Wednesday, July 19
Congratulations!!!
To Aunt C and Uncle B - congratulations on your new addition!!! I'm so excited that i have a cousin.
Heat Wave
The temperatures here in PA are quite hot and definitely sticky. They have been for quite a while now, which has challenged us to put on our AC. (That doesn't happen too often here.) Which is quite a bit different to sweating it out in AZ last summer. However I'm sure our AZ friends might be impressed that our car registered the temp at 104, as I drove to my photo class just yesterday. I would trade 125 in Phoenix any day for 104 in muggy Pittsburgh, temperaturewise. There are other things I love and forgot I missed about Pitt. Like the fact that you can still get a COLD shower in the heat of the summer or get a cold glass of water straight from the tap. We have also enjoyed those wonderful days where you sweat out the sun, but then at night the air cools off soooo much that you put the fans in the windows and pull up the down comforter.
Since the temps are not dropping that low at the moment we decided to head off to see family, making very sure that they were family with a pool. This also gave us some fun to see how Ben took to the water. He loves it during bathtime. So, we've started to fill his tub outside as a pool on these hot days.(See previous post/photos.) Now, we got to see how he's grown since Memorial Day's pool experience. Ben absolutely loved it. He splashed around for a bit in his whale floatie and then I took him out on his own. He kicked and kicked and kicked his little legs, and while he was on his tummy, he decided to put his whole face in the water. The first time surprised him a bit, but not too bad because he continued testing the water off and on the whole day. It felt like we were in the pool for about 2 hours for our first go and then about another hour later on. (Grandparents not to worry, we did use a lot of SPF 45.) In the end he enjoyed the pool so much that he fell asleep, while floating in his whale. Who knows maybe we have a little swimmer in our midst.
Greek is more than half over, which means about 3 more weeks and then Dave gets a much needed break from his studies. He is very committed to all these classes, and it's been impressive watching how dedicated he's been. I'm not sure I could finish 3 hours of class and then study four more hours on my own on a daily basis, while working and being a new daddy. But he has and is. Well done!!!
Photography is coming along nicely. This is our fourth week of class and we finally were able to bring our first black and white prints to class. Printing is such a treat. You come into the darkroom with a blank sheet of paper and undeveloped film. You leave with negatives, a contact sheet, and your very own prints. Putting the blank paper into the developer and watching an image arise is quite an experience. Even with all the new digital cameras and goodies they're coming out with, I think I'll stick to B&W and doing my own prints. It's countercultural.
Apart from that life continues.
Since the temps are not dropping that low at the moment we decided to head off to see family, making very sure that they were family with a pool. This also gave us some fun to see how Ben took to the water. He loves it during bathtime. So, we've started to fill his tub outside as a pool on these hot days.(See previous post/photos.) Now, we got to see how he's grown since Memorial Day's pool experience. Ben absolutely loved it. He splashed around for a bit in his whale floatie and then I took him out on his own. He kicked and kicked and kicked his little legs, and while he was on his tummy, he decided to put his whole face in the water. The first time surprised him a bit, but not too bad because he continued testing the water off and on the whole day. It felt like we were in the pool for about 2 hours for our first go and then about another hour later on. (Grandparents not to worry, we did use a lot of SPF 45.) In the end he enjoyed the pool so much that he fell asleep, while floating in his whale. Who knows maybe we have a little swimmer in our midst.
Greek is more than half over, which means about 3 more weeks and then Dave gets a much needed break from his studies. He is very committed to all these classes, and it's been impressive watching how dedicated he's been. I'm not sure I could finish 3 hours of class and then study four more hours on my own on a daily basis, while working and being a new daddy. But he has and is. Well done!!!
Photography is coming along nicely. This is our fourth week of class and we finally were able to bring our first black and white prints to class. Printing is such a treat. You come into the darkroom with a blank sheet of paper and undeveloped film. You leave with negatives, a contact sheet, and your very own prints. Putting the blank paper into the developer and watching an image arise is quite an experience. Even with all the new digital cameras and goodies they're coming out with, I think I'll stick to B&W and doing my own prints. It's countercultural.
Apart from that life continues.
Monday, July 10
It's not ALL about Ben
Our friend Uncle Mike is protesting that we have too many photos of Ben on here. He has requested some of ourselves. So, here's to you BIG MIKE!!!
