"Unbroken"

I just finished reading "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand.  This is one of the best books that I have ever read.  I just had to share. 

The book takes place during World War II, and is completely a true story.  It follows the life of a young man, Louie Zamperini, during his life.  He was a great runner, going to the Olympics only once before the war broke out.

He was drafted into the Air Force, and into battle he went.  The bulk of the story is about his survival.  His plane crashed during one mission.  He floated in the ocean for over forty-days before he was rescued by the Japanese.  He then became a POW, and the story focuses on the brutality and hard times he and his fellow POWs went through.

I won't give away too much of the story, as I don't want to be a spoiler.  It is really worth the read.  A friend of mine from work lent the book to me.  I was unsure at first, but I could not put the book down. 

Because this was about World War II, I read the whole book thinking about my Pappy Wood.  He was a WWII veteran.  Pappy was an army cook stationed in Germany.  He may not have had the "glamorous" job in the army, but I'm sure his life was at risk at times.  I think about what his daily life must have been like, the friends he made, and how much he missed home.  Pap passed two days before my 6th birthday.  I was too young to really get to know him.  The memories I have are fantastic, although they are few.

I hear stories about Pap all the time, and I cherish every one of them.  I wish I could have gotten the chance to ask him all my questions and get his perspective.  There are so many things I would have loved to hear about.

Baby-sitting Evan

Last night I had the pleasure of watching my nephew Evan while my brother-in-law and sister went to a surprise birthday party for a friend.  I arrived just after Evan had his dinner and was getting a new diaper.  The schedule for the evening was the same for any baby - eat, sleep, and poop.  We had a great time!

Evan and I played with his play-mat that sang songs and had different colored lights.  He loves to look at the lights!  He also enjoyed looking at himself in the mirrors that were connected to his mat.

After we played, the little guy took a snooze.  He slept for about an hour before he let me know that he was hungry.  There is absolutely no messing around when it comes to his bottle!  I must say, Evan has a good set of lungs on him.  He chugged down his bottle, and he wasn't too happy when Aunt Megan had to take breaks for a burp or two.  He was very alert after his feeding.  He even left me a nice surprise in his diaper!  Evan got a fresh diaper, and we settled in for another snooze.

Here is Evan getting ready to fall asleep.  He was fighting it a little bit, but he eventually gave in.  He was sound asleep when Mommy and Daddy came back from their party.  Evan is such a sweet little boy.  He is very content (unless he is hungry), and I looooooved the time I spend with him.  I am collecting quite a few "firsts" in the little guys life.  I was the first to hold him at the hospital, his first outing was to Aunt Megan's, and I was his first baby-sitter!

A Visit to Aunt Megan's

A few weeks ago, Jenn, Jack and Duke made the trip to Pittsburgh to visit and meet Evan for the first time.  They stayed at Adrienne and Doug, but everyone (all six) came to my house for lunch.  It was a nice afternoon with homemade chicken stuffed shells and relaxing.

Duke ran wild through the house, but what do you expect from a toddler.  I think we tired him out pretty good. 

I must point out that Duke did show up in his little Nike track suit.  I see Pappy has had some influence!

He really enjoyed the red floor chair.  He could rock, and tip all the way over of course.  He also had to make sure that his "snack, snacks" were close.

Duke is learning his manners as he say his version of "Thank You" all the time.  He was very interested why Evan go to hang out on the dining room table.  Our dining room table turned into Evan's changing table for the day.

The trip to our house was Evan's first outing.  He slept most of the time, but so did Doug and Jack!  It was a great day to spend with my sisters, my nephews, and my brother-in-laws!

A Little Catching Up

I know I haven't posted in awhile.  It is hard to find the time, right smack in the middle of tax busy season.  Since mid-February, I have been working 10 - 11 hour days plus a few of the weekends.  The work never stops, and it will continue until mid-May.  So to catch up:

The weekend of February 19th, we held my sister's baby shower.  Baby D got a TON of great stuff.  He was well stocked in diapers and wipes.  Adrienne and Doug got most of the big items from family.  Mom and Dad purchased the stroller, I bought the high chair, and the Donaldsons got them the pack-and-play.  Baby D was all set.

