What We're Into: August 2015

Music:

These two have definitely been my albums of the summer. Devin tells me that Colony house is the son or sons of Michael W. Smith correction, Steven Curtis Chapman...you'll have to fact check him on that but I'm guessing it's true. Regardless, it's really fun and good. And of course, I love anything by John Mark...

Shows:

We've been watching the summer season of MasterChef, as usual.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a Netflix series (thanks for the recommendation Christen!). The first season was really funny and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of the humor is slightly off color though, as a disclaimer.

And...hanging out with Harvey and Mike on the summer season of Suits. 

Books:

I'm just getting started on both of these...

Jen Hatmaker's new book came out this week. So far, I'm really liking it. As usual with JH, I've found myself nodding in agreement and laughing out loud.

My mom started recommending Rebeca a few years ago and people keep telling me to read it. So finally, I am. I struggle to really get into fiction, but I think I'm going to like it. Devin is listening to it on audible at the same time so that's fun.

Life Recently...

In a matter of two weeks we decided to move, accepted a new job offer, sold our house, and bought a new house in Indy. 

Crazy.

But that's just how we do things...fast and furious. Maybe someday we'll slow down. God has been so faithful to provide and all the housing stuff couldn't have gone smoother. Not that there haven't been rough patches. The last couple weeks have been two of the most emotional and stressful weeks of my life. Yeah, I've had an easy life. 

But more about the move later. I really want to document our last weeks in our city and our home.

Mother's Day with my two boys. Gosh, I love these kids. I fail as their mom so, so much, but hopefully they'll look back fondly at being raised by me.

An afternoon at our neighborhood park. Going to miss this place.

Ira is growing so fast. He is so smiley and precious and as long as I don't eat too much dairy, he's pretty happy and low maintenance. The worst thing...he doesn't like the car. Lots of screaming in the car these days...at least on trips of more than an hour. Real fun.

We pretty much always do birthdays with Molly's family. My goal is to keep this tradition as much as possible even after we move. Marlee turned 10! She is such a sweet and beautiful girl and it's so fun seeing her grow up. She is such a great cousin to Henrik!

Henrik is smart. I don't say that in a braggy way. He just is...in a 'street smart' kind of way that makes him really funny but also infuriating at times. I took the above photo after he started calling me "Em" one morning with a smirk on his face.

Henrik generally ignores Ira, stopping to say hi to him at random times. He seems to like him and thinks it's funny when Ira accidentally touches him. He'll say "Ira's tickling me!". Henrik has started to really dislike when Ira cries. He covers his ears. When he's really tired and Ira starts crying he immediately starts waling. This is usually in the car. Again, real fun.

Ira wearing his cute outfit from Leah. :)

As of today, we have an accepted offer on a house. And will probably only have a week of being displaced or needing to live apart since Devin will start at his job before we close on the house. The house and location isn't what we originally had in mind or really a place I ever envisioned us living (the suburbs - gasp), but it's a beautiful home and made a lot of sense in many different ways. But for now, we have a few more weeks to wrap up life here and soak in time with people we love.

What We're Into To: April 2015

FOOD

These breakfast cookies! So simple and healthy

 and the perfect breakfast to grab out of the fridge for kids or adults. Recipe here.

This bark (we got ours from Costco) is life changing. Too addicting, if I'm honest.

This food blog:

I'm temporarily cutting out dairy for Ira and also on a 30 day hiatus from refined sugar, so her recipes have been a perfect way for me to still have some sweets. I would love to get her cookbook (Devin, hint hint).

MUSIC

I'm really into this Jesus Culture album, a couple songs in particular that I've played on repeat lately.

Kim Walker-Smith has such a dynamite voice...it really is captivating. 

SHOWS

When Henrik was born we started watching West Wing (totally recommend) in the evenings when he would cluster feed. So for Ira we needed a new evening nursing show. Devin found this one and it has been perfect. A Chef's Life is like my ideal show. Food, real life, no sketchiness, no cliffhangers, but interesting enough to keep you wanting the next episode. I would kill to learn in the kitchen under Vivian Howard. 

We're finally all caught up on Suits. It's a bit too dramatic for me at times but still really like it, especially the main characters.

