pushing forward

Selah's favorite phrase lately, "It's crazy!" Never mind that she says it when she is running around in her diaper or any article of clothing comes off. Goofy girl! But that is exactly how I feel lately. Life is just so hectic. In the next five months I will welcome my second child into this world and graduate from college. I am attempting to finish two college courses in 6 weeks while in my third trimester of pregnancy. Am I insane for taking on this monstrous task? Yes, I am starting to feel that way. All I want to do is relax and enjoy the end of my pregnancy. Enjoying the life that has so delicately been growing and developing these past 8 months. Instead every free moment is spent reading and writing. I feel drained, but I press forward. This has been a long time goal of mine, to be educated, learn, better myself, and graduate with a college degree. So, as my doubting moments have increased as of late my prayers have also increased. I know that God brought me back to Multnomah for a reason, and He will help me succeed in finishing the task at hand. I will finish and graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Leadership and Ministry, but not on my own by any means. Rather, it will be by God's real presence in my life. Everytime I sit down at my desk with a bad attitude and unmotivated attempt at studying He lifts me up and will carry me to the finish line.
I am also so thankful for a patient husband. I know that my non-stop studying has an impact on him, because our one on one time spent together is limited. However, he is often the one who reassures me that the race is almost done. God sure blessed me with one of the good guys!
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In kiddo news, Selah had her 2 year old check-up today. Let me just say she was a different child at her 18 month check-up. She did not enjoy the cold stethiscope or bright light that wanted to look in her ear, nor did she care to stand on the big girl scale. Consequently Dr. Basco and I worked up a sweat! She has a great doctor, though. I am so thankful the Doc. is patient and really takes her time with us. I also appreciate that she encourages us as parents and points out the things we are doing well.
Selah now weighs 26 1/2 pounds (50%) and 36 1/2 inches long (95%). She got a cookie in the end, which instantly shut off the tears.

We go in next week for my 34 week check-up with the baby doctor. That means only 5 weeks left! I am so ready to meet our little guy. And it's not because he has been quite frequently kicking my bladder...okay that probably has a little to do with it. He seems to have nestled himself really low, which puts more pressure down in my pelvic region. It's not a pleasant feeling!
As you can see there are many big changes happening in the Newcomer house. Things you can pray for specifically are:

Becoming a family of four
Graduating from college
Finding a new home by March

Summer time wrap up

We have enjoyed going on many wonderful trips this summer. Camping down in central Oregon, going out to the farm several times to pick fresh fruit and veggies, celebrating Selah's 2nd birthday, family camp with our church family, and a weekend at grandpa's in Florence.
We ended the summer with one final vacation down to my grandpa's. Saturday was spent walking through the shops in old town with family and then lounging by the lake back at the house. The sun shined for a little bit. We had delicious food and played games that evening. The next day we played down by the lake, and Selah got to see a salamander. A rare sight anymore. It was a lovely trip, and I was sad to come home. Dan also informed me today that he wore the same pair of underwear the whole weekend, so we better do some laundry. He actually thought I was serious when I told him on the way down I forgot his underwear. Apparently me laughing didn't clue him in that I was only kidding. Now I am laughing even more and slightly grossed out at the same time!

As summer ends we move into fall and the birth of our son quickly approaching. We are so excited to meet him! Will he look like his big sister? Will he have a calm demeanor? We do have a name picked out, but are keeping it a secret. Everyone knows it's a boy, so we have to have some element of surprise! Amongst all of this excitement I do have a difficult decision I have to make. I have to decide how he will be delivered. Selah was born by Cesarean because she was breech. Because of this previous surgery it would be risky for me to deliver naturally, although, it is possible. I would like to try for natural delivery, but is it the safest? My doctor has advised me to do a repeat cesarean. Not only because of the risk of a VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean), but also the way I am shaped internally may not allow for a successful delivery. There are so many factors involved in choosing either delivery. We will find out at the 36 week check-up to see if baby boy is even head down. If he is breech as well I don't even have a choice. I hope that appt. comes soon.
I also have been quite upset by the comments I have gotten in regards to a Cesarean. Apparently women (those who have never had a c-section) find that it is taking the easy way out. Just because I have never experienced natural labor pains I am some how less of a woman. These comments are completely ignorant and hurtful to any woman who has had a c-section. No woman purposely chooses a c-section to escape the pains of labor. It is a decision that is made for the safety of the baby and mother, and is quite risky. No matter how a child comes into this world their health and that of the mother's should take priority. Recovering from the surgery is no walk in the park, and the emotional impact of this delivery takes a toll on the mother. No matter how a woman delivers her child please support her. Motherhood is a big enough marathon, let's start off on the right foot by offering encouraging words.

