Thursday, March 6, 2008
Haircut
In other news today...I got my hair chopped off! Yeppers I would say a good 6 to 8 inches came off. And I decided today that I love getting my hair done. There is just something about it that makes you feel beautiful. And for the first time maybe ever I am absolutely thrilled with my cut! It feels so light and "springy." I'm not a big fan of this pic but I will put it on here anyway so you all can see the cut because I know you are all dying to. :) 
Aiden-ese
The following is a "guest blog" submitted by my mom this morning. It is all very true and if you know Aiden then it makes it all the more humerous....enjoy
"May I be a guest blogger today??
I woke up this morning at 4 AM thinking about Aiden and his sign language for the word more and thought it was something Stacey should blog about! We never heard of baby sign language when my kids were little. I personally wouldn’t be an advocate for too much of it since I think their verbal skills are so important, but on the other hand having a few “words” with which to communicate has been extremely helpful. What’s interesting is that Aiden has developed his own language and as long as you understand Aiden-ese you can get along just fine in his world. For example when he’s eating and he claps his hands one big violent clap you know he wants more. No problem. And if you are holding him and as you are walking he once again claps you realize quickly that there’s something he wants (it may or may not be food, so you have to look around and see where his attention is focused). Of course if as you are eating he flings his pacifier away and gives his big clap, you can be assured he wants what you have.
As I laid there thinking about this (at what was now 4:15 AM) I decided about the only time I really have trouble understanding his little system is when he combines his “sign words”. If for example you feed him a combination of foods, he sometimes claps (more) but then rejects his food and grandma gets a little confused. So trying to be a detective I might ask if he’s “all done” (for which normal baby sign would be gently turning both hands over but for Aiden it is alternating right and left hands and arms up and down). But my lack of understanding comes if when I take away his food because I think he’s all done, and he begins to “sign ramble” - clapping (more), alternating with flapping his arms (all done) and shaking his head (no) - what do I believe? What’s he trying to tell me? I laid in bed and never really solved this communication dilemma. As I thought about it though (at 4:30 AM) I decided that he wasn’t all that unusual, in fact I knew lots of men much older than 14 months who were still in the process of refining their communication skills!!
The question becomes then, why was I awake at this time of the morning processing all of this? Could it be that I woke myself up with one big clap because it’s been a week since I’ve seen Aiden (as I sit here now wildly clapping for both of my little guys - more, more, more) or could it be that I’ve just read way too many blogs?"
The best part about this "entry" my mom has made is that today when Aiden saw her for the first time in a week I was holding him when he spotted her coming up the drive way. He threw his pacifier across the room and "violently" made his one big clap and then began flapping his hands up and down, up and down. Now I understood that he was "all done" with me and wanted grandma to hold him but if you are not skilled in Aiden-ese then I can certainly understand how you would be confused. I translate for Kreg all the time.
"May I be a guest blogger today??
I woke up this morning at 4 AM thinking about Aiden and his sign language for the word more and thought it was something Stacey should blog about! We never heard of baby sign language when my kids were little. I personally wouldn’t be an advocate for too much of it since I think their verbal skills are so important, but on the other hand having a few “words” with which to communicate has been extremely helpful. What’s interesting is that Aiden has developed his own language and as long as you understand Aiden-ese you can get along just fine in his world. For example when he’s eating and he claps his hands one big violent clap you know he wants more. No problem. And if you are holding him and as you are walking he once again claps you realize quickly that there’s something he wants (it may or may not be food, so you have to look around and see where his attention is focused). Of course if as you are eating he flings his pacifier away and gives his big clap, you can be assured he wants what you have.
As I laid there thinking about this (at what was now 4:15 AM) I decided about the only time I really have trouble understanding his little system is when he combines his “sign words”. If for example you feed him a combination of foods, he sometimes claps (more) but then rejects his food and grandma gets a little confused. So trying to be a detective I might ask if he’s “all done” (for which normal baby sign would be gently turning both hands over but for Aiden it is alternating right and left hands and arms up and down). But my lack of understanding comes if when I take away his food because I think he’s all done, and he begins to “sign ramble” - clapping (more), alternating with flapping his arms (all done) and shaking his head (no) - what do I believe? What’s he trying to tell me? I laid in bed and never really solved this communication dilemma. As I thought about it though (at 4:30 AM) I decided that he wasn’t all that unusual, in fact I knew lots of men much older than 14 months who were still in the process of refining their communication skills!!
