Some Ladies Have Facial Hair, Some Men Don't...

Roger get's a very small taste of what it's like to be 'expecting'

Our baby is a girl, I promise.

But I think she is going to be one of those tough biker-chicks. We better watch out--no offense to biker-chicks.

Lyla's 1st Week

This is what a 1-Day-Old looks like (on the right)

Melissa has Lyla stylishly outfitted with

a number of cozy blankets

Our little sprout spent most of her first week in the hospital.

We did our best to make ourselves at home.

Visits from family on Day 4 helped our morale

Melissa's mom, Sandy/Nana, and our niece, Rachel

Our wee one was excited to meet Roger's folks as well.

7 Days Old and back at home

Every day is a new adventure for us lately

Lyla Carmel

Born Tuesday, January 19th

Happy and Healthy as Can Be

Tick.... Tock..... Tick....

Due date... schmoo date.

This is a suspenseful week for us. Baby Barnick is getting restless and may be among us air-breathers any day now.

Melissa is doing fantastic and we're finding more things to do each day to feel more prepared. For example: today I bought some new swim trunks and some mixed nuts. It seemed important at the time...

I don't know if we'll be able to post here right away, but we'll get the word out on the baby details as quick as can be. In the mean time, prayers and well-wishes are appreciated.

Stay tuned.

Gotta Love'em

As Melissa and I wait the remaining days (hours?) to meet our little one, part of our hearts are still in Ethiopia and the children there. The money that was generously donated to our adoption efforts was passed along to a girls' school in Addis Ababa. They provide education, safe lodging, food, medical care and self worth to over 75 young ladies. If you visit their web site take a moment to watch the video clip.

PHAT (pretty hot and tempting?)

I am trying to have a good attitude as I am now in my 38th week of pregnancy and look like a fertility goddess.

Not this one

This one

When (lots of faith) I get to my pre-pregnancy weight,

I will never ask Roger if I am fat again.

Promise.

Here we go again...

So, hopefully, you noticed that we haven't done much in the way of blog posts for the past 6-7 months...

And also, hopefully, you have coped without our wit, wisdom or what-have-you.

We originally made this blog as an open journal of our adoption process and when that event got put on hold we stopped blogging.

It has been a fun fall and winter so we'll catch up a little and keep on truckin' down that bloggin' highway.

Stay tuned.

Quick Update

Melissa's father crafted this by hand. I'm impressed.



Rachel's new best friend is a 5 foot stuffed catfish. She dresses it like a princess and rides it around the house.



Hannah: 10 days old. Welcome to the family! Congrats Heidi and Bryan!

Rachel and Rizzo and I hiked the ridge canal.

Such a good dog!

Hope all are having a great summer!