Happy, Happy Birthday To My Noelley-Belly

December 30, 2005 2:28am.....she came into the world and I became known as,"Mommy." I can hardly believe three years have gone by since that moment.

Noelle is such an amazing little girl. We all love her so very much. She has energy that goes on for days, is smart as a whip, and absolutely enjoys life to it's fullest. She runs, jumps, plays, screams and gets into all kinds of trouble. She has so many songs memorized and loves to sing them all day long. My personal favorite is "Dangerous" by Akon, she gets that from her Father.

Noelle has had the perfect little girl birthday. She got to eat M&M's & Cheetos for breakfast (thanks Aunt Amy!), and Auntie came over to bring her presents and a Mickey Mouse balloon. We then took a yummy lunch of Baked Ziti, Salad, Bread, Grapes and Cupcakes to the park to play and eat with her friends. After the park, we came home and she got to play with Jake and Norah some more. Everyone was so thoughtful and gave her such wonderful gifts. Clothes, coloring books, movies, and Strawberry Shortcake galore. She's already had so much fun playing with everything.

We had plans to go out with Daddy tonight but we were just all too tired. Noelle ate leftovers with Daddy and is already asleep. She went to bed with a dirty face and so many happy memories. What more could a little girl ask for?

I love you, sweet baby girl. Thank you for picking me!

No pictures......still having technical difficulties. Hopefully, we can fix it tomorrow.

Merry Christmas!

To all of those we know and love!

Each and every single one of you bless our lives so much and we are so grateful. May we all remember His example as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

We can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for our family.

Sick House

Don't come near our house unless you are wearing some kind of protective gear!

Noelle has had the stomach flu. Madeleine has an infection in both eyes. Yesterday I woke up feeling like I had been run over by a semi...I only got out of bed to use the bathroom. Aaron woke up this morning feeling bad, but I am thinking maybe he wanted to stay home from church.

Hopefully, tomorrow we will all be healthy and we can celebrate the holidays!

What We've Been Up To...

I've been having technical issues and can't upload most pictures.

Things have been going really well. Madeleine is the best baby anyone could ask for. She's nursing great and growing like a weed.....gained 1o ozs and grew 3/4 inch in a week. Really only cries when she is hungry and is just plain perfect.

Noelle is still totally in loooooooooooove and is such a good big sister/helper. Daddy has found a new love of his life, too.

We've just been loving these days home spending time together as a new family of four. It was rough for me the first few days, I was scared but things have just been so smooth. Let's hope things don't blow up for us now that I've gone public!

We're Home

She is just a precious angel sent here from Heaven. Literally.

We're Off

I got a call yesterday afternoon that there would be a change in plans and I will be going in this morning instead of this evening. Kind of messed up my plans, but that's OK. She'll be here 12 hours earlier. So, I am up right now, the house is still quiet and dark. I will spend many nights/mornings like this over the next few weeks/months.

I had plans to make a nice dinner as our 'last night' together as a family of three but the change in plans changed that, too. Instead we dined with a $5 Little Cesaers Pizza and drank Crystal Light. I put Noelle to bed by myself, Daddy normally does it but I wanted to be with her. I laid there forever feeling her soft skin, smelling her smell, and listening to her breath. I could have stayed there all night. I cannot believe how big she is and how fiercely I love her. All I can hope is that she is this change is a positive one for her, that she loves having a baby around, and does not feel abandoned in any way.

Then Aaron and I got our blankets and got comfy on the couch, ate Oreos with milk while we watched a couple of shows in our DVR. Of course, I fell asleep, as always. Nothing special but typical of us, except the Oreos. That was a totally random purchase when I ran to the store for a couple of things. I wanted something random.

I just feel so blessed to have an opportunity to be in this situation. I really am blessed.

We will update as soon as we can!

We're Ready For You!

We've been like little busy bees today getting all of the last minute stuff ready. Washing car seat covers, putting together swings, all sorts of fun stuff! Aaron had a 'Honey-Do' list about a mile long and has been checking them all off like a champ.

It's like Old Mother Hubbard around here, we are about ready to leave and get our provisions for the next couple of weeks. I think I might even buy some frozen pizzas and burritos. *Gasp!*

As I am typing Noelle came by, hugged my leg and said, "I love Madeleine." Seriously? Precious.

