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Thanks China!

So, this morning, Anna says to me..."We should thank China for all the things they make for us." It made me laugh, which is unusual in itself that early in the morning. But I decided to save my talk on how Made in the U.S.A. is better and cheap labor in a foreign country means a lot more to companies for some other time. Now that she is a reader, I might hear more comments like these.

A Star is Born!

This is Anna. Look closely though, this is the new and improved Anna. She may look the same as the Anna that lived here yesterday but after church today she is a whole new person that you might not recognize. Many of you knew my very shy, very sensitive Anna. The one who would cry and protest at any sort of public speaking or performing. In the past, (even up until two months ago) she would be asked to read a scripture or say a prayer in Primary and I would end up reading it or saying it as Anna hid behind the podium with her arms folded, head down, and tears in her eyes. Two weeks ago out of the blue, Anna said to me that she is ready to read a scripture in Primary. I made a bee-line to a member of the Primary presidency to make sure Anna got an assignment for the following week. I didn't want the new Anna to miss her big debut just in case the old Anna decided to come back. The assignment was to choose and read a favorite scripture. She wanted to read something out of the book of Jacob since she has a brother named Jacob. We helped her narrow it down to Jacob 2:18. She practiced it a few times yesterday and felt pretty confident about it. She still wanted me to stand next to her and be there for moral support. Even as I sat in the back of the Primary room, I had my doubts that she would go through with it and back out at the last moment when she saw everyone in the Primary sitting in their chairs. But as I looked at her up in the front, I became a little emotional and tears came to my eyes. She was sitting up so tall and had such a confident smile on her face. Without any hesitation, and I mean no hesitation whatsoever, she went to the microphone when it was her turn. As her proud mama, I stood next to her as she clearly read the scripture by herself and even stated the reference first. Anna is an exceptional reader and didn't stumble a bit on any of the words. I am so proud of her! This is such a big step for her, actually this is such a big leap for her! Great job Anna. I love you.

Pastimes of our cute and mobile 8 month old

Jacob is really good at making big messes. We need to work on the cleaning up part.











Jacob is putting everything and anything in his mouth. I don't remember the girls being this oral. Nothing is safe from this boy, especially paper of any kind. He especially enjoys the Ensign, "feasting" upon the word I guess. :)










Jacob is fun to dress up in clothes that make him look like a little man. He smiles at everyone he sees as long as he is securely and safely in his Mommy's arms. Definitely a mama's boy.

Fall photos

Here is a picture at the church Halloween party with their friend Victoria. The girls had plenty of opportunities to dress-up in their costumes this year. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of Jacob in his tiger costume. He tolerated it all of 5 minutes. Gordon and I wore zookeeper vests with hats to keep the "animals" under control!

We have had such a wide range of temperatures in our area. Some Sundays it is really balmy and the girls can still wear their sandals. We finally had some fall-like weather and the girls could wear their corduroy jumpers without being too hot at church.

Have A Little Glitter With Your Birthday

This is a picture of Anna with her friends at her birthday party (some forgot to put on their party faces!). My friends, Marissa and Carrie, helped me paint 60 toenails and 60 fingernails. Then we completed the glamour and glitter look by styling (tried our best anyway) and spraying glitter in their hair. I think it was a success and Anna enjoyed all the special attention.

My Anna turned 6 years old at the end of October. Being my firstborn she is the first to do many things including the first to make me a mother. It is hard to believe she is in kindergarten and reading so well. The teacher gave her rave reviews at the parent and teacher conference. There are even plans to include Anna in an accelerated reading program that will include two kids from each of the four kindergarten classes. I am a very proud mama! I don't appreciate all the extra words she is learning on the playground though. I guess that goes with the school experience! I marvel at the amount of papers she comes home with, I have to be selective what I keep.

You know I love you Anna. I am so glad that Heavenly Father sent you to me and you are a part of our family.

Body by Jake

Almost 8 months old and already starting a fitness routine. He will crawling soon but right now he gets a little frustrated when he can't get where he wants to. Usually it is in search of paper or a piece of string to put in his mouth. He can be very entertaining. He gives his mama's back a workout too.

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Preschool

I am a little behind on my posts. Megan did start preschool at the beginning of September. I think she enjoys it for the most part. The teacher reports to me that she is participating but prefers to watch the other kids play inside and outside she does great. I think she will get use to it more and more. She is so use to Anna taking over and telling her what to play and how to play it. Now she has the chance to play by herself but doesn't know how to start. Sometimes she will bring home projects if they involve cutting or glueing but one day she came home with an unfinished project. The teacher attached a note saying, "Megan chose not to paint today". What the note meant to say was that Megan refused to put a smock on over her clothes, socks on her arms(to protect her sleeves), and paint with a toothbrush (they were talking about teeth and hygiene that day). It was all too foreign to her and she wasn't ready to try something new.

