Sunday, August 30, 2009
"Solids"
At Oliver's last appointment, our pediatrician gave us the okay to start introducing solid foods. We've tried rice cereal two nights in a row now and it actually went pretty well. He seems interested in eating but he's not very sure of the flavor and texture of the cereal. Well, you can see for yourself in these pictures and videos!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Oliver - 4 Months
I can't believe it's been 4 months since Oliver came into our world! Time just seems to be flying by! Little Oli had his check-up with the doctor yesterday and we are glad to report that he is growing and developing (and as adorable as ever!) His length is 2' 2" (in the 89th percentile - maybe he'll be a tall boy!), his head circumference is 16.5 (in the 38th percentile - small hat size like his dad?), and his weight is 16 lbs 12 oz (in the 82nd percentile - he's solid.) I am back to work now full-time so David took him to the appointment and he said that Oli did better with the vaccinations this time - poor baby. The pediatrician gave us the go-ahead to start solid foods so I imagine we'll try to introduce rice cereal in the next couple of weeks.
Oliver continues to be such a joy in our lives and he really is a good baby. He's still got the remnants of the cold that hit our whole family. His poor tiny nose is still pretty stuffed up but he doesn't seem to be too fussy over it. He's also started the adventure of teething. One of his bottom teeth was just starting to poke through a couple days ago but it seems to have retreated for now. Oli is constantly gnawing on his fingers, hands, toys, blankets, and about anything else he can get his little paws on. Hopefully his little pearly whites don't give him too much trouble coming in!
Oliver continues to be such a joy in our lives and he really is a good baby. He's still got the remnants of the cold that hit our whole family. His poor tiny nose is still pretty stuffed up but he doesn't seem to be too fussy over it. He's also started the adventure of teething. One of his bottom teeth was just starting to poke through a couple days ago but it seems to have retreated for now. Oli is constantly gnawing on his fingers, hands, toys, blankets, and about anything else he can get his little paws on. Hopefully his little pearly whites don't give him too much trouble coming in!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Milestones
Oliver has now successfully rolled from his tummy to his back twice! His arms are getting much stronger and he pushes himself up and from side to side. His legs are also continuing to develop. He can "stand up" while we are holding him and he loves to play bouncy interactive games with us. He is also getting better in his exersaucer - pushing off his feet and moving around to the different toys. He can scoot and turn a little bit now too. Some mornings I find him facing the opposite end of his bed or pushed up into a corner of his crib. It won't be long now until he's mobile!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Giggle Baby
As you can see in this video, Oliver is starting to be more interactive and fun! He likes to "stand up" and play tickle games with us. We love to hear his little laugh!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sutton Lake Trip
This past weekend we enjoyed spending time with my extended family at our annual camping trip reunion in Florence, OR. This trip is a long-standing tradition that we look forward to each year. The weather was really nice for us (thankfully there was no rain), and we all really enjoyed ourselves.
The only bad part was that David and I both caught Oliver's cold so we started to feel a bit under the weather. Perhaps all the fresh air did some good for our recovery, but I know the campfire smoke wasn't helpful for our congestion!
The only bad part was that David and I both caught Oliver's cold so we started to feel a bit under the weather. Perhaps all the fresh air did some good for our recovery, but I know the campfire smoke wasn't helpful for our congestion!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
First Camping Trip
We just got back from our church camp-out at Metzler Park. I was a little worried about how it would go with a baby, but Oliver did just fine. The weather was cooperative (no rain) and the temperature was mild and comfortable - just right! Oli woke up twice the first night but went back to sleep pretty quickly, and he only woke up once the second night. That's not bad considering we were in an unfamiliar place! We are also going camping this coming weekend with my family so we will all be getting a healthy dose of the outdoors!
Testing out the camping chair.
Dad and son at the campsite.
Sunday morning worship.
Happy campers.
Chillin' in the tent.
At least our little guy hasn't learned how to eat dirt and bugs yet. We've been told that's when the adventures really begin!
