The Bumbo

Quite possibly my favorite "kid gear" invention ever. We put little Lydia in it the other day for the first time. It was hard for her to keep her head up, she loved sitting in it.

Halloween in September

So the pictures are a little dark and blurry, but wanted to share them. The kids both put on their Halloween costumes (or part of them) this morning and wanted to play outside in them. Oliver is Thomas the Train, and Mer is a lady bug...the full costume to come in October.




And here's a recent one of Lydia. She was two months old yesterday. I took her to the doctor today. She's 12 pounds and 22 inches. She is growing like crazy!

Community

Today I'd like to give testimony to how God has and is taking care of me. Many of you know that Alex travels a lot for his job. It's just kind of the way it is right now. He has busy seasons and less busy seasons, and we just try to take life a day at a time when he has to be gone. Being on my own with our three kids definitely has it's ups and downs, and I've asked a number of friends and family to pray for me/us. It's amazing to see how God is a God of details and how he cares for me through other people in small ways, that add up to big ways.

Just this week...

*Two neighbors came by and gave me their numbers in case I need anything.
*Another good friend and neighbor fed my dog when we were gone for the day.
*A friend from my Bible Study came by and took Oliver for the afternoon and evening.
*My mom spend the night to help out at the beginning of the week.
*Another friend from my Bible Study bought me a Groupon to purchase pre-made meals.
*And yet another friend is coming over to stay with my kids while I do some tutoring.
*My mother-in-law is going to watch my kids tomorrow morning so I can run some errands.
*Last but definitely not least, Lydia is being a really good sleeper, and beginning to fall into a routine.

Wow.I am so thankful for the community of generous women God has placed in my life at a time when I really need it. Thanks to all.

Labor Day Weekend

We had a fun Labor Day weekend. We visited a wild life zoo near Wichita and Alex took Oliver and some of his friends on an airplane ride. Alex and Oliver also went to the farm and Oliver got to play with his cousin Owen, and ride the combine and four wheeler. I totally forgot to send the camera with them, and wish I had some pictures to post from that day.


Meredith getting ready to pet the bunnies. They were so sweet and tame.


Oliver and the turtles.


Little Lydia enjoyed the beautiful weather...as did we.


Meredith loves her Uncle Max.


The Crew (Sarah, Charlie, Oliver, and Lawson)


Oliver and Lawson getting ready to take off...they chatted through the headsets the whole flight.


Meredith and her cousin Graham giving big hugs.

August Update

Wow. Having three kids makes it a bit harder to find the time to update my blog.


Oliver loves being a big brother. He is always kissing and hugging Lydia. He starts preschool this week. He'll go two mornings a week and he's really excited. He has been a big help to me. He loves to mow, play on the computer, and play in the dirt.


My independent and creative Meredith. I love how she marches to the beat of her own drummer. I guess she is ready for Fall, because all summer long she's been begging to wear a jacket, hat, and mittens when she goes outside. She keeps up with her big brother and loves any kind of adventure. Every day when she wakes up from her nap she comes out of her room wearing something different...usually 3 or 4 layers of clothes.


Sweet Lydia will be 6 weeks old tomorrow. She gave us her first few smiles this week. She's a good eater and a pretty good sleeper too. We are learning more about her each day. Her hair is still dark...we'll see if it stays that way. She is a little blessing.

Bottle it Up

Lydia is almost two weeks old, and I'm just now posting about her birth. I've thought about writing on my blog numerous times, but haven't been quite sure how to summarize her birth and life. This labor and recovery has by far been my best physically and emotionally. I am so thankful for Lydia's little life, and really can't imagine our family without her. She has been a joy. She's such a sweet baby. She has dark hair (which is fun because our other two had blond hair) and dimples like her daddy. I keep thinking that I just want to "bottle up" the whole experience with her and keep it forever...from the labor and delivery to the first almost two weeks with her. Maybe part of it is because this may be our last time to experience it, and maybe the other part is I'm more relaxed about having a newborn than I was four years ago. Whatever it is, I love this little baby, and her daddy, and brother and sister are pretty crazy about her too. Here are a few pictures of her birth day. More pics to follow soon. Oh, and never mind the date on the pictures. Somehow my parents camera was set to the wrong date.


Proud big brother


Meredith got to meet Lydia first thing in the morning. She woke up as my mom was getting ready to come to the Birth Care Center. She climbed right up in the bed and wanted to hold her.

Lydia Mae

We are so blessed and excited to announce the birth of our newest addition. Lydia Mae Unruh was born at 5:50 a.m. yesterday (July 19). She weighs 8 lbs and is 20 inches. We are in love with her....more details to come.