Day 314: Back on the wagon

After a traumatic spill out of the wagon a few days ago, Zaria was still willing and happy to get back in, especially with her cousin Gwendolyn. Zaria skinned her cheek and had a pretty good bruise from the tumble, which was partly due to the plastic seatbelt bolt coming out on one side while going around a fast corner. We'll be taking it much easier now, and probably replacing the bolts with something metal and sturdier. I walked just a short ways with Jamin, Dan, Naomi and the girls, then met them at the park after driving. I just can't walk very far or very fast at this point without being completely winded.

Day 301: Family gathering

The youngest and the oldest ladies of the family all sat together at one table. It was very cute. Zaria enjoyed seeing and playing with her cousins Becca and Tricia again. The 3 great grandmas are (L-R) my Dad's mom Alpha, my aunt's mom Judy, and my stepmom's mom Wilma. They're also pictured in the group shot below.
Family picture with all the siblings on my dad's side. Renee and Kurt came to town for a visit, and Jason and his wife Caralee came, as well as my stepbrother and stepsister, Scott and Katie. The last time all 5 of us were together was at my grandpa's funeral, so it was a special day. Mom and Dave came too, and Dave volunteered to be the photographer.

Day 287: Happy Fathers' Day

So, not only did Jamin have to work on his birthday, we ended up taking him to the ER for Fathers' Day. He got a piece of broccoli lodged towards the bottom of his esophagus and for a while he couldn't even swallow his own spit without it getting stuck. After some attempts at medicinal treatments, he still had trouble, but could at least swallow liquids. We were a little late, then, for Gwendolyn's third birthday party, and he had to watch me eat pizza and cake while he was only able to get a glass of Yo-J down. Still, we had fun spending time with family, and we even got Zaria in a swing for about 2 minutes to take a picture of the three cousins, Elena Zaria and Gwendolyn. Gwen was trying out her new tricycle and Zaria would not let go of this little doll.

Day 270: Diane's Funeral

Above is a big group shot of family members at my mom's cousin Diane's funeral today. A few of my mom's siblings, Julene, Judy, and Jonathon were able to attend. I think I might've been the only cousin-once-removed. The two characters in the center hamming it up are Diane's sons Corbin and Benjamin. I don't think they ever take a serious photo. Maybe I'll add one more to prove my point.
The three girls in front are my second cousins that are identical triplets. They were born one month before I was, and it just so happens one of them is pregnant and due on my same due date! Don't ask me who is who though, I still have no idea.

Day 229: Playtime

We tried out a fun Urban Toddler play center with the girls. They had a good time going from one play station room to the next--here Zaria and Tricia are playing the piano. We planned indoor activities as it was supposed to rain today, but it didn't start until well after 9 or 10 pm, so we were also able to have a good time playing outside.

Day 228: Zoo and play

We had a fun time with the girls at the Toledo Zoo today-- they lasted about 3 hours before we needed to bring them home for naps, but we managed to see lots of monkeys, swimming hippos and polar bears, and lots more. And then the girls napped in the car anyhow, so they were ready to play when we got home.

Day 207: Kazoos

Day 200: Kids's table at lunch

I'll be watching Gwendolyn for a few days coming up, so we needed a set-up for Zaria to eat. Her attachable chair wouldn't attach to the big table, but fit nicely on this bench. It's a little wobbly, but with the support of the couch nearby it worked quite well. Zaria was pretty hungry-- after finishing her half sandwich, she grabbed for some of Gwendolyn's leftover bread, a very hearty wheat bread I wasn't sure she'd like.

Day 190: Ashes and visits

We had a special Mother's Fellowship today, an Easter celebration service. One of the activities we did was to write down our burdens and nail them to a cross. Then, without looking at what was written, a couple of the leaders pulled all the slips of paper off and brought them outside to be burned in the fire pit outside. There are some large windows that look out into the garden area that includes the fire pit, so we were able to watch as our burdens went up to God in smoke. It was amazing. I wept a little, probably partly due to pregnancy hormones kicking in. I am just so grateful to God that instead of the possible horror I was dreading of an ectopic pregnancy, I am blessed to have two healthy growing babies inside.

