23 October 2008

My second post today...

This morning, I came upstairs and found Oliver and Ryan at the computer. Ryan had him set up in the chair and I heard him say something to the effect of "Let's watch some saves so you can learn how to be a goalie." And, sure enough, they were watching a YouTube video called "Insane GoalKeeper Saves". And, I guess that's just what you do.


A bit later, it was evidently time to practice what we'd learned. When I re-entered the bonus room, Oliver was taking goal kicks with the new net and ball Auntie and Unca got him for his birthday. Scout was either waiting for her turn or playing the part of Granddad. :) Here's a video of the part I saw:



Our morning progressed as usual. Ryan left to teach his class, Oliver and I read about a hundred books before watching Sesame Street (I'm trying to make a point to outweigh television time with reading time. This keeps me from allowing too much tv, and definitely keeps Oliver spending lots of time on my lap between my arms reading stories).

After reading and Sesame Street, I got a bit of work done on the computer while Oliver dumped out bins of toys both upstairs and down and played with all his favorite sports equipment in a way that I know Ryan would not approve of: hitting soccer balls with a golf club, using a catchers mitt as an oven mitt, and hitting his baseball with a hockey stick.

Then, lunch: Quesadillas (Oliver calls them "dillas") and grapes. Oliver really wanted to sit on the bench rather than in his high chair, so I obliged under the condition that if he couldn't stay seated and eat his meal, he was going to get strapped in.

Here's a video of the tail end of our lunch together:


And that brings us to now. Oliver is in his room for a nap and I get a few moments to myself at the computer. Of course, last I checked on Oliver, he had dumped more bins of toys in his room, was laying in bed with every blanket he owns, a train whistle and a pink toy water pitcher, pretending he was taking a drink. I'm not feeling incredibly optimistic about where this "nap time" is going.

Oh, before I go, I have one other funny thing from yesterday. And, believe it or not, it's about nap time. Ryan had gotten him settled and then returned to the bonus room to rest on the sofa while I checked my email (email checking is an important activity in the Myers home). About five minutes after Ryan left Oliver in his locked bedroom, we heard the pitter patter of little feet in the hallway. Suddenly, the door swung open and Oliver appeared. He did a circle around the room, pausing only briefly to look at me and say in his most delightful, even surprised voice, "Good Morning!" (complete with sign language!). He then made a quick stop at the sofa, smiled at Ryan, knew he was pushing his luck and retreated back to his bedroom. I think it goes without saying that it is virtually impossible to survive a situation like that without bursting into laughter, especially when you know you're supposed to look disapproving. Oh my.

Alright, I'm off now. I'm pretty sure I hear Oliver building a tower with his blocks. That is not on the list of approved nap time activities.

Blessings.

20 October 2008

So, I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one in my family who has gotten blog fever. Ryan, after a 2-year lapse in blogging since his original start-up, has renewed his blogging fervor. :)


His blog focuses mostly on good design found in random places. If good design makes you warm and fuzzy inside, and the winter chill starts to get to you, check his blog out to see some really cool stuff!

16 October 2008

Yesterday, our little treasure turned 2 years old! Here are some photos from his birthday:

Waking up from his nap, checking out the decorating we'd been doing outside

I love him as a little cowboy - I think we'll dress him like this for Halloween
(but maybe a little more clothing!)

Beatrice was a cowgirl too!

Oliver's Daddy made cool "2"s and his name on his cakes with nonpareils


Uncle fun-guy doesn't look like he's having very much fun... :)

Grandma came to the party with a big bunch of "b'doons!"
They were a big hit!


And, a few videos:




(We know that Oliver's feeling like a cowboy because he does his wide, cowboy stand)

12 October 2008

October has been a good month for apples here. We have been able to pick apples from the abundance of friends' trees and it has resulted in a very apple-y month!

We've made apple pie, apple crostada, apple sauce and even apple cider! But, the best thing to do with an apple is to just take a big, juicy bite!

Here are a few shots of the kids with one of the many baskets full of apples:


(Can we talk about Oliver's sweet white hair in this picture??)

Fall girl.

"Oliver, put your apple up high in the sky!"

And, the best thing to do with an apple...

Happy fall, friends!

11 October 2008

Our friend Claire came over this evening to photograph our family at home. What a treat!


We first met Claire almost exactly 6 months ago when she came to the hospital to photograph us and our time with Evie. She is a professional photographer in Nashville and volunteers for an organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

We're so grateful to have met her. She shared some very intimate moments with our family in April, and gave us some of the most priceless gifts we as parents could receive - beautiful photos of our sweet daughter. As a result, Claire will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Also, Claire doesn't waste any time. True to form, she has just returned home and has already posted a sneak peek of our evening on her blog. We can't wait to see the rest!

If your in Nashville and looking for a remarkable photographer, she comes highly recommended. Check out her website too!

10 October 2008

The boys enjoyed chocolate milk after (Oliver's) naptime.

And, and accompanying video:

Last Wednesday morning, Ryan left the house to run and errand, and when he came home,
this is the sight I saw from the top of the stairs:
A new sofa! Ryan had been planning it as a surprise for awhile.
It was a nice thing to make a hard day a little bit easier.
Oliver and I spent some time on the back patio another morning this week. I was trimming the last of the Crepe Myrtle flowers for the summer to put in a vase, and accidentally broke a branch off. What a fun thing to carry around if you're almost two!

And, a "'sicle" for a little boy in a diaper (really, we do put him in full outfits on occasion!)


02 October 2008

Dear Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I write today. This week, we have had to say goodbye to another sweet baby until we are reunited in paradise. We are disappointed and very sad.

I am sharing this not invoke pity or to attract attention. I believe that it is right and good to rejoice together and to mourn together. And, we do mourn this tiny life, not even two months old. This baby had life, and that life is worth grieving.

We had the privilege of seeing our son or daughter's little body yesterday on the ultrasound screen. Even though it's heart had stopped, it was still sweet to see our child and know it was ours.

Even now, as we are sad by the toll sin and death has taken on our world and our lives, we are comforted to know that God's grace and His goodness are abounding. We feel less and less bolted down to this world. We are anxious for the day that Christ will return and save his people from the toil of this world.

Until then, we are clinging to His promises:

"I will never leave you or forsake you." Joshua 1:5

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"'For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10

He hasn't failed us yet.

Thanks be to God.