Snowy Adventures

We've had some exciting weather in Seattle this week. Last Saturday we got snow that turned to ice and made for some slippery conditions. That didn't stop us from walking over to Nancy's for dinner. Marley bypassed all the stuffed animals and went right for the tree.

Later, he had a very fun time playing with her dog, Juneau (or is it Juno?)


It was a little scary driving to school on Monday, but Tuesday and Wednesday were fine. On Thursday morning, though, it began to snow - a lot. It looked like we were going to have school, but at the last minute they canceled. The snow continued and Friday got canceled, too. I'm glad I didn't have to drive in the snow, but I was a little disappointed not to have the last day before break. We had a fun day planned including making 3D paper snowflakes, photo ornaments, and a lunch time pizza party courtesy of the PTA. My class won our school's Box Tops contest by collecting over 700 Box Tops for our school. Now we'll have to find a day when we get back to do the party (it's doubtful the kids will forget about it, but one can always hope).

So, now I'm officially on break and we continue to get more snow. We've been out walking around West Seattle (luckily there's lots to do around here) but we haven't been in the car since Wednesday.

Marley's not sure what to think about the snow. He likes looking at it through the window, but he's not so fond of actually being outside in it:)

Par-tay!

Finally, some photos from Marley's birthday party last weekend. Thanks to everyone who attended. We had a blast!


Yay! The first present!

Okay - I'm tired now.

So much wrapping paper to eat, so little time.

Birthday's are hard work!

Getting help from Cousin Cindy and Nai Nai

Baby Annie (with Colin)

Baby Maddie (with Nancy)

A birthday kiss from Jada

Liz and Nate enjoying the party

Mmm...Cake...

At the end of a long, napless day! Whew! Thanks, everyone!

BFF (breastfeeding forever)

I have lots of cute photos from Marley's birthday party on Saturday. Then, there's a video from our dinner at Nancy's on Sunday. But, those will have to wait. The only computer in our house that will let me upload photos and video happens to be Jeff's work computer, which he seems to be using for work all the time (how dare he!). So, you'll just have to settle for my ramblings for now.

I've decided (long ago, actually) that Friday will be my last day of pumping at work. The pump and I have had a long year together, and it's time we parted ways. We've always had a love-hate relationship. I love that I can provide Mars with breast milk, even when I can't be with him. I hate lugging the pump around, finding somewhere private to pump (and the time!), and most hated of all - washing pump parts!

Now that Marley is one, he can begin drinking cow's milk. We need to talk to his doctor (his one year appointment is next week), but I think we will wait to introduce cow's milk until his one year "adjusted birthday" in the beginning of February. In the meantime, he will drink formula during the day. He's already had formula in small quantities.

His breast milk was fortified with formula for the fist two months, meaning we added a small amount of powder to increase the concentration of calories and help him gain weight faster. Then, after about a month back at work, my supply dropped a bit. I only pump once a day and I get about 6-8 oz. Mars drinks about 10 oz, so he gets a couple oz of formula each day. Occasionally, he drinks a bottle of just formula when he and Jeff are out and about during the day. Anyway, it's been such a small amount that the free samples from the hospital have lasted us until just last week.

I'm hoping that my body will adjust to the new schedule over winter break. I still plan to continue breastfeeding in the morning and at night for now. I'm looking forward to having more than ten minutes to eat my lunch!

Dear Son

One year ago today you completely changed our lives. We
experienced a fear like none we had ever felt before. This was due, in no small part, to the unconventional way in which you entered the
world. But in reality, the fact that you were here at all scared us to
death.

Our little family of two had become three, and would be forever
transformed. The awesome responsibility of caring for another human
being weighed heavily upon us. After one look into your tiny face,
however, we had no doubt that the transformation was into something wonderful.

It has been remarkable watching you grow and learn over the past year. You astound and impress us daily. Your spirit and tenacity are a force to be reckoned with. We are so proud of you. You rock our world.
Happy Birthday.

Thanksgivings #2 and #3

It was fun having Brian in town for Turkey Day

Eating dinner with cousin Cindy

Spending some quality time with Grandpa Franklin

Playing the bells at a really cool park near Nai Nai's house

Hanging with the Husons

Another yummy turkey dinner!

Early Birthday Present

Mom? Why is there a giant box in our living room?


A birthday present? For me? From Grandma and Grandpa C? Yahoo! They knew exactly what I wanted for my birthday:
Styrofoam Packing Peanuts!



Oh. That's not my present? This chair is my present? I guess that's pretty cool that Grandma restored the rocking chair that my mom got for her first birthday over 30 years ago! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!


Marley 2008


Dawn 1978

Happy Turkey Day!

I did it! I finished the hardest week of the year: Conference Week. I held 25 conferences total: 6 were in Spanish, 2 in Vietnamese, and one in Cambodian. (There was an interpreter, of course, though it would have been easier if I were able to speak those languages!) Only one parent didn't show for her conference. I tried to reschedule, but was unable to reach her. All in all, I feel very good about this year's conferences - especially now that they're over! Woo hoo!

Now for the turkey! Actually, I have to admit that we started early this year. Last Sunday, we were lucky enough to be invited to our friends, Dustin and Cecily's early Thanksgiving dinner. Cec is going out of town this weekend and Dustin's parents were here, so they decided to celebrate early. I wish I'd have taken a picture of the spread (maybe Cec can post one) - it was delicious and included a few things I hadn't had before, like mochi rice stuffing and sweet potato casserole topped with coconut and pecans. Mmm...



We have, not one, but TWO more Thanksgiving dinners to attend this year. This will be the first time in 14 years that we will spend Thanksgiving Day with family (not that the Funkhousers and Husons haven't long been considered family!). We will go to Jeff's parents' house in Steilacoom and have dinner with Jeff's whole family! Then, on Saturday, we will have our final Turkey Day with our "adoptive" family the Funk-Husons:)

On Sunday, we plan to take naps and unsnap our pants. Better yet, we will wear elastic waisted pants:)