Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Happy Dance
We fly to America today! I am so so happy! If I had more time I would compose a little jig so you could actually imagine me doing a happy dance, but it's 6am and we've got to wake the kids up and hit the road! We've got a looooong day in front of us involving lots of flying and lots of driving (and lots of coffee) so wish us well! Can't wait to be on the OTHER side of the Atlantic when my head hits the bed tonight. I love my country.
Saturday, October 06, 2012
Flashback Friday:Stranded at Zurich Airport
Yes, I know it says Flashback FRIDAY and today is Saturday. That's the name of Emily's link-up, but it is really an all weekend type thing, ok?? :)
It's about a blast from the past that you either didn't blog about or didn't have a blog to blog about. This was pre-blog days. I'm taking it all the way back to 2004 when me and some of the coolest people ever got stranded in the Zurich airport. We weren't just going to SLEEP like the boys...how boring!! No, we went exploring and documented our fun :)
We got stranded in the first place because my bag didn't make it on our plane so of course we missed our train that was taking us to our ultimate destination. It would have been too convenient if we had been on a early morning flight and just caught the next train. No, we missed the last train of the day so had to spend the entire night in the airport!
Oh, and it was a couple days before Christmas.
Here goes:
This is almost the whole group: L-R Chris (my future husband), Helton, my bestie Karole, me, and Karole's husband Blair. It looks like me and Blair are a couple, but we were actually digging through his bag looking for his hackey sack and we just stood up real quick for the picture ;) Also, don't mind my very red hair. I was in Europe and doing as the Europeans do :)
This is Stacy who is missing from the above picture. I'm pretty sure delirium has set in at this point ;)
You know Helton is super delirious when he cheeses for the camera.
It's about a blast from the past that you either didn't blog about or didn't have a blog to blog about. This was pre-blog days. I'm taking it all the way back to 2004 when me and some of the coolest people ever got stranded in the Zurich airport. We weren't just going to SLEEP like the boys...how boring!! No, we went exploring and documented our fun :)
We got stranded in the first place because my bag didn't make it on our plane so of course we missed our train that was taking us to our ultimate destination. It would have been too convenient if we had been on a early morning flight and just caught the next train. No, we missed the last train of the day so had to spend the entire night in the airport!
Oh, and it was a couple days before Christmas.
Here goes:
This is almost the whole group: L-R Chris (my future husband), Helton, my bestie Karole, me, and Karole's husband Blair. It looks like me and Blair are a couple, but we were actually digging through his bag looking for his hackey sack and we just stood up real quick for the picture ;) Also, don't mind my very red hair. I was in Europe and doing as the Europeans do :)
This is Stacy who is missing from the above picture. I'm pretty sure delirium has set in at this point ;)
This might be my favorite picture of Karole. Ever.
Clearly, I don't fit in there. I don't even remember why that was there. Is it a toy for kids? I'm pretty sure most airports don't have play areas. Maybe it was a display of some sort?
Definitely losing her cool at this point!! She is so funny. I mean, was she cold? What is she wearing?
What the boring old boys did...
Ha, I made this one bigger so you could see the look on my face. I swear they said, "make a funny face", but they are both smiling so nicely! It's really quite comical close up.
Another one of our friends is really scared of mannequins so of course we had to take this to freak him out! Oh, these memories make me smile :)
The next morning we had time to go to a coffee shop before we caught our train. Everyone is good spirits at least, sleep or no sleep!
My hair is so red, it blends in with the upholstery. Lovely.
See, they really are a couple ;)
You know Helton is super delirious when he cheeses for the camera.
Stacy and I were super impressed with her caramel flower on her coffee :)
Yes, this is my Chris. Before I knew he was mine mind you. He has learned that that pose is no longer acceptable for pictures ;)
At last, we reached our Winter Wonderland...Wengen, Switzerland
So beautiful it takes my breath away. I'd say it was worth the wait ;)
Friday, October 05, 2012
Mr. Man 10 Months
2 Months away from being one?! That is crazy insane. It has truly gone by so fast! The first 6 months were hard and slow, but since we got to Germany, I can't really keep up with him! He is doing so much and changing so quickly these monthly posts barely do him justice.
The basics:
Sleeping
Same as last month. Naps from 10-12 and 2-4 and sleeps 7p-7a.
Eating
He still loves to eat although lately he hasn't been finishing his bottles?!? He was getting 4 8oz bottles a day and after 2 or 3 days of him not finishing them, we cut it back to 7 oz a feeding. I have no idea if this is normal?? I don't like it, but there's no dang doctors to ask around here. There is a nurse line you can call and I have called it before but they don't know my son and he doesn't have a regular doctor (has never seen the same one twice!) so I don't like calling them unless it's super urgent. Can't wait until we are back with normal pediatricians in America!
As far as solids, he still seems to be eating the same amount, but not with the same urgency. He used to get real mad if you didn't feed him continually but he's a lot more chill about it so I don't know if he's "maturing" or not as hungry.
