Growing Kids

All right. The results are in and my two youngest are growing like weeds! We had our well baby visits yesterday and even Hannah got a shot (they all got a flu shot in addition to the 6 month and 18 month immunizations). No one was very happy when we left but they did great. I was very proud of them.

Joseph is officially 28 inches long putting him in the 90% and weighing 19 pounds, 7 ounces which also put him in the 90% which was no surprise :) In fact he is the size in both height and weight that Hannah was when she was 14 months old! So though she is the oldest, she will not be the biggest for much longer! He started to crawl forward yesterday. It isn't pretty but he rocks himself, lunges, then gets up again....so almost like seal :) He is amazed that he is now able to get the toys we have maliciously been keeping out of his reach to motivate him to crawl :) He also said DaDa over the weekend. What a smarty!

Emily is officially 33.5 inches long putting her in the 91% for height and weighed 25 pounds which put her in the 65%. So.....she is tall and slender! Too funny ;0) She is getting her eye teeth and that seems to be bothering her appetite. We also counted up the words she can say now that she is 18 months old. We got 55 words. The doctor asked if she could say anything yet, and I told her how many words she can say voluntarily. She was shocked. She said the average for this age is 10! (Hold on for a bragamony....) She said that I have very smart kids! It was so nice to get so much good news.

Thanks for letting me brag on my kids once again :)

Happy Birthday, Christina!!!!

I am so sorry Christina that I didn't get a card out to you :( I hope you had a fantastic birthday. Tell Buddy I will be praying for him and those wisdom teeth....well, the lack thereof.

Christina, you are a fantastic friend and roommate. You have been one of my very favorite. I don't think I could have made it through some personality conflicts I had with the "other roommate" if it wasn't for you :) Boy was she a pill hey???

My favorite story about you is when I told you to clean my box fan. I had told you to rinse it in the bathtub. I meant to take off the two grate type things. You put the whole thing in a bath. It never quite sounded the same. Ha ha ...you kill me :)

Happy Birthday, and I love you much!

Indian Summer

My Aunt Annie and cousins Paula and Carrie came over on Saturday for a late lunch of Jimmy's Grotto. Danna, Liesl and Jen...do you guys remember having that? It is soooo good. That is probably where that pound came from :) It was so nice to let the kids play outside. We got Carrie and Paula in the action too!

The girls getting our cousin Paula! They loved playing with Carrie and Paula. We all had leaves everywhere! It was such a beautiful day.

Auntie Dana and Joseph. I don't know who was more tired :P Isn't he getting huge? I have an appointment for him tomorrow for his well baby. I can't wait to see how much he has grown. I am having to get out his 12 month clothes because he is too tall for the others.

The guys bonded this weekend while playing video games.

St Nick

In the Milwaukee area we have St Nick. It is on the night of the 5th of December, I believe. It is when the kids get their stockings. My mom loves to do this and so we had it early for my kids at their house. We usually get some candy, a piece of fruit and our ornament. Now the ornament is special. My mom searches for ornaments that have some sort of meaning from that year. It is really cool. Hannah got a train ornament for her train ride at Bay Beach in Green Bay this year. Emily got a carousel horse from Bay Beach. Allen and I got a beautiful pewter one of Lambeau Field to commemorate our Packer game. Then Joseph got a baby's first Christmas one. The kids just loved it. Hannah ate her whole stocking on the ride home. Yikes! Thank you, Mom, for always doing those things for us and keeping the tradition going with our kids :)

This one isn't from St Nick. While I was trying to get the frosting ready for decorating the cookies I turned around and saw Emily covered in it. Fun times :)

"I love you, Bumpa! Tell me another story." I just thought this was so sweet of Joseph looking at my dad so sweetly.

One of our biggest traditions in my family is Christmas cookie baking. We cheated again this year. We bought the dough and made it easier for ourselves. The parts the kids love the best are cutting them out and then decorating. It was a good time, but very mess :)

Playing with Uncle Chris. My girls have finally warmed up to the rough housing of Chris and his family. Now they love it and actually expect to be chased around the house thrown here and there and given raspberries :)

Thanksgiving!

"What I am not allowed to have soda?" He thought this was a cool treat when Hannah left her can of soda on his tray.

Here is our update picture. I am down 32 pounds and Allen is down 65 pounds. Keep praying for us. I am seeing more and more that I love food. I am a social eater. To put it in honest spiritual terms I am covetous of food. It was hard this weekend when other people were snacking. I wanted to have it even though I wasn't hungry.

Here we are the day after Thanksgiving at 7am. We went and ventured out in the craziness in search of some good deals with my mom. We really had a nice time...well, maybe it was just my mom and me that did :) Allen was our chauffeur and body guard :)

The girls had let themselves out to play all by themselves on Saturday. Hmmm, what do you think they were up to? How about playing in and EATING dirt?! Nice moustache and goatee.