One day last week a policeman came to the preschool to talk about safety. I would have loved to have been a "fly on the wall", sort to speak, and watch her during the presentation. She preceded to come home and tell everyone about how important it was to wear a helmet when biking and a seat belt when in the car.

Stylin' at 7 months

Before Jacob, I never thought I would enjoy dressing up a boy more than I did dressing up the girls for church. But seeing Jacob today in his first tie and vest just made me smile all day. My friend Corrie gave us this ensemble and I must say he looked so handsome. I sewed a pair of matching booties yesterday to complete the look. He did try to eat the tie but that is nothing new since he will grab anything he can reach.

1st Day

Anna has already been in school for two weeks but these are her first day pictures. She actually had a substitute for the first week because her teacher, Mrs. Pierce, needed to be with her family as her dad had died the Saturday before. Anna really likes her teacher but is a little bored since she already knows how to read. Lunchtime is a little overwhelming for her but at least there is a kindergarten table just for her class. Her best friend Victoria is also in her same class so they have each other. I walk her to school every morning since we are only 6 houses away from the school. The bus is offered but the bus stop is farther up the hill away from the school, it is easier right now just to walk her there. I miss her during the day and I am always ready to hear about the fun she is having while she is away.

6 months old

This is what 20 pounds of cuteness looks like. It is hard to believe that Jacob is already 6 months old and ready to sit up. He is loving his solid foods and full of smiles. He is such a sweet boy and always looking for something to put in his mouth.

Jacob is modeling a retro 70s sweater ensemble. Thanks to Grandma Shaw for saving Gordon's baby outfit. Now Jacob is wearing it but unfortunately I don't know how to scan in a picture of Gordon wearing the same outfit when he was young. Aren't they cute?!

Family Fun in Branson

A couple of weeks ago we drove to Branson to spend some time with the Downs side of the family. We stayed at a place called StoneBridge and stayed in two cabins that have four big bedrooms in each one. We had a good time swimming and fishing every day there at the resort. The weather was great considering it was the middle of summer. We stayed three days and enjoyed visiting with each other since all of us are together only once a year. The cousins had a great time and played so well together. Our cabins were at the end of a cul-de-sac so we didn't have to worry about traffic and the kids went back and forth between the cabins a lot. We ventured into Branson once or twice but pretty much had everything we needed right there at the resort.

My girls wanted to fish every day and luckily they have a couple of uncles that love to fish too. Even when the girls weren't fishing down by the water, they spent a lot of time just casting their fishing poles in the grass. I never knew how much fun they could have just doing that over and over and over.

Thinking about it now I don't remember any of the kids having a meltdown, just me. Lack of sleep at night and hormones are a dangerous combination. Yikes! I am sorry about that and feeling a little embarassed.

We were sad to see everyone go their separate ways at the end. Anna was going through Sophie (her cousin) withdrawal for days!

Swing Time

Once again Craigslist came through. We found a swingset on Craigslist that had been bought but never put together. I offered them half of what they paid at Lowe's and with a some help from my Dad we now have a swingset. The girls love it! I few bumps and bruises but they are still having a good time. The only problem is when a friend comes to play and then they have problems sharing two swings between three people. Megan loves to run down the hill and jump into the swing on her tummy like in the picture. Fun times in the summer!

Turtle Power

Meet Savage, the turtle. Adopted by our family for a day. Gordon found it Saturday morning while he was mowing the lawn. Anna instantly fell in love with the turtle while Megan chose to keep her distance (this is the way Megan feels about every moving creature). The turtle's shell was pretty scratched up and missing some parts from a previous encounter with a dog or other animal.

Anna had found a new best friend and as far as Anna was concerned every turtle enjoys countless trips down the slide into a box, leaves of spinach and a nice newspaper covered home with walls too high to climb. Anna enjoyed her day with the turtle but we convinced her it would be better off with its own family. After dinner she let it go and then insisted on checking to see if it had left 10-20 times before she went to bed. He may decide to stay and live in our tasty garden. (Maybe it is a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in disguise!!)

