Obsessive Compulsive Nesting Sequel

This weekend, I kicked off my Obsessive Compulsive Nesting sequel! My first trimester/early second trimester fatigue has given way to a glorious burst of energy!  I have loaded up my to-do list with a bunch of household reorganization, sewing, painting and craft projects to make way for Miss Hannah.  I'm on the clock to get my projects finished before I am too big and uncomfortable to tackle them.

First up on my to-do list was Emmy's Halloween costume.  Even though we've read Fancy Nancy's Halloween edition, she doesn't understand the concept of the spooky holiday quite yet; but she does love to twirl in her Abby Cadabby tutu!  Abby is Emmy's second favorite Sesame Street character (next to Elmo), and Emmy was positively giddy during her costume fitting! :)

Next up, was making a slipcover for a cozy chair in the man room.  Rather than buy another piece of furniture to serve as our reading chair in Emmy's room, I decided to repurpose the one we already had.  Only trouble was that, being a reddish brown leather material, it didn't go with the decor at all.  I have an innate need for things to match, otherwise it bothers me.   I studied up on slipcovers, and, after reading a great explanation on the ease of caring for white ones, I started sewing.  It was certainly my most complicated sewing project yet, but in just one late night and one naptime, it was done!  While it's far from perfect, I was tickled with the outcome; so I decided to slipcover the glider and ottoman to match my yellow, grey and white color scheme in Hannah's room!  I'm dragging today, and looking a little cross-eyed, but all I have to do is go into my girls' rooms and see our new cuddle places and know that it's all worth it!

Cutting, pinning and basting completed.  Ready to break out the sewing machine!

Finito!

The new and improved glider and ottoman. 

As if I didn't already take on an ambitious load of nursery projects for this tight nesting window, we are in the throes of bathroom renovations as well.  I believe I am guilty for causing a water leak in our master bathroom (the end result of my frantic plumbing "repair" the day Nick came home from his deployment :(.)  Our master bathroom is partially down to studs as we had to have a restoration company come in to clear out the (small amount) of mold that had crept under our linoleum.  The Environmental Hygienist just cleared us to begin rebuilding our bathroom; which means that Nick and I have spent what little time we've been without Emmy (and one very unfortunate time WITH her) "window" shopping for bathroom flooring, hardware, fixtures, etc.  Luckily, there are a ton of resources online, too, and scouring them is how I have spent many recent nap times and evenings while Nick studies.  We are opting to upgrade our guest bathroom floor and fixtures as well, seeing as how the builder didn't bring his A game when selecting the existing ones (who pairs brass and chrome together?!?)  Luckily, the guest bathroom hasn't been demo'ed yet and is serving as our only functional bathroom for all five of us (the dogs reside in there when we leave the house or when I need a break from them).  Needless to say, it's very cramped.  We will be so very grateful to return to our two bathroom status as soon as possible, and I'm hoping the renovated spaces meet our vision.  I've learned that I am not a fan of expensive gambles.

Cause for Celebration!!!

Jacob Ryan Sacksteder made his grand entrance this afternoon at 1:35pm!!! He weighed in at 9 pounds, 7 ounces, is 23 inches tall, and is as healthy as can be!!  Thank you, Lord, for our newest family member!! Congratulations JP, Kris, Andy & Clairey, he's a keeper!!  Way to go Kris for birthing such a big boy!!  You are my hero!!

First time laying eyes on sweet Jay Jay!  Emmy said "hi" about 45 times.

There they are!! Can't wait to squeeze them both in person!!

Celebrating Baby Jay Jay's birthday with a cupcake!

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