tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37642968442671335712024-03-14T01:42:10.815-07:00Bundles-a-JOY:Glimpses of our little onesSusanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-80879002600917873992009-05-20T09:00:00.000-07:002009-05-20T09:30:00.022-07:00The Story of a Birth<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/ShQuabwgfWI/AAAAAAAAA_k/4dzY5sjHIqM/s1600-h/Atticus%27+Birthday+013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337942490003570018" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/ShQuabwgfWI/AAAAAAAAA_k/4dzY5sjHIqM/s320/Atticus%27+Birthday+013.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div align="center"><em>And to think you were the midwife at my birth,</em></div><div align="center"><em>setting me at my mother's breasts!</em></div><div align="center"><em>When I left the womb, you cradled me;</em></div><div align="center"><em>Since the moment of birth, you've been my God.</em></div><br /><div align="center">Psalm 22:9-1o, The Message</div><br /><br /><p>In the spirit of full disclosure: if you're not into hearing about labor and birth, you may not want to read this very long birth story I wrote the week after Atticus was born. :)</p><br /><div align="left">Part of me wonders if I would be better off waiting to process this experience for a bit longer before trying to get it all down on paper.<br />Then I remember the smell of my sweet baby boy on the day he was born, and that it had receded and hidden in the rolls under his neck by the next day. And by the day after that, it was gone altogether.<br />I think that may be what happens to the memories of the day itself if I wait too long. They’re too intense, too shrouded in hormones and pain. When I watch the video, I can remember the feelings of each stage, and I know that will soon pass. I know this because, when I tried to revisit the feeling of intense contractions prior to my delivery, there was nothing there. Occasionally, if I’d have a Braxton Hicks contraction that was on the stronger side, my body would remember… “Ah… yes, that feels familiar. There will be more of those. Stronger…”<br />So—my birth story. My little man’s due date was Feb. 10th, and though I was feeling like he should come any minute all last week, I wasn’t hopeful that he would, as both of the girls were five days past their due dates and I wasn’t 100% sure that his true date shouldn’t have been the 17th. So, I told myself he should be coming by the 22nd. I also thought he felt heavy and big compared to my previous pregnancies (both girls were 21 ¼’’ and 8 lb. 6 oz. and 8 lb. 5 oz. respectively.) But I told myself that every woman thinks her baby feels heavy a few days before delivery, because there’s no such thing as a “light” baby sitting in your pelvis, on your bladder, etc.<br />On Sunday, the 8th, we skipped church. I was convinced I couldn’t sit through a sermon, and emotionally, I didn’t want to deal with all the “You still haven’t had that baby!?” and “When’s your due date, again?” comments. Truthfully, it was the comments more than the sitting… Our little family took what would be our last outing as a band of four, heading to Ikea to pick up a set of beds we’d been considering for the girls. It occurred to me to grab the camera, thinking this could very well be our last outing as a family of four, but since we were going shopping, it sort of felt silly. I now wish I had gone with my gut. Ikea is a bit of a drive from our house, so even sitting in my seat in the van was naggingly uncomfortable. We arrived at the store walked around, found the beds, mattresses, slats, checked out, got a frozen yogurt cone, and returned home. The idea of assembling the beds was overwhelming. The chore, all told, looked something like this: we had to rearrange the guest room, empty Annabella’s room, making room for Penelope to move in, then reassemble her bed in the guest room. Finally, we would assemble two youth beds, make them, and make the bed in the guest room. After a roadtrip/shopping trip like we’d had that day, I definitely wanted to pass, but we decided to muscle through. And am I ever glad we did.<br />Jake stayed up late Sunday night. He’s in graduate school full-time, in addition to working his full-time job, so there are many late nights of studying. He came to bed a few minutes after 1:00 a.m. I rolled over and asked him why he stayed up so late, and said that I sure hoped, for his sake, I didn’t go into labor overnight.<br />The contractions started and I looked at the clock at 2:18. I tried to rest though them, but they were just quite uncomfortable. I got up, and I decided since I couldn’t sleep, I would do some laundry, and finish cleaning up a few things in the kitchen. (Talk about nesting…) I took laundry to and from the basement, folded it, brought more upstairs, glancing contentedly at the newly-made guestroom bed, very happy that that undertaking was behind me.<br />I tried to get back in bed, but the discomfort of contractions made me get up just a few minutes later. They got regular, then got sporadic, then regular again. I believe I called my mother around 4:30, and let her know that I thought her grandson would be arriving later that morning. I took a bath, but couldn’t sit comfortably. I took a shower and sang a while… the contractions slowed down, and I tried to rest again, to no avail. I called my midwife and let her know I was in labor, but I thought things were progressing slowly.<br />I woke Jake around 5:30. (I had tried to let him sleep as long as possible). The contractions were stronger and I thought I could use help timing them. He timed for an hour while I swayed in the bathtub. We called to let the midwife know that things were getting stronger, though the contractions were still about 4 minutes apart. She asked if I wanted her to come, and I said no, she should wait and rest. (She had returned from a delivery at 12:30 that same night.) Fifteen minutes later I told Jake he needed to call her back and tell her to come now. She had a 45 minute drive ahead of her, and I could tell it was getting serious.<br />After that things get a little blurry. I left the tub, and walked to my bedroom, where I knelt on the floor, leaning on my bed. I stayed here, swaying back and forth, until my son was born. I know what happened during this time, it’s just that my sense of timing is gone. My girls woke up. The contractions came, one after another, more and more powerful, and I moaned and “vocalized” into my bed’s mattress. My midwife, Kate, and her apprentice, Keisha, showed up. Jake and Keisha rubbed my back. Annabella came into the room, and informed Jake she didn’t like the noises I was making and was going downstairs. My midwife said, “You’re making this look easy, sweetie. But I know it isn’t.”—words that made me want to cry and hug her and thank her for understanding. She asked me if I wanted her to check me and I declined. She readied the birth kit. When I thought it couldn’t get any harder and I didn’t know if I could continue, I told myself that I was doing it, I was the only one who could do it, that I was doing it for my son, that I would get to kiss those precious cheeks soon. Then I mentioned that I would like her to check me, but I didn’t want to have to move from my kneeling position, and she said that wasn’t a problem, and quickly informed me, “You’re 10. Just listen to your body and push whenever you’re ready.” … at this point, my body had started to inch toward pushing, but hadn’t done so with gusto, so I had allowed myself to hope for 8 ½ centimeters, thinking I could handle another 1 ½ ahead of me. It was such a relief to know the dilation was done… and I told myself that I would get to meet that beautiful child in fifteen minutes. You can do this for fifteen more minutes.<br />At this point, Jake brought Ananbella into the room to watch her brother come into the world, and my contractions seemed to ease a tiny bit. I waited for them to come, and I pushed with them. The room was silent. Occasionally, my midwife and her apprentice would exchange an indiscernible, reverent whisper. Jake told me, later, that the energy in the room was electric…that it has been at that point of labor with all our children… The sun was shining, lighting the room through our sheer curtains, but my eyes were mostly shut. I asked Kate if she could see the baby’s head, as I could feel his width descending, but she said not quite yet. Then I told her he was coming, and I felt the force of tides come together and force the baby downward with each pushing contraction. I felt his head at the edge of me, and, pushing slowly, trying to hold back a little, brought out his head. My guess, though I wasn’t counting, is that this took about five or six contractions. Slow, peaceful contractions, without the distraction of counting or holding my breath.<br />Then I felt my midwife take his head, trying to turn it. As I was pushing, I felt her tug on the baby, and realized she was trying to bring him out, but was unable. I asked her “What do you want me to do?” “I need to get in a runners stance, one leg up. “ So, I quickly went from kneeling on both knees, to kneeling on one, with one leg up, ready to push off… I drew every bit of strength I could muster, and with one final push/grunt/yell, out he came. (The video has been copied and given to the student midwife, as it was, apparently, a text book example of what should be done to manage a shoulder dystocia.)<br />Kate handed me my baby, and I collapsed backward into her arms, shaking a little. She held and hugged me, and I didn’t want to move, until my knees felt too weak to hold me. So I crawled into my bed with my baby boy in my arms and Annabella beside me, investigating him.<br />I delivered the placenta, Atticus Stonewall Joy had his first checkup. We took guesses on his weight, and Kate’s , “Between 10 lb. 4oz. and 10 lb. 8 oz.” took the prize; he was 10 lb. 6 oz. and 22 inches long. My precious midwives made me the most delicious tea, full of cream, honey, and healing herbs. I ate eggs that my friend Maria prepared. (She graciously videotaped/helped with the girls.) My exam showed no signs of trauma to my body, which was amazing considering the dystocia and the baby’s size; I was so grateful for pushing upright, on my own timetable. The midwives were gracious and encouraging, folding up their dirty aprons and cleaning up my room. Penelope didn’t know exactly how she felt about the new baby, and eyed him suspiciously as he nursed. Jake held his son and proudly smiled. We spent the day in restful wonder after everyone left and that evening , I queried Annabella, “So, what did you think about Atticus’ birth?” “I think your bottom had to open up very big for the baby to come out.” “But were you scared or anything?” Indignently and matter-of-factly she replied, “No, Mommy. Why would I be scared?” as she rolled her eyes. I guess the youtube videos and birth-enacting we did prepared her pretty well.<br />And that was that. Simple and uncomplicated. Very, very NORMAL feeling. I wouldn’t say anticlimactic, but having him born at home, in my room, on a Monday morning at 8:28 a.m… the whole birth flowed with our lives, with our everyday. We welcomed him warmly on a cold, February morning, in the room where he now sleeps beside me, to the place where he will learn what love is, and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. </div></div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-73617648015072298802009-05-20T06:22:00.000-07:002009-05-20T06:26:41.364-07:00PenelopeLast night, while sitting on the potty right before bed:<br /><br />P: "Mommy, you got any cookies?"<br /><br />Me: "No, baby."<br /><br />P: "... You got any posipos?" (popsicles)<br /><br />Me: "No."<br /><br />P: "You got canny?" (candy)<br /><br />Me: {chuckling} "No."<br /><br />P: "You got any.....gum?" {sligh grin}<br /><br />Me: "No, sweetie."<br /><br />P: "Mommy.... I dust teasing you. I dust teasing you, Mommy."<br /><br /><br /><br />...Can't believe she'll be two in two weeks.Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-63622619096429460812009-02-26T07:02:00.000-08:002009-02-26T07:15:42.415-08:00Cozy February<div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/Saavx_q0SKI/AAAAAAAAA-E/ETyEPKX8g-s/s1600-h/Girls+bed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307122484342180002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/Saavx_q0SKI/AAAAAAAAA-E/ETyEPKX8g-s/s320/Girls+bed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SaavxmuVnrI/AAAAAAAAA98/Lccx96jvumU/s1600-h/atticus+yawns.