Baby D - 19 weeks

Baby D is growing nicely. We had an ultra-sound yesterday and we were informed that he/she is at about 10oz in weight and is measuring about 19wks, 2 days -perfect.

We don't plan on finding out the sex of the baby but Tim was looking at the screen when he wasn't suppose to be...okay I was too. Well, his results are boy and my results are girl. I guess we're right back to where we started, not knowing.

Beautiful Day

We had such a beautiful, warm day yesterday so I decided to take Malaika to the outdoor pool in Magnolia. We had such a wonderful time and we're so glad that our friends Karen and Matty were able to join us.

I feel so bad because I haven't been taking any pictures and yesterday would've been a perfect day to show how much fun we've been having. Next time.

2008 Graduations

Michelle Pillers

Claire Marie Dugaw

(you can see more pics from her graduation here)

Congratulations to Claire and Michelle on their 2008 graduation from High School. Claire will be attending University of Arizona and Michelle will be attending Southern Methodist University.

Rain, Rain go Away...

I've lived in Seattle for 5 years and I've never complained about the weather. Well, my friend at planetdanika put it really well - thanks D.

Stuck

Funny

Not so funny

Malaika loves to go outside on the deck, we call it her big play pen, but when the door is slightly open (for knuckelhead) she doesn't quite fit. Well, yesterday she decided to sneak out onto the deck and on her return she got STUCK. She found it funny for a very short time and then she broke down. Get me out mummy...it was taking me a while to get my camera up and running.

Pictures: Jamaica and 1st Birthday

Pictures of Jamaica and birthday

Malaika went in for her one year check up and the doctor only had wonderful things to say. He's also excited to know that he will be taking care of Baby D when he/she arrives. Malaika is 75th percentile in height and weight. She weighs 22lbs 1oz and she's 30.25 in. Apart from walking, waving, giving high 5's, showing you her tongue when you ask for it and blowing kisses she's saying bye bye, hi, ha (for hot), 'eow (for meow), mama, dada and much more. What a fun age, I wish I knew what was going on in that little head (47.7 circumfrence) or maybe not so little head of hers.

Two Weeks At Home

Malaika and I just got back from our two week trip to Jamaica. We went home to celebrate Uncle Donalds life and had the opportunity to stay and visit with family and friends. It was a wonderful time even though we missed daddy and wished he could've been with us. The family is all doing well and I will post pictures for you all at a later date.

Today Tim and I celebrate our 3rd anniversary and tomorrow Malaika will be turning one...so stay tuned there is more to come.

Malaika Is Going To Be A Big Sister

I should let you all know that we are expanding our family and will be expecting baby number two in November. Malaika will be 18mths old and I will probably have many more grey hairs. We are looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. Tim and I are thrilled and cannot wait to share our love with another little one. Baby D is due on November 9th, we'll keep you updated.

We Love You "Donzie"

Donald Shaw Campbell

1928-2008

Auntie Norma, Rachele, Elizabeth, Julian and Ron.

We are thinking of you all during this time, we love you all!

We're Back

Check out more pictures here

Life has just been a whirlwind so I apologize for not posting in a long time. Malaika is a month away from turning one. She's been walking for about two weeks now, she has two more teeth and is starting to get the cutest little curls. We've been having so much fun as parents watching her grow, watching her learn new things and changing on a daily basis.

Taking Advantage Of The Sun

Playing in the sand
Chillin with daddy

On the deck
I love to swing

Earth Hour

On March 29th, 2008 turn off your lights for just 1-hour. At 8pm tonight become a part of this global movement. Join us for Earth Hour.

Cancelled

It's been a very frustrating three weeks trying to work with the U. S Citizenship Immigration Services and my immigration lawyer. They have both been absolutely NO help and because of that and my procrastination we had to cancel our two week trip home. Going into the details will just make me even more upset so I'm just going to leave it at that.

We missed Easter with the family and my cousin Rachele's wedding, an event we've been looking forward to for the last 6-months. Is there travel in my future? Well of course there is, I just haven't got a clue as to when. We're going to try to go home for Malaika's first birthday, that will make the trip a bit of a celebration.

It's a sad week for our family - isn't it suppose to be 85 degrees with the sand between our toes....ugh!

Read A Book? What A Good Idea

It's been a long time since I've sat down with a good book. I have a pile of them sitting on my desk just dying for me to dig into their exciting pages. Not all of them will sound appealing to many of you, but here's the list anyhow - in no special order.

Angle of Repose - Wallace Stegner
Making Money from PHOTOGRAPHY in every conceivable way - Steve Bavister
Photoshop Lightroom Adventure - Mikkel Aaland
Camera and Lens - Ansel Adams
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (A year of food) - Barbara Kinsolver
The Road - Cormac McCarthy

I've been wondering. If I had a Kindle, would I read more?

9-Month Check Up

First time on the deck

Malaika had her 9-month appointment yesterday. The Doc was very pleased with her growth and her "tricks". She's waving, giving high fives, clapping, crawling and making every move to walk. Malaika is in the 75th percentile for her weight and height - 20lbs 11oz and 28".

Quick Trip

Our final night in Miami

Malaika and I had a wonderful time in Miami this weekend. Thanks to my cousin Mari we had the opportunity to celebrate my cousin Rachele's up coming nuptials. It was a girls weekend - we got to see Elizabeth (she just moved to Trinidad and is now engaged - yeah!), we got to see my mummy (thanks to Mari - again), we got to meet Harrison (she's my little cousins baby girl - 2 months older than Malaika) and we got to have lots of fun with family and friends.

Click here for more pictures.

No One Can Stop Me Now

Our big girl is now on the move.

Here she is making her way over to one of her favorite toys.

Bath Time

This is probably one of my favorite things to do

Check out more pictures here

Did You Caucus?

We did. We had no idea what to expect when we walked through the doors of the elementary school. The cafeteria filled to at least 800 people and when they asked how many had caucused before only 4% raised their hand...amazing. It was exciting, fun and a whole lot of chaos.

What a great experience, talk about grassroots politics. We enjoyed meeting families from our neighbourhood with like views and walked away with an Obama win. Tim walked away as one of his delegates. By the way Obama took the state too.

Balancing the Blog

It was back in February 2006 that I became a blogger. I really wasn't sure what I was getting myself into, the truth is I really wasn't sure if this was something I could keep up with. My main reason for starting the blog was to keep my family 3,000 plus miles away just a little bit closer. With this blog I have shared about the Seahawks, my experience with TNT, our Remodel, family, friends, MALAIKA and much more. My readers have increased from one (my mother) to so many more and I welcome you all and hope you're enjoying Calabash Yard.

Before Malaika was born I was able to share about so much. Since her birth it's been mainly posts about her. I know you all enjoy them and I enjoy writing about her and there is no stopping the photographs and videos of her. However, I have realized that it's easy so I need to challenge myself to write about other things going on in this Bell/Dugaw mind of mine. Don't worry folks I'm not saying goodbye to my blogging days I am however realizing that I need a little more balance in the pieces I post.