It's A....

God is blessing us with a second daughter, come May. This is our first picture of little Abigail Christine. She appears to be a healthy little thing- Thank you Lord!

Trampin' Snow I

Trampin' Snow II

Winter fun

Building the base for "Frosty."

"Is this how you pat it together mom?"

The finished product. If you look carefully you'll see the snow balls the kids came up with on their own for his eyes.

Scoopin' Poo

FYI, This may be too much information for some of my friends. But the story was simply too funny not to share.
My parents are blessed to have a fully producing tangerine tree in their yard. Lucas loves to pick, eat and share them.
Abrianna loves to eat them, always begging for "mora, mora!" when anyone else is eating them. Eaten in such large quantities, they have a rather cleansing effect for little ones in diapers.
Keeping that in mind...
Last night, we had a homemade corn dog feed. It had been a long day for me. I'd gone to town, for a walk, and done two hours of massage. I was tired I didn't feel like I could even lift my legs.
What happened next, usurped the tiredness.
Mitchell ( my 12 year old little brother) was lounging on a reclining/rocking floor chair. Abrianna nonchalantly walked, up to him and began scooping the contents of her diaper out and dropping it on his reclined body. Horrified, he sat there open-mouthed, not believing what was happening nor having the presence of mind to stop her.
I was in the kitchen, not knowing what had transpired other than hearing the room erupt into laughter and Mitch's horrified cries. Rick yelled, "Rachel! we need you!"
There was Abrianna, poo up her back, down the outside of her pants, in fact all the way onto her shoes.
Mitch lay gagging still on the chair decorated in her poo. My mom led him away to one bathroom, while I scooped up my disgusting daughter and headed to other. Both kids were given baths while their clothes went directly into the washing machine.
After having scrubbed her up. She sat in the tub, noticing a tiny piece of something black floating in the tub ( no it wasn't poo) she erupted once again into terrified cries and tried to climb up me to get out of the tub and away from that "bug".
Rick got to dress her, while I finished the bath with big brother. All 's well that end's well.

Arrrggghh Bugs!!!!

I do believe it's normal for each and every child to go through unreasonable fears- sometimes humorous, sometimes frustrating.
Abrianna has shown a slight aversion to bugs in the past. Since arriving at Grandpa and Grandma's in CA it escalated dramatically!

Seated on the high chair eating lunch, a fly buzzed her head. Her eyes grew large as she attempted to scramble out of the high chair and away from that terrifying bug!

Later, we were at Aunt Genni's and Uncle Jeremy's house, I was doing a raindrop treatment in the back room while Abrianna played under the watchful eye of her uncles.

Suddenly from the living room, I heard my daughter's terrified cry. Upon finishing the treatment, I asked what had happened.
Abrianna had been desperately attempting to pluck off a spider web. Uncle Kyle to the rescue and all was well... or was it?
Several minutes later, I noticed she was walking funny. I wondered aloud why? "Well," Uncle Jeremy said, " She had a spider web on her earlier."
Upon hearing the WORD spider, she emitted a terrified shriek and attempted to shimmy up my leg like it was a tree trunk. What? Now even the mention of a bug elicits such a response?

The next morning, she refused to set foot on the floor at Grandpa and Grandma's house without a panicked attempt to climb my leg and get away from the potential bugs.

I prayed with her about overcoming the fear and that Jesus would give her a brave heart. Since then, it's been a bit of a struggle. It gets old very quickly to carry her around on my now non-existent hip- pregnancy has a tendency to do that.

Today has been a bit better. Hopefully this is a short lived phase.

Riding the 4-wheeler together

With winter on us in full force and the temperatures really limiting our outside time, my children have learned that they can and do have fun being playmates. Thank you God! It's so cute!

20 Weeks

A bit nicer of a 20 week picture.

Thank you Auntie Jen and Uncle Chris

New family picture

Momma's helpers

While Lucas was busily "finishing" the mopping, I was feeding Jojo. I left for just a minute to do something else. Lo and behold, my other little helper kicked in to make sure Jojo continued to be fed. Oh, I need to encourage the helpfulness and not be annoyed when it causes extra messes to clean up. Thank you for helping Momma, Lucas and Abrianna.