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307122477646061234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SaavxmuVnrI/AAAAAAAAA98/Lccx96jvumU/s320/atticus+yawns.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307122485870991170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SaavyFXUF0I/AAAAAAAAA-M/DjpvP1hWqxI/s320/feet.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307123972573838370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 211px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SaaxInw5PCI/AAAAAAAAA-U/TUoj1HGZnV0/s320/reading+in+bed.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-83974789512816974232009-02-11T07:03:00.000-08:002009-02-11T08:43:37.538-08:00A winter, a silent season, and a son<div><div><div><div><div>Atticus Stonewall Joy joined our family at 8:24 am on Monday, February 9. He is a beautiful, healthy, ruddy baby, and I can't get enough of his newborn smell. Our home delivery was smooth and short. I wouldn't have changed a thing. We are blessed beyond measure. Meet our precious son:</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301556634948403138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SZLpq662_8I/AAAAAAAAA9M/lPsPC33pBRY/s400/Atticus%27+Birthday+023.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301579593235770722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SZL-jRNHLWI/AAAAAAAAA90/YVSPzaaZcDk/s400/Atticus%27+Birthday+032.JPG" border="0" />We all guessed his weight. The midwife estimated between 10 lb. 4 oz. and 10 lb. 8 oz. The moment of truth: 10 lb. 6 oz. Oh, and 22'' long.<br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301579587054429106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SZL-i6LXY7I/AAAAAAAAA9s/bujW0H-1gHI/s400/Atticus%27+Birthday+030.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301558247581017762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SZLrIycb5qI/AAAAAAAAA9U/NAclElaUItg/s400/Atticus%27+Birthday+014.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>As I'm on this couple weeks of resting and "babymoon," and hours and hours of nursing our little man-child, no doubt, I'll try to get up some pictures of our holidays and the little ones posted here. I realize it's been a crazy-long blog sabatical. Thank you all for your love and warm wishes. </div></div></div></div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-15939256722583417162008-11-20T06:59:00.001-08:002008-11-20T10:14:30.662-08:00HighlightsLately, the girls have been becoming better friends and playmates, something that is heartwarming to watch to say the least. Part of me would keep them this age forever... <div><div><div><br /></div><div>My mother visited over the weekend of Halloween, and the kids had a wonderful time. Penelope has approached me several times asking "Nana? I-nno." Translation: "Where is Nana? I don't know." Thankfully, she's been easily consoled. The girls have been reinacting trick-or-treating at home for the weeks since. Annabella was not simply a pirate; she was a Pirate <em>Princess</em>. And Penelope was a little Native American. It was adorable. I'll just go ahead and say it, even though they're my kids. As a sidenote, Annabella has been fascinated to hear the news of the Somali pirates because we had all but told her that pirates lived "long ago." She pulled out her sword last night, wondering if maybe she should go help fight the bad guys who've been taking the ships.</div><div><br /></div><div>Penelope is becoming much more talkative, and more understandable. She's fascinated by all ainmals, and still loves her baby dolls. She is also a phone enthusiast, and she enjoys saying "A,B's." Oh, and she loves her incentives for going potty like a big girl (ie: M&M's).</div></div><div><div></div><div>Annabella is enjoying writing and spelling words--specifically the names of her loved ones on various artwork she creates. She had an extra-wonderful day at ballet this week--it was Princess Week. She went to class in costume and was greeted by her teacher all dressed up. She loved wearing her tutu and wings from Grammy. </div><div></div><div>Jake is diligently plugging away at an exhausting semester. Being a fulltime employee/grad student/daddy/hubby has been a bit more taxing than he anticipated. Only two-and-a-half weeks to go till a whole happy holiday month off. </div><div></div><div>And I am growing! We're 28 weeks into this babymaking endeavor, and this little man is getting large enough to make me uncomfortable. I have a feeling these next two months are going to fly by with the distractions of the holidays. And that's fine. I don't anticipate those last couple weeks will go quite as quickly, but I think that will be good. I feel like I've hardly had time to completely digest that this little boy is coming. I can only imagine the more children one has, the pregnancies must just race by faster and faster, hardly giving you time to sit down and drink enough water... </div><div></div><div>It's naptime around here, so I'm going to tuck in some tired troops. Enjoy a quick glimpse...<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270798075914217058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SSWi7JWt5mI/AAAAAAAAAsc/yWulkErNBkU/s320/Halloween+2.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270798078521989042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SSWi7TEdV7I/AAAAAAAAAsk/x37WhD91znE/s320/Halloween.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270798061810891810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SSWi6U0OPCI/AAAAAAAAAsU/ViMTEAGFwt0/s320/Halloween+1.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270798082793385202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SSWi7i-1rPI/AAAAAAAAAss/iHO2KRHLoZo/s320/Princess+Day+%40+Ballet+Class.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-87035651329329136942008-10-18T11:01:00.001-07:002008-10-18T13:03:27.839-07:00Right Now, and BeforeI suppose there are many things that make me love October. The contrast of the sunbursts of yellow, red and orange leaves against the sky make it seem a cool, electric blue. Chilly air that gives you a start when you inhale and makes you glad you pulled that sweater out of your closet. The first pumpkin pie and warm soup of autumn. Even the mountains of leaves you raked being ruined by little jumping bodies is a much-anticipated event, and I have to say Michigan does not disappoint on any of these fronts. It's a truly beautiful time of year here, and we're loving it. <div><br /><div>We've been hiking as much as Jake's schedule will allow, and I've enjoyed taking the girls to the pumpkin patch and dwarf apple orchard--yes, an orchard where even 16-month old Penelope can pick her own apples from miniature trees. Genius. </div><br /><div>My play went well and was a lot of fun to be a part of, though I definitely underestimated the commitment of time. Regardless, it was a wonderful experience.</div><br /><div>I'm 23 1/2 weeks pregnant, and it's difficult to believe this pregnancy is more than halfway over. My anticipation is growing and growing to meet this little man whose kicks and turns wake me up in the middle of the night. </div><br /><div>Enjoy a little look at our month. And if you're wondering what the last photo is... well, that's one for the history books. It's Penelope flushing the toilet after her first successful use of the potty. I'm just hoping it wasn't a fluke.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPopGmnbpvI/AAAAAAAAAq8/qdR9vhY8bDY/s1600-h/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+124.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258560708330366706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPopGmnbpvI/AAAAAAAAAq8/qdR9vhY8bDY/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+124.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPopFMplZeI/AAAAAAAAAqk/CTXZx999xUE/s1600-h/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258560684180202978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPopFMplZeI/AAAAAAAAAqk/CTXZx999xUE/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+034.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPopFYHJ90I/AAAAAAAAAqs/ocnlIE2EQgg/s1600-h/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258560687257024322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPopFYHJ90I/AAAAAAAAAqs/ocnlIE2EQgg/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+064.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="justify">.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPoq8CNpAtI/AAAAAAAAArc/S6Uh2xgzh_A/s1600-h/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+167.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258562725783077586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPoq8CNpAtI/AAAAAAAAArc/S6Uh2xgzh_A/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+167.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPopEvNpjqI/AAAAAAAAAqc/CcQbydw7kNA/s1600-h/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258560676278406818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPopEvNpjqI/AAAAAAAAAqc/CcQbydw7kNA/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPoq7_Z-XyI/AAAAAAAAArU/ULJwR_qxiWA/s1600-h/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+150.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258562725029502754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPoq7_Z-XyI/AAAAAAAAArU/ULJwR_qxiWA/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+150.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPoq7BYfADI/AAAAAAAAArE/oKpEOWjITqE/s1600-h/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+130.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258562708380254258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPoq7BYfADI/AAAAAAAAArE/oKpEOWjITqE/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+130.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPopGNXZGgI/AAAAAAAAAq0/2i2uUvTs7U8/s1600-h/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+123.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258560701552204290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPopGNXZGgI/AAAAAAAAAq0/2i2uUvTs7U8/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+123.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPo_ETGlQTI/AAAAAAAAArs/JvaTIwE7mvw/s1600-h/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258584857988383026" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPo_ETGlQTI/AAAAAAAAArs/JvaTIwE7mvw/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+050.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPoq8oUSh_I/AAAAAAAAArk/xVlT2wvxEdA/s1600-h/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+168.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258562736011511794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SPoq8oUSh_I/AAAAAAAAArk/xVlT2wvxEdA/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+168.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-82811899301813524222008-09-22T16:40:00.000-07:002008-09-22T17:44:12.210-07:00Getaway<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SNgx3tSCjNI/AAAAAAAAAqU/Rg8qo8eoavI/s1600-h/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249000198818139346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SNgx3tSCjNI/AAAAAAAAAqU/Rg8qo8eoavI/s200/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+020.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>Our family has jumped headfirst into the busiest season of our lives so far. Simultaneously, Jake has started his graduate program, Annabella has started taking weekly ballet instruction and attending a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">homeschool</span> Enrichment Day here in town. Thankfully, wee Penelope is still too small to have any extracurricular pursuits of any kind, but that will change soon, I realize. I am seeing very clearly why families have to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">strategize</span> about limiting outside involvements in the interest of, well, the family itself. My MOPS year starts this week as well, so things here are... lively. Speaking of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">strategizing</span>, we concluded our little family needed some time just the four of us (well...technically five), so Jake took the day off on Friday, we rented a cabin out on the western coast of Michigan, and explored Lake Michigan for the first time. It was a wonderful, refreshing weekend for all of us. Here's a little sample of our days.