Symeon does laundry

Symeon loves to help with laundry. If you hand him wet clothes he will usually put them in the dryer for you, it is pretty funny. Today he decided to climb into the dryer all on his own. His climbing skills have really sharpened in the last week. We found him standing on a kitchen chair, he fell off the chair in his bedroom face first and the other day he was trying to climb up and stand on his little people garage. He loves to climb and he loves to dive off things not the best combination to say the least.

First Hair Cut

Well it was time to get Symeon his first hair cut. With the nice weather we have been outside a lot and of course Symeon has to wear a ton of sunscreen so his hear kept sticking to his face and he was so hot. His hair was also in his eyes all the time and tickling his ears. Although this didn't really bother me to much lots of people mistook him for a girl.

So on Saturday we took him to a place that specializes in kids haircuts and since I have seen way to many kids with bad first hair cuts given by well intentioned parents I figured it was a good idea. I also have no hair cutting experience except for one bad bang cut I gave myself in college and trust me if you saw what I did to myself you would understand why we took him to a professional. Symeon did great he just sat there and to be honest he looks so cute.


Before the big cut









After the big cut looking like such a cute little guy and he still has a few curls which makes me a pretty happy Mommy!

Happy Birthday Shawn!

Shawn had a birthday last week and it was fun to celebrate such a wonderful man, husband, and Father. The weekend before his birthday we had a great day at home eating his favorite cookie cake that Symeon and I made for him. On his birthday we went out to get a big burger which he loves and hardly ever eats then we went out for a Rita's water ice another one of his favorites.

I find it hard to put into words all that I think and feel about the amazing man God has blessed me with as a partner for life. He is kind, loving, has the patience of a saint, he is steady, calm, intelligent, hard working, and always a lover of life which includes Symeon, the new baby, and I at the top of his list. He is creative and there is nothing he can't do when he puts his mind to it. I trust him completely and I love that I wake up to him every morning. We have been "friends" for almost 11 years and I am constantly amazed at God's faithfulness in our lives. As we get ready to welcome our second child I feel blessed to have such an amazing man in my life. Shawn I love you so much and it was a pleasure to celebrate you on your birthday. Symeon and I are truly blessed to have a man like you in our lives.






Happy Birthday Daddy

Unexpected Blessing

For many of you who read my venting post I am sure you will appreciate this one. If you didn't scroll down and read it because this one will have even more meaning.

Today I had an unexpected blessing and it was a day when I could use one. I went out to run an errand for work and I decided to stop at our local Turkey Hill store for a cup of coffee. I was pouring my self some decaf when this man said to me oh sweet heart you don't have long now do you. I looked up to see the most beautiful, gentle, and peaceful smile on this man's face. I smiled and he said you are going to have a beautiful baby blessings to you and that new little one. I said thank you and felt so blessed, this man just radiated the love and peace of Christ right there in the store and I felt so much better. He went up to pay for his coffee and I was in line behind him and he told the cashier he would like to pay for mine as well. I told him no that was nice but I couldn't let him do that. He said he really wanted to since he was looking for someone to bless and he really wanted it to be today. I smiled said thank you so much waved and left the store. As I got into the car I hesitated so I could thank him one last time as he came out. I waved, smiled, and thanked him again for blessing me I told him I needed it. He smiled got in his car and drove away. It is amazing where and when blessings will come if we keep an open heart. I left that store blessed in so many ways. Not only did I get that cup of coffee my soul was encouraged and I was truly blessed. So thanks to the man who listened to his heart and blessed someone today. I hope I will listen to my heart a little more and act when I feel led because you never know what you are doing for a person. I hope you all experience some unexpected blessing today.

A Fun Day

Symeon had a fun day with Grandma and Grandpa this past weekend. We went to City Island enjoyed the nice day, kicked the ball around, rode the train, and the carousel. It was a wonderful day and we were so glad to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa.


Symeon with Grandma and Grandpa on the train.


Symeon with Mom and Dad on the carousel.


Symeon and Grandma on the carousel.

Venting

Ok so rarely do I vent on my blog in general I hit the highlights of life, special events, fun pictures etc. but today I think a good venting is in order so that I can get it off my chest and go to bed laughing. I am going to make a tee shirt that says just because I pregnant you do not have the right to say anything you want to me especially if you don't know me!!! It seems to me that people feel like they can say whatever they want to you and I am not sure where or how that began in our society but it seems I am going to have to start putting people in their place during my last few weeks of pregnancy. I read on my friends blog who is due in July that lots of people have been commenting on how big she is considering when she is due. Seriously is this really ok???? I told my parents I was going to write a book of all the things you shouldn't say to a pregnant person especially one with only a few weeks to go. But since I haven't gotten around to the book yet my venting post will have to do.

