"Getting to know you..."

Look who is warming up to her car seat! That's right, our baby girl. She was actually laughing while being strapped in, and not to mention, we were on our way to her first doctors appointment where she received 6 shots! Guess who was smiling afterwards? That's right, our baby girl.

I am addicted.

(I know it's a little fuzzy, but you get the idea...)

More bathroom updates...

It might look like backwards steps, but we made huge headway yesterday. Kit relocated the electrical socket to the other side of the sink and then dry walled the whole thing up so all we need to do is paint. We are all about safety during bath time.

Then we installed a storage shelf above the toilet and the toilet paper holder to the walls. Then I purchased a shower curtain, shower rings, trash can and tissue paper holder in the same finish to have some continuity. I think that I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

And, while Kit was doing all of that...

I was turning this:

to this:

I am pooped, but very happy that things are getting marked off the list and that our house is getting back to normal.

(It won't be normal for long, I mean, come on, we have a newborn on the way!)

I am excited when we get to show you the finished product!

Kit is finished with GRAD SCHOOL!!!

Today, my Kit finished his last class for his graduate degree in Spiritual Formation with an emphasis in soul care... I am so proud of him! When I think of all the things that we have tackled since he has been in school, my mind goes crazy... between getting married, working full time at a ministry job (that often really has no concept of how many hours you really put in), buying a house (and doing all sorts of house projects), traveling, speaking, having a miscarriage, a three week silent retreat, becoming an uncle, getting pregnant and dealing with a very pregnant (hormonal, emotional...) wife, supporting me as I transitioned from oncology nursing to mother baby nursing, being available to close friends and family in what ever capacity was needed... and NOT COMPLAINING ONCE about how much he had to do or what was on his plate and being present in whatever life threw his way, and keeping the most positive attitude about it all.

Kit Rae, I have been able to count on you as a partner, teammate and best friend over the last few years with all that you juggle and NOT ONCE did I feel that our marriage or life took a backseat to all that you had on your plate. I am so proud of you and I am so thankful for your perseverance though your program. I would say that you not only finished, but finished well. I couldn't love or respect you more.

We need to do some serious celebrating!

Here he is emailing in his final! I am so excited for him!

Hi mama's...

Well, you all made me feel so much better after my last episode with registering, so I thought I would come to you again. I need to get some stuff on a registry for upcoming showers so I was wondering what things maybe you registered for, that were on your registry that you really liked, things that became necessities, and things you really found helpful, that you use/used a lot? We are borrowing and sharing stuff, but I know there are things out there that you just need to suck it up and register for. I would love your input. Thanks guys!

My "Before-Ryder-Gets-Here" to do list

I was organizing my thoughts about what I would like to/and need to tackle prior to Ryder's arrival and making the list made me much more relaxed about what needs to be done.

So here it is:

1. finish nursery

2.register

3.NRP and CPR recertifications

4.make thank you cards and thank you gifts for ALL that people have done for our family, as well as for the labor and delivery and postpartum units where we will deliver

5.4D ultrasound with my mom

6.attending birthing classes with Kit

7.Finish bathroom

8.make some of our favorite meals to freeze

I am really excited for what the next few months will be like!

p.s. We are already 30 weeks!

Bathroom Updates...

Here are some updated pictures of the bathroom.

Since I last posted, we have ordered and received trim for the tub and having it installed means that we have a working tub, shower and toilet. We still have a leak on one of the sink's handles so we are hoping to get that fixed sooner than later.

Kit has finished cutting the tile for the side of the tub, and now we just need to grout.

We painted the bathroom the same color as Ryder's room. I thought that it might be too monochromatic with the color of the fixtures, and that it wouldn't be very interesting, but I LOVE how it turned out.

Things that we have still have to do:

~paint touch ups

~baseboards and molding around the door

~fix leaky sink

~finish grout on the tile that Kit cut

~seal it all up

~get doors for the cabinet/drawer

(sorry Andrew that you have to deal with delinquents...)

~get shower curtain

~re-hang door

We are really excited about getting to use our new bathroom!

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

It was recommended to me by a close friend that I read this book. I have read Donald Miller's other stuff and really enjoyed it and this book has been no exception. If you have a chance, check it out.

Skinny Jeans!

For our niece, not me... (The idea of skinny jeans on me was frightening when I WASN'T pregnant. Now, that just has sausage nightmare written all over it..)

However, when you put skinny jeans in this little face, it will make you go absolutely crazy!

A little update:

Our niece and nephews are doing really well. My nephews are so good with her. They bring her toys and try to make her laugh at every chance they get. They seem so much older to me now. They have really stepped into the role of big brothers and we are so proud of them. Thye seem more selfless... They are incredible little men. Our niece is such a delight. We can see her personality and how warm she is. She is already so gracious and I am so proud to be her auntie. I can already see this incredible person developing, just like her brothers.

