thoughts of the nonsensical

November 2011

2012-01-19T22:45:00.000-06:00

November 2011 kept our schedules busy too! Looking back it is a wonder we did so much! Among our regular activities of playdates, work, MOPS, youth group, church, Bible studies, meetings, and the like Adam was also tested and ordained by our church. It required a whole morning of questioning by pastors in our area and included our pastor from our church back home. It was quite a grueling process and Adam came out wonderfully.

Grammy and PopPop came to visit for the event and then we went home for Thanksgiving so we had lots of family love.

Penny is quite a Miss Thing. She is very strong willed and has been prone to throwing fits. So I had to include this one.

But she can also be the happiest person around and is very much a girl in she likes to "shop" (here with a shopping bag I crocheted for a friend) and likes to pick out her clothes and especially has a thing for shoes!

Max is always creating new ways to keep us on our toes. He is often pretending to be someone other than Max (but house rules are that you always have to be yourself at the dinner table, just so you know). Here he is riding his beloved stuffed rhino Graca.

(Little known fact: Graca is named after the church that I visited in Porto Portugal Communidade de Graca in college. Adam got me Graca upon my return. Max adopted him when he was 1 and had slept with him ever since.)

October 2011

2012-01-19T22:27:00.000-06:00

Thought I would do a few monthly posts here to get everyone caught up on the end of our year. We had a wonderful end to 2011.

October was a bit of a whirlwind-
We kept waiting for autumn and it seemed to allude us. It was warm and wonderful and we were full of busy outings and playing outside.

Then we decided to extend summer a little longer by spending a couple of weeks on vacation! I flew with the kids to Florida to spend time with Grammy and then the rest of the family joined us a few days later. The kids LOVED playing at the beach and had so much fun with their cousin Ella.

We capped off the fun time by taking a Disney Cruise on the new boat Disney Dream. It was truly amazing. Everything was done up to "Disney" quality and while it was our (Adam and I) first cruise, I think it really did spoil us for any other type (the others that had cruised in our family agreed)!
I did thoroughly enjoy going to Nassau and shopping a bit with Grammy and Penny but by far the most fun was the day we spent on Disney's Island. It was so relaxing as Max LOVED the kids play area (which was a supervised clubhouse type thing) and Penny LOVED the babysitting/daycare area. So we were kids free for a few glorious hours!

The Apple Orchard and the Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-07T13:47:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine told me about a great little orchard just north of one of our neighboring towns and so we packed up the kids and went. We had such a great time feeding the catfish in the pond, picking a half bushel of apples, and I even ended up with some of their honey as well!

We also took our yearly trek to one of the other neighboring towns to pick out pumpkins. We won't be here to enjoy jack-o-lanterns this year, but I still needed to get a few pie pumpkins to put up for the year and we let Max choose whatever "pumpkin" he would like. In true boy fashion he picked out one of the long green gourds because he said that it looked like a snake.

Also the last picture is now what happens when I try to take a cute Christmas card photo... (no worries, he didn't actually drop it on her head)

Disney August 2011

2011-10-07T13:34:00.002-05:00

Way back in August we spent a few days at Disney World just the four of us. We normally travel there with members of our family, so it was a different experience for us.
We are Disney Vacation Club members and so Disney to us is a home away from home and we LOVE it there :) However, every time we think we've got the Disney routine down there's always something different. I suppose once the kids are older we'll be in a great routine, but this was Penny's first time outside my body to be there (last time we went I was pregnant with her). She did great, Max did great, Adam had a wonderful time and I was just exhausted by the end of the week. Sounds like a successful family vacation to me.

I'm finally getting around to this because our next Disney Vacation is lovingly looming over me as I print off our packing list. We will be in Tampa for a few days and then be taking a short Disney Cruise here in a few weeks.

31 before 30 Check In

2011-09-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about this challenge since my birthday in July and I've been wondering how I've been doing on it.... So here goes...
You can read my previous update and original goal too.
1. Run at least a half marathon if not a full one
I've been training and training and I'm NOT a good runner. I'm not one of those people who get on and get 5 or 10 miles done and smile as they hop off the treadmill to go about their day... I"m one of those coughing, wheezing types that is totally wet by the end of half walking mile 2 and will instead be icing their extremities the rest of the day. That being said, I was kicking butt in my own personal best times and then I sprained my ankle when I fell down some stairs. I'm working back up but two months later I'm still slower than I was. So frustrating.
~~2. Clean out my closet to things that I only actually wear (not wish I could wear or might wear someday)~~
This was awesome to get accomplished, but then I lost quite a bit of weight over the summer and was sad I hadn't kept a few of my favorite pieces that would fit again. But then again, I used it as an excuse to do a little birthday shopping. Now I need to go back through again and get rid of the things that are too big.
3. See the pacific ocean
4. Decide whether or not (and have if we are) any more children
I don't know if this discussion is ever done. Now that Penny is past the frustrating baby stage, I'm ogling babies again...
~~5. Weekend in Chicago (this was on my list last night as I was thinking of things, and that's what my gift from Adam is for my birthday! He must have read my mind)~~
We've been to Chicago a few times, and Max was just asking the other day if we could go again. I'd like to take the train up there sometime this fall.
~~6. Learn to quilt~~
Well not traditionally, but I did complete a quilt. It's just about twin sized and Penny sleeps with it every night.
7. Complete another full sized afghan (either knit or crochet)
I'm working on one. It started out as a baby blanket for a baby that's now crawling. Eeps.
~~8. Decide on a career~~
I take tests next weekend to finish my license to teach English here in Illinois. I'm not planning on going back to teaching until the kids go to school though
9. Join a CSA for a summer
10. Get Adam to eat the veggies from the CSA
~~11. Take Max and Penny to a real live farm to see animals and/or harvest~~
We went to go see the harvest and Max and Adam rode the combine
12. Visit the PNW
13. Find a little black dress I actually like
This is like the hardest thing to do EVER! But I do have a pretty turquoise one I've been wearing all the time... Maybe I'm just meant for color?
14. Finish reading the whole Bible (I've started this one so many times, but always go back to my favorites instead of reading it all)
15. knit myself a sweater
I have a fear of commitment. I couldn't decide on a pattern and then freaked about committing to a yarn. So I knitted Penny a really pretty sweater instead. I just finished it last night.
~~16. Feel comfortable in my own skin, no matter what it looks like, or who I'm with~~
I've hit some crazy crazy strides with this over the summer. I don't know when it happened, but it was all in God's timing. I love it!
~~17. Clean out everything we collect and make it into everything we use/need/love~~
This is like a never ending cycle. I'm actually on my second round through this weekend. But since I've finished one round, I'm gonna call it completed!
18. Catch up on Max and Penny's scrapbooks
I said to Adam a few days ago "I give up on scrapbooking. I'm just gonna finish each kid's first year and call it quits"
~~19. Have a "handmade Christmas" where everything I give has been handmade by myself or someone I know~~
I'm not in a position to do any better this year than last because of me opening my Etsy shop and doing a few craft fairs. So I'm calling this one completed since I'm pretty satisfied with last year.
~~20. Vacation without the kids (I think the overnight in Chicago might count for this one too...)~~
I'm totally counting it.
21. Go to Disneyland
~~22. Learn to use our camera in manual mode a little better~~
I shoot in manual quite a bit now. And I'm getting better all the time.
23. Have professional (really professional) family pictures taken
We tried. The kids were awful that morning. It's like they KNEW I wanted a nice picture. We'll have to try again.
24. Visit Dallas again
25. Spend some time alone on a beach and just read a book or magazine or knit

I'm hoping to get a little of this in October when we visit the gulf with Adam's parents and then end our time with a Disney Cruise with the whole family.
~~26. See MOPS (or any other ministry I might be involved in) flourish~~
Our second year of MOPS starts on Friday and the response this year has been a little overwhelming if those interested do choose to participate! I love all the relationships I've built out of this and I love seeing the Lord glorified through them!
27. Play my cello again
Bahaha still taking up space in the back of the spare room closet.
28. Read all the books I've bought and never read
Ok so I haven't bought a book.... that is a real hold in your hands book. Unfortunately, Adam got me a Kindle for my birthday. So now I collect unread books on there too.
~~29. Use trifle dish that I bought years ago but have only used to hold ice~~
I used it for fruit salad- I was also reminded that I totally have used it already- December 2008-
~~30. Have a garage sale~~
It was awesome! And I loved getting rid of stuff. I might have collected enough to do another one this fall.
31. So I've been wanting to do something for a while I've never had the courage to do. It's something kinda silly, and I was thinking I was too old to, but I realized I'm not and I've been hemming and hawing about it for a few weeks now. So mystery item number 31 is going on the list and will be revealed when I do it.
I'm not gonna do it. At least now anyway. Maybe in different circumstances I would just go for it, but not right now.

Oh wow! That's really sad that I've only completed 13 out of 30 (31). But I also realize that a few of these might just be dreams (like the pacific ocean, visiting PNW, Disneyland group - all these would be completed with one trip that we might not get to take in the next year) Some are in the works and have some promise and others I at least knew weren't going to happen realistically... Adam eating veggies... who am I kidding? :)

Back in the Saddle

2011-08-31T22:14:00.000-05:00

We've been busy squeezing every single bit out of this summer. I've been purposefully spending time away from the blog. It's not really been something that was deemed "most important" for the summer. I've missed it and after years of doing it, often thought "I should blog about that!" and then we would keep swinging or eating popsicles or swimming at the pool, and I would forget. At the end of my day I would fall into bed exhausted, having not blogged, and IT WAS GOOD. The most important of all of our friends and family knew the most important things about us, we all survived. I was freed up in time to do a little more knitting, a little more Bible study, a little more life. But I've also been a little better about keeping up with friends' blogs and I realized I missed having a document of our daily life, what the kids were doing, where I was as a mom and a person. So here's to the beginning of school and new schedules and new routines. We'll see if I find time to pop in here a little more.I've continued to take pictures of the kids the 13th of every month... Here's July and August.

Swinging in Cody, NE on our work trip to the Sandhills Church of Hope there. It was a fantastic time!

On our front porch after a rain shower

Max's favorite thing to do right now is play pretend, sometimes he's an animal but most the time he's a robot

My friend Denna (the pastor's wife in NE) and her youngest (of 5!) Miriam

I scooped out watermelon and Adam said "hey that looks like a hat" and then everyone tried it on (except Mama)

One of our adventures of Max accidentally locking himself in his room. It's an antique door that we didn't even know could lock. So out through the window onto the roof it was.

We did lots of swinging and swimming this summer

One of us learned how to walk

We chased hot air balloons across the countryside

We visited new (to us) parks

We had lots of picnics

Helping to make granola bars. Max pretty much helps cook at least once a day and we have recently started having him set the table as well. He's getting so big!

Max is such a little man. He is a fountain of quirkiness and laughter and spunk. He starts back to (pre)school next week and also starts as a Cubbie in our church's AWANA program. He remembers EVERYTHING you tell him and will constantly remind you. Everyday we start our day with Max asking where we are going to go today? Who are we going to visit? Which friends are we going to see? Can we go to the park? Can we go to the library? Can we play outside? Can we play Legos? on and on and on.

Penny is a little spitfire has definitely changed from a baby to a toddler over the past couple of weeks. It's like one day she decided she was done being a baby and started walking and talking and being a teenager. She's a bit more moody than I ever remember Max being, and it's so funny to see her be shy (that's not really a trait we have in our family) and so sweet. She's definitely a Mama's girl and a bit of a homebody as well.

Well this is just an inaugural post. I'm hoping to pop back in soon to talk a little bit about our recent trip to Disney World and also check in on my 30 before 30 list I started last year.
I really have missed all of you.

Surprise!

2011-07-01T14:39:00.000-05:00

I know that you've been missing me. I've taken a step back from my internet time recently and this poor blog has been severely neglected. But never fear the Kipp family has been growing quickly. Since I last posted we've celebrated birthdays and births of babies, friends who are leaving, friends visiting from all over, and new friends taking new places in our hearts (because the old places are taken, you know). We've been to the zoo and the pool as much as humanly possible. We're planning trips to Nebraska next week, Florida at the end of summer, and again at the end of October. We are laughing a lot and eating popsicles. We are amazed how Penny learns something new LITERALLY every day. And how Max is suddenly like 8 years old instead of 3. It's been an awesome summer so far folks.

I don't anticipate blogging regularly here in the next few weeks. Maybe an update here or there when I get the chance.

A few funny things.
This morning in the car Max told me he had sprinkles on his arm. I asked him how they got there (he didn't really have sprinkles) and he told me it was because he eats donuts (note that he doesn't even like donuts with sprinkles, he's strictly a cream filled fan).

