Friday, August 31, 2012

One Week

You're a week old today, Rio! 
(Which means today is your due date.)

 You are a world of wonderful baby smells and tiny, little mousy squeaks.

Last night, you finally decided you could sleep in your crib and didn't need arms to hold you all night long. 
(Thank you!)

I love you in this little outfit. (Your Yaya recognized this one as mine as soon as she saw you in it today.)

Your little face is completely mesmerizing.

It's been a wonderful week... looking forward to this next one with you!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Zombie

I adore this picture of Rio that Eliana drew after visiting her in the hospital. One of the first things she wanted to do was unwrap her and inspect her tiny little toes. I love the toes she drew... I don't think she's ever included toes in a portrait before, but Rio's must have stuck with her. I love how she chose to give her purple eyes. (Eliana's favorite color.) Since this baby had not really given her a good chance to check those out. But one of the things that most struck me about this portrait is that Baby Rio looks a little like a Baby Zombie.

Now, I know you haven't seen many pictures of Rio yet, so let me just show you: Baby Rio is anything but a zombie. She's very much alive and has lots of natural pink in those lips.





So, my only conclusion is that Eliana must have somehow been struck with the look of Zombie from someone else and transferred it onto poor little Rio. Now, who would have given Eliana the impression of a Zombie during that first day of seeing her? Flipping through photos looking for warmed over death... Oops! I guess it was me... I am looking a little washed out apparently.


If I wasn't sure yet who it was, as soon as Rio's pediatrician saw me today, she started asking me if I was light-headed or anemic. And please, sit down so you don't pass out right here during Rio's check-up! Good-grief, I guess I need to slap on some lipstick or something next time I am leaving the house...or hanging out with Eliana, for that matter. 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Rosario Edén

You are named after your Papi's sister, Maria del Rosario. Someone neither your Papi or I ever had the opportunity to meet. She passed away as an infant. Dehydration. Due to a lack of clean water and good medical care. Like so many other little ones in the world... still today.

My hope is that your name will be a reminder to be thankful for your circumstances. That you (and others in your life) will see the many ways God has poured down His blessings and that there will be rejoicing in all situations in life. That we will clearly see the many ways God has poured out His great and lavish love upon us and grab hold of the joy we can have in that.

I pray that you'll honor the memory of your aunt by having a heart of compassion towards those less fortunate. That you would bring glory to God by caring for those in need and generously sharing what God has given you with others. That God would give you a passion for ministering to the weak.

 Your Papi and I long for you to know and love God. We pray that God will grab hold of your heart and that your eyes will be opened to grace of Christ on the cross. That you will experience the love of our Lord and that you may taste the joy of Edén-- the paradise of knowing and living with the loving God who knit you together in my womb.

I pray that you will be a river (Rio) full of the life of Christ... that He will flow out of you and that you will speak words of encouragement and Truth to others. That you will not easily be moved but stand firm in your faith. That you will learn to call and rely on Christ when you need help. 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
-Psalm 46:4-5
 

Monday, August 27, 2012

Quiet

Rio and I have been getting to know each other well. 

She refused to sleep outside of my arms last night, so we both caught up on sleep a bit today.

 Jesse had to go back to work today, so it's just been she and I (with the exception of the occasional hospital staff)...

almost too quiet. 

But so sweet! I've been soaking her and her little squeaks and her new baby smells in between naps. 

 We'll leave sometime tomorrow evening to go home... 

but in the meantime, we girls would love some visitors tomorrow!


Welcome

We've been busy welcoming our little girl to the world this week!

 

She's more wonderful than we could have ever hoped and are busy snuggling and loving on her... thank you everyone for your prayers!


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I Was Going to

make Bierocks today, but it didn't get done. By the time I was ready to start I realized I wouldn't have enough time before I needed to leave the house.

But I do have bread going in the oven. I imagine we'll eat a loaf tomorrow and I'll freeze the other for when we return from the hospital.

The clothes are almost all washed. I still want to wash the big kids car seats but that'll have to wait for tonight.

So beyond, that I need to start packing. The big kids are staying at 3 different places over a span of 5 nights. (My dad is planning on letting them camp in the back yard one of those nights... they are thrilled! We've been waiting most of the summer for the temps to cool down enough that it might be possible.) Trying to figure out what and how to pack for those times is a bit jumbled in my head, but I think I've come up with a game plan finally.

Then there's: what to pack for the baby? I always pack way too much and then end up with even more sweet little things by the time we've left the hospital. But I think some of these little dresses will be making it into the bag this time.

