He's so good

So in the days leading up to Ryleigh's induction I was really wanting a pedicure. I just thought it would be so lovely to have nice feet and freshly painted toenails in the hospital (since I obviously couldn't paint them myself)!!! But we didn't really have money to spend on a pedicure this month so I didn't think it was very likely to happen. But I decided just to ask God if He would provide a pedicure for me. I said to Him, "Lord, I would just love to have a pedicure before I go to the hospital. Would you please provide that for me if you see fit to do so?"

I'm not joking. I asked the Lord for a pedicure.

On Monday afternoon, the day before Ryleigh was born, I went to the mailbox and inside was my check from Ebates!!! I almost cried. And I said out loud, "God, you are SO good!"

So that evening after I dropped my kids off at our friends' house for their sleepover I went and got a pedicure. And I had nice feet and freshly painted toenails for Ryleigh's birth.

God is so good.

Our little lovey. She's seriously so awesome.

Introducing...

Ryleigh Adele Becker

born on

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

at 9:59 am

7 pounds 15 ounces

20 inches long

Ryleigh from Dawn Becker on Vimeo.

She's changed our lives and we're all in love with her! It's amazing how your heart grows, because I love her so much and I already cannot imagine life without her. She is such a blessing! God is SO GOOD!

I have 2 kids

This is my last opportunity to say those words.

BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING BABY #3 TODAY!

We have to be at the hospital by 6:30 this morning. If you're friends with me on fb the news will probably break there first. =) And the announcement of her long awaited name! We're probably about 95% sure that we have a name chosen. That's progress, people!

But I just wanted to take this moment to say how much I love the two little people pictured below. Lily and Taylor are the sweetest, cutest, funniest, most precious, most awesome, bestest kids in the entire world and I'm so proud to be their momma!

They have brought such joy to my life and I am blessed beyond measure.

Lily and Taylor, I love you as big as the sky!

Whee! Fun!

Taylor's new phrase is, "Whee! Fun!" It's SO cute! He has just exploded with new words in the last couple weeks. It's tough to tell which ones are actually in his vocabulary, because he can copy (and does) pretty much anything.

Here are some of his newer words that I can think of off the top of my head:
water
puggy (this is our word for pacifier)
durdur (burger)
fy (fry)
sure (shirt)
arm
co (cone)
beeyu (spoon)
puddo (puddle)
button (belly button)
Sam (Samson - Mandi and Bryan's dog)
low (loud)

I just can't say enough about Taylor. He is just the dearest baby! He's getting more and more independent, and like any toddler can have a fit with the best of 'em, but a majority of the time he is so cooperative and so easy going. He has a great personality and he's just so fun to be around.

When it's time to go somewhere I ask him to get his shoes or coat and he runs off to get them. He loves to "help" zip up his coat and also hangs it back on its hook when we get home.

He's trying to figure out the buckle on his carseat. He tries to buckle himself in - it won't surprise me a bit when he figures it out.

He loves busses and trains. He points to any bus or train with great enthusiasm and repeats, "Bus!" or "Choo choo!"

His favorite movie is Monsters, Inc. I wouldn't believe it unless I'd seen it. But he will sit and watch most of it. And he's absolutely captivated.

He loves his daddy. He loves his mommy. His loves his big sister. He loves his grandparents. He loves babies and so we're hoping he'll love the baby that's going to be living here permanently!!! =)

He really enjoys playing outside. If he ever figures out how to open the door we may have a problem!

He helps transfer laundry from the washer to the dryer and likes to push the buttons.

He has become a wild man in the tub and loves to splash!

He has started to sing along with whatever CD we're listening to in the car. He doesn't know all the words, but he sings the ones he does. And it's usually the last word of each phrase. Stinkin' adorable.

He takes a great afternoon nap - usually about two hours. Sometimes longer. He's a much better napper than Lily was. And she was done with naps when she turned three, so I'm hoping that T won't be!

Tonight I rocked him before putting him to bed and I cried. Tomorrow night he and Lily are spending the night at some friends' house because we have to be at the hospital so early on Tuesday morning. So this was my last night putting him to bed as my baby. Very emotional for me! I clearly remember putting Lily to bed the night before Taylor was born, and how life was forever changed. And I know that life is about to change again.

