We got this on video tonight...funny! (I probably shouldn't post it because my narration is even more annoying than usual this time, BUT, we were laughing too hard at her "clap" at the end not to. Her balance isn't quite perfect yet). :)
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
California
Last weekend Matt and I got to take a little early anniversary trip to California! Matt was going there for work and we decided it would be fun if I joined him and we made a weekend out of it. Our parents took turns taking care of Saylor which made the trip possible- THANK YOUto the grandparents!!!! :)
We had a great time in Palo Alto and San Fransisco. We stayed one night with our good friends, Jeremy and Michelle. They took great care of us and it was really fun to spend time with them. The next day we drove up to Mendocino, did some winery tours, drove through the Redwoods, ate lunch on the coast, and stayed that night in a cute bed and breakfast. Matt even booked us massages at a little day spa! :) The next day we met back up with the Utley's in San Fransisco and did some shopping and eating.
The best part about the trip was just to have low key time with Matt without a million things to do. We rented a car and drove a fair amount, which was actually really nice. The scenery was beautiful and I was reminded how much I love how we can spend hours together and alternate between great conversation, listening to new music, or just being still and quiet together. Of course we missed Saylor, but it was definitely nice to get away. It's funny how much things have changed in 11 months since our family went from 2 to 3! This December we will celebrate our 6th anniversary...hard to believe and I am so lucky to be married to this guy.
The Golden Gate Bridge
A winery we toured in Sonoma
Us in the Redwoods - these things were awesome!
The Utley's
Here's what was waiting for us when we got home!
We had a great time in Palo Alto and San Fransisco. We stayed one night with our good friends, Jeremy and Michelle. They took great care of us and it was really fun to spend time with them. The next day we drove up to Mendocino, did some winery tours, drove through the Redwoods, ate lunch on the coast, and stayed that night in a cute bed and breakfast. Matt even booked us massages at a little day spa! :) The next day we met back up with the Utley's in San Fransisco and did some shopping and eating.
The best part about the trip was just to have low key time with Matt without a million things to do. We rented a car and drove a fair amount, which was actually really nice. The scenery was beautiful and I was reminded how much I love how we can spend hours together and alternate between great conversation, listening to new music, or just being still and quiet together. Of course we missed Saylor, but it was definitely nice to get away. It's funny how much things have changed in 11 months since our family went from 2 to 3! This December we will celebrate our 6th anniversary...hard to believe and I am so lucky to be married to this guy.
The Golden Gate Bridge
A winery we toured in Sonoma
Us in the Redwoods - these things were awesome!
The Utley's
Here's what was waiting for us when we got home!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Lesson I (re)learned today
I went to the eye doctor today for an annual check up (although I hadn't been in three years, so it wasn't exactly annual). For a 15 minute period while she was waiting for my eyes to dilate, I experienced a glimpse of what life would be like without sight. You see, my prescription is not good...not good at all. Let's just say that without my contacts I cannot even see the enormous black "E" at the top of the page. Poor Matt's eyes are even worse than mine. (And poor Saylor is probably doomed)! We've talked before about how lucky we are to be born in the "age of corrective lenses". I bet if we had been born in biblical times we would be the "blind men" they refer to sitting on the side of the road...
Anyways, in that 15 minutes time span with no contacts, the following things occurred:
-I moved exam rooms twice, pushing Saylor in her stroller and carrying my enormous diaper bag, accidentally bumping into something twice and holding onto the walls to keep from falling
-I had a conversation with the billing lady and paid for my visit, including signing my name. Couldn't make eye contact with her cause I couldn't see her. Had to bend all the way down to the desk to see what I was writing.
-I entertained Saylor and tried to feed her bits of her lunch to keep her happy, the whole time moving my head within inches of hers to see if she was actually getting the food into her mouth
-Saylor started waving and (I think) smiling like crazy at one point. At first I thought it was at me, so I smiled and waved back. Then I realized it was at another patient also waiting who I think was maybe making funny faces at her?
-I tried to initiate some small talk with the Doctor (she is not very talkative/friendly), only to have her politely say "um-hmm" and not really respond other than that.
The point of this story is 1) how ridiculous I felt the whole time and probably looked the whole time (though I know they are obviously used to it) and 2) (and more importantly), how much respect I have for blind people and people with physical hardships in general. Having one of my senses removed from me made me feel so incredibly vulnerable. I couldn't properly take care of myself or my child. I couldn't see or gauge people's reactions to me or anything around me. I was several seconds behind with everything happening around me. It was such a strange feeling and I was immensely relieved to have my contacts back in and my world "restored" to what I perceive it to be.
