Kendra's Baby Bump

I've come to realize there is a lot of timing involved in taking "baby bump photos." They can't be done too soon or the bump is just not prominent enough. Wait too long you run the risk of there no longer being a bump at all. 35 weeks was just about right... That and Chris and I will be leaving town for two weeks next Tuesday so time was becoming of the essence.

So today Kendra and Luke headed up to our place right after a long day of work with the hope of getting an hour of photos in. Luke headed off to Rudy's to get a quick hair cut while Kendra jumped in the shower. Needless to say we were out the door by 4:35 and headed down to Golden Gardens. Bekah got here just in time to be the most helpful assistant. Not only was she gracious enough to hold all of Kendra's clothes but she coached Luke in how to act natural... which was entertaining in and of itself.

For only having an hour I feel like we got some pretty good shots in. The best part was while we were gone Chris made the most delicious stir fry for all of us to enjoy as soon as we got back. So here is a quick peak of just a few of my favorites...

Sunday Night Potlucks

So Chris and I have been hosting potlucks after church on Sundays. This last Sunday I was extremely inspired and baked a pumpkin spice cake with vanilla glaze and cooked up a crock pot full of chili. I had been dropping hints to Chris about how I wanted a crock pot. In actuality they were more like blatant statements like "I really want a crock pot." None the less Chris found one on Craig's list for me and I came home to it after work earlier last week. All in all I think both were a success. I used my crock pot (thank you Chris), my bunt cake pan (thank you Mona Purcell), and my cake plate (thank you Grandma and Grandpa).

The finished pumpkin spice cake

Our $10 craigslist find, the bunt pan, and half eaten cake.

Our Hawaiian Honeymoon

So I realize it has been a LONG time since I last blogged. Part of that is due to some technical difficulties I've experienced with arranging photos. None the less I'm trying it again. I thought I'd start with our trip to Hawaii. It was our official honeymoon that just so happened to coincide with my 27th birthday. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday! As I was putting this blog together I realized we there are a lot of things we did that we didn't get pictures of. We did spend a lot of time at the beach and we snorkeled but there really is no evidence of that. I hope you enjoy some of my favorites.

Waiting to get on the plane to Maui.

Our first few minutes in our condo.

The view from the Lanai

With our good friend Carolyn in Lahina.

My birthday presents.

At the Old Lahina Luau for my birthday.

Chris trying some sweet potato.

They're about to pull the pig out of the ground.

Our front row seats.

3:00am outside the bike shop.

Before the sunrise at Haleakala

Getting ready to take off on our bikes.

The hole in my shoe after the fall.

The hole in my foot after the fall (the only wound I'm willing to show you).

A trail head on the road to Hana leading to some waterfalls.

Chris and some guy named Andrew swimming to get to the fourth waterfall.

A black sand beach in Hana.

The actual road to Hana

This was just down the road. We did some snorkeling around the corner.

One of the many beautiful sunsets.

The Olivine pools from above. (Those are people toward the bottom of the picture)

Chris in one of the pools.

The blowhole.

Another movie review...

So I just finished watching an AMAZING documentary. I don't even know what to say about it other than you should watch it. It's called Dear Zachary: A letter to a son about his father. I will forewarn you I have never cried so hard during a movie. Let me know what you think.

Movie Review

So Chris and I just finished watching a documentary that I feel compelled to share with you all.    Most of you know I have a strong desire to be a midwife and will one day go back to school to do so.  "The Business of Being Born" is a well made, incredibly informational documentary on labor and delivery in the United States.  I'm not trying to stand on a soap box but I feel like every woman considering having a baby should watch this.  

  In my experience, which I admit is somewhat limited, the depiction they give of a hospital birth is not far from the truth.  Not EVERY birth is like their depiction but I would say at least half of the births I've seen were.  I've also never seen a home delivery so I cannot speak to that.  I do however have two friends that went to birthing centers.  One was able to deliver there and the other after over 30 hours of labor had to go to the hospital for a Cesarean section.  Both enjoyed their experiences and plan on staying with midwives.  One just delivered baby number two at home and the other is 5 months pregnant.  I honestly can't tell you what I'll choose to do when I'm pregnant and searching for a practitioner but I've always loved the idea of a midwife and a natural birth (probably at a birthing center).  Please watch it with an open mind.

This is actually Greenlake... if you'll notice that is ICE!

Just wanted to share some pictures of the snow we have in Seattle.  It's amazing how quiet the streets are!