Precious Moments

I think I've mentioned this before, but it is fun to explore this website:

joshbales.com

I had to take a picture of Simon's "green thumb."

Hmmm...better keep the markers away.

Last Thursday Evie went crazy! 

 She actually cried, and we didn't know what to do!  

A warm bath and a tummy massage seemed to help.  

She did an exercise dvd with me (holding her made it extra hard)! 

 Eventually, she went to sleep!

Uncle Scott over late last Friday night!  He was a good sport and helped some of us ladies make mints for a baby shower.   There was a, um, ..., big difference in the delicacy of the mints made, proving once again that boys and girls are very different!

Crystal wanted a picture of Randy actually holding a baby ... ;)

Bliss ,gone a little awry in the eye-region by Simon's errant hand...

This is an actual conversation that occurred as we drove Sunday afternoon to my parents house.  Matt was drinking a home-brought thermos of iced tea.

Amy:  What are you doing drinking tea?  You did that yesterday, too.

Matt:  I'm transitioning away from coffee.

Amy:  What?  Why?  We didn't discuss this.

Matt:  For the summer-I do it every year.  

I just can't drink coffee when it's 100 degrees.

Amy:  (sad expression, as coffee is a shared experience of morning conversations)

Matt:  Don't worry, I'll still make you coffee.

Amy:  But 100 degree summertime is months away.

Matt:  I know, I'm just "getting my tea on."

I snapped this picture to show how much a part of everything Evie was last Saturday night.  She was just sitting alert in Terri's lap, wanting to be a part of it all.  Look closely, you'll see her on the couch, just wanting to be about the activity.

(We had an impromptu viewing of part of Brian Regan's comedy dvd, after an unplanned girls-only walk to Target, and an unplanned meal of leftovers when the girls dropped by the baby-shower accessory-returns.)

Today, after Simon was corrected for disobeying, I asked him how he felt.

Simon:  I feel like a big stinker.

Mom:  (wondering, did he really just say that?)

Mom:  Hm, what did you say, Simon?  How do you feel?

Simon:  Like a stinker, because I was bad.  I wanna be good.

Mom:  Yay!  It's so much more fun when you obey.

Simon:  (kicking his legs in ecstasy, as he was in his carseat, as we drove, and putting out his arms to me)

Simon:   Mom!  I can't reach you to hold you!

Simon:  "Look Mom, she's talking with her eyes!"

(He has taken on the role of her interpreter)

As I was sitting at the computer, Simon walked up with his Doctor's Kit

Simon:  Mom, I'm going to make you better.

(We took Simon to his pediatrician Monday, and surprisingly, yet thankfully, his strep test came back negative.  But, whatever it was, he shared it with his daddy!)

Matt, overheard on the topic on  Evie,..."She's the cutest thing in the universe."

My mom comments that it will be interesting to see the way that we (specifially Matt,) discipline Evie.  She seems to think that Matt will be unable to be as 'strict' with Evie ...

Whoo-hoo! 

Okay, Evie is still not sitting up very well!  She really isn't even turning over much.  I mean, she HAS turned over before, but it doesn't seem to be an exercise that she is actively pursuing.  "Active" just doesn't seem to describe her at all!

Simon didn't crawl until 9 months and he walked right at 14 months, so I think we're just creating some passive babies ;)  No hurry.  More time for me to "re-babyproof" our home.

Well, Scott d0g-sat Tania's dog Boomer last weekend for a bit.

We were joking with him that he better not ruin things with Tania by losing Boomer.

Scott said, "Yeah, it's a cute dog.  If it gets out, I'll be in serious trouble.  Like Dwight and Angela (from The Office).  So, don't let the dog out." 

 (directions to us as we visited last weekend)

Wow, these pictures are so cute they make my heart beat a little faster!

We were talking to Matt's brother on the phone a couple of days ago.

After my turn talking, Ollie ended the conversation with this sentence that I told him I was going to put on my blog,

Ollie:  Well, I'm going to let you go now, so I can eat lunch and do whatever I want.

Simon was making sure that Evie Grace was covered as well.

Well, perhaps the silliest thing I have done in awhile:

presidentschallenge.org

I think you get some kind of certificate in the mail... :)

I was exploring my old blog-posts from Simon's first year.  I didn't remember this, but his first official crawl was April 13th!  He was 9 months old.  And, interesting notation:  we were in D.Carroll's office at GFA during our staff-interview when Simon, who was with us, crawled!) 

 I had forgotten that memory until I saw it on an old blog!

Evie getting out of her torrential bath.  Really.  I peeked in and the water was SO HIGH! and more water was just gushing from the spout.  Matt said she liked it!  

I tend to give less exciting baths.

