The Latest Hodge Podge

Ok. So I have tons to post about that I'm not sure I'll even remember it all. So I'll just list stuff that comes to my head.

So the rest of the country has had a major heat wave, and I have been VERY thankful we were the one little green spot across the whole US on the temperature map. Well, we are part of that heat wave now. Granted, it's mid-80's as opposed to 100's. But at least you all have air conditioning. Because this piece of country is so mild to cool year round, many homes/apts aren't built with AC. We got a fan at target today. It has yet to get below 80 INSIDE our apt. Praise the Lord night is coming.

Judah's 4 month appt was on Monday. He is 16.8 lbs and 25.something inches long. We admit we thought he'd weigh much more...we've already put him in size 3 diapers. I guess it makes sense though because size 3 ranges from 16-28 lbs. He'll be in them for a while to say the least. He got three shots and an elective oral vaccine (against rotovirus, flu like illness). He didn't scream as long or as shrill as last time, but it was still heart breaking. He recovers well from injury. He got a very slight fever for a bit and a red bump on one leg, but he's good. Except...

He has definitely mastered the art of squealing and screaming. Sometimes for play, most times to fuss and complain. I would definitely say that this is the first week since that hard 2nd week of his life that I am nearing the end of my rope. I've even made up a patience song for MYself (though I don't recall the tune at the moment). I'm sure the heat is not helping his mood or mine. He is still cute, though, when he isn't doing fussy squealing. Matt called him "Wilbur" this week as in the pig off of Charlotte's Web. :-P

We started him on rice cereal this week as the doctor suggested. He has taken to eating "real" food quite well. After the first few bites, he was already opening wide for more! However, I think we are going to stop the cereal for a few days. He's had "number 2" problems for a while as in too much, but now it's a too little problem. I researched and found that though rice cereal is the #1 first baby food across the board, it is also the most constipating. I'm sure Judah will appreciate me someday for talking about his delicate matters on the Internet. ;-)

I'm so excited for Sunday. The cry room now has a real changing table and clock! No more huge wardrobe-turned-double-decker-cribs thing that is virtually indescribable and no more fumbling with a cell phone to check the time. That room is slowly turning from dingy dungeon to heavenly haven! I'm gonna contact a lady in our church who does painting/murals to see if she'll finish the walls that have not been done. Oh shoot. I meant to take pictures of before. I guess after will have to do. :-)

I think we might go swimming tomorrow. It's certainly warm enough, and I've just been waiting on the edge of my seat to take Judah swimming! Water baby he will be! He adores bath time...splashing ALL of us quite well.

He is not rolling over yet, BUT he is finally using his arms to help hold himself up when he's on his belly. Before he would just use his back/neck muscles the whole time. I kept trying to convince him it would feel better to use his arms. Now he believes me. He can also semi-sit up by himself. He leans forward and puts his hands on the ground and that's what holds him up. But he usually ends up folded completely in half and then falling over and flipping his feet out so he's on his belly. He holds his feet in his hands ALL the time when he's on his back. He's our little rolly polly.

I was awakened with a start the other night by a blood sucking vampire. I have not had a mosquito bite in AGES and they certainly are not common in California (at least the areas I've lived in). He bit me near my collar bone and on my hand. The one on my collar bone is is quite large but not all red which is unusual for me. And last night on the news, what story do they have but "4 confirmed cases of West Nile in humans in several counties of California." Wonderful. 2 happen to be right next to our county. I keep telling myself that IF I got West Nile from the now long dead mosquito, it would be an unarguable God thing. It's not like I can wear Off to bed or anything. I mean, who gets bitten in the middle of the night in their bedroom when they've spent 5 years in Cali without one bite??

Here's some pictures. My brain's about to fry from info overload.

What TV mom am I?

Clair Huxtable, The Cosby Show

You're a modern yet sensible mom. You keep up with trends you feel like following, and ignore the rest (platform shoes? don't think so!). Often, you're the most rational head in the family -- including your partner! And when all hell breaks loose, you know exactly how to cut through the nonsense. Still, you're not a killjoy -- you encourage your kids to have fun. But they definitely know who's boss. The Bottom Line: Your parenting style is based on open communication, discipline, and reasoning.

I think that's pretty accurate! :-) Try it for yourself.

Which TV Mom Are You?

I Love My Lips

For any of you that have seen the Veggie Tales' Silly Song where Larry sings a song called "I Love My Lips," then you know what I mean when I say Judah is a lip lover. He just works them, sucks them, pooches them. It's so hilariously cute! I'll get Matt to post a recent video of this Lip-lip-lipping.

Poochy lips...and then they vanish!



Who's eating who?? A Humphrey smile.



And could I get some opinion about the colors? My mom said the background looks black, but if I even change it the slightest bit lighter I have to change almost everything else. Jaclyn said it looks like navy to her. So leave a comment and tell me what you think!

I've Got a Plan

This week has been my week for trying to nail down a good schedule for myself with home tasks, devotions, keeping up with e-mail and blogging, and other tasks. I have an idea...what if I alternate days of posting on my blogs? That way it's not FOREVER with any of them, esp Spanish Morning which involves pictures. The longer I wait to post on it, the more pictures I want to upload which takes longer and "longer" is not something I can do.

