We're Moving!

Dear Friends,
We have some good news--God is moving our family to Norfolk, NE! Pastor Hess called to invite Ryan to serve with him as Assistant Pastor and as we feel God would have us there at Community Bible Church we gladly accepted. So, we will be packing and moving--shooting to be there on March 1st. We have really appreciated your prayers for us in this matter and would love it if you would keep them going as there are many more details to be arranged and lots of things to "fall into place" between today and the next 4 weeks--not to mention that little Sam will be arriving tomorrow!! So, if you are ever wandering around the nation and find yourself in Nebraska, stop in for a coffee!! In the mean time, we will have some pictures to post soon of a new baby in the family, that is if we can pull ourselves out of that life-with-a-newborn haze long enough to get some pictures taken!

Spinny

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo BooksOver the weekend Alex learned 2 new tricks which have given him many new bumps and potential bruises: spinning in circles and walking backwards. I have had to add "you have to be careful and watch where you are going..." to my list of regularly quoted mommy phrases. And, since my 9-month pregnant reflexes aren't quite as sharp as they could be Alex has spent a lot of time falling on the floor lately. I sometimes get this magazine called "One Step Ahead" that is full of baby gadgets and gizmos--sometimes cool stuff, although not usually in my price range, and a lot of times weird stuff. Well, one thing I used to really laugh at was this helmet made completely of thick foam that strapped under the kid's chin. It's purpose is to keep the little one from bumping their head during the more physically challenging stages of life--hmmmm.....

Domino Geronimo!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo BooksAlex's big thing the last day or two has been playing with dominoes. And after I showed him how to drop them through his shirt he hasn't wanted to do anything else with them--not even destroy mommy's tallest tower! It's too fascinating to watch them fall through his shirt and onto the floor! What a goob!

Bubbles

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

The boy said his first "learned-on-his-own" 2 syllable word today: bubbles. Playin in bubbles is one of his favorite things to do and thankfully it's the kind of mess that's really easy for mommy to clean up! Well, today he actually asked for the bubbles all by himself, though it comes out more "bub-bose" (for those of you who can't see the video, the pics below are also for you.) This was pretty exciting for mommy & daddy since we've been trying hard to get him to say more words lately. He's really into baby signing right now, and the doc says that's a good thing and to keep it going, but to try and slowly transfer over to real words. So, now we have another word to add to the list: mumma, dadda, ball, bird, all done, hi, bye-bye, and bubbles. I think there are more, but I can't remember them, and I know that there are a few more that we are pretty sure he has said, but I don't count them until it's obvious that it wasn't just a fluke! I'll try and come up with a list of the words he can sign and post them later. Of course he "talks" gibberesh all the time, so whenever he does start to chat it up....things could get really fun!!



this is the 2nd half of "bub-bose"

Beans, Beans, the Magical Fruit...

So, there was this bag of navy beans in my pantry for a long, long time. I am embarassed to say that I don't even know how long I've had them. I kept thinking that I should make something with them some time, but they just seem a little intimidating to cook with!! Weird, I know, but that's the truth. So, the other day I remembered that my friend Jenny told me that her little guy enjoyed playing with beans in a bowl--scooping them and stuff. Ok, well, let's try that--it is the middle of winter and we could use a little break from the norm. Wow, what a hit! The beans, along with a funnel, measuring cup, and spatula, kept the little man busy for many days during that "what to do with your kid while you finish making dinner" time-frame! Word of advice to other mommies thinking of trying this: you will become heartily annoyed of sweeping up stray beans long before your kid gets tired of playing with them--but definitely worth the hassle!

Let the Games Begin!

Here's the Game: First he throws all the balls out of the box. Then he climbs in. Then he strains (and sometimes falls out in the process) to reach all the balls to stuff in around him.

And then I get that proud smile that says it all!!

Who Needs Fisher Price?

This is what I lovingly call my "ghetto-fabulous" mega-blocks puzzle box. You will notice the fine craftmanship on this creation--obviously hours and hours of work. Ok, to tell the truth, a pair of rather dull scissors and about 5 min. completed the project. Necessity is the mother of invention, right? And when your toddler is getting kind of bored with a perfectly good toy you don't go out and buy him a new one--you just recreate the one he has!! Seriously, maybe Fisher Price should hire me...

Sporting His Sunday Best

The big man himself! I have been waiting almost a year to put Alex in this corduroy sport coat that Grams gave him. I think he liked it, especially the buttons. Somehow we managed to keep it clean, too--miracle of miracles!
Ok, so he's obviously not too big to cuddle with his blankie after a long morning! When we got home from our special services and church pot-luck yesterday the litte man was so tired he headed straight for his blankie. It was a big morning for him, though, as he went into the Toddler 2 nursery for the 1st time on a Sunday. The ladies told us that he did really well, participating in the activities -except song time- and even staying on his mat during quiet time (knock on wood for next week!). But by the time we got home the only thing on his mind was sleep--and I was right there with him...Sunday naps are my favorite!!

Mealtime with a Toddler

Today was the first day Alex had true success with his spoon! He was actually able to scoop up some potato soup and really enjoyed slurping it off his spoon--who taught him to slurp??? Notice how he is holding both his spoon and his fork: always be prepared, right? And also how he has 2 sippy cups: he wanted both milk and water with lunch today...sure, no prob!
"Oh no, I just realized I am wearing a bib! I think I can't breathe. Hurry up, get this thing off me before I choke to death! No, I am not over-reacting!!"
All in all, mealtimes with a toddler are lots of fun if you can get past the mess, meltdowns, and occasional mayhem and keep in mind the smiles, giggles, and slurping!!

"Helping"

"Look mom, I'm helping clean the dishes..."
"Wait a minute...helping clean the floor is way more fun!"

A Wonderful Christmas!

I realized that most of the pictures we took of our family Christmas were of present opening, but we did do more than just that! We had a great time just being together really--it had been a year since we had all been together last. We stayed home mostly, playing games, watching movies, & talking, but we girls did get out to find a few deals at Kohls and Babies 'R Us. We devoured a lot of fabulous food, laughed until we cried, and even did a bit of arm wrestling--I opted out of that activity, thought it would really be bad for the guys' egos if a pregnant lady beat them :-)! We had 2 grandkids in the bunch this year--both of whom were completely spoiled. A big thanks to my incredible parents for making all the arrangements and driving up here through the night so that we could all have Christmas together!