A beautiful day with the Madisons

I was bound and determined to do something wonderful and different today but after deliberating last night Shaun and I had reached no conclusive decisions on where today's adventures would take us. As it turned out I had a small errand to run in Culpeper (I NEVER go to Culpeper or head in that general direction so this was not within the norm). On our way we kept seeing signs for James Madison's Montpelier, so after our errand and a quick lunch, we decided to visit the home of James and Dolly Madison. Oddly enough even after living here most of my life I'd never done this venture, maybe because up until 2004 the home was not restored to it's historic past. It had been owned by the DuPonts who had changed it quite dramatically both inside and out. But today, after five years of renovation and 25 million dollars, it is absolutely stunning! What a gorgeous day and what gorgeous views. Set at the base of the beautiful blue ridge, Shaun and I have decided the Madisons win when it comes to views from the founding fathers homes. We loved Mount Vernon set right on the Potomac, and who couldn't love Monticello set in pristine Charlottesville with Jefferson's clever architecture, but the Madisons home has recently been restored to it's original grandeur. It is a true masterpiece. We definitely want to go back again and come better prepared with walking shoes, strollers, and friends and family. Ella enjoyed the gardens, the hands on crafts tent, and many other activities. Shaun went around with her and allowed me to enjoy the house tour. Being impromptu we didn't have our camera but Shaun took a few photos with his phone. We hope to go back soon. Anyone want to join us?

What's in a name?

Okay, so here's the low down on the name game. We've ruled out Thelma after my mom, Louise after Shaun's mom, and Pearl after the Earls in the fam (shweeh). Unfortunately, that leaves tons of names I still like. I drive Shaun crazy with my variating opinion on which of the following names tops the list of our girl names. So I turn the voting power over to you all. Let us know what you think.

They're in no particular order.

Emma

Laney

Avery

Audrey

Autumn

Reese

Sienna

Serena

Tessa

Carmen

Camille

Paige

Emilia

Amelia

Eden

The only thing I think we are pretty positive of is that we'd like to use Ruth as a middle name in honor of both of our grandmothers and my mom (it's her middle name).

The newest Calderwood

We are excited to have some of our first photos of our soon to be addition this August... our baby girl! She is healthy and doing well. All measurements indicate she is right on track and should be joining us officially around the 23rd of August. She was very active during the ultrasound and at one point I thought she was sucking on her thumb but she was actually sucking on her toe... flexible little thing. I think she has the cutest little profile in the top photo. Of course Ella has a cute little profile too so maybe they'll look similar. Or maybe this one will have green eyes like her daddy but have a personality more like mine. I guess time will tell. It's all very exciting!

We are so excited to meet her and Ella will love having a little sister I am sure. What a little miracle! Now we just have to decide on a name. Maybe we'll have you all vote to help us narrow down our top five.

Spring Break Part II Easter Fun

The second half of our Spring Break was spent visiting with good friends. One of my dearest friends, Kristin, and her little boy came to stay with us for a few days. We also got to catch up with Becca and Troy as well as Katie. We spent Friday visiting the Cherry Blossoms in DC along with every other tourist east of the Mississippi. It was very nice though. Perfect weather and perfect company. We enjoyed a beautiful conference weekend and Ella enjoyed her Easter basket complete with sidewalk chalk, hair bows, a book, stickers, and candies.

Ella and Shaun in our yard. Ella got a beautiful Easter dress from her nana and I felt it only right to get a few photos of her in it.

The stinker wouldn't smile but she's still so precious!

Ella enjoying her very lovely Easter basket

Kristin and Pete enjoying the Cherry blossoms in DC. Pete's a cutie and so sweet and mellow. We hope they come again soon:)

Spring Break Part I

This year we are celebrating Spring Break with a little "Staycation". So far so good. We've enjoyed many days at the park, an easter egg hunt with friends (insert photos of Shaun being tackled by all of the bigger kids here), time at the gym, and time helping our friend jump start his electric car when it ran out of gas and electricity (long story but resulted in a very nice evening all said and done). We look forward to friends visiting the latter part of this week and trips to see the Cherry Blossoms among other adventures. But here are some photos of our Spring Break so far. Maybe next year we'll be somewhere tropical sipping on frui frui drinks ( a girl can always hope) but until then we'll enjoy our little park and our time with friends.

Dirty Mouth

Today I must confess another valuable learning lesson from my two year old due to the power of imitation. Her two new favorite words are "shoot" and "dangit". Since hearing them come out of her mouth and telling her those are naughty words, I've been much more aware of my own language. She definitely picked those two up from me. I say them frequently and until she started copying me I didn't even realize it. Thank goodness I don't say the real words or my girl would have a potty mouth bigger than ever. And okay, so maybe they're not the worst words in the world but hearing them come from an innocent child makes you realize how inappropriate they really are. So a new vow: mommy will clean up her dirty mouth!

Other than the potty mouth lessons the Calderwoods have been busy enjoying the beautiful weather that is finally here! We've spent that past few days at the park, going to barbecues, and going for walks outside. We are looking forward to my Spring Break next week and visits from several friends. We're hoping to have many fun adventures and quality time spent visiting. I look forward to time off with my family and a chance to contemplate the joy of the Easter Season.

Also, I know I'm guilty of not posting enough photos lately of our little Miss so I thought I'd put up a couple from the last week. I think both days were prior to church. She's growing up and enjoys everyone at church. She was actually even pretty good through a two hour stake conference today thanks to getting a good seat and the friends around us that helped entertain her. She missed going to nursery as this is her favorite thing to do. She's a little sponge and knows all of the primary songs, her ABC's, and many others. If you sing she can sing with you and can sing her alphabet independently from Q on. Way to go! She's also learning her colors though it's not very consistent. Other than her potty mouth (thanks to me) she's pretty near perfect as far as I can tell.

Cast Your Vote!

Hello all,

Sorry for the lack of correspondence these last couple of weeks. To be honest, not much has been occurring that's worthy of the chronicle. Just more pontifications similar to my last entry but until something solid happens regarding jobs, housing, part-time work, etc... I'll just leave those issues where they are.

Today I had my check up with the doctor and in five weeks we'll have our ultrasound. So far so good. I'm up seven pounds since my first apt in January according to the doc but I'm really up more like twelve from my lowest weight in November. No biggie. I am trying to be relatively healthy and feeling really good these days. I do not deny myself the occasional frosty when the craving hits but all in all I think I'm doing okay. I will pray that all is healthy and well at the ultrasound but of course the most exciting thing to find out beyond general health is the baby's gender. So I turn it all over to you to cast your vote! I'm thinking boy, but a month ago I was thinking girl. I'll be very happy either way but it's fun to guess. So let us know what you think. We look forward to taking the final tally and in five weeks we'll let you know what this little nugget will be.