Bennett always has us cracking up - she's such a great conversationalist and it's fun how much she can vocalize what's going on in her head. Here are some conversations from this morning:
Me: "Bennett, you have your shoes on the wrong feet. Can you to switch them, please?"
Bennett (thinking): "Um, maybe tomorrow."
(She hears this from me all the time when she asks for things like, "Can we go to the library?" "... or playground" or "Can we watch Elmo?" etc. I started laughing at her when she said this today, and then got side-tracked... so she spent all morning with her shoes on the wrong feet.)
Then, this morning, we were driving and saw a jogger running beside us on the road. Bennett looked at him and asked me, "He get out?" (As in, he must have just gotten out of his car to be running on the side of the road... very confusing for a three-year-old who knows she can't "get out" of the car and run in the road.)
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Today's photo opt...
... will be tomorrow's "No, No!"
Eden pushed this footstool across the room so that she could reach the buttons on the TV. (She's seen Bennett do this before.) I needed to keep her occupied for a few minutes, so I just let her do it. I'll probably regret that decision sometime with-in the next 24-hours when she wants to do it again!
Playdate
This morning, Kristen, Ruthie and Elliot came over for a little playdate. We had such a good time playing in the yard, eating lunch and playing with play dough that Kristen brought. After lunch, I threw together some sugar cookie batter and let the girls decorate with sprinkles.
(What they really did with it...)
I found this super-easy recipe for sugar cookies - 1 stick of butter, 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cook at 350 for 8-10 minutes. It's not going to win any awards at a baking contest, but I always have the ingredients and can throw it together in about 2 minutes... and it's so much fun for the kids.
I totally caught Kristen licking batter off of Ruthie's finger. A good friend probably wouldn't post this... he, he, he.
Thanks for coming over guys! Please come back soon!
(What they really did with it...)
I found this super-easy recipe for sugar cookies - 1 stick of butter, 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cook at 350 for 8-10 minutes. It's not going to win any awards at a baking contest, but I always have the ingredients and can throw it together in about 2 minutes... and it's so much fun for the kids.
I totally caught Kristen licking batter off of Ruthie's finger. A good friend probably wouldn't post this... he, he, he.
Thanks for coming over guys! Please come back soon!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
OTI Review
Check out this awesome review of OTI on Steve McCoy's "Reformissionary" blog (www.stevekmccoy.com/reformissionary)
11/17/2009
Music Review: On The Incarnation by Daniel Renstrom
Daniel Renstrom (Twitter) contacted me early last year and asked if I would be willing to review his EP, Adore and Tremble. Not knowing Daniel or his music I emailed and said I would listen and say something on the blog if I liked it, but no promises since I don't like much Christian music. He kindly sent the CD anyway and I really, really liked it and still listen to it. Check my brief take on Adore and Tremble from March of last year.
Daniel contacted me again a few weeks ago and told me he has a new Christmas album called On The Incarnation (OTI). I can't listen to Christmas CD's before Thanksgiving. I mean, seriously. But after enjoying his previous album I couldn't say no. My only stipulation for the review was that it couldn't include "My Favorite Things." Robert Goulet, after all, offered us the definitive rendition.
-----
On The Incarnation released on 10.29. Eight songs, obviously selected and written to encourage worship and not just good seasonal feelings. This is a theology-minded Christmas album. Reflective.
First let me talk about a few Christmas staples on the album. "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" is joyous and upbeat. The popping strum of a mandolin colors this song folksy and fun. Love it. "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" surprised me. I'm used to it being a collective, jolly sounding song like at the end of It's a Wonderful Life. Daniel offers a beautiful, quieter, more contemplative version. Just great. "Angels We Have Heard On High" has an updated, worship band feel to it. It feels like a Sojourn song, which I mean as a high compliment. I'm not a musician and I don't want to explain this wrong, but it seems to have a minor key worked into the song that isn't in the traditional version. That tweaks the feel of the song which I think is pretty cool. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is a short, music-only song leading into Daniel's song, "Rise and Fall."
The new songs written by Renstrom are excellent. The album begins with "His Company," calling us to sing because Jesus is our Immanuel...
Who has believed
This message we have loved
Invisible God, came in flesh from above
Mighty, wonderful God, Prince of Peace
Bringing sight to the lost, calling us to sing
Join oh join the angel melody
God with man is pleased to dwell
Sing confess, with all His company
Jesus our Immanuel
"Rise and Fall" will likely be the most recognizable song off the album. It's the most curious sounding. I can't listen to it without cranking up the volume and bass. What a great reminder, missing in the consumer Christmas world as well as too often in our churches, that the birth of Jesus wasn't just about joy. It threatened those who oppose. Here's the whole song...
The dawn of the light
Is breaking tonight
At the birth of this dangerous King
And shepherds and kings
Bow down and sing
At the birth of this dangerous King
Many will rise and fall
At the birth of this King, the birth of this King
Those who oppose
Stumble on this stone
The birth of this dangerous King
But many will hear
Believing in fear
Will hope in this dangerous King
"Comfort Ye" has a more traditional sound. It starts acoustic and quiet with a hint of a rising and fading ambient sound behind it, eventually leading to the mountaintop of music and lyric that deserves exclamation points...
Immanuel / God with us / Son of God / Hallelujah
But the worshipful conclusion above doesn't come without a recognition of our responsibility to the world. It's preceded by...