I'm so thankful for Taylor. The last 22 months have been absolutely incredible. I can't wait to see what he'll be like as a big brother and what big things God has in store for his life. Thank you, Jesus, for Taylor!

Taking a moment to smell the "roses"

Mmmm. Yogurt.

Trying on shades at T.arget

He put his rainboots on (on the wrong feet) and then climbed the stairs to his room, picked out a book and climbed into the glider to read. Seriously cute.

About 48 hours before meeting his baby sister.

Rollin' Rollin'

Last week was busy and fun-filled! We made three trips to the cities and kept the wheels rollin'!

On Tuesday evening we went to our first T.wins game at the new T.arget Field. FUN! The four of us Beckers and our friends Bill and Steph rode down together in our car - a smidge squishy, but it worked okay. And Lily was in some kind of mood and talked the entire way.

My lovely dad babysat our babies (my mom was working). Thanks, Dad!!! And all the next day Lily talked about how much fun she had with grandpa.

Anyway, the new field is pretty cool. I'm resistant to change and I had no problems with the dome! I particularly enjoyed the part of the dome that allowed me to stay dry during games. Ha! And when it started to rain on us I gave my husband "the look" and told him how "awesome" outdoor baseball is! The rain came and went several times throughout the game, but we still had a great time. And the T.wins won!

It was a lot of walking which was hard on my back. I sorta suffered for it the next day, but I think it was totally worth it. I also had to pee four times while we were there. The second time I walked out of the restroom, turned around and walked back in. I'm pretty sure Baby is using my bladder as a pillow because I have to pee all. the. time. Good times.

Here are a couple of pics from Trip One to the cities:

Steph and I trying to stay dry =)

A gorgeous rainbow over the field!

My husband and I during a non-raining moment

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Trip Two to the cities took place on Friday. My college roommate Heidi was in town (all the way from Singapore) for her niece's wedding. She managed to squeeze me into her tight schedule while she was here and we met for lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Yum! It was such a short visit, but so good to see her. Love you, Heidi!

.

Trip Three was on Sunday for Mother's Day. Sometimes I amaze myself with how bad I am at taking pictures. I DIDN'T EVEN GET A PICTURE OF MY OWN MOTHER ON MOTHER'S DAY. I just don't believe it. But here are the pictures I did take:

Taylor and daddy at lunch

Grandpa and Lily

While T napped at my parents' house Andy, Lily and I went to I.kea. My husband was looking for closet makeover ideas. Our closet has been somewhat of a disaster and needed help. Andy decided that the week before the baby comes would be the perfect time to re-do the closet. And so currently our bedroom and the guest room are an absolute mess with clothes everywhere. I really am thankful for what he's doing, and I'm also trying to stay calm. And positive. And hopeful. That everything will end up back in the closet in an orderly way before the baby comes! =)

So here's Lily in one of many chairs she sat in at the store! She had so much fun and I think she loved being there with us and getting our undivided attention. I loved it too! It's so nice whenever I get the chance to be one-on-one with either of my kids.

She liked this light fixture behind us - the big round one - she had to touch it. =)

She enjoyed this kitchen. Isn't she a little model? =)

More fun at I.kea! She's such a nut!

HAPPY!

Grandma's Memorial Service and Burial

We made the whirlwind trip to Illinois for my Grandma Adele's Memorial Service and I'm so glad we did. All seven of my grandma's children, and most of her grands and great-grands were there and it was so nice to see everyone. I feel like it's such a testimony to how beloved she was to see how many of her offspring came and the distances they traveled.

The service was perfect. It was held at the little country church that my grandpa attends and I thought it was so appropriate. (I wish I had thought to take a picture of the outside of the church!) We filled the little sanctuary and there was standing room only. And all of the pieces of the service were so nice.

More than anything I just felt so grateful for the godly example that my grandma was. What a privilege to be her granddaughter and to have such a remarkable heritage. She loved Jesus so much and was such a faithful lady. And she wanted so much for all of us to love Him too.

She battled dementia the last several years and it was very difficult to see her in that state. In many ways it was a relief that her struggles were finally over and that she is finally in the presence of Jesus! But she also left a huge hole. I definitely miss her. I knew that I was loved and prayed for by her. I couldn't have been more blessed.

So here are some snapshots from the service in Illinois and then the burial in Minnesota.

