New Blog Address

Hello dear readers! Please join me over at my new blog address. I will no longer be posting at the address due to not being able to upload anymore photos unless I pay (apparently, I've exceeded my limit!)! So, my new address is http://ponderingpastorswife.wordpress.com/ It's pretty much the same, only now I'm using wordpress.com instead of blogger.

Things I Forgot...

I thought I remembered every single detail about Cora's newborn state but have found I've forgotten many things. Must be the exhaustion, or the fact that your child grows and changes so much that the "mundane" things get forgotten. In any case here are some of the things I am being reminded of now that Ben is with us. I forgot:

1. The insane exhaustion you feel.
2. How hard it is to get a newborn to eat in a "timely" fashion due to them falling asleep so easily.
3. How much a newborn's skin peels in their first month or so.
4. All of their grunting and other adorable noises.
5. How snugly they are and how much they just love to be held.
6. How many diapers you go through in a day with a newborn--so much less with an older child!
7. How quickly they can go from content to hungry--pretty instantaneous!
8. How quickly they grow from day to day--literally!
9. How much they can spit up.
10. How much you can love a little person you've only known for such a short time.
11. I forgot just how much they sleep during the day!

Splish! Splash!

The kids and I headed down to my sister's town on Tuesday to hang out with her and her kids. She took us to the Splash Pad in their area and boy did the kids have a blast! I don't have a bathing suit right now that fits, so I was the photographer, watcher-of-Ben and our things, but if we should go back again this summer I'll definitely want to get wet! It was an overcast day but HOT as blazes!!!! I was dying to get wet but didn't have a change of clothes. Oh well! Next time! Anyway, the kids ran around, got wet and had a wonderful time! As I watched Cora have so much fun I was reminded of this fun time last summer!

Back in Business

As we all know, during my pregnancies I seem to become someone I'm not usually. My dear husband has to endure a wife who pukes, feels ill pretty much at all times, doesn't have the energy to clean (and he ends up doing it all) and most certainly doesn't have the energy, or stomach, to cook much of anything. Unfortunately, we end up eating out a lot, ordering pizza and becoming regulars at the Chinese take-out restaurant. Well, I use "we" loosely because it's mostly David as I could rarely stomach much of anything beyond Cheerios (and some days those were a stretch). I was looking forward to not being pregnant and being a stay-at-home mom, having the time to clean, cook and just take care of the house like I want to and should. Praise the Lord I'm feeling better and able to do stuff again!

While I was pregnant I was thinking of ways to spice up my weekly meal menu. I have made it a habit to make up a menu and do the grocery shopping from that. This has really helped our food budget, and it also helps to know what we're going to have for supper when that time comes every single day. My sister has been singing the praises of The Pioneer Woman for some time now. I had wanted to look into her recipes more but had kinda forgotten about them. That is until my sister and her crew came up for supper a few weeks ago and my sister made brownies from The Pioneer Woman's cookbook and also pita chips (I think). I started looking through the cookbook (I tend to read them like novels)  and was impressed, interested, enthralled and totally wanted to cook everything in the book. My sister generously let me borrow the book, and I have made quick work of trying different recipes.

For the past several days/week we have tried enchiladas, chicken pot pie, blackberry cobbler, oatmeal crisp cookies, pizza crust and meatloaf. We have loved everything! I wanted to try a variety of things so I would know if I wanted to buy the book--I want to buy the book. And so, I shall buy the book, and we'll continue to cook our way through it and try out different things. I'm sure we won't love everything (then again, maybe we will) but it'll at least make us try new things, or new twists on things, and will get us out of our menu rut!

Cantankerous

We thought it would be nice to get a family photo on Sunday since we were all dressed up and ready to go, and David's dad was available to take a photo! Well, something about the best-laid plans? A certain adorable, cute, lovable, cantankerous two year old had other ideas! She absolutely refused to look at the camera with her body. We were able to get her to look at her Mammaw, who was trying very hard to be funny and get Cora to laugh, but Cora refused to let David hold her so she was facing the camera. When she's older, and wonders why the rest of us look all nice and happy and she's not facing the camera, I'll tell her she'll understand when she has a two year old!

