week before she was due just in case I went into labor and Mike was at work. I'm not so sure I want to be moving at 39 weeks pregnant again in the future...but it all worked out!

Almost There!

2010-12-14T22:56:00.000-08:00

This Saturday I will be full-term (37 weeks)! She is welcome to come out any time after that... really, I won't mind one bit. We are telling her to come early, so we'll see how effective that is :) We have quite a bit to do in the next few weeks. We found an apartment in Portland and the week after Christmas we will be moving there. Mike's parents are coming for Christmas and mine are coming right after, so luckily we will have lots of help with the move. Our baby is due January 8, but depending on when she comes she could be born here in Seattle or in Portland. Mike has a rotation down there that will last 6 months, and after that we will be back to Seattle for his last year of residency. This is definitely a very exciting time in our lives full of all kinds of changes! I just held my last piano recital for my students and will finish nannying next week. We are going to miss our friends here; we've loved living on Mercer Island and hope to come back after Portland.

Two of my beautiful cousins, Angela and Stephanie, made their way up here to visit last week. We had so much fun! I haven't had "girl time" in soooo long. We did all the tourist stuff- had breakfast overlooking the Puget Sound, Pike's Place, shopped downtown Seattle... and then did some of our favorite things- watched our Jane Austen-esque movies til our we couldn't keep our eyes open, and basked in the magical wonders of "Harry Potter: the Exhibition" which is in Seattle right now (next to the Space needle). I felt like I was on vacation here too! I love them and am so happy they came to visit. And yes, I am aware that my maternity pants are practically falling off in this picture. My belly is just about too big for them, but I refuse to buy more.

Halloween and a new look

2010-11-07T15:32:00.000-08:00

I had my hair dyed brown a few weeks ago. I've always wanted to try brunette (a darker version than my natural light brown), and I figured this would be the best time to do it....it will keep things simple and cheaper for when the baby comes along. It has turned red at this point, so I'll have to dye it again soon. Mike says I look Irish though, so we are liking the red at the moment :)

For Halloween, my belly was a planet and Mike and I were the galaxy. After looking through the pics we took, I'm regretting not making my face a planet too. It has become so round and bulbous. Or maybe it could have been the sun...my paleness is nearly blinding!

Autumn Shenanigans

2010-10-10T16:47:00.000-07:00

Here I am at 27 weeks pregnant. This is my last week in the second trimester. My belly, along with my body in general, has become quite a bit bigger. I can't bend over to tie my shoes or sleep comfortably. But I have finally entered the stage where I am not sick all of the time (the nausea lasted a long time for me!) Our baby girl wiggles and kicks and moves around quite a bit, and I LOVE it. I love her beyond words already, and can't imagine actually meeting her in a couple months.

Mike has been in some good rotations lately. We have been grateful for that, because starting in January his Portland rotation will be rough. I've enjoyed continuing to nanny and teach piano. In September, Mike's brother Rich, his wife Meredith, and their baby Noah came to visit us. We took them up to Whidbey Island to get a taste of Washington's beautiful landscape.

At 24 weeks pregnant:

We always like a good lighthouse :) (we got engaged in one)

Over Labor Day, we were able to go to Utah for the weekend. This was our last visit before the baby is born. We won't be able to go for the holidays since I will be about ready to pop. We didn't really take pictures, but here we are at the BYU-Washington football game. I was also able to have a shower with the Bauman family, and a sleepover shower with my wonderful friends (I will never be too old for slumber parties). It was a strange feeling to fly out of Salt Lake and realize I won't be back until I have a baby with me! Yikes!

My birthday was in August and Mike and I decided we wanted to go camping. We packed the car and drove 2 hours to Mt. Rainier National Forest. It was kind of late when we left after work, but Mike can set up a tent in the dark. We hadn't gotten a reservation, but knew that some of the campsites don't require one. BIG mistake. This is what we were met with...

And again....
Or in other words...rejection. At least it started to feel that way. Again and again, in every single campsite even remotely nearby, or far away for that matter, there was this familiar sign turning us away. We drove seven, yes 7 hours, looking for some way to salvage our camping trip only to find ourselves home again at 4 in the morning. Who does that?