My uncle Pete reading from I Corinthians 15:50-58

My uncle Jon shared some memories

A group of Adele's granddaughters sang I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin

My dad gave a wonderful message

Aunt Floy's husband Duane sang Finally Home

My uncle Tom closed the service in prayer

My sister and I hugged and cried - the tears had finally come

Adele's seven kids lined up by height =)

My three aunties - aren't they precious?

A Family Picture

My wonderful sister and me

Our little family

My amazing, adorable and awesome parents

The Cousin Photo

My kids running around and playing at the cemetary in Sauk Rapids

Mya, Lily and Taylor

My dad gave some brief remarks at the burial

Lily and Mya have such fun together!

My grandpa Curt weeping

Uncle Tom read Scripture

Sam, Nancy, Jean and Tom

Adele's kids

Dad and Mom

Mya and Lily at the luncheon at our church

There were the most gorgeous pink roses as centerpieces on the tables! My grandma loved pink! I think that's where I get my love of pink. =)

Sam and Adele Crabtree and their seven

Can you tell which one is my dad???

Family Update

So it's been two full weeks since I hurt my back. I've been to the chiropractor four times and on the days that I see him I feel some relief, but then the next day it's almost worse. Something in my lower left area is locked up and he can't get it to loosen up. I limp terribly with every step on my left leg and it's getting so old. I would so appreciate if you would pray for me. I need it.

I am nesting. My back is reeeeeeeeeally slowing me down, but I am majorly motivated to do little organizing/cleaning projects around the house. It's not helping my back at all, because I have to force myself just to sit down and rest. But the fact that Baby will be here in about four weeks gets me moving!

Last night when reading with daddy before bed Lily requested the story of Jesus turning the water into wine and the story of the Resurrection. It warms my heart as she gets more familiar with her Bible and to see which stories she enjoys. Tonight she chose the story of Jonah and at the part where he decides to run away she said, "God always knows where we are!" It was precious.

Taylor is adding new words to his vocab all the time. Here are some of the newbies:
bus
happy
izza (pizza, formerly uppy)
ouch
Emo (Nemo)
Inc (says this when he wants to watch Monsters, Inc)
dow (down)
dot-er (cracker)
nanny (candy)
puppy
dote (coat)
toe (toast)
chee (cheeks)
ch (chin)
eye
sock

And get this! HE SINGS JESUS LOVES ME!!! He doesn't say every word but he says the ones that he can and it's awesome! I recorded a little of it with the video cam, but I'll try to catch it with my digital camera so that I can share it here. PRECIOUS!!!

Andy is glad that softball has started up, but the team has a few kinks to work out! They've lost 3 of 4 games but he's hopeful that they'll find their rhythm. =) I've taken the kids to the games the last two weeks, but we haven't stayed long because of my stupid back. Plus they need to get to bed anyway.

He has this weekend off and I'm excited about that! Another pair of hands (and a healthy back) to get things done around here!!! He's planning to take Lily on a daddy/daughter date and she's really excited. Today she said to me, "You and Taylor are gonna stay home, right mom?" She really enjoys one-on-one time and she needs it!

Baby Girl is due in 26 days. We think we have a name for her! Monday night (after softball) we spent some time talking about it and browsing names on the internet (again!!!) and discovered a name that we didn't realize each other liked. It came as a surprise to both of us! We both contemplated this name all the next day and checked in with each other that night. So far it's our top contender. But she still goes by Lulu. =)

She is going to share a room with her mom and dad for awhile. (Both L and T slept in our room for several months.) We're borrowing a bassinet from some friends and hope to keep her in there as long as possible. Today I moved the changing table into our room (I should have waited for Andy to get home and do it) and I have some baskets of her things on the shelves in our room. Little by little I'm feeling more prepared. I just can't believe she'll be here in less than a month!

Well that's just great

So it was Picture Day at preschool today and I totally forgot! Lily went to school in a Tinkerbell t-shirt over a long sleeve pink t-shirt, a denim skirt and pink tights.

It's not what I would have chosen had I remembered that it was Picture Day.

Fortunately, Lily loves what she's wearing today and couldn't have been happier. And years from now we can look back at the photo and know that she was delighted with her outfit.

So I just need to get over myself. And cross my fingers that I remember to put Kindergarten Picture Day on the calendar!

On the plus side, I did remember that her book order was due today. I'm 1 for 2. Yay me.