Also today in the car he was playing with an old cell phone and told me to hold on a minute because he was busy texting Pop Pop. And calling him. Both. At the same time.

May 13

June 13

taken today

just a pop in

2011-05-12T10:49:00.000-05:00

Just a few things that are floating around that I wanted to say.

First I can't believe Max turns three tomorrow. Like literally can't believe it. I'm in denial.

Second, I did the Race for the Cure last weekend in honor of Barb. It's always so much fun and so inspirational!

Third, I am a busy little beaver putting together things for a craft fair in June. I've never done one and I have no idea what I'm doing and I just keep making things. We'll see how it goes. I'm at least sharing a table with a friend so I won't be alone all day. But whatever doesn't sell is going up in my quiet little etsy shop I've been plotting and planning. I even got my super talented cousin Brittany to make me a logo. She made me a few to choose from and so I might use some similar ones for different things, but here's my main one. She's the coolest and is letting me pay her in yarn goodies.... sounds great to me!

click on it to go to my shop (which is empty right now)

Fourth, we had Penny dedicated during service last week. There were four other little ones dedicated and three baptisms. What an awesome testimony for our church and all the families present! It was so awesome.
(excuse the blurry picture, the lighting in our sanctuary is a photographer's NIGHTMARE)

Fifth, I know my hair is really long in the picture above. The longest it's been in years. I can put it in a pony tail. I've got a hair appointment today and am contemplating a much shorter 'do. We'll see if I have the guts to do it. :)

Thirteen- 35 and 10

2011-04-20T16:32:00.001-05:00

I remembered to take a picture on the 13th (January, February, March) this month, but then forgot to blog. I've been forgetting to blog a lot... We'll do something or I'll think of something and say to myself, "Don't forget to blog that," and then I promptly forget.

Here's the pictures....

Here's some things that are important to our family right now.
1. Penny's first word: A-da (for Daddy)
I swear she also says Yesh (for Yes)

2. Penny also waves, gives kisses, crawls, climbs, stands up, cruises the furniture, and climbs the stairs. And she dances. A LOT.

3. Max turns 3 in 3 weeks. I don't know how I'm going to handle that.

4. I'm signed up to participate in a local craft fair, sharing a table with a friend who makes jewelry.

5. Adam just started softball practice and Max is very proud to say that his Daddy plays baseball.

6. When I ask Max about things (like how he got so cute, or so big) he tells me it happens while he's sleeping.

7. He also tells us that his stuffed animals are being loud and talking to him when he gets in trouble for not going to bed.

8. He loves his sister so much that he wants to hug her all the time and she keeps trying to get away from him.

9. He also pushed her down the other day. I didn't see it happen, but he told me he did.

10. Max likes to stay in church service long enough to sing the songs. But he always sings the theme songs to his favorite television shows instead, even if he knows the songs.

11. Penny has picked up signing just like her brother did, and now tells us "more" and "all done" for various activities (mostly eating).

12. Max has started to recognize letters and shown an interest in learning letter sounds. But he still does not consistently know his colors. But can count to 20 or so. I'm guessing he's leaning more toward and engineer than an artist.

13. We hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

What a difference a year makes... this was taken last week... (also note the new ring sling I made, Penny and Max both love to ride in it)

This was taken April 13, 2010 (exactly two months before Penny was born)

A trip to the ZOO

2011-04-06T15:51:00.000-05:00

First, cute pictures of my kids... Today was a free day at the zoo and Adam took a little time off work to go with us. I promise that camel is not dead. I made sure it was breathing before I made Max stand in front of it to take a picture. I guess I didn't know that camels laid down like that to sleep. I assumed they either stood or laid down like a horse or cow. Man that camel looked dead.

Oh my word, it was one of those weeks. We kept getting pummeled by one thing or another. It's kind of ongoing so we aren't out of the clear yet, but our God is good. All the time. Yes, ALL THE TIME.

I've had a really great chance to hear some women speakers in the past few weeks. It started with the Hearts @ Home conference a few weeks ago but has continued and this past week I've heard two women speak and they've used the same verses. These are also verses that keep popping up in Adam's sermons, in my Bible study, in encouragement from friends, in song lyrics, just about everywhere. Apparently they are verses I need to be paying attention to. Here are the three that keep smacking me upside the head.

2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Ephesians 3:17-19
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I've begun to notice a theme. I'm working on the things God is starting a change on in me. It's not always what we want to hear, but listening is better than not. Just as I always tell Max, it's always better if we obey the first time, I just need to be obedient.

Just a quick Hello

2011-03-28T21:00:00.000-05:00

It's one of those days that will probably be one of those weeks... You know the kind, where it takes 25x longer to do ANYTHING than it should. Where you pick up something and put it away to find 5 more things where they shouldn't be. You get to the post office and realize that the address you need is at home.... That kind of week.
But that's ok. God is working in the lives of people around me, and I see His will being done, and I can feel His grace and hand upon my life. So I'll take this week and know that He has ordained it and will use it to His glory, because it's definitely not being used towards my own.

My big boy wanted to be carried around (a little sibling jealousy has been going on) and when he climbed in the wrap, he hugged me and told me to never let him down. Makes my heart melt.

Baby Blue Eyes blowing a kiss trying on a Mama-made dress.

::Right Now::

2011-03-17T16:01:00.000-05:00

I love a little boy who dresses himself...

and dresses himself

I love a little girl who is getting so big! (9 months!)

We love the park

I'm reading books about farming. I'm so not a farmer, but I like the idea of farming.

I'm totally proud that I have little sproutings of green peppers, jalapenos, and yesterday we started tomatoes, basil, and cilantro.

I'm sad I kills some tulips before I could get them in the ground.

I'm excited I actually got my magazine pile down to 5 (it was about three feet tall all together)

I'm loving having the windows open, time to play outside and when family comes to visit.

It's very quiet in the house while the kids nap and I'm listening to jazz music.

I'm excited for MOPS tomorrow. I love MOPS.

I'm still thinking about all the fun I had last weekend at the Hearts @ Home conference.

I love these rainbow cupcakes I made for Max's preschool class today in honor of St. Patrick's Day (these were the last of the batter that Adam and I got to "taste test"

Loving all the babies that have been born this week.

Love that I have a girl who's as interested in yarn as her Mama

Here's my photo of the kids from the 13th

Some thoughts on Lent

2011-03-09T16:48:00.000-06:00

I was at the library this morning and there was a group of moms with their kids and they had the charcoal crosses on their foreheads. At first I just saw one of the children and I thought she just had a dirty face. Then it clicked that today is Ash Wednesday. I thought about the Ash Wednesdays when I was a kid. The beginning of Lent. The beginning of Filet O Fishes every Friday (I know some people who don't like them, but I do!). The beginning of giving something up.

Even in college I still celebrated Lent even after I had "left" the Catholic faith in exchange for Protestant. I still gave something up, still sacrificed something.

But I've had occasion to think about what Lent means this year. You see I'm crafting along to the Lenten schedule. I'm doing a knit a-long (KAL) ending with a scarf representing major themes in Lent. Each piece is a mystery until that week. This first week is knitted in green with a grass pattern in the knit symbolizing creation.

I've decided I like the idea of adding something to Lent instead of giving something up. Christ gave so much for us, sure He sacrificed (the ULTIMATE sacrifice) but in doing so gave us everything we could ever need.

On a related (I promise) note. I love the Food Network Star and have watched both seasons. I was especially thrilled when my favorite Aarti from last season won. It turns out she's a believer and has her own personal blog. Her thoughts today on Lent echoed mine.

I'm a winner!

2011-03-01T16:40:00.000-06:00

I don't often enter contests and giveaways. I always feel like it's kinda embarrassing. I also have a hard time believing things are really really free. But some things are. Like the grace of God, or the love that your child has for you, or most blog giveaways. The internet has it's own ways of scamming people- but there's little circles of blogs that I read and most are mommies, most are crafters, and most are funny. Lots of them do giveaways and I sign up for a lot of them.

I finally won one a while back and last week my little prize came in the mail and I'm in love with them. I keep placing them different places around the house and have yet to use one because they are just too pretty. You know, that sort of thing. Like Grandma's china, or beautiful new shoes that don't have any scuffs.
Here they are:

Yep, they're notebooks! (not the trucks, those already belonged to me, see there's one boy's firetruck and one girl's ice cream truck)

Beth from I Should Be Folding Laundry sent me this lovely little bundle. Beth, well she's pretty awesome. I've read her blog for a while (actually it was while she was pregnant with her cute little son, Eli and I was pregnant with Penny- I'm obsessed with pregnant people all the time, but especially when I'm pregnant myself) and she does quite a few fun giveaways and I try to always enter because she gets the most wonderful people to donate. She's awesome like that. She lives near Chicago and I always secretly tell myself if I lived a bit closer we would be real life friends (but sometimes that just sounds a little creepy). Anyway, she's also a wonderful photographer. Thanks, Beth, I never win, and it was fun!
These are the close ups of the two larger notebooks. So inspirational and lovely.

the jot of LOVE - the end

2011-02-28T21:38:00.000-06:00

Day 17 - staying in

Much of our day "in" consists of legos

Day 18 - going out

we don't get out a whole lot, but we do have fun when we do

Day 19 - when they're gone

we've talked about this before, when daddy's gone we eat popcorn

Day 20 - when they're home

when daddy's home, it's time to fix things

Day 21 - hands

max's hands are always busy

Day 22 - face

i'm loving the different faces Penny makes lately

Day 23 - facebook

here's a goodie i stole from facebook from our "ugly" sweater party

Day 24 - when did you meet?

here's where I met Penelope Elizabeth

Day 25 - when you love them the most

when they are playing together

Day 26 - best friend

this is Penny and her best friend Colton. He loves her flexibility and she likes his smile.

Day 27 - what they say

"hey!"

Day 28 - future

our future is going to be moving and shaking- that's for sure!

I had a lot of fun doing this series this month. I liked the lessons she made to go along with the different days and I liked being challenged to use the camera more than I do. I put a personal challenge on myself to only use manual mode and I would say about 90% of the pictures you saw this month were shot in manual mode.

There's another free "class" in the month of March that I might just sign up for.

January and February Yarn Finished Projects

2011-02-28T20:22:00.003-06:00

Since I'm not likely to finish any of the four projects I have going tonight, I'll go ahead and post the ones I did finish in January and February.

It wasn't really a "quantity" kind of two months, but I'd say more of a "quality" time. I fnished a few things that were requested by family and friends (my favorite things to do because I know they are appreciated) and I the one that took up most of my time was a test knit using Malabrigo yarn which I had never used, and now once I've used it, it's hard to use something else. It's so smooshy and wonderful and soft and lovely.

edited: I must have felt like I should have done more... my mitts are in there twice. They are pretty awesome mitts though...
also you can always find all my details for projects on my ravelry page - friend me, i'm carakipp there.

Just Because

2011-02-24T16:13:00.000-06:00

I know I should be doing a million things.... but today I've done some things JUST BECAUSE

I bought potted tulips... just because they were really cheap and looked so pretty and I love tulips because they remind me of one of my besties.

I bought yarn that felt really nice.... just because I loved the pattern that was free with the yarn purchase and I realized I've never made a pattern with the yarn intended for it. Until now....

I organized the bathroom closet... just because I was really annoyed with how everything gets shoved in there and nothing is where it should be.

I played outside with Max while Penny took a nap.... just because it's going to snow tonight and that means we'll probably be stuck inside for a few days. Ugh.

Here's a picture... just because....

there's something growing, promising spring will come soon.

the joy of LOVE - playing catch up

2011-02-23T16:55:00.000-06:00

I've been taking pictures, I just haven't had the time to empty the camera let alone actually weed through the good ones and finding the time to edit, etc. But I've found a good hour here while Penny is playing by herself (a rare treat around here) and Max is napping.
So here are a few. I'm way behind, but I'll get there.
Day 11 - dream

waking up from a wonderful dream

Day 12 - eyes

ah, baby blues

Day 13 - routines

Penny's morning routine while Mama gets ready

Day 14 - wedding bands

Day 15 - kiss

poor picture, but I love it!

Day 16 - self portrait

the joy of LOVE - 10 - space - where they are comfortable

2011-02-10T14:23:00.000-06:00

she's most comfortable on the floor. and getting ready to crawl. which coincidentally makes mama very uncomfortable.

the joy of LOVE - Day 6 & 7 & 8 & 9

2011-02-09T09:35:00.000-06:00

Day 6 - who THEY love
I kinda did this one with Day 2 but revised it a little for Day 6

Penny and Max love each other. So much. It makes me smile.

