Baby Ethan

Here are two photos of our newest little angel!

Ethan Michael - taken Dec 23

Ethan Michael - taken Dec 24

A Birth Story: ALL the details!

Last picture of me pregnant -
Taken Monday at 7:45am just before we left for the hospital.

We waited all weekend in anticipation that I'd go into labor on my own...but Monday morning came, and we got ready to go to the hospital to be induced. We dropped Austin off at daycare, and continued on our way to the Birth Center. I walked up to the desk and they were expecting me.

We were shown into Labor and Delivery Room #2, where at 8:25 I was checked and was 3cm, and the doctor broke my water. Talk about a weird sensation.....but then afterward it was even stranger yet with it feeling like I was peeing in the bed but not actually pushing anything out. It was quite a gross feeling.

My body was trying to go into labor, since I was having mild contractions that were irregular in timing and duration. It needed more help, so at 9:30, I was given Pitocin to start up the contractions. Now, with Austin when I was in labor I was at home all day, doing all the work on my own, so when I was ready to go to the hospital I was at 7cm and then wanted the Epidural for pain. With this baby, since I was induced, the contractions were coming faster, and were stronger. Shortly after noon they were getting so strong and close together (every two minutes apart, lasting about 1 minute) I buckled and decided that I wasn't going to suffer and be in so much pain if I knew I didn't have to. So I asked for the Epidural and got it around 12:45. Ahhhh...relief!!

Between 1pm and 3pm I dilated from 3cm to 8cm...then I started feeling pressure and pain on the left side of my belly. At this point I was laying on my right side since I had been on my left and my left leg was going completely numb, just as it did with Austin. My parents showed up. We chatted for a bit, then the nurses and Michael helped me roll to my left side. I was still feeling the pain, still feeling mild contractions when I figured I shouldn't be feeling anything, really. I told the nurse that I was feeling lots of pressure. I started feeling funny, anxious. I had my parents go get Austin from daycare and take him back to our home. It was now 3:30.

I started feeling lots of pressure, like I wanted to push. I was checked and she couldn't feel the cervix anymore, so I was dilated to 10cm now. In 30 minutes I dilated 2cm! While laying on my left side, she said we'd try one push as we lifted up my right leg. So.....push...and she said "Ok...stop. We need to get the doctor in here. You're crowning!"

When the doctor came in at 3:45, we just all stared at each other, waiting, waiting, for the next contraction to come....they were a little farther apart - so that between 3:45 and 4:07 I had three contractions that I pushed through. before the baby came out. The first one went well; in the mirror I could see the baby's head. The next contraction went well; I could still see the baby's head and I thought: "This looks awfully familiar. An opening too small for a head trying to come out. Crap. I'm going to get cut again." The doctor finished off my thought with: "Can you feel this at all?" I blurted out: "Nope, just make the cut and let's go!"

Snip, snip.

Another contraction, #3, and I push and then feel the baby coming out...then one more push and GUSH! "Stop, stop pushing! Whoa! Stop..." I look to my left where the sweet nurse who had been with me all day is now covered in my goop...and the doctor is literally catching our baby, who without the cord partially around its neck would have landed in the waste bucket below my bottom. The baby exploded out of me like a cannon ball...

It's a BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew it! I just had a feeling....and I was relieved! He is so perfect....such a handsome little man! And a good set of lungs on him! His cry made my heart sing!


His stats:

Name: ETHAN MICHAEL DREVLOW
DOB: 12/22/2008
TOB: 4:07 PM
Weight: 7lbs 3oz
Length: 20 inches

The Four of us Together for the First Time

End in Sight

I made it past my due date to another OB appointment today at 3:45.....and after some discussion with the doctor, there is end in sight. I am still dialated at 1cm and effaced at 50% - "staged and ready to go at any time; the conditions are favorable" the doctor said. Geez, sounds like he was giving a weather report or something! My regular OB will be back in the office on Monday the 22nd, (conveniently she's been in Peru on missionary work) and is on-call for deliveries that day, so if I don't have the baby by then, I am to report to the hospital at 8:00 to be induced.

Come on, baby - I hope it doesn't come to that! I'd like you to decide when to come - you know when it's time - I'm being patient so work with me!

SO...I'm not going to blog on anything more about being pregnant - the next post on this topic will be to let you know I'm either in labor and headed for the hospital, or I'll be sharing a great, super-exciting birthing story with pictures!

