Life, among other things.

Rediscovering George (Foreman)

2012-02-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

When my husband and I first got married, we purchased the famed George Foreman Grill. We used it to grill our chicken breasts and turkey burners. Trying to be healthy, we cooked a lot of chicken on the grill. BLAH! We got tired of it. Personally, I think it dries out chicken breasts. Chicken breasts really aren't bad for you, anyway, so I suppose the George Foreman Grill is overkill when it comes to cooking that. Needless to say, the grill found it's way to the back of our cabinet and stayed there. I recently had the thought that I needed to get the grill out to put with the items we are selling at our garage sell. But, with our griddle going out, I decided to use George for making grilled cheese/turkey sandwiches. Guess what? They turned out amazing AND they were pretty much pan-inis! While making breakfast for dinner (a regular at our house) the other night, I decided to try to cook bacon in the George. I have to admit that I remembered you could do this because I had just recently watched the episode of The Office when Michael Scott burns his foot on his George Forman grill while cooking bacon at his bedside. I cooked the slices for 4 minutes on each side and it was seriously the tastiest bacon! It was perfect in texture and taste, and I am guess a whole lot healthier for us since it wasn't cooked in the fat. So, I suppose I will keep George a little longer. He has proven to be a faithful and healthful cooking companion!

Baby Led Weaning

2012-02-10T15:46:00.000-08:00

At just 5 months of age, in an attempt to get Owen to sleep more than an hour and a half at a time, I started feeding him pureed food. He had shown interest in eating and we, quite honestly, needed sleep. Badly. To my frustration, and Owen's, when I tried to feed Owen the pureed food, I could never feed him fast enough, and he would want to shovel it in himself. I would end up dreading feeding him because of the mess it would make and the fuss he would make when his *large* bowl of pureed sweet potato/brown rice slop was gone. Have you ever tried to clean dried sweet potato puree off of a high chair leg? I then remembered that my sister in law, Robyn, did something called Baby Led Weaning with her daughter and it seemed to have worked out pretty well. The first chance I got, I asked Robyn more details about Baby Led Weaning (BLW). She gave me some pointers and I started Owen on BLW the next meal!

In case you were wondering, Baby Led Weaning is when you forgo the traditional pureed baby foods and exclusively let your baby feed themselves finger foods. When I first heard of this approach, I thought, "What?!?! Won't they choke?!?" But, as I observed my niece's eating habits, I realized that as long as you keep an eye on your child as he or she eats, it is highly unlikely your child will choke. Basically, the finger foods you give them at first are soft and "gum-able." I was very surprised with the variety of foods Owen can chew with his gums! He is a few days away from 9 months and still has doesn't have any teeth, yet he eats everything from broccoli to beans to turkey and everything in between. Not only does he like a variety of foods, he eats more than I have ever seen any other baby eat! I've introduced him to so much more than I did with my two other children who were on pureed food. I am starting to see that Owen is not picky about what he eats, and my guess is that this is because he has been given the opportunity to try so many different types of food. His favorite foods are broccoli and blueberries. I don't know many 9-month olds who LOVE broccoli!

Along with the convenience of BLW, i.e., letting your infant feed his/herself, there are heath benefits, as shown in a recent study. A study published in the BMJ Open compared a group of infants who followed the BLW approach to feeding with the infants fed with the traditional pureed food. The study showed that the BLW infants seemed to like carbohydrates more than sweets, and that the pureed-fed infants seemed to like sweets more. The study also noted that the Body Mass Index (BMI) of the BLW infants was lower than the pureed-fed infants at the end of the weaning period. (Find a summary of the study here.) The website www.babyledweaning.com, recently requested a statement from one of the doctors that participated in the study and she was kind enough to comply. Dr. Ellen Townsend summarized the study as follows:

“We conducted a survey-based study with parents. Some of whom had used traditional spoon feeding and some who had used a baby-led approach. We asked them about their child’s food likes and how often they ate 151 different foods.

We then compared the groups on their liking for foods in the major food categories (carbs, proteins etc). What we found was that children weaned using a BLW approach like carbohydrates more than the spoon fed children. (In fact they liked carbohydrates the most as compared to the spoon fed children who like sweet foods the most.)

This is interesting because carbohydrates form the building blocks of healthy nutrition (being found at the bottom of the food pyramid). We also looked at health outcomes and found that BLW children generally had lower BMI compared to spoon-fed children. There was a small incidence of underweight in the BLW group but a larger incidence of obesity in the spoon fed group.

Carbohydrates are an ideal first finger food – so what we may be seeing here is an ‘age on introduction effect’ where BLW children are exposed to these foods in their whole food format earlier on. In relation to the BMI findings it could be that BLW learn to self regulate their intake because they are given control of the feeding process. We need longitudinal studies now that can tease apart our findings further.” (www.babyledweaning.com)

I actually saw a brief news segment on this study before I looked it up online. I was glad to see Baby Led Weaning go a bit more public. Owen and my niece are the only children I know who did BLW. Owen thoroughly enjoys mealtime because it is fun for him. On top of three very full meals a day, Owen still nurses every 3-4 hours during the day. He is also the healthiest of all my children at this age in regards to bowel movement. My first two children would regularly have problems with constipation. Let's just say that Owen is very, very, very regular! As for sleeping longer, he is just starting to

regularly sleep decently and he only wakes up once to feed between 3:30 and 5am.

I would absolutely recommend the Baby Led Weaning approach to any parent! Not only is my child a healthy eater, but my bank account isn't feeling constrained by large purchases of "jarred" baby food and my time isn't being consumed with making the purees myself. Owen basically eats what we eat at every meal. And he is happy with that. Everyone wins!

If you would like more information on the Baby Led Weaning approach, the following sites are excellent resources:

http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/babyledweaning.htm
http://www.babyledweaning.com/
http://www.baby-led.com/

Owen @ 7-8 Months

2012-02-07T15:32:00.001-08:00

My sweet, little Owen!

This may be a little late, but as they say, better late than never! My little Owen is just that...little! At his 6 month check up, he was is the 3rd percentile for height and the 9th in weight. I visibly noticed him getting a little on the skinnier side and also noticed our scale at home wasn't budging, so took Owen into his doctor for a weight check around 7 1/2 months. He had gained 1 pound and he had gotten a bit longer, which is why he looked skinnier. Now, to be clear, this little boy eats like food is going out of style. I have never seen a baby eat this much! We are doing the Baby Led Weaning with Owen , so we don't feed him puréed food. He just feeds himself finger foods. He absolutely loves feeding himself and he is good at it---very accurate! I will blog about Baby Led Weaning in another post because it really deserves its own post. Back to Owen!

Now that he is approaching 9 months, he seems to finally be growing out of the last of his 3-6 month clothes and some of his 6 month clothes. Yea! He actually seems to be getting longer because some of his 6 months PJs fit him perfectly now and they were a bit big when he got them at Christmas time. So, even though he eats like he has a bottomless pit for a stomach, he still stays a bit on the small side. The doctor said he may not be growing much because he doesn't sleep well. Although, his sleep as really improved in the last month. He usually only wakes up to feed once at between 4 and 5:30am. Sometimes he cries a little during the night, but then goes back to sleep. BUT that is a HUGE improvement from what he was doing. Perhaps that is why I have noticed growth! The doctor also said he probably has a fast metabolism. Hmmm....wonder where he gets that from! (Certainly not me!)

His favorite place to stand, especially if the DVD player is on!

At 7 1/2 months, Owen started crawling, and now, at eight months, he is trying to stand and he is cruising on furniture. He walked with his walker/push toy yesterday for the first time. In hindsight, I should have gotten a photo with that! He is very active and likes to be in the action when it comes to being with our family. He wants to wrestle on the floor with his daddy and siblings. He loves any attention from his brother and sister. He adores them. It really is, well, for the lack of another word, adorable!

I may had said it in previous posts, but I have to say it again: Owen is such a sweet boy. He is patient and happy and loving! His smiles brighten up the days of many! He thrives in social atmospheres and loves to "talk" to people. (Hmmm...does that sound familiar?) He is such a blessing to our family!

Tub time!

At 7 & 8 months, his favorite things to do are:
Smile at anyone and everyone
Eat
Play with his brother and sister
Stand
Pull up on furniture
Take baths with his brother and sister
Help daddy work on his computer
Cuddle with mommy, and anyone else if mommy isn't within eyesight
Crawl
Chew on remotes
Open cabinets
Pet the kitties

At 7 & 8 months, Owen's favorite foods are:
Broccoli
Chicken Nuggets
Sweet Potatoes & Sweet Potato "Fries"
Whole grain blueberry waffles
Blueberries
Bananas
Cheerios (Trader Joe's O's)
Cheese
Cooked apples
Almost anything we put in front of him...

Owen's first Christmas (At 7 months)

Owen with two of his favorite people.

The happy boy, himself!

Day 11: Something Old

2011-12-13T09:08:00.000-08:00

I found this bench at a garage sale on Saturday for 5 bucks. I have been looking for a little bench that the kids can sit on to put their shoes on by our front door. Its perfect! Wooohoo! I love garage sales! The bench has also become a favorite spot for our cats to keep a watch over the living room. :)

Day 10: Nature

2011-12-13T08:56:00.000-08:00

Me in nature. Contemplating a spring in Oak Glen. :)

Day 9: Inspirational Person

2011-12-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

Corrie Ten Boom was a lady who God made stronger and wiser through many hardships and trials during the Holocaust. God has used her to inspire many people.

“If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.”― Corrie ten Boom

Day 8: Favorite Color

2011-12-11T15:10:00.001-08:00

I love the earthy colors of lavender and sage!

Day 7: Something Fun

2011-12-11T15:08:00.001-08:00

Yes. These kids are fun. And silly!

Day 6: Books

2011-12-08T17:03:00.001-08:00

This is Madelyn's favorite book. We read/sing it everyday at nap time and bed time. I loved Raffi growing up, so I enjoy it!

Day 5: Morning Sky

2011-12-07T14:02:00.001-08:00

I by no means got up early enough to get a photo of the morning sky! So, this is a photo of a painting I did for Troy when we were dating. I haven't painted for a while and I would really love to have time to get back into it!