Day 7 - generations

This picture is from January but I love it so much. Pop Pop with his grandbabies.

Day 8 - gift from the heart (what they have said, done, promised, given)

This one was hard, but then I remembered this photo that makes me laugh each time I think about it. Max has given our family lots of laughter.

Day 9 - passions and hobbies

Max has a serious passion for tractors, construction vehicles, and anything with wheels.

the joy of LOVE - Day 5 - love to hate

2011-02-05T09:36:00.000-06:00

Today's theme is love to hate - I love to hate how Max eats donuts- from the top down starting with the frosting, then the cream in the center and lastly the donut. I don't know that he could come up with a messier way even if he tried. But darn he loves donuts!

the joy of LOVE - Day 3 & 4

2011-02-04T16:54:00.000-06:00

Day 3 - then and now

Max in his crib two years ago and Max in his crib yesterday "helping" Penny

Day 4 - what they wear

Couldn't pass up the perfect opportunity for this one today

the joy of LOVE - Day 2 - how they look

2011-02-02T09:31:00.000-06:00

I get a lot done when I'm up and at 'em at 6 am. That's not a great time for me, but I don't really have a choice. Penny's got a cough and it woke her up that early. She's normally my late sleeper, but not this morning.

I've already got some laundry done, taken a shower, the kids are dressed (I just put pjs back on, but for some reason I dressed the kids?)

So anyway the joy of LOVE day 2 is to take a picture of how they look... at you, at something, a look that's them.

I caught mine right away this morning. This is one of my favorite looks for Penny. She reserves it for her big brother. She just adores him. The joy on her face for him does not compare to anything else. It melts my heart every time. She eagerly waits for him to notice her.

We got a lot of snow last night. I don't know how much and it's hard to tell because of all the blowing and drifting. They've plowed our alley but not our street. There must be some reason I guess. I'm not going anywhere unless I can help it, besides when I went to check out the back, I found this

There used to be three steps there, well I assume they are still there, but I'm certainly not looking for them.

Our eager neighbors across the street have already dug out their drive... too bad the city hasn't done the street yet.

I'm torn because I don't want to dig out to go pick Adam up at the airport, but I also want him home. But mostly because I'm selfish and I want to nap and take a break from being a Mommy for like 10 minutes (or maybe 10 hours). We'll see what the airports are up to this afternoon.

the joy of LOVE - Day 1 - what they do

2011-02-01T23:35:00.003-06:00

I've decided to do a little project for February. It's called the joy of LOVE and it's a little online photo class/tutorial. It's just for fun and I'm hoping to learn a little something new.

I know I won't post everyday, but I'm excited to see what comes out of this.

Today's topic is what they do and I chose to catch Max doin' what he does. Here's my pick of the day.

Eating Supper- A Favorite of Ours

PS- Do you see the white on our windows in the background? We've gotten a foot of snow today and are looking at up to eight more inches tonight. I so am over snow.

PPS- You can sign up for the joy of LOVE too if you wish- click here

Play Pretend...

2011-01-27T23:29:00.000-06:00

One of Max's favorite things to do lately is play pretend. Mostly he's a cow, in a cage, which is really Penny's crib. Sometimes he plays hocus pocus and uses a towel to magically turn things into other things. He mostly turns Penny into a pumpkin. Sometimes he also pretends he's a dog and likes to lick people, and sometimes our bed is a stage and we have to announce him and then turn on the lights and he'll play you a song on his guitar.

But today I realized most days I still feel like I'm pretending to play house, kinda like I really can't be this old and have two (2!) kids that I am responsible for. And instead I'm back in college and still unsure of what I am and who I'm supposed to be. Like I might wake up and this has all been a very freakishly vivid dream.

Tonight I had coffee with a new and awesome friend. And I realized I didn't know how long we've lived here. It's been long enough that I stopped counting. I'm not dreaming and I'm not going to wake up and find myself living back in Swiss Tower in that little bubble of wonderfullness that was Dallas Seminary. Or back in Morrill Tower (I've lived in a lot of towers) with the Humanities Scholars- again a bubble of wonderfullness- This is my life and it's all still about figuring out who I am and trying to come up with what I'm doing and mostly right now it has to do with laundry and asking a certain person if they have to go potty four thousand times a day. It's a reality that I know won't last forever, but sometimes I still feel like I'm playing pretend.

Like tonight when I undercooked the bread, and burnt the potatoes and the french toast tasted awful even though Max and Adam ate it anyway. I felt like I was playing pretend and was way out of my league. Even though it's a dinner I've made at least a dozen times. Some days we float around the house and Max helps pick up and I get something decently cleaned and we are all smiling at the end of the day. And others are like tonight where I put the baby to sleep and happily say goodbye and leave the house as quickly as possible to escape the reality of it all.

I mostly my life- real or pretend as it may be. My favorite part is when Max plays a song for me.

It's all coming up yarn

2011-01-26T14:57:00.000-06:00

I like yarn better than roses anyway.

Today I began a little knitting group. Well knitting, crocheting, teaching, learning, children running around screaming, babies eating needles and gnawing on yarn, group. I hope it sticks. It's that good kind of chaos that leaves me feeling like the rest of the day is calm cool and collected. And it wears out the kiddos.

Today Soulemama blogged about what's in her knitting basket and I thought- Hmmm I don't have a knitting basket, I have a knitting space between our trunk and the love seat and then there's the overflow.... We won't talk about that....

But then I realized there's yarn all over the house. And I really like it that way. So I dug up some places there are yarn and this was after I had already picked up a little.

A yarn covered diaper next to a yarny WIP

Yarn came in the mail today from Mamaw to finish off a baby gift

Part of my stash that was revealed to the knitting ladies today

Ahem- the diaper bag with a purchase from yesterday....

Penny's Halloween lady bug ears that are still played with.

And finally my knitting space. Complete with my knitpicks harmony needles I got for Christmas (LOVE!) and most of my works in progress.... Here they are in detail.

A baby blanket in a made up classic ripple. It is very American looking, but also very lovely I think.

A mystery test pattern knit. I can't wait to blog about this one and also about the person who wrote the pattern, probably one of the coolest people I internet know. (You know, instead of real life know...)

A waiting scarf for Grammy that was promised back on New Years and still not started (Sorry Grammy!)

Penny's Christmas Blocks that still aren't finished either... I got distracted by other beautiful things.

Busy Beavers

2011-01-25T16:04:00.000-06:00

We've been busy beavers lately (um, when are we not!) and we've had something to do each day. But I gotta be honest. I am so very looking forward to the day when we can just play outside. I'm not a snow player and it seems that Max has a tendency that way too. It takes me longer to get him dressed to play outside than he'll actually stay out. So really, it's not worth it. It's cold. That makes me grumpy. It also explodes cans of soda on our back porch leaving a huge disaster of soda on the walls ceiling and floor. That makes me extra grumpy.

I've been knitting away, but nothing I can share. A baby blanket is being crocheted and I'm testing a pattern that's hoping to be published for an internet friend.

I"ve bought more yarn than I've used up in the past month and have a taken a hiatus on buying yarn... That's really easy to say since I bought yarn today.... So it's a new hiatus and one I probably won't kill myself to keep.

I've also been organizing everything I can get my hands on- Re-purposing as much as possible and getting rid of everything I'm not using. The old hutch is now relabeled with the hopes of being functional again- Binders are being reorganized - my household notebook, recipe notebook, crochet/knitting pattern notebook- they are all getting new looks.

I've also been baking- mostly making bread using Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day

It's leading to me really needing to get back into a gym routine. I will work out just so I can eat more bread. That's motivation, my friends.

Other than that I have really cute kids, some awesome friends who are always up for a bit of fun, and a to do list a mile and a half long. Life's pretty awesome.

13!

2011-01-15T09:35:00.000-06:00

I've been inspired by a blog I read to take at least one photo a month of the kids. I've decided to do the 13th of every month and blog about it. I can't promise the blog will come on the 13th... um it's the 15th right? and I can't promise I'll remember on the 13th to even take the picture (I took these on the 14th, oops) But it's an attempt I'm going to make. I chose the 13th because both kids were born on the 13th. Unlucky for some, it's the best day for me! I'll also include a list of 13 things about the kids or our family life. I couldn't choose one picture so here's 7...

Eyeballing his food

Both smiling (but a little blurry)

sharing his supper

Out take

two peas in a pod

they love each other, they really do

Sibling Love

1. Penny is 7 months old and Max is 32 months old

2. Penny loves to sit up and actively play now.

3. That also means she gets bored. Very bored. Very easily.

4. Max's favorite thing (according to him) is play toys.

5. Penny is eating everything she can get her hands on... seriously. Anything. Her favorite thing to eat is paper.

6. Max's favorite thing to eat (according to him) is noodles.

7. Penny also gets mad now when you leave the room... Ugh.

8. Max is doing so well potty training- I guess I was under the delusion that it was a cut and dry process for every kid. That is so not true.

9. Our favorite thing to do when we are having a bad day, it have a dance party in the living room.

10. Yesterday Max saw me knitting and asked me for a new hat. He just got a new hat at Christmas. But he even went upstairs and picked out the yarn... How can I say no?

11. Penny is now a blankie girl and requires no less than two blankies at bedtime to snuggle and rub her face on to fall asleep. One flannel and one fluffy. She holds them on either side of her face all night.

12. Today Adam is on a retreat all day and so we are having a fun day. Mama's not cooking and we are watching movies and meeting friends for lunch and all taking really long naps this afternoon (hopeful!)

13. We have some bad days, but the good days are so awesome I can't even remember why the bad days are bad!

Giveaway Winner!

2011-01-15T08:58:00.000-06:00

I've decided to go ahead and choose two winners for the giveaway! I entered all 12 names of the commenters here on the blog and on Facebook into the List Randomizer on Random.org and out came two lovely ladies!
First is Amy, an old college roomie in OH
And second was Amber, a wonderful friend from seminary in KS
I was going to let let the winner choose and then send the other item to the second, but I decided to choose for you ladies based on how I know your personailities (I hope you aren't offended by that!)

So Amy- Here's your's:

Pattern: Waffel Hat (ravelry.com link)

And Amber- Here's your's:

Pattern: My own design!

Thanks for playing friends :)

An Update- 31 things before 30 and a giveaway

2011-01-08T10:12:00.000-06:00

I haven't checked in yet on the list of 30 things before 30 so I thought I would share on those today. It's been almost 6 months since I turned 28 and I'm surprised at how often I think of this list. I thought I would make it and forget it, but I really do think of it at least once a week. Mostly in the shower, when I have 2.5 seconds of peace and the water is loud enough that it almost seems quiet.

So here's the list with some commentary if you are following along-
1. Run at least a half marathon if not a full one
Well I'm not there yet. In fact as most people I didn't hardly do anything over the holiday season-
~~2. Clean out my closet to things that I only actually wear (not wish I could wear or might wear someday)~~
Actually DONE! It was liberating and I'm still pulling a few pieces out here and there. I'm amazed at what I had t had that I didn't wear ever, at all, and didn't even like.
3. See the pacific ocean
~~4. Decide whether or not (and have if we are) any more children~~
We're done for now and it's up for renegotiation in 2015 so that takes care of the before 30 part.
~~5. Weekend in Chicago (this was on my list last night as I was thinking of things, and that's what my gift from Adam is for my birthday! He must have read my mind)~~
We had a great time! And it was awesome- I've already been again for a day with friends and I'm planning another day trip in February to visit some friends. I'm such a city girl.
6. Learn to quilt
7. Complete another full sized afghan (either knit or crochet)
8. Decide on a career
9. Join a CSA for a summer
10. Get Adam to eat the veggies from the CSA
11. Take Max and Penny to a real live farm to see animals and/or harvest
We went to go see the harvest and Max and Adam rode the combine
12. Visit the PNW
13. Find a little black dress I actually like
14. Finish reading the whole Bible (I've started this one so many times, but always go back to my favorites instead of reading it all)
15. knit myself a sweater
This is one of my knitting goals for this year. I just have to decide on a pattern
16. Feel comfortable in my own skin, no matter what it looks like, or who I'm with
17. Clean out everything we collect and make it into everything we use/need/love
I started with my closet and I'm working through the house. I'm ending with the garage. Which will then lead to #30
18. Catch up on Max and Penny's scrapbooks
I've actually done a page or two of Max's and printed a billion pictures
19. Have a "handmade Christmas" where everything I give has been handmade by myself or someone I know
I did pretty well this year, but I'd like to do better next year. If not I'm pretty satisfied with how well I did this year.
~~20. Vacation without the kids (I think the overnight in Chicago might count for this one too...)~~
I'm totally counting it.
21. Go to Disneyland
22. Learn to use our camera in manual mode a little better
I have but I'm still not great. I'd like to be better.
23. Have professional (really professional) family pictures taken
We tried. The kids were awful that morning. It's like they KNEW I wanted a nice picture. We'll have to try again.
24. Visit Dallas again
25. Spend some time alone on a beach and just read a book or magazine or knit
26. See MOPS (or any other ministry I might be involved in) flourish
MOPS has been awesome! I love the friends I've made and am continuing to make- it's thriving and living and moving- just awesome
27. Play my cello again
28. Read all the books I've bought and never read
I've at least resisted the urge to buy more books
29. Use trifle dish that I bought years ago but have only used to hold ice
I used it for fruit salad- I was also reminded that I totally have used it already- December 2008-
30. Have a garage sale
31. So I've been wanting to do something for a while I've never had the courage to do. It's something kinda silly, and I was thinking I was too old to, but I realized I'm not and I've been hemming and hawing about it for a few weeks now. So mystery item number 31 is going on the list and will be revealed when I do it.

