Christmas

We had a most blessed Christmas this year. While it was our first time as a family of four it was also our first Christmas just our little family at our house. We had a lovely time with friends on Christmas Eve day and enjoyed church in the evening. Then to have Santa visit our own house and put out cookies and carrots for him and then to see the presents in the morning was truly magical for my five year old son. This year Ristow asked Santa for an electric train set. He was so excited to see it set up around the tree Christmas morning. We had a relaxing day together playing and resting, it was great. We are thankful for Christopher's parents who were able to join us the next day and spend the weekend with us. We had a great visit with them. The last night they were here we spent at my mom and dad's eating a great dinner and watching our dad's battle it out playing Wii. It was a fun way to end our Christmas family time. We did however deeply miss those family that we were not able to see this year and plan on making every effort to see them soon. Much love!

That's My Girl.....

Jessica has had a number of baths now and is not really too fond of them. She squawks and cries and fusses around. But then I wrap her up nice and warm and hold her head over the sink to wash her hair (well her scalp more or less) and she relaxes into a state of bliss. Just like every other woman I know, she LOVES to get her hair washed by someone else. You know that great AHHHH feeling when you go the hair salon and they wash your hair for you and use that warm water sprayer. It is great. Well I was tickled to see my newborn relax into that same AHHHH state as I massaged her head and rinsed it with warm water. Some things must be born into us women, I certainly don't remember Ristow acting like that when I bathed him.

Sweet Children

Today I am so thankful for my children!

1st Week at Home

We have adjusted quite well to being at home. It has been a busy week, we bought and decorated our christmas tree with Christopher's parents here, got ready for christmas, adjusted to being a family of four now, had times of sleep and times of awake, lots of feedings, our first blow out diaper and to Ristow's amusement, been peed on while changing a diaper. Lots to enjoy and experience.

Tonight at dinner I had fed Jess and she was laying on the couch sleeping while we ate. She started fussing and Ristow looks at me and says "mom...Jessica is crying.... back to work, mom"

I couldn't decide between cracking up laughing and wanting to smack him ;) Luckily, Ristow has been very understanding and loving with Jessica and the time I spend with her right now. I promised him some mom time tomorrow just the two of us.

Here are a few more pics of my famiy and the time we enjoy in this life! Man, am I thankful!

Jessica Elizabeth McClintock

We are so thrilled that our time of waiting is over...our sweet little Jessica has made her debut! Saturday morning at 3:36am she made her way into the world. At 7lbs even she was a cute little bundle that immediately delighted us. Less than 3hrs from start of contractions to her delivery made for a quick and wonderful experience. The hospital staff was amazing and supportive. And I am proud to admit that I was able to deliver with no meds, which for me in a pretty big deal! We had such a great experience and both were doing so well that we came home the next day from the hospital. While our first night home was rough, as with any new baby, I am happy to report that Jess has settled in quite nicely and we both had a restful night last night. Ristow has been so great with her and is so loving, it is wonderful to watch him care for her. What a great big brother! (untill she is old enough to get into his stuff, then we will see;)

We are so thankful to all of our family and friends that have been such a wonderful support to us during this pregnancy and now that she is here! We are truly blessed.

Ristow's 5th Birthday

My little boy is 5yrs old!

He makes birthdays fun! He is so enthusiastic and appreciative for everything, it just makes you smile. I overheard him as he saw the kitchen all decorated for his birthday "wow, this is the best birthday ever! God, thank you for how beautiful this all is!" I love that his first reaction to it was to thank God for it. It was an awesome prayer from a sincere heart.

Ristow got to take transformer cupcakes to school for his birthday and he wore a crown from burger king. His excitement poured out to everyone around him. Then after school Ristow got to choose where he wanted to go for his birthday dinner, the obvious choice for him was Snappy Tomato, a pizza buffet!

After dinner we opened presents and had ice cream! (the cake is for his kid party on saturday)

He played with his toys and built legos and had a great time.

And the best part for me was that no baby was born on Ristow's birthday! Ristow gets to keep his special day all to himself! Though, she can come anytime now, however, I would like to go to his bowling party on saturday. I know, beggars can't be choosers, but I like to at least pretend I have some control in this matter ;)

Happy Birthday to my sweet, creative, compassionate, loving boy!

I love you Ristow!