Day 4: Leaves

2011-12-07T13:56:00.001-08:00

Looks like someone has to sweep the porch! On a side note, the shoes pictured I got a great deal on---two pairs for 8 bucks total, shipped to me and everything! It was a sweet Cyber Monday Deal!

Day 3: Happiness

2011-12-06T12:13:00.001-08:00

Happiness is the feeling I got today when I fit into the dress that first caught Troy's eye before we dated...and that is after 3 kids! Lost 53 lbs and counting!

Day 2: Smile

2011-12-05T10:42:00.001-08:00

Owen always makes me smile and he always has a smile to give, no matter who it is to!

Day 1: Favorite Food

2011-12-05T10:40:00.003-08:00

In my case, it's a beverage. To me, Trader Joe's Chai Tea Latte mix is a cup of warm happiness!

30 Day Photo Challenge

2011-12-05T10:40:00.001-08:00

A friend started a Facebook group with this challenge and I thought it would be perfect to apply to my blog considering it is much faster to post a photo than a whole post in the iPod! So here it goes!

24 Days of Thanksgiving Days 14-23

2011-11-23T12:22:00.001-08:00

Sooo, my computer went completely ka-put. This is the reason for my lack of Thanksgiving posts. However, a few days ago, Troy's carpool partner/coworker/friend gave us his iPhone because he got a new one. It really was generous of him! Now, I can communicate via Facebook and blogging again, plus, I can post photos and videos of the kids so much easier! Yea! So, needless to say, I am thankful for John's generosity and his gracious gift of an iPhone that I can use as an iPod! And in honor of that, here is a photo I took of Owen on the iPhone eating rice and bananas for breakfast this morning:

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 13

2011-11-13T22:12:00.001-08:00

Today my little Owen turned six months old. That is half a year! I don't know where the time has gone, but I am so thankful for these last six months. Owen is such a happy baby (during the day), which helps because is practically a sleepless baby at night! I love the way he has a smile for everyone he comes across! He has such a sweet little personality. Even at six months, I can tell he wants to be "in the mix" of things when he is with his brother and sister. He watches them and wants to be right there with them, playing just like they do! I am so thankful for the last six months with this precious boy and I hope the next six months don't go as fast! (Six month update coming soon!)

~Late night snuggle.~

Talking to his mommy! :)

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 12

2011-11-13T21:48:00.001-08:00

There are some things that are seemingly "small" that I am thankful for. Here are a few random things I am thankful for:
{A few of my favorite things}
* Amazon Prime. Free two-day shipping. All the time. Do I need to say more?
*Trader Joe's dark chocolate bar with caramel and black sea salt. YUM!
*The beach. I can't imagine my life without it. I've lived in Southern California all my life, so the beach has always been a quick get-away. I look forward to a get-away with my hubby to the beach in the near future!
*Leggings. In the late 90's I wouldn't be caught dead in them. Now, I think they are quite comfortable. And that isn't just because I'm a mom!
*Micro-fiber cleaning cloths. They are great for everything from dusting to wiping down a stove to cleaning spots on the floor! Even glass!
*The Gap. LOVE their clearance section! They closed the one in our mall. BOooo!
*Peanut M&Ms. They are good. Too good.
*My mattress. It's so stinking comfortable. It is a Sealy Beautyrest with a pillow top...well worth the money!

*Subway's Chicken Marinara Melt. I did this sandwich at Subway before it even existed. Now it is officially a sandwich there AND its the 5 dollar sub for November! Wooohooo!
*Fluffy, Cumulus clouds and blue skies---like we had today. Southern California fall is simply beautiful!
Yup. I said the list was random! :)

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 11

2011-11-11T10:52:00.001-08:00

Photo Credit: http://lynnkerewchiropractic.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/flu.jpg

I am thankful that my family and I have stayed well (so far) this Fall. By this time last year, we had passed a variety of illnesses around already. From the early fall of 2010 to late spring of 2011, our family experienced the flu/stomach virus, conjunctivitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infections, and the common cold----all of those at least twice. Health will never be something I take for granted again! Thank you, Lord, for the health you have granted my family so far this season! I pray we stay well through the holidays!

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 10

2011-11-10T13:51:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for a friend, April, who, I am sad to say, I will be saying goodbye to tonight because she is moving to Michigan. April and her family have lived near us for several years now. She lived in the same apartment complex we did a few years back, and now she lives about a quarter of a mile down the street. I will always remember the number of ways she selflessly served my family and I over the years. She has brought us many meals, helped us pack when we were moving, and even has done laundry for us when I was on bed rest. Even when she was very busy with a new baby, she found a way to help us when we most needed it. She is the kind of friend who will pray for you when you need it. God has used her to bless us many times, especially in the last year. Although I haven't been able to see her as much as I wanted to socially, due to both of us having a new baby and my family being sick the first half of the year, she still found ways to bless us. I will miss her and her family, but I am happy for them and the new journey are about to embark on. I thank God for the several years he has given my family with April's family!

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 9

2011-11-09T22:10:00.000-08:00

(I'm the one on the right...all 185 pounds of me!)

Last week, my scale finally budged to 135 lbs. So, today, I want to say how thankful I am to have lost 50 lbs since having Jackson 4 years ago. 50 lbs may not sound like much to loose in three years, but I have done that through two pregnancies as well! I am finally fitting into clothes that I fit into before my first pregnancy! I am wearing clothes I wore on my honeymoon!!! I'm wearing clothes I wore before I got married.

(This picture was taken two weeks ago...will take a more recent "after" photo and post on my fitness blog) I'm not sure why I'm not smiling in this photo!

In the last forty-five days, I have been doing a 90 day program called Supreme 90 Day. Let me tell you...it works! I have gone from a size 11 jeans to...well...I fit into all my 7's, some of my 5's, and even some of my 4's. SIZE 4???? I NEVER thought that was possible! THANK YOU LORD for giving me the perseverance to get through the struggles of weight gain and weight loss! It takes a lot of work, but it is well worth it! It feels so good to be healthy!

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 8

2011-11-09T09:05:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for the Autumn. I like some things about every season, but I LOVE the Fall! I love the sights (although leaves don't get as pretty here), tastes and smells! I love the way the sun sheds light differently this time of year---at a different angle, and, seemingly a different golden hue. I love the dry winds that stir up and the sound of the leaves swishing in the trees and skittering across the street. I love the smell of the fuji, gala, and honey crisp apples on my kitchen counter. The spices of fall---the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamon---fill my nostrils with happiness! And then, there are the tastes of fall---the pumpkin and apple laced with the mentioned spices---oh! There are no words! For Jackson's birthday, I made Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. I love the recipe, but I do have to give credit to my sister-in-law, Robyn, for finding the recipe! (Click here for recipe.) I'm not that big on pumpkin in things that do not bake in an oven. I can do without pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin pancakes, but there is something special about a fluffy pumpkin muffin, bread, or cupcake. Now, if you pair the baked pumpkin fluffiness with cream cheese, forget about it!!! All I need to pair that with is a hot Chai Tea Latte!

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Days 4-7

2011-11-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

I must say that I really tried to post everyday, but, my computer went ka-put. So, I am taking advantage of a short window of time I am getting on Troy's laptop while he is taking a break from work.

This next post deserves 4 days worth of thanksgiving, though. Today is my son, Jackson's birthday. He is four years old. I am so thankful for the four years God has given us to enjoy him! I have enjoyed seeing him grow into a witty, talkative, curious, sweet and cuddly four-year-old. He is genuinely excited about life, and, I am happy to say, he is excited to learn about Jesus. This is Troy and I's number one prayer for him. He will ask us to tell him "Jesus Stories" or "God Stories." He asked me to sing him "God songs that Pastor Robert sings" when I put him to bed. He asks questions about God, Jesus, and sin. At four years old, I pray that he takes in all this information we are giving him and that God uses it to change his heart.

I thank God for the sweet personality he has given Jackson. Everyday, at least twice a day, Jackson will randomly come up to me, kiss me, hug me and say, "I love you, mom." There aren't too many things that warm my heart like that does! With that said, I am so thankful for our big FOUR-YEAR-OLD! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKSON!

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 3

2011-11-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful for my husband who let me sleep in this morning because Owen was up and down most of the night. Usually I get up and make his breakfast and lunch and see him off with a kiss. After last night, he suggested I stay in bed. Sleepless nights are difficult, but its mornings like those, and that graciousness displayed, that makes those mornings a bit easier to swallow.

It's been 7 years since Troy first said "I love you" to me and since then, we have experienced what love truly means. I am so thankful for our marriage in which I can honestly say I enjoy. I am more in love with this man than I was 7 years ago. He is hard working, patient, gracious, funny, creative, tenderhearted, and, on top of all that, an amazing father. I am thankful for the man God has molded him into. Thank you, God, for this precious gift of a husband you have given me!

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 2

2011-11-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: http://www.therunningshoesguide.com/have-wide-feet-choose-the-perfect-pair-of-wide-width-running-shoes

I am thankful for the ability to be active. Six months ago, I was on bed rest. I was "sitting on my nest" for a very long 5 1/2 weeks because little Owen wanted to come too early. (Side note: it was certainly worth it.) Around the first of April, I got the news that I needed to be on "complete bed rest," due to regular contractions at 31 weeks. This meant I could do N-O-T-H-I-N-G but get up to go to the restroom, and I had to take a special pill to stop the contractions every time they came. It was so hard to just sit there when my kids were wanting me to be up and play with them. I could literally feel my muscles turn to Jello. I vowed that when I was able, I would get active again. I started working out 6 weeks after my c-section and now I workout 6 days a week. I can pick up my kids, even two of them at a time, with no problem at all. I can run up stairs and not get winded. I can lift weights! With all that said, it feels so good to be active again. I know God didn't create us to be sedentary creatures. I am so very thankful that He has given be the ability and the strength to be active and healthy at this point in my life!