Here are a few comments I have heard pregnant that just get under my skin (my thoughts are in parenthesis)

1. my Shelva were you this big with Symeon (actually I am smaller at this point than I was with Symeon but does it really matter?)
2. my Shelva you look bigger every time I see you (really I guess that's because a human being is growing inside of me)
3. you haven't had that baby yet (really oh my gosh I thought I had and I guess I am glad I haven't since it is still a bit early and it is better for the baby to stay inside until they are full term you idiot)
4. you look really pregnant from the back (I guess that is because I am really pregnant and my gosh so do you but your not)
5. a guy in a convenience store said to me I can relate (I thought what is he talking about then I looked up and he had a huge belly and I had to laugh) then he said it is hard to put your socks on isn't it (I thought yah but soon it won't be for me)
6. Shelva are you ok yes I am just really tired someone passing by says you need some caffeine I say actually I don't drink caffeine and I look at my stomach then this person insists I would be fine if I had some caffeine (I didn't say anything because I wanted to smack them because what I need is to sleep through the night without peeing every two hours, I need my cold to go away, I need my sick child and husband to feel better, and I want to be left alone while I am trying to work, I am pretty sure caffeine is not what I needed seriously.)
7. a nice woman says when are you due I tell her and she says you're so small I was huge when I was as pregnant as you (I thought how sweet and then wait for it she continues to tell me her birth story while I am sitting in a message chair trying to relax after I was adjusted at the chiropractor and it was the first quiet moment I had all day really can someone cut me a break)
8. one dear sweet resident where I work said in the nicest way possible Shelva no matter how fat you get you will still be beautiful (he is so sweet how could I get upset about that one but really using fat in any sentence with a pregnant woman is not a good idea)
9. I have heard way to many horrific birthing stories from total strangers in the grocery store, mall, doctors office, anywhere and everywhere (thanks for all the gruesome info but I didn't ask and the last image I want is of a stranger spread eagle while I am grocery shopping or honestly ever)
10. my you are really big (I think people should say you are so blessed to be going full term and having a healthy baby not everyone is so blessed)
11. the worst is you are so tiny I hope nothing is wrong with your baby (really this is just down right wrong)

So for anyone who has never been pregnant think before you speak because this is one pregnant woman who is going to respond with what is really on her mind the next time someone decides they can comment about my body and really I don't think anyone wants me to do that.

Now that I am done venting I must confess that I have had just as many beautiful things said to me things like, I think pregnant women are so beautiful, Shelva you are beautiful pregnant you carry it well, you should have more children it agrees with you, it will be exciting to meet that beautiful new person you are carrying, Shelva you are so cute what a great belly and the list goes on so to all those people thanks for making me feel beautiful especially during these last few weeks. Thanks for letting me get this out I am off to bed with a smile and a sense of pure joy that I have the privilege to carry a life and bring a child into this world.

Bits of the everyday

Here are a few pictures of our everyday life as a family.



Symeon continues to love cooking. As I was making supper tonight he was helping and he had just about every utensil out the drawer to get the work done.


Symeon will empty out his toy box, crawl in, and the cutest part is that he will just lay in there and talk to himself. He is so sweet.


He is also beginning to climb on everything and his toy box has proven to be the perfect height.



Symeon prefers to sit at the table like a big guy. We used to tell him to go to his chair when it was time to eat and he would head to his high chair but now when you tell him to go to his chair to eat he heads for a regular chair. We are amazed that he will basically sit on a regular chair the entire time he eats. Tonight we put a few books on the chair so he was level with the table. We tried pulling his high chair to the table with out the tray on it and that way he is level with the table but he prefers to sit on a regular chair which is fine. He has learned the hard way though that if he keeps getting down he has to go in his high chair. It really only took a few times of putting him into his high chair and now he sits in the big guy chair for his entire meal.

Happy Easter

We had a very nice and restful Easter which was such a blessing since we have all been sick. On Saturday our church had an Easter egg hunt and since it rained pretty hard we had to have it inside but Symeon didn't mind he mostly wandered around looking for eggs was not quite his thing. It was nice to have our dear friends Dave, Christie, Mathis, and Jonas join us and later we had a cook out after the rain passed. On Sunday Symeon and I slept through the sunrise service and pancake breakfast but Shawn had a nice time and later he picked us up so we could go to church as a family. We spent the afternoon together and had friends over for a nice dinner of cheese, home made granola bread, and fresh fruit. Shawn had some ham, potatoes, and corn but the rest of us were content with a simpler meal. It was a very blessed Easter weekend.



At first Symeon wasn't to keen on the Easter Bunny but obviously he grew on him.


Symeon and Mathis seem to be discussing something of utmost importance while they enjoy muffins. You can see on the table Symeon found some paint he carried around rather than collecting eggs.


Baby Jonas is just so cute I mean really look at that face and he is personality is just as sweet.


The Hubner family my gosh they are good looking!


Symeon riding the powered four wheeler and doing a little trick while he was at it.

The difference a year can make or not

36 weeks pregnant



37 weeks pregnant with Symeon last year


What do you think maybe another beautiful boy?

36 weeks

Well there are only 4 weeks left and besides a head cold I am feeling really good. We are still working on names but we have narrowed it down a bit which is good. I went to the doctor today and the baby is doing well. I am really enjoying feeling this dear baby move all around although today was my first time being kicked in the ribs which was quite painful. Symeon wasn't a rib kicker maybe because he sat a little lower than this little one.

Some fun pictures

Symeon is doing such big guy things it is fun to watch him grow and develop.


He loves to watch soccer with Daddy and he doesn't sit much so this is a rare photo.



Here's a close up he is just so cute. He is already for bed but still has a musical instrument in his hand another one of his loves.



Here is Symeon sitting at the table like a big guy and this whole new area to explore has only increased the amount of "things" to get into.



Symeon continues to love the computer he even uses the mouse now which is pretty funny.



He also has proper typing technique good posture and fingers on the home keys my high school typing teacher would be so proud.