Boy oh Boy...we have another Boy!

Wow, 2011 is already approaching its close - and this is my first post of the year!

How do you make up in writing for all that has happened between such spaced out posts? You can't I guess. Soooo, I'll just pick up from where we are.

And where we're at is good, lovely, richly blessed, definitely tired, but very very happy, and amused by the things that don't go perfectly (or even close to that) in our current life as the parents of 2 kids.

I think having a second kid has loosened me up a bit. Toshe and I neither one are gifted in the keeping things tidy area. Now I do like a clean orderly house...but it is takes painstaking effort (and the Holy Spirit giving me motivation and a good attitude) to achieve having one. So, most of the time things are in a state of relative order. However lately, it seems like there is at least one room in the house that is constantly messy. Our bedroom is that room right now. It is just so tight with Liam's crib moved in - and a couple of tubs that his clothes are in as a temporary make-shift dresser while he's in with us (cause it's too challenging to get clothes from Bennett's room each time we need to change Liam without interrupting the big boy as he sleeps). So all that too say...with our lack of gifting in the area of tidiness,...and the extra little one around to care for...things have gone a little slack. Now, Toshe would agree that his standards in this area are not so high; so you know things are bad when yesterday - even Toshe got to the point of commenting that our bedroom was a pig sty. Actually he used the phrase for that in Macedonian...and wanted to teach it to me - but I forgot it already... (big rabbit trail).

So that is where we are at - with a not so tidy all the time house - but we're actually finding humor and being more relaxed about it than I would at least typically expect of myself. I think all of this comes from getting right down to what is important in a day - and that right now for me is giving as much as I can of my good energy to my two darling kids.

Liam is an easy baby. He's two and a half months now and already weighs 16 lbs!! I'm imagining that his size helps him to be calm and satisfied much of the time. He's strong - has great head control...and really gets to kicking those little legs hard. We didn't have a baby with rolls the first time....so we're enjoying that little chub on his thighs.

I love looking into his eyes. There is something so special about the innocence in an infants' stare. And he has begun really responding to your gaze. He smiles in return. And when you talk to him...he talks back. The kind of back-talk a parent likes. In it's most simple and sweet form. A child taking delight in the attention of his parent, and letting out sounds of joy.

I've been holding him in my arms as much as I can with having a toddler around and keeping after things in the house. I have seen already how fast they grow with Bennett...and don't want to miss out cuddling this new precious one.

Bennett is a super big brother. Right from the first day in the hospital he was quick to hug and kiss the baby! He even throws away his dirty diapers, offers him his pacifier, rocks him in his swing, tells him to shush when he's crying, etc.! Bennett's response to having another child around has been so satisfying to watch. It has really allowed for much peace to surround the expansion of our family. Sometimes if I'm holding Liam and nursing - Bennett wants to come up on my lap and cuddle too. I really like that. I really like having two boys to shower love upon.

I'm so glad that I've begun getting out with both of the kids. This has been an empowering accomplishment for me. It took me awhile as I was recovering from my second c-section and unable to lift Bennett much. I'm still not really supposed to be lifting him....but it has become just too hard to resist grabbing my toddler up in my arms and playing with him that way sometimes.

So anyway, we got this new double stroller so that I would have the freedom to get out and about with both of the boys on my own. I have loved taking them to the zoo and to different little play grounds on these warm fall days. I want to keep doing as much of this as I can while the weather is still good.

So (another so) life is good. We've got two kids now. Our love is alive as ever. We've been working well as a team. We pray a lot, and try not to let little things shake us too much. We've got purpose. We've got great community. I really just cannot express how thankful and blessed I've been feeling during this period. It has been sweet, and I'm savoring it.

We've got some goals. Like potty training Bennett. There are plenty of things that are left on my to do list each day. It is funny how getting exercise in and some time alone reading God's Word are big accomplishments for a day - and I really feel it is an achievement to get both in between everything else. Talking about how I've relaxed some with a second kid....it sometimes shocks me that I'm ok with going without washing my hair until the 4th day on occasion lately. I think I even went for a record 6 days not long ago....wearing my hair in a pony tail practically the whole time. That is sooo not like the old me - before being a mommy. But radically, I'm so at peace with the change.