24 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 1

2011-11-01T11:23:00.000-07:00

It is really hard to start out twenty four days of Thanksgiving. I mean, I do have a lot to be thankful for, but deciding on what to write about first isn't easy. The first thing that comes to mind today is my children. I have to be honest. This morning started out pretty rocky for them. For the most part, they slept in, which was a direct result of last night's Reformation Night Event that Troy and I put on at church. They had so much fun and were out late (due to cleaning up after the event), that despite the efforts of two exhausted parents, they got to bed around 11pm last night. This morning, the candy won at last night's event was on the kitchen table. In hindsight, I should have put that away before they got up. So much for hindsight. Also on the kitchen table was their breakfast. I requested that they eat their breakfast before eating any treat. Normally, I wait until after lunch for all things sugar, but, I thought I would make an exception today. I left the room for a minute to check on Owen and before I knew it, Jackson and Madelyn both had Tootsie Roll Pops in their mouths and their breakfast still on their plates. I proceeded to take the suckers away, which was followed by a tantrum from Madelyn and a request by Jackson to go to his room. Yes. You read that right. He asked to be sent to his room. I had to nurse Owen, so, Madelyn went on crying and Jackson was sent to his room. Breakfast is still on the table. And, the candy is now hidden---probably won't reappear for quite some time.

It is a morning like this that I need to remind myself how much these children mean to me. God has blessed me with them and given me the responsibility to raise them up in a way that glorifies Him. I am very thankful for that opportunity. As Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." I am so very thankful that God has given me these three precious creations of His. And it is with that thankful heart that I am reminded that I need to give these children grace, just as Christ has given me grace. As it says in Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." This doesn't always come easy on mornings like these. However, when I think of Christ forgiving me, and all the silly, stupid things that I may do, and how He constantly shows me His grace and mercy, it does come a bit easier. I pray for patience in dealing with these kids that I love so much. I know that it is primarily by example that they will learn what grace is.

And with that, I am so very thankful for all the little things that they do to bring joy to my heart. I'm thankful for the witty and insightful view Jackson gives me on the world. I'm thankful that, even at just barely four years old, he shows an interest in Christ. I'm thankful for Madelyn's spunky personality, and the silly smile she gives me when she is pleased with something. I'm thankful that she is so very loyal to her siblings---the love and adoration she shows for Jackson is pretty priceless. I'm thankful for Owen's sweet and happy spirit. No matter how tired or hungry he may be, he always has a smile to give. I marvel at these precious gifts God has given me! I pray that I remember how thankful I am for these children no matter the occasion---when Madelyn puts crayons in her pajama feet and they are melted all over several loads of clothes in the dryer---when Jackson refuses to eat his breakfast, lunch, or dinner (that happens often)--- or when Owen is wide awake at 11...1...3...5... You get the idea!

Twenty Four Days of Thanksgiving

2011-11-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Psalm 100:4

As you know, Thanksgiving is on November 24th this year. My goal is to record what I am most thankful for (in no particular order) everyday until Thanksgiving. So here goes day 1...

Owen is 5 Months!

2011-10-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

As Owen interacts more with Jackson and Madelyn, I enjoy seeing the dynamics of our three-kid family grow! He loves to be in the mix of things, whether its in his jump-a-roo watching his brother and sister play, on the floor, rolling around with his siblings, or listening to a bedtime story with Jackson and Madelyn. I believe Jackson has made Owen laugh more than anyone and Jackson offers to "watch" his brother on a regular basis. This, of course, just consists of him sitting next to him while Owen plays with a toy. Nevertheless, it's cute! Madelyn always says, "Hi, Owen!" whenever she sees him and then proceeds to talk to him. I'm not sure what she says, but it sure makes Owen smile!
It's been a while since I blogged about Owen, so here's a quick update to get you up to date:
-He started rolling over from front to back a little over a month ago.
-Just like his brother, he loves standing up.
-He now weighs a little over 14lbs.
-When I put him on his stomach, he tries to be very moblie, almost doing an army crawl. He can get his butt up in the air, and he can lift his head, shoulders, and tummy up in the air, just not at the same time.
-Owen loves to hold onto something while going to sleep. So far, he loves the Teddy bear that his Aunt Jenni gave him.
-He loves his jump-a-roo. He just sits, there and plays. He doesn't jump. He actually is just content to watch what is going on in the world around him.

-Per his pediatrician's instructions to he would sleep better, we started Owen on cereal. He now gets a healthy helping of oatmeal, applesauce, probiotics, and flax-seed meal at night. Now to add the other meals! (By the way, it didn't help...he still wakes up every couple hours. We have to work on that!)

-Owen sat up very briefly yesterday on his own, just long enough for me to snap a photo! (Pictured below)

-At two months, Owen was diagnosed with Infant Acid Reflux and given Zantac to treat it. I have since discovered that this effected his digestive system, as his diapers were far from normal. Per his pediatrician's instructions, we weaned him off the Zantac. We then started giving him probiotics to see if that would help. He seemed to be doing okay, but recently has started to violently gag again at night. Hence, one of the reasons why he is waking up so much. And so the sleepless saga continues!

-During the day, Owen is an extremely happy baby. He always smiles at anyone and everyone he looks at. He has such a sweet and easy-going personality and its been such a joy to get to see it develop!
-This past week, Owen waved hello to our friend at church. I couldn't believe it when she told me, but she got him to do it again! And, then we told Troy and he did it again!
Here are some photos of the last couple months for your enjoyment!

On his way to Oak Glen!

In the jump-a-roo

Big, strong boy sitting up on his own!

Brothers and buddies!

UP....

And...

Over!

Owen's first feeding of cereal.

Lounging at the beach!

One of his favorite pastimes...chew on his feet!

Wrestling with his daddy. He had him pinned.

We truly thank God for this little gift to our family. We enjoy this little one so much and look forward to seeing him grow even more. I must say though, I see how fast this growing happens, and it churns up bittersweet feelings!

The Quotable Jackson

2011-10-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Referring to the lullaby, "Rock-a-bye Baby," Jackson said to me last night, "That song is weird. Rocking in a chair is WAY better." I would have to agree.

The Quotable Jackson

2011-07-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

Jackson got sick the second night I was home from the hospital with Owen. Poor kid. He just kept throwing up. He got so upset each time he threw up saying, "I don't like this!" "This is not fun!" Then, finally, he summed up the experience by declaring, "Even bad guys don't like to throw up!" Well said, Jackson. Well said!

Our First Date

2011-07-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

Troy and I went on our first date since having three kids on my birthday last month. Our friend and neighbor, Mendy, was nice enough to watch all three kids! We went out at Jackson and Madelyn's nap time and saw Midnight in Paris and did a little mall shopping. It was so nice to get out and actually be able to hold my husband's hand! All in all, it was a great date and a great birthday.

Curly Madelyn Sue

2011-07-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

Madelyn's hair has grown quite a bit in the last couple of months. I haven't received a "Oh! What a cute boy!" comment about her in a while, so that is a sign that Madelyn's little curly locks make her look more like a girl. :) To me, she has always looked like a girl, even when bald! When her hair is wet, it almost reaches her mid-back and when her hair is dry, her curls touch the top of her shoulders. I love her sweet curls!

And the "Trilogy" is comlete!

2011-07-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

The most common questions that Troy and I get as parents of three are, "How are Madelyn and Jackson doing with a baby?" and "How's it with three?" To answer those questions, I would have to say Madelyn and Jackson are doing wonderfully with their little brother. Both of the ask to hold him, which is really sweet! Madelyn with get up on the couch, put a pillow in her lap as if she is preparing to sit with the baby, and says, "Baby!" while patting the pillow. That is her precious way of asking to hold her brother. Jackson asks to hold him and look at him all the time. He often asks if he is awake and why he sleeps so much. I know Jackson looks forward to the day when he can play Hot Wheels with his brother!

As for parenting three very little ones, we are doing just fine. Of course we are in somewhat of a haze due to lack of sleep, but that is to be expected. When we tell people the ages of our children, we often get the comment, "Oh! You two are busy!" Of course we are! We knew we would be and really wouldn't have it any other way now!

Bath Time! (Owen's First Water Bath)

2011-07-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

When Owen got his first bath in the infant tub last month (don't worry...he has had plenty since then!), I knew he enjoyed himself. This wasn't because he let out coos of delight or smiled at me as I put him in the water because he didn't. He fell asleep. That's right! As soon as his little body was surrounded by the warm water, he closed his eyes and fell fast asleep. I'm pretty sure this is just a sign of the laid-back personality that he seems to have. What a joy is has been to get to know this little one!

Our First Outing

2011-07-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

For our first attempt to get out of the house after Owen was born we headed to the Dos Lagos shopping center. (This was back in June!) It could be the 20 minute drive or the hills surrounding the location, or perhaps the two lakes that reflect the sunset that makes us feel like we are on vacation while at this shopping center. We ate frozen yogurt at Pink Berry and took a very short walk to the waterfall in between the lakes. The sun was setting and the air was cool...the perfect atmosphere for a walk! We also took our first family photo (besides the hospital photo) as a family of five. At the end of this trip, Jackson said, "Mommy, I'm glad you can come out with us again!" After nearly 8 weeks of staying home on bedrest, then recovery, so am I!

Owen's Birth Story

2011-06-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are interested in how Owen made it into this world, here is the scoop! During the first few days of April, I started feeling contractions. I was almost 32 weeks, and suspected that this wasn't normal. So, with that in mind, I headed to the Labor and Delivery floor at the hospital. They hooked me up to the monitors which revealed that I was getting regular contractions (every few minutes). After 6 hours, a shot, and a couple pills, the contractions halted enough for the doctor to send me home. Due to the fact that I was getting contractions so early, I was put on a pill to stop the contractions every time they started and complete bedrest with "only trips to the bathroom." I must admit that I had a moment when I sort of "freaked out" about the amount of help I would need with childcare, cleaning, and cooking. Even though I have seen time and time again how God miraculously provides, I doubted Him for a moment (or two...). He soon showed me how well He provides! We were provided with nearly 6 weeks of meals, all the childcare we needed, and enough help with housework to keep my house in order for the 6 weeks I was on bedrest. Troy and I are so very thankful for the tangible way Christ's love was shown to us through His people!

