and then we were 4!

That's right...we are having a baby, again! We have successfully made it through the first trimester...I say "we" because it's as rough on Joe as it is on me and this one was particularly hard. I am not sure if that had to do with having a toddler around, or if we are having a little girl this time. Our due date is September 1st! we'll keep you posted on the progress in the coming months.
Toby will be a great big brother, he already loves his baby cousin Karlee so much and really any other babies he comes across. I know he will be tender and loving...just like his daddy!

February 08

I am realizing that now that Toby has turned one, can walk, talk and sleeps less...I have little time to do things like update the blog. So here are 3 updates in one.
There really isn't much going on here, except for the dreaded one year MOLARS! they are from the devil himself! Toby has had a slight fever that comes and goes, an appetite that comes and goes, the runs that come and go, sleep that comes and goes...but mostly goes, and being cranky has come and stayed! I am hoping that we are almost finished with this phase as 2 almost 3 are in.
Last night, however, he was more like the happy Toby I had been looking for. We had a great time with the simple things...dinner, bath and as you can see from the pictures there was NO question on the bath.

boy he LOVES those spaghetti o's

the Kirkwood AIM band concert

For many years my grandfather, who plays the clarinet (and is a KU marching band alumni), has played in a local band to raise money for the Kirkwood High school music program. Each year they give a free concert to the community. A couple of years ago my cousin decided he wanted to join my grandfather and play in the AIM band...so knows it's a family affair. Traditionally they end each concert by asking kids to come on stage and help conduct the band. They give the kids an AIM band pencil to use as a conducting stick and they play Stars and Stripes Forever. I can remember watching my cousin Anna on stage and now she is in grad school at Northeastern! So, to keep tradition going this year it was Phoebe and Toby's turn to take the stage...

he is really getting into it!
and then he discovered the eraser!

as you can see he was really enjoying that eraser.

after the concert we went to Nick and Becky's for dinner...look at how tired these kids are. It was a really long day! They were watching a kids program and as you can tell, Toby never did find his thumb, so from infancy he has sucked the back of his hand.

another round of snow

I know for those of you who are used to getting tons of snow in the winter, my complaining will seem wimpy. But, wow, this has been a long and much harder winter than St. Louis has seen in a while. It feels like it will never end.

Last week we had another round of snow...except this time it wasn't snow, it was raining ice. After 2 long days stuck in the house with a teething 1 year old I really could see the walls closing in. So Joe saved me from insanity by organizing a family walk in the ice and bitter cold. The fresh air was great for all of us and in spite of what the pictures show, Toby did have a great time and LOVES being outside...no matter what the weather. he wanted to walk on his own...and so it begins
then he would fall down on purpose and then lay on the ground--crazy kid, he must have really needed a break from the indoors!

playing in the tub

Toby loves the bath so much he wanted to play in tub in the middle of the day...

Since he was already there and needed a bath that night, I decided to strip him down and give him a bath right then. BUT, this time I added bubbles...this was his first bath with bubbles and he loved it!
Toby is learning so many words, and he tries to copy what we say. It is fun to watch him think about the sounds and then attempt them on his own. Much of what he says sounds the same, but listen to how good he says "bubble" and "bath." I am so proud of my little man.

you never let go...

This past week has been rather challenging, not because of anything happening in our immediate family, but because of the tragedy around us.

Last week a good friend of mine, (my old roommate) received some devastating news. Their son, Noah, has a rare genetic disorder that is causing a degeneration of the white matter in his brain. The disorder is in a category known as "leukodystrophies" but they do not know yet what specific type of leukodystrophy is affecting Noah. Noah is currently undergoing a battery of tests in an attempt to identify the disorder. During this hospital stay, they may have a feeding tube inserted to better control his caloric intake and encourage weight gain. There is no treatment for this condition, only a management of the symptoms as they develop. Life expectancy cannot be predicted at this time but it is unlikely to exceed 10 years.

I get short of breath when I think hearing news like this! Please pray for Deb, Josh and Noah--and please encourage them with prayers, comments, etc. on their blog.

As most of you know there was a tragic shooting in Kirkwood last week. It took place at the City Hall building which is 1 block away from our church office. I was at our office in a meeting while the sooting was taking place. This was scary for me, but more terrifying for Joe who was at home with Toby trying to get ahold of me! Six people were killed and two injured. This is shocking and very sad. My heart goes out to the families of all that lost their lives that day, as they grieve and somehow try to rejoin life.

Sunday, our church service was a memorial serivce helping us all seek God in these sad times. We sang a song that brought me to tears, I couldn't even sing. As the words fell around me, all I could do was pray through my hurting heart.

the chorus is:

Oh no, You never let go

Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, You never let go

In every high and every low

Oh no, You never let go

Lord, You never let go of me

In my life currently, I have friends experiencing storms, and lows and I feel their pain as they are hurting. On the other hand, I have friends that are in the calm or a high place and I have experience joy with them. I find SO much peace and comfort in the midst of all situations knowing that the Lord will NEVER LET ME GO. and not just me...He will never let Deb, Josh and Noah go...He will never let go of those who are deeply greiving the sudden loss of a family member...and He will never let go of those who just found out they are pregnant, just got a new job, and those who are just enjoying life today. God is good and trustworthy and He will never let you go! What a wonderful promise to leave you with!

let it snow...

on friday we got about 8 inches of snow! this is the second significant snowfall we have had this winter which is unheard of lately. We missed pictures of the first snow fall, so we were sure to get Toby out in it this time. He LOVED it!
after the sidewalk and driveway were cleared we went down the street to the little park which has some pretty good hills. We had a great time...I forgot how much fun sledding is! At least for Joe and I...I'm not sure how much Toby liked it...the snow sprayed him in the face and the wind made it hard for him to catch a breath...so we only went down a few times.

then it was over to the playground...the area he REALLY loves. he went down the slide several times...as if to let us know that a toddler slide is a more appropriate slide for a 13 month old than down hill sledding!