When I'm home alone in the evenings nursing I've been watching Mr. Selfridge. I've always liked Jeremy Piven and I think his acting is phenomenal in this show.

BOOKS

Our community group is reading this:

We're only a few chapters in but so far it's good. Maybe not anything that has been mind-blowing though. Does that sound arrogant?

I'm doing this study with my women's group through church:

We're a couple weeks away from finishing. I definitely know more about the history and content of 1 and 2 Thessalonians than I ever have. As usual, I appreciate Beth Moore and her in-depth studies and always feel like she's so solid in her theology. 

Life as Four

Henrik's first trip to the ice rink!

Henrik stayed with my parents for a few days last week. Our house was so quiet with just Ira and me, but it was a nice break before plunging into mother-of-two full time.

Saturday we decided we needed to get out of the house...well, I needed to. So we headed over to our favorite local coffee shop and Henrik got his first hot chocolate. That night we tried an at-home date. It was interrupted by a baby wanting to cluster feed...but still fun to see glimpses of life getting into a new normal.

Up next: almost done with Ira's birth story!

Ira: week one

I can't believe tomorrow will be a week since Ira joined our family. It's been interesting comparing our first week home with Henrik and now with Ira. Let's just say doing this the second time around has been much easier/better...like, so much.

Maybe because he's a better baby? Maybe because I'm actually educated on breastfeeding? Maybe we're just more relaxed? Maybe because my hormones don't seem to be so off? I'm sure it's a combination of all of the above. Not that there haven't been challenges or that everything is perfect, but it really just hasn't been the earth-shaking event that it was with Henrik. I'm really, really thankful. I know it might not stay like this, but the first week with a newborn has been relatively easy (with Henrik I kind of wanted to kill myself).

Henrik has been sweet and interested in Ira. He gives him lots of kisses throughout the day and will want to show him toys, etc. He wakes up in the morning asking to see him. The problem has been more with me. He's definitely being a little passive aggressive toward me and acting out at times which seems to be directly correlated with having so much less of my attention. It makes me feel sad, but he's getting plenty of attention from his dad and grandparents and aunts and I know I won't always be on a chair nursing a baby all day long. :) One way he's seeming to try and have some control during the transition is eating. He's not eating much at all but when he does he refuses to eat anything healthy or 'real' food. Sigh.

For a little Henrik/Ira comparison...photos in the same hat and car seat headed home from the hospital:

Ira

Henrik

More comparison...same shirt/similar pose and age:

Ira

Henrik

We're so thankful for this precious, healthy boy. 

Mid-February

First up, one of the major projects I wanted to get done before the baby was to get all the woodwork on our main floor painted. It was a huge job, so we hired someone and it looks so beautiful. Here's my dining room as an example. 

One night we took Henrik to his favorite, Panera, while the painter was working late. He's obsessed with their mac and cheese. :) He was so fun and cute and charming all the people around us. It was one of those nights I felt sad to add another kid and mess up what we have going, but thankfully that feeling doesn't last long when it comes.

Friday night I was cooking for a tasting party so Devin took Henrik out for a fun night of Chickfila and the mall play area. Henrik doesn't usually get things like juice boxes, so as soon as he did he lost all interest in his food and just sucked down the box of juice.

Devin picked me up some roses for Valentine's. They're still so gorgeous! He knew better than to buy red. :) I think white or light pink roses are the best.

Henrik is getting better at playing by himself for extended time. One day last week he spent a large portion of the day under the kitchen table where I set up a 9x13 of dried beans and various cups and toys. He loved it and it was so easy to just vacuum up at the end of the day.

I'm starting to compile things for the hospital. Some roller bottles of oils for back pain or relaxation. And fun little travel shampoo, conditioner, and face cloths. I was unprepared last time when I realized they only give you one little gross bar of soap. :) I also bought some cheap waterproof mascara. I don't usually wear waterproof and feel like it will be necessary, especially if I'm in and out of water. It's funny to worry about makeup when you're giving birth, but let's be real, people will take pictures and I'll need all the help I can get. 

We did Valentine's evening with some friends, which was really fun. I made mousse and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.

Matt and Lindsay were awesome hosts and went all out with shrimp and steak.

matt&lindsay

sam&peter

us. :)