At 37 weeks pregnant, a day or two before Owen was born.

Six weeks after being put on bedrest, I had a checkup with my doctor. I had been uncontrollably itching for the last 5-6 weeks and complained about it for the third time. I told him Benadryl did not work. Scratching the itches, mainly on my legs, ankles, feet, arms, and back didn't help either. In fact, I was itching my skin raw! The doctor FINALLY decided to look at my file only to discover that the Liver Panel blood test I did six weeks before was "Slightly elevated." I asked how high the numbers were and the doctor repeated that they were "slighted elevated." I then asked what the exact numbers were. I had the same problem with the previous pregnancy and I knew where my liver enzymes were supposed to be. The doctor reluctantly showed me the numbers. Perhaps this was because he made the mistake of not telling me before that they were high! Liver Enzymes are supposed to be 30-40 at the most. At the time of the blood test, my enzymes were up to 115! He then decided that I had something called "Cholestasis" and brushed it off as the body just not getting rid of bile as fast due to pregnancy. I already knew of this condition and knew that it was certainly more serious than that! He opted for another Liver Panel blood test.

The doctor called me a couple days later (on Friday, May 13th) and told me he needed to deliver the baby because my liver enzymes had gone up to 146. I was not suprised. He was going to schedule a C-section for that evening or the next day. I decided the day before to stop taking the pill that was preventing me from going into labor. Even with taking the pill, my contractions were becoming stronger and more regular. So, by 1pm on Friday, May 13th, I was going into labor. Of course, feeling contractions off and on for six weeks, I second-guessed myself and didn't think I needed go in yet. By 4:30, we were packing up the car to head to the hospital. By the time I got hooked up to the monitors at the hospital, I was dilated to 6 and my contractions were coming ever 2-3 minutes. It happened VERY fast. As I lay there in the hospital bed, the medical staff hurried to prep me for the c-section. I very much regretted waiting that long to go into Labor and Delivery. I was in pain, but I breathed through the contractions knowing that I would soon see my baby boy! On Friday, May 13th at 8:30 on the dot, Owen was born. He was unresponsive at first. The medical staff in the operating room didn't tell Troy and I this, but we knew because we didn't hear him cry and I could hear the respiratory therapist slapping Owen's back vigorously to try and get the fluid out. The said they got 10 (I'm assuming "CCs") of fluid out of his lungs, and finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we heard his cry! Owen was born at a healthy 7lbs and 19 inches long. I got to hold him a few hours later after being in the recovery room. Even the third time around, there is nothing like finally getting to hold the child God grew inside your womb! What a precious gift!

Madelyn @ 18-19 months

2011-03-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Madelyn has become quite the independent little girl. She loves doing things on her own, even when she really does need help, and she entertains herself very well. She has developed such a sweet personality. She loves ALL animals and expresses so much joy when she sees them. She gives all her stuffed animals and baby dolls kisses all the time and takes care of them while pushing them in her strollers. We didn't teach her that. It certainly came naturally to her!

Madelyn's hair has grown as well. When wet, it is a few inches past the bottom of her neck. It has a mind of its own (like on this recent trip to Disneyland), but most of the time, it naturally curls up in ringlets. So stinking adorable, if I must so say myself!

This little girl has always been a good eater, but, like her brother, she has a great love for Chipotle!

Madelyn says a great deal of words now. She is also starting to combine more words. She, or course, can say, "Kitty-Kitty", doggy, monkey, ducky, bath, teeth ("eeth"), Mama, Dada, Jackson ("aack-on"), cracker ("cra-ka"), broccoli, cookie, and she says the cutest little phrase if she wants up on something..."Upp, peas!" :) She also is starting to call our cats by name, Abby, Olive, and Cassie. One of her favorite characters is Lightning McQueen from Cars and every time she sees him, she exclaims, "CAR!" Obviously, a big influence from her older brother!

Madelyn converted from two naps to one this month. At first, the transition was a tough, but a much needed one. She started to give up her afternoon naps and then was super grumpy by dinner, so I knew it was time! Now, she takes one nap in the afternoon, the same time as Jackson. In theory, this is good because I can take a little nap.

When I was sick with pneumonia in January, Madelyn and Troy really bonded. She really loves her Daddy! If she doesn't see him in the morning because she didn't wake up before he headed off to work, she asks for him throughout the day. She also waits by the living room window, keeping on the lookout for her Daddy when it is time for him to come home. The look she gives him is priceless!

Madelyn's other favorite person is her brother. This picture illustrates her love for him. She loves sharing with him (most of the time!), and wants to do everything he does. Of course, this proves to be a little much for Jackson at times, but he embraces most of it. She loves to copy him in the way he moves and talks. Jackson loves telling knock-knock jokes and whenever he does, she chimes in, "knock-knock!" They are starting to play together well, with a little scream or cry every few minutes. Mostly, they just giggle together! I love to see their relationship grow. It's one of the sweetest perks of parenting!

A Great Quote to Remember...

2011-03-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, Kimm, posted this on her Facebook status. Seriously a freeing qoute. My efforts will still go on, however, its a great reminder that in the end, God does the work!

"When God calls our children to come to him, even if we haven't gotten it all right, even if we've trained little Pharisees or have a house full of prodigals, nothing is impossible for Him. He can break though all our flawed methods and redeem all our frail efforts." Jessica Thompson/Elyse Fitzpatrick -Give them Grace

Disneyland March 2011

2011-03-24T14:52:00.000-07:00

After being in the house for several weeks due to illness, we decided to head to Disneyland. Both days we went were perfect weather! We took Jackson and Madelyn to Tom Sawyer's Island for the first time---although I think Jack Sparrow took the island over. They both loved climbing all the rocks and crossing the bridges. Troy was a good sport and took them up in the tree house. What a guy! We also took them to the Muppet 3D Show in California Adventure. Jackson really liked it and laughed hard with Fozzie the Bear got a pie in his face. Troy and I both realized how bad the show is, though. It is kind of all over the place, and doesn't really have much of a plot. But, hey---its a comfy chair to sit in for a few minutes! Here are some more photos from the outings...

Madelyn looks up to her big brother. She loves him so much!

Sucker!

Madelyn in exploring mode.

Jackson with his daddy on Tom Sawyer's Island.

That's my boy!

Up in the tree house. I'm so glad I didn't have to try to climb up there!

Traditional Disneyland Family Photo

The aftermath...

Waiting to see the Muppet Show

Sweet Girl!

Climbing the rocks

Mr. Blue Eyes

Pigtails!

2011-03-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I fixed Madelyn's hair for the first time. It is now "long" enough to put into two pigtails. She actually sat in my lap without moving and let me fix her hair! Amazing! I tried to get a better picture of her, but she was too busy playing!

Yes, I'm pregnant.

2011-03-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

Just a few days ago, Troy was talking to our neighbor who sees us all the time because he lives across the street. Troy mentioned that we only had 9 weeks left until we met our new baby. The neighbor then said he had no idea I was pregnant. Ummmm....thanks, I guess, but I'm hoping I'm pregnant with this belly I'm carrying around! (Picture taken at 30 1/2 weeks)

SOS

2011-03-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I have never gone several months without a new post on this blog. I suppose that shows how busy and sick my family and I have been. Sorry folks. This blog took the "back burner" when it came to dealing with life! With a new baby coming, I'm hoping (and praying) to get things back into a routine and going again. After all, this is the first time we ARE NOT moving 1-2 weeks after having a new baby! Isn't that awesome??? My goal is to have things as organized as possible for the arrival of baby Owen. I must say that having this goal in mind has been somewhat humbling because I know I cannot do this myself. I know that I need God's help. The verse from Matthew posted above has been a great encouragement, as well as prayer. However, I need the help of others as well. This has been hard. Blame my pride. It's hard for me to ask for help! The truth is, I limp around most days because of hip pain from a previous injury that won't go away. And, of course, there is the exhuastion that comes along with pregnancy. Oh, and there is the fact that I don't want to end up with HELLP Syndrome again. So, with all those factors coming into play, I must hush those prideful voices in my head and ask for help. If you can lend a hand or two, please let me know! My household routines have fell to the wayside this year because my family has been well for only two weeks out of this year so far. It sounds ridiculous, I know. We've never been sick this much, but I guess these things happen sometimes! I have 10 weeks---if it goes as planned---and we know from experience that doesn't always happen---to get things organized!

And, because I don't like to post without photos, here is one for your enjoyment:

Madelyn @ 13 & 14 Months

2010-11-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

Madelyn has truly blossomed in the last few months. She is not only walking. She is running. She has a total of seven teeth, four on top, three on the bottom. Her vocabulary is growing as well. Her first words, of course were kitty, Mama, Dada, and hi. To that, she has now added, bye-bye, baby ("bay-bay"), ball ("ba!") and her term for her blankie, "Key!" She is trying to say a whole lot of other words as well. She talks and babbles all the time now. It is adorable. She also has become more social. She loves playing with kids and will go to MOPS and the nursery without a problem, for the most part! She is so loving and cuddly. I love that she lets us cuddle her! Her favorite things are (in no particular order):

Her Blankie--She has it almost all the time
Going outside. She is always happy outside. She loves pointing out the birds, trees, stars, the moon, and plenty of other things.
Saying "Bye-Bye." When outside, she waves and says "Bye-Bye" to every passing car.
Her kitties. She greets them when a gleeful squeal every time she sees them.
Bananas. She can't hide her happiness when she sees me peeling one for her.
Her brother. She looks up to him so much and shows him such an unconditional love. Of course, she will let him know when she needs space, too.
Books. They are her entertainment of choice. And I love that!
Her daddy. She greets him with a smile from ear to ear when he come how from work, and a cuddle, too!
Chipotle. Like Jackson and her parents, she can't get enough of those rice, beans, and chicken!
Drinking out of Mommy or Daddy's cup. She is actually very good out of it and never spills or spits liquid out, as long as we are holding onto the cup.
Her baby dolls and strollers. She pats the dolls gently and pushes them around in the strollers.
Just recently, she has become quite fond of a stuffed purple unicorn that one of her great-grandmas gave to her.