Selah is 2!!!

Well, my sweet girl is two years old today. The comments we have been getting regarding this milestone seem to imply that we should fear this age. Oh the "Terrible Two's"! However, we have found that her wanting independence and testing boundaries starts well before this age, and I actually look forward to it! It is a process she will go through like every other human being in shaping her personality. We can either embrace it and learn ourselves as parents or become a ball of stress and overreact to our child's new desire for independence.
Selah definitely has plenty of personality already! Every day she learns something new or says something funny. Dan and I watch her as she sleeps at night in marvel at this precious child God has blessed us with. It is overwhelming the love I have for her. I know other mom's who may read this feel the same way. I believe as we are created in the image of God it is a reflection of our relationship with our heavenly Father.
There is so much I want to say about my daughter, because I am so proud of all that she has done this past year. Hmm...where do I start. Some of her favorite things to do are:
Dance and sing songs
Read books (I often find her sitting on the floor with a book reciting the story as she turns each page)
Somersaults or other acrobatic feats that usually scare mommy.
Being bundled with blankets and cuddled, even when it is 107 outside.
Play time with Daddy when he gets home
Tickle time
Talking on the phone
Playing in the water
She is very good at communicating things she does or doesn't want, and what she is feeling (scared, sad, tired).
She knows her colors, is getting better at counting in English and Japanese, and knows a few Spanish phrases.
LOVES to eat cranberries, avocados, and anything sweet!
Selah is excellent at sharing, very selfless, and I really hope that this trait continues.

Happy Birthday Selah! You are the greatest joy of our lives, and the most perfect blessing. I am so thankful that I get to spend everyday with you and watch you as you grow and develop. I LOVE YOU!

Love,
mommy

Family Reunion 2009

Selah on her new trike. We got it for her birthday and just gave it to her early.
She pretty much lived on that thing while camping.

Selah carrying on the tradition. I learned to ride when I was little too.

This is what my uncle cooked the Chinese dinner on. He was very fast and organized.
In this picture he is just cooking bacon for our breakfast.

The cousins: Shannon, me, Nick, and Jason

The siblings: (Patty) my mom, Uncle Gerry, and Auntie Sonie (Joanie)
There are two more that weren't there.

We just got back from a weekend of camping with our family down in West Fir, OR. Unfortunately we couldn't join the rest of the group until Friday afternoon, they were there the whole week. My uncle, cousin and her husband came up from California. My parents, brother, aunt, and another cousin and his family (who just moved here from Texas) were there as well. I haven't seen my cousin (from California) since we were 5 years old at our grandma's funeral. It was a great time visiting and reconnecting after so long. We spent the weekend lounging by the river (some of them went rafting), sitting by the fire roasting marshmallows (yumm!!!), attempting to ride our unicycles after several years, eating good food, and fighting off the bees and daddy long legs. The bees were horrible during the day, biting or stinging 5 of us. And as soon as it was dark the daddy long leg spiders started moving across the ground. Saturday my uncle cooked a delicious Chinese food dinner for us, all over the campfire with a wok. Best chinese food I've ever had!!! It was a great trip, and I look forward to next year's trip! But next year us Oregonians will make the drive down to California.
Selah did great on the trip. Her routine was a little thrown off which meant for a cranky girl Sunday when we were getting ready to come home. We did not take a pack and play, instead she slept on the ground with us. She did not have any problems with it, until during the day when she was supposed to take a nap. I had bought a pack of 12 mini muffins and she decided to get into them when she was supposed to be taking a nap. Apparently it was more fun to take a bite out of each muffin and line them up, and then take her diaper off to run around naked in the tent. No accidents, though! We also enjoyed waking up with her right away. But really laying there an extra minute wasn't an option. The first morning I woke up with a book laying on my face with her saying, "mommy read book please!", and the next morning with her cute little button nose pressed to mine as she stared at me. I love that girl!

