Hello, Everyone! I thought I would make a quick entry so you all know we're still around. :) I'm sorry to say that this week has not been very exciting in the Swan household. I have enjoyed being done with work, though. I read a novel last week (Echo in the Darkness, by Francine Rivers), which I haven't done in a long time. It was a very good book, in my opinion. Other than that, we're looking forward to a Small Group Leaders retreat this Thursday, and then our Outer Banks Taylor vacation. It occurred to me that we only have 2 1/2 more weeks in our house, which is a little sad, but I'm getting pumped up for packing soon. Speaking of moving, you can pray that our move would go smoothly, that we would be able to enjoy each other in the midst of a potentially stressful situation.

Baby Swan is still being very good for me. At 12 1/2 weeks and 2 1/2 inches long, "Speck" is behaving very well. No sickness for me, and I'm starting to feel more and more myself every day (energy and appetite-wise). Although I don't think I'll be quick to give up my nap routine. I've taken more naps in the last 2 months than the rest of my life combined! It's great! My next appointment is August 7. Please continue to pray for health and safety for this little one.

We love you all! Thanks for following our blog. :)

Well, friends, I am 11 weeks and 2 days along on this pregnancy journey. Almost done with the first trimester! I have been blessed with an easy pregnancy so far...no sickness! Today we heard the baby's heartbeat!!! What an awesome experience. The doctor held up the doppler to my stomach and kept saying "you, you, you" for my own heartbeat, and then "not you!" when the baby's heartbeat came through nice and strong. I started crying (of course!), and we recorded it on our minidisc recorder (are we first time parents or what!?!) I am very excited for this baby, and my affection is growing daily. Thank you to all who are praying for a healthy pregnancy and baby. The Lord has been very kind.

For those of you who have been trying to leave comments, I think your headache in doing so should be done. I just changed the setting on the blog so that you should be able to leave comments, even if you are not a blog member. Could someone do a test run so I can see if it worked?

4th of July Weekend

Myrtle Beach, SC

Kristin Freas with her girls- Zoe (4), Lyric (2), and Emma (7)

Nick with Zoe at the pool

The Promised Pictures!

How does Nick look as a Jewish boy? This picture was taken at a Bat-mitzvah of a daughter of a friend from the symphony. It was a first for both of us!

Our last Summer Pops concert- Here's the bandshell we perform in.

The summer is quickly flying by! It's hard to believe that we only have 6 more weeks before we push off to Maryland. In the mean time, we are enjoying time with friends here in Charlotte. This last weekend, for the 4th of July, we took a trip to Myrtle Beach with Doug and Kristin Freas, friends from church. I must say, it was the most crowded beach I have ever seen! But we had a lot of fun. We spent one day at the beach and one day at the pool, with lots of resting and TV watching :)

I am in the process of adding pictures to this blog, although our home computer is too slow to download them. But this blog will be more asthetically pleasing soon...