Sunday, December 11, 2011

Christmastime With Two

Sometimes I forget that these days won't last forever, and I really won't remember all the little things that just seem so ordinary right now. To be able to look back on these "little years" and have these memories to hold onto is important to me.

This year has been a really special year for the holidays. Parker's 1st Thanksgiving/Christmas was really special - he was just 1 day old & then 1 month old for those and this year, our first year with two feels special in that same way.

Avery is a sweetie pie and just loves being with her family. She's really content with whatever is going on but the way she smiles and Parker and watches him so intently, loves being cuddled by Daddy, and is such a Mommy's girl. And Parker is just a total blast this year! He loves the tree and the ornaments. He thinks the Wiggles are part of the nativity scene and keeps telling Brent that "we can't tell you about your present Daddy."

Life is busy. Some days I feel like we're in a routine & others I still feel like everything is turned upside down. But it's amazing. And exhausting. But mostly amazing.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Toddler Preschool - Books This Week

We frequent the library quite often. Between the books, and dvds, and fun things to play with, Parker loves it. I try to branch out on what kind of books we get and I've really seen it pay off in Parker's growing interest in reading all sorts of books lately!

Here's what we have this week:

"Arthur and the True Francine" by Marc Brown

"Just Like You" by Jan Fearnley

"Bedtime For Bear" by Brett Helquist

"Zoozical" by Judy Sierra

"Frozen Noses" by Jan Carr

Tales of a Haunted Laptop

My laptop has been dying a slow, painful, annoying death for over a year now. It all began when Parker spilled a glass of water on it. It started acting crazy right after that, although it still worked, the keyboard sort of had a mind of it's own. Sometime after, it miraculously healed and operated completely normal.

Well, for a couple months now it's been acting crazy again. I can't type the letter 'Q', a capital 'J' erases everything you'd just typed, the period key brings up an html dialogue box, the space bar inserts a bracket, and the letter 'd' drops down the address bar.....so yeah it's been a PAIN to use.

I blame my lack of blogging on that and now that I've given up hope and have made our home desktop computer my own I hope to be better about it :)

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Interview With a Toddler

I saw this little outline for an interview you do with your child. It suggested doing it yearly and then keeping them all together in a notebook - so cute! I bet I could do this everyday and get new answers though. So here it is with his exact quotes in each answer...

1. What is your name?
       "It's me!"

2. How old are you?
        "Good."

3. What is your favorite color?
        "Orange"

4. Who is your best friend?
        "Daddy"

5. What is your favorite animal?
        "Teddy a bear"

6. What do you want to be when you grow up?
        "A bear"

7. What is your favorite movie?
        "Da Wiggles"

8. What is your favorite book?
        "Henry the Octopus and a pirate book."

9. What makes you happy?
        "Bay-Jay and my Papa"

10. What makes you sad?
        "I miss my Nana."

11. What is your favorite food?
        "Pears"

12. What is your favorite song?
        "It's the wiggles...it's the wiggles."

13. What games do you like to play?
         "Mickey Mouse and the hula song."

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Parker's Home Preschool - 8/24

Wednesday:

AM: Water Play - Bubble Snakes http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.c … nakes.html
Number Match 11-20 (Making my own game tonight)

PM: Field Trip - Visiting a friend & evening walk

I followed the link above for instructions about how to make the bottles. I used tape instead of a rubberband for the washcloth and the bottle didn't crumple at all. I also used Gain not Dawn for the bubbles and it worked great!
 

 This was so fun and the coolest thing! Parker was not a fan of blowing after he inhaled himself a mouthful of suds. So I got to do that part. He loved it though!


 He had a blast playing with the bubbles and painting/cleaning the sidewalk and himself.
Overall it was a hit, but probably better suited for older kids who would know how to not inhale the bubbles.

We also did some number recognition and counting fun this morning. I made up these little boards on construction paper. This isn't the finished product since I need some contact paper to keep them from getting all crumpled, but I'm sure we'll use them again. First Parker matched the number card to the boards.


Then I helped him count out beans to put in the box above each number.

He was losing track of his counting, so I drew the number of dots in the empty box to help him remember what he was counting to.


 So far, it's been a great first day!

Preschool at Home

DPS started school this week and something in the air must have inspired me to start our own little "school" at home. Or maybe it's the total lack of structure and routine we've had since oh around July 1st. And school might be too strong a word. It's maybe like a very casual preschool plan...just something to expand what Parker does each day and help us both have a little bit of a routine. Something we both seem to do better with.

