She will be called....

HANNAH MADELINE HORN

24 weeks and 4 days!

Hannah's mommy & big sis :)

We finally settled on a name for our precious baby girl!  What a tremendous responsibility it is to determine the name another person will answer to for the rest of their life! (Unless it is detested so much that they choose to go through the legal rigamaroll of changing it, but, in that case, I would say that gives you, the parents, a big "F" for your efforts.)  The weight of the decision was only compounded by Nick and my very different tastes in names.  (My favorites fall under "feminine classics" and Nick turned to googling "bad ass female characters" for inspiration.  Very little overlap between the two.)  "Hannah" was our second choice for Emmy's name, my only hesitation was the numerous "H's" between her first and last names, but, as Kris assured me, she wont be a Horn forever (although she will be if Nick has any say.)  So that "con" soon vanished.  We chose "Madeline" after the precocious main female character in the timeless children's series.  Nick gets his strong female character and I got a sweet girly name.  Everybody wins! :)

Just Three Words...

WHO NEEDS WORDS?

Kris and I usually feed the kiddos conversation topics when we Skype (what they are eating for snack, "show and tell" with their favorite toys, singing songs, etc.).  We left them up to their own devices a couple of days ago, so they started making funny faces at each other.

Pre-Terrible Twos

At 21 months, I am fairly certain we are knee-deep in the pre-terrible two phase.  While hugely rewarding, parenting is proving to be the most humbling responsibility I have had yet.  I can only speak for my pre-child self, when I say that I, very naively, felt sure that I would be in control of my future kiddos.  I never took into consideration that God granted each of us free will, including my not-quite-two-year-old child.  Being someone who feels intense discomfort being the center of attention, let alone negative attention, God has been throwing test after test my way lately.  I refuse to wish any time away, because I know how very precious it is; but I will be very grateful when Emmy has a better handle on communicating her feelings and has a tad more impulse control, so that kicking, screaming, throwing and "unassisted trust falls" aren't her go-tos for voicing her every frustration. (Not being allowed to eat only pickles for dinner, protesting riding in her stroller for the last mile to the car, or instigating a game of chase through an office building--and it's individual office spaces--as we wait for an unavoidable appointment are just a couple of our most recent battles.)  Little does Emmy know, that she got her strong-willed personality trait from somewhere, and she's got nothing on her mama.  

The throwing bit has been especially interesting.  It's been a challenge to teach her that it's ok to throw soft items in a playful game of catch, but not to throw baseballs at her weary mother's head in an unfortunate drowsy moment or to hurl toys in my direction in an attempt to derail my treadmill workout.  She has been successful in luring me off the treadmill (several times each session), but it hardly works out well for her, as it's only long enough to plunk her in timeout.  Luckily, I now have her figured out, and recently rescued Nick from being awoken by a close-range golfball to the temple.  Who knew that raising a toddler could be so hazardous to one's physical well-being?  She's more than worth all of the pain and suffering, though, and I am sure that in due time we will laugh mightily retelling her 21 month antics.

We are actively weaning Emmy from her pacifier, "Bobby."  Bobby now lives full time in her crib; which she understands, but has trouble accepting on occasion.  Lately, she has been fishing Bobby out of her crib with her go-go-gadget arms under the guise that she is offering it to Baby.  Of course, she's not shy about taking a couple of hits of her own before Bobby is returned to it's rightful home.

Our nudie-patoodie, enjoying her nightly pre-bathtime streak!

Emmy loves playing with the new hiking pack that I scored at a local consignment sale. 

Nick and I got to spend a rare morning together last week while Emmy was at Mom's Day Out.  What else would we spend our time doing but shopping for a potty chair for our Emmy girl?  We found her teddy bear sitting in the bowl shortly after we introduced her to it.

Then we found her sitting in the base (she removed the seat and the collection hat.)  We have a long way to go, I think.  So glad she's acquainting herself with it!

Dada's cutest dinner companion.  I couldn't help but smile to myself as I witnessed their shared giggle while clearing the table.

FIght Gone Bad Fundraiser

Nick's preferred work-out is of the "Crossfit" variety.  In super simple terms, it's a strength and conditioning regime that uses weightlifting, sprinting, gymnastics, powerlifting, kettlebell training, plyometrics, rowing and medicine ball training.  It's all done for time, making each session short but intense for a total body work-out.  He's so hooked, we have a gym in our garage and he hosts early morning work-outs with his co-workers on a weekly basis.


The official Crossfit organization is a huge supporter of the military, partly because so many of their followers are military themselves.  So, on Friday, September 17th, Crossfit gyms around the world hosted a mass work-out called "Fight Gone Bad" to raise money to support fallen soldiers and their families.  It's a 17 minute work-out that includes three rounds of five one-minute events with a one minute break in between.  The events include "wall balls" with a medicine ball, deadlifts, box jumps, push presses and rowing.  


Nick participated in the event with about 100 other people, many of whom are soldiers and military wives, at a local gym, Crossfit Sola Fide.  The event became so popular, they had to make six heats just so that everyone could complete the work-out.  Emmy and I went to cheer on our favorite guy, we are so proud of him. :)

The heats finished up well past dinner time, so a hungry Emmy made laps around the big kids' football game with a saltine cracker sleeve.

