We are now officially paci free in this house! Steven has gradually lost interest, so we've decided to put them away. He hasn't asked for them at all--even when he's seen them. In fact, when I've given him one this week, he just let it drop to the floor. In a way, I'm sad to see them go because they were a nice way to calm him down. However, we're pretty lucky to be done with the pacifiers without any fussing or crying.
**EDIT--The best part is that he isn't replacing it with anything else! Yes, that means no fingers, no thumbs, nothing! Yay!!**
Yesterday, I took Steven in for his 6 month check up, and I was quite surprised by his height/weight percentiles. Steven's been 50/50 each visit so far, but yesterday, he shot up to 94/50. He is taller than 94% of all babies but is heavier than only 50% of them. This contradicts all of those who think that he's fat! The doctor is predicting a string bean :)
He is perfectly healthy in every category again. He's eating well, very, very well! So far, he's had rice cereal, green beans, peas, butternut squash, pumpkin, applesauce, peaches, and oatmeal. He's enjoyed each one, but he had a hard time digesting the pumpkin. I'd say, though, that oatmeal is his favorite. He is just like his grandpa in this one--my dad eats oatmeal every day.
Making my own baby food has been going pretty well. He's liked everything except the home made green beans. I didn't cook them long enough to get them completely mushy. He might like them later on, though. Next we're going to try either bananas, prunes, or carrots. We'll see how we feel on Monday.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Please Pray!
Today on the way home from work, Mark's car died (right on the highway). He had it towed to a repair shop, which was already closed, and is going in tomorrow to see what they can do. After talking with his grandfather (a car expert), we think it is one of two things. (If you think I remember those, you're crazy!) One is very expensive, and the other is more manageable.
Please pray that it won't be too much money and that they'll be able to fix it. We have talked about replacing Mark's car (2001 Escort) but were hoping it would last another year or two. This is something that we definitely don't have in our budget right now, so we're praying that they can fix it at a minimal cost.
I'll let you know what we find out in the morning.
Please pray that it won't be too much money and that they'll be able to fix it. We have talked about replacing Mark's car (2001 Escort) but were hoping it would last another year or two. This is something that we definitely don't have in our budget right now, so we're praying that they can fix it at a minimal cost.
I'll let you know what we find out in the morning.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Greenfield Village
On Saturday, we went to Greenfield Village with our new friends Sarah and Randy and their kids. We had a blast! The weather was perfect, and while it was crowded there because of the holiday weekend, nice weather, and Civil War demonstrations, it wasn't too bad.
We visited the Wright Brothers' House and watched a little play about their inventing the airplane. We all are from Ohio, so this was a must, of course. We also rode on a 95 year old carosel. We video taped Steven as he rode on my lap. We were on one of the horses that went up and down, but it didn't really faze him at all. Oh well. Maybe next year he'll be more excited.
We visited the Wright Brothers' House and watched a little play about their inventing the airplane. We all are from Ohio, so this was a must, of course. We also rode on a 95 year old carosel. We video taped Steven as he rode on my lap. We were on one of the horses that went up and down, but it didn't really faze him at all. Oh well. Maybe next year he'll be more excited.
All set for a big day!
Hanging out with Daddy after the Wright Brothers' play.
Is it lunch time yet??
Garage Sale Finds
On Saturday after coming home from Greenfield Village, We went to a sub full of garage sales. Mark and Steven stayed in the car as I hopped out at different houses and found a TON of bargains. I got Steven a bag full of 6-9 month clothes, including the exact socks I was going to have to buy at Target. I also bought him some books, a portable high chair type seat that attaches to any chair. We're going to use it in our high chair for now since we haven't bought new straps for it yet. I also got him some other things but have already forgotten what they were.
Before we went to Greenfield Village, I went to our church's garage sale and picked up a few things there as well. I got Steven a nice Leapfrog push toy for only $3! I also got him two pairs of pants and a knitting kit for myself. I've been trying to learn how to knit, but I haven't been highly successful. This kit came with an instructional DVD, so I'm hoping that it helps! We'll see.
This is one of Steven's new outfits. The hat, shirt, and overalls were only $2! The sweater is one that someone made and donated to Bethany Christian. We were given it and a few other things when we adopted Steven. The sweater has a matching bonnet (yes, a bonnet) and booties. Let's just say that my son is not a bonnet baby!
Before we went to Greenfield Village, I went to our church's garage sale and picked up a few things there as well. I got Steven a nice Leapfrog push toy for only $3! I also got him two pairs of pants and a knitting kit for myself. I've been trying to learn how to knit, but I haven't been highly successful. This kit came with an instructional DVD, so I'm hoping that it helps! We'll see.
This is one of Steven's new outfits. The hat, shirt, and overalls were only $2! The sweater is one that someone made and donated to Bethany Christian. We were given it and a few other things when we adopted Steven. The sweater has a matching bonnet (yes, a bonnet) and booties. Let's just say that my son is not a bonnet baby!
All ready for church!
My New Swing
We put Steven in his new outdoor swing that a friend gave us and waited for his reaction. We waited and waited and waited. There was no reaction at all :( Guess it's too much like the swing inside to count for much!
We had no where to hang it despite having three large trees in our yard, so I came up with the idea of hanging it where our porch swing was. We didn't use it all that much, and it will keep Steven in the shade. It's also semi portable!
We had no where to hang it despite having three large trees in our yard, so I came up with the idea of hanging it where our porch swing was. We didn't use it all that much, and it will keep Steven in the shade. It's also semi portable!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Mocha Moms
Yesterday, Steven and I went to our second Mocha Moms playgroup. We're not official members (i.e. we haven't paid any dues yet), so we are only invited to select events. And everything we've been invited to has been on a Friday morning, usually the same week as MOPS :(
I was debating whether or not to go yesterday morning because I just didn't feel like it. Steven has shunned almost all naps longer than 20 minutes the last two days, and that just wears me out. However, I got myself together and we went.
