Isaiah last week at 6.5 weeks weighing in at 12.2 pounds. I'm having fun dressing him in his 3-6 mo. big boy clothes, but it sure is bittersweet to see my baby growing so fast!
15 December 2009
He's a big 'un.
Isaiah last week at 6.5 weeks weighing in at 12.2 pounds. I'm having fun dressing him in his 3-6 mo. big boy clothes, but it sure is bittersweet to see my baby growing so fast!
04 December 2009
Isaiah grows!
Isaiah is six weeks old now. It's sure been an adventure adjusting to three kiddos! Lots of fun moments. Just so you can catch up on the growing boy (family and other interested parties :) here's a link to some pictures. The most recent one is still a week old...I'm falling behind on capturing the kodak moments. I've decided I want a video camera. Top of my Christmas list...a girl (happy momma) can dream, can't she :)
24 October 2009
11 October 2009
Ready
Yep, I'm "looking ready" at 38 weeks. Feeling ready, too... Ideal week as far as schedule goes is next week though, so I guess I'm hoping for that. But I have to say, I wouldn't complain if it's sooner!
Friends (most of the time :)
Joseph Stephen
Nora Kathryn
To go along with my "ready" theme for this post, I'll add that I was sooooo ready for fall, and it has finally arrived. It was one of God's good gifts to me last week.
14 September 2009
Free Shipping at Snapfish.com
I saved a good bit of money last week through this promotion (which has been extended through Wednesday). I've used Snapfish in the past and have been pleased with the quality.
Rain, rain
We've been enjoying some much needed rain the past couple of days. On Saturday, the kids were itching for some time out of the house. As it was only a drizzly rain, I encouraged them to step outside. They were slightly nervous at first since rain is a rare occurrence and they are not used to getting wet. One minute later, there was no turning back. They LOVED it! They played in the puddles, sang and danced "singing in the rain," took the potty that makes car noises -when the bowl comes into contact with liquid- out from the garage (where it will sit until after Christmas when I hope to train Joseph) and just ran and ran marveling at the fact that they were getting soaked. Eventually, even though the temperature remained high, they began to become chilled and agreed to return inside for a warm bath and hot cocoa. That half hour was definitely a weekend highlight.
I'm loving having the second set of wheels that you see pictured above.
I resisted posting a picture of Joseph that I will relish sharing with his future fiance. I brought the kids in through the garage where our washer/dryer is and stripped them down and dried them off before sending them into the bath. As I was hanging Joseph's wet clothes up, he ran back outside instead of into the house. And of course, I grabbed the camera first instead of him for a quick shot of his bare backside with the rain backdrop. When I went out to retrieve him, his face said Pure Happiness.
Thank you to everyone who posted encouraging words in a comment here or through Facebook in response to my last post (and for those who related they were praying). What a blessing to hear from those are/ have/ desire to walk the joyous, challenging path of motherhood. I appreciate you and your kind words!
03 September 2009
A blog without photos
...can I do it?
Apparently I struggle with the idea of posting without an accompanying photo as it's been over a month since my last post. I said goodbye to my laptop a couple months back and we're still sorting out photo storage and programs on Stephen's mac. Hopefully, I'll get into a rhythm with that in the next couple of weeks. I have a (unrealistic given how tired I am these days) goal of catching up on three years of photo printing (including our time in Europe =thousands of photos total). Somehow that project always gets pushed to the end of the to-do list. Maybe because photos don't whine for dinner or give evidence of needing a diaper change.
So, the unifying theme of this post will be "what's new" with us.
Stephen started his last school year (of course work) as a PhD student this week (hooray!). It will be his busiest yet. Three classes a semester is considered full-time and he's taking four each semester. In addition, he is also Prof. Shipp at the Cambridge School for the second year. He is teaching two class periods of the same class each day instead of one like last year as it is a larger senior class. He's loving teaching "Political philosophy" again; trying to gear up and get excited about "AP US government" in the spring.
With my rapidly expanding midsection, I have graduated to mini-van mom. Just over a week ago, we became the happy owners of a used '98 Toyota Sienna. Nora has been praying for this purchase for months and it was so cute to see how excited she was when we went to pick it up (once she got over her brief disappointment that it was white, not red as she had hoped). My already high admiration for my husband was heightened even more during the course of our search (cars.com, craigslist, auto trader; a handful of first looks and three near purchases). It was time consuming and overwhelming, but Stephen handled all this responsibility accompanying a growing family with such patience and persistence.
