Gated Household

All gates are in place and Henry isn't happy about it!

Play Date & Dare Devil

Micah came to play, and enjoyed the inch worm.

Henry watches as Micah takes an inch worm ride, one day they will be racing!

My stern voice does not seem to phase him so the swing has been removed from his room.

Emrie can write her name which is a monumental moment in a pre-school aged child. I am proud and happy to see her interested in learning her BIG letters and little letters. Most days she reminds Me that she wants to do her workbook. She doesn't miss a beat while driving down the street she is pointing out all the letters she sees and what or who has that letter in their name. Good job Emrie Ann, hope your eagerness to learn continues throughout life!

Praise God for a fun play date, a daring boy, and a eager to learn little girl!

Darn Colds!

Poor Henry has come down with the same cold that had Emrie feeling so poorly last week. His nose has been a constant faucet of snot, so tissues and hand sanitizer have been used in excess around here! Henry isn't much for rocking or resting in the recliner, he prefers to have his blankies and sleep in his own bed. Although he is stuffy and has the most terrible little cough he has managed to sleep for nearly 12 hours the past couple nights and has reverted back to 2 naps a day. I hope all this sleeping makes him feel better lick-ety split!

Emrie Ann went to the library story time this evening. She enjoys it so much when her friend Lilly is there. The two of them are front and center when it comes time for the fun to begin. On weeks that Lilly is not there Emrie is much more reserved and sits beside of mommy. She always enjoys the craft and then getting to pick out a couple books to take home. Tonight she nearly picked a story about global warming(it's cold outside!) and while I would have let her take it home, I am sure I would not have enjoyed reading it nearly as much as the book she choose about a mommy and baby polar bear, so cute.

Baby News. I think, I hope, I am crossing my fingers that I may actually be feeling better!! Yay! & Oh boy, I would love to have a Dairy Queen hot dog right now!

Praise God for all the unseen protection of his hands.

Old Faithful!

This recliner is truly Old Faithful, as I slept in the chair for the 3rd night in a row last night I reflected on the past several years.

After bringing home our precious Emrie Ann August 2007, many hours have been spent in this chair. I remember being so overwhelmed by my new career as Mommy and the impatient, demanding, and hungry baby girl that had taken my life over. We spent hours upon hours during the day nursing and resting. Night after night was spent in this chair for upwards to six months. My head would flop over if I did happened to doze into a deep sleep. Eventually we used the room that was set up for a nursery and the crib slowing began to be used. Our recliner has remained in constant use for snuggle time or anytime nighttime when shots made her ouchy, a stuffy nose made nighttime rest difficult, or fever or flu that came over her.

October 2009 the chair was well primed(as was I) for what came along next. Henry. This baby boy was much more laid back and not quite as demanding. After a tight swaddle, rocking and shushing Henry was generally in his own bed from early on. Still lots of feedings and snuggles happened in this chair and it usually occupied 3 people now.

Somewhere along the way it developed a squeak with each rock followed by a loud CRR-Unchh & CRRR-Aack, loud enough to awaken a sleeping baby(aggravating for sure!) The sound of a metal mechanism rubbing against the wooden base of the recliner will crunch and crack each time you arise from the chair. Some days are worst than others and I suppose for a chair of its age that is bound to happen. Character is what we will say this chair has. Maybe our July Baby will be lulled to sleep by the squeak, crunch and cracks.

After a painful neck issue a few months back the chiropractor firmly suggested NEVER to sleep in the recliner again. I am a bit more cautious about having a pillow to protect my head and neck from the awful neck cramp that follows a night in the chair Emrie has a piggy travel pillow I put to use, I might look slightly ridiculous but it does the trick! So last night I went through the years memories, memories of some comfy naps or restful moments and some not so comfy nights and far from restful moments. I am thankful, truly thankful for Old Faithful.

Praise God for old hand-me-down furniture!

Merry Christmas & Ho Ho Ho

What a fun Christmas and New Years we have had! Christmas was especially fun with Emrie Ann this year. Santa was talked about a lot, which as a parent I wonder should I or shouldn't I and when it comes right down to it the Joy that comes from the Saint Nicholas tradition is fabulously fun! I am not scarred from believing in Santa Claus and no one in my family seems to carry around a bitterness towards the old man so Hooray for a fun figure! That being said Baby Jesus was talked about a lot too, and I am so happy that Emrie now understands that Christmas is Jesus' birthday and while she might not quite understand the extent of how truly special that Baby was, and how he came to save us all, one day she will and that will make her Christmas's even more special.

Praise God for Baby Jesus a special gift in a manager to save the world!

Christmas baking.

I have not been faithful to this blog, it is not like lots of things haven't been going on. You can bet your bottom dollar that the kids have been doing super cute and ornery things, but man Mommy is tired.

Henry is making the transition from 2 naps down to one, which has been hit and miss on successful-ness. Today...not so great, lots of grouchy grumbling from him and a guaranteed early bedtime.

Emrie helped make chocolate pixie cookies today, she dumped a whole cup of sugar on the floor when she missed the mixing bowl. Then we made muddy buddies or puppy chow or "dog food" as Emrie calls it. Then finished our kitchen fun with home made chex mix.

Yesterday Emrie and I made a trip to Wal-mart while standing in the long line to check out I told Emrie how sick mommy felt. With concern she said "you need to go to the doctor" I explained that I didn't need to go to the doctor, it is just that mommy's baby makes mommy feel sick and tired. Her reply "Just spit Her out."

Emrie is off to the boys basketball game this evening with Beth, Jim and Jeremiah and I am cleaning and working on laundry that never seems to get completely finished. Henry is actually content for the moment in the pack 'n play and I may be able to get lots accomplished before the night ends!

Praise God for a day of baking with my kids!

I've got a secret!

It is pretty tough for me to carry around any type of secret.....this particular one is driving me crazy! When I have a secret that makes me so very excited and sick all at the same time it makes everyday functioning hard to do!

So...Yes we are expecting another Baby!! I am experiencing All Day Long "morning sickness" I have known this little secret for about a month now and have felt lousy nearly every day. I have tried my best to be perky and normal as to not let on to anyone that I would rather be sleeping and doing nothing else. This is not the time of year to be doing nothing and that really isn't an option anyway with a 3 year old and 1 year old. I keep telling myself that this will pass as it always has after the 13 week mark, but that seems like a long time coming.

I am so nervous and excited for the ultrasound this Friday afternoon. I look forward to seeing a bouncing peanut with a little heart beat that rings loud and healthy. What an amazing way God works, I praise him for this little miracle that is growing inside of me.

Praise God for a new baby!