Sunday, July 9
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pool time
okay, well maybe it's not a pool, but i don't really know the difference. i just care that the water was cool and so was i. grandma and grandpa came to visit and when they do i know there will be a lot of photos. i made sure i posted some of my best work.(sorry photos not working just yet) i just keep getting cuter and cuter, or at least that's what people keep telling me, but who am i to complain.
mommy and i have been doing a lot together lately. we've been for walks all over our town and we've been to a few farmer's markets. we've been shopping for groceries and i help mommy hold her list and sometimes i hold her credit cards. i am learning a lot of new stuff at home. i've been pushing myself around in my walker and jumping in my jonny jump up. i've also been pushing myself up on my knees, but i just can't quite figure out how to get up on my hands and knees. also this week i've been rather irritated by this pain in my lower gums. ice cold washcloths are great to chew on and they help the pain, a little. i've even started to find my toes. daddy thinks it's so funny when i find my toes. so i do it to make him laugh. he's funny when he laughs.
i saw my first ever fireworks this week and i loved them. i would watch them go all the way up in the sky and then burst and fall back down. finally, i watched them so long i think i fell asleep because the next thing i remember was daddy putting me back in my bed. it had been a long day though. we all went to the fair and saw a lot of different animals. they were really noisy and some were very fast around their racetracks. then we went to a demolition derby. it's where a lot of things get smashed. mommy told me they were smashing school buses and that one day i'd be riding one. i hope the one i ride doesn't look like the ones i saw.
daddy is still busy at school and work. he keeps showing me all these flashcards with weird symbols on them and then telling me what they mean. it's ALL greek to me though. i do like visiting daddy at work. mommy and i go see him a lot. i'm not sure if mommy goes to see daddy or if she just likes all the drinks. sometimes they're hot. sometimes they're cold.
mommy and i have also been going to daddy's football games. he plays for a team called bamboo. it looks like a lot of fun. we've also been watching a lot of football on tv. although mommy says that today was the last game and that we can't tell daddy who won just yet since he missed it. i hope i don't tell him italy won.
well mommy says it's time for bed. so i better be going.
mommy and i have been doing a lot together lately. we've been for walks all over our town and we've been to a few farmer's markets. we've been shopping for groceries and i help mommy hold her list and sometimes i hold her credit cards. i am learning a lot of new stuff at home. i've been pushing myself around in my walker and jumping in my jonny jump up. i've also been pushing myself up on my knees, but i just can't quite figure out how to get up on my hands and knees. also this week i've been rather irritated by this pain in my lower gums. ice cold washcloths are great to chew on and they help the pain, a little. i've even started to find my toes. daddy thinks it's so funny when i find my toes. so i do it to make him laugh. he's funny when he laughs.
i saw my first ever fireworks this week and i loved them. i would watch them go all the way up in the sky and then burst and fall back down. finally, i watched them so long i think i fell asleep because the next thing i remember was daddy putting me back in my bed. it had been a long day though. we all went to the fair and saw a lot of different animals. they were really noisy and some were very fast around their racetracks. then we went to a demolition derby. it's where a lot of things get smashed. mommy told me they were smashing school buses and that one day i'd be riding one. i hope the one i ride doesn't look like the ones i saw.
daddy is still busy at school and work. he keeps showing me all these flashcards with weird symbols on them and then telling me what they mean. it's ALL greek to me though. i do like visiting daddy at work. mommy and i go see him a lot. i'm not sure if mommy goes to see daddy or if she just likes all the drinks. sometimes they're hot. sometimes they're cold.
mommy and i have also been going to daddy's football games. he plays for a team called bamboo. it looks like a lot of fun. we've also been watching a lot of football on tv. although mommy says that today was the last game and that we can't tell daddy who won just yet since he missed it. i hope i don't tell him italy won.
well mommy says it's time for bed. so i better be going.
Wednesday, June 21
classes and homework
Week 1 of black & white photography went very well. I now know how to process a photogram, which is required as my homework for next week's class. No one told me there would be homework. I guess I'll be processing photos of Ben, often. Hopefully he sits still. He's currently on the verge of crawling and it will be any moment now. Look out! Life is about to change again.
Greek is still going well. This is week 2 and it's more challenging than the previous week, which is to be expected. Dave's doing really well. It's great to see how well he is balancing work, Greek, and chill time. He's currently playing Settlers of the Catan with a bunch of fellow seminarians.
