tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69605418421719825262024-03-13T10:52:15.836-05:00The M&M Smith FamilySmith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-18486753478504523902009-04-26T14:26:00.007-05:002009-04-26T14:37:51.596-05:00How time flies!<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInS3rfoNTQ_uopVifWCMx2BkU-L439BqRXUb3-2BykeURzSXGCZJAoWEoqsdPujda_rCh3bb8w1urxpQxdnQeQ1dqlPBzEhadop1VKeIu3Wvlo8B3E3zIDV2oD18H1Tmb_UwzEyGTtGuM/s1600-h/s41257cb128456_8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329085431051368802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInS3rfoNTQ_uopVifWCMx2BkU-L439BqRXUb3-2BykeURzSXGCZJAoWEoqsdPujda_rCh3bb8w1urxpQxdnQeQ1dqlPBzEhadop1VKeIu3Wvlo8B3E3zIDV2oD18H1Tmb_UwzEyGTtGuM/s200/s41257cb128456_8.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdtqG_wyxCQiodR88AVFOls3pX5k3YgK1f-gWsYoDXr6ibQyHoCvDQ4pPV8t4bZ_koO-sQErYiur1gIaH10hPXGWlE0zIXjVwUdD1neAt8nEhFCyFHt2bOm91FZF9RwFCrZvDTrJLPvqT/s1600-h/s41257cb128456_10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329085252542430530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdtqG_wyxCQiodR88AVFOls3pX5k3YgK1f-gWsYoDXr6ibQyHoCvDQ4pPV8t4bZ_koO-sQErYiur1gIaH10hPXGWlE0zIXjVwUdD1neAt8nEhFCyFHt2bOm91FZF9RwFCrZvDTrJLPvqT/s200/s41257cb128456_10.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I can't believe how fast time flies! I noticed my last posting was over a month ago! YIKES! I guess that is what happens when ya go back to work. Work is going great but it sure is great to come home at the end of the day to my little guy! He has gotten so big...can tell he has not missed any meals. It is cute because his daycare provider calls him "Juicy"! He really had been a joy and I hope you enjoy this 3 month picture. One of these days I will post some pictures that I actually take of him...as soon as I can get them printed for the scrapbook too.Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-26879979213938249822009-03-23T08:34:00.002-05:002009-03-23T08:45:37.731-05:00Okay...so I cried!Mark just left a few minutes ago to take Matthew for his 1st half day at daycare....not fun for Mommy! I did fine while he was leaving because I had to make sure the bag was packed, the paperwork was done and the check was written. But once Mark walked out the door with him....yikes! Hopefully tomorrow will be easier. I actually have to take Matthew on Wednesday before my first day back to work so we will see how hard that is! I keep finding myself listening for him in the monitor and checking his swing to make sure his is okay. Who knew the silence of the house would be so difficult the "hear". I know many of you have gone through this or will shortly so I know I am not alone....there is comfort in that at least. Please tell me it gets a bit easier!Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-71581557977357398622009-03-17T17:21:00.002-05:002009-03-17T17:29:53.051-05:00First visit to day care!Matthew went to meet his childcare provider today for the first time. He got to meet his new frineds and see where is going to stay while Mommy and Daddy are at work. It was a short visit....just so he could at least see the place before he gets dropped off there. Luckily Daddy will be dropping him off in the mornings so Mommy won't have to deal with that heartache. It will be hard enough when Mark leaves with him that first time....I can't imagine what it would be like actually having to leave him myself! We are doing a test run on Monday the 23rd. Mark is going to drop him off on his way to work Monday and Tuesday and I will pick Matthew up about lunch time so he will have 2 half days then starting Wednesday it will be all day when I start back to work. Yikes! I cannot believe it has been 12 weeks already! I am looking forward to going back to work but I am sad to leave him as well...mixed emotions. I might actually shed a few tears that first day I go back. Please keep me in your prayers that I can hold it together those first few days!Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-18699025997484190902009-03-08T13:54:00.002-05:002009-03-08T14:05:15.559-05:00Another change in jobs!As of Monday the 2nd City Council approved my new job. When I return from maternity leave I will go back to the Parks & Recreation department as the Director. WOW! My former boss has been promoted to the Assistant City Manager and I was asked about moving into the Director role. I am very excited about the new opportunity and look forward to continuing to lead the department in the great direction we are going! I am also excited that my first project as the director will be to build a $17 million, 100K square foot recreation center! The city and the department are so much different than when I started over 9 years ago and I said then it was a great time to be in Pearland and believe that even more now! For those that used to work for the department that might read this....I will try and get a rendering of the recreation center and post it here for you to see. It is because of the work that you did in your tenure with the department that helped us get to where we are! I think it would be great to have you all at the grand opening of the facility next year!Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-44169552465609390922009-02-26T10:47:00.001-06:002009-02-26T10:47:55.608-06:00<div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w620.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/mishsmith/Matthew/db06a9b9.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s620.photobucket.com/albums/tt282/mishsmith/Matthew/?action=view¤t=db06a9b9.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-6131138578967071282009-02-26T09:41:00.003-06:002009-02-26T09:56:10.330-06:00Wow....8 weeks already!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGvCqoqMB9NE07zzfNZ8SZsL6mQo-M4uZGmDiDlnIGGKnGPk08AHn6wWwdomRmu1HWXU-vZD_32Yhc3Tt-HKO84NeFT4yF5fQS67eLu1KcFLcW4ZiqSwO72LrYD8nsCee1U_wDjEGPt8o/s1600-h/0038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307135043893998210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGvCqoqMB9NE07zzfNZ8SZsL6mQo-M4uZGmDiDlnIGGKnGPk08AHn6wWwdomRmu1HWXU-vZD_32Yhc3Tt-HKO84NeFT4yF5fQS67eLu1KcFLcW4ZiqSwO72LrYD8nsCee1U_wDjEGPt8o/s200/0038.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipX7FfLng2w-xuUpey0an0CFQdlu1H2vQNevbufpargXq60iWroQ__rHsimQWXQhlkP-RnckdgZl17CwDCGM6O5nLhweH9mY1YvS6bcMeUvvtNbpq7Pho6n7z6lfx9vsAFbCDQGY4-74_W/s1600-h/0036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307135047022944098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipX7FfLng2w-xuUpey0an0CFQdlu1H2vQNevbufpargXq60iWroQ__rHsimQWXQhlkP-RnckdgZl17CwDCGM6O5nLhweH9mY1YvS6bcMeUvvtNbpq7Pho6n7z6lfx9vsAFbCDQGY4-74_W/s200/0036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpC6wbvy6lmJWo7gqZjcAl2ES4IPCQBNWqXlAEK72s2lFx1wG6H-o7AyU4wzQMdippBI7ZeQwS2TxcgwmY65l__QTSGQ0PkLDZU7itBXnFiFgBCJBv54MT9yrla3LJ9Vjtt8lYzPcEVZJ/s1600-h/0027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307135040977434434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpC6wbvy6lmJWo7gqZjcAl2ES4IPCQBNWqXlAEK72s2lFx1wG6H-o7AyU4wzQMdippBI7ZeQwS2TxcgwmY65l__QTSGQ0PkLDZU7itBXnFiFgBCJBv54MT9yrla3LJ9Vjtt8lYzPcEVZJ/s200/0027.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>It is hard to believe it has been 8 weeks since my little bundle of joy was born. He is not so little anymore! Mark fondly calls him the Hulk now! My how time passes by so quickly when you are having so much fun! I never knew I could love someone so much...I think I could just sit and stare at him all day! Amazing. I have about 4 more weeks of maternity leave and am going to enjoy every minute! Needless to say I have not figured out how to do the slideshow yet. Thanks to Erika I now have an idea where to start but have not gotten around to testing it yet! Thanks for the info. Erika....hopefully I can figure it out one of these days! For now I will just post a couple of his newest pics! The professional pictures are him at 6 weeks so I guess they are not the most recent! But I had to share since I just think they are the cutest....so serious!</div></div></div>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-29559287976974433532009-01-06T17:58:00.005-06:002009-01-06T18:13:08.240-06:00The best December 30th of my life!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gWOY3Wj4d_f1vc0r01cQkzrXCfqYco4Xm0rRC_2ylmx9VrSZ_7wyeTGnvyjZmYORzJR2OZbDPIXOsMkcGrXi9woe6jJurxnpk173tlZstZsaglx4KVYlWHKLaxhzEq-DMkGpscw9KAC6/s1600-h/IMG_0261.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288336728712014274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gWOY3Wj4d_f1vc0r01cQkzrXCfqYco4Xm0rRC_2ylmx9VrSZ_7wyeTGnvyjZmYORzJR2OZbDPIXOsMkcGrXi9woe6jJurxnpk173tlZstZsaglx4KVYlWHKLaxhzEq-DMkGpscw9KAC6/s200/IMG_0261.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDdzS41wlvy2aOTSmhL8Hbd0CSUtO7Rwa00FT_-pubvVOrfKuLJgGT-tgpJMrikIaSMQnA6MGef_HsIr4FCBGrchrD9ipDxCg2VGkJSNVHgTOngDogO2c8HdpPAnL2AU3jK1yq6Jn1EMK/s1600-h/IMG_0257.