I know I have a few readers so I'm looking for some feed back- What's something you've always wanted to do (something big or something small) but just have never had the courage to do? Answer in the comments and I'll totally pick a random commenter to receive something Cara-made-

2011-01-06T16:27:00.000-06:00

I'm no good at making resolutions. It's like I'm setting myself up for failure when I don't complete them or stick with them. But I do like to make lists and my "beginning of the year" list included a LOT of things. One thing was to blog more and continue to stay away from a whole lot of Facebook. One week in I've succeeded. Here's a blog-

I wanted to talk a bit about the kids because approximately a million times a day I try to commit to memory something hilarious that Max has said or a wonderful noise or face that Penny makes.
I'm not very good at that.

Here are some recent things I've said that I never would have imagined saying:
Please don't use your spoon as a tail-
No you may not have poop candy out of the bucket until you poop in the potty.
Mommy's glad it's a school day too, son, but your teachers aren't there yet.

Max was helping Penny in the bath...

Max is just hilarious! Today while getting our hair cut (and I got my first color to color gray- not just for the fun of coloring! EEP!) He turned around while getting his hair cut and laughed and pointed and told me I looked funny... (I had the dye in my hair) Thanks kid.

One of his favorite things is to have a dance party. We turn up the music station on the tv or the radio and dance our little hearts out. It often turns bad days right around and Penny thinks it's the funniest things she's ever seen (it probably is pretty funny)

He adores social activities- every morning without fail he'll check with me and see if it's a school day, or MOPS day, or if someone is coming over to play.

He also remembers everything. We have to be careful about what we tell him because he WILL remember. And will tell other people. :) Today he recounted accurately something someone told me in front of him weeks ago that hasn't been mentioned since.

Penny is growing way too fast- she's officially sitting up on her own (not for ever, but she can for a while) and she's now taking tastes of anything she can get her hands on (with Max I remember being very diligent and cautious about foods.... Penny is eating doughnuts but hasn't even had anything green yet.... oops). She has a very friendly personality and loves to watch people. She's not overly loud or expressive, but will smile at anyone who pays attention to her. She's also more cuddly than Max ever was.

In Mama's Christmas dress circa 1982

Hey!

Sweet girl- Just today

It's so fun to already see the two kids build a relationship together. They already love each other. Max will climb into Penny's crib to cuddle with her (with us around, not just any time) and Penny thinks Max is the best entertainment ever. It really makes my heart full.

Adam is doing well and fighting a cold we've all been passing around. I realize I don't talk about him at all on here. He's awesome and loves his kids and does awesome work with our church and blah blah blah, He's awesome. We just started watching the seasons of Madmen and I'm super hooked already and so is he.

I've been tossing around the idea of opening an Etsy shop to sell the things I make and think that I should have something to offer by March if things continue as they are. I'm pretty excited about it and have been getting a number of requests lately for things, so I'm getting an idea of what would be feasible for me to sell and what would be practical for me to make.

my new hair color

Visiting with Grammy and Pop Pop

December 2010

2010-12-29T22:05:00.000-06:00

(This is a slide show of the highlights of our December. I wish I had enough time to write about each one. Each one has a wonderful story.)

This year is almost coming to a close and I've been a bad blogger. I'd like to blame it on the baby but really I can't. It's the combo of the two kids and also Facebook's fault. I can just pop a picture or two on there, or a funny story and it's done. Lately we've just been busy with life and all the things our schedules hold and really blogging hasn't held much interest. But I've recently realized what a TIME SUCK Facebook really is and have tried to resist the urge to KILL HOURS of my day stalking people and knowing about people's lives without actually being involved with them. Instead I've been trying to make intentional efforts to BE INVOLVED in people's lives. You know actually call them on the phone, or at the very least email them, or even, (GASP!) write a letter or card or two.
Don't get me wrong, I love Facebook... you see I'm a people watcher- I have missed many a conversation at my own table at a restaurant because I've been paying attention to the people the next table over. But I also realized that I was letting Max watch an extra show on Disney in the morning just so Mama could read her news on Facebook and that made me a little sad. So starting with out little trip to Ohio at Thanksgiving I've made an intentional effort to unplug for a good part of the day. I'm still obsessed with my email, the blogs I read, and a few forums on Ravelry, but I'm feeling pretty good about not knowing ever minute detail of the lives of people I went to high school with. I didn't care too much then, I shouldn't care too much now.
Plus, I know that anything too important that happens on Facebook warrents a call from my bestie Melissa, and she'll keep me informed.
And you wouldn't believe how many more dishes get done around here. And how many more yarn projects get done. That's super exciting to me. I'll have to share all the Christmas goodness that flew off the needles and hooks another time... especially since some aren't ahem, done, yet. But this one came in my inbox today and I have to share it- My niece Ella in my go-to awesome kids hat pattern (I've made 11 now).

She's calling it her Rapunzel hat... LOVE!

An early Christmas Present

2010-12-24T13:48:00.000-06:00

Like you I keep waiting for Cara to get around to updating her blog, I like to read it too. It's been more than a month, but in her defense, we've been busy busy busy. So to hold you over I snuck onto her blog to give you a glimpse into whats been keeping us busy. Enjoy.

Can you tell that we got a little handy can? We broke it in with the obligatory "Tell me your name" video

Max and Penny are great and love each other very much

As if we didn't have enough to do during the Christmas season, we decided to tackle potty training, but at least we get to dance while we do it.

Maybe I should have just written a book...

2010-11-14T23:58:00.002-06:00

It's like the longer I go between blog posts the harder it is to jump back in because I feel like I need to update EVERYTHING that happened between here and there. But I know I don't, and I really can't, because too much has happened. I guess it's a good thing I've got too much to share- we have been having so much fun together and living life is always a lot more fun than talking about it.

There are a few things I want to share and record in semi-bullet form with pictures.

Halloween was super fun with the kids- Max totally understood the concept of Trick or Treating but still doesn't know that we steal his candy while he's sleeping. Best of both worlds I say.

We celebrated Adam's birthday and him and I got away to spend the day in Springfield without the kiddos and had a blast doing a Man vs Food challenge which fulfilled one of Adam's life long dreams.

Trying the firedbrand chili at Joe's Chili

Defeated by the Firebrand Chili at Joe's Chili

Yum! The ultimate fair food, only without the carnies.

Absolutely delish!

Mrs. Lincoln's sewing table.

The Lincoln's Home

Me picking Abe's nose for him

We had a wonderful horseshoe

We've thoroughly enjoyed this fall weather- in fact I wish the 65 and sunny days would stay all year round.

The kids are awesome- Max is just so funny and weird we love every minute because you just don't know what he'll say or do (which can be totally fun and frustrating in the same moment).

Today he climbed up on top of his desk in his room (which he is not allowed to do) and I guess from what he said he rolled off it and scraped his back ending up with a good 4 inch gash. He was supposed to be napping. After I patched him up he went right to sleep and slept for 2.5 hours.

We were driving through the town square later today and he noticed the Christmas trees in the shop windows and asked when we were going to put up our Christmas tree (we haven't talked about doing this I don't know where he understood the idea of putting up a Christmas tree) and the other day when I wouldn't let him have candy at the store he kinds just shrugged it off and said "Santa will get it for me" and walked away. Hunh! Really? I thought it was so funny he was so sure that Santa was going to get it for him that now "Santa" needs to go back and get the candy filled plastic tractor and bulldozer to stick in his stocking.

I could go on and on with all the awesomely hilarious things he says and does.

Penny's growing so quickly. It's so funny how quickly this stage comes and goes and a new one takes it's place.

We are practicing sitting up and rolling over (she can do it fine from tummy to back but has yet to do it the other way around) and she's loving all the toys Max will let her play with. She especially has a favorite dolly she loves and is starting to master the exersaucer.

Her absolute favorite thing to do though is watch Max. If he gets close enough she will lunge at him and grab on to him so there's lots of hugging going on at our house.

This afternoon when Penny woke from her nap Max went into her room and I listened to them "talk" to each other for a while over the monitor. Max calls her "Penny girl" "Baby Sister" or "Penny Elizabeth" and every time someone says what a nice "baby" she is he corrects them and tells them her name.

She's started that full on belly laugh (mostly at Max but sometimes I can get her going too) and loves squash and sweet potatoes. I've decided to not do rice cereal for the time being because of some digestive issues she's had along the way and she's on lactose-free formula now and just this week has stopped nursing altogether.

It's so hard to not compare your children but I feel like she's further behind where Max was at this age. But on the other hand I don't mind at all for a number of reasons- She's likely to be our last baby (or last baby for quite a few years), Max was so far ahead of "schedule" that I don't feel like he was a baby at all sometimes, and gosh babies are so much cuter when they aren't mobile (or at least in my own opinion).

I've been on a roll lately with the knitting and crocheting- Lots of holiday stuff to make and since nothing last year was handmade I feel extra pressure to make things this year. Not pressure in the bad way, but a desire and a want.

The kids are still getting their three presents but one of those is handmade this year (Max's pic above is modeling his handmade hat that will be put away for Christmas along with the coordinating scarf).

I've made quite a bit of progress this past week or two, but still a long way to go. I've got a couple more things to get done in the next two weeks (in time for our trip to Ohio)
Here's the low down of fiber yummies since August

August

September

October

November (so far, but actually I've finished two more since I put this together...)

Here are the two weekly updates from the kids to catch you up (minus today's because, um, for the first time since Penny has been born I forgot to take their picture together..... so I'll take it tomorrow and just pretend I did it today.

We have been so crazy ridiculously busy and there's just always something drawing our attention, it's been really hard to focus. God is really stripping down things we thought were good and showing us how to rely more on Him for EVERYTHING in our lives, even those things we thought we could do ourselves.

Week Update

2010-10-24T16:21:00.000-05:00

I just realized that it's been more than two weeks since I've posted. That's a long time. Uh, we've been busy.... so busy.
I was busy editing and putting together pictures for this blog post and we had the loudest knock on the door. It made me jump out of my skin. It was someone campaigning for a sheriff running in the election. It also woke up Adam, Max, and Penny who were all sleeping.... Guess who we're NOT voting for....
I don't know about the rest of the country (I can only assume) but this year's election campaigns have been brutal. I won't go into particulars here- I'm not about to get one a political soap box- but I've been so saddened by the mud slinging going on that it really makes me not want to vote, because all parties are just being mean.
But enough about that- let's look at some cute pictures of my kids....

The one above (19 weeks) is fresh from this morning. :)
I've got a bazillion more things to write about, and projects I've finished, and fun fall things I'm looking forward to, but since the man knocked on the door I've got kids to tend to!

Long update and more pictures than you probably care about

2010-10-06T16:08:00.000-05:00

I still haven't posted from Ohio- Here's that and a lot lot more

Ohio-
We spent a whirlwind of almost a week having loads and loads of fun with family and a few friends. We never get to see everyone we want to when we are there. Guess we'll just have to come back soon. Max's highlight of the trip was going with PopPop to ride the bulldozer, backhoe, and dumptrucks at PopPop's work. My highlight was watching TBDBITL. Carmen Ohio makes me cry every time.

My dear friend Kelly is married to a farmer (Farmer Keith is what Max calls him) and we were invited to watch the fall harvest in action while they harvested the corn with the combine. Max was in heaven and got to ride along. He mentions riding in the combine at least once a day still (it's been a couple weeks since we've been) and today wore overalls and called himself Farmer Max.

Last week we ended up with a 24 hour stomach bug through the house.... it started with Max, made it's way to me, jumped to Adam and has ended with Penny. It was not pretty- but I'm thankful we are all better.

