Still more internet problems!!

The weirdest and most frustrating thing is happening.

Our piece of junk DSL modem constantly starts and stops working. The only time where it actually works is when we use the phone to make a call!!!

So, when we call Verizon to complain and get a new router, they won't give it to us because it is working while we're on the phone!!!!

If anyone can help us fix this, please let me know. I have only 1 wall jack, so I have a splitter on the wall jack with the DSL line going from port 1 to the modem and the phone filter on port 2.

Anyway, besides the internet problems, we've got too much memory used up with the videos, so I got an external hard drive for my birthday and we're in the process of dumping all of our stuff (about 70 GB) onto the device.

Anyway, sorry we've been so inactive, but we're working on it!

I'll keep making phone calls to my office so that I can post some pictures now (ugh.)

Here's a quick video taken a couple weeks ago...if you've seen any e-trade commercials recently, you 'might' find it humerous...



Recently we went to a little party on the Patuxent River, which empties into the Chesapeake Bay. We had a great time and it was a beautiful place. Here are some sunset pictures.

Mira is SMILING!! :)

Well, it figures that we've been having more internet connectivity problems...

As usual, I have lots more pictures and videos taken, but my dsl modem is killing me. I'm getting it replaced, but it might be hit and miss until then.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, check out this video of Mira smiling big for the first time on camera.

8.19.08 Post

Here are some recent pictures of Mira! The story here is that 1) she had an exceptionally good day and she was as pretty as Michelle and I had ever seen her, and 2) she got restless and Mommy gave her a footy-rub, and she just settled down and was so cute and happy for as long as her feet were in Mommy's hands.."You're in good hands...with MOM-STATE"... maybe Michelle should apply to Allstate. sorry - weak joke about a weak and tragically memorable insurance commercial on TV. Michelle and I are usually able to track where Mira's behavior and manorisms come from, but in this case we can't tell if it is from Mommy (who loves foot rubs), or Daddy (who also loves foot rubs), or Grandpa Tom (who ALSO loves foot rubs), or Grammy (who ALSO loves foot rubs). Anyway, we think all of the claimants will be pleased as the pictures speak for themselves.

Also, I will include some pictures from Michelle's visit with Grandma and Grandpa from our NC visit!

Raleigh, NC Visit - Days 3 and 4

On Sunday, Michelle headed to Greensboro to spend some time with Mira's Grandma and Grandpa. She had a great day, and her sisters from Raleigh - along with Rob (whattup Rob!) - came along.

Evidently Mira slept all day when Michelle took her to see Grandpa & Grandma Miles...and it was no different when she came home. During our visit, Mira's behavior changed somewhat - she started a new cycle of ravenous eating and comatose sleeping. Tom & Carol caught the sleeping cycle...but the good news is that when we come back next (looking like Labor Day weekend), Your odds are high that you'll catch a wide-eyed, smiling, crying, eating and sleeping baby!

Below is Jake's unsuccessful attempt at waking Mira up after getting home from Burlington on Sunday!






Michelle and Grammy encouraged Mira to experiment with lifting her head on Monday morning. Evidently, this is ahead of 'schedule' for Mira. Here's what happened...

After years of wishing that I had some 'doggy frisbee time' on video, I finally got my chance. Here's a video of Ollie playing frisbee. I have some more and will make them available when I can. Enjoy Mom & Dad!

After visit to Grammy's house

Well, we made it back. We had a great time with our families and seeing good friends.

We got lots of great pictures and videos...

We got in around midnight and then we hung out with Grammy for a couple hours. She was very happy to see Mira again, and commented about how much Mira has changed in the past couple weeks since she visited us on the way home from NYC.




Mira started to get a little fussy, so we all took turns trying to settle her down. On this night, daddy had the magic touch. Michelle and I have been talking about how sometimes she just needs a change of "baby holder". As I write this, I have had several unsuccessful attempts at calming her down, and Mommy is 4 out of 4!



On Saturday morning, Mira and Grammy were cuddled up and having a great time - so of course I took a bunch of pictures.








In fact, Grammy was the recipient of the first big smile that we have on camera!



On Saturday afternoon, our good friends Cameron and Steve came by, and brought their 8 month old son Keaton. Keaton's just a great little guy with bright eyes, a contagious laugh and a love of dogs.









Cameron and Steve & Michelle and I took turns holding each other's baby. Man, what a difference! Keaton is 8 months and over 20 lbs, while little Mira is about 7 weeks and weighs a little more than Keaton did when he was born.

Grammy hung out with young Keaton for quite a while and I was rolling camera...









Ben and Alana arrived, and the party moved out to the deck. Mira hung out with us there until Dad aggrevated a wasps nest. Everyone got a kick out of Mira's reflex response. Even when I grabbed her and ran away from the wasps, she didn't seem to mind...she was have a very laid back day.










OK, I guess I'll stop here for tonight. Stay tuned for more...I still have two more days to report on.

Bye for now.

Special Interview with Mira Jane Remke

OK folks, fortune smiled on this intrepid reporter today, and I was able to get this exclusive interview with Mira...



Part 2 of our interview will continue after this message from our sponsor.



BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!!!



And now, back to part 2 of our interview...



Well, that's it for now folks! Hope you enjoyed our chat with DC's most prolific diaper filler & we'll be back soon with an all new installment including footage from our road trip to see the Family in NC!

A Sleepy Weekend Morning

Here are some more pictures of my favorite sleeping position - baby on chest...







One weekend morning a couple weeks ago, I actually got up early enough to snap these pictures!

8/4/08 update - thank God for Firefox!

Well, couldn't figure the problem out with Internet Explorer, so we downloaded Firefox and it worked fine!!

Sorry for the delay - Technical issues!!

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the delay in posting, we've been having some technical issues and hope to have them resolved today.

We have TONS of stuff to post, and hopefully we will be able to log in to our blog soon and update it.

I am able to log in from work, but lately, logging in from home has been a different matter!

Thanks!

Matt