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288336722141969602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDdzS41wlvy2aOTSmhL8Hbd0CSUtO7Rwa00FT_-pubvVOrfKuLJgGT-tgpJMrikIaSMQnA6MGef_HsIr4FCBGrchrD9ipDxCg2VGkJSNVHgTOngDogO2c8HdpPAnL2AU3jK1yq6Jn1EMK/s200/IMG_0257.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>On December 30th at 2:13pm we welcomed our little boy into the world. He weighed 6 lbs 14oz. and was 19 inches long. As you can tell he has red hair....Mark and I are now learning of all the red heads in our family that we never knew of. There is a lot on both sides of our family but it is all grand parents and great uncles and then I have one cousin that is red headed. Not really what we expected at all but it is beautiful! The c-section was not as bad as I thought it would be. I am recovering nicely and this little bundle of joy is so worth it! I have never seen anything so perfect in all of my life. I am now a believer in love at first sight! Okay...I won't waste a lot of time typing since I know you just wanna see pictures of the little guy so I will try to put a photo album on here but not sure I am that talented yet.</div></div>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-21405774668488732372008-12-28T18:56:00.003-06:002008-12-28T19:11:01.277-06:00Matthew will be here a bit early!Well....Matthew should be here Tuesday. I know my ticker says it will be 8 days...it is more like 2 days now. Matthew is due on the 5th but the doctor has scheduled me for a C-section for the 30th. I had an ultrasound last week (38 weeks) and apparently Matthew has a pretty big head....his head measured over 40 weeks while his stomach and femur measured just about right at 38 weeks. More then that he is facing the wrong direction...he is looking straight out instead of to the back or the side. The worst postition he could be in according to the doctor. The fact that I have gestational diabetes has the doctor concerned as well. He does not want me to go full term because of the possible aging of the placenta. I am not overly happy about having to have a c-section but I will take what comes and do the best with the cards I am dealt. Please keep me in your prayers as I recover from surgery. I am nervous about the surgery itself and then having a new little one to take care of, two kids at home to take care of and an adult child to care for as well. And I go back to one of my favortie quotes from Mother Teresa..."I know God won't give me anything I can't handle but I really do wish he did not trust me so much. My next posting should contain some new baby photos!!! I still cannot believe the time is already here!Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-90768317197988308802008-12-22T20:36:00.002-06:002008-12-22T20:42:16.485-06:00God has called another angel homeThings have been a bit sad at the Smith house the past couple of days. Mark lost his dad on the 18th and we had the funeral today. Although he had been in the hospital for many months it is still hard when the end does come. We know that he is in a better place and we will meet again on the other side however the loss for Mark is a hard one. I feel for him having to deal with everything he has had to deal with the past few months. It has not been easy for him and I am proud of how he has handled it all. We could not have gotten through these difficult times without some of the best friends people could ask for. We are so blessed to have the bible study group we have, the work friends we have, the life long friends we have and the family we have. Thank all of you for continuing to show us God's love in action.Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-19661047718217841312008-12-13T09:27:00.005-06:002008-12-13T09:33:17.533-06:00Let it snow!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvz3q-Tk8dsvgq_RmLvINsLY7ChJ_N7euv3HEi1qbFsxwX_FLD7NbRaSJR0nDZASF_0oPRHgXvWyzeiRINOWOWMVCe8DbwADptZXvCcRLliaVKfTim-UWmReWEYhWrIUXxYmEbFSx18l5/s1600-h/IMG_0175.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279297538174359346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvz3q-Tk8dsvgq_RmLvINsLY7ChJ_N7euv3HEi1qbFsxwX_FLD7NbRaSJR0nDZASF_0oPRHgXvWyzeiRINOWOWMVCe8DbwADptZXvCcRLliaVKfTim-UWmReWEYhWrIUXxYmEbFSx18l5/s200/IMG_0175.