Wildhorse

Yesterday was a great day! After a great win by Ohio State, we met my parents for an early dinner at a yummy Tex Mex restaurant, where I had the mild salsa and sauces, I am too chicken to do the spicy stuff. (no matter the inducing labor myths)
Then we dropped off Ristow at this Babysitting Swap and we coerced some other friends to head down to the Wildhorse saloon for my friend Shelley's birthday celebration.
What a sight I can imagine that was! A woman who is 9 months pregnant doing the Boot Scoot, line dancing on the dance floor. Luckily I was having too much fun to notice if anyone was staring. They did play a number of slow songs for Christopher and I to dance to also. It was so great to spend a fun evening out with my wonderful husband and great friends. It has been far too long!

Unfortunately, all the dancing and jumping around did NOT send me into labor as I was hoping, but fun none the less!

The Waiting Game

It is funny that this whole pregnancy I have been so worried about this baby coming early and now that it is safe for her to come......we wait.

Many people's delivery date guesses have come and gone, today was the day that Christopher had guessed, and while the day is not over yet, it looks unlikely that today is it.

I went to the Dr. yesterday and was rewarded with the tiny progress of 1 cm. Which really means nothing, since some women are at certain stages for weeks but you never know. We are still hoping that she decides to make her debut this week or at least before thanksgiving.

But again.......we wait.

Though many of my friends are predicting that she is holding out for the full 40 weeks. I really hope not.

It is hard feeling this out of control, maybe I just need to plan a big day out with lots of important things to get done, isn't that one way to assure that plans get ruined? ;)

Anyway, I am feeling pretty good and will try to get some things done today, Ristow's birthday is in 15 days and I still have some work to do for that. Now, he has decided that he wants a surprise party even though he has been planning his birthday for months. Silly kid!

I promise to keep everyone updated.

35 Weeks

"Your baby, now as hefty as a honeydew melon at 5 1/4 pounds, doesn't have much room to maneuver in your belly. (Length: more than 18 inches, head to heel.)"

....And boy does it feel like it.

I have officially reached the uncomfortable point in this pregnancy. I am so very thankful that we are nearing the end. I will be off restriction once I reach 36 weeks and can feel much better about all these contractions and pressure. I so look forward to meeting our little girl! She is actually dancing all over the place in there as I type this, I have a feeling she is going to be full of energy.

Praise God for this glorious gift! I am also so thankful for all of the help I have been receiving during this time.... from cleaning to transportation for my son to school to preparing meals for me, everyone has been so loving and generous and for that I am truly thankful.

Halloween

This Halloween was lots of fun! We had a costume birthday party to go to in the morning, to which Ristow actually wore his new ninja costume that we bought for halloween. Then by mid-afternoon he decided he wanted to be something else. So the cowboy emerged with all his yee-hawing and ofcourse a samurai sword to boot. (whatever floats his boat) Then we hit the parade in my parent's development. Lots of great costumes. I went as the planet Saturn, mom went as a Picnic and Christopher was a pirate.
Dad made his homemade pizza which rocked, and Christopher and Ristow headed out to trick-or-treat.

My parents decided this past weekend to buy a Wii. I think they are hooked! We had Wii bowling competitions and I hear mom and dad have been enjoying the Wii boxing too! It was great. Then they showed us the karaoke channel they found on comcast on demand, and we howled our way through some classic songs, though it was the 8 minute American Pie that made us all sing even louder and decide we were done for the night. I think I even saw Ristow roll his eyes once or twice! Anyway, it made for good memories and a fun time.

Costumes and Pumpkins

I truly enjoy the fun that comes along with this time of year. Costumes are just so much fun and my son LOVES dressing up in his with his buddies. He let his friend wear his new ninja costume because he wanted to create something amazing "Super Cowboy Spiderman"! They were so funny running all over.
My other favorite thing to do as a family is carve pumpkins. This afternoon we carefully planned out the designs that Ristow wanted for our scary jack-o-lanterns. He was very pleased with the results. This is the first year that he was really into the goop and I mean "into" the goop. He loved playing with it and making goop soup. We all had a blast.

