Bath Time!

Brian now takes his baths in the big tub without the assistance of a bath seat. He loves being able to crawl all around the bath. And this is his favorite "toy":

Elizabeth requested a "together bath" with her brother a few day ago. They've shared two baths and it's really funny to watch them interact. Brian loves the company and Elizabeth loves doing silly things to make him laugh. There's lots of wild giggling involved in these baths.

While Brian got out and dressed, Elizabeth was playing alone. She called us in to see her and we found this:

The fun and creativity never end!

New Game!

Elizabeth started playing this game with Brian a few days ago. They both love it and it makes us all laugh!

Two "Lazy-Mom" Recipes*

Chicken Nugget Parmesan

frozen chicken nuggets
jarred pasta sauce
mozzarella cheese
noodles of any kind
frozen veggies

Pasta:
Prepare pasta according to package directions, can be done while preparing the nuggets.

Veggies:
Microwave a bag of broccoli or the vegetables of your choice.

Nuggets:
Bake the nuggets as directed on the package.
Remove from oven and change heating from bake to broil.
Top each nugget with a spoonful of sauce and a sprinkle of shredded cheese or small slice of cheese.
Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.


Untitled German/Polish Dinner

Johnsonville Stadium Brats
Mrs. T's Pierogies (in freezer section)
Can/jar of sauerkraut
Applesauce

Prepare the brats and pierogies in separate pans according to package directions. (They each take about 10 min.)

Heat the kraut in the microwave and open the applesauce jar and put it on the table. :)


*I couldn't come up with anything else more creative. I do not accuse YOU of being lazy if you use these meals! Some times I just don't want to do much cooking and these are good options. We have these once every month or so, I think.

Treat Yourself

Trader Joe's: 10 daffodil stems for $1.29

Trouble Bubble

Brian has many names. Colin suggested sharing them with you.

• Baby
• Baby Boy
• Little Buddy
  
• Little Man
• Little Dude
• Trouble Bubble
• Chubby Bubby
  
• Buh-Buh-Buh-Baby, Buh-Buh-Buh-Brian (spoken rhythmically, I'd be happy to rap it for you if you'd like.)

Elizabeth had some names of her own when she was small.

• Sweet Pea
• Peanut
• Sweet Peanut
• Peanut Head
• Little Princess
• Baby Girl (compliments of my friend Monica)

I'll add more if I think of them. They are ridiculous. But my friend recently posted on her blog that these types of nicknames are a sign of endearment. Thanks, Sarah!

It's a Celebration!

I enjoy celebrating milestones and events: birthdays, weddings, and pregnancies, of course, but also things like passing exams, buying a house, mastering a new skill, etc. As I mentioned in a past post, I purchased a book called Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. Elizabeth and I have been working through it daily for the last 20 days. That means we're 1/5 of the way through the lessons! Elizabeth is enjoying the learning. I'm enjoying working toward a goal with her and appreciating all the book has to offer. (Perhaps a review will come in a future post.)

After our lesson today, I asked her what she'd like to do to celebrate the 20th day. She said she wanted to cut out and decorate paper flowers to hang on her wall. So that is what we did. I love the simplicity of this celebration and the reminder of success it will be when she sees the flowers hanging above her bed. Here's the final product:

Haiku

Colin joked about writing me a Valentine's day haiku. I'm not holding my breath, since in the past I've promised him love poetry and not delivered.

I'm no poet, but I thought I'd try my hand at some love/relationship haiku. I think I read somewhere that haiku is supposed to include something about a season. These don't, so they're not real haiku. And yet, I post them:

new life

come and be transformed
move from darkness into light
be free from your guilt


true love

beloved, be loved
rest, I will never leave you
drink deeply, thirst not

Down We Go!

After a morning nap today, Brian was sitting up in his crib and trying to pull himself up. This marked the end of the high crib setting. Here he is sitting low:

It seems to me that changes with him between now and his first birthday will be coming thick and fast. I suppose this will create good blog material for you all to enjoy ... or get sick of!