It Came and Went...

My due date was yesterday - it came and went without any excitement or signs. I was shopping yesterday at Walgreens, picking up a photo order, and the cashier said "You're so cute with that little belly of yours! When are you due?" I replied "Oh, today!". I got the weirdest look back - saying 'Why are you walking, what are you doing out in public, why are you shopping, driving, etc., are you crazy lady?' My thought - what else am I supposed to be doing? Sitting in a chair at home waiting? Talk about boring! But, I might take the advice of my dear husband and call it quits as far as teaching after today - I'll see what the doctor says when I see him at 3:45 this afternoon, pending nothing happens between now and then. It is getting harder and harder to walk 'normally' - after sitting for a bit I get so stiff, I waddle, and sometimes I feel like I'll stand up and the baby will fall right out! Geez, if it were that easy......I guess the baby is all warm and secure in there, s/he doesn't want to come out yet. The weather has been bitterly cold, and we're supposed to get 5-10 inches of snow tomorrow night into Friday.....

Patience

My due date is approaching - TOMORROW - and still....no signs of baby wanting to make a move. I still continue to have Braxton-Hicks contractions, but that's about all. I thought the baby would have arrived this past weekend....but alas, I'm back at school teaching, waiting, hoping my water doesn't break while I'm up in front of my class teaching or walking about the room.

So, we're still waiting....I know Michael is getting anxious, too. He called me after school today when he got home and I was leaving Younkers- "Any contractions yet?!" I said no, and I just heard a "(sigh), OK, I'll see you at home in a few minutes then."

Patience.

If I make it to my next appointment on December 17th, we'll find out more...or I'll coerce the doctor into 'helping'.....

Austin still waits for his baby brother or sister to sit next to him in the car, and to feed him/her, and to show him/her his tractors. He's getting excited, too.

Patience.

UGH - Stuck, but getting closer...

So, another OB appointment today, new (male) doctor....he's OK, but I prefer my lady OB. Just like her better in every sense possible.

I'm still at 1cm and 50%....but he said baby's head is really low, and usually the baby doesn't engage that far down until just before labor starts.

So I wait.

Just when are you going to decide to come out, baby?

I feel like (and walk like) a 99 year old woman getting out of a chair when I sit for too long...

I'm ready to eat spicy chili - or a whole pineapple - or do jumping jacks, or do the stairs about 50 times....maybe a bumpy tractor ride? Will that help you?

Nah. I'll try and be patient....but if I'm still pregnant on the 16th.......??!!

Ha!

Our SANTA Tree!?

On Sunday afternoon we bundled up and ventured out in the gently falling snow to Kramer's Trees to walk amongst the growing acres of trees, choose the 'perfect one', and saw it down....

But, it is not a Christmas Tree to Austin ---- but a Santa Tree. I don't know where he got that from, he can say the word Christmas just fine, but for right now he insists on Santa Tree.

Austin was excited this year, and he helped pick out our tree. He watched excitedly as Michael cut it down.

Then we loaded it up in the back of the truck, went to pay the man and we were off back home We couldn't bring it in right away because it was full of snow and wet, so Michael propped it up in the garage overnight and we brought it in on Monday evening. It waited in our home and had a great big drink of water until tonight, Tuesday, when we brought out the ornaments and decorated it.

Here Austin is looking at the first ornament on the tree - he got to hang it all by himself. It's a tractor ornament, of course! (Don't ask why he's only in a t-shirt, diaper, and Crocs....)

Putting on the finishing touches....

It is a beautiful tree!

A Snow Day!

Today we woke up, looked outside, and got what we were promised by the local weather forecasters....snow! Lots of it - enough of it - that they cancelled classes for both Michael and I. I called Tiny Tigers and told them Austin would not be coming today....I was keeping him home all to myself! Michael went into work to get caught up on some tech stuff, while Austin and I enjoyed our day off together....just the two of us, since our lives will be changing soon with the new baby. Together we rearranged some toys that needed a new space due to our tree being up....we put the lights up on the tree, we read books, we made sandwiches for lunch...then Austin fell off the chair at the island and needed cuddle time. We rocked and cuddled together in the glider then fell asleep together and had a nice nap. We all ventured out tonight and did a little shopping...mine is just about all done; there are just 2-3 things I need to pick up yet. What a great feeling. I need to start wrapping - my favorite part!!

