There is now no excuse

For days I was feeling trapped in the house. Obviously it is not impossible to venture out with two kids, but it is a challenge. The other day I needed to go to the mall. I could have put Ella in Streed's old stroller and just held Streed's hand. However, I could not for the life of me imagine walking from the car, through the parking lot and getting anything done in the mall without having him restrained (I have tried it before). So, I didn't go. Instead I got online and found a stylin new double jogging stroller. I totally feel like a rich stay-at-home mom when I am using it. We found it at Target and then found it $40 cheaper on ebay. So now there is no excuse...I must jog. Technically a baby isn't supposed to ride in one until they are 6 months old and have good control of their neck. So, for now we will be walking. But, come March I expect you all to ask if I am jogging.

Streedy Turns "Do"

Tuesday was Streed's second birthday. Chip worked with him all week to say he was two. He says it but it comes out more like "do". We had a little family party today at the house. We grilled out and had a Bob the Builder cake. The big deal present was from Chip's parents. They bought him an Auburn football uniform. He did not put down or take off the helmet for long all day. He even rode around town in his carseat with it on. He took a spill and bumped his head early in the party. He then entertained the crowd by reinacting the incident. I wish you all could have seen it. It is hard to explain.

I wanted to included this picture for those of you who haven't seen me since this summer or who never knew me not pregnant (my Brazilian friends). I am almost back to "normal".

Streed is helping me get the plates ready for the cake. He is not into sweets (can you believe it Amy?) so he didn't eat any cake. I didn't think he would but what is a birthday party without cake!

Home Sweet Home

FYI: I am normally not into long blogs but I didn't want to spare any details.

Well, after 4 years and countless talks about selling our house, we have officially listed it with an agent. Chip and I have always been burdened by our school debt. This is usually what has driven our desire to sell. In the past we would occassionally check to see what houses were for sale and where we could make a buck or several thousand. Nothing ever panned out. When we returned from Brazil we were praying one day as a staff team. Casey Williamson prayed that all of our houses would be used for ministry and would be always open to the students. I immediately started crying and praying for God to open doors for us to move closer to campus. We live 4 miles from campus which doesn't sound like a lot but it is when you think about people just dropping by. Students have commented/complained for years about how far it is to our house. So, we started looking. Everything in south Louisiana is high right now. Houses around the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University are outrageous! A house came up that needed some work, but we were up for the challenge. Then we found out that it had a cracked slab. We were not up to this challenge or the expense it would take to fix it. So, we kind of slacked off on the pursuit.

This week's order of events: After church last Sunday we went out to eat and ran into my old boss. Later that day I realized I had a voice mail but my phone died before I could charge it. While it was charging I spent time in the Word using an Amy Charmichael devotion. The chapter was on prayer. I was challenged to really ask God for our needs. I spent time praying specifically about a house less than 1 mile from campus. Afterwards I checked my voice mail. It was from my old boss. She called to tell me (without knowing we were looking) of a house near her (4 blocks from campus) that was for lease. We hadn't even considered this option until then because rent right now is close to $1000/mth in Hammond. But, Chip called the realtor and this one was affordable! Before we even went inside it we got counsel from several people we respect, including some men who are certified in Crown Financial Ministries. Everyone gave us the go ahead. So, on Monday we met with the realtor and saw the rental. Wednesday we had a sign in our yard. Friday we had our first showing. Can't wait to see what the next days will hold.

Oh yea, this sale will allow us to pay off ALL of our debt!

Paci Anyone?

Streed never took a pacifier. Ella uses one occassionally. However, when she needs it she has to vie for possession of it. I originally bought a pack of two. Streed promptly lost the white one so now they "share" the pink one. I look at it as building up her immunities.

I've tried to add pictures twice. Blogger is really getting on my nerves! I may try again later. There are some really cute ones.

OK. I decided to load them all separately and we have success. Enjoy.

The Fam

Here is our family with our newest addition, Ella. She was 10 days old here. When I saw this picture I joked that she looked like Streed in a dress. It is really odd to look at. In this picture she looks IDENTICAL to Streed as a baby. It really is Streedella.

Double Daddy Duty

Chip is settling into his new role--father of a daughter. This has been different for him so far. I think he is more timid or scared he is going to hurt her than he was Streed. The first few days she would scream in a really high-pitched shrill like a pterodactyl whenever you would change her diaper. This traumatized him. But, he is pushing through and being a really good helper.

PINK

Everything is pink with a baby girl, including the roses from my mom and sister. I was having a really teary day on the 2nd day home from the hospital. They felt sorry for me and came home with some pink roses. Thanks Gran and Aunt Wobyn.

Week One

Ella turned 1 week old yesterday. I took this picture of her yesterday because she looked so chilled out. She pretty much sleeps all day. Amazingly enough she slept through the night last night! I fed her at 11:30pm. We were hoping she would sleep until 3. I woke up at 5:20 and she was still asleep. Needless to say I did not wake her. I waited till she woke up at 6:30. We will see if it was a fluke or not. Remember, she is a 9 lb-er.

Botherly Love

For those of you who know Streed, you know he is a sweet little boy. This has continued to be true with the arrival of his little sister Ella. He can barely walk past her without giving her kisses. Tonight while I was feeding her he was kissing her toes and fingers.

She's Here

Ella Claire's stats:

• Sept 6, 2006
• 3:52 pm
• 9 lb 8 oz
• 19 1/2"
• head full of black hair

I went for my weekly checkup last Tuesday. I had not progressed any from the week before. We knew the baby was big so we decided to induce labor the next day. I went in at 6:30am, they broke my water at 8:30am, got an epidural around lunch, had a baby a few hours later.

My midwife, Mary Byers, delivered her. She said at my 32 week check up that we were looking at a 9 1/2 lb baby at 38 weeks. I delivered a 9 1/2 lb baby at 38 1/2 weeks. Even though I delivered Streed (7.1 lb) by cesarean, Mary was on my team and let me try to deliver her. I am thankful that she allowed Chip and I to make the decision. The verdict is still out on whether or not this is a good thing!