We took a time out from sickness to go to the Homecoming Parade. Max loved picking up candy. I think we're creating a trick or treating monster for this year.

(she didn't like the sirens on the firetrucks)

We celebrated feeling better yesterday with a trip to Ackerman Farms to get pumpkins (and gourds and squash). It was loads of fun. Max loved the kitties and Penny slept.

Four Month Update
Penny is sixteen weeks old and by the calendar will be four months next week (I never know which way to go by). She went in on Monday for her check up and shots. She is 24 inches long and weighed only 10lbs 11oz (she was 10lbs 4oz at her 2 month appointment). Poor thing lost some weight with the stomach bug and we're working on getting her back up to weight this week. She's doing everything a 4 month old should- she's pushing up on her elbows when on her tummy. She talks to us and is starting to grab at toys. She loves to smile at anyone who will talk to her and make noises at her. She's definitely more assertive than Max ever was and has quite a pair of lungs (for talking and crying). We've done some sleep training over the last week or two and she's made herself a nice little schedule but is quite able to adapt to what our days hold. She got lots of compliments this morning at library story time (there were 4 times as many boys there as girls). Most of all I love dressing her up and making her my little doll, she's such a sweet heart.

I have weekly pics of the kids but don't have them all put together. That will have to be another post soon.

Take that Autumn!

2010-09-22T15:07:00.000-05:00

We decided to celebrate the last full day of summer yesterday-
There was a strange melt down at dinner and so we decided to just have popsicles in the back yard

We sat outside on the blanket and watched the clouds until the wind suddenly changed and it felt and smelled like rain. When we turned to look the other way the clouds were different and we rushed inside. As I closed the door the first strike of lightening struck.

Today we've been rolling on the floor and talking to elephants and learning about chipmunks (Max's new favorite animal). We also went to the library for story time but Mama had the time totally wrong so we'll try again next week.

Sometimes I hate being a stay at home mom. I feel like I'm stuck in the house and stuck with kids hanging off of me. But then there are days like today where we just have to much fun and I remember to be reminded that I'm doing a much more important job than any I could have away from the house.

13 and 14 weeks old

2010-09-21T15:49:00.000-05:00

I've still been taking our weekly pictures- here are 13 and 14. :)

True Confessions of a Housewife

2010-09-17T14:13:00.000-05:00

We are back from Ohio and I've done about a dozen loads of laundry. Only half of those have actually gotten put away. I'm feeling good about that 50%

I'm frustrated with my three month old. I remember Max being frustrating at this age too. They can't quite "do" anything yet, and they are frustrated about that and it in turn makes me frustrated.

I've been eating anything I want because I'm nursing and running, except I haven't been too diligent about running on a schedule.

MOPS has been awesome and in fact gave my pretty bad week a complete turn around.

I talked to more than a dozen ladies this morning about organization. Um, and my living room looks like this:

Of special note are the clean clothes in the basket (see above) and the dirty clothes on the floor, breakfast dishes (from yesterday) on the side trunk, and bed pillow. How did a bed pillow get in the living room?

Luckily my kids are pretty cute, the weather is awesome, and my God is good all the time (even when I'm not)

12 weeks

2010-09-06T21:58:00.000-05:00

It's been 12 weeks since Penelope's been born and she is such a joy. We love her now ready smiles and "talks" that she likes to have with us. We are starting to find a routine and learning her little personality. She's starting to love to sit up and look around and especially keep her eye on Max and what he's doing. She's starts to squawk at him when he's around her too much.
She weighs a little over 11lbs so she's right where she should be to meet the "double weight by six months" that "they" say babies should do.
She is starting to grow hair finally and it looks like it may be dark or even a bit red. We'll see. She's been to the kids clubhouse twice at the gym and one time did great and the other terrible and she spent the whole time in the nursery during MOPS on Friday and was awesome. She sleeps 7-9 hours straight at night and will take 2-4 naps during the day ranging from 1-3 hours if Max doesn't wake her up.

I made Buckeyes on Saturday and made the mistake of leaving them out on the counter to "dry" next thing we know Max is having himself a Buckeye pop holding on to the toothpick and eating away. He was quite proud of himself.

All of a sudden Max is all about Legos. We've spent hours each day building over and over and over. I'm already tired of stepping on stray ones. But he's so proud of his creations.

He also is really loving to help me cook supper when he wakes up from his nap. He's been helping quite a bit stirring and things. Tonight he helped me roll out the dough for our Stromboli.

My Aunt and Cousin stopped by overnight last night on their way back to Ohio from Chicago and Max loved playing with Cailynn.

We're driving through the night tomorrow night to get back to Ohio for a little less than a week. I'm so not looking forward to the drive.

this morning

2010-09-04T16:03:00.000-05:00

this morning it was fall.

Max asked for a blankie when we sat on the porch watching Papa mow the lawn

this was only after he tried to steal Penelope's

And Mama? Well I worked on a mitten. But I still had on a tank top and yoga pants. I'm not sure I'm ready for it to be fall.

we worked in the yard trimming and raking up some leaves and putting it all in the burn pile. we avoided the spray of the hose as we washed off some of the outside toys to be put in the garage for the season. we opened the windows and are enjoying the breeze while watching college football (rooting for UConn at the moment). I have the urge to go to Cracker Barrel for dinner and eat chicken and noodles and mashed potatoes.
Maybe fall is closer than I think...

@ the farm again?

2010-09-01T16:49:00.000-05:00

We went up to Tanner's Orchard this past weekend for apples. We were disappointed that the u-pick wasn't open yet (a weekend too early!) but we did have a great time wandering through the market and playing in the kids area. Max played for an hour and a half without stopping. He was still a little frightened of the goats (because of the pig incident last week at the farm park) but was friendly enough with them, so maybe it will settle down to be a healthy respect of animals. Penny did great, and spent all morning sleeping in the wrap. I don't know what I would do without the wrap!

I've been taking too many pictures... so here's another slideshow!

Also I've finished up another project. It was a test knit for someone on Ravelry and the pattern is available on there. It was super fun and it'll be so cute on Pens next summer.

Also just another cute pic of the kids

And lastly a daddy daughter pic

Eleven weeks

2010-08-31T16:39:00.000-05:00

Penny has been fussy for a couple of days and Max has been testing our patience and grace. All I can think of is that we had too much fun over the weekend and are now paying for it. I'm typing this standing at the kitchen counter because every time I sit down with Penny she starts wailing. I guess she's been saving it up for 11 weeks. :)
Also, I can't believe my baby is almost three months old.... where has the time gone?
I made homemade applesauce yesterday and gave Penny a taste. She loved it and then I felt guilty for feeding it to her.
This week starts MOPS- on Friday we'll see how many ladies will show up. I'm hoping for 10 that would be my ideal number. Not too many but enough to be fun.
Next week we'll be traveling to Ohio for "vacation" to see family and friends. Especially excited to see my nieces and nephews!

From the other day...

2010-08-29T22:19:00.000-05:00

I've got some really great pictures from a really fun weekend, but I'm too lazy to get up and get the camera. So here's some pictures from earlier this week.

Our trip to the farm....

2010-08-26T20:28:00.000-05:00

Today we visited the Fon du Lac Farm Park with some friends and had a wonderful time with the animals.
Oh, and the tractor, we also saw two excavators on the way, it's been Max's best day ever. I had a bad Mommy moment while we were there, I was too busy taking pictures and Max got a little overzealous with the pig, Mary Lou. She was hungry and his hand got in the way. I don't think he got bit, I think she just put his hand in her mouth and it scared him, you can see the picture in the slide show.

Here is a slide show of the day because there were too many good pictures! Max topped off the day with a three hour nap.
We had so much fun, I'm sad we just found out about this park and it closes next week for the winter. I know where we'll be next May.

10 Weeks

2010-08-23T01:26:00.000-05:00

This week has been a lot of fun with Penelope. She's just discovered her tongue and so is constantly sticking it out and making faces. She's also started batting at toys and is starting to calm just by the sound of our voice or seeing us versus having to be picked up and quieted. I also noticed (sort of sadly) yesterday that she's starting to use her core to sit up versus being a lumpy sack of potatoes.

and some other pictures just for fun

Sometimes

2010-08-18T17:46:00.000-05:00

Sometimes Daddy has to work long days, most the time it's ok, but sometimes it makes us sad.
But, on days when Daddy has to work those days, we make ourselves feel better by playing and having popcorn for dinner. I've yet to find anything that can't be cured with popcorn. Max is feeding it to me as I type.

oh and here's a free viewing of a cute baby. that makes me happy too.

and lastly a new blankie for a baby fresh off the hook makes me really happy too...

Summer of Yarn

2010-08-16T22:49:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures of this summer's projects categorized by month. I think I've shown most of them before, but maybe not some of the newer ones. Oh goodness, it makes me realize how much of my life is spent with yarn... is there a better way to spend it?

May 2010

June 2010

July 2010

August 2010

I decided to show off the projects like this because I've been planning my fall crafting and starting to toss around holiday ideas already. Got to get started now because last years handmade for Christmas was a total fail. And Max asked for a new hat today... gotta make that boy his hats. :)

Nine Weeks

2010-08-15T22:23:00.004-05:00

Just a cute picture

2010-08-14T22:50:00.000-05:00

Ok, I couldn't pick just one... so here's two.

Chi-Town

2010-08-13T16:02:00.000-05:00

Adam and I had a great getaway to the city. The life of a pastor makes things so funny sometimes. We vacation during the week. It was convenient this time and worked to my advantage because Adam got me tickets to the White Sox game for the Stitch n Pitch. I was super excited, and the only thing that would have made it more fun would have been to have some friends with me... Note to self, meet more knitting friends.

We stayed at the Whitehall Hotel just a block off Michigan Ave and it was great for an old historical hotel. It is just between the Westin and the Four Seasons. The staff was great and the bed was soooo comfy, too bad my internal mother clock still woke me up at 7am. At least that left me more time for shopping.

We hit up Loopy Yarns, a local yarn store (obviously) I've wanted to go to and tried to go to another that was closed even though the hours sign said it should be open. Oh well their loss, I was a customer willing to shell out enormous amounts of money on fibre and therefore spent all of it at Loopy. They were absolutely wonderful there. I will be back.... when I reduce my stash.

There was also a stop at IKEA. I think I may have left some of the store there for someone else... but only a few things.

We ate great food, had a great time being Adam and Cara instead of Mama and Daddy and the kids and Grammy and Nana seemed to survive just fine too.

Two Months Old

2010-08-11T07:56:00.000-05:00

Adam and I are off to Chicago for two days. But here's an updated picture of the kids to keep you entertained while we're gone.

Seven Weeks

2010-08-04T20:21:00.000-05:00

No time for words, I've been having fun in the kitchen this week. :-) Off to back some cookies.

Six weeks

2010-07-26T17:17:00.000-05:00

This was a week of milestones. On my birthday sweet Penelope decided to start giving social smiles and also slept 9 hours straight. It was a total fluke, but a nice present anyway. Then on Saturday she rolled from tummy to back three times. She's gaining a bit of personality and I'm starting to notice her losing that newborn look and taking on more of a baby look already. She's growing way too fast.

Max loved the second day of his program on Thursday and is so excited to go back.

30 things before 30

2010-07-23T16:32:00.001-05:00

So today I turn 28. I thought I would write a few (30! ok a lot) of things I would like to do before I'm 30. You know as a way to make sure I'm doing something worth while and have a couple goals to reach.

1. Run at least a half marathon if not a full one
2. Clean out my closet to things that I only actually wear (not wish I could wear or might wear someday)
3. See the pacific ocean
4. Decide whether or not (and have if we are) any more children
5. Weekend in Chicago (this was on my list last night as I was thinking of things, and that's what my gift from Adam is for my birthday! He must have read my mind)
6. Learn to quilt
7. Complete another full sized afghan (either knit or crochet)
8. Decide on a career
9. Join a CSA for a summer
10. Get Adam to eat the veggies from the CSA
11. Take Max and Penny to a real live farm to see animals and/or harvest
12. Visit the PNW
13. Find a little black dress I actually like
14. Finish reading the whole Bible (I've started this one so many times, but always go back to my favorites instead of reading it all)
15. knit myself a sweater
16. Feel comfortable in my own skin, no matter what it looks like, or who I'm with
17. Clean out everything we collect and make it into everything we use/need/love
18. Catch up on Max and Penny's scrapbooks
19. Have a "handmade Christmas" where everything I give has been handmade by myself or someone I know
20. Vacation without the kids (I think the overnight in Chicago might count for this one too...)
21. Go to Disneyland
22. Learn to use our camera in manual mode a little better
23. Have professional (really professional) family pictures taken
24. Visit Dallas again
25. Spend some time alone on a beach and just read a book or magazine or knit
26. See MOPS (or any other ministry I might be involved in) flourish
27. Play my cello again
28. Read all the books I've bought and never read
29. Use trifle dish that I bought years ago but have only used to hold ice
30. Have a garage sale

I'll be checking in with these periodically to update as I go.