I have been trying to get pictures of all of them together but alas, there is just too much fun to be had, but the second I do, now THAT will be a post for sure!

Making progress on our little man's room...

Some of my fabric came for our nursery yesterday and we had some fun making head way on our little man's changing table.

This armoire was the first piece of furniture that Kit and I purchased when we got married and we just love it, so we wanted to try to repurpose it to make it work in Ryder's room. I get sentimental about stuff like that...

So we took the doors off and changed some of the hardware to make it a little more user friendly for changing a little person. We decided to upholster the back to give it a little character to to hide the holes that were designed for television wires to go through.

I measured the back inset, then we went to Lowe's and bought a single sheet of bead board that fit the diameter. (Kit had to trim it a little bit but not much.) Then I glued batting to one side and trimmed the access off.

We then applied the new material that accents the one with the birds that we just love.

After glueing the material edges to the board, we placed industrial strength velcro to keep the whole board mounted.

(I'll be honest, I look totally strung out here because I had just gotten off of a 13 hour work day and man does it show on my face...)

So here is the finished changing nook...

Poor guy had been working on our new bathroom like crazy and totally helped me get this changing table exactly how I wanted it.

(Thanks honey!)

Some thoughts on registering...(get ready for a rant...)

I recently went to register for Ryder. I had thought that it would be this exciting thing, like when we registered for our wedding, with the anticipation of a new chapter in our lives. However, I found myself overwhelmed by all the products and choices and the feeling that "if we REALLY loved Ryder, we would figure out how to get the top of the line accessories for him. I mean, if I don't get the BEST stuff out there, then we must not be making the best decisions for him as his parents, right?" WRONG!

I think of what our parents had for us. (Um, I don't think I was in a carseat after the age of one years old (and nobody said boo about it...) I don't think that we had any battery operated toys and I don't remember being aware of technology until elementary school, and I don't remember feeling deprived either... Am I saying don't use a car seat? Of course not! I mean things have come a long way, but when did all that EXTRA stuff become so important? things have really changed, apparently. I was trying to just find simple toys that didn't trigger ADD or make me spontaneously twitch because of the sounds they made and the way they lit up.

Finding the OFF switch on some toys is like trying to find the exit in a casino...

IMPOSSIBLE!

I realized that I think that I can easily fall into the trap that more stuff, or better stuff makes you happier, or makes life better or more full, and my gosh, who wants to pass that idea/philosophy onto your kid?! Sometimes more is just more, right? I mean, it's just STUFF, right? Isn't the most important thing for Ryder that we KNOW who he is, in his good, bad and ugly times? That we make our relationship with Jesus a top priority, the center of our home and our marriage, that our marriage is one that reflects our vows that we made to each other over 7 years ago, about being each others best friends, supporters, protectors, and lovers...?

When did I think that the STUFF was more important for a kid?

Needless to say, I was completely caught off guard that I would have this response to the whole registering thing. Who knew it would trigger all these thoughts and feelings on parenting and personal issues... I am wondering if anyone else out there had the same response, or similar feelings or if I am just being hormonal...?

(note: If I am being hormonal, don't tell me that, pregnant people don't ever like to be told that they are hormonal... or, by the way, how "cute" their largeness is...)

A "little surprise" for Gina and Ryder...

I was out in Redlands from thursday to sunday hanging out with my family and being with our niece and nephews. Kit was with me from thursday night to saturday night. Kit had told me that he was working on a "little" surprise for Ryder and I, with the help of our Rae family.

This was what I came home to. This was the "little surprise"...

That's right, I got a new bathroom from our family for Christmas... I can't believe it!

And I have to brag on my brother Andrew... That cabinet is custom built for us, to go with that sink that Kit (and I) LOVE. He made a drawer for all of Ryders bath stuff too...

Oh my goodness, the storage!

This tub is incredible! When Kit sits in it, it goes up to his shoulder and it has ARMRESTS!!! I can't WAIT to use it. We have been joking that Ryder got a lap pool for Christmas...

Diane and I were talking about how bath times when the boys were little were such wonderful memories. They would play and Eric and Diane would sit and talk, and just watch the boys enjoy being in the tub getting clean...

I think everyone is more self conscious about their own stuff, but I have to tell you, I HATED our old bathroom. I felt like no matter how much I cleaned it, it still felt dirty and I felt like I needed everyone to be up to date on their vaccinations prior to using it it.

(I know I am being a TAD dramatic, but those that saw it and used it

know what I am talking about...)

So anyway, I will post more pictures as we tackle the finishing touches.

I just want to thank all of our family that made this INCREDIBLE bathroom possible...

Eric, Diane, Andrew, Mallory and Ryan.... Thank you SO MUCH! I love you all and I am so thankful for all you did (and do) for us.

Our girl is finally here!

Introducing our niece...

