Gwen Updates

Gwen is so much fun.

The latest:

She's been playing under her toys and batting at them... with her feet.

She is tends to be very smiley and happy when we talk to her.

She seems to be discovering her voice more and more.

She loves her routine of naps and an earlier bedtime.

God has blessed us with a very sweet girl.

We love her SO MUCH.

Thank You Notes with Jimmy Fallon

I don't watch much late night TV, but I have caught Jimmy Fallon's 'Thank You Notes' skit a couple of times and think it's pretty funny.  At the LA airport I came across this book:

After laughing to myself loud enough to have people stare, I decided to buy it.  It reminds me of Jack Handey quotes and I love the randomness!  Some of it is inappropriate humor, but the majority is clean.  We enjoyed it at the Groff cabin and shared some good laughs.

Favorites from the book:

Thank you... guy at my dry cleaners, for charging me $11 to clean a dress shirt.  It clearly doesn't cost that much, but you know I'll pay it anyway because I'm not really sure what you do and how much it should cost.  In fact, I'm 99 percent sure that all you did was iron it and put a plastic sheet over it.

Thank you... flour, for keeping the paper sack container business alive.  Don't want to change your packaging, huh?  Whenever I buy you I feel like I'm Charles Ingalls buying something from Oleson's store on credit.

Thank you... sliders, for tricking me into thinking you're a perfectly appropriate appetizer. Would I like to start my meal with a regular-size hamburger?  Of course not!  But I WILL have six TINY hamburgers because that's totally different.  Thank you.

It helps if you see it done with the music.

Kitchen Table

Remember the kitchen table in these photos?

Bert adapted his parents' old table to fit our new space!

I love it.

Now to sell the old one, and find some new chairs...

Groff Cabin Weekend

June 17-19

One of my favorite photos from the weekend:

Maggie's Baby Shower, 6/15/11

We celebrated Baby Combs with a baby shower at the Sheehan home.  

Joyful and Fun!

(click collage to view)

Can't wait to meet you Baby!

Mom and Dad, Birthdays

This is way late, but I want to remember this stuff.  So here goes.

Mom's B-day, 5/24:
Lake Nokomis walk.
Target shopping.
Greek food on the patio from It's Greek to Me. (Amazing! Mediterranean chicken = mouth-watering)
Presents and Galaktobouriko inside.
We missed Dad.

Dad's B-day, 6/5:
T-bone steaks grilled and consumed on the patio.
Dilly Bars!
Stories about kids antagonizing cows from trees, and bee sting rescues.

What We Came Home To

Bert had a very productive weekend while we were gone!  He didn't just attend two graduation parties, watch basketball, and do yard work - which would have been fine.  He built stuff.  He is so much fun.

1. a clothespin attached to the cupboard to hold my recipes (which slides out of sight when not in use)
2. a shelf over the piano in our new dining room to hold our stereo stuff
3. corner benches in the kitchen!

As Bert would say... Huzzah!

Gwen Meets California, Part 4 & Final

Day Four, 6/14:

Mom and I drove to Palos Verdes in the morning.  It's tradition.  We took turns at the car with Gwen, while the other walked to the cliffs edge.  PV is a favorite and private-feeling place to watch the waves spray and the kelp sway far below the cliffs.  You feel eye-level with the horizon.  And when the sun is shining on the water - watch out - it's breathtaking. 

Gwen spent some more quality time with G&G while I packed, and before we knew it we were back on a plane for Minnesota.  Phew.  We flew home with a kids hockey team from South Australia.  Loved their accents.  I need more accents in my life.

Next post, I will show you what Bert was doing while we were gone. :)

Gwen Meets California, Part 3

Day Three, 6/13:

Slept in. :)

Visit to my cousin's to say "see you later."  So fun to be with them.

A visit from family at my grandparent's house kept us laughing for a long time.  They told lots of stories about adventures in the desert, being rescued in army helicopters, and flying with my dad.  I want to be a good storyteller someday.  It's my new aspiration.

Later, Grandma and Grandpa took us to dinner by the marina.  Afterwards we drove by Redondo Beach. Delightful.

Gwen Meets California, Part 2

From Day Two, Sunday 6/12

Mom and I introduced Gwen to the ocean in the morning.

Our beach of choice remains Redondo Beach, California.  They call it "June Gloom" this time of year because the marine layer makes for cloudy, gray mornings.  We still loved it.  We saw signs for church services on the sand, but they had ended.  Church + ocean sounds like a grand idea to me.  We also walked past an AA meeting on the beach.  The beach is definitely a strong visual on there being a higher power.

Gwen loved every second.  Breathing the damp, salty air, the grind of sand under her stroller, and the swish of real waves in her eardrums.  Mom and I particularly enjoyed our cafe hazelnuts from The Coffee Bean and seeing the woman walking her beautiful bird.  Ahh, the ocean.