Sometimes I'm overwhelmed to realize that we're about to be parents to three children, aged four and under. Some days I feel so old and tired and distant from the thoughtful, disciplined undergrad student I was just five years ago. I marvel at my husband who writes papers and teaches and comes home to play with kids for the evening while I struggle to put dinner on the table and clean up after. I think I am more physically drained with this third trimester than the others. I try to remind myself that chasing toddlers really is a full-time job, but it's hard not to be discouraged when I think about how little gets checked off my to-do list each day. When I remind myself that this is a season, which brings it's own rewards and PRAY more, my days pass more peacefully, if not as "productively." Meanwhile, I keep waiting for that breakthrough invention of energy for the prego mom. I guess it would probably help if my iron weren't low as I recently discovered. More red meat coming up.
Nora loves getting out and doing. I'm a homebody. We're finding a happy medium. She starts a couple community rec classes next week, and we have weekly play dates. I am striving for a daily routine that includes some school work and chores. She loves art related activities and I'm trying to provide more opportunity and supplies to encourage her interest. Sidewalk chalk, paint, play dough, glue and paper. I tell myself this is not a mess; it's a learning experience. And sometimes I listen. I love that Nora's weekly highlight is church. I know part of her excitement comes from seeing her friends, but she also genuinely loves Sunday school and children's church (she still sits with us for part of the service). We try to make a point of asking what she's learned, and she will usually report enthusiastically. She has a great memory as we've discovered through the catechism portion of our evening worship (we're still working toward regularity in that). So, we're also trying to work more with her in Scripture memory. I read recently on another blog how one family just reads the same chapter of Scripture each night for a month and by the end their toddler usually could recite a good portion of it. Good idea. Stephen and I are blessed as her parents to see her increased interest in the things of God. I'm reminded as she matures that spiritual growth is the work of the Holy Spirit. And I'm convicted to be child of God myself before my children, not simply "do" all these good things.
The amazing thing about second-borns is how they can grow up without you even realizing it. At some point Joseph transitioned from the baby to our little boy. He's very perceptive and more mechanically inclined. The other day I saw him pulling at an imaginary cord off his play lawn mower JUST LIKE Stephen pulls at the cord (is there a technical name?!) off our lawn mower to get it going. The exact same movements. And there was nothing there to act as a play cord. As I watched for another minute, I realized he would turn the plastic key, pull on his imaginary cord and shift the plastic gear, then push. I cracked up. Joseph quickly understood that I was laughing at him, and even though he appears more serious and shy of too much attention, he loves to be a joker among close friends and family. So, for the next 10 minutes he repeated the process with exaggerated movements and a comical expression to try to get me to laugh. He still loves horses -reading books about horses, having us draw him pictures of horses, riding imaginary horses, playing with toy horses... you get the idea. The boy is infatuated. I recently bought him a shirt for the fall with a horse on it. Stephen took one look at it and said, "You know he's never going to want to take this off." Hmm. I didn't think of that... I just pictured how excited he would be to see it. And he was. And he didn't. He left that darn long sleeve tee on for hours despite it being 95 degrees out. Needless to say it's hidden now until the colder temps come... in November. Maybe. Sigh. Still not loving TX weather. Thankfully, neither is my hubby, so we have hope of migrating back north sometime. Lord willing. But I digress. While Joseph has matured to boyhood in many ways, his progress in communication has been slow. I'm not worried as I see him developing at his own pace, but I can't deny he's behind in this area. And I wonder if we should be doing more. And if so, what. I guess I am more motivated to consider this because I know some of Joseph's daily frustrations could be eased by better communication. Ideas?
