The next level of pancaking

I sent this note out to some friends this morning. I love these.

Guys,

You may not know this but Jon is a pretty accomplished pancake maker...I try not to be a braggarty wife but he's gotten quite a few requests in his day. However, on this...the eve of the start of his 38th year I'm publicly going to issue a challenge to him. We need some 3D pancakes, Jon.

Click here for the Jim's Pancakes site.

This goes way, way beyond the silver-dollar specials that I dish out. The bar has been raised.

First Skate

I should let Jon write this post - maybe he'll come back and publish an edited version?

I would say that Jon is a hockey fan...but that'd be putting it mildly.  

So naturally, he has two main sports related goals for our kids:

1. have at least one of them play organized hockey (read: birth an entire playoff-winning team)
2. have all of them comfortable on skates early on (read: birth an entire playoff-winning Mite [8&under] league team)

Owen's second birthday was designated, no, destined  to be the first time he would strap on those glistening foot-rockets.   

But, somehow, Jon and Owen found themselves at a rink 3 whole days before this birthday anniversary.  Disregarding the deadline they threw caution to the wind and rustled up a pair of child size six, double-blade skates.  

Apparently, Owen loved it.  I missed the milestone - but it might be for the best.  There are some lessons that need to be taught by someone with a deep passion for the subject, an innate ability to transfer knowledge, the God-given grace to break down the skill components in such a way that a 1.99 year-old can understand it...and someone with at least a degree of skating competence.

Go Flyers!

My Family

is beautiful.

Especially the tall guy with a beard.  

Dear Jon

All but gradumacated

A few days ago Jon, Owen, and I had a little date at the BOP down in Fells Point while Gina hung with some friends in DC.  Pizza was ok but I'd definitely order by the slice next time.  Seriously, one slice was as big as our whole individual pizza.   We had so much fun together though - doesn't Jon's face say it all?  Owen and I both love, love, LOVE getting some quality time with the man of the house.  We may even actually occasionally fight over him.  But...that's not the point of this post.

Yesterday Jon was super sick with a nasty stomach bug.  Before he knew what was going on, even though he already felt sick, he voluntarily got up with Owen at some super early hour so that I could snooze a little longer.  Then, later when I had a headache he gave me a little neck stretch - even though HE was the one that was suppose to get the pampering.  But that's not the main point either.

The MAIN point is that Jon finished his LAST class at AU on Monday.  Last as in forever last.  As in now he gets to walk across the stage and get his diploma and never come back last.  And I am so proud of him.  He's stuck in there with this degree for an incredibly long time (yes, it is hard to believe since he's still mistaken for a 22 year old) and really gave this last class his all - reading every book and doing every paper 100%.

Congratulations Jon.  You never cease to amaze me and I love you more each day. 

Especially now that you're all official and whatever.  :)

It only gets better...

On Wednesday we celebrated the magnificentness that is Jon's birthday.

A little scavenger hunt started out the day and some surprise homemade cupcakes finished it off.  Not a bad way to commemorate 35 years. 

The one giant cupcake was a special treat for my birthday man.  :)

Gina did an awesome job decorating them while we were out for a relaxing dinner.  

Happy Birthday Jon.  I've gotten to celebrate 10 birthdays with you now - and reflecting back through the years and seeing where you are now fills my heart with immeasurable joy.  

You are my great treasure and I love you madly with every ounce of my being.

All That and a Bag of Chips

Jon,

You just finished your last translation of the semester.  Here's to a job well done!  I watched you hang in there even as Nassar drained your brain - drop by drop.  But you did it - you finished strong and I'm proud of you.   Now you can enjoy a well deserved break and let that grey matter regenerate.  

116 credits down - 4 to go!  (Tennis class anyone?)  

I love you.

My mom is hil-arious!

He totally thinks I'm awesome.

By the way...here is a picture of Jon when he was a baby.  What a cutie - like father like son.  I'll have to scan some of my baby pics later to do a side by side.  

Ice, Ice, Baby

And now...three random things.  

It snowed this week.  And then it rained and froze which created this ice sheet on our driveway.  You can see little foot holes where Jon cut out spots for me to step in as we...

..went on a date!  I don't have any dating pictures...just this one of me looking happy BEFORE we left.  It will have to do.  We went to see Slumdog Millionaire and eat hamburgers.  Both were great.  I'd recommend that date to everyone (except you can't have Jon and that's really the best part)

And finally: Zoe continues to actively seek out inappropriate places to sleep.  Like on my pillow, in my face, in the sink, on the baby's changing table, in the fresh laundry, etc.  Here she is looking guiltily away because she knows that, even though I am taking a picture of her, she is a bad, bad cat.  

Oh well, what's another load of laundry in the big scheme of things?

Congratulations Jon!!!

Another semester done.

Another excellent job

pushing through to the finish of papers and test.

You are so brilliant and always inspire me with your dedication

(even when the classes are boring).

Great job this past semester. It's all downhill from here and you'll soon have a little partner to stay up with you on those late nights of reading (while I'm a bum in bed).

I love you and am so proud of you.

All the little green lights are blinking

Things to be thankful for on November 3rd, 2008.