Lucas

Weaning

I've been debating whether to post this or not. I think the story is worth telling but I think that some people may be offended with too much information. If that is you... Please stop reading.

Several days ago, while nursing Abrianna, I noticed thrush inside her upper lip. Again!
Last summer, we went through trying to get rid of thrush with I think 3 different medications, and 4-6 weeks of treatments. We finally figured out that I was passing back to her. So the solution was Diflucan for me- a internal yeast treatment. It worked like a charm.
Seeing the thrush this time caused pieces of the puzzle to fall into place. When I was nursing Lucas at this stage of my pregnancy, it didn't hurt. I've been in a lot of pain the past few weeks with nursing. I thought it was just time to wean. No, that wasn't it after all. It's yeast.
Digging out the gentian violet, I applied to Abrianna's mouth then painted the entire nipple area on myself.
Gentian violet is a very bright Vikings purple and stains whatever it touches. Abrianna was visibly upset that I'd painted myself.
Later on that evening, she was begging to nurse and go to sleep. Okay, no big deal. So off we went to bed. She took one look at me and wailed, "NooOOOoo!"
Alrighty then, I flipped off the light and switched her to the other side. Same response. Okay. We'll just cuddle till she goes to sleep.
During the middle of the night she eagerly nursed while sleeping. Once awake in the morning though, I asked if she wanted to nurse, "no!"
I tried periodically throughout the day. Always the same response. In fact, at nap time she wanted to lay down by herself and not even be rocked to sleep. What happened to my baby? Where did she go so suddenly? I'm sad. I know that our little ones grow up. Sometimes in a hurry too.
Last night was a repeat of the night before. She nursed in her sleep but otherwise refuses to nurse at all. I'm thankful that my milk supply has been dwindling due to my pregnancy and I don't have engorgement problems.
This is not how envisioned weaning to happen with my little girl.

Lucas is very aware that he resembles his father. When we are in stores and some lady will stop us to admire Abrianna bright orange locks, he's sure to say he has black hair like his dad.
On our weekly Sunday shopping trip, he had a different answer. "I have black hair... with white mixed in all over."
Rick's dark hair is becoming liberally sprinkled with gray. So Lucas believes his hair is too.

A walking snow woman

Our walks have been few and far between with the icy temperatures and the work of bundling up three little ones. Here is Abrianna all ready for a walk. Doesn't she look like a walking snow man?

Lucas stories

One of the most fun things for my kids when it comes to flying is to be able to pick the snack and type of juice they want.
Lucas wanted pretzels. He practiced saying it several times before the stewardess arrived. It came out as fretzels.
When she stopped the cart and asked what he wanted, the reply came out, " freckles and cranberry juice please!"

Today it was cold. Maybe upper 30's-40 if we were lucky. Stepping out the door with all three kids in tow for a walk, we could see white clouds form from our breath. BRRRR!
Lucas said, " Jasper ( our dog) has engine breath." What do you know? It did kind of look like exhaust from an engine.

16 Weeks

Well, I'm 4 months today. Smallest I've ever been with any of my pregnancies thus far. I just look pudgy.
Lucas was my photographer. Pretty good, huh?

Side steppin' boy

Lucas learned to run side ways today. He's very proud of his accomplishment!

Whistling with Daddy

Now this is how you do it Abrianna...

Just purse your lips and blow.

Okay, so she didn't really make a sound but she sure did try. Lucas has been trying to whistle lately. He does make the right combination occasionally. Then gets really excited when he whistles.

Sabbath pictures

I had fun playing dress up with the new clothes from Grandma 'Tine.

My wistful girl.

Expectant boy.

Curls curls everywhere!

When Abrianna's hair is wet or damp it turns into a head full of beautiful curls!

