A message for Daddy, Love J.D. and Natalie

BUSTED!

How am I supposed to discipline him for crawling up on the desk, picking up the phone, dialing and saying 'hiiiiiiiii'- when he is so darn cute???

Miss Personality

Natalie is Miss Personality around here. She loves to laugh, play with her brother (which means she tries to hold on tight to her toys so he doesn't take them away) and she loves her doorway jumper- she could stay in it all day! She jumps the strongest when we say... Jumping Bean, Jumping Bean, Natalie is a Jumping Bean! J.D. loves to chant this at her while 'helping' her jump.

Tattoo Artist

I think that J.D. may have a future in art! This was his attempt at tattooing himself with markers. Thanks Pap for the washable markers... they make for great coloring fun and they come right off with water!

A word from God...

Today, I got what I think will be the closest personal message from God that I will ever receive. As I was driving home from the grocery store today, I passed by the Baptist church on the corner before my house. This church has been displaying wonderful, encouraging, and uplifting sayings on their church signage for years. Today, the message should have begun "Dear Carrie" and ended "Love, God". The message read:

Your problems are not exhaustive of God's provisions.

Now, you may be thinking, that is no great revelation... well, let me tell you about the last 36 hours here in Annapolis.

1. Natalie woke up on Thursday morning with a fever of 101 degrees. By noon it was 103.8 degrees. Coupled with some other symptoms, I figured out that she may have a urinary tract infection... so, I called the doctor.
2. Our pediatrician that I LOVE, is no longer an option because of new health insurance... so, I had to call our new insurance, get coverage in Maryland authorized, and take my precious and very sick 6 month old 30 minutes away to a new doctor.
3. We spent over 5 hours with the doctor (mostly waiting for Natalie to 'pee'). the doctor was nice, but not like our pediatrician.
4. In the midst of being in the doctors office with 2 children under the age of 20 months for 5 hours, Jason called and told me the seller of the house in Colorado Springs said they weren't going to close several permits that were open on the property... which basically meant that the deal is off for buying the house.
5. Got home from the doctors office, spent the night monitoring Natalie's fever, giving her fever reducing baths through the night only to wake up and find out that she, like her mother, is allergic to penicillin. She had a lovely rash from head to toe this morning.... AHHH!

So, through today, Natalie's fever has gone down to 101 degrees, she is in much better spirits, she is a little itchy (kind of silly to watch a baby try to figure out how to scratch an itch). Tonight for dinner, I think she had her triple cocktail of Children's Benedryl, Infant Tylenol and the new antibiotic... not much room for anything else...

Jason called and said the owners are looking into closing the permits on the house... won't know till Monday. We are trying to show them some grace and give them a second chance... but I don't think it looks good. We should know more on Monday.

Speaking of Monday, this is the day that Natalie goes back to the new pediatrician to make sure we are treating the infection properly and to begin to talk about doing some tests to make sure that her kidneys have all their parts and are working properly. Apparently a uriniary tract infection in an infant is a BIG RED FLAG. I would appreciate your prayers for Natalie as she recovers, for me to have confidence in the new pediatrician and that I would cling to the word from God that I got today...

Goodnight.

Natalie starts Rice Cereal!

"Look, Mom, I'm a natural at this eating stuff" Natalie seems to be saying. She has been 'eyeing' everything that Mom, Dad and J.D. are eating. And, last night, she got her first taste. I think she thought it might be more tasty... nothing like a little bland rice cereal for the beginning eater.




She took about 5 bites... most of it ending up dribbling down her chin. She did a really good job for her first eating endeavor.



Then, it was J.D.'s turn to eat dinner. I put him in the high chair and was shocked by how BIG he looked in the high chair. I still think of him as a little guy... but these pictures really help me keep it in perspective. He is growing and growing and growing... not to mention talking, talking and talking!

The perfect Youth Director!

On Sunday night, our church hosted a goodbye party for Jason. After the close of the event, a group of Senior High guys kidnapped Jason and had some fun... take a look at the pictures below!



Yes, they carved our church's initials "AEP" into the back of his head. Then...