The question becomes then, why was I awake at this time of the morning processing all of this? Could it be that I woke myself up with one big clap because it’s been a week since I’ve seen Aiden (as I sit here now wildly clapping for both of my little guys - more, more, more) or could it be that I’ve just read way too many blogs?"
The best part about this "entry" my mom has made is that today when Aiden saw her for the first time in a week I was holding him when he spotted her coming up the drive way. He threw his pacifier across the room and "violently" made his one big clap and then began flapping his hands up and down, up and down. Now I understood that he was "all done" with me and wanted grandma to hold him but if you are not skilled in Aiden-ese then I can certainly understand how you would be confused. I translate for Kreg all the time.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Up and Running in Kokomo
Well I apologize for the long delay in blogging my dear blogging friends. It has been a crazy few weeks but we are now up and running here in Kokomo. We moved just over 2 weeks ago and things have been going quite well. The move went incredibly smooth, thanks to so much help from family and friends and I was actually pretty much unpacked within 2 days. I'm not sure if that's due to lots of great help (thanks parents!) or my uncontrollable desire to have everything organized and in place. We like the house and it is surprising how at home it already feels to us.
We took a picture of Kreg on his first day of work (the Monday after we moved). We both felt like it was the first day of school for him....nervous but excited all at the same time.
And I must say I was a bit worried when he came home after that first day of work, overwhelmed and exhausted. The first few days were an adjustment for both of us as we did not realize he would be out the door every morning at 5:50 am (yes you read that correctly) but setting the alarm for so early does not seem so bad now and Kreg is definitely not as exhausted as he is getting use to the work again. Farming is tough work! And I quite enjoy his stories of the day (contrary to popular belief working in hog barns all day can make for some very interesting and funny dinner conversations). So all in all we are doing very well in our new home and town. My mother-in-law has so graciously offered to keep Aiden for me on Mondays so I can have time to shop or clean or relax and its wonderful! Not only that but after keeping Aiden all day she makes us dinner! I have quickly come to the conclusion that Monday's are my new favorite day....no cooking and baby free. I have a clean house, clean laundry, food in the refrig, and I finished a book today.
Aiden has made the adjustment beautifully. Apart from missing his grandma Hansen to the point of clinging to her desperately when he sees her once a week, I'm not even sure he noticed we moved. He's been walking everywhere too! And into everything. Most days I feel as though he is out to destroy anything I pick up or clean up but most of the time he is awefully cute at doing so. He's my little buddy and probably one of the main reasons this transition to Kokomo has not been as difficult so far as I thought it would be. He's also as silly as ever, as you can see from the picture. I don't know why but Kreg and I decided to give him the cool whip container one evening at dinner (there was not much left in it). He could hardly believe it and felt the need to put it on his head. Needless to say that evening quickly became bath night.
And...
The big news.....We sold our home in Indy TODAY! God is so good! We are so blessed to have his faithfulness poured out upon us. We never expected for our home to sell so quickly after moving. We were making plans for the long haul seeing as how the media portrays the housing market right now. But we serve the one true God in which nothing is impossible for Him.
Friday, January 25, 2008
More Babies!!
One of my best friends from high school, Cari Chastain, had her baby girl yesterday. Caden Joelle Chastain was born at 3:27 pm and weighed in at 8 lbs 9 oz. She is so sweet and lovable. Thank you Lord for a safe delivery and a new baby girl!
Dad, Mom, and baby...the new little family!
Miss Caden up close. She has a full head of hair...you can even tuck it behind her ears.
Heather, Cari, and I. I just love that we are all mommies now! Crazy!
Dad, Mom, and baby...the new little family!
Miss Caden up close. She has a full head of hair...you can even tuck it behind her ears.
Heather, Cari, and I. I just love that we are all mommies now! Crazy!
Friday, January 18, 2008
James Franklin Salsbery!
We have a new nephew! He was born January 11th at 12:13 am. He weighed in at 7 lbs 13 oz and is of course very cute...because he's our nephew. 
Aiden was a big boy and held James long enough for us to take their picture. James has an older brother (Jack) and we have a picture of Jack holding Aiden when he was born so we thought we should carry on the tradition of cousins holding cousins.
