i'm so proud

There are so many times in a day when Finny does something that makes me proud of him. But, nothing like on the Sundays that I work in the nursery. Most mothers have trouble working in the nursery with their kids, but every time I do it, Finny has been great. He doesn't cry when I pick someone else up or play on the floor with other kids. Sometimes, he will crawl over and play with me, but he is just fine to crawl away and find his own toys to play with. So far he has been a very well-adjusted baby. So much so that I was a little upset when he didn't care that I had come to pick him up after church. Some kids wait with bated breath at the door for any kind of movement in the hopes that it's mommy or daddy coming to save them from the horribleness of the nursery, but not my child. I have to stand at the door calling his name...sometimes for quite awhile, and when he does finally see me, sometimes he'll smile, other times he'll just look away, but he never really tries to get to me like the other kids. I've come to view this as a huge blessing because I do want him to be well adjusted and not be afraid to be left in the nursery, but some recognition would be nice!

On Saturday, the vet came to check some of the cows. I really wanted Finley to see this for the first time. As always, he loved watching everything that went on with the cows. Matthew took this picture when he was standing in the fence with 3 cows getting ready to be checked over.


On Sunday afternoon, we bought Finny a little pool. He really did seem to like it, but he didn't want Matthew to leave him in there alone. I guess I'll just have to sit in the pool with him all summer long. It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it. =) Before you get too jealous, it's about 2 feet deep...if you fill it to the brim.


Happy in his pool.


This afternoon, we went to the farm for a visit. While there, I accidentally walked right past the tractor without letting him get on...heaven forbid! He started jumping in my arms trying to get to it, so we climbed on. He was trying to steer it in this picture while standing on my lap.

Finley distracted by the guinea hens. Last Wednesday night Matthew got the guinea hens from Jeramy and Danae (her dad raises them). Matthew got home from church late so he didn't get a chance to drop them off at the farm. Now, in Minnesota in the summer it starts getting light around 5 a.m. Yeah, 5 a.m. we wake up to the guinea hens going crazy! I jumped out of bed wondering what horrible thing was screaming in our yard. I'm sure the neighbors have never been so happy to hear Matthew leave at 5 in the morning as they were last Thursday morning! Matthew and I had a little talk later that day about how he may have grown up in the country waking up to that...learning how to tune it out, but our neighbors didn't. So keep the guinea hens out at the farm! =)

Sitting in the steering wheel trying to make it go. He was bouncing up and down because the tractor wasn't running. We ended up getting off because he pitched a fit trying to make it go.

motherhood rewarding...not glamorous

There are many reasons to become a mother. Glamour is not one of them. I heard on the news this morning that a group of 17 girls in high school made a pact to get pregnant at the same time and raise their kids together. If they wanted something glamorous, they picked the wrong profession. I can think of many instances when motherhood was not glamorous. Let's see, there was the time Finny was sick and had the antibiotic accident in the jumperoo (do we need to see that picture again?). There was the time he had a mouth full of peas and sneezed all over me (Again, do we really need to see that picture again?). There was yesterday when he was going to find whatever way he could to get to the computer cords. There was this morning when we had to leave daddy and worst of all the tractor to go home and take a nap. How traumatizing. And they wanted glamour? If only they could have lived the real life of a mother for a week...a day...an hour. Maybe they could have made a more mature decision. They were apparently happy when they got the positive pregnancy tests at school...AT SCHOOL! The school nurse says that these same girls kept going into her office to take pregnancy tests and when one girl finally got a positive test, she said, "sweet!". What is wrong with this country? First of all, they hand out birth control to anyone anonymously and then they give them free pregnancy tests just in case they accepted the free birth control but decided to not use it. I wonder who's going to end up paying for these kids (babies included). I wonder how many of the fathers are going to actually stick around and take responsibility for what they've done. I wonder if any of these girls are going to finish high school, much less go to college and actually attempt to make a good life for themselves and their babies. I wonder what's going to happen the day these kids go home with their new babies and can't find the glamour in their new job.

No, glamour is not the word I would use to describe motherhood. The word I would use is rewarding. I think of all the times in the day when Finley surprises me with something new that he's learned, some new word, some new way to express what he wants like pointing or saying please...or even just the everyday smiles and laughs. As I turn around and watch Finley playing with books and toys talking to himself, I think of how blessed Matthew and I are to have Finley in our lives, but it also makes me wonder if these high school kids will be able to see the everyday blessings that come with motherhood. Or will they just find out all too soon that it isn't glamorous and regret their decisions and resent their kids?

Here are a few pictures of the rewarding aspects of the last few days.

Finley making the face.


Playing on the floor.


Getting ready to play hide and seek around the couch. I stay on the couch and he walks around to the side and peeks over the top so I can see him. The game is to act surprised when he peeks over the top.


