Horseback Riding

Today the family all got to go over to one of our friend's houses and spend the morning with a few other families. Cindi and Keith Martin have a great house out in the country and invited us all out there to let the kids ride horses, play in the wading pool, and enjoy brunch together. There were about 4 other families out there with us. One of the other families have a son Silas' age and they are already friends, so they had a great time exploring and playing together. Both Silas and Mary got to ride the horses several times and really enjoyed it. This surprised me because Silas is pretty much afraid of all animals. I didn't think he would even get near the horses, but he did and he rode more than once. It was a great time of fellowship and fun. There was another couple out there who just had their first baby 6 weeks ago (Robyn, if you read this I am refering to Karen Larsen, Brian's sister, who is now married). It was neat to see the two babies together and just how much they grow in those first weeks. It is good to know that Nehemiah will have a potential friend from such a great family. What a good way to spend Saturday.

Mary getting ready to ride.


Getty-up horsey!


Silas didn't even act afraid when he was up there.


Cindi was great with all the kids and horses. What a great experience.

Swimming

You would think that since we have a pool that our 5 year old son would already be swimming. Unfortunately, no. Silas HATES getting water in his face and refuses to go under water or even jump into the water with floaties on. I go back and fourth on how to deal with this. I think the main problem is that I even see it as something to "deal with." I have been trying to just let it go and realize that the kid will swim when he wants and if he doesn't then oh well. Yesterday, Scott took the kids swimming and Silas finally jumped in and without Dad catching him before he hit the water. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of more real swimming. I had thought about swim lessons, but I think my kid would freak out and I would lose his trust forever. For now I will leave him to his own pace

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Fourth of July

As I am sure most people did, we spent the first part of the holiday by cleaning the house and doing laundry. Although not fun or traditional, it was definately needed. After a good cleaning and naps for all we headed over to my mom's house. We were joined by my sister and her family, my grandfather (great papa now), and neighbors from next door (Karen and her grandson, Max). The cousins had a great time in the wading pool and the adults tried to stay cool in the 104 degree weather by sitting under the misters. We enjoyed dinner and then when it finally got dark, we watched the fireworks. Silas was very excited about this part. He and Daddy had gone together to pick out the fireworks. The most anticipated was the $20 Dragon Tears. Surprisingly it was pretty good. We were very blessed by the fact that a woman in my apartment complex gave us $100 in fireworks coupons. She had bought them as a donation to her church, but she herself doesn't do fireworks, so she gave them to my kids. Needless to say this was more money then we had ever spent on fireworks! It was a nice evening, but everyone was very tired by the end.

Ready for fireworks!!


Taking it easy


This is what happens when you forget the swim diaper and have to use a regular one. The one question I have is how does the swim diaper know to absorb the pee but not the water??


Having fun in the wading pool



Bathing Beauty


Dressed for the Fourth


Nehemiah spent most of the day sleeping.

More Pictures of Nehemiah--Can There Be Too Many?!

Here are some more pictures of our new little boy. He is doing well and we are all adjusting. he is gaining weight very well--which is a first for our family. At today's doctor's apt he was back at his birth weight, which according to the doctor was great considering he wasn't quite a week old yet. I am working throught the pain that the intial first weeks of nurisng bring, but in the end it is worth it. Although there have definately been times when the bottle has seemed like a GREAT idea. Nehemiah was also circumcised today--poor little thing. It is much harder to have this procedure done as an appointment at the doctor's office. Personally, I am all for the Alaska way where they came into the hospital the day after he was born, asked if we wanted him circumcised, took him away, and then brought him back with the job all done. Well, at least it is done. Well, enjoy the pictures!


The family in the car coming home from the hospital. We are so blessed by the mini van we purchased last summer. There is room for all.


Nehemiah sleeping in his bed for the first time.


Silas loves being a big brother again.


Nehemiah looks so tiny when being held by Daddy.


Sleeping soundly on the quilt Mema made.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Join us in welcoming the newest addition to our family---drum roll please---Nehemiah William Stubbert. Yes, it was a boy! Nehemiah was born Friday, June 29th at 5:53 am. He weighed 7 lbs and was 18 inches long. This was our biggest baby yet--yes, I know that isn't saying much. Labor went well, if you can say such a thing! We arrived at the hospital at around 2 am and Nehemiah was born about 4 hours later.


Nehemiah found his thumb the next afternoon, but is now using a pacifier.



Here he is just minutes after being born.





Here's the whole family. The kids were at home sleeping during the delivery. Papa stayed with them and Mema came to the hospital. Dad went home and brought them to the hospital at around 7:30am. Silas was excited that God had chosen a boy for our family because this follows his desired pattern of boy, girl, boy. The kids loved seeing the baby, but I think Silas was more excited about the fact that this meant he got to go to his cousin Joshua's house for the day.



We came home from the hospital on Saturday and am settling into a new routine--if there is such a thing with 3 kids. I am tired but that is normal. Well, I am going to go for now, since Nehemiah needs to be fed and the laundry needs to be done. I will add more pictures soon!