The mighty susquehanna river

When Nate and I drove into Pennsylvania for the first time, we crossed over a river with these beautiful arched bridges. I have since then been to visit that sight again. I have now found out a little more about it. This is the market street bridge that goes across the Susquehanna river in Harrisburg through the capitol. This river is 444 miles long, the longest river on the American east coast, and 16th longest in U.S. And here in Harrisburg it's almost a mile wide. F.Y.I

A visit from an old friend

My dear friend Amber was in New Jersey this summer while her husband did an internship. We weren't able to meet up in PA, but on their way back home they drove through Baltimore so we met them there and had a delicious lunch at the cheesecake factory. (our favorite) and walked around the harbor in the blistering heat.
It was so fun to see her and J.P. and their darling little boy Corbin.

Corbin

I just love this little guy. His hair got curlier and curlier the hotter and more humid it got.

A day with DAD at Hershey park

Nate actually got Labor day off, so we decided to take him to Hershey Park and show him all our favorite rides. We had a great time, Nate even went on a few of the coasters which I hear one is really intense. Maybe next year I'll go on a few, when there isn't another human being growing inside me.

cobbing for corn

So Liam has turned into the worlds most picky eater. It drives mom crazy, and dad continues to inform me that he won't starve himself and he'll eat when he's ready. However of the few things he will eat on a regular basis, one is a vegetable. He LOVES corn on the cob. So when we passed a stand selling them we had to buy one.

Hogle Zoo

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(If you put your cursor over the picture and click the captions will show up.)
So we tried to pack in all the fun things while we were in Utah for the wedding. Our cousin Claire was there too, so it made for fun filled days. One of the days we went to the Zoo. Always a hit with the kiddies. Everyone had asked me if we'd seen the white alligator exhibit?? I was a little confused since there is ALWAYS a white alligator exhibit at the New Orleans zoo. (It's where they were found, and are on loan from.) Come to find out I learned more about them in UT. They really are an animal that will go extinct since there were only Males that were found to be white. In other words if it comes to your zoo go see it otherwise you will miss out!

I want to Crow

I swear the rooster understood what I was saying???

Wheeler Farmer

So they have a running farm in Utah so all us "city Kids" can see what it would be like to live on a farm. Liam had a blast! Especially with the roosters if you hadn't noticed.

A day at the pool.

The weather was so HOT while we were there that we spent a couple afternoons at the pool. I think Liam was a fish in another life, cause every time he sees water he grows gills. You can't get him in a swim diaper fast enough!

Taking after his Grandpas

While we were in Utah we stopped by Grandpa Poulson's office to get Nate's teeth cleaned and wanted to see how Liam would do. He was all about the models and the blues clues doll, he even enjoyed the "ride" in the chair. But as soon as we asked him to say Ahhhh. He was outta there. But not until he got a feel of being Stevie Wonder, and he still walked out of there with a new tooth brush.

The Ring Boy.

I laugh everytime I see this. I'm not sure if it's the fact that I'm dragging my son up the isle, or that he covers his face in the end? You decide.

Mr. and Mrs. Darin Poulson

The main reason we were just in Utah was for Nates little brother darin's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and we're so happy to have added Andi to the family. I've really been lucky in the sister-in-law department. Justin no pressure but you better marry like the rest! Love you Darin and Andi.

Wedding day parade

You know how with every wedding something has to go wrong? Well with Darin and Andi's, no one told them that it was also the same day as the Alpine days parade. The road to the center was closed becuase of the parade which made everyone late and get los. But the best part was this little train that would race through the parking lot carrying screaming kids and ringing their bells. All in all not a major catastrophe but something we'll always remember.

Purple Princess

The Kiddos

It was so fun to have everyone home for the wedding. We especially enjoyed our cousin Claire.
Liam has also taken to lying on the floor everywhere we go.

This was my favorite picture of the day. The wedding was held at an art center where there was an entire gallery of brass statues. I caught Liam getting a quick one.