First Day of School

2010-07-20T14:22:00.000-05:00

Max's first day at the Parks District was this morning. We all slept in late (not necessarily a bad thing) and so we rushed around this morning to get there by 9. I had Adam snap a few pictures before we left while I was getting Nell ready to go.

He wasn't quite sure about what "school" meant, he kept mentioning the bus and friends that I knew wouldn't be there.

When we picked him up he refused to leave. Adam had to literally grab him by the hand and make him leave. So I'm thinking today was a success. When we asked him what he did, he kept telling us about LEGOs.

five weeks and everything else too...

2010-07-19T10:47:00.000-05:00

We've been super productive around here cleaning out closets and the fridge and we "deep" cleaned the house all day Saturday while Nell took a 5 hour nap. I only agreed to the cleaning because I thought she would only sleep an hour or two and want to be fed and cuddled and would get me out of cleaning. Instead she even slept through the vacuum.

This week is VBS at the church. Last night we had over 60 kids and it was awesome! We have been walking alongside the couple who is running it this year but it's nice to not have the official responsibilities. I did help with registration in hopes of talking and meeting each of the kids and especially their parents. It was great to see a bunch of the Awana parents I hadn't seen in quite a while and catch up really quick.

This year we are starting a MOPS group at the church in hopes of reaching out to the younger families in our community. I'll be heading it up and I'm super excited about getting my hands dirty in a ministry that I get to form and shape and mold into something that's honoring to God. Not that I don't do ministry everyday with all the church stuff we have going on. :)

This morning we are staying inside and it might just make both Max and I crazy but Penelope has some awful heat rash and it gets so aggravated when she is out.Otherwise, she is doing so well and has made herself a little schedule which I absolutely LOVE. She's been still sleeping in the pack n play in our room, but I told Adam that she'll have to move to her crib soon, she's getting so loud sleeping making little noises and stirring but going right back to sleep that she keeps waking me up at night. She did nap in her crib for the first time yesterday for a few hours and did really well.

Also on Saturday we finished putting together Nell's nursery and finally have things on the walls, I just need to finish her curtains or valances once I can decide what to do and a few other teeny things.

I can't believe this time two years ago we had just moved to Illinois and were settling in. It truly feels like it's been FOREVER since that.

Crafts
It's been a long time since I've posted any projects. Here are a couple. There are more but I've failed to take pictures yet.

Above are preemie hats for donation to the hospital where Penny was born and where our friend's little guy spent 5 weeks in the NICU.

The rest of my niece Ella's birthday present including Max giving the bunny some love before it was sent.

another wool soaker

More presents to be mailed away to family and friends

a blankie I finished for Nell for this winter (Mamaw: the purple is the rest of the yarn from the blankie you made for Penelope)

Four weeks

2010-07-14T15:01:00.001-05:00

I almost missed the 4 week picture. it's like i doomed myself by saying i was going to do it.
But here it is in all it's glory.

Really she's ok. I promise. She just doesn't look like it.

We've been having a ton of fun around here lately.

Penelope-
We can't believe she's one month old already. The time is just flying by- She is a great eater, sleeper (7 hours straight on Saturday night!) and is such a happy little thing when she's awake. She's awake a surprising amount and likes to watch Max especially. Today she's actually smiled a couple of times while I was talking to her, and weighed 10.5 pounds when i put her on the baby scale. Too big!

Max-
Since Penelope is one month that makes Max 2 years and 2 months. I can't believe how old he is too! He continues to be obsessed with tools and animals. He loves to play hard and sleep hard. Everyone we meet is constantly amazed with his language skills and can't believe based on his size and diction that is he just two. Next week he starts a preschool program/ Mama's day out twice a week in the mornings to give me some time to run errands and concentrate on Miss P a little bit. I can't wait to see how that jumps his development forward.

Man I love these kids.

Walking through the weeks...

2010-07-04T16:45:00.000-05:00

I've decided on my theme for Penny's pictures. Every week (and then month when that gets old) I'll be taking her picture with Max holding her. I've done well so far, I have Day 1, Week 1, Week 2, and today's Week 3. I so wish I would have done this with Max.

one day

one week

two weeks

three weeks

Three weeks

2010-07-03T22:34:00.000-05:00

Penelope turns three weeks tomorrow. It's been a crazy ride folks, but we're still hanging on even if the merry go round keeps spinning.

We are so fortunate to have such an easy baby. Last night I even got a 5 hour stretch of her sleeping (too bad it started at 9pm and not at 11 when I went to bed).

Max loves her to death still. Maybe even a little too much. But immediately calls for her in the mornings instead of Mommy and Daddy now, like she's gonna come let him out of his room.

Here are some stats and facts about out life and specifically Penny.
- She has darker hair than I would ever have imagined, but in the last two days it's started to turn an auburn/strawberry color.
- She's a champ of an eater, and is very interested in eating all the time, but at least she's quick about it. And she'll let you know when she's done.
- That leads to her weight being 8lb 12oz on Wednesday at the doctor at 17 days old. That's accounting for her weight loss after birth and then gaining another 3/4lb on top of that. But that's still smaller than Max was at birth. Which blows my mind.
- She loves to be cuddled and held and snuggled. Max did not particularly care for any of these things.
- She is still in newborn clothes but is already getting too long for them.
- She has a round little belly but skinny little legs
- We tried cloth diapering for the first time yesterday, but the skinny little legs left leaky gaps in even the smallest of the cloth diapers I have. So we'll try again next week.
- She has the most perfect little pout and a very angry cry. The pout is courtesy of Mama's genes. I have many a baby picture with the exact same pout.
- She loves to sleep on Papa
- She thinks Mama is solely for eating
- When Max "holds" her he keeps repeating "Not crying yet, Penny not crying yet"
- I've already started perfecting my knitting while nursing moves. I'm getting pretty good at it already
- It took me almost two weeks to pick up yarn again
- My recovery from this pregnancy has been a piece of cake compared to the last one. I think that I knew this time I needed to take it easy and really tried to, and that made all the difference. Now I can almost do everything I was before.
- I have three weeks until I am back on the treadmill training for that 5k again. I'm counting down those days.
- I've decided that you totally forget how much awesomeness there is in a tiny brand new baby. How in awe I am of every movement and moment. I also can't believe how people cannot believe in a Divine Creator when they see every perfect little part of her from her nose to her toes.

Family Picture

Family picture with Grammy and PopPop

Two weeks of love

Sweet girl

Baby wearing

Max was measuring the sky <3

Picking flowers

Baby toes

The first week and a half

2010-06-23T22:55:00.000-05:00

I don't even know where to begin this post, but I'll tell you everything is great, wonderful and a little hazy as to which day it is.
Penelope Elizabeth was born on June 13 @ 11:15pm
She is wonderful. Max adores her.
So here are a bunch of pictures. And I'm off to bed.

We're ready

2010-06-12T16:04:00.000-05:00

I feel like a kid on the night before going to Disney World. I've packed my bags with too much stuff, and I've dreamed of this day since I heard it was coming.

I am quite ready (oh so ready) to meet this little girl. I can't wait to see how she fits into our family and watch her grow and blossom. I keep praying she's just as happy a kid as Max is. I also keep praying she'll survive her older brother. :)

I'm guessing I'll not be able to sleep tonight. Just like the kid on their way to Disney World. Only mine will involve quite a bit of work tomorrow, but then I get a lifetime of the fun rides. :)

Max writing a welcome message to his baby sister on himself.

Finished Projects and Man I love this kid

2010-06-10T11:33:00.000-05:00

Nana was here to help a couple of days and man does Max have fun with her.

Nana brought Max a slip and slide and they all three had so much fun. :)

I love how I found Max lounging last evening before bedtime.

Here are some projects that have been finished lately. It seems the only thing I can focus on for longer than 5 seconds is yarn.

Newborn/preemie hat (it's actually green, man the lighting was bad)

Newborn kimono and hat

Newborn hat with a touch of lace (still unblocked, hoping the lace is prettier when it's been rinsed)

Still here...

2010-06-08T22:44:00.000-05:00

We're still hanging around. I feel like I say that a thousand-million times a day now. Yup still here, still nothing, she's still wanting to hang out inside... I lost track of the phone calls/texts/emails/fb checks I got today of people "just checking."

Here's some peeks at her room to keep you all entertained while you are waiting for an update on her arrival. I had to do something while I was waiting today...

Ms. Monkey is patiently waiting too.

Monkey picked out by Max, a finished Mama made blankie, PBK bedding, and Cinderella doll designed by Darby's sister Kat. All very important things to me.

Hand knits (and crochets) all waiting patiently too

A little boy who's almost as impatient as his Mama (Papa is the only who's being truly patient)

Whew-y a lot of yarn :)

2010-06-03T23:01:00.000-05:00

Here are the finished projects for the past week or two. :)

A blankie for BGK

A shrug and hat made from Laura's yarn

A preemie hat (actually there have been a lot of preemie hats lately)

The finished cupcake

You Capture- Your best shot.

2010-06-03T15:57:00.000-05:00

Eeks its been a while (over a week!) since I've posted last. We've been busy. Aren't we always? Busy with friends, with more visitors, with pre-labor contractions, with doctor's visits, visiting friends in the hospital, and praising God for His provision and perfect timing. He is absolutely perfect all the time.

It's like He knows that I'll go absolutely crazy sitting on my couch just waiting for this baby to come so He's sent all these distractions (some good and some bad) to keep my mind focused on the most important things in life. Treating one another with the love that only He can provide. How can you not praise him when you see the daily progression of a tiny premature infant not only surviving but beginning to thrive on it's own, getting to help and bond with a neighbor, showing grace and forgiveness to your toddler, sharing a meal alone with your spouse and laughing with one another, and dishing out love to friends who are hurting?

So the best shot on my camera for this week is the challenge. I don't particularly have any "great" shots, but there are a few I love. Choosing one is hard and I'm especially torn between two. But sentimentality wins out and here's my "best" shot for the week.

A Grammy and her only grandson, with a cuddle on the front porch.

Oh and a stick in the boy's hand. Right now there's always a stick.

2010-05-25T20:50:00.000-05:00

We're still here. Just hanging out. Max must be growing again or maybe it's the heat, but he's been taking 2-3 hour naps. I'm not complaining because then I get to often take 2-3 hour naps, and I sure could use them. I'm hoping this sticks around for at least a couple of weeks.

I forgot to mention, but he had his 2 year appointment last week. He weighs 32 lbs and is 36.5 inches tall. Both in the 90%. He was quite leery of the doctor, which is funny since we haven't been there since December. We took him to my doctor's appointment on Monday and he was at first a little concerned about being there, but then realized it was a lot of fun to sit on a spinny chair.

At my appointment yesterday everything seemingly went ok. I have been having some vision issues, sudden weight gain, and yesterday and today have been swelling. While these signs seem to be leaning towards preclampsia, my blood labs came back fine. So I'll be going back on Thursday so the doctor can be reassured that I'm doing well. The baby's heart rate was great and my blood pressure was fine, so we are still hanging in there. I was not dilated at all.

Here are some pics of our week so far:

36 weeks

shaving with Papa

crazy squirrel (it was just laying in the grass and didn't care how close we got)

beautiful butterfly (this is not zoomed, this is how close I was)

My favorite pic of Max right now

A finished summer baby hat

An almost finished toddler hat (LOVE that it's a cupcake)

You Capture- Depth of Field

2010-05-20T08:56:00.001-05:00

I don't always participate in weekly posts. I've tried a number of times and am never consistent. But I do consistently read Beth's You Capture, because I love all things babies and photography and so she is the perfect mix for me. Plus she's just darn funny.

This week's challenge was on depth of field and I remembered to try and intentionally shoot some of that this week. But to be honest I always try for good Bokeh in my shots anyway. It just floats my boat.

I took quite a few that I like, but had time to edit one. So here you go. My vintage peonies along the back fence are in full bloom (all my peonies are in full bloom, I think they are one of my favorites).

In other exciting things, my contractions were down to 4-7 minutes apart for a good while last night and felt "different" than my other Braxton Hicks. Is something productive happening? I don't know but I hope so, I would like to at least have her born in June though. So let's just hang in there for a little bit longer.

Apparently every day is a party around here:

And here is Max opening one of his birthday presents from us:

And crafty things:

Sleep sacks for some important stuffed animals for a 3years old's upcoming birthday

Charity preemie and newborn cap

pieces of a monkey

I guess technically all these pictures count for the depth of field challenge eh?

