Teenage Mutant Ninja "Turtle"

Some friends of ours cleaned out their kids old videos the other day. They passed the discarded ones onto us. We were really excited. One that Streed is especially excited about is the Turtles. He was already into action movies and fight scenes in particular since he loves "Narnie" aka The Chronicles of Narnia. But, after watching the Ninja Turtles he has taken it to another level. I am limiting his watching of it. This is a picture of the fierce Streed. Be afraid, be very afraid. In case you are wondering, or feeling sorry for him that a broom is his sword...he is not allowed to play with swords anymore. Chip's mom works for an oral surgeon. A little boy came in one day with a serious injury due to playing with a plastic sword. We were ordered to take them from him. Don't you love the backwards underwear. Also, I put "turtle" in parenthesis because that was Streed's nickname when he was a baby.

Funeral/Celebration Service

Chip and I attended a funeral today for a 3 week old baby girl. She was the first born of a couple here. Chip met the husband when he was a student at SLU and we just met his wife last summer. (Chip met Eddie in the dorms. He played on Chip's intramural softball team one year and went to one Christmas Conference. It was at this Christmas Conference that Eddie became a Christian one morning while he and Chip were talking about the Lord over breakfast.) We met Amy the week we both found out we were pregnant and we were both actually due on March 9. She ended up having a c-section on Feb 24th and me on the 28th. It was not until her baby was born that they discovered she had a chromosomal abnormality. They knew immediately that she most likely would not make it very long. I haven't heard all the details but I know she was loved hard those 3 weeks.

The couple was so strong today. They wanted it to be a celebration of her life and the time they had with her. The pastor said it was a celebration because she was created perfectly and was now in a perfected state with her creator. The pastor spoke, the daddy spoke, they showed a slide show which included pictures and tons of scripture and then they opened the floor for anyone to share about how they had been touched by Rebekah. Almost everyone spoke about how Amy & Eddie's faith and commitment to the Word is what impacted them the most. This encouraged me that years ago when Eddie became a believer and decided to follow the Lord, God knew what he would have to walk through. I am so thankful that Chip was a part of his life and his faith. I am well aware that God did the work in Eddie's life, he just used Chip (among others). What is neat is that after he became a believer, he and Chip actually lost touch. Chip bumped him a few years ago and asked him where he had been. He said after he became a Christian he had to get away. He got plugged into a local church and had been growing. It is very evident as we have spent time with him this past year. When you think about Baby Nate pray for the family of Amy & Eddie Koch (pronounced Koe) as he and Rebekah were almost the same age.

Attn Days Fans

How many times can Hope get kidnapped, really? This has become my down time as I eat my lunch and the kids nap. I know I could use the time a little more wisely. Maybe I will do that soon.

Sick Sissy

Ella cried off and on last night in her sleep and felt hot when I went in there. She then took an early nap. This tells us she 1. doesn't feel well and 2. probably has an ear infection. So, this afternoon I took her to the doctor and there is fluid on her ear but the pain and fever seem to be more related to a sinus infection and a red throat. Poor baby fell asleep on the couch when we got home. She is SICK...she only sleeps in her crib, in her sleep sac, with her baby and paci.

Sleeping Nate

I don't need no paci. I don't need no sleep sac nor a swaddler. Just put me on my tummy and leave me alone.

Awake Nate

Nate is having more awake time. About an hour (including his feeding time). Our routine the past day or so has been to eat and then "play" on his mat for about 15 minutes or until he starts yawning/fussing. Then it is off to the old pack-n-play for a 2 hour nap. This afternoon Streed got on the bed with him and was talking to him. I heard him say, "hey baby nate. peek-a-boo."

Another Hand-Me-Down

Yesterday Ella wore my old Easter dress. My mom took a smocking class and made me this dress when I was three. Nate was sleeping while I was taking these pictures. I basically scooped him up right before we left for church. I am sure it won't be long before he too is a part of their photo shoots.

Easter Bunnies

These were Ella's ears last Easter. She loves to share with Taylor.

Sweet Nathan

Here is the sweetest baby. He sleeps ALOT and rarely cries. The kids love him.

Time with Nana

Chip's mom came and helped us out for a week. She did lots of fun stuff with the older kids like coloring eggs, painting a bird house and playing in the yard. Here they are painting the bird house...and Ella's face.

Bubbles

Ella blowing bubbles. She looks cute in all she does.

Look Close and Look Quick

Nathan has started opening his eyes a LITTLE bit more. They are looking bright blue like Streed's.