In Christ we know hope for the hurting
In Christ we know love for the lost
In Christ we know no other one can save
The short, closing song is "Divine Messiah." It's a simple, short and quiet piano song expressing a longing for Messiah.
The truly great thing about On The Incarnation is that it doesn't repel you when you are not in a Christmas season mood. It's a gift from Renstrom that we can hear it outside the season and still enjoy it. I played the album for the kids in the car on the way to Louisville two weeks ago. Four songs in they said, "Are you sure these are Christmas songs?" The answer is yes, in the best sense.
On The Incarnation will make a great addition to your music library. It will be a blessing for Sunday morning worship in the weeks to come. You may want to give it as a gift to a Christian who needs to get beyond "Winter Wonderland" or a non-Christian who needs the Gospel.
11/17/2009
Music Review: On The Incarnation by Daniel Renstrom
Daniel Renstrom (Twitter) contacted me early last year and asked if I would be willing to review his EP, Adore and Tremble. Not knowing Daniel or his music I emailed and said I would listen and say something on the blog if I liked it, but no promises since I don't like much Christian music. He kindly sent the CD anyway and I really, really liked it and still listen to it. Check my brief take on Adore and Tremble from March of last year.
Daniel contacted me again a few weeks ago and told me he has a new Christmas album called On The Incarnation (OTI). I can't listen to Christmas CD's before Thanksgiving. I mean, seriously. But after enjoying his previous album I couldn't say no. My only stipulation for the review was that it couldn't include "My Favorite Things." Robert Goulet, after all, offered us the definitive rendition.
-----
On The Incarnation released on 10.29. Eight songs, obviously selected and written to encourage worship and not just good seasonal feelings. This is a theology-minded Christmas album. Reflective.
First let me talk about a few Christmas staples on the album. "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" is joyous and upbeat. The popping strum of a mandolin colors this song folksy and fun. Love it. "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" surprised me. I'm used to it being a collective, jolly sounding song like at the end of It's a Wonderful Life. Daniel offers a beautiful, quieter, more contemplative version. Just great. "Angels We Have Heard On High" has an updated, worship band feel to it. It feels like a Sojourn song, which I mean as a high compliment. I'm not a musician and I don't want to explain this wrong, but it seems to have a minor key worked into the song that isn't in the traditional version. That tweaks the feel of the song which I think is pretty cool. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is a short, music-only song leading into Daniel's song, "Rise and Fall."
The new songs written by Renstrom are excellent. The album begins with "His Company," calling us to sing because Jesus is our Immanuel...
Who has believed
This message we have loved
Invisible God, came in flesh from above
Mighty, wonderful God, Prince of Peace
Bringing sight to the lost, calling us to sing
Join oh join the angel melody
God with man is pleased to dwell
Sing confess, with all His company
Jesus our Immanuel
"Rise and Fall" will likely be the most recognizable song off the album. It's the most curious sounding. I can't listen to it without cranking up the volume and bass. What a great reminder, missing in the consumer Christmas world as well as too often in our churches, that the birth of Jesus wasn't just about joy. It threatened those who oppose. Here's the whole song...
The dawn of the light
Is breaking tonight
At the birth of this dangerous King
And shepherds and kings
Bow down and sing
At the birth of this dangerous King
Many will rise and fall
At the birth of this King, the birth of this King
Those who oppose
Stumble on this stone
The birth of this dangerous King
But many will hear
Believing in fear
Will hope in this dangerous King
"Comfort Ye" has a more traditional sound. It starts acoustic and quiet with a hint of a rising and fading ambient sound behind it, eventually leading to the mountaintop of music and lyric that deserves exclamation points...
Immanuel / God with us / Son of God / Hallelujah
But the worshipful conclusion above doesn't come without a recognition of our responsibility to the world. It's preceded by...
In Christ we know hope for the hurting
In Christ we know love for the lost
In Christ we know no other one can save
The short, closing song is "Divine Messiah." It's a simple, short and quiet piano song expressing a longing for Messiah.
The truly great thing about On The Incarnation is that it doesn't repel you when you are not in a Christmas season mood. It's a gift from Renstrom that we can hear it outside the season and still enjoy it. I played the album for the kids in the car on the way to Louisville two weeks ago. Four songs in they said, "Are you sure these are Christmas songs?" The answer is yes, in the best sense.
On The Incarnation will make a great addition to your music library. It will be a blessing for Sunday morning worship in the weeks to come. You may want to give it as a gift to a Christian who needs to get beyond "Winter Wonderland" or a non-Christian who needs the Gospel.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Children's Catechism
Daniel and I have been working with Bennett on the Children's Catechism. She's done such a good job memorizing them... and it's been so encouraging for me to be reminded every day of these simple, but profound, truths about God.
There have also been some pretty funny things that have happened while we've tried to teach them to her. There is a question, "How many gods are there?" The answer, of course, is "One true God." Then the next question is "How many persons are in this one true God." And, the answer is "Three persons in the one true God." Well, Bennett isn't very good with her numbers yet, so for the first week or so that we were working on this, we were never sure how many "persons" we'd end up with "1,2,3,4,5..." (we'd usually cut her off at 5). The last few days she's done a great job of landing on "Three" everytime - shew!
