My little Van Gogh

Isaiah is 10 months old today and we celebrated with a trip to the mall to walk with our friends Kristin (who really needs to join our blog world...hint, Kristin) and Lily (her precious little girl who's close to Isaiah's age). We also stopped at Starbucks and a cute kids consignment shop by our house. We came home with a couple new bathing suits, sandals and a hat, all for Isaiah, although, I'm pretty sure the whole trip was more fun for me.

I just cannot understand why anyone wouldn't enjoy shopping and then sitting in Starbucks for an hour drinking coffee!

Then we tried our hands at finger painting! Again, I think this was more fun for me. He seemed to enjoy parts of it for awhile, but I wanted him to do some hand prints and I think he just wanted to make a mess (which he did). So when he got upset the first thing he did (of course) was shove fingers in his mouth.

Oh well. We'll keep trying. I think it was worth it to him since he got to play in the tub!

Holiday at the sea

"...it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. "

C.S. Lewis picked the perfect illustration, in my opinion, to show us how profoundly sad and absurd it is when we reject the reward of communion with God to eat worldly crumbs and play in mud pies.

It's fresh on my mind since we just got back from our own holiday at the sea (ok, we got back last Tuesday) and about a day after being home I was having withdrawls and planning the next trip which will be as soon as possible.

Josh's grandparents bought a great little piece of land in North Myrtle Beach back in the 70's. It's a double lot one row back from the beach with a building that has four separate, cozy apartments. Josh's parents now own it and have provided their family with an amazing place to unwind and relax together whenever we want to. We LOVE it!!! It's the most amazing feeling to wake up, and while fixing my coffee be able to stare at the glittering ocean greeting me first thing in the morning.

I went with my best friend from college, Meghann, late Wednesday night (had to see Jordin win American Idol) and arrived early Thursday morning. Josh came Friday after work and stayed until Monday. We talked Meghann into calling into work for one more vacation day (which she never does) and staying until Tuesday. We just weren't ready to leave. I think the beach comes with a 5 night minimum.

We spent our time either on the beach or in the apartment playing Yahtzee, cards, watching movies (or in my case, sleeping), eating, reading (Meg's a faithful TIME reader), having great conversations and getting ready to go back out on the beach. The weather was perfect everyday....very warm and sunny.

Isaiah was a challenge on the beach as long as I was trying to keep him from grabbing handfulls of sand and either eating it or smearing it on his face. It seems that the whole skin exfoliation idea was ours from birth. I finally let go and let him have his fun, while smothering him in wipes. Meg was a big advocate for letting him dig in and, as you see in the pictures, they won out a couple times.

When I wasn't bothering him, he had a blast...even sitting in the surf and letting it splash up on him. He was born to be a beach baby!

I have a feeling you will get sick of seeing beach pictures as the summer wears on. I'm planning many more trips!

Meg has declared herself his girlfriend until he's 5. I'm not sure this is appropriate behavior, Meg.

Ah ha! That's what these silly things do!

Taking a shower....he loved it!

This is the sweet face of the little boy who yelled out "you suck!"....twice! (I'll tell the story if you ask me.....it's rather embarrassing)

"I. D. K......my B. F. F. Meg?"

Newest addition!!!

This is the brand new addition to the quickly growing family! The fourth grandchild (third within a year), meet Kayla Jane.

She was born this morning at 9:32 weighing in at 6 lbs 12 oz and 18 inches long.

She's TINY!!!

Mom and baby are both in great shape and are recovering well.

Congrat, you guys!


Aunt Stacey
Super proud daddy, Chris.

Yay! Another baby!

(I know you can't really see Kayla. I'll get some better pictures soon.)

Pictures in the park

My sister, brother, dad, neice, Josh, Isaiah and I met last week at Frank Lisk Park to take pictures of us kids for mom. It was a gorgeous afternoon there and I had forgotten how scenic that park is!

We took over 250 pictures of all of us and here are a few of my favorites (we are not professionals, mind you).

How it all started...

Me and my sister Doria trying to look sassy

Doria and her daughter Trinity (who's every bit as sassy as she is!)