So here our plan for the week:

Wednesday:
AM: Water Play (Bubble Snakes - http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.c … nakes.html)
         Number Bean Match
PM: Field Trip - visiting a friend

Thursday:
AM: Field Trip - Park/Sandbox
         Farm Bingo or Painting
PM: Make Play Doh (http://www.rookie-cookie.com/2009/01/je … dough.html)

Friday:
AM: Coloring with markers (http://www.supercoloring.com/pages/tag/ … alphabet/,[ http://www.squidoo.com/eric-carle-color … ramebuster)
          Field Trip - Library Story Time
PM: Finger painting & Outside/water play

I'll be incorporating alot more next week after I get some things set up this weekend! :)

Welcome to the World Avery!

I better get all the craziness of Avery's arrival down somewhere before I completely forget! So here's a little timeline of our sweet girl's arrival.

Friday - July 1, 2011
10:00 AM:
I had a regular OB appointment scheduled. They were going to do an ultrasound to check on baby girl's size and that was about it. Brent was going to be able to come along this time, but almost had to stay home with Parker who was getting over a stomach bug. At the last minute we decided to all go. I'm so glad Brent was there! I asked my dr. to see if I was dilated because I'd just felt like something was going on and had been having contractions earlier in the week. He semi-reluctantly agreed mostly to put my mind at ease. He was pretty surprised to find that I was about 6cm. and told us we were going to need to go to the hospital and have a baby! I tried to argue that we could wait it out and he talked me down from a few weeks to 1 hour to go home and pack. I was pretty overwhelmed and unhappy how things were happening so fast and so early and so not according to how I'd imagined. But Brent was so great and just calm and kept me sane. Our friend DJ came to watch Parker, and Brent and I packed and went up to the hospital. Brent's parents started to head down to Denver as well.

12:00PM:
Settled in at the hospital in L&D, and started my IV's. A while later I got my epidural even though I wasn't feeling anything. I didn't want to risk it haha! They broke my water and a bit after that I was able to start pushing. My epidural was great because the pain was definitely manageable but I could still feel enough to help me push.



4:26PM:
Avery Hannah Byrd was born. Weight 5.4 lbs, Length 17.8 in. She was 5 weeks early and was taken to the NICU after just a few minutes of holding her. That night she "graduated" to the Level II NICU and stayed there for 2 weeks.
So tiny! Look how big that preemie diaper is on her!

July 13, 2011
Avery got to come home! :)


We love her so much. She is a sweet baby and pretty easy I'd say. I can't believe how amazing it is to see her join our family and how she just fits so perfectly. Thank you Lord for my two sweet babies. I'll probably do more details another time of everything that went on during her NICU stay too.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Not Gone!

Seems like when life is the busiest, and you should have the most to talk or write about that's when it's the hardest!

So we're still around :) I have intentions of getting back to posting on the blog more....but we'll see haha. For now, here's some highlights!

- Went new rental hunting. Ugh - not a fun process. But learned alot about God's sovereignty along the way!

- Moved from apartment into house. (With yard!)

- Parker LOVES his new house and yard. 

- Finished babysitting. (Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

- Brent finished at Starbucks and started his new job. It's busy and has been an adjustment, but he's LOVING it, and doing well.

- Currently 33 weeks pregnant :) Definitely feel like the end is drawing near. So funny how I am NOT rushing time to pass by quickly this time around. 

- Providence is moving to a new location this Sunday. (Manuel  High School) I'm so excited to see how much more space we have!

- With the new move, the kids' classes will shift a little, and Parker will now be in the "2-3" class! :( Sniff. When did he get so big?!

And last but not least, what is a blog update with out a few cute Parker sayings?!

"I sure can!" (Said when he gives himself permission to do something)
"Nest-bird"  (A pile of pillows and blankets that he makes into a bird nest)
"Rabbit-Rabbit!" (What a bunny says)
"Rabbit-Rabbit!" (What a froggy says. Lower pitch than the bunny.)
"Have a great day?" (He asks Brent this when he gets home.)
"I'm big hungry." Or "It's big heavy." (Big = very)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Dozen Tuck-Ins

Parker came out of his room probably 6 times tonight after his first "goodnight" and tuck-in. Sometimes he's just being obstinant or wild or plain disobedient, but sometimes he just can't get enough cuddles, kisses, and back rubs.

And I'm going to keep going in for one more kiss or one more hug or one more blankie tuck. Because, I know one of these times in the not too distant future, I know he'll say, "It's ok mom, you don't have to tuck me in tonight." And then I'll be the one asking for just one more.

I sure do love that little boy who's growing up way too fast!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Stinker

Wow - two Parker stories! He sure is a character :)

Monday morning Parker was sitting at the table coloring and I had a sneaking suspicion he had a poopy diaper. So I asked him and he actually admitted it. I didn't change him right away, and a couple minutes later I looked up to see him pointing at me and whispering "Mommy stinky...Mommy stinky."

So I said "What? Mommy is not stinky - Parker is stinky." And he replied, "No....crayons stinky. Need a shower." Haha, well ok then.

Oh good, he's getting louder!