Testing out the camping chair.
Dad and son at the campsite.
Sunday morning worship.
Happy campers.
Chillin' in the tent.
At least our little guy hasn't learned how to eat dirt and bugs yet. We've been told that's when the adventures really begin!
Sunday, August 09, 2009
At the Columbia
Last weekend we went with our friends Shaun and Jamie to cool off at the Columbia River. Shaun brought his dog, Goose, and they helped encourage Tucker to actually get in the water and swim a bit. (I'm convinced that Tucker is really a wiener dog, because he is scared of almost everything!) Oliver also got to take a dip and then we played in the shade. A fun time was had by all!
Next time, we'll have to remember to bring some floaty toys!
Next time, we'll have to remember to bring some floaty toys!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Working Woman
Today was my 2nd official day to return to the the world of the employed. First, let me say that it is going very well, better that I expected actually, and I am thankful for all the prayers that God has answered for our family. I think we have really turned this whole situation over to Him and He has worked things out better than we could have on our own. He certainly has exceeded our expectations!
When it was announced last November that Cascade College would be closing at the end of the 2008-09 school year, I was saddened for so many reasons. I was losing my alma mater where I learned so much and made so many great relationships, I would have to say goodbye to a job I really loved, I worried about others who would have to find work or education elsewhere, I thought of the negative impact it would have on churches in the area, and I mourned that this place that was a blessing to so many would be no more. Compounding my emotional reaction to this news was the fact that I was due to have our first child just weeks before the college would have its final graduation ceremony.
What a bittersweet time I had this past spring! Oliver was born at the end of April and quickly became the center of the Rude universe. (It's funny how a little baby will change your entire world!) As planned, Cascade had a celebration/reunion weekend to coincide with the graduation events and we got to see many of old friends who came from far and wide for the closing ceremony. David and I started to fill our summer with church and family activities and I adjusted to being a stay-at-home mom to a newborn - an adventure in itself!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 3+ months at home with my baby boy and I truly find joy in being a mommy. All along, however, I have known that my housewife status was only temporary - our mortgage, student loans, and other bills simply can't be paid with a single part-time youth minister's salary. David's ministry is important to both of us, and we have agreed that I will need to work outside the home to help supplement his income for our family. As the summer progressed we continued to pray that God would open up the right doors for us so we could clearly see where He wanted me to be. Should I try to find a job watching another child (or children) so I could continue to stay with Oliver? Should I find something part-time so David and I could stagger our schedules to be with Oli? What kind of work should I be seeking? How long could our finances last without me bringing in an income? There were many questions to be asked, but in all of it, we remained unworried and turned the situation over to God.
Well, I didn't even seriously begin my job search when the perfect opportunity presented itself out of the blue. (Isn't that how God seems to work many times?) I received a call from a former co-worker who asked if I might be interested in a position at Columbia Christian Schools and could she pass my information along to the person who would be doing the hiring. I was pleasantly surprised by the offer and excited about discussing the opportunity. Bill called me the next day, we met the following afternoon, and I accepted the position of Office Manager the following week. Everything just fell perfectly into place. I got to start in August (which was the soonest I wanted to begin working again), I am working for a Christian school which I wholeheartedly support, I am doing a job very similar to the one I had at the college, I am working with a great group of staff members and teachers, my commute is less than 10 minutes and my office is right next to the church where David works.
The prayer-answering didn't just stop there though! David was able to rearrange his schedule so he will be home with Oliver on Monday and Fridays and will take Oli with him to the office on Wednesday. A very nice and generous woman from our church volunteered to take our baby into her house on Tuesdays and Thursdays and that has been going great so far! I don't have to worry about the little guy at all while I'm away from him - he's in very good hands! Also, my employers are very supportive of family life and encouraged me to take the measures I need to in order to continue breastfeeding and providing care for Oli. The blessings just keep coming!