Trinity with her prize for taking lots of pictures with us. She's wearing the flower necklace uncle Josh made for her on her head.

Family Pic....much harder than it looks.
(not pictured: Darren's fiancee Brittany who had to work)

Just the 3 of us....Me, Darren and Doria. Darren had to leave early so I don't have many pics of him.

Trying to get a kiss

Hanging out with Daddy in the tree tops.

Josh and Isaiah got pooed on! Poor boys....taking one for the team.

Not too happy.

My first Mother's Day

What a day!!! We were so busy going to visit both of our mom's (and the rest of our extended families) so it was pretty late when we got home. We had a great day, and loved being able to take the opportunity to tell our moms once again how much we love them and treasure them in our lives. I'm very close to my mom so the day has always had a special place in my heart, but this year it reached a whole new level. I didn't know it would affect me so deeply. I love being a mommy to Isaiah!

I know there will be plenty of trying seasons ahead learning to parent and struggling with discipline issues and sin...but for right now, I have to say, there are few moments in the day that I don't just totally enjoy him and bask in his flirty little smiles and giggles. I have really enjoyed this season with him and will cherish these memories.

So here's what happened: We got home around 8:30pm and put Isaiah down. Then I had to stay in our bedroom while Josh "set up" the rest of the house. He had kept the door to the office locked (I know, he doesn't trust me not to peek) for the past several days working on his little mother's day project for me.

He has come up with some very creative gifts for me in the past, but this was one of my all time favorites. He planned a scavenger hunt for me using a powerpoint presentation on my handheld device to give me clues to different prizes hiding around the house. All the clues had something to do with being a mom to Isaiah and if I guessed the right answer I went to that location and found a prize like a starbucks card, mother's day cards, chocolate and flowers (I was very clear about wanting flowers)! It's hard to explain technologically how it all worked together (that's why I call him techno-geek) but it made me laugh, cry and love him even more. My favorite part was probably the super humbling and encouraging words he wrote in his cards to me. I'm truly undeserving!

Here are a couple of the slides:

***the prize was under the little camera over his crib that we use to see him on our video monitor.

*** The last slide. Reads: "I couldn't ask for a better wife or mother than you. You put up with so much from both of us boys, and I want you to feel extra special today. You're incredible and beautiful and I love you."

***The message I got if I chose the wrong answer....cute, honey.

***my big bouquet of gorgeous flowers. You should see the lilies in person!


Thank you, baby, for making my first Mother's Day one that I will remember and cherish the rest of my life. I feel so loved by you.

First Mandibular Central Incisor!

I know you can't see it, but when I got Isaiah up from his nap Tuesday this little guy was poking through!

I had been on the brink of worrying because he's 9 1/2 mos, but my mom said that's exactly how old I was when I got my first tooth.

Truth be told, that's just fine with me!
(he's not on formula)

Catch up

Sorry for those of you that have been bored with my blog the last week or so. I have so much to post on that I get overwhelmed and just don't do anything (unfortunately, this carries over into other parts of life as well).

At some point in the near future I hope to post on my very first Mother's Day (!), Isaiah's very first tooth (!), post some great family pictures that were taken in the park as a gift to my mom and respond to a tag I received to post 8 things about me you may not know (may be a challenge).

So here's to no more procrastination (baby steps).

9 months, 2 days

I don't know why this feels really sad to me, but today Isaiah has officially been out in the world as long as he was in my tummy, all safe and protected. Tomorrow his life in the world will have been longer. I think I'm sad because in some way I feel like my connection with him is being rivaled with all the things there are to experience "outside." And he is very busy trying to experience as much as he can in a 24 hour period. I'm a lot more tired at the end of the day than I was just a couple of months ago.

To be honest, I'm a little worried about me. I mean, this is not that big of a deal....there are so many more milestones to come, but I'm sitting here in tears just thinking about this one. I feel like I'm mourning all the ones to come as my little boy keeps growing up. It's just coming a lot faster than I ever imagined.

It makes me think of the children's book that leaves me in a puddle of tears.