Then, one of the questions is "What is God?" The answer in the Children's Catechism is "God is a Spirit, who does not live in temples made with hands." Now, obviously, this is very true. But, I didn't think this answer was nearly as helpful as the one in the Westminster Shorter Catechism... "God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth." So, I decided to try to teach Bennett this definition instead of the other one. I knew this would be pretty difficult, so the first time I went over it with her, I was trying to maintain good eye contact with her and use good facial expressions and hand-motions (what are good hand motions for "being" or "holiness"?!!) In order to do this, I obviously couldn't look down at my "cheat-sheet" but was trying to do it all from memory. It was so obvious that I just STRUGGLED through the whole thing. Bennett just sat there, perfectly still, watching me... and when I finally finished, she said, in a very matronly way, "Good job, Mommy." I think she was a little confused about who exactly was supposed to be learning these :-) (FYI - we've shortened it for now to "God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, unchangeable.")
Then, last week, I was teaching her "Where is God?" The answer is "He fills the heavens and earth." She repeated back, "He fills the oven..." Yes, that is true, good job Bennett... just not the answer I was looking for. :-)
There have also been some pretty funny things that have happened while we've tried to teach them to her. There is a question, "How many gods are there?" The answer, of course, is "One true God." Then the next question is "How many persons are in this one true God." And, the answer is "Three persons in the one true God." Well, Bennett isn't very good with her numbers yet, so for the first week or so that we were working on this, we were never sure how many "persons" we'd end up with "1,2,3,4,5..." (we'd usually cut her off at 5). The last few days she's done a great job of landing on "Three" everytime - shew!
Then, one of the questions is "What is God?" The answer in the Children's Catechism is "God is a Spirit, who does not live in temples made with hands." Now, obviously, this is very true. But, I didn't think this answer was nearly as helpful as the one in the Westminster Shorter Catechism... "God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth." So, I decided to try to teach Bennett this definition instead of the other one. I knew this would be pretty difficult, so the first time I went over it with her, I was trying to maintain good eye contact with her and use good facial expressions and hand-motions (what are good hand motions for "being" or "holiness"?!!) In order to do this, I obviously couldn't look down at my "cheat-sheet" but was trying to do it all from memory. It was so obvious that I just STRUGGLED through the whole thing. Bennett just sat there, perfectly still, watching me... and when I finally finished, she said, in a very matronly way, "Good job, Mommy." I think she was a little confused about who exactly was supposed to be learning these :-) (FYI - we've shortened it for now to "God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, unchangeable.")
Then, last week, I was teaching her "Where is God?" The answer is "He fills the heavens and earth." She repeated back, "He fills the oven..." Yes, that is true, good job Bennett... just not the answer I was looking for. :-)
Seriously, Baby, we need to talk...
Dear Baby,
I love you so much and can't wait to hold you and introduce you to your big sisters. However, we do have a little issue on our hands right now. See, you have over 3 more months of growing to do and I'm running out of room here.
(As a side note... yesterday morning, I had just rolled out of bed when Bennett came running into our room. The shirt I had on wasn't maternity, so was tight and didn't cover all of my belly. Bennett took one look at me and said, "The baby's coming tomorrow!" Thanks, B.)
I love you so much and can't wait to hold you and introduce you to your big sisters. However, we do have a little issue on our hands right now. See, you have over 3 more months of growing to do and I'm running out of room here.
(As a side note... yesterday morning, I had just rolled out of bed when Bennett came running into our room. The shirt I had on wasn't maternity, so was tight and didn't cover all of my belly. Bennett took one look at me and said, "The baby's coming tomorrow!" Thanks, B.)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Rainy day activity
Today is a rainy, rainy day! It hasn't let up since last night and I don't think it's supposed to anytime soon. I almost just took the girls out anyway, just to get them out of the house for a little bit, but then thought better of it. So, instead, I tried to think of something fun we could do together at the house. And, of course, I thought of food :-) Cookies, to be exact!
I made an easy sugar cookie recipe, put out sprinkles and a baking sheet, then let the girls go at it!
Well, Eden started eating the raw dough, so she ended up with a plate of sprinkles while Bennett took over on the cookie-front.
Eden didn't seem to mind too much, though.
I think this video is so funny at the end... Eden blows me a kiss and then realizes there is cookie dough on her hand, which she licks off...
I decided before we started that the objective was to let them have a good time... even if we totally messed up the batter and didn't have any cookies to show for it. Bennett probably played with the dough for about 30 minutes. (I had to let Eden down once her sprinkles were gone :-) ) It was really messy, but Bennett did a good job of keeping most of it on the baking sheet and her hands, and she had such a good time with it. AND, an added bonus, when we were all done, we ended up with several cookies that tasted great!
I made an easy sugar cookie recipe, put out sprinkles and a baking sheet, then let the girls go at it!
Well, Eden started eating the raw dough, so she ended up with a plate of sprinkles while Bennett took over on the cookie-front.
Eden didn't seem to mind too much, though.
I think this video is so funny at the end... Eden blows me a kiss and then realizes there is cookie dough on her hand, which she licks off...
I decided before we started that the objective was to let them have a good time... even if we totally messed up the batter and didn't have any cookies to show for it. Bennett probably played with the dough for about 30 minutes. (I had to let Eden down once her sprinkles were gone :-) ) It was really messy, but Bennett did a good job of keeping most of it on the baking sheet and her hands, and she had such a good time with it. AND, an added bonus, when we were all done, we ended up with several cookies that tasted great!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Looking back at 23 weeks
How far along? My 23rd week ended on Saturday
Total weight gain/loss: 18 pounds, as of last week
Maternity clothes? Oh yeah.... and good-bye size Small... on to the Mediums (at least in shirts...)