First: the weather is beautiful, the leaves are stunning, and the air is so crisp you could bite it.

Second: the time change went off without a hitch. Thanks to Anna for reminding me to change my clock. Thanks again to Anna for calling me at 4:30 am to tell me that the clocks go back an hour, not forward an hour like she had said the night before.

Third: Jon is home. After the men's Quarry seminar in Dallas he came back a new, stronger, more complex man that I can't wait to find out more about. AND - he fixed the internet in about 30 seconds after I fought with it all weekend and never got it to work. Now the modem is up and running - the green blinky lights are on and I am back in blogging business! (I love having him home.)

Forth: Jon in general. If you need a refresher go here. Let me just add though that he COMPLETELY surprised me (Jon's family will know that's somewhat of a feat) this weekend by planning and scheduling a spa day for me. I've never done that before and left feeling super relaxed and like a queen. (I know you all probably think this blog is a mushy love-fest but he is just too incredible NOT to be thankful for.)

Fifth: the little guy is growing like a weed. We'll post the 27 week pic soon - but trust me, he's big. And I think he loves the Bradley method classes I started yesterday - LOTS of kicking involved.

Sixth: a weekend of cleaning, classes, friends, family, love, laughs, relaxing, being busy, cooking, and just being that got me ready for another week.

Hot Chocolate Day

Today was good for drinking this.

And hugging him.  

Sorry, you'll have to get your own. :)

...and growing...

Our little guy keeps growing and kicking.  Here's a summarization of where he's at for Week 24...

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long, he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon. (pregnancy.com)

Some of my male friends have found it difficult to image the child based upon the vegetable references.  So here's another example to help you out.  This week he's about the length of a football.  

He's obviously not as round as one but hopefully this will help you guys out. 

I've been busy with classes this semester and the winter hockey season is about to start (that's my league, not the NHL).  Work has been incredibly busy and productive lately as well.  I say all this as an excuse for my laxness in posting.  Though Emily has been carrying the torch admirably.  

She's an amazing lady.  Wonderful!

- JP

Ode to Jon

Could I please, for just a minute, tell you how wonderful my husband is?

He is my hero in every way. My greatest love, confidant, inspiration, leader, and best friend.

Monday I woke up to a bad day. A cricket jumped on my face, I cut my finger making breakfast and then threw up. I crawled back in bed and told him my troubles. Jon pulled me next to him and said, lets cuddle for a bit and then start the day over again.

Then he rubbed my back while I laid my head on his chest. It made my day much better.

I think he took all my sickness for me because later that morning he felt awful.

Yesterday I was a grump. Not pleasant to be around. He talked to me on the way home and knew what he was facing. But he gave me a big hug, made me laugh, talked to me about my day, and made me a nice steak on the grill.

Then we watched Chuck - which made me laugh more - and I felt much better.

He is always there for me. How the heck did I end up with such an intelligent, creative, accurate, handsome, funny, nurturing, strong, super-hot (did I mention that?), wonderful...

MAN.

I'm a happy woman.

Week 15

The week 15 picture. Definitely some slow growth happening here. I have a friend due three weeks before we are who started seriously showing at around 14 weeks. Just goes to show you that everybody's different. We have the 16 weeks checkup on Friday and will have to post the good Doctor's opinion. :)

Yesterday was absolutely beautiful here in DC. The weather was in the low 80s with a nice breeze and no humidity. Jon and I decided to bike the 5 miles downtown and spend some time on the National Mall and maybe visit a museum. Here's Jon in front of the Washington Monument (just to prove that we actually biked down). It's a great ride. I love that we're close enough to the city to bike in. Maybe our backs are feeling the 10 miles a little bit today - but it's a small price to pay.

We ate some pb&j's on the Mall and then went to the Natural History Museum for a bit. We checked out the new butterfly exhibit which was awesome. They stock a specially made capsule room with exotic butterflies from around the world (we were told they bring in 4 shipments every week). The butterflies won't lay eggs because they aren't around any of their natural plants (and with butterflies from almost every continent that'd be pretty hard to do!) Here are some great shots that Jon got of a few of the butterflies.

This is one of my favorite shots.

This one was called a peacock butterfly. Seen from different angles the color changed from green to blue. It literally looks like it has glitter all over it's wings and body.

Here's a video Jon shot of two butterflies.

Really beautiful.

The giant luna moth. This thing is really about the size of your hand. The body is much bigger than a large cicada.

And what would a trip to DC be without a little street vendor ice cream?

Week 13

Week 13 picture! Maybe starting to podulate a little bit?

And a Jon picture. I'll post some of these occasionally so you can keep track of his progress as well. Jon's in the full swing of the summer hockey season and getting buffer all the time. ;)

Not much new this week. Just continuing to move along. We met my parents in Baltimore yesterday morning and spent the afternoon and lunch just meandering around town. It's so nice to be able to do day trips and see them. Baltimore is such a great city too - I think we could easily live there if the commute was better!

We also had Mark and Marcia Headley's baby shower yesterday! I didn't take any pictures...but here is a picture of the couple at Omo and Lisa's wedding in Trinidad from May.