Andy's Painted Pumpkin

Do you like it??!!??

Well....

My mom measured my hair and it was 27 inches! So, Locks of Love needs 10" for each child. http://www.locksoflove.org/ I said, "just cut off 20 inches. It'll grow back if I don't like it." I LOVE it!!! Of course, it feels lighter. I am looking forward to actually doing something with my hair, rather than just braid it or wear a ponytail. This morning Andy came in and saw it for the first time. He said, "Who are you, Mama? Who are you, Mama? Who are you?" He hasn't said anything about my haircut since. This morning we went to a very fun carnival at the park in Billings. There were so many kids and fun activities and food! Andy painted his own little pumpkin. It was sunny and rained all the way home. Perfect! Except Andy peeed his carseat on the way in! That was a first. He has been doing so well all week. I guess that is why we call the "Wee Ones". I have been planning to wash the covers of both seats and switch the boys seats anyway. No time like the present!

We have an offer in on a house!!! Yes, that lamp is standing crooked. It follows the rule about buying the worst house in the best neighborhood. BUT-it is NOT the worst house. It is cute, cozy and clean. The perfect clean slate for our creative touches. Which will have to occur through the years, because we are sure going to continue to be broke! I think we should paint it a light color. We hope to sign a contract on it tomorrow. Andy's requirement was -live near kids and a park. The home is 3 blocks from an elementary and next door is a young family with a 5 month old baby. Here are some pics, use your imagination for what's to come! This is the Bonus room in the basement:

Maybe it will be Andy's room.

Gas Fireplaces-two in this house. One up, one down! YEA! I didn't think we would be so lucky. There is just something so cozy and romantic about knitting by the fire. I hope this house is cozy in the winter....I guess we will see. BTW-those awnings are the first project-they are OUT! They just make it too drab and dark inside. I want to bring the light in.
Side yard-very whimsical. I think fairies live here. Andy can't wait to check.

I am making some chin-bibs for Noah, and was debating frogging this. Andy made the decision easy-he told me he was knitting a tractor-as he unravelled it.

Little Noah, happy in his handknit loveys! The pants are Little Turtle Knit, a gift to Andy. Note-John Deere green! Couldn't be more perfect! The sweater was knit by Great-Aunt Suzy, so soft and lovely, but sadly too small. The hat that matches didn't fit at all. I guess that is the downfall of a robust, bouncy baby boy! The hat is lent to us by our dear friend Eli. (Andy's buddy)

A monkey for Halloween? We are testing this little number out.

Still looking for a house!!!

The one we saw today was dumpy! Overpriced! And wibbly-wobbly!!!

I have now successfully nursed Noah on the GO! 5 different times now. I am going to need to post some pictures. I use a Mei-Tai, which is a Chinese Style Baby carrier. I love it. It is powerful enough to soothe a savage beast. Not that Noah is one, of course. I learned the power of the MT with Andy.

I saw this quote today and had to share:

Christopher West Nursing a Sexually Wounded Culture

St. Paul hit the nail on the head when he said, To the pure all things are pure, but to the impure nothing is pure (Ti 1:15). It is a tragically impure world that labels the purity of a baby at the breast as "gross." For those with the purity to see it, a nursing mother is one of the most precious, most beautiful, and most holy of all possible images of woman. (source)

It does feel holy, every time I am able to suckle my wee one who will grow into a child. It amazes me to look at this chubby-bubby 20 # boy and think, 'I have provided all the nutrition he needs.' My mom told me it is like growing two babies! One in uetero (9#10oz) and all the weight he has put on since birth.

Noah then 4-17-07

Noah now 9-18-07

By the way I am so chatty because I finally have a little time. Noah went to sleep at 7:30 and Andy at 7:50!!!! I should be cleaning, but would rather share some thoughts with you, lovely Blog reader!

Andy says 'give Noah to me, he will be safe and safe and safe. If he falls out I will nurse him.' he is talking about his bed. I have told Andy that someday soon they will be sharing a bed. Well not too soon, probably in a year or so??

i feel a little sad bc neither of my boys will ever give birth or nurse. so I won't get to be a part of that again, as intimately as you would w a daughter. Unless by God's Grace we have a girl...someday...not soon though...

Some pics from Andy's tractor party.

Read John Deere Party! Andy was in heaven. (above pic. you can see it is naptime!) He talked about his birthday for months before-hand. He chose the theme and I made the invitations with some free digital scrapbooking images. In JD colors, of course. I am planning to do a Birthday Lay-out with scrapbooking images, as well. I hope to be able to post the results on here.

You can see the colors are perfect. I asked each guest to wear green or yellow. The pics turned out so colorful. We had planned to have the party outside and play in the new sandbox (also JD green).

But it was cloudy and cold! So we had the party inside. It was a real zoo, with all the toddlers running around playing. They sure had fun. At first, I was afraid we went a little overboard. But, we really didn't spend much at all. There was a sale at the grocery for 2-1 chicken and I bought enought for 30 people for $12. My girlfriends brought side-dishes. It was just perfect!!!

So, my garden is dead! WAAAHHHHH, the end of summer. Once September started, the nights have gotten quite cold. We have started to hay the horses. The grass is all dormant. Still waiting on some rain for fall regrowth. I am really going to miss all of the local produce.

We are planning to move to Billings. We need your prayers to help us find a cozy home, close to Rocky (Rob's school).

Andy is 3! We had a tractor party-what fun!!! I made homemade Buttermilk Baked Chicken. So yummy! I still have upload photos from the party.

Andy and Noah on his 3rd birthday.

Been a busy couple of weeks!

Had my birthday-now 32! We had a date night, my mom watched the kids at her house. Andy spent the night! We all had such a great time. We went to Enzo's-best yummy, pricey food in Billings. They had a Chipotle-corn Chowder that was fantastic!!! We were too full for desert. The only bummer was Rob left the leftovers on the table...sad!

Jami and I went riding on my birthday. It was a perfect day!

Noah is getting SO big! He already loves to read!

Andy caught this HUGE carp on the Yellowstone.

Last night-up, up, up!!!

8:30, 9:45, 10:20, 12:10, 2:30, 3:##, 4:**, &:** no rest for the wearY!

Laura came to visit us over Labor Day, she drove all the way from Ft. Collins, CO!