Here are your three choices:
Grandpa Hal
Great Grandpa
or Grandpa
(who needs to get another picture with him!)
So which one do you think it is?
P.S. The "Oppa" is actually Former Republican Senator Ted Stevens.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Oppa!
"Oppa" is one of Steven's favorite words. He loves his grandpas, and since he's spent a good bit of time with all three of them last month, I'm hearing about "Oppa" all the time :) He LOVES to look at pictures on the computer, so I'll often pull up some pictures to show him or have him with me when I transfer them off the digital camera. Today, however, I was reading cnn.com when Steven saw this man, who he was apparently convinced is his "Oppa." The only question is which one??
Here are your three choices:
or Grandpa
So which one do you think it is?
P.S. The "Oppa" is actually Former Republican Senator Ted Stevens.
Here are your three choices:
or Grandpa
So which one do you think it is?
P.S. The "Oppa" is actually Former Republican Senator Ted Stevens.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Home!
We had a GREAT time in Iowa, and Steven absolutely loved spending time with his great grandpa. He went around saying "gappa, gappa, gappa" every time Grandpa was out of sight. When Grandpa went outside, Steven stood at the door and kept asking "back? back? back?" He's still asking for him today, so we spent time looking at the whole 10 pictures we took. I can't believe how much that kid loves looking at pictures. He gets so excited and keeps signing for more :)
We really didn't do much while we were in Iowa. We scrapped going to the zoo because we got in so late on Wednesday (actually Thursday morning) that it didn't make sense to get up just for the zoo, and it was way too cold to go any other day. It was nice just staying in, though. We were able to relax, and Steven was able to take all his naps on schedule.
The trip home, however, wasn't quite so relaxing. We went to the early service at church on Sunday and then left after lunch at Perkins. We drove for about 1 1/2 hours when I noticed that we lost sound on the radio. Soon other things started dying, and the battery light came on. Less than 5 minutes later, we were on the side of the road in a completely dead car. We called AAA and Grandpa (a car magician) and waited for a tow truck. In the meantime, a police officer came and waited with us with his lights flashing in hopes of slowing down the cars flying dangerously close (didn't really work, but it was worth the effort). We were very nervous since we had two (thankfully sleeping) little ones in the back seat.
It was a good thing that he was there, though, because the tow truck only had room for two people, not four. Somehow that information didn't make it all the way to him, but the kids and I were able to ride in the police car while Mark rode in the tow truck. The kids and I were dropped off at a cheap but very clean hotel recommended by the tow truck guy, and Mark went with the car to the repair shop.
Grandpa met him there, having left his house as soon as he got the call. It was perfect timing, and he was able to help Mark get a new battery and install it. They then came and got the kids and me, which I wasn't overly thrilled about because I was quite excited about the outlet mall directly across the street, and we took off again. (Yay for the hotel not charging us despite the ground in cheerios in the carpet!) Three hours later, we were back on the side of the road.
This time we had the car towed to a dealership and unloaded most of our luggage into the truck cab (in which Steven, Michelle, Mark, the driver, and I were also in). I had already made reservations for us at a hotel (thank you GPS!) and got a reduced rate after telling my whole story :) We got dropped off at the hotel and dragged all our stuff and two kids into the lobby. Then the guy can't find our reservation. I tell him who I talked to. He said that I talked to the hotel next door. They were owned by the same person and had transferred the phone number from one to the other but never got it updated in any phone book (or GPS).
We dragged everything and everyone back outside, using the luggage cart from the hotel. (We promised we'd bring it back, and they guy just felt sorry for us!) We took a short cut and probably took out part of a bush, and finally made it to our room. Steven was now wired, of course, so he and I went to get ice and took the very very long way. By the end, he was stopping at all the doors and asking for daddy :) We finally made it home Tuesday without incident after getting a new alternator.
What a trip!
We really didn't do much while we were in Iowa. We scrapped going to the zoo because we got in so late on Wednesday (actually Thursday morning) that it didn't make sense to get up just for the zoo, and it was way too cold to go any other day. It was nice just staying in, though. We were able to relax, and Steven was able to take all his naps on schedule.