6 years and counting

My hottie husband. Doesn't he look good in purple?

I'm happy the Elmo book made it into most the pictures. I should get some kind of kick back from Sesame Street for the advertising.

In our Sunday best!

A few pics of the fam. Not a bad looking gang. Especially those two pregnant women.

All in all a perfect wedding

By the end of the day, Liam started to rebel against moms requests for him to look at the camera and say cheese, but I was able to catch a few candids that are just as sweet. Or silly.

The New Air Nautique

While we were out in Utah, we got to go boating a few times. Liam LOVED the boat, he even wanted to sit in it when it was parked in the garage. Of course wearing his "boat coat."
He went on his first tube ride, swallowed his first gulp of Utah lake water, and tried to jump out while it was moving.
I couldn't just sit and watch everyone, so I too went for a little wakeboard ride. No big jumps. (not that that happens a lot now anyways) But I had to see how the new boat pulled. Thanks dad!!
(You'll notice that Liam always has to be holding something?? This trip it was either Simba and Pumba or Barney (which he's never watched) and and elephant. There were a few others, but these were his favorites.)

Daddy time

I went to run a few errands. When I got back it was late, past Liams bedtime. Liam LOVES it when dad tends. He gets to fall asleep on dads chest. Oh and don't forget Lightning McQueen.

What is baby number 2.....

While we have been visiting family in Utah, I was talked into doing an ultrasound while I was here so everyone could be there to watch. We went this morning and crammed all my sister-in-laws, Nana, Nate and Liam into a small room. Yes the insianity ensued. I am sure that in most states this isn't such a spectacle. I felt like I was the president of a Fortune 500 making a conference call to report our huge quarterly earnings. There were cameras and cell phones and all sorts of communication devices and once the news was announced everyone rushed to their device to start broadcasting results. I hope the general public reacts well to the new Poulson family stock offering. Shares are still available and prices are negotiable.

Here the baby is sucking it's hand. It always amazes me that a baby is growing inside me. They make you smile even when you only have black and white pictures to look at.

Another boy!!!

So Liam is going to have a brother!! Mom got her wish and Nate still doesn't have to worry about raising a daughter (yet).

Nate here with my take on the new news. One of the unfortunate results of a medical education is it takes the mystery away. Both Jen and I saw the heralded "equipment" that designated our new offsping as a boy before the tech announced it.

I have to admit that in some ways I am heaving a sigh of relief at the news. I grew up in a family of boys and married a girl who grew up in a family of boys, and I am afraid that, try as I might, I don't have a great grasp of understanding of the female gender. If I can barely interact with the finished, completely raised, females that surround me how can I possibly raise a normal one? Not to mention the fact that any female offspring will just own me. I mean she will bat her eyes and I will buy here whatever she wants, which will lead to cries of injustice from her male siblings. So any girl that I would raise would certainly irk her female couterparts with her knowledge of cover two defensive responsibilities all explained in a haughty condescending tone between chomps of Big League Chew. How are the other girls in the neighborhood going to understand that she can't go out and play because the Yankees are only 4 games back of the Red Sox and they are playing a 3 games series this weekend? There is also a even more frightening scenario, namely that all of my testosterone conditioning will not be able to overcome the intrinsic effects of estrogen, which will subject me to years and years of endless dance recitals in which I pretend to know that my daughter is a great dancer, but internally I cringe at the fact that she is 6 and already wearing tights in front of a room full of men, is wearing eye shadow, and comparing the amount of Barbie merchandise she owns with other tiny talking X chromosomes while they belt out the lastest Christina Aguliera tune together. This is secretly (well not so secretly now that I am posting it on this website) my own very personal version of the 7th level of Hell. Here is to hoping that love conquers all.

He finally cooperated! We are so happy to have our two boys. Life will be crazy with two Liams running around. But Mom is happy that they'll have a built in playmate.