Rocking and rolling

So the New Englanders experienced their first Californian earthquake this past Tuesday and we're all fine. I think it officially was a 5.4 magnitude quake and we definitely felt it. Bryan had just gotten off the golf course and was sitting down to eat at the clubhouse restaurant when it struck. He said the liquor bottles in the bar were rattling so hard he thought they were going to fall off the shelves. As for Ethan and me, we had just returned from a morning at the park and were getting ready for lunch. Ethan was playing on the couch while I was on the computer. All of a sudden I started to hear some rumbling and felt the ground shaking. The dishes in the kitchen were rattling and at first I just assumed it was a large truck driving by. The intensity of the shaking grew and I quickly realized what was going on. Ethan did not appear scared but more startled at my reaction. I quickly jumped up, grabbed him off the couch and first stood under a doorway in the house, and then ran outside. By the time I got outside it was over. The whole thing probably last 5 or 6 seconds but felt like an eternity. Of course the phone lines were jammed but Bryan and I were able to connect within a few minutes to ensure that everyone was okay. I was pretty shaken (pardon the pun) as the severity of what could have been dawned on me. Ethan came home from school today and told me that "when there the ground moves and shakes, you get under the tables". Crazy that at this age they teach them that but it is never too early to learn! This was the first quake of its magnitude to hit a populated area so it felt a lot stronger but it has been 15 years since an earthquake has hit the area. Let's hope it is another 15 or more until the next one! Sure makes New England snowstorms seem like no big deal compared to the disasters earthquakes can cause!

In other news, I had an ultrasound on Tuesday morning and all looks well with Baby Phillips. Ethan was with me and got a kick out of seeing the baby on the screen. The baby is measuring on the small side but within the normal range so all is well. It will be weird to have an "average" sized baby after the gigantic baby that Ethan was. Maybe this baby will actually fit into newborn clothes unlike his older brother!

Ethan continues to love his new school which is a relief as we were worried about the transition to a new school especially given the timing, only a few months before the baby. Swim lessons continue to be good and tonight, Ethan did a back float totally on his own for the first time! We were very proud and he has made so much progress that we signed him up for more lessons. He is not a fan of getting in the water at the beginning, (especially since Bryan and I are no longer getting in the water with him) but once he is in, he has a ball.

An afternoon under the big top

Yesterday afternoon we took Ethan to see the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus. It was really an amazing show and it had been so long since I've been to the circus that I forgot how much fun it was. From the moment we told Ethan we were going he was so excited. We got there a little bit early as there was a "meet and greet" with the performers and some of the animals. Ethan did not want to go down to the main floor and just sat in his seat awestruck, he wouldn't even eat his hot dog. He barely said a word the entire show, just kept his eyes glued to the performers and the animals. He waved to all the performers and clapped after each performance so he was definitely paying attention. Most of the clowns' jokes went over his head and I think without a doubt his favorite part was any act that involved animals, especially the elephants and tigers. He was so exhausted from all the excitement that he actually fell asleep on the way home.

This was one of the most amazing stunts I have ever seen as inside this cage there were up to 7 men driving on motorcycles at one time! This picture only has 3 as I was too amazed to take another when there were 7 in there!

A very exciting weekend indeed for Ethan and things are only going to get more interesting around our house. Ethan clearly senses that there is change in the air as we've been setting up the nursery and there is no missing my big belly. He constantly asks me when I am going to go to the hospital to have the doctor take the baby out of my belly. I only wish it were that easy!

Lake Shasta- July 4th, 2008

As promised, I finally uploaded our pictures from our vacation to Lake Shasta in Northern California over the 4th of July. We had a blast and enjoyed some nice family time. Ethan really loved boating and being on the water, in fact at one point he fell asleep while out on the jet ski with Bryan! We rented a house with a great bunch of people and just relaxed each day out by the lake. Here are some pictures of our trip.

Ethan and Hailey enjoying a picnic lunch
Loving the lake!
Swimming in the lake with the big boys
The Lake Shasta clan

Lounging on the raft with Daddy
Ready to roll!

A little too much rolling
Captain Phillips!

Ethan giving his signature "look"

Since our trip we have been getting back into the daily routine. We just had a wonderful visit from our good friend Jim who came out from Boston to go the the Red Sox/Angels series with Bryan. Although the Red Sox were swept by the Angels, it was great to see Jim and Ethan of course loved having another guest at the house. The weather has been cooperating so I am not too miserable and only have about 6 more weeks to go until life gets even crazier!

Updates coming soon

I have not forgotten about this blog but our computer was getting a "summer cleaning" and we have to re-upload all of our programs, including my camera software. We just returned from a 5 day vacation at Lake Shasta in beautiful Northern California. We flew into Sacramento and then drove 2 1/2 hours north to this unbelievable lake. We rented a house with 8 other people and had a blast. Spent all our time on the lake swimming, boating and relaxing. Ethan had a ball and loved riding on the ski boat and the jet skis! Unfortunately I was not able to partake in any boating or jet skiing but still managed to have a good time and relax. I took tons of pictures and will post them once we are up and running on our computer.
IN other news, Ethan and Bryan are going camping this weekend with two other dads and their sons. It was a father's day present for them all. I am not sure who benefits most from this gift, them or me getting a night to myself!! Stay tuned...