Hanging at firestone...but not the one you'd think

We tried to have BBQ pork sandwiches last night, but, in Katy's own words, there was too much bone and tubing (fat) showing. So we went to the local hotspot, Firestone Brewing Company. Not a large food selection, but a good one. I know, I'm at a brewery and I don't have a brew in my hand. Turn in my man card right? Well, right now, beer right next to Katy makes her nauseous so it's out for now. Anyway, just wanted to show you guys we do go out once in a hwile and not all our posts are about the baby!

Crib and Changing Table

Rob posted pictures and a blog about our crib and changing table. Check it out here.

Shower

I went to my first baby shower up in Roseville this month and I have been meaning to post some of the pictures from that beautiful day.
Me holding one of the best cakes ever (no offense to any one else)

My Mom (grandma Robin), my Sister (aunt Michelle), and my niece (cousin Bri)

My Mother in-law (Noni Michele) and Sister in-law (aunt Natalie)

Baby boy Grindy's great grandma's

Friend Natalie (mastermind of the day)

Friend Nicole (carrying her 4th)

I know Maile it will be over soon.

Ok, Natalie Wisner set this up. She contacted Rob and had him write a letter to our son then she put it in one of the frames that I registered for so that we could hang it in his room. I know we all got a little teary eyed (some of us more than others).

He was there!!!!

Almost 2/3 there!

Katy just informed me this morning that she's almost in her third trimester. Crazy. In only a few more months the Grindy's will be parents. From my perspective I know Katy's ready, but I'm not so sure about me. Give me some advice dads, and moms from the dad's perspective. Here's the list of why I think I'm ready, and then I'll juxtapose that with why I'm not:

Why I'm ready:
God seems to think so
Katy's pregnant
I love kids
I started my career
We have decent health insurance

Now I know the last two are a bit superficial, but I needed to get at least five! Now here's the other list:

Why I'm not ready:
Katy's due in a little over 3 months
I love kids in less than 4 hour doses
I don't know how to change a diaper
I like to poop but I don't like other peoples poop
I laugh at my audible bodily funcitons
I laugh at other people's bodily functions even more
I drink out of the milk carton
I like to sleep
I don't wake up when I sleep
I'm loud and wake up others when they're sleeping
I'm quite hairy and give the boy a lot to grab onto (maybe I should wax...naw, that hurts, a lot!)
I don't feel like I'm where I want to be spiritually, so how can I lead my son when I'm not there
I don't pray enough, fast enough, read the word enough to set an example
I fall short of the glory of God more than anyone else I know

Maybe it's these last three things that will get me through being a father. I may not be the best dad in the world, but I promise I will give it my all. Maybe being a parent is the next step for me in my walk with Christ, sort of a mirror to look into and realize I was there once, with those questions and those sins, but now I'm here with a whole new bunch of questions and sins I didn't even know existed then. Maybe this whole parent thing is partially to raise up more believers for the kingdom of God but also to increase the faith and reliance in Christ among those already in the fold of God. Isn't it funny too how just writing down your thoughts as you think them through can sometimes bring you to the most awesome conclusions. Praise the Lord for the Lord for His wisdom that he can give me in this new chapter in our lives, and praise the Lord for having the most incompetent child rearer be paired with a child development major who has been taking care of kids her entire adult life and will be the most awesome mother you have ever seen!

Remembering Our Fallen Soldiers

This morning while driving home I was thinking about memorial day and heard this story on the radio about the tomb of the fallen soldier. Supposedly the soldier guarding the tomb marches 21 steps, does an about face, and pauses for 21 seconds before marching the other direction. For every soldier that dies in the line of duty, a 21 gun salute goes off in memory of that soldier. Pretty inspiring since each soldier has to sign up to guard the tomb for a two year commitment. I remember marching at the academy and how hard that was and tedious and repetitive. Yet here are these soldiers that do it all day every day, in all weather. I thought about who I knew that had died in the line of duty. I've been fortunate in that both my dad, grandfather, and father-in-law served in wars and still live today in good health. Katy's best friend growing up, Brittany, lost a brother about two years ago within the first month he went over to Iraq. 19 years old, barely graduating high school, and making the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Katy's uncle also died in Vietnam before even knowing him. Today we remember them and all the others that died to keep this country and others free. Even if you don't know anyone, never met them, or know a few men or women who are serving or did serve in our military, say a prayer thanking the Lord for people willing to give their lives for this country.

