It's beginning to feel a bit more real . . .

We just made our first big baby purchase . . . . a crib. We ordered this crib (the "Chloe"), in white, from a local baby store. It seems kind of early but it takes 8-12 weeks to get here and we have to spread these things out. I guess it's real now! That, and the fact that my belly seems to be growing daily. Last week I suddenly gained quite the appetite and have to eat much more frequently now.

We've also checked a few more things off the list recently:

-We're on the waiting list at 2 preschools and are in the process of deciding on our 3rd choice

-We started the daunting task of cleaning out the room that will be for baby. It's amazing how much stuff accumulates in just a few short years! Last weekend we made a huge Goodwill run and I imagine a few more of those in our near future.

-Mark also started the process of sanding a dresser we're going to re-finish and use for a changing table.

Not much else going on in the sunshine state. We're both busy with work, and are looking forward to the predicted 70 degree temperatures this weekend!

Happy New Year!

It's 2011, and it's been a little while since I posted on the blog. The Fall semester ended in a whirlwind and it hasn't seemed to slow down much since. Here are a few updates from each of us to start the new year:

Hannah: I passed my qualifying exams at the end of last semester so I'm officially one step closer to my PhD. Now is the true test of self motivation as I have to keep up the pace I've had over the past year a half without the hard deadlines. I hope to have my dissertation project set in stone by the end of the semester and if lucky have approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to begin my research project. That's the next biggest stepping stone, we'll see how it goes. Otherwise, I'm finished taking classes but continue to teach. I am teaching a graduate level (1st year AuD) class this semester which will be a much different experience than the 70 undergrads I taught in the Fall. This class only has 9 students! My other latest work related excitement is acceptance to the Ida Institute. A very selective workshop in Audiologic Rehabilitation held outside of Copenhagen, Denmark. I'll be heading over the big pond again in March for this wonderful opportunity!

Mark: Mark has been working hard with his new job. He's settled in to his new office at the Thomas Center (http://www.gvlculturalaffairs.org/website/facilities/thomas_center.html), not too shabby huh? He's getting ready to go to a conference in Ft. Lauderdale at the end of this week and is in charge of Gainesville's annual Arbor Day Celebration on January 18th. Outside of work he's been filling the bird feeders frequently and keeps hoping the birds will find one of the now 2 bird baths we have in the yard. He also just ordered his first pair of trail running shoes and is hoping to start training for some spring races.

Bailey: She enjoyed the snow in VA for the holidays, and getting to spend a lot of time with my parents cat Peanut. In mid December she was bit or stung by something in the yard and had to endure a very torturous vets office visit because our at home vet wasn't working the day it happened. Between, Mark, Gater and I there for moral support she survived but hopes she never has to return! She it turning 5 years old on January 23rd!

The most exciting FL Siburt Family news is the addition of another member! Baby Siburt is due July 27, 2011 and we are all very excited. We had the first ultrasound on December 22nd which really made it feel real for both Mark and I. Although the baby was still really small you could see distinct body parts and a strong heartbeat. Bailey doesn't understand what's in store for her this year but there is much guaranteed excitement to come!

December 1st

It's December 1st already? WOW! Where does time go? We decorated for Christmas this weekend and have a beautiful tree this year. Tonight it's finally cool enough to enjoy a fire in the fireplace! (Hopefully that will last.) I finish my last class tomorrow, have all of my qualifying exams due on Monday, and have only 4 more classes to teach before the semester ends. There's lots to get done after that though; writing exams, giving exams, grading exams, preparing for the class I'm teaching next semester . . . oh, and my oral defense on the 13th. It will all soon be over though and the holiday festivities will be upon us. We adopted a family again this year with the Gaters and soon get to spend time shopping for those children and then wrapping all the presents. It always amounts to a fun time! Before we know it we'll be on the road to VA for Christmas (and maybe we'll get to see a little snow again this year)! Happy December Everyone!

Press Release

I just wanted to share the press release about Mark posted on the City of Gainesville's website. (Click on the picture and it will open in a full window to read.)

Mom and Dad's visit to FL

A few weeks ago my parents came to visit. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed a lot of time outdoors biking, walking and soaking up the sun. We went back to the LaChua trail, a favorite for all of us and saw lots of birds, many many alligators and a few wild horses.





Mark also got a sewing lesson from Mom on Nana's old hot pink sewing machine and he now has another new hobby!


We all had a great time (including to dogs)!

(Piper and Bailey "helping" Dad take a nap)

Mark's First 13.1

He's caught the running bug! Last weekend Mark decided to sign up to run his first half-marathon . . . THIS WEEKEND! His training consisted of a 6 mile run on the same trial last weekend. He ran 4 miles on Monday and 3 miles on Wednesday. Rested Thursday and Friday. To have enough energy for the race, Mark had plenty of pasta with his chili on Friday night. On a chilly and dark Saturday morning, Mark, Gater and I headed over to the Hawthorne Trail for the Tom Walker Memorial Half Marathon. It was much cooler than it's been for months (43 degrees and breezy). After checking in and getting Mark's bib, we returned to the car to stay warm. With 15 minutes until the race, we heading to the starting line.




Mark went to the back of the pack, not to get run over by the majority of runners. Gater and I walked down the trail about a 1/2 mile from the start and waited for the race to begin. After the pack passed, and we cheered Mark on, we headed back to the car and drove to the half way point. As Mark cruised into the turnaround, he didn't even slow down at the water station since he had his hydration system full of H2O.


Gater and I then headed to the next water station where we could see Mark run by. Once again, no time for stopping.



We then made our way to the finish line. Gater headed down the trail to be the first to see Mark and give him the last bit of motivation to finish strong. Mark finished in a time of 2:14:08 (his actual time, official time is more since he was in the back of the pack to start).


After finishing, Mark was given his finishers medal and then posed for a few pictures.



Other than his legs hurting a little (or a lot) and hungry, Mark was doing fine. He grabbed a few things to eat at the refreshment table and then we headed home. Mark is already scheduling his next race, maybe a 25 K? Look out Cheaha, here we come!!!!

Introducing, for the first time in public . . .

Mark Siburt, the new Gainesville City Arborist!

I'm so proud of him! :-)

And for those needing a pick-me-up, enjoy this video.