5.on.the.fly

We hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas season and a safe and happy New Years. We had a blessed holiday season this year. Sarah was here from 12/26 until 12/31 but had to go home early because her grandfather was coming to visit. We were sad to take her back but grateful for the time we had with her. She is so good with Paige and it is so great to watch them play together. I've posted just a few pictures and videos from our little holiday. We have chosen the name Eli for our son, but are still working on a middle name. We would like something that starts with 'L', so any suggestions are welcome!! He will be here before we know it.

We found out we are having a little boy today! The measurements came out to about 19 weeks and some change, but I kinda zoned out once she said boy. Anyway, we are very excited and just wanted to share the news. Hoping everyone has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!!

We keep forgetting to post that Paige is finally talking. Mostly she still just babbles non-stop but she has mastered a few words and short phrases. She has started working on Solomon and orange but those are hard words!! Here's the list: Hi All gone In the car Grandmommy It's amazing how quickly she catches on to new things and how observant she is. Much to my amazement, now-a-days all I have to say is "Let's go to Paige's room for a nap" and she drops her toys and walks down the hall straight into her room to wait for a lift into the crib. Never thought that would happen!! Mom bought her some washable crayons that are kinda built into a Weeble-like thing so she can hold them easily. I can't hardly get her to put them down. She loves to color (scribble) on any kind of paper she can find; I have learned not to leave important papers within her reach!! Nothing on the walls or furniture yet, but a couple times all over her clothes. Thank you Crayola for in...

Well, by now the cat is out of the bag to most of you. BUT, for those of you who don't know, Tom and I are having another baby!!!! I am due at the end of April. We are very excited, of course. In six weeks, we are finding out whether this one is a boy or a girl. Here we go again...

Paige is walking totally on her own now, and has been for a while. She loves to just hold onto a toy and walk around the house with it. She has a rocking 'cow' at Mom and Dad's that she rides like a wild woman. I can't wait to see what she'll do with the Harley motorcycle we have for her in the garage. She is totally weaned from the bottle now and loves her sippy cups. At first she didn't take to the cow's milk but now she drinks that and juice very readily. (and Daddy's Pepsi) No real recognizable words yet, but she is very close and uses inflection in every sound she makes. She is definitely full of herself!!!! I am putting new videos on here for your viewing pleasure.

Sarah started the 8th grade yesterday. I didn't get a chance to talk to her, but Tom did. He says she is taking a woodworking class as an elective, and tried to get into drama but had some scheduling issues. I think she is going to try to get into drama next time around. She's still riding horses, and appears to be really into western riding right now. She's done barrel racing and is learning to rope. We are hoping she will have a chance to ride at the State Fair again this year so we can see her while we are there!

Wow, Paige just had her first birthday. I can hardly believe it; it's gone by so fast! Thursday was her actual birthday, but we celebrated on Saturday with a family cookout at the house. Danny and Shinta rang in on the webcam briefly, so we got to talk to them even though they couldn't be here. Shinta had her own birthday on the 27th and they were celebrating on the west coast the same day. Happy Birthday, Shinta!! We took lots of pictures Saturday. I just put a few here, and a couple of videos, so you won't be overwhelmed. Sarah was able to be here, and she made Paige's cakes all by herself. Paige destroyed her cake, as you can see from the pictures. I'm sure she was on a sugar high well into Sunday. It was a really good time for all, I think. Paige weighs about 22.5 pounds now, and is 30" tall. She has three teeth (two bottoms and one top). Today, just after lunch, she took three unassisted steps to me!!! But I can't get her to do it again yet :( She love...

Paige is doing lots of new stuff every day. It's hard to believe that she will be a year old next month! She now has 2 bottom teeth and 2 top ones will be coming in soon. She crawls everywhere on her hands and knees now; i guess she figured it was more efficient than the marine crawl. She is pulling up on EVERYTHING, and trying to stand on her own. It won't be long before she is toddling around the house. The babyproofing has commenced. She hasn't yet met a food she doesn't like, but her favorites are sweet tea, peach Puffs, mac & cheese, and any kinds of bread and meat. She loves to wave bye-bye and clap her hands. She loves to be twirled and to swing upside down - a true adrenaline junkie! Sarah was just here for 3 weeks with us. We had to take her home this past Thursday. We had a blast having her here with us for Danny and Shinta's wedding and then just hangin' out with her. She is coming back to go to KingsFest with us in July for 3 days, and then again...