Lazy Saturday

2010-05-15T10:31:00.000-05:00

We decided to celebrate Max's birthday today, and so we are letting him pretty much dictate the day. I broke that first thing this morning when I made him go back to sleep at 5 when he woke up (but he did sleep 8 straight hours, which is the longest yet in the new room), but since he then slept until 7:30 or so Adam was much happier (because I then slept until after 9 - but I've been getting up for 5 nights now when Max wakes up). So far we've been watching his favorite shows and were hoping to play outside with the hose and go to the park, but it's cloudy and rainy (AGAIN!) and so we'll see.

Max napping in his big boy bed

This isn't just a bad picture, Max was falling asleep during his lunch, but continued to eat his potato chips. I thought it was hilarious. He would wake up long enough to ask for "more chips please" and then close his eyes and munch.

I've had a lot of back pain and pelvic pain this past week, and still have another week until my next drs appointment. I don't recall ever having this type of pain with Max, so I'm hoping there's something naturally going on and I won't have to be induced this time around (note: I did not mind being induced at all with Max, it was perfect and everything was fine, I'd just like to see what laboring on my own would be like).

We have a name unless something differently is decided once we see her. We are still tossing around a few middle names.

In terribly exciting food news, last night we had friends over for dinner and I attempted (per Adam's request) Mamaw's biscuits (for biscuits and gravy) and totally succeeded. They weren't quite the same thickness, but that's easy to change and Adam was thrilled this morning to have it again for breakfast. I normally just do frozen or refrigerated biscuits. But they were really good. :) thanks Mamaw!

I've completed a few crafting projects around here and of course have a few more I'm working on.

On a trip to the yarn shop I asked Max if he wanted a new hat, he said that he'd rather have a lion instead. I got to work to have it done for his birthday (completed in on afternoon/evening)

I LOVE this cute little elf bonnet. Flower of my own invention.

Working on a birthday present for a special little girl. It's working up fast with two strands held together and 15 US needles. I didn't know if I would like the yarns all together, but I'm lovin the funkiness. :)

I think I've mentioned joining a SWAP for knitting/crocheting projects for the baby. I received my package in the mail yesterday (a few weeks early!) and loved what I found in there! Here are just a few of the things.

Hat, booties, and mitten set in BEAUTIFUL! yarn. So excited!

a newborn wool soaker with button down for umbilical cord. :) So cute!

There were other things (including treats for me!) - so much fun! I love handmade, and it's so funny how often people who make things don't receive handmade back.

On a similar note, we did receive a classic Mamaw afghan for baby girl, that is the most beautiful shade of purple and will perfectly match her room! Thanks again Mamaw.

Speaking of her room... this week (since Max is securely sleeping upstairs) I'm starting the nursery's transition (finally!) to girly central.

Happy Birthday Max!

2010-05-13T08:47:00.002-05:00

Dear Max,
We can't believe you are two today. Where has the time gone? Where has my cuddle little toddling baby gone? Don't get me wrong. We love the big, funny, happy little boy you've become. You amaze us with all the things you understand, do, say, and climb. We wouldn't want you any other way. We are so excited to see what you amaze us with in the future.We thank God for you every single day.
Love,
Mama and Daddy

T I M E

2010-05-11T11:05:00.000-05:00

That's something I can't quite grasp these days. I think I don't have enough, then I find myself waiting with nothing to do. It goes by so quickly for three hours then a minute lasts six. I have so much to do it'll never get done in time, and yet six weeks seems soooo far away.

It's been more than a week since I've blogged and the real reason is that I've been lazy about it. I didn't want to edit photos, I just wanted to click around the internet and didn't want to put in any effort of my own.

So here's a long post. Probably with a lot of pictures. I've been working with a cross of gimp (a photo editing program) and picnik.com to get some results I've wanted. I'm completely unmotivated to do anything I need to do so I'll play with the pictures while putting on tv shows for Max all morning. It's rainy and chilly and so I don't feel bad at all.

Here's a list of what's happened since I last wrote, because I can't keep things in order for myself.

We had a picnic on the town square
I got a wonderful Mother's Day present from Adam (well the baby and Max) - A Kate Spade tote to carry diapers around in
Grammy came to visit last Saturday bringing along Miss Sandy. Max loved Sandy and asked for her days after she left. We finally called her to let him talk to her.
Adam performed six baptisms- all kids with a heart for the Lord (from ages 5-20)
Grammy stayed the week and I barely picked up my camera
Except for this shot
We lost a play plastic hammer and it devastated Max
We folded baby clothes, lots of baby clothes, and big boy clothes, clothes that seem too big for my baby
Friends had a miscarriage and it rocked our world. But we saw their amazing faith and trust in the Lord and were humbled by it.
We went shopping
We opened lots of presents
Grammy bought Max a new plastic hammer. Joy ensued.
I had a lot of contractions
Grammy and I kept telling each other to take it easy. We both got in trouble for not following the others' orders
Max climbed (again and again)
Pop pop came to town
Pop pop learned what happens when you leave the toilet seat up at our house
Uncle Rick stopped by on his was from Ohio back to North Dakota
I made red beans and rice for the first time (it was delicious, if I say so myself)
I finished everything for the class I was taking and turned it all in (I just have to show up for class on Thursday)
Adam and Pop pop worked on a lot of small projects around the house
We celebrated Max turning 2
I didn't cry. I laughed and was so proud
Our sewer backed up inside and outside our house
The son of a member of our church came over 7:30 am on Sunday to fix it so we could be at church
I can still faintly smell sewage in our house (luckily it only backed up in our coal room which we do not use)
Adam and I made a trip to the hospital with some false labor (and I thought my water may have sprung a little leak)
But first we took some Mother's Day pictures
We were sent home a few hours later after a lot of tests were run and a sono performed
We got to see the babies perfectly formed ear
Grammy and Pop pop left and less than 48 hours later my house is a disaster
Last night we moved Max upstairs to his big boy room
I couldn't get a picture because the lighting was too dark
I cried
Lightning woke him up at 3 am
I cried
We fell asleep together on the couch around 5:30 am
I woke Adam up around 6 am so I could go back to bed for a bit.
It's not even 11 am and I'm so ready for nap time

This week

2010-04-30T22:17:00.000-05:00

Whew another busy week is behind us and I'm exhausted! I don't know how I keep going, but I do.

Depending on who you talk to, you will get two different versions of how my doctors appointment went this past Monday. I'm under the impression that the doctor is definitely not opposed to having Miss here early. She is head down and measuring a little big, but not too big (around 4.5 lbs) and I expressed (again) my concern of her being bigger than Max. He sounded favorable to induction at 39 weeks. I finally gained a couple of lbs too which was nice, and brings me up to a whopping 8 lbs this pregnancy.

Here's some of our week in pictures.

Some of my favorite things....

2010-04-23T08:47:00.000-05:00

We spent time at the park for Secretary's Day with one of our favorite people. Miss Katherine. She's one of Max's absolute favorites, he asks for her a thousand times a day.
These are some of my favorite pictures I've taken lately.

Here is a long list of projects I've completed while spending a little more time on the couch. I'm getting a little bit slower and a little bit wiser in how I do spend my active time. Lots of walking outside, multitasking, and finishing up things before I get too slow/tired/huge to do what needs done.
Some of my favorite things to make

Yesterday Max and I got the last of the absolute essentials we need for the baby. Diapers, sheets for the pack n play, etc. Max has decided to start becoming assertive in talking to strangers (really only people who work in stores, so I don't mind too much). At Target we were checking out and the cashier said Thank you and I responded with the same and Max politely called out "Welcome!" as we walked away. Everyone started laughing; the cashier, me, the lady in line behind us, and of course Max too. He did his overly dramatic fake laugh that ended with an "Oh My!" and a knee slap. He's definitely one of my favorite things.

A photo shoot with my lovely...

2010-04-20T20:30:00.000-05:00

I love this boy and his many faces. I love that he doesn't sit still even while watching tv. I love that he LOVES American Idol even more than his Mama. I love that constantly during the day I hear, "tars Mama tars!" (Guitars Mama Guitars) and "stars Mama stars, sun Mama sun" (meaning Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the Goodbye song from The Sound of Music). He wants to sing and sing and sing all day long. Every now and then I get a book in especially Waiting for Baby by Harriet Ziefert * which has been our favorite for weeks now. It has Max as the little boy who is waiting for his baby sister to be born. The PERFECT book for us. :)
I just love this boy.

*We received this in the mail and don't know who sent it... anyone wanna fess up to it?

I've been having a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions and can tell my body is getting ready for this little one to be here. It's strange to think I still have 8.5 weeks. I don't know that I'll make it there. I feel like I'm 36 weeks pregnant and feel my body telling me this as well. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks. I'm doing the final push of purchases this week. Still need things like sheets for the pack n play and things like that, and starting to put together a hospital bag. My due date is 2 months from today as far as numbers go. 4/20-6/20.

It's really just Tuesday.... really really

2010-04-13T14:52:00.000-05:00

What seemed like the calm after the storm has continued to be bumpy, but in a good way. Just a rhythmic rocking that keeps us moving. We've had just enough down time to keep us from going crazy, but the next few weeks just keep getting more and more things added in.

I'm in love with my physical therapists, they are working wonders on my hips and back - I can't say I'm pain free, but they say that won't happen until after Baby Girl is here. But I'm sure by then there will be other pains to worry about anyway. Also the cute little thing to stare at that makes you forget all that.

Yesterday at my doctor's appointment BG was measuring 3-4 weeks ahead instead of 2 so they are even more curious as to why. My ultrasound is scheduled for Monday the 26th. So instead of being 30 weeks I am measuring between 33 and 34.

here's 30 weeks for you

She still doesn't have a name, I'm just resigned that it'll be like Max, we'll have some ideas but then she'll make it painfully obvious when we see her.

Our upstairs was in some sort of typical chaotic order until Adam decided to start "organizing" the books and stopped midway through a section. Now we are back to mass chaos. I think Max and I will spend some time up there this afternoon, but I really wanted to spend it on my sewing machine, not putting books in color order.

Max has been a "wild man" these past few days. We've just been running him outside and hoping for the best when it comes to naptime. Today I got almost two hours out of him for nap so that's a keeper. The other day he wanted to share his stickers with the baby and insisted on putting them on my bare belly. He has to lift up my shirts to talk to the baby a million times a day. She apparently can't hear him unless he is poking my belly button.

He made Adam lay down like that and wouldn't let him get up. Waving and saying "hi Mommy"

Max has really gotten into gardening with me. We spent a few hours on Saturday as a family working in the yard and by the end of Monday we had split the first of our hostas, mowed, dug up some sod, planted zinnias, sunflowers, poppies, and I still have some daisies to get out. I'm looking forward to the radishes and lettuce I've planted as it seems to be doing well. I've thinned them out and are waiting for them to really take off.

our tulips are blooming (these are in the middle of the front yard, I made Adam mow around them)

our Magnolia tree on it's descent. it's awfully beautiful and messy

I've been making a slew of baby items with no end in sight. There are so many sweet patterns for girls and so many other babies are getting ready to pop out tummies in the near future. Not pictured is a hat requested by Max to give to his little best friend Landon for his birthday.

A set of baby legs (leg warmers)

a new baby hat to be mailed to Dallas

a wool soaker in progress

beautiful yarn I got in the mail from Laura who hand spun and dyed this just for BG

Most Pictures in a Blog EVER :)

2010-04-08T08:07:00.000-05:00

I wonder if I'll get weird hits off google for that one...

I wanted to share one of my favorite and least favorite times of day with you. It's called breakfast. Sometimes it's dry cereal, sometimes it's eggs, today it was toast with butter, multigrain toast with butter. One of my favorites.

(Don't worry, there was coffee too. And I was thrilled I remembered to take my vitamins today!)

I do not like to be up in the morning, but mornings like this one I can appreciate the quiet and the "alone" time Max and I each spend. He watches a couple shows on the Disney channel and I sit and check my email, stare into space, doze back to sleep, knit, or, this morning, blog. We each have a little zone we stay into until somewhere between 8 and 9 when finally we start our day.

We've had such a busy busy week. I'll just let the pictures do the talking, with a little help from some captions. Sorry these are not in chronological order, but at least they are grouped by subject.

Crafts

(an almost finished baby leg warmer)

(the beginnings of a baby hat for an expected new miracle)

(another new baby blankie that will not be staying at our house)

House

(new carpet in the upstairs rooms, makes the house feel finished. Lots of moving going on yesterday and hopefully finished today and unpacking finished tomorrow)

Growing!

