Christmas Pictures

Amazingly, in the middle of our current chaos, we managed to find time to have Christmas Pictures taken...

OHIO Here We Come!

Most of my blog readers are fully aware of our up and coming move to Ohio. But I thought I'd post it for those few that I haven't had a chance to tell yet. It's all happened so fast. Brian has been offered a youth pastor position at a church in his hometown and we have accepted. Although, it's very difficult to leave the life that we have built here, we are pumped about the new one we are about to begin. Our family, church and friends here have been really supportive in this and are excited for us regardless of how it is affecting them. This opportunity is definitely a God thing and we are excited to follow him.

We are moving into a two bedroom apartment until our home here sells. Once it sells, we'll decide on a more permanent home. God has truly blessed us in this. It's definitely been a desire of mine to be closer to my brother's family and Brian's family. I'm so excited that Joel is going to have lots of boys to play with, as all of his cousins will be nearby and several of Brian's buddies have boys his age.

We are going to make the official move the 1st or 2nd of January. It will be bittersweet for sure...the goodbyes will be heartbreaking. But praise God it's only a couple hours away.

Please say a prayer for me...life with a newborn is a little crazy and to add all of this is a bit overwhelming. But thankfully I have several family members and youth that have volunteered to help, which I'm definitely taking them up on it. The 'For Sale' sign is up and the packing has begun!

Luke...4 Weeks Today

How time flies! Things have been very busy around here and I'm finally getting around to posting a new pic of Luke. He's doing really well. For the most part, still a really easy baby. Wow, it's a lot of work with two! But starting to get the hang of it. He looks a lot like Joel did as a baby. He also looks even more like my baby pictures than Joel...almost identical.

Trick Or Treat

Brian's brother's family came to visit Luke on Saturday and stayed for Trick-or-Treating. It was a great day! The youngest caught the hang of it very quickly. Our nephew Graham was Darth Vader, Isaiah was Batman and we had a Pumpkin and Yoda...

Luke's Arrival

Wow! Tomorrow it has been a week since Luke's birth. It has gone so quickly. Although, c-section is not what I had envisioned, it could not have gone better. We went to the hospital at 6am and he was born at 8:19am. 9lbs, 6oz and 21 inches. What a BIG Boy!!! He looks very much like Joel did as a newborn.

My recovery is better than I could ever have imagined. Thank you Lord! I've already decreased my pain meds and I am getting around really well. Luke is such a good baby. He is so easy in comparison to Joel. Joel ate every hour and a half-two hours when he was first born. Luke is eating on an average of every 4 hours. He sleeps like a champ with not a lot of effort on my part. It honestly does not feel like I could possibly have a newborn and a toddler. I am feeling great!

Although, we do have lots of help right now, which makes all the difference. We've had lots of visitors and Mom Stiver has been here for the week along with Dad Stiver for the weekend. My stepmom will be staying for a few days this coming week and my mom will be coming next Saturday for a week. Thanks all for your help! Here are a few pics of my little blessing...

False Alarm

For the past three nights, I've thought for sure it was time to go to the hospital. I've had fairly painful contractions and a lot of lower back pain. Forty five minutes to an hour into it, everything stops...Grrrrrr!!! Then I'm left wide awake at 3-4am because I thought I was going to the hospital. So I've been coping with a bowl of cereal and whatever I can find on the tv. Luckily I'm usually tired again by 5am, so I get a little sleep before Joel gets up.

My brother called to find out if my niece and nephew can visit us in the hospital because apparently their hospitals have banned anyone under 18. So I called our hospital and it's the same way. I'm so sad that Joel won't be able to join us. And the rule is immediate family members only-so none of our friends can visit either. That's half the fun! But what can we do? I guess it's best to be protected from all of this sickness going around.

Hoping it will happen before Monday!

Shower for Luke

A few of my lady friends at church decided they were not going to let me turn down a shower for Baby Luke. I felt a little guilty, because normally "old school etiquiette" says the second baby does not get a shower...but I finally concluded that if they want to bless us with a shower...why not! It was this past Sunday. Such a blessing! Thanks Missy, Lauren and Steph-Love You Girls!!!