Disaster in the Dining Room

A busy day of mostly successful potty training. I was feeling ( actually literally feeling) good and tackling my messy kitchen- counters, table, and bar.
Abrianna was busily occupying herself at the table, standing on a chair. I happened to glance in her direction just in time to see her fall, hitting her right side of her neck and the base of her skull on the tile.
The shrieking that ensued was a gut wrenching sound. Anybody who has a child would know exactly what that sounds like. It's the kind of sound that immediately makes mom think, " Dear Lord! My child is REALLY hurt!"
The crying reminded me of when she broke her arm. But it was worse. I was thinking brain, skull, or neck injury.
Grabbing the phone, I called my chiropractor colleague to ask his opinion. He said I needed to try to calm her down ( yeah right) and ice the area.
She screamed with each turn of the head or application of an ice pack. About this time, Rick walked in the door from work. He agreed we needed to go to ER and rule out a serious injury.
Lucas ( who was recovering from the stomach flu and recently woken up from a nap and in the bath tub) was sent to his room for clothes and shoes.
I wrapped Abrianna in my coat and we piled into the van. Rick told Abrianna to stop wriggling and that it wouldn't hurt so much. Amazingly she listened and obeyed her Daddy- Praise the LORD!
At General Hospital, the waiting room was crowded. Several people I think were there with the flu. I certainly hope we don't get that too.
Dr. Peterson ( an old family friend of the Drakes) sent her for an x-ray. Poor baby. Rick had to be the one to keep her still on the table. She was terrified of the machine and screamed trying to get away. What calmed her down was to sing to her, Only a Boy Named David and Jesus Love Me.
I asked the tech to see the x-ray. There was an obvious break on her right collar bone. What can be done? Well, in an older person with a worse break, a figure 8 brace is used for stabilization.
For her, nothing. Just medicine. I'm honestly terrified to be her caretaker right now. When I pick her up, she almost always cries in pain no matter how careful I am.
She is in her same outfit from yesterday and will remain in it all day today. I don't have any button shirts for my little girl. I'm afraid to remove her clothes because I KNOW that she will cry.
Please keep us in prayers- that she won't get hurt worse, and that brother won't inadvertently hurt her worse.
This may be a real challenge for the next month.

My Big Girl!

Yesterday, Abrianna told me she was "pooping." I asked her if she wanted to go on the potty. So out came Lucas little potty chair. Down she sat and promptly peed. On went her diaper. I caught her several minutes later squatting and pooping. I asked if she wanted to do that on the potty. Yes! So she held the rest in and finished her business in the proper area. She went 4 times in a row yesterday before becoming tired of it.
Then we had an accident on the floor. That's okay. She is only 18 months old.
This morning, noticing she was dry, I asked her if she wanted candy and put her on the potty. Yep. What a food motivated little girl. We're 3 for 3 so far this morning. She really likes Skittles and is trying to go so she can have more.
I don't know if this is the real thing or if she'll lose interest but I'm enjoying the lack of diaper changes.

You're looking a little blue in the face

Behold the wonders of a 3 year old who gets a hold of a high lighter. Don't know if it is going to come off or not. Oh well. We're not going to have company with the bugs running around here anyway.

From the lips of Abrianna....

Chemical incident part II

Yesterday I was researching the fungicide Chipco 26 GT and found that one of the immediate effects of ingestion is loss of coordination.
That got me to thinking. Abrianna has been working on 3 eye teeth for awhile. She is always putting her hands in her mouth.
Isn't is possible that she was touching the grass at the golf course? No doubt. Did she then put her fingers/hands into her mouth. Almost without a doubt.
That would explain more logically why her ability to walk was effected.
I also forgot to mention that Chipco 26 GT is ILLEGAL for usage in the state of Washington. Somebody's head ( probably the dealership that sold it) will roll for using that chemical. I do know that Lee Barigar from Dept. of Ag. was investigating that aspect as well.

Finally!

Abrianna's hair is Finally long enough to put into two little piggy tails! Hurrah! Contrary to the expression in the picture she likes to have her hair made pretty.

Poisoned!