Madelyn and her Blankie.

Madelyn keeps growing curls. When wet, her hair is an inch past the bottom of her neck!

Madelyn just naturally loves to brush her hair. She is such a girl! :)

Having a laugh with her brother!

...and a cuddle, too!

Watching life outside.

Madelyn and one of her kitties, Olive, watch lizards together.

Eating bananas!

Oak Glen Photos

2010-11-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

I haven't updated in so long! I've been entirely too busy. Over a month and a half ago, we went to Oak Glen with David, Robyn, and Ivy. We picked raspberries and ate Apple Cider Doughnuts. YUM! Here are some photos!

The Quotable Jackson: In the Clouds

2010-10-11T21:34:00.000-07:00

The other day, Jackson asked Troy, "Is Grandma still in the clouds?" Knowing that Jackson knew his grandma, my mother, had been sick, Troy thought, Where does he think she is?!? After a few questions to clarify, Jackson explained that she "Flew up to Washington." So, naturally, she is in the clouds, right? :)

Number Three!

2010-09-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

Crock Pot Yogurt

2010-09-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

I just made some yogurt in my Crock Pot. I know that sounds strange but it worked really well!

Click here to find out how to make your own! (I let it culture for 13 1/2 hours...the recipe said for 8-12)

This is way cheaper than buying organic yogurt from the store and I love the simplicity of not hassling with a yogurt maker or anything like that. The texture was very smooth, almost like Greek yogurt. If you try it, let me know how yours turns out!

Coffee?!?

2010-09-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

A 12-year-old neighbor stopped by and played with Jackson in the front yard today. After several minutes of kicking around the soccer ball, chasing each other, and playing baseball, the boy dropped to the ground and laid on the grass. Exausted, he then asked me, "Does Jackson drink coffee?!?" Yes. His question was absolutely serious. I assume he isn't used to 2-year-olds! I laughed and replied, "Nope. He has this much energy all the time!" I wonder if he'll stop by to play again.

The Quotable Jackson: Sucker Man

2010-09-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

I was telling Jackson that we were going to attend a birthday party with a "Taco Man" who makes tacos for everyone. He got all excited and jumped up and down. Then he stopped and thought for a moment and asked, "Mommy, will they have a Sucker Man, too?" Hehe. Yes. He likes suckers that much!

Mommy FAIL! -Ketchup-

2010-09-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes as a mom I do something really silly and I just have to laugh at myself. Otherwise, I'd get mad at myself and that isn't good. Today, I whipped up my kids some Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets only to find the ketchup missing. Everyone knows a toddler can't eat chicken nuggets without ketchup! So, I looked high and low, in the pantry and in the fridge, with no avail. Somehow in the midst of looking, I stuck my hand in my hot cup of tea (ouch!) and splashed it all over my new tank top. After I washed off my shirt and hung it to dry, I gave up and decided to just open a new ketchup bottle. As I grabbed the new bottle, it slipped out of my hand and broke on the kitchen floor! And, guess what? I opened the fridge just after that fiasco and found...yes...the ketchup. Sigh. Now you see why I had to laugh at myself!

The Quotable Jackson: Star Wars

2010-09-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

Jackson L-O-V-E-S Star Wars and his daddy is thrilled! Troy showed him the movie a few weeks ago and he has asked to watch it everyday since. Troy bought him a Star Wars t-shirt and he asked to wear it everyday and to bed every night. So, we bought him another one. If asked his favorite character, he will tell you, "Dark Vader." He also loves Luke Skywalker and told me one night when I was putting him to bed, "Mommy, I should meet Luke Skywalker tomorrow." :)

Madelyn's Kittens!

2010-09-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

On Madelyn's birthday we took her to pick out a kitten. I know what you must be thinking. "She's only one! Why would you get her a kitten?!?" Troy and I have both noticed how happy animals make Madelyn. Our cat Cassie tolerates Madelyn, but that's about it. We wanted a kitten that was used to children and it just so happened that we knew a family who had six kittens and three kids. Bingo! So, we went to pick up a kitten and *ahem* took home two kittens. We couldn't split them up! Also, we thought for Cassie's sake, they would entertain themselves and leave her be. That is exactly what has happened. These kittens also entertain Madelyn. She is always so happy around them! She is very gentle with them and only gently pets them. I am very impressed with how she treats them. I'm also impressed with how they treat her. No scratching or anything! They love her and rub up against her. It really is quite adorable! Here are some photos of the kitties and Madelyn for your enjoyment!"I'll take this one..."
"...and this one!"
Pick of the litter!The tabby's name is Abby and the black one is Olive.Madelyn watches Abby carefully and vice-versa.Olive and Abby LOVE to sleep in Madelyn's doll stroller and Madelyn LOVES to push them around. They don't mind it one bit. It's the start of a beautiful relationship!

Thoughts for the Lord's Day: Help the weak.

2010-09-05T06:01:00.000-07:00

Photo credit: http://www.sunday-school-ideas-for-new-teachers.com/thessalonians-bible-study.html

Troy spoke on this passage during a school Chapel a few weeks ago, and I believe is preaching on it next week at church. So, naturally, he has been bringing it up often. I decided to look at it to experience the richness of the passage myself. Paul is writing to the the Thessalonians---encouraging them and reminding them of some really good things for us as Christians to remember. The whole book of 1 Thessalonians is filled with good reminders to Christians. Take a look:

(Final Instructions and Benediction) 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

[12] We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, [13] and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. [14] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [15] See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil.

Now, there are several good reminders in that passage, however, the verse of Troy's focus is verse 14. This has been a challenge of mine lately. I think of things I can do more for people at our church, our food bank, the neighbor down the street. But, I admit, when I read this verse, I mainly I think of my mother who is very ill right now. She is currently out of my reach, as she is away from home in Washington right now. My brother and sister-in-law are taking care of her. She is very weak physically, and just a call or video chat from the kids, Troy, and I lights up her day. I am challenged to encourage her more spiritually as well. I need to pray with her on the phone. I need to encourage her more with scripture. She can't see that well right now, but could use a good devotional on CD perhaps.

In the busyness of the day, it is so easy to forget these simple things. I pray that, with the Lord's help, I remember them.

Madelyn @ 1 Year: Happy Birthday, Madelyn!

2010-09-02T20:13:00.000-07:00

A year (and a week) ago, on August 26th, 2009, at 9:38am, I met Madelyn Sue for the very first time. She came a little early with the "help" of HEELP syndrome. At 7 pounds, 2 ounces and about 20 inches long, she had long, skinny legs and fingers. Her lips were perfectly shaped and she had a cute, little nose. I remember the first time I saw her little precious face. I could barely lift my hand because it was numb, but I managed to rub my finger across her soft head. After hearing her delicate heartbeat slow dramatically down a few minutes before, tears streamed down my face at the sight of this precious gift from God, even if this gift came via emergency C-section. The Lord was truly gracious to both of us that day.
A year later, Madelyn is now 20 pounds, 15 ounces and 26 1/2 inches tall. She is such a joy in our lives. She giggles and smiles and talks in her own language that somehow Troy and I, and even Jackson understand. Madleyn is walking now. She started walking the day before her birthday. Her hands wave in the air wildly and she smiles from ear to ear whenever she walks. Madelyn has a total of 4 teeth, and three are making their way through. Teething hasn't been easy for her, but, then again, who said teeth cutting through gums would be easy? Hyland's teething tablets take care of most of the pain, along with an occasional dose of infant's Acetaminophen.
Madelyn still has a lack of hair. As they say, good things come to those who wait. I hope that means she will have good hair. So far, the little hair that she does have is adorable. She has little curls at the back of her head! :)Madelyn absolutely adores her brother. Her face still lights up every time he enters the room. It still warms my heart every time I see that happen. They giggle and laugh together, and, when Madelyn allows it, they wrestle. Jackson told me today, "Mom, I'm so glad that Madelyn is walking!" He is really enjoying seeing her grow and accomplish things that he can do.
Madelyn also LOVES animals, especially kitties and doggies. "Kitty" was her first word, afterall! She gets so excited when an animal is around and shows a ton of interest in them. Cassie isn't sure what to do about this enthusiasm. Even though Madelyn is very gentle with her, Cassie would rather be left alone. This is why we decided to get a kitten (or two) for Madelyn's birthday. (More about that later!)
I don't know if I could say it enough---Madelyn is truly a joy to us. I can't kiss her little cheeks enough! My heart melts at every smile. Her bright blue eyes light up my days (as do Jackson's!). I can scarcely believe it has been a year since she came into this world. What a whirlwind of a year! I thank God for this darling little girl and I can't wait to see what this year of her life will bring. Although, seeing how fast this past year went, I will strive to cherish every milestone, every little moment, and every precious smile all the more!

I Needed the Quiet

2010-08-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

****I came across this poem on a blog I read. It is such a good reminder of the need for quiet time with God.****

I Needed The Quiet

I needed the quiet so he drew me aside
Into the shadows where we could confide,
Away from the bustle where all the day long
I hurried and worried when active and strong.
I needed the quiet tho at first I rebelled,
But gently, so gently my cross he upheld,
And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things,
Tho weakened in body, my spirit took wings
To heights never heard of when active and gay,
He loved me so greatly he drew me away.
I needed the quiet, no prison my bed,
But a beautiful valley of blessings instead –
A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide
I needed the quiet so he drew me aside.

– Alice H. Mortenson

Ivy Mae is here!

2010-08-08T23:03:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Ivy Mae arrived a little early, but very healthy, on Thursday, July 22nd at 1:05pm, weighing in at 7lbs, 5oz, and 19 inches long. You can read about Ivy's arrival on Robyn's Blog. Unfortunately, we didn't get to meet her for a whole week due to the fact that the we were all in Missouri! We talked to David and Robyn, and "met" Ivy via internet chat until we could meet sweet Ivy in person. It was so hard to wait that long to meet Ivy, but it was well worth the wait. I love the fact that I am an aunt now and love the fact that both my kids have a cousin! I will also enjoy having Robyn join me in the "journey" of motherhood! Here are some cute photos of our first few times seeing the precious addition to our family...CONGRATS, David and Robyn! Welcome to Parenthood! :)

Our video conference set-up to see Ivy.