Stretch marks? Don't think so.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best moment this week: Seeing drastic improvement from physical therapy with my hip/back. And loving my desire to cook! I made chicken casserole, roast beef and gravy (with rice, cornbread and greens too!), lasagna, cookies, and muffins, among other things, last week. Maybe this explains the whole weight-gain thing a little more :-)
Movement: Yep!
Food cravings: apples, halloween candy :-(
Gender: Sealed in the envelope still.... (we still think boy)
Name: Still working on a girls' name...
Labor Signs: nope
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Energy to run around with the girls and discipline more consistently
Weekly Wisdom: Instead of being frustrated with my weakness and limitations, I need to see this as an opportunity to see God's strength and grace, where I would normally just look to my own abilities.
Milestones: People are regularly asking me about the baby... think I've passed "is she just carrying extra weight?" to "OH! When are you due?!"
Total weight gain/loss: 18 pounds, as of last week
Maternity clothes? Oh yeah.... and good-bye size Small... on to the Mediums (at least in shirts...)
Stretch marks? Don't think so.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best moment this week: Seeing drastic improvement from physical therapy with my hip/back. And loving my desire to cook! I made chicken casserole, roast beef and gravy (with rice, cornbread and greens too!), lasagna, cookies, and muffins, among other things, last week. Maybe this explains the whole weight-gain thing a little more :-)
Movement: Yep!
Food cravings: apples, halloween candy :-(
Gender: Sealed in the envelope still.... (we still think boy)
Name: Still working on a girls' name...
Labor Signs: nope
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Energy to run around with the girls and discipline more consistently
Weekly Wisdom: Instead of being frustrated with my weakness and limitations, I need to see this as an opportunity to see God's strength and grace, where I would normally just look to my own abilities.
Milestones: People are regularly asking me about the baby... think I've passed "is she just carrying extra weight?" to "OH! When are you due?!"
Monday, November 09, 2009
Congrats, Angie and Ryan!!
Congratulations to Ryan, Angie and Noah, who welcomed little (BIG!) Eli Landon Tucker into their family yesterday morning. He weighed 9 pounds, 8 oz. and we can't wait to meet him!!
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Concert tonight
If you don't have plans already tonight, come on out to the Summit Church in Durham. Daniel and the guys will be performing On the Incarnation in concert at 7:30PM, following the Summit's 6PM evening service (Daniel will be leading music for that as well.) Hope to see ya'll there!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Fall Festival
On Saturday, Providence had a kids' fall festival. We took our little Cinderella and Elephant...
The cutest little elephant in the world! (Thanks Shelly for the costume!)
The girls loved the festival - especially the ponies! We didn't let Eden ride the pony, but she got to pet it... and tried to climb the fence once Bennett was finished, trying to get closer to them. :-)
The beautiful princess on her regal horse.... with man coughing in the background.
They also got to go down the huge inflatable slide. Daniel carried both of them to the top... which was hilarious because there was a whole line of boys behind him impatiently waiting for him to get up there. I was no help laughing my head off at the bottom of the slide!
Then, yesterday, the girls and I hit up the 75% off Halloween costumes at Target and found this gem! It's a unicorn... Bennett's feet are in the back. Too funny!
Bennett loves prancing around in it all over the house. Great little bargain find :-)
The cutest little elephant in the world! (Thanks Shelly for the costume!)
The girls loved the festival - especially the ponies! We didn't let Eden ride the pony, but she got to pet it... and tried to climb the fence once Bennett was finished, trying to get closer to them. :-)
The beautiful princess on her regal horse.... with man coughing in the background.
They also got to go down the huge inflatable slide. Daniel carried both of them to the top... which was hilarious because there was a whole line of boys behind him impatiently waiting for him to get up there. I was no help laughing my head off at the bottom of the slide!
Then, yesterday, the girls and I hit up the 75% off Halloween costumes at Target and found this gem! It's a unicorn... Bennett's feet are in the back. Too funny!
Bennett loves prancing around in it all over the house. Great little bargain find :-)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Roll Tide
Last weekend, Daniel, Bennett and I were able to go down to Alabama for the Bama/Tennessee game. It was such a wonderful trip! We got to spend time with family and see a very exciting game on top of that.
Here we are with Uncle Scott and Mama and Papa Ward at the apartment they have a few blocks from the stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Warm ups!... major energy in that stadium!
The Tide ended up winning on a blocked field goal attempt. Very exciting! Thanks for the awesome tickets, Mama and Papa Ward!...and for watching Bennett back at the apartment for us while we enjoyed the game!!
Posing with Bear Bryant :-)
Before the game, we had a chance to walk around campus with Bennett and enjoy the pre-game festivities.
Bennett loved the "princess castle"
Jump, jump!
We actually left on Thursday before the game on Saturday and spent time with family in Huntsville.
Bennett and Papa Ward reading...
We went to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens Friday morning with Mama Ward, Aunt Sandra, Emily (Daniel's cousin's wife) and her three boys, John David, Hudson, and Graham.
Bennett with John David and Hudson.
What'd you see, Bennett?!
Little Graham is so adorable!!