We'll try it this way first...definitely not going to smile...

We try the other way and there's a hint of a smile...thanks to the hard work of Mammaw!

FIRST, 4 and 2

Yesterday was the FIRST time Ben went to church since entering this world. We had a really good time. Everyone was excited to meet him, and he did a great job of being cute! He ate, burped, tooted and slept through Daddy's sermon and was just really good. He didn't make a peep until the very end. It was so nice to sit in church and hold him on the outside rather than sit there uncomfortably holding him on the inside.

Ben all decked out in his church-going outfit!

Today Benjamin is 4 weeks old!!! Can you believe it???? How is it possible? I know I'll probably say or think this every single week/month/year of his life, but seriously! How does time go so fast? He continues to do well and is such a good baby. I think he's probably up to 10 lbs by now and he's definitely getting longer. He's starting to be a bit more awake during the day, but still will only go 3 hours at most during the night. I know we'll get to a point where he's sleeping through the night, but I wish that point would hurry up and get here!

Don't you just love those pockets?

And now I'm a mom of TWO children! Wow. When I was younger--like junior high/high school, even college--I thought I would have 5-6 kids. As the years went by, and I was still single, I decided that however many children the Lord blessed my husband and I with would be just fine. Now that I'm a mom, I can't even imagine having 5-6 kids. Right now I'm perfectly content with my two children and love them so much! I was worried while I was pregnant with Ben that I wouldn't know how to love two kids. How was I supposed to love them differently yet with the same amount of love? As soon as Ben was born those worries went away. I love these children both immensely and differently. I know as the years go by that will develop. I'm so thankful for my two kids! 

I sure love these two cuties!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my dad's birthday, and I wanted to write a blog for him. I probably do it every year and there probably isn't much variation in what I say, but I don't really care. I think it bears repeating the wonderful man who is my father. My dad is generous, loving, kind, slow to become angry, quick to listen, handy with any tool you give him, seems able to fix everything, is near-genious, loves his family and loves God more. Because of my dad I knew it was OK not to date a 100 guys just to have someone's arm to hang on but knew that the right one was out there, and I just needed to wait. Plus, my future husband had a lot to live up to since my dad was/is such a great example of what a husband/father should be. My dad is one of the most honest people I know and full of integrity. My dad never wanted there to even be a hint of wrong-doing and raised my sister and I to be the same way and expect the same from others. My dad is a selfless man. A perfect example is how in the past few months he has given of himself on nights and weekends to help us out and my sister and BIL with different projects in our homes. He doesn't complain, just comes, helps and does so cheerfully. My dad not only loves my mom, sister and I but has taken in my husband and BIL like they are his own sons and in turn loves his 5 grandchildren. If you don't know my dad, I'm sorry! You're missing out on knowing a wonderful man. And, if you do know my dad then you know what I say is true.

Happy Birthday Dad! Thank you for being a wonderful example of what a husband, father and follower of Christ is supposed to be! I love you!

Silence...

The other day I was taking advantage of Benjamin sleeping and Cora entertaining herself to get some things done in the kitchen. I suddenly realized that Cora was no longer in the dining room---where I could see her--and it was awfully quiet in the house. I wasn't alarmed because I figured if anyone was hurt there would be crying, but I also figured I ought to investigate anyway! I went into the playroom, Cora ran OUT of the playroom, and I look at Ben finding him like this...compliments of his sister, I'm certain!

Nothing like a bowl on the head to help a baby sleep!

Aunts and Uncles

Ben has been able to meet most of his aunts and uncles. He still has a couple "greats" to meet yet and hopefully it will be before too much time passes. Anyway, here are some photos with his aunts and uncles.

Getting some kisses from Aunt Ruthie

Meeting Aunt Deirdre

Snoozing with Uncle Jamie

Meeting Great Aunt Connie (I failed to get a photo of my Uncle Kerry...)

Meeting Great Aunt Cathy

Meeting Great Uncle Bob

Growing, growing and growing!