Morning 'fro'...

Luke's Arrival

Our doctor has scheduled a C-Section for October 26th. For those of you who don't know, some doctors will perform VBAC's(vaginal birth after c-section), which Joel was a c-section; and some doctors will not do anything but a repeat c-section.

Our's will do a VBAC, but Brian would prefer that we have a c-section. He is not super comfortable with the potential risks of having a normal delivery. I don't want to go through the recovery again. But I trust the Lord will work it out, even with a c-section. So if he comes earlier than the 26th, we'll try normal delivery...if not, he'll be here October 26th!!! 28 Days & Counting!

Big Boy Bed & Potty

So, we've officially moved Joel into his new room. It was bittersweet! I'm so happy he's at the age he is at, but I broke down in tears when I said goodnight to him Tuesday night(his first night).

We've started potty training by getting him a sesame street seat and a few books that we've been reading over the last month or so. He really likes to go to the potty because it's new and he gets to flush. Monday, he said he wanted to go potty and he actually went pee-pee this time!!! Very exciting!

Forts & Family Fun

Brian has been building forts out of blankets for Joel and he LOVES it!!! He likes to get in the fort and scream "Come In, Come In" until one of us goes in with him. Here are a few shots...



Labor Day was a little gray and rainy, but still good enough to enjoy the pool and a cookout with the Stivers and Yargers.

Uncle Brian playing hoops with the boys...


Hangin...

Daddy and Joely

Grandpa Stiver after rescuing his grandson, Jordan

Danielle always makes Joel laugh...

Aunt Meg and the Boys

Cornhole

The Youngest Stiver's on their way for Ice Cream

Big Boys Eating Homemade Ice Cream from Great Grandparents

Wagon Rides...

Of Late...

So, I haven't done the best job recently capturing our outings on the camera, so I'll simply give an update on the last few weeks of life in the Stiver house.

The first week of August, Brian went to youth camp, which I was not looking forward to spending alone, but it ended up fine. Joel and I enjoyed time with friends within our church...went to the pool, downtown Indy for lunch and ice cream, toddler time at the library and a few other fun things. And my stepmom came over to help start turning the guest room into Joel's room. I got quite a bit of stuff accomplished.

After Brian got back, I went to Women of Faith, which is an awesome Christian conference for women with my mom-in-law and most of the women on Brian's side of the family. It was great and I plan on going again next year.

Last week, we went to the state fair, which I enjoyed-wasn't Brian's favorite thing. And we spent the last two days at Indiana Beach. We went with several couples from church so it was a lot of fun to be with them. But we really didn't care much for the park and won't be returning.

I'm getting tired of being pregnant. I'm only 29 weeks, so I really need to get over it! My belly is getting so big and it's starting to get really uncomfortable. But it'll go quick I'm sure. I'm also kind of sick of summer and the heat. I think that has a lot to do with it. I'm ready for fall and cool, crisp air.

That's it for now!

Professional Pics

I took Joel in to JcPenney's yesterday for his 18 month pictures. However, he's now 19 months, but last month he had too many scratches and bumps on his face for pictures. He's a clumsy thing! He did a really good job yesterday...

The Past Week

The last week has been full. Last Wednesday we took the youth kids(31 of them) to Kings Island(we had a great time)...Saturday we headed to Ft Wayne for a Stiver Family Reunion...Tuesday the zoo...today Toddler Storytime at the library...and this evening started our Carnival at our church. It's really exciting! It's definitely the biggest thing Fortville has ever seen. WWW.BRIDGEFEST2009.ORG

There are about 15 rides(including 3 or 4 that toddlers can ride), lots of yummy(unhealthy) fair food, and the usual games and such. It's going on tonight, Friday night and all day Saturday. So, we will pretty much be living at the church for the next couple of days. I'm meeting my brother halfway tomorrow afternoon to bring my neice and her friend down for the weekend. The carnival will be great for them. That's all for now. Here's a few pictures from Kings Island(for those of you not on facebook!)...