You know, I find that it always encourages me to look back at situations in life and to see how God truly does work things out for the good of those who serve Him who have been called according to His purpose. I hope that I always appreciate the ways He cares for us and that I will look for opportunities to share those joys with others.
On a mostly unrelated note, I've found that it's never really fun to learn a new computer program, especially when the one giving you the instructions is not very familiar with it herself! Just one of the joys of acclimating to a new job!
When it was announced last November that Cascade College would be closing at the end of the 2008-09 school year, I was saddened for so many reasons. I was losing my alma mater where I learned so much and made so many great relationships, I would have to say goodbye to a job I really loved, I worried about others who would have to find work or education elsewhere, I thought of the negative impact it would have on churches in the area, and I mourned that this place that was a blessing to so many would be no more. Compounding my emotional reaction to this news was the fact that I was due to have our first child just weeks before the college would have its final graduation ceremony.
What a bittersweet time I had this past spring! Oliver was born at the end of April and quickly became the center of the Rude universe. (It's funny how a little baby will change your entire world!) As planned, Cascade had a celebration/reunion weekend to coincide with the graduation events and we got to see many of old friends who came from far and wide for the closing ceremony. David and I started to fill our summer with church and family activities and I adjusted to being a stay-at-home mom to a newborn - an adventure in itself!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 3+ months at home with my baby boy and I truly find joy in being a mommy. All along, however, I have known that my housewife status was only temporary - our mortgage, student loans, and other bills simply can't be paid with a single part-time youth minister's salary. David's ministry is important to both of us, and we have agreed that I will need to work outside the home to help supplement his income for our family. As the summer progressed we continued to pray that God would open up the right doors for us so we could clearly see where He wanted me to be. Should I try to find a job watching another child (or children) so I could continue to stay with Oliver? Should I find something part-time so David and I could stagger our schedules to be with Oli? What kind of work should I be seeking? How long could our finances last without me bringing in an income? There were many questions to be asked, but in all of it, we remained unworried and turned the situation over to God.
Well, I didn't even seriously begin my job search when the perfect opportunity presented itself out of the blue. (Isn't that how God seems to work many times?) I received a call from a former co-worker who asked if I might be interested in a position at Columbia Christian Schools and could she pass my information along to the person who would be doing the hiring. I was pleasantly surprised by the offer and excited about discussing the opportunity. Bill called me the next day, we met the following afternoon, and I accepted the position of Office Manager the following week. Everything just fell perfectly into place. I got to start in August (which was the soonest I wanted to begin working again), I am working for a Christian school which I wholeheartedly support, I am doing a job very similar to the one I had at the college, I am working with a great group of staff members and teachers, my commute is less than 10 minutes and my office is right next to the church where David works.
The prayer-answering didn't just stop there though! David was able to rearrange his schedule so he will be home with Oliver on Monday and Fridays and will take Oli with him to the office on Wednesday. A very nice and generous woman from our church volunteered to take our baby into her house on Tuesdays and Thursdays and that has been going great so far! I don't have to worry about the little guy at all while I'm away from him - he's in very good hands! Also, my employers are very supportive of family life and encouraged me to take the measures I need to in order to continue breastfeeding and providing care for Oli. The blessings just keep coming!
You know, I find that it always encourages me to look back at situations in life and to see how God truly does work things out for the good of those who serve Him who have been called according to His purpose. I hope that I always appreciate the ways He cares for us and that I will look for opportunities to share those joys with others.
On a mostly unrelated note, I've found that it's never really fun to learn a new computer program, especially when the one giving you the instructions is not very familiar with it herself! Just one of the joys of acclimating to a new job!
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Warmness
We've been trying to stay cool in the Portland heat wave by keeping our fans blowing, visiting places with A/C, avoiding cooking with our oven, and going swimming. We've been surviving pretty well so far. One of the perks of the warm weather is that Oliver can hang out in little summer outfits or even just in his diaper (*gasp*). I love to see more of his precious little chub rolls!
He doesn't look too pleased that I am taking these photos!
He doesn't look too pleased that I am taking these photos!
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