He-Man Marathoner

Inspired by the opportunity to raise money and awareness for Zambians who are living in poverty and in need of clean drinking, my husband decided to run a half marathon at the end of August as part of Team World Vision. He began his training 8 weeks prior to the race and accumulated 150 miles of tread on his running shoes this summer. The week of the 13.1 mile run, he came down with a very high fever (103 degrees) that lasted two days along with headache, fatigue and muscle soreness. Despite not being able to get in his runs during that final week, he was determined to conquer the half marathon that Sunday.
He completed the race in 2 hours 18 minutes and raised almost $800!
Very impressive, my he-man running husband!

A picture of the whole family after the race. That's Annie in the babybjorn.

Chloe's Birthday Extravaganza!

So my daughter is 3. Yes, I find it unbelievable. Everyone told me how fast kids grow up; now I finally believe them.
Chloe thoroughly enjoyed celebrating her birthday on her actual birthday and again the following Saturday with my side of the family. On her real birthday, she opened presents sent via mail from her family in England. Here's what she received, with a very grateful heart!
From Great Nana and Great Grandad
What could it be?

A Tea Set!

Later this day, her best friend came over and they played tea party!

Enjoying opening her cards


From Nana and Grandad a penguin rolling suitcase! (maybe that's a hint we should come visit!)


Complete with a matching backpack that Chloe brings with her to school now


For a special treat, Chloe got to go on a date with Mommy and Daddy to the baseball game! It was our first time at the new field and Chloe LOVED it! She had been asking to go to a baseball game all summer long and was so thrilled that we could finally go!
Chloe and Daddy as we are entering Target Field


Chloe enjoying the game and cheering for Joe Mauer :)


She had a great birthday!


The following Saturday we celebrated with my side of the family.
Photos to come once I upload the pics from the other camera...

Happy 3rd Birthday, Chloe!

Oh, my sweet firstborn, how you've changed my life in so many ways.
When we first found out we were pregnant, let's just say we were very surprised and very excited! After a very uneventful pregnancy (thank you, God) you finally made your arrival after 54 hours of labor squeaking in a September birthday. Yes, 54 hours. But you came out perfect and beautiful with full cheeks a fuzzy hair. I didn't think I could love you more than I did the moment Dr. Jaegger put you on my squishy belly.
But then you looked up at me and I was hooked. And I've come to love you even more and marvel at the little person you're becoming.
I studied your little squeaks, noises and movements. Everything was new and amazing and we had a fun time figuring out how to do life as a family of three.



Now, let's reflect on what this past year has brought.
The day before your 2nd birthday Mommy went back to work for the first time in your life.
Two weeks later, you started daycare (or preschool as we called it) at Loving Shepherd. Your first day you were a little sad, but after that, you loved going to school. You talked about your friends and your teachers. I think you got bit once, but you're a survivor.
We were amazed at the expanse of your vocabulary. You've always been a talker, but this was the year you went from saying 2 or 3 word sentences to full on conversations. It's so much fun. Even if Daddy and I can't have a conversation anymore because you're too busy asking questions.
In early 2010, you moved from your crib to a new room with a big girl bed. You helped pick out the paint color and your only request for your new room is that you wanted a heart pillow. You fell out of bed the first night (despite the guard rail - still not sure how you managed that) so I put you back to sleep in your crib for the night. That was your last time in the crib.
Mommy's tummy continued to grow and you accompanied us to the ultrasound when we found out you were going to have a little sister. You enjoyed looking at the pictures; however, you started to get a bit nervous as Mommy's tummy got really big. You obviously understood what was happening because we got a report from school saying that you and Bella had put pillows up your shirts and told the teachers you had "tummies like Mommy" and that you were going to have babies.
In the spring, you took an interest in using the potty. Since Bella and the other kids at school were getting treats at school for peeing in the potty, you wanted a treat too. So we began doing some potty training which was quite funny. At first, we let you run around in the nude so you could tell when you had to pee. This worked great and we did this for a few weeks. Then we put on big girl undies. You picked out blue underwear with cars and trucks and were so proud to wear them. After some accidents, you mastered wearing undies and still making it to the potty. So then we stopped entirely with the diapers and you did marvelous! Your favorite place to eat is Jimmy John's so Daddy created a sticker chart with JJ logos and everytime you went on the potty, you earned a sticker. Once the chart was full, you got to go the the sandwich shop for your favorite lunch - cheese sandwiches with salt and vinegar chips. And now when we go on walks and for playdates at the park, we bring along what has been termed "the pee bucket." You're great at squatting and peeing on your little blue bucket and really enjoy pouring out the contents near a tree.


You definitely hit the terrible twos. Thankfully it didn't last very long but we had a few days when I wanted to send you to Grandma's!!!
You learned how to ride your trike and are very eager to put on your Sesame Street helmet "so I don't fall off and break my head open." Pretty sure Daddy taught that phrase to you.
One of the most exciting things about your year as a 2 year old was the arrival of your baby sister, Annie. You've been amazed at her arrival (and still need reassurance that she did indeed come from Mommy's tummy) and have nothing but love for her. Except when you dinosaur roar at her and she cries. I know when you're trying to pick her up that you just want to cuddle, but just give her a hug, please.


And now you're 3 years old. And starting preschool in a few days. I can't believe how fast you're growing. You have opinions about almost everything. You're probably the loudest toddler ever - besides Auntie Becca when she was little. You love to swim and play in water. You love to laugh. You love the park. You love being outside. You love your best friend Bella. And you love Mommy, Daddy and Annie.
We're so grateful to have you as our daughter. You have brought spunkiness and loads of laughter into our lives. I love you more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you, God for such a blessing.


