I am going to try to contribute to this blog more often since my name is in the title as well. My first contribution is going to be a typical example of some of the interaction I have with Tiffany. Readers, you will have to let me know if this story is interesting to you.

We are pregnant. Tiffany has most of the burden but lately I have discovered that it really is "we" that are pregnant. For example: birthing class, registering for baby shower gifts, touring the hospital, practicing breathing exercises ("cleansing breath, focal point"), relaxing, playing basketball in the kinesiology building, feeling the baby kick, going to doctor's appointments, reading baby magazines, picking baby names, finding a brand-new-baby friendly apartment. These were my activities for the week, of which you will notice only one does not deal with babies/delivery of baby. So, because of all this baby activity, we see a lot of babies. Mostly in pictures or advertisements but, anyway, lots of them. Tiffany still usually points them out and says "he is cute" or "she is cute, isn't she?" Cute to Tiffany means "small" and/or "a baby" so I usually say "yes."

For the past couple of days, however, there has been more discretion to the babies Tiffany points out. She loves babies with skin that is other than white. Now when we go to BabiesRUs she points out the black baby up on the wall and says "he is sooo cute." When we are reading Healthy Baby and You! and we see the Gerber ad with the black baby she says "oooh look at that baby!" So when we were getting ready for bed last night and I was laying under Tiffany's arm I said "Tiffany, I think I am not going to be as happy as you will be if we have a black baby." I hope that does not mean I am racist.

Getting excited for Halloween. Here's two of our nieces trying out their pumpkin fairy costumes. They are so cute!

35 weeks along and feeling great!

More good news!

On September 15th, 2011 at 9:00 am we found out some fabulous news! Drumroll please..................................Gavin passed the Idaho Bar Exam!!! We are so excited and thank everyone for their prayers and encouragement.

Right now we are hoping to get a job with the US Patent and Trademark Office. Gavin externed there as a patent examiner last summer and really wants to go back. They are starting another round of hiring in October (soon!) and Gavin's qualified for the position plus he was an extern and they liked him so we're really hopeful that they will hire him. We're hoping that they are as motivated to hire quickly as we are to start working quickly...come on government agency! Be swift!!!

A funny little story about Gavin passing the Bar: so I was at work when he found out (they post online who passes--if your name is on the list then you passed), so I asked him to call my work and let me know (for those who don't know I'm a medical assistant and work in a doctor's office). So he calls me and tells me his name is on the list and I'm so excited. Karrie at work is walking by and I tell her the good news. She runs up to the front of the office and says "Tiffany's husband passed!" All the ladies up front are horrified at her enthusiasm until she explains, "he passed his big test, he didn't 'pass on' or pass away". Lol, you can't use that lingo in a doctor's office, everyone momentarily thought Gavin had died. Haha.

So there's our happy news. I'm so proud of Gavin for passing the Bar exam on his first try. It is such a hard test and a lot of people don't pass it the first go around, but he did and we are so happy.

Pregnancy is still going well, I'm 35 weeks along if you can believe it! I have to post some pictures soon, I look like I have a basketball under my shirt--just pokes straight out. Mostly I'm just tired, a lot of which is due to the fact that I have to go to the bathroom 3-4 times a NIGHT and I get pretty bad leg cramps about 2-3 times a lot of nights. I feel like an old man getting up so much. But that's really the worst of it so I feel extremely fortunate! Pictures hopefully to follow...

Baby Girl Names

Alright. So I get asked at least twice a day (sometimes 10 times a day, no exaggeration) if Gavin and I have picked a name for our baby yet. The answer is no, not yet. But we have finally narrowed it down a bit. Here's what is in the running, first and middle names:

Emery Alice (Alice is my sister's middle name)

Clara Lauren (Lauren is Gavin's sisters name)

Adelaide Ann (Ann is my middle name, along with my aunt and cousin's middle name, and happened to be the middle name of 3 of my 5 first college roommates. it's a popular one)

Hazel...and we don't have a middle name for her yet. I'm holding out for Jean, which is my other sister's middle name and my grandma's, but I haven't sold Gavin on it yet.

Nothing sticks out way more than the others yet, so I think we won't make a decision until we see her. So you can still cast your vote! :)

Gavin had another great adventure this past weekend: backpacking trip #2! This one was with my dad and they hiked Castle Peak in the White Clouds. It was a pretty intense hike--lots of climbing and scrambling over rocks. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but right up Gavin and my dad's alley.

This is what I mean by "not for the faint of heart"--can you believe how steep that is?! But they conquered it. My dad said it was hard, but worth it.

Here's Gavin diving into the lake they camped next to. He swam across the whole lake and back. When he told my dad that's what he was going to do my dad just replied, "Well, ok, but if you get a cramp in the middle of the lake I can't come in after you." Glad to know you've got Gavin's back, dad. :)
This was taken from the base of the peak. The peak farthest to the right is where they summited.
My dad catching a fish. He said the fishing was great in the upper lake, and caught 4 fish in the hour they were up there.
This is their campsite south of the peak. Great view!

Gavin came home with his hands pretty scratched up from the rocks, plus a few more scratches on his legs. But if you've seen his legs, they can't get much worse from all the scars he already has. My dad however is still limping around. But he kept up with Gavin so way to go Dad!

Gavin went on a backpacking trip with his brothers this past week. Tobin was in charge of the pictures so we'll have to wait to post some of the hike. But here's Mr. Hot-Stuff-Mountain-man-Gavin all unshaven and dusty. The hike was about 20 miles up in the Sawtooth Mountains. They hiked by lots of different lakes: Alice Lake, Bowknot Lake, Twin Lakes, Petit Lake and a few more. I'm just happy he didn't get in a fight with a bear.