Then Friday night, we watched Daniel's cousin, Seth, who is a Junior in high school, play in a football game. It had been raining and the field was just a mud-pit! This is Seth... does that say #19?
Seth's cheering section (that's Daniel's cousin, John, sitting beside Daniel)
Mmmm.... hot chocolate at a high school football game on a cold October night... what more could you want?
Thanks to the Gossett family and Mama and Papa Ward for such a wonderful weekend!
Here we are with Uncle Scott and Mama and Papa Ward at the apartment they have a few blocks from the stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Warm ups!... major energy in that stadium!
The Tide ended up winning on a blocked field goal attempt. Very exciting! Thanks for the awesome tickets, Mama and Papa Ward!...and for watching Bennett back at the apartment for us while we enjoyed the game!!
Posing with Bear Bryant :-)
Before the game, we had a chance to walk around campus with Bennett and enjoy the pre-game festivities.
Bennett loved the "princess castle"
Jump, jump!
We actually left on Thursday before the game on Saturday and spent time with family in Huntsville.
Bennett and Papa Ward reading...
We went to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens Friday morning with Mama Ward, Aunt Sandra, Emily (Daniel's cousin's wife) and her three boys, John David, Hudson, and Graham.
Bennett with John David and Hudson.
What'd you see, Bennett?!
Little Graham is so adorable!!
Then Friday night, we watched Daniel's cousin, Seth, who is a Junior in high school, play in a football game. It had been raining and the field was just a mud-pit! This is Seth... does that say #19?
Seth's cheering section (that's Daniel's cousin, John, sitting beside Daniel)
Mmmm.... hot chocolate at a high school football game on a cold October night... what more could you want?
Thanks to the Gossett family and Mama and Papa Ward for such a wonderful weekend!
NC State Fair
We had a great time at the State Fair last week!
The girls LOVED looking at all the animals. They still don't know that most people go to the fair to go on rides and play games, not to stare at livestock :-)
Speaking of livestock... I feel like a cow at 21 weeks :-) (I was making a really weird face in this picture - it's cropped, not bad photography on Daniel's part...)
And, we had the BEST kettle corn we've ever eaten - yum!!! The girls went nuts over it... and evidently so did their daddy :-)
More Fair food! Better guard that corndog, Bennett.
The girls LOVED looking at all the animals. They still don't know that most people go to the fair to go on rides and play games, not to stare at livestock :-)
Speaking of livestock... I feel like a cow at 21 weeks :-) (I was making a really weird face in this picture - it's cropped, not bad photography on Daniel's part...)
And, we had the BEST kettle corn we've ever eaten - yum!!! The girls went nuts over it... and evidently so did their daddy :-)
More Fair food! Better guard that corndog, Bennett.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Week 21 and 22
How far along? 22 1/2 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 18 pounds (!!!!!) Up to 136 lbs. I'm pretty sure I had gained about 9 pounds at 22 weeks with Eden. (Sigh)
Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively (along with regular jeans held up with the bella band)
Stretch marks? Don't think so.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best moment this week: Eden saying "Baby" and Bennett asking if I could go ahead and have the baby "this weekend"
Movement: Yep!
Food cravings: sugary cereal. I'd like to hug the person who thought of Reese's Puffs!
Gender: Sealed in the envelope still.... (we still think boy)
Name: Still working on a girls' name...
Labor Signs: nope
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: A good hip!! I start physical therapy tomorrow for the pinched nerve and joint issue that's bothering me so much in my right hip.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't lift things if someone else is around to do it for me!
Milestones: Can now watch my belly move when the baby kicks.
Total weight gain/loss: 18 pounds (!!!!!) Up to 136 lbs. I'm pretty sure I had gained about 9 pounds at 22 weeks with Eden. (Sigh)
Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively (along with regular jeans held up with the bella band)
Stretch marks? Don't think so.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best moment this week: Eden saying "Baby" and Bennett asking if I could go ahead and have the baby "this weekend"
Movement: Yep!
Food cravings: sugary cereal. I'd like to hug the person who thought of Reese's Puffs!
Gender: Sealed in the envelope still.... (we still think boy)
Name: Still working on a girls' name...
Labor Signs: nope
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: A good hip!! I start physical therapy tomorrow for the pinched nerve and joint issue that's bothering me so much in my right hip.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't lift things if someone else is around to do it for me!
Milestones: Can now watch my belly move when the baby kicks.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sad day
Got a call from my parents this morning that my grandpa had taken a turn for the worst... he passed away later this afternoon. We are so thankful for the 91 years the Lord gave him, but he will be missed! Would appreciate prayers for my family... especially my parents who are driving up to Ontario now.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
On The Incarnation - Released today!!
Daniel's Christmas CD "On the Incarnation" is out today! You can get it through his website, danielrenstrom.com or on itunes... and at Providence's college class on Sunday if you'll be there! You can listen to clips of the songs on itunes. We're so excited about it!!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Great Discovery
Ice cream cone + whipped cream = Happy Eden
Yes, it's messy, but at least it doesn't melt before she has a chance to enjoy it :-)
Yes, it's messy, but at least it doesn't melt before she has a chance to enjoy it :-)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Back!