Obviously, I knew the whole time that the experience wouldn't last long. But, my heart goes out to those whose lives are turned upside down in some way. My patients who've been in major traumas and their families are the first who come to mind. But, also those in all of our lives who are dealing with death, or illness, or loss of work, or something that just pulls the rug out from under you like that.
All this to say, it points me back to this:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. Colossians 1
Praise Christ that HE is stable when what we know is not, that HE holds ALL things together, that HE is Creator and Sustainer of life, even when life is not what we've always known it to be and even in life beyond this life, for those who hope in Him!
Anyways, in that 15 minutes time span with no contacts, the following things occurred:
-I moved exam rooms twice, pushing Saylor in her stroller and carrying my enormous diaper bag, accidentally bumping into something twice and holding onto the walls to keep from falling
-I had a conversation with the billing lady and paid for my visit, including signing my name. Couldn't make eye contact with her cause I couldn't see her. Had to bend all the way down to the desk to see what I was writing.
-I entertained Saylor and tried to feed her bits of her lunch to keep her happy, the whole time moving my head within inches of hers to see if she was actually getting the food into her mouth
-Saylor started waving and (I think) smiling like crazy at one point. At first I thought it was at me, so I smiled and waved back. Then I realized it was at another patient also waiting who I think was maybe making funny faces at her?
-I tried to initiate some small talk with the Doctor (she is not very talkative/friendly), only to have her politely say "um-hmm" and not really respond other than that.
The point of this story is 1) how ridiculous I felt the whole time and probably looked the whole time (though I know they are obviously used to it) and 2) (and more importantly), how much respect I have for blind people and people with physical hardships in general. Having one of my senses removed from me made me feel so incredibly vulnerable. I couldn't properly take care of myself or my child. I couldn't see or gauge people's reactions to me or anything around me. I was several seconds behind with everything happening around me. It was such a strange feeling and I was immensely relieved to have my contacts back in and my world "restored" to what I perceive it to be.
Obviously, I knew the whole time that the experience wouldn't last long. But, my heart goes out to those whose lives are turned upside down in some way. My patients who've been in major traumas and their families are the first who come to mind. But, also those in all of our lives who are dealing with death, or illness, or loss of work, or something that just pulls the rug out from under you like that.
All this to say, it points me back to this:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. Colossians 1
Praise Christ that HE is stable when what we know is not, that HE holds ALL things together, that HE is Creator and Sustainer of life, even when life is not what we've always known it to be and even in life beyond this life, for those who hope in Him!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tis the season
Is it weird that I was listening to Christmas carols last week? Probably. But for some reason I am feeling really in the wintery spirit.
Wintery things I am loving right now:
This Christmas album by Mindy Smith
Starbucks Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte. Even the nonfat version is delicious!
These Restoration Hardware slippers my sis gave me last year for Christmas. I wish I could wear them everywhere.
Wintery things I am loving right now:
This Christmas album by Mindy Smith
Starbucks Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte. Even the nonfat version is delicious!
These Restoration Hardware slippers my sis gave me last year for Christmas. I wish I could wear them everywhere.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Halloween
We are typically not big Halloween fans, but it was pretty fun this year with babies involved. We had a little party with some other baby friends...I REALLY wanted a cute picture of them lined up in a row, but sadly none of the babies were too fond of that idea.
Here's me and our little lobster. I can't believe I really didn't get ONE good picture of her in this...think she was pretty overwhelmed most of the day.
Gavin the Monkey
James the Duck (his family did a duck, duck, goose theme -very creative)
Saylor and Harper, the Bumblebee
A meltdown on the couch with Berkley, the Giraffe
Another meltdown, this time on the floor
Saylor and Ethan, the Indian (his whole family did a cowboys and Indian theme - cute!)
A plate of Halloween cookies that Ellen helped me make. Yum...soooooooooo much sugar yesterday.......ugh.
Here's me and our little lobster. I can't believe I really didn't get ONE good picture of her in this...think she was pretty overwhelmed most of the day.
Gavin the Monkey
James the Duck (his family did a duck, duck, goose theme -very creative)
Saylor and Harper, the Bumblebee
A meltdown on the couch with Berkley, the Giraffe
Another meltdown, this time on the floor
Saylor and Ethan, the Indian (his whole family did a cowboys and Indian theme - cute!)
A plate of Halloween cookies that Ellen helped me make. Yum...soooooooooo much sugar yesterday.......ugh.
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