Last night for dinner, I gave Simon the red plate of food, and two empty plastic plates, for him to make faces with!  He ended up eating ALL of his food.  Even the asparagus, which is not usually the case.  He always likes trees (broccoli and cauliflower), and the tomatoes and pineapple chunks are pretty much a given, but I was surprised that he ate all of his asparagus, a couple of cooked carrots and squash, and his chicken!  Maybe he is in a growth spurt!

These pictures were from this morning!  

It was a perfect Saturday morning, kind of like the one you imagine having with your children.

  I'm not sure if I slept from 4 - 6 a.m. (Simon had an accident at 4 a.m.), and when Evie woke up at 6, I fed her, but just couldn't put her back in bed.  She was so sweet!  So, I think I stared at her and played with her for an hour before grabbing the camera.  

Next, Simon woke up, and a photo shoot followed.  

Then, Simon and I did put Evie back in bed and we drove to get donuts and coffee. 

 Afterwards, we came back, had breakfast with Matt, and watched old cartoons.  

(Simon can practically sing the whole Transformers' theme song...it's pretty cute)

Matt commented on our donut breakfast...

Matt:  "That was the best unhealthy breakfast I've had in awhile."

(He had to distinguish it as the best "unhealthy" breakfast, because last week's "healthy" French Toast with fresh Strawberries, brought and made by Teressa and aided by Tony's supreme carrying abilities!), was the best breakfast in a loooong time!

  Really, I have never thought of making FRENCH toast with FRENCH break and it was divine.  And it was definitely healthy, what with the fruit and eggs!

Oh, after breakfast, I asked Matt if he could think of anyone we could give the donuts to (there were over half a dozen left)  He had a hilarious answer, "The joggers."

(From our front window we have a great view of those health-conscious individuals out for a morning run!  The thought of trying to get them to eat a donut, especially from strangers, is quite comical!)  Anyway, the donuts are in our freezer for next Saturday's breakfast, as we couldn't think of what to do with the excesss.

Our shadows as we played in bed this morning...I told Simon I didn't know that there was a bunny in our room ... He was laughing so hard I feared he might get sick!

I commented to Matt after breakfast that it felt like we were an "official" family, with Saturday morning bed-time, donuts, and cartoons.  Matt said, "Well, I wasn't really there.  I was trying to sleep."  Tis true, and tis proved by above picture :)

CUTIE PATOOTIE (s)

This was Simon when he first walked in and realized Matt was asleep.

Yes, Simon has two lambies at present.  He brought back the lamb "lovey" that is supposed to stay at my mom's house.  Back-up "lovies" are an excellent idea!

Simon wanted to be close to his daddy, even if it meant sitting in the small space allowed by the bed's edge!

So, I was thinking that if I ever decorate a nursery again, maybe for a friend or something, I think a fun and easy "theme" would be polka dots!   That would work for a boy or a girl, and the only downside would be that it might cause headaches or dizziness...

I LOVE Chrissy's idea for a nursery, though.  Tie-dyed.  That would be fun to do, though I would have to seek permission to borrow the idea.  If no one makes tie-dyed baby accessories, I guess you could buy a white bedskirt, blanket, etc, and just tie-dye them!  Ooh, and I think Chrissy mentioned using a lava-lamp, too!  And maybe some beads hanging in the doorway ... 

Hope these pictures made you smile!

April 4th and 5th

Simon is wearing some hand-me-down shoes from one of my childhood friend's children!

Lately Simon has been getting 'hurt' quite often.  These times when he isn't really hurt are usually just a distraction ploy from discipline ... so I started giving him 'medicine' to help him.  The medicine is very, very hot and spicy mustard.  He will take it and doesn't enjoy it at all, so, as a result, he is getting 'hurt' less often!

Evie-Grace still isn't sitting up by herself!

I hope that is 'okay' at 5-ish months.

We joke with her that she is the laziest little girl!

Lazy and content, though!

Simon helping make ratatouille...Simon helped wash the eggplant, zucchini, and mushrooms.  He is more likely to eat dinner if he helps make it, so ...

He also ate some mushrooms and zucchini raw and like them a lot.

The eggplant ... not so much.

Yesterday Simon and I exercised to "Elmocize" from the library.  He had lots of fun.  The sad part of this story is that I seriously think I pulled something AND I was actually sweating.  Anyway, he had so much fun!  I need to see if I can buy a similar, more updated dvd for him.

This is my dad.

The resemblance to Evelyn is remarkable.

When Evie was born, I thought the shape of her hairline and head reminded me of pictures I had seen of my dad when he was little, but it wasn't until Mom brought over a photo album last week that I really realized the similarity!

My dad and his dad.

(still reminding me of Evelyn Grace)

My dad and his parents.