She is already one of the best things to have happened to our family. She is so generous with her smiles and hugs and she is the best snuggler ever! We feel like we have known her forever and we already can't imagine life with out her.

Little tid bits about her:

~She is an amazing eater (literally, she will eat pretty much anything)

~She is not that into sweets

~She has the most easy going personality, and loves being around people

~This sister does NOT like her car seat

~She is already sleeping in her crib and last night she slept from 8p-4a.

~She loves to put things in containers and then take them out

~She loves her tea set and feeding her doll

~She loves her knit caps and head bands

(which we have been taking full advantage of)

~As we can tell so far, she is all girl, she loves pink, tea parties, dolls, jewelry...

(But I think that she will be able to hold her own with her brothers...)

I know that we will learn so much more about her...

It is already so fun to see her personality and learn about who she is!

Here she is with my mom, or as we call my mom, Mia... Already my mom is a favorite!

When Kit walked in the door, she was standing in the kitchen and she saw him, gave the biggest smile, staggered over to him, and put her arms up to him to pick her up. Then she just snuggled him. It completely melted my heart...

All the girls!

We just love our girl so much!

(I told my sister that if this little girl seems to be loosing weight, it's because we are nibbling at her every chance we get...)

She's coming home today!

Our niece (along with my sister and brother-in-law) will be arriving home from ethiopia today. I can't stand it! We are dying to meet her. My mom and I are really trying to stay low key and keep our expectations low.

I feel the same way as when my sister delivered both of our nephews. I was so honored to be there with both boys and this doesn't feel all that different.

(Minus the fact that she can walk and has teeth, she can doodle and put marbles in a cup, and there is no hospital involved...)

I mean, we haven't met her, she hasn't met us, she doesn't know us, but we love her already! I really get emotional thinking about what this little munch has been through in her short life, but I am so thankful that she will be finally with us.

I hope to have pictures to share soon... we will probably do more video at the very beginning and then see how she does with it. You all know that I LOVE taking pictures and the last thing I want to do is overwhelm her with camera FLASH...

Please pray for us as we spend the next few days just bonding as a family.

Money that she totally takes to Kit and that I have to resort to bribery...

Story of my life with Kit and kids...

We have figured out Ryder's daycare!

Gosh, it is a huge relief to finally have figured out what we are going to do with our little guy when I go back to work! I have decided that I will go back one day a week.

I found the best babysitter/daycare ever for the days that I have to work! He is AMAZING with kids and he comes to your house, he is CPR certified and specializes in working with kids and families. He has his master's dregree (in two more weeks.) He loves to be outside and already has outings planned for he and Ryder. He is enthusiastic and full of energy. He is handy so he can fix anything that breaks, he has a calm easy going personality and can trouble shoot ANYTHING. He is the BEST man that I know for the job, I don't respect anyone more and I know that he will be amazing!

Plus, it doesn't hurt that Ryder has half of his genes...

Introducing our daycare plan:

+

Plus it really helps that he lets me pay him in hug bucks...

The rest of the days will be the three of us together or me and the little man, and maybe some family thrown in there too...

Ryder will be so excited when I work because that will mean "no girls allowed" time with Kit. Oh the memories that will be made.

We are truly blessed and honored to be able to have this opportunity to be with our little guy.

SHOES!!!

I got these AMAZING shoes for Christmas and I wanted to share them with you. They are made by women in Uganda and are REALLY comfortable.. You can find the story of them here. These women are incredible!

I got black and my sister got chocolate brown.

Thanks Mom for thinking of us... I love them!

Another question to all the mama's out there...

I was going through our pantry to see what stuff I needed to use up and realized that there are things that I ALWAYS have on hand (olive oil, pasta sauce, pasta, jars of our favorite salsa from Trader Joes, tortilla chips, laura scudder's peanut butter, Knotts boysenberry jam...) and things that I ALWAYS have in our fridge (milk, eggs, tomatoes, yogurt, tortillas and ground turkey...)

I recently had our nephews over and I realized that I don't always have stuff stocked for little people. (I mean, LOVE salsa but I have a hard time passing that off to our 4 year old nephew as a viable snack...)

So I have developed a list that I reference when I know that little people will be at our house:

String cheese, TLC crackers, raisins, apple juice, breakfast bars, cheese for quesadillas, peanut butter and jelly, bananas (or fruit)...

For those that have little people frequenting your house, (or just plain living there) what are things that you always have on hand? I would love to add your favorites to my list...

Thank you for always taking time to respond... I love learning from you.

(Plus, then when Ryder has play dates with you, we will be well prepared, food wise...)

Am I jumping the gun? NEVER! I call it planning ahead.

it's TRU...

ROCKHARBOR family ministries has been part of developing this curriculum that launched this week. God has been so prevalent through the entire process and Kit has been honored to be part of this project. We are really excited about it and wanted to share it with you. We look forward to using this philosophy of ministry and parenting in our house.