Easter Egg Hunt

Last Saturday our church had an Easter Egg Hunt at a park in town. It was a gorgeous day. Ella had her hair up all week while Chip's mom was here. Chip later said he didn't like it b/c he couldn't see her curls. I don't know what was wrong with Streed in the picture of us. He perked up once the hunt began. Ella was enjoying her corn dog.

One week old

OUR new baby

Streed and Ella are in love. Streed likes to hold him for about 10 seconds but they always like to know where he is, what he's doing, what I'm doing etc. They seem to be adjusting well.
We like to feed him...even when he's not hungry.
We like to sit by him and mommy.

And we like to sit in his swing. (The other boy is our friend Pete from down the street.)

Guess Who's 18 months?

Sweet Ella bug turned 18 months this week. She is just so precious to our family. She is full of energy, super independent and is trying so hard to talk. From very early on I noticed she was passionate and determined...I started praying then that the Lord would use these traits for His Glory and Kingdom. What she loves--making funny faces, all things food, her brothers, sleep, her baby and paci, being with people. Enjoy these pics from the past year and a half. Notice that she hasn't gained a whole lot of weight in the past year. She has just gotten taller. I mean, just feast on the rolls of her 6 month picture!

1 week
3 mts 6mts
12 mts
18 mts

Yummy

Our church is providing meals for us right now. I think we have them coming for about 10 days which is such a blessing. People cook a lot of food too so we may actually have left overs for the whole month! Since people were bringing dinners, Jill brought us breakfast the other day. I just dipped into the sausage and cheese quiche this morning. Yum-O! After I had warmed it up I made the comment that I would really like an iced coffee to go with it. Chip scooped up the toddlers and went and got me one! So sweet. He has been such a great help this past week. He said last night that he doesn't feel like he has gotten much time with Nathan because he has been with the others so much. I told him that that is the need right now. During the middle of the night is just not Chip's strong suit. He would agree to this too. I however am fine. And, with nursing, there isn't much for him to do anyway. I remember one night in the hospital him sitting up in his "bed", head propped on hand, eyes closed, asleep. I finally told him to lay down and sleep. I need him to help with the other two right now. He goes back to work Monday but Chip's mom is coming today and will be here for a week. So, I am not totally on my own yet. I think I would be freaking out at this point if I was.

Day 7--A Schedule is Heaven

Nathan has seemingly settled into a 3 hour eating schedule. I am trying to start it at 7 or 7:30. Two nights ago he slept for a 5 hour stretch and last night a 4 hour stretch. Big babies are a blessing because they are generally good sleepers. Knowing when he is going to eat is so helpful as far as planning out my day.

Day 6--This Latch Needs A Fix

I visited the lactation consultant. Nathan is eating well but he is killing me. It was decided he is doing something not quite right so I just have to work with him at each feeding.

Day 5--With Help I am Feeling Alive

My mom and step-dad came in town and HELPED for a few days. Mama played with the kids and kept the kitchen and play room clean. They watched them while I had my staples removed and took Nate for his check up. I feel like a new woman now that those staples are gone. Nate is back up to 10lbs. He was 9lb 11oz when we left the hospital. My church is providing meals for 10 days! It is so nice to not have to think about dinner. All you have to do is wonder what you are having that night. It has been such a blessing.

Day 4--Family of Four No More

We came home on Sunday to an eager older brother and sister. They were so excited to see Baby Nate. Streed and Ella both LOVE him so much. They are intrigued by him. Ella was struggling the first day he was born, as is evident in this picture. When Chip brought them to visit there were a lot of people in my room. Ella would have nothing to do with me. She only went to Chip or Jill. She was much better the second day they came to visit.

Day 3--Mommy & Me

Even though we had GREAT help with the kids while I was in the hospital, Chip went home a good bit each day and helped with dinner, bath, bed etc. My mom and Robyn helped the first few days I was in the hospital and then my dad came and kept them by himself for two days and one night. I had very few visitors at the hospital which was what I needed. I was really sore and didn't want to entertain. So, Nathan and I got good time together. I took LOTS of pictures of his sweet features.

Day 2--What Did I Do?

This day was TOUGH as far as pain goes. When I was up and moving around I told Chip that I just decided that I was finished having kids.

Day 1--Nathan's Life Has Just Begun

I had a scheduled section on Feb 28, 2008, 10 days earlier than my due date. That early he was 10 1/2 lbs! I realize he looks like a 1 yr old in this picture but he really is just a little peanut.