Winter seems to have tried to to push past fall and establish itself here in Walla Walla this past week- 30-40's clouds and rain. Brrrrr!
So when the sun broke through the clouds yesterday afternoon, I couldn't resist bundling my children into the stroller for a walk.
The weather was too nice to turn around at our usual place so onward to the golf course we trekked.
My children love to run around on the luscious green grass. If I have the time, I let them do it. Today, the grass was really wet and I pulled off Abrianna's socks and let her loose.
Smiling and babbling in her 18 month old language she took off chasing after Lucas and Jasper ( our dog).
About 10 minutes later, she began to stumble and fall. Strange. Maybe she was tripping on the long grass, maybe she stepped on something. Picking her up, I carried to a flatter area with short grass.
She would take about three steps and her little legs would completely give way and she'd fall to the ground. Up she'd stand and repeat process.
Now, I knew that something had been sprayed on the field yesterday. Very concerned, I collected my children and set out for home.
I grabbed my phone and called my dad. He has a lot of experience with pesticide/insecticide issues and knows their symptoms. He agreed that some chemical was liking causing the loss of control of her legs.
On a side note, years ago my best friend's property was sprayed with pesticides by the city who didn't inform the parents that they'd done it. Heidi her little sister aged two, completely lost her ability to walk. This happened twice.
You can imagine this was running through my mind as I was hurrying home.
Upon arrival at the house I immediately scrubbed her feet off with soap and water. Setting her on the floor, I watched to see if it had been all in my imagination. NO! Her legs still weren't working right. In fact, when Rick got home about 5 hours later, he could see that she wasn't walking normally.
I called her pediatrician to see if he could see her. He advised to try to find out what had been sprayed in the area and then contact poison control. In retrospect, I wish I'd taken her in to document what I was seeing. I also wish that I'd video taped her when we got home.
Also, Lucas was the biggest brat of his life that afternoon. That is a side effect of the Chipco.

The rest of the day, I frantically called around trying to locate the owner of the field next to the golf course that had been sprayed the day before, so I could ask what they'd sprayed on the field.
I did take off her clothes, give her charcoal mixed in juice and a charcoal/epsom salt bath to help pull the poison out. I gave her charcoal juice again the following day.
I did find out the next day, through the help of the Dept of Health and the Dept of Ag that it was anhydrosammonia being injected into the ground with the wheat that was being planted in the field. It will cause respiratory problems but not disrupt neuromuscular control.
The same day, I finally thought to call the golf course to see if anything had been applied to their grounds within the past couple of weeks. Yes, I was told after much hem hawing around and reluctance that it had been sprayed with Chipco and Dacinol 2 weeks earlier. Normally, once again those chemicals don't last that long. BUT, thanks to some info from my dad, I learned that additives are often added to prolong the chemicals effects and will reactivate the chemical if it comes in contact with water.
Lee Barrigar from Dept of Ag called to tell me that he'd found out the same things I had. But he said there was no way that Abrianna could have had any problems from those chemicals. "Are you sure she didn't just step on something?" I heard that from way too many people.
Poison Control had the same reaction. There NO WAY that she could be having these effects.
"Are you SURE she didn't just step on something?"
By this time I was getting frustrated and angry. The Dept of Ag said that they were not going to file a chemical incidence report either.
As most of you know, I'd posted some of these things on facebook. The wife of MY pediatrician when I was a child saw my postings and began asking Maynard what he thought. He immediately said it was likely a chemical poisoning and told me what to watch for. Symptoms can worsen and children do wind up in the hospital from such exposures.
After finding out what chemicals where involved and sending him the list, he responded that Chipco a fungicide was a carbonate and causes neuromuscular disruption, irritability, shortness of breath, and convulsions. Why doesn't anybody here in the state of WA know these things.
I was livid now. Talking once more to my dad on the phone, making sure I had all the right terms and info. I called back Mr. Barrigar.
He still said that he wasn't going to file the incident report. Then using the "right terms" my dad had given me and the info from Maynard I became forceful. He still insisted there wasn't any way those chemicals had caused a problem.
I went on to explain how sometimes things are added to chemicals to prolong the potency and that Chipco is a carbonate and that it causes neuromuscular disruption and that my daughter is a very sensitive girl. I've had to use organic diapers with her and new clothes cause a rash.
He said that he would talk to his program manager and get back with me. He called back less than an hour later stating since this WAS a human health incident and since my daughter WAS sensitive that he would come down the next day to take some samples, pictures, GPS reading, and ultimately file that coveted report.
So Friday rolls around, and I pack all three kids into the van and head to the golf course, Rick following in his car. Rick wasn't excited about being there. He was embarrassed. I totally agreed with him that the golf course had every right to spray chemicals on their green. I wasn't after the golf course or the applicator. I just wanted the effects of the chemical on file.
Rick left to run some errands and I met with the Dept of Ag Representative, the manager from the golf course, and two people from the applicator by myself! Scary stuff.
I was insistent about what I'd seen. Amazingly they were all really nice. Samples were taken, pictures, and GPS quadrants. 2 hours later we were done.
Whew. I hope I never have to go through that again. I did find out I'd been given some misinformation from the golf course. The chemicals had been applied 8 days before, not 2-3 weeks.There was no Dacinol. Instead it was Heritage, a lower toxicity fungicide.

