2007

As 2007 comes to an end here are some personal highlights in no particular order:

1. I worked at Cinevegas in June on a small production crew. It was a very interesting experience seeing the mega entertainment machine up close and interacting with people that have dropped into my living room like terds through my "teevee." Most of the people that I talked to were very cool indie film makers, actors and actresses. It actually was an valuable experience. I had a two week, all access pass to the Palms and attended VIP parties all over the strip. One highpoint was bowling at the Gold Coast until 4am with friends. Two lanes down from us, some guy tore off one of his fingers while throwing a bowling ball. Just for the record, the Gold Coast did not interrupt moonlight bowling in order to find said finger. An uncomfortable moment had to be when I stood awkwardly about 10ft. from the cast and director of Oceans 13 wondering when to hand off the giant charity check. No one had given me any cue as to when I would get rid of the check. I stood out in the open, but just off to the side of all that teeth, hair, and general beauty, sweating and hoping that I wouldn't screw up the hand off by giving it to the wrong person and just making an ass of myself in some unforeseen way. Very awkward. One of the many insights that I gained was that the celebrities, films, explosions, and jokes serve only to draw your attention to various brands/products. I guess it all reminded me of a photographer at a Sears Portrait Studio waving the shiny object behind the camera in order to get the child's attention.

"Look over here, look over here! It's Brad Pitt doing something!" Flash! Pepsi in your psyche.

I'll be working for Cinevegas again this year the second week of June.

2. I had just woken up and was listening to music and reading the news online when Gwen walked into the den holding a pregnancy test. I looked up and she said, "dude." I asked her if she was sure and told her that we would go and buy more tests that afternoon. I continued to listen to music staring at the computer. We then went down to Paris and attended a Ron Paul political rally. The reality of the pregnancy had not sunk in yet. Ron Paul and his desire to deregulate everything only scared me. We walked around outside and it was too hot (112?). We eventually made phone calls home to the parents. That was 7/7/07.

3. While in the middle of writing this Cruiser became restless and wanted to wrestle. Cruiser is our 70 pound greyhound. I think he just scratched out my eyeball thus ending this little 2007 re-cap.

Here are some photos and favorites form 2007:

This is "Four Winds" from Bright Eyes. I would say that he is post punk and out of Omaha. I love his songwriting and his lyrics are often intelligent. Anyway, he's been flirting with alternative country and usually turns the jingoistic and reactionary "stick a boot yer ass fer turrah!" on its head. Check out the video.



Here is "Videotape" by Radiohead. In Rainbows is one of my favorite albums this year.



This last one is "Neon Bible" by The Arcade Fire recorded live in an elevator. Neon Bible was probably the album that I listened to most of 2007.

Happy Holidays!

I know it has been awhile since my last post, but I was waiting for a few projects around the house to be completed. One of which is Lola's room (for those that do not know, we have decided on the name Lola Grace). With the help of my mom, Lola's room is ready for her homecoming. My mom came for a week around Christmas, washed all the baby clothes and toys, and helped to set up Lola's room. (She also bought her crib as a gift, which you will see in the photos.) I am so thankful for her help and relieved that this project is done. We also got the garage organized so one of ours cars will fit, which is a good thing since we bought a new car yesterday. We thought it necessary since my Kia was not rated as a safe car. We bought a Honda Element and we really like it. As far as updates go...my pregnancy is still going well. I am getting bigger and having some lower back pain at times. I am still waking up 3 or so times per night, but lately, I wake up around 4 am and can not get back to sleep. I have a lot on my mind with Lola's due date approaching and am feeling anxious (and terrified). I am nervous about labor and then nervous about what to do with Lola when she comes home. It is easy to read books and listen to others advice, but another to live it. Here is a picture of me today at 30 weeks and some of Lola's room.

Thank you, thank you, thank you

I am amazed at all the love I feel every time I come home to visit. My baby shower was wonderful and I can't thank everyone enough for all they did to prepare for it, attend it, and share in this special time with me. I am so thankful for the friends and family I have. I will post some pictures soon. Thank you again.

25 weeks are still growing

I am feeling rather large these days and even some of my maternity clothes feel tighter. I finally had to buy larger shirts to go around this belly that still amazes me as it seems to grow each week. Tonight I am home bound to Michigan to spend time with family and friends and have my first baby shower! My pregnancy is still going well and I feel good. I am not used to carrying around this extra weight, which does cause me to feel more winded and tired. Her heartbeat is usually around 135-140 and am I finally able to feel her kick. Sean can feel her too! She usually kicks me at night when I am relaxing in front of the T.V. , but I don't mind since I waited so long to feel her. Here is an updated picture of me.

Grandma Walburg's Legacy lives on...