The next day we thought we'd try to at least use all the food we packed in the coolers and go to a fire pit on the beach. But, as we ought to have guessed, that was full too. So, in our last effort to have a birthday celebration we bought pizza and ate it with the ducks at Green Lake. At least they didn't reject us. It was, however, a wonderful birthday!

And we are having....

2010-08-19T16:46:00.000-07:00

Mike and I were both stunned; we thought it was a boy. Now that we can start calling "it" a "she," we are SO happy! The ultrasound was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. In addition to the ultrasound pictures, there is a new technology that allows you to see the baby 3-D, and we were able to see her actual face, along with her little arms and hands! It was unreal. I'll put a few of the pics up soon. We already love this little pumpkin so much.

Anniversary

2010-08-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

We recently got our professional wedding pics back and I've been wanting to put a few up. I can't believe it has been a whole year! It has gone sooooo slow....

And by slow I mean FAST :) It has been the most wonderful year of my life! Here we are one year ago...

And here are a few of my favorite bridals

Summer So Far

2010-07-23T16:20:00.000-07:00

This summer has been treating us well. Last month Mike's brother Matt, his wife Lindsay, and baby Bailey came up to Seattle to visit us. We had a great time showing them some of our favorite spots in Washington. We loved having them here!
This month we got to go to California with BOTH of our families! We spent time with my family in Orange County where my grandma and extended family live. Then we went to Disneyland, one day with the McKnights and one with the Baumans. After that, it was on to San Diego with the entire Bauman clan to visit their extended family. Thanks to modern medicine, I was able to stay up with everyone the whole time (even though I often lagged behind and had to bring a purse full of snacks). The trip could not have been better!

Baby bump at 15 weeks in San Diego

Point Loma Lighthouse
We visited a huge aircraft carrier in San Diego
Wandering through Disneyland :)

Mike is more excited than our niece and nephews. How embarrassing.

Disneyland!
Corona Del Mar on a lovely Sunday evening
Beach!
We took Matt and Lindsay to Deception Pass, an extremely high bridge with a breathtaking view

BABY!

2010-06-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

Best news ever...we are having a baby! I'll be 11 weeks this Saturday and the due date is Jan. 8. Not sure yet if the baby will be born in 2010 0r 2011, Seattle or Portland...starting January 1st, Mike starts a 6 month rotation in Portland. We are going to try to induce early at the end of December so we can have the baby before we suddenly move. Seems pretty early to be planning that right? It will be an interesting and crazy time... anyhow, we are so happy and excited. I didn't know I was pregnant for a while, and didn't discover it until I started getting nauseous at about 6 1/2 weeks. At the time we thought I might be a few weeks along, but at my 1st Dr. appt. a week and a half ago I had an ultrasound and found out I was over 9 weeks! (Mike thinks the doctor is wrong and the baby is bigger than normal because he is such a man- I tend to think the doctor knows his stuff). I got to hear the baby's heartbeat, which was surreal and sweet! I have been very sick, but just started taking a safe medication that has made me functional. We feel so grateful to have become pregnant at this time...we cannot wait to have this little baby in our lives :)

Tragedy or Destiny?

2010-06-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

I was just reorganizing our bookshelf and came across a chapter from the book, "Faith Precedes the Miracle," by Spencer W. Kimball. The chapter "Tragedy or Destiny?" is so absolutely beautiful and if you have not read it, DO. There were two particular quotes that struck me:

"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God... and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we came here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven... " (Orson F. Whitney)

and this poem (a conversation I know I've had in my head before):

Pain stayed so long I said to him today,
"I will not have you with me any more."
I stamped my foot and said, "Be on your way,"
And paused there, startled at the look he wore.
"I, who have been your friend," he said to me,
"I, who have been your teacher-- all you know
Of understanding love, of sympathy,
And patience, I have taught you. Shall I go?"
He spoke the truth, this strange unwelcome guest;
I watched him leave, and knew that he was wise.
He left a heart grown tender in my breast.
He left a far, clear vision in my eyes.
I dried my tears, and lifted up a song--
Even for one who'd tortured me so long.
(author unknown)

Here is a link to some of the chapter (but not all). If you google "Tragedy or Destiny Spencer W. Kimball" a pdf file will come up with the whole chapter.

