Aubrey Eileen Bobbitt

Our precious little niece is born to the wonderful new parents, Lindsay & Brock! Here are some pictures that were taken by friends and sent to us. Sadly, we won't be meeting Aubrey in the sleepy newborn phase of life, but rather hope to visit near the 3 month mark - a phase I do love.

After having two little newborns, I have a more well defined understanding of the context of hospital room photos. They appear so peaceful and serene to the viewer, but in truth everyone present is 100% new to the role they're playing. What we view as a perfect photo is in truth a first run practice through the parenting script that was just handed to mom & dad. Fumbling through new words and definitions, reading the same lines over and over to try to understand meaning, Brock and Lindsay are learning and seeing life in a totally new way.

Meet Aubrey Eileen, born December 16th:

Baby Language 2012

As 2012 nears an end, I'm wishing so much that I would have written down all the amusing phrases David's said as he's learned to talk. I'm going to try to keep adding to this post but thinking back, I can recall...

Mr.D

"koo-koo" = cookie

"La-lo" = water

"I i you" = I love you

"DOW, DOW, DOW (pause for breath) I DOWN" = get me out of my crib now

"dicka dicka NO no, dicka no no"

"Wow, cool!"

"AH-na" = Monelle

"Ah-NA" in a stern tone = Leona

"Oh no... Ees sad" = Judah is crying

"Oh!... was sa sown?.... hmmmm" = Oh, what's that sound, hm let me think about it.

"Ees mommy" = pointing to the Botticelli in the bathroom
(I loved to hear this of coarse.)

"I some?!" = I want to eat what you have there

"I know you..." = Sleeping Beauty and must be sung

"Mimi & Papa" = my mom & dad

"Mimi & Pee-ah G" = Tripp's dad & Lynn (You guys, I am hoping this grandpa changes to the correct word soon. Until then, Mr.Grant, David would like to call you pee-ah).

"Ah-mama" = Grandmama Grant

"Ah Kay Kay" = Aunt Cayte

"Dja key" with a BIG smile = Uncle Jacky

"Gace" = cousin Grace

"sah-ee mama" = Sorry mama

Mr.J-Bugs

"....." = silence and smiling

Judah generally tries to talk by either keeping his lips closed and mumbling, saying 'oo' or yelling out like a sea lion. He is an overall quiet guy except when it's time to sleep and things aren't right. Glory to God for the balance this boy provides to our already very LOUD home.

December Dudes

In December 2010, I took a couple pictures of David in our white chair. This year, I came upon that same long sleeve shirt (from Cayte?!) with the 'RAV' on it and thought to recreate the scene for Judah. I give you December Dudes, exactly 2 years apart.

When I first sat Judah down in the chair, David of coarse jumped right up for the photo shoot.
He had to be rerouted with an ornament hanging task.

Unfortunately, the white chair's slip cover is no longer, so I had to take J's pics in the rocking chair covered with a white blanket. I though it wouldn't matter, but I think between the different chair and different lighting... they're maybe more different than I thought. Going to try this again!

David & His Choo-Choo Trains Photoshoot

Today was gloriously sunny and not too bitterly cold, so David had a photo shoot with his choo-choo trains. Thank you so much to Mimi & Grandpa G. for these beloved buddies of David's. He's just recently gotten into watching the Thomas movies, so now the trains go where D goes.

On a comical note, every time we exit the van and venture up the back stairs, David looks for something, ANYTHING to delay. I've started to bribe him with promises of movies and snacks once we are home. They work sometimes, but more often it's a battle. Recently, David has taken to counting, so we enthusiastically count each step up to the front door. Now, for David it's a thrill. For myself, it's a major practice in patience as I have arms full of Judah's infant carrier, diaper bag, something else and D's hand to steady him. I've asked for prayer for this very scenario and I feel like possibly the counting is God's grace for both of us.

