My little girl is 1...

Monica turned 1 yesterday! My little girl is growing up! She got her first doll and while I think Christopher was more interested than her, she definitely enjoyed the baby bottle that came with the doll. :)

Then she and Christopher enjoyed ice cream!!! Monica's Godfather was going to bring a cake, but he ended up being delayed so it didn't arrive until after Monica was in bed...so we'll have to have an extended party tonight and get the cake demolition pictures!

Last night Monica walked across the room to Jason for the first time! She'd taken a step or two or three here and there, but never attempted something so big. Jason was thrilled! She was so proud of herself!

This morning Monica was playing with her doll before Christopher woke up and she was getting really frustrated cause she kept trying to get the doll to stand up, but it would just flop over onto her. She turned it upside down, inspected the feet, then tried again. It was pretty funny to watch her trying to "teach" a doll how to stand up!

I got Christopher up at 8AM and his first request was, "Play, baby?" He was so happy when he saw the baby doll waiting for him! He's so gentle with the baby doll...hopefully a foreshadowing of how he'll respond when his new sibling gets here.

During this Advent, I've been really meditating on God's choice to give us this new baby! Most days I already feel so overwhelmed, but I know it's His Will to entrust us with this wonderful, beautiful soul that is now living inside me and He will provide all the graces we need to be faithful parents. This song was sent to me by a dear friend and it really made me think about what plans God must have for this newest member of our family...

It's a beautiful song and the images go with it so nicely. Hope you enjoy!

Jib Jab laughs

I'M SO FRUSTRATED AT COMCAST!!!!! I just spent over 45 minutes on the phone with them... After about 4 months of trying to get their services to work, we decided to switch to AT&T. I called Comcast and cancelled the services we had with them. They cancelled them, but then reactivated them the next day, charging us all the activation charges as well! So, today I get a huge bill saying we have late fees as well! I "think" they figured it all out and cleared the bill, but boy was it frustrating!

So...I decided to take my frustration out on JibJab.

Check these out....I at least got a laugh!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/wNgEAMjAVFDGeXptQyBn

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/Pg6MftfjCdwQK6Ul83Ii

Some Musings on Early Pregnancy...

We kept the news of this newest addition to our family a secret for about 4 weeks. We weren't sure how far along I was and wanted to wait to tell the majority of the world on Thanksgiving when we'd be seeing Jason's Mom. Now that the news is out, I wanted to share a e-mail I wrote my friend, Leilani about some random thoughts on pregnancy...

Dear Leilani,

Well, I can’t blog about things I’m going through…since this baby is still a secret to the majority of the world. However, I feel the need to get some things out, so you don’t have to read this, but I just needed to write.

What a weird thing pregnancy is! I’m really trying to be positive, but come on! I mean, why do our bodies turn so totally against us when we are carrying another soul? Is it God preparing us to forever place another over our own wants, desires, and inclinations? Tonight I went from detesting the very thought of food (but still having to get dinner for the kids), to REALLY wanting salmon with pasta (which I made when the kids went to bed). Then I just HAD to have a piece of apple pie… But now the pie is almost done and I don’t want to ever look at it. The lingering smell of salmon in my house is repulsive! If I didn’t know I was pregnant I’d probably suggest a mental hospital!

Even through all this sickness, weirdness and the looming threat of labor, I’m already feeling this intense love for the little soul growing inside me. What will he/she be like? Will this Little One (LO) have Monica’s ability to make me laugh and smile…or shall he possess Christopher’s ability to amaze me each day by his artistic intelligence and sensitivity? Will I have the strength to be a great mother to all three of them? This morning I felt like such a failure to my two children. Here I am throwing up, barely able to change their dirty diapers before taking off at high speed to the bathroom. Christopher wants to cuddle while he watches the movie I “had” to put on…but I tell him I can’t because I don’t know when I’ll be off to the bathroom again. I’m so thankful right now for the gift of Zofran and that God gave my doctor in Virginia the wisdom to prescribe it for me. I feel like a wimp…but I know if I ever needed it, it’s now!

Anyways…I’m gonna go take the pie out of the oven and head to bed. Maybe your Mom will want some when she’s here tomorrow! I’ll call you after my appointment! My prayer now is that I’m the mother of 3 healthy kids!

Thanks for your friendship and putting up with me!

Love ya,
Christen

A Christmas gift...early!

We recently found out I'm pregnant with Baby Manak #3! It's always been exciting for me to be pregnant during Advent because I feel like I can really relate to Mary. With Christopher I was 20 weeks, with Monica I was 9 months and with this one I'm around 9-10 weeks!

Please keep this baby and my morning sickness in your prayers this Advent. I'm really praying that by Christmas the morning sickness will be gone and I can truly celebrate the 12 days with much joy...and feasting...

I'd like to request that you keep Jason's job intention in your prayers during this Advent Season. We are really hoping and praying he'll be offered a full time job before Christmas Day! Thanks so much!

I wish you all a most Blessed and Holy Advent season in preparation of Christ's birthday celebrations! May God bless you all!

P.S. I have an ultrasound on Friday, so I'll try to remember to post pictures of our little bundle of joy!