5 Months Old

Oh, how I love this little face! Jacob is another month older and having a great time in the exersaucer. He doesn't enjoy laying on his back as much anymore now that he has discovered this new world of sitting up. Sometimes I find the girls playing with the exersaucer even when Jacob isn't using it.
He is eating cereal and veggies now and likes them for the most part. He thinks it is pretty funny to blow it out of his mouth and onto Mommy's shirt though. I think he weighs about 17 pounds now and sleeps through the night. His day naps could be better but I'll take what I can get.

Blueberries

One of our favorite times of the year is here again. Every July we go and pick blueberries as a family. There is a place in Lone Jack, Missouri that we go to every year. The girls really enjoy it and are pretty good at picking the blue berries and not the green ones. It took us about 40 minutes to pick almost 5 pounds of blueberries. It was especially nice this year with the skies a little overcast instead of the usual suffocating heat and humidity. We are looking forward to many blueberry treats, starting with muffins tomorrow.

4 months old

Just saying hello!

Pass the Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Please, It's My Birthday!

Dear Megan, You are 3 years old today! Happy Birthday sweet girl! For your birthday dinner you asked for Macaroni and Cheese, red jello, broccoli, and chocolate cake with chocolate icing (definitely my daughter when it comes to the cake part). I can't stand Macaroni and Cheese from a box but a birthday wish is a birthday wish.

I can't believe you have been mine for 3 years already. I love your silly songs about ravioli and spoons. Your curly hair is way out of control most of the time but strangers will stop us in the store to say how much they love your curls. I love them too, but from my own experience I know that someday you will want your sister's straight hair. You will always be a middle child and your sister is bossy but you know how to hold your own. You give great hugs and kisses. I love how you marvel at your own swiftness as you run down the sidewalk but always rush back to hold my hand. Sounds like a good analogy for life. Be your best friend and don't let anyone tell you what you can't do, but don't forget to come back to me once and awhile.

Love, Mom

Way down in Mexico

We tried this Mexican Rice recipe last night and it is definitely a keeper. We though it was very much like what we remember from our missions. Now we don't have to go to Mexico after all. It was on the Homebased Mom blogspot so I can't take credit for it. Enjoy!!

Mexican Rice

Ann Bowman

2 Tbsp Olive oil or vegetable oil
1 C long grain white rice
2 C chicken broth
1 small can tomato juice
salt and pepper

Heat oil in a skillet. Add the rice. Stir frequently and slightly brown the rice (more like, make it tan) over a medium high heat. Add the chicken broth. Add the tomato juice. Add some salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly. Reduce heat to simmer and cover tightly with a lid. (I ’stir’ the mixture several times while it’s cooking by just shaking/moving the skillet back and forth so that I don’t take the lid off.) Simmer/cook for about 20 minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed. Once the liquid has been absorbed, turn off the heat and leave mixture alone with the lid on it for another 10-15 minutes or so.

A Sunday Afternoon

How Sweet It Is

I barely got this picture before the strawberry was eaten. I know the first strawberry of the season would have been more symbolic but that one is long gone and was eaten before I had a chance to take a picture of it. We planted about 20 plants last year and this is the first year for them to bare fruit. They are the sweetest, best tasting strawberries I have ever had! Store-bought does not even compare to how sweet they are and how red they are inside. If you have never had a fresh strawberry, let me tell you, you are missing out. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by, you might get lucky and taste one. But you might have to fight a couple cute little girls for them.

Two and a half months

Jacob is starting to smile and sleep longer at nights. I feel like he rewards me in these small ways. I wouldn't say we have much of a routine yet but there is hope on the horizon and I don't feel like I will lose my mind due to my lack of sleep.

WANTED: PUDDLES

After much searching, we found the perfect rain boots. So cute! The boots were rewards for different things that have happened in the girls' lives recently. Anna endured her pre-K shots really well and chose the sassy pink set. Of course Megan wanted a set when Anna's came in the mail. She opted for the purple ones since she is a big girl now and doesn't even wear pull-ups to bed. We are so proud of our girls! Now we are ready for the rainy season.

Family Fun with Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa Shaw came for a visit. We went to the Liberty Jail on one rainy afternoon and then stayed at home most of the time. It was great to have extra hands to hold a fussy baby and play with the girls. We enjoyed having them and it was sad to seem them go.

Jacob's blessing

Jacob was blessed this past Sunday. He slept as his Daddy gave him a beautiful blessing. We enjoyed having some family with us and missed those that couldn't be with us to celebrate. The girls were tired and a little grumpy in the bottom picture so that is why there are no smiles on their faces. Grandma Shaw made Jacob's beautiful blessing outfit. He looks so handsome.

