Birthday Celebration

Jeremiah is typing:
Me and Tim went to Peter piper pizza. I played the ballon game and wun tickets. We ate pizza. We came home and played mariokart. We had cake and icecreme. I opened my presints. I got a cool transformer. And a Star Wars game for the wii. And some bord games. I had a lot of fun. It was a grate day. I love you.


Well, that about sums it up. He left out the part where I screwed up the cake decoration. While it looked pitiful, it sure did taste good! We forgot our camera for Peter Piper's (of course). But, we took a few shots back at home. I can't believe our little boy is 7! They grow up too fast!

The Firstborn Son

There is something to be said about your firstborn. It is he/she that makes you what you are--a parent. It is he/she that shows you a love you never knew existed. My firstborn--he showed me that miracles are real and each of us truly is a blessing to the ones we're given to.

I remember that day in 2002. We were still living in Santa Cruz (Soquel, technically). It was a Monday--Martin Luther King Day. I was 36 weeks, 3 days pregnant. I had a check up with my doctor. I had been on modified bed rest since 24 weeks, when we discovered decreased amniotic fluid around the baby. And then, at 32 weeks got put on "strict" bed rest because I started having contractions. I had weekly checks starting at 32 weeks. I was dilated to 3-4 all that time (referred to as "stalled labor"). On that Monday, I waited for 15 minutes in the exam room. Dr. Nicholson came in and examed me,"Ok, you're 4 cm and 90% effaced--lets get you checked in!" That was it. She wanted me to meet her at the hospital and induce labor. About an hour later, I met Peter at the hospital (he had been at work) and we "got the show on the road". She broke my water at 1:30pm. The contractions were very irregular but increasing in pain. After 3 hours, she decided to start pitocin--ugh, I should have refused it. I don't think I would have needed an epidural had I not been given it (after all, my other two labors were drug-free, although I had to go under for the emergency C-section with Ez). But, alas, my hopes for a natural child birth were shattered at that moment. I was young--24. Anyway, they started the pitocin at 5 and I got the epidural a half-hour later. At six, my doctor came in and told me she was going home! She had been on call for 24 hours and now it was another doctor's turn. UGH. My optimal delivery was now turning into my worst fears. So, a doctor I never met in my life (and a man, I never wanted a man to deliver my baby) would deliver my first born son.

Jeremiah was born at 9:06pm, after 7 1/2 hours of labor and almost 2 hours of pushing. To avoid a C-section (because the evil doctor suggested it after an hour and a half), they used forceps and a vacuum. But, he was here. Early, but cute and perfect! He was 5 pounds, 9 ounces. 18 inches long. The sweetest little face. He made all I ever wished for come true. He made me a Mommy.

Thank you Jeremiah. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


(We didn't get a digital camera till 2004, so this is the "youngest" photo I have on the computer--he is 6 days old here.)

Our 7-year-old boy!

New Year, New Hair

For the past two years, Alayna's hair has been a source of angst for me. She doesn't like ponytails, braids, or hairclips. Or headbands. Nothing at all of that nature. We kept her in bangs for awhile to keep the hair out of her eyes, but that didn't stop the tangle issues, and getting everything from food to toothpaste stuck in her hair. I've been wanting to cut it short for about a year now, and Peter was adamantly against it. He loves his little girl with her gorgeous long locks. Well, he finaly caved and we went to get it cut today. Now, she has a sassy, short 'do, and I love it. What do you think?

Wii Have Fun!

OK, so I know that its completely taboo, but we love video games in our house! We play a lot...and we're really excited about the Wii because this system makes it so much easier to play as a family! The kids are having a blast and so are Peter and I. Our favorites right now are Wii Sports (particularly Bowling, Boxing, and Tennis) and Mario Kart. And I can't wait to buy the old school games like Super Mario Brothers and Zelda with our Wii points!!! Heck yeah!

Yes, we still read with our children. And we're all crazy about board games as well. But, right now, we are getting much enjoyment from this latest installment of electronic entertainment.

Lovin' Mario Kart


Alayna is getting the hang of it (Boxing here)


I love the look the concentration on his face (Mario Kart)


We even made an Ezra "Mii"


And, of course, Edward Cullen


We also have Mii's for Ron Weasely, Luigi, Conan O' Brien, Steven Segal (blah, Peter did that), and "random" ones such as Peter's little guy Juan:


Yeah, I know, we're getting carried away with our Mii's but its all part of the fun!!! And we cannot wait to get connected to other players! If you have a Wii ID, send it to us so we can link up! Happy playing everyone!

:)

Organized!

The aftermath of Christmas left us with a great task: Re-organization. So, on Sunday and Monday (Peter's days off), we got to work. We sorted through the kids toys and clothes and decided what to keep, throw away, or donate. Once that was done, Peter and I made a trip to Lowes and Target and bought closet organizers for the kids. I LOVE THEM, and I don't know why I didn't do this years ago. Its only been a week and already my life is SO much simpler. Its also much more fun for the kids to clean up their rooms! And, of course, I was in OCD heaven making labels for the different storage cubbies (as well as for the linen closet and all of our outdoor storage boxes). FUN! So, if anyone needs help with this task and you live in the Phoenix area, I can grab my labeler and be over in a flash...no fee. You're actually doing me a favor, because organization to me is what massages are to other people!

Here's the result of all the work:

Alayna's closet


Jeremiah's closet


Jeremiah's bookcase (the last time it will look this nice)


Thanks Peter for all your hard work!

Here's to 2009!

After the year we've had, we need a good dose of hope. I pray that 2009 will be a year of hope for all of us. I've learned many lessons in the past year that would not have been learned had we not had the experiences we did. 2008 was a difficult, tumultuous, exhausting year, but we've survived. And I credit not us, but our God, who went ahead of us and cleared the path; who forgave us despite our complete unworthiness, and who gave us peace even in moments of total devastation. So, we press on into another year, and turn to Him for peace, safety, and provision. And no doubt, He will give us so much more than that! We pray the same for all of you in the coming year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!