Linc's Percentages!

Well, Linc had his 2-month well-baby visit two days ago, Monday. He weighs 14 lbs, 2 ozs (90%), is 24 inches long (75%), and his head is 42 cms and is in the 90th percentile. Wendy was 12 lbs, 2 ozs (75%), was 24 inches (95% for girls), and her head was 40 cms (75%). So, I have another healthy baby, he said, and for that, I am eternally thankful.

Two Fairies on the Forest Floor

Behold, the little forest spirits tuckered themselves out!

The Boy in the Wood

The Boy in the Wood...

Vices

Vices. Who's got one? I have too many. Sigh, I am a Christian, and I need to learn how to live a full life without------coffee. Without the STRONG kind. Without the "Starbucks Double-Shot with an EXTRA shot AND w/ whip!" And I need to learn to get through the day without greasy, deep-fried fast food of any sort. And I need to learn to be and FEEL sane without chocolate bars, bars infused with caramel, bars blended with nougat, choco drizzled generously over deep fried donuts, you get the idea. I am going to murder my teeth if I keep eating these things in the middle of the night, too. And I need to learn to cope without shopping for "bargains." And I HAVE TO get used to being a "stay-at-home-mom" who stays HOME with her children once in a while (to sort of quote a dear, precious friend of mine!) I am ADDICTED to getting out and doing something for sanity's sake. HOWEVER, doing something almost ALWAYS entails doing something that costs something. Cafe Sip N' Play, while a life-saver on a few occasions is also...."spendy," to use a pacific north-western phrase. Sigh, I have to adjust my way of thinking and doing in so many various and sundry ways, y'all. I really ought to figure out how to get completely through a 24-hour rough day without the evening glass (es) of delectable $4.00 vino. I need to learn how to manage my unmanageable "events," events that involve children who are "free agents" who often upset the plans with their "free agent-ness," and do so with love and patience. I need to re-acquire all of the Christian virtues I once knew and practiced....before life got harder. Sigh, I need to stop using my wonderful husband possibly too much for assistance in areas that truly are my areas, as a willing stay-at-home mom (I feel this way, however, we don't have family in state to help---and I am uncomfy asking or even taking neighbors/friends up on their offers, so he, so wonderfully, is wonderful, is just...James. I am blessed.) Not needing my prescription for pain management anymore, as my pain has abated, I recently quit the stuff and disposed of the remaining pills. Not sure if that was the culprit, but I have been feeling the effects of not feeling the pain-killer "buzz." I am glad that I don't have access to more of it because I fear that this, too, could potentially become a vice, if it weren't for the fact that I truly don't have much chronic pain, especially now that my kidneys have been de-stoned. The point of this post is to remind myself, and others who may read this, that we need to TRY to cut the crutches, and just live outside our habits once in a while. This would enable us to rediscover old pleasures, to see things more purely. Problem for me is...which do I cut first? HOW? YIKES! I figure, right now, with a VERY spirited 3-year-old (have you heard? 3 is the new 2) and a newborn, not yet sleeping through the night, but waking more out of habit at this point--as of 2 or 3 nights ago, at least--I get a pass on this one for NOW. But, I realize that at some point, I will want my post-partum flab-alanch to go away, and I'll want to feel confident in myself, in my abilities to control myself, at least on some degree, and I'll want to glorify my Lord, by trusting wholly in Him. So, without further ado (my funny Valentine, Linc, needs my loving), I will leave you with that. Ponder. I love you all! You're right up there with chocolate! Just kidding. Tee hee. P.S. Linc's coo-ing is a glorious new vice of mine. I love me some Linc language.

On the Eve of Valentine's Day!

Our little love bugs wish you a Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow!

Wendy's "Big Sister" Hair Cut!

She sat perfectly still in the chair at the salon, with a fishy apron around her neck and the cutest smirk on her face. She was quiet and was a perfect angel, loving every moment of her first professional cut. I was so proud of her! It's an A-line bob. She's got some wave so the kick-ups are too cute. James loves it!

Following Fun Orders!