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248999199139292082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SNgw9hMB47I/AAAAAAAAAp0/74AWURx43v0/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+035.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248999198807017426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SNgw9f8zx9I/AAAAAAAAAps/7EDivCmDeOg/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+026.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248999191558881426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SNgw9E8uAJI/AAAAAAAAApk/kp-jQufUeho/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+023.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248999212220022274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SNgw-R6t_gI/AAAAAAAAAqE/hlygEoF8Au8/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+049.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248999865850319938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SNgxkU4U1EI/AAAAAAAAAqM/cPXPHmJytao/s320/Enrichment+Day+and+Vacation+061.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-39513742225423644972008-09-09T09:37:00.000-07:002008-09-09T10:14:46.151-07:00The Joy Girls Are Getting...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMaufMm4vzI/AAAAAAAAAos/9UngRXN_5bk/s1600-h/scan0003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244070667103026994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMaufMm4vzI/AAAAAAAAAos/9UngRXN_5bk/s320/scan0003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMaufG7RJdI/AAAAAAAAAo0/AZU6-qRPhU8/s1600-h/scan0006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244070665577899474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMaufG7RJdI/AAAAAAAAAo0/AZU6-qRPhU8/s320/scan0006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMaufRmKy-I/AAAAAAAAAo8/viYQ6zMcoBA/s1600-h/scan0005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244070668442192866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMaufRmKy-I/AAAAAAAAAo8/viYQ6zMcoBA/s320/scan0005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>a baby brother! And he's coming sometime around the second week of February. We're almost halfway there!<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-79096343498812139482008-09-08T18:55:00.001-07:002008-09-08T19:21:07.042-07:00First Day<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMXbGoq4yCI/AAAAAAAAAoE/nhNljNSUiDY/s1600-h/IMG_2936.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243838248185808930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMXbGoq4yCI/AAAAAAAAAoE/nhNljNSUiDY/s320/IMG_2936.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMXbGuB-KgI/AAAAAAAAAoM/mFH0ZukXbfE/s1600-h/IMG_2938.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243838249624807938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMXbGuB-KgI/AAAAAAAAAoM/mFH0ZukXbfE/s320/IMG_2938.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMXbG1c6loI/AAAAAAAAAoU/TXXBWWnV1yQ/s1600-h/IMG_2941.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243838251616867970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMXbG1c6loI/AAAAAAAAAoU/TXXBWWnV1yQ/s320/IMG_2941.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMXbHJXtafI/AAAAAAAAAoc/JfU130qNRkU/s1600-h/IMG_2944.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243838256963742194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMXbHJXtafI/AAAAAAAAAoc/JfU130qNRkU/s320/IMG_2944.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMXbHZ9YdTI/AAAAAAAAAok/CGTj6RYeKzo/s1600-h/IMG_2960.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243838261416719666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SMXbHZ9YdTI/AAAAAAAAAok/CGTj6RYeKzo/s320/IMG_2960.JPG" border="0" /></a> It may have been her favorite hour of her life. Or maybe that was last week when we went to the dance clothing shop and she tried on 12 leotards. She cried when we had to leave, but was quite comforted to hear that we would attend ballet every Monday and that every week does indeed contain a Monday. <br />(*I didn't want to use my flash on the first day--observation day. We only get to observe a few days a year, and I was trying to be as unobtrusive as possible; you know, a "pregnant lady with a toddler on her hip taking pictures" kind of unobtrusive...)<br /><div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-41763580608454602782008-08-25T10:18:00.001-07:002008-08-25T10:45:51.894-07:00Birth<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SLLslsH7H1I/AAAAAAAAAn8/DRn58iJD5qU/s1600-h/Internet+Saves.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238509448829017938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SLLslsH7H1I/AAAAAAAAAn8/DRn58iJD5qU/s320/Internet+Saves.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Those of you who know me well know that I am a bit of a natural birth enthusiast. OK, quite a, bit... I haven't been able to help myself since realizing the empowerment that I believe birth was intended to provide for mothers, and whether it's just a rite of passage or the euphoria induced by a complicated mix of birthing horomonoes, I will forever testify that there's nothing like it.<br /><br />But I digress. My vested interest in childbirth spurred me to audition for <a href="http://www.birthonlaborday.com/home.html">this play</a>, a fundraising performance for the <a href="http://www.capitalareabirthnetwork.org/Welcome.html">Capital Area Birth Network</a>. The show will be running October 3rd and 4th here in Lansing, so if you're in the area, come out to support informed childbirth. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm really looking forward to getting involved with a group of women that share my enthusiasm while being able to have a creative outlet. It's going to be a lot of fun.</div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-20971003895495721352008-06-30T09:54:00.000-07:002008-06-30T17:14:26.524-07:00And then there were three... or is it five...<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SGkSK4ep0rI/AAAAAAAAAn0/THkthPnFrAE/s1600-h/8week500.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217721621454377650" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 166px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 169px" height="210" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SGkSK4ep0rI/AAAAAAAAAn0/THkthPnFrAE/s320/8week500.jpg" width="251" border="0" /></a> Our third little bundle is set to arrive in the beginning of February. Everyone is quite excited.<br /><div>And even though we're only eight weeks in, it seems like my belly's already starting to change. Still, the midwife's confident it's only one little person in there. :) So far my continued nursing of Penelope has seemed to ward of some off the more undesirable first trimester symptoms, though I am tired. Very. Tired. </div><br /><div>Tired and excited. Feeling very, very blessed. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-34145956451515146632008-06-15T13:11:00.000-07:002008-06-15T14:57:45.092-07:00FourAnnabella was born four years ago today at 6:28 a.m. after sixteen hours of exhausting labor. <a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SFWNp5cuGaI/AAAAAAAAAns/2o94Qqj7XRY/s1600-h/birthday+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212227894686652834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SFWNp5cuGaI/AAAAAAAAAns/2o94Qqj7XRY/s200/birthday+006.jpg" border="0" /></a>The midwife, whose voice ushered me to the other side of my worst contractions, said it was a beautiful birth; she told me, "Dance your baby out..." as I swayed back and forth by candlelight, her voice and my mother's touch the lights at the end of what seemed an infinite tunnel. <div><div><br /><br /><div>When it was over and we could see this little girl with a head full of dark brown hair, I knew for the first time what it was to have all my best hopes, wildest dreams, and most vulnerable parts of me balled up and placed inside this tiny, fragile person. I had a whole new set of fears now that her fragility housed everything I knew to be Good. Having her placed on my belly (after a few moments of trying to convince her to breathe) was like walking through a door into a world I knew nothing about, whose possibilities I could not comprehend, whose challenges I could not anticipate. Among the few things I did know that have proven true was the fact that I had never loved like this before--a love that was overwhelming and true, but twinged with pain, because I could never fully protect this little life again now that my womb was no longer her home. She would feel cold, she would know hunger and sadness. And reality has only broadened those possibilities: she now knows what it is to be teased, ignored, disliked, written off, inaccurately defined; she's seen hatred and cruelty, despite my best efforts to keep her from them. And all this makes me see so clearly what a privilege it is to be able to be the place these little people--<em>this</em> little person--can land. Her home. Her always-and-forever-family. What a huge, terrible responsibility, and what an honor. I would be negligent, of course, if I did not say that those things I long keep from her will be brought into her life in the timing that the Lord has forseen and allowed. In this, I have no complaint; instead I thank Him for His Spirit to guide and the wisdom He imparts when this mother needs it most.</div><br /><div>Today, on her fourth birthday, I am amazed by her. She aspires to be a professional soccer player-ballerina-archaeologist-marine biologist-mommy. She's fascinated by insects, dinosaurs and sea creatures, particularly those of the predatory ilk. Playing dress-up is a favorite pass time, as is being read to, wearing dresses, drawing, making things for those she loves, taking baths, picking flowers, riding her bike, playing with makeup, collecting and digging for coins/treasure, going to church and playing with friends. The help she provides me is truly a gift; her spirit is kind and encouraging. She adores leaves, and loves to make natural collections of all sorts: rocks, bugs, pine cones...When she prays, she has an honest, open, and grateful heart before the Lord. She's learning new things that surprise me quite regularly. This week, for instance, "That's a whirligig beetle, Mommy. You know because it has black wings, black all over." That was after a severe thunder storm last week that caused us to lose a few very large branches from our Norway Maple, and Annabella collected fallen sticks to "make a burnt offering. Just like Abraham." </div><div> </div><div>To our sweet, big girl: we love the person the Lord has created you to be. Your quirks are the special markers of <strong>our</strong> little girl; your gifts, our chance to revel in God's handiwork; your challenges, opportunities for the Lord to reveal more of His character; your grace, our pride. </div><br /><div>Happy birthday, Annabella Jane Joy. Happy, happy birthday.</div><br /><div></div><div>Before we met you:<br /></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212222869867499634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SFWJFaiekHI/AAAAAAAAAm0/jpkP8U18kUY/s320/Baby1.jpg" border="0" /> Brand new (day 2):<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212226625267733346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SFWMgAfqk2I/AAAAAAAAAnE/mLzIsHHwIyo/s320/annabella+asleep.jpg" border="0" />One:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212226638395637282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SFWMgxZmfiI/AAAAAAAAAnM/lfHMHLY50kY/s320/DSC_0432.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div>Two:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212226653205203362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SFWMhokeiaI/AAAAAAAAAnU/HE-1KRihbv8/s320/halloween3.jpg" border="0" />Three:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212226665486909138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SFWMiWUqftI/AAAAAAAAAnc/wmDV21cd_yA/s320/IMG_0602.jpg" border="0" />Four. Birthday picnic breakfast:<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212226674196767538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SFWMi2xQYzI/AAAAAAAAAnk/hfzwEIO1-BU/s320/birthday+009.