Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas! May the light of Jesus shine through you this season, giving you hope and peace.

Love,
The Gerber Family

What holiday traditions do you have?

I always love asking this questions to people I meet. I guess it is to get ideas for my newly budding family. I am always on the lookout for ways to make holidays more special and meaningful. One thing this year that I would really love to incorporate is the "family pajama." I know, a lot of you might be laughing about the concept of having matching pj's, but one of my friends from Harrisonburg grew up with this tradition and I thought it sounded neat. They could unwrap one gift on Christmas Eve (which was the family pj) and then they all wore it to bed and woke up the next morning to do the Christmas festivities in matching attire.

Except...do you know how hard it is to find the "family pj?" I mean you can find matching/coordinating jammies at countless websites, but in the correct sizes that you need? That is the challenge. So, I'm going to have my extraordinary brother's business (Springer Design), a logo design/screen printing/anything you want they can make company, create us some. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. So, be looking sometime next year for pictures of the first annual, "I (heart) my family" jammies.

So, I pose the question to you...what are your family traditions?

My postings come in waves

Here are some more recent pictures of Connor's life. I love it how Owen loves his little brother so much. OK, so he can be a bit much at points (note the slobber on Connor's face), but I'd rather have to deal with too much love than not enough!

Sorry, it's been awhile!

I really have no excuse for my lack of updating...my parents graciously took Owen back to PA with them for the last 10 days, so we've just had Connor to care for. It has been great and yet bittersweet. Shawn and I have enjoyed a bit more peace and quiet and a chance to reconnect since we've added Connor to our family. However, 10 days is long time without Owen! It was almost too quiet around here. I look forward to his antics when he returns (this afternoon)! It's been so funny...every time we talk on the phone he always says, "I'll be back soon!" At least he's loving every minute of his time away with Grandpa and Grandma S. and seeing his other cousins/aunts/uncles in Ohio. So, we'll see how things feel after he gets back. I'm sure it'll feel wonderful to have all my boys back in one place, yet I'm starting to feel that sense of being overwhelmed by the new balancing act that will come with the transition from a family of 3 to a family of 4 !

Update on Connor: He is an angel baby, by and large! He sleeps. He eats. He does his "thing." He sleeps. He eats. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I mean, talk about laid back. It is awesome! I suppose, however, anything compared to the high maintenance of our first little one, will seem laid back. :) Connor is now 25 days old. At his 2 week appointment he grew 1 inch (22" now) and gained about 1.5 lbs (9 lbs, 15.6 oz)! I couldn't believe it! It feels great when you are sustaining a life! Such a sense of accomplishment! So, as you can see, he is doing marvelous, and I am so thankful.

Pictures--The above pictures are as follows: Family Christmas Picture '08, face shot of Connor sleeping (9 days), Grandma S. and Connor, Owen and his cousin Wade being silly in Wade's barn. If that last picture doesn't look like trouble, I don't know what is?!? They are going to have so much fun growing up together!

Welcome, Connor!

Introducing: Connor Samuel Gerber, a great reason to give thanks!
Born: Thanksgiving Day, 11/27 @ 2:29am
Weight: 8lbs, 9.9oz
Length: 21"

We are all doing well. He's such a good baby. Sleeps well, eats well. Owen loves him very much and as you can see is very attentive. We are thrilled. I'll post more as I have time. We'll see how that goes!

So just how far along are you?

Lately, I've been getting a lot of questions regarding the status of my pregnancy. Currently, I'm 36 weeks along. Technically, you are considered full term between 37-41 weeks...so...all that to say, I'm big. I had Shawn take a picture of me yesterday to document my growth. And yes, I think I realized in a new way, just how large and in charge I am! It amazes me what my body can do in caring for and growing a child. I continue to pray for a healthy labor and delivery for me and the baby. I invite your prayers as well as we go through these last weeks.

And for fun, I invite you to poll yourself on what you think the weight of the incoming Gerber baby will be...and if you want, feel free to leave a comment about when you think it will come, and what the name might be.