Okay, so now she is doing this Marine belly-crawl thing like she is trying to sneak up on somebody. It's more like she is dragging herself around with her elbows. But she is finally mobile and I can tell it will only get worse. She is constantly moving now. When we try to sit her down, she braces her legs straight and won't bend her hips. We either have to force her, or lay her flat on her back - all because she doesn't want to sit anymore. If she has something to hold onto, like the coffee table, she will walk all the way around it. She is constantly getting into something, and now I see the true importance of not taking your eyes off your children. How quickly she can get into something; it's scary! Check out the new videos...

Paige is still our little toothless wonder. She still rocks back and forth on her hands and knees sometimes but now seems to prefer standing up and practicing her balance. She loves to hold on to fingers and practice taking steps around the room. We had to lower the crib this morning because she has discovered the fun of pulling down the crib bumper so she can see out, and then leaning over the top rail to try to reach the dogs when they come into her room. She loves any kind of dog but doesn't seem to be into cats that much. Tomorrow she has a playdate at Grandmom and Granddad's house.

We bought a minivan. 'Nuff said.

Paige has slowed down on the growing. She is hovering right around 19 pounds, and has been for a while. She babbles non-stop, and has started this funny lip-flapping thing that makes me giggle every time. She can stand up if she has something to hold onto. She wants to crawl forward so badly, but for now all she does is push herself backwards on her tummy or rock back and forth on her hands and knees. She is into everything and I know it will only get worse once she can coordinate her hands and feet. We are taking lots of walks with the new dog, and now that it is warming up she is making fast friends with anyone who will stop and talk to her. Love to you all.

Sarah was here this past weekend! We took her skiing again. This time we went to Massanutten instead of Wintergreen. Jimmy couldn't go this time, but I'm sure we will take her again next year. Sarah did great again, and we all had such a great time. We had to take her back home when we left the resort on Monday. We are looking forward to the next time we see her. It should be soon; we need to get her something to wear to her Uncle Danny's wedding. Paige got to spend the night with Grandmom and Granddad while we were away. I missed her terribly but Mom and Dad were glad to have the time with her.

Last night was our first nighttime service for 17:17. We had 63 people show up. Things went smoothly and we had a good number of new faces there, so that's a praise report. Unfortunately, a local festival called Winterjam was going on at the same time so we lost some numbers to that. But overall, we're encouraged and looking forward to next week with a full compliment of members.

Well, our SB party tonight went really well. We had a turnout of about 40 folks and everyone had a great time! The game was fabulous (GO GIANTS!! WOOHOO). Paige did really well with it. She finally fell asleep during the fourth quarter, but everytime a big play happened, she woke up scared and crying b/c of all the screaming and hollering. Wasn't long before she was sound asleep again, and she is now safely tucked into her crib for the night and I must say - she is gorgeous. But, I could be biased...

Tom and I had to spend our first nights away from Paige this week. We had to be down at the beach Thursday night through Saturday morning at staff camp for our church. It was a good time but we missed Paige terribly. Grandmom and Grandad were gracious enough to bring her out to us for a few hours during some free time on Friday. We went out to lunch, then took her up to our hotel room and took a nap and played. I think my missing her was worse after they left. We were glad to get home to her on Saturday and smother her with kisses.

I loaded a few pix of Paige doing mostly new things from the last few weeks: in the big girl tub for a bath, playing with her toes, and hangin' out in her Exersaucer. The others are of things she has been doing for awhile, but they were too cute not to include. Enjoy!

Life before Paige was great and blessed, but how much better everything is with her here! She is growing so fast and doing new things every day and I am so amazed by the miracle God has given us. My prayer is that God will give Tom and I the wisdom, strength, and patience (among other things) to raise her up to love and serve Him, and to serve the body of Christ. I wonder what gifts and abilities He has put in her, and I can't wait to see the neat things she will do for the Kingdom in her own special way. I also pray that God is raising up a spouse for her for the day that will probably come too soon - a godly man, one who will cherish and respect and love her the way that God loves all His children.