The site's URL has changed somewhat, so please update your bookmarks. Also, the site newsfeed is now located here, so please update your newsreader (if you're into that whole RSS thing, that is). (Of course, this paragraph is courtesy of my geeky husband.)

I'm hoping in the next week or so to give the morning sickness a big, wet kiss goodbye (it is getting better); we're taking a short trip to the Pacific Northwest to celebrate (a little late) two blissful years of marriage; and Jason is working on a new look for the blog, so that will be exciting too. Good times ahead, folks . . .

We're going to have a baby! A baby. Baby. A baby. (I keep thinking that if I repeat it enough, it will begin to sink in . . . we've known for about six weeks now, so I think it's finally starting to.) We are absolutely delighted and, yeah, a bit scared sometimes, but mostly we are excited and so very thankful and utterly and completely in awe of this little blessing (and by "little," I only mean physical size-wise; right now the little squirt is bigger than a kumquat but smaller than a lime).

The ultrasound pic was taken about a week ago (at ten weeks). Everything looked great (I'm tempted to be obnoxious and already start bragging about the kiddo!). We're very glad the proportion of head (on the right) to body evens out.

Proud papa's thoughts are here. Jason is referring to the little bean as "Baby Opus" on his site, but, sorry folks, "Baby Grand" just isn't going to work.

Rob Gordon's (John Cusack) bumbling proposal to/reconciliation with his girlfriend, Laura, is one that has stuck in my head since the first time I saw it. I think it plays so well because it is full of truth, especially in the insightful articulation of the value of real love (versus fantasy or infatuation).

Another light one today. I first watched The Devil Wears Prada directly on the heels of a Project Runway binge and delighted in it all the more because my mind was stayed in fashion world. I love this scene for Meryl Streep's fantastic performance as Miranda Priestly, who offers a surprisingly thought-provoking take on fashion.

I have decided to join my husband in his August blogging endeavor--Movie Scenes That I Go Back To. I can't stress enough that these will be in No Particular Order.

If you've never seen the movie, the scene is, of course, a spoiler. Then again, it is a romantic comedy, and if you can't see it coming, I can't help you. So, this is one of the best movie kisses ever--you just can't deny the power of "the Run, the Approach, the Grab."

Me: How was it?
Him: I had a good time. He's a great guy.
Me: Will you tell me all about it?
Him: I just did.

Holy Family Shrine, originally uploaded by Mrs. Opus.

Rebecca had the morning free and invited me to join her to check out the Holy Family Shrine near Gretna. I think both of us could have spent a lot more time enjoying the company, the sights, and the beautiful summer day. My Flickr set is here and Rebecca's is here.

monarch, originally uploaded by Mrs. Opus.

I have such good memories of hunting the ditches for milkweed with my mom, turning over the leaves to find the monarch catepillars, and keeping them in jars (with plenty of air and food, of course) and waiting for them to form the "J", then the green chrysallis with the gold thread, said chrysalli turning black, and finally the butterfly hatching.

For some reason, I thought the whole amazing process started later in the year, but, no, this little guy was flitting about the yard today.

Liv on the porch, originally uploaded by Mrs. Opus.

This afternoon was another of those dear times when I was chilling out in the living room and heard, "Renaaaaaeee! Jaaassoooon!" and peeked my head out the front door to find a little friend eager to play. So Liv and I chatted a while, then she soaked me with a swimming-suit-hug and then again with her favorite new find from our house (the squirt bottle with a fan that Brook sent with us to Cornerstone). Guess how much I minded.

blue and green, originally uploaded by Mrs. Opus.

Taken the last night of the fest. Funky light from the sunset and the streetlamp.

flying, originally uploaded by Mrs. Opus.

They (you know, Cornerstone folk) had this huge crane, and they would wrap people up like a burrito and send them swinging on a bungee-like cord. It looked like it might have been fun, but it also looked scary, so we passed.