Weeds

Since I was pregnant for all of spring and half of summer and then had a newborn the rest of summer, our back yard was sorely neglected. I thought I would just ignore the weeds and they wouldn't bother me (or maybe just go away on their own). But they just grew and grew...taller than Abigail! So I took advantage of my mom's visit and took one day to pull those suckers. Here is the before and after.




What got me motivated (or just made feel embarrassed) was my neighbor's yard:

2 months along

Septembers are always busy. Abigail's birthday, then Mike's. This year Grandma came out for a visit and we started Kindergarten at home 2-3 days a week. In the midst of all of this and the daily work of taking care of the home, I find little bits of time to enjoy Grace. She started smiling and then baby-talking. I love those little coos and smiles...just lights up my life.

4 years old

This past week Abigail turned 4. She had talked about her birthday almost every day since last year! She looked forward to the cupcakes and presents and friends. We had a small friend party for her at the park on Labor Day and just spent the day together as a family on her real b.day. She got her presents and cupcakes and even a new pink scooter! Yet, she seemed somewhat subdued on her actual b.day. Almost sad even. She kept asking...is it still my birthday?? The next day she was back to her normal self and excited about the crepe paper streamers we hung in the doorway and her balloons...and started talking about turning 5 ( a whole hand mommy)!
My thoughts...the anticipation usually is much more exciting than the actual thing :)

We Survived

Thanks to you all for suggestions and prayers! We did survive :) I kept repeating to myself...that this will pass and also just the first line of Psalm 16...Preserve me O God, for in you I take refuge.

I took Grace to her 1 mo. Doctor visit the past week...she grew 3 inches!! and gained 3 pounds!!!! in just 1 month. No wonder she cried (well, screamed through the whole Dr. appt.). One thing we are trying now is to restrict my dairy intake and see if it helps her fussiness after feeding times.

Thanks again!!

1 month

Time sure does seem to be flying by. Tomorrow Grace will be a month old! And my husband leaves for a 6 day business trip. Have Mercy!!! Grace has definitely found her lungs and has a couple screaming spells/day. Some good friends gave great advice...this IS the place God has called me to right now and when I get desparate enough that is when I will see his grace....and to memorize a portion of Scripture so that when these crying spells come I can still be at peace.

Any more suggestions to help me keep my sanity this week???

Grace's first pics

Ok, so its been over 2 weeks since we've been home and I finally can get on-line on our main computer (the one with all the pics on it). Here are a few of those first days with our baby Grace (and some leading up to it).

baby smells

Not the bad kind :) It is 6 a.m. and I just finished a feeding...I should be going right back to bed, but I felt compelled to comment on how much I love the smell of a new baby. I think it must be God's gift to us...that sweet smell in the middle of the night helps to get over the hump of exhaustion. Also, I now know that this smell goes away all too soon and thus I need to appreciate it while I can. I wish I could bottle it up somehow and keep it forever :)

7th Anniversary

Tomorrow is our 7th Wedding Anniversary! It seems like it has been a long time, but also none at all. Tomorrow night we will celebrate in (after putting Abigail down for an early bed time) and when Grandma comes in a few weeks, then we can paint the town red.

The theme verse our pastor used for our wedding was: "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God". Ephesians 5:1

Mostly I am just extremely grateful for my great husband. The more the years go by, the more I see how blessed I am.

I love you Mike!!

it's a...........

.....girl!




born:
4:49pm
6 lbs 10 oz
19 in
Grace Michelle Cheng

At the Hospital..12:00 p.m.

Here we go! I've been having contractions since 3 a.m. I was just praying that they didn't stop...and I guess the real deal is here! Been at the hospital since 10ish...will try to keep everyone posted.

Just waiting

So I've made it to 38 weeks!!! I really can't believe it, but I am grateful. Mike was able to pass his 6 hour licensing exam last Friday, which means he still has a job...which is a blessing. I've been able to get really organized with stuff around the house. And now that I want real labor to start it is actually really clean too :)

Counting down the days...

Full Term!!

Yesterday I reached Full-Term!

So exciting...now I can experience those last few days/weeks of waiting and waiting...just wondering when labor will start. I'm not always very patient about it, but I do try to just enjoy each day that comes...especially when it is a beautiful sunny day like today.

I recently read an awesome book called "Stepping Heavenward" by Elizabeth Prentiss. She wrote this in the lat 1800's and man did women have a much harder life back then! Her main theme is that suffering can draw you closer to God and you can experience peace when you submit to God's will for your life. Here is a precious excerpt from the main character after she found out about her 4th pregnancy and someone remarked how much harder her life would be:


"Well, This is one side of the story, to be sure, but I look at the other. Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worthy all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderst cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wondrously blest!"

Pre-School Graduation

We had a little family celebration at the end of June. I think she liked the balloon best of all.

Abigail's first tea

Our first mother/daughter tea. We went to a local chocolate/tea shop in our town. I think a good time was had by all.

Early Summer Fun

Although it has been raining a lot lately, we have found a few times to play with our new Water Table and blow bubbles. Sometimes it is just the little things in life :)

Helping Mommy

Since I haven't been able to any housework. I've had to put Abigail to work. She learned how to pick up her own crumbs :)

Baby Shower

A couple weeks ago ladies from my care group and a few other friends from church threw me a tea/baby shower. Besides getting some new things for baby and a new swing, it was great just relaxing and talking.

Fun May Outings

So, I'm trying to catch up a bit on sharing pics. Since I have a hard time finding time now, I'm sure it will be a bit harder once the baby comes. So get ready for an onslaught of pics over the next week or so :)

Before Mike started his new job (well, studying for licensing exams) we spent some days doing fun things as a family. Our version of a summer vacation for this year :)

We went to the Boston Public Garden one day to ride Swan Boats and hang out. Another day we found a great beach on the upper Cape...just one hour away from our house.

Recent prego shots (2 weeks ago)

More Cute Abigail sayings

Upon hearing that Michael Jackson had died:

Abi- Why did he die?

Me- His heart stopped working

Abi- Maybe he needed more batteries!!