Chilly Fall Outing

Yesterday we were able to take a "walk" as a family finally and enjoy the 2mile loop at Long Hunter Park. We have borrowed a wheelchair from a friend and I feel some freedom as we are able to get a bit more out and about as a family. It was so much fun and Ristow stopped at every little marker and description of tree to learn about them and find out their names. I think we may have scared away any animals in the vicinity though with Ristow's cheers and announcements of each new tree. I even dragged my feet through the leaves in an attempt at fall leaf crunching. It made me smile and feel great! Though Ristow wanted to ride on the wheelchair with me rather than walk on his own, it was fun. I am so eager for this precious baby to come so that I can start going walking again, I know that this is just for a season and for now I am thankful that it is fall and I can be with my family. For that I am truly grateful.

Great Kid

This morning I had a little bit of a rough time, exhausted and lots of baby pressure on my body. As Ristow and I were waiting for a friend of ours to pick him up and take him to preschool, I apparently fell asleep on the couch. I woke up to Ristow checking my heart with his stethescope and then trying to have his lego guys give me medicine to help keep my eyes open. He was so caring and loving as he says "feeling better now mom?"
I am so thankful for the age he is at right now and how understanding he is with my pregnancy.
He is so ready for his baby sister to come! I think he is also ready for me to be done being pregnant, 2 more months buddy!

The Nursery

Well, after much hard work, we have finally finished the nursery! For a while, the guest bed will stay in there too, so we had to blend it into the room. I am so proud of Christopher and all the hard work he put into this room for his daughter. While Christopher's parents were here this past weekend, Beth helped me to find a comforter set and window treatment to top it all off. She also bought the crib sheet and blanket as a shower gift to us. I absolutely love everything about it and can't wait to spend time with my daughter in that room.

Here are some pictures of the room's progress and the final result!

Here is Ristow's contribution: Dark brown paint on the freshly painted tan wall!

I know he just wanted to help and be a part of it ;)

TaDaaaa!

28 weeks

"Your baby is equal in weight to a Chinese cabbage -- about 2 1/4 pounds. (Length: almost 15 inches, from head to heel.)"

Well, everything is progressing along as to be expected. The baby is getting bigger, I am getting bigger, sleeping less, getting prepared for her arrival more.

Ristow talks about her everyday and has been prone to wanting to pull out his ultrasound pics and seeing pictures from when he was in my belly. He asks how I felt when he was in my belly and if I was "sooo excited" for him too. He is too cute. I am just thankful that he is so excited about having a baby sister, though I know the green eyed monster will probably kick in to full effect once the baby is here.

First Day of Pre-K

Last night Ristow was very serious about his task at hand. He was very determined and needed everyone's input......He was picking out his clothes for his first day at Pre-K. Six shirts were laid out on the floor and mom's opinions seemed to mean squat, Ristow called for reinforcements. Daddy had to come upstairs and help him decide on the perfect choice, so everyone would think he looked like a big kid. After laying out his outfit, very satisfied he drifted off to sleep.

This morning he was up and ready by 7:30am, school doesn't start til 9:30am. Ristow made sure I got a good picture of him rockin' on his first day. He then carried all of his stuff to the car and we were on our way. On the way there he says "Mom, don't forget, my teacher said that parents have to stand at the door and NOT come into the classroom when you drop me off. But, I think I would like a hug and a kiss at the door." I told him that I would try to handle all of that. We got there and he was beside himself talking about all the kids being there and all the things he was going to learn. As we walk in the building he announces very loudly " I'm BACK!" (he was in the three yr old class last year but things were obviously going to be different this year)

As other parents were tearing up or saying how much they hated leaving their little ones, all I could do was smile. I am so proud of Ristow and his independence and I love him dearly, but I have to admit that day one of having some alone time to myself was pretty fantastic. The last three years Ristow has been in the program but I have always worked there too, this is the first time I get to just be the parent. I can't wait to pick him up today!

By the way, he has requested a congratulations party for himself to celebrate his first day of Pre-K. Today, I can't think of a better reason to bake a cake than that!

Star Wars Amoured Assault Tank

Today we used the last of a gift card that Ristow had gotten for Christmas. Since his birthday and Christmas are so close together it helps to save some fun for late summer when he is really wanting something new. We told him that he could pick out a new lego set with his gift card, since he is just really getting into legos. He knew from the start he wanted Star Wars legos.
I waited in the car while Christopher and Ristow went on their mission to pick out his set.
They came out of the store beaming from ear to ear. He had picked out a Star Wars Amoured Assault Tank (for ages 8-14) (with 407 pieces) YIKES! is what I thought to myself.

