what's been going on....

I haven't blogged in a while, so here are a few picts...Tyler finished kindergarten and that was a bit emotional...I've been the room mom this year and we couldn't have asked for a better teacher for Tyler. When I was all worried last summer about who he would get, I just prayed that he would get someone that would be loving. I am so grateful, she truly loves her students! We got to know the people at school, the principal, the office staff, other children. It was the greatest when the children would say, "hi Mrs. Duke" or "hi Tyler's mom" or "can we play with Alyssa?" Another mom and I put together a quilt with all the kids making a square and then my mom (my professional seamstress) assembled it for us. We did field day, the zoo, all lots of fun. What a great year! Hopefully the summer will be kind to us

Kick Counting

A fellow photographer lost a baby due to stillbirth and is trying to get awareness out there on how to prevent stillbirths by counting kicks.

From Blair Blanks...founder of the Baby James Project.

"1 in 150 births is a stillbirth, and that number is generally considered a low estimate. Think about this, most women have two children. So that means roughly one in 75 mothers will go through this. Do you know 75 women? Neighbors, school moms, moms from church?

Some stillbirths are unexplained and some are unavoidable. But in some cases, stillbirths can be prevented if the mother is highly aware of her baby's movements. You can track your baby's activity by using a written log of kicks. While every baby is different, in general, babies in the third trimester should move at least 4-5 times an hour. If you detect a change, either a decrease in movement, or an unusual increase in your baby's level of activity, it may mean your baby is in distress. Should either occur, call your doctor at once. If you can't reach your doctor, go to the hospital to have your baby checked. Don't wait until office hours; go to an ER if you have to. A "false alarm" is far better than having a stillborn baby."

Please take a minute to visit the site below if you or someone you know is pregnant!! It could save their baby's life! (click on the brown box) If anyone wants to be pro-active and put this banner on their blog, feel free to take it or I will get it to you.

Randoms about me....

On my photography board, someone wrote: "Show me your randoms... " Requesting everyone to confess random oddities or quirks about themselves. It is hilarious to see how WEIRD people are, but we all have our "things." Here is a list of random things about me....

-No one is allowed to touch my collarbone! I broke it as a child, and have phobias--I only recently can stand to wear necklaces that touch it
-I HATE onions--I know, they are in everything, but not in the food that I eat
- I don’t really care for ice cream…unless there is cake or a brownie next to it
-I've only had a few, but I giggle like crazy at a pedicure when they rub the dry skin off
-I HAVE to wear socks to sleep, no matter how hot it is...my feet must be covered
-a blanky or pillow must be between my knees, and between my elbows
-I can't stand to walk around barefoot on a hard surface floor--always little tiny particles that get stuck to my feet (I love carpet--fighting Michael wanting hard wood everywhere)
-I have teeth braking phobia...so scared about damaging them
-I can make a dolphin sound with my lips and a horse sigh...hard to explain....
-I HATE all soda...it tickles my nose and hurts my throat
- I hate taking baths...why would I want to sit in my own filth and have my shoulders and knees stick out and get cold?
-I have to force myself to eat vegetables, but I love broccoli
- I love a loud radio when I'm in the car by myself, and the more I like the song , the faster I drive
-I don’t mind chaos…I actually thrive in it
-I have no desire to skydive, scubadive, bungee jump, etc. I see the fragility of my life now that I am a mother
-I can really appreciate good handwriting b/c mine isn’t
-I wish I could give better reactions to surprises/gifts from others (my face doesn’t show what I feel)
-Every morning when my alarm goes off (at 6:50), I curse our shool district for making elementary school start so early
-I bust out in drill team moves at a moments notice (5...6...7...8....)
-I'm all about semantics...don't tell me I'm "angry" when I'm just "frustrated" BIG DIFFERENCE
-I pull my hair when I'm thinking

If anyone can think of anything else quirky about me, feel free to comment.