He's pretty easy to find seeing how he never stops laughing. We'll have to work on that. =)


Playing the piano on tippy toes.

no, finley!

How many times in a day am I going to have to say this for Finley to get it? So far, I can't count that high. Here are a few of Finley's favorite 'bad' things to play with. The computer, the computer cords, the printer, the printer cords, the phone, the phone cords, the surround sound and the surround sound cords. Do we have to go back to the stone age for Finley to be safe in his own house??? Today, he was playing with the cords around the computer. I went over and said, "No, Finley". He stopped, I turned around to leave and he turned around to play with the cords again. I went back over and said, "No, Finley" and gave him a swat on his hand. I turned to leave...taking him with me this time. He promptly went right back to the computer cords and reached to play with them again. This time, I stood him up in front of me and said, "No, Finley. Do not play with the cords" swatting his hand again. It didn't seem to phase him that he was being punished. (This scares me.) I could tell that he was contemplating reaching out again, but this time he reached with his foot. I saw his foot move back and his little toes moving and reaching for that cord! He actually touched it and gave a little triumphant giggle. (whether he giggled because he was mocking me or because the cord tickled his foot, I don't know.) What was I supposed to do, swat his foot??? I've never seen that done before. Plus, he would probably laugh and think I was trying to tickle him. Instead, I ended up sitting there in wonder and not doing anything. I took him into the kitchen with me and tried to get him interested in something else.

I don't think adults give babies enough credit. They have the ability to do more with their little brains than we think. He may not know all of the options that he has, but Finley knew that his feet pretty much worked like his hands. He knew that there was some other way to get those cords than just with his hands and I swear I saw him turn to look at me before he reached for the computer again.

not again...

Some of you may know of the little temper tantrum that Finley had a couple of weeks ago. His big Tonka truck got stuck in the kitchen and when I tried to help and turn it around for him, he acted like his world was ending. He threw himself to the floor, put his head in his hands and cried like the situation was hopeless. Matthew and I were a little concerned at first, so Matthew walked into the kitchen and called Finley's name. He stopped crying, looked up and when Matthew asked him what was wrong, he threw his head back into his hands and started crying all over again. It was totally a fake cry, since he was able to stop himself when his name was called (he did this a few times), but it was still sad...and surprising. Finally, Matthew and I just laughed and walked away to let him finish his fit. He realized that no one was there to listen and he stopped and crawled to us. Well, this morning, he didn't want Matthew to leave for work. When the back door shut, Finley's world was turned upside down. He was standing at the coffee table and started jumping up and down crying. He still can't stand up on his own so whenever he would jump up he would also lose his balance. He would stop crying enough to catch himself, but then would go back to crying after he got his balance back. After making sure he was okay, I just walked away. It only took him 20 seconds or so to realize that nothing was going to happen when he pitched a fit and he stopped crying and crawled to me. I'm very afraid of what's going to happen when he can walk...and talk...and yell. I will no longer be able to just walk away. I'll have to run...and hide...with ear plugs!

Finley and I went to Steve and Melissa's house this morning to watch the girls while Steve and Melissa signed papers to sell their house. So, the girls and I decided to go on a walk. This poses a problem when there are two babies and not a double stroller. Anna (4 years old) assures me that she can push Finley in a little stroller that they have. He fit in it perfectly and she was able to show me that she could push him rather easily in their driveway. I later find out that driveways are much more different than a road. I put Meg (1-1/2 years old) in her stroller, Finley in the little stroller, got Anna her sandals and Allie (6 years old) her rollerblades. What a crew! We headed out of the garage, onto the driveway and coasted out into the road. What a delightful walk this was going to be. I told them that we would just go around the cul-de-sac first to try it out. I was most worried about Anna, but she was so excited to push Finley that she was concentrating and doing really well. So, we headed out on our little adventure. Allie took off on her rollerblades (I really thought she would just "walk" in her blades and not really be able to roll--boy was I wrong)! I had to yell for Allie to slow down and wait for us. Meanwhile, Anna and Finley were getting stuck about every 10 feet on the side of the road. Unlike driveways, roads slope down from the middle for drainage (something I probably should have thought about before we left). So, every 10 feet, I would help Anna and Finley get back up on the road. We got halfway around the block when Anna had had enough. So, there we were, Allie too tired to rollerblade anymore, Anna too tired to push Finley, me sweating up a storm from running back and forth, Finley getting tired and Meg as happy as can be oblivious to the turmoil going on around her. We were really only 2 blocks from both of our houses, but they both seemed like a mile away...as I started pushing two strollers. Finley in his little stroller was really light. Meg in her big stroller was heavy and I was very lopsided pushing them and turning around to make sure the girls were following close enough. Poor Anna was trudging along like she was going to faint any minute now from heat exhaustion and Allie was so tired she wanted me to pull her with Megs stroller. That lasted for about half a block. When we got closer to their house, the girls saw that her mom was home already. Apparently, that gave them a big boost of energy because I ended up running to catch up to them. Melissa was in her driveway waiting for us when we got back. She saw three happy girls with loads of energy and has no idea we just about didn't make it back from delightful, little stroll around town. What fun girls Allie, Anna and Meg are. I'm realizing how much of an adventure watching them really can be and would do it again in a heartbeat! =)

