Why Can't We Be Friends

Sorry, noticed today our background is all screwy on ipad (and probably all mobiles). Will try to fix but for now enjoy the music. (What do you mean there's no) Sorry we meant uh.... Hi.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Season's Greetings!

Where to start... Our Thanksgiving trip to visit family in California was great.  Nice drive there with Mother Barth who flew in to ride with us.  And we met up with Kim, who flew direct to CA.  Enjoyed seeing how BIG the kids are (Isaiah's running around, Kai's turning 5, and Lydia's mastered more dance routines).  Erin and Aaron were wonderful hosts; they made a fantastic holiday meal and celebrated Kai's birthday early so we were able to join in.  The space decorations, games, and treats were enjoyed by everyone!

Baby Barth has decided to let up on the morning sickness so after a month of pretty much all-day, every-day nausea, month 4 concludes with Mama being able to eat.  YAY!  My superhuman sense of smell has lessened (thank goodness) and no crazy cravings, yet.  Mainly I just want salt, but I keep that in check.  Though I admit I wondered if the salt licks that deer enjoy might not be just the thing... Some food is still just plain unappealing (sometimes chicken) but at least it's progress.

Other than food, Mama and Daddy are preparing for Baby's arrival as we clean out the office-soon-to-be-nursery and start moving in the small collection of baby bedding, furniture, toys, books, etc.  We were lucky that some friends loaned us baby gear so we don't have to go on a huge spending spree: stroller, infant carrier, 2 car bases, high chair, Bumbo seat, and pillows.  It's amazing how much the design of these items have improved to make Mom and Dad's life easier.  We'll probably still pick up a lighter stroller for quick jaunts, maybe a jogging stroller too. Then it's decorating the nursery, the 1,001 other things like bottles and pacifiers, and the biggest hurdle... teaching The Khaleesi all these new chew toys are in fact baby furniture.

Last notes, our 4 legged monster is 80lbs at 1.5 years old.  We are putting more effort into leash training as there seems to be confusion on her part about who is in charge.  She was grumpy at us for changing her food and taking away her treats for a while due to food AND environmental allergies.  We're slowly working our way back up to what works and what doesn't.  Khaleesi spends most of her days snoring away in the sunshine at the window, scaring herself awake when the UPS man delivers packages, and fighting the good fight in the epic battle against the evil, scheming shadowcats.  (Only SHE can see them, but we don't argue with the voices.)  Most recently she's had to come to terms with the fact that the Christmas tree IS staying in her living room, that she is NOT allowed to play under said tree, and we're... working... on not destroying boxes left under the tree.

Well, off to the gym.  Don't applaud too much - it's an uphill battle.  But if you want to, you can applaud a little bit. :)

Living Arizona

Well, as you'd expect a lot has changed with our move to Arizona.  It was a good move with minimal fuss once we were on our way.  (Of course, there was considerable craziness before we were packed as we threw stuff into the pods and stuffed the car full Griswold style.)

The drive itself was fun.  We were able to visit family and swing through Texas so we are fully qualified to sing about "Amarillo by morning".  Joe talked me into this tourist trap that turned out to be a lot of fun as we were serenaded by a trio of cowboys at The Big Texan. Our car took damage from a roadside tractor as they shot our car with a rock projectile while mowing near the highway somewhere in the midwest, I thought I saw kangaroo roadkill and later figured out it was a jackrabbit, and we enjoyed listentoamovie.com to help whittle away the hours.

We're certainly missing everyone back East, but we've been lucky enough to see more of our Western family in one year than we usually do in five.  There's a great small airport nearby that we use to hop over to Nebraska and vice versa.  We recently visited and were able to take in a Husker game (Go Bigggg Reddd!) as well as spend time with Grandpa and the gang. Now we're looking forward to an upcoming weekend trip to California for more family time.


Of course, the biggest change is the weather. A couple months of 110-125 degree days with a low of 85/90 at night is kinda insane.  But the rest of the year is pretty fantastic.  We often find ourselves saying, 'Hey, we're outside, running past palm trees, wearing shorts, and it's NOVEMBER.'  Which has us cracking up.  That's not to say it doesn't get cold but it's nothing like a real winter.  I think we have different seasons here: Jeans, Backyard-Sitting-Fireside, Shorts, Swimsuit, HOT.  Or to define them as the restaurants do when you sit on the patios... (water) misters, nothing, propane heaters.

Of course, one of the biggest changes up til now was adopting The Khaleesi.  She's almost a year and half and as a featherweight she keeps up her 80lb physique by going to the beach (yes we have them), chasing friends at the dog park, or trying to get ice cubes in her backyard pool.

Life is good.

Yup, it's official.

Mark your calendar folks.

Joe, Khaleesi, and I are happy to announce that
Baby Barth will arrive approx. May 25, 2014.