Tom + Chee

We have been wanting to try out this little grilled cheese restaurant but thought the only locations were in Hilliard or Pickerington. BUT today we were driving around campus and saw a TOM+CHEE location on High Street. And... it was almost lunch time! Perfect-o. 

If all you make is grilled cheese and tomato soup, it better be good. It was. Keith got the Crunchy Garlic Chicken grilled cheese and I got the Pesto Turkey grilled cheese. The sandwiches could be ordered as halves which was nice for lunch. We each got a version of the tomato soup... Creamy Basil was the winner. 

They are also the Home of Grilled Cheese Donuts. I couldn't put any more in my belly but it might be worth a foodie adventure someday. Fancy Grilled Cheese Donuts

Here, Daddy, you should have some crackers. 

In the 8th month...

"This is how God showed his love among us: that He sent His one 

and only Son into the world that we might live through Him."

1 John 4:9

In the 8th month...
...at the last week's doctor visit, she weighed in at 17lbs 7 oz.
...Eva loves to move. She is crawling fast. She is working on climbing the stairs. She is getting pretty good considering she can go up four stairs by herself. Watch out!

...She is pulling herself up to standing using ANYTHING: her crib, stepstools, chairs, couches, baskets, the bathtub and even the toy piano.
...She'll eat anything, too. She loves Cheerios and applesauce but nothing is off limits. She's had yogurt, Rice Krispies, pizza crust, peanut butter cookie, scrambled eggs, raspberries, cherries, raisins, pumpkin pie, hummus, toast, pasta, crab dip, Veggie Crisps, and an onion ring (by accident).

...Eva is getting a little Mommy-clingy. She loves people and always has, but it seems that my absence shakes her up pretty well. Any advice on this?
...Thanksgiving time was shared with lots of family: Grandpa C, Grandma C, Kevin, Wrenn, Connor, Christopher, Chip, Ross, Grandma & Grandpa H.

...She didn't travel out of state this month, but made trips to the airport for arrivals/departures for Daddy and Uncle Chip. 

...Her attention span is getting better. Yes, a little better than that of a gnat. We can sit her in our lap and read a whole book to her. I just read her the Legend of the Candy Cane. (Last year's Christmas gift from Grandma C.)

...We visited Santa at both the Library and at the CCHS Sweets & Treats Shoppe. 

...We've also been to the Zoo Wildlights. 

...Ruth came to babysit while I attended CSCC Commencement. How thankful we are for the care from friends. 

...We heard great music at the Brass Band of Columbus concert at our church. 

...They say this is a fun age and it is! We have loved every stage with this girl and can't wait for what will come next. 

Hi! I'm 8 months old.

I'm 8 months old and can't wait for Christmas!

Ten on Ten // December

This post is in thanks to the early morning 10-on-10 text message reminder from Stacie. What a great day to find the beauty in ordinary.

Good morning, kitchen Nativity.

A good thought from the daily calendar.

Santa slippers.

Clean silverware (and some plasticware).

O's and raspberries.

Such a busy girl!

Treats and literature from an afternoon software workshop.

Yay! Our Christmas cards arrived!

Coloring the kids' menu at dinner. 

Merry 10-on-10 to all and to all a good night!

Tis the Season

We've got lots going on. Isn't that how it goes this time of year? Thanksgiving meals and travels. Keith's car is in the shop. Cookie baking and getting the Christmas cards in the mail (or ordered). I'm getting ready to give Final Exams. Decorating and shopping. We still need to go get our Christmas tree this weekend.

My women's group at church had a program this week about the "hymns" of the Bible. It was neat to look at the song of the delivered Israelites in Exodus and Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel. But during this busy time the year, I really like Zechariah's song in Luke that reminds me how John came to prepare the way for Jesus. "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins." Luke 1:75-76

Keith and I had a fairly peaceful experience taking Eva to see Santa at the Grandview Library. It was neat to see the other parents with babies and kids. I know it is just Santa but in a way he prepares an open door for conversation about why we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Rosie the Comfort Dog was at the library for kids to see. She is owned by another Lutheran church in Arlington. I told Eva that Rosie knows Jesus, too.