Halloween

I'm convinced that holidays just get more and more fun as your child is able to understand what's going on better! This past Halloween was no exception. Owen had a blast being a lion, despite the initial bribe I had to render in order to put the costume on! Thank goodness for Trident gum! We went to our church's (Belmont Mennonite) Fall Fest on Wednesday, and through the dorm floors on Halloween night. I think Owen thought he was in heaven as he went around gathering up all this candy! He has such a sweet tooth! Now, I guess the real trick is to ration out the candy in a "healthy" way...on second thought...is that even feasible???

Babymoon in Indy

Shawn, Owen and I took a "babymoon" of sorts to Indy, a few weekends ago, for one last hurrah as a family before our newest addition is here. We had a good time together walking along the canal, eating out, and swimming in our hotel pool. Unfortunately, this is the only picture we got from our time together, as our camera battery died. We are sitting out at Patachou, a quaint little brunch cafe downtown. They have the fluffiest omelets imaginable and the best cinnamon toast! Thanks to Mandy for this find...it did not disappoint!

Cravings...

I know Halloween isn't here yet, but my goodness, I have been craving chocolate lately! Perhaps it is because we are quasi-potty training Owen (bribing with M&M's), so there is more of it around the house. I've never been a huge fan of M&M's before, but lately, I just can't seem to get enough of those bright little green, red, yellow, blue, orange, and brown pleasures! What is your favorite candy?

My first attempt at Domestic Diva-ness

My parents were out a few weeks ago and we made applesauce! You just can't beat the taste of homemade applesauce. And the smell while it is cooking, yum-o! So, we didn't exactly pick it from the trees, but hey, who really wants to see a 8.5 month preggo lady climbing up on a ladder?! We did 2 bushles and froze about 30 quarts. Can't wait until winter to bust it out!

"Mama! Help me!"

This is what I heard from the kitchen...and this is what I saw.

Pictures from the MCC Relief Sale

The relief sale has been a few weeks past now, but here are some pictures capturing our time there. The IN/MI sale is one of the best ones I've been to (and I've been/lived by: PA, VA, CO, OH, FL). Here we have: Noah and Owen playing after bfast, Owen "jumping for Jesus" in the inflatable, patiently waiting for the quilt auction to begin, watching our Great Grandma Troyer and her sister's quilt sell for over $1200. I'm sorry that I missed our church's chicken curry...heard it was amazing! Guess next year we'll have to go earlier, or help make it to get a taste!

It's official...bye bye Colorado

Well, we are officially Indiana residents. Say goodbye to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Yes, I know, we've been here for about 6 months, but have only just recently changed our plates and licenses. Perhaps it took us so long because we were in denial about our move, or maybe we were just lazy. Nevertheless, it is done. A bittersweet day for us. But...I must say, our experience at the Goshen BMV was amazing. Everyone we met was incredibly kind and patient. It was truly a miracle, because that has NEVER been my experience with the Department of Motor Vehicles before. Guess that is God's graciousness!

Ever wonder what you'd look like in another decade?

Go and visit the website, yearbookyourself.com and upload a picture of yourself to see what you'd look like through the decades. We got a good laugh at this! This is me: 1990, 1982, 1966, and 2008. The funny thing is, is that in the 80's and 90's I would have KILLED to have had hair like that! I had completely no idea how to use a blow dryer and curling iron. I was the one with the crimped bangs (due to curling my bangs the wrong way, making that line) and had HUGE pink plastic glasses. Ugh.

I know I'm getting big...

when I was laying on the bed the other morning, and Owen crawls up on me and says,

"I'm riding a camel!"
"A camel?" I ask.
"Yeah, with a big hump!"

Well, there you go...

Enough said.

How cute is this?

Our cousin, Kendra, came over with a special treat for Owen..."Corn On the Cob!" Now Owen normally LOVES corn anyways, but was totally THRILLED by this cupcake version! The kernels are made from jellybeans, the "salt and pepper" are colored sanding sugar, and the "melting butter" is a lemon Starburst! So creative!

Ohio trip

This past weekend, we went to my aunt and uncle's farm for a fun Fall weekend in Wooster, Ohio (and also for one of my dear friend's wedding). Ramseyer Farms is a great place for families: corn mazes, pumpkin patches, hay wagon rides, petting zoo, feeding animals, good food, etc...I highly recommend it for a great outing if you are ever in the area! Needless to say, Owen had a blast! He loved all the tractors, and animals, but what was especially special was finding his "own" pumpkin! My family was sweet enough to carve Owen's name in a pumpkin when it was still green, and therefore, as the pumpkin grows, the name is permanently engraved (they knew we were coming out). Anyhow, Owen LOVED it! He wanted to hold it the whole ride home. He kept feeling it, saying, "O-W-E-N...Owen Gerber!" I love fall! The cooling of the weather, the fun festivities, and fun memory-making times like this!

The parenthood journey...

Today was a hard day. Owen was so sweet, so good all day until...he hauls off and pushes another little boy at the playground, for no reason. Just walked up and shoved him. Then refused to apologize for it. I was furious. I have never been so angry, so embarrassed. I promptly called an end to our playground escapade and went straight home to sit him on a chair. However...he refused to stay on it. So, I hauled him off to his room...which he refused to stay in, and laughed every time I proceeded to put him back. What is a parent to do? I have always been fuzzy about corporal discipline (ie. spanking, etc...). I mean, I was spanked, on rare occasion, as a child. I understand the reasoning behind it. However, I could never before see myself as actually hitting my child (esp. as we teach him not to hit). But when you exhaust every other means, what is there to do? I finally went in to his room and said,

"Owen, I need to hit your hand because you keep getting out of your room when I told you to stay there."

And then flicked his fingers once.

The look on his face killed me. His big eyes were filled with confusion and hurt. But he sat there...for 30 seconds...but then popped out again with a smile. So, I calmly took him back and sat him down again and said it again, and flicked his fingers twice. This time he cried. After I left, so did I. I hated it. I absolutely hated every second of it. I hated that I was forced to this option. But it worked. After about 3 1/2 minutes, I went in and we talked about why he was sent to his room (pushing the boy) and why I had to hit his hand (not listening). I hope to not have to do it...or threaten to do it again.

It would be so much easier to have just come home and thrown up my hands at my discipline attempts and ignore his obvious lack of listening/obeying, due to my own tiredness and fear of discipline/being a bad parent. However, I guess I have to continually remind myself that it is good and necessary for me to keep clear, consistent boundaries with my child. That discipline might feel difficult, but it is helping them know the difference between right and wrong. But, why does it still hurt so much?

Pictures from the 2 year old's party!

Here are some pictures from Owen's 2nd birthday. He had a great time! He woke up that morning and when I asked him what he wanted for breakfast he said, "Birf-day cake!" Throughout the day he announced, "Happy Birthday, Owen!" What a guy! We had a picnic outside in our courtyard. It was a beautiful night, albeit windy (which is not so good for trying to light birthday candles, btw). I am continually thankful to God for giving us such a sweet, healthy, little boy. He teaches us so much everyday about how to take life as it comes. Happy Birthday, Owen!

It's not a dinosaur, it's a "T-Rex!"

When Owen opened this present from a student here in the Apartments, Shawn asked him, "Owen, what is it?!?!" Everyone there awaited the standard response, "A dinosaur." However, Owen loudly pipes up, "A T-Rex!" I can't believe how grown up he is getting...and gosh, he's only 2!

Weekend Campout

Here are some pictures from last weekend's Schrock Campout at Amigo Centre. This annual event is with Shawn's mother's side. It was a beautiful weekend weather-wise, not too hot, not too cold! Just how camping should be! I love the firs picture of Keith and Shawn...similarities to Tommy Boy, perhaps? Anyhow, Owen had a great time playing with his cousins and getting dirty. Isn't that what growing up in the summer is all about?