Easter

Well, I'd love to show all the great shots from Easter, but there really aren't any. Jake was sick for almost a full week. He had a high fever for several days, Easter being one of those days. I think the nurses at our pediatricians office know me by name now. He had roseola which is several days with a high fever followed by one or two days of a rash. We've seen the doctor three times in a month (regular visit, sinus infection, and then roseola.) Not fun. Poor little guy. The good news is that Jake's feeling much better now. It is so nice to have the wild man back to normal again.

Update

I'm so sorry it has been so long since I've updated this blog. Everyone in the Peddle house is doing well. Erik and I just got back from our anniversary trip to Breckenridge. Jake had a great time staying with Erik's parents for a few days.

Jake: taking several steps at once, favorite word: YEAH!, favorite activities: anything that involves singing - especially patty cake, reading books, clapping, "playing" with Sophie, favorite food: cheese

Erik: working full time in remodeling, dreaming about our future and where that might take us, loving our new church

Liz: loving being a mom, working part time for Camp Highland, trying to figure out how people take care of their kids and work and try to keep their house in some sort of order. Seriously, how do people do this?

Sophie: still trying to adjust to not being the center of attention, can't wait for Jake to figure out how to throw a ball and how not to grab eyeballs

Coupons

I am obsessed with coupons and deals. I have learned so much from this blog, http://www.southernsavers.com/
I hit an all time high 2 weeks ago when I bought $185 of groceries and paid only $100 at Publix. It was for 10 meals - plus leftovers for lunches, food for Jake, and paper products. Seriously, this is becoming an addiction, but I love it.

Mornings

Some mornings are better than others. Sigh.... This was my fancy breakfast at home. Since I can't go out to breakfast much I spoil myself every once in a while. It was wonderful, but it was followed by 3 dirty diapers in two hours, diaper rash, separation anxiety (aka Jake thinks he has to be within reach of me at all times), and Jake's fall down the two stairs (with a chair) onto our slate floors. Special.

I have come to appreciate more and more my time with God in the mornings before Jake wakes up. Jake woke up at 6:45 this morning which is an hour before his usual. I was so distraught because that meant that I would not have time alone to read and pray. I called Erik upset not understanding why God wouldn't let him sleep longer so I could spend time with Him before the day began. I gave in and went upstairs hoping that he'd calm down and go back to sleep. I held him and told him everything was okay and gave him his beloved security blanket. He slept for another 30 minutes and I was able to spend time with God. Now I realize He did the same for me. I was upset and He held me and told me everything was okay and then I was able to start my day. I can't say that there have been a lot of days when I clearly hear God speaking to me through my quiet time. I am realizing that He is speaking to me throughout the day. This blog is really helping me understand that. I think I've been looking for a revelation through my time with Him. I was looking for a better understanding of His word. He knew that I just needed Him to tell me before the events of the morning began that it was all okay and that He loves me.

Life is good and I very much appreciate the diapers and the woes of motherhood because it is a gift, even on mornings like this one. Thank you Father for ignoring what I want and giving me exactly what I need

Jake - 1 year

So, Jake does this face. It is so funny. He crinkles his nose and breathes really hard through his nose. Its hard to describe actually. Just had to share. He gave me his first kiss tonight. So sweet.

From baby to toddler, watch out world!

Last night Erik and I were sitting on the floor playing with Jake. Erik mentioned that Jake was too big to crawl and it was time for him to walk. So, I stood Jake up and then he looked at Erik and as I eased away from his tight finger grip.... he took his first step! Our baby is official a toddler. And let me just say, Jake ADORES Erik. He can be having a rough day, but when Erik walks through the door everything (and everyone else) disappears and he gets the biggest grin for his daddy. So cute! I love my boys!

Just some cute pics

I admit it. I love Jake way too much. He's just so cute. I can't help myself!

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch near our house. It was really small. I loved their version of a hay ride! Jake was really tired, but he was a trooper. (Erik was on a climbing trip.)