He still cries when I wipe off his face. Such a baby ;)
Playing
He has finally started to "play" with books. He loves looking at them and chewing on them of course. He likes doing it by himself. If I put him in my lap all he does is try to grab the book and eat it or something. Today I sat on the floor for "reading time" with both of the kids. Autumn loved it, Caleb ignored me. Hmmm...
Other Things of Note:
I don't know if I've mentioned these before, but he gives kisses on demand, claps his hand, says "mama" and "dada" but without purpose, pulls up to a standing position all the time, but doesn't stand on his own yet, and "yells" happily a lot. He's quite loud!!
He hates changing clothes. He acts like it is awful! He also will not ride in the grocery cart or stroller without screaming. I don't mean whining, I mean screaming like he's on fire. We have tried to let him cry a bit but it is really hard when your child is screaming in the middle of a store and all you have to do is hold him to make him stop. So we just hold him. This, too, shall pass I tell myself.
Despite the hating of the stroller/grocery cart, he is getting much more independent. He does great at home now. He will happily crawl into another room away from me. He will also let Chris hold him while we are walking through the store, etc. These are big accomplishments :) Even though he is more independent, he would still be happily be carried around by mama 24/7 :) AND, last night we went to a military ball and left him with a sitter for the first time and he did great. When we got home, my jaw hit the floor. He didn't cry (except when she changed his clothes!) and he went to sleep just fine!
The basics:
Sleeping
Same as last month. Naps from 10-12 and 2-4 and sleeps 7p-7a.
Eating
He still loves to eat although lately he hasn't been finishing his bottles?!? He was getting 4 8oz bottles a day and after 2 or 3 days of him not finishing them, we cut it back to 7 oz a feeding. I have no idea if this is normal?? I don't like it, but there's no dang doctors to ask around here. There is a nurse line you can call and I have called it before but they don't know my son and he doesn't have a regular doctor (has never seen the same one twice!) so I don't like calling them unless it's super urgent. Can't wait until we are back with normal pediatricians in America!
As far as solids, he still seems to be eating the same amount, but not with the same urgency. He used to get real mad if you didn't feed him continually but he's a lot more chill about it so I don't know if he's "maturing" or not as hungry.
He still cries when I wipe off his face. Such a baby ;)
Playing
He has finally started to "play" with books. He loves looking at them and chewing on them of course. He likes doing it by himself. If I put him in my lap all he does is try to grab the book and eat it or something. Today I sat on the floor for "reading time" with both of the kids. Autumn loved it, Caleb ignored me. Hmmm...
Other Things of Note:
I don't know if I've mentioned these before, but he gives kisses on demand, claps his hand, says "mama" and "dada" but without purpose, pulls up to a standing position all the time, but doesn't stand on his own yet, and "yells" happily a lot. He's quite loud!!
He hates changing clothes. He acts like it is awful! He also will not ride in the grocery cart or stroller without screaming. I don't mean whining, I mean screaming like he's on fire. We have tried to let him cry a bit but it is really hard when your child is screaming in the middle of a store and all you have to do is hold him to make him stop. So we just hold him. This, too, shall pass I tell myself.
Despite the hating of the stroller/grocery cart, he is getting much more independent. He does great at home now. He will happily crawl into another room away from me. He will also let Chris hold him while we are walking through the store, etc. These are big accomplishments :) Even though he is more independent, he would still be happily be carried around by mama 24/7 :) AND, last night we went to a military ball and left him with a sitter for the first time and he did great. When we got home, my jaw hit the floor. He didn't cry (except when she changed his clothes!) and he went to sleep just fine!
I know his shirt says 9 months, but I never take those pictures on time and I didn't get it last month's post! Maybe I'll get the 10 month picture in the 11 months post ;)
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Our engagment
I am participating in a link-up over at The Journey of Parenthood and you should too!
SO, our engagment. Hmmm...it feels like so long ago. It was September 13, 2007. It was a Thursday night and we went to eat at Olive Garden. There were flowers on the table and candles, which I totally did not notice! Poor guy, he tried. We ate and then after we were done, the waitress brought over a large-ish wrapped package. It was a gift from Chris for me. It was so big I was totally not thinking it was a ring. And I was right :) It wasn't a ring. It was a beautiful bible that had my future name on it. I saw it and looked up with total shock on my face and there he was, holding a wee square box with a diamond in it. I have no idea what I said or did after that. Well, I know I gave an affirmative answer and all that, but that's all I got :)
All the waitresses came over and fawned over the ring (girls will be girls!). There was group of Red Hat Ladies eating in the other room who caught wind of what was going on so they bought our entire dinner (including drinks and dessert so it was probably kind of expensive). We called our parents. At the time I was living with one of my best friends (well, 2 of my best friends if you count her husband) and they were waiting up on us so they could see the ring.
