Lazy Blogger...

I guess I've been a poor blog contributer lately. I will post something fun soon... I hope =>
Meanwhile, I am a moderately addicted blogger, but my husband would beg to differ => I think blogs are the only reason to have internet?? Oh and online shopping! {wink-wink}
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My Music

Well, I found a little media player online, how proud would my husband be => I found a couple of discs with some old Saratone home recordings. (Saratone was the name of our band in Texas) The first song is a cover of a song by "Guided By Voices, I always loved the lyrics. The second, "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac, is pretty rough, and I love the telephone ring in the background => but this is the song that I sang with Ty (co-band founder) that made me want to create a band with him. The last is the full version of Emily and Ryan's song. I'll be adding more to the playlist when I can find them on our computer. Please forgive the lo-fi quality, these are raw recordings =>

A Few from Aiden's Party

We had a great little party/BBQ on Sunday for Aiden. It was actually the same day as my late Grandpa's birthday, so that was kind of special. We had such a nice group of family that celebrated with us. Mr. Man had a ball. I'll have to figure out how to post a video as his strategy for eating birthday cake was priceless. => He's almost walking too! He's ventured to take a few steps before, but today he's really gotten brave! I counted 10 steps in a row before hitting the crawl. Many applause were soon to follow =>

PS: Notice Jilly's hair? Jillian has officially changed her name to Jillian Alysee Estrada, ...Alysee for short =>

PPS: My Dad is so funny =>

Happy Birthday, Aiden Christian...

So sad this post is a day late, but I had an out-of-town guest until this afternoon, hence, no time to blog. Little Aiden celebrated his first birthday yesterday, July 6th. He was originally due on July 14th, Bastille Day in France. For any of you who know what a francophile I am, that was a pretty fitting due date in my book => Well, my OB-Gyn was going to be out of town for two weeks as of 7/07 and I wasn't too keen on spending so many months with the same Dr only to have him disappear at the most crucial moment. So, we decided to induce me a week early, which was also a relief of sorts since we lived an hour away on a good traffic day. I was not so sure about the process though. I knew the chances of a C-section were increased if things did not progress properly...

Well, I was admitted to the hospital at around 10am in the morning. I hadn't eaten anything as I was unsure if I was supposed to or not. The nurse told me in the most sympathetic tone that it would have been fine to eat, but now that I was here, it was strictly clear liquids and after the epidural, ice chips. Bummer... So I drank a bit 'o chicken broth and ate some really gross jello (how someone could screw that up, I don't know) =>. When Dr. S checked me he said my cervix was not quite lined up with the birth canal, Amy, if your reading this, perhaps you could enlighten me on the "stages" of the cervix => Anyhow. Pitocin was administered and nothing really changed. They eventually broke my water which was a very scary moment for me because I knew then there was no going back... He was coming today the normal way or otherwise. I swear I will never mess with nature again unless I have a medical condition that requires it. After almost 10 hours of laboring and my epidural began wearing off. I started to feel my toes again and the contractions as well. They gave me a bolus of medication in my back, but it wasn't as effective as the initial epidural. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise because after all that time, his head finally became engaged in the birthcanal. Phew!!! I told them it was time! However, I could feel it still. I kept saying "I can feel it! Am I supposed to feel it?" in a very panicked voice. Although pushing him out was a bit painful, I'm sure it was nothing compared to a totally natural birth. I was so exhausted from a day of no rest. Bless their hearts but all my visitors seemed to come in and out the whole day, so I never got to really rest in peace and quiet. Next time I will request to not be disturbed at least for a few hours. I instantly related to all the women in the movies when they say "I can't do it, I'm too tired..." I had to muster every bit of energy from my tips of my toes to pu--ush! He was out in 11 minutes. Thank you Lord in Heaven for blessing me with this little man!

From the moment Aiden arrived I could tell he was going to be so sweet. I've heard that the first moments after birth are sort of telling about a baby's personality. I'm starting to wonder if it's true? He cried for a few minutes as is customary, then he was oh so quiet and looking around with the sweetest blue eyes. I just marveled at his little face and the way he clung to Desi's finger so tightly. I know he will have (and has had => ) his pulling-out-hair moments, just like they all do. But boy do I love this little man.

Thanks, Leah, for the beautiful pictures. I'll treasure them always.

For Mom...

This montage is really a vehicle for a song I wrote for Emi and Ryan. I'm sure there are better ways to add a song to your blog, I am technilogically challenged so this is what you get. I couldn't add enough pictures to get the whole song to play, so excuse the loooong pauses on a few of the slides. This is a very low-fi recording done in my Dad's living room. The saving grace of this song are the three guitar parts my Dad wrote off the cuff, seriously, he just ad-libbed them as the song went along. I am so lucky to have such a musical inspiration like my Dad. He's truly so gifted... Thanks for all your help Dad!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

New Best Friend

Jillian had the opportunity to meet Alysee, Sara's little lady, at Emily and Ryan's, and Seth and Caroline's reception this past Saturday. The two were fast friends after they overcame the initial shyness. I just felt so lucky to see my little girl hanging out with the little girl of a family I just adore. Jillian obviously felt the same welcome the Sherry family has always offered me in the petite Alysee. Thanks, for such a glorious day, and many well wishes to the new couples and their bright futures.

Cr-aaaaa-zy Bloggers!

Well, just to remark on how very strange the internet phemonenon has become, I ran into several fellow bloggers this past weekend at our good friend Emily and her lovely brother Seth's reception. Wow, it was rather odd to see people in the flesh I had just seen online hours ago. I have to admit, it is more lovely to see eachother in person, but its pretty neat to stay connected over the miles. I was struck by the crazy observation I knew the names and faces of people (and their youngsters) I'd actually never even met in person. So anyhow, fellow bloggers, it was nice to put a voice with a face => Thanks for the warm greetings! Until next time...