The trip home, however, wasn't quite so relaxing. We went to the early service at church on Sunday and then left after lunch at Perkins. We drove for about 1 1/2 hours when I noticed that we lost sound on the radio. Soon other things started dying, and the battery light came on. Less than 5 minutes later, we were on the side of the road in a completely dead car. We called AAA and Grandpa (a car magician) and waited for a tow truck. In the meantime, a police officer came and waited with us with his lights flashing in hopes of slowing down the cars flying dangerously close (didn't really work, but it was worth the effort). We were very nervous since we had two (thankfully sleeping) little ones in the back seat.
It was a good thing that he was there, though, because the tow truck only had room for two people, not four. Somehow that information didn't make it all the way to him, but the kids and I were able to ride in the police car while Mark rode in the tow truck. The kids and I were dropped off at a cheap but very clean hotel recommended by the tow truck guy, and Mark went with the car to the repair shop.
Grandpa met him there, having left his house as soon as he got the call. It was perfect timing, and he was able to help Mark get a new battery and install it. They then came and got the kids and me, which I wasn't overly thrilled about because I was quite excited about the outlet mall directly across the street, and we took off again. (Yay for the hotel not charging us despite the ground in cheerios in the carpet!) Three hours later, we were back on the side of the road.
This time we had the car towed to a dealership and unloaded most of our luggage into the truck cab (in which Steven, Michelle, Mark, the driver, and I were also in). I had already made reservations for us at a hotel (thank you GPS!) and got a reduced rate after telling my whole story :) We got dropped off at the hotel and dragged all our stuff and two kids into the lobby. Then the guy can't find our reservation. I tell him who I talked to. He said that I talked to the hotel next door. They were owned by the same person and had transferred the phone number from one to the other but never got it updated in any phone book (or GPS).
We dragged everything and everyone back outside, using the luggage cart from the hotel. (We promised we'd bring it back, and they guy just felt sorry for us!) We took a short cut and probably took out part of a bush, and finally made it to our room. Steven was now wired, of course, so he and I went to get ice and took the very very long way. By the end, he was stopping at all the doors and asking for daddy :) We finally made it home Tuesday without incident after getting a new alternator.
What a trip!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Road Trip!
Tomorrow we're heading to Iowa to see Mark's grandfather. We went out there last year for Easter, but this will be the first time he sees Michelle. It'll also be my first time out since Grandma died, which will be hard.
Mark and I are both really busy getting ready for the trip. We've decided the double stroller is a must since we're going to the zoo one day this week. That means that we have to pack everything in small bags so we can fit them in around the stroller since it takes up half the trunk :( (Good thing we are now up to five diaper bags!)We're also just taking one pack-n-play instead of two. If we can fit it in the car, we'll b e taking a travel bassinet for Michelle. Otherwise, we'll just improvise.
I've also been making some food to take out for Steven. Today I made a crockpot of broccoli cheese soup (with potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and corn). It's the only way Steven will eat a few of those vegetables--I think he doesn't recognize them since they're in the soup. I forgot to add beans, so those'll go in tomorrow. I've also been dicing peaches and will start putting mandarin oranges in his take and toss containers (I bought a restaurant size can of them!). He LOVES them.
Mark, meanwhile, is still at work (10:15 p.m.!) trying to get everything done that has to be done before he can leave tomorrow afternoon. He also went in early at 6:30 a.m., so he is going to be one tired boy when he gets home. I know we'll both be relieved when we finally get on the road!
Mark and I are both really busy getting ready for the trip. We've decided the double stroller is a must since we're going to the zoo one day this week. That means that we have to pack everything in small bags so we can fit them in around the stroller since it takes up half the trunk :( (Good thing we are now up to five diaper bags!)We're also just taking one pack-n-play instead of two. If we can fit it in the car, we'll b e taking a travel bassinet for Michelle. Otherwise, we'll just improvise.