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Believe it not we actually got some snow down here! Not what I remember from living in Mass. and CT but it was as good as it gets down here. The kids really enjoyed it. There was enough to make snowballs and snow angels...what more can you ask for. </div><br /><p></p><p>That was a few days ago....it is back to normal now....supposed to be in the high 60's tonight.</p>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-11764697724582667922008-12-12T18:03:00.002-06:002008-12-12T18:15:25.580-06:00The end is near!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Fw6Q5nhCj1Ece5uyVjtcFH-RZdroc7BgbweXwKQUmiaZC8TBmVfcvNN4PMtYeX075qmkBbRxSRNae6uifX3S-Ew79o9_zZgYlZLRmIllBfZF0DxiaCEhLbC-hUo0dpLTK1lmITfMSBzo/s1600-h/IMG_0169.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279061541904151250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Fw6Q5nhCj1Ece5uyVjtcFH-RZdroc7BgbweXwKQUmiaZC8TBmVfcvNN4PMtYeX075qmkBbRxSRNae6uifX3S-Ew79o9_zZgYlZLRmIllBfZF0DxiaCEhLbC-hUo0dpLTK1lmITfMSBzo/s200/IMG_0169.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9f_48_oPtI5BWqOZZNCMpTMmchHRcceGVRS6dY1iL4yErXQrtKeo2z5r83e9xSTy15QdrfKudHfJBE19nyask0hdzSzaP1q1YKs83TIuVuT5egQQf1Plkxj58Sy91pYDoXaCUNI1jrtOe/s1600-h/IMG_0184.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279061534892427602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9f_48_oPtI5BWqOZZNCMpTMmchHRcceGVRS6dY1iL4yErXQrtKeo2z5r83e9xSTy15QdrfKudHfJBE19nyask0hdzSzaP1q1YKs83TIuVuT5egQQf1Plkxj58Sy91pYDoXaCUNI1jrtOe/s200/IMG_0184.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Well, I am at 36 weeks in this picture and I am about ready for this to be over. It has been a pretty easy pregnancy but I am ready for the little guy to be here and for me to start getting back to my pre-baby weight. We might be looking at an early arrival for little Matthew. Because I have gestational diabetes the Dr. might want to induce. I really hope not but will follow his advice. I would rather him induce then wait and end up with a c-section because the little guy is not so little. I have an ultrasound scheduled for the week of Christmas so I will know then what he is going to want to do. Based on that ultrasound we might have our new addition on December 30th.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We took the kids to a sibling class at the hospital and they had a good time. You can see in the picture that Mark is helping Cody with the diaper. Cody has already stated he will not be changing any diapers but will be more then happy to get me the supplies I need. Both of the kids are pretty excited about having a baby brother. They both are regular huggers of me and the baby and often pat and talk to Matthew. It really is cute. Cody is playing basketball and I took him to practice the other day....Lindsey wanted something to do while he was in practice so she brought a baby doll and supplies so she could practice with the diaper changing and the swaddling. Loved it!!! She was too cute!</div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-5545911556099580362008-11-24T07:23:00.002-06:002008-11-24T07:35:53.295-06:00God is good...all the time!Well, all the prayers have been answered. Mark went to his hearing in CT on the 19th and brought the kids home that night. We have them registered for school and they will start after the Thanksgiving holiday. They seem to be very happy and it is so nice to hear them talk about future plans and things they want to do. I feel like, for the first time, they feel secure and stable. I am not delusional enough to think it will all be a bed of roses but Mark and I are much happier with them here knowing we can provide the stability they so need. Both of the kids are so happy about the baby! It is actually kinda cute how affectionate Cody is to the baby already. I have signed them up for a sibling class at the hosital so they should enjoy that. Cody has already said he did not want to change diapers though. :-) Can't say as I blame him. Guess Dad will get more turns then! :-)<br />The preganancy is still going well! I have had two wonderful showers where I have received so many wonderful gifts. Five hand made blankets....beautiful! Oh! And I made the announcement at the last shower so I guess I can put it here too.....we are having a boy. His name is Matthew Alan. Matthew means "gift from God" and Alan was dad's name. So now we will have another "M" in the family. It has been a bit hectic so I have not posted anymore pics but I will try and get around to that soon. First I have to actually download them off the camera! <br />I hope all is well with each of you and I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. This year I feel as though we have so much to be thankful for....I sure hope you feel the same!Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-19212427620383051552008-10-31T08:50:00.002-05:002008-10-31T08:56:13.793-05:00First real pregnancy issueWell, it is official! I found out at the doctor's this week that I have gestational diabetes. Now I am on a diet that does not include ice cream, or anything else sweet for that matter! I never realized how many carbs and how much sugar I really ate until my doctor brought it to my attention. Luckily I am able to take care of my temporary condition with the diet and do not have to do much else. <br />I will try to post a picture or two next week from our 3D ultra-sound. We had to rescheduled since the little one did not want to cooperate the first time around! Stinker!<br />The ticker I added to my site, thanks to Kristy, has really brought on some reality! I am amazed each time I look at it to see how close this really is to happening. Luckily I feel as if I am prepared....as much as I can be anyway.<br />I also should be able to post good news about the kids in a few weeks as well! Keep up the prayers....we still need them and so do the kids.Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-85421041635732208792008-10-06T14:32:00.004-05:002008-10-06T14:47:57.993-05:0027 weeks and counting!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT0EG039_MnrgUVNaG9MZEYHSqxzsNHoPh63GWebIzqfNC01__A55vNPPHZBU8znItpdzahJ6H4QGh4Y01JIg4x_I61ivYgH-4SIBTw3Jge3XXYuDWai1l-yZJ_tGfILwRE4QKUa35Vd_/s1600-h/IMG_0014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254129687924661090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrT0EG039_MnrgUVNaG9MZEYHSqxzsNHoPh63GWebIzqfNC01__A55vNPPHZBU8znItpdzahJ6H4QGh4Y01JIg4x_I61ivYgH-4SIBTw3Jge3XXYuDWai1l-yZJ_tGfILwRE4QKUa35Vd_/s200/IMG_0014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJAnwbh3HNc0DNi3a4_b8cCDkov-u6_WEic87pOI8QqJdYWV5oM8_qtgpXtLld-Gz_7Pxsk_jO4vEL7qGq3TuLdeN_e7yBH07tOBmVcrEtVF7CSt0xuzH5nETRB6amMAhyphenhyphen0v5CdGQ0UGs/s1600-h/IMG_0013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254129411617968002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJAnwbh3HNc0DNi3a4_b8cCDkov-u6_WEic87pOI8QqJdYWV5oM8_qtgpXtLld-Gz_7Pxsk_jO4vEL7qGq3TuLdeN_e7yBH07tOBmVcrEtVF7CSt0xuzH5nETRB6amMAhyphenhyphen0v5CdGQ0UGs/s200/IMG_0013.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is the baby bump at just over 27 weeks. I can officially not see my feet and feel like I am getting bigger by the minute. I have seen pictures of my mother when she was pregnant with me and I feel like I am well on my way to getting just as big in the belly as she did! Now if I could just have labor like she did with me that would be great too!<br /><div></div><div> </div><div>Well....I am still on scheduled for my arbitrary November 15th deadline to have things completed. The nursery is painted and the posted picture is the mural I had done on one of the walls. I just love it!!! Now if I could just finish painting the bathroom and getting that set up!</div><div></div><div> </div><div>We are almost done with our childbirth class but have a few others to take over the next few weeks. I have started interviewing pediatricians and should have one selected by the end of this month and have selected a daycare but am still researching the nanny option. </div><div></div><br /><div>Luckily all is still good with my health aside from the occasional swollen feet and constant heartburn. I consider myself blessed since that is really all I have had to deal with!</div></div>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-38085890585890151682008-10-06T14:30:00.004-05:002008-10-06T14:32:34.283-05:00God is good...all the time!Well....we had another victory in court today with the kids and the custody issue. Please continue to pray because now the battle continues in the Connecticut court. This is going to be hard on the kids and Angie, in addition to the toll it is taking on Mark so please keep them all in your prayers...this is no fun for anyone but it is what has to be done in the best interest of the children.Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-70261739229820594672008-09-25T18:38:00.002-05:002008-09-25T18:45:53.811-05:00Post Hurricane IkeIt has been over a week since Hurricane Ike hit our area and thankfully we survived the storm with very little damage. Just a few pieces of fence knocked down and that was it. And to top it off we were only without power for less then 24 hours. We were much better off then some that still do not have power to their homes. Needless to say we had some guests for a while and have fed many others too. I am really glad I was in the 'good weeks' of this pregnancy thing because the long hours and work would have been much harder if I was any further along I think. I will post another picture soon....just wanted to let others know we were okay from the storm and that we feel very blessed. <br />Also, your prayers are working in regards to the kids. We have won a small victory and if all goes well we will win another soon. Good things come to those who trust in the Lord's timing and our faith has really paid off. I will update more on that as well....we have a few more hoops to jump through still.Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-88289485974243973002008-08-31T18:38:00.002-05:002008-08-31T18:50:49.117-05:00The baby bump at week 22<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAF3hnZsAdRJotouDLuLvGJGTi5PuIXGNpRosRL1X_xRvjxfsSnXZSHbIUSM0zf4v73AgHa38HgUaHOsRQr64390jJLAxMYHf4EydkxJnaQBFZ5La5nttc4kh3rUsfD93fKufdwgGiHElB/s1600-h/P1010119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240833364257992082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAF3hnZsAdRJotouDLuLvGJGTi5PuIXGNpRosRL1X_xRvjxfsSnXZSHbIUSM0zf4v73AgHa38HgUaHOsRQr64390jJLAxMYHf4EydkxJnaQBFZ5La5nttc4kh3rUsfD93fKufdwgGiHElB/s200/P1010119.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well...the bump is getting a bit larger but still not too big. I anticipate that will change pretty quickly.</div><br /><div>I felt the little one kick for the first time last Sunday. That was the first time I really knew that is what the feeling was. Since then I have felt all kinds of kicks and punches. They are still not coming regulary but I have been told that will come soon enough! It really is "cool feeling". I have had a few of those "oh my gosh" moments when I have picked up one of the tiny diapers! I told Mark...."Honey, I am going to have someone that fits in this and the doctors are going to let me take him/her home." That is a pretty cool feeling too!</div><br /><div>So far I am keeping on my schedule....if all goes well I will have 2-3 whole months to do all those things I forgot about! The registry is complete, the nursery is painted except for the mural which is scheduled to be done in October, and we have registered for all of our baby classes and start those in mid-September. I am now researching child care options and hope to have something narrowed down by the end of October. We are trying to decide between a standard day care, an in-home provider or hiring a live-out nanny to come to our house. I would appreciate any advice or feedback you might have on this matter. </div>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-50720886437854300222008-08-25T21:45:00.002-05:002008-08-25T21:52:47.576-05:00Mark needs prayersI am asking all of you that keep updated with this blog to please pray for Mark. Last week he received an email from the ex-wife stating that she "had" to move to Connecticut and the kids would be able to visit 3 times a year. As you might guess Mark is torn up. Their family was already there on vacation so basically the kids are not returning. She is in violation of the divorce decree and, if there is justice in this, she could get in some real trouble. We have not been able to contact the kids and have no idea what they have been told or how they are coping with their mother's latest stunt. As you are praying for Mark....I ask that you please include his ex-wife, Angie, as she is need of some divine intervention. I wish she could see what she is doing to her children. I can only trust that God will keep the kids safe and trust in his plan in all of this...sometimes that is easier then others.Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-4404033697944291522008-08-10T13:48:00.003-05:002008-08-10T14:02:39.654-05:00Week 19 and counting!Well it is officially 19 weeks and counting. I had my last ultrasound on August 5th and all looked great. The baby in the picture resembles those mentioned when speaking of Rosewell, NM but we love our little alien. The Dr. knows the gender of the baby now but we are still choosing to stay out of the loop on that one. We are looking forward to being surprised! I will say that it does make it harder to register for all those cute things when you are not sure of the gender. I will try to post another picture after my next check up on the 20th. So far the baby is not causing much of a bump but I anticipate the rapid growth coming on pretty quickly.