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-50762196584099829852008-06-02T19:31:00.001-07:002008-06-03T08:00:58.550-07:00A Year Ago Today<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVbvNWiorI/AAAAAAAAAmg/TDYvJl47gtY/s1600-h/Candle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207669410720031410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVbvNWiorI/AAAAAAAAAmg/TDYvJl47gtY/s200/Candle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Penelope Mae Joy came into our lives in earnest at 1:02 a.m. after a short, intense labor from which I emerged energized. My sister didn't make it to the birthing center in time to see the delivery, even though that had been our plan and there was only a 90 minute drive for her from Charlotte, NC to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Greenville</span>, SC. When I arrived, my midwife alluded to the fact that the baby was imminent, and I was irritated because I thought she was getting my hopes up prematurely... but when she asked if I wanted her to "check" me (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ie</span>: my dilation progress), I was "complete" (birthing-speak for the whole banana--"you've done the hard part, now push, sister!"--a VERY rewarding thing to hear). It was, by comparison, a very easy delivery, and it was only an introduction to the joyful ease with which this beautiful daughter would fit into and fill our family.<br /><br />I remember after my mom and sis had left the center and the midwife, my tired husband and beautiful baby had all fallen asleep with the fatigue of the hour, I lay awake for at least an hour, the praise bubbling inside of me, so overwhelmed by the gift of <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">this child. </span>The thought was too wonderful for me. I couldn't stop thanking God for the perfect little person nestled up next to me, breathing softly, so peacefully ours.<br /><br />We got up and cleared out of the center by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">mid morning</span>. Penelope was nursing well, and considering, I felt great. We went home, to my mom's, and were greeted with balloons and oodles of pink gifts...we shared a meal...<br /><br />Which brings me to today. The gifts and the meal, that is. Because today, that tiny baby is a walking, talking, growing little person, and it's hard to believe. I was honestly having a hard time with it all until today came; I'm finding it much harder to watch my <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">baby</span> achieve milestones, because this time around, I have a sense of how fleeting it will indeed be. I didn't know with my first one. And when I say walking, let me state for the record, that this little girl has a great sense of timing (future comedienne, possibly?): she saved her first steps, her first real walking, for today.<br /><br />Enjoy a brief overview of our darling's first year...<br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Moments old; not even cleaned up yet:</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207640230712222050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVBMtWioWI/AAAAAAAAAj4/PDc3R5fyUkw/s320/birth.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><p>Week One--sleeping with Mama:<br /></p><br /><div><br /></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207641403238293938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVCQ9WiobI/AAAAAAAAAkg/onTyw-7eEi0/s320/PICT0588.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><div>One Month--with Daddy at new home:<br /><br /></div><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207664471507640850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVXPtWiohI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/l6hcYbZAchk/s320/One+Month%3B+at+new+home.JPG" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>Two Months-- Northern Michigan vacation:<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207640252187058578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVBN9WioZI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/zjzjZJGbKTs/s320/IMG_0642.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p>Three Months--napping at the park:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207665218831950370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVX7NWioiI/AAAAAAAAAlY/f3GFk6OcHNw/s320/Twelve+Weeks%3B+Hawk+Island.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Four Months--last warm day at the lake for '07:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207663058463400418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVV9dWioeI/AAAAAAAAAk4/l_kcJqFlS2U/s320/Four+Months%3B+Last+warm+day+of+the+year.jpg" border="0" />Five Months--baby cow:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207663062758367730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVV9tWiofI/AAAAAAAAAlA/ODrEk7ZgCuo/s320/Five+Months.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Six Months--Christmas morning, crown and all:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207663075643269634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVV-dWiogI/AAAAAAAAAlI/ZUFon8UoCHw/s320/Six+Months%3B+Christmas+Morning.jpg" border="0" /></p></div><br /><p>Seven Months--out in the cold:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207665236011819570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVX8NWiojI/AAAAAAAAAlg/Icpr2Ot33Yk/s320/Seven+Months%3B+out+in+the+cold.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Eight Months--enjoying a bath:</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207665240306786882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVX8dWiokI/AAAAAAAAAlo/ZcXfqSRmHio/s320/Eight+Months%3B+bathing.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><div>Nine Months-- Easter:<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207667258941416082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVZx9WiopI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/leSCVEYa9gQ/s320/nine+months%3B+easter.jpg" border="0" /> Ten Months--the beginning of spring:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207665253191688802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVX9NWiomI/AAAAAAAAAl4/Y_uoFfpvvrk/s320/Ten+Months%3B+beginnings+of+spring.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Eleven Months--big enough to REALLY love the park:<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207666747840307826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVZUNWionI/AAAAAAAAAmA/iSWJilu2JRk/s320/Eleven+Months%3B+On+playground.jpg" border="0" /></p></div><br /><p>And finally, First Birthday-- celebration picnic:<br /></p><p> </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207667877416706722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEVaV9WioqI/AAAAAAAAAmY/QhU_s2mpnQ8/s400/First+Birthday%3B+at+picnic.jpg" border="0" /><br />We love you, Precious Penny Joy! Happy Birthday!Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-89262312441045542292008-06-02T07:28:00.001-07:002008-06-02T08:52:33.297-07:00DenialJust as I am currently denying that today is Penelope's first birthday, I will deny that I haven't posted a blog in over two months. If you will kindly buy into this convention with me, everyone will be happier. O. K.<br /><br />The last eight weeks have been jam-packed: family visits; many local adventures with our little clan; SPRING in full glory; the painting/continued decorating of several rooms in my house; pulling up of oodles of carpet to find our old hardwoods; growing babies; reading lessons; cutting of new teeth; growing out of a first "real" bicycle; trying so hard to learn to walk; being accepted to MSU for grad school (Jake, not me); and lots and lots of bike riding.<br /><br />In the interest of brevity for all you loyal (and surprised... "wow--she's still alive!") readers, I will post pictures with captions only.<br /><br /><strong>These two precious ladies visited:</strong><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207298029192913074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEQJ99WioLI/AAAAAAAAAiI/-ItUvjy_pOM/s320/ho+hum+222+(2).jpg" border="0" />Nana was thrilled to get to spend some time with her girlies, and the elder one, in particular, was thrilled to have her Nanable around. There were lots of baby walks in the stroller, and even a date night or two for Mommy and Daddy, for which we were very grateful.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207298033487880386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEQJ-NWioMI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/0MJjDmSaoT4/s320/auntsarah+136.jpg" border="0" />Ain't Sayrah at an Ethiopian coffee shop. During her visit wonderful, wonderful sister-catch-up-time ensued, as well as all sorts of auntie silliness. Man, are we glad she's home and can talk to us on the phone! And we're also glad she brought Mommy the new favorite earrings that she's been wearing at least 5 times per week that were bought at an African market, and that she was around to take pictures like this:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207298454394675410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEQKWtWioNI/AAAAAAAAAiY/xzaetzKagmU/s320/auntsarah+077.jpg" border="0" /><strong>Beautiful, golden locks</strong> went from this:<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207300009172836578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEQLxNWioOI/AAAAAAAAAig/8HbJ7YsoYsc/s320/ho+hum+259.jpg" border="0" />To this:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207300305525580018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEQMCdWioPI/AAAAAAAAAio/WQL_cigtRnI/s320/ho+hum+526.jpg" border="0" /><strong>We purchased the long-awaited bike trailer</strong>, which has given us hours and DAYS of recreational thrills, </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207301117274398978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEQMxtWioQI/AAAAAAAAAiw/iZ7MtrFSo8I/s320/ho+hum+498.jpg" border="0" />going places like this...<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207301125864333586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEQMyNWioRI/AAAAAAAAAi4/vIZZx_vLv7w/s320/ho+hum+500.jpg" border="0" />to do things like this...</p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207301134454268194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEQMytWioSI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Xc8zav3Qu28/s320/ho+hum+503.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p>and playing so hard, this happens.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207301147339170098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEQMzdWioTI/AAAAAAAAAjI/cwp7dqWvbAw/s320/ho+hum+510.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><strong>Oh, yes, she has been doing this</strong> if we look the other way... and trying even when we don't.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207302869621055810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEQOXtWioUI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/ctGqB1foRmU/s320/ho+hum+514.jpg" border="0" />And now that it is finally creeping up into the 80's, Joys have been been seen doing <strong>beach-like activities pretty regularly.</strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207303178858701138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/SEQOptWioVI/AAAAAAAAAjY/n28qu0g6pmE/s320/ho+hum+562.jpg" border="0" />So, now that you remember what we all look like, I'll fill in the gaps. Jake was accepted to MSU to begin the Master of Arts program in Public Relations starting at the end of August. He will be one busy man, but we're all very proud of him, and know he'll do a great job. He's also devoting much of his energy to growing out his hair. </p><p>Annabella's reading lessons are going well! Teaching her is one of the most fun and rewarding things I've ever done... even when her attention span is that of, well... her age. It's been a great adventure, and it's so fun to see her writing her letters and sounding things out with such pride. </p><p>Penny Joy is our constant delight. She loves to entertain, say fun new words and make animal noises (my personal favorite!). She also has a new-found interest, no, passion for shoes. Daily she goes to find her shoes, attempt to put them on, and when she fails, she'll bring them to me with a whine on her face, asking for help. When they are put on for her, she is always very satisfied.</p><p>I have been gearing up for a new position as the Special Events Coordinator for our local chapter of <a href="http://www.mops.org/">MOPS</a>, which excites me greatly. My first steering team meeting is tomorrow, and I can't wait! I've also been serving in our children's ministries at church quite regularly, in addition to picking out new curtains and paint, furniture and wood stain. Ooooh, so much fun!