Unbeknown-est to the men I met with. My dad is headed to Washington DC for some meetings with the USDA. He is angry that I was brushed off so many times and he is going to talk to the top Washington State Dept of Ag Representative and make sure that the report was filed like it was supposed to be.

I don't know what the conclusion of the matter will be. But at least there is a written record it DID happen
Hopefully this will bring you all up to speed and make some sense.

Reading

Lucas reading to Abrianna.

The Proper Host

Lucas ( 3 1/2) to Alyssa ( 2 1/2) at a supper of haystacks, upon seeing her difficulty wielding a fork, " You are welcome to use your hands. Then you can wipe them on a napkin."

What was that???

Jojo eats baby food- as you'd expect from an almost 8 month old. Abrianna always looks longingly at her food.
Today there was extra I was just going to throw away. I obliged Abrianna and gave her A bite of pureed peas.
The look of sheer horror and disgust that crossed her face was priceless. If only I'd had a video camera. You'd of thought I'd given the girl poison. She desperately scrapped at her tongue while gagging.
Being a good mommy, I got a napkin and wiped off her tongue -while giggling. It was too funny!
No more pureed peas for her.

My Helper

Friday housework has just become easier. While I was vacuuming, Lucas asked if he could try. Not only did he try... He finished the whole living room. I love his help!

Tomato Soup

Rick and Lucas had tomato soup for supper. Lucas, not caring for his, left it on the table. Abrianna had no such feelings of dislike. Look at her slurp it down!

Tomatoes and Charcoal

Abrianna snarfed Lucas' tomato soup. Boy did she slurp it down. She also tried out my charcoal water. "Hey, isn't that some new kind of juice, mom?"

Newest addition

Lucas holding the kitten he picked out and named Teeter.

A mouth full...

A mouthful of... Carrot!

We're still given the power of choice

Today has been... Rewarding... Horrific!
How can those two words wind up in the same sentence? Let me explain.
Yesterday our cat ( the one we got before children) scratched Lucas one time too many. We found a home for him and today set out to Tri-cities to choose a free kitten.
Long morning. We had to pick up my cat carrier, drop off a book at a friends house, go to Wal-mart for the necessary supplies for our forthcoming kitten.
The kids did great on the trip over. Jojo slept while the other two watched out the window with minimal noises. The place was really easy to find. There were 3 kittens to pick from , two black fluffy ones and a short haired female.
All the way over there, Lucas insisted he wanted a black one. After holding all of them, he changed his mind. We are now the proud owners of a little calico female - who is currently hiding under the bed to escape all the love and attentions of Lucas - mostly- and Abrianna.
The way home was stressful. Both girls were wailing and Lucas was pestering them. Couple that with two stops to corral kitty, and I was very glad to get back home.
Shortly after arriving home, the phone rang. It was my mom. Strange. She doesn't call me unless we haven't spoken for several days.
The news was saddening and maddening. My cousin was scheduled to have an abortion. That happened this morning. She TOOK HER 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WITH HER TO THE APPOINTMENT!! The "wonderful" people at planned parenthood ( or shall I call it planned barrenhood) let her in the room.
I know God certainly had the power to intervene. I also know He doesn't force us. My heart is so sad for this innocent life that was snuffed out before ever having a chance to even live! Please pray for my Aunt and cousin. My Aunt is devastated. She's been trying desperately to get through her to her daughters drug darkened mind. To know avail. This grandchild is gone.
Thank you all for your prayers.

Many prayer warriors are needed

I have a cousin who isn't married and has found out she's pregnant. She's informed her mom that she's made an appointment to have this "problem" taken care this coming week.
I feel I need to make contact with her and offer to raise her baby or I know of several other couples who are willing.
Please pray that God will work in this situation and that His will will be done. This child's life is at stake!
I need His words to speak to enable her to see that there are other options!
Please Pray Warriors!