We took all the kids (Dakota, Allison, Gavin, Hannah and Emily) on a walk to the playground in my parents' neighborhood. They had a super time and it gave them a chance to get some fresh air and exercise. Chris' kids are so helpful and loving with mine. My kids are so lucky. Here is Dakota carrying Emily. They are buddies :)

Oh well

I had hopes of just maintaining my weight over the holidays. I didn't . Oh well. I gained a pound. I know that I did much better than any other Thanksgiving weekend. So I am just going to be encouraged that I have made positive changes in my life that I was able to do even during the holidays. Allen however has had the stomach flu for the last 4 days and has lost lots more. He is down 65 pounds! Amazing. I am trying to not be envious. Yeah, yeah I know that he will lose faster than me...but, but! He is almost catching up to what I weigh. Now that is against the rules!

You Know What Time It Is!

All right all of you faithful Kish blog watchers. It is that time of the week again. Drum roll please..........yahoo....I lost another 2 pounds this week. So, that is a total of 34 pounds lost and counting. Well, I am not too hopeful I will be counting in the right direction with Thanksgiving coming up but God is powerful and can give me the strength to be really good :)

Also, Allen hit another milestone today. He is officially down 60 pounds!!!!! I just can't believe that. That's more than Joseph and Emily put together. Impressive. I am so proud of him. He is looking so very good!!!!!!!!!!

Hope all our fellow WW buddies and weight loss buddies are doing just as well. I am looking for updates from Karen, Roxane, Michelle and Christina. It is nice having so many people doing it so that we can all be accountable to each other.

Who are YOU!!!

I was doing my devotions this afternoon in Philippians 4 about unity. Whoa do we ever have a problem with this area...in our homes, in our churches, in our social circles. I think this is a perfect time to remember this admonition from Paul to agree with one another. Now I know that can't possibly mean to always agree in the term we know agree...but it talks later about having the mind of Christ. If we check all our arguments or issues by searching our hearts to see if WE are having the mind of Christ...I don't think there would be as many at least. As we get together with our families, extended families, the unlovelies in our churches...or just plain people we love but that when when we get stressed we just don't feel like liking...let's remember don't be a Euodia or Syntyche! Wouldn't that have been embarrassing to be called out by name by Paul..and ultimately by God for a feud????

Busy doing and not just Being

Sigh....I feel like I am so busy doing mom things that I can't enjoy being a mom. Have any of you had this thought/feeling? I feel like I haven't taking the time lately to just look at my kids in wonder for the amazing little people God has entrusted me with. I had to stop yesterday as I was giving Joseph a hug as I was getting him out of his bed. I so often am rushing to do the next thing. I closed my eyes and tried to embed in my memory what it feels like to hold my very own six month old little man. Then I kissed his little fuzzy head trying to remember that smell forever. Then I rubbed his soft little skin on his leg. Is there anything sweeter than soft baby skin? I am so grateful that I was able to stop and smell.....the baby I guess :) I never want to look back with regret when my kids are grown. How do you make memories of every day life? Even if you don't have kids or aren't married....how do you carpe diem during the rush of everyday life?

Happy 150th!!!

Congratulations. You are reading my 150th post. Man, I post a lot :) These blogging business has been quite therapeutic for me. Not to mention it has been great keeping up with you guys better. I feel much more part of your lives since we have joined the blogging world!

AAHHHHH......I am having one of those rare, priceless moments. I have all three kids in bed, Christmas music on, the Christmas tree light up, it is raining outside (snow would be so much better), a chenille blanket on my lap and candles lit. I have just finished my devotions and a cup of vanilla sugar free coffee. Does it get much better? I am so grateful for this reprieve. Now I won't mention that my kitchen is lurking behind me needing some attention. The living room is spotless and that is all I can see from where I am sitting. I am claiming out of sight out of mind!

Today I was doing my study in Phil 3:17-21. The lesson is on following those who are following Christ. I was convicted by v 19. It is describing the enemies of the cross.."whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, an whose glory is in their shame-who set their mind on earthly things."

In this quest for losing weight I have acknowledged I have a problem with my view of food. It is frightening to see how big of a problem God thinks my food is....he says I am an enemy of the cross when my belly becomes my god. I don't want that anymore. I am praying for redemption and deliverance from this. Pray with me and for me. The friends of the cross are described as those that deny themselves. I don't do that often which is why I have problems with my weight and my spending at times!

Here is a quote from my Bible study book about this. "If the friends of the cross are those who show in their lives that they have caught the spirit of the cross, namely, that of self-denial...then surely the enemies of the cross are those who manifest the very opposite attitude, namely that of self-indulgence. The friends of the cross do not love the world. In fact, the world is crucified to them, and they to the world, and this this because they glory in the cross (Gal 6:14). The enemies of the cross love the world and the things that are in the world (I John 2:15). They set their minds on earthly things (Phil 3:19)."