So check out http://sanctifyingtruth.blogspot.com for today's post.

Happy July!

I took the time to make a document for myself to help streamline future blog color changes. I like to be festive with each month...so Happy July!

Here's a few pictures to tickle your fancy!

4th of July at Rich and Diane's. LeeLee (4 yrs) took the pic of me.



We got Judah a new toy -- a big one! He is very into standing right now, so we thought we'd help him along. Note the chubby little legs. :-)



Fun picture time with Momma and Daddy. And an adorable sleeper MaMaw got him...note the teddies on his toes!

Rewind

So we finally got some film developed (yeah, the olden days, I know) from when Judah was first born...as in, the operating room. His very first photos. Now, some of you may think I am brave in posting some of these. I agree. But for those that did not get to be here, you will now get to see what I look like "fat" (aka very swollen from all the fluids being pumped into me as well as post-labor/operation reaction).

They brought him around the curtain for a second right after they pulled him out so I could see him. No pictures allowed yet. Then they took him to get him cleaned up and warm, and Matt was able to take pictures for that. Then they brought him back to me, and I got to touch him. I do remember it, but not too vividly due to the amazing warm numbness that enveloped my body. Not to mention how tired I was from labor.

And all sooo worth the blessing!

And if any of you ever doubted who Judah looks like...take a looksie at some of Matt's baby pictures.

More Pictures Finally

Let's see how much Blogger will cooperate now.

Now, where were we...oh yes. Alcatrez.

Our boat. A typical cell.



The cutest jailbird there. A picture perfect view...from behind bars and through broken glass.



Just part of the skyline. A cute couple...and the couple next to us is wearing the same colors...odd.



Architecture around San Francisco. A church. How close the houses are (and I love the colors and textures).




The opera house. More close houses -- the famous San Fran house fronts.



Anotehr church. A small cafe in the Italian district that had the BEST pastry I've ever had, and I'm not one for pastry. It was so light and airy -- and was amoretto flavored (sp?).



A quick shot of Chinatown (cool how the front is still and the back is blurred, huh?). Judah Street -- I even saw a train with the destination "Judah" on it's ticker.



A restaurant that "serves food with [their] garlic -- they even have garlic ice cream. Fisherman's warf.



The retired Jeremiah Obrien. An artsy dock picture Matt took.



Some famous pyramid building. And a very cool California picture in my opinion -- buildings, palms, and a clear blue sky (though right now it's only clear for the afternoons).



Driving home, sunset on the bay. A tired little boy.





Well I was going to post cute pics of Judah to help sooth your eyes from San Fran when I know you wanted more Judah...but unfortunately, now is the time Blogger chose to stop uploading my pictures.

I promise I will try again tomorrow. I've got some adorable and hilarious ones! Not to mention, I still have aquarium and 17 mile drive pictures...

Our 2nd Anniversary

Well, yesterday started year number three for us. It has been so amazing...2 years seems like such a short time because of all the moving and baby-having, and yet it seems like we have been married forever (in a good way).

We had a wonderful day, though it was not too much out of the ordinary. We started off the day with some Starbucks, a new tradition we have because that is how we started off the day of our wedding -- coffee alone at Starbucks (until our wedding coordinator happened to pop in). :-) Then we went to church, came home and had a snack, fed Judah. Then we went to Outback! Compliments of my family. It was SO tasty! Matt was able to get his absolute favorite...ribs. And I was able to try something new, the Walhalla Pasta. It was perfection. I went in wanting to try an alfredo chicken pasta dish. As I was looking at the menu, I thought "Pasta alfredo with chicken and their steamed veggies mixed in would be perfect. I wonder if they would do that for me." Well, that's EXACTLY what Walhalla Pasta is. So light, healthy, and refreshing. Their alfredo sauce isn't the thick creamy stuff you find slathered on other alfredo dishes. You can hardly see it and they don't pile it on. Try it! Then we rented a movie and relaxed the rest of the day.

Our conversation at Outback was wonderful! We talked about memories from the past year. One of my favorite memories was driving across country with Matt. It was so fun to stay in a different place each night, stay with Beth and Curtis, take in the scenery, see the Grand Canyon, stay with the Jensens...what an adventure that was! But of course mostly we talked about the day Judah was born. I asked Matt questions like "What were you thinking when..." and he asked me some questions. Not many people have asked me questions about that day, what it was like and what I was thinking, so it was fun to talk about it. (It was also fun to have lots of people stop and comment on Judah's cuteness!)

Last night we played the Josh Groban songs we had as our first and last dance at the reception while we looked at our wedding album (another tradition we started). It was so fun to remember all the thoughts and feelings we had -- I hope we never forget! And maybe if we do this each year, it will help us hold on to such sweet memories of how we started life together. All my bridesmaids were so pretty and diverse. The groomsmen were such good friends and a joy to have around. Our ushers were all handsome. Lots of people in Matt's family look like they could be movie stars. The flowers were GORGEOUS. The DJ was aweful. The cake was excellent. I still can't believe Thomas caught the garter...but that's better than if D-Rob had gotten it! And on and on...

I thank God for Matt. I thank Him for guiding both our lives to help us become who we are today...perfect for each other. There is no greater companion to walk the adventure of life than the one God has chosen for you!

I love you, Matt!

...and for you Judah hungry readers...