"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always.
As long as I'm living,
My baby you'll be."

I love you, little boy.

Church picnic

A beautiful day for a picnic!

u-g-l-y, you ain't got no alibi!
I'm 9 months old today!

Tips for dining with the Queen

Since the Queen's recent trip here I have been very curious about how one would act if ever the opportunity arises to meet Her Majesty. So, as a service to you, my friends, I have provided the latest protocol that it to be followed in case she decides to pop in for tea one day. Here is what is considered proper in Her Majesty's presence:

Protocol

• When the Queen enters a room, everyone stands (with the exception of her late mother when she was alive).
• When first meeting the Queen, she should be addressed as "Your Majesty" and then "Ma'am" (rhymes with jam) thereafter. When departing, address her as "Your Majesty" again.
• By rank, the Duke of Edinburgh is lower than the Queen; thus he is addressed as "Your Royal Highness" (NOT Your Majesty, aka King). After first introductions, he should be addressed as "Sir" and when departing addressed as "Your Royal Highness" again.
• Whoever hosts the Queen is expected to walk beside the Royals and make introductions as required.
• At least in Britain, when the Queen stops eating, you stop as well.
• In general, there are no obligatory codes of behavior, especially in the U.S. -- as we do not recognize the Queen as our Head of Nation, etc.
• Bowing is not required of U.S. citizens; shaking hands is acceptable. In Great Britain and the Commonwealth states, men bow and women curtsy. Men bow their head only, dropping it from the neck. Women perform a small curtsy, placing the right foot behind the left heel and then slightly bending the knees. Handshakes also work in the Commonwealth.

Dress

Members of The Royal Family do not wish anyone to be put to unnecessary expense by buying special clothes, hats or gloves. The following points may, however, be of use in answering queries:

• There is no requirement for hats to be worn, though it is entirely acceptable to do so. Hats are not normally worn at functions after 6:30 p.m.
• There is no requirement for gloves to be worn. However, if a woman wishes to wear gloves, they need not be white but should not be taken off before the wearer is presented.
• Where black tie and long evening dress are called for, cocktail dress, national dress and dark lounge suit are also acceptable.

Here is what the White House did to prepare for her arrival.


Long live the Queen. Amen and Amen

They're doin' it like bunnies

Sorry...I couldn't resist. The other night our neighbor Jake came up to me holding something cupped in his hands saying, "Look at this!" Of course I didn't want to (thinking it would be gross) but when he opened up his hands there was a teeny, tiny little baby bunny about a day old....still with it's eyes closed. It was one of the cutest things I've ever seen and, it turns out, there's a nest at the edge of his yard with several more.

Josh just went to look at it and said the mommy was sitting on top of the nest watching him head toward her just until he was inches away. What a brave, protective momma! I feel sure she was hiding in tall grass nearby watching us.

It's so sweet how God put so many of the same desires and instincts in all of us mommies...big and small.

The nest was a little hole dug in the ground with this laying on top. A layer of grass and weeds and then a thick layer of fur to keep all the babies warm. So smart!



You really have to double click and enlarge these pictures to see how adorable they are. All snuggled up together in their cozy home their momma made for them.

Sounds good to me!

You may have seen the commercials and billboards by now. I was curious so I checked out the website for the five day weekend. Pretty interesting. Now I don't know the logistics but working a 2 day week sounds interesting (despite the fact that all the kids in America would consequently be a lot dumber). You know, for those people that do go to work.

See for yourself and, fyi, apparently those responsible for this movement will be uptown today 11-1:30 to rally for their cause.

So what do you do on those five days? Here are suggestions from the website (ready for some llama fun?). Hmmm.....

