The Rhodys

The Rhodys 2.0

The Rhodys has been rather moribund of late, but we're back, with a new look, a new software package, but the same 'ol kids. We moved from MovableType, which had become so cumbersome and full of spam, to WordPress. WordPress promises to be more manageable and user-friendly, and allowed us to put some anti-spam methods in place so that comments could return.

So this is the last post on this version, but I encourage you to head back to the new version for future posts from The Rhodys. The web address remains the same: http://www.therhodys.net

Claire's Baptism

We have been terrible about uploading pictures, so thank goodness for Natalie, Claire's new godmother, who posted to Flickr several pictures of Claire's baptism this past weekend. In this photo, Father Bill (who married us and baptized Evie) holds a wet-headed Claire, while Natalie (godmother, far right), Angelo (godfather, far left) and "GG-Mom" (Lisa's grandmother and Evie's godmother) look on...

Claire's Photo Debut

Enjoy the photos of our beautiful little girl and her big sister.

Instructions for gallery:

You may click through the images using two methods.

If you hover over the large image on the left or right side of the image, an arrow will appear. Clicking on the left side of the displayed image will take you back one image; clicking on the right side of the displayed image will take you to the next image.

Alternatively, click on each thumbnail to display the picture. The arrows visible on the left side of the screen (beneath the thumbnails) will cycle through each set of 9 thumbnails.

To save an image:

Right-click on the image and choose "Open Image in New Window". NOTE: If you have a pop-up blocker enabled in your browser, you must allow pop-ups (see notice in top of browser window). The image should open in a new window. Right-click on the image and choose "Save as...".

Required:
The gallery requires Macromedia Flash (a free download). You likely already have it on your computer, so try to view the gallery first before worrying about it.

Claire Savannah

Claire Savannah has arrived! Several events, including power and Internet outages, have precluded an earlier online announcement. Of course, I understand you care less about the announcement per se, and more about pictures. All in due time, all in due time. Now that our Internet is working (and hopefully continues to do so), we'll try to share our little Claire (aka, "Baby Bean," as she's been called by Evie for the past 9 months) with the rest of you.

Details: Claire was born at 11:36 pm on August 29th. We arrived at the hospital at around 7:30 pm, and after being told the nurses were "not terribly impressed" by Lisa's contractions, we suspected that they might send us home. Lisa, never one to turn down a challenge, impressed the nurses forthwith, and the phase known as "active labor" (an oddly redundant term) began. Within a few short hours (short, says the man whose primary task was to say "breathe honey; remember to breathe"), our wonderful doctor announced that the stage was set. And within minutes, Claire arrived and introduced herself with a steady wail. She was 7 lbs, 15oz and 20 and 3/4 inches at birth.

Both baby and Mommy are doing quite well, and Big Sister Evie has welcomed Claire with open arms (we'll see how long this lasts when they want to borrow each others' sweaters). More - including pictures - to come.

Most Recent Ultrasound

Ultrasound04-05-06
Originally uploaded by Jason R.

This is Baby Bean on April 5th... all is well. Due date remains the same.

Introducing "Baby Bean"

Ultrasound01-13-2006
Originally uploaded by Jason R.

That's right, here's the next Rhody. Baby Bean is due on August 31st. This is the ultrasound from January.

Are They Done Yet?

Are They Done Yet?
Originally uploaded by Jason R.

Our little girl turned two on January 25th. As has happened every year, including the one she was born, it snowed, although just a touch this time (not like the eight or so inches when she was born).

Some pictures from the various school and family gatherings that happened during the week. Click here for the whole set of photographs.

Evie and Santa 2005

Evie and Santa 2005
Originally uploaded by Jason R.

After a second try, I decided Santa was ok. But only because my two attack dogs were by my side. Merry Christmas!

Tea with Puppy

Tea with Puppy
Originally uploaded by Jason R.

Lisa just uploaded more pictures of Evie, including several of her "princess-ballerina-gymnast" tea party last week, where she put on every piece of dress-up clothing that fits within the above categories before setting a table and serving tea to Puppy, her constant companion.

See lots of new pictures here.

Pumpkin Pickin'

Comfortable Seat
Originally uploaded by Jason R.

Since it has already snowed twice, I figured it was long past time that I posted the pictures from October.

For the past two years, we've joined our friends at a farm just north of our home and picked out our pumpkins for Halloween. Now that Evie is running and screaming like the best of them, she had a lot of fun in the hayloft, the mazes, and in the pumpkin patch itself. Other than the tractor ride, I think this is the only time she stopped to catch her breath.

Click here for more pictures of our pumpkin picking trip.

From "NO way" to "Whatever you say!"

This cracks me up. I'm sitting in my office today trying to get work done, and I hear the following exchange:

[Issuing from one tiny tot's room] "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Evie's Up!"
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jason walk back to Evie's room, hear the door open, and "No no no no no no. No WAY." Evie has this thing about me picking her up after her naps. Jason asks if Evie wants her dirty diaper changed... to which she responds "NO WAY DADDY! NO WAY" I hear whispers. I know that a trip to the Cabin John Choo Choo Train is in the works. Seconds later, I hear "YES YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH." Jason asks if she'd like her diper changed a second time, and Evie's suddenly changed her whole position on cleanliness.... "YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!!" "Let's go, daddy."

What can I say? She's a woman who knows what she wants. And right now... mention anything that has to do with choo choo trains... and you're in for an afternoon of giggles and hysterical fun.

Pictures to come soon.

I Swimming!

Evie_Pool_04
Originally uploaded by Jason R.

Some pictures of Evie at the local pool with her Grandmom and Grandpop. Taken with Grandpop's new Canon digital SLR Rebel.

County Agricultural Fair

P8140068
Originally uploaded by Jason R.

This weekend, we took Evie to the County Agricultural Fair, where she learned to drive tractors, milk goats, and watch where she steps (there were cows galore!).

Follow this link for a gallery of pictures, or view them as a slideshow.

Growing Pains

No, I'm not talking about Evie in this case, but our little website here. The spammers were getting the best of us, so I had to make some changes and upgrades to get us back on track (with some more changes to go).

Please note that with this anti-spam system, comments will sometimes be automatically moderated until I approve them. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but those are the trade-offs.

Hopefully, this will help us get back to recording Evie's fabulous adventures.

Easter Dance

Easter Dance

Originally uploaded by Jason R.

Evie loves to dance. She seems to prefer either the Sesame Street Greatest Hits or Bob Marley's Greatest Hits, though others make it into the mix. Our kitchen appliances are black, so she likes to watch herself jam to the music. Occasionally, she'll look up long enough to provide a good photo.