Testing out MoBlog

Just a test post from my Q . . .

Posted from moBlog – mobile blogging tool for Windows Mobile

Gonna get this blog up and running again . . .

Been so busy with work and parenthood lately that I've been starting to lose touch with friends and family. Time to get this blog back on track . . . I'm going to be trying a combination of proper posts on this blog, presence updates on Twitter, and lifestreaming on Jaiku.

If you want to get an idea of what we've been up to since I last blogged regularly, check out our photostream at Flickr

We had Jocelyn's 2nd birthday at the house yesterday. Glad everyone could make it. Jocelyn had a great time with y'all.

Afterwards, since my parents were in town, Maria and I got a long overdue date night - drinks and dessert at Cafe Intermezzo, miniature golf, bubble tea at Suno, then Rock Bank at Sy and Thao's place. I stuck to singing and was doing pretty well, but my vocal endurance is pretty low right now - 4 or 5 songs (granted, rock songs where you kind of have to yell), and my scores start going down. Next time, I'll try one of the other instruments. Got home about 2:30 (been awhile since we've done that) . . .

Today, some more "date" time with Maria, while my parents spend some time with Jocelyn.

Looking forward to getting online again . . .

We'll miss you, Beamer

Last night about 9:30, Beamer, passed on. He had been sick since the holidays last year (pockets of liquid in his lungs resulting form a bout of pneumonia and kennel cough). So, he started seeing an internal specialist, and for most of this year, he seemed to be recovering, gaining back the weight he lost and returning to the hyper dog we've come to know and love. It was sad, though, because as a result of his condition, any strenuous physical activity was prohibited. We couldn't take him jogging or play fetch with him because one of the liquid pockets could burst, causing his lungs to collapse. Still, we were just glad he was perking up and happier. But, after Thanksgiving this year, he took a turn for the worse - he stopped eating well, had trouble breathing, and he seemed so sad and lethargic. Last night, it was just too much . . . Maria and I are just numb right now. It was hard seeing him so still, then cleaning him up and wrapping him in his blanket to take to the 24-hour emergency vet. And then coming home and not hearing him around anymore.

We're gonna miss you, Beamer. We just hope you're enjoying that big yard in the sky - no more medicine, no more pain, no more sadness, and lots and lots of little kids to play fetch (it was his favorite) with you to your heart's content.

You know, we noticed over this past weekend that Jocelyn spent a lot of time sitting in front of Beamer and just babbling to him. We think she knew that Beamer didn't have much time left and that she was trying to comfort him. She noticed that he was gone in the morning, too. As we were heading out the door, she kept saying "dog". I know she's so young and may not remember any of this, but I feel sad because she and Beamer never really got to play together like a kid and a dog should do.

Rest in peace, Beamer. You'll always be in our hearts, our thoughts, and our loving memories.

Jocelyn out and about the house

Daddy, can I watch a DVD?



Jocelyn, there's some spaghetti on your face!



Jocelyn eating puffs



Mommy and Jocelyn by the fireplace



Yay, a picture!



Daddy and Jocelyn in khakis



What'cha pointing at, baby?



Pink baseball cap

Only two weeks until her first birthday!

Here's a smile from our baby.

Jocelyn's 11(!) months old!

Sorry I've been lazy about posting pics. Here are some highlights from the last few months



This hat with ears is funny!



I'm gonna jump outta here!



Can you pull yourself up, baby?



Our family Christmas picture



Rawr!



Jocelyn and Mommy in their matching fleeces



Cousins in Orlando



This doggy chair is so comfortable!



Mr. Monkey wants to know what ya got there, baby



Cousins on Christmas Day



Jocelyn and Daddy at the airport



New Year's family pic in Tyler



Family pic at home in Tyler



The beginnings of musical greatness



What'cha lookin' at, baby?



Is it OK if I play with this?



How do you like your hair up, baby?



Jocelyn in her cute overalls



My Old Navy hat and fleece are so warm!



Mommy and Jocelyn at Rusan's



Tea party time! Y'all sit there, and I'll get the water.



Jocelyn being mischevious in her ducky tub



The matchmakers tried, but alas, there was no chemistry.



I love my activity table!



Funny feather hat



Jocelyn and Daddy at Maggiano's



Do you mind?!? I'm trying to sleep here!

We love our baby so much!

Jocelyn is so amazing!

I can't believe how fast Jocelyn is growing! She's at the point where she's almost crawling (well, she can sort of crawl backwards), and she's really getting the hang of solid food (so far we've found out that she likes carrots, green beans, squash, and bananas, but not peas). She's also starting to learn to use a sippy cup, and she's becoming more and more vocal everyday. I can't wait to see what she does next! Here are some pics from the last month and a half:



Feet are fun!



Maria and Jocelyn at the pumpkin patch



Daddy's shoulder is comfortable!



Yay, a full belly!



Jocelyn in her Old Navy fleece



Jocelyn looking cute; Rob looking dorky



Yuck! I don't like peas!



Mother and daughter



Fun in her baby carrier



Look, I can hold my own bottle!



Jocelyn likes her sippy cup



Hey, I wasn't ready yet!



Jocelyn and the sea nettles



Daddy did it!



Look at all the fishes, Jocelyn!



Happy Halloween, baby!



Silly spider



Packed and ready to go!



Sassy baby!



Duckie hat



Jocelyn and her cousin, Ariana



Happy baby!



Where you crawling to, baby?



Look at those big eyes!



Jocelyn's Celebrity #1



Jocelyn and Maria at P.F. Chang's