Inside the Bible, Chris had written these words:
Presented to Meghan, the love of my life, on the day of our engagement September 13, 2007. May these words of God ever be the foundation under our lives and the bond between our hearts. I love you always, Chris
Isn't that beautiful? I debated about not using the Bible, but I thought even if something happens to it, I want it to get used, I want it to be lived in. I am so glad it is not sitting on a shelf somewhere "safe". I love it so much. The Bible is covered in kangaroo leather and has my initials embossed on it. He found someone online who does that kind of thing and I really do cherish it.
This is probably my favorite pic from the night.
SO, our engagment. Hmmm...it feels like so long ago. It was September 13, 2007. It was a Thursday night and we went to eat at Olive Garden. There were flowers on the table and candles, which I totally did not notice! Poor guy, he tried. We ate and then after we were done, the waitress brought over a large-ish wrapped package. It was a gift from Chris for me. It was so big I was totally not thinking it was a ring. And I was right :) It wasn't a ring. It was a beautiful bible that had my future name on it. I saw it and looked up with total shock on my face and there he was, holding a wee square box with a diamond in it. I have no idea what I said or did after that. Well, I know I gave an affirmative answer and all that, but that's all I got :)
All the waitresses came over and fawned over the ring (girls will be girls!). There was group of Red Hat Ladies eating in the other room who caught wind of what was going on so they bought our entire dinner (including drinks and dessert so it was probably kind of expensive). We called our parents. At the time I was living with one of my best friends (well, 2 of my best friends if you count her husband) and they were waiting up on us so they could see the ring.
Inside the Bible, Chris had written these words:
Presented to Meghan, the love of my life, on the day of our engagement September 13, 2007. May these words of God ever be the foundation under our lives and the bond between our hearts. I love you always, Chris
Isn't that beautiful? I debated about not using the Bible, but I thought even if something happens to it, I want it to get used, I want it to be lived in. I am so glad it is not sitting on a shelf somewhere "safe". I love it so much. The Bible is covered in kangaroo leather and has my initials embossed on it. He found someone online who does that kind of thing and I really do cherish it.
This is probably my favorite pic from the night.
It shows us how we were back then-silly and carefree and in love :)
Sunday, September 16, 2012
A Joyful Morning
This morning Chris and I took the kids to a park we had never been to before. No pictures :( My camera was "lost" and now it's found so next time we go we are going to definitely bring the camera.
Anyway, Chris and Autumn were playing on different toys and I was sitting with Caleb. I had brought my to-go coffee and it felt very fall-ish outside. Autumn and Caleb both were wearing their adorable knit hats. With my baby boy on my lap while watching Chris and Autumn play, I realized something.
I was happy. This may happen every day for some of you, but I have been struggling so much lately with life that I almost started crying tears of joy. It has been so long since I felt such peace and contentment. It was a gift from God. I have gotten up to spend time with God the last two mornings and I have every confidence that it is helping my crazy emotions.
Chris and Autumn played for awhile and then we all went over the small lake to watch the ducks and there was a beautiful swan hanging out. Autumn had never seen a swan before. We were both surprised by how big it was! Chris took Caleb for awhile and all 4 of us walked around the lake and enjoyed the cool weather.
Then something else awesome happened. I was holding Caleb again while Chris pushed Autumn on the swings one more time. I was just enjoying Caleb in his sweet, sleepy state and for the first time since he was born, I didn't want him to get any bigger. This was a sweet moment for me. As previously mentioned, I have been struggling with depression (such a heavy word! I guess I could say struggling with feeling blue) for most of his life. This has caused me not to appreciate the hard stages of newborn and infant babies. Today I appreciated exactly who he was right now. He deserves that from me every day. He is such a precious gift from God that I am so not worthy of receiving.
Today I am overwhelmed by God's grace in my life.
Anyway, Chris and Autumn were playing on different toys and I was sitting with Caleb. I had brought my to-go coffee and it felt very fall-ish outside. Autumn and Caleb both were wearing their adorable knit hats. With my baby boy on my lap while watching Chris and Autumn play, I realized something.
I was happy. This may happen every day for some of you, but I have been struggling so much lately with life that I almost started crying tears of joy. It has been so long since I felt such peace and contentment. It was a gift from God. I have gotten up to spend time with God the last two mornings and I have every confidence that it is helping my crazy emotions.
Chris and Autumn played for awhile and then we all went over the small lake to watch the ducks and there was a beautiful swan hanging out. Autumn had never seen a swan before. We were both surprised by how big it was! Chris took Caleb for awhile and all 4 of us walked around the lake and enjoyed the cool weather.
Then something else awesome happened. I was holding Caleb again while Chris pushed Autumn on the swings one more time. I was just enjoying Caleb in his sweet, sleepy state and for the first time since he was born, I didn't want him to get any bigger. This was a sweet moment for me. As previously mentioned, I have been struggling with depression (such a heavy word! I guess I could say struggling with feeling blue) for most of his life. This has caused me not to appreciate the hard stages of newborn and infant babies. Today I appreciated exactly who he was right now. He deserves that from me every day. He is such a precious gift from God that I am so not worthy of receiving.
Today I am overwhelmed by God's grace in my life.
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