</p><p>Now that we're all caught up, you can expect birthday photos/sentiments to be posted in the next few days... even though I'm not yet willing to admit that there's actually a birthday to document. Not yet. ;)<br /></p><div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-82776339979614035032008-03-23T14:24:00.000-07:002008-03-23T14:31:48.838-07:00Resurrection Day<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-bK9CfffYI/AAAAAAAAAc8/ShgVxUVKdzQ/s1600-h/IMG_2039+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181051571326123394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-bK9CfffYI/AAAAAAAAAc8/ShgVxUVKdzQ/s320/IMG_2039+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>EASTER</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Break the box and shed the nard;</em><br /><em>Stop not now to count the cost;</em><br /><em>Hither bring pearl, opal, sard;</em><br /><em>Reck not what the poor have lost;</em><br /><em>Upon Christ throw all away:</em><br /><em>Know ye, this is Easter Day.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Build His church and deck His shrine;</em><br /><em>Empty though it be on earth;</em><br /><em>Ye have kept your choicest wine--</em><br /><em>Let if flow for heavenly mirth;</em><br /><em>Pluck the harp and breathe the horn:</em><br /><em>Know ye not 'tis Easter morn?</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Gather gladness from the skies;</em><br /><em>Take a lesson from the ground;</em><br /><em>Flowers do ope their heavenward eyes</em><br /><em>And a Spring-time joy have found;</em><br /><em>Earth throws Winter's robes away,</em><br /><em>Decks herself for Easter Day.</em><br /><em>Beauty now for ashes wear,</em><br /><em>Perfumes for the garb of woe.</em><br /><em>Chaplets for dishevelled hair,</em><br /><em>Dances for sad footsteps slow;</em><br /><em>Open wide your hearts that they</em><br /><em>Let in joy this Easter Day.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Seeks God's house in happy throng;</em><br /><em>Crowded let His table be;</em><br /><em>Mingle praises, prayer and song,</em><br /><em>Singing to the Trinity.</em><br /><em>Henceforth let your souls alway</em><br /><em>Make each morn an Easter Day.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>--Gerard Manley Hopkins</em><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-bK9SfffZI/AAAAAAAAAdE/Md5wUYDPHrs/s1600-h/IMG_2051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181051575621090706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-bK9SfffZI/AAAAAAAAAdE/Md5wUYDPHrs/s320/IMG_2051.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-bK9yfffaI/AAAAAAAAAdM/9zdJx5ED87U/s1600-h/IMG_2054.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181051584211025314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-bK9yfffaI/AAAAAAAAAdM/9zdJx5ED87U/s320/IMG_2054.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-57727533499792871642008-03-23T10:31:00.000-07:002008-03-23T14:24:07.979-07:00Springtime UpdateI write that heading more out of "flying by my instruments" than from any sense one could gain from walking outside our house into the five inches of snow on the ground. My calendar says it's spring, and my body insists it <em>must</em> be time. Even if I can't see a single blade of grass or a crocus peeking from all that white. <div><div><div>But at least there is the smell of the Easter lily filling up my whole downstairs, and actually, that almost makes up for it. It is the most perfect smell.</div><div>In the last week and half we've been busy--Annabella planting and tending to seeds indoors and decorating Easter eggs; Penelope learning to stand and cruise (and showing unwillingness to go anywhere without her baby doll), saying "HI" and waving at everyone nearby; Jake taking the GRE; and I have busied myself preparing for Jake's birthday, our sixth anniversary, and Easter, and deciding I may actually be homeschooling next year.</div><div>Bella and I read a book about seeds that we resurrected from last year's reading, explaining the anatomy and physiology of a seed in beautiful illustrations and storytelling. Then we planted sunflowers, tomatoes, baby's breath and cosmos that will hopefully make their debut in our yard once it's warmer. That was ten days ago. The baby's breath and Autumn Beauty sunflowers are now over 3" tall! We both get very excited to see how they've grown every morning. </div><div>Annabella has already started writing simple words and identifying letters and sounds, and she's really wanting to learn to read. So I think we're going to jump into that here in the next few weeks. Who knows... she might be well on her way before her fourth birthday. For this, as well as a few other poignant reasons, I think we're going to be opting for ballet, BSF Kids, and some regular playgroups instead of Montessori next year. And Mama will be doing all the schooling.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181032604750543954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-a5tCfffFI/AAAAAAAAAak/ZpXPbDSw2A8/s320/IMG_1984.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181032609045511266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-a5tSfffGI/AAAAAAAAAas/Lje92pG48Ug/s320/IMG_1987.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181032617635445874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-a5tyfffHI/AAAAAAAAAa0/5Dt7LmVy7eU/s320/IMG_1988.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181032621930413186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-a5uCfffII/AAAAAAAAAa8/sbavU0DYmI8/s320/IMG_1992.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181036049314315554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-a81ifffSI/AAAAAAAAAcM/KPVbN50h33Y/s320/IMG_2069.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181036045019348242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-a81SfffRI/AAAAAAAAAcE/gILKfJpu2yk/s320/IMG_2070.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181032630520347794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-a5uifffJI/AAAAAAAAAbE/9okmsv0ZF8c/s320/IMG_2026.jpg" border="0" /> Penelope is waving, as I said, "Hi," and very recently "Bye," as well as finding names for everyone in the family. "Dada" is the current favorite, followed by "Baba" (Annabella), and "Mama" falls in a distant third. She's able to go anywhere she wants, including upstairs, so we're having to be more vigilant and finish up baby proofing the house. She's a joyful little lady, and every morning, I look forward to her crawling into our bed and saying, "Hi! Hi!," clasping and unclasping her little hand. She's almost too busy these days to give her mommy a hug. Now I realize I have not had ten children, but I have never seen anything quite as adorable as the relationship Penny has with the little baby dolls we have floating around the house. She will hold one under her arm, lovingly, crawl around and proceed to play, chatter, look at books, etc. with the baby in tow. She will hug it close to her body, show it the toys or books in her hands before discarding them. She will look for the baby when it's not around, and it truly makes her happy. Just embracing and doing all her little endeavors with her baby. It's beyond precious.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181041181800234322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-bBgSfffVI/AAAAAAAAAck/mOMRFWnS4jY/s320/IMG_2032.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181041194685136242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-bBhCfffXI/AAAAAAAAAc0/hCrr_wESvqU/s320/IMG_1999.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181041186095201634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R-bBgifffWI/AAAAAAAAAcs/aQFgJl1SfyQ/s320/IMG_2022.jpg" border="0" />Jake is applying to MSU's master's program in public affairs for the fall semester, so the last few weeks have seen him brushing up on vocabulary and various math processes in anticipation for the GRE. It came and went and he did just fine. Of course. So now there's the application to finish, statements to complete, and a waiting game for acceptance. He's also been rehearsing with the band he's a part of here in town, and he seems to be having a lot of fun.<br />As for me, I have the pleasure of following these little girls and this wonderful man around, helping and hovering through each of these new pursuits, cheering on one of my favorite trio of people. In between cheerleading sessions, I'm reading about education philosophy, curriculum, scope and sequence, ordering perennials for my landscaping endeavors, volunteering at church, brainstorming some sewing projects and writing bi-monthly blogs. I'm also looking forward to a visit from my mom in a couple weeks, and we are hoping by then our weather is a little more hospitable. This coming spring might be my favorite yet, simply by contrast to the marathon Michigan winter we'll be pulling out of. But until signs indicate it's around the corner, I'll have to close my eyes, breath in my Easter lily slow and long and pretend I'm a visitor in Eden.<br /></div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-55104002139931976452008-03-02T13:32:00.000-08:002008-03-02T16:03:58.425-08:00Nine MonthsNine months ago, this morning, <a href="http://www.midwifebirths.com/">Blessed Births Family Wellness and Birth Center</a>: <div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173261055476184994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R8sdhVYFN6I/AAAAAAAAAaI/YepCXn4BRAI/s320/day+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>This evening, before bed:</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173298722339370930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R8s_x1YFN7I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/-_GOD4AGMP4/s320/blog+113.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Our little Joyful Bundle is doing so many fun things! She's just started to REALLY crawl, and is maneuvering through the whole house, even <em>attempting </em>to stand up. She says "Mama" and "Dada," and she LOVES to play with her big sister. (Play rough, even, which is a problem for Mama.) Though she's still nursing, she has an excellent appetite for solid food, particularly enjoying green beans, oatmeal and fruits. The only time she seems to be impatient is if I make the mistake of putting her in her highchair before I'm ready to put a spoon in her mouth. Then there will usually be some squealing and impatient yells... as she gets a bit older, I suppose we'll have to deal with that. :) Her sense of humor is adorable--she loves being silly, especially hanging upside down--and her little laugh is contagious. She will diligently and patiently work with things in her hands, and physically, she's quite strong. She weighs 19 lbs. right now, and her hair is getting to a strange point where I'm having to pull it back all the time in the front. Her favorite activities include playing Mommy's piano, getting a bath, emptying baskets (laundry, toys, anything in a basket), disassembling items and doing anything that includes Annabella. Penelope Mae Joy has brought <strong>immeasurable joy</strong> into our family; we continue to <strong>delight in her every day.</strong> </div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-79939396506970565542008-02-27T08:28:00.000-08:002008-03-02T13:32:42.553-08:00International Phone Calls and Birthday SignsWe were specially blessed today by two special voices at the other end of cell phone connections; one was from a base in northern Iraq, and the other was from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.<br /><br />Uncle Shane is doing well, though apparently recovering from feeling a little under the weather. We were able to confirm that he was involved in <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23013249/">this</a> exchange, and thankfully is no worse for physical wear. Apparently, he and his vehicle were the first to arrive on the scene as the firefight ensued. So it is only natural that he deserves all the peanut butter cookies that this lady and her Kitchen Aid can whip up. If you're interested in helping me drown Uncle Shane in cookies, let me know!<br /><br />Aunt Sarah is thrilling to the culture and people of Ethiopia, soaking up the energy of people who walk in a miraculous faith, watching Jesus convert Ethiopians by appearing to them in visions, healing them from stroke-related paralysis and teaching the soccer coaches between her Amheric lessons (the national language). And if that summation seems a little dramatic to you, believe me, it's tame compared to the actual stories coming out of that place. God is moving in a mighty way there, and she feels so blessed to be a part of it. Incidentally, it was her 25th birthday today.