Baby is due in just over 7 weeks give or take a few days/weeks. We have enough baby things out now that all of our excitement is growing. We can't wait to meet this little guy, especially me. Did I mention I feel really, really pregnant? Also, I would swear that this one is BY FAR the most active in utero. Dramatic, startling movements. And constant right about bedtime. Also, I'm feeling more Braxton Hicks this time around and have been for weeks and weeks. I know this is normal for subsequent pregnancies, but it still is unsettling. I think subconsciously, I have labor more in mind earlier in the pregnancy because of that. And I still have 7 weeks to go. And he'll probably be late because I can't help but think he's going to be a bit early. Little bugger :) We're excited that both grandmas (and one Aunt Jenna!) will be able to come help in November. We'll need it! And it will be so much fun to have them. Now if only I can get a few things done before that... Better get to it! But first, post-nap snacks, and dinner prep and dinner and clean up and baths and family worship and ...exhaustion. Oh well. God is good and so is the life He's given us. We have so much to be thankful for; His mercies never cease!
Apparently I struggle with the idea of posting without an accompanying photo as it's been over a month since my last post. I said goodbye to my laptop a couple months back and we're still sorting out photo storage and programs on Stephen's mac. Hopefully, I'll get into a rhythm with that in the next couple of weeks. I have a (unrealistic given how tired I am these days) goal of catching up on three years of photo printing (including our time in Europe =thousands of photos total). Somehow that project always gets pushed to the end of the to-do list. Maybe because photos don't whine for dinner or give evidence of needing a diaper change.
So, the unifying theme of this post will be "what's new" with us.
Stephen started his last school year (of course work) as a PhD student this week (hooray!). It will be his busiest yet. Three classes a semester is considered full-time and he's taking four each semester. In addition, he is also Prof. Shipp at the Cambridge School for the second year. He is teaching two class periods of the same class each day instead of one like last year as it is a larger senior class. He's loving teaching "Political philosophy" again; trying to gear up and get excited about "AP US government" in the spring.
With my rapidly expanding midsection, I have graduated to mini-van mom. Just over a week ago, we became the happy owners of a used '98 Toyota Sienna. Nora has been praying for this purchase for months and it was so cute to see how excited she was when we went to pick it up (once she got over her brief disappointment that it was white, not red as she had hoped). My already high admiration for my husband was heightened even more during the course of our search (cars.com, craigslist, auto trader; a handful of first looks and three near purchases). It was time consuming and overwhelming, but Stephen handled all this responsibility accompanying a growing family with such patience and persistence.
Sometimes I'm overwhelmed to realize that we're about to be parents to three children, aged four and under. Some days I feel so old and tired and distant from the thoughtful, disciplined undergrad student I was just five years ago. I marvel at my husband who writes papers and teaches and comes home to play with kids for the evening while I struggle to put dinner on the table and clean up after. I think I am more physically drained with this third trimester than the others. I try to remind myself that chasing toddlers really is a full-time job, but it's hard not to be discouraged when I think about how little gets checked off my to-do list each day. When I remind myself that this is a season, which brings it's own rewards and PRAY more, my days pass more peacefully, if not as "productively." Meanwhile, I keep waiting for that breakthrough invention of energy for the prego mom. I guess it would probably help if my iron weren't low as I recently discovered. More red meat coming up.
Nora loves getting out and doing. I'm a homebody. We're finding a happy medium. She starts a couple community rec classes next week, and we have weekly play dates. I am striving for a daily routine that includes some school work and chores. She loves art related activities and I'm trying to provide more opportunity and supplies to encourage her interest. Sidewalk chalk, paint, play dough, glue and paper. I tell myself this is not a mess; it's a learning experience. And sometimes I listen. I love that Nora's weekly highlight is church. I know part of her excitement comes from seeing her friends, but she also genuinely loves Sunday school and children's church (she still sits with us for part of the service). We try to make a point of asking what she's learned, and she will usually report enthusiastically. She has a great memory as we've discovered through the catechism portion of our evening worship (we're still working toward regularity in that). So, we're also trying to work more with her in Scripture memory. I read recently on another blog how one family just reads the same chapter of Scripture each night for a month and by the end their toddler usually could recite a good portion of it. Good idea. Stephen and I are blessed as her parents to see her increased interest in the things of God. I'm reminded as she matures that spiritual growth is the work of the Holy Spirit. And I'm convicted to be child of God myself before my children, not simply "do" all these good things.