We just got back from a whirl-wind trip to Alabama this weekend. We had a blast with some of Daniel's family and at the BAMA/UT game yesterday... what a game!! Can't believe BAMA pulled it off! We left Eden in Charlotte and took Bennett down to Alabama with us. We sure missed Eden, but she was in good hands (thanks Mom and Dad R., Nat and Kathy!). I'll post pictures... as soon as I find my camera in all the junk we brought in from the car :-)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
OTI meets the younger sister....
This is the reason Eden hasn't been invited to be a part of the other Preview videos...
OTI Preview #4 from danielrenstrom on Vimeo.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
20 weeks
How far along? 21 weeks tomorrow
Total weight gain/loss: At least 500 pounds
Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively (along with regular jeans held up with the bella band)
Stretch marks? Don't think so.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best moment this week: Watching Bennett and Eden around some of our friends' babies - they LOVE babies... can't wait for them to meet their little brother or sister! (Well, I'm ready for Bennett to meet him/her.... I'm glad that Eden has a few more months to understand the "do's" and "don'ts" of loving on a newborn!)
Movement: Yep! Getting more and more powerful
Food cravings: Lollipops (help with nausea, for some reason)
Gender: Sealed in the envelope still.... (we still think boy)
Name: Still working on a girls' name...
Labor Signs: nope - but on my feet too much this weekend so feeling lots cramping
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Watched highlights of an Ironman and really wished that I could walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded
Weekly Wisdom: Fight the temptation to give in to exhaustion... don't let it take away from enjoying the time I have with Bennett and Eden
Milestones: Evidently NOT seeing an end to morning sickness - very nauseous this weekend... laid on the couch last night and couldn't get up for an hour so sick - what? that was "supposed" to end like 2 months ago! At least it's only bad in the late afternoon and evening - mornings are fine. Hoping this is just a fluke...
Total weight gain/loss: At least 500 pounds
Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively (along with regular jeans held up with the bella band)
Stretch marks? Don't think so.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best moment this week: Watching Bennett and Eden around some of our friends' babies - they LOVE babies... can't wait for them to meet their little brother or sister! (Well, I'm ready for Bennett to meet him/her.... I'm glad that Eden has a few more months to understand the "do's" and "don'ts" of loving on a newborn!)
Movement: Yep! Getting more and more powerful
Food cravings: Lollipops (help with nausea, for some reason)
Gender: Sealed in the envelope still.... (we still think boy)
Name: Still working on a girls' name...
Labor Signs: nope - but on my feet too much this weekend so feeling lots cramping
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Watched highlights of an Ironman and really wished that I could walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded
Weekly Wisdom: Fight the temptation to give in to exhaustion... don't let it take away from enjoying the time I have with Bennett and Eden
Milestones: Evidently NOT seeing an end to morning sickness - very nauseous this weekend... laid on the couch last night and couldn't get up for an hour so sick - what? that was "supposed" to end like 2 months ago! At least it's only bad in the late afternoon and evening - mornings are fine. Hoping this is just a fluke...
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Birthday pickles
Last night we went out to Raleigh Times to celebrate Daniel's 30th birthday. I tried fried pickles for the first time - yum!
This was the only picture I have of last night because I couldn't find my camera before we left... this one was from Daniel's cell phone. But I'll have more to post of this past weekend soon!
This was the only picture I have of last night because I couldn't find my camera before we left... this one was from Daniel's cell phone. But I'll have more to post of this past weekend soon!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
More of Bennett's birthday
Here are some more pictures that Nicole took of Bennett's birthday party 2 weeks ago... in no particular order :-)
Is it good, Noah Bug?
Josh and Alanna (Nicole's hubby and daughter)
I think I counted 20 kids (mostly 3 and under) there... beautiful craziness!
Poor Eden got banished to her booster seat for most of the party so that she wouldn't escape while Daniel and I got all the food ready to go!
"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!" This picture can also dub as my 18 1/2 week belly shot :-)
The cupcakes were supposed to look like apples... with a pretzel stem and gummy worm. Not sure if everyone got that, but they were yummy anyway!
Bennett and Alanna
Andy and little-Andy (aka Carson)
I think Eden looks like me in this picture. Anybody else see it?
Thanks, again, Nicole for the pictures!
Is it good, Noah Bug?
Josh and Alanna (Nicole's hubby and daughter)
I think I counted 20 kids (mostly 3 and under) there... beautiful craziness!
Poor Eden got banished to her booster seat for most of the party so that she wouldn't escape while Daniel and I got all the food ready to go!
"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!" This picture can also dub as my 18 1/2 week belly shot :-)
The cupcakes were supposed to look like apples... with a pretzel stem and gummy worm. Not sure if everyone got that, but they were yummy anyway!
Bennett and Alanna
Andy and little-Andy (aka Carson)
I think Eden looks like me in this picture. Anybody else see it?
Thanks, again, Nicole for the pictures!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
18 and 19 weeks
How far along? 20 weeks tomorrow
Total weight gain/loss: 13 pounds (AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! gained another 5 pounds last month - the "120s" came and went very quickly....)
Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively (along with regular jeans held up with the bella band)
Stretch marks? Don't think so.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best moment this week: 18 week ultrasound - loved seeing the little guy/gal "in person"!
Movement: Yep!
Food cravings: Apples
Gender: Sealed in the envelope still.... (we still think boy)
Name: Still working on a girls' name...
Labor Signs: nope
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Getting up from the couch like a normal person... I'm already a miserable sight - kind-of rocking from one side to the next and pushing off with my hands. YIKES - only 20 weeks - really?!