They gave him a mohawk... I just can't even bear to show you the picture from the front....

Needless to say... he thought it was so fun, so cool and so wonderful... and he even thought he might keep the new look until he got to Colorado on Saturday. (Thankfully he caved and let me shave his head on Tuesday before we had to go out in public together... )

Talk about first impressions... he is going to make one on Sunday when we are introduced to our new church... and he is BALD! I guess this is just one more reason why he is so good at what he does... he loves the students... and loves what they come up with as fun and harmless. And, yes, I know it is fun and harmless... but I have a two day limit on this kind of stuff:)

And, I am sure gladd we had the family photo below taken last week!

Family Photo

This is our first family photo!
We had this done on Friday morning- it was fun! J.D. loves a camera... he starts saying 'cheese' even before you turn it on... and Natalie is so personable these days- she smiles for everyone!

Love to everyone!

MiniVan Mama and other updates

It is official... I drive a minivan - and I am proud to say that I LOVE IT. Some wonderful friends of ours sold us their Honda Odyssey... I am constantly amazed at how God provides for our family through creative ways.

So, I am finding myself thinking... "what errands do I need to run today??" It is so easy to get the kids in and out of... and J.D. has discovered that he can watch the Wiggles in the van, too. He has started to sing along with the Wiggles songs... when I say sing... I mean say an occaisional word or two. We will be driving down the road and the song "Lights, Camera, Action" will come on... and J.D. will add "WIGGLES" when appropriate and "GO, GO, GO" where it fits, too. Any of you who know Wiggles know exactly what I am talking about...

Natalie is very close to sitting up on her own. We work on this every day. She is growing like a weed. It is amazing to think that she is close to six months old. It just seems like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. She is yet to sleep through the night consistently, so the days are long and the nights are short, but she is SO worth it. She smiles, coos, giggles, tries to imitate your facial expressions... too fun! And, she is a SCREAMER. Girls make different sounds than boys... J.D. was never a screamer. Natalie will scream at the top of her lungs at the most inappropriate times... like when the whole church is quiet or the dressing room is full of women looking in the mirror (not a place you want to hear screams).

Going to bed... Jason is rocking Natalie to sleep for the third time tonight... we keep thinking she is 'down for the count' but oh, no, that would be too easy... she is a tricky one.

Goodnight

Go West Young Family! Go West!

The Smith Family is headed to beautiful Colorado Springs! Jason has accepted a call to Village Seven Presbyterian Church as the Senior High Youth Director. We are excited about this new phase, chapter, adventure. Colorado Springs is a beautiful place. Pikes Peak borders the city to the west- and in every other direction you can see for miles and miles and miles and miles!

Jason leaves for 'The Springs' on August 16th. He will begin his new position on August 28th. He will live with one of the church families for about a month before the kids and I join him.

Here are the things we are praying for- and would ask you to join with us:
1. Safety in travel for Jason as he drives from Annapolis to Colorado Springs Aug 16th- 19th.

2. Safety in travel for Carrie and the kids- as we fly from Annapolis to Colorado Springs Aug. 19th (we have to change planes in Dallas... and it is just me and the kids... I am praying for angels in the airport!!!). The return flight is Aug. 26th- same request.

3. That we would find a house that meets our needs, that we can afford, and that we can move into within a month. Hoping to have a move in date around September 26th.

4. For Jason as he starts his job, lives with a family from the church and will be without us for about a month.

5. For me and the kids- as we are on our own for about a month after Jason leaves... pray that children would sleep through the night and take naps at the same time during the day.

Thanks for your prayers!

Mexico

J.D. on the beach on our last morning in Mexico. The city behind him is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

This was one of the three pools that we swam in during the week. The little hut is the cover for the swim-up bar at the pool... J.D. loved the smoothies that the bartenders would make for him.

Speaking of smoothies... here is J.D. enjoying one in the pool! The edge of the pool had built in lounge chairs... so wonderful... a little sun, a little water, a cool beverage... what more could you ask for???

The lazy river at the resort could either be entered by stairs or by the short slide. We spent many hours going up the stairs and down the slide... he LOVED it. "Side, Side" he would say!