The amazing thing about second-borns is how they can grow up without you even realizing it. At some point Joseph transitioned from the baby to our little boy. He's very perceptive and more mechanically inclined. The other day I saw him pulling at an imaginary cord off his play lawn mower JUST LIKE Stephen pulls at the cord (is there a technical name?!) off our lawn mower to get it going. The exact same movements. And there was nothing there to act as a play cord. As I watched for another minute, I realized he would turn the plastic key, pull on his imaginary cord and shift the plastic gear, then push. I cracked up. Joseph quickly understood that I was laughing at him, and even though he appears more serious and shy of too much attention, he loves to be a joker among close friends and family. So, for the next 10 minutes he repeated the process with exaggerated movements and a comical expression to try to get me to laugh. He still loves horses -reading books about horses, having us draw him pictures of horses, riding imaginary horses, playing with toy horses... you get the idea. The boy is infatuated. I recently bought him a shirt for the fall with a horse on it. Stephen took one look at it and said, "You know he's never going to want to take this off." Hmm. I didn't think of that... I just pictured how excited he would be to see it. And he was. And he didn't. He left that darn long sleeve tee on for hours despite it being 95 degrees out. Needless to say it's hidden now until the colder temps come... in November. Maybe. Sigh. Still not loving TX weather. Thankfully, neither is my hubby, so we have hope of migrating back north sometime. Lord willing. But I digress. While Joseph has matured to boyhood in many ways, his progress in communication has been slow. I'm not worried as I see him developing at his own pace, but I can't deny he's behind in this area. And I wonder if we should be doing more. And if so, what. I guess I am more motivated to consider this because I know some of Joseph's daily frustrations could be eased by better communication. Ideas?
Baby is due in just over 7 weeks give or take a few days/weeks. We have enough baby things out now that all of our excitement is growing. We can't wait to meet this little guy, especially me. Did I mention I feel really, really pregnant? Also, I would swear that this one is BY FAR the most active in utero. Dramatic, startling movements. And constant right about bedtime. Also, I'm feeling more Braxton Hicks this time around and have been for weeks and weeks. I know this is normal for subsequent pregnancies, but it still is unsettling. I think subconsciously, I have labor more in mind earlier in the pregnancy because of that. And I still have 7 weeks to go. And he'll probably be late because I can't help but think he's going to be a bit early. Little bugger :) We're excited that both grandmas (and one Aunt Jenna!) will be able to come help in November. We'll need it! And it will be so much fun to have them. Now if only I can get a few things done before that... Better get to it! But first, post-nap snacks, and dinner prep and dinner and clean up and baths and family worship and ...exhaustion. Oh well. God is good and so is the life He's given us. We have so much to be thankful for; His mercies never cease!
02 August 2009
Miss personality
... with fashion sense. I couldn't resist allowing her to wear her accessory choice (a white sheer scarf) to church today, which she did with flare :)
Birthday week
With Nora and Joseph's birthday just two days apart, the last week of July becomes birthday week. Or at least it was this year. It struck me as I began thinking and planning for their birthdays that all previous ones have been celebrated with family in either Indiana or Tennessee. We have never had to fly solo to create the birthday atmosphere. Even now, removed by many miles, our families contributed a lot to the birthday festivities. In fact, they kicked off the week with packages arriving from both families on Monday. Of course, we had to open them that evening.
Not pictured is Wednesday's family outing to the Dallas zoo and Saturday's family outing to downtown Irving's city square followed by dinner at Sonic. Quite a fun week. We are so spoiled by all the festivities I predict some difficulty adjusting back to a "normal" schedule this week.
What did you get?
A perfect gift for our slightly OCD stuff collector (horses, books about horses, trains, bounce balls, cars) -a backpack with wheels!
Nora in her Spanish dancing dress after watching a clip of Spanish dancing on You Tube.
Nora on her birthday Tuesday (28) with her breakfast choice -waffles. Her dinner choice was "brinner" (breakfast for dinner) or sausage, eggs, toast and fruit. Yeah, she likes her breakfast foods.
Joseph with his breakfast "choice" (as related to us by Nora) on Thursday (30) of blueberry pancakes. For dinner, Papa John's pizza (mom says "yeah! no cooking!")
On Friday, we enjoyed a party for both kiddos with friends, the Myers, Brownfields, Higgins and McAnaullys. I was pleased that my first attempt at a more involved cake went well (kudos to Stephen for cutting the shape). Joseph's fascination these past couple months has been horses, so he was thrilled!