"Momma, My Baby's Cryin' because....."

Our little cutie-patootie Austin is so funny regarding the baby growing inside my belly! He thinks now everyone has a baby in their belly - including him, and if he wants something, its not him that wants it, its his baby. "Momma, my baby's cryin' because it wants a peanut butter and jelly sandwich..." or "Momma, my baby's cryin' because it wants something to drink..." The very first time he said it, I had to turn my head and let out a quiet laugh and a big smile....I found it funny and cute at the same time.

Out of the mouth of a babe....

I'm in LOVE with a DOCTOR!

Ok, so it's probably not what you think.....but I'm in love...in love with the Rug Doctor! I had Michael go to Menard's and rent one for the day so I could completely clean the rug in our living room and the one on the landing upstairs, and I ran it over the carpets in the downstairs bedroom and Austin's room (just the traffic/exposed areas, not moving the furniture in those...since hopefully they'll be torn out relatively soon and replaced with wood). The carpets look so much better - and fresh smelling now! Hmmm...if only I could keep my husband's shoes, his drinks of choice, and the dog off the carpets, I'd be set! :)

One and Fifty

So --- it's a start, at least! On Tuesday I went to the OB and I was "checked", and I am 1cm dialated and 50% effaced....we'll see how fast I progress from there. The baby has dropped - it happened over Thanksgiving break. My students and colleagues have noticed, not to mention me - since my pants tend to slide down a bit more in front if I'm wearing the wonderful demi-panel maternity pants, and even my panties 'roll' down in the front. I wasn't too gung-ho about purchasing maternity panties with Austin, so I never did, and figured my Victoria's Secret panties would do me just fine again...which they are. But they roll down in front and it's kind of funny thinking about it! Baby's bag is ready for the hospital...and mine is as much as it can be for now. Yippee - almost there!

Sweet Strawberries

My little helper in the kitchen was all over this one. Austin and I dipped some strawberries in chocolate to take to my parents' home this year for the annual Thanksgiving meal/get together. We ate some inbetween dipping too - who can resist a ripe, red, sweet, fresh strawberry?!

Head Down!

Today I went to the 'baby doctor' and had my 37 week checkup...all is well. Heart rate was 165 (! - baby was on the move!) and the baby's head is DOWN - which is where it was a few appointments ago. The OB said last time that 'the head is down, and it feels engaged'. So baby's head is still down, and I'm hoping it stays there until s/he decides its time to make his/her grand entrance into this crazy world! Three weeks to go.....I need to remember to take my belly picture tonight.

A Bad Haircut

I have always cut Austin's hair, and have been pretty pleased with the results. That is until now. I gave him a haircut Sunday night, then a bath. Well - during his haircut, I was trying to straighten out his bangs so they wouldn't come down to such a peak.....well, he moved and they got buzzed on side. I am so sorry Austin! Momma feels horrible! I will take a picture tonight and when I get the chance I'll add it to this post. I am so embarrassed, but I feel obligated to share my mishap...

A Heart for Momma

"Hey momma?"

"Yes, Austin?"

"I made this heart just for you."

"Aw, Austin. Thank you. You made that just for me?"

"Yeah, because I'm givin' it to you, and a blue one too."

"Thank you Austin."

"Welcome."

Houdini

This past weekend we drove up to Washburn one last time before the baby comes. Austin loves his time up north with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Cheryl. He gets so excited to see them! He loves playing blocks and reading with Grandma Cheryl and driving the tractor with Grandpa Bob to feed the cows. This past weekend he got to do both!

On the way home, our little man decided to sneak his arms out of the shoulder straps on his carseat - a definite no-no. He wasn't being cooperative, and whined over and over "I don't want to wear them". I couldn't turn around that well with the belly I am now sporting - so we had to pull the truck over and re-strap him in. Oh, how fun. I can't wait to get him his new Britax Frontier carseat - now it can't come soon enough! I have never liked the Evenflo carseat we got for the truck.....so I am eager to get him the new one, and fast!

Mug Mystery: Solved!

Well, after talking with my mom, and looking at the bottom of the plate, bowl, and mug set - and finding "DONNA" scratched into the clay before it was fired in the kiln.....my mom said I received the set from Donna, a third cousin of mine, who painted the set and gave them to me for a christening gift.