My nails are pretty like yours!

I'll bet most of you think I've dropped off the planet. Well, thankfully you're wrong. I still do reside here on Planet Mom in Walla Walla. Life happens. So does laziness and lack of motivation. I'm not completely sure which is the largest factor in the lack of blogging for the past couple of weeks.I'll see what I can come up with that worth talking about today.

Cute story from yesterday. I was ATTEMPTING to rest on the couch. My three lovely little munchkins were making it nigh unto impossible. The girls didn't sleep as well or as long as I thought they should. Lucas insisted he needed to cuddle with me on the little couch. If you've ever have visited my home, you'd know there is no room on the little couch for cuddling and resting with my three year old bundle of bouncing boy.
I noticed while trying to rest that his finger nails were alarmingly long and filthy. I asked him to retrieve the nail clippers so I could care for the mess. "I can do it, Momma!", off he trotted to the bathroom. He meant he thought he could clip his nails himself. I thought, 'oh well, the worst he can to is to clip them too short and have sore fingers.' About 5 minutes later, he gingerly climbed over me with nail clippers in hand. What had he been doing? Painting his toe nails with my pathetic gloppy nail polish. He was very careful so he wouldn't smudge them while climbing up. He said, "my nails are pretty like yours!"
My aren't so pretty. They're in desperate need of some nail polish remover and a clipper too. Oh well, it made him happy to have something pretty.
On a side note, my bathroom didn't suffer too much damage. I've yet to attempt to clean the polish off the counter. Maybe I'll borrow some nail polish remover and care for my nails and the counter at the same time.
I've got to go and get ready for church, have my worship, and dress my little ones. Happy Sabbath all!

This morning I made a feast of chocolate muffins, potatoes, stripples, and egg casserole. All day, Abrianna has been helping herself to those muffins. Can't say I blame her. They turned out exceptionally good. She's been told many times to keep the muffins in the kitchen. Look how I found her, muffin in hand, reclining on the boppy pillow in the living room! I couldn't resist snapping a picture before insisting she go BACK into the kitchen with that messy muffin.

Ready for Sabbath School??

She was wearing Aunty Lyssa's dress, scrubbed clean and ready to load into the car and make our way to Sabbath school. Except... She got a hold of brother's Sabbath bread that was smeared in peanut butter and nutella. Yummy. Messy. Her dress wasn't TOO dirty. So, after wiping off her face and hands she was presentable after all.

Abrianna's Hoppity Hop

The Eyebrow thing revisted.

I took another video of Lucas' eyebrow raising. Much better lighting this time. Funny boy!

Bald like Uncle Reggie....

Observing and keeping your children with you at ALL times prevents many mishaps and childish messes. Problems almost ALWAYS occur when you believe your sweet little ones are trustworthy, forgetting that they are still children.
Lucas was using the restroom ( or so I thought) as I was changing laundry, cleaning kitchen, just normal everyday activities.
The washer, dryer, dishwasher, and radio were all running simultaneously. I suppose that would be my excuse for not catching onto the buzzing noises emanating from the bathroom.
Lucas came out and said something about cutting his hair. "DON"T YOU DARE!" I firmly
replied. Walking in to the bathroom several minutes later, I noticed swatches of hair decorating my bathroom floor.
Lucas was using his daddy's mustache trimmer to try to trim his hair, which now stands up at crazy angles.
If you look closely at the above photo, you'll notice his train tracks on his right side. He matter -of -factly told me now he was "bald like Uncle Reggie."

Crackers "peanut butter" and bugs.