We are having...

She stole my tomato and started eating it on the stairs!

Daddy and Selah

My studly fisherman reeling in his catch!

It's a BOY!!! We were able to have our 20 week ultrasound today, and our little one let us know that well...he was a boy. Clear as day, if you know what I mean. He was very cooperative for the ultrasound tech and we got some great pictures to share with family and friends that want to see them. When he was done cooperating he decided to role over and show his little bottom to us. Haha! He is currently 13 oz. and is 8-10 inches long. We do not have a name picked out yet, but are considering waiting to share the name until he is born so people have a little bit of a surprise. We are very excited with this news. But honestly I would be happy even if I had all girls. Babies are just an incredible miracle and blessing from God! It will be a bit strange seeing trucks and dinosaurs instead of flowers and dolls around here. However, Selah is quite fascinated by vehicles (especially planes and trains) and sports. She can be girly, but also into so called boy stuff. As soon as we left the doctor's office Dan informed me that he will need to get a lifetime fishing license as he will be doing a lot of fishing with his kids.
In other news...Dan went fishing last weekend for Father's Day. He caught a 6' 8" sturgeon. Unfortunately, it was 8" over the limit and had to be put back. Dan was like a giddy little boy for the next few days telling me tales of his adventure. I was going to post a picture of the ugly...I mean beautiful fish, but Dan says I can't. It's a funny story, so if you want to know ask Dan or I and we will tell you and show you a picture privately.
Our schedule has slowed down a lot. Instead of having one night together as a family we get every night but Thursdays. It has been so nice having Dan home for dinner, and Selah gets to play with her daddy at night.
I can't leave before I talk about my sweet girl. Selah is learning so much. She knows all of her colors, except red is often times confused as orange. She is learning numbers as well. When counting in English she often times skips #4-8. However, can count from 1-10 in Japanese easily. She is beginning to understand the concept of one item becoming two when another is added. She can recognize a handfull of letters, and loves to sing and dance. Her favorite songs are, "Jesus Loves Me" "ABC's" "Happy Birthday to you" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." I will post a video at some point of her singing...very cute! It is hard to believe that in less than two months she will be 2 years old. Wow! She is such a beautiful gift from God and brings us immense joy. We are crazy in love with her, and to think that we are welcoming another one is a bit overwhelming. I have no doubt that I will have enough love for this little boy, because true love comes from God. It never ceases to exist. But this love is so captivating and brings such an overflowing feeling of joy that I am already bursting at the seams with Selah, I will pop completely with two of them. Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a mommy!

Happy Birthday!

Wishing my wonderful husband a Happy 27th Birthday!

Selah wanted to add something too...

Cannon Beach Trip

Sometimes the many commitments we take on can be a bit overwhelming, and it all needs to be forgotten temporarily in order to refresh. And most importantly to make lasting memories with the ones that don't stay little for too long. So, we went on a mini vacation to Cannon Beach today. It was a perfect day for the beach! We ate at our favorite pizza place, Pizza a Feta, and shared two slices of pizza. Then we headed down to the shoreline and spent several glorious hours basking in our daughter's giggles and joy at all of the fun she was having. At one point we dipped our toes in the water, but it never ends up just being our toes does it?! Selah loved it when the water came rushing towards her. She was soaked! The rest of the time she spent playing in the sand with nothing but her diaper. When she decided she had enough she went to her stroller saying, "All done beach." Then we went into town and shared an ice cream cone. We headed back renewed and ready to get back to our life with a full heart, thankful for the beautiful day the Lord had blessed us with.