Prayer Request

Please pray for my friend, Danielle's, sweet baby boy, Kian.  They are in California right now (they are from Naples) awaiting another big surgery.  You can find their family blog here. 

Sunday Sweetness

 Our kids were soooo cute this morning, but we didn't have much time to get good pictures.  Our whole family matched.  I'm not into the family matching stuff (bleh!) but we did it by accident.  Josiah is fitting into 6-9 months clothes now and holy cow, his new clothes are adorable.  Thank you to whoever bought them because I do not remember.

 I believe this cute little outfit came from Goodwill, courtesy of you can probably guess.

Below, Maryn is twirling in her princess dress.  But the top part of her dress is "itchy" so she wears it like this.
Yep, John was playing a little ditty on her wooden whistle.  We're a musical family, dontcha know.

 Rewind this picture 30 seconds and Maryn's hair was adorable, Josiah was laughing, and I didn't look like a drunken gypsy. 

Happy Sunday! 

Valentine's Day is coming!

 If I was more internet savvy I would say my Aunt Cathy and I should start our own blog.  But I will just share some ideas here for you, my friends and family.  For anyone who cares.  Cathy gave us some fun activities to do.  Here are a few!  I love this puzzle above.  Puzzles like this are so, so good for teaching kids that little pieces can be grouped together to make new shapes.  If you have little ones, investing in puzzles, pattern blocks and other tangram types of games are totally worth it.

 Ah, Valentine's Day is a teacher's dream come true.  There are a hundred easy center and craft ideas to do with hearts.  Above you see some broken hearts Cathy made for us, which are simply matching the alphabet.  This is a great one for Maryn because she knows all her letters if they are together like that, capital and lowercase.  So this is one she can do all by herself...and there's a few colors to make it a bit easier.

If you have older kids, you could do this with matching upper to a lowercase letter, matching sight words, creating compound words, synonyms, antonyms, prefixes, suffixes, math problems, etc. 

 I remember doing these crafts with my first graders!  Once a seven year old learns how to make a heart by folding paper and cutting that tear-drop shape, there's no turning back!  All you need to do is provide paper and they'll come up with all kinds of decorations.  But you can post some pictures or samples around to help them out.  Don't forget heart butterflies!  We haven't made one yet.  But we will soon, I'm sure. 

 But the best Valentines of all

 are my two little sweetlings!

And John, too!  :)

Valentine's Day and the Bible

We've been tying in some of the lessons from Maryn's Sunday School class and her Awana Honeybees.  Their key verse for the year is, "God loved us and sent his Son.  1 John 4:10."  So while we talk about who we love and who loves us, we also talk about how we love Jesus most of all and how much he loves us.  He loves us even more than our Mommies and Daddies.

We read about the good Samaritan yesterday, and how he helped the man lying on the road, even though that man was supposed to be an enemy.  They've been talking about how to be a good helper, and that when we help our parents, we're ultimately helping God.  So we've been talking all the time about ways to help Mommy and Daddy, our neighbors, and our friends.  One of the KEY ways to help Mommy and Daddy is to simply OBEY.  So often our little ones think the only way to help is to get stuff for us, clean up for us, etc.  (isn't that true of us as humans serving God, too?) But we are trying to teach Maryn that simply obeying us is truly a huge help.  And the other way to help us is to spend time with us.  We've talked about how just cuddling with us now and then makes us feel so special and loved.

One of the questions in our catechism is this:  "How can we glorify God?"  And the answer is, "By loving him and obeying him."  So we are trying to teach Maryn what that looks like.  It's a difficult concept, but is most easily exemplified in the parent-child relationship.  It doesn't just mean we serve, serve, serve.  It also means we obey, we cuddle, and we enjoy each other.

misunderstood

Catechism is a question-answer technique to solidify truths in a child's mind that will hopefully last a lifetime.  It has worked so well with Maryn, I have applied the question-answer technique to other areas of life, asking Maryn questions and letting her answer them.  If she doesn't answer them, I just answer them myself.  So while she is eating her lunch, for example, I might ask, "What's your name?"  And if she has a mouthful of peas, I answer for her, "My name is Maryn Louise Erdman."  How old are you?  I am two.  Where do you live?  I live in Kentucky.  What is your brother's name?  My brother's name is Josiah.

