Articles!

Ian loves to read books with us, and lately his favorite thing to do is ask us, "What's that?" at every picture! This means he is picking up lots of vocabulary along the way. When the question is asked of him, he is able to answer more and more! On top of that, he is also adding modifiers to his sentences. Yes, that's the teacher in me getting excited!

For example, instead of simply saying, "Apple," he says, "A apple"! I know this is just a little thing, but it's quite exciting to watch him pick up the nuances of the English language. I know every precious word is a gift! :)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. -Proverbs 25:11

The "BIG" Slide!

Went to the park on Saturday (made it before it rained, hooray!), and Ian is constantly growing up...now he's braved the big slide and will go down all by himself! He even says, "Weeeeeee!" as he goes down! :)

From 01.2009 - MISC

He needed help to climb back up to the top again, and once he was up there, he'd say, "Ready...set..." then slide down (he might have rememembered "go" once). It was so fun to watch him finding endless amusement out of going down the slide over and over again. Then of course, his wheels got turning, and he figured he could get up faster if he went UP the slide. Matt helped him, telling me it's an important "boy thing" that I wouldn't understand.

It's so fun to watch Ian grow and develop, learning new things all the time! It's so amazing that really that journey never ends. The warm fuzzy feeling inside watching him grow and learn things is a constant reminder of how God must feel as He watches us (His children) grow and learn things too. Love truly is the most complex and amazing thing! :)

Projects!

This week is Matt's first week in the new Marine Corps Water Survival Class. Of course, I don't believe I got all of the name right, but that's the idea! The next 2 weeks are focusing on the conditioning...and the crazy new schedule (4pm to midnight). It's definitely been interesting having Matt home during the day! Ian wasn't sure what to think when he woke up yesterday and daddy was home!

Ian has been fighting off a little bit of a cold, so it's been very laid back during the day. (Considering Matt is too tired for much of anything after so many hours swimming with bricks in the pool, among other things!). I've been working on some projects for Zoe and the kids room...I'll post up an album soon. I'm so glad God has blessed me with energy to get things done, and I'm definitely having fun!

That's about it for the update so far...we had an amazing time with Karen and Elizabeth when they came to visit, and definitely want to make a trip up to Jax SOON! Miss everybody a lot! :)

30 Week Check-up...

Had a routine appointment today, and everything looks great! I measured at 29.5 cm, (roughly equivalent to weeks), and her heart was beating a strong 160bpm!

We briefly discussed some of the "birth plan" and I am praying for stronger faith in God's will and handling of the whole situation. I must admit birthing in a hospital is a challenge for me mentally...so many roadblocks to overcome about the whole scenario...routine interventions, policies, and overall "interventions" - when I would be much happier at home with a midwife! :)

BUT, I have the MOST AMAZING birth experience to look back at from Ian!!! God's hand was on me for those 8 hours, and I know that even if things may not go how I think I want them, it will be the perfect gift from Him. After all, He has handled the timing and everything else...why start doubting now?!

Can you believe it's getting close enough to start thinking of these things? Ten more weeks until the estimated due date...and I know it will fly by faster than I can even imagine...the worries will be behind me...and we will have a beautiful baby in our arms! :)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. -James 1:17 (KJV)

Cheer Up!

Well, we have had a challenging week...

After two nights of success in his "big boy" bed...he was back to being resistant at the idea of sleep in general again. Of course, it's another passing phase, but not really one of the fun ones! Last night, he finally went to sleep at 11pm. (No thanks to EXTREMELY loud neighbors...only real downside to apartment living at times!).

We were also dealing with me getting pregnancy-related energy fluctuations (guess last weeks cleaning/nesting spree HAD to end at some point, lol). And, Ian coming down with some sort of cold.

Also the declining healt of my Grandma, and her passing yesterday have hit the family hard. We will miss Grandma Mary Dunham (my dad's mom), but are SO THANKFUL that we were able to visit with her last month as a family.

God has answered prayers of patience (because goodness knows I can always use more!), and given me encouraging words from wonderful friends and family...and an amazingly supportive husband.

Matt took us all out for a much needed break from the house to eat at our favorite sit-down Mexican place...where Ian ate like a pig! And today, Ian has had numerous potty successes, which is so exciting! Additionally, I finished his new comforter for his bed!

I'm so thankful for all the blessings we have...and even though sometimes things aren't perfect, there's always another uplifting moment around the corner. God is so good to us! To me! :)


LORD, You have treated Your servant well, just as You promised. Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on Your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes. - Psalm 119:65-68 (HCSB)

Honey! Honey!

Kids definitely come up with their own names for people! I think of how my Grandmother became Meme, my aunt Ruthie Bell...and how others grandparents end up being called Nonni, Nanna, etc...my friend Erica has been Kia...I've been called Juwie...and the list could go on and on...

For a while, even though we have always been, "Mommy" and "Daddy" while expressing ourselves to Ian, he's called us "Momma" and "Dadda." Now, I have a new name! I'm "honey"!

It's so funny to hear him from all corners of the house, calling, "Honey! Honey!" And, maybe it's just because it's such a cute thing, but it seems he is calling for me even more than usual! That's ok, I enjoy hearing his sweet little voice...as long as he doesn't start telling me to do chores! :)

"In" his own bed!

Last night was the...hmmm...I lost count, of how many nights ago Ian really started protesting against his nightly routine! (And, things were going SO WELL...shower, read a book, lay down, and SLEEP!). I just was not ready to hear another night of screaming until he went to sleep. There HAD to be a better way! So I tried rocking, he laid with us a while...not really working out so well...

So, I decided, why not just take his mattress out of the crib and put it on the floor (I've been thinking about this for a few days now, but finally got brave/ready enough to try it).

INSTANTLY, crawled onto the bed, laid his head down, and went to sleep. Not another peep out of him!

This morning, when I heard him stirring, I went in to peek on the little man. Can we still count it as the first night "in" his own bed? :)

From 01.2009 - MISC

Daddy is a Captain!

Today was big news for Matt...he's been officially pinned on as a Captain! I'm so proud of all he's accomplished to get this far, and look forward to the journey ahead of us as we move on in the Corps! :)

From 01.2009 - MISC