Mystery solved! :)

A Special Mug

When I was little an Aunt of mine; I'm not entirely sure who, though- help Mom!) painted ceramics. She did a set for me - a little plate, bowl, and mug. My favorite was the mug since it had an elephant for a handle. I couldn't have used it all that much since the whole set is all intact without a chip. My mother gave it to me years ago when I moved out, and it's been sitting in a cupboard waiting for a child of my own to use it. So, it has now become Austin's 'special mug', the one he uses when we have hot chocolate with whipped cream. Today we had hot chocolate, and he is so cute with the mug....and gets so excited when it's time for hot chocolate since it is our little time together and he gets to use 'the little mug momma used when she was a little girl.'

Austin's Big Boy Bed: How FUN!

It's Here: A Big Boy Bed for Austin

On Wednesday night we went and picked up Austin's big boy bed - a twin bed. For a little over a year now he's been sleeping in his toddler bed (his crib that we removed a side railing from and dropped the mattress all the way down) which worked wonderfully. We'll be needing his 'crib' for the baby, so we told him he was almost three, and he was old enough to get a big boy bed. We focused and hyped up his new bed instead of the baby taking his bed. He was so excited. We all went to get it together, and Daddy brought it in the house while I vacuumed and took things out of his room. We moved everything around - the dresser we do diaper changes on now is under the window in his room so I have a nice view outside while changing...and we put a side railing on his bed so he wouldn't fall out. He has fish sheets and safari sheets, a nice quilt, and fleece blanket, oh - we can't forget about the tractor embroidered tractor bedskirt. He loves it. He rolled around on his bed - and then decided to check out what was underneath it, so he crawled all the way under - then bumped his head and started crying so Daddy had to pull him out. I was trying not to laugh....but I couldn't help it ...so I had to turn my head for a moment. Boys. Ha! So adventurous! I took some pictures of our Big Boy on his new bed.....enjoy!

Trick or Treat!?

The Beaters

The other day Austin and I make cupcakes and decorated them for his Halloween party at school. He was at the kitchen island with me the whole duration - eagerly waiting to place the little candy pumpkins atop the cupcakes after I piped the orange frosting on. Then he chose the color of sprinkles. Each one was a work of art; I just wish I would have taken a picture of one before they all got devoured!! But, as most childhoods go - when a child is cooking in the kitchen with mom, the kids get the beaters.

Kisses

Here is a photo I just love everything about - the child and the act of being goofy, the lighting...Austin always has to look in the mirror about something - if you tell him his hair is sticking up, he wants to see it. If you tell him he has cute dimples, he has to smile in the mirror to reveal them to himself.

Big Boy Bed - coming soon!

I did it. I ordered Austin's 'big boy bed' the other day...it will be here on Wednesday. I think he's ready for it; I'm just not so sure I am! My baby is growing up! He's all excited, he knows its coming. I have everything ready for it - the tractor embroidered bedskirt, the fish sheet set and the animal sheet set, and the quilt...complete with sham. I know he will like it - I want to get it all ready for him and then sit on his bed and have daddy bring him in. I want to see the look on his face!! So, until Wednesday......we'll countdown the nights in which he'll seep in his toddler bed. I'll be sure to post pictures and tell you all about his reaction on Wednesday!

Once again.....

Once again, we have a girl name all picked out (if its a girl!), but we have not settled on a boy name (if its a boy!).

This happened to us with Austin - he was BBD (Baby Boy Drevlow) for the first half day of his life before we named him. Actually, I had come up with Austin Karl when Michael and I were in the car driving a few weeks before our due date....and we agreed that it would be a good name. Austin from my brother's middle name, and Karl from Michael's younger brother's middle name. But then, 2-3 days before Austin arrived, Michael says this to me: "I'm not so sure I like it anymore..." UGH, are you kidding me? You can't do this to a mother-to-be who has everything in place, everything ready....its not fair. But, after a half day of not being able to call our baby by a name, Michael said "We need to name him. I can't not call him by a name....tell the nurses its Austin Karl."

So that was that.

Now we're stuck again - with a girl name but no boy name.....and I need some suggestions or input - please! We keep coming back to the same ones, the ones I have listed in the poll....but we haven't said: "That's it; that's the one!" Maybe we'll choose a name that we haven't even contemplated yet! Who knows?!

