Monday, May 28, 2007

All Aboard!

They really do say that!!!! We got off in Galesburg this evening and the conductor stepped outside the train right before leaving and said "all aboard" before getting on and taking off. Overall it was a pleasant experience. I'm glad we knew it was running really behind so we didn't go to Osceola for the whole morning. We got into Galesburg 6 hours behind schedule, but Ryan was there to pick us up. Stephen enjoyed looking out the windows and not having to be buckled in his seat.

Ryan enjoyed being at Tony and Becky's wedding. He got a Cardinals shirt, though; what is he going to do with that?

Stephen crawled a few paces while in Des Moines. But then we got home and he TOOK OFF!! It was hilarious. He gets himself up just fine, crawls over, and just when he is close enough to the toy that he wants, he lunges for it and falls flat on his tummy (what previously happened when he tried to crawl).

Susan looked up Ryan's 11-month measurements. 28 pounds and 30.5 inches. We measured Stephen today since he is now 11 months. 28 pounds and 31 inches.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Eat Your Veggies!

I got this link in my inbox today and thought the pictures were worth taking a look at ... or maybe I'm just hungry.

We're in Des Moines now and have seen quite a bit of family so far. Stephen had a pretty rough day with so much traveling and people and places he is not used to. We'll try to take it easy on him today.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

My Little Brother Is Going to Graduate

Lovin' the grass ... it's just hard to keep it out of his mouth!

We're heading out of town tomorrow to go to Des Moines for John's graduation. I know it was 12 years ago for me but I distinctly remember that invigorating excitement that made concentration impossible.

Ryan is experiencing dealing with kids who are antsy to get out of school as he is subbing this week. Yesterday he was at a middle school working with special ed kids. Funny thing happened: He forgot to wear his wedding ring and found that one of the teachers was rather friendly. I told him I understood why! (He remembered to wear his ring today.) Today he is filling in for a history teacher in Urbana.

Stephen is dealing with some seasonal allergies (at least that is what I think is going on!). His eyes are so puffy and he's rubbing them a lot. We are going to see an opthalmologist next week. We also turned our AC on last night because we wondered if having windows open all night was making it worse.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Hearing His Voice

I saw this Scripture illustrated so clearly tonight! . . .

His sheep follow Him because they know His voice
John 10:4

In context it talks about how the sheep know the shepherd's voice just as those who follow God know His voice and can distinguish it from the wrong voices.

I was sitting in Stephen's room with him trying to get him ready to go to sleep. Ryan was having a simple conversation with 2 of our friends in the other room. Stephen was sort of looking up at me ... sort of eating ... when his daddy said something really simple and short. It wasn't loud or emphatic or exceptionally clear. Stephen sat up instantly and looked around the room for Ryan. WOW! It really struck me. I heard a lot when I was pregnant about how much the mother's voice is a comfort for a baby. And I am not surprised that he recognizes our voices, but to pick just a few words out of a conversation in another room where 2 men and a woman were talking about shoelaces ... that is amazing to me.

On another note, I have wondered how the media would handle Jerry Falwell's death. It was interesting to me to read this post by David Kuo regarding this famous man.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Happy Mother's Day!

I guess it's my first mother's day. That's what they're telling me anyway :). We were up in the Chicago area for Emily's shower. We also went to a Spares concert in the city. So many photos that I will send you to the snapfish folder to see more pictures.

Emily's shower was a blast, with family and friends all gathering at Sandi's house. We decorated some spice jars with markers and stickers. Just as I anticipated, the younger girls were the pro decorators. We played a fun little trivia game about Texas. Did you know that in Houston it's illegal to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday? Or that in Mesquite, Texas, children are not allowed to have unusual haircuts?

Last night, we caught the very end of Steve Hendershot's concert in Chicago. The Spares' new release, Glory and Grace, just came out. Even little Stephen sat and listened in the sanctuary.

This morning we went to the Sunday service at Naperville Presbyterian and then to grandma's for a scrumptious lunch.

Monday, May 07, 2007

Out on the water again

Stephen had his first boating experience at 5 weeks old. His second took place yesterday at Ryan's professor's house. She has a small lake in her backyard and a paddleboat, which we took for a little ride. Stephen didn't love it the way he loves swinging at the park, but he seemed to take in the surroundings while we were out. Part of the reason it might not have been his favorite is that he had a large life jacket around his torso and I had just smeared sunscreen all over him. I know the photo isn't the greatest but I was trying to keep a hand on Stephen so he would feel secure and my husband (for some reason) wanted me to pedal!

Heidi is in town for the week and Stephen's been excited the few times he's seen her. She'll be in and out much of the time with so much work to do and her other friends to see. But at least she's able to stay here! We like having company. (hint hint)

It's official. Ryan has not been exposed to tuberculosis. (We weren't worried.)

He starts meeting with an Iranian student this afternoon to help him with his English.

We're still trying to figure out his summer employment. Getting through the school year and getting funding issues resolved for next year was about all he could handle last month!

Friday, May 04, 2007

Done with School!

Ryan did his jury and turned in his final paper. Yeah! He's trying to get all the details figured out for subbing. He has a physical scheduled for later today, and on Tuesday he has to be fingerprinted. But by the end of next week he should be working.

Stephen is also feeling much better today. Here he is, trying to get into things on the living room floor.

I got a call this morning informing me that Laurie and Geoff are engaged. See this post from December. They're getting married in June.

Friends who know Heidi might want to check out her blog — it's listed to the right. We're excited that she'll be staying with us in Champaign next week.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Sick Is No Fun

Stephen had a pretty rough night last night. He's been dealing with some congestion that keeps him from really being able to breathe well. It also inhibits some ability to eat well. His hunger has been making him cranky, too. When I got him up this morning he was running a fever (which he had been doing over the weekend but we thought it was over). So off to convenient care we went. They were great - saw us quickly, made sure nothing serious was going on, and sent us home. What a relief! He's sleeping a lot and doesn't want to play much, but it'll hopefully just be for another day or so. It's so sad to see him upset. And his face is rather crusty from rubbing his hands on his nose and then all over his face.

In other news, I just met with the Pregnancy Resource Center about being a mentor for women who are going through a crisis pregnancy. I'm looking forward to seeing what God might have in store there.

Ryan is done with classes. He has a paper due tomorrow as well as a saxophone jury (that's a final for a music major). He is busy getting his paperwork done for substitute teaching beginning next week.

I'll try to post some pictures this weekend!