Nana's first time holding Ivy! Well worth the wait!

Madelyn checks out her cousin for the first time. See just giggled. :)

Discovering her cousin Ivy!

Uncle for the first time!

Madelyn giggles and touches her baby cousin. Soon they will be having tea parties together!

Cousins!

Ivy's first time eating at The Backstreet!

Missouri in Photos: Days 1-3

2010-08-08T15:06:00.001-07:00

Our Missouri trip started out with a full day of travel, with a flight out of John Wayne Airport and a short layover in Denver. We landed in Kansas City around 8pm. I'm sure most of you could take a guess at where the family went first. Yup. Cracker Barrel. We sat in Cracker Barrel and ordered what we could of what they had left. They were out of meatloaf, roast beef, pot roast, hash brown casserole, and a few other items. Never the less, I ordered the "wholesome" breakfast meal, although I wasn't so sure it how "wholesome" it really was! We ate and watched the most amazing lightning storm I had ever seen. Day two was a nice day of relaxing and swimming in Terry and Jan's pool. In the evening, we headed over to Liberty, Missouri's old town and ate Mexican Food. It wasn't bad for Mexican food in Missouri. On Day three, I woke up to the news that Robyn's water broke. We were so bummed that miss Ivy was deciding to come early, when all the family was away!!!! With Robyn heading to the hospital in California, we headed to Kansas City for a day out. I got my first look at the Missouri river. Very muddy and murky. We went to Union Station and walked around. Word has it that there was a shoot out there to free a mob criminal that was being transported to a prison. The mob guy was killed on accident during the shoot out. Bummer. Next, we headed over to the Hallmark Center and walked around there. (This is when we found out that Ivy was born!) Jackson and Madelyn got to play in a Clifford exhibit they had there. We finished off the day with BBQ that was just okay and a walk around the shops in the heart of Kansas City. Stay tuned for the next few days in Missouri...

Jackson, our little traveler! This was his 5 time flying and he did great! He even carried his own luggage!

Firsts: Madelyn's first Cracker Barrel buttermilk biscuit and her first time in a bathing suit!

Liberty, Missouri....the bank where Jesse James and his gang robbed a bank in broad daylight for the first time.

Our sweet set-up in Terry and Jan's basement, complete with beds for our family of four!

Union Station, Kansas City, MO (Where's Jackson?)

The clock @ Union Station

Jackson's interview w/ Daddy.

The fam @ Union Station

Clifford, The Big Red Dog, with Big Jackson and Little Madelyn

Jackson's first "Build-a-Dino"...he named him "Roar." :)

Madelyn sporting Build-a-Bear sunglasses, which fit her perfectly.

Kansas City, AKA, the City of Fountains

Dinner and Shopping...

Me and my guy. :)

5 Wonderful Years!

2010-07-18T15:41:00.000-07:00

5 years...Then and Now

A few weeks ago, on July 2, Troy and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. Seriously, I have no idea where the time has gone! I in no way deserve the amazing husband that God has blessed me with, but I so extremely thankful for him! I remember when our wedding day was drawing near and a few people would say to us, "Oh! You are getting married. (Insert snide laugh here) Just wait. Your lives will NEVER be the same!" or they would say something a long the lines of, "Get ready...the 'ol ball and chain!" To those folks who gave us that "advice," I beg to differ! Yes, marriage is hard work, but the pleasure and joy that comes from a good marriage is WELL worth the "work!" We don't tie each other down (or weigh each other down, like a ball and chain would), we strive to lift each other up---spiritually, emotionally, and even physically---i.e. keeping each other from eating that extra scoop of ice cream! :) When we first started dating, we had one goal in mind, namely, to strive glorify God more together than we could apart. I still am reminded of how good of a goal that is to keep! Sometimes, when we are in the midst of sleepless night with kids, mounds of laundry, a sink full of dishes, bills to pay, and a social life to balance, its hard to keep that perspective. But, in the end, it pays off!

I love my wonderful husband. God has given him a such a caring spirit, a tender heart, a keen sense of humor, and an amazing ability to communicate (which helps in the marriage!). Troy has an incredible sense of joy, rooted in Christ, and he has such an immense love for the kids and myself. I am so thankful for these last 5 years, and look forward to many, many more years of marital bliss! I'm sure, with God's grace, it will only get better from here!

For our anniversary get away, we left the kids with my mom and sister (THANKS A MILLION!) and headed to our favorite place---the beach. We got an unbelievable deal on an ocean front hotel room in Huntington Beach at The Shorebreak Hotel. The room was amazing. We just had to open our sliding door and there was the pier and the Pacific ocean staring back at us. The people at the hotel were very friendly. They even gave us a homemade card with the staff's signature and chocolate covered strawberries for our anniversary. They also gave us free Chardonnay, made a wine cooler for me, and gave us free water (the nice kind---in a glass bottle!). Seriously, folks. This is the place to stay! It was extremely relaxing, just the rejuvenation I've been needing for quite some time! We also went to Duke's and shared a Hula Pie for desert (YUM!). After spending a night at the beach, we headed to lunch and to see Knight and Day. All in all, we had a wonderful time! We need to do that more often!

We arrived to find this thoughtful card and these delicious chocolate covered strawberries!
The view from our bed.My complimentary wine cooler. Don't worry. I only had a few sips, so I avoided getting a migraine! Me and my guy relaxing!On the pier.
Our view from our table at Duke's. Beautiful!
Mmmm. Hula Pie!
Our breakfast on the balcony: Strawberry Kefir, Bagels with cream cheese, and fruit!
We loved our room!View from our balcony!

Mommy FAIL -Spoiled!-

2010-07-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

The other day, I went to Costco and came back to drop off the food before the family headed back out for dinner. Troy asked me if I put everything that needed to be refrigerated away. I gave the kitchen table a quick glance and thought I saw only things that needed to be put in the pantry. When we can home later that night, I came home to discover a WHOLE BOX of hummus on the kitchen table. Oddly, it was the first thing I spotted when I looked at the table. Why didn't I see it before. Oh well. $6.99 right in the trash can! And to think---we are in a Recession! It seems I tend to do this a lot. Now, I think I've learned my lesson and will put ALL the groceries away no matter how much of a hurry I am in!

Ivy Mae is on her way!

2010-07-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

Due to the fact that I am just terrible about updating my blog lately, I realized I did put up pictures of Robyn's shower, which was hosted at mi casa. Here are some of the highlights!The expectant mother!Candy Buffet. My favorite.Breakfast BuffetPink floating hippo in punch. :)The best lemon cake ever.Robyn and IWaiting to open gifts (I was writing the gifts down for Robyn, so I didn't get any pictures of her actually opening the gifts! :)Carolyn made this really adorable diaper cake for Robyn!

Overall, fun was had by all and little Ivy scored a lot of pretty gifts! Robyn is now only two and a half weeks from her due date, so keep her and David in your prayers as they prepare to become parents for the first time!

The Quotable Jackson

2010-07-16T23:07:00.001-07:00

Tonight as we walked around the mall, Jackson asked his Nana to pick him up. As she picked him up he said to her, "Nana, when I get older, I will carry you." What a sweet boy!

The Quotable Jackson

2010-06-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

Today while Jackson was laying in bed with me before a nap, he gently touched my eyelashes and said, "What are those, Mommy?" I said, "They are my eye-lashes." He replied, "But, what is on them?" I answered, "It's make-up called mascara." He then said inquisitively, "Oh! Are they scary?" :)

Madelyn @ 10 Months!

2010-06-25T22:11:00.000-07:00

I can scarcely believe that my baby girl is two months shy of completing her first year of life. It seems as though it was just yesterday that I held her tiny 7.2lb body for the first time. I am striving to cherish this time with Madelyn because I see now how fast it goes. Jackson, after all, is 2 1/2 in what seemed like a blink of an eye!
Madelyn has accomplished a lot in her ninth month of life. She got her first tooth and began to crawl. Her first tooth came in a couple of weeks ago and started to crawl just this week. I knew she knew how to do it. She just had to be the one to make the decision to carry out the task of crawling. I must say that she is a lot happier now, and I can set her down to play more often, HOWEVER, she is in discovery mode and gets into everything within reach! We will need to put up all the child proofing stuff we never had to use with Jackson.

Along with crawling, Madelyn has also started to walk with assistance and pull herself up to a standing position. Its just a matter of time before she starts walking. She is determined to walk! Its been a busy month with several milestones and it leaves me scrambling to get used to these changes in Madelyn's life. Teething hasn't been a piece of cake for her. She has been a bit fussy. But, then again, WHO wouldn't be when you have teeth popping through your gums??? As a result of this fussiness, she wants me and only me most of the time. It is exhausting, but I understand. I do love the way she leans for me and cuddles her head into my neck. She has been very cuddly.Her curiosity has been sparked by the new mode of transportation she finds herself in. She has made it into the bathroom cabinets, the kitchen cabinets, and the TV cabinet. She has found her way to outlets, the fireplace, and will find anything that isn't supposed to be in her mouth. So, I am trying to be extra careful with things lying around like Jackson's smaller toys. Here's to an even more active lifestyle for both Madelyn and I!

As far as "talking" goes, her favorite sound right now is, "dada." She has the cutest little voice when she says that, too! :)

~Madelyn's Favorites~
Food: Black Bean Soup, Applesauce w/ Oatmeal & Cinnamon, Cheerios, Strawberries, Cantaloupe, Honeydew (pretty much any fruit), Graham Crackers
Toys: Any Remote, Georgie, Little People Farmer, Stacking Toy, Gymboree Rain Stick
Other Favorite: Her Mommy, Daddy, Jackson, Cassie, her Blankie (which was mine when I was little...so special!), being outside

The Quotable Jackson

2010-06-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

"Look, Mommy! I'm Batman!"