Alright baby girl, let's go!

'D' Day

I saw Cooper yesterday. He wants me to come in Tuesday night at 8:00 for cervadil. I'm so conflicted. I want to go into labor on my own, labor as long as I can at home, then go to the hospital to deliver.

So, please say a prayer, cross your fingers, have a seance, light a candle, do a dance, ask Buddha, whatever method you prescribe to, that labor comes on its own.

Tonight I have a Manicure & Pedicure and tomorrow I am getting my haircut, so Saturday would be my day of choice. NOT that I am picky or anything. Seriously though, I would do a happy dance in between contractions if something happens before Tuesday night.

~~

Oh, and I have valances! And I love them! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Sorry they're so dark. Stinking camera, I could not get it to work. I will get better pictures up.

Knott's Horrible Farm

Due to do the fires, Knotts was bad and I mean BAD. When we got out of the car I turned to Aaron and said, "We've literally been dropped off at the gates of Hell." I now know what it's going to be like when I get there for bad things I have done and said. HOT, WINDY, SMOKY, ASH.

The 'picnic' part was sort of tolerable. But when we went to the actual park, things go really bad. The ash was pouring down on us. The crazy part was, the place was packed. People were swarming everywhere, walking around with masks and paper towels over their faces. Insane.

Aaron got in line for one ride, I called him 5 minutes later and told him there was no way we were going to make it. One ride took over an hour. Noelle and I walked some and tried to hide in the store.

But, we did get one picture. She actually wanted it. She went back and forth a few times, it just took her awhile to get used to him.

There Are Only A Few True Joys In Life...

Noelle has discovered one of them...licking the beater.

Bummer...

"It's shut like the gates of...the gates of...the gates of I don't know where." My cervix according to Cooper

I was really, really hoping for some progress but nope. Her head has moved down more, so that is good. Hopefully, next week will be different. He put me on his schedule for an induction on the 25th. I am not dead set on it, we will see how this week progresses. A scheduled induction is NOOOOOOOOOOT what I want.

Dr. Tamagna does, though, she's all for it. She reduced my PTU from 300mg to 200mg! Very good news. She wants to keep an eagle eye on things until delivery so I did blood work Friday, more today, and again next Friday, then I see her for an appointment on the 24th. Hopefully, we can reduce again this week. But, we need to be prepared for an huge up-swing after delivery and she told me not to hope for remission. My thyroid has been too resistant and the gland is still really big so, there ya go.

We're going to Knott's Berry Farm tomorrow courtesy of Ecolab. Aaron's group met their 3rd quarter goal in spite of this horrible economy, so they won a party. Couldn't you just give us the money instead? But, walking is good, right? We'll see how long I last.

Moral Dilemma

I had about 20 errands to run. I was getting them accomplished but every store was a series of unfortunate events. Buckled Noelle in her car seat only to realize I walked out of the store without my bag. After going in and out of Gymboree three times finally decide to get the Christmas Dresses, then realize my coupon expired. Seriously. My brain cells are starved for Oxygen. But, I kept on going! I drove by Mervyns and realized I have a credit and since they are going out of business I would use it.

We walked around forever looking at 100 different things but nothing was really that good of deal. Total waste of time. Do the whole car seat thing, break down the stroller heave it into the back of the car, and realize I don't have my wallet. Search everywhere on the brink of tears looking for it. Praying I dropped it, we head back into the store. My back is killing me and I'm so upset. I find an employee and she is nice but is not much help. Find a manager, but no luck. No wallet.

I do one more sweep and I FIND MY WALLET! I am so relieved, I can hardly speak.

I look up to realize the original employee was there. Long story short, she asks me for a ride home. Crud! I have no idea what to do. It's 8:00pm and really cold outside. I tell her I still have to go to Trader Joe's and Target. She says that's fine because she still has to clock out and will wait for me out front. What do I do? If it were just me I would have done it, but I'm incredibly pregnant with a toddler in the car, it makes me really uncomfortable. I now have a major inner conflict. I just received a HUGE blessing by finding my wallet and now is my chance to be Christ-like and return the favor, right? But, by letting a stranger into my car?

Luckily, Target was a disaster, it took an hour. No way she waited that long. Whew! Dodged that scene.