Easter dresses

Anna

Anna was so brave this week as she faced the pediatrician for her pre-kindergarten check-up. She knew ahead a time that she needed 4 shots to go to kindergarten. She cried a little but had mentally prepared herself somewhat so she didn't jump and we didn't have to hold her down. I am so proud of her. As far as I am concerned the nurses have the hardest jobs because they have to administer the shots. Anna decided as her reward for doing such a good job she wanted a pair of rain boots. We have begun our quest for the perfect ones. I was surprised at what she would and would not let the doctor do during the exam. I consider shots to be the worst by far but she wouldn't open her mouth for the doctor and she wouldn't do the eye exam.

Anna's legs were a little sore that afternoon. The following morning they were really sore and Anna needed help hopping around on one leg. She had shots in both legs but the leg she had the booster shot in really was painful. She still wanted to go to school and I had a hard time convincing her that her teacher wouldn't be able to help her hop around all day. I know she was in pain but I had to hide my smile sometimes when she hopped around or scooted on her bottom to the bathroom (I was feeding Jacob at the time). Her Daddy came in handy in the evening as her personal taxi service. Luckily, today she is almost 100% and feeling like a survivor!

Jacob

Jacob is starting to smile but it is too fleeting to catch on film. He is awake a lot more during the day and a little less at night. Hard to believe he is almost two months already.

Faces I Love to See

Tomato drill

Anna had a tornado drill at school so we decided to continue with the severe weather theme for F.H.E. We practiced what we would do if a tornado was coming and we were at home. Eventually we would all end up in the bathroom downstairs but we tried out a couple different scenarios. One of them was as if we were all sleeping. Gordon made the siren sound and the girls jumped out of bed. Megan runs down the hall shouting, "Mommy, Mommy, a tomato is coming, a tomato is coming!" I was laughing so hard we had to do it a couple times just so I could hear Megan say it again. Kids are great for a little comic relief!

Big sister

Anna loves to hold Jacob any chance she can get.

Labor and Delivery

Okay, for the sake of posterity and those who are interested...Jacob's arrival. Jacob's original due date was March 14th. On the morning of Friday, February 27th, I was having some cramping and some early signs of labor. I took the girls to a playdate about 10am and when we came home, the contractions were more noticeable but nothing consistent. I wasn't ready to admit I was in labor yet. Then the harder contractions, the ones that stopped me where I was and I couldn't talk, started about 2:00. But they were still inconsistent, sometimes 10 minutes apart or farther. Gordon left work at 4pm, we took the girls to my friend's house, and then checked in to the hospital about 5 pm. I was dilated to a 6 by now and they wisely chose to admit me. The nurses tried, unsuccessfully and painfully, three times to start an IV. Finally, the anesthesiologist came in to do my epidural and put in an IV line. He was much better and things could get under way. The unsuccessful needle sticks hurt more than my epidural. After the epidural was in, the OB came in to break my water. Soon after that, I realized I could still feel my right leg but not my left. This was not good considering the contractions were coming harder and faster. I asked the nurse to call him back and he readjusted the epidural in my back. Finally some relief and then the contractions were only felt by a little pressure down low. After about 15-20 minutes the nurse checked me one last time. I was dilated to a 10 and 100% effaced. Showtime!! Everyone got set up quickly and a few good pushes later, Jacob made his debut at 8:16pm.

And baby makes five...two weeks early!

Jacob Gordon Shaw

8.1 lbs, 20 inches long

February 27, 8:16pm

F.H.E.

F.H.E. started out with a puppet show and ended with a dance-off.

For those of you who missed the live performance....

See Anna Read

We have a new reader in the house! Anna has recognized small words for a while but it is all coming together now and she loves to read. For most of us it is hard to imagine a time in our lives when we couldn't read. Anna is our firstborn so it is so fun to see her discover reading and make sense of it all. To think, all those alphabet letters make words that actually describe a person, or a place, or an experience. It is a whole new world and she feels so good about it! (Thanks for the book Carrie.)

On the merry-go-round

The girls and I enjoyed a visit from my Mom last week. She came on the train Sunday night and stayed until Wednesday morning. I picked her up after the girls had gone to bed so we enjoyed seeing their surprised faces when she came upstairs for breakfast the next morning. By chance, Gordon had to go out of town for a two day trip so I was really grateful for the extra help and the girls enjoyed having an in-house playmate. Monday was full of fun stuff. We went to the mall to ride the carousel and to do a little shopping. Anna wanted to ride on the top level of the carousel, so we did and the adults left feeling a little dizzy. We enjoyed a dinner of pizza at Costco and rounded it out with ice cream for dessert. Thanks for a fun time, Mom!