23 Months

No, he isn't 2 yet!

Car stuff: Has to get into his carseat byhimself and shooshes you away. Says "Wee" when going around the corner. Holds his hands in the air when going under a bridge (to hold up the roof).

Elevator: Has to push the button. Stands on one leg and puts his arms up like a karoti kid.

Hide and seek: Tells you where to hide. He hides anywhere and puts his hands over his eyes when hiding.

Will add more later!! Got to run!

Vacation Bible School--Crocodile Dock

What a wonderful week of energetic kids and praise to God! Ryan played "Pastor Ryan" in all of the daily skits, while I was the Elementary Craft Coordinator. Sure, I had some hick-ups considering it was my first year, but overall it worked out fine. (except for the fact that I had to miss Friday considering Andrew had a 102.2 temp...fever virus. I think it was God's way of telling me to slow down considering I was having braxton hick contractions...I don't think the 100 plus heat index helped at all either).

With lots of planning the week was a success.

Andrew even got to be part of the fun...he went to childcare. They brought him in to see the skits...where he saw Daddy up front and everything was cool. Then Andrew saw someone fall into a pond and started crying. He is too empathetic...unlike his daddy :)

A Hot, Hot day at Six Flags and The Dave Crowder Band Concert

Although it was over 100 degrees indext we went to Six Flags over St. Louis. Andrew went on his first ever ride...the airplane...cried until it started and then loved it. With every circle he waved and said "Hi mama, Hi Dada." How cute was that!

We spent the rest of the day in the water park...Andrew needed to be convienced to go down the water slide and then once he did we couldn't stop him...by the end he was doing it all by himself.

In the evening, Andrew went to the babysitters and we went with Cama and Brian to the concert (which was great) and then they all went on big roller coasters while I waited...no pregnant people allowed! Overall, a great and exhausting day.

Happy Father's Day!

A Day at the Park

Andrew loves running around the park and playing. He needs to be encouraged to go down the slide, and then once he throws his fit then he is fine and then he loves it. One of our favorite parks are Valisis Park.

Missouri District Conference

Yeah, Ryan was the lucky guy to go. Andrew and I enjoyed ourself at the pool and mall while he was at meetings. It rained while we were there, but we kept busy and go to hang out with another family from church. I think we had more fun than Daddy did though!

Lobster Feast

A couple from church hosted a lobster feast for all of the pastors at St. John. It was so fun and it was adventurous eating the lobster. They were delivered alive to the house, from Nova Scotia that day! Wow, hey! We got to watch the whole process and even ate mussels which were good surprisingly. Introducing the Pastors at St. John...Stephen and Carol Hower, Ryan and Kristy Peterson, Dion and Jocelyn Garret, and Will and Mindy Hanke....What a crew!!! God is good!

Travel to WI and Back

Ryan went on the young adult mission trip to New Orleans and left me alone for the week. My Mom came to stay with us and then we arranged to be home for 3 hours just to see eachother on Sat. morning. Then we packed up and my mom, Andrew and I drove our 1997 Toyota Camry to WI where Ryan's Brother Brad bought the car from us. (If you didn't know we just bought a 2001 Dodge Caravan...which we love).

We did take a detour to Chicago for my college roomates Bach. party (couldn't stay long, just enough to say hi to everyone) and then we stayed 5 days to visit family in WI. Then on the Mega bus to Chicago and then to the Amtrack train to St. Louis.

Andrew was a trooper considering we spent the night at a different family members house each night (Don't think we will do that with the new baby anymore...it's just too much). On the train he found some other kids to play with, but only slept 1 hour and not 3 like he normally does for his afernoon nap.

Home we got...Andrew was so excited to see Daddy. (And I was too!)

Time spent with Cousins in WI

Andrew really loved spending time with his cousins. The new name he learned this week was Baby Anna (Little cousin Riana)...all the other cousins call her Rina, but Andrew calls her Anna. He also got to visit with Nana and Papa before their big adventurous trip to Alaska. It was so good to see them.

College Friends Wedding

Got to hang out with some good friends and celebrate Jenni's wedding. We had a great time yet, I went solo (I missed Ryan and Andrew).