I am at the light in front of Mervyn's again and look who is crossing the street in front of my car! The lady who asked for a ride. AHHHHHHH! What do I do? Honk, and tell her to get in? I just sat there with my mouth hanging open and let her walk home.

I have felt guilty for two days.

~~

We went on our hospital tour last night. Hopefully, I have a better experience at Northridge than I did at Holy Cross. Yipeeeee!

Fun, Relaxing Weekend...And A Good Size Baby

We were supposed to go out of town for Aaron's work this weekend but due to 'The State of the Union' they have suspended spending money so we stayed home. Auntie and Unc were sad that they were not going to get Noelle for the weekend so they asked if they could still have her Friday night. No problemo!

Aaron pretty much always lets me decide what we are going to do/eat. I MADE him choose this time, being that this is probably the last hoo-rah before baby comes. He chose Olive Garden...seriously? So many choices? But, I had to keep my mouth shut. I just had soup and the next day looked like I'd been injected with saline solution from all the salt. Then he decided he wanted Diddy Reese, free gas is so good! Driving to Santa Monica for ice cream is not a big deal. A basketball game just let out so the line was around the block. Argh. We waited for about 45 minutes. The cookies were extra tasty this time, so it was almost worth it.

Saturday morning we stayed in bed until 8:00, BLISS! Walked to Jamba Juice to use a gift card I've had forever. Then got ready and went to pick up Noelle because we had a big surprise planned!

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE was making an appearance at our local Toys'R'Us. She was excited from afar. Close up, not so much.

The Care Bear, she freaked out.

That's alright. See you guys on TV!

~~

Childhood at it's best! Hanging off the side of the cart while we run down the hill!

We had nothing else planned for the day...a miracle. We got home had sandwiches and all took naps, BLISS! Noelle slept for 4 hours. It felt so nice to have a Saturday evening to hang out at home. Bedtime was a rough but it was worth it.

~~

On another note my appointment with Tabsh went really well, after waiting for more than two hours. He said a 38 week delivery would be just fine but he wants Tamagna to reduce my PTU dose before delivery. Baby weighs 6.5 pounds! Gaining an ounce a day from here on out puts us at an 8.5 pound baby two weeks early. He asked me what 'Crazy Cooper' was up to and I told him he kissed me. "OOOOH! Dat crazy man! You know dat is da kiss of a father, right?" On my way out I hear all the nurses giggling, "Did you hear that Crazy Cooper kissed her?"

Jesus Heals!

About a month ago I posted this request for our friends who were told they had a very sick baby.

Here is a portion of an e-mail from Mommy directly:

.....Well my friends, prayer is real. Miracles happen and God is so good!

We had an appointment with the doctor for another ultrasound yesterday. I was hoping for the best, but trying to be prepared for more of the same bad news for our little baby boy. I have to tell you again faith is real and prayers are answered. As he looked at the ultrasound screen the specialist said that the change in our boy was remarkable, that if he hadn't seen us a month ago he wouldn't have known this baby ever had faced the problems he had. The umbilical cord is exactly as it should be. His brain is normal and growing. The problem in his intestine is almost completely healed. His heart appears to be slightly further to the left than it should be, but apparently this can be a common problem that usually fixes itself or is easily corrected. We do need to keep that in our thoughts and prayers, but we are so far from where we were a month ago....

When she received the diagnosis that her baby was so sick her brother said, "I don't know what those Mormons believe but you tell her that JESUS HEALS!" For whatever reason it lightened the situation and brought some comic relief. We have giggled about it and carried on the motto that, JESUS HEALS! Whether you believe in God or not this is an amazing miracle, one to be celebrated!

We love you baby boy, here's to a Happy and Healthy 4 more months!

Cutest Witch Ever

Halloween was a blast. Noelle loved every minute of it and so did we! Wednesday night we went to our ward's Trunk or Treat. Noelle's green face was traumatizing, but she soon got over it. Friday night she could not wait for the 'green and sparkles.' Auntie and Unc came with us while she skipped from house to house saying, "Let's get some candy!" In barely over an hour her bucket was filled twice, our neighborhood is perfect for trick or treaters. The streets were flooded with little ones (and not so little ones). We went home finished the night off with some pizza, a bath, then crashed in bed. It was perfect.