More sliding...

Mexico was wonderful! J.D. and Natalie both love to be outside... the pool was cool and refreshing... there was also a play gym for J.D.- a slide, swing, fort, etc. The resort really had a great layout for kids.

Each morning J.D. would wake up and say.. "swimming, swimming"... and after his nap he would wake up and say... 'swimming, swimming'--- he couldn't have been happier to be outside playing all the time.

J.D. also discovered ping-pong while we were at the resort. The ping-pong tables were by the pool and he would find an extra paddle... take his ball... and yell at the people playing 'turn, turn'- telling them it was his turn. Most of them were happy to let him have a go at it! He actually is pretty accurate in hitting a ping-pong ball.

New, fun tricks at our house...

Well... here is what our children have learned this week:

1. J.D. learned to toot on demand! Yep, he is all boy! Figured out how to do it, then spent 20 minutes turning himself red to see if he could do it again and again and again... and giggling all the time!

2. Natalie is cooing, ooh-ing, giggling and TURNING OVER!

What a week!

Visit in Carlisle

Visited with Grandma... she and Natalie got along great... Natalie snuggled with her... and Grandma was very pleased with her.

This was the highlight of J.D.'s visit to Carlisle... riding the tractor with Grandpa! You can tell he loved it! J.D. loves tractors... they may hold more fascination than planes these days...

Look at J.D.- he is so pleased with himself... thinking he can drive Grandpa's tractor!

This is J.D. and Natalie on Grandma's bed... J.D. learned how to work the buttons on the bed to make the top go up and down... we actually think he showed Grandma and Grandpa what their beds were capable of... it was great fun for all!

Grandpa with Natalie... he is still so strong!

We had a lovely visit with Jason's family members in Carlisle! We just don't get to visit them enough. Our visit with Grandma and Grandpa (the Great's) was good. I was really impressed with how engaged in their world they are... can't retain what we talked about from moment to moment... but they certainly do try and I am really proud of them for staying engaged in their world... it was amazing to hear from Sue what they did retain from the visit... who would have guessed that they remembered we were going to Colorado for a few days--- it must have connected back to a well established memory... amazing how the human brain functions.

Our time with Grandpa John and Grannie Jill was too short, too. We enjoy spending time with them-- it is just easy, relaxed and fun. John is great with J.D.... showed him the fishes, took him on a tour of the yard and obviously on a tractor ride. He clearly loves Natalie, too, but J.D. loves to be outside almost as much as his Grandpa John.... so, they tooled around in the yard for most of the afternoon. Jill and I got to visit, too. Jill is really good with J.D. and Natalie... it is fun to see her enjoy my children.

Well, I think that gets everyone pretty much up to date on the events of the last month in our household... it has been one busy month... more time spent away from home than in town... our kids do great on the road... it is just Mommy that needs to get home to her own bed... speaking of which... I think I am going to bed! Goodnight.

I love Jesus, too!

After our trip to St. John, our portable DVD player broke... quite the inconvenient occurance for a family that likes to travel! So, I took the DVD player back to Best Buy to see if they could fix it, replace it, etc.

When I got to the store, I put J.D. and Natalie in the double stroller and wheeled them into the store to customer service. The first person I encountered must have been no older than 15... and said there was 'nothing' they could do- since it was outside of the manufacturer warranty and there was no service plan on it. So, I asked to speak with a manager... for all of you who know me... this is when you say... 'oh no, here she goes...'

Well, a nice middle aged man comes from around the corner and gives me the same lines as the 15 year old... I told him the story... that we got the DVD player as a gift from my parents, only used it 3 times since Christmas, worked 2 out of the 3 times and that I was hoping he could help me by replacing it... since, clearly it never worked right... again, he told me there was nothing he could do... and then, I lost my cool... I started to cry right there in Best Buy... and I started to blubber.... something along the lines of... "my parents got us this great gift... sniff, sniff, sob, sob... for Christmas.... we can't afford to replace it.... we have another trip coming up with 2 small children.... sob, sob, sniff, sniff... my husband is a youth minister and this is a luxury item for us... sob, sob some more.... I can't even think about going on another plane ride without this thing working... sob, sob..."

