Alex and Beth version 4.0

We are thrilled to share with you that we are expecting another addition to our family in mid April. We have known for a few weeks but have been enjoying keeping the secret a little longer than we normally would. But now the kids now so it's out of the bag. We have gotten over the initial shock - and yes it was a shock - and now we are over the moon with happiness. So far things are going really well but we covet your prayers for this littlest one among us and for the rest of us as we prepare for this amazing blessing. Another little baby...*big happy sigh*. Here is a little glimpse into what is happening with our tiny wonder...

How your baby's growing:
Your baby still appears to have a small tail (actually, it's an extension of his tailbone), which will disappear in the next few weeks. But that's the only thing getting smaller. Now almost half an inch long — roughly the size of a raspberry — he has elbow joints and distinct, slightly webbed fingers and toes. In his over sized head, both hemispheres of his brain are developing. His teeth and the inside of his mouth are forming, and his ears continue to develop. Eyelid folds partially cover his tiny peepers, which already have some color, and the tip of that nose you'll be tweaking someday is emerging. His skin is paper-thin and his veins are clearly visible.

Your little one also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. His liver is busy producing red blood cells, and a loop of your baby's growing intestines is bulging into his umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from his tiny body. You can't feel his gyrations yet, but your baby is like a little jumping bean, moving in fits and starts around his watery home.

Magnificent Mama Moments

Ahhhhhhhh...I love days like today. Days where things come together in ways I could never predict. Serendipitous moments that overflow with joy and make me feel as if contentment is oozing from my pores. Yummy days that I want to savor for a long time but, like every other day, they slip away into the darkness of night bringing the uncertainty of tomorrow.

But for right now I'm basking in the glow from this glorious day, smiling a peaceful smile and sighing the good kind of sigh. Maybe the 2 things that happened today will seem insignificant to you, o reader of my blog...but to me they are what life is all about these days. Allow me to share...

Both things happened at the pool. All summer I have been gently encouraging Annie to take her deep water test, which consists of swimming the length of the pool and treading water for 30 seconds. I knew she could do it - but that's not what's important in this scenario...she had to know it for herself. Once she passes the deep water test she can swim anywhere in the pool on her own and go off of the diving board. I can remember going off of the diving board in my youth...over and over again and every single time screaming "mom, watch me!"...I knew Annie would love it. So when we arrived at the pool tonight at half past six and we were pretty much the only ones there Annie said..."hey this might be a good night for me to take my deep water test"...I can only hope my mouth wasn't hanging open too long!

So off she went down the pool, 25 meters in all. She rocked it out! She even had to contend with the massive vacuum cleaner they were using at the time and it didn't really phase her one bit. She rested for a moment and then hopped in the deep end for her treading water. Piece of cake I'll tell you! I was bursting with pride...I felt like she had just won the gold medal of life! She faced her fear and slaughtered that beast. She went off of the diving board for the rest of the time we were at the pool...we may never see her in the shallow end again!

A while later, Lucy and I were goofing around in the shallow end and that is when the next moment happened. Lucy swam over to me and threw her arms around my neck...for some reason I didn't say "don't hang on me" which is a mantra of mine at the pool. I'm glad I didn't. Lucy leaned around and said to me "the meaning of love". I said "what is the meaning of love baby girl?" She said " you are the meaning of love mama"...my heart melted into a puddle right then and there. I have never heard such words of sweetness in my life.

What she couldn't possibly know is that she is the meaning of love. Lucy and her brother and sister are the meaning of the love that God has given Alex and I. They are the contents of the most beautiful gift ever created...a gift I couldn't have dreamed up in a lifetime spent dreaming.

Some days are like masterpieces and today was one of those.

Houston, We Have Lost A Tooth!!!

At 8:35 this evening, when all should have been quiet on Maple Avenue, I heard two sets of feet come bounding down the steps. All of a sudden Annie thrusts a sock with a few drops of blood on it in my face with a look on her face that is a mixture of sheer excitement and terror. Seeing as the sock is white, it took me moment to catch on...okay maybe it took her yelling "I LOST MY TOOTH!!!" (are you asking yet what the sock had to do with it??? Apparently it was the first thing she found after she "helped" the tooth out...it really was barely hanging on...I've been amazed by her patience.)

The next moments seemed to move in slow motion...I grabbed the tooth, looked in her mouth to make sure all was well and then I hugged her tightly. My baby, my firstborn had lost her first tooth...this means she will be getting her adult teeth soon and that word...adult...shouldn't be used in relation to her in any way yet. She is my baby! A bittersweet moment for sure.

So we had the ceremonial swishing of salt water around the mouth to rid it of anything evil and potentially harmful. Does that even work? I don't know but the first thing my mom asked when Annie called to tell her the big news was "did you rinse your mouth out with salt water?"...so I come by it naturally. And then we got the camera out. Alex seemed to think this could maybe wait until morning...oh no I corrected him...this was a kodak moment if there ever had been one...find that darn camera! Here are some pics from just a little while ago. First is a close-up of the space formerly occupied by the tooth. Next is Annie trying to show the new hole in her smile holding the tooth fairy pillow with the tooth inside. And finally a close up of the tooth fairy pillow I blogged about a few weeks ago that I made out of an old maternity dress.




Another threshold crossed in the land of motherhood. I never though I would be so excited about my daughter losing something. It's a rite of passage for sure and I can't wait to creep into her room and replace the tooth with a letter of congratulations from the tooth fairy (only for the first tooth) and $1 (also only for the first tooth). From here on out it's 25 cents and a wink as I leave the room!

What Would I Say to - ME!

8 Years ago today Alex and I got married. Almost at this time exactly. It was at 3:30 in the afternoon at Bellefield Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. I have been doing a lot of thinking in the past few days about that day 2920 days ago...and I wondered what I would tell myself if I had the chance to talk to me all that time ago. Here are a few things I came up with:

1. Take to heart what Saleem says during the sermon today - "if you are more concerned with meeting the needs of one another than your own needs then, in turn, your needs will be met" - it's very very true.

2. Right now you think you are a selfless person - but don't be shocked when you confront your own selfishness when you have to share all of you with someone else. (and later when you have kids - well then you'll realize just how selfish you are)

3. Be less stubborn - you'll avoid a lot of conflict if you don't dig your heels in on every issue.

4. When times are tough, personally or as a couple, don't retreat from others. You need the people God has put in your life.

5. Always err on the side of love and grace rather than criticism and blame.

6. Marriage is an adventure - complete with glorious mountain tops and deep lonely valleys - but it is in the everyday that we show our true love for each other. Loving one another in the midst of dishes, laundry, late work meetings, and snotty noses is what it is all about.

7. Remember that the best gift you will give your children is a strong and healthy marriage.

8. Even when you don't feel like it or it is hard to make the time - pray for your husband. He needs it and so do you.


I love being married. I love having someone who is there for ME and only me. I don't have to share him with any other love. He is mine and I am his and there is nothing better. I have never felt closer to anyone and I think that is God's good design. Save Jesus, there is no one else above him in my heart.

So again 8 years later as the clock hits 3:30 I'll say (type!):

I Beth take you Alex to be my husband. And I do promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful wife...in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.

I love you, babe.

Happy Birthday to the LOVE of my life!

My husband, Alex, turns 35 today! Happy birthday babe, I love you more now than ever and I'm looking forward to celebrating another 35 years of you!