I think this is the perfect time to think about these things. Let's not get carried away lusting after all the great holiday food or traditions. Let's not let our focus be on the gifts but on the giver of all perfect gifts!

All Done

Just finished decorating the tree so I thought I would post it as evidence of our insanely early decorating :)

Today we did a lot of dancing. I watched Emily spinning around and around and I wanted to get a picture of it. My mind is thinking of some persepective memory type artsy picture. This is close, but I was picturing it a little better.

"Maybe this is how it is done"

We got out the Christmas tree and began decorating for this weekends holiday walk. Wow...I can't believe how much longer it takes to do these kinds of things with three wild Indians. They really had a good time. Hannah was singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus...Happy Birthday to you"...to cute.

"Admit it. You think I am cute!"

Can you find her dimple? Pray for Miss Emily. I am making her give up her paci cold turkey tonight after I discovered that her front teeth look a little pushed out. I am paranoid of buck teeth!

He is trying so hard to crawl. Here he is doing a push up ;) He can do it way better than I!

Am I sitting? Did I do it? He sat up for about 5 minutes today even on the slickery floor! Way to go buddy.

Do you like my new highlight. It is spit up! I just had to document it. Unbelievable!

On Track

All right.....good news. I am posting a loss this week. I am down 8 pounds from last week's weigh in. So I lost the 7 pound I gained the week before and lost another pound. Praise God. I have my ob/gyn appointment on Thursday. So, I will be able to happily tell Dr Behm that I took his challenge of losing 20 pounds before my next appointment and exceeded that to lose 32 pounds :) Allen has lost 5 pounds this week! He is just amazing. I can't even remember how much that is for him. I think it is like 57 pounds. Can you even believe that?

I also wanted to tell you guys that I have also lost significant inches. That is just as encouraging. Here is what I have lost since we started this journey....

Arm: 2.5 inches from each arm
Stomach: 4 inches
Hips: 3.25 inches
Chest: 2.24 inches

Today's Devotional

I get a free online devotional everyday emailed to me. If anyone is interested let me know and I will email you the web address. It was such a good reminder of our true position. So many of us are or have recently struggled with discouragement from who we are, to what we do, to how many times we fail. Well, there is hope, there is freedom, there is power!!!

Here is the devotional:


"In him (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding" (Ephesians 1:7,8 ).One of the riches in Christ is redemption. Redemption means "to buy back" or "to save from captivity by paying a ransom." One way to buy back a slave was to offer an equivalent or superior slave in exchange. That is the way God chose to buy us back - he offered his Son in exchange for us. Jesus took our place on the Cross and paid for our redemption. Now we are no longer slaves but children of God, co - heirs with Christ.

The facts are: We are free. We have all the rights of children of God. We have an inheritance. But often we still have a slave mentality. It's like God has invited us to take our place at his banquet table; instead we're hoping for crumbs that fall from the table."What are you doing under the table?" I can hear Jesus saying, "I've redeemed you from that position. Come, I've reserved a place for you, right here beside me." To ignore his invitation would be rude, wouldn't it? We'd be doubting his integrity.

Do you need to be set free from a habit? Wrong thought patterns? A harmful relationship? Jesus has already bought your freedom. It's up to you now to accept it and act like it.~Dear Jesus, you have made me free. I want to live free. Help me to truly believe that "God has chosen me... adopted me as his child...and destined me to a life of victory for His glory" ( Ephesians 1:3-14).

Here is Emily doing her Hannah impression. I bought this wig for them for dress up (of course off the clearance rack). This is what Emily will look like when she gets as much hair as Hannah has. I think they look so much alike! Too funny :)

I got a picture of Hannah's beautiful naturally curly hair.

Hannah was outside helping Daddy for a long time on Saturday. Just cute special moments!

Weekend Update

Joseph was so almost crawling this weekend. We were trying to bribe him. Perhaps if we had used more masculine tools of bribery it would have worked. He doesn't like pink cups and pacis :)

Oooh, close...but no cigar...face plant

Almost buddy...maybe this week you will become truly mobile and be able to escape your sisters :)

For those of you Wiggles toting parents...here is Captain Feathersword and her cute little brother!

Brrrr....we were trying to do some outside Christmas decorating this weekend. Yes, yes I know we haven't had Thanksgiving yet, but our town does a Christmas walk downtown next weekend and we are right on the route. We don't want to be the only ones not playing along :) Needless to say, not much got accomplished. Too cold and too many kids under 4 :)

Coupons

I have an idea and am curious if anyone is interested. I know so many of us use different baby diapers, wipes and formulas....not to mention other items. I was wondering if anyone would be interested in coupon swapping. I would volunteer to be the distribution center. You send me coupons people need then I will send them out. If you would like to be mailed coupons for items you use most often....first list the coupons you are interested in. Then send me a couple of self addressed stamped envelopes and I will divide up all the coupons that come in and mail out ones to you that are on your list. What do you think?