USPS

I am very pro USPS. They're reliable and affordable. I'd choose them over FedEx, UPS, or DHL for any of my normal shipping needs. But seriously, telling people to hurry out and by their Forever Stamps right away because postage is going up .... IN MAY! Come on. Can we please be serious here, people?
(Ironically, we do need stamps and -before seeing the breaking news - I was planning to go the post office today. Perhaps in protest of ridiculous news casting, I'll get the regular stamps. We're going to use them before May, I guarantee it.)

Brian's Crawling!

Elizabeth - almost 57 months

It's Elizabeth's turn. She's been growing up so much recently, I can't wait until she's 5 to post about her. These two photos capture her zany personality just a bit!

Every day we're more amazed with her development and her willingness to try new things. She's enjoying her growing independence. Here are few things she's learned to do recently:

• crack eggs
• cut up veggies for salads
• butter bread
  
• clip her nails
• brush her teeth thoroughly
• zip her coat
• take a shower (with a little help)
• fully dress herself
• get into and out of the car by herself (even opening the van door)
• help without being asked

Here's a video of Elizabeth's first sledding outing with her friend Simon. This is one of her recent incidents of courage I didn't expect; she just jumped right on the sled and flew down the hill!

Brian - 8 months

Brian will be 8 months old tomorrow! He has been busy learning to do new things and exploring the world with his brow furrowed.

Here are some things you might enjoy knowing about him:

• He is a VERY happy baby.
  
• He can chow down. He eats an entire cup of food at each meal and nurses.
• He's getting good at eating pick-up food: crackers, puffs, pieces of banana.
• He can get on his hands and knees and move his hands or his legs, but has not gotten them coordinated to crawl yet.
• He can get from hands and knees to a sitting position, and from sitting to his belly, without any trouble.
• He can play by himself for quite a while, as long as there are enough things around to grab and chew on.
• He LOVES the television and looks so cute on the floor staring up at the screen that's so large compared to him.
• He can clap his hands and loves his own ability to make noise with his voice or toys.
• If holding onto something, he can stand alone for a little while.
  
• He likes to wake up in the morning before 6am, often before 5:30.
• Elizabeth is one of his favorite people, and can really get him laughing.
  

Bad News

I've heard a lot of bad news lately, mostly job layoffs and deaths. These things make my heart really ache. It aches because I don't want my friends to hurt or suffer. I've noticed this tendency when thinking about my kids, too. I want them to have a life void of pain. The problem with this, is that I've elevated a painless life to some idolatrous level.

But I came across Hebrews 12:10 last week and my breath was almost taken away:

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

Woah! The God of the Universe allows us to experience His discipline that we might share in His holiness ... His otherness ... His perfection. Can it really be that God wants us to taste and experience His holiness? That blows my mind, humbles my heart, and strengthens my faith - all at once!

A light has been shed on my lame perspective on hardship, pain, and suffering. There is a God, I am not He. (As our pastor often used to say.) And He knows what He's doing; He's trustworthy in all circumstances, good and bad. And He proved His love for us by sending Jesus, His only son, to bear the punishment for our sin - sin like wanting a painless life for my friends and family more than I want what God has for them!

Suffering should not be made light of. Life here is hard. Curveballs life throws us often suck. I'm in no way wanting my friends and family to pretend they're happy-go-lucky in trying times. There is a place for crying out, "It shouldn't have to be this way!!!!" But, if you're one who finds yourself in these straights today, be assured that I'm praying that your faith would be strengthened as you truge forward. May God meet you, carries you, and changes you in times such as these. Take heart, my friend, in this world you'll have troubles, but Jesus has overcome the world! (John 16:33)

Television, a right?

I'm a little confused by civil rights groups taking up this digital TV transition issue. Is television a right? While appreciate that that some people don't know about it, they'll find out sooner if we do the transition and their TV stops working. What are the chances of every single person in America knowing? The only idea I've had this morning is that a mailing be sent to every address in the country. Any other ideas? Any arguments in favor of television being a right? The Founding Fathers couldn't add that one, because TV didn't exist yet ... but somehow I don't think it would have fallen in with free speech, bearing arms, and trial by jury. Thoughts?