The garden is coming along. One of these days I'll have to take some photos of it and some other surroundings to post so you can all see where we are and what's new. I suppose I should also put a family photo into our profile. However, priorities bump that down fairly low on the list.
Greek is still going well. This is week 2 and it's more challenging than the previous week, which is to be expected. Dave's doing really well. It's great to see how well he is balancing work, Greek, and chill time. He's currently playing Settlers of the Catan with a bunch of fellow seminarians.
The garden is coming along. One of these days I'll have to take some photos of it and some other surroundings to post so you can all see where we are and what's new. I suppose I should also put a family photo into our profile. However, priorities bump that down fairly low on the list.
Thursday, June 15
Back In The Saddle Again...
Flashcards are all over our house, every journey anywhere is filled with sounds of a Greek professor on CD, and strange symbols appear at every moment. Yes, it is the alpha of summer and the omega of Dave's time away from studies. Sorry it's catchy. You can't help but learn some of these words when you hear them soooo often. Maybe I should've audited this class.
I've signed up to take a black & white photography course, which will teach me to better use my 35mm, while also teaching me how to develop my own prints. So, I may put some of my experimentations on the site as well. We'll see how it goes.
Ben is still growing like a weed. His 4 month check up went well and he now weighs 15 lbs 6 oz and is 25 1/4" in length. According to his DR's book, he has grown 6" since birth. CRAZY!!!
For Father's Day we chipped in and purchased daddy a new driver and a 54 degree sand wedge. He's already been out with friends using them at a local driving range where you can drive while watching planes land at Pittsburgh's Airport. It's a unique experience.
L
ast weekend we traveled across to Oakmont for the annual Allegheny Co Fire Convention Parade. (Dave LOVES firetrucks!) Numerous prizes were awarded. My favorite trucks were the 1946 pumper and the 1950s pale blue people carrier. I will have to post photos or else I won't hear the end of it all summer. (I'll post them after this entry.)
Sunday nite we had a BBQ with friends from Trinity to kick off the summer classes that were starting. We had great weather and a great time with all our friends and all their kids.
I have also decided to have a go at cultivating a small garden. There are pepper plants, tomatoes, sweet peas, rosemary, and zucchinis/courgettes that I have planted. Plus I have found chives, carrots, and I think some asparagus growing "wild" (remnants from the previous owner). We'll see how things progress, since I've been known to kill anything green, including cacti.
I've signed up to take a black & white photography course, which will teach me to better use my 35mm, while also teaching me how to develop my own prints. So, I may put some of my experimentations on the site as well. We'll see how it goes.
Ben is still growing like a weed. His 4 month check up went well and he now weighs 15 lbs 6 oz and is 25 1/4" in length. According to his DR's book, he has grown 6" since birth. CRAZY!!!
For Father's Day we chipped in and purchased daddy a new driver and a 54 degree sand wedge. He's already been out with friends using them at a local driving range where you can drive while watching planes land at Pittsburgh's Airport. It's a unique experience.
L
ast weekend we traveled across to Oakmont for the annual Allegheny Co Fire Convention Parade. (Dave LOVES firetrucks!) Numerous prizes were awarded. My favorite trucks were the 1946 pumper and the 1950s pale blue people carrier. I will have to post photos or else I won't hear the end of it all summer. (I'll post them after this entry.)Sunday nite we had a BBQ with friends from Trinity to kick off the summer classes that were starting. We had great weather and a great time with all our friends and all their kids.
I have also decided to have a go at cultivating a small garden. There are pepper plants, tomatoes, sweet peas, rosemary, and zucchinis/courgettes that I have planted. Plus I have found chives, carrots, and I think some asparagus growing "wild" (remnants from the previous owner). We'll see how things progress, since I've been known to kill anything green, including cacti.
Wednesday, June 14
Wednesday, May 24
Skye and I
Skye and I are having soooo much fun together. She really seems to understand my way of thinking. She's got a lot of cool toys, which I have thoroughly enjoyed playing with. Maybe later we can get the adults to take us for a walk before it gets all hot and sticky again. We'll see.
Tuesday, May 23
Life's a Beach
Today Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Mags, and Skye took me for my first trip to the ocean. Here's a photo of me chillin', checking out the beach babies, and living the good life. Keep checking out this blog for more photos of me on my first vacation.
