baby snail

Selah and I found this tiny snail when playing outside today.

I have never seen one so small. The shell was very transparent.
Selah kept coming back to it saying, "Hello little snail! You want chocolate milk?"

Funny girl

Selah wearing her new shirt and purse that
Aunt Jenny and Uncle Dustin got her from Paris.

Toting her beloved Yellow Bear around in her new purse.

Just thought I would give a quick update on what has been going on with the family. So, here goes...
Selah has moved up to the 2-3 year old class at church, and enjoys it quite a bit. She is also in a class on Wednesday nights called Caravan. Her particular group is called Papoose. She loves it! Every night on our drive home she tells me what she learned in class, and then tells me she had fun with all her friends and teachers, naming each one of them. She can say the Papoose motto, which is, "A Papoose loves Jesus, a Papoose loves her friends, and a Papoose shares with her friends." Next Wednesday will be the first ceremony of the year, and she will earn our scarf, rank, and physical bead. It's all just too cute! I am sure I will snap a thousand pictures, so I will update next week after Selah's big night.
I had my 36 week check up yesterday. My blood pressure, weight gain, and my measurements continue to progress just right. I definitely have been experiencing more discomfort this time around, as I hear is common in subsequent pregnancies. Our boy is doing good. He is a strong little bugger! Sometimes he's moving so much I feel that he is going to bust out right then and there.
Some of you know that we have elected for a second cesarean. But for those who did not know...there you go. I have peace with this decision, and both my doctor and I feel it is the best decision for my particular situation. So, baby boy will be born on November 6. That means I have 3 weeks left!!! Yippy!
Dan is doing well. He had his annual review with his boss and passed with flying colors. His boss even took him to lunch after that. We are so thankful for this job he has. Dan enjoys his work and I am able to stay home with my sweet Selah (and soon to arrive son). He also has enjoyed commuting to work on his bike. Praise God for his many blessings in our life!

The following video is of Selah telling her first joke.

Sweet words

Selah's latest painting experience.
One of her favorite activities!

When I ask her to smile this is what she does. Just hilarious!

Highlight of the day...Selah hugged me and said, "I love you mommy!" *sigh* Somehow those sweet words coming from my daughter just melted away all of the stress I've been feeling lately. Thank you God for blessing my life with my precious Selah, and reminding me of what really matters with her joyful presence.

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!