Shark Research with U of Miami

I had a wonderful opportunity today to join Curt and
the University of Miami Shark Research Program for
a day on the water.

It was certainly action-packed!! We caught a total
of 7 sharks, some of the highlights are below.

Hammerhead in the water...


Hammerhead on the deck


Close-up of its eye


Returning the Hammerhead to its home


And the tail gives a final splash!

We also caught a huge Lemon Shark - pregnant...

And the beautiful Black Tip Shark...

Also, on board today was prominent photographer Jim

Abernathy (I'm sure his photo's put mine to shame) and

world reknowned artist, Wyland.

Below are pictures of Wyland creatin art on Curtie...



It was such an exceptional day shared with great people!!

36 Week Appointments

Yesterday I had my last ultrasound....
Below is a profile picture of our son.


All looks great and he is very healthy!!
We couldn't ask for more.

He currently weighs in at 6 pounds, 5 ounces with
17 days to go.

His heart rate was 143.

The technician couldn't believe how MUCH he moved...
I said, I KNOW!!

His weight gain was greater than mine at this appointment
which made me feel GREAT!!

We start seeing the OB on a weekly basis at this point
and he told us to have our bag packed and the car seat
in the car.

We are really close!!

Sunset with the Benders

Marnie's last night in FL.....

We went out for a sunset bon voyage with the Bender
clan and a pasta dinner.


The Slonims in a rare photo together...

Johnson-Benders

Gus and Mary Jane Bender

Puppies!!!

Auntie Mel and Uncle Del's Yello Lab had puppies
last night.

At approximately 6:30p Cassie delivered her first
and only Black Lab. A male named "Dee Dee"
(Melinda initially thought it was a female).


At 7:30p a Yellow brother was born, named
"Striper".


"Striper"


The two brothers nursing.


At 8:20p Cassie delivered her first girl.
Yello Lab named "Rocket". She delivered her
right into Curtie's hands.

And at 9:05p there were four!

Another Yellow Male joins the group,

Delbert named him "Money".

Kelli and Rocket

At approximately 11:30p Cassie delivered puppy

number 5. A yellow male named "Hoss".

And 45 minutes later she delivered her last puppy,

a Yellow Female named "Nanner"

The whole litter.

Two cute Puppy Faces.

35 Weeks

I certainly think I have blossomed over the past
couple of weeks.... I have also entered the really
fun phase of "water retention".

My hands look like crab claws and my calfs run
into my toes. It's not very cute!!

These are sunset shots from last night - I love
how the sunrays were reflecting off the big tummy!

Sun comes out and goes down...

It rained down here for two days.
But the sun came out this evening just in time
for a nice rainbow and a beautiful sunset.

St Patricks Day

Us "girls" had dinner out in celebration of
St. Patty's Day.

Marnie didn't like participating for a portrait...

Marnie and Alexis Vacation with Kelli

Erik had his friends were down for a bachelor party
this weekend, so Marnie and Alexis moved in.

While the guys spent their weekend fishing,
we spent our weekend poolside...

New Kitchen Window

We finally put the window in the kitchen.
And we LOVE it!!
The light it brings in is wonderful!!

Making the hole...

The new window is in...

Finishing work in the inside will be completed this week.


Just need pain on the outside.

No shutters required as it's impact glass.

33 Weeks

On Friday I was 33 weeks.
There are mix reviews on wether or not
I am bigger than 2 weeks ago, but I
certainly feel like I am.

Baby update...

At my 32 week ultrasound he

was 4 lbs. They say I have now

entered the period of time where

he will gain the most weight.

So, begins the guessing of his

birth-weight.

The Nursery!!!

The nursery is finally put together.
We are still awaiting the arrival of our
glider / rocker, but other than that we
are all set.

Pictures below are a visual tour...

Walking in the door.




Turning to the left...


The crib


Continue turning to the left.




The artwork in the next two photo's was
done by our neice, Sophi. We were so thrilled
with her work!!!