Still Here

In case you wondered, we are still here. I cannot believe how busy we have become, even with an infant. Or maybe because of the infant. I pulled down the old blog header since we can now go back to being 'The Peapod Four', but I haven't had near the time (or let's be honest, the desire) to create a new one. There is hope that in the coming days and months the blog might return to it's regular place in my life. At the moment, though, the extent my writing seems to be status updates on facebook and weekly emails to my Bible study group.

 It occurred to me tonight, though, as I finished three days worth of Bible study in one evening (yes, I just admitted that), that maybe an update on the fam might be a good re-entry into blogging. No doubt I want to finish my 1000 gifts. If I had continued to write them down I could easily be done by now. But I forget. And along with that goes my gratitude and then my attitude. I probably just need to read the book all over again. In fact, I might just do that.

We are nearing the one year mark in our new home. I am always in the middle of projects, but I love how everything is starting to come together. Just recently, I added some pink sparkly material to Carrie's curtains and a sweet bedtime saying to her wall. Her favorite things right now are her books. I often find her 'reading' in bed, both morning and night. She is a girly girl with a love for all things pink and twirly. She is also quite sneaky and quick. She pushes boundaries to see if the rules have changed all the time. She is like the story of the little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead - for when she is good, she is very, very good, but when she is bad, she is horrid! But it's true, and she has the facial expressions to go with those opposite moods as well.

Ben is a very sweet, laid back, good sleeping little boy. He is down to four feedings and three naps a day, which makes my life a lot easier. He sleeps about 11 hours at night so I am functioning well now too. This weekend we moved him from his rock n play to the crib permanently. Other than not sleeping as well during nap times, he has transitioned beautifully. He also got oatmeal for the first time this past week. He doesn't like it, but dutifully takes it in his mouth, holds it a few seconds and spits it out with a healthy dose of saliva mixed in. I am milling his cereal, rather than buying it boxed. We've never made baby food, but I think this time things are going to be very different in that regard. We've just learned so much about food over the last year and a half that I'm sure will inform our decisions even for Ben.

Brenna started fourth grade and Daniel started first. Both are doing well in their classes. Brenna is taking a 4th and 5th grade compacted math class and will take the 5th grade SOL at the end of the year. She is excited and enjoys the challenge. Daniel is reading so well it still shocks me. His writing is catching up quickly too. When he takes his time, he can write really well. They both have friends in the neighborhood and enjoy riding their bikes around the cul de sac. They have become acolytes at church (lighting the candles at the front) and really enjoy being there. I'm thrilled with what all they are learning and how much they love their friends and teachers. Brenna is taking another year of hip hop through a church dance academy, dancing to Toby Mac and DC Talk. Daniel is trying out t-ball this fall.

And beyond all that, we have Michael's secular band commitments, my Bible study, school events, church events, work (for me), and lots of bread making going on.

So it's a busy peapod right now, but it's a happy one. We're still here. :)