Baby Update

If any of you read my blog when I was pregnant with Taylor you know that I did almost weekly updates. Not so much this time around. I feel badly for this baby! And I just want her to know that she is wanted and loved and that her birth is highly anticipated!!! =)

I was 35 weeks on Tuesday and here's what G.erber says is happening with Baby:

In week 35 the average baby weighs around 5 to 6 pounds and measures about 16 to 19 inches in length. Your baby will begin to gain weight more rapidly than ever before…adding about ½ to ¾ pound each week from this point forward. Healthy fat is being deposited all over your baby's body, especially around the shoulders. Because of her size, your baby may move around less as her surroundings become more cramped. Her head may be resting on your p.ubic bone (OUCH! No, thank you!!!) in preparation for labor and delivery.

Other developments taking place this week:
* Central nervous system will continue to mature.
* The lungs will most likely be fully developed by Week 35.
* Your baby develops daily activity cycles. You may notice she is often more active at night, when you're trying to rest.
* Even though they won't be considered full-term until the end of the 40th week, your baby's respiratory and digestive systems are nearly mature.
* Immune system starts to develop.
* Umbilical cord is now about 20 inches long and 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter. At birth it will be about 2 feet long and a ½ inch thick.

At this point I am really starting to feel full term and frustrated. I already told you about my p.ubic bone situation. Overall it's not as bad as it was a couple weeks ago, but still sore.

And then a week ago I did something to my back and it hasn't been right since. I've seen the chiropractor twice and he's trying to help me, but it is *so* sore. It makes me feel a little bit helpless, because even the most basic chores feel so hard to do - wrestling Taylor to change his diaper, laundry, climbing the stairs, getting the kids in and out of their carseats. I'm a pretty competent and independent person and it is hugely frustrating to not be able to do the things I usually do with ease.

I have occasional contractions and some Braxton Hicks which haven't been a big deal. But last night was a wild night of contractions - some of them pretty painful - so another five weeks or so of that doesn't thrill me.

My lightheadedness is so unpredictable. Sometimes I'll go for a few days without any, and then there are days like today when I feel lightheaded most of the time. That also makes it hard to accomplish much.

Swelling. Oh, my goodness. The swelling. You should have seen my ankles (or lack thereof) when we got home from Illinois. Two days in the car was brutal on the swelling. Today it's not so bad. I pulled off some very impressive swelling during my pregnancy with Lily. And then with Taylor I hardly had any at all. So, I'm thinking that since this is a girl I can look forward to some really nice looking ankles these last few weeks. I *am* thankful that it's flip flop season because my feet can just lop off the edges of my flip flops and I don't have to try to squeeze my feet into any actual shoes. =)

We still don't have a name for her. We talk about it a lot but we usually don't get anywhere. There is a name that Andy really likes and I just can't seem to love it. There is a name that I like a lot but he isn't going for it. And there is one name that we could both live with but we haven't felt like it's "the one". It's strange not to know what to call her because we had Lily and Taylor's names picked out much sooner than this. Stay tuned...

Does this post sound whiny? Sorry. You moms out there know what it's like toward the end! The days are flying by, though, and I know she'll be here before I know it. I truly can't wait to meet her!

Fewer Words Wednesday

Lily is our resident artist. She *loves* to color and paint. She saw an episode of O.livia painting with a palette and has wanted a palette of her own ever since. I found one at M.ichael's for $0.99!!! She was so surprised and delighted! (She calls it a "pally". It's adorable.) Awhile back I went to a J.oAnne's going out of business and bought a bunch of paints and brushes on clearance for 70% off! It thrills me when I can find inexpensive art supplies for her.

Trying out the palette for the first time. =)

I also found some little canvases on sale for cheap and she enjoys painting on those too.

***

He climbed up into the rocker in his room and I thought he was just too cute sitting there reading Goodnight Moon.

He sometimes likes taking care of Lily's baby dolls and was pushing one around in the stroller the other day. Adorable.

He pushes a little step stool up to the counters now just to see what's up there. It makes it even more important for me to not leave knives or my morning coffee or anything else dangerous where he can reach it! Here he is "helping" daddy clean the counters. (Andy's face looks grumpy, but I promise he wasn't.) =)

He thinks he's big stuff.

He's right.

Where has the time gone?!