Aiden's 1st Birthday!
It is so hard for me to believe that my little baby boy is already 1 year old! Where does the time go? It was really a very quick year. We had a birthday party for him on January 5th (his birthday is the 7th but he didn't know the difference). It was a really nice party with our families and a few friends. Aiden didn't really know what was going on most of the time but somehow he did know that the big pile of presents in the middle of the floor was for him. However, the attention span was short and before we had one present completely open we were on to the next (I think that's how it goes though for most 1st birthdays).
Presents!
This is Maddie pulling Aiden around in his new Lego dump truck!
Aiden was surprisingly clean with his cake. Although I kind of cheated I think....I only gave him 1 piece (not a whole cake) and it was white and not chocolate.
Presents!
This is Maddie pulling Aiden around in his new Lego dump truck!
Aiden was surprisingly clean with his cake. Although I kind of cheated I think....I only gave him 1 piece (not a whole cake) and it was white and not chocolate.
It's Official...We're Moving
So sorry for the delay! I have been meaning to post pictures of Christmas and Aiden's 1st birthday but things have gotten a little busy around here. We are moving to Kokomo, Indiana in 4 weeks. It's all happening quite quickly so you can imagine there is lots to do and very little time to do it in. Kreg is returning home to be a part of his family's business.....farming (hogs and crops). The whole farm is really pretty cool. I don't quite understand how everything works but I know its much different than the way farms use to run. For those of you who don't know where Kokomo is it's about an hour north of Indianapolis and for you Taylor peeps its about 45 mins west of Taylor. That should give you some idea. We actually signed paper work on a house up there on Wednesday evening. It's a cute little ranch with 4 bedrms and 2 bthrms. It has good decorating potential so I'm excited for that.
We feel all kinds of emotions about moving. We are both excited about what God may have in store for us as far as ministry opportunities goes and Kreg is excited to try his hand at farming and work with his dad and uncles (so of course I am exicted for him to try it as well). However we are also sad in many ways. We have really made a home for ourselves here the past two years. We are moving out of a house we absolutely LOVE, in a neighborhood we LOVE, away from my parents, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, the many friend's we've made, our church, our young adults class, etc... This is my stomping grounds and it's sometimes hard to think that it can no longer be home (even though in a way it always will be). I'm sure I will be back down quite often to see many of you.
Now for a few pictures of Christmas:
Aiden loved opening presents. And he was actually pretty good at it too. He was unwrapping his new bike! (see next pic)
wooohooo look at that bike! You may not be able to tell from this picture but he LOVES this bike. We have made probably a 100 laps around the house already and its not even been a month yet. I love it because I don't have to break my back pushing him anymore!
Aiden and Luke got books from my mom that are personalized to each of their names.
We had a wonderful Christmas with both sides of the family. We were thankful to be able to be together with Kreg's family as well on Christmas and here at our house too. My poor inlaws had to bring all the presents down here for their 8 kids and 2 grandbabies! But I'm glad they did...turned out to be a very fun day.
We feel all kinds of emotions about moving. We are both excited about what God may have in store for us as far as ministry opportunities goes and Kreg is excited to try his hand at farming and work with his dad and uncles (so of course I am exicted for him to try it as well). However we are also sad in many ways. We have really made a home for ourselves here the past two years. We are moving out of a house we absolutely LOVE, in a neighborhood we LOVE, away from my parents, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, the many friend's we've made, our church, our young adults class, etc... This is my stomping grounds and it's sometimes hard to think that it can no longer be home (even though in a way it always will be). I'm sure I will be back down quite often to see many of you.
Now for a few pictures of Christmas:
Aiden loved opening presents. And he was actually pretty good at it too. He was unwrapping his new bike! (see next pic)
wooohooo look at that bike! You may not be able to tell from this picture but he LOVES this bike. We have made probably a 100 laps around the house already and its not even been a month yet. I love it because I don't have to break my back pushing him anymore!
Aiden and Luke got books from my mom that are personalized to each of their names.
We had a wonderful Christmas with both sides of the family. We were thankful to be able to be together with Kreg's family as well on Christmas and here at our house too. My poor inlaws had to bring all the presents down here for their 8 kids and 2 grandbabies! But I'm glad they did...turned out to be a very fun day.
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