Nora's request was a princess cake with berries and cream. This was my less than professional result, but she was happy and it tasted pretty good (the cakes are pound cake).
Joseph hid his face against dad's shoulder during the singing (a bit shy of too much attention), but got into blowing the candles out afterward.
CHOCOLATE- yum! (The recipe for the cake and the icing was from the back of the Hershey's cocoa box... it's definitely a keeper. For the cake, I used dark cocoa and then a batch of milk chocolate and a half batch of dark chocolate icing.)
1. Nora has changed from her Spanish dress to a pink tutu.
2. Lauren is due this week and we're all eagerly awaiting baby Brownfield's arrival
3. Our baby I. (As in the first letter of his name... we've told more and more people as they've asked so I thought it would be fun to throw that out there. Before kids, I didn't think I would be the type to name baby before birth, but so far for each one we've decided a few months out and then not been able to keep the name to ourselves... Maybe the next one will be hush, hush and maybe we'll even wait for the gender surprise at birth rather than at 20 weeks, but is there any going back on these habits that are forming? :) My, that turned into quite the digression...) is pictured on far left.
Nora and her new friend (and first local girl friend her age), Hannah. We were thrilled when Hannah's family started coming to our church about three months ago. They are two peas in a pod. Here is Nora in yet another dress and Hannah is in Nora's play bride dress. Hannah has a younger brother, Caleb, who is Joseph's age, but the boys haven't grown into interactive play quite yet :)
Wedding addendum
Joseph will also be one of two ring bearers. I can't wait to see my little man in a suit :-D
25 July 2009
She said "Yes!"
Congrats, Kate and Ross! The Lord has done great things for you and WE ARE GLAD!
(Nora was especially glad to be asked to be a flower girl :)
Thoughts on parenting
While I would not allow my 9-year-old to ride the NY subway alone and do not agree with the author's assumption of the goodness of humanity, I find this book intriguing and myself agreeing with many of her points as represented in this review.
16 July 2009
Blueberry picking
Despite weeks of 100+ degree days, I could not resist planning a trip to a blueberry farm when a gal from church told me about it last week. Stephen took most of a day off. We woke up at 5am to load the car and pack breakfast, leaving before 6am to arrive just after 7am when the farm opened in order to get some hours of picking in before it got too hot. We all had a wonderful time! Stephen, who grew up picking blueberries at his GA home found it especially enjoyable. Nora, too, had surprising stamina. Joseph tired out after about an hour and I welcomed his request to find the farm's dogs that had sought shelter in the shade near the water coolers that were provided for visitors. Between that and numerous breaks to eat the contents of his basket while sitting on a blanket in the shade of the bushes, we were able to pick until nearly 11am. We came home with lots of deliciously sweet blueberries, most of which we froze for pancakes, muffins and smoothies. We did keep out enough to eat some fresh on granola and ice cream -yum!
What we do for our children...
or dress like a cow and get free food. Last Friday, the Shipp family donned cow attire to participate in Chick-fil-a's dress like a cow day. I had mentioned the event to Stephen earlier last week and Nora immediately took a fancy to the idea and wouldn't let me forget it :) However despite my best intentions, I didn't have costumes together by Thursday night. I mentioned the fact to Stephen as I went to bed and much to my surprise and delight the next morning, awoke the next morning to Nora exclaming, "Look at my tail!" Stephen had the costume operation well underway including one for himself and we all headed to Chick-fil-a for breakfast meals. Stephen sacrificed a couple hours of school work, and his adoring family was so grateful! (I will spare you all the details of begrudging businessmen in line who would not even crack a smile...some people just don't know how to have fun :-P)
As a humorous aside, the manager invited us back for lunch. We had plans at noon, but the kids and I kept our cow ears handy with the plan of going back for a sandwich at 11am (the deal was full attire =meal; one cow accessory = entree). Instead of just a sandwich, we all got another full meal. Hmmm. Guess we could have spared ourselves the work and embarassment (I admit I wasn't exactly eager to enter public dressed as a cow), but that wouldn't have built family memories, right? :-D
09 July 2009
Alright already.
Dear grown-up voice in my head,
I know I should be designing cow costumes or cleaning my house or making freezer jam, but the kiddos are finally napping and I just wanted a few moments (or maybe an hour) to eat lunch, check gmail and facebook, price birthday gifts for the kiddos and try a new, kid-inspired, summery blog look.