Jammies

Tonight's conversation between myself and dear Austin...

Austin: Momma, you put my jammies on.
Momma: Why, are you tired already?
Austin: Yeah. You do it. Want my jammies on...come on.
Momma: Ok, lets go up and put your jammies on.

We head upstairs...

Austin: Momma, are you gonna sleep with me?
Momma: No, I'm not going to sleep with you.
Austin: Why not?
Momma: You're a big boy, and you can lay down in your own bed and go to sleep by yourself.
Austin: Oh.

So he crawls in by himself, and that is that.

All is quiet here.....why can't he do this every night?

Gotta go get that big boy bed this week....!

Simplify

Ok, so I haven't had time to get on here and babble...I mean blog. I've been undertaking the 'junk' that has been overtaking my home. Ugh! I don't know if it is just that I want to settle in before winter hits and I'm busy with baby (and Austin), or if it is just that I need to feel renewed, cleansed, rid of stuff, or if it is the pregnancy thing kicking in. You know, the 'nesting period' moms go through before they bring a new living being into existence. So, I've been tackling areas of our home bit by bit...and I'm winning! I have piles to donate, piles to eBay, and piles to rummage sale this coming summer (hint, hint Wendy & Mom!) . It feels so incredibly good. Simplify. Simplify. SIMPLIFY. How did/do I end up with so much stuff, anyway?!

Grab ahold and smile!

Since our due date falls on a Tuesday, I set up the tripod each Tuesday and take a side profile picture of my belly. I unfortunately have to do this myself, since when I started when I was first pregnant with Austin I had Michael start doing it. The first 'photo shoot' was 10 (yes, 10) horrible pictures - either they were too zoomed in, my head was cut off, or it was just ... horrible. Needless to say, he did not inherit his mother's ability to take a great photo! So, in came the tripod and my husband was relieved of his photography duties. Now as I am doing this for this baby, Austin usually watches, and on the last shot joins me in my arms for a picture. However, this past Tuesday, he decided he didn't want up, he just wanted to reach up and grab ahold of my belly and smile for the camera. Awwww, how cute...

All FIRED up!

On Sunday, we went to the fifth annual Get Fired Up for Safety in downtown Marshfield with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Cheryl - they came to visit us! Austin was excited to see all the different fire trucks, ladder trucks, and ambulances....

He got to try on a helmet - it was so heavy, when the firefighter put it on his head, he was afraid to move!


Touching and sitting on the fire truck was so exciting.....



..but he loved sitting in the fire trucks even more! So, we went from truck...

...to truck....
...and he even got to squirt water at some floating ducks!

He had a fun time on Sunday. We were downtown today since I had to run some errands, and he was asking where all the fire trucks went. I guess we'll have to go back next year! He'll be a little older so he can do more things with the firefighters and their demonstrations and games.

Little pokes

Our little baby in-utero has been developing and growing for 30 weeks and 4 days now....boy, the time sure is going fast! He or she will be here before we know it.

Today we had another prenatal visit, and this is the first one Austin's been to. He saw the nurse weigh me, take my blood pressure, then we waited for another nurse to come measure my belly (uterus) and listen to the baby's heartbeat. He paid close attention to everything happening to mom. Then the nurse asked if Austin wanted to hear his heartbeat, and he shook his head 'yes', so she slapped some gel on the fetal heart monitor, he lifted up his shirt, and the nurse put the monitor on his chest and we all listened to his heart. He thought it was pretty cool, and kept looking at my belly while listening to his own heart beating. Then the doctor came in and we chatted for a bit, then I got my flu shot. On the way out I checked with Pediatrics and got him in right then and there for his; he was so brave! He laid back and held my hands, then got his little poke and was all done. No tears! He got a sticker for his bravery.

Not long after we got home he started telling me his leg hurt, "right here, mom, the hole in my leg hurts". "Where you got your little poke today, just like momma got one in her arm?" "Yeah, little poke. I need some medicine...make it feel all better." So I gave him a little Tylenol and the world was right once again.

But now my arm is sore!

At the Zoo

Sometimes they belong in a zoo...