We LOVED it!! I can't tell you how much fun I had hanging out with all the other Mocha Moms. This time we met at a local athetic center that has a kid's club. We had a nice sized playroom all to ourselves, so it was much much quieter than Jungle Java, and we were able to visit more. We talked about practically everything--girl's hair, family and babysitting, friends that we've lost because of kids/not having kids, adoption, cloth diapers, and many many more things.
Everyone loved Steven, of course, and he played it up for them :) I had him in his stroller lying down at first (he fell asleep in the car, and of course when I got him out of his seat and into the stroller, he woke up.) People were looking at him and talking to him, but when I picked him up, you should have seen his face. It was hilarious! His mouth was open all the way, his jaw just dropped, and his eyes were as wide as could be as he slowly looked around at everyone. He was stunned. He looked at me and then back at everyone and at the play area. It was so funny watching him trying to process everything!
I love it that the moms there make me feel 100% welcome. It wasn't awkward at all. I even forgot about the color difference, and when I trying to remember if I had met someone before, the other person said pretty positively that we hadn't. It wasn't until much later that I realized it was because she definitely would have remembered a white mocha mom :)
I highly recommend the group to anyone who had adopted transracially. It's so important to me that Steven grows up with kids the same color as he is. Mocha Moms is primarily for moms, but they do have playgroup meetings once in a while. It's a great way for me to learn more about his culture and background, and I can't recommend it enough. (FYI there is one in Dayton!)
I'm adding the link (available above) to a new list one the side called "Transracial Adoption Resources." Stay tuned for more transracial adoption resources!
I was debating whether or not to go yesterday morning because I just didn't feel like it. Steven has shunned almost all naps longer than 20 minutes the last two days, and that just wears me out. However, I got myself together and we went.
We LOVED it!! I can't tell you how much fun I had hanging out with all the other Mocha Moms. This time we met at a local athetic center that has a kid's club. We had a nice sized playroom all to ourselves, so it was much much quieter than Jungle Java, and we were able to visit more. We talked about practically everything--girl's hair, family and babysitting, friends that we've lost because of kids/not having kids, adoption, cloth diapers, and many many more things.
Everyone loved Steven, of course, and he played it up for them :) I had him in his stroller lying down at first (he fell asleep in the car, and of course when I got him out of his seat and into the stroller, he woke up.) People were looking at him and talking to him, but when I picked him up, you should have seen his face. It was hilarious! His mouth was open all the way, his jaw just dropped, and his eyes were as wide as could be as he slowly looked around at everyone. He was stunned. He looked at me and then back at everyone and at the play area. It was so funny watching him trying to process everything!
I love it that the moms there make me feel 100% welcome. It wasn't awkward at all. I even forgot about the color difference, and when I trying to remember if I had met someone before, the other person said pretty positively that we hadn't. It wasn't until much later that I realized it was because she definitely would have remembered a white mocha mom :)
I highly recommend the group to anyone who had adopted transracially. It's so important to me that Steven grows up with kids the same color as he is. Mocha Moms is primarily for moms, but they do have playgroup meetings once in a while. It's a great way for me to learn more about his culture and background, and I can't recommend it enough. (FYI there is one in Dayton!)
I'm adding the link (available above) to a new list one the side called "Transracial Adoption Resources." Stay tuned for more transracial adoption resources!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Sad News
Christian music star's daughter killed by car
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- The 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.
The girl, Maria Sue, was hit in the driveway of the family's home Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The brother, whose name and exact age weren't available, apparently did not see the girl, McPherson said. No charges are expected.
"It looks like a tragic accident," she said.
Several family members witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville. The girl died later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.
In a statement, Velvet Kelm, a publicist for Chapman, said Maria was the Chapmans' youngest daughter.
Chapman, who is originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria. They also have three biological children.
The singer's Web site says the couple was persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.
The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site.
"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing -- our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site.
"We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world."'
The 45-year-old singer also has released a book about being a father titled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess." He has won five Grammy awards and 54 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association, according to Kelm.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
**Link to Family Website and Memorial Videos**
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- The 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.
The girl, Maria Sue, was hit in the driveway of the family's home Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The brother, whose name and exact age weren't available, apparently did not see the girl, McPherson said. No charges are expected.
"It looks like a tragic accident," she said.
Several family members witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville. The girl died later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.
In a statement, Velvet Kelm, a publicist for Chapman, said Maria was the Chapmans' youngest daughter.
Chapman, who is originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria. They also have three biological children.
The singer's Web site says the couple was persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.
The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site.
"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing -- our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site.
"We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world."'
The 45-year-old singer also has released a book about being a father titled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess." He has won five Grammy awards and 54 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association, according to Kelm.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
**Link to Family Website and Memorial Videos**
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Essay Contest--$3,000 Prize!
Life Lessons Essay Contest: What Was the Most Important Day of Your Life?
Perhaps it was the day of your high school graduation. The day you started your dream job — or left a nightmare workplace. Maybe it was a day noted for its poignancy or one that was downright hilarious. Whatever your memory of the most important day of your life is, share it.Enter Real Simple’s first-ever Life Lessons essay contest and you could have your essay published in Real Simple, with a prize of $3,000. Contest entries should be a maximum of 1,500 words.
E-mail your entries to lifelessons@realsimple.com, or mail them to Essay Contest, Real Simple, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 9th floor, New York, NY 10020. Deadline: Online entries must be received by 11:59 P.M. on September 9, 2008. Mailed entries must be postmarked by September 9, 2008, and received by September 16, 2008.
Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, age 19 or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited by law. All entries become the property of Real Simple and will not be returned.
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