I've also been making some food to take out for Steven. Today I made a crockpot of broccoli cheese soup (with potatoes, cauliflower, peas, and corn). It's the only way Steven will eat a few of those vegetables--I think he doesn't recognize them since they're in the soup. I forgot to add beans, so those'll go in tomorrow. I've also been dicing peaches and will start putting mandarin oranges in his take and toss containers (I bought a restaurant size can of them!). He LOVES them.
Mark, meanwhile, is still at work (10:15 p.m.!) trying to get everything done that has to be done before he can leave tomorrow afternoon. He also went in early at 6:30 a.m., so he is going to be one tired boy when he gets home. I know we'll both be relieved when we finally get on the road!
Who's Who?
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Heartbreaking
At church this morning, our friends Andrea and Rob gave us a large bag of formula, including several open containers. Normally, I wouldn't accept open containers because of safety/health concerns, but this time it was different. The formula was from Rob's sister Melissa and had been for their nephew. After church, they gave us several more cases of formula as well as crib sheets. I had a hard time taking it from them because of all the emotions that it brought up.
Three weeks ago tomorrow, their nephew died. He was the same age as Michelle, and the death was completely unexpected. My first thought was that it must have been SIDs, but it was more tragic than that (if possible)--his mom had fallen asleep on the couch while nursing him, and when she woke up, he was gone, most likely due to suffocation.
I cannot even begin to imagine what they are going through right now, especially Melissa. Every time I use one of the bottles of formula they gave us, I will be praying for her. Her baby should be drinking the formula, not mine. While the formula is a huge blessing to us, it came at such a high price.
Will you join me in praying for this young mom, for Melissa? The whole family needs prayer, but I'm sure that she needs extra grace right now. Thank you!
Three weeks ago tomorrow, their nephew died. He was the same age as Michelle, and the death was completely unexpected. My first thought was that it must have been SIDs, but it was more tragic than that (if possible)--his mom had fallen asleep on the couch while nursing him, and when she woke up, he was gone, most likely due to suffocation.
I cannot even begin to imagine what they are going through right now, especially Melissa. Every time I use one of the bottles of formula they gave us, I will be praying for her. Her baby should be drinking the formula, not mine. While the formula is a huge blessing to us, it came at such a high price.
Will you join me in praying for this young mom, for Melissa? The whole family needs prayer, but I'm sure that she needs extra grace right now. Thank you!
Friday, March 20, 2009
The Car
Last Fall, I finally find this car after looking for one all summer. My parents bought it to give to Steven for his birthday, but we let him play in it right away. He loved it then, but nothing like he loves it this year!
When we are outside, even if we're just getting out of the car after going somewhere, he goes into the garage and pushes his car out. He pushes it around the yard, but he really loves riding around in it. We drive around the yard and take walks around the neighborhood.
However, he has a hard time getting out of his car. You'd think that his life were over with the way he reacts--tears and wailing and even more tears. This car has been the source of most of our meltdowns this week! (In all fairness, though, it's been a really rough week for both of us.)
I can tell that we'll be spending a lot of time in that car this summer, and when he gets older, we'll take the floorboard out so he can cruise around on his own. You can see that riding in the car is serious business--he was too focused on what he was doing to smile for the camera!
When we are outside, even if we're just getting out of the car after going somewhere, he goes into the garage and pushes his car out. He pushes it around the yard, but he really loves riding around in it. We drive around the yard and take walks around the neighborhood.
However, he has a hard time getting out of his car. You'd think that his life were over with the way he reacts--tears and wailing and even more tears. This car has been the source of most of our meltdowns this week! (In all fairness, though, it's been a really rough week for both of us.)
I can tell that we'll be spending a lot of time in that car this summer, and when he gets older, we'll take the floorboard out so he can cruise around on his own. You can see that riding in the car is serious business--he was too focused on what he was doing to smile for the camera!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Little Buddy
Reading books with Aunt Beth.
Playing with his train after helping Grandpa Hal
change the batteries!
He loves his birthday train from Grandpa Hal and Nanny!
Sitting with Nanny.
Baby Sis
Laughing at Grandpa Hal.
Thinking about smiling for Nanny.
There's the smile!
Sitting with Aunt Beth.
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