tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87688532008-05-12T22:23:37.816-04:00Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comBlogger312125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-82938928686169465362008-05-12T22:13:00.002-04:002008-05-12T22:23:37.905-04:00

Maybe some of you more experienced moms can help me here. Um, how do you deal with a baby pinching you (and others)? Obviously, I firmly say, "no pinching," and "ouch." He'll then look right in my eyes, smiling as though what he did was funny. Sometimes he will do it to himself, lightly, and say "ouch," as if to confirm that is correct. He's so impish, it's hard not to laugh when he does

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-998696436361612492008-05-05T18:07:00.006-04:002008-05-08T23:03:30.826-04:00

The New York Times just dubbed Louise Hay, occult icon and publishing guru, the Queen of the New Age. The article is worth reading to get a synopsis of the savvy marketing done by occult businesspeople. Occult publishing is definitely a business, and for Hay House publishers, it's to the tune of $100 million last year. I think that sometimes people tend to envision crystal-laden,

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-39107969719171929912008-05-04T07:52:00.003-04:002008-05-04T08:18:49.895-04:00

Noah says "Amen." Sometimes contextually, sometimes totally randomly. He says it when he sees his little Bible Storybook, and he says it when we're at the table. I think his grandmother had a hand in teaching him that word. He folds his little hands and looks at you right in the eye and says, "Amen." Sometimes he yells it if you aren't paying enough attention. "AMEN! AMEN!" Or if he just

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-48802035649141395392008-05-02T14:16:00.003-04:002008-05-02T14:27:51.453-04:00

This was too good not to share. I was doing some research for an article I am editing, and I came across something I'm willing to bet most of you have never seen. Remember Growing Pains, circa the late 1980s? The Seaver Family, Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold? Apparently, the show was a huge hit internationally as well as in the US. The show was not, however, called Growing Pains overseas. Below

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-43813884834931487842008-04-29T06:35:00.005-04:002008-04-29T07:02:32.248-04:00

I wrote a while ago about our family's struggle with Noah's sleeping habits. I am glad to report to you that things are so much better now. Noah wasn't one of those kids who started falling asleep on his own after one night of just 15 minutes of crying or anything (!), but after a couple of weeks, he's sleeping through the night. We were interrupted by a cold that, naturally, changed the game

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-13889807171262087322008-04-17T22:11:00.003-04:002008-04-17T22:35:07.166-04:00

Please, please, please. For the love of Pete. To all those sweet folk out there who believe whatever happens to land in their inbox: If the message is preceded by Fwd: Fwd: Fwd:, it is probably not true. Just believing me on that one will save you countless hours and a lot of dignity.If the claim sounds totally wild and you haven't heard it from any reputable news source yet, it's probably

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-13044434432898056272008-04-11T20:51:00.004-04:002008-04-12T18:43:13.331-04:00

Sometime in the first few months after Noah was born, we got cable TV. I mostly blame the fact that as a new parent, you're in a stupor all the time; you can't muster the brain cells for reading much, but you can't stare at a blank wall either. Okay, I read a lot of magazines. But anyway. Being a new (and breastfeeding) mother is kind of like being sick: you are in repose on the couch a lot

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-43247945810928748002008-04-08T20:37:00.003-04:002008-04-08T20:57:40.312-04:00

I've changed so much since Noah was born. Some of it has been wonderful, the natural amendments that come with motherhood--but some of it has been a real surprise. I guess I thought I had everything figured out. Not in an arrogant way, just in a I've-thought-this-out-and-can-back-it-up way. Now I realize that I have darn near nothing figured out. There are a few things that are constant,

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-89186234421636947662008-04-06T20:42:00.002-04:002008-04-06T21:43:05.775-04:00

Still here. Still breathing. I really have missed this. I'm in the middle of one of the toughest parts of parenting yet (and, of course, a controversial part, wouldn't you know it?): sleep training. Are you up for my saga? I promise to give you the Reader's Digest version. The easiest thing to do with a newborn, in my not-vast experience, is nurse him to sleep. It was a no-brainer. Mom

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-15954423194153096262007-08-21T06:57:00.000-04:002007-08-21T07:30:12.879-04:00

Parenting turns your life upside down and your heart inside out. There's a huge line of demarcation in my life: BEFORE THE BIRTH and AFTER THE BIRTH. I barely remember the former (okay, slight exaggeration). I think I used to go get coffee and read, or something. And shop. And write. And think about things other than what color and texture someone's poop is today and whether it's a sign of

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-10224688109282675132007-06-28T09:56:00.001-04:002007-06-29T23:48:44.046-04:00

After a long absence, I think I am ready to start posting again. It's been a crazy five months--heck, a crazy year!--and I've been going through a bit of a tough time since Noah's birth. For a long time I felt emotionally paralyzed and unable to communicate, especially in writing (even if I'd had the time, which I didn't). I knew even while I was going through it that I was experiencing

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-17197680717243559572007-02-25T08:38:00.000-05:002007-02-25T10:15:29.876-05:00

I've been remembering with gratitude lately that the Lord is fully aware of how hard it is to be a new mom. This passage came to mind: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins. The

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-13462244012308103262007-02-09T10:24:00.000-05:002007-03-10T08:56:37.252-05:00

I just thought it sounded like a good headline. Or how about "Woman Miraculously Survives Same Event That Every Other Mother in the World Has Survived"? Nah, too wordy. Noah is asleep on my lap in a sling (I'm not happy with it, but am too poor to get another one right now), so I have the luxury of two-hand typing! What joy! First, I'll update you on my daily routine. My life right now