This past weekend we packed up the car and spent some time with friends in Minnesota. Ed and Sarah have two boys, Charley and Henry. Charley is close to Austin's age - they're about a year apart. Henry is a little baby, close to being one. It is always a treat watching Austin interact with other kids - even though he does that on a daily basis at school, its not too often that I get to 'spy' on him before he sees me and drops everything and comes running. So this weekend I enjoyed watching him play with Charley and 'baby' (aka Henry).

Sarah and I took the kids to the zoo on Saturday...and it was Austin's first time at a zoo and he loved it. He still talks about all the animals we saw....the big bears swimming back and forth in front of the glass, putting their paws right up to his hand...the tigers, leopards, monkeys, and of course, the shark.

Austin loved interacting with Henry, too - he was curious, and watched him from the corner of his eye. I know Austin will be a great big brother....he' starting to understand things a little better now that my belly is getting bigger and he can feel the baby move. He loves to give my belly 'zurbits'...

Hopefully we'll be able to go back to the cities next spring/summer and visit another zoo with the Wroblewski's!

The Great Pumpkins

Yesterday Austin and I had some quality time together in the afternoon. After his nap and snack, we geared up for outside and headed for our garden. I decided this year, since Austin would be at a fun age, I would plant pumpkins. The past few days I had been getting restless since Austin so excitedly pointed out that I had 9 of them ready to be cut from the vine. With gloves on and clippers in hand, I waded amongst the prickly vines to set the pumpkins free. Austin pointed out the ones he wanted cut (all 9), and after I cut them we set them aside and then he wanted his picture taken. We arranged them accordingly and he posed so nicely for lots of pictures. I told him we could take them over to the house to decorate the porch, and he thought that was a great idea. He chose the ones he could transport in his dump truck, and I carried the others....Several trips later we were done, and he was so proud that he helped! Now our porch has that great fall look!

Edgar Tractor Show: The Tractor Parade!

Life is like a carwash...

I finally took my car into town for a carwash today. It has been plastered with bugs for the last month, so bad I could hardly see out the window. My bumper was another story. It was a bug graveyard. I asked myself every morning when I got behind the wheel, 'Why haven't I washed my car yet? Have I been that busy I can't even wash my car?' But the days came and went. I picked up Austin from school today (we call it school, not daycare - even though he refers to it as his 'friends house'; a horse apiece, really) and we headed to the carwash. I put in a little gas, then prewashed the front windshield with Austin watching my every move. Then I got in the car and drove around back to the carwash, where Austin proceeded to cover his ears while I punched in the code and drove in.

'Mama, its gonna be loud. Lots of bubbles, cover mama's car and go swish swish and then bubbles gone and its all clean.'

'Yes, Austin, all clean.'

I try to see everyday like a little carwash - waking up to a clean, new day, ready and willing to take the road to wherever the day leads. Who knows what will happen...or what won't. I've always been a night person, and I always will be. I just love going into Austin's room in the morning when he's still sleeping to wake him up, rubbing his back and saying 'good morning, sleepy head.' This morning while I was starting to get him dressed while he was half asleep, he babbled on about 'going that way' and pointing his little finger. I think he was still dreaming, his dreams invading his waking hours, taking him on some journey... and this new life that is growing inside of me at this very moment, kicking, rolling around, waving his or her hands and feet....this baby has been so active, s/he goes on a journey constantly - constantly on the move. I am continually feeling feet or hands poke, moving under my shirt and to think in 12 weeks I'll get to hold this tiny life in my arms and look into his or her eyes....and be instantly more in love than I am right now with him or her. Funny - how much a human can love another not even having met before.

Here fishy, fishy, fishy....!

So, back in late June I bought Austin a little fishing pole from Fleet Farm. It stayed in the package until we went up north to Manitowish Waters to visit a friend of ours. August 20th was the day it came out of packaging and rigged with a minnow. Austin dropped his minnow in the water (with help from Daddy, of course, since Mommy hadn't bought her fishing license) and caught the first and largest fish - a 15" walleye. He was excited and scared of the fish at the same time. He didn't understand the concept of fishing from the lake when there were fish right there he could see in the livewell.

Here we are!

Well, I'm starting something new....I have had two friends in the last two days send me links to their Blogger sites, so I figure it's the thing to do now. And - I've wanted to do something like this for awhile now, so I guess those two friends were giving me the sign that the time is now! :)

I hope to find time to get pictures and some videos up, and to update everyone on what we're doing here in our little corner of this small world.