Our little boy is 3 weeks old today! Wow! How does this happen? I thought time went fast with Cora because she was our first and we didn't know any better, but it has been the same with Benjamin too. He's 3 weeks old, that means he's 21 days old. Wow.

He's doing well and such a good baby. He really only cries when he's ready to eat and then he REALLY cries--he lets us know when it's time! He had his 2 week pediatrician appointment last week and passed with flying colors! He was measured at 21 inches and now weighs 9 lbs., 10 oz. He is NOT a petite guy! The doctor was really pleased with his progress and couldn't believe how strong he is (trying to lift up on his elbows and lifting his head quite well). He's eating like a champ and sleeping about 3 hour stretches at night.

We, as a family, are doing well. I love having 2 kids. I think we're still getting used to it, but in all reality, right now at this point, it's not been as hard an adjustment as I thought it would be. Obviously, there are adjustments, but for the most part it's going well.

I'm tired, exhausted really. But, making do! David has been wonderful, letting me take loooooong naps when it's possible while manning the home-front. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again--David is such a wonderful husband. He's working hard not only at his paid job, but also here at home, where he's not paid. He's doing such a great job with helping with the kids, things around the house and feedings at night. And, as always, without complaint.

Cora continues to do well, adjusting of course, but doing well. The discipline issues we've had have been minimal, and she continues to just love, love, LOVE her brother.

All in all the Hardins are doing well, all FOUR of us!

Polka Dots

My daughter LOVES polka dots, or "poke dots" as she calls them! She has jammy bottoms with  "poke dots," her diapers have "poke dots," and she has even commandeered on of her brother's blankets that has "poke dots" on it. And, isn't this girl so lucky? Even I, her mother, has "poke dots" on her! How do I know? Well, the other day we were outside and Cora pointed to the freckles and moles on my arm and says VERY excitedly, "Momma!!! Poke dots!!!"  Yeah...I love this child...

Cousins!!

Now there are FIVE little ones for us to chase around! My sister has 3 kids (Sophia, 6; Riley, 3 in August; Hadassah, 1) and we now have 2 (Cora, 2; Ben 2 wks). There's always fun to be had when the cousins all get together. Lots of running around, screeching, merry-making and running the parents ragged! But, I love that we live close enough to my sister that our kids can see each other on a regular basis. Growing up in the wilds of Africa my sister and I were not able to do that with our cousins. We love that our kids can grow up together and not only be cousins but be friends! Anyway...Sunday my sister, BIL and their 3 kids came up to spend the afternoon with us. My BIL and the kids hadn't yet met Ben so there was extra excitement! My sister's MIL made all the kids matching t-shirts to celebrate the birth of Ben so we had them all decked out and took some photos. Here are some photos of the fun they all had on Sunday!

A Great Big Sister

This little girl loves her baby brother. She loves to lay next to him on his blanket and hold his hand...

She loves to just sit next to him...and hold his hand...

And, she LOVES to give him kisses...this little guy receives MANY kisses throughout the day. I love how she loves him, and I can't wait to see them grow together as brother and sister and learn to love each other. 

Grandparents

Our kids are blessed to have a lot of grandparents. Ben has met them all! 

Grammy

Ma-ma

Grampy

Ganddad

Mammaw

Pops

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Last week I took Cora and Ben (still getting used to having TWO children!) outside so Cora could run off some energy. My sister is always telling me how a little water and some containers can entertain a toddler for a long time, so I filled up a pink container (sent home with me from the hospital) and gathered up some containers. Indeed, Cora had LOADS of fun with it! Ben chilled in the shade in his baby papasan, and I stayed in the shade myself. While we were out Molly decided to take a drink out of Cora's tub of water. At first Cora was upset, but I told her it was OK for Molly to get a drink. After Molly was done Cora decided it seemed a brilliant idea to drink water from the tub so she bent over as far as she could, stuck her head in the tub and drank! I did what any wonderfully, attentive, good mother would have done and told her to stop took pictures! I'll let them speak for themselves!