Just take I-88/80 forever

And you'll end up in the McCreary's driveway! Over the weekend of November 10th, we made our annual visit out to one of our favorite families of 4: Mark, Katheryn, Miriam & Baby Leah. Since we last saw one another back in March, we'd successfully carried, delivered and nurtured new additions to each of our families. Baby Leah and Baby Judah were born two weeks apart and goodness did I just love having my fellow friend's empathy along the way!! The McCreary's are like family, and though this visit should have been chaotic and draining, it was refreshing, relaxing and filling. Seriously, Tripp and I ate so well (while still maintaining my Candida Diet) that we weighed in 8+ lbs heavier when we came home. Thank you for all your delicious cooking Katheryn!!

This trip, David really got into reading his books

We always hope to find a Culvers to stop at,
we found two!

We came, we ate, we conquered.

Judah getting his diaper changed on the
driver's seat, I handed him this volleyball for entertainment

Old buds shootin' the breeze

David really, really loved all the toys that Miriam so nicely
shared with him. They chopped, strolled, read, sat, sang,
played puzzles... oh yeah.

Miriam has found a diaper that she would like to help me
change Judah into, so sweet.

Judah & Miriam and Us - yay!

Thank you Katheryn and Miriam for being wonderful
hostesses to us all!

Those Who Wait

There is a Beth Moore video session from her study on Esther that gave light to the verse Isaiah 40:31:


but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

She was asking the Lord for a closing thought to tie up sesson 5 on Esther Chapter 5 where Queen Esther is waiting for the right time to ask the King to spare her people, the Jews, from a horrible decree he issued to have them all killed.

The lesson brought us here...

Wait on the Lord. Wait on Him. He is at work in your waiting. DO NOT WAIT ON THE EVENT. Our strength WILL be depleted if we wait on the event, but waiting on the Lord WILL renew our strength. 

Glory to God our Most High!     


"To Those Who Wait"


I am waiting on You,
I am waiting on You.
You say You’re good to those who wait.

My heart’s discouraged,
So I come to You expectant.
You say You’re good to those who wait.

Lord, today You know what I need to do,
But You can do more in my waiting than in my doing I could do.
So I won’t run anymore.
I’m waiting on You.

Oh, wretched man that I am!
Free me from my distractions.
You say You’re good to those who wait.

Then confession and repentance
Find me in the quiet.
You say You’re good to those who wait.
Now I know You’re good to those who wait.

Lord, today You know what I need to do,
But You can do more in my waiting than in my doing I could do.
So I won’t run anymore.
I’m waiting on You.

Oh, my soul,
Wait upon the Lord.
Keep your lamp filled with oil.
Oh, my soul,
Be not deceived!
Wait for Him.
Don’t be quick to leave.

Lord, today You know what I need to do,
But You can do more in my waiting than in my doing I could do.
So I won’t run anymore.
I’m waiting on You.

Mega Mess

Today I stayed in with the kids and in order to re-group, organize and cook dinner for a friend in recovery. After the meal was packaged up I had to take this picture of my kitchen mega mess! Just last night the counters were pretty clear and our wonderful friend Eli had left us clean dishes after babysitting for bible study. It literally takes minutes to create this beauty. Yep, this mega mess is our real life.

I have been wanting to also photograph and share the opposite wall of our kitchen. Forgot to, so imagine 2 diaper boxes of recycling, a flat screen box (early Xmas!), a baby carrier, baby bouncer, diaper bag, purse and food containers being used as 'drums' all in front of a fully loaded red bookshelf. Ooooh yeah.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord

I received an email this morning, which I've included below if you'd like more details. This morning I am touched by a precious memory of Cathy Ng in our first days at Rogers Park Community Church. She passed away last night after being in a coma from the worsening condition of her brain tumor. She's rejoicing in the presence of the Lord, but I also remember a time of much rejoicing...

Tripp and I had been attending RPCC for just a few months. We were so enamored by the friends and quirky acquaintances we were finding among our christian brothers and sisters there. I believe Tripp knew of Cathy's brain tumor after walking by or being a part of a prayer meeting asking God for her healing. I knew Cathy as the woman who stood in front of me during worship with one hand wrapped around her little baby girl and the other lifted high in praise. For multiple Sundays we happened to sit behind them. And for multiple Sundays I could hardly sing because that woman just brought tears to my eyes. I think I even told Tripp that if we sat behind them again, I just wasn't going to sing.