My grandmother's middle name is Evelyn, and her sister's name was Grace :)

Dad and his younger brother Randy standing on a couch and looking out the window.

So, this is what Evie might look like ... but with hair (hopefully!)

The other day I was on the couch ( I felt really dizzy and my eyes were hurting...I blame it on these new contacts) and Simon came up...

Simon:  Mommy, Jesus is watching over you.

Me:  Where is he?

Simon:  He's in the sky.  He is such a big and strong man.

Gigi and Simon on Saturday at the Arboretum!

We had so much fun that mom got us a family membership for a year!  So, from what we understand, everytime we go, up to 6 people can get in for free!  And, on Tuesdays, they often have "Mommy and Me" activities that Simon would love.  PLUS, with the membership, free parking!  

The Arboretum makes Dallas a bit more appealing!

Simon working a plow!

Here is an excerpt from an email my friend Kellie recently sent out.  

(Remember, Kellie is serving in a country that rhymes with rafanagastan).  

The words were written by a female 'coworker' of hers in the same country.  Kellie felt like the words exposed her heart as well.

"I've exchanged precious moments with loved ones for ordinary ones with strangers.

Independence for helplessness..

Beauty, freedom, romance, independence, youth ... these Western idols came crashing down..."

Kellie went on to add that "...all of the things I miss can become idols to me if I believe that they will satisfy me more than the God of this incredible universe..."

Two stories of encouragement:

On Friday, I was worried because Evie had been in her bouncy seat, and Simon, as he was playing with her, bounced the seat really hard, and I was quite upset, thinking about shaken baby syndrome, etc.  So, I called Matt at work (I was crying) and he prayed for Evie AND looked up details about shaken baby...(what would we do without google???)

Anyway, my friend Debi knew about it as well and took the time to encourage me:

"...The Lord is merciful and thankfully watching all the time!"  I love how these words of faith were right at the top of her reflex thoughts!  

Some more pictures from the Arboretum!

I was able to go to a friend's home last Wednesday evening for some sewing 'lessons.'  She hemmed a couple of pairs of jeans for me.  I had no idea you could hem pants so easily on a machine.  I might be able to do that!  (If I can remember how to thread the machine!)

Another seamstress friend is planning a mending party soon at our home, won't that be fun??  Let me know if anyone reading wants to get in on the details ... :)

A bonus of facebook:  Access to friend's profiles, which includes favorite quotes and books.

A dear friend of mine whom I look up to (Julia) has listed as one of her favorite books Don Aslett's "Clutter's Last Stand"  I read excerpts online from Amazon, and the book looks amazing.  I might would be able to get rid of more accumulation with this book's help!

And here is an amazing quote 'stolen' from Heidi's profile:

"Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take

The clouds you so much dread

Are big with mercy and will break

In blessings on your head."

William Cowper

Our picnic at the arboretum.

Gigi and Simon

Okay, here is a brilliant idea that I have recently started.

As I was cleaning out our hall closet with toiletries and the like, I came across so many half-bottles of conditioners that I came to not like and across lotions that I will never use.

So, I am using the conditioners and lotions as shaving cream and they work amazing!

Resourceful, huh?

So, with my hope to visit the Arboretum more, I envision, (in a few years) being able to go somewhere like the Arboretum, with Evelyn Grace, and ... we could wear matching dresses!

How cute would that be??

I guess I'll have to make them, though, so it would probably not happen.  Unless we go with almost-matching separates and I bet I could find some fairly close matches there in the store....

Ms.Helen and Evie Grace.

Here is a quote I like that was published in the Depression Era 

by Ladies' Home Journal Magazine...

"The return of good times is not wholly a matter of money.  There is a prosperity of living which is quite as important as prosperity of the pocketbook...It is not enough to be willing to make the best of things as they are.  Resignation will get us nowhere.  We must build what amounts to a new country.  We must revive the ideals of the founders.  We must learn the new values of money.  It is a time for pioneering--to create a new security for the home and family...Where we were specialists in spending, we are becoming specialists in living."

And another quote, from Peter Marshall...

"Church members in too many cases are like deep sea divers, encased in the suits designed for many fathoms deep, marching bravely to pull out plugs in bath tubs."

And another quote from Herman Melville's short story, "Bartleby the Scrivener,"

"I remembered the bright silks and sparkling faces I had seen that day, in gala trim, swan-like sailing down the Mississippi of Broadway; and I contrasted them with the pallid copyist, and thought to myself, Ah, happiness courts the light, so we deem the world is gay, but misery hides aloof, so we deem that misery there is none."

Here is a passage from Elisabeth Elliot's book, The Path of Loneliness.  