<br />The other details are progressing nicely and so far on schedule. We have started to register for things....that is going to be a long process so I wanted to start pretty early. The nursery furniture is about 85% complete....I still have a couple pieces to get and the painting should be done shortly too. I am still on schedule to have everything completed by the end of September! That will give me 3 months to take care of last minute details and be sure everything is done....just in case someone arrives earlier then expected or I realize I forgot something...since this loosing my memory seems to be normal for me right now! I was a list maker before and used a lot of sticky notes....but now I pretty much have to put a stick note on the door just to make sure I remember to bring my purse or other silly things like that. Will keep you posted....if I can seem to remember the password to this thing! (I had to try twice this time!)Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-54727118517669275642008-07-11T13:48:00.003-05:002008-12-09T00:04:50.815-06:00The end of the 1st Trimester<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R8IO5B4aokGujeMdyl-UmBnXHHp7jf_8yE4lMKRhwLywFaBF9sOjFzfl8-Hdarm3RY5N8LgVCPkylVQ1Ax-k_Vlq-7uyPc0hYTwPRN8_P8TVJpeTrUQUDQ4i2OCULwefBbOKvRBPOJXE/s1600-h/July+11+2008+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221833257180887538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R8IO5B4aokGujeMdyl-UmBnXHHp7jf_8yE4lMKRhwLywFaBF9sOjFzfl8-Hdarm3RY5N8LgVCPkylVQ1Ax-k_Vlq-7uyPc0hYTwPRN8_P8TVJpeTrUQUDQ4i2OCULwefBbOKvRBPOJXE/s200/July+11+2008+021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNGqOR6pxqEGcM9JKgHMhryVKmMk1NgVT1_h70Fg1oDW_XEZcN8SmCwGz9Gf9aJ7kXpohicqL6bZ4U83E28SvZ_6sEn4nQgk9Yhrjt-DLOLgeWCGrU-sfyq-pjlpwDJHjMBps369BAvm1/s1600-h/July+11+2008+021.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>Well....here is the little baby bump. I don't anticipate it will stay this way for long! Things are still going great...no sickness and not a whole lot of unneccessary weight gain so all is well. I am drinking more water then I ever thought I would have too....feel like I am going to float away sometimes! Saturday the 12th I will officially be 15 weeks along and feel like I have so much to do before the little one comes. The bedding, rug and curtain valance have been ordered and should be here shortly. That will just about complete the nursery except for the painting! As soon as I have a clearer ultrasound picture I will post it. We are planning to do the new 3D/4D ultrasound if the Dr. says it is okay so that one should be neat to post....might even have a video clip. </div></div>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-10446563512069103572008-06-27T14:26:00.002-05:002008-06-27T14:31:35.163-05:00Update from the Dr.We went to our new Ob/Gyn today and think we made a great choice! We really liked him and I have complete faith in his experience! He also seems to have a sense of humor which is a big plus for me! This time is too exciting to be all serious! Anyway...we listened to the heart beat and all is well. I am officially 12 weeks pregnant today and the doc is putting my due date at Jan. 5th. I have an ultrasound scheduled for Tuesday so we will see how that goes and if that changes the due date. I will try to post a picture in the next week or so of my "little pooch" that I don't think will be little much longer.Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-48061790031182624312008-06-16T21:11:00.008-05:002008-12-09T00:04:51.019-06:00The girls at work find out!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZM5dshX8fSh22FFKZBxMD2t8v871EXlhQLLwHJ0Gfko0yIB-09Dp341WPoXUZGg6IDCTRFkUR1K9N6KShxs0Vwjm3IgTLGSQurnjg0u-oYgWERDCvaGWxH3em4ip6EHfdpb7vblfEx9r/s1600-h/P1010081.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212670988495267762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZM5dshX8fSh22FFKZBxMD2t8v871EXlhQLLwHJ0Gfko0yIB-09Dp341WPoXUZGg6IDCTRFkUR1K9N6KShxs0Vwjm3IgTLGSQurnjg0u-oYgWERDCvaGWxH3em4ip6EHfdpb7vblfEx9r/s200/P1010081.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uCXVJNPi9qhR5gcb9kPs6fxPOVDinmjeu2zpe4sHDzqLqp0l0mMcjREKagQekP5ll1brnbCDkNWZuw6U3QiVporoVbYimzaVg9qvJ-v8JL-E7dIWIjLD_AN3Smru_y5nXkksPmPuF8sG/s1600-h/P1010082.