LDS.org - Relief Society Chapter Detail - Tragedy or Destiny?

Month of May

2010-05-31T17:51:00.000-07:00

Mike's 31st birthday was May 3! I made him banana cream and apple pies from scratch- kind of a big deal.
There have been 4 new babies born in the Bauman family in this last year. While in UT I got to see 3 of them: Bailey (left, Matt & Lindsay's), Noah (middle, Rich & Meredith's), and William (right, Julie & Devin's). I was in heaven holding one baby after another :)
I was able to go to Utah for my cousin Sara's wedding. Poor Mike had to stay behind and work the whole weekend. It was a quick trip, but I loved seeing our families. Then my Dad came to visit us this Memorial Day weekend in Seattle!

Kentucky, Tennessee, Marathon

2010-04-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

We went to the country concert they have after the marathon
The family in Nashville

Soaking wet in the storm after we ran the Country Music Marathon
I usually run in Asics, but ever since I've known Mike he has raved about Pearl Izumi's. I didn't believe they could be that much better, but I decided to try them...we took a chance by buying these only 2 days before the marathon and barely breaking them in. By the end of the race, however, my feet felt like brand new! I have to thank Tom and Mike...I'm converted to this shoe.
At the expo getting our marathon bibs
Our adorable nephew Noah
I love how green and "light" the south is
These were the slave cabins
We went to the Belle-Meade Plantation in Nashville. The house was so well preserved. I felt like I went back in time to the 1800s (and if you know me, you know the kind of enjoyment I would derive from that)

It is a Bauman tradition to buy new boots in Nashville :)
In Nashville we went on the General Jackson riverboat. It is one of those boats that makes you feel like you are in a Mark Twain novel. We ate dinner and watched a performance while floating down the river. So fun!

We had a little history tour in Lexington- here is Henry Clay's mausoleum

We rode horses around the Park
Mike and our friend Wyatt, who was our tour guide in Kentucky

Kentucky Horse Park. We saw some famous horses that have won previous Kentucky Derbies. This one is Funny-Cide, a celebrity thoroughbred who won the Kentucky Derby a few years ago.

We went to Cincinnati, OH for an afternoon after shopping at an outlet nearby. It was a cool city! Here we are in Eden Park.

Last week we went to Kentucky and Tennessee. Our trip was so full that it almost felt like two or three separate vacations. It was SO much fun! We flew in to Nashville, rented a car, and went on a road trip. First we went to Knoxville, TN to visit one of Mike's friends. Then we drove to Lexington, KY and stayed for 4 days. Mike went to dental school at UK in Lexington, so it was wonderful to see the place he lived in for four years. I got to meet quite a few of his friends that live there. When that time was up we headed back to Nashville and met up with Mike's dad, brother Rich, his wife Meredith, and their cute baby Noah. We spent the last half of the week exploring Nashville and running the Country Music Marathon on Saturday (April 24) morning. While Mike and Rich lived in Kentucky, the Baumans made it a tradition to go to Nashville every year for the marathon. It was wonderful to finally take part in the trip I have heard so much about. We did quite a few of the things they've done in the past (in the pics above).

The marathon went very well....except for the tornado warning and thunderstorm that forced them to shut down the course. For the first time in my 3 marathons, I felt so good at mile 20, and I was so excited to finish next 6 miles. Then suddenly a line of policemen blocked the course and forced me to finish at 20.4 miles. A big storm began and people were getting a little frantic. I was sooooo bummed. But we had no choice. At least I enjoyed the 20.4 mile race. Mike has run this marathon 3 times before. This year he had absolutely NO time to train with the constraints of residency. He was going to do the half-marathon instead, but at the time in the race when the half breaks from the full, he made a crazy decision to do the full marathon (what a dillweed, right!)...jk...he was also forced to finish at 20.4 miles. I'm so impressed that he made it! Because of the tornado issues, our flight was delayed a whole day. But we made it back and I have to say I miss it.