Jubilee Lake, ahhh. Escape from the dry valley to the lush mountains. What a restful way to spend Sabbath. Add a campfire, hot dogs and smores and you've got a great ending to a wonderful Sabbath day.
This week WAS NOT going to be a repeat of last week there. Armed with water, crackers, and jackets we set out.
Lucas discovered last time that there is a great echo over the lake. His "HEY! hey hey" resounded over and over across the waters.
The huckleberries weren't nearly as plentiful this week. What we found was delicious.
The week, Lucas had his "motorcycle" ( peddle less bicycle), which certainly helped to speed our way.
Just over half way, Abrianna started to fuss, quickly escalating to wailing. No food or water sufficed to pacify her. Maybe she was simply bored. Answer: poopy diaper and the closet available relief was on the OTHER side of the lake. Last week I had diapers and wipes. This week I THOUGHT I was so prepared. Oh well...
Scooping her into my arms, we hurried as fast as we could, taking turns pushing the stroller. During my turn, I accidentally ran over a dog pile.
At the end of the trail, we came across a HUGE group of Adventists, having a picnic. Low and behold, Rick spotted a classmate of OA that he hasn't seen in 10+ years, Richard Thomas.
Excusing myself, I took Abrianna and headed to the car for the much needed change. Rick enjoyed catching up, while the kids snacked on animal crackers and played. Abrianna saw where I'd gotten her crackers from and squatted down behind the stroller with more crackers in mind when she saw the "peanut butter."
Scooping it off the tire and into her mouth, she immediately started, gagging, crying, and drooling. EWWWWW! Grabbing a roll of toilet paper out the stroller I attempted to swab out her mouth, sanitize around it and on her hands, dab the "peanut butter" off of her jacket, finishing with giving her water to rinse out her mouth. YUCKY!!! You might've guessed that the "peanut butter" was the dog pile I'd run over an hour earlier.
Eventually, much later, we found a campfire spot and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. All and all a pleasant day.
Sunday morning, we purposed to work in the front yard for an hour. Rick and Lucas trimmed rose bushes and weedeated the yard. Abrianna helped me pull weeds. All of a sudden she spotted a rolly polly bug. Cute. She DID NOT share my sentiments. Cries of terror and small hands tightly gripped me as her little feet desperately attempted to climb on me and get away from that bug!
I've always assumed that fear of bugs was a learned not inborn thing. I guess I was wrong. Any ideas anyone, beyond just showing her they aren't anything to be afraid of??

Daddy's Girl ( picture courtesy of Uncle Kyle)

My brother Kyle took this picture while we were in Ohio. Rick makes the same mouth expressions. Genetics, aren't they fun?

Tired Girl

Such peace and relaxation.

My dad took these when we were back in Ohio in the beginning of August. Abrianna totally sacked out on our Sabbath afternoon walk. She was comfortable. Can't say the same for the rest of us. It was incredibly sticky/humid there. Much worse than Minnesota!

The "joys" of new tastes.

Here's what Jojo thought of the tomato sauce her mommy let her taste today at lunch. That picture belongs in her baby book, that's for sure!
Here's what Jojo thought

The Eyebrow thing

Canoeing at North Star Camp

I think her life vest and hair match.

She looks a little squashed here.

Mommy, Abrianna, Lucas, and Grandpa Jeff on the lagoon at North Star camp looking for turtles. We never did find any though. Camp Ripply was firing there guns and I think the vibrations scared the turtles away.

Trampoline Time

Peek A Boo! I see you!
She's trying to do somersaults.

If you click on this picture... You'll see the effects of static electricity on her growing red hair. CUTE!

Perky new hairstyle

I've been feeling very frumpy of late. Yesterday, I unexpectedly had two kids instead of three. I made an appointment to have my hair spruced up. It's been 5 months since the last cut. I'm thrilled with the results. Very curly. I thought that I'd lost all my curl. Apparently it just needed the right cut.

Gettin' dressed for Sabbath School.

What Mom??

All of a sudden Abrianna has begun the rudimentary dressing of herself. She can put her head through the hole on shirts and dresses. She can almost put her shoes and socks on her feet. This morning she tried to help out by dressing herself for church.

Fetchin' Cousins

We're back!! We've been on a long trek, starting in Ohio, circling around to Minnesota, and finally flying back home to Washington. I'll try to write some vignettes of the trip later. This is a short video of Abrianna and her cousin Seth ( 23 months) playing fetch with socks. It's great entertainment for Seth to pretend he's a puppy.

Digestion

Lucas while standing at the counter eating grapes commented, " Momma, I swallowed a grape and it turned left and went into my hand and broke into little pieces."
He has the right idea.

Jubilee Lake

Stretching for that blossom...

Taking time to smell the clover. Don't know if she could push it any harder into her nose or not.

A pretty behind her ear.