In the afternoon, we gathered with family for a delicious meal and fun conversations.

Later that night, Mom and I introduced Gwen to another batch of people, including my dad's second cousin and longtime family friends.  I was to tired to take pictures there, but my mom got some good ones that I will eventually get from her. Gwen was a trooper for such a long and full day.

Gwen Meets California, Part 1

Four days.

Three travelers.

13 Greeks (not including us).

8 Scandinavians from Bert's family (including one with Chinese descent).
2 Scandinavians from my (dad's side) family.

3 friends.

1 woman walking her bird.

2 women pushing dog-strollers.

3 autographs on a hot pink cast.

Three ocean visits.

Three oyster shots.

1 childhood home drive-by.

1 airport pat-down.

2 peaceful flights with an infant.

What a trip!

Here are some pictures from Day One, 6/11:

We landed around 10am, and spent the afternoon in Torrance with my grandparents, aunt and uncle, and my great aunt and uncle who were visiting from North Carolina.  Gwen and I stole a nap.  Then Mom and I drove down to Huntington Beach to visit Bert's family.  Gwen met her second great grandpa of the day, seven other family members, and we shared a great meal.

Best Job Ever

Cherishing Every Moment.

Gwen : 2 Months

Gwen is TWO MONTHS old today.  Amazing!  Here are her stats:

11 lb 13 oz (77%)

22 3/4" long (67%)

39.7 cm head circumference (78%)

So we could say she is above average.

Gwen has grown almost 4.5 pounds since she was born.  No wonder she has been looking so big to everyone.

(These pictures were taken a few hours after her vaccines, so she's much more mellow than usual in them.)

Book Corner: The Chestnut King

Book Corner: The Chestnut King (Book 3 of the 100 Cupboards Trilogy)

By: N. D. Wilson

I started this series, way back in October after discovering it at the desiring God conference..  It got better and better as it went along.  Lots of imagination and wonder are included in the intriguing story.  There's a movie deal for 100 Cupboards.  I hope they make all three books into a movie, because the third is, of course, my favorite.

What kind of read is it?

 Lots of fun.  Young Adult Literature.  By far the most action-packed and suspenseful of the series.

What insights did I gain from this book?

 I was folding the page corners as I read for any page with something that made me think deeper, or something with real life/faith-related wisdom.  I ended up with 18 pages folded.  I think that's pretty good for a fun read.  I will put a couple favorites for the "what to remember" question. 

What did the author do well?

 He writes family really well.  You feel sincere love and appreciation for Henry's family, and the strength and joy it infuses in his life.  Not something common to read in YA literature.  I savored it.

The characters are delightful.  And Richard often makes me laugh out loud.

A well-done redemption story.  That's for sure.

What is lacking in writing style or story?

He never did explain why two cousins are names Henry and Henrietta.  I kept waiting for that one.

(FYI, you have to read carefully to know all the characters in these books.  They're not for someone who doesn't want to think at all while they're reading.  Something I actually liked about them.)

What will I remember most about this book?

Some quotes I enjoyed...

"The smells were as varied as the voices, the smiles as broad as the table.  Henry felt hungry and somehow already fed.  This was his tree.  He loved Kansas and parts of his other life.  But his branch, cut off from this trunk for twelve years, had been grafted back in.  That didn't mean he was used to it." (page 24)

"For you may the weak have love and the strong have fear.  For you may the darkness break.  May your life be a truth, and your death a glory." (Page 371)

"He felt like he had at Badon Hill, first seeing the roar and glory of life." (Page 438)

"...their song made sorrow sweet." (Page 470)

All Must Be Well

All Must Be Well 1. Through the love of God our Savior, All will be well Free and changeless is His favor, All is well Precious is the blood that healed us Perfect is the grace that sealed us Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us All must be well 2. Though we pass through tribulation, All will be well Ours is such a full salvation, All is well Happy still in God confiding Fruitful if in Christ abiding Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding All must be well 3. We expect a bright tomorrow; All will be well Faith can sing through days of sorrow, All is well On our Father's love relying Jesus every need supplying Yes in living or in dying All must be well Words: Mary Bowley-Peters alt. by Matthew S. Smith Music: Matthew S. Smith This is my new favorite worship song.   The words are deep with encouragement to me. It joins the ranks of my other favorites through the years... Prince of Peace Sweetly Broken (lyrics here) Always Forgiven (lyrics here) Sing to Jesus and now, All Must Be Well

Two More Favorite Photos

Though these are not super recent, they are some of my favorite shots of my favorite little girl.

What a beauty.

Gwen's right leg is almost always kicking, which is what this picture reminds me of.  

That explains my rib-jabbing pregnancy experiences. 

Memorial Day Weekend at Van Zee's Cabin

We had lots of fun with some of our oldest friends on Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.  It was fun to bring Gwen along, and fun to get excited that Maggie and Wes's little boy will be with us soon!  As usual there was also good conversation, blueberry pancakes, thoughtful worship and church time, and dock labors.  I got a great nap, and there was even time for doing a couple puzzles!