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171701367093503378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R8WS_hYCpZI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/1rArPQg1Q7Y/s320/blog+107.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171701375683437986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R8WTABYCpaI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/v9UfNbu8AbY/s320/blog+111.jpg" border="0" />Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-73978850548926706582008-02-22T08:49:00.001-08:002008-02-22T09:08:15.826-08:00Too Much Cute for One Night<div align="center">Up we go for bathtime. "I will help Calen go upstairs."</div><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R77-LxYCpUI/AAAAAAAAAZM/6_ceOlzE_i4/s1600-h/blog+071.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169848900454098242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R77-LxYCpUI/AAAAAAAAAZM/6_ceOlzE_i4/s320/blog+071.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Here's how we started; baby girl hasn't been in the big tub yet.<br /></div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R77-MRYCpVI/AAAAAAAAAZU/kDGVUSVkWBM/s1600-h/blog+075.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169848909044032850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R77-MRYCpVI/AAAAAAAAAZU/kDGVUSVkWBM/s320/blog+075.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>...But she is getting bigger, crawling and all... "Don't worry Penelope, I'll wash your hair!"</p><p align="center"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R77-MxYCpWI/AAAAAAAAAZc/YkzlKS7sAOg/s1600-h/blog+078.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169848917633967458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R77-MxYCpWI/AAAAAAAAAZc/YkzlKS7sAOg/s320/blog+078.jpg" border="0" /></a> So she got to bathe (PLAY) in the big tub with the "big kids." They stayed in the tub till the water was cold.<br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R77-NRYCpXI/AAAAAAAAAZk/BtqWFUFOI9g/s1600-h/blog+082.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169848926223902066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R77-NRYCpXI/AAAAAAAAAZk/BtqWFUFOI9g/s320/blog+082.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-82159409689024006132008-02-20T15:22:00.001-08:002008-02-20T19:54:44.822-08:00Jumping Jacks, Tablesettings, and Future PercussionistsSince our last installment, the Family Joy has collectively put up a valiant, if doomed, fight against the flu. One by one, our troops were felled by the fever-chilled-nightsweating-generally achey enemy. Our fearless leader was the first to fall, and it was his defeat that let this grimey villain infiltrate our castle. Annabella was next, then myself. We washed hands, avoided touching faces or each other at all, bleached everything in sight, cleaned doorknobs, didn't share pillows... to no avail. The baby finally came down with it. I feel like I didn't actually leave the house for three weeks. I did get groceries, and we did go to church, albeit in waves. Daddy would stay home with whomever was too sick for the nursery. Or Mommy would.<br /><br />Now that we're back on our feet, I am trying to go <a href="http://www.impression5.org/">here</a> at least weekly. My father and his wife sent us the very generous and creative family gift of an annual membership, and boy are we going to use it. I-5 has a room that was recently created under a grant that works to expose preschool children to different scientific concepts. The practical application of this is a super-duper fun room that feels a little like an indoor playground, a little like a playhouse. There's even a play area for infants,which captivates Penelope, and the whole place is presided over by the newly christened <a href="http://www.breastfeedingsymbol.org/">International Breastfeeding Symbol</a>. Here are some highlights:<br /><br />A BUBBLE ROOM!!!!!!<br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQSBYCpMI/AAAAAAAAAYM/BqdcNoBMVu0/s1600-h/blog+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169235480339981506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQSBYCpMI/AAAAAAAAAYM/BqdcNoBMVu0/s320/blog+011.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zPlhYCpGI/AAAAAAAAAXc/h-azutdms7o/s1600-h/blog+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169234715835802722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zPlhYCpGI/AAAAAAAAAXc/h-azutdms7o/s320/blog+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A room full of interactive lessons on simple machines--hence the pulley chairs.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zPnhYCpJI/AAAAAAAAAX0/7sWA6HeIKxI/s1600-h/blog+065.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169234750195541138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zPnhYCpJI/AAAAAAAAAX0/7sWA6HeIKxI/s320/blog+065.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zRnhYCpQI/AAAAAAAAAYs/onzRTclczKY/s1600-h/blog+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169236949218796802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zRnhYCpQI/AAAAAAAAAYs/onzRTclczKY/s320/blog+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">Archaeology station where you can "unearth" dinosaur eggs and fossils.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zPmhYCpII/AAAAAAAAAXs/kP06MzEIZD4/s1600-h/blog+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169234733015671938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zPmhYCpII/AAAAAAAAAXs/kP06MzEIZD4/s320/blog+021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Lessons on mouths, skulls and teeth, including toothbrushing.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQSRYCpNI/AAAAAAAAAYU/XdUApsQvyu4/s1600-h/blog+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169235484634948818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQSRYCpNI/AAAAAAAAAYU/XdUApsQvyu4/s320/blog+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zPkxYCpFI/AAAAAAAAAXU/3yrWTkkpMr0/s1600-h/blog+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169234702950900818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zPkxYCpFI/AAAAAAAAAXU/3yrWTkkpMr0/s320/blog+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQTBYCpOI/AAAAAAAAAYc/33HJz6XjUkI/s1600-h/blog+012.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A mock emergency room, complete with (deactivated, but real) defibrilltor.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169238937788654898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zTbRYCpTI/AAAAAAAAAZE/kINjZbQVBW4/s320/blog+020.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />A human heart maze with corridors, valves, and directions to the lungs, etc.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQTBYCpOI/AAAAAAAAAYc/33HJz6XjUkI/s1600-h/blog+012.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zPmBYCpHI/AAAAAAAAAXk/hStRuBv44-4/s1600-h/blog+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169234724425737330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zPmBYCpHI/AAAAAAAAAXk/hStRuBv44-4/s320/blog+013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQTBYCpOI/AAAAAAAAAYc/33HJz6XjUkI/s1600-h/blog+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169235497519850722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="231" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQTBYCpOI/AAAAAAAAAYc/33HJz6XjUkI/s320/blog+012.jpg" width="258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQTBYCpOI/AAAAAAAAAYc/33HJz6XjUkI/s1600-h/blog+012.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="left"></p><p align="left">There were so many amazing things to see and do, this was only a small sampling. But let me not forget, the final highlight was that my wonderful husband was just as handsome as usual. :)<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169237292816180514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zR7hYCpSI/AAAAAAAAAY8/PtyBmxcQY7M/s320/blog+015.jpg" border="0" /><br />Big decisions are on the horizon here, as we are seriously considering enrolling Annabella in half-day pre-K next year at a local Montessori school. This makes me feel desperately immature and fifteen years older all at once; I suppose I imagined I wouldn't be figuring out schooling options for <em>such a long time. </em>Now that it's here, I can hardly believe it. And it's not as if I haven't given it OODLES of thought, especially recently. I don't know, maybe I just thought that this would be a decision that was kept in committee indefinitely... Silly Mommy.<br /><br />Penelope is figuring out the finer points of crawling, even as I write. She's crawling a foot or two on her own, but as yet, she has not realized her new found mobility and freedom. I anticipate the house going on full alert any minute now when it occurs to her that she can really motor. Another amazing ability that she's exhibited in recent weeks is her impeccable sense of rhythm, if not discriminating taste in music. We took Annabella to Preschool Skate at the local skating rink--a perfect introduction to rollerskating for little ones. Penelope rode on my back in the <a href="http://www.ergobabycarriers.com/babycarriers/item/BC6G/">Ergo carrier</a>, and I kept my feet shod with tennis shoes, and carefully escorted Annabella and her skates around and around the rink.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zRnBYCpPI/AAAAAAAAAYk/tQ6mzSLZfkg/s1600-h/blog+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169236940628862194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zRnBYCpPI/AAAAAAAAAYk/tQ6mzSLZfkg/s320/blog+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQRhYCpLI/AAAAAAAAAYE/8w7FN9ZvlwQ/s1600-h/blog+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169235471750046898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQRhYCpLI/AAAAAAAAAYE/8w7FN9ZvlwQ/s320/blog+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> There are many things roller rinks are: dark with neon geometric shapes in the indoor/outdoor carpet; the perfect place to find any manner of food that is deep-fried; a good place to start a bruise collection; an excellent place to have one's wallet stolen. What they are NOT is a haven of quality musical fare. So when "<em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He82NBjJqf8">Who Let the Dogs Out</a>"</em> started pounding and resounding across the rink, I wasn't surprised. What did surprise me was that Penelope INSTANTLY starting bouncing up and down in the carrier exactly in rhythm with the base line and loud barking noises. I assumed it would stop soon, but she didn't give up until the song finished. Other parents (whose children had been attending Preschool Skate for longer than we had) passed us, pointed and laughed with disbelief. The other song that brough her newly-found talent to the forefront was <em>"<a href="http://ohiogwrra.org/Music/HampsterDance.mp3">The Hampster Dance</a>." </em>If you haven't listened to this song, please take this opportunity. You'll be amazed. Since then, any time music comes on, my Little Bouncer starts bobbing up and down, exactly in time with the music. Chorale pieces, rap, worship music, children's songs. I haven't let her listen to either of those songs since, just incase she was trying to make them favorites. I told Jake we may have a little drummer or bassist on our hands. <a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQRBYCpKI/AAAAAAAAAX8/MZBZfljSYU4/s1600-h/blog+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169235463160112290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R7zQRBYCpKI/AAAAAAAAAX8/MZBZfljSYU4/s320/blog+001.jpg" border="0" /></a>(<em>Insert gratuitous naked baby photo here.)</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>In regard to Annabella's latest pursuits, several times a day I hear the following in our house:<br /><br /><em>"Rocket Ship,</em> <em>Regular Girl, </em><em>Rocket Ship, </em><em>Regular Girl, Rocket Ship, </em><em>Regular Girl. . . "</em><br /><em>(Stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp)</em> </p><p><br />This little pattern was the mantra Jake concocted to teach Annabella the (apparently very difficult) task of learning jumping jacks. So far, it's been the most effective teaching method. Lots of rocket ships and regular girls around here.