A Sweet Easter

2010-04-07T17:50:00.001-07:00

Aisha and I at her baptism
Aisha and me in Oakland, CA 2007

Three years ago I met Aisha at the Oakland Temple Visitors' Center as a missionary and we became friends as she visited throughout my mission. While she did not believe some tenets of the gospel, she continued to visit because of the peace she felt there and the friendships she had made. After my mission we remained friends and stayed in touch. Then she just happened to move to Seattle right before I did. I've been able to spend some time with her, and because of her interest in religion we have often talked about the gospel. I felt that, when or if the time was ever right for her, she would want to pursue the Church again. Then, out of the blue, she began meeting with missionaries again just a couple months ago. It was quite a surprise when she expressed a desire to be baptized! She was baptized on Easter Sunday between General Conference sessions, and it has been so exciting to see her so happy. This experience has been a humbling reminder of how intimately aware the Lord is of each one of His children's needs, how completely involved He is in even the tiniest facets of our lives, and how unfathomable His love is for each one of His children.

Weekend with Mom

2010-03-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

Me and my lovely mom
Eating some Mac and Cheese from Beecher's Homemade Cheese in Pike's Place. Once you've had it, you will never be the same.

Waiting for dinner at Fishermans Restaurant on the Pier
Pike's Place

My beautiful mom came to visit Mike and I over this last weekend. We had so much fun! We shopped, ran through Discovery Park (if you are ever in Seattle you'll have to go there. It is this forest area that runs along the Puget Sound's coast), enjoyed some of the sights of downtown Seattle, and did so much more. I didn't realize how much I missed her until she came and went. Now I have to adjust to life without her all over again :(

SPRING!

2010-03-13T14:38:00.000-08:00

There is this huge bush right in front of our apartment, and just recently tons of bright pink flowers have appeared on it. I've been wanting to get a picture in front of it...I love every indication that spring is on its way. The sailboats out on Lake Washington are my favorite. I love seeing them from our window and any time we drive somewhere (either direction we go we have to cross the lake). As you can tell from the color of our skin, we've been in dire need of sunshine. So spring is more than welcome to come and stay for a while:)

Our German Valentine's ♥

2010-02-19T14:41:00.000-08:00

Mike and I spent our Valentine's weekend in a darling Bavarian-themed town called Leavenworth. We spent our time mosying through little German shops and exploring the area. Mike was so excited to eat German food (his favorite). I enjoyed it too, although I'm not nearly as familiar with it as he is. It was so fun to be out exploring together again...with the demands of everyday life we have not been able to do it as often as we used to. Other than that everything is about the same. Mike is in a good rotation right now and I'm busy working. We love every second we get to spend together. And today the sun is out!!

Christmas, New Years, and the Big Week After

2010-01-14T15:08:00.000-08:00

Our first Christmas tree

Mike and I with Grandma McKnight
The whole Bauman family! (Tom is taking the picture)
Back to the SL Temple after 5 glorious months of marriage

I'm still trying to understand the purpose of blogs. Every time I do a post I feel strangely egotistical. Its weird to write about my life and think it is interesting to someone else. I love looking at the blogs of friends and family as a fun way to keep up with them. And that's why I started one, although I can't kick the slightly narcissistic feeling that comes over me when I do one. I'm a private person who comes from a private family so this is not a natural thing for me. That said, I'll continue writing about our wonderful holidays, for any one of my lovely friends and family members who might be interested...

This was our first Christmas married, and we both loved it. Last year I flew up to Vancouver on Christmas afternoon to be with Mike and his parents. This Christmas Mike was working at the hospital, so I drove to the hospital to visit him. Very different than last year, but as a nice elderly man in our ward said to us, "but this Christmas you get to sleep in the same bed." Spot on. Wonderful Christmas. We celebrated the next day, by finishing our Christmas shopping and opening all our presents.
On New Years morning we flew to Utah for a whole 10 days of vacation. All the Baumans were still in town, so we partied the whole weekend. We got to meet our new nephew Noah for the first time as well! It was also so fun to hang out with my parents and brothers! We were able to see so many of both Mike's and my family and even some friends. We also got two more Christmases with each of our families. It was a much needed break. I miss you all, but hope to see you again very soon!