(our tulip tree- is that what it's really called, that's what I've had a few people call it to me, but I'm not sure that's the name)

Also growing is baby girl- so much in fact she's been pinching my sciatic nerve and causing a whole slew of problems with my back (although that may also have something to do with the 30-35lb toddler I carry around too). I have started physical therapy that's a combo of stretching, exercises, and deep tissue therapy that's truly amazing. I picked up Max yesterday without pain for the first time in 10-12 weeks. Next doctor's appointment for baby girl is Monday.

Easter

(it was a beautiful day to celebrate the resurrection!)

(I can't believe this is the only picture I got of my mom who came to visit, at least it's a cute one. :) )

Max

(this last one is my favorite. for two days this is all he wanted to do, and then of course he would be stuck and get so upset. i think he finally learned his lesson.)

2010-04-01T16:37:00.000-05:00

I'm busy today, but had some of the cutest pictures on the camera, so here are some with little to no words. We've had a fun past couple of days.

Should have kept my mouth shut... really... should have....

2010-03-31T08:38:00.000-05:00

When I pulled up the blog today to post I almost choked on my coffee :) I love being busy?!? Actually I do, I'm a whole lost more productive and resourceful and a master scheduler when I'm busy. I get all kinds of things done. But really love?

This week has been full of all the wonderful things spring should be. Planting vegetables (lettuce and radishes are first!), eating outside, easy meals, waiting for the temperature to rise enough to play outside in the sunshine, open windows, flowers growing like weeds, watching bunnies and squirrels and birdies, slides and walks. The added bonus is good naps and great sleep at night. Fresh air and sunshine just do something for that.

I've also been filling out my application for the tv show "Hoarders" or at least that's what I keep having nightmares about. We are carpeting our upstairs next week and therefore have been in the process of moving everything downstairs for the carpet people. We have moved everything I can help with (which was not much, Adam did all the work) and this Friday all the furniture comes down for the carpet to be finished on Monday. The process has sent my pregnancy hormones through the roof and I'm totally stressing out about the whole ordeal. Everything has been stacked in our bedroom and I don't have access to my side of the bed. I do guess some of it is my own fault as that whole side is my craft stuff stacked 6ft high. Needless to say, no need to buy fabric for the next century or so. I'm good to go.

I just keep reminding myself that this makes the house finished.... that has a nice ring to it.
Max loved all the moving about, he especially liked that all the furniture is stacked together in the middle of the room making for a lovely jungle gym to climb.

We had a doctor's appointment on Monday which included my 28 week glucose test. I failed it by 6 points. That's not a lot but enough that I have to take the 3 hour test on Friday. Baby girl is measuring two weeks ahead still and so now I have an ultrasound scheduled for the end of April to check on my fluids and her size. I am also being recommended for physical therapy for sciatica and my hip pain. Adam and I then spent our entire lunch with each other discussing names. We still don't have a winner folks, but I think we are getting closer.

I haven't had much time or motivation for yarning lately, but I've been slowly and steadily working on a birthday present, that is now late because of my lack of motivation.

But to be honest I'd rather stare at this

Is there anything sweeter than sunshine shining on a little head?

I love being busy

2010-03-26T15:07:00.000-05:00

We've had an increasingly hectic schedule, and I'm not going to lie, I absolutely love it. I was telling Barb today, that I finally feel like I've hit my stride. We're busy, active, doing ministry, having friends, sharing meals and love and loss and life together with those around us. How can that not be awesome? It's totally what we're called to do and as tiring as it can sometimes be, we are so blessed and given so much strength when we do. I'm so encouraged by the people and things around me. It's an awesome feeling.

I've started my insomnia phase of the pregnancy. But that also means I get a lot of thinking, reading, and knitting done. Here's my latest two finished projects.

Little booties and a sweater to match the hat for baby girl's coming home outfit.

Speaking of Baby Girl, we still don't have a name - we thought we had one and then decided not to use it because it's pretty common in our area. We have some current contenders again, and so we'll see. She's also getting so big and is so active. She's actually less active than I remember Max being, but I guess she still has 12 weeks to prove to be otherwise. And really, I wouldn't mind a little calmer of a child in this one. I go to the doctor again on Monday, so we'll see how's she's doing then.

On the Max front, he's been loving all the busy-ness as well. He's been a great sleeper and napper lately and he's so agreeable when he does get some good sleep. He's such a little chatterbox lately and amazes me everyday with something else he knows that I didn't know he knew.

Saying squirrel (that's a really hard word and I love the funny way he says it)

He was watching this squirrel eat the corn we've put out. I love the little chair because it's like they think they're a peoples!

This is how I found him after his nap the other day. He was upset because he wasn't sure how to get down even though I've seen him do it a million times. And yes, I left him crying to run and grab the camera, I thought it was so funny.

Spring? Where did you go?

2010-03-21T22:53:00.000-05:00

Yesterday and today have been downright miserable. But yet it's spring, and we have crocuses in our front yard and possibly some daffodils that have yet to bloom. Hopefully they will all survive this sad weather we are having. Tomorrow is supposed to be much more spring like.
Here's hoping it has more of this:

(both of these taken by Adam)

Projects
I finished the wool soaker, it was so easy because it was tiny and now that I have the pattern all figured out hopefully I'll be able to crank out a few in different wools I have laying around. It only take a little bit of yarn, so might as well.

As soon as it was finished it was requested for the stinky cabbage patch doll

Another hat was also finished for Mom to sleep in - here's hoping she won't need it for long.

I've knitted up a pair of booties that still need the seams sown and have cast on a baby girl sweater all in the same honeysuckle colored yarn as the hat I've previously posted so that there will be a set. I've also got to get cookin' on some birthday presents that are due up next week. It's always crazy when two of your best friends have birthdays within 5 days of each other.

We had quite a fun time with a progressive dinner this weekend with Sunday school friends.

This picture made me realize that I need to wear lipstick more often. I'll have to remember that.

Preggers....

2010-03-17T13:54:00.000-05:00

I've been feeling increasingly slow (could I complain any more? Really I'm feeling fine, just gosh darn slow) already with this little girl and I'm just 26 and a half weeks. I don't think I mentioned at my 25 week appointment Baby Girl was already measuring two weeks bigger. I'm so thankful for her growth, but could definitely be spared another 9 pound delivery if possible, thank-you-very-much! They won't do an ultrasound until 34-36 weeks to get an idea of possible weight (I know those are normally off anyway, but the doc in Dallas was 2 oz off from Max, so I take a little stock in them).

I'm starting to get those comments and stares and sympathetic smiles when I'm in public. If you remember being pregnant, you know the ones I'm talking about. Luckily, people have not yet started to ask if I'm due this week or if I'm having twins... yet....

Yesterday during "nap" time (that's a loose word around our house, because there's a lot of playing that normally goes on before the nap is actually taken) Max started to cry like he was hurt, so I checked on him to find he had stranded himself on his window sill by pulling out his drawer, emptying it, climbing in (bending the rollers, I might add), legged up onto his radiator cover, pulling himself onto with window sill to see the birdies outside. UGH! Needless to say, the dresser has now taken residence in the dining room and we are at a loss as to how to keep the climber in bed. He knows what's wrong and right and would never do it if we were around, but there's not enough threats in the world to keep him from doing things when we aren't looking. I have to keep reminding myself that he's just 22 months old.

A friend from high school posted pictures she had taken of her pregnancy and I loved this really sweet picture she had taken with the shoes she wore home from the hospital years ago. So today I did a little duplication. Of course they aren't as beautiful (or professional) as hers, but this eased a bit of the guilt I've been feeling about not taking enough pictures of this pregnancy.

Yes those are my baby shoes :)

Lastly, here's some now Knitting WIPs to love the colors of.

This one reminds me of Easter

This one is the start of the wool soaker I talked about in the last post.

A few finished projects

2010-03-15T22:25:00.000-05:00

I've apparently got a thing for hats lately. Here are the latest three projects off the hook or needles.

First is a hat made for Barb to sleep in for the rest of the cold weather. I'm so glad it fits her and is coming in handy. I've got the yarn near by to be cast on for a lighter "spring" one.

Next is Max's new spring hat. He loves his wool one so much but I think it's just getting to warm for it. So while at the yarn shop the other day he got to pick out new yarn for this hat in a pima cotton so hopefully it will be much better for the spring. I've reworked the hat three times. First I made it too small (the boy keeps growing!) and then too short so I added on a couple of rounds tonight to it and hopefully it will be a little better when we wakes up in the morning looking for it.

Lastly is the first thing I've made for the little girl (since we knew she was a she anyway) and it's a little hat for part of her coming home outfit. I"m planning on making a pair of booties or sock and also maybe a little cardigan that she'll wear along with the dress I came home in oh so many years ago. The dress is yellow, so I decided to go with something decidedly girly and loved the bright "honeysuckle" color in microfiber and nylon (hoping it won't be too warm).

Tonight I cast on stitches for my first wool soaker to use with cloth diapering. I'm excited to see how well it works. I'm only working a few in a newborn size until I decide if I like them or not.

I've joined a baby swap on Ravelry to trade a couple of baby things with a gal in California who's having a little girl the week or so after me so I get to come up with fun things I might not necessarily make for our little one to mail to her. I've got the patterns picked out and I'm just waiting for the yarn inspiration to hit.

Just a little bit of fun.

2010-03-15T21:59:00.000-05:00

I've felt a bit under the weather the past few days- but that has not kept us from having fun around the house.

The other day I asked Max if he wanted to go pick up Papa from work and he ran out of the room (I thought to get his shoes) and came back dressed like this.

Papa and him love to play, when I woke up later than the other two of them the other day, Adam was proud of the "fort" he had made for his son.

Today I got the perfect Mama gift. After I woke up and ate breakfast, I was given permission to go back to bed and slept until 11am. Adam took Max to Romper Room at the Parks District and to play on the playground while I slept so it would be quiet. Absolutely wonderful.

You Capture - Quiet

2010-03-11T16:17:00.001-06:00

There has been a serious lack of quiet around here lately- as I always say, Max is a very busy boy. Very very busy. I've lately had people telling me this left and right... maybe they're just being nice instead of saying my kid is a terror or tornado or has some sort of behavioral disorder. But really I'm standing by the firm believe that he's just extremely busy.

Today however I got some quiet. There was a good nap time for my busy boy, my house was clean, the dishes were done, the sun was shining, I had a glass of iced tea and a new knitting project on the needles. The chairs on the porch called my name very softly and I answered by sitting there for a full three hours, quietly, except for one conversation with my mother in law, and saying hi to the mail lady who brought me the best kind of mail, a wedding invite. I watched birds play in a puddle, people walking their dogs, a squirrel with a treasure in his mouth, and swear I could see more green popping up in my flower beds as I sat. I thought I would knit the whole time in the frantic way I have been, but I found myself repeatedly just sitting and staring.

It was nice, all the sitting and staring, but the best part I have to say, was the quiet.

Written this week for:

What we are up to

2010-03-10T07:17:00.043-06:00

It was a fun day around here yesterday. We rearranged Max's toys yesterday slimming things down and putting some upstairs. While upstairs we found some "new" to him toys that are at a different level of development. He's been loving to pretend and immitate lately and all of a sudden the best toy upstairs was my old Cabbage Patch Preemie. When it was time to go he wouldn't leave her, so we brought her downstairs and they've been almost in separable since. I've found her naked in the bathtub, he stood watching tv and patting her back for 15 minutes straight today, he insisted she was stinky and needed new clothes and a hat and was upset when I drew the line at not putting her in a jacket. He rocks her to sleep and puts her night night and shares his snack with her. And I'm encouraging it all because in a few short short months he'll have a real live little person sharing this space with him and the more accustomed he gets to it, I believe, the better.

Have no fear, he also found a transformer that talks and that's how he woke me this morning, with "Hi I'm Bumblebee..."

I should be specific and say that this was the 6:30 am wake up call. We also had a doozy at 2:15 am when Max decided to open his door and run into our room claiming it was time to wake up... Oh how to reason with a 22 month old at 2:15 am? Send your husband after him. That's how I did it. Adam took him back to bed, closed the door and then put a baby gate in the doorway so should he try it again, he would not be able to make it very far. He must have had trouble sleeping because he had done the same thing around 10:30 and claimed over and over it was time for Mickey Mouse. He had never done it before, and now the gate goes up every time or else I don't think I would be able to sleep for fear of what he was getting in to.

Max climbed into my soup pot today... He thought he was funny for a split second and then started to get a little panicky saying stuck over and over... and it reminded me of this picture

He used to fit in a mixing bowl and now doesn't even close to fit in the soup pot.