And, the manager interupts by saying... "I love Jesus, too."

It was at this moment that I realized what was happening, I was appalled at myself for seemingly playing the God card... so, I just shut my mouth, packed up the broken DVD player, released the brake on the stroller and wheeled all of us out of the store...

I sat in the car and ran over the events in my head... "I love Jesus, too..." he said. What a blessing that was... what a great reminder that in the grand scheme of things... that is what really matters!

It makes for a good laugh... too.

(PS. When I told this story to my friend Lisa--- she packed up her DVD player, some Wiggles DVDs and rushed them right over so we could use them on our next trip! What blessing... I am sure glad that she loves Jesus too and that he gave her the spirit of generosity!)

Blue Angels

We watched the Blue Angels with J.D., Uncle Drew and Kayla! Drew got two golf carts from the course... and we took a back way to the Severn River for a lovely, semi-private viewing of the Blue Angels show for commissioning week at the USNA. J.D. loved the planes... Kayla was more interested in a lady bug she found and thus named 'baggy'- because Drew put it in a plastic bag for her to keep it. It was a beautiful day- and a great one to share with Drew.

ST John Vacation

These are Jason and J.D.'s footprints at Trunk Bay in St. John. The night this was taken was our favorite night on the beach. We saw two weddings on the beach this night... watched snorklers swim in the crystal, clear blue ocean water... and just enjoyed some good family time.

This is the view of Trunk Bay from above. It is BEAUTIFUL. I love the caribbean beaches... white soft sand, clear water, mountains that drop right into the ocean.

Mommy and Natalie in the ocean at Trunk Bay. This was Natalie's first time in the ocean. Both of our children have had great 'firsts' when it comes to the beach.... the first time J.D. was in the ocean was in Grand Cayman... and this was Natalie's... she LOVED it. The water temperature was great for a baby... she would float in the water for up to 20 minutes at at time... and in her pink bathing suit with a great ruffle around the body... it was quite the sight to behold.

This picture was taken at Caneel Bay in St. John on our last night. J.D. loved this beach because he could run and run and run and run... there were a lot of boats to look at in the bay area... iguanas to chase (he is fast... but not fast enough to get near one of them... thank goodness)... and I loved it because it was at a resort---beach bar, music playing, etc.

This is the view from our deck where we stayed. Every morning, J.D. would wake up... look out the window and say "BOATS"... it was a delightful surprise each morning to see that they were still there, apparently.

Some fun ancedotes from the week:

I was so paranoid about the pool (and having a walking, curious, non-swimmer) that one night I was looking for J.D.'s blond little head among the little children in the house... and I didn't see it... so I said very loudly... "Does anyone see J.D.?" Well, all of the adults quickly looked around... checked outside... and within 3 seconds someone said... "You mean, J.D., the one on your hip?". Oops!

There were two other 2 year old children on this trip. And, if anyone says that children are born without sin, they have not raised children. One afternoon- all 3 boys wanted the same monster truck (the favorite toys of the week... there must have been 10 of them scattered throughout the house)... but at this moment, they all wanted the same one... so, they all literally dug in their heals, pulled on the truck in three different directions, and were at about a 45 degree angle from the floor... and all shouting "NOOOOOOOO!" Oh my goodness... I hate that word!

It was a fantastic trip... not relaxing... but great to be away with Jason and the kids. It seems that we have entered the phase of life where vacations are just a relocation of chaos--- but, uninterupted time playing with our kids is well worth it!

J.D.'s antics

J.D. is loving to climb (as I mentioned in the last posting). So, on Friday morning... I had to give Natalie a bath... now, picture our small 1950's bathroom- totally functional, not a lot of space (when I lean over the side of the tub to wash a kid- my feet can touch the vanity... needless to say, it is narrow in there). I am giving Natalie a bath when I realize that J.D. is standing on my feet. Then, all of a sudden, he pulled himself up onto my back and spent the rest of Natalie's bathtime perched on all fours on my back. Just wait, it gets better. Not only is he perched on my back but he is quaking like a duck because he sees his rubber duckie in the tub with Natalie (yes, the same rubber duckie that he hurled at his baby sister moments before). Just writing this down is making me laugh all over again!