a tribute to matthew

Today is Father's Day. I am very proud to say that Finley has the best father he could ever have. Matthew is very caring, gentle, patient and loving with Finny. He is already teaching Finley about the farm like how to drive the tractor, which Finley already loves, and about the cows and feed. Yesterday, the afternoon was spent riding on the tractor and feeding the cows until Finley fell asleep in the tractor. He was nodding off when we headed for home. Matthew takes Finley out in the yard and teaches him how to kick a ball, catch a football and run with it. Last, but not least, Matthew is teaching Finley about spiritual growth and already has shown that he will be an excellent teacher, not just at church but at home too. I thank God for the father Matthew has already become. When I was shopping for a Father's Day card for Matthew, I found THE card and started crying...in the middle of the store. The last line says, "When I learn to talk, I'll say that I have the best daddy ever". It is so true. Finley is truly blessed.

Matthew teaching Finley the art of feeding.


Teaching Finley how to drive the tractor.


Playing the piano with Finley.


Finley playing and singing his one song. It has one word. Dadadada...


Father's Day at church sitting on the couch in Matthew's office.


Playing on the couch.


Crawling out of Matthew's office...


...and coming back in.


Asking for help getting down.


Katie (my cousin), Fred (her Fiance) and Finny.


We went to the farm to celebrate Father's Day. Finley loves the Flowers in the office. How many times do you have to say "no" in a day???


He also likes looking out the window at the cats and the dogs. Sometimes, he will yell at them and bang on the window.


Wearing cousin Ryan's hat. He was getting a little tired at this point.


Begging Uncle John to pick him up.


Matthew and Finn. I love my boys!

more updates

Matthew trying to wake Finley up. It wasn't working. He had taken a late nap that afternoon and at this time it was about 6:00. He still didn't want to wake up.


Still not working...


Mowing the lawn with Daddy.


At Mattea's 1-year birthday party.


Playing in the dirt and wood chips.




Playing with the toys.


Wrestling with Toby. I don't know if Toby was ready for this. He looks at a loss as to what to do.


This is the best picture we could get that day. Finley and Toby looking at Mattea screaming and Jamie not wanting to sit still.

updating the blog

Finley playing around with his sun glasses in the window


At his 9-month checkup waiting for the doctor to come in. He had already been weighed and measured. He was 19 pounds 15 ounces (would have been 20 pounds if I hadn't changed his diaper before we went in), 27-3/4 inches long, and his head circumference was 44 cm--50th percentile for everything. Dr. Bell said he was perfectly proportioned. In the checkup, he waved for her and said Mama and Dada. We tried to get him to clap, but he didn't start until after she left the room. Was he happy that his exam was over, or what?
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He had a Nutrigrain bar this day and was quite upset that he couldn't wipe it off of his hands.


Finn and Daddy digging a trench out at the farm. He loves to go out to the farm to see Matthew.


Our good friend, Jim back from boot camp. Finny held and waved a flag for him.


Finny all ready for bed...if not a bit wound up from playing with his toys.


"The face." This is Finny's new face that he does when he's trying to be funny. This was taken on our way back from church on Sunday.


Being silly playing with his tongue. He's wearing the shirt Grandma Stabley got him in Beaufort, NC while they were at the beach.


Matthew and Finley on a walk.


More of "the face" with spaghetti sauce added in.


He really likes spaghetti and chili. I think he was getting bored with the bland foods.


On one of our walks a few days ago.


Playing in the yard...finally. We sprayed for weeds last weekend and we weren't able to play in the yard for a few days. He was happy to be able to crawl and play in the yard again.


At my Bible study group yesterday. Everyone was there except Jamie (16 months). From left to right--Toby 14 months, Amy 20 months, Mattea 13 months, Finley 9 months. This was a very rare sight. They are usually not sitting happily together. The only reason they were all together was because they were trying to get into Mattea's room. I guess they thought there was power in numbers. At one point, they were all banging on the door trying to get in.


Zach, the music director at church. Finley loves him and has smiled and laughed every time he sees him since he was about 3 months old. They were wearing matching shirts yesterday, so we had to get a picture.


Finley and I at Jr. High youth group last night.