Enjoy!

www.tru.davidccook.com

Something different but VERY tasty...

I had this weird craving for eggs today and so I tried a recipe that I had found in Real Simple magazine. I varied it a little bit. Normally the combination wouldn't have sounded that good to me, but today I gave it a try and I think I have a new favorite.

All I did was this:

I turned my broiler on to hi. I then placed two pieces of sourdough bread drizzled with olive oil and kosher sea salt. I broiled them for 3 minutes on each side. On the same baking sheet, I placed a dozen cleaned asparagus (with the firm edges broken off) and broiled them for 7-8 minutes, (the asparagus was also drizzled with olive oil and salt.) Then I placed the asparagus on the bread, sprinkled with parmesan cheese and placed a egg done "over hard" on top. The combination was so tasty. It took less than 10 minutes with little clean up and I was really full.

It definitely showed me how I need to try new things more often.

A question to all the mama's out there...

I have a little question. I realize that I am not all that organized in how I clean, grocery shop and garden. I was wondering how all the mamas (and dad's) out there juggle being home with the kiddos and how you keep your house somewhat organized.

(Disclaimer: I know that you have to give up your current expectations. I know that our house will be different with a little person in it... I know that I have to let things go.

With that being said...)

Do you plan meals for the week and shop once a week or do you go every couple of days as you think of what food you need?

Do you clean one room a day or do general cleaning and straightening and clean messes as they come up?

Is there a system that you have found to work for you that makes you feel like your main priority isn't cleaning and that allows you to really be present with the little people?

If there is something that you have heard or that your parents did with you that you appreciated, I would love to hear that too..)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me!

On their way!

My sister and brother-in-law left at 4 am this morning to head to Ethiopia to get our niece! We are so excited to finally meet her... She will FINALLY be home with us on January 15. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers through this process. Please continue to join us as we pray for this new chapter in our family's lives and ALL the transitions that it will bring.

God is so good!

I'm in love!

Kit got this for me for Christmas and I am so excited. I know it sounds like a throw back to the 50's but OH MY GOSH, I love this thing!

(Well, I am usually barefoot in our house and I am currently pregnant, so...)

We have been in our house for 6 years and I have never found a cleaner that didn't streak our floors. This sucker only uses water and cleans like a dream AND, we don't have to clean our floor on our hands and knees anymore. A friend had told me about it and I was a little skeptical, but I am so excited about this thing. It will make keeping our floor clean for our little man so much easier.

So I just had to share my excitement! Thanks Kit Rae!

7th year wedding anniversary...

Today marks our 7th year wedding anniversary. It seems like it goes so fast! I just loved getting married but being married is the absolute greatest things ever!

Happy anniversary Kit Rae!

I love each year that we have had together and I look forward to many many more!

I couldn't love you more...

To my wife...

If you read this blog then you are very aware of how lucky I am as a husband. As of tomorrow January 4th we will have been married 7 great years. What amazes me is that I thought I loved this girl on my wedding day, but the love that my heart knew on this day (see pic) is not even a fraction of the love that I now have for her today.

Her intentionality, grace, love, humility, and kindness are just a few of the beautiful attributes she possesses. I am such a lucky man!

Sweetie! Here's to 7 great years of this crazy adventure called marriage!

I couldn't love you more.

Kit

p.s. - I hope you don't mind me logging onto your blog and writing a few thoughts!

El Capitan Canyon

We just got home from celebrating New Year's and our friend, Mark Thrash's 30th birthday. We went with a group to El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara.

It was such a fun place to welcome in 2010!

Here is Kit and Mark...

Each cabin has a fire pit and table directly off the cabin's deck.

Here are some night shots...

Here we are cooking in the morning, just waking up...

We rented bikes (no charge) and rode to the beach and the guys paddle boarded once we got there. Kit had so much fun learning a new sport and he did really well.

(Gosh, I hope that Ryder get's his father's athletic ability...)

Here is a nice shot of Ryder (Good Lord, my little man is moving like crazy!)

Here we are with Mark and Jamie.

We love you guys and we can't wait to celebrate many birthdays in the future together.

(Like Hank and Ryder's birthday in April... Let's start there!)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! We are so excited about what this year holds for our family.

Here are some of the exciting upcoming events:

~Celebrating our 7 year anniversary (this month!)

~Getting our niece from Ethiopia (this month!)

~Kit finishing his last grad. school class this month and then walking in May (YEAH!!!)

~Having Ryder join our family (if all goes as planned) in April

~We will both be celebrating our 30th birthdays this June.

And that is just the stuff that we know about!

To our family and friends, we hope that this year is filled with lots of laughter and memorable moments for you. We love doing life with you and we look forward to entering in 2010 together!

Welcome 2010!