So I know some of you are thinking, "Amanda, you are ridiculous."  But how many three year olds, six year olds, ten year olds...do you know who, when asked a question, stand there looking at you like a big dummy?  Well, it happens.  A lot.  Kids NEED to be able to answer questions, so that when they are six and you ask, "Why did God make you?"  They don't tell you a story about their mom buying popsicles at the circus.  Or when they are lost in a mall and a police officer asks, "What is your name?"  They don't freeze up in fear. 

Well, for a while now we have been asking Maryn to tell us her name, and we've added her middle and last name to the mix.  Maryn Louise Erdman.  But this picture we took back in the fall has caused some confusion.  We talk about this picture so often ("I love that picture of Maryn in the leaves!"  "Let's make copies of that picture of Maryn in the leaves!"  "Let's give one of those pictures of Maryn in the leaves to everyone we know!"), that she has become confused.  Yes, she thinks her name is...

Maryn-in-the-leaves Erdman!

Don't mess with THIS, Steelers!

 He's a (not so) lean, green, fightin' machine!

More Maryn Says

We were singing that song that goes:
Mommy:  Did you milk my cow?
Maryn:  Yes, Ma'am!
Mommy:  How did you milk her?
Maryn:  Squish, squish, squish!
Mommy:  Did the milk taste good?
Maryn:  Yes, Ma'am!
...and so on.  After the song, I asked her, "Where does milk come from?"
Maryn replied, "Breasts."


We were coming home from the movie theater where Maryn had eaten lots of candy and fruit snacks.  She was begging for more on the way home, so I told her, "Maryn, you can't eat gummies all day or else you will get holes in your teeth!"

Maryn replied, very dramatically and with all the attitude of a 14 year old, "Look!  Ahhhh," opening her mouth wide, "I have. NO.  HOLES.  IN.  MY.  TEETH."

Maryn loved her first movie.  We (John, Maryn and I) saw Tangled while Josiah went to a babysitter's house.  She sat fairly well considering she's a two year old, but she did want to talk almost the whole time.  She seemed to understand the movie pretty well.  She knew the "mother" was a bad woman and I told her she wasn't really Rapunzel's Mommy.  So she went through the entire movie shouting, "HER MOMMY!  She lost her mommy!"  When the family reunited at the end, she shouted, "She found her Mommy!  That's her mommy!  And that's her girl!"

I loved seeing Tangled with my own little girl.  It is a great mother-daughter movie.  Two thumbs up!

Make a Puzzle

Maryn and the neighbor boy have been making puzzles for each other.  But little kids get a little scissor happy with their puzzles and it can be quite difficult (impossible) to put them together.  My aunt suggested making these cute, EASY puzzles for our Spring Party in March.  Here were the results of my test run.  I think Maryn will like it.  I plan to test this craft on our neighbor kids first. 

Just lay out some craft sticks (big ones if you want the puzzle to be easier for little kids) and use any kind of tape to hold them together.  Give the taped together craft sticks to a kid to color.  I used markers and crayons and both worked very well.  Markers might be better for little ones.  When the child is done coloring, take off the tape and voila, a complete puzzle.  I imagine paint would work well with this project, too. 



You could make puzzles like this to help kids memorize Bible verses (a line per stick, a word per stick), spell their names, remember the order of the colors of the rainbow, remember the order of anything, really!  If you try this project, let me know what you did and how it turned out.  I'd love to see pictures. 