I haven't posted any belly shots... mainly because I'm self-conscious about my body. I'm don't have a cute basketball belly and a slender rest of my body and most often I feel swollen, and a bit like a lumbering mama bear who's too wide to sneak by quietly. But for posterity's sake (after all, this is my last pregnancy), here's my belly.

Two days left until our littlest girl joins us! My biggest girl (who at first was disappointed that we were having a girl and that she'd eventually have to share her bedroom) has come around and I think is the most excited. She talks about buying little dress-up clothes for her and sharing her bed (once she's old enough)!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Life Around Here

Four more days until our little girl joins us!

The big kids are watching a movie (again) because when they aren't, they are breaking things. This time it was a picture frame.

Some time on Friday I realized I couldn't just keep Cruz in his pack-n-play for the next few months because I won't be able to lift him out after I come home from the hospital. Whoops! Wish I'd thought of that earlier. But considering how last minute his transition has been, he's done remarkably well. He got out of bed several times (in the first 30 minutes) the first night. Not at all last night and is currently taking his first nap in his big boy bed. (He only got out of bed once before he fell asleep for nap.) Not only that, but he stays in his bed until I come and get him in the morning... so thankful for that!

Have I told you I'm a crazy pregnant lady? No? I am. This is what our master bedroom looks like at this very minute. I think I've mentioned in previous blog posts that it's the room no one ever, ever sees because it's a disaster area. Well, the disaster had to be cleaned up if I was going to bring a baby home and share our space with her for a few months before she transitions to her sister's room. Then, after I cleaned up, I decided we should go ahead and remodel the room (since that's never been done). Our room (and Eliana's) used to be sleeping porch area. Then they both had some weird remodeling projects done which included gross ceiling tiles, some sort of wall board, and then (in our room) cheapy wood paneling. The wood paneling, ceiling tiles and most of the wall board is now down, and underneath is bead board! Hello! Now, to finish painting and such.

What were you up to this weekend?



Friday, August 17, 2012

Welcome Cool Front {Friday Favorites}

Most of the kids in our area started school this week. Not us. We're still in our jammies at 10 this morning. It'd be sheer craziness to start school when the baby is due in a week... we'll start sometime after Labor Day. (We are having our back to school party with some of our home school friends, but that'll be as close as we come to school for a few more weeks.)

By some miracle, our weather was given notice that it was the beginning of school and so our temps around these parts have plummeted from 110 degrees to low 80s. Me and my 38 weeks along body are grateful! It makes me long for pumpkin goodies baking in the oven and school supplies... soon enough, I suppose.

In the meantime, I'm satisfying my own longing for fall by perusing etsy... here's my favorite's this week:


Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

9


The kids have been asking several times a day how much longer until their little sister arrives... so I finally made a count down for them. (Now they can just go and look at the chalkboard whenever they forget!) I think everyone is ready to meet this little girl.


Except perhaps this little guy who has no clue what's about to hit him... and seems to be going through a rough spot right now. He knows exactly what he wants but doesn't have the words to communicate. Which results in many temper tantrums and one exhausted mama. I do worry about the combination of his fits and a newborn in the house... but I suppose we'll muddle through somehow.

I said I'm ready to meet our little girl, but I'm not ready to leave for the hospital yet... I think we've finally got childcare squared away for the week. But I still have a laundry list of things to do like: pack bags for the entire family, make some frozen meals so I won't have to cook as soon as I return, set up a crib, and visit my doctors a million more times... better get to work!

Hope you're having a great week!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Space Cadet {Friday Favorites}

I'm loving all the Mid-Century space stuff right now for whatever reason. I found these cute little guys and about died.

Space pissed. #vintage #space #kids #funny

I dunno... maybe it's because I feel like a major space cadet with this pregnancy brain of mine. I'm always forgetting things, but right now, it's super ridiculous! The good news: I only have 2 weeks left! The bad news: I won't be able to blame my spaciness on pregnancy anymore. Hmmm, wonder what I can blame it on next. (Definitely something to ponder!)

In the meantime, check my space cadet finds on etsy!



Thursday, August 9, 2012

Holding On

His plans are not my plans. You think I'd have this down by now, but do I? No. Not really. It continues to be a struggle to hand things over to the Lord and then trust that He has my best interest in mind. It seems to be a recurring theme, actually.

"No, not like that, God." I find myself saying. "That's not how I wanted it to go!" I find myself throwing royal fits that could easily beat my 20-months-old's and he's a big screamer. Cruz wants his way (even when I know better) and I want my way (even when God knows better). Funny how our children reflect our true selves back to us like that.

This summer has been one thing after another that hasn't gone my way: from Jesse's job search to pregnancy complications and everything in between. And a couple of days ago, I found myself having a temper-tantrum of epic proportions. Mature, I know.