Nick and his spotter, Justin, transitioning from wall balls to deadlifts.

Deadlifts, round one!

Box jumps, round one...(I had to chase Emmy around for the final two rounds, so no documentation of those!)

Rowing!

Afterwards, Emmy ran up to an exhausted Nick, and upon throwing herself on his chest, she said "Hi Dada!"  It was really sweet. :)

9/11 remembered

Here is the link to 9/11 tribute video, created by our incredible church, Grace Community, to mark the 10th anniversary of the tragedy and to also honor the many lives that are still affected by it on a daily basis.  They did an incredible job.

http://vimeo.com/28832275

Just Three Words...

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

She doesn't really look as excited as she was.  She insisted on carrying her lunch bag like a purse.

Please excuse the naked face, I saw no need to shower before cleaning the house!

Luckily, Daddy was still home to send Emmy off!

Emmy is back in Miss Lindsay and Miss Becki's one year old class at Sango Methodist's Mom's Day Out!  She didn't even turn back when I walked her to her "classroom" just after 9 this morning.  When I picked her up at 2, I got a glowing report that she was friendly to her classmates and had fun playing with the baby dolls (no surprise there!)  She was obviously having such a great time, that she wasn't all that interested in napping, seeing as how she logged a measly 35 minutes. :-P  I'll decide whether or not to bring her home for naptime after we've tried it for a couple of weeks...All in all, it was a highly successful (and PRODUCTIVE) first day back!!  Hooray for happy babies and clean houses!!

20 weeks down, 20 to go!

The 20 week bump

Our resident trendsetter is wearing her overall jean skirt around her neck.  Littler Stinker stole "Bobby" (the name she gave her pacifier) from it's home in her crib; I didn't realize it until I saw this picture.

This pregnancy has gone by so much more quickly than Emmy's did!  We're halfway to our due date already!  I have been feeling well, just tired, which is only compounded by chasing Emmy all over creation.  Our girl only knows one gear and it's full throttle.  Our yet-to-be-named second daughter seems to be a little more mellow, judging by her gentle uterine activity.  Last night was the first time I was able to decipher kicks and they were few and fleeting.  I realized just how much I have missed that sensation!  (I am sure the novelty will grow old once I have a big turkey in there abusing my internal organs, but for now it's wonderful. :)

We have begun preparing for our second little miss' arrival, acquiring all the necessary must-haves.  While in Indy a couple of weekends ago, I was able to purchase a second-hand Baby Jogger double stroller from one of Kris' neighbors!  It is in mint condition and retails several hundred dollars more than I paid for it!  Score!! We now know all-too-well how beaten up children's items get that we've decided it makes little sense for us to pay an exorbitant amount of money on anything new, if we can help it.

Yesterday, Nick and Emmy spent the day together while I headed down to Nashville for some proper fabric shopping (Clarksville's selection is pitiful.)  Three hours after entering Joann's fabrics, I left with everything I need to sew Baby Girl's dust ruffle, window treatment and crib quilt, and took FULL advantage of the Labor Day sale and coupon offers!  I love getting a good deal!  I have some late nights behind the sewing machine ahead of me, given my inability to do anything but chase Emmy during daylight hours; but I am beyond excited for my project(s) over the back half of this pregnancy!!!

Emmy loves strapping her babies into the double stroller...

...and then pushing them around. :) It's awesome to know that even my 20 month old can maneuver our double stroller, I'd say we hit the jackpot! ;)

Crazy diet update

The Detoxification/Restoration diet that I completed in mid-June was very successful in calming my stomach (after the first two weeks, which were miserable).  The re-introduction process, however, was tricky.  I was expected to introduce one isolated food at a time every two days and record how it made me feel.  Being that I was queasy and having food aversions to the little I could eat, it was difficult to determine which foods are definitive triggers.  I did learn that dairy and I don't mix well, and have therefore done my best to minimize it's role in my diet.  It's been surprisingly not hard considering all the awesome alternatives out there (vegan butter, almond milk, etc.)  Not to mention, it's just not worth the stomach ache.  Except for maybe my Mom's mac and cheese, but that's a predicament I will likely face in the winter once that becomes a warm and cozy menu option.

Once I am not pregnant any more, I will undergo allergy testing, which will hopefully reveal any other trigger foods.

In the meantime, I have had a great time seeking out dairy alternatives and have been really pleased with all of the delicious options.  Recently, we had dinner with some friends who strictly follow a diet similar to Paleo.  For dessert, Nicole made a super yummy Coconut Milk ice cream with some melted vegan chocolate chips and strawberries on top.  It was definitely a recipe that I needed to get my hands on.  Now, I just need to figure out how to make  a chocolate version to satisfy that craving...

Coconut Ice Cream (from Nicole Spitzack)
1 can full fat coconut milk
1 tbsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/4c raw honey

1 tsp cinnamon 

Whisk the ingredients together and then pour into ice cream maker.  Proceed according to ice cream maker directions (for us, it took about 20 minutes in my Cuisinart).

My sous chef and trusty "stirrer."  Her messes are epic, but she gets the job done well.  With a smile on her face no less.

Emmy devoured her bowl and mastered the words "ice cream," (pronounced: aye- kee) while asking for more.