At the end of last month, I took a trip to Lauderhill, Fl to visit 2 friends I have known for 15 years but have not seen in 10! We were like family and we have all been roomates at one time or another and in some form or another. And...we may have torn up the town on an occasion or two. Tee hee ;)

Mindy (in the glasses) is newly married and lives with her husband in San Diego, Ca now. Francesca is also newly married and lives in Lauderhill with her husband and 6 month old baby boy, Vincenzo.

It was amazing seeing them again - almost like we had never lost any time.

I was 6 weeks 2 days pregnant in these pictures and morning sickness was already in control of my life. Since Chris and I wanted to wait until our first doctor's appointment to tell people (and I hadn't gone yet), I couldn't tell Mindy and Francesca which was so so hard (because of my nausea and they're just my really great friends and I didn't know how long it would be before I would see them again)! I was just sure that the lovely shades of green my face was displaying was eventually going to give me away, but luckily nobody noticed as there was a really cute baby for everyone to focus on instead :)

Congratulations Chris! Although Chris separated his shoulder doing a kungfu forward roll (and due to this display of unsurpassed coordination, I will be insisting on a hefty life insurance policy before he moves even further up the ranks to include such things as "broad sword" :) JK) a few weeks ago he was able to pass the very difficult 10B level test for Kung Fu last Saturday despite missing most of the practices that preceded it.

Since I am still a slave to morning sickness I was happy to skip being tested and stay in bed with my crackers close by:)

If you want to see more about what our new hobby entails, go to:

www.wahlumkungfu.com

A few weeks ago Florida Tech had its alumni weekend. Jason, Cara and Evan (their 4 month old) came down and stayed with us for the event. It was fun to have company for a change and since I was feeling so so ill, the change of pace kept me focused on more positive things. Evan was a hoot. Adorable little guy, although he cried every time I held him which was kind of a bummer as I was hoping to get some practice :) So, instead of getting hands on baby practice, I was able to learn a lot by just watching Cara and Jason.

Evan, Evan's big brother (Bullit the Bassett), and Buddy (who hopes to stay an only child). . .


Rowing alumni gathering. . .


Daddy camp for Chris. . .


More rowing alumni. . .


Awwwwwwwwww. . .

After our vacation in August, Chris and I had planned to start a family. We were very fortunate to have been successful right away. We had our first ultrasound appointment yesterday (10/2/06). We were also able to see and hear the heartbeat(118 beats per minute). In this ultrasound, the baby is at about 6 1/2 weeks. This Thursday (10-5) s/he will be at 7 weeks. In the pictures below, the pointer is pointing at the baby only, the round image is the yolk sack, which is outside of the baby for now I believe.

As far as how I am feeling, I have nausea all day long, but not actually getting sick. I have a new craving every day and can only eat what I am craving otherwise I am ill. Chris has also developed "sympathy pregnancy symptoms" with his new found cravings and fatigue ... gosh, it must be tough being the guy ;)