Virus

No, none of us are sick.. it was our computer!

Ack! The worst experience ever! But now we are back with Windows reinstalled, and almost done resetting up our computer... adding the printer, reloading software, etc. We still have to transfer all of our backed up files back to the computer, which brings me to the topic of external hard drives. BEST INVENTION EVER! So glad we had an epiphany one day and went out to buy one. We lost the first 9 days of Caden's life when our computer died right after he was born. That was not a fun day. I still keep the computer so if someday we have extra money we can try to get them back. It wasn't a virus that time, it was some microchip that burnt out, but there are so many it will (they tell us) cost over $1000 to pay someone to remove and replace each chip individually to see which one it is just to be able to turn the computer back on. Thankfully we had printed most of the pictures already, and we didn't lose more because they were still on the camera card.

I had become lax about backing up lately, but thankfully I was able to transfer the files before the computer went totally wacky. We just hope the virus didn't get into any of our files!

After 6 hours with the Verizon guy, Kevin, he finally removed 45 adwares and 6 trojans, which he said wasn't bad, thankfully the really bad kind (which I can't remember the name) we didn't have. But we still couldn't open any files or use the Internet, so it had corrupted our computer. The only way was to reinstall Windows. He told me to call Dell to see how to do so because they don't give you the reboot CDs when you buy their computer. Mr. Dell guy informed me that it would be $129 for 72 hours of help to remove the virus or $239 for a full year of coverage, this all because our warranty had obviously expired. No, I said, Verizon already helped us rid the virus.. did I mention FOR FREE? So instead it would cost $49 to restore Windows using PC restore and if that didn't work it would be an additional $20 for them to send me the CDs to use. Thankfully I wanted to make sure our hard drive did have everything before erasing it all. Because Monday at work I was able to print out instructions.. FOR FREE.. on how to do it myself (without the CDs obviously) and even with CDs if I was able to get my hands on them. Anyway to make a long story longer.. it worked and we are back in the game.

How on earth do we get by without computers and the Internet? I do not remember! It was a long weekend without it!

Anyway we have a couple posts to catch up on.. so stay tuned this week!

Preschool Tree Decorating

Today Caden's preschool had a field trip to decorate a tree in the Town Common. A local nursery donates a bunch of trees and various groups volunteer to decorate them (Caden's preschool, girl/boy scouts, Mom's groups, etc.) Since this is a special event I took an extra long lunch so he could go (the are organized outside of preschool hours so it is up to the parents to have the child attend.. unfortunately Caden won't be able to go all of the events since we work, but the most fun ones we'll find a way to get him to! He's only missed one, pumpkin picking, but we had already picked pumpkins anyhow!). We had to make environmentally friendly ornaments. Thanks to JPs suggestion we stuck cloves in mandarin oranges and glued a twine loop on top. All the parents were quite impressed. Other ornaments on our tree were: dried apples, pine cones smeared with peanut butter and rolled in birdseed, cheerios garland, bagels with peanut butter or something similar with birdseed, and other good sounding treats for animals! Caden hung 3 of our 6 ornaments before he got bored of the situation. Then we went and had some snacks that everyone brought. Caden's favorite were the cookies we brought and the hot chocolate. The fire department came to change the light bulbs on the community stage where the manger is set up. They offered to give the kids a tour of the fire truck and equipment. Caden of course did not want to get with the kids for a picture in front of the truck, but by the time the jaws of life and the air tank came out he warmed to the situation. Once the tour was over we headed back to Kim's, and then me back to work. Sunday we'll go back to the Town Common for the tree lighting! Hopefully our ornaments are still there and not carried away by the wildlife!

The Tree! Notice the boy on the left trying to eat one of the Cheerios Garland rings?!

Preschool kids (from both the 3 year olds and 4 year old class) Don't look for Caden.. he wouldn't stand in it.

Caden gets a little closer!

Mmmm Hot Chocolate hits the spot on this chilly day!

Caden learns about the air mask

Caden stands with Mrs. M. to watch the demonstration

28 Week Belly and Appointment

Yesterday was our 28 Week Baby Appointment. Smart baby, already head down! Although that will probably change 1 million times before we're done. Otherwise heartrate was 135-142 bpm, boy range! but again... sleeping, so who knows. Hmm... no gestational diabetes, and *bonus* I have more iron now than I had at the beginning of the pregnancy.. must be doing something right... does ice cream have iron in it?! Here are the 28 Week Belly comparisons! Enjoy.

28 Week Baby Belly

Cole at 28 Weeks Caden at 28 Weeks

Mr and Mrs 'Padge'

Saturday we went to Padge and Julie's wedding. Rob was a groomsman, and Caden was the ring bearer. Or I should say tried to be the ring bearer! He did... 'okay' at the rehearsal, walking down the aisle holding hands with Rob, but come the actual day when he was supposed to walk down by himself.. no matter how much we talked up the occasion, it didn't happen.. we couldn't even get him to walk with Rob.. so instead he was carried down the aisle, the pillow limply dangling over Rob's shoulder. We tried our hardest! and at that hour of the day Cole was also having some issues, so there was no way he'd cooperate as a stand in either. But I must say I had the 3 most handsome dates in the joint! After a lovely ceremony, we headed to the reception, where we were greeted with large trays of Jelly Beans which held the place cards. If the kids weren't happy prior to that moment, they were set for the evening! Caden also enjoyed the photo booth, which was a great idea and I highly recommend it to anyone getting married. They rented a photo booth, so you hopped in and got your picture(s) taken, then it printed out 2 copies, one to take home, and one to paste on a page to write your good wishes on, which went into an album... or I guess I should say guest book.. Great idea guys!

After the cocktail hour we made it to our seats. The kids waited patiently while they waited for everyone to be announced. Cole made lots of friends with the guests around us, giving high-fives. And he amused himself by throwing a wipe up in the air, retrieving it, and doing it again.. and again.. and again! Luckily we were in the corner with friends all around, although he did do it quietly at least! Throughout the evening the kids were surprisingly very well behaved! There were other kids there, so a few friendly games of chase broke out, but all in all everyone had a great time. And the bride and groom looked as happy as can be!

Poobah and Dundore were kind enough to bring the kids home around 9:30 so Rob and I could have some fun with our friends sans children. Thank you!!!

I've posted some of my favorite pictures, then put some of the others in a slideshow at the end.. hopefully it works, I've never used photobucket before. Enjoy the photos!

Me and my other sharp-dressed Man!

Padge and Caden

Caden's favorite face (we saw this in the photo booth a couple of times as well!)

The new Mr. and Mrs. Padgett

All spiffed up

Cole even ate some dinner.. rolls and cantaloupe.. my good little eater (ya right!)

Rob and I take a spin on the dance floor

Nice duds!