BYU vs. Utah

2009-12-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

Tailgating!
Mike excited for bratwurst
Mary Ann and Tom
Go Bauman #35!
Lindsay and Matt

Devin, Julie, and us
The Baumans who could make it

Mike and I went to Salt Lake last weekend! Mike had to work all day Thanksgiving, but we were just happy to see our families that weekend. We were really excited to go to the BYU-Utah football game as well. Mike's brother Matt has played football for BYU and this was his last home game before he graduates. We really wanted to go to at least one of his games this season, so we felt pretty lucky to have a weekend free for this one. To be honest, I've never been way into the rivalry but since I graduated from the U I've always wanted them to win. But I was for sure a BYU fan this year. Mike says I will be from here on out....I guess if he says so? :) We'll see about that. I was so happy they won this year though! Anyhow, we had fun and I miss home already. We are planning on going back in January for a full week. Can't wait!

Pumpkins a Flapper and a Hottie

2009-11-14T22:54:00.000-08:00

We bought a pumpkin and then naturally it didn't get carved. How can one carve a pumpkin while sleeping? Maybe next year we will have enough time (a.k.a. Mike won't have such a lame rotation) to carve an amazing pumpkin. I told Mike to make a funny face here-I wish you could understand just how funny the face he's making is. You will just have to take my word for it. Its funny.

Mike and I were a 1920s couple for Halloween. He was in the Mafia and I was a flapper. This was my first Halloween married, and despite Michael's protests, he dressed up in a couples costume with me. I loved it :) Now on to Thanksgiving...

2009-10-31T10:48:00.001-07:00

BOO!

Snoqualmie Falls

2009-10-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

As our 95-year-old neighbor Dot would say, Michael and I went on an "outing." That's not true. We don't have a neighbor named Dot. But, on one of Mike's rare days off, we did drive to "one of Washington state's most popular scenic attractions" (http://www.snoqualmiefalls.com/ just in case I'm caught plagarizing), Snoqualmie Falls. Washington really is a beautiful state!

getting settled

2009-10-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

Our apartment
That enormous picture is of Amsterdam- where Mike served his mission
Me cooking... (you can't see the splatterings on the ceiling in this)

Good news, I found a job! Well, two jobs... I was lucky to find a nanny job during the day that will allow me to teach piano in the afternoons. I already have 8 students! Apparently, there are not a lot of piano teachers around here so I've had tons of quick responses. I'm so happy with how it turned out. Mike is in his toughest rotation right now. We wake up at 3:30-4 am every morning and he goes to work usually until 6 at night. AND he only gets every other weekend off. He handles it all so well it amazes me. It lasts for 3 months so we are REALLY looking forward to Christmas. At least we get to spend time together in the evenings- definitely beats seeing each other 2 days a month when we were dating!
I'm putting a couple pics of our apartment up. We live on Mercer Island, which is about 7 freeway minutes away from downtown Seattle, but is surrounded by beautiful trees and water, away from the city. We love it!

Our Beginning...

2009-09-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

I am starting a blog. Living away from everyone has suddenly made me feel the need to stay as connected as possible to our friends and family. So here it goes...
Mike and I were married 3 1/2 weeks ago on Saturday, August 8th. We drove my car up to Seattle the day after, and moved my stuff into our apartment. He had to be back at work on Monday, but we had a fun first 2 weeks of married life here. His parents drove our wedding presents up and helped us get settled, then drove us back down to Salt Lake. We left for Cancun and had SO much fun (swimming with dolphins, snorkeling in underground caves, laying on the beach, swimming in the Caribbean, visiting Mayan ruins and villages, zip-lining over a crocodile infested pond, repelling into a cave, walking through the jungle, canoeing, eating, holding monkeys and parrots, sleeping in between... you know, FUN) and then on the weekend we got to spend precious time with our families...and now Mike is back to a lonnnggg day of work and I am sitting here eating licorice not wanting to job search but knowing that I HAVE to or I'll keep feeling sick about it. But despite that, I'm delighted to report that we have both never been happier :) Marriage is better than I even imagined (and I imagined it was pretty incredible)! I definitely have my sweet Michael to thank for that. (He'll be so embarrassed I said that- YES!)