I came across this passage in college, and the truth behind it has been embedded on my soul 

(as it is prone to worry and to imagine future tragedies)

It often happens that those whose loss is greatest receive the greatest share of grace, mercy, and peace... Those who only watch and pray and try to put themselves in the place of the bereaved find it almost unendurable.  Sometimes they weep uncontrollably, for their imaginations never include the grace.

I took off Simon's shirt, so at least one part of his clothing could leave the Arboretum dry!

I can't wait to go back to the Arboretum with Matt!

And this time, no camera!  (That way I can just really enjoy my kiddos) and not think about snapping great pictures.  

March 25 thru April 2 2008

So, Evie's bottom reads, "DYNO-TOOTSIE."

I didn't realize how much I wanted a little girl until Evie-Grace!

On many levels I feel elated; one of those levels being that she can attend baby-showers and the like with me!

Simon with friends.

Simon is so social!   Whenever we are on walks, he is often entreating various animals (dogs, cats, etc) to come over to his home and eat his food...

Asa giving Simon a ride in the fire engine.

Simon's Doodle-Pro Art

He described this as "Jesus on the cross dying."

Easter made an impression on him this year!

(He also tells us that Jesus rose from the 'death.')

Another side of Simon.  I walked into Simon's room and saw him wearing my sunglasses and armed with part of our vacuum cleaner.

I asked him what he was doing.  He said he was 'biting things.'

Yes, that is our roof.

Yes, that is Matt on our roof.

Why?  Hmm...take a guess.  Really.   Okay, make your guess and keep reading.

Simon and another 'weapon.'

He was getting the birds.

Like father, like son.

So, this is why Matt was on the roof.

Doesn't everyone fly kites from their rooftops?

Well, I finally submitted to facebook's ubiquitous call.

I always thought I would spend too much time on it, so I resisted joining.

Also, I will remain true to blogger.

But, it seemed like everyone knew more about everyone, and when that included friends knowing more about my brother's life than I did, I joined ;)

Still lovin' my red-head joy.

Matt on our rooftop looking rather pensive as he untangles Simon's kite.

Evie is getting stronger each week, with regards to her upper body.  

Dwight (from The Office) would be proud!  Ooh, this Friday our favorite mocumentary re-airs the first new episode since the writer's strike ended! 

Evie will be six months old on April 29th!

I need to get around to letting her try rice-cereal before her check-up.

Simon will have fun watching her try cereal.

If everything goes well, we'll get the go ahead for other baby 'solids.'

 I always thought the suggestions in parenting magazines to make creative 'presentations' of children's foods seemed like a good idea, but something I would never remember to do.  A few times, lately, though, based upon the random food we were eating, I knew of no better way to present it to Simon than in the form of a funny face!

Simon ate the yellow bell-pepper hair, the strawberry cheeks, the cucumber eyes, the carrot nose ... and barely touched the peanut-butter sandwich mouth!

Like our dear friend Rachael, we, too, laud the greatness of H-Mart.

Seriously, avocados at 3/$1???  Blueberries for $ 1.29??  Strawberries for 99 cents?  Winter squash at 79 cents a lb??  Pineapples for $1.50?

And the best part, the disclaimer on the circular that, "Due to the editing process, there may be mistakes..."

Oh, and the 'lottery' with the 14th place prize being disposable rubber gloves..

Well, I have been faithful massaging Evie's scalp and brushing it, hoping that the stimulation will help her hair grow faster!  

Evie, you can thank me when you are older!!

Sometimes, I wake Evie up early from a nap--

Just so Simon and I can play with her.

This stage is precious.  I am cherishing every bit of it!

(Okay, I am not cherishing the weekly suppositories...I have never heard of a b.f. baby needing help with that...her pediatrician said not to let her go a whole week without, um, that, so it seems like every 6 days, there we are...)

Simon was with me buying groceries last week.

As the cashier (who was paying lots of attention to Simon) bagged our milk, Simon told her (I'm so glad it was a female) that "Mommy has milk."  She laughed, as she knew EXACTLY what Simon was talking about.  I made sure she knew I had a 5-month baby at home, less she think that this big toddler was the recipient ... ;)

Well, Simon's antics increased as we left the store.  In the parking lot, he was yelling random harsh vocalizations in a semi-playful manner.  I have a sometimes helpful, sometimes harmful habit of not 'hearing' things well.  Well, when I finally 'listened' to Simon, I heard what he was yelling, "BLESSED BE YOUR NAME!"  (over and over again in either a playful or scary tone, depending on the listener...)  Hmmm...

A verse from chapter 6 of Daniel,

"For he is the living God and he endures forever;

His kingdom will not be destroyed,

His dominion will never end.

He rescues and He saves;

He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth."