Great Baby Gear

This is a random post about baby gear. There is so much paraphernalia out there for babies and much of it is wasted junk. It just takes up space and costs money with little real value. I like things that have a long lifespan (ie: can be used from 8 lbs to 40 lbs) and will withstand wear and tear.

A few of my favorites:
BOB Jogging Stroller - the best stroller if you really want to run with your kids. The sun canopy is second to none (and we've tried out countless others) and the ride is very comfortable for the kids. It works well for walking, too.

High Chair/Booster Seat/Toddler Seat:
We purchased our seat from One Step Ahead. It easily meets the criteria of long life span. It can be used for a six month old baby as well as a person who weighs up to 150 pounds. The front bar is removable when the child is old enough and the chair cleans up with ease. It is also very "chair-like" not "high chair like" so it looks good in our dining area. We love this chair.

Ergo Baby Carrier:
This baby carrier can be used with an infant (with the infant insert) up to a 40 pound child. I do not plan to carry around my forty pound child, but the point is that I only have ONE carrier to meet my needs from now until they walk. It has a hip strap so all of the weight isn't pulling on the back or shoulders. It also is easy to use. Some of the carriers seem so complicated that I would rather carry around a baby in a heavy car seat than to put them on and use them.

Rocking Chair:
A good rocking chair is priceless. Jonathan loves rocking, Caleb loves rocking, MOMMY loves rocking. This is one of the joys of having small children.

Maybe I'll have some time to take photos of the kids this week... let's hope!
Sarah

"Both Guys"

I've been asked frequently how Jonathan is adjusting to Caleb's presence. So far things have gone pretty well in that regard. But, I have noticed that Jonathan is clamoring for my attention when I feed Caleb or need to manage his fussiness. One of the most precious things that he says is, "Mommy, hold both guys," or "Daddy, hold both guys," when we are holding Caleb. It seems as though he understands sharing Mommy and Daddy, but he wants to make sure that Caleb shares our attention, too.

One Month Check-up

Caleb saw the doctor this morning for a one month check. He weighs nine pounds, fifteen ounces. He is twenty-two and a half inches long. All measurements between the fiftieth and seventy-fifth percentile. What a good little eater!

Two for Two

Some people have easy going babies. Not me. My children are not colicky and they sleep some. But, they go from pleasant and happy to very ticked in record time. I've determined that babies are just meant to be one of God's mysteries. Why are they crying? Hmm... could be any one of fifteen reasons. Why do they have gas? Hmm... could be something I ate, but what? when? Or, it could be just because they are babies. Who can really know?

I've also surmised that one of the reasons that babies are a mystery is because God's design is that we get to know our children and not expect easy answers and quick fixes. Patience is not one of my strong points. If a sermon gets too long at church I start fidgeting and doodling. If Jamie's explanation for something lasts too long I struggle to remain focused on listening. I hate lines at stores and would NEVER willingly shop during a busy time if it meant waiting a lot. There are no shortcuts for knowing my children. There are no quick fixes when it comes to raising a child or teaching a baby to sleep well. Perseverance and patience prevail.

Someone was asking me about something in regards to teaching Jonathan to listen. It reminded me of teaching Jonathan not to venture into the street. It took no less than fifty time-outs/spankings to accomplish obedience. I started to wonder if I would ever win that battle and my patience was surely wearing THIN. Finally - he listened.

I love to sleep. Newborn children and sleeping are in opposition to one another. So, we persevere and love on our baby. We do what we know to do and trust God with the rest... even when we're tired.

If we had it all figured out it would kind of take God out of the mix - I'm always learning that I'm not in control, and I concede that this is a good thing.

Hoping for good sleep, again, soon!
Sarah

Iverson Family Plus a Few

My dear friend, Abby, was visiting her family in our hometown at the same time that we were with my family. She is like a sister to Carla and I - we've been friends for ages and our parents have known each other since before we were born. We all three had boys this year so we had to take the chance to see one another - no matter how short the visit. We lament the distance that separates us!! Abby, Carla and I with our four boys



The four boys

Carla and Jacob looking too cute not to post!

Caleb, snoozing

Dad with Jacob
Carla with Caleb

We didn't take a family photo, of course... we are all terrible about remembering to do that sort of thing. We enjoy hanging out together so much that those things get forgotten, I guess. Maybe we'll remember next time :+)

Some Random Holiday Fun

We traveled from Jamie's family to my family on the afternoon of the 26th... much better weather than we had on the 23rd. My sister and Nate arrived that night so that we could celebrate Christmas on the 27th. Here are some random photos from the two days that we were with my family...

Jonathan and Jacob, playing the piano

Jamie and Jonathan making "Frosty the snowman" He was really upset about having to use the crackers for the eyes... he wanted to eat them.

Guild Extended Family Christmas

Jonathan is the ninth of ten grandchildren on Jamie's side of the family so there is never a lack of excitement when everyone gets together. We stayed with Jamie's sister, Amy, and her family. Sofie and Drew were exceedingly patient about playing with Jonathan. He loved it! "Drew, let's play trains... Sofie, let's play cars!" Here are the three of them, playing together after we arrived at their house. Sofie, Drew and Jonathan
Jonathan with his oldest cousin, Elysa

The whole family

Amy, Sofie, Drew and Jonathan reading a Christmas story

Our trip home for Christmas was a big treacherous! Uugh. We had to stay overnight in a hotel part way due to icy roads and the trip took us several hours longer than it should have taken. Oh well - we survived and are now back home without any other major problems. And, we are none the worse for the wear. Some people thought we were crazy for traveling that far with a three-week old infant. We are glad that we went... we got to see family and they got to see our kiddos. Our times with family are limited so we need to enjoy them when we have the opportunity.

Iverson Christmas and Snowman making coming next!