It used to be that pretty much only Brent or I could easily figure out what Parker was saying. That actually comes in handy with random thoughts that turn into statements (or declarations) from a toddler's little brain!

On Saturday, we took Parker to Cherry Creek to play in the kid's area and burn off some energy. We happened to go really early so Brent could get his hair cut nearby, and before the crowds and crowds of parents and kids showed up.

In fact, there was only one other little boy there when we came. He was quite a bit younger than Parker, but his parents were probably in their 40's. The dad was running around and playing with is son and acting really silly. Of course, Parker thought this looked pretty fun and kind of joined in. Parker was trying to get a little bossy with the man, but the man just kind of ignored it.

At one point Parker couldn't see the man anymore so he stood up on top of one of the climbing toys, put his little hands up to his mouth as a make shift megaphone, and started calling out... "Grammaaaaa? Gramaaaa?"  Oh my word. I tried to tell him the man was not his Gramma, he was the other baby's daddy - but he could not be convinced.

I suppose it wouldn't have been so bad had we not been the only people in the area! Oh dear.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Rental Search Rollercoaster 2.0

Wheeeeeeee!

Not so much.

Like I said before, our lease is up April 30th. We've begun looking for places, but probably won't have much luck for a couple more weeks. (Until people start giving their 30 day notices and houses are listed.)

We've had a couple places we really thought could work only to find out for one reason or another they wouldn't Which is fine. We actually have total peace that God will provide the place he has for us at the right time! I guess going through it all last year actually taught us to trust Him!

So here we go again, buckle up!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

18 Weeks


How far along?          18 Weeks
Size of Baby?            At our ultrasound the dr. said 1/2 a pound :)
Gender?                    GIRL!!!
Movement?                Nothing I've been really sure about.
Sleep?                       Great - other than when Parker gets me up :)
Symptoms?                Feeling MUCH better!
Cravings?                  Hmmm nothing consistent. Cheese maybe?
Best Moment this Week?    Finding out Baby #2 is a girl














Monday, March 7, 2011

A Prayer

God. I want to let go of the worries I hold onto. I want to give them to you fully. I want to trust you. But sometimes I don't know how to let go.

I want to wholly trust your plans for me and desire only what is in your will. How do I let go of the control I try to have in steering life towards my wants? When will I learn to let faith in your goodness have first place over my own stubbornness?

After all the times I've seen you provide in your faithfulness, all the times you've turned a seemingly bad situation into something for good I would think I'd be much stronger in this area. You are good always! You are faithful always! Your plans are greater than my plans!

God thank you that I can bring anything to you. I pray you'll let the truth of who you are penetrate my stubborn heart and make a change in me.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.


Thursday, March 3, 2011

7 Things I Learned This Week

Here's 7 things I learned (or was reminded of) this week:

1. I apparently do not know how to clean stove drip pans!
2. There is such a thing as Chardonnay soaked cheese. It's purple.
3. If baby #2 is a boy or a girl! (Technically I won't know this till tomorrow, but still!)
4. There's alot that I don't pray about and give to God that I should.
5. My attitude affects Parker's attitude.
6. Reese's really knows how to do Easter candy!
7. Doing homework with a 1st grader can drive you to insanity.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Okay. So here we go... :)

On Monday we have to turn in our "Intent to Vacate" form which means as of April 30th we are out of this apartment! Yikes.

We've felt that we really need to find something with a yard for Parker (and mom's) sanity and well being. Our goal is also to get up into "the neighborhood" where Providence is and get to plug in even more to that community.

Our prayer has been that God will have the right place - at the right price waiting for us. I guess this little form just makes it all the more real! We'd appreciate your prayers for this as well.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

12 Weeks

So I think I might try to do pregnancy updates! I'm sure I won't every week, but whenever I think of it haha! I've seen things like this on other blogs, and I think it would be fun to look back on. I regret I didn't do more journaling when I was pregnant with Parker. You think you'll remember, but you really do forget!

How far along?  12 Weeks

Size of Baby?  I want to say one of my email updates said the size of a plum :)

Gender?  TBD

Movement?  Not feeling anything yet

Sleep?  Pretty good thought I feel like it's never enough :)

Symptoms?  Still nauseous from time to time, and heartburn from anything!

Cravings?  Fries...all the time.

Best Moment this Week?  Realizing it's my *last* week in the 1st Trimester - woohoo!!!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Back to Menu Planning!

This pregnancy has kind of thrown menu planning and cooking out the window lately, but I really do so much better on our budget if I know what I'm cooking during the week. So, we're back to it this week! And I decided to link up with orgjunkie.com and Menu Planning Monday - I always get TONS of great ideas from the menus posted!

Monday: Lemon Garlic Chicken (crockpot) Served over white rice with oven roasted potatoes, onion, and carrots.