Washing and Terrified

What am I doing this morning you ask? Washing all kinds of teeny, tiny, socks, sweater sets, receiving blankets and the like. How on earth was it that she was ever so small?

I saw Cooper yesterday morning. They've begun... He did the Group B Strep test and then when feeling my belly realized her head was no longer up where he could feel it. So, he checked me and she sure is 'engaged.' He's lucky we're still friends after that whole scene. I told him that you don't need to be a doctor to figure that one out, I could have told him her head was coming down. He said given everything I've got going on he would "be willing to do anything he could to help me get delivered by the 24th or 25th." That's exactly three weeks away. I'm officially terrified.

He told me to be happy that it's almost over. And that I looked 'all sexy with my new hair cut and ready to have a baby.' No, I have not had my haircut but thanks for the compliment? Sexy and I certainly do not belong in the same sentence, period. Especially coming from you. Especially when you are sitting there with the rattiest baseball cap, three pairs of reading glasses on your head, a scrub shirt, cargo shorts, no socks, penny loafers, and some weird 2 sizes too big fleece jacket with moose all over it. Luckily, he took off the baby blue scarf already. He says he feels bad because patients always give him all kinds of gifts and he never gets a chance to use them so some days he just puts on random stuff.

I see Tabsh tomorrow and Tamagna on Monday so we'll see how those two appointments go.

Election Day

As election day looms ahead everyone is all over the board...there is a palpable energy everywhere we go.

I have started this post over many, many times. Putting my feelings into a few sentences is not possible so I will say this:

Please don't automatically think those who support Proposition 8 are discriminators, haters, intolerant, ignorant, or have no compassion. There are so very many reasons that have nothing to do with sexual orientation or religious convictions including social changes, civil rights, fiscal ramifications, personal values, moral values, and so on.

I support Proposition 8 in order to preserve the definition of marriage that has been on this earth since the beginning of the human race. One man and one woman is the only union that can create a child...this should be the TRADITIONAL definition of marriage.

If you want to enter into a union with someone of the same sex you should be able to do that. You should have your own seperate definition.

In 2000 California voted on Proposition 22 to define marriage as between a man and a woman and it passed. The way the Supreme Court overturned this was WRONG......it should worry you that 4 judges would decide "that the peoples feelings or perceptions have changed." This is not how our judicial system was set up to work and it could lead us to dangerous places.

Seperation of Church and State

I believe in a higher power, in a creator, in God, a Father in Heaven who created a divine plan for those of us on earth. His plan includes a Mother, a Father, and children. This is not always possible or ideal, but it's what we should strive for.

~~

I am beyond BLESSED and GRATEFUL to live in this free country. We can complain all we want about this government (I have done my fair share) but truth be told it is the best government this world has to offer. I would rather live here than any other country.

May our Heavenly Father bless you, those you love, and your wonderful families with all you want and stand in need of. May this election bring great things to pass for us. May we find renewed faith and hope in the common man, for that is what we all are, common. May we learn to love, respect and understand each other better. May we learn to be more forgiving and less contentious.

Our Little Ecolab Associate

In case you did not know Aaron works for a company called, "Ecolab." He sells cleaning supplies, chemicals, laundry, etc. to hotels and restaurants. Obviously, since we get most stuff for free I use that at home (even though the glass cleaner leaves streaks.)

Please forgive me for tooting my Mommy horn right now. Noelle loves reading and has started to recognize words and spells some everyday words.

Yesterday, I am cleaning the bathroom mirror and I hear Noelle say something. I turn around and she says it again. I just had to get it on video.

It's official....she's a reading genius. :)

Just A Joke...Kinda...

I want to keep politics off my blog, but this made me laugh!

I honestly CANNOT WAIT until this election is over and done with!

Baby Shower

I have the best friends ever! We got together Saturday for a little baby shower and it was so much fun. The food was yummy, the gifts were amazing, and the conversation was even better.

Thanks to everyone who came and those who pitched in to get us a co-sleeper.

With Noelle we had a hand-me-down bassinet that went into the garbage afterwards, it had seen better days. I always wanted to be as close to baby as possible but do not sleep well at all when she is right next to me, so this should be the perfect solution.