Coupons I am interested in:

Charmin
Smart Ones
Weight Watchers fudge bars
Weight Watchers yogurt
Carnation liquid creamer
Huggies extra sensitive shampoo/soap
Hefty garbage bags
Ball Park fat free hot dogs
Old Spice deodorant

This is all that is coming to my mind now. I will add more when I can think straight.

Kid Update

Happy Birthday my handsome little man (one day early)! He is 6 months old. I can't believe it. He is growing so fast. He is already 20 pounds unofficially. He is now 27.5 inches. He is quickly catching up to his sisters. He sits in a big boy carseat. Rolls all over the floor like a steamroller. He barrel rolls. It is very funny! He has two teeth and is certainly working on more. I can't keep a dry bib on the fella. He attempt to crawl all the time, but he can't quite get that belly off the floor :) He is now eating rice cereal, fruit and starting veggies. I also started giving him some baby puffs. I think Cherrios are on the horizon!

Here are my three beauties. Emily is now 18 months old. She is 26 pounds. She is unofficially 32.5 inches. She climbs easily into Hannah's top bunk. She says Bible, dog, cat, Momma, Daddy, Hannah, brother, truck, I love you, more, please, help, juice, red...and other words I can't think of. Oh yes, she knows obey and parents because that is her verse :)

Hannah is now three. She is 31 pounds and 36.5 inches. She talks in sentences, sleeps on the top bunk, can get herself dressed, has memorized Eph 6:1, John 3:16 and Genesis 1:1. We are now working on phonics. She has learned so much so quickly and actually asks me MMMM...monkey, Mom what letter does monkey start with? She is just too smart! She knows the M, D, H, A quite well.

Today was quite the day. I found Hannah out on the front porch by herself. Emily threw her rice lunch on the floor in anger. The girls got into berries in the backyard and painted their faces with them. Then after returning from a walk to the grocery store I let them ride bikes in the garage as I carried the groceries in. When I went back out, they were nowhere to be found. I nearly had a heart attack. I found them down the block (two houses) pushing their shopping carts. Never a dull moment!

Hodge Podge

One of Hannah's favorite things to do is read to her "Jophes". I am so glad that she values reading so much. That makes her teacher mom well up with pride :) In fact, she sees reading as a very precious thing. She will say to me..."Mom, I have a magazine. You want to have some special time with me." That means she wants me to read with her. Too cute! Her brother is pretty tolerant of her reading to him too suprisingly enough.

This is Joseph getting his first taste of finger food. He is a pro! He didn't even choke once. Perhaps he has had finger food before unbeknownst to me courtesy of his sisters :)

This picture is from Monday at the train park. I am so glad that I have such a sweet husband that loves his kids so much.

This is how I found Hannah and Joseph when he woke up this morning. Once he starts fussing so will ask me if she can please go see her brother. Well, this morning she dove into his crib with her basket of books. She pulled him onto her lap and began reading to him. He actually liked it. What a sweet big sister! She is a super big sister. She loves her brother and sister with all her heart. She is ONLY 3, so sometimes she gets a little overly zealous (she is a mini-me) when fulfilling her role as oldest child. She likes to keep everyone in line and if they don't...well, she tries to "help" them. Emily is a little aggravator. So what happens is that Emily will push Hannah's buttons. Like right now....Hannah is trying to watch Larry Boy and Emily keeps walking in front of her poking at her nose and eyes! I am trying to not judge a situation by how it appears. They all seem to be growing into great friends though.

Here is my whole crew reading all by themselves. Oooh, I love my kids!!!

Monday

Early Sunday morning Allen woke up with terrible side cramps. I worry it is his gall bladder, but he has been told it is just muscular. Hmm...maybe they are sympathy pains :) Well, anyway....he was up from about 3-6:30 am with excruciating pains. So we decided it wouldn't be a good idea to pack up and leave right away Sunday afternoon. Thankfully he has plenty of sick days. Bad for Allen, good for us. We enjoyed staying an extra day. On the way home we stopped in Rochelle at the train park. Allen and Hannah are both train fanatics. Allen took these good pictures. I am so grateful for a husband that wants to take our kids to fun places and help them learn and gain good family memories. I love you, Allen. You are the best husband and daddy EVER!!!!!

Silly Me

Well, I forgot to post the group shot! This is one of the only pictures I got of Brian....hmmmmm, do you think maybe he was avoiding me or my camera???? :)


Back row: My dad, my mom, Aunt
Annie, Paula holding Emily

Second row: Brian, Chris (my brother), Allen, Dana, Dakota, and Carrie holding Joseph

Front row: Gavin, Allison, Hannah, and me