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Hello all my faithful GoldenGrams readers!  We had a blog tragedy.  The details are boring and too technical for my understanding so I won’t outline everything that happened except to say that we nearly lost the last six months’ worth of posts.  Luckily Dallas was able to piece together those entries and repost them, but we sadly lost every comment made during that time and now none of the links work properly and the formatting is sometimes wonky.  Boo.  Those of you who subscribe to our blog through email probably noticed you got an email with a million posts in it which you had already seen.  That’s why.  I think we’re back on track so hopefully we can put this unfortunate incident behind us and continue with steadfastness and a hope that this blog will never find itself in such dire circumstances again.

Also, I am wanting to turn this blog into a book of memories for our family.  We didn’t really start blogging full force until Brooke was several months old so I may be adding posts that are years old and back-dating them.  I think if you subscribe through email you might get those.  Sorry if it’s confusing to read posts that show Brooke as a newborn.  Then again, I may never get around to doing this in which case, kindly disregard this entire paragraph.

Enough with the announcements!  Let’s look at a picture of Madison!

Caroline seems to be a natural model.  She sure loves to come down to my studio and have me take pictures of her.

“Did you get enough to eat?”

That’s the sentence I hear in my mind when I think of Dallas’s stepdad, Bob.  When we went over to Dallas’s mom’s house, Bob would usually be there in the kitchen, putting finishing touches on the meal we were about to eat.  And without fail, at the end of the meal, he’d ask me that question.

Two weeks ago, Bob passed away.  He got pneumonia and the sickness took him so fast.  Two Saturdays ago we gathered with friends and family to remember and honor Bob.

There were many common themes mentioned during the service.  Bob’s gentleness.  His kindness.  His ability to make you feel like you were the most important person to him when he was talking to you.  His willingness to help.  His easy smile.

I think the best kinds of memorial services are the ones that make you want to be better for having known the person who passed away.  That was how we felt.  The good in Bob was so good, and we already miss him.

Dinners at Dallas’s mom’s house just won’t be the same.

(Bob’s obituary, a slideshow that Dallas put together, and video from the service can be viewed athttp://hboballen.blogspot.com)

I suppose it’s time for another pregnancy picture.

(This picture was taken about a month ago, hence the reason Nutcracker is in it with me.  We took more current pictures but they got lost somehow and I don’t know when (if) I’ll get around to taking more, so this is the best you get.  The sign that I’m holding that you can’t really read says I’m 30 weeks along.)

I’m due March 7…but I could potentially have this baby in February which is next month!  Hurray!

(I know, I know.  I shouldn’t get my hopes up about delivering early.  I try to tell my hopes that, but they just won’t listen!)

I really want to have my baby mostly so I can, well, have a new baby but also because I’d love to no longer be pregnant…mostly because being pregnant is uncomfortable but also because I sort of look like a freak of nature when I’m pregnant.  I understand this.  I’ve come to terms with this, but other people haven’t as is evidenced by their comments.

Examples?  Here you go:

At least weekly:

Someone:  “Oh my goodness!  Look at you!  You look like you have a ball under your shirt!”

Me:  “Yes.”

Someone:  “No, I mean, it really looks like a ball!”

Me:  “Yeah.  I know.”

Someone:  “No, I mean, it’s like someone literally just shoved a basketball under your shirt!  That’s exactly what it looks like!”

Me:  “Yeah, got it.  Thanks.”

***

My family at Christmas:  “Ha ha ha ha!  Look at you!  Ha ha ha ha!”

***

Brooke and Caroline were discussing Santa.  I overhear this:

Caroline:  “I think Mom’s trying to be like Santa because her tummy is just getting so big!”

***

My family (continued):  “Ha ha ha!  Can I…ha ha ha…take…ha ha ha…a picture?  Ha ha ha!”

***

I was at church and I noticed a little girl eying my midsection.

Girl:  “Are you pregnant?”

Me:  “Yes.”

Girl:  “Oh!  Are you having twins?”

Me:  “No…”

Girl (whispering with a satisfied smile as if we were sharing a secret):  “Oh…triplets!”

***

My family (continued):  “Ha ha ha!  Did Dallas’s family…ha ha ha…think your belly was this funny?”

Me:  “Well, probably, but they had enough sense to keep their comments to themselves.”

***

At least weekly:

Someone:  “Look at you!  You must be getting close!  When are you due?”

Me:  “March.”

Someone: “Oh.  That’s…still…a ways away.”

***

My family (continued):  No more coherent words.  Just cackling. 

***

Now maybe you understand better why I’m extra antsy to have this baby.  It’s a lot more fun to hear how cute my newborn is as opposed to how strange my tummy looks.

Rebecca: (Holding up her temple recommend) Who knows what this is?
Brooke: A passport to the temple.
High-fives to Brooke