Kelsi made me this really special book Madeleine: The First Year that includes calendar pages and notes so that we can quickly jot down what happens each day, such a great way to journal her fist year!

All of the gifts were really special, I cannot list them all. The outfits are just precious, it will be really nice for her to have some of her own new clothes. Thanks everyone for coming, I felt so loved!

~~

Noelle had a special day, also. She went to her friend's Princess Birthday Party. It was my kind of party, too, because I got to drop her off and come back when it was over. An hour and a half goes by so fast!

After the party this princess was just plain pooped...

Later she had more fun with the party favors than any little girl ever!

Dr. Tamagna & Other Things

Check me out! I'm quite impressed with all of my recent posts, aren't you?

Doctor Updates: I saw the 'Thyroid Nazi' Dr. Tamagna today and there was such a HUGE difference between her and Dr. Mach. First of all she was way more thorough. Actually used instruments to measure my eyes and my goiter (my thyroid is 4 times the size of a normal one but feels soft with no nodules), among other things. Second, there are several ways to measure thyroid function. Dr. Mach said that the only way to truly monitor thyroid function during pregnancy is to use the Free T3 & T4 and my Free T3 is still really, really high. Dr. Tamagna said that latest research indicates you go by the Total (free & uptake) because during pregnancy proteins bind differently than normal so the amount of Free T3 & T4 is not truly accurate. Have I lost you all? Obviously, a huge difference between the two doctors. My Total T3 is still higher than it needs to be but not drastically. Which is good news! She will keep me on the high dose of PTU for the next 3 weeks and then see where we are.

Lesson for all of you: GET A SECOND OPINION even if you think you are getting sufficient care.

I saw Cooper today and what an visit it was! Since I did not have Noelle we were able to talk politics and all kinds of other good stuff. He never ceases to surprise me. As I was walking out he grabbed both sides of my face and told me how great I looked "not all buggy eyed and weird" and then puckered his lips all big and kissed me! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ha ha ha ha!

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Belly Shot 33 Weeks

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Noelle sleeping on the floor with all of her blankets on top...then in her bed where she should be. What an angel...

You Want Me To Do What?

So, I got see Dr. Tabsh yesterday. He's doing the ultrasound and talking to me about my lab work and stuff. I can tell he doesn't like the way Dr. Mach has been handling things. My T3 is still high....has only tested my Antibodies once (these are what make me sick and can pass through the placenta giving the baby a goiter and causing her to be born with a hyper thyroid), etc. I hear him mumbling to himself, things like, "Hmm well if your T4 is converting...and the PTU...then you shouldn't...yadda...yadda." Then he says, "I've been telling you to go see Tamagna, why don't you listen to me?" Well she's been in Italy, but I have an appointment on Friday. "OK, do you have a car with you because I want you to go to UCLA right now and have labs drawn." It's almost 5 O'clock and you want me to get on the 405 and drive to UCLA? You must be stoned! He draws me a very detailed map, writes turn by turn directions so I can find the exact location, writes up with lab sheet and I'm on my way.

Traffic is surprisingly light even though I am going the opposite direction of traffic and I'm enjoying my music. When I get off the freeway my troubles begin. I must have missed something because I am now in Bel-Air and I know UCLA is the other direction. I use my GPS to get me back to where I need to be. I don't know where to park because I am no longer able to use his map. I just pick a place and start walking (I seriously could not have picked a better meter in the world, I was guided there!) I see to my right "Main Hospital" I see to my left a brand new building "UCLA Medical Plaza." I think the plaza must be doctors offices and the right is the actual hospital where I need to find the lab, right? I cross the street and my mission continues. My time working at the U and the cancer institute has really come in handy because I am familiar with navigating the dark labyrinth halls of a medical/research facility all rolled into one. I find an information desk, the guy does not know where the lab is, someone else says it has moved over to the new Ronald Reagan Hospital across the street (does not click for me). They give me specific instructions to find the 'H' elevators and to make make several right and left turns, then out the doors and the hospital is across the street (still does not click). I not so easily find my way out of there and out the door. There is the UCLA Medical Plaza which is the new hospital! DUH! I look down at the map Tabsh drew and now I realize what he was saying. I find the lab and it takes me about 10 minutes from the time I enter to the time I am out, even having a student phlebotomist draw the labs.