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212669612159669202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uCXVJNPi9qhR5gcb9kPs6fxPOVDinmjeu2zpe4sHDzqLqp0l0mMcjREKagQekP5ll1brnbCDkNWZuw6U3QiVporoVbYimzaVg9qvJ-v8JL-E7dIWIjLD_AN3Smru_y5nXkksPmPuF8sG/s200/P1010082.JPG" border="0" /></a> I wanted to do something cute for someone to let them know so I had the shirts made for the kids but I really was not able to capture that moment to remember so I came up with another idea to tell my friends at work. I told them I needed to take a picture of them and gave them a couple days notice so nobody had an excuse not to be in the picture. I took a picture and asked them to say "cheese" just as I normally would....that is the first picture. Then I told them it did not work out to well and we needed another so they all got back into their poses and I said okay "1,2,3, say Michelle's pregnant".....I think you tell the difference in the pictures! I think the staff in the office next door could tell to based on the amount of noise that the picture does not capture. I can't explain how nice it is to have such great co-workers...they are each a blessing!<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-66297327540308599232008-06-16T21:03:00.003-05:002008-12-09T00:04:51.149-06:00The kids get excited about the baby!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbCcFx-if6-mj9DgD0wOvXnKD1nz1AaPFdZRJOA7mo2njuNrEYCqJBwCJqcKE9-BdNUKreDGEYcxfOrtyxUk1fMwdcnw0ADSuM3MfjcVLh7Bsdb95aIEc6bLVulKWo1dSFNivGAFEaQJS/s1600-h/P1010087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212667090567187074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbCcFx-if6-mj9DgD0wOvXnKD1nz1AaPFdZRJOA7mo2njuNrEYCqJBwCJqcKE9-BdNUKreDGEYcxfOrtyxUk1fMwdcnw0ADSuM3MfjcVLh7Bsdb95aIEc6bLVulKWo1dSFNivGAFEaQJS/s200/P1010087.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>These are the shirts I had made for the kiddos to let them know the baby was coming. I gave them the shirts and let them figure out what it meant. They were excited and have already begun suggesting names from their favorite shows like Hanah, Zach, Josh and Drake. I guess I should be greatful I have not gotten the suggestions of Spiderman, SpongeBob and Patrick.</div>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-22730829630991815742008-06-13T10:02:00.006-05:002008-06-13T10:11:27.547-05:00What's in a Name?Below is a link to our current and growing list of names....you can look and make your votes. You might want to check it now and again because we seem to be adding a deleting/adding names pretty regulary. I wonder how long it will take for someone to start a wager on what name will win out in the end! We do not intend, at the point, to find out the sex so you might have to bet on one of each.<br /><a href="http://www.babynames.com/namelist/9626655">http://www.babynames.com/namelist/9626655</a>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6960541842171982526.post-79470873214167765872008-06-13T08:53:00.001-05:002008-12-09T00:04:51.326-06:00Before<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcbghf4_98S0x9SpEmeJOIVziDCfO6vZ-L4VoB502MeMTCKfM_YQrKqEXOCBejrjg2n4XvLWnctIyBjynKDkaXteeYnlhEbbvGeGghfI9d5pd0NRCVhyphenhyphen6KkuXmx-fNdmS8-RL23MOVHKc/s1600-h/May+5+2008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211368013536537714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcbghf4_98S0x9SpEmeJOIVziDCfO6vZ-L4VoB502MeMTCKfM_YQrKqEXOCBejrjg2n4XvLWnctIyBjynKDkaXteeYnlhEbbvGeGghfI9d5pd0NRCVhyphenhyphen6KkuXmx-fNdmS8-RL23MOVHKc/s200/May+5+2008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRcuuh34IvTTedvV6M6ng8n0FKhHPbRo9bd0ThUkUmYVbdONRdvvVZOex-m5wkZbFnGrTKV1snSwSDQSBUP89yqp39MkKjnhcKXRTXf9h3wMh9jMDIXlncskLbW4CrO2FO9d-MyNHqhaf/s1600-h/May+5+2008.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2K8vQ0IeRf7WDf3qky8XGBuCmxGGigZqaqKW7bvyRFjSOcJF1YK7V1Di35rwQUMBjMiWUWY0cbXhug5C6hwlQBSoGbvkUl-lZRhj5e2dZc9PfweA689PCH7MdIU8lVoXy05C87sfRF57/s1600-h/May+5+2008.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Well....it might be a while before I see this again! This was taken just a few days after I received the results that we are pregnant! I am excited to see and share the progression with my friends and family. I appreciate all the prayers and support that we have gotten thus far. We truly are blessed. </div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Smith Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045634413959559641noreply@blogger.com1