Well, not orders exactly. My sister-in-law wrote a very sweet and touching post on her blog (look at my list of blogs if you want to read what she wrote--"blogahon.") Anyhoo, she asked her readers to post their own love stories in observance of Valentine's Day. I ask that MY readers do the same! And let me know when you've done it so I can enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed reading Stephanie's love story! OKAY! Here goes!
My senior year at A & M, I went with my best friends to the Renaissance Festival. I borrowed my Aunt Karen's costume. Yes, I was a nerd in medieval dress. Anyway, once there, I found out that Nicole's serious boyfriend, Yankton's, close buddy, James, was going to come and join us. I'd never met "James," but being the single gal that I was, I was ALWAYS excited about meeting any guy who wasn't connected to any gal! When he showed up, I saw blue, blue eyes. I saw buff. He started talking and he was just so soft spoken, polite and just seemed to be a sincerely good person. I was really kind of surprised by James. He was so different from shmootzy dudes with waxed eyebrows, pushing out their biceps with their crossed arms, you know the type. He was so nice to me, friendly, but I did NOT get the impression that he actually LIKED me. He took several phone calls during that day at the theme park, politely stepping way to talk with whomever it was. Nicole said he was dating a girl "that didn't deserve him." He now says he's pretty sure it was work calling him as he was often on call. At the time, I sure was curious about those frequent calls! I thought he was so cute, I actually took his picture in a HUT that sold these gypsy-type jingle jangle belts (I coaxed him into putting one on for the pic!) I developed those photos and kept the one of him filed away with other photos that meant something to me. We didn't date that year. Or the next year. We were always dating other people, but we'd bump into each other at Nicole's birthday celebrations at restaurants and what not. Finally, two years later, I saw him again and was INTENSELY interested in him. I told Nicole. She told me he was shy and I needed to allow her to give him my number. I was not for that, at first, because I was reared to be pursued and I didn't feel comfortable letting him know, through her, that I was digging his chili. Well, I let her do it. She called him and said, "James, here is Laurel's number. Do with it as you please." He put me on the sweat rack for 3 weeks! I really figured he did not like me that way! Finally, he called. I acted pleasantly surprised to hear from him. He asked me out. We had a great time at the Amazon Grill followed by Amy's Ice Cream. I liked the way he ordered "Pistachio A -lmond." That date led to another, and another, and so on. I later found out he waited to call me because he had finals, he fretted that Nicole had given him my number without my knowing it, and he just wasn't sure how it would play out. But get this. This is the best detail. On his birthday, I made Missy's veggie lasagna and gave him a wallet, and while saying our goodbyes at my folks' front door, he told me, "This was the best birthday I've ever had....I love you," while cupping my face. It was the best moment of my life! I asked him, "How long have you known?!" He said, "A while." I told him I loved him too. Ta DA!

We Have Twins!

I know I can get a better pic of Linc smiling if I try. His smile comes and goes too quickly for my camera, but trust me when I say it looks SO MUCH like her baby smile above!

The Duggars

I love the Duggars, and when they speak about their choices for their family, I admire them, and feel conviction concerning my choices. They are not self-righteous. They are windsome. They are lovely! Am I ready to toss out my pants and wear long A-line skirts? Not yet, but I understand their reason for dressing that way, and it's a holy reason. Am I ready to take on home-schooling? I'm scared to death of it, but I'm beginning to think about it. Am I ready to have as many children as the Lord sees fit to produce through the two of us? No! But I'm no longer COMPLETELY sure that we're done! I just realize I have a long way to go in my walk with Christ! A LOOOOONG way! I thought I was pretty good! Now, that's not good! It's a blessing to be reminded to think more on the things we choose for ourselves and our families. Please pray for little Josie, their 19th child, born 3 months early and fighting for her life. Please pray that she will reach the potential God wills for her life. Please pray for this wonderful family. They are truly living out their lives with the fullest desire to reflect the power of God.

New Linc Pics (and a cute one of Sis)

Wendy loves painting and loves "Cherry Red."
The many faces of Linc~

I love me some chubby baby legs.

I GOT HIM TO SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Y'all, if you don't get why I'm so excited, it's simply because I've waited for this smile, and waited, and waited, and tried very hard to make it happen, and finally, this morning, viola! I LOVE IT!

Trying in Vain...

This is not quite the real deal, but I consider this a pseudo-smile. It's the best I could get from my little man this afternoon. I promise, this guy is a serious little dude so far! This was the one and ONLY time I've EVER gotten him to "smile!" And it's not even full-on! I am DESPERATE to see more from him in the smile department! Guess he's waiting for me to tickle his funny bone in just the right way...