May 23, 2001

Now that all key family members have been notified, we can finally share the news... sometime in November Katie's going to become a big sister!
Yes, we decided to just get it all over with for fear that once Katie's out of diapers we won't want to start over again. The new baby's official due date is November 20, but hopefully the C-section will be scheduled before that (I'm developing an insidious plan to shower my OB with bribes for the next six months).
We had the first ultrasound April 12 at nine weeks. We had another one last week for our peace of mind after I was in a car accident (more on that later). The baby's starting to look less like a bean, which we were relieved to see. We're looking forward to having another one done in early July to make sure the limbs are all coming out from where they're supposed to, and also to find out the gender. No way can I stand not knowing this time!
Some other excitement came May 4 when Grace Catherine Croft was born five weeks early! Lonnie and Sherrice are the proud and happily surprised parents of a 5-pound baby girl! We met her last weekend at the Mother's Day shower thrown for them in Walla Walla. She's beautiful (of course), and Uncle Jason is finding she's also quite the chick magnet!
Debi visited earlier this month, and as always, we had a great time. We mostly shopped and ate (at Pasta Veloce, of course). We did go to a surprise retirement party for our PAA history teacher--Mr. T-Bury--at the Convention Center. Saw a few classmates and college friends there.
Last Monday night I was in a car accident on my way home from work. A guy was driving by sound--not by sight like us smart folk--and busted up my Jetta! A benefit of Vic's job: he called in a favor to a co-worker in ultrasound so we could get the baby checked out. Something strange showed up right away, but eventually disappeared, thank goodness. All is well, with us anyway. The Jetta's on its way to being repaired and drivable again--there was damage to every panel on the driver's side.
Then Saturday morning I broke my foot doing something heroic like rescuing orphans from a burning building (not anything clumsy, as my husband might try to make you believe, like running into a kitchen chair). The doctor said to stay off it and keep it elevated and iced, which any parent of a toddler knows is next to impossible. I'm just glad it doesn't throb as much anymore, although it's still very bruised and tender. I'm also glad I don't have to use crutches, since...
We're leaving for Europe this week. We'll be flying into Belgium, which will be our home base, and then while Grandma and Auntie Sonya watch Katie, Vic and I will fly to London. We'll spend a couple days there, then take the train to Paris, spend two or three days there, and then take the train back to Brussels. We're also planning to visit Amsterdam and hope to get to Germany too. And we've heard that Belgium is worth exploring, so we're looking forward to that as well. It'll be a fast-paced two weeks, but we're really looking forward to it.
There are new pictures on Katie's 13-month, 14-month, and 15-month pages. Check out the Voss page updates too.
Got a surprise phone call from Barry and Becky Curtis the other day, who were in town for some meetings. They came over for dinner that evening and we had a really great visit. I love friends who, even though it's been years since we've spent any time together, make it feel like no time has passed. They are such fun people and we felt privileged to share their time in Portland!
River Neil's first birthday was yesterday and he had a rousing birthday party last night! I had great intentions to take bunches of pictures but didn't. I'll try to nab some copies from Jenny and Linda to post on the web site someday.
Well, that's enough blabbing for now. Must get packing... au revoir!