The thing is, I think I know what I need. When I put it out there to God and it doesn't go my way... I get nervous. I'm not one to believe in the prosperity gospel. That sounds extraordinarily silly to me after meeting so many Christians in third-world countries. But that's just it. I know that God's radical love is moving and changing hearts in and among so many who have nothing... and I can see God working in those who have babies born with severe health problems... and honestly, I don't want to be one of them. Yes, their stories are amazing. Yes, they are bringing glory to God through their struggles... but could I just pass on all the hard stuff?

It scares me to think of all the hard stuff He may be preparing me for. The idea of going through difficulties frightens me. But I'm trying to hold on right now... trying to trust Him. Trying to remember to thank God through the trials and count it as joy!


Prayers (of course) are always appreciated! Blessings!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Hot Air {Friday Favorites}

A little guy I know will be turning 2 in less than two weeks! His momma has big hot air balloon birthday plans for him and I can't wait to see what she has in store because her parties are incredible! (Here's her little guys's Woodland Themed Party from last year.) In the meantime, here's a few of my favorite Hot Air Balloons on Etsy!


Happy Friday!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Kids and Mexico


We traveled to Mexico to visit Jesse's family at the beginning of last month. When most people hear we're going to Mexico they immediately think of all the picturesque places they've seen on commercials and think we're going there. It's not there. Nope, think more barren wasteland of a desert and you're on the right track. The prettiest things there are the sky and my mil's garden which is pretty much an oasis in the middle of nothing else.

Nevertheless, this is where Jesse and I met and this is where we served beside each other in ministry before we were married. It's where we spent our weekends our first two years married and because of all those reasons, it's a special place for us. Eliana's middle name is Sion (Zion in Spanish)... she's named after the church where we met and where Jesse's parents still pastor.


But there's something I discovered after having kids. This barren wasteland makes it extremely difficult to take care of kids. There's trash to pick up and play with or try to eat out of the food waste bucket that's on the kitchen floor. You have to worry about things like scorpions, tarantulas, and fire ants when you visit. And make sure the babies don't drink the bathwater. And make sure the big kids put their toilet paper in the waste basket. It's one thing to adjust to those differences as an adult --an entirely different thing to do with small children. Children who forget often, or insist that they should eat out of the slop bucket or discover that they can push the screen door open by themselves because there's no latch so they can go scavenge for trash to play with. These things raise the difficulty level a bit.


Speaking of trash, my in-laws do a great job disposing of things. (And a good portion of their time I suppose is spent cleaning up other people's trash that is half-hazardously thrown about and ends up blown onto the church property. They are thrifty people by nature and anything that can be reused often is. Sometimes it's tires and toilet bowls turned into planters. And other times, it's antique wrought-iron beds made into fences. (I don't think most of the people in this area understand the meaning or value of antiques.) Still.


Okay, back to my original point. Add to that the fact that I was seven and a half months pregnant this time around and the only relief from the heat is your bedroom that has a small window unit that may (or may not) work... well, let's just say we all took naps every single afternoon for at least a couple of hours.


All this to explain why, um, I didn't take pictures the majority of the time I was down there. Mainly, I was preoccupied with keeping the littlest one out of trouble and keeping myself as cool as possible... without being a total recluse the entire time we were there and holing up in our room by ourselves to enjoy the slightly cooler temperatures the window unit provided. (Although, we did do this with great frequency.) It's hard to see family (which is the reason we visited) if you stay in your bedroom all day long.


The last day we were there, there was quite literally a revival service with loud speakers almost directly out our bedroom window when we woke up from nap time early because the worship band decided to start practice. (The parsonage and the church face each other with only a garden and a parking area to separate the two.) I'm not quite sure why they decided to move it outside that evening... it could be it was just to hot inside the building. Maybe the church wanted to make sure we'd be there even if we didn't come. I joked that perhaps it was a new form of evangelism... move the service outside and blast the speakers so everyone in the neighborhood can hear.



About that time, I realized that I hadn't pulled out the camera at all... I decided it was finally time to do so! Most of Jesse's brothers and their families had already left, but Jesse's youngest brother, his wife and little one were still there. We filled up the kiddie pool and let the kids enjoy the relief from the heat (and prayed they splashed a lot so we could be relieved a bit ourselves). And we listened to the revival service that was just outside our fence. Diego wanted to know why we weren't going to church and I told him it was because the church came to us. :) Honestly, 3 and 4 hour services in the heat are just too much for my kids (and their mama) to take right now. Perhaps when they're a bit older and I'm no longer pregnant. In the meantime, we'll stick to the kiddie pool!