Parenting is such an intensive thing - I'm really looking at it like a calling - and I'm really allowing myself to pour myself into it more than ever before. Bennett is especially at a stage where I see he needs me/us. He's beginning to pick up so many things - and I really want him to pick up the right ones. We've already noticed mistakes we've made - that we hope not to repeat with Liam. We would like to totally wipe out the way we handle meal times and begin again...and the number of times "choo choo" videos are asked for and played for him I feel is sometimes excessive. But we're learning. And we're not just letting things go. We're in there, asking the Lord for help, and doing what we can instill proper motives. We really pray for our kids' hearts - that they would be inclined to God - and that they would have God's love in them. It is obvious that there is a constant battle with flesh in our little toddler's actions - but we're here to explain why that is - and point Him to Christ who gives the power to overcome all that leads us astray and to emptiness.

This post is definitely not covering anywhere near all that is happening in the many facets of our lives - but hopefully it is catching some of the tone of where we're at now. We're happy, we're learning, we're trying to be good teachers to our kids (with the Lord's help), we're loosening up to enjoy all that is right in front of us each day, and we're living...alive...with few complaints,...because really we've just got so much to be joyful about.

Videos-Sep.Oct.2010

summer photos...more to come

Our little one is One!

Our little boy is 1 year old!

He's a friendly guy, who knows no stranger. He still gives smiles pretty freely. He has learned to wave the cutest little wave. And clap. And play peek-a-boo. He's learning to touch his nose, and the nose of another person. He loves to be on the move, but still can't quite go on his own! He's starting to hold onto the furniture, but hasn't quite worked up the balance or bravery to move from his static spot yet. He's so close!

He's proving to be quite musical. He dances now...to just about any music, from sing-along-Bible songs, to grandma's humming, to daddy singing Michael Jackson, and more. He catches the beat quite well...and if you put anything resembling a drum stick in his hand...he'll start pounding to the rhythm! He has a few dance move characterized by bobbing up and down, twisting left and right....and a little jiggle move. We love it! He dances a good part of the day it seems!

He also loves to be outside. As soon as that outside door opens...he's ready to go. He knows what getting his sandals on means. Since our house is attached to a Doctor's office...he likes to go around back to see if they are out on the patio. He hungers for a fresh face! He is ready for new people all the time! He reaches out for anyone to take him in his hands.

He's also quite directional in where he wants to go when you are walking with him. He turns you to the destination he has in mind. He really likes tackling going up steps. Going down is still a little tough,...but he's ready to take that on as well! Sometimes he thinks he can do more than he really can!

His play is quite...well, active and enthusiastic!! He beats, pounds, crashes, shakes, chews on, and sometimes throws his toys. I think this has to do with the fact that he is a boy?! He really likes to be given a basket full of toys so that he can empty them one by one. We're still working on getting him to put them back in place...sometimes he does. We'll keep encouraging that!

He also really likes toys that have doors that open, or musical buttons. He's starting to catch on to stacking blocks, and he has discovered that he can put the cap on his own bottle.

We give him a spoon while he eats...and sometimes He puts it to his mouth in the feeding motion. Most of the time he uses the spoon for an instrument,...banging it on his high chair. Once it was a little too close to the table...and our table now has its' first scars of child's play. UH OH!

I figure that we'll work more on Bennett feeding himself as it gets hotter. This way he can have his meals just in his diaper, and make as much mess as is needed for him to learn master his aim and get the food into his mouth!

Bennett is still quite the noise maker. He makes such enthusiastic noises sometimes that his face goes completely red in the process! He's definitely what I would call a yeller...but at least they're joyful happy sounds most of the time!

When you chase him or pretend to get him, he has the cutest bubbly laugh. He also makes some laughing sounds that Toshe and I can't figure out how to repeat! :) He's already stumping us.

Lately I've been wanting to get him around kids more often. He likes the company...he reaches out to touch them, holds their hand, etc. I've found that having him play with kids has brought up opportunities to begin the process of teaching him that it is good to share :). He likes his toys.

