Do you think she looks like me?

Today Zoie is 11 months. We have recieved a variety of comments over the past months of how much she likes a Vercler or how much she looks like a Lindberg. I'll admit that most of the comments do to tend to favor toward her looking like my side of the family. Well my Aunt Donna posted some pictures from my first birthday party on Facebook recently. Let me know what you think...does she look like me?

Cousin Love

In addition to her many aunts and uncles, Zoie has a few cousins. She hasn't met new cousin baby Emmett yet...but here she is with her other two cousins.

Zoie and Braden

Zoie and Cara

Aunt and Uncle Love

Zoie is blessed with many aunts and uncles who love her very much. On our recent trip to Georgia, she got to spend some quality time with more of her Lindberg aunts and uncles.

I was very pleased that she took to them right away. She loved all the attention she was getting. I think she was a little bored the next week with only mommy to play with. Here are some pics..

Low Country Boil

The first installment about our trip to Georgia....

One of my favorite southern meals is a low country boil. I had the great opportunity to partake again on our trip to Georgia. Now there are a variety of ways to make it.

Lindberg family tradition is carrots, small red potatoes, an onion in small pieces, sweet corn cut into thirds, smoked sausage cut into bite size pieces, and fresh shrimp. All this is added in the previous order at specific time intervals to a boiling pot of water that contains a crab boil spice bag. Afterwards, you drain the water and then dump the entire pot onto a newspaper and parchment paper covered table. Everyone gets a fork, a small bowl of garlic butter for dipping (usually 2 people share this) and there is a shared bowl for scraps (corn cobs, shrimp shells etc...).

Of course it is always best served with fresh sweet tea. (For all you northern Yankees, this is very different than sweetened tea, McDonald's now as a good approximation, but it still is different down south. Good sweet tea is best served fresh, so just recently cooled from boiling over ice).

I always loved making in Georgia because good fresh sweet corn and shrimp were to be found most of the year. I've done it a few times since returning North but there is nothing like a full Lindberg family low country boil as the shear amount of food on the table is inspiring. If you want though, let me know and this summer I'd be happy to have you over for a good boil.

The first time we did this, Joel thought I had lost my mind when I suggested we dump it on the table. He's into it now though.

Here is a picture of our most recent boil

First Flight

Zoie had her first experience flying on our recent trip to Georgia (more about that to come). I'm happy to report her previous status as a superb traveler held up. She slept most of all four flights (2 there and 2 home), plus just was generally content in the airports etc...

She didn't seem bothered by the pressure changes. She loved all the attention people around her gave and was always looking for a new friend. I'm very thankful that all our flights were on-time and smooth. It was a piece of travel bliss.

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.