North GA State Fair

We've had a fun couple of weeks. We went to the North GA State Fair and Jake enjoyed the petting zoo. I think having kids is just an excuse for parents to act like kids again. I was way too excited to go to the fair. :)

Jake - 7-8 months

Well, the summer is officially over. We had such a blast working with all of the college students. We felt so blessed to have the opportunity to pour into their lives. I remember in college feeling like I had to have everything figured out before I graduated. It's a very difficult season of life. We hope that they felt encouraged and supported as they returned to their lives at college. We just pray that they will continue in their search for God's will. We love you all!

Jake is doing really well. He is sleeping 12-13 hours every night! Quite a difference from the 2-3 hours he was sleeping as a newborn. He is so close to crawling. He can crawl in circles, but hasn't quite figured out how to crawl forward. He loves standing and trying to walk, while I hold his weight. He seems to think he can just skip the crawling and move straight to walking :) He's so fun. He is so much like Erik. It's really funny to see all the similarities already. They have the same intense look. Haven't caught that on the camera yet, but hopefully soon.

Jake goes swimming

Erik and I took Jake to the inland lake at camp a few weeks ago. He seemed to like it for the most part. He definitely preferred the warm towel to the cool water, but he was a trooper. :)

2009 Summer Staff

I thought you might like to see the incredible staff that we've been working with this summer. They are an amazing group. We are so thankful to have the opportunity to serve with each one of them.

Jake - 6 months

Jake is doing great. He is 6 months now. He has rolled over a few times. He has two teeth that are fighting their way through. It seems to be pretty painful at bedtime. I would welcome any teething advice. Jake is a wonderful baby. He is happy and healthy and so fun to watch. We love the noises he makes. Erik calls him a little monkey and his little noises sometimes sound like monkey noises. 

Summer in Ellijay

We are off to a great start this summer at Camp Highland. Our staff this summer is amazing. We are having such a blast investing in the lives of each of the 20 college students. It is truly a blessing to be serving with such incredible people. This is a fun season, but it is also very challenging. Please pray that we can keep our energy high in knowing that all we do is for God's glory.  

Mother's Day

Does it get any better than this?

New Stats

Here is a picture of our little man from Easter. We went to the doctor today and here are the stats...

Weight: 14.4 (50%)

Head Circumference: (50%)

Height: 90%! ( I love this because my Dad was really tall.)

It's the little things

It's the little things. This was what made my day yesterday. Just a smile and a long laugh from Jake. The t-shirt didn't hurt anything either :)

I miss my Dad. Here is my favorite picture of us. He was an amazing man and I miss him every day, but for some unknown reason especially today.

It finally happened...

This has been a challenging week in the Peddle house. Erik was sick for a couple days and now I have it. It never seems fair that Erik can recover so quickly and I seem to take at least a week no matter what. Well, needless to say my energy level has plummited. 

Last night we were watching our new favorite show NCIS. Jake was sitting on my lap and we were just watching him. I was feeling particularly exhausted. And then it happened... He smiled. Our little guy looked up at us, opened his mouth and smiled. It didn't last very long, but it didn't matter. It was so special that both Erik and I were there to see it. This may not seem like a big deal to many of you, but to us it meant the world. 

After some very long days and nights we needed a little something to raise our spirits. I just have to wonder if God sent this little angel to us to give us a real picture of how He loves and sustains us. At the very moment when we're tired and not feeling like we can go on, maybe He whispered to little Jake that now was the time to give us this precious gift. 

 My first "mom moment" was when Jake came into the world and I heard his first cry. I couldn't see anything because I had a C-section, but just knowing that he was breathing was enough for me. I teared up a bit. It was such a relief that he was alive and healthy. This was my second "mom moment." I know that there are so many more to come. The only way I can describe it is gut wrenching joy. All of a sudden the earth stands still and you think that you must be the luckiest person on earth to have had a moment like that.