A Crash Course on Baby Supplies

Last Saturday, Howard and Grace gave us a three-hour crash course on everything we will ever need as parents of a newborn. We walked up and down the aisles of Babies R' Us, populating our baby registry with things like diapers, blankets, bottles, infant nail clippers, you name it.

Choosing the carseat and stroller was like buying a car - it was so intense! There's so many options, price ranges, colors, features.

By the end of our boot camp, Kevin and I were numb from baby supplies overload. But what amazed us more than the sheer amount of products available to the modern parent in America, was the staggering stamina of Howard and Grace! They walked up and down the aisles, explaining patiently and passionately what we will need our first year as parents, and all this while carrying or caring for their two kids who came along with us. I mean, they didn't even take a swig of water while we were in the store!

And did I mention their two kids? How sweet they are? They never mentioned their tired feet, but all I could think about was how my feet hurt so bad! Here they are, sweetly sitting outside Babies R' Us after our three-hour trek inside baby land.

All we can say is, Thank you, Grace and Howard, for setting aside your Saturday for us. We enjoyed eating the cheeseburgers and fries at your place, and we feel so blessed that you spent the afternoon with us at Babies R' Us. If it were up to us, it would have taken 10 times as long figuring out which car seat belongs to what stroller, and what level # of diapers we need for which age group. You made it so much easier for us! THANK YOU. We should also mention that spiritually, you've been a great encouragement to us as well. You are a living example of how to raise your children in the fear of the Lord, with humility and so much gentleness!

A Lovely Valentine's Bouquet

This Saturday morning, Kevin went to go pick up our weekly box of organic produce. He drives about 15 minutes to a park in Sunland where tons of other families gather round a delivery truck that drops off organic produce just picked the day before from small farms in Central California.

We get the most scrumptious vegetables and fruits, all of them locally grown and seasonal, and it's always fun to see what kinds of dinners we'll have from the bounty of the land. Not only is the produce totally delicious, we've learned that they are more nutrient-dense than commercially grown produce. Plus it's cheap. Like, $33 for a big box that we can hardly finish, and we eat tons of fruits and vegetables for lunch and dinner. Beats going to Wholefoods or Trader Joe's anytime! http://www.abundantharvestorganics.com if you're interested.

Here's a handful of artichokes that we got, which I thought made a lovely Valentine's bouquet! :) Kevin wants to consume them soon, steamed and them dipped in mayonnaise.

Boy or Girl...

If you watch the video from this post you can see the ultrasound where we were supposed to find out the sex of the baby but weren't able to because the baby's knees were together blocking our view of the privates! This is from December around 18 weeks.

Regardless the ultrasound was amazing and we can only praise God for the amazing work He is doing inside Jean's belly.

6.5 Months Pregnant

Kevin and I are so excited to meet the little baby inside. There's less than four months left before I am due (May 26th, 2009).

Now that I am 6 1/2 months pregnant, my thoughts toward my baby are totally different than before. I feel it kicking, sometimes hiccuping in the middle of the night, and I know that God has done something miraculous. There's a little human being right underneath the skin of my belly! I love the baby more and more everyday; it goes everywhere I go. Sometimes I think of the song from that commercial, "My buddy, my buddy! Wherever I go, he goes!" "Kid sister, kid sister! Kid sister and meeeeeee!"

Contrast that to 5 months ago when I still couldn't believe that there was a real human developing inside. I freaked out the first time I felt it move, felt its body poke out like potatoes poke the skin of the bag they're in. It was so foreign, this stranger inside.

But God changes all that, and a mother can only marvel.


"For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be." Psalm 139: 13-16