Weekly Wisdom: With limited energy, prioritizing is so important!! (And I need to work on this so much!!!!)
Milestones: Half of my pregnancy is over already...
Total weight gain/loss: 13 pounds (AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! gained another 5 pounds last month - the "120s" came and went very quickly....)
Maternity clothes? Almost exclusively (along with regular jeans held up with the bella band)
Stretch marks? Don't think so.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Best moment this week: 18 week ultrasound - loved seeing the little guy/gal "in person"!
Movement: Yep!
Food cravings: Apples
Gender: Sealed in the envelope still.... (we still think boy)
Name: Still working on a girls' name...
Labor Signs: nope
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Getting up from the couch like a normal person... I'm already a miserable sight - kind-of rocking from one side to the next and pushing off with my hands. YIKES - only 20 weeks - really?!
Weekly Wisdom: With limited energy, prioritizing is so important!! (And I need to work on this so much!!!!)
Milestones: Half of my pregnancy is over already...
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Bennett's party
My friend Nicole took some amazing pictures at Bennett's birthday party last week. Here's a little preview :-)
Monday, October 05, 2009
OTI preview #3
Don't you just get warm Christmas fuzzies watching the way Bennett sings this? :-)
(OH, make sure you watch to the very end - after the music ends and Bennett gets on her bed - she is so hilarious!)
(OH, make sure you watch to the very end - after the music ends and Bennett gets on her bed - she is so hilarious!)
Friday, October 02, 2009
Bad Connection
One of the girl names that Daniel and I like is "Eva"... said with a strong "E" - like "E"den. It means "light-bearer". I totally forgot about this until a few days ago when Daniel and I were searching on-line for information on the name... but Hitler's mistress and eventual wife, who he married and then committed suicide with days before Berlin fell, was named Eva Braun.
So, we're looking at this picture of Hitler and Eva Braun, and Daniel turns to me and says, "Oh, so that would be a really neat historical connection for you if we name the baby 'Eva'." WHAT? No!... any sentimental connection with Adolf Hitler should not be classified as "really neat."
In Daniel's defense, I know what he meant... I did spend several years studying, researching and writing about that particular time in history. And, we still are considering the name "Eva"... BUT only DESPITE its historical association, not because of it!!
Thursday, October 01, 2009
IT'S A.....
...debate still :-)
We had our ultrasound this morning - everything looks great. The baby is healthy and developing normally - thank the Lord! We have "the picture" that shows the sex of the baby folded and sealed with about 100 staples :-) We still aren't sure if we're going to open it.
Bennett got to go with us and did a great job. The ultrasound tech went to write "BOY" or "GIRL" on the ultrasound picture, but stopped and said, "Can she read yet?" We all laughed about how funny if Bennett yelled out "B!" while Daniel and I had our heads turned. We don't think she realized what was going on though. Fun morning!
We had our ultrasound this morning - everything looks great. The baby is healthy and developing normally - thank the Lord! We have "the picture" that shows the sex of the baby folded and sealed with about 100 staples :-) We still aren't sure if we're going to open it.
Bennett got to go with us and did a great job. The ultrasound tech went to write "BOY" or "GIRL" on the ultrasound picture, but stopped and said, "Can she read yet?" We all laughed about how funny if Bennett yelled out "B!" while Daniel and I had our heads turned. We don't think she realized what was going on though. Fun morning!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
B at 3
The other morning, I stuck my head in Bennett's room to say "good-morning" (She's not allowed to get out of bed until we come get her.) Then, I went out to the kitchen to start making breakfast. She stayed back in her room, which I thought was odd, but wasn't really concerned about it. A few minutes later she came out to the kitchen like this...
Complete with her new dress-up princess high-heels. I just died laughing at how funny she looked. (FYI- she's not in diapers any more during the day, but wears one at nap time and at night.)
Bennett at 3 years old is very active - her imagination is constantly going and she's pretty independent. She likes to do everything by herself... which is very helpful for me MOST of the time :-) She also thinks she's another mommy for Eden... which is an interesting mix of sweet and nurturing to bossy and inappropriate (like giving Eden a pop on the hand if she thinks Eden is doing something she shouldn't). And, at some point, we'll have to address Bennett's "tattling", but right now it's nice to have a running commentary of what Eden's doing ("Mommy, Eden take her ponytail out".... "Mommy, Eden hit me"...."Mommy, Eden poopied in the tub..."... "Mommy, Eden eating something"... "Where Eden go, Mommy?").
Bennett had her 3 year doctor's visit this morning... we are so thankful for a healthy, thriving little girl! She weighs 29 pounds (10th percentile)... and I think she's about 38 inches tall (about 50th percentile). The doctor told us that it was fine to give her whole milk and milkshakes if we wanted - ha, ha! Skinny girl! We love watching her grow and understand more and more about the world around her. The Lord has blessed us so much!
Complete with her new dress-up princess high-heels. I just died laughing at how funny she looked. (FYI- she's not in diapers any more during the day, but wears one at nap time and at night.)
Bennett at 3 years old is very active - her imagination is constantly going and she's pretty independent. She likes to do everything by herself... which is very helpful for me MOST of the time :-) She also thinks she's another mommy for Eden... which is an interesting mix of sweet and nurturing to bossy and inappropriate (like giving Eden a pop on the hand if she thinks Eden is doing something she shouldn't). And, at some point, we'll have to address Bennett's "tattling", but right now it's nice to have a running commentary of what Eden's doing ("Mommy, Eden take her ponytail out".... "Mommy, Eden hit me"...."Mommy, Eden poopied in the tub..."... "Mommy, Eden eating something"... "Where Eden go, Mommy?").