Sermons Online

Michele asked if she could hear our pastor's sermon from yesterday online, so I am posting a link to our church's sermons.  The one from this week isn't posted yet, but the sermon last week (about marriage) was excellent.  Dr. Moore has really been on it lately.  :)

Highview Baptist Church--Listen Online

Apparently, there are some big football games today.  Josiah wore his 49ers bib to church, but the other day he wore this Packers shirt.  John is a 49ers fan, so he's pretty sure Josiah will be, too.  But Aunt Martina sent this shirt for Christmas, and it's just so doggone cute that I put it on him all the time.  Not that I give one little hoot about the Packers, but isn't it adorable?  A little rough and tumble shirt on my cuddle bunches.  :)

My mom and my aunt, Cathy, were here for a couple days.  And John has a few days of working non-stop, it seems.  So the kids and I are lonely and forgotten, stuck in the house.  I think someone snuck some cream cheese or heavy whipping cream into the pot luck breakfast we had this morning at church.  Now I'm feeling a bit miserable, too.  And Maryn just woke up...of course...because I just laid Josiah down.  Mommy time doesn't ever last long. 

Dr. Moore preached on parenting (and the gospel) today and a couple sentences I want to remember go like this:

"Where there is no mercy, there is no cross.
Where there is no judgment, there is no cross."

I hope that God helps me know when to extend mercy and when to extend judgment. 

Maryn has been such a fun, sweet little girl lately.  I laughed at her and gave her a hug, saying, "You are so much fun!" about five times yesterday.  She does and says the funniest, funniest things.  Here are a few.

She was playing in her room, and exclaimed, "Come on guys!  We're going to go play with my best friend of all, MOMMY!"

We were in the service at church, and right in the middle of the prayer, Maryn shouted, "NO!  No more praying!  We pray a lot in here!"

She was going through the paintbrushes and I told her she wasn't to play with them because some of them were mine.  She replied, "Actually, these ones are mine, Mommy."

Josiah, 5 1/2 Months Old

I have been writing this post in my head for a long time.  Josiah is five and a half months old now and full of personality.  I never really understood with my first baby how much she really had such personality so early.  So, not to compare them in a bad way, but now I see that, wow, babies really do have little personalities so early. 

Maryn was very intentional in her actions.  When she would grab her toys, she would first concentrate very hard and carefully reach out and grab her toy on the first try.

Josiah is impulsive in his actions.  When a toy is placed in front of him, he is very quick and will flail and yell until he gets it.  He's getting better and usually gets it immediately.  He also LOVES toys.  Maryn was pretty content to sit in her bouncy seat and watch the lights, watch people, be held and loved on.  Josiah lights up when there is a toy in his midst, a person in his midst, ANYTHING, and he wants it.  He gets what he wants not by crying or intentionally and carefully going for it (like Maryn), but by "flirting," smiling, giggling, reaching, flailing, scooting in a complete state of excitement and joy.

John and I predict he is going to be the family goofball.  He is just a sweet, silly little guy who loves to be cuddled and tickled.  He loves to play.  Josiah is fun, fun, fun. 

I love being Maryn's mommy.  She keeps me on my toes.  We bicker already and I know there will be hard times ahead as we have a battle of wills almost every day.  But she is extremely bright, very intuitive, intentional and serious about whatever she does.  She is hard working and will probably become more creative and imaginative as she grows. 

I love being Josiah's mommy.  He is all smiles, all play, all about fun and possibly some day, mischief too.  He will probably be a busy little man as he grows and perhaps won't be able to sit still for longer than two minutes.  So for now he is my cuddle bug, my little butter bean.  :)

What's going on, Erdmans?

 My little man is now quite comfortable in the Bumbo!

 This is what we often find ourselves doing on John's days off.  Drawing!  I drew a lion (I am always asked to draw lions) and John drew a bed and a house (she always asks him to draw a bed and a house).

 I was experimenting with the settings on our camera, so I have about 50 pictures of Maryn doing this project.  Yes, she is wearing her fairy costume.  We decided to make a prayer jar, but now I'm thinking of putting a candle inside and watching its pretty glow.

 Sometimes they're not sure about each other.

 But they mostly love each other.