<br /><br />She's become my little domestic domesticant--helping with all things related to the kitchen. Cooking can obviously be fun, but she's now responsible for emptying the dishwasher (with my help for high, heavy and breakable things), and setting the table for meals. Placemats, flatware, drinking glasses, the whole caboodle. It's honestly a great help to me, and she takes a lot of pride in her jobs. This week, we're learning the correct way to set each placesetting. She set a beautiful table for dinner tonight.<br /><br />Jake informed me that if we get five more inches of snow in February, it will be a record-breaking February for snowfall. It's completely possible that we'll get that much in the next week and a half. I love the snow, but now the ice and being kept indoors is getting to me, especially when there are only so many ballet solos and <em>Rocket Ship, Regular Girl</em>s that a Mommy and a soon to be four year old girl can take. Outdoor energy doesn't just go away when a child is kept indoors. Unfortunately. And I don't think my van has quite forgiven me for getting it stuck in ice and snow divots in the road right in front of my driveway last week. Twice. Once I managed to wiggle out, take a ride around the block and try again. But once, Jake had to put boards under the tires and push the van out of the divots. I can't wait for my beautiful, lush neighborhood to bloom and smell green again.<br /><br />Sarah, my little sister, is currently serving with <a href="http://www.maisoccer.com/">MAI</a> in Ethiopia and has been there for a month. Two more to go. My brother-in-law, Shane, is currently in Iraq, working for <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/DES/D128~Uncle-Sam-I-Want-You-Posters.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Uncle-Sam-I-Want-You-Posters_i995016_.htm&h=450&w=349&sz=50&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=s3XRGS0izuKArM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Duncle%2Bsam%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26sa%3DX">him</a> until June 2009. We would appreciate all your prayers for them while they are far from us.<br /><br />The girls and I are looking forward to a visit with Aunt Rachel, Cousin Calen and BabyInTheBelly this weekend. I'm hoping their presence can help Annabella deal with the lack of outside.<br /><br />May your remaining winter be short, and may a joyful heart keep you warm!</p>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-29914397173908206002008-01-19T13:53:00.000-08:002008-01-19T20:09:14.319-08:00New Year, New Look, New EntryHere I go. Finally.<br /><br />I suppose for those of you who actually look at this little space from time to time, the last couple months of our lives need no explanation. Jake was gone for work related trainings and events for nearly 3 months; the girls and I were on the road visiting loved ones and introducing Penelope for six weeks. We've been home since right before Christmas, but the looming chore of going through months worth of photos, jotting down our latest news, and posting this has made me more inert than anything. So... I'll use bullets. ;)<br /><br />WE...<br /><br /><br /><br /><ul><li>Visited dear, precious loved ones in Maryland and West Virginia and stayed with wonderful friends in their beautiful home worthy of a listing in the local B&B registry.</li><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KAo9C8lII/AAAAAAAAATs/ZLZhYVKySB8/s1600-h/IMG_1361.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157325964362683522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KAo9C8lII/AAAAAAAAATs/ZLZhYVKySB8/s320/IMG_1361.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KAqNC8lMI/AAAAAAAAAUM/pGJY18GC0t0/s1600-h/Susanna%27s_visit_006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157325985837520066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KAqNC8lMI/AAAAAAAAAUM/pGJY18GC0t0/s320/Susanna%27s_visit_006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li></li><li></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Spent time with my sister-in-law and her family. Annabella, particularly, had a wonderful time with her baby cousin. (Who is to be joined by a sibling this August, exciting news we received over the holidays!)</li><br /><li>Got to see Jake who had been absent from us for a couple weeks at this point.</li><br /><li>Headed to SC to spent time with family there. It is always spoiling for me to stay with my mother. She cannot get enough of the girls, so I actually get a few hours all to myself. The girls enjoyed visiting with my dad's family as well as all our dear loved ones there.</li></ul><p></p><ul><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KBidC8lNI/AAAAAAAAAUU/S_yWCghQ-s0/s1600-h/IMG_1393.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157326952205161682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KBidC8lNI/AAAAAAAAAUU/S_yWCghQ-s0/s320/IMG_1393.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KApNC8lJI/AAAAAAAAAT0/R35f9F4npQM/s1600-h/IMG_1388.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157325968657650834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KApNC8lJI/AAAAAAAAAT0/R35f9F4npQM/s320/IMG_1388.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><li></li><br /><li></li><br /><li></li><br /><li></li><br /><li></li><br /></ul><p></p><p></p><ul></ul><ul><br /></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Attended Sarah's first time hosting Thanksgiving in Charlotte. She did a wonderful job, of course. The following day was an electric one though, as Renee was in labor with her little boy--Truman McCarthy Royal--who arrived that evening. </li><li>Bid farwell to Shane, Jake's brother, as he headed off to Iraq for 15 months.</li><li>Had a little pre-Christmas party with dear loved ones before driving back to Maryland to be with Jake briefly. </li><li>Drove north through New York City, picking up Jake's good friend and headed to Connecticut to meet his new Lady Fair, who we were very impressed with. (I will interject here that it is a providential thing when your husband's best friend decides to marry a woman whose company you sincerely enjoy and with whom you have many things in common!)<br /></li></ul><p><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KBjNC8lPI/AAAAAAAAAUk/NkQ7YXKizJc/s1600-h/IMG_1483.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157326965090063602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KBjNC8lPI/AAAAAAAAAUk/NkQ7YXKizJc/s320/IMG_1483.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><ul><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KBi9C8lOI/AAAAAAAAAUc/pCTLpVa2IV8/s1600-h/IMG_1494.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157326960795096290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KBi9C8lOI/AAAAAAAAAUc/pCTLpVa2IV8/s320/IMG_1494.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KAptC8lKI/AAAAAAAAAT8/52_obm9riis/s1600-h/IMG_1541.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157325977247585442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KAptC8lKI/AAAAAAAAAT8/52_obm9riis/s320/IMG_1541.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><li></li><br /><li></li><br /><li></li><br /><li></li><li></li><li></li><li></li><li>Parted ways with Jake in Connecticut and headed to Rochester, NY to meet precious Truman Royal. Annabella had a lovely day trip to a child-sized grocery store at the National Museum of PLAY (there is such a place!!!).<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KGN9C8lXI/AAAAAAAAAVo/jol8qBmXF10/s1600-h/IMG_1605.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157332097575982450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KGN9C8lXI/AAAAAAAAAVo/jol8qBmXF10/s320/IMG_1605.jpg" border="0" /></a></li><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KCy9C8lSI/AAAAAAAAAVA/tzcFj1nn3WU/s1600-h/IMG_1570.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157328335184631074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KCy9C8lSI/AAAAAAAAAVA/tzcFj1nn3WU/s320/IMG_1570.jpg" border="0" /></a> </ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul><br /></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KBjtC8lQI/AAAAAAAAAUs/86WXNMcrG9k/s1600-h/IMG_1644.jpg"><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul></a><br /></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><br /><ul><li>Had a lovely holiday here once we headed home and Jake returned, all of us just in time to put up the Christmas tree and wrap gifts.</li><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KGO9C8lZI/AAAAAAAAAV4/ojZczvw405g/s1600-h/IMG_1675.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157332114755851666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KGO9C8lZI/AAAAAAAAAV4/ojZczvw405g/s320/IMG_1675.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KCz9C8lVI/AAAAAAAAAVY/fuyjN4hG_xw/s1600-h/IMG_1662.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157328352364500306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KCz9C8lVI/AAAAAAAAAVY/fuyjN4hG_xw/s320/IMG_1662.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></ul><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><ul></ul><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157326973679998210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KBjtC8lQI/AAAAAAAAAUs/86WXNMcrG9k/s320/IMG_1644.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><ul></ul><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Sent Jake off to Texas for 10 days, and proceeded to tear down all the trappings of the holiday that had gone up so furiously a couple weeks before.</li><li>Had a lovely visit from my friend Bethany.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157332149115590066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KGQ9C8lbI/AAAAAAAAAWI/S54QhCA_BCs/s320/IMG_1721.jpg" border="0" /></li><li>Saw our first few pristine Michigan snows and went sledding for the first time.</li><br /><br /></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul><br /></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Experienced our (as in my) first and only surgery to date with the removal of my wisdom teeth, and were blessed to have Bethany in town to nurse me and entertain the troops.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157328348069532994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KCztC8lUI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/0N9_C_LIWeg/s320/IMG_1708.jpg" border="0" /></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul><li>Finally recovered!</li><li>Welcomed our Daddy/husband home to stay!!!</li><li>Sent my little sis off as a missionary to Africa, and had a few lessons for Belle on Africa, including eating lentils with injera bread instead of a utensil, painting her body, making a lion, as well as some tribal jewelry and an African drum.<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KBkdC8lRI/AAAAAAAAAU4/POuh4_PLi10/s1600-h/IMG_1719.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157326986564900114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KBkdC8lRI/AAAAAAAAAU4/POuh4_PLi10/s320/IMG_1719.jpg" border="0" /></a></li></ul><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br />I know I have left something out.<br /><br />And briefly, things I learned during the last few blog-absent months:<br /><br /><ul><li>Traveling with your children alone for a month and a half sounds easier than it is, and it doesn't sound easy.</li><li>I'm loved more than I deserve.</li><li>Absence really can make the heart grow fonder.</li><li>If you can do all your holiday cooking before the actual holiday, you will have a much more pleasant holiday.</li><li>If "Santa" has to assemble a dollhouse, he shouldn't wait till after the kids go to bed on Christmas Eve.</li><li>When your second baby has her first cold, it's not as scary as when your first baby did.</li><li>I will have better New Year's Eves than this one, doped up on Darvocet after oral surgery that day.</li><li>Even if your husband is out of town and you have to care for two kids, you must, by whatever means possible, get your sidewalks shoveled THE SAME DAY it snows, or it will no longer be snow. It will be ice.<br /></li></ul><p>Again, I am sure I forgot some things. Happy January, anyway.<br /><br /><br /></p><br />Also, considering that I spent the better part of three hours today/this evening trying to get the formatting on blogspot to let me align all my writing and photos the way I wanted to, I give up, and apologize for any inconvenience you encountered reading this.