I was terrified of the traffic on the way home. It was really heavy but to my utter amazement was moving. I made it home about 8:00. What an adventure!

See Any Resemblance?

Being A Mom Is Hard!

Do you ever feel that is just plain gets old having to be a strict parent? Constantly being the enforcer is no fun! Sometimes I just want to smile and laugh or let things slide. But if I do this spirited child of mine will take over the house and turn into a wild child. Not fair to her or to anyone who has to associate with her. When she is an adult I am going to tell her if you would have just listened for once or followed the rules like you are supposed to things could have been so much more fun for you! But, nooooooo you had to always push the limits, do things you KNOW are dangerous, and just plain be naughty. She had better use all of this spunk and determination to do something BIG. Like curing cancer, world hunger, or something to that affect.

On that note anyone ever been successful at getting nail polish out of a favorite shirt?

Thanks for the vent.

Mama loves you Noelle.....you're still my favorite person.

. . . Prayers Please. . .

As you say your prayers this night and as we have fast Sunday tomorrow we are asking that you remember our dear friend's baby boy. She is currently pregnant, there are no 100% definite answers at this point as to a diagnosis or what the exact outcome will be but this sweet angel baby has some abnormalities with his brain and heart. Testing is still under way but they have gotten preliminary results that rule out some viruses that could be worst case scenario.

Again, please remember baby boy, his Mommy and Daddy, and big sister in your prayers and thoughts for their comfort and the best outcome possible for their little family.

Good Quote

"We are living in a time of great crisis. The country is torn with scandal and with criticism, with faultfinding and condemnation. It is an easy thing to climb on the bandwagon and join the hotheads in condemnation, little realizing that when they do, they are not just tearing down a man, they are tearing down a nation, and they are striking at the underpinnings of one of the greatest of all nations of the world – a nation that was founded upon an inspired declaration we call the Constitution of the United States. The Lord said it was written by men whom he raised up for that very purpose, and that Constitution stands today as a model to all nations to pattern their lives.” Harold B Lee, Ricks College 1973

“While it is true there are dangers and difficulties that lie ahead of us, we must not assume that we are going to lie down and watch the country go to ruin. We should not be heard to predict ills and calamities for the nation. You must remember, brethren, that this Church is one of the most powerful agencies for the progress of the world, and we should all bear our testimonies [so] that we … all sound with one voice. We must tell the world how we feel about this land and this nation and bear our testimonies about the great mission and destiny that it has.

“It is the negative, pessimistic comments about the nation that do as much harm as anything to the country today. Brethren, we must tell them in a positive way what they should be doing. We should not be so concerned about finding out what is wrong with America, but we should be finding what is right about America and should be speaking optimistically and enthusiastically about America.” –Harold B Lee, Ricks College 1973

Jones Look-alike Meter

When Noelle has a poopy face she looks more like her Daddy!

THANKS, Denise!

Jones Look-alike Meter

When Noelle has a happy face she looks more like her Mommy!

Goodbye Scarlett...Hello Canary Island

For my birthday Aunt Lorrie took me shopping and we picked out fabric to make valences for our family room. We were not able to find anything I liked that worked with the red. So we decided we would just have to paint. Lucky me, Uncle Larry agreed to do it. As you can imagine this color is not easy to paint over. He's awesome and did a great job.

Good-bye Scarlett, it was good while it lasted.

Hello Canary Island! I hope we have a good time together.

Now it's time to get sewing!

Anniversary Day

It was great that our anniversary landed on a Saturday. We spent the day as a family because when you think about it, we have very few left as a family of three. Soon Noelle will be invaded by a newborn and life as she knows it will be over. Aaron suggested we take her to the beach because that really is her favorite thing to do. It was really overcast and foggy but it did not affect her at all, as always, she had a the best time ever.

Playing with BIGGEST sand crab I have ever seen. Aaron dug it up and Noelle was so curious until the thing started moving. She squealed like a little girl and ran away, she came back and was still really interested as long as it did not touch her.

~~

That evening we went out to dinner, just the two of us. Aaron made reservations at a restaurant in Malibu right on the beach. He got us a table on the top floor looking right out the window. Unfortunately, we were a little late and missed the sunset but really enjoyed our time together. I actually wore high heels somewhere other than church!