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-80906373484597062602007-01-28T02:22:00.000-05:002007-03-10T08:58:22.040-05:00

Noah Daniel arrived at 10:43 PM Saturday, January 20! He weighed in at 7.5 pounds and measured 20.75 inches. As you see, he's completely precious. He's already firmly established his character in the "sweet and snuggly" category. I can't believe anything can smell and look so perfect. I have been completely exhausted this week. I just had my longest stretch of sleep in 7 days--three hours

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-1168750022521156102007-01-13T23:34:00.000-05:002007-04-03T22:06:46.181-04:00

Thanks to everyone who has written or called--you guys are the best. I really appreciate just knowing that if I dropped off the face of the earth, someone would care! I didn't intend to do that, exactly, but...anyway. Noah Daniel is doing well, and is still in the womb! I am 38 weeks today, and Ryan and I can't wait to SEE our little man in person. As I was telling Shannon the other day, I still

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-1161200850799334712006-10-18T15:15:00.000-04:002006-10-18T15:49:24.266-04:00

...do you really want to know this stuff? Apparently, Jenn does, because she tagged me with her Four Word Meme. I have to tell you what comes to my mind with these four words she's given me: encumbered, lofty, exaggerate, and bowel. Yep, bowel. Encumbered: Is it just me, or when you hear or read certain words, do little pictures come into your mind that kind of illustrate that word? When

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-1159386199807651942006-09-27T15:39:00.000-04:002006-09-29T08:31:00.016-04:00

Our church has podcast sermons you can subscribe to! If there were a way to transmit a joyful shriek across this medium, that's what you'd be hearing from me right now. (Okay, so there's probably a way to do that, but I'll spare you my joyful shriek. THIS time.) Blessed Hope Chapel Podcasts Joe Schimmel's sermons were used by the Lord to change our lives in so many ways. I am really

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-1159362605166743692006-09-27T08:31:00.000-04:002006-09-27T09:11:33.406-04:00

I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about this a few days ago, and in my sleepy state I thought about delving more deeply into it later. Like, not at 4 AM. (Hope you didn't want me to do it right then, Lord!) We all are familiar with the Proverbs 31 Woman. She's an ideal in some ways--we could discuss whether ALL of her attributes are attainable for one woman with some difference of

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-1158074791099908322006-09-12T10:54:00.000-04:002006-09-12T11:26:31.160-04:00

On Friday, Ryan, both sets of grandparents (yep, you read that right) and I went to the local high-risk OB for my 20 week appointment. It's my OB/GYN's standard practice to send all patients there for a mid-pregnancy 3D ultrasound. My reaction to this was, of course, sophisticated and nonplussed. Let's see if I can remember what I said: "YEE-HAW, RYAN!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE WE GET ONE OF THEM

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-1157056780014845302006-08-31T16:16:00.000-04:002006-08-31T18:44:12.326-04:00

I made Chicken Picadillo from a recipe I got from Cooking Light the other day. More on that in a minute. *Shameless Plug for Cooking Light* If I could buy a magazine for every newlywed, it might be this one. Especially newlyweds who, like me, had a rather limited repertoire of dishes at which he or she is an expert. (Mine consisted of Pop Tarts, spaghetti--I was proud of that one--a mean

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-1156858994662644202006-08-29T09:14:00.000-04:002006-08-29T09:48:33.530-04:00

How you say something can matter as much, or more, than what you say. Take, as a case in point, the couple who is trying to conceive. One of my dearest friends, Katie, has started her blog, and one of her first posts, Where is Baby #2?, hits the nail on the head. It's so painful to want a baby and not have one. Period. I don't care if you have five children or none, an ache is present in the

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-1156725749778856782006-08-27T20:27:00.000-04:002006-08-30T11:26:08.680-04:00

I hereby grant thy request for a belly shot. (That is my sweet husband on the sofa, working away!) I mean, ahem, there sits my Beloved. And though thou didst not request it, I hereby also do accede and consent to provide a picture of myself with mine in-laws. If thou, O reader, art sick of my photos, I apologize humbly to thee.

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-1156536636491616962006-08-25T15:47:00.000-04:002006-08-25T16:10:36.533-04:00

I would hate for anyone to miss Rachel's incredible series at Home Works Best. She reviews a book I've never read, Fascinating Womanhood by Helen Andelin. A cautionary note was always struck in my heart when I read/heard about that book. Rachel's posts are well worth checking out: Part One Part Two Part Three In other news, everyone's favorite Molly and the talented Blest with Sons have

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-1156252433485675922006-08-22T08:49:00.000-04:002006-08-22T09:22:10.530-04:00

We interrupt our regularly scheduled baby updates and exegesis to bring you this tirade...er...bulletin. My father's an economist by education and was an Auditor for the General Accounting Office (now the Government Accountability Office, a much more accurate name) by trade, so you'll have to excuse me if I get a little amped about things like this. Markets go up and come down with regularity.

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8768853.post-1155914169925574082006-08-18T11:14:00.000-04:002006-08-22T10:14:32.090-04:00

...especially a dorky one like me! (I lifted this from Valerie, who, incidentally, had the same top "major" as I.) Perfect for a blogger that English and Journalism tied, eh? You scored as English. You should be an English major! Your passion lies in writing and expressing yourself creatively, and you hate it when you are inhibited from doing so. Pursue that interest of yours!English92%

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836884075239814722noreply@blogger.com