What a Year

Can you believe that 2011 is coming to a close? And Oh, what a year it's been! The most memorable moment by far has been the birth of our baby in February. Life is more full and enjoyable because of him.

This blog has been a fun outlet for me - more than I ever expected. And a BIG part of it is because of readers like YOU. Thanks so much for sharing in our joy, looking at the endless numbers of photos that I post, and reading the silly stories of Maximus & Kooky.

Wishing all of you a year of peace, love, health & happiness in 2012.

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (The Message)

Happy day!

hi-d

Play Time?

"Kooky!!! I was JUST about asleep. What's going on?"

"Really? You're going to sleep, Maximus? I thought we were going to do something fun today."

"Kooky...I am tuckered out! Why don't you try and nap as well and THEN we can play."

"Okay, I'll try, Maximus."

"You can even lie right next to me. I like to nap in my swing. It's quite relaxing."

"Just TRY to get some rest, Kooky. Then, I PROMISE we can play."

"I hate to tell you Maximus, but it's NOT working. I am not a BIT tired!"

~ Okay...THIS chicken wants to PLAY? ~

"Are you READY, Kooky?"

"UP..."

"UP..."

"And AWAY!"

"That should teach a chicken to disturb a tired baby..."

Happy day!

hi-d

46 Weeks

Whew...Bambino made it through his first Christmas. He wasn't quite sure what to do with the wrapping paper when he was given a gift at Rob's parents' house. So, Grandpa started helping and tearing the paper and then Maximus began crying. I guess he didn't want to ruin the nice packaging.

Yesterday we went to my parents' house and celebrated with my family's side. He got to see his little cousin Isaiah - they are so cute together.

Let's just say that this kid is set on toys for a long time. And like everyone warned me...he was usually more interested in the box, paper, tags and containers that everything came in. All in all it was a fun time!

How was your weekend? Did you have a nice Christmas?

I was confused last week thinking that it was the last week of the month...but THIS is the last week. I hope 2011 wraps up to be a good one for you!

Happy day!

hi-d

Merry Christmas

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 (King James Version)

“...what must I do to be saved?" They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”
Acts 16:30-31

Merry Christmas!

hi-d

Photos by hi-d: Christmas Trees at Nordstrom w/Photoshop

He Likes What He Likes...

Here he is in his swing - holding the brush. I told you he's attached to this. And no, that's not a bow in his hair. Ha! It's actually part of the mobile overhead.

Papa is brushing M's hair and it appears that Maximus is about ready to pass out.

3 days to go! Are you ready for Christmas?
I'm going to go buy some more combs and brushes tomorrow for Maximus and wrap them for Christmas. Ha!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor...”
(Isaiah 9:6, NIV)

Happy day!

hi-d

My Mom, The Musician

I've been meaning to post about this for a while. I wanted to give a little shout out to my Mom. She is a professional organist/pianist/keyboard(ist) who has been playing almost her entire life. She started piano around 7 years of age and then added organ at 13. She took lessons for many years. One of her teachers even played for silent movies.
 Back in 1965 she recorded an album and in August of this year, she had it digitally remastered on CD.


Front Cover of CD - Original photo taken when she was 30 years old

The recording was done on the Gulbransen Rialto Theatre Organ. There are 13 popular songs on the recording. Do-Re-Mi from "The Sound of Music"; Wunderbar; The Orange Blossom Special; Melody of Love; Moonlight in Vermont; Only You; Java; Get Me To The Church On Time from "My Fair Lady"; Billboard March; Colonel Bogey; Getting to Know You from "The King and I"; Hey Look Me Over from "Wildcat".

She's selling her CD for $10/ea, plus $2.50 for shipping & handling.
Here's her contact info in case you or someone you know might be interested:

Loretta (email: rolram@comcast.net)

Loretta's Bio

Turned professional at the age of 20, playing at:

• Nohlgren's All You Can Eat For 99 Cents in 1956.
• Soon after, went to Robert's Rod 'n' Reel, a lounge in downtown Portland, where Nordstrom is now located. There, she played for 6 hours a night, 6 nights a week, playing dinner music as well.
• The Oaks Skating rink, and The Imperial Skating Rink. Both rinks had pipe organs. (The Oaks Skating Rink is the only rink in the WORLD that still has a pipe organ!)
• In 1961, went to work for Cascade Piano and Organ Co. as demonstrator of organs/book keeper. Also gave concerts for them.
• Before Organ Hits By Loretta was made, she made a Christian album, recorded by Hughlon Faulk in Oregon City.
• Did some traveling over the years giving concerts and demonstrating organs.
• Played numerous weddings, funerals, and church services.
• Currently plays at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church on the Rodgers 950 D 3 manual organ.
• Quote by Loretta - "Music is God's gift to me and I would not feel complete if I couldn't express myself with music. I love playing unto Him, and I love to play all styles of music."

She even taught 2 of my brothers and me to play. I love the fact that I'll always have a CD of her music.
Way to go, Mom! I'm so proud of you.