• A nice little hike
• Taking up horseback riding
• Getting a cup of real, non-office coffee
• A day of mountain biking
• Renting a bike, if you don't have one
• Gourmet cooking lessons
• Going to a winery
• A day out with a llama
• Piloting a hot air balloon
• Rock climbing
• Getting to know the joy of a kayak
• Whitewater rafting
• Taking the kids out to get some learnin'
• Golf, an obscure sport believed to be from Scotland
• Picking up some local produce at a farmer’s market
• Spending some of that money you earned on Monday and Tuesday

Big boy bath (now working, hopefully)

Update on Josh's tummy

We decided he should go to Urgent Care (which isn't AT ALL urgent) and waited 1 1/2 hours until someone saw us. By that time he wasn't great but not as bad as earlier...at least not throwing up anymore. They basically said exactly what we knew...it was a viral infection in his intestines and they gave him a shot of phinegrin (I have no idea how to spell that) which took effect almost immediately although Josh said it burned worse than any shot he's ever had. It also put him in a deep sleep as soon as we got home. They also gave him a prescription for more if he needed it.

I learned in the process that Hartness' blood pressure tends to bottom out when they're sick which had me a little panicy at first when the nurse said his top number was 86! Then I talked to his mom who told me that that's just what they do. The nurse didn't want Josh to leave for awhile after his shot and then wanted to wheel him out in a wheel chair....apparently concerned he would pass out. He didn't.

Funniest thing I heard while there was when the doctor asked if Josh was still nauseous and he replied, "I'd say it's more of an ache....with just a tinge of nausea." What?!?

The techni-color yawn...

...at least that's what Josh calls it AND it's what he's been doing all morning. You probably call it throw up, ralph, yack, puke, whatever. This ugly little bug has been through all 3 of us now this week and all of Josh's family (except maybe his dad). It's been nasty...the roughest part has been short lived but man, it leaves you feeling it for several days. I had it Tuesday night and still don't feel 100% but better today than any other day. Isaiah mainly had diahrrea, a low grade fever and loss of appetite. He's acted completely normal otherwise and seems to be his usual adventurous self today...chewing on carpet and such.

So this is what being sick with a baby feels like. I am so thankful that Josh took a day off to take care of us and that this thing didn't hit everybody at once. I'm at least able to take care of him...although he's instructed me to call his mom several times to ask her what to do....I know, I want my mommy when I'm sick too. I just don't know how to make his tummy feel better.

What do you do?!?

I've been cleaning the bathrooms, washing sheets and pillowcases, and spraying Lysol like crazy with all the windows open. We are fully stocked on Jell-o, crackers, ginger-ale, popcicles, chicken noodle soup and Immodium AD, but Josh can't keep ANY of it down...not even a few sips of Sprite (bless his heart). I'm out of ideas. I've been keeping cold rags on his head when he'll let me, but he's just so pitiful saying that his stomach just hurts and "what can you do to make it go away?"

Hopefully the germs will fly away soon enough for Josh to not get too behind at school. It's a pretty stressful time of year to be out (as he found out the hard way this past week).

Ugh.

FYI

I'm selling all of my Mary Kay stuff at 40% off to get it out of my house. Here's the link to my Craig's List post if you're interested.

1 year old

I just realized that I let my first blog birthday go by without noticing. My very first blog post titled "Virgin Blogger" was on April 14, 2006. I was 6 mos pregnant and headed to Seattle to visit my friend Meghann for spring break. I was scared to death that my plane would crash.

I've spent the last 20 mins or so reading through old posts and your comments to my posts. I'm am just in awe of the journey we've been on since then, and how faithful God has been in the many changes He has called us to make.

The biggest one in my mind is the call to be parents of our beautiful son and for me to quit my job teaching to stay home with him....which meant the call to live off of one teacher's salary. I journaled the process of making that decision on my very last day of work and worried about how we would make it (see "My heart is a theme park" on June 13, 2006).

Many of you really reached out to me in my fear and offered such sound wisdom and comfort for my heart...I get teary thinking about it. What a faith leap that was for my heart and what rich, rich reward has come from it. I can't put it into words, but I have a feeling I don't need to. You know exactly what I mean.

So thank you for following this blog over the past year of our lives. It's been one of the biggest years of my life and your moral support through these transitions have meant the world.

I look forward to coming back here many more times and just journaling out more of the faithfulness of our sweet and gracious Savior in our lives.

This was taken in Seattle.

All worth it.