The 'ol Switcheroo

2010-06-08T23:19:00.000-07:00

Jackson and Madelyn swapped sippy cups the other day. It was like both of them had this non-verbal agreement that the exchange was what they both wanted. I love how Jackson and Madelyn already communicate!

The Quotable Jackson

2010-06-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

This morning while Troy was praying for our food, Jackson started to say, "Ask God for..." After we finished praying, I asked Jackson what he was trying to ask God for. He looked down at his waffles and said, "Syrup!" :) Needless to say, I poured on the syrup---the real stuff, of course!

Just Mess'n' Aound!

2010-06-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

Jackson and Madelyn love each other. This is evident by the way both of their eyes light up when they see each other. Madelyn often stares at her big brother with an awful gaze (awful as in full of awe), and that gaze is usually followed by a big smile and a squeal of uncontainable joy. Jackson just giggles and starts to talk a language that apparently only him and Madelyn understand while making silly gestures to make his sister laugh. One of their favorite things to do is wrestle. Yes. Wrestle. This girl is going to be tough. Although, she does let Jackson know if he has gone too far or gotten too rough! I just love to see them interact. I can honestly say that it is one of the best perks of parenting---seeing your kids enjoy each other!

The Quotable Jackson

2010-05-28T15:22:00.001-07:00

One busy, somewhat stressful morning when I was getting ready, Jackson walked into the bathroom and said, "Wow, Mom! You're BEAUTIFUL!" Oh! My heart melted right then and there on the bathroom floor! What a sweetheart!

Jenni's A Grad!

2010-05-28T14:55:00.000-07:00

My sister, Jenni, graduated from California State University Long Beach with her BA in Speech Pathology/Communicative Disorders on Wednesday. I am so happy for her! The whole family celebrated with her after the ceremony...including Michael who we haven't seen in 8 months! Here are some photos of the day...

Jenni and IThe six of us! (R-L Me, my dad, my mom, Tim, Jenni, Michael)
The four of us (plus one)!Uncle Mike and Madelyn enjoying eachother's company.
Jenni with the family!
Jenni is somewhere in this mass of graduates....towards the front.
Before the ceremony, we gave her a lei.
The hotel we stayed in (the ceremony was at 9am, so we stayed in LBC)

Madelyn's 9 Month Check-Up

2010-05-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

Madelyn had her 9 month appointment this morning. She turned 9 months on Wednesday. I can't believe time has gone by so fast! I don't know why I am surprised either because the same thing happened with Jackson! She weighs 18 1/2 lbs and is 26 1/2 inches tall, which puts her in 50 percentile for weight and 10-15th percentile of height. She's short---just like me. :) As far as her blocked tear duct goes, Dr. Berry is referring us to an ophthalmologist. She sees him on June 7th. Everything else looks healthy!

Dos Logos

2010-05-28T14:19:00.000-07:00

The other night, we took advantage of the wonderful Spring weather and took an evening stroll around the shops and the lake at Dos Logos. David and Robyn came with us as well. Robyn is now 30 weeks pregnant, so the time for little Ivy to come is drawing near!

We got Pink Berry at the end of the walk. It is a rare treat, but well worth the little walk! Jackson loved Pink Berry's chocolate frozen yogurt!

The Quotable Jackson

2010-05-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

Jackson was hanging out and watching TV with Troy on the couch the other day when I heard him say, "Daddy, this is a man show. I want to watch a boy show!" Well said.

Madelyn @ 8-9 Months!

2010-05-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

Madelyn's personality has just blossomed this past month. She is the sweetest little girl! Not that she wasn't sweet before, but now she smiles more, cries less, and lets you know when she is happy in several different ways. A few of those ways she shows her happiness is cooing/talking. Her first sounds are basically a vitiation of "g" sounds---gaga, gagoo, etc. She also squeals with delight when she wants to show joy. One of the cutest things she does is bounce when she is happy. She will be sitting on the floor playing, and if I walk into the room, she with just start bouncing out of sheer joy. She also waves to people now. She does it in a way that she flicks her wrist and delicately twists her hand back and forth to create a waving motion, much like a queen or a beauty contest contestant. It is so adorable! She is almost crawling now. She will get on all fours and rock back-and-forth, but then she plops down on her tummy. I know she will get it soon enough and, believe me, I am in no hurry! :) Madelyn also loves to cuddle. Whenever she gets up from her nap or being in bed, she greets us with the biggest smiles, then when we pick up up, she snuggles her head into our shoulder. I LOVE that! One thing I don't love so much is that Madelyn's tear duct is still clogged. We will be taking her to her 9-month check-up next Friday, so we will find out what the doctor thinks we should do about it then. He told us several months ago that it should go away by itself and that most do, but if it doesn't by 9 months, they will surgically open it with a needle. Ouch. To my knowledge, though, it is a simple procedure. Madelyn will have to be put under, though, and I'm not that thrilled about that. We will see what our options are next week. In the meantime, I will keep on doing the massage and warm compresses with the hopes that it will open up in this next week. Please pray that it does! Here are some pictures from the past month for you to enjoy...

The Quotable Jackson

2010-05-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

I already put this on my Facebook status, but I wanted to post this here because I want to remember it! The other day, Jackson pointed to a spider on our kitchen floor and said, "Oh no! A spider!" I assured him, "Don't worry. It's just a Daddy Long Leg." He then replied, "Oh! Where's his son?" I guess that is a legit question. We laughed for a while about that one! Where does this kid come up with this stuff???

Mommy Like.

2010-04-30T21:31:00.000-07:00

Its official. I'm a mom with a mini-van. Never thought I would be saying that. An SUV, maybe, but not a van. It turns out that I L-O-V-E driving this van and I love all the room! We got a really sweet deal on it, too. A HUGE blessing!

Mommy FAIL -Underwear-

2010-04-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

I must admit, this "fail" was actually pretty funny. I set Madelyn down next to me so she could play while I folded laundry. I was setting all my underwear aside like I always do (what is the point of folding it, anyway?) and before I knew it, Madelyn was WEARING three pairs! She was kicking her legs while she was playing and somehow they found their way into my underwear! Oops!

Brown Rice, Baby!

2010-04-30T21:13:00.000-07:00

The other night, we went to Pick Up Stix and ate a fabulous dinner. Madelyn was starting to get fussy because she wanted to eat something too. I don't blame her! So, I gave her some brown rice and she absolutely devoured it! She kept wanting more and by the end of the meal, she was covered from mouth to foot with rice. She was one happy baby, though!

I won!

2010-04-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

Last week, I was seriously shocked when I discovered that I won the infamous lemon tee than Hip2Save.com gives away on a weekly. I got picked out of like 1500 poeple. Theis may not seem like a big deal, but let me remind you that I NEVER win anything! So, I showed up on Hip2Save.com today (woohoo!) sporting my shirt and my kids...here is the link...http://hip2save.com/2010/04/lemonshirtgiveaway0430.html. I loved getting a free shirt and, if you know me, you know I love anything citrus! I hope all my other friends who try to win every week win soon! :)

The Quotable Jackson: Swwweet Garage Sale Deals!

2010-04-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, my friend and I stopped at a couple of garage sales. At the first one we went to, I let Jackson walk around because there were no breakables. He immediately started picking out things that he wanted. He then went up to the man running the garage sale and said, "How much?" What?!? This was his first time at a garage sale, so I don't know how he picked up on the way it works so fast! He found a brand new "Scene-it" game (still in the wrapper!) and a baseball glove that was just his size. The guy gave him both for $1...only 50 cents each! I ended up scoring a whole bunch of stuff for just 6 bucks at this garage sale, and I believe it was because of Jackson. The guy running the sale said to me when we were leaving, "You can such a good-looking kid!" Hmmm....maybe I should take him with me to garage sales more often!

Here's a photo of everything I scored for just 6 bucks!!!

My Little Helper

2010-04-29T16:28:00.001-07:00

Jackson loves to help with the dishes. I put on apron on him this time to prevent him from getting soaked. Not only did that work, but he looked really cute! :) I've found that I can complete some of the chores around the house I wouldn't normally get to, or chores that I would have to sit Jackson in front of the TV (GASP!) in order to get to, by simply including him. It usually takes longer than just doing it alone, but, hey, it gets done! And, we get to spend some extra time together. He also loves helping his mommy. I love that!

Hide-and-Seek

2010-04-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

Jackson has recently wanted to play hide-and-seek with us quite a bit. Although, he doesn't really get the hiding part. He will either stand in an open spot in the middle of the room and wait for us to "find" him, or he will hide and yell out "here I am!" when we are looking for him. There is also the common misconception that if he can't see us, we can't see him. The photos below are a perfect example of that. In time, he will learn, but for now, its just funny!

Aloha!

2010-04-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

Madelyn got this cute outfit from her Great Aunt Jan and I put it on her this morning. It brought out her eyes so nice, I had to take pictures! Unfortunately, the best ones were somehow corrupted on my camera. :( But, these other ones are adorable as well! Enjoy---I know I did!

The Quotable Jackson

2010-04-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

Jackson is a very affectionate little boy. He makes sure he tells me, "Mommy, I love you soooo much!" everyday, accompanied by a big hug and a kiss. No matter how many clever things this kids comes up with, I will always cherish that statement the most.

Mommy FAIL! - Sippy Cup-

2010-04-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

I found this cup in the trunk of the car. It had found it's way underneath our emergency kit. My theory is, when you can't recognize what was in the cup, you should just throw it away!

How Deep the Father's Love for Us!

2010-04-04T17:27:00.000-07:00

This song is one of my favorites regarding Christ's death and resurrection.
It says it all.  HAPPY EASTER!


How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

George and Georgie

2010-03-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Madelyn started showing interest in Jackson's sidekick, George (his curious George stuffed animal that goes everywhere with him). Jackson technically has three Curious Georges, but only one will do to bring him comfort at night, but he still seems to have a soft spot in his heart---and his bed---for the other two Georges. He named the other two, "Night-time George" and "Georgie." When Jackson saw that Madelyn loved his George so much, he ran into his room and came back with Georgie. "Here you go, Madelyn," he said as he gave Georgie to her. Now Madelyn has her Georgie who she sleeps with every night, thanks to her sweet big brother Jackson!