Happy 3rd Birthday, my sweet Chloe.

Who Knew?

High school is a conglomeration of many different people that we, as teenagers, felt the need to label and belong to. Although I was never associated with the "hippie" group, I've always had an appreciation for the lifestyle they chose to display. They always seemed so free and unburdened, attempting to be one with the universe, accepting they are a part of nature and living with such a style that resisted the consumer culture we live in.
The reason I could never be a part of this group is because the women didn't shave and they all smelled like patchouli (yuck!).
Now, as a mother, I have realized that I have become a bit of a hippie (minus the hairy legs, well, sometimes, and stinky perfume) and I love it.
I exclusively breastfeed my baby. Nope, no chemically-engineered breastmilk-wannabe formula for us!
I cloth diaper. The thought that disposable diapers remain in the environment for 500 years makes me wretch. Arguably, we use a lot of water washing the diapers, but I wash the diapers everyday filling the washer half full.
I wear my baby. This is how mamas around the world get stuff done. We wear our babies in slings! You either do it with one hand or you put the babe in the babybjorn and clean/cook/walk/push a toddler on the swing/read stories/blog while baby sleeps peacefully nestled with mommy. Among other benefits, studies show that babies who are "worn" are calmer and are more securely attached to their caregiver. Click on this wikipedia article for more information on babywearing.
While I didn't embrace the life of a hippie as a high schooler, who knew it would fit my style as an adult?

2 months!

Happy 2 month Birthday, Annie!
In the last month, you have perfected smiling and it melts our hearts. You smile whenever someone talks with you. You smile when you are done eating and have a satisfied tummy. You smile after you wake up and are glad Mommy came to pick you up. You sometimes even smile after a bout of crying. You are sooo stinkin' cute!


You like baths now! Mommy puts you in the big bath tub and sets you on your sponge to bathe you. Chloe even joined you this morning.

You're still a stinker to get to sleep. Especially at night. The whole putting baby down while drowsy but not asleep has only worked once. For 15 minutes. On your two month birthday, you have had very little daytime sleep. Does that mean you'll sleep great tonight or does that mean you're very overtired and we're in for a long evening of soothing you to sleep? Grandma told me that babies will fall asleep if they're tired but that hasn't been the case with either you or your sister. You just get crankier and will scream until Mommy soothes you to dreamland. Maybe Daddy and I just make super-alert children. If so, that's okay, because I love interacting with you!

We have also mastered cloth diapering. We have an assortment of cloth diapers ranging from gDiapers (which is what Chloe wears at bedtime), Thirsties (Fab fitted and the duo diaper, both which I love), and GroBaby. I'm loving the cloth and am so glad I made the effort to switch.

We have gone on a lot of outings. We go for a walk everyday and that is usually when you have your morning nap in the babybjorn. We've been to the splash pad, the Children's Museum, the library several times for storytime and also to get new books, the beach, many many parks

You took your first trip to see Mommy's hometown. We had a baby shower for Great Grandma's 16th great grandchild. Chloe is great grandchild number 12 and Annie is 15.

Here are some more pictures from this month:

What we've learned about Annie

She Loves:
Eating! She's a very efficient eater - it takes her about 15 minutes per meal and she eats every 3-4 hours.
Being snuggled in the BabyBjorn and going on walks with Mommy (Daddy and Chloe too).
The sound of the bathroom fan or the dryer will calm her down when she gets upset.
Sleeping in the bouncy seat outside the bathroom listening to the fan - this is where she is all night.
Watching the mobile go round and round while she sits in the swing.
Clearing her throat and making grunting-like noises.


She Hates:
Getting wet - baths are no fun yet.
Getting naked - diaper changes and getting dressed are included in this territory.
She's not a big fan of riding in the car although she's getting better.

It's so much fun watching her grow and change. The more we get to know her, the more we fall in love. She's the perfect addition to our family and we all adore her so much!

1 Month Old!

Sisterly Love!


Sweet little Annie is already one month old! When I was pregnant with Chloe and when she was just a tiny infant, every mom told me, "Enjoy this time as it goes way too fast!" And now my firstborn will soon be 3 and my second babe is already a month. It does go way too fast. I think Will and I are appreciating the littleness and the beginning few months even more now that we know how quickly time passes.
In Annie's first month, we have marveled at her ability to sleep. Sometimes it takes a considerable amount of effort to get her off to dreamland, but once she's there, she'll sleep for some long stretches of time. In the first 3 weeks, I had to wake her up during the day to feed her every 2.5-3 hours. After that, my milk supply was more than sufficient and she was growing and gaining so I allowed her to let me know when she needed food. At night she's waking up every 4-4.5 hours and she's to the point now where she'll semi-easily go right back to sleep. We are so grateful and appreciate this stage as we know it can quickly change! At Annie's one month appointment, she weighed 9 pounds 14 ounces and is 22.5 inches long. That means she has gained almost 3 pounds and has grown 3 inches since her birthday!! Mama's got some good milk :)

Annie sitting in her bouncy seat


Happy 1 Month Birthday!


Despite the cold and rain, we have been enjoying our summer so far. Chloe goes to preschool on Mondays and Tuesdays, which is when I do my baking and resting! Wednesdays we go to storytime at the local library and Thursdays Chloe is in a dance class through community education. We've gotten together with some friends for playdates and BBQs and have enjoyed lots of outdoor time. Chloe loves to ride her trike around the neighborhood and of course, take walks to the park. Because of the rain we've had recently, she has done a lot of splashing in puddles! I love experiencing life through the eyes of my toddler. Everything is an adventure and the world from ants to dinosaurs is met with curiosity.

Chloe on her trike



Splash!!