My heart was broken by Cathy's unabashed praise because I knew her days may be numbered with that beautiful baby girl and she praised Jesus regardless. I was so humbled standing behind a woman in trial singing 'Forever You are faithful, forever you are strong, forever you are with us, forever...' Oh goodness, things haven't changed. That woman still makes me tear up.

I wanted to write this post just a day after her death and new life with God in eternity because as a mother, I don't know how she did it. I do know she did it with lots of tears, I saw those too. I guess I could also determine that she did it with LOTS of PRAISE! In the fiery trials of life, even in those that lead to death, blessed be the name of the Lord. He was my beginning, He WILL be my end.

Job 1:21 (KJV)

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

 

" Dear Brothers and Sisters of RPCC,

Tonight I received a phone call from our dear brother, Jason Ng.  Earlier today because the condition of his wife and our dear sister, Cathy, had become even worse as she remained in a coma, he and her parents decided that she needed to be taken off the life support.  Before doing so, her mother dressed her up very nicely!  Shortly after she had been taken off life support, praise the Lord that she looked beautiful and peaceful as she went to be with our wonderful Lord Jesus!  Consequently, Jason and her parents were really comforted to see her leave this world in that way!  Glory to God that she is now rejoicing in the presence of the Lord forever!  

Please pray for the Lord to continue to abundantly comfort and strengthen Jason and her parents due to their heavy loss! Thank you very much! 

Love in Christ,
Pastor Scott "

Coconut Oil and Yogurt

If you're looking for a way to incorporate the new nutritious Coconut Oil trend into your diet, I recommend adding it to yogurt!



 













Ingredients

1 tbspish Coconut Oil
1 tbsp sliced almonds
1 packet stevia
1/2-1 c. yogurt (greek is super tasty)

Heat the oil in a mug in the microwave for about 45 seconds or until melted. Add in sliced almonds and stevia and stir thoroughly. Add in yogurt and enjoy.

Other variations I've tried are pretty good:

C Oil + Yo + Stevia + Lemon rind

C Oil + Walnuts + Yo + Stevia + Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice



Hopefully soon to follow this entry will be one to explain why I'm eating coconut oil and yogurt instead of ice cream :)

Swaddle Stories

Swaddles are a science and each experience has been unique:


#1 Woombie
Used for Judah age 1 week through 3 months. Kept him snug as a bug and allowed for lots of wiggling and mummy pose with hands up by face. He did take on the challenge of busting out by grunting himself to sleep. Only criticism is that the woombie has to air dry and takes multiple hours, so if you only have one like we did, better be prepare to rock or swing for a couple hours. (Just got this adorable ruffle one for my niece.)

#2 Miracle Swaddle
Used for both David and Judah ages 3 month - 5.5 month. This swaddle blanket has multiple panels sewn in at the arms to tie them down and to his side by tucking over arms and under the back. Feet are fairly loose within swaddle foot pocket and therefore acts like a transition to being swaddle free. David took weeks to make the final transition out of this snug swaddle, napping with one ligament unwrapped until all ligaments were free. This transition time was not easy, so I would caution parents to only use this swaddle if you're desperate for long stretches of sleep. Get them in the sleep routine first, then try to get them out of being in the miracle swaddle.

#3 Summer Infant Velcro
Used for both David and Judah newborn and home from the hospital. The velcro is strong enough to keep a sleepy newborn wiggle in. However, once both boys figured out how to get their hands up by their faces the naps were over. I've seen where these are available for car seats and feel that is brilliant because they lullaby of the car should keep them dozy enough to lessen wiggles.

#4 Aden & Annias Swaddle Blankets
Used for both David and Judah NOT as an independent napping swaddle but just as a blanket to sleep in warm arms. I actually feel this is one of the best newborn blankets because it's so large and light you can wrap a newborn very snugly as well as coolly cover up to breastfeed (tuck an end of the blanket under bra strap). And of coarse they are oh so stylin'.

