10 months old

Zoie turned 10 months old on Saturday. It's amazing how quick the time has flown yet I hardley can imagine life without my little munchkin. She is such a good girl. Here are some pictures from the last 10 months

10 months

9 months

8 months

7 months

6 months

5 months

4 months

3 months

2 months

1 month

brand new

Jealousy

Zoie loves her Daddy and does not particularly care to share him. The first incident happened at Christmas. When Mark picked up Cara, Zoie made a beeline for him and started crying. My dad (grandpa) picked her up but she wasn't very satisfied until she got her dad back. After which she cuddled right in and was very lovey.

These pictures are from a recent trip down to baby-sit Cara for Josh's b-day. She gets over it reasonably quickly but she definitely shares her opinion of the situation.

Funny thing is...she does not care in the slightest if I hold another baby. She'll gladly share mom. All babies beware...stay away from her Daddy.

Cheerios all over my floor and I do a load of pinks

The title just hints at a few of the adjustments Zoie has brought to our lives. I was thinking the other day how much one little person can change your life. I knew it would...but I understand it differently now. Outsiders may just see a lot of work and stress, but the love that she brings to our lives is indescribable. As she is growing up, she getting even more fun. She says "dada" and "mama" now (I'll admit she says "dada" more often) and claps for herself regularly, we enjoy watching her develop. We love you Zoie Jean!

The Tradition Continues

I have no romantic associations with Valentine's Day. When we celebrated our first Valentine's day as a couple, I was horridly sick in bed with the flu. Instead of flowers, I got DayQuil. Since then, I haven't been real into the holiday. I don't remember if we did anything for our second one, last year I was really big pregnant, and now again this year Zoie and I are under the weather. Nothing terrible, but Zoie threw-up last night and again on me this morning. She otherwise acts fine. I'll spare you the details of my current condition.

To top it off, Mark shot a nail through his hand yesterday with his nail gun. Praise the Lord it was just through the fleshy skin and he is up to date on his tetanus. We cleaned it out and he is doing fine.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Leave that Kind of Legacy

I was thinking about the song "Legacy" by Nicole Nordeman...the chours goes

I want to leave a legacy How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough To make a mark on things. I want to leave an offering. A child of mercy and grace. Who blessed Your name unapologetically And leave that kind of legacy

As it's been quickly closing in on a month since Grandpa Schumacher passed away, I've been contemplating his legacy. The days surrounding the funeral and visitation opened my eyes to the legacy that Grandpa left. I always loved and respected him. His love for and pride in Mark and our little family was obvious.

Mark has many wonderful memories of his Grandpa. He learned many things from him. I think though the thing that impacted Mark the most was not the things Grandpa taught him but the way he taught him. Mark learned how to teach people in a way that made them feel valued and capable. Grandpa had incredible patience and kindness. When he showed Mark how to do something or when Mark would make a mistake, he never made him feel incompetent or foolish. I'm sure Grandpa could have done a lot of those things faster and better, but he wanted the boys to learn. Grandpa understood that it was more important that they learn than the job be done quickly or perfectly. Mark has that same quality about him...and for that I'm forever grateful.

Grandpa loved his grandchildren and he showed that same love to many other people. Bob and Charlene's house (Grandpa's brother and sister-in-law) was filled with people who loved him and I got to hear many different stories and memories. I found the time the family and friends spent together there one of the healthiest grieving experiences I've ever had. There was a long line at visitation and a large crowd at the funeral. We helped Grandma put together thank-yous using a spreadsheet, she had almost 200 individual families to thank for their gifts of love.

The other personal tribute to Grandpa was the sign posted up at the Car Wash where he worked. "We'll miss you Jerry." On the day of the funeral, over 100 cars went through that car wash in his honor. The Woodford County Journal did an article about it.

Grandpa wasn't rich, wasn't famous, wasn't a powerful man but the legacy he left is one that any Christain should rejoice at leaving behind. It will be there for many years to come.

I haven't seen my husband cry very many times during our marriage but he definitely shed some tears as we said good-bye to Grandpa (and of I course I promptly joined him, I'm actually crying a bit now as I finish this tribute). We cry not for Grandpa, as he is rejoicing with the angels, but cry for our loss as we remain behind. May his love live in us as a tribute to his legacy.






Here is a link to the song

9-month check-up

Zoie had her 9 month check-up yesterday. She is doing very well. She is almost 29 inches tall and weights 20lbs 2 oz. So she is in the 95th percentile for height and the 75th percentile for weight. She had to get a shot yesterday which she didn't appreciate very much but she was done crying by the time we left the room and seemed to be fine the rest of the day. If you want to see her in action, you can check her out on my facebook page. I have a great video of her playing with my mom.

Back to Work

For those of you who weren't aware, Mark was laid off from CAT for 9 months out of 2009. He was called back to CAT in early December. While being laid off often comes with many stresses, God blessed us abundantly during that time. I am thankful that it happened.