Happy day!

hi-d

45 Weeks

Grandma LaLa gave Maximus this big furry monkey. And as much fun as this little guy looks like he's having, he's actually more fascinated by the tags than anything else, when he sees the monkey.

Maximus also loves his comb and brush that we use on his hair...so much so, that we had to buy him another set for him to play with; however, I think we could use several sets...one up stairs, downstairs, in the car, the kitchen, etc. etc.

Last week we were eating dinner, the three of us and we gave Maximus some of the veggies from the soup we had. He really liked the beans and carrots and potatoes. Rob kept talking to Maximus and saying..."b-b-b-b---bean."

"BEAN?"

Really?

That's the word you want to try and teach him to say?

haha...

Well, this is it...the last week before Christmas.

I'm gonna try and do a couple more posts at least this week and hope to stop by and see how you are doing.

Happy day!

hi-d

Sit Back & Watch...

It's Friday and we're now almost 1 week away from Christmas! Yikes...Are you ready?

Yesterday I took a trip to the mall with Maximus. It's been a while since I've been there and I must say that I'm either getting old or I was a bit tired and hungry, but the sights, sounds and smells were enough to give me a headache.

This weekend will involve wrapping gifts, going to a fun family Christmas party followed by church on Sunday.


What about you? What's on your plate?

Whatever you're doing, I hope you get a chance to sit back and relax. Oh, and check out this amazing video, and I MEAN AMAZING, of time lapsed photography showcasing my home state. It makes me want to go visit every square inch of Oregon.

Finding Oregon from Uncage the Soul Productions on Vimeo.

Happy day!

hi-d

 

A Reason to Laugh

This little guy always gives me a reason to have fun and laugh.
Life is too short to be SO serious, don't you think?
I feel blessed beyond words...thank you, Jesus!

The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7 NIV

Happy day!
hi-d

44 Weeks

What a difference a week makes! Last week Rob was holding Maximus by the arms in a standing position and M started taking a few steps.


In the kitchen, Maximus likes to take a cardboard box that we have for him to play with and he'll push it across the floor. Now he's doing that standing up and he's walking with the box in front of him.

And just yesterday, M was sitting on Rob's lap and started clapping his hands together. So now if you start clapping he'll mimic you. It's so cute.


With that being said, Rob did some childproofing around the house this weekend. We now have baby gates, outlet protectors and some safety latches installed on cupboards and drawers, as well as a cover over the front of the DVD/VHS player. So now, this Mama feels like she can breathe a bit easier. Whew...(sigh)

How was your weekend? Did you do anything exciting? I hope your Monday is off to a good start.


We are looking forward to LJ & his Mom coming over to play this afternoon.

Happy day!

hi-d

Happy Friday

Can you believe Christmas is almost 2 weeks away? Are you ready?
We need to do some more shopping this weekend.

So...what's on your list this year?
Anything special?

We put our tree up Thanksgiving weekend. I don't think we've ever done it that early, but I'm glad we did!

I think Maximus enjoys it too.
Here are some photos of him by the tree.

I think he likes the tree, but honestly, he was more taken by this cane that we have lying around. At least it helped get his attention for the pics. Who would have thought...haha...

Happy day!

hi-d

10 Months

Maximus is 10 months old today.

I thought it would be fun to take a look back at his 1 month photo.

He has certainly changed in appearance since this shot.

Poor guy...I think he'll be happy when I'm finished taking all of these weekly/monthly photos.

I'll stop doing the weekly shots at 52 weeks, but I'm considering doing the monthly ones until he turns 2.

Happy day!

hi-d

43 Weeks

Over the past few weeks, this guy has REALLY become mobile. He's crawling around like crazy and is into EVERYTHING! This past week he has been using things to help him stand up. He is getting good at this, but still needs to hold onto something for balance. He's really keeping us on our toes. I'm wondering when he'll start walking.  

I noticed today that another tooth has poked through - one of his upper lateral incisors. So now he has 5 teeth.

He is funny about food. Sometimes he gobbles it up and other times he only eats a couple bites. I think it may have to do with teething at times. He really enjoys drinking water from sippy cups and likes the ones that his Grandma LaLa bought him. In the past, Rob and I would hold a cup up to his mouth and he'd drink like that. But now, he can do it on his own, using a sippy cup and that way he doesn't get totally soaked.

He continues to say "mama" and "dada" as well as "papa." He also says "baby" a lot. And he knows his name. If he is going towards something that he is not supposed to touch and we say, "Maximus" in a firm voice, he'll stop and look at us. We'll then say, "No" and then he pauses and usually continues towards the object until we repeat the process. Eventually we have to go grab him before he rips the VHS/DVD player from the TV cabinet or tackles our computers.

He is a sweet boy, but is very determined and persistent. He loves to play peek-a-boo and he really makes us laugh when he starts squealing. It's both exhausting and fun raising this little guy. We love him to pieces.

I hope your week is off to a good start. How's the Christmas shopping coming along? I'm about 1/2 way done.

Happy day!

hi-d