Upon arriving home we emptied all the bags out onto the kitchen table and decided just putting the guys together would be a good start. Then it was time for Ristow and Dad to head to a birthday party and come back to the Legos later. They arrived home at 4:35pm and at 4:36pm we had started the lego tank.........................4 and 1/2 hrs later........................................



Following instructions and putting together tiny pieces with a 4yr old is pretty much insane, but we patiently all worked as a family trying to make the tank. Well, to be honest, many of the parts near the end Christopher and I had to do and then just let Ristow attach them. Ofcourse the two times Ristow dropped it and the one time I broke it apart didn't help make the project go any smoother. But we can say we successfully put together the tank! We did make sure that Ristow understands that the next time he drops it or takes it apart at all, he is on his own to make something new. That is why we had to take pictures of it, since today is probably the only time anyone will EVER see it correctly put together. But now he has 407 new lego pieces to create new and amazing things! By the way, Christopher is currently asleep on the couch after that Long and Memorable famiy experience.

Family Shopping Trip

So, since being put on restriction from activity due to my contractions, I have not been able to go to the grocery store and shop for much longer than to pick up a few items. Well last night we had a family shopping trip. I drove the automated shopping cart, Ristow pushed his own little cart and Christopher was a champ and ran the aisles getting the things we needed. I know what you are probably thinking..... COOL you got to drive one of those nifty carts. Well, actually they are much cooler when you don't need to drive one. Though I have to admit they sure are handy and Ristow absolutely LOVED watching me drive it, and he really loved the fact that at the end of our trip I let him get on with me and control the accelerator while I steered.

Christopher also thinks they are cool and in fact wants me to wear one of his racing helmets next time I have to drive one. Along with race number and water bottles of course. The image does make me laugh, thinking of a pregnant women driving an electric cart with a racing helmet on, up and down the aisles. I doubt I will ever get up the nerve to do it, but I promise to post the pictures if I do.

22 weeks

It has been a while since I posted one of these, so I thought I share how big our little girl is getting inside of me. Yes, for anyone who hasn't heard, the McClintocks are expecting a daughter. Ristow is so excited to have a baby sister and loved looking at Babies R Us at all the pink and purple stuff. He even found a blanket that he wanted to get her. So cute.
I think I have been so immersed in the boy world that it is still hard for me to imagine having a girl. I have gotten some cute dresses and outfits from friends and I can barely believe my daughter will be wearing them. How adorable.

The Lightbulb Goes On!

Ristow has always been fascinated by bones, x-rays, bodies and the anatomy of pretty much all living things. Lately is has been dinosaur bones but any bones will do. ( by the way he is beside himself with excitement to see the ultrasound aka baby x-ray on friday)

Last night we had a rotisserie chicken for dinner and he saw Christopher eat a chicken leg and put the bones on his plate. He looked and asked if that was a real bone. Christopher gave it to him to look at and the wheels started turning. All of a sudden it made sense to him that the chicken we were eating used to be a live chicken with bones. The first time that the connection is made that we eat dead animals. He handled it surprisingly well and scientifically.
Pretty soon he was wanting all the bones to collect them and investigate them. Luckily the main carcass was still hiding on the kitchen counter so all he saw were the drumstick and wing bones.

After Poppy and Christopher cleaned them for him, Ristow grabbed his microscope and started going to work, he wanted to hide them around the house to go on a bone find. I didn't think that would work too well, especially if any got lost and some little boy happened to be over playing and found one. What would his mother think, random chicken bones hiding around the house!

I love that he is so amazed and intrigued with the world around us, but I don't think we will be eating anything else for dinner with bones in them for a little while.

Getting to Heaven

Today the topic of where heaven is located came up while Ristow and I were driving to a friends house. This is how the coversation went.

"mom, is heaven in space?"
"well buddy it is a little past space and you can't get there in a space shuttle." (a big topic in our house since the shuttle endeavor is set to launch today)
after a bit of a pause he says
"well, I am pretty sure you can get there in a Zamboni"
After thinking about how cool is would be to ride the zamboni machine at a hockey game, and how much Christopher loved riding one, I said.....
"quite possibly Ristow."

The First Annual McClintock Camp-In

The other night we had our first annual camp-in, when Ristow suggested camping I offered a fun night of camping in the living room, mostly to accommodate my own pregnacy comfort but he eagarly accepted the offer.