Play Date

We had our friends, Eli (3 1/2) and Ella Grace (2), come over a few mornings ago for a few hours to play.  Here are some of the conversations I overheard or observed.

I heard Maryn shout, "NOOoooOOOooo!  That's MYYY BED!"
Eli (calmly):  No, it's OUR bed.
Maryn (long pause):  Your daddy is coming right now.

Maryn was pretending to be sick in her bed (very sick, moaning in agony), so Eli brought her some french fries (plastic fries from her kitchen).

I overheard Eli remind Maryn, calmly but firmly, "Your Mama said do not turn off the lights."  And, "Your Mama said do not jump on the bed."

I think we need to keep in touch with Eli and his family for many years to come.  ;-)

Stay Puft Marshmallow Toddler

 John took Maryn to Target today to get a sled and then they went sledding over at the Seminary.  She loved it!

I stayed at home with my coffee and watched the snow fall (and blogged, texted and whatnot :)

Snow's A Comin!

 I'm addicted to this baby.  I swear I would hold him all day long if I could.  But my arms are sore as it is.  He weighs 18 1/2 pounds!

 Maryn loves to glue.  Here she made a big pile of paper that she had cut apart.  Oh yes, she loves to cut, too.  I just let her cut as much as she wants.  She is getting really good at it, and even though she doesn't cut on lines or anything yet, it keeps her busy and is easy to clean up.  I'm just glad she hasn't cut her hair.  Yet.

 We did some snowman activities today out of the folder Aunt Cathy sent!  We are expecting a snowstorm tonight.  A whole FOUR INCHES.  LOL!!  Anyway, we played a snowman game, read some snow books, and made this little guy (notice where she put his eyes):

And now both children are taking their naps at the same time.  I am trying to relax.  But I don't have a snack or soda.  Sadness.

Girls' Night

Maryn was jabbering on and on as she did my hair.  This is one of the things she said, seriously:
"It yook pwetty, Mommy!  You yike it?  One, two, three, four, FIVE bows.  And a crown, just in case."

I think Josiah's top teeth are bothering him.  His two bottom ones are in, and something tells me some more are coming soon.  Could it be the drool and the need to suck on something constantly?  He always does that, though.  I just feel like he is teething.

Maryn and Josiah were laying down for bed time as I read them stories.  He was hitting her hand away as she tried to give him hugs, and both of them were laughing.  So cute.

When we are at church, we pick Maryn up at her class first and she runs out yelling, "Gotta go get Josiah!"  And then she runs to his room amidst all the chaos between the first and second services, and tells Josiah's teacher that she needs Josiah.  Today we forgot his carrier, but Maryn told his teacher, "We need the car seat!"  And she was right.

John and I don't do a lot of baby talk, but one of the things I say is "toofers" instead of teeth.  Well, Maryn talks so well now.  But it sounds so funny to hear her say all serious and grown up, "I need to brush my toofers,"

Tonight Maryn did my hair and my nails.  I did her hair and nails.  We ate popcorn and watched Angelina Ballerina.  Then we played Scrabble.  It was a fun time.  :)

Happy

 Our new painting.  We really love it!  The only thing is, I could have bought a painting for as much as I spent buying the supplies.  So if you know anyone that wants an identical one, I have some leftover paint...and I'd only charge, oh, a hundred dollars.  LOL.

 My intense daughter and my laid back son.  :)

 He loves his sister.

 Life is good!

I love this age with Josiah!  He is sooooo funny, so giggly and cuddly.  Just perfect.  Perfect!  Even though he poops all over me all the time.  His diapers are a little small on him :)

Funny Sayings with Maryn

Maryn is almost fully potty trained, even making it sometimes through her naps completely dry!  She also had her first potty in the a public place today.  She is so funny, though.  She sat on the side of the tub yesterday without a diaper or undies on and was SO interested in how it felt on her bottom.  So interested in fact, that she wanted to see what it felt like to sit on all sorts of things without undies on--the floor, the wall, etc.  (You really aren't ever going to visit us now, are you?)