#5 Carters Recieving Blankets
Used for both David and Judah. With David we swaddled him in these for much too long. Since he had reflux and fought sleep, we would swaddle him up with these stiff blankets and tie them in a knot behind his head. The tying was demonstrated to us by our pediatrician and actually helped David to begin sleeping on his side. The receiving blankets were so stiff that they kept him tightly snuggled, legs up and all. David began breaking out of these swaddles around 3 months and Judah never slept well in them, that's why we transition to the Miracle Swaddle.






Overall swaddling has helped us establish good nap and night sleeping habits even though it took longer to reach our goal of free-movement-self-soothing-sleepsack/sleeper-sleeping. Whatever works!!

Morning Oatmeal

Adding yogurt to the morning oatmeal has takes breakfast to the next level and cools it enough to share with a hungry impatient toddler.

3/4 c. old fashion oats
1 c. whole milk
Handful raisins
Handful walnut pieces
2-3 tbsp dollops of plain whole milk yogurt
1 heaping tsp. brown sugar

Cook oats, raisins, and walnuts in milk in microwave for 3 minutes. Top with yogurt and brown sugar.

Weekend in the Smokies

This past weekend, we packed up the kids and headed down to Sevierville, TN in the Great Smoky Mountains for the Savell Family Reunion. They've been doing these for years, and this was OUR first. I had no idea what to expect, but after 3 nights and 4 days at the cabins of Hidden Mountain Resorts with a whole bunch of southerners I'm thrilled we made the trip!

We got out the door at 6AM on Thursday morning arriving at the cabin by 5:15PM, success! Greeted by the warm and loving smiles of Uncle Bill and Aunt Bebe, I was lead into a gorgeous cabin beautifully decorated with a shabby chic country roosters scheme. I was very much reminded of the Argo's beautiful cabin in Gatlinburg where we rang in 2011. Tripp and I were EAGER to see our cabin buddies Jacky and Cayte not only because this would be the first time I saw Cayte with a baby belly, but because David needed to play with his Uncle BFF. Poor D had not slept 30 minutes in the car and was putting on quite a show for the Savell families during dinner. When the Kings arrived, Tripp and I sighed in relief and hunkered down for a good family time.

Our first night's dinner was BBQ, then Friday was a southern spread of Ham, greenbeans and sweet potato casserole, followed by Saturday afternoon Thanksgiving. Yep, Thanksgiving in October is one of their traditions. Of coarse, between Thanksgiving lunch and leftovers for dinner, the pregnant lady & breastfeeding mama demanded and stuffed ourselves with Krispy Kreme donuts. Needless to say, I got out for a walk Monday morning stat.

David's cherished moments from the weekend revolved around walking uphill and throwing acorns downhill with Dad & Jacky & Aunt Bebe & Uncle Bill - and cartoon time and running all over the place with Uncle Jacky. He rested up for family time in a very large and fancy bathroom with a large jacuzzi tub. We referred to that master bathroom as D's nursery.

Judah and his sweet peaceable nature impressed all, which was nice because poor D was so overwhelmed and exhausted by all the new faces to keep composure. Aunt Cayte swayed him to sleep like a pro and took over the position of 'putting Judah to sleep'. Judah's first long stretch of stretch happened during this trip, however Tripp and I were too engrossed with the company of our family to take note and get the added sleep.

Overall, I loved my time in the Smokies and was reminded that these dear people are just a car ride (that won't kill you afterall) away.

We stopped strategically at a McDonalds just north of Louiville
that had a Play Place. It was like a road trip saving grace, seriously
they were playing christian music.

Play Place Bliss

D is such a busy guy, so nice he takes a minute
to hang out with mom.

Note the orange fleck on the seatbelt, it's a piece of
DD pumpkin donut stuck on by a mass amount of
drool recently dripped by D's straw chewin'

'Why are you changing my diaper on your lap? This is normally
my favorite thing, but not right now.'

Bother & Sister

Husband and Wife

Our beautiful cabin

The new parents! Baby Olivia Joy King in the 'baking'.

The Grant guys, wonder if this group will keep growing
or if I'll get a partner in shopping crime yet?

Judah chillin on the porch while we eat dinner, he's eating
his fist and pretty happy about it.

The donut chauffeurs.