Wow, we finally have a summer

We actually had weather in the 90's all weekend. How about that? Of course, we've been so used to the cold/wet days, that now we're complaining it's way too hot. Even Rocky can't stand it.



Took advantage of the weather as much we could. Took Rocky to the dog park for a swim. Silly boy remembered how to swim. I got a good video, but you tube can't upload it for some reason. I'll post it when I get it working.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

You guys remember this video from high school physics class?



It's a video of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsing. It's a bridge here in Washington about a half hour south of Seattle. It's an example of resonance or something like that. Anyway, here's a pic of what it looks like now.



So what's so special about this bridge? Nothing except the fact that I had to pay a $3 toll to drive across it today. First time I've ever had to pay a toll. Sucks to live on the other side of that bridge and have to pay that everyday.

Diaper dilemma

Ivy and I have started our baby classes. We've learned a lot so far and now it's coming down to making some choices. I'm still debating which way to go as far as diapers.

There's a lot to choose from beginning with disposables that of course fill up the land fills and the cloth diapers that I have to wash myself. But now there's also a new one called G Diaper where you actually flush the dirty diaper pad in your toilet and wash it away. It's a LOT more expensive though.



So here's what I'm thinking of doing. I'm going to get the outer 'pants' shell from G Diaper which looks really cool. It has a platic insert where you put in the disposable pad. But instead of buying the spendy pad, I'm going to put in cloth diapers.

It's the best of both worlds where I'm not filling up land fills and not spending an arm and a leg for diapers every month. The cloth diapers you can buy one time and use them until your baby is potty trained. Research also shows that baby's learn to potty train much faster on cloth diapers because they can feel when they're wet.

Who knows how long this will last, but I'm going to give it a good try. If not, I always have Costco diapers to fall back on.

Baby Mama

This is a pic of Ivy and Amy at Amy's baby shower at Golden Gardens Beach. Dave and Amy are 3 weeks ahead of us. They are having a boy named Oscar.

I seem to have a lot of friends having babies. I guess my daughter will have a lot of friends when she grows up.

Right lane driving

So I read an article one day to increase the gas mileage in your car. I'm sure most of you have read these articles before. But did you ever implement any of the recommendations?

Well I finally did. Before I was averaging 275 miles per tank in normal commute driving. If I drive a lot on the freeways, I would barely push 300 miles per tank. On average I get 18 miles/gallon.

I've now implented a lot of rules that I'll list for you and have gotten for 2 tanks now 355 miles per tank or 23 miles/gallon. Not bad for simply changing my driving habits.

Here's what I did:

1. Most important, drive in the right lane on the freeways. I never drive more than 60 mph. If I go over that I take my foot off the pedal and let my car coast. Or if I'm going downhill, I let the car coast for as long as I can without slowing down other cars.

2. Accelarate slowly. I always try to time myself going into a red light or stop sign so that when it turns green or it's my turn to go, my car is still somewhat moving. It's accelarating from a dead stop that uses the most gas.

3. When going up hill, accelarate slightly and keep your foot steady. Instead of gasing to maintain a certain speed, just keep your foot steady. Of course the car will slow down, but so what.

Try this and see how far you can push one tank of gas.

Good Shit

Saw this in the supermarket the other day. Being how Ivy and I like apple pies, we wanted to try this out. It comes frozen in a box of four for like $4. You put it in the toaster oven for 20 minutes and you're good to go. Add and scoop of vanilla ice cream, delicous. Good, hot and flaky.

Mini Ivy on the way....

Here are some pics from our most recent ultrasound. After all the complications we had over the past few months, the doctor now says that Ivy and the baby is perfectly healthy. If she continues at the pace, the baby should be a little over 7 pounds upon arrival.

These 3D pics are so cool. Look she got Ivy's nose.

Ivy has now started her 3rd trimester. In this last 3 months the baby will more than double it's weight. Ivy's feeling really tired but otherwise doing well.