Welcome to Artigam's Roundeo.

Artigam Best thing about having this third pregnancy so soon after the first two, I just found all my maternity clothes that I had packed up. Plus having had one summer pregnancy, and one winter pregnancy, I have clothes for all weather. yay!

Artigam Eliott turned 1 on February 28!!!! My mom threw him an awesome Diego party at her house this past weekend and all his Aunts and Uncles were there including Christin who flew in from California. It's hard to believe it's been a whole year since he was born!

Artigam We got a little early Christmas surprise....our family of four is going to turn into a family of five!

Artigam Our Thanksgiving project. Amelia picked out the color of the cards along with the color of the turkey feathers and had fun helping glue the pieces on.

Artigam On Veteran's Day I want to say thank you to all the men and women who have served this country in our military. Special thank you to Uncle Chris who died serving his country and for whom Eliott gets his middle name and hopefully many of his attributes as well. I am honored to be part of a family with so many who have served in the military. Today Amelia and I read a book from the library about a little girl whose father was sent to fight in World War II. It was humbling and heart breaking to read about the sacrifice so many soldiers have made and also the sacrifice that their families make as well. So many children and spouses are missing their loved ones right now who are deployed overseas and I think it is so important that we realize and honor the sacrifices that they are making for our country.

Artigam Hello Roundeo! Been absent for awhile. We recently completed our move to Greensboro NC. Ricky came a few weeks early as work was calling. It worked out great since he was able to unload our POD and get all the furniture set up while the kids and I were happily taken care of at my mom's house. Things couldn't have worked out better. We found a great 3 bedroom apartment that was a lot less expensive than the apartment we had lived in in Charlottesville. Amelia was super excited to come to North Carol-line-da as she calls it. She has her own room here as does Eliott and we have finally unpacked almost all the boxes. We still have some things left to set up and we are looking for the right furniture for Eliott's room but so far we love Greensboro. We have already found a great park for the kids to play at and our apartment has a cute playground too. I can find my way successfully to the grocery store, target, walmart, and a few other things. We had our first round of visitors over Halloween weekend. Christin, Lauren, Vladimir (Lauren's boyfriend) and my mother and father in law came to visit. Amelia had decided what everyone would be for Halloween and her aunts were happy to oblige. Christin was a "callerina" (cross between a princess and a ballerina?), Ricky was a dinosaur, Lauren was Swiper from Dora, Vladimir was a bumble bee, I was a butterfly, Amelia was a lady bug, and Eliott was a pumpkin. We took photos outside and then everyone got behind a door in our apartment and Ricky took Amelia "trick or treating". Christin has put up the photos on facebook. Really feel like God has blessed this move and taken care of our family throughout. It is nice to be settled and we are enjoying getting to know our new city.

harmony to Artigam : your collage is really cute! and i love the green! i love how it shows how many haircolors you've had!

Artigam Christin is famous. There is a news story in USA today chronicling the UVA ER where Christin works. She is in the 6th picture in the gallery in the background with a pony tail and black scrubs.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/gallery/2009/n090908_emergency/flash.htm

Artigam Amelia taking charge during dance time.

Artigam Lauren and I have been trying to organize all the family photos (we are both staying with my parents for the time being as we are both in transition right now) and we are coming across some really fun pictures of the Child side of the family. If we can get the scanner working maybe we can put a few up.

Artigam to harmony : I love the collage at the top of your roundeo!

Artigam I am so proud I have to share. Amelia can count to ten all by herself in both English and Spanish!

Artigam Labor has started!!!!! I should have a baby sometime tonight or tomorrow. Hallelujah!

Artigam Harmony, my friend sent me this article because I do not believe in being ultra clean and I thought you would enjoy it to. It's called Baby's Know: A Little Dirt is Good for You
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/health/27brod.html?emc=eta1

Artigam Do you want to test your knowledge of American civics? Are you more knowledgeable than the average citizen? The average score for all 2,508 Americans taking the following test was 49%; college educators scored 55%. Can you do better? Questions were drawn from past ISI surveys, as well as other nationally recognized exams.
http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx
Take the quiz!

Artigam I had my 23 week ultrasound today and the baby is healthy. Oh, and we are having a BOY!!!!!!!!

UncleSteven to Artigam :

Marin, isn't hospitality great.  You get to meet people when they expect to have fun, and share their lives momentarily, and make sure that you treat them well, and they go home and say nice things about their experience and give the same type of feeling to friends, family and coworkers, and the world goes round and round...jokers to the left of me, clowns to the right, here they all are stuck in the middle with you and me...Uncle Steven

Artigam to UncleSteven :

Hi Uncle Steven,

I am a newcomer to Roundbook so I just thought I would stop by your site and say hi.  I see you have lots of blogs already posted so I can go through and catch up on all the things you have been doing since I saw you last.   My husband is very anxious to meet you, so hopefully one day we can make it out to California.  At least now he can meet you via internet.  He has heard so much about you (all good) and already become a fan of the famous zuchini relish.  Well I miss you, and I hope you are well!

Marin

harmony to Artigam : AWESOME!  So, how'd you finally discover Roundbook?  I'm pretty sure I've sent you invites, but probably to an old and no longer used email address!  Well, in any case, I'm so happy to see you here!  I love keeping in touch this way.  Maybe this will inspire your parents!  It was so fun to see everyone, of course we missed you and Christin.  I am sooo thrilled for you!  You're going to be such a wonderful mother and love motherhood!  You look as beautiful as ever.  I feel sad I didin't know you were pregnant and so soon due!  Be sure to keep us informed on your life from now on!  Love you!  Harm