Bennett had her 3 year doctor's visit this morning... we are so thankful for a healthy, thriving little girl! She weighs 29 pounds (10th percentile)... and I think she's about 38 inches tall (about 50th percentile). The doctor told us that it was fine to give her whole milk and milkshakes if we wanted - ha, ha! Skinny girl! We love watching her grow and understand more and more about the world around her. The Lord has blessed us so much!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Welcome little Elliot!
Our friends Chris and Kristen welcomed little James Elliot into their family last night.
He was born at 11:43, weighed 8 1/2 pounds and stretched 21 inches.
Congrats, Chris, Kristen and Big Sister Ruthie!!
He was born at 11:43, weighed 8 1/2 pounds and stretched 21 inches.
Congrats, Chris, Kristen and Big Sister Ruthie!!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Bennett is feeling a little more comfortable with these videos, as you can see....
Saturday, September 26, 2009
17 weeks
How far along? 18 weeks tomorrow
Total weight gain/loss: don't think I've gained much more than 8 pounds... got on our scale yesterday and it looked right about the weight I was at 14 weeks (126 lbs.). (Our scale can be hard to read - kind-of get a general idea within about 3 pounds)
Maternity clothes? Wearing less and less non-maternity clothes. The Bella-band is back in business :-)
Stretch marks? Don't think so.
Sleep: Good - more comfortable than the last few weeks... not sure why. But, wasn't feeling well one night this week (virus?) and was up for about 2 hours - yuck!
Best moment this week: Wondering if this baby will have the same adorable/mischievous grin that Eden has right now. Love it!
Movement: Yep! Several times a day.
Food cravings: Pickles.
Gender: Still thinking boy... gotta figure out if we're going to find out the gender this THURSDAY - ahhh!!
Name: Still working on a girls' name...
Labor Signs: Lots of tightening/cramping this week... think I had some sort of bug that set it off.
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Patience
Weekly Wisdom: Need to trust that the Lord will use my weakness (lack of energy, lack of patience, sick on-and-off) to show His strength.
Milestones:Feeling daily movement.
Total weight gain/loss: don't think I've gained much more than 8 pounds... got on our scale yesterday and it looked right about the weight I was at 14 weeks (126 lbs.). (Our scale can be hard to read - kind-of get a general idea within about 3 pounds)
Maternity clothes? Wearing less and less non-maternity clothes. The Bella-band is back in business :-)
Stretch marks? Don't think so.
Sleep: Good - more comfortable than the last few weeks... not sure why. But, wasn't feeling well one night this week (virus?) and was up for about 2 hours - yuck!
Best moment this week: Wondering if this baby will have the same adorable/mischievous grin that Eden has right now. Love it!
Movement: Yep! Several times a day.
Food cravings: Pickles.
Gender: Still thinking boy... gotta figure out if we're going to find out the gender this THURSDAY - ahhh!!
Name: Still working on a girls' name...
Labor Signs: Lots of tightening/cramping this week... think I had some sort of bug that set it off.
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Patience
Weekly Wisdom: Need to trust that the Lord will use my weakness (lack of energy, lack of patience, sick on-and-off) to show His strength.
Milestones:Feeling daily movement.
More Bennett Birthday Pictures
Bright 'n early! Daniel made chocolate chip banana bread for us and Bennett got to open one of her birthday presents...
... a Cinderella dress!
Checkin' it out.
Then, after Daniel got home from work, we ate dinner together. Bennett asked for "Chicken and Chips and Dip (Salsa)" so I did Mexican. Then we ate some yummy birthday cake and Bennett got to open her guitar.
Eden LOVES Funfetti cake (who doesn't?!). Here she is very passionately asking for "More, please."
(After-thought: After I posted this, I was looking at the first picture and realized that when this next baby comes, we're going to be short a chair at the kitchen table!... we only have these 4. When guests come over, we pull out some folding chairs we keep in the hall closet. Those won't work on a permanent basis! Hmmm... "dining room chair" is not anything I thought I'd ever have on my Christmas list - ha, ha!)
... a Cinderella dress!
Checkin' it out.
Then, after Daniel got home from work, we ate dinner together. Bennett asked for "Chicken and Chips and Dip (Salsa)" so I did Mexican. Then we ate some yummy birthday cake and Bennett got to open her guitar.
Eden LOVES Funfetti cake (who doesn't?!). Here she is very passionately asking for "More, please."
(After-thought: After I posted this, I was looking at the first picture and realized that when this next baby comes, we're going to be short a chair at the kitchen table!... we only have these 4. When guests come over, we pull out some folding chairs we keep in the hall closet. Those won't work on a permanent basis! Hmmm... "dining room chair" is not anything I thought I'd ever have on my Christmas list - ha, ha!)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Just like Daddy
We got Bennett a little guitar for her birthday. I was totally cracking up watching her try to play it... sometimes Daniel will prop his foot up on a chair to play if he's standing up. Bennett had her guitar in the kitchen yesterday and decided to try that too. It works out a little better if you're, say, 6 feet tall, and not 3 feet tall.
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