Mark was able to complete his degree and sit for 3 of his 4 CPA exams. In addition, he was there during the early months of Zoie's life. We got to spend a lot of quality family time together. He also completed several big projects on our house including (but not limited to) a new roof and installing an exit window in the basement.

Mark definitely made the most of his lay-off time. We grew closer in our relationship and I enjoyed having him around everyday. Zoie and I do miss him when he goes off to work but we are thankful that he is now the first shift supervisor (he was on 3rd shift when he was laid-off). I praise God for the strength and provision he provided both of us during that time.

Here is a picture of Zoie in her CAT shirt from Daddy.

Good-bye Grandpa "Shoe"

Mark's Grandpa passed away unexpectedly last night. While we rejoice that he is with the Lord, we grieve for our loss. He was a wonderful caring man who we loved very much. Please pray for God's strength and comfort for the family (especially Grandma) as we live on.

Teeth

Just before Christmas Zoie got her first two teeth. I had been trying to get a picture but hadn't had much success until yesterday. Here is my big girl.

8 months old

Zoie is growing up so fast. She is now 8 months old. I was reminiscing with my mother-in-law today. I thought I'd share these pictures as a look back over the past 8 months.

8 months

7 months

6 months

5 months

4 months

3 months

2 months

1 month

first week home

Brand New

Growing up = lowering the crib

When I went in to pick Zoie up from her nap, this is what I found. Time to lower the crib. She greeted me with a huge "I'm really proud of myself" smile. Fortunately, I had my camera sitting on the dresser in her room to capture the moment. The only thing missing is the surprised look on my face.

Pretty Dresses

Part of the fun having a baby girl is the pretty baby girl clothes. Here are pictures of Zoie's Christmas dresses. The red one is from my mom. The pink I got from once upon a child. She is just so fun to dress up and of course top it off with a bow.

Ray of Sunshine

When it's cold, snowy and icky out. All you want is a little sunshine. So I dressed mine up in a cute outfit complete with a huge flower. Thought you might enjoy a little sunshine in your day too.

This is the current look outside of our house. It's definitely winter.

Little Family

I just thought I'd share this recent picture of our little family. Thanks Nelson for taking it for us at church on Sunday. My mom wanted one of us dressed up nice for her Christmas card. It's difficult to use a self-timer with a 7-month old so we had Nelson take it for us. Mission accomplished.

New Window

Mark recently installed a new window and window well in our basement so that we have an exit when we refinish it. Here are some pictures.

Zoie "helping" Daddy with his big hole in the wall

From outside above the new window well

The handy man proud of his work

Crying Over Carrots

When we first introduced Zoie to solid foods, she wasn't overly impressed. She'd eat her cereal ok but nothing compared to the drama of carrots. When we'd try to give her carrots she would just sob. It'd almost make you feel bad (obviously not bad enough to forgo taking a picture).

This past week though she has decided she loves her food. She now lunges for it a bit and happily downs her carrots and other vegetables. Glad she is over the initial hysteria.

Gush, Gush, Gush

Last week, Mark was moving a water line so we could install an egress window as an exit when we refinish the basement.

In the late morning Mark comes upstairs with a very worried look and said "I need the phone number for the emergency shut-off for our water." As he is finishing the sentence, I hear the gush gush gush of gallons of water pouring into my basement.

When Mark was moving the line, the main relief valve fell off the wall. We had to have the utility people come and shut the water off from outside our house.

Mark then set off to fix it. After seeking the advice from our Dads and our friend Randy, he got a new valve installed and the pipes put in...at 11 that night, we called to have the water company turn on our water.

When they did, we realized there were a few things that still needed adjusted. The water guy, Steve, only responsibility was to turn the water off or on. But he thought our baby Zoie was too cute to go without water. So he helped us for the next hour correct the issues. He even brought a new valve from his house to put on.

We offered to compensate him but all he asked is that we tell that baby of ours that "Steve said hey." Well anyway...thanks Steve...you were amazingly helpful.

So all is cleaned up, the water is on, and the pipes don't leak. Praise the Lord for our Dads, Randy, and Steve who all contributed to its success.

Here are some pictures of the initial damage.

Bows Bows Bows

Anybody who knows me, knows that I love to put pretty bows on my beautiful baby's head. I have several bows from my dear friend Deanne. She makes some fabulous and very creative things. Here is a link to her blog and her website. Below is Zoie modeling a few of Deanne's creations that I own.

Zoie wearing a mini-korker

Zoie with a pink double ruffle ribbon (I get lots of compliments on this one). I included 2 pictures with this one, as the first Zoie looks much happier, but the second shows the bow a bit better.

Zoie sporting a Marabou Puff and wearing a pink nylon headband

I have several others, all of which Zoie wears regularly. Thanks Deanne!

Little Leopard

For Halloween I dressed up Zoie as a little leopard. She helped me handout candy. Actually I just carried her to the door with me when we had trick-or-treaters...she was probably more work than help but she was awful cute. I wouldn't have probably spent the money to buy her a costume but I found this one at a garage sale this summer for a dime. Hope you had a Happy Halloween.