Andrew 22 Months and Giggles like a Champ!

What a month of growth! He is keeping me so busy that this update is late considering we have been so busy. Here is a little summary of our little man,

Words....Saying 2 words together now and connecting words byhimself. "Duck" (I am stuck, or my foot is stuck), Yelling at the dog barking while pointing his finger "No, book, no!" "Dada work." Repeats the alphabet when asked to. When asked a question, he answers Yes, Yeah, or No. "Preaches" like Daddy when ever there is a stage or he stands on a chair, talking loudly and swinging his right arm out towards his crowd. It's a hoot.


When praying we ask who he wants to pray for at the end...Mama, Dada, Andrew, Nana and Babka, sometimes Mac his dog.

Will read for about 20 minutes. Fills in the words...wall, ball, kitty (cat), hat, zoo, me (you) in the book "Put Me In The Zoo."


Random things: Runs away (in the store or out in the yard) a lot; Has lots of energy;, Walks and quack like a duck; swings right arm when walking; Hits when doesn't like something; Is being given two choices to he can start to make decisions;
Responds to 1, 2, 3 for disapline. At 3 we make him do what he is suppose to. Or we say, you climb into your car seat, or I will put you there. Play room in the basement is complete...still adding touches here and there. Andrew is full of energy.

Prairie Dog

A moment to remember...

We were at the zoo and I said "Andrew, look at the Prarie Dogs." I looked at him then and he folded his hands..."Prayer-y Dog." He thought I was saying a prayer. We all laughed and then we did thank God for the Prarie Dogs.

Auntie Erica's Baby Shower

Ryan's sister is due July 1oth, and today we celebrated the anticipation and arrival of her new baby boy. I am so glad that I was able to be part of the fun and celebration. It was great to see all the relatives, but mostly see Erica and her cute "little" belly. Can't wait to meet the little man sometime soon.

Just the Right Timing for a Prayer

We were traveling to WI and I look back at Andrew in the back seat and he had his hands folded...I asked him if he was praying and he said "yeah." I looked at the clock and it was 5 pm...PERFECT TIMING!...Dada was preaching at Warehouse and service started at 5 pm. I have a little prayer warrior on my hands! We prayed for Daddy at that moment!

Babka Came to Visit in St. Louis

My mom came on the train to stay with Andrew and I while Ryan was gone and let me tell you, I couldn't of made it through the week without her. She was not only helpful (cleaned my bathroom, pulled weeds, planted herbs, scrubed dirt out of my carpet, and played with Andrew outside so I could do "my stuff," sitting in the car with Andrew while I did erands) she was also fun and funny.

Andrew and Baba became buds throughout the week...Baba would read him books, take walks, giggle together (Andrew's giggle was constant while she was visiting...everything was funny to him...My foot is "duck" meaning "stuck" and he would go on and on about it and giggle). Baba also taught him how to gallop and now Andrew can play follow the leader (hop, run, gallop, stand on one foot) and he can lead too if you give him a little time to think about it.

While Babka was here, we lived normal life, which was so nice to do together Mother/dauther. She came to my bible study on contenetment on Tuesday night and our fiancial bible study on Wednesday night. Mom came to my OB appointment and met Dr. Jewel. Mom was there for my fist meeing with my Doula (Kate Kennedy) so we were able to ask many questions. Mom helped me with laundry and cleaning things that I miss (missed for a long time I guess) and "enjoy" cleaning someone elses house but her own. We did make time for relaxing lunch and dinners on the deck, out to eat, swimming, dancing with Andrew, back rubs, and a good slovak dinner.

Burr Cold

I have to share this story, because it shows that Andrew is becoming perceptive of my needs and cause and effect...

Andrew, Mama and Babka were swimming in the kids pool and it was in the evening so it was a little chilly. Andrew dumped a bucket of water over me and I said "burr." You could see his mind turning and then He immediately got out of the water and got me a towel to dry off and get warm. It was so cute, he realized I was cold so he got me a towel. He dumped again, and again I said Burr without realizing it and again he got me another towel. After that I learned to tell him that I was not cold.

He is becoming a sensitive little man and I am thankful for that.