And now I'm off to trace, swiffer and chop (not at the same time).
Sincerely, Sarah
I know I should be designing cow costumes or cleaning my house or making freezer jam, but the kiddos are finally napping and I just wanted a few moments (or maybe an hour) to eat lunch, check gmail and facebook, price birthday gifts for the kiddos and try a new, kid-inspired, summery blog look.
And now I'm off to trace, swiffer and chop (not at the same time).
Sincerely, Sarah
08 July 2009
Our July 4th celebration
The festivities began with a parade in which the kids participated as candy-throwing-and-eating props atop an antique firetruck in support of our state representative (thanks to Matt for the connection and sweet -literally- ride). Lauren and I supported the effort until the the start of the parade and then headed to a local diner to enjoy the AC. Stephen was crowd control on the firetruck. Lucky him :0) But, good for us all, the whole party was treated to breakfast at said local diner ("Joe's Coffee Shop") by Rep. Linda Harper Brown after the parade. Not a bad way to start the day!
We hosted the Brownfields and a new family in our church (including Nora's first little girlfriend, Hannah -wish I had a photo of them playing dress up!) for a grilled steak lunch, followed by a wonderfully LONG nap and fireworks that evening. Yes, we did venture out and wait hours past the kiddos bedtime for the show, which is something as parents we tell ourselves was good for building memories. We'll leave it at that :0) There might have been tears at points and much sweating (yah, it really doesn't cool off here in the evening) and not enough snacks/ water and a long wait, but we've forgotten all that and just remember the excitement and fun. So, for the record, we say, all in all, a good 4th of July here in Texas.
A visit with Oma and PawPaw
I must say this has been a long and unintended blog strike. But I'm back! My PC laptop bit the dust and I'm just working up the courage to navigate Stephen's Mac (particularly iPhoto, which I do say cannot compete with Picasa).
We enjoyed a too-short-visit with "Oma and PawPaw" in early June, enjoying a trip to the Dallas zoo, a night at the rodeo, multiple jaunts to the fish store (to procure our first pets :) and much yard work (thank you, Garry!), playing and book reading. Now with both sets of grandparent visits weeks behind us, I must say, "GOLLY, it's hard to be so far from family." We really, really, really miss everyone. We couldn't ask for better family, think of you often and love you A TON.
Hope y'all enjoy the pictures!
Picking "flowers" for mom before church
Our little lady
Riding the gorilla at the Dallas zoo
Happy to be on the carousel
That's some turtle :0)
Breaking out the snacks
We loved the butterfly summer exhibit!
Dad and son. awww.
At the rodeo. Constant snacking and horses. I ask you, what is better to a boy?
Check out the boots. They are pink. They light up when you walk. They have princesses on them. They have grandma written all over them. Never fails to draw attention. Any surprise Nora loves them?
Having a great time! Nora's favorite was watching "the cowgirls ride really fast..."
Action shot.
The morning after the rodeo. They created their broom horses without any direction from us. Made me smile.
We love you, Oma and PawPaw!
We enjoyed a too-short-visit with "Oma and PawPaw" in early June, enjoying a trip to the Dallas zoo, a night at the rodeo, multiple jaunts to the fish store (to procure our first pets :) and much yard work (thank you, Garry!), playing and book reading. Now with both sets of grandparent visits weeks behind us, I must say, "GOLLY, it's hard to be so far from family." We really, really, really miss everyone. We couldn't ask for better family, think of you often and love you A TON.
Hope y'all enjoy the pictures!
Picking "flowers" for mom before church
Our little lady
Riding the gorilla at the Dallas zoo
Happy to be on the carousel
That's some turtle :0)
Breaking out the snacks
We loved the butterfly summer exhibit!
Dad and son. awww.
At the rodeo. Constant snacking and horses. I ask you, what is better to a boy?
Check out the boots. They are pink. They light up when you walk. They have princesses on them. They have grandma written all over them. Never fails to draw attention. Any surprise Nora loves them?
Having a great time! Nora's favorite was watching "the cowgirls ride really fast..."
Action shot.
The morning after the rodeo. They created their broom horses without any direction from us. Made me smile.
We love you, Oma and PawPaw!
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