In the evening we had a chance to visit Jamin's folks along with Dan, Naomi and Gwendolyn. Marla pulled out a box of musical instruments, which were fun to bang around with for both Zaria and Gwendolyn, but I think they enjoyed playing a "duet" on the keyboard even more.

Day 187: Cousins playing

Dan, Naomi and Gwendolyn came over to visit again this afternoon. The girls enjoyed trying on hats and showing each other their stuffed toys while Dan and Naomi went grocery shopping for some salad supplies. They are all very excited to move into their new house next week and have a little more room to live and work. Both will be working from home and may want me to come over a few days a week to watch Gwennie to help them get some work done. We're so glad they'll be close again!

Day 166: Family time

Dan, Naomi and Gwendolyn came over to visit us today and eat pizza and play Catan. A fun time was had by all-- they were happy to visit and get a break from staying with Naomi's mom in her 2-bedroom apartment, I think. They'll be moving into their new house in a few weeks but needed a temporary residence until then. The girls were waking up from naps in the shot above, and had fun looking at books in Zaria's room. Zaria enjoyed watching her cousin Gwennie read and warmed up to her uncle Dan in the process. Then she was off to wake up her dad from his nap in the picture below. He did wake up, but didn't respond right away.

Day 146: Cousins and Car wash games

This evening Zaria met her cousin Gwendolyn for the first time, and the two enjoyed sipping from straws together. Zaria's a little more likely to dump her drink over or throw it on the floor still, but she enjoyed watching and mimicking her older cousin. But the day didn't start out with her so happy. . .

It was one of those really bad Sunday mornings where nothing seems to get done in time for church. Jamin was too sick to do anything but stay in bed, and try as I might, Zaria and I weren't able to leave until close to 10 AM, so I figured we could just skip Sunday school altogether and go get some gas and a car wash. But it was also a long line at the gas station. The first pump I tried turned out to be out of order, then each time I tried to get to one of the closer pumps (so I could pay inside and use my coupon) someone else would get in the spot, so it took a while just to get the gas. And then there were only 3 cars in front of me, but it took a full 1/2 hour waiting for the car wash. So not only did I miss Mars Hill class Sunday school, but I was late for the 10:50 service. Anyway, I had my camera with me, and Zaria and I tried to while away the car wash waiting time by blowing raspberries at each other and whining.

Day 134: Orthodoxy and second cousins

There's a cool-looking Russian Orthodox church near North Height Lutheran Church, where we have Mother's Fellowship. I went to Russia in college for a January term, and I still really have a love for the place. I also love the onion domes on their old churches.

My cousin's wife Melissa and kids came to Mother's Fellowship for the first time today, and the second cousins had a little fun when we all went out to eat together for lunch afterwards. They had almost-matching gold coats and Anja enjoyed pushing Zaria around in her stroller out of the restaurant.

Day 63: Dressed alike cousins

Mom and Dave bought outfits alike for Zaria and Tricia that we opened at our early Christmas yesterday. I love the fact that these two cousins are just 5 weeks apart. Now that they're both more active, they both wanted to play with the same toys and see what the other one was doing. Soon after Zaria was done with this pretend mixer, Tricia had to try it out, and then they both slid into the kitchen in their tights. So adorable.

Day 61: Visiting a cousin once removed

This is my cousin-once-removed Carol, in front of her newly sided house. Her tree was so bright and gorgeous, I told her I had to get a picture of it. We had a discussion about how cousins get to be seconds and removeds, and I explained how she was my cousin-once-removed because she is my mom's cousin. We stayed overnight at Carol and Tom's place and then drove through the morning to arrive at Renee and Kurt's.