Removing the pretty from behind her ear.

A cool bug seen along the trail.

This afternoon we had the pleasure of an afternoon at Jubilee Lake in the Blue Mountains of Oregon. We met up with friends for a picnic supper. The 2 mile hike was done as a family. Such special times of good conversation, lazily stopping along the way to look at flowers and bugs and nurse my baby. Such a happy relaxing and blessed day. Thanks God!

Jubilee Lake

What a cheesy grin. But oh! such a classic Lucas expression!

Sniffing the Indian paint brush.

My Fierce Little Warrior.

He was protecting us from the lions. Look at his fierce expressions. The weapons were the kind that were really "bad". His "Bone and Arrows." If you listen closely, you'll hear him stomping when he's supposed to be sneaking quietly up on those lions and bears.

I'll take the melon... You take the seeds..

Summers bring mouth watering fruit when you live in the Pacific Northwest. Tis the seasoning for cherries, blueberries, apricots, peaches, and watermelon.
I was enjoying a delicious piece as part of my lunch today. Abrianna sidled over and made it known she was interested in a bite or two to which I obliged her. She made a yucky face and spit it out. To her credit, she DID like it... before she came down with the stomach flu on Sunday.
Okay, I was not going to force her to eat it. She asked for more. More? I pointed to the plate and the piece she'd spit out. She carefully reached down and helped herself to a seed. Then another and another as if to say... "you take the melon and I'll take the seeds, momma."

USB devise not recognized

I'm seated in front of my computer, Josephine on my lap sleepily sucking at her bottle- not quite sleeping long enough to lay her down.
Abrianna is at my feet, alternating between shoving a book at me insisting "brrhhm brrhhm (book book) and tugging at my leg and whimpering "uhhh uhh" (up up) or pulling my hand from the mouse to try to get my attention.
Finally,giving up, she seats herself beside me, finding something to entertain herself. She's quiet.
The computer begins to open up a pop up window every several seconds with the following error message "USB device not recognized. One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned, and windows does not recognize it."
Not a strange error message. It throws that error sometimes when I'm uploading the pictures from my camera. Kind of strange though for it to being throwing it randomly and repeatedly.
I glance down. There sits Abrianna with the USB cable from the camera, one end plugged into the computer, the other end in her MOUTH! Yikes! Apparently you can't be shocked from doing that- thankfully.
It appears that my computer refuses to recognize my daughter. I suppose I can be grateful for that.

Pickin' Flowers

Carefully selecting the flower

Almost there...

A pretty in her ear.

I think the females love of beauty starts at an early age. For months, Abrianna has shown her love for beauty; picking flowers, pretty headbands on her head, etc.
One time I put a flower behind her ear. Ever since then she'll studiously pick flowers and try to put them BEHIND her ear. Their final resting place is IN her ear. So precious.

Flowers in my... ear??

For Grandma Melody

Little things

Do you know when you've spent too much time at the computer?? It's when your adorable 15 month old toddler with the broken arm reaches up and repeatedly pulls your hand off the mouse to get your attention. Sweet and Sad.
I need to treasure the here and now instead of wishing to have more intellectual stimulation via my online friends. Actually, come to think of it, instant messaging doesn't stimulate my brain that much. It's the social interaction I crave.
Other new things this week. When I'm nursing, singing, and rocking Abrianna to sleep, she'll reach up her small hand and either ask or tell me all the parts of my face, including cheeks and chin, teeth and tongue.
When I sing to her, she'll try to sing along. Its so sweet. The sweetness gets lost in the longness though. When it takes up to 45 minutes for her to settle down and go to sleep, I get frustrated.

I'm considering training her to stay put when I lay her down. The idea being that she'll learn to go to sleep on her own when the need arises. I think that would be an important step before having another little one of my own.
When we're in Minnesota in a couple of weeks would be the ideal time. I won't have the responsibility of Josephine. No interruptions. We'll see...
I'll try to remember to update you on that process as we progress.
Happy Sabbath!

A great rocking horse

See, I can still clasp my hands!

Hi Momma!

Abrianna discovered that a watermelon makes a good rocking horse or rocking chair. It was It was difficult to get a clear shot with the rocking. Guess the watermelon isn't really that visible.