This and That

We have been so super busy since since Christmas! Speaking of Christmas, Andrew's first was so special and so much fun. He finally got the hang of opening the gifts, though he did need to taste each "flavor" of wrapping paper before he would move on to the next. We are definitely set on toys and clothes for a while now! Chad and I were both off for 2 weeks, and we spent most of that time hanging out at home as a family. I told him it's funny how A has changed us. Before him, if we had a week straight together, I would be begging for some space, or leaving the house a lot just to have time to myself. Now I am perfectly content to just be here, and I miss him more when he's gone.

Andrew is still having trouble with ear infections, so this Friday he will get tubes. I'm a little surprised at how calm I am about it, but I'll do anything to make him feel better and rest better. I'm thankful every day for how healthy he is; if this is all I have to worry about, I'm certainly not complaining.

Today Andrew is 10 months old. I can't believe it's already time to start thinking about his first birthday party! (I said thinking, not accepting). New Year's Eve, he started crawling, and then pulling up, and even cruising a bit. All at once I have this mobile child! We've already taken some tumbles, and had some bumps and bruises. I told him to get used to it, this is the way he'll look for the next 18 years!

We have a busy year ahead of us. At work, we moved into a new building and will open up there on Sunday. I can actually see more than just a brick wall and the dumpster from my office window now. My dept has been in the same space for more than 50 years! Chad and I are in the process of buying a piece of land to build a house on, so that means trying to sell ours, moving, building, then moving again. Whew!

For several people near and dear to us, 2010 will be the hardest year they have faced. I am so thankful for my sweet healthy boy. As I looked around at dinner Sunday night, though, I was also thankful for the many friends we have as part of our family, and the fact that we all help to hold one another up when we may not feel like we have the strength to stand. Thank God for the blessing of friendship!

My Hope

There is a song that is played on KLOVE that really struck a chord in my heart when I took the time to listen to the words. I don't remember artist's names that well, so I'm not sure who sings it, but the chorus is simply beautiful. If I could make a list of the most important things I want Andrew to know, this would be the list.

"Be strong in the Lord, never give up hope. You're going to do great things, I already know. God's got His hand on you, so don't live life in fear. Forgive and forget, and don't forget why you're here. Take your time and pray, thank God for each day."

It's still so overwhelming to think of the awesome responsibility given to us, but when I see it like this, it really seems so simple. My hope for Andrew summed up in these words; to live a life pleasing to God, to always be thankful of the things we have, and mindful of those who don't, to have faith in God and believe in the plan He has in store for him. What a blessing!

Give Thanks

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. (I Chron. 16:34)




Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalms 100:4)



Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:2)


This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for: Chad and Andrew, our family, my friend family, a good job, a home, health, and our church, just to name a few.
I have so many things to be thankful for this year, but most of all, I am thankful for my sweet sweet boy. I could never have imagined how much our life would change, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

It's Fall Y'all!

I will never cease to be amazed at how lightning fast the time is passing! How has it already been 2 months since I last posted? My sweet boy is now 8 months old, has 2 teeth, had his first Halloween, and his first ear infection (awful!). He weighs just over 20 pounds and is 28.5 inches long. He isn't crawling yet, but is just starting to get on all fours and rock a little bit. Before we know it, he'll be everywhere and into everything, probably about the time the Christmas tree goes up!

Andrew got to go to the Pumpkin Patch and see all of the pumpkins, gourds, and mums there, and for Halloween, he was Yoda (from Star Wars, if you are wondering). Feast of Casseroles is tonight (YUM!), then it's time for Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations!

6 months!

This weekend, my baby boy will turn 6 months old. I am shocked (and saddened) at how fast this time has gone. Andrew is such a big boy now! He weighs just shy of 18 pounds, and at his last checkup was just over 26 inches long. He wears a size 3 diaper, a size 3 shoe, and 6-9 month clothes. He started eating cereal a couple of weeks ago, and has tried some vegetables too. He loves loves loves to eat! He usually tries to "help" me by grabbing the spoon with both hands to shove it into his mouth and hang on! He went to Bible class for the first time this week, and loved it too.

I was reading back through some of my early pregnancy posts where I wrote about how humbling it was to be a part of God's creation, how amazing it was that he chose us to be Andrew's parents. Every time I look at his precious face and his gorgeous clear blue eyes, I thank God for my little piece of heaven, gift wrapped in a onesie and smelling of Johnson's baby lotion. How I pray that I will remember every inch of him right now, every giggle and whimper, the way he licks my face when he gives me "sugars", and holds my finger when I snuggle him, his favorite books and toys, his sweet happy face, and the curiosity and wonder in his eyes.

Now, how do I make it SLOW DOWN!!!?

So Good Granola

I thought I would break away from my usual posts about how adorable my child is to post a recipe. My favorite things in life are my family, friends, and food, so it just made sense. Plus I had a couple friend request this recipe, so now the rest of you (all 2 of you!) have it too. This is adapted from two other granola recipes that I couldn't decide between one day. I just sort of meshed the best parts, and this is what I ended up with. The best thing about is some of the ingredients can be "optional" (coconut, pecans, almonds, etc.)

Homemade Granola

2 1/2 - 3 cups oats (not quick oats)
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

Combine dry ingredients. Melt butter with honey, add vanilla. Pour over dry mixture, fold together until well incorporated. Spread on large baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Stir. Bake 8-10 minutes more. Cool. Store in an airtight container.

Where did the past 4 months go?

Whew! Has it really been over 4 months since I have typed actual words here? I'm finally going to update this old blog o' mine.

So much to say, where do I start? The best place I can think of is my sweet angel boy. He's is 4 1/2 months old now, and I am amazed at how it really does go by so fast! I keep saying it's a cruel joke that God plays on us by making the time of our baby's life that we are the most sleep-deprived and out of it is the time that he will grow and change the most!

So, a little about Andrew: I'm guessing he weighs about 17 pounds now (doctor's appt next week so we'll know exactly) and he's about 25-26 inches long. I am shocked at how fast he's grown. His legs are rock solid and he loves to stand up. He has the best and biggest toothless smile! I love how he lights up when I talk to him. He loves his daddy, but he is a bit of a momma's boy. He has rolled from his belly to his back, and I think he's close to going the other way too. The child LOVES music and watching loud movies with daddy. I thank God for him every day; a child really will make you appreciate all the simple things in life. I wish I had been better about blogging weekly, there are so many things that I know I won't remember.

Some things I've learned so far:

1. Nursing a baby is natural, but certainly not easy. It takes a LOT of encouragement and pain tolerance to stick with it, but it is so worth it.

2. I am amazed at how big my heart smiles just watching Chad and Andrew together.

3. I never knew I would cry so much. Frustrated cries, tired cries, worried cries, happy cries, definitely a change for me.

4. My mom is amazing, and I know even more just how much she loves me.

5. I can worry about anything. Is he sleeping too much? not enough? Is he eating enough or too much? Should his poop be that color? What is this scratch from? Does he miss me when I'm gone? Arghhhhhh!

6. I can operate on even less sleep than I used to.

7. I can be content for hours at a time with no tv or noise, just holding my baby. (he doesn't really let me do this anymore, though)

8. I have amazing friends. Too many reasons to list.

9. I have an awesome husband, who has turned out to be a gentle, caring, even patient daddy.

More later...There's so much to tell! I just hope I remember it all by the time I'm on here again!