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Friday, September 28, 2007

no more carrots!

Do I see Toby with a mother's eyes? I have wondered for some time now if I see Toby differently than anyone else, because I see him as the cutest child ever. Then I think...maybe he really isn't that cute, what if he isn't even cute at all...but because I am his mom I can't see him for what he really is.

Well, in the last week 3 people have mentioned to me that Toby looks orange. WHAT? ORANGE? Is something wrong with his liver?...what does this mean?...how could he be turning orange and I not notice?...what do you do for orange skin? The best and final comment came from a nurse at his doctor's office (we went for a 9 month check-up...I didn't take him to the Dr. for orange skin) she walked into give him his flu shot and said, "well doesn't he look like a pumpkin" I thought she was referring to his reddish-orange shirt until she said,"he must really like those orange veggies." WHAT! is he really that discolored and I still can't see it?! I decided at that point Toby will never eat another carrot. (not really, but he has been eating a lot more green beans and peas)

His 9 month check up went well. He weighs 21.8 lbs (70%) and is 29 inches long (75%). The doctor said he looks like great...except for the orange skin. (emphasis added by writer)

Here are a few pictures from around the house...what do you think? Is he orange or does he just have great coloring?

joe liked his biscuit goatee

I think he is wanting to escape for some carrots...


Tuesday, September 25, 2007

lunch date with phoebe

Toby LOVES to play with Phoebe, so Becky and I took the kids to a great kid-friendly cafe for lunch yesterday. It was really fun and Phoebe loved the photo shoot...



Thursday, September 20, 2007

We went to the park

There is a cute little park at the end of our street, so Toby and I went to play there today. He had a great time, the slide was his favorite! Because it was hot we didn't stay long. As I simply picked Toby up, put him back in the stroller and headed home I thought, I know the day is coming when he is going to kick and scream when it is time to go.

When I saw this picture I couldn't believe how big he has gotten...when did that happen?

He wasn't sure what to think of the grass, I guess we should put him in it more often.

THE SLIDE! Toby's favorite...just look at that face!

Morning is our favorite time of the day...it's the only snuggling we get out of him. Sesame Street helps too. (I know, I can hear all of you saying that he is too young to be watching TV, but let's be honest--this kid has been watching TV since he was days old)

Sunday, September 16, 2007

The common cold!

I know I haven't updated in a while, but it is because Toby has been sick. For just over a week now, he has been crabby and his entire face has been wet...eyes watering, nose RUNNING, and due to a congested nose, his mouth has been open thus causing drool to drain from his mouth. Not the pictures you want to capture for the baby book, if you know what I mean.

In case you aren't sure of the symptoms here are a few from www.kidshealth.org
The first symptoms of a cold are often a tickle in the throat, a runny or stuffy nose, and sneezing. Kids with colds may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, mild fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and loss of appetite. The discharge from your child's nose may change from watery to thick yellow or green. --yes, we have had that!

The other day I was wearing a black shirt and by the end of the day it was covered with white, shiny spots...dried snot! My favorite!

I think he is making a come back, so I'll get some pictures posted soon.

Saturday, September 08, 2007

the new arrival!

It's a GIRL!
I am so excited to have another niece...I love them all! Yesterday Karlee was born and she is such a sweet little thing. She looks just like Phoebe did. Nick and Becky are doing well and Phoebe is already a big help! Sisters are such a gift and I am excited for Phoebe and Karlee to experience the love of a sister.
Karlee Jan
9/7/07
8 lbs 2 oz.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

from the lake

we went to the lake over the weekend and Toby LOVED it.

He played in a cooler...
tormented Bubba, but had so much fun with my uncle bill...
relaxed with his Sugar Bear (or Papa Shu-shu as Phoebe calls him)...
and hung out in the water...this is my favorite picture!
and look at these two...it's the eyes...they are exactly the same shape!
Hope you all had a great weekend. We love you all!

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

a moment of silence

Last Wednesday was a tragic day for a good friend and co-worker of mine and her family in Pennsylvania. They received word that Beth's older brother, Erick Foster, was killed while fighting in Iraq. Although I had never met Erick, I felt as though I knew him from stories Beth would share with me about her brother. She loved and cared so deeply for him, I can't imagine the depth of pain she must be feeling.

Her husband Mike sent an email explaining some of the details surrounding the incident:
While we still don't know much, we are told from his commanding officer that a mission took place over the past 5 days in which special forces, using twelve drop zones surrounding an insurgence hot zone, boxed in a group of terrorists. Erick was responsible for leading 12 men to secure the southern portion of this initiative and to seal off an exit road. It was as thick as a jungle and the insurgents picked up on their presence. Random fire occurred and Erick, who is always flanked by two men (artillery and radio) bent down to assist his radio man to call for back up. When he bent over to the ground, his upper body became parallel to the ground, exposing a small strip of fabric on the top of his shoulder where there is no body armor. A random bullet entered his left shoulder and lodged in his chest. He alerted to his men that he'd been hit, but within 30-60 seconds it is said that he slipped into unconsciousness. His men moved him 500 yards to the road but the helicopters could not descend due to power-lines. They moved him again, flew him to the hospital, at which point he was officially pronounced dead (which was about two hours later). It is suspected, however, that he died within ten minutes of being shot having felt little to no pain. From the phone calls we have received from all over the world, it is apparent that Erick was genuinely a stellar and humble soldier. We weren't even aware of all of the commendations he had received over his career, including a couple "oak leaf clusters" which I am told are very special. Anyway, he was an outstanding leader and all of his men respected him deeply. By the way, the mission which took his life resulted in the death of 18 insurgents, the capture of 5 terrorists, the disarming of 10 IED's (bombs), and the liberation of 2 Iraqi prisoners of war (al Qaeda takes a lot of Iraqi prisoners that American soldiers frequently liberate - but you never hear about these stories of triumph on the news). Regardless of your political stance on things on the other side of the Atlantic, Erick firmly believed in the cause, would frequently comment on the great good that the troops are doing, and the need to remain resolute. Erick stared down the face of evil day in and day out and although we cannot comprehend the purposes of God, we do know that in a matter of moments, Erick went from experiencing hell on earth to the glory of the presence of Jesus Christ Himself.

Erick's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist’s Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

Just 3 short months ago Beth was given a gift...she was able to join with her brother as he prayed, confessing his need for a Savior, putting his life, faith and trust in Jesus Christ. "But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:8-10

On Wednesday, September 5 the family will say goodbye to their son and brother. Please take a moment of silence to honor Erick Foster and all the other fallen soldiers fighting for freedom. Erick, thank you for your service.

**if anyone would like to send a card to the Foster family, email me and I'll send you their mailing address.