Five

It's been five wonderful years since we said, "I do." 

Each day the Lord gives us something else to be thankful for. 

Somedays it is just shared laughter.

Somedays it is the comfort of a shared hug.

Somedays it is a super-cute brand new human to care for. 

Somedays it is a new memory to add to the repertoire. 

Let's look back at the day we promised to always say... "Where you go, I go."

May the Lord continue to bless and strengthen us on this journey.

In the 7th month...

"You who are young, be happy while you are young, 

and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth."

Ecclesiates 11:9a

(I know she is beyond 29-week mark as of today 

but the four-square photo makes me happy,

and from the looks of it, Eva too.)

In the 7th month...
...We had another healthy visit at the pediatrician where Eva weighed in at 15lbs 10oz.
...There are two teeth! Two. Count them... one, two!
...she is on the move. We have a girl that insists on getting around via rolling, crawling, kicking, pulling along the floor, and standing.
...and there has been lots of eating. She has had apples, pears(not a favorite), butternut squash, carrots, mango and carrot puree, bagels, peas, sweet potatoes, bananas, toast, an egg omelet, avocados, a french fry, and a raspberry.

...although Momma's milk still tops the list!

...trick-or-treat was a fun night for the neighborhood.
...a fantastic trip to Pittsburgh for a lovely wedding.

...she is getting much more audible. We are enjoying babbles, big breaths, gasps, laughter, and squeals. 

...we've enjoyed baby story time at the library. There is so much to see, sing, and read!

...Daddy has been doing a great job taking over on Monday nights while Mom goes to BSF. And when Mom has had extra work responsibilities in the evening or for the DAR meeting today. (Although Kyle & Colleen took on some babysitting one night when both Mom and Dad were busy.)

...playing with toys is fun and interesting! Wooden blocks, Rock-n-stack rings, board books, soft books, taggies, sippie cups, art cards, Fisher-Price blocks, multi-ball set, musical boombox, bath toys, and even the plastic containers from the tupperware drawer! 

...a first snow**. The last time it snowed was when we were at the hospital on the day Eva arrived.

...another playdate with Hattie and Ruby. Also a quick visit with Rhys and Larkyn. It is so fun to play with other kids! 

...we might have a Baby Mozart on our hands. This little one loves to play the piano (the toy piano, the electric keyboard, and the real piano). 

Hi! I'm 7 months old.

I'm 7 months old and I have two teeth! See?

Thankfulness and Necklaces

What are you thankful for that the Lord did for you this year?

Being the season of thankfulness, I have to say that I am thankful for the babies that the Lord has added to the families of 3 dear friends as well as 3 of my cousins. That brings a total of 7 new lives on this earth in 2014!

That's 6 mommas with 7 new babies (ok, with me added in that is 7 mommas and 8 new babies). Each mom has a whole bunch of joy and happiness in her life but also does a lot sacrificing. Sacrificing sleep. Sacrificing activities. Sacrificing working out. Sacrificing watching a movie all the way through. Sacrificing keeping the house clean. Sacrificing eating. Sacrificing time. Sacrificing fashion.

What? Fashion!?

I am speaking from my own personal habits. My hair, makeup, and wardrobe have certainly taken a back seat to providing care for my sweet little girl. I am sure Stacie, Jamey, Misty, Kathryn, Karen and Carrie are all up on the latest fashion trends.

Buuuuuuuut on the off-chance that they, too, have let a few things go, I made them each something to celebrate being a thankful mommy.

These necklaces are simple, stretchy, and baby-safe. Since I have barely worn any jewelry for six months, I was anxious to create something that us mommas could wear worry-free. I have to say that this is my low-budget version of an idea from the jones market. Check it out.

As Daniel Tiger sings, "Ma-king some-thing is one way to-oo say, I love you."

Love you girls!