Brought to you by the letter "B"

Water Play!

It was so hot today- we got out a big tub of water and some toys and had a great time out on our little deck!

Tired baby- too much fun!

6 months!

Can you believe my baby is six months old? I can't.  I just can't. I wont! It's not true!

okay..... it is.

:o)

he's getting so big (well, he's really just a squirt, but he seems big to me!)  He's eating avocado, brown rice, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and peas.  He can sit by himself, roll over any which way he wants to, (usually onto his tummy, which he seems to prefer.) He scoots around the kitchen floor (carpet is still a challenge,) and he LOVES the johnny jumper.  He wants to stand all day, and will pull himself up from sitting if you hold his hands.  He never stops moving- except for when he's asleep.  When we wear him in the moby his feet continually kick.  I love it!  He still coos and squeals a bunch, and lately sticks his tongue out and says "da da da da da da." His laughter is so contagious- he makes strangers smile everywhere he goes.  One of my favorite things to do with him is take him to Costco- all the old people love to stop and talk to him and smile at him and grab his feet- and he's so polite and plays along!  Oh, Momma's pride and joy. 

On a less (much less) "momma's joy" note- he's just about weaned himself, little stinker.  At his 6 month appointment he'd dropped down to the 3rd percentile in weight (doc still says he's fine and stop worrying!) but said I should offer a bottle after nursing just to see how much more he'd drink.  Well, a few days of that and he decided that bottles are SO great (still breast milk) that he could do away with the boob all together.  He'll still nurse in the middle of the night, because he's too sleepy to notice. haha.  That's the only time he'll let me hold and cuddle him too, so go figure!  So now I'm pumping every 2-3 hours and just giving him bottles during the day, because the battle to nurse was breaking my heart.  (For a few days, he would scream and cry real tears every time I'd put him to breast!  On the other hand, when he sees a bottle, he smiles and reaches out and kicks his feet. Stinker.)  It's not a supply issue, because I pump the same or more ounces than he's drinking.  He's just letting me know he's a big boy, I guess!  Wont be the last time.... I'm sure!  I'm going to give it my best to keep this up for another 6 months because I know that breast milk is absolutely the best thing for him.  So- got any good books you want to lend me?  I'll be having plenty of time to sit and read- (15 minutes out of every 2-3 hours, to be exact!) hahaha

First Beach Trip!

oooooh cuteness :o)

there's a 5 minute video on YouTube if you're interested!  He liked the sand, I was making little sand "castles" out of nesting cups and he'd squish 'em and coo. He's such a doll!  It was kind of bright and a bit windy, but it was sooo sunny and nice for april at the coast! We really lucked out. I can't wait for summer!

Bread Baking 102

My adventures in bread making have continued, much to the delight of my stomach!  I can't believe how easy it is and how yummy and cheap breads can be.  Of course, this is not really a health-conscious move, making bread all the time- but, oh well. Here's my latest projects:

Naan - indian flat bread

No-knead Artisan Loaf (I discovered, rather accidentally, that if I leave the lid off the dutch oven as it preheats, I get a much thinner crust, which we like!

And Jamie's sandwich bread, which came out better this time than the first time, though I still have some perfecting to do in my technique!  

Tomorrow I'll try my hand at hamburger buns. Exciting!

Bill Update, Monday evening

God is good, my friends. I just got off the phone with my dad and he sounds so much better- he's in a hotel because he got discharged from the hospital! He and Mom are getting a flight home tomorrow. The doctors said he should make a full recovery as long as he's very careful to obey all the rules for the next three months. (no lifting, no driving, no cleaning, etc!) That's going to be tough- but praise the Lord- a full recovery is possible! Thank you all so much for your prayers & well-wishes.

Warped Speed!

I thought that I would post a video that I found on Youtube of Bill in his jet powered funny car. (If you don't know who Bill is read the last couple posts.) The video was taken last year in Las Vegas. The car that he was driving yesterday when he crashed was actually a new car and this was the first weekend that he has raced it, but it will give you a better idea of what he drives. He is usually the "half time" entertainment and is always a crowd pleaser with his burner pops. As you can tell in the video the windows on the building are shaking from the power.

Bill Update

This morning I got a call from my mom between flights and she heard that he wouldn't need surgery, praise Jesus, but it's three broken vertibrae in his lower back. He'll need to be in a brace for 3 months.
And just now, I talked to my dad!! It was great to hear his voice. His pain is down to a 5 (which I imagine still sucks, but has to be a lot better than a 10!) and they've got him all fitted up with the back brace. He's going in for an x-ray soon to see how the brace is affecting the broken vertebrae. He still doesn't know when they'll let him come home. He hasn't gotten out of bed yet and just got his first meal- mmmmmm hospital food! And he said he was aware of everything the whole time- boy, that had to be terrible.
Anyway, I'm relieved- it could have been so much worse. Thank you all for your prayers- they really work!

Prayer Request

This is my dad Bill.

He drives a jet funny car. Here's an older picture, as I'm assuming many of you don't know what a funny car is. Drag racing. You might have to click the picture to see the whole car... anyway...

He's in Arizona for a race this week, and early this evening (Saturday) he crashed. From what I understand, everything was right until he pulled the shoots, (sp?) which because of the wind threw him directly into a wall. He was going around 250 miles per hour at impact. The car is destroyed, the paramedics cut him out with the jaws of life, and rushed him to a hospital where they are currently running tests and trying to see the extent of his injuries and help his pain. We are so thankful that he's alive, which is a miracle in itself I hear. My mom is flying down there at 5am tomorrow morning to be with him, he may be there for a day, or weeks. We don't know yet. So please be praying for them both- praise Jesus that he's okay, but pray for healing. The morphine isn't helping him and his pain is at a 10 (out of 10) and the last I heard they are running a CAT scan to get a better look at his back. It could be broken, or blown discs, or something internal. He's in critical condition and stable I think, but his heart is racing. Probably from the pain, I'm assuming. Hopefully they'll find something to give him to take the edge off.
Thank you for your prayers. I'll keep you posted.