The Quotable Jackson

2010-03-30T23:14:00.000-07:00

Jackson has done an excellent job sorting out his family relations lately. Today he said, "You are my mommy, Madelyn is my baby sister, Nana is my Grandma, and Poppy is my big, big man!"

Madelyn @ 6-7 Months

2010-03-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

Time flies when you are having fun, or, more specifically, when you are raising a toddler and an infant! Hence, I have been a bit lax on my monthly postings for Madelyn (Sorry, Baby Girl!). Madelyn turned a whopping 7 months old on Friday. That is so hard to believe. I mean, she is closer to a year than to being newborn! In these past two months, she has started to go to bed earlier and feed less at night (thanks to some helpful hints from the Pediatrician!). She is in bed by 8:30, which is such a blessing for both of us! Because of this, Jackson is getting to bed around 8:30 as well. I thought this day would never come, but, alas, it has (thank you, Lord!).
Aside from that, Madelyn's favorite things to do at this ripe age of 7 months is sit up and play, lay down and play (with nothing but a diaper on---she likes the freedom), chew on stuff, drool (no teeth yet, though), coo, laugh with Jackson, look out the window and watch the birds, watch our cat, Cassie, sit on the porch, and eat. She is an excellent eater and likes almost everything but avocados. Her favorite is sweet potatoes, and in a close second, is peas. She absolutely loves her big brother and it shows when her face lights up with a beautiful smile every time he enters the room. He is also the only one who can make her laugh really easy. I love seeing how they love each other. It truly is precious and one of my favorite things about parenting!

At her six month check-up, Madelyn weighed in at 15 lbs, 10 oz, and was 25 1/2 inches long, but I have a feeling after all the good eating she has done this month, she has surpassed that weight!

The Quotable Jackson

2010-03-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

On occasion, Jackson will ask Troy or I for gum if he sees that we have some. We simply reply that he isn't old enough yet and that he can have it when he grows up a bit. So, the other day, Jackson walked into the kitchen and exclaimed, "Mommy, I grow up so fast!" I replied, "Yes, you sure have!" With that, he asked, "Can I have some gum?" Clever kid. Almost too clever.

Mommy FAIL! -Laundry-

2010-03-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

I am totally copying this post from My Blessed Life (hope she doesn't mind!), but I love how it brings me to share a bit of "real life" in my home...a bit of honesty. So, I am sharing with you this week my "fail" that has plagued me lately because it has been happening so much...

I washed the same load of laundry three times this week. That's right...THREE TIMES! I always got distracted and with this warmer weather, well, it just went sour. Then, I dried the same load three times as well, because I kept forgetting about it, and my intention was to get out most of the wrinkles before I folded it. Sigh. I'm sure there will be a day when I can do a load of laundry without doing a million other things at the same time (i.e. changing a diaper, refilling a sippy cup, taking a toddler potty, cleaning up a spill, giving a little one a nap...). These things just remind me of my reliance on Christ, even in the little things like helping me remember my laundry. Yes. He cares even about that.*

*To listen to a WONDERFUL sermon that my pastor preached on that subject just this past week, CLICK HERE

Visit with the Greats

2010-03-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Madelyn with her (L-R) Great Grandma Fran, and Great-Great Aunts Allien and Margaret.

This past month, my Great-Aunts Margaret and Allien came up for a visit with my grandma. This was a very rare and special visit because Margaret lives in Texas. It was great to have the sisters together and to listen to their banter! I was also thrilled that they all got to see Jackson and Madelyn. Madelyn especially liked sitting in Margaret's lap and Jackson enjoyed reading with Allien. They are their Great-Great Aunts. Pretty Amazing. It was "great" to spend time with my great aunts, aunts, and grandma. It was much needed family time!Jackson reads a good book with his Great Grandma Fran and his Great-Great Aunt Allien

Jackson helps his Great Aunt Di and his Great-Great Aunt Allien with the dishes...what a guy!Jackson and Grandma have a "picnic"

The family @ my Grandma Fran's house.

Jackson looks for lizards with Great Aunt Dinda at GG Fran's house. I have so many memories there. It was great to see Jackson make some of his own!

A pose with Great Aunt Margaret.All of us girls...Top to Bottom, L-R: Dinda, Di, Mom, Jenni. Next row: Allien, Margaret, Grandma Fran, Me, Madelyn.

One last hug from Great-Great Aunt Margaret!

Baseball with GG

2010-03-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

GG and her sisters recently came over for a rare visit with us, and my grandma, Jackson's GG ended up playing baseball with Jackson. Very impressive skills on her part...she hit the ball nearly every time! See for yourself!

On this St. Patrick's Day...

2010-03-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite scenes in N. Ireland this time of year...green fields, blue skies, and yellow daffodils. (Photo taken 3/2007 on our trip to Ireland)

Today is St. Patrick's Day, which, oddly enough, is "celebrated" here in the US more than it is in Ireland. At least that's what I've been told by many of the Irish/Northern Irish folk. But, nevertheless, it is also my mom's birthday, so I'd like to wish her a happy birthday! Thinking of my mom also made me think of this Irish blessing because she used to have a picture in our kitchen window with this on it. So, on this Mom's Birthday/St. Patty's Day, I will leave you with it:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

The Quotable Jackson

2010-03-05T08:29:00.001-08:00

Jackson loves his daddy and he loves to do things with him. Several times this week Jackson has told Troy and I, "When I grow up, I want to drink coffee and eat pancakes with daddy." I love how that is something he looks forward to doing!

Sweet Sibling Love

2010-02-28T22:21:00.001-08:00

This was the scene in our kitchen one rainy morning. So sweet.

What Does it Matter?

2010-02-28T21:30:00.000-08:00

Often I find myself frustrated because I can never keep my kitchen clean. Or my laundry pile under control. Or organize the ever-growing piles of paperwork in the office. Or organize my time. Or organize anything for that matter. I find that most people will say the same things in response to my frustrations. First---that it will happen in time, and second, that it doesn't matter in the long run. But, what if it DOES matter to me? What if it stresses me out to see the kitchen a mess (and when I say a "mess" I mean it looks that a miniature tornado passed through the kitchen and destroyed everything in its path.) It does matter to me when my husband looks in his empty underwear drawer and asks if he has any underwear to wear...I had no idea he was even out because I'm not that organized. It does matter to me to be organized....I want to be organized so we don't loose important tax papers or my keys---including a very expensive automatic key for our Camry (both of which happened this week). It matters to me because when life is chaotic, I FEEL it, like a weight on my shoulders. It makes me weary. I suppose it is okay to fail at things and in the long run, it may not matter that much. But, I think it is okay to conclude that my life, and my family's life would be a whole lot better, that is, it would run a whole lot smoother if I was more organized. Perhaps I should go visit Flylady.net, like several have suggested. I've looked at the site before. Maybe I will get inspired once more. I guess I am learning to show myself some grace. I do have a toddler and an infant. My attention is constantly on taking care of them. As my mom reminded me the other day, they are my MINISTRY. I'm just thankful that even when I lack the ability to show myself grace, God continues to show me His grace.

Adventures in Potty Training

2010-02-25T13:20:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, we started to potty train Jackson. It had gotten to the point where he was spreading his legs to urinate and you could actually hear him go---he was going that much at once! Diapers were no match for that amount of liquid all at once!
The first day of the training I had already decided there was no going back...no giving up and no resorting back to diapers (except for naps and bedtime). This day was the hardest. We had several puddles on our floors, went through several changes of clothes, and at the end of the day, I was wondering if Jackson would get the concept yet. But, by the end of the second day, he was going just fine and only had one accident. By the third day, he was TELLING me he had to go on his own. He went # 2 in the potty and was very please with himself. But, by the fith or sixth day, Jackson started to go #2 in his pants. He started to hold it in because of one painful potty time. Constipation plagues him unless I pump him with fiber. I'm still finding creative, low-sugar ways to do this. Now, I'm giving him so many chances to chow down on fiber, he can't "hold it in" for days at a time, but, he still is going in his pants. We even will smell him and know that he has to go. We put him on the potty and he refuses to go, saying he doesn't have to. Ten minutes later, we discover he has gone in his pants. He doesn't want to put a diaper on, though. It is hard enough to convince him that he still needs a diaper for naps and nighttime. Soooo...I'm running out of ideas here. Its been suggested that we bribe him. We promised him Hot Wheels tracks if he goes, and he likes that idea, but it obviously isn't enough to encourage him to go in the potty. Going in his pants isn't as bad as going on me, which happened a few days ago. He stood up, refusing to sit on his potty, and well, just let it all out. Ewww. I think I would rather clean up throw up. Anyway, I'm hoping this situation improves soon. The fact that he won't even put a diaper on to go really makes it challenging. At least he is "pee-trained"! Does anybody have any suggestions on getting him to go #2 on the potty? Should we actually get the Hot Wheels Tracks and put them up so he can see them? I hope something works soon!

Baby's Got Bumbo

2010-02-25T13:10:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago, I posted on my Facebook status that I wanted a Bumbo seat for Madelyn and asked if anyone had one they were interested in selling. A friend from a fellow Reformed Baptist Church responded and we agreed to trade the Bumbo for some boy clothes. I gave her several boy outfits in a size that no longer fit Jackson and she gave me the Bumbo seat. It was a great swap, in my opinion!

The Quotable Jackson

2010-02-25T07:09:00.000-08:00

Jackson has been potty training. The first time he went # 2 in the potty, he pointed at the toilet bowl and shouted, "Look, mom, there is chicken in there!" I told in that in one form or another, yes, there was chicken in there. Smart boy.

FREE BareMinerals

2010-02-10T23:01:00.000-08:00

You can score a FREE 10-day sample of BareMinerals foundation at Sephora (inside JC Penney) ...just CLICK HERE to get your coupon! :) I love Sephora and I love when they give away free stuff, so I had to share! Yea!