Jon Troast

This guy is fantastic. He's a singer/songwriter from Lake Geneva, WI. But he's also an alum of my alma mater. What's super-cool is that his big tour this year involves people's living rooms! He is on a $100 tour, where people invite him into their homes to play for groups of friends and family. My sister, who heard him first on A Prairie Home Companion, set up a tour stop in her living room last night. Jon is warm, fun, and uber-talented.

This video is for her kids' favorite song -- Knock-Down Stupid. Gee, ya wonder why the 2-year-old likes it? He loves telling us that "Jon Tost sing 'knock-down toopid,' like dat. He good."

Check out his stuff. You'll be glad you did.

25 weeks, 5 days

Geez, I look pregnant. What a difference between now and a few weeks ago. But people continue to tell me I am "tiny." Tell that to my too-tight pants!

Last night The Kid kept me up for an hour, kicking away. He was absolutely still all day long, and then at 11:30 he decides its time for a work-out.

Not that I'm complaining (well, maybe a little...). But it's really, really fun - and a little weird - to see little bulges pop out of my belly. It's like Alien, but for Real. And not as creepy.

Aren't they lovely?

It's been a great, fun weekend in Grand Rapids with my nieces and nephews.



This morning Anton (age 5) told me that he only has 4 fingers on one hand, and proceeded to count - beginning with zero - from his thumb to his pinky. We have a future Enron accountant on our hands.


Then there's Hannah, a precocious and precious little girl. Besides thoroughly enjoying bossing her little brothers around, she also loves music, art, dance -- anything artistic, really. She and Anton did a sign version of the Lord's Prayer with their "signing choir" at church, and Hannah did all the motions with grace and feeling.



And this little guy, Christian (pictured here with Lallow Caw) looked at me yesterday afternoon and said, with a big grin on his face, "Auntie Naw, you make me happy." I just about smothered the poor kid with kisses right then and there!

Preparations

I'm 24 weeks pregnant today, and I'm pleased to say that everything is going really well! The kid is regularly practicing his Tae Bo in my belly, all the tests have come out just fine, and I'm feeling great.

Whenever I see this oh-so-cute little hat (Thanks, Mimi!) I think about what our son (our son!) will be like. Will he have a big smile and quick wit like his daddy? Will he easily surpass his mommy in musical talent? I have so many questions and worries, hopes and dreams. And I realize with a (joyful) start that I get to keep on hoping and dreaming along with this kid for the rest of our lives! What a blessing, and what a responsibility, to be chosen to watch over him as he grows.

Most of all, when I look at this little hat, I can't wait to meet the little guy and see him in it! It was knit by his grandma with so much care and love. And I know that more than anything else, this kid will be loved deeply and unconditionally. Indeed, he already is!

Dr. SO'B

Congrats to SO'B on his very successful dissertation defense! His committee (pictured below) gave the New Doctor the respect of asking very difficult questions, which he handled with intelligence and grace. I'm so proud!

C'mon, be a man.