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R5KBjNC8lPI/AAAAAAAAAUk/NkQ7YXKizJc/s1600-h/IMG_1483.jpg"></a></p>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-79003357264143668582007-12-18T21:42:00.000-08:002007-12-26T13:49:43.043-08:00<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iwLdC8lDI/AAAAAAAAATE/BKk97T9N__4/s1600-h/roadie+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145556285092828210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iwLdC8lDI/AAAAAAAAATE/BKk97T9N__4/s320/roadie+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iwLdC8lEI/AAAAAAAAATM/tppex1a_-m4/s1600-h/christmas+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145556285092828226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iwLdC8lEI/AAAAAAAAATM/tppex1a_-m4/s320/christmas+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iwL9C8lFI/AAAAAAAAATU/4-CdolYvlu8/s1600-h/roadie+082.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145556293682762834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iwL9C8lFI/AAAAAAAAATU/4-CdolYvlu8/s320/roadie+082.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iwMNC8lGI/AAAAAAAAATc/gN2e-BenkKI/s1600-h/roadie+229.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145556297977730146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iwMNC8lGI/AAAAAAAAATc/gN2e-BenkKI/s320/roadie+229.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iwMtC8lHI/AAAAAAAAATk/KIYT7oPBtnQ/s1600-h/roadie+308.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145556306567664754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iwMtC8lHI/AAAAAAAAATk/KIYT7oPBtnQ/s320/roadie+308.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2ivz9C8k-I/AAAAAAAAASc/AMYKsMnS7mI/s1600-h/roadie+315.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145555881365902306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2ivz9C8k-I/AAAAAAAAASc/AMYKsMnS7mI/s320/roadie+315.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iv0dC8k_I/AAAAAAAAASk/Z2hCfUG8aPg/s1600-h/roadie+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145555889955836914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iv0dC8k_I/AAAAAAAAASk/Z2hCfUG8aPg/s320/roadie+028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iv09C8lAI/AAAAAAAAASs/aSzaPKRMuWE/s1600-h/roadie+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145555898545771522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iv09C8lAI/AAAAAAAAASs/aSzaPKRMuWE/s320/roadie+035.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iv2tC8lBI/AAAAAAAAAS0/tkJ6QFJRVik/s1600-h/roadie+086.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145555928610542610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iv2tC8lBI/AAAAAAAAAS0/tkJ6QFJRVik/s320/roadie+086.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iv3NC8lCI/AAAAAAAAAS8/WGUqeDu8z40/s1600-h/roadie+147.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145555937200477218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/R2iv3NC8lCI/AAAAAAAAAS8/WGUqeDu8z40/s320/roadie+147.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-21567700778120042742007-10-26T07:33:00.000-07:002007-10-26T09:51:33.027-07:00"It's Good for What Ails You," or "Miraculous, Folks! Miraculous!"<span style="color:#663300;">Some of you may have heard me tout the "extracurricular" uses of breastmilk. (My own, in particular.) :) So for my mother, whose burns I have treated with my white gold... this read's for you. If you'd like to read the full article or take a look at the bibliography, click </span><a href="http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/breastfeeding/walking-medicine-chest.html"><span style="color:#3333ff;">here</span></a><span style="color:#663300;">. And for those interested, here are </span><a href="http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/breastfeeding/use-breastmilk.html"><span style="color:#3366ff;">More Ways to Use Breastmilk</span></a><span style="color:#3366ff;">.<br /></span><p><span style="color:#663300;">Realizing that some of you will be hesitant to believe anything published in a magazine that would encourage the family bed, take a look at the major study as summed up in <em><a href="http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20061209/bob8.asp"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Science News</span></a></em></span><span style="color:#3333ff;">.</span></p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><blockquote><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Your Walking Medicine Chest</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">By Liz Laing</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>Mothering Magazine; </em>Issue 133, November/December 2005</span></p><p align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Mother's milk is the perfect panacea for a whole host of ailments - from pinkeye to acne. Just a squirt will do the trick! Most people know about the health benefits of breastfeeding, but few know about breastmilk's medicinal benefits. <strong>Breastmilk is sterile, antibacterial, and has many healing properties.</strong> It can be used to treat a variety of ailments and can be applied topically for eye and ear infections, minor skin injuries, sore or cracked nipples, diaper rash, sore throats, and stuffy noses. Is breastmilk an everyday cure-all? Read on and judge for yourself.<br />When your child gets a cold and has a stuffy nose, drizzle breastmilk into each nostril. It will thin<br />the mucus, and the milk's natural antibodies will help fight infection. Jay Gordon, MD, FAAP, IBCLC's nationally recognized pediatrician, author, and breastfeeding authority, encourages the use of breastmilk in this way. "<strong>I recommend breastmilk as the best nose drop for babiesand children with colds</strong>," he says. "<strong>The milk kills viruses on contact</strong> (sounds like a TV commercial!), and the best part is that it makes babies sneeze. The sneeze sends viruses, bacteria, dust, and more flying out of the nose at 100 mph."<br />Several clinical studies have shown that since each mother's milk is made specifically for her own baby, it is effective in ridding the infant's eyes and nose of viruses and germs.<br />...<br />Besides colds and eye irritations, there are several other conditions that might benefit from<br />the use of breastmilk. In most cases you simply express your milk into a clean saucer, cup, or bowl, then use a cotton ball or eyedropper to apply or squirt milk directly onto the area, as needed, for the desired results.<br />In many places - including Mexico, Russia, Africa, South America, and India - the use of breastmilk in alternative ways is quite common. One mother on a Midwifery Today online forum said, "In Nigeria, if a child has a condition of the eyes, such as mucus, we simply squirt a bit of breastmilk and it clears right up." Besides healing common minor afflictions, breastmilk has recently been in the news for helping to treat more serious illnesses. Adult cancer patients have been drinking breastmilk in an attempt to boost their immune systems and cope better<br />with the side effects of chemotherapy. While this is not a common practice, a milk bank in California has supplied a group of pioneering patients with breastmilk for the past few years. One lucky recipient of this donor milk, Howard Cohen of Palo Alto, California, strongly believes that<br />ingesting breastmilk daily has helped his prostate cancer go into remission.<br />Donor milk is used to treat a variety of health problems. I spoke with Pauline Sakamoto, RN, MS, executive director of the Mothers' Milk Bank in San Jose, California, about some of the other ways breastmilk benefits people. "Historically, human milk has been used for diseases and health conditions of adults and children and as a superior food for babies. These folk cures have been tested throughout time. Currently, there has been more interest in the scientific community to test the components of human milk's effect on different health problems that plague us today. <strong>Hopefully, in the near future, we will validate the incredible power that our body has to promote growth, heal itself, and preserve its integrity via human milk</strong>.<br /><strong>Breastmilk may even kill cancer cells</strong>. In 1995 physician and immunologist Catharina Svanborg and a team of research biologists at Sweden's Lund University discovered in breastmilk a protein compound, alpha-lactalbumin (they gave it the acronym HAMLET), that selectively induces apoptosis in tumor cells. In other words,<strong> HAMLET makes cancer cells commit suicide</strong>. <strong>In fact, it has killed every type of cancer the researchers have tested it against</strong>. HAMLET has also been used to successfully treat virally infected warts, which were reduced by 75 percent in volunteers who received daily treatments with an ointment containing the protein. The same viruses that cause warts are also linked to cervical cancer, genital warts, and some types of skin cancer. Well, we all knew that breastmilk is powerful.<br />You may wonder why this discovery of a possible cure for cancer has not received greater attention. Funding is part of the problem, but slowly, in the past decade, more attention has been paid to this small laboratory in a quiet corner of the world. Even the American Cancer Society has given its stamp of approval by giving a grant to Svanborg and her team to help fund further research into their discovery. While this type of scientific news is exciting, let's not forget the real miracle of breastmilk and its primary use. The healing powers of this liquid gold<br />are incredible enough, but <strong>breastmilk's most amazing quality is that it gives life</strong>. No<br />other food or substance on earth comes close to doing what breastmilk does. Human breastmilk is the ideal food for human babies. Pediatrician Jay Gordon reminds us how crucial breastfeeding is when he says, "Babies denied breastmilk during the first year of life get sick and die at a much greater rate than babies who nurse."...</span></p></blockquote></span><blockquote><p align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#663300;">*All emphasis has been added by yours truly.</span></p></blockquote>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-38265527248061937592007-10-23T05:22:00.000-07:002007-10-23T07:02:28.497-07:00Coincidence?<div>Jake is flying home this Friday. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124532196574209874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/Rx3-4cDbp1I/AAAAAAAAASU/YDe2bNpBJ2s/s400/IMG_1290%5B1%5D" border="0" /><br /><div></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3764296844267133571.post-20571958614164988532007-10-19T07:45:00.000-07:002007-10-23T07:01:02.320-07:00Buried TreasureJake and I purchased our first home this year. No one has been able to give us a firm date for the actual building of this house, but we know that the neighborhood went up circa 1920, so it's entirely likely that the home is 90 years old. Sometimes when I'm cleaning the old woodwork, or listening to the creak of the floorboards, it seems like I'm looking at or listening to a dear old woman, all bright eyes and wrinkles with a thin, seasoned voice. I love that. There are few things I treasure more than relationships with older, wiser women, and I feel like my relationship to this house is turning into that. As I wash windows upstairs, I wonder if any babies were born here. When I polish the stair rail, I imagine a graceful young woman floating down the stairs to greet her beau at the door. I hear children giggling and playing in the back yard and <em>Roaring Twenties</em> music playing on a record player in the living room. I see a dressed-up gentleman coming home through the front door, greeted by a skirted and pearl-wearing wife's call from the kitchen... but<em> </em>I won't make you endure any more of my imaginings, because this post is to inform you of an actual discovery this dear old house let me find. You can ask Jake, I was so excited you would have thought... I was having Ina May Gaskin over for dinner.<br /><br /><div align="center">Before:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124531200141797170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/Rx39-cDbpzI/AAAAAAAAASE/c5Ov4_RF9HE/s320/IMG_1278.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div align="center">After:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124531213026699074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EcX0GddWYDs/Rx39_MDbp0I/AAAAAAAAASM/FkEGKkipJlA/s320/IMG_1276.jpg" border="0" /></div>Susanna Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09860155343968954870noreply@blogger.com2