Then, tonight, J.D. is playing with his circus truck. One side of the truck has 'doors' that open so you can get the animals in and out. The other side looks like doors, but they don't open. We taught J.D. the sign for help... so, he can ask for help when he gets into a bind... So, he is signing help and trying to say it too- sounds like 'hep'-- and Jason says, 'turn it around". So, J.D. got up turned himself around, sat down, and tried again! We laughed so hard! Children are so literal. So, we had to tell him good job...and knew that we needed to share these two cute stories with you! These are the things that I hope my memory holds onto forever- just when you think they can't get any more precious... they do!

Natalie is smiling, smiling, smiling! She has a dimple... my children have dimples- I love it. Her whole face lights up when she smiles. And, she has rolled over... multiple times. Front to back. She is such a mover. When she is awake she is moving, kicking, moving, kicking, moving, kicking. Oh, and crying, too. God Bless the SWING! She loves it. Doesn't always like to be held- likes her 'alone' time in the swing. I try to hold her as much as possible, for I know she won't stay little for long- but am thankful that she likes the swing... which reminds me of another J.D. story.

I was cleaning dishes in the kitchen the other day... and heard J.D. saying "wee", "wee", "wee". I poked my head around the corner to watch him pushing Natalie in the swing and saying "wee"... I guess this is what he is used to me saying when I push him in the swing outside. Natalie had a fearful look on her face... she had never moved so fast or swung so high in her swing... and J.D. thought he was being a great big brother- he was having a blast. After that, I am securing Natalie in the swing a little more securly!

Well, Natalie is fussing again... gotta run! Have a great night!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Mamaw came to visit for 6 days! We had a wonderful time, it went by so quickly. And, now, we are officially on our own. There are no upcoming 'helper' visits... I guess everyone thinks we can do this on our own now... AHH!
We are actuallly doing okay. It is not as busy as I anticipated life to be... yes, there are lots of diapers, some late and long nights- but really- J.D. and Natalie are charming, easy-going and a delight. This makes the days go fast (and the nights go faster).
J.D. is climbing on everything these days... tried to climb up the oven (we are working on understanding the word "danger" and "hot"), tried to climb into the baby tub with Natalie, and tries to climb up my legs multiple times per day.
Natalie is sleeping better at night. She is a 'party girl'- she likes the nightlife already... it seems that midnight is her favorite time to finally call it quits for the day- but she is sleeping in like a real princess... she eats quickly at about 7am and then sleeps until about 11am-- oh, the life of a princess! She also has rolled over a couple of times already... Mamaw witnessed it... just ask her... it is true. If Natalie is awake- she is moving every moment! She is going to give her big brother a run for his money.
Well, so much for a moments peace... gotta run.. babies to feed!

Visit with Mamaw

We went downtown to go to lunch (with two babies... it was an adventure). We also had some time to feed the ducks.

In our backyard, we watched J.D. and Kayla play while Mamaw and Natalie enjoyed the sunshine. Natalie loves her Mamaw! They coo... smile... and Mamaw says "ah goo".

As you can see, Mamaw came with a black eye (and a bum shoulder). But, she is still more effective than an army of 10 when it comes to playing with kids. Did I mention that she has done almost 11 loads of laundry! She is amazing!

JD asleep

It was a big day! I went to my old job to help out for a couple of hours and Daddy and J.D. got to have some fun together... they looked at boats at the marina, went to Home Depot and came home for a short nap. Later that day, J.D. and I were playing outside- J.D. was pushing the stroller in circles on the driveway... Mr. Stillwell (our 88 yr old neighbor) came over to play with J.D.... and we played some golf with the new clubs Pap gave J.D. for Easter. And... then... we came inside... and J.D. fell asleep on the floor. This is how I remember my brother Drew when he was little- he would run, run, run- play, play, play- and then we would find him asleep on the floor somewhere in the house. J.D. loves his Uncle Drew-- and it seems he is going to turn out to be just like him... a little golf... a little nap... and all is right in the world.