A Sad Goodbye

My grandma died on Nov. 14 2007, which also happened to be my 30th birthday. She had been frail for some time and went into the hospital a few days before she passed away, but it was still quite sudden. She was 84 years old and lived a long and wonderful life. She has many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to be proud of and who will carry on her memory. It was wonderful to see all of my mom's family in one place, but also sad that my grandma was not there. I am glad to part of this large extended family and will treasure the memories of family trips to Iowa.

Hiking (see pics below)

A beautiful day with the perfect company. I went on my first hike as a pregnant women and yes, I was careful. I did a lot of resting, was cautious with my steps, and had my doctors permission. We did make it to the top, but not without the little one reminding me that she was along for the long journey up hill. My pregnancy is still going well. The ultrasound and blood work all came back without any concerns. Our little one is healthy and continues to grow. My belly is getting bigger and I am starting to look pregnant as opposed to having a beer gut. (I will post an updated picture soon). I am 22 weeks now, almost 23, and have made it past the halfway mark. I still feel good and actually slept through the night last night. I doubt this will last, but it felt really nice. It is hard sometimes being so far from home as I wish I could share this with my family and friends. I am grateful that I will be home at the end of the month for my shower.

Made it to the top...eventually.

Vegoose

Perfect Halloween Weekend
1. Burgs and brews Friday night along with an excellent dj at the Beauty Bar.
2. Vegoose music festival on Saturday
3. Thousands of people in one place wearing Halloween costumes
4. Perfect weather (low 80s)
5. Daft Punk playing a devastating closer on Saturday night (see the video I took below)
6. Sitting in front of the Bellagio until 3:30 people watching.
7. Champagne brunch on Sunday with rubber waffles and a gross blueberry sauce followed by some room temperature peeled shrimp.
8. Hiking at Red Rock Sunday and then grabbing some beers at a crazy cowboy bar out in the desert.

Nothing but Blue Skies

I had a close friend visit me (S.) over the weekend and on Sunday before he went home, we went hiking for the better part of the day. We hiked up and sat on red sand stone mountains which require scrambling to achieve any significant height. We sat on the rocks talking and enjoying the silence around us. Out in the desert the silence is true. A large raven flew over us and we could hear the beat of the wings. Eventually a man and what looked like his six or seven year old daughter were heading down a steep trail into the canyon below us. We could hear the man explaining the different geology, desert plants, and how to maneuver down such a steep path. The girl was continuously picking up rocks and anything else she found interesting on the ground. I watched the entire scene and the reality that I will be having a daughter filled me. For the first time in my life I wanted to be alive for something other than myself. The thought of, for whatever reason, not raising my daughter devastated me. Watching the man and the little girl was both enlightening in the fact that I hope to have the opportunity to show my daughter similar things and devastating in that life is so fragile and everyday is truly up to God, chance, error, etc.

I have been thinking about the kind of community that we are going to raise our daughter in. More on this topic another day.

20 weeks and growing

Here is the picture I have said that I would post on our blog. I feel HUGE, which I know sounds ridiculous to those who have been pregnant before. I still feel really good and do enjoy being pregnant. I enjoy the conversations with my daughter like the one we had the other day. I told her that she needs to start kicking hard enough for me to feel her, but she is not a very good listener and still nothing. I anxiously wait to feel her. I have not slept through the night since July 7 when I found out I was pregnant. I get up 2-3 times per night to use the bathroom. I think that this is her way of reminding me that she is still here. I am anxious to meet her.

Tag...I'm it!

I have been tagged, therefore I think I am suppose to use my middle name and for each letter come up with a word that describes me or my life and then tag one person for each letter. Since I only know one other blogger and she tagged me, everyone I know is safe from being tagged.

E- Easy (not in the way some of you may think:). The way I like my life, simple and without unnecessary drama.
L- laughter. I love a good sense of humor. Laughter is contagious.
A- Autonomy. Taking responsibility for yourself.
I- Independent. (Just ask my husband). I came from a line of strong women whom I am proud to know.
N- Neat. The way I like my house to look. I hate clutter.
E- Energy. Something I wish I had more of.

We had our ultrasound today and for all those who thought it was a boy...IT'S A GIRL! The ultrasound went well without any concerns. Here is a picture of her sucking her thumb. She is very active and likes to sit on my bladder. She likes to show off her feet too. She is small, which is a good thing for when I give birth. We are excited for her arrival on/around March 10, 2008.

The beginning...

The Marshalls have started a blog for all those interested in updates on how we are doing, what we are doing, and everything else in between. We want to share with everyone our journey through our first pregnancy, our adventures (or lack there of), and the everyday not so interesting events. For now, stay tuned for more postings and pics...

Starting a family with a pretty good verticle leap.