Gwen seems to be a great traveler.  I am excited to be taking her to California next weekend to meet her Greek side of the family and introduce her to the ocean.  (Her bedroom sound machine plays ocean waves, so I'm hoping the real thing will seem familiar.)

A Lovely Spring Walk

Sun on my face.

Wind in the grass.

Leaves on the trees.

Baby on my chest.

Delightful.

(All photo credit to Bert.)

Gwen's First Trip to the Cabin

May 13-15, 2011

We made our first trip to the cabin with Gwen.  My Aunt Dee hosted a Rubber Ducky themed shower for Gwen on Saturday.  It was a special time, full of conversation, trivia, and gift opening.  I am so blessed with a wonderful family.  Here's a collage of pictures from the shower.  (Picasa made it for me.)

Back at Battle Lake:

Gwen enjoyed her first bath in the sink with Yia Yia.

Bert tested out the panoramic feature on our camera to get a picture of the main room.  Pretty cool.

To put it mildly, Gwen got a lot of attention.

Sweetness.

Book Corner: Dandelion Fire

Book Corner: Dandelion Fire (Book 2 of the 100 Cupboards Trilogy)

By: N.D. Wilson

What kind of read is it?

Young Adult Fantasy & Adventure

What insights did I gain from this book?

A big theme of the book is being able to truly see the world around you.  Not just the physical world, but deeper than that.  I have trouble explaining this idea, but the story does it in such a uniquely awesome way.

What did the author do well?

Sensory words.  He makes me stop and think about words and enjoy them more.  Also, he is really good at making the evil characters scary and different than typical bad guys.  Also, SUSPENSE.  Also, I really just love some of the characters and feel like they’re real.

What is lacking in writing style or story?

You do have to  be patient with the story because at first you don’t know where it’s going.  There’s a section where you meet lots of new characters without understanding their significance.  But it's completely worth it in the end.

What will I remember most about this book?

Instead, here’s a favorite quote:
“Peace, Henrietta.” Caleb said.  “Be still when you have no understanding.” (Page 338)

Now, on to Book 3!

(Did you know that books can have trailers now?)

Book Corner: Secrets of the Baby Whisperer

Book Corner: 

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby

By: Tracy Hogg with Melinda Blau

What kind of read is it?

Fun, Helpful, and Extremely Practical!  The author is British, and she’s always calling you “luv” or “ducky.”

What insights did I gain from this book?

Ahh.  I got insight from every chapter…  Slow down.  Talk to Gwen like she can understand.  Tell her what I’m doing.  Treat her with consideration and respect (don’t just throw her legs up for diaper changes).  Listen to her cries to understand the differences between them.  Don’t just use the nuk to silence her all the time.  Help her establish a routine so she knows what to expect.  Embrace the importance of activity and nap times during the day.  Know what her physical body language means (flailing arms and legs usually means tired).  The best advice ever: “Start as you mean to go on.”

What did the author do well?

Everything she set out to do in the subtitle.  Also, she didn’t make me feel dumb.  And I LOVED the chapter about how you feel when you come home from the hospital.  It somehow made me feel so much better about the whole experience, and less like a drama queen.

Also, I must say that the author doesn’t fit in either of the extremes about sleep techniques (cry-it-out vs constant comfort).  We experienced a lot of opposing opinions about infant sleeping, and I thought I had to choose one side or the other.  The author helped me see how to walk the middle ground gracefully and logically.

What is lacking in writing style or story?

N/A

What will I remember most about this book?

See insights gained.  This book was SO helpful to me in so many ways. (Thanks for lending it to me, Jill!)

Book Corner: Adopted for Life

Book Corner: Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families & Churches

By: Russell D. Moore

What kind of read is it?

It’s thoughtful and candid non-fiction, from a Christian perspective.

What insights did I gain from this book?

I definitely gained insight on the “priority” of adoption that God has, and that we should have as a Christian culture.

What did the author do well?

He is a smart guy and makes his arguments really well, using scripture and airtight logic.

What is lacking in writing style or story?

I got anxious during the first chapter because I didn’t get where he was going.  It just seemed like repetition of the way we talk about adoption at church (which is great, but the whole book couldn’t just say that over and over again).  Then I discovered each chapter had a whole new theme and approach on a topic related to adoption – and it got really interesting!

What will I remember most about this book?

“But all of us are called to be compassionate.  All of us are called to remember the poor.  All of us are called to remember the fatherless and widows.  That will look different in our different lives, with the different situations and resources God has given us.  But for all of us there’ll be a judgment to test the genuineness of our faith.  And for some of us, there’ll be some orphan faces there.” (Page 82-83)

Book Corner: Triple Whammie!

Over the next three days, I'm playing catch-up with these three Book Corner reviews...