Monday, April 6, 2009

John Heads to Budapest!

Back in February (MLK weekend) while Bec and Wes were in the states, I headed to Bratislava, Slovakia and Budapest, Hungary with my buddy James Runner.  It was a very cold weekend, and once we got there we realized that neither of us brought a camera.  I spent about $30 on a disposable, which explains the "grainy" nature of these photos, and the lack of any really good ones...



John's Trip to Egypt!

Here are some highlights from the recent trip to Egypt...


Me on the largest of the 3 pyramids
Kristen & Jed as their camel is standing up...notice Kristen's face...
Why yes, that is a man-purse!
Apparently Napoleon's Army used the sphynx for cannon target practice. 

At Saqqara pyramid, the oldest human structure on earth.  
Abu Simbel.
An illegal photo I snuck of the statues inside Abu Simbel.

I dared swim the mighty Nile, and have no new bacteria to speak of...

Our sailboats.
Typical view of Egypt, this trash is right outside a children's school...
Some carvings...
Another "illegal" photo from inside King Ramses IV tomb...
And another...
And another...this is what the hieroglyphs looked like all colored in (original)
Here is one of "the artist formerly Known as Prince"

We got yelled at for this photo, but I got a snap before the guard got to us...
The amazing temple of Karnak...my favorite sight...look how small the person is...those columns are huge!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Wes Words

  • I have taught Wes to say "I poop Momma" when prompted with a question such as "Did you poop, Wes?".  Well, this morning I woke up to  a noise and then "I fart Momma....fart."  Great.  The battle begins.  I think "toot" would be much better, but John has clearly worked very hard to introduce this word to our son. 
  • Wes misses Daddy all day long, asking about him before he even gets out of bed in the morning. "Daddy at work, oh no.  Daddy home.  Base.  Eat (with) Daddy.  See Daddy."  Yesterday we had to pick John up from work so that we could go pick up the Jeep from an oil change.  I asked Wes if he was happy to see Daddy because he kept smiling and laughing.  He kept saying, over and over "Happy Daddy.  Happy see Daddy".  So cute!!
  • Wes says "Danke" instead of "Thank you" over 90% of the time.  It is so cute to hear him say "Danke Daddy" or "Danke guy" and people think it's pretty cute to hear!
  • Wes had gotten out of bed Sunday morning and John didn't know.  When he went to put the dogs out; Wes said "boo Daddy" and actually scared John!  He had hidden between the wall and a bureau in the hall.  (I, of course, heard him get up!!)
  • When we get to the gate on base, Wes always says "Bye guy" to the gate guard!
  • Loving his colors, numbers, and letters!  Counting, sounds, and color blocks, paints and crayons are big hits these days!  Go WES!!!
  • Wes has learned that J says "J" like in John, so I thought it was time to teach him our names (hoping he would still call us Mommy and Daddy).  He spent a good part of Sunday evening telling us my name was "broccoli".  When asked tonight, he said "Becca" clear as could be!
  • Wes will pull up my shirt and kiss my belly and say "hi baby"; then immediately pull my shirt down and say "bye-bye baby".  I know he'll be a great big brother, but I really think he will say "All done, Baby" and try to put her under my shirt a few times at first!!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Hailey Update--33rd week

I'm almost at 33 weeks (Saturday) and our little princess weighs just over 4 pounds!  We spent a few hours at the doc's today, signing paperwork, being monitored for contractions/heartbeat, ultrasound and getting our flight letter for our Portugal trip next week.  Hailey is really growing!  Our doctor remeasured a few body parts to confirm how much she's grown; he seemed surprised.  He amended our due date officially to May 16, which I'd done a few months ago anyway!  Her ultrasound estimated arrival date ranges from 30 April to 15 May!!!  YIPPEE!!  I only had one little contraction while being monitored, which was a relief.  At this point in my pregnancy with Wes, I was admitted to the hospital for early labor; contractions and dilation.  I'm going to keep taking the magnesium pills until after our trip and then I'll stop!  He told me I could stop taking them now, but I'd rather be safe and take them until we get home!  As I write this entry, my belly is moving all around; she must know I'm writing about her!!  

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Beda Fest


This weekend has been so much fun!  We've had visitors from Kentucky (Bec's Uncle Allen and Aunt Anne) and Amsterdam (Bec's cousin Eliza and her girlfriend Laura)!!!  On Saturday we went to a wine probe in the darling town of Trittenheim, which is on the Mosel River.  From there, we had a great dinner with some friends that joined us on the wine probe.  Today, we went to Bitburg for the annual Beda Fest (the old celtic name for Bitburg).  
John, Becca, Laura, Uncle Allen, Aunt Anne, Eliza and Wes!
The Steinbocks posing with the Bitburg steinbocks!!
Wes loves balloons (they freak me out because I'm always waiting for them to POP!), so these were really the highlight of his day!   

When the ride was over, he kept asking for more...so of course we said OK!!  When the second ride was over, he still wanted more, as you can see him signing and saying "more" in the picture below!  Our little guy was pretty sad as we walked away from the train:(

Doner Kebabs are John's favorite, so this is where we ended up for lunch!  He and Uncle Allen had kebabs, while we shared a pizza!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Hailey--28 weeks




Our little Hailey is getting bigger!  Her head is down and she's moving all around!  Great news came yesterday that my mommy is coming for 3 WEEKS!!  We were originally going to get her for only a week.5, but I think she feels sorry for me because my good friend Kristen will be in the states for all of May and 1/2 of June!  Thanks Mom!  You don't even know how much relief you gave me yesterday!  Oh, and sorry Deb, I know you'll miss having her around!!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Harbour Island Highlights

Out to lunch with the ladies...our little ladies man!!  Saw some Chicago Bulls player...Noah or Ryan??  
Watching Mama Mia...or not!
Kristen enjoying some sun!
Just starting to keep glasses on for a min or two!
Our new baby, Hailey

Sharing Craisins with MeMaw (he calls her MeMe)
Peeping Wes...He's even taken her swimsuit!
Out to dinner...
This is how Wes rolls..."Go Mommy, Go!"
Searching for Dave Matthews...we went about everywhere looking for him again...



Me and My Shadow