Fun in Sacramento

Katy said we would post some pics from Sac so here they are:

Here we are at Joe's Crab Shack on the Sacramento River on Katy's birthday. First, check out Katy's beautiful new haircut! Courtesy of Avalon Spa. The reason we aren't too excited in this picture is our waitress was kind enough to take it but wasn't very competent and this was about shot 20. Katy's still smiling but I was a little frustrated. I think my thought was "Are you gonna get it this time? Seriously."

We did a last minute dinner at BJ's that night and some friends were able to come too! Here are Ben and Sara Garate looking quite dapper and adorable as usual. Forgive Ben's face. He just had the Tatonka Stout.

If you don't know who these people are you're not in the cool. Left to right, Natalie, Tyler, and some creepy guy who jumped in the picture at the last second. Just kidding, that's Dave making a 'Rob'esque face.

Here's the Wisner's son Tyler on a close up. What an awesome kid and blessing for them to have and for us to know!

And the birthday girl with her birthday pazookie (the dessert not me!) Honestly, is there a cuter 21 week pregnant lady?!?!

We've been Tagged!

Well we got tagged by the Pickard's so here's my (Katy's) list of things. You can check out Rob's list here and make sure you weren't tagged as well!

4 Jobs I've Had:
Water Park Lifeguard
Rite Aid Store Clerk
Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream Specialist and Waffle Cone Maker
Preschool Teacher/Nanny

4 Places I've lived:

Fresno, CASan Luis Obispo, CA
Sacramento/Roseville, CA
Buellton, CA

4 Shows I watch on t.v.:

Survivor
Heroes
Beauty and the Geek
American Idol

4 Blogs that I read:

The Wisner's (you better start one now because I know you read this!)
The Winans'
The Poling's/Peregoy's (pretty much one and the same since you're born on the same day!)
The Kostjuk's
*if I listed you then you are tagged!!

4 Favorite Foods:

Root Beer Floats
Hamburgers
Firestone Grill Tri Tip Sandwich
Strawberry Pizza (My sister's concoction!)

4 Places I'd rather be right now:

On my way home from the hospital with my baby boy!
In Heaven
On my honeymoon again
France

4 Things to look forward to this year:

Seeing my baby boy for the first time
Loving my husband more
My baby showers
Not having to pee every 5 minutes

Birthday

26!!!! No longer half way to 50 as Rob felt the need to point out, it’s ok though because I just remind him that he will hit 30 before I do. Despite the age factor I had a wonderful birthday. Rob took the week off so we got in the car and made the trip up to Sacramento where I got to spend Wednesday the 14th at a spa. I was treated to a message, facial, pedicure, manicure, and haircut that ended up being a little shorter than I expected but I am very happy with it. For the 15th (my actual birthday) we had a very full day that included going to the CHP academy and looking at guns but the day ended with a special dinner with friends. I also can't forget to mention that even though the day was a bit manly I got to spend it with my best friend and since that seems to be a rare occurrence lately it might have been the best part of the whole day. I promise to post some pictures of the day as soon as the camera makes it home form Rob's office (its Robs work camera so I might be able to throw in a picture of some of the crazy people he gets to see daily)

What's in a Name?

We're quickly realizing that picking out a name is not as easy for a human as it is for a dog. With Lucy our beagle it was pretty simple, "Oh that sounds good, let's try some practice runs: 'Lucy stop drinking out of the toilet!' 'Lucy don't lick me after you've cleaned your colon!' 'Lucy don't pee on the carpet!' 'Lucy stop pulling used feminine hygiene products out of the guest bathroom trash!' " Not as easy with our son. "I love you blank." "I can't wait to meet you blank." "Blank, we're your mom and dad." Much more complicated and pressure filled. Plus there's the added pressure of making sure its not someone one of us hated growing up, was too annoying, doesn't involve making another family member jealous, isn't one of a friend's baby used already. We'd love to hear how you all chose the names of your children and helpful advice...until then, here's how we treat our first child Lucy...if you're wondering what's on her head it's soup, broccoli cheese to be specific. I know, what great parents we're going to be.

And the winner is...?

Well the wait is finally over and the pollsters were wrong. Today our parenatologist (sp?) showed us our baby's bits and pieces, confirming Rob's dreams do come true...We're having a boy!!! You can look through the pictures below and actually watch the video, with audio added later, of our ultrasound. As far as names, as of right now they're 10-36 (police speak for confidential) so no sense in trying to get sneak preview just yet. Enjoy!

audio's a bit poor, see if you can blow it up to get a better look.

picture making a xerox copy of your butt and what would be in between (if you're a male)

spinal cord and ribcage

sucking his thumb already

the first decent look at our baby boy, a bit creepy, but cool nonetheless

a second 3d head shot

another 3d head shot

footprint


nice side profile