I haven't shared about bath times. Watch out! Toshe often stands at the very edge of the bathroom, for if you stand any closer you'll get ALL WET! I can't imagine a more avid splasher!!

Bennett's bedtime routine is very simple. He doesn't drag it out. When he's sleepy, he's sleepy! Once he gets a glimpse of his milk bottle...there is nothing else! No hugging, no cuddling...nope, he does all he can to position himself to get into that crib! On the decent...he gets a big smile on his face! He knows that what follows is the milk and blanky combination. He really likes his blanket with the silky edges. He likes to have it right up around his face and in his hands. So the formula is: milk+blanket and we like to add in music+prayers too. He's a simple guy, who knows what he wants. Even though Bennett still doesn't really understand,...I love our prayer times. Our tradition is to pray for everyone we have come into contact during the day. I'm glad we're starting now, and hope it will be a meaningful part of his childhood and encourages a sincere heart for God.

Surely we could go on and on. He has changed so much in this first year. Our lives are so fun with our little one around!!

We love him, we still ooh and ahh at almost everything he does!

We're thankful that he is growing and developing well...and see God's hand all over his and our lives! We're a very happy family!

SURPRISE!

This has been a most delightful Spring. There is one thing in particular that makes this Spring stand out from all others. This is an amazing story that I just must share!

You may have seen pictures of a radient bride in the last grouping that I posted! That is my freshmen roommate college, Fanchon. This winter her fiance', Trever, contacted me. He asked me if I would like to come to their wedding, and shared that he was willing to cover my trip in order for this to take place! He wanted to do this all as a surprise and wedding gift to Fanchon! My response? Well, I was completely dumbfounded - and said I can't believe you even have to ask! OF COURSE! Ever since that moment I have been completely humbled that I was on the receiving end of such an incredible gift. You see it is extra meaningful to me as in being so far away from friends and family in the US there are lots of special moments like this that I miss. But because of the extreme kindness and thoughtfulness of another, I didn't have to miss this extra special moment.

The story gets even better. Not only did Trevor pay for my way, but he ended up paying for Bennett's way as well! Now the great significance of this is that Bennett got to spend 4 days bonding with Grandma and Grandpa while I was in SC for the wedding. Raising Bennett overseas, one of the most difficult things is being far from my side of the family - but here I saw in an incredible way that God cares about that concern; and provided through Trevor a wonderful opportunity to make sure we stay closely connected!

Overall, our director gave me (and Bennett) the freedom to stay in the US three weeks. We spent Bennett's 1st Birthday there, Easter...and got to see all of the beautiful blooms of Spring in Ohio!! Bennett loved being with his Grandma and Grandpa! He was learning all kinds of new things with them, to play peek-a-boo, to wave, to clap...and during our stay there was when he really began to get into walking! (This meaning assisted walking, where someone is holding on to either hand as he goes!) Ever since then he definitely has being on the move on his mind...practically ALL the time!!! It was a really rich and treasured time!

Back to the wedding,...it turns out that not only did I get to attend the wedding, but I got to be in it! When Fanchon's mom and dad caught wind of Trevor's idea, they came up with the plan to ask me on Fanchon's behalf to be a bridesmaid! When Fanchon's mom contacted me with this proposition, it was like the icing on top of the cake...and again my response was an immediate and humbled YES! This too was so neat as Fanchon was a bridesmaid in our wedding, and so now I was being given the chance to to get to stand beside her in hers too!

Well, all Trevor and Fanhon's mom's work to keep the surprise secret paid off, as Fanchon was indeed completely surprise! We had 2 full days to spend together before the wedding...and then the wedding day itself. I loved getting to be with her again after 3.5 years had past since last seeing her at our wedding. I also was so glad to get to reconnect with her family...see her and Trevor together...and to get to know her other best friends (the other bridesmaids) better! It was an amazing time that I will never forget. And I will never get over the size of this gift that was given to myself, Bennett...and my parents! I think we were the ones who received the most from the whole deal!! Thanks again Trevor, Chip, and Dorsey! And thank the Lord for using this opportunity to bless us so much!! And thanks honey, for supporting Bennett and I in going on this trip!

Bennett is One!