So when John went to put her diaper on before bed last night, she said, clasping her diaper around her, "Ooooh this diaper makes my butt aaallll cozy!"

John and I have been cracking up so much lately because Maryn is really coming up with her own material, and it's just the funniest thing.  To us, anyway. 

As if I really have time to do this.

4 TV shows I watch:

1. Dinosaur Train.

2. Bones.  But it's starting to really creep me out.

3. Clean House

4. American Pickers

4 Blogs I read:

Aside from people's blogs who I know personally, some of my favorites are:

1.  Challies.com

2.  theresurgence.com

3.  not much else...sometimes Moore to the Point

4.  HappyHousewife.com is one I've been looking at a lot lately

4 Things I'm passionate about:

1.  Trying not to go crazy. 

2.  Trying not to go crazy.

3.  Trying not to go crazy.

4   God, family, and being all I can be.  ;-)

4 Things I say a lot:

1. Like

2. Maryn.  Look at me.  I said no (she says this all the time as well).

3. Do you have to go potty?

4. booga booga booga boo boo!  Uh-goo!

4 Things I've learned from the past:

1.  There's a bigger picture.

2.  God knows what we need more than we know what we need.

3.  When God or Mom and Dad say no, it's usually for your own good.

4.  Confrontation is scary but it's usually worth it.

4 Things I did today (because I can't remember yesterday):

1. Made taco soup, bread and cornbread.

2. Gave Maryn a bath.

3. Took a shower.

4.  Gave Josiah a bath.

(exhausting day, seriously)

4 Things I am looking forward to:

1. Going to Great Wolf Lodge with the Kendle crew.

2. Taking a shower again some day.

3. Having a cup of coffee tomorrow.

4. Cuddling with one of my three loveys soon (John, Maryn, Josiah)

4 Things I love about winter:

1.  Staying in and watching movies and not feeling guilty about it.

2.  Not having to shave every day.

3.  Not wearing sandals every day and not having to worry about the condition of my feet.

4.  Our faux down filled comforter, Grandma Erdman's quilts, and Snuggies :)

4 Things on my wish list:

1.  I miss my Ray Bans and know I will never again spend $100 on a pair of sunglasses.  Idiot.

2.  A Kindle.  So easy to use while nursing!

3.  All the groceries I want for the next year, where I can just get whatever I want and not have to fit into a budget.

4. Plane tickets in Naples, FL to visit my homies.  :)

media, my imagination, and other atrocities

Because our internet has been so slow, I have not been posting all the pics I should.  I guess you'll have to check my facebook for that and maybe I'll post some later.

There are a million things I'd like to blog about.  But this story sums up what has been going on in my life.

I was exhausted the other night.  Josiah is a great sleeper, but he hasn't been falling asleep till midnight every night for the last week or two.  The reasons are many, including two new teeth and that he is rolling over and getting stuck on his back like a plump little turtle.  I fell into a heap with visions of Bones (the TV show) and Oliver Twist (the novel I just finished) in my head.  The dream that transpired in my head is as follows:

I heard John muttering in his sleep (this was the dream, remember) and awoke to find him talking on the phone in a hushed but angry voice.  I heard enough of the conversation to understand that he and the person on the other end of the line were planning some crime.  A sick, horrible crime that probably included disposing of a dead body in some very creative but despicable way.  When he was done, I confronted him.

"Who were you talking to?"  I asked pointedly.
"BLIMEY!"  He shouted in a thick London accent, sprang up from the bed and was completely dressed in a hat and coat, and proceeded in some mixture of JK Rowling and Charles Dickens dialog:  "I ain't no blithering idiot!  One does not necessarily know the name, first and last, of every relative that so calls upon him!  Bloody Hell, woman!  What are you accusing me of?  Have you gone mad, then?  What do you mean by it?  Burn my body, then!  Well just keep quiet or I should do some real mischief then my dear!  Some real mischief!"

When I awoke the next day, I really couldn't stop laughing.