Thursday, May 18
What to expect...
Parenting is such a wonderful experience and we have greatly enjoyed learning about Ben and seeing him become a little person with a real personality, not just a cute newborn who only sleeps, eats, and poops. Things have changed gradually, which has seemed a true blessing for us, so that we can grow right alongside our son. However, in the last week it seems as though a switch has been flipped in Ben. Almost overnite he has gone from this little boy who we knew, to a little boy we have to learn about all over again.
We have been greatly blessed by the fact that he's slept thru the night since about 4 weeks old. He now wakes once, if not twice. He's been eating about 5 oz a feeding, which is on a 3 hour cycle. He now wants 7 or 8 every two hours. His diapers have changed as well, from manageable to "let's flip a coin to see who gets the next one." (I never knew such a little human could make such a huge stink and mess.) It's times like this where one wonders if this is another growth spurt or the next plateau being reached. I guess we'll find out soon since growth spurts generally last about 48-72 hours. At least there's never a dull moment!!! It's quite exciting not knowing what to expect around the next corner.
We have been greatly blessed by the fact that he's slept thru the night since about 4 weeks old. He now wakes once, if not twice. He's been eating about 5 oz a feeding, which is on a 3 hour cycle. He now wants 7 or 8 every two hours. His diapers have changed as well, from manageable to "let's flip a coin to see who gets the next one." (I never knew such a little human could make such a huge stink and mess.) It's times like this where one wonders if this is another growth spurt or the next plateau being reached. I guess we'll find out soon since growth spurts generally last about 48-72 hours. At least there's never a dull moment!!! It's quite exciting not knowing what to expect around the next corner.
South Carolina Here We Come
We are getting ready to leave our cold, rainy home and head down to sunny South Carolina for a vacation with our friends Phil and Mags. Hopefully we'll get a chance to catch up with other friends that we haven't seen since we lived down in Charleston. This will be Ben's first real road trip and first week long vacation. So here goes a new learning curve. Dave and I are looking forward to spending time out as a family and getting to meet Skye for the first time, while hopefully getting some sunny days and maybe even a trip or two to the beach. This time we will NOT swim out to any sand barges.
Wednesday, May 3
Ladies and Gentlemen...start your BBQs
Hurray! Dave is done with seminary...for this semester anyways. He finished yesterday with his one and only final in the afternoon. One semester down.
For now we will be enjoying some space from school until Summer Greek starts in June. Today we ventured out for a walk to tour a bit of the historical sites around and then we hiked over to see Hannah, Ellie, and Heather. After which we went home to have our first BBQ of the season with Travis. It's great to have community so close.
Last week Dave and I traveled to Penn Hills for a Lifeshapes weekend. It went very well. While down there, Ben and I were heading out to lunch when we got stuck in traffic. Evidently the local GetGo station was the venue for a radio station's free gas give away. Well, Ben and I had to find another route to Jerry's because the traffic wasn't moving anywhere and the giveaway was from 12-2pm and we still had 1 hour before it was over. So, I've learned a bit more on how to get around Penn Hills.
Ben got to spend a lot of time with his family over the weekend. He saw all his grandparents, and Uncle Barrett and Aunt Carrie had him for a whole day. Then we headed to Uncle Mike and Aunt Heather's to celebrate her birthday. He seemed to love every minute of his weekend and was also quite tuckered out by Sunday nite. So, Monday and Tuesday we made sure were some light days.
For now we will be enjoying some space from school until Summer Greek starts in June. Today we ventured out for a walk to tour a bit of the historical sites around and then we hiked over to see Hannah, Ellie, and Heather. After which we went home to have our first BBQ of the season with Travis. It's great to have community so close.
Last week Dave and I traveled to Penn Hills for a Lifeshapes weekend. It went very well. While down there, Ben and I were heading out to lunch when we got stuck in traffic. Evidently the local GetGo station was the venue for a radio station's free gas give away. Well, Ben and I had to find another route to Jerry's because the traffic wasn't moving anywhere and the giveaway was from 12-2pm and we still had 1 hour before it was over. So, I've learned a bit more on how to get around Penn Hills.