Tuesday: Ground Beef burritos, made with homemade refried beans

Wednesday: (Dinner with community group) Grilled cheese if Parker wants to eat before.

Thursday: Shredded BBQ Chicken (crockpot) Served on buns with Oven Baked Fries & broccoli

Friday: leftovers

Saturday: Spinach and Cheese Manicotti, (homemade red sauce with carrot & spinach puree) Garlic bread,  and salad

Sunday: leftovers

Other things I'll make this week:
- Banana pudding (for Brent)
- Fruit leather (pear and raspberry)

Thursday, January 20, 2011

11 Weeks 4 Days

I'm 11 weeks and 4 days pregnant! Which means I'm IN my 12th week, which means I'm ALMOST to the "teens", which means I MIGHT start feeling better in the semi-near future....maybe.

Really, I can't complain - it's just the normal exhaustion, nausea, and food aversion stuff. It does start to wear on you and I am definetly looking forward to feeling a little better! I actually had been feeling progressively better and then this week everything hit with a vengence again. What gives?!

But overall life is good...we're gearing up for this year to be pretty crazy, but exciting as well! God continues to grow us and teach us and it's pretty amazing how He's stretched us since May.

Well, I suppose I should get this towel off my head and maybe brush my teeth before Emily comes over...(you're welcome Em!)

Friday, January 14, 2011

Planet Earth & Psalms

Brent & I really like watching the Planet Earth series whenever we catch it on TV. We bought part of the dvd's but the whole set was like $200 or something! I'm always so amazed at the vastness & complexity of our world & just marvel that the God who created it all knows me by name.

This week I came across Psalms 42:1, a familiar Bible verse (and very 90's worship song haha!) but it really stood out to me in a way it hasn't before.

"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God."

When I read it it, I began thinking about the Planet Earth episode about animal migration for water. I can't remember the exact numbers (and Google was NO help) but these caribou and other animals will travel in huge numbers for great distances for a drink of water. They walk through dangerous and difficult places with one goal in mind. They might die in pursuit of this one goal, but it's what drives them to live & move forward.

When I think of it in those terms the metaphor is so much more real to my heart. It's not Bambi surrounded by bunnies and birds sipping from a gentle stream, it's a group and a family risking everything for the one thing that will give them life. I want my desire and drive for God to be as strong as that! To be able to recognize the one thing worth living for is Him and nothing should move me from that goal.




Thursday, January 6, 2011

Pursuing God

In community group this week, we were asked to rank ourselves on a scale of 1-10 in where we are in our pursuit of God, in our pursuit of holiness. That was a tough one. Not only because I'm not good at that kind of ranking or estimating stuff, but also to realize that my number was probably (definitely) not where it should or I want it to be.

I would have to say I generally reside in the middle area, dipping or rising depending on my circumstances. I can think of times where I was up at that 9-10 area, but how do you maintain a 9 in your pursuit of God!? Challenging, for sure!

When we talked about what were some practical ways we could individually and as a group encourage an increased priority and "growth spurt" in pursuing God, it was awesome to be encouraged that we are never alone in that journey. Not only is God our guide, but He has given us the church to be our support and point us towards Him.

A phrase that has been with me this week is from a book called Respectable Sins and it is talking about our relationship with God and the struggle of how can we ever be like him and less like our sinful nature? The author says we are "responsible yet dependant." This phrase encourages me because it reminds me that yes, I am responsible to seek after wisdom and intentionally follow Christ, but I can be at peace because I am also dependant on His Spirit working in and transforming my life.

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you,
what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
- Ephesians 1:17-21

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Goodbye 2010. Hellooooo 2011!

The new year is such a time of reflection! I always look back at the past year, the ups & downs and look ahead to the new year and imagine what will be.

2010 was a bittersweet year. Moving away from friends, but to a place and body of believers God was so clearly taking us to, was hard but so wonderful at the same time. I still feel like we're in transition and not totally "settled" here yet, but I think that's just something time will take care of. Parker turned 2 and this year has been a blast with him! He's turning into such a funny little boy! And finally God grew our faith in amazing ways last year! It's mind blowing for me to think about it, and I'm so challenged to continue growing closer to Him when I think of all He's done for us and in us!



2011 is already shaping up to be a crazy year! We are planning on moving in May when our lease is up to something with a yard. We really feel like it's a *need* with a little boy. We're also expecting baby #2 in August and with two little ones I think being able to go outside with Parker and let him run around is an absolute necessity for all our sakes! haha

Since the majority of this year I'll either be quite pregnant or adjusting to having a newborn plus a toddler, I'm not really setting "resolutions." Maybe just survive. I'm so excited for all the wonderful things our family is looking forward to this year! I want to be sure to enjoy the "now" moments and not just be looking ahead though.



Most of all I pray God continues to teach our family more about Him and His grace. Here's to a new year full of possibilities!