Here was the plan.....

Ristow set up his mini tent for himself (set up by 8am that morning), Christopher was going to sleep on the floor next to the tent and I would sleep on the couch.

After our campfire and roasting marshmallows Ristow kept pretend yawning asking if we were all ready for bed, he was so excited to start the camp-in. We all got settled in and Ristow decided he wanted to sleep on Christopher's mat with him, so Christopher lovingly put his mat inside Ristow's tent for them to share, with both sets of feet hanging out of the tent, it was quite a sight.

Christopher fell sleep by 9:30 and Ristow stayed up picking different places to sleep untill about 10:30 when he finally chose to curl up on the couch with me.

So, in the morning, Christopher was in Ristow's tent by himself, Ristow was asleep on the couch and I had been moved very willingly to my own bed.

All in all a successful camp-in.

18 Weeks

18 weeks! Very exciting. I am feeling a bit better, super tired but doing great. I love these silly food references, they make it a little more real to me to picture the little one growing inside me.

Dinnertime

I have really made an effort lately to just give Ristow what we are eating for dinner and no more special meals of chicken nuggets, quesadillas or mac and cheese. Tonight I feel like we actually achieved some success.....
Before dinner I had asked him which veggie he wanted to eat tonight, carrots, zucchini or tomatoes? He reported back that he wanted mac and cheese and tomatoes.
Well, I did give him tomatoes along with some talapia, baked potato and carrots and of course to make it all more appealing, crescent rolls.
After a little fuss when he first sat down, he saw the rolls and was fine. After tasting a bit of everything he comments...
"Well, it's not mac and cheese but its not bad!"
I'll take it! He ate great, with little problems, as long as he could be bribed with more rolls ;)
We will definitely be doing meals a bit differently with the next child, live and learn.

A Week of Adventure

This past week Ristow, my mom and I went on a road trip. We headed up to PA to see my brother and his super cute family. We were able to break the trip up and stay with Christopher's parents on the way there, which was wonderful.

Once there Ristow was overwhelmed at how cool it is to be at Uncle Jimmy's and Aunt Zan's....

He loved eating up at the Dining Hall each meal and watching all the campers.

He loved getting to ride a horse for the first time and wanted to go over to barn each day and thank the horse for the ride.

He loved going to Idlewild amusement park with Grammy and riding tons of rides.

He loved getting a sherrif's badge and wanting to learn all about guns and gun safety rules from Uncle Jimmy.

He loved picking fresh lettuce from the garden and eating it on the spot, forget eating it for dinner when you can eat it right then and there.

He loved being with his cousin Dylan, chatting away in the back seat together on the way up to the dining hall. (I love that she is talking so much, so sweet)

He loved spending time with family that we don't get to see often.

He did not love having to leave.

It was quite the visit and Ristow keeps talking about when we get to go back.

On the way home we stopped again at the McClintocks and ended up staying 2 days since I was too nauseous to travel after the 1st night. Ristow had a great time hanging at the pool and playing with his Grandma and Grandpa.

He woke up this morning asking "mom, what are we doing today?" Resting, I hope!

Father's Day

This past Father's Day was wonderful. Christopher had a race that morning that Ristow and I went out and cheered for. Ristow loved watching his Daddy race and even got race numbers put on his arm and leg just like Dad. The race crew was even wonderful enough that during a break in the finishers, they let Ristow and Christopher run through the finishing shoot and across the finshline together. Ristow thought he was a champion. Not only that, but Christopher got third place in his age group and took Ristow up with him to get his trophy. I swear Ris felt like he was the winner.

(Great job Christopher! We are so proud of you)

Not only did Ristow feel like he was a major player in Daddy's race, he also felt like he deserved presents for Father's Day. The day before and the morning of Ristow says....

"I take good care of my stuffed animals, don't I? I read to them and put them in time out when they don't listen so I am a father to them, right?" " So, I should get something from them for Father's Day!" Good logic Ristow and tricky nonetheless. If only animals went shopping....

Well, he went on and on and on and Christopher and I didn't know what to say to that so we kept ingnoring the conversation. I eventually caved and since I had a new book hiding in my closest anyway, told him that his stuffed monkey had helped my to pick that book out for him for Father's Day. He was so thrilled and kept thanking the monkey.

You got me this time Ristow but I will not be falling for this trick next year ;)