Ben got to spend a lot of time with his family over the weekend. He saw all his grandparents, and Uncle Barrett and Aunt Carrie had him for a whole day. Then we headed to Uncle Mike and Aunt Heather's to celebrate her birthday. He seemed to love every minute of his weekend and was also quite tuckered out by Sunday nite. So, Monday and Tuesday we made sure were some light days.
Wednesday, April 12
Springtime
I’ve always thought autumn was my favorite season, but I must say spring may be changing my mind. It has such a freshness and a newness about it. Spring is about new life, new chances. It’s about waking up from a deep slumber. (Slumber is a very familiar feeling at the moment.) I love the flowers, the blossoming trees, the smell in the air, the extended daylight hours, the warm breezes…etc. It’s also very nice to see that we really do have neighbors. We haven’t seen neighbors for quite a while. While we were in Phoenix, everyone was still in doors, but just about ready to come out, as the weather was cooling off and not so intense. Well that meant the opposite for our new neighbors here in Pittsburgh. They were all retreating into their warm houses, and they’ve just now started to peak out of their houses.
Spring also means the Maple Syrup Festival is in season. I remember walking the trails thru the woods, seeing how they tapped the trees and then turned the sap into syrup, and most of all, I remember eating the pancakes and sausage with the FRESH syrup. I went to the festival when I was about 8, and so I requested that we, as a family, relive the experience. Well, I quickly realized that this was one of those experiences that was seen quite differently thru the eyes of a child. We ended up waiting in line for pancakes and syrup for about 2-3 hours, which would’ve been horrible had Dave’s cousins not been there to help pass the time. They helped turn a rather dreary experience into one that I will now look back on fondly. Thanks guys!!!
We’ve also spent some time with our friends and their new baby Kendell (see photo), who makes Ben look like a toddler. I know the sayings… “Time flies…” and “Kids grow up so fast” but I never quite understood them like I do now. Ben changes so much everyday that it’s quite good to visit with Kendell to remind us of how far we’ve come as parents even in the last 10 weeks.
We are looking forward to the end of classes with the end of April and some time to rest, once finals are over the first week of May. Then, who knows, maybe we’ll have to visit some of you all across the states, or globe.
Saturday, April 1
Friday, March 31
Wednesday, March 15
Reading Week
To begin our reading week, Dave and I took Ben on his first vacation. We went with three other couples (and their children) to a quiet Barn in the woods. We spent the weekend chatting, playing games, walking, and taking care of all 9 children. It was a lot of fun and a great break from the norm of study, study, study. It's great to have friends and to make new ones. I feel like we gained a lot of parenting tips from everyone as well. Thanks guys.
Benjamin is growing up fast. Tomorrow he will be 6 weeks old already. He had his one month checkup last week and all is well. He now weighs 10 lb 9 oz. Ben started smiling last week and is now realizing he has a voice. Sometimes he startles himself with it, but he's learning he can speak in other ways besides crying, which is so exciting to observe.
I know you may not believe me on this next bit, but Ben did also roll over for the first time this week. He was on his stomach having some tummy time, while I finished getting ready, and I watched him as his weight shifted and he rolled over onto his back. That was very exciting and scary at the same time. Guess he'll be mobile sooner than we thought. And if he's anything like me, he'll be walking (while holding onto furniture) in 3 more months. Honest.
Parenthood is wonderful. Dave and I learn so much everyday and I'm sure that will continue. It's been very eye opening in learning how God cares and provides for us, what unconditional love truly is, and in helping to understand grace in new ways. It can only get better as the days continue.
Benjamin is growing up fast. Tomorrow he will be 6 weeks old already. He had his one month checkup last week and all is well. He now weighs 10 lb 9 oz. Ben started smiling last week and is now realizing he has a voice. Sometimes he startles himself with it, but he's learning he can speak in other ways besides crying, which is so exciting to observe.
I know you may not believe me on this next bit, but Ben did also roll over for the first time this week. He was on his stomach having some tummy time, while I finished getting ready, and I watched him as his weight shifted and he rolled over onto his back. That was very exciting and scary at the same time. Guess he'll be mobile sooner than we thought. And if he's anything like me, he'll be walking (while holding onto furniture) in 3 more months. Honest.
Parenthood is wonderful. Dave and I learn so much everyday and I'm sure that will continue. It's been very eye opening in learning how God cares and provides for us, what unconditional love truly is, and in helping to understand grace in new ways. It can only get better as the days continue.
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