The shower was a great time to spend with family.  Jennifer was on camera duty, and I was in charge of the present list.  We enjoyed good chicken salads for lunch!  Jennifer put her baking skills to work and created the cutest cookies for the event.

The entire weekend was great with the family.  Duke kept us entertained (how could he not).  I love when we all get together.  It has been happening more often now that babies are in the picture.

The last weekend in February, my work participated in Pittsburgh's Race to Any Place.  It is a stationary bike race held downtown.  Sisterson had a team of 12 people that each rode two 15 minute periods.  Combined, we rode 153 miles in six hours.  All the proceeds from this event went to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The beginning of March came and went in a blink.  I was so busy with work.  So I'm working on March 15th to get my last corporate return out the door, when I get a text message from my sister Adrienne.  This was about 11:00AM, and I had no idea what to expect from this.  I was totally not ready for "My water broke at 5:30AM, and we are having the baby!"

I was so excited that I could barely concentrate all day.  I was running around the office, telling everyone I saw.  Baby D was finally coming!  I got out of work a little early, and got to the hospital while A was pushing.  Evan Douglas Donaldson graced the world with his presence at 5:29PM.  He was 7lbs 13oz, 21.5 inches long.  He is ADORABLE!  I was the first one to hold him when visitors were let back into the room.  Adrienne asked me if I wanted to hold him, and how could I say no?

I have seen the baby a few times.  I spent about 3 hours with Adrienne, Mrs. Donaldson, and Evan yesterday evening.  I love being an aunt, and I can't wait to spoil this baby!

This morning, I participated in the American Lung Association's Fight for Air Climb 2011.  This is a race up 37 floors of a skyscraper in downtown Pittsburgh.  I completed all 37 floors in 11 minutes.  By the end, my legs felt jello-like.  I was happy that I finished, but not thrilled with my time.  I have been having a lot of sinus problems lately, and now, I am feeling a bit clogged up again.  I keep thinking it is because of the changing weather.

Baby D's Blanket

Ever since my sister, Adrienne, told me she was pregnant, I began working on a cross-stitch blanket for the little guy.  I began the blanket in late August and finished it right before Christmas.  I had made the same blanket for my cousin, Rachel, the previous year.

I gave A the blanket at her baby shower in Clearfield held last weekend.  Don't worry, that will be another post!  So A opens the gift, and of course, the first words out of Jennifer's mouth is, "Are you working on mine now?"  I told her she took a backseat to my other cousin Hilary, who is expecting her second child!

I had decided while making Rachel's blanket that each of the girls on the Wood side of the family will get one.  I really enjoy working on them, so I thought I would share the finished product.

Adrienne's Sewickley Baby Shower

My sister, Adrienne, had Baby Shower #1 yesterday afternoon at the Edgeworth Club in Sewickley.  It was given by one of her friends.  A is very blessed to have such great friends.  We enjoyed good food, good conversation, good laughs, and AMAZING cake!

Twenty-four people came to congratulate Adrienne on her new bundle arriving soon.  The tables were decorated with a baby toy and flowers.  Also, there were plain white onesies, bibs, and burp cloths that were available for the guests to customize.  A and I checked them all out at her house afterwards.  Our favorites were ones with the following slogans:  "My parents call me 'NO'!," "100% Organic Baby," and "I'll have a bottle of your best house white!"  The ladies were very creative.

Baby D is now equipped with a car seat, a vibrating chair, a tubbie (including toys compliments of Aunt Megan), cute outfits, an umbrella stroller, and more!  Baby D will be here in just 7 short weeks, and we are all very excited!

Baby D's guitar t-shirt.  He supports his daddy!

Adrienne with two of the lovely ladies who gave the shower.

Changing pad cover and swaddles!

Fun new outfits.  This one is red, black, and white.  He will look just like Pappy coaching a basketball game!

Adrienne and all her loot!

Backyard Friends

Marc and I were doing some Saturday morning cleaning, when we looked out the window to see animal friends in our backyard.