Palm Sunday

We didn't make it to church today due to our late night and very slow mornings. But realizing which Sunday it was inspired me to ask Mom to get out the paints and do some palm tree art.
using the same technique we did when Jade made her "tree" picture, we put masking tape down on water color paper in the shape of a palm leaf and then painted over it.
After it dried we peeled off the tape to show off our fabulous artwork:) It isn't much but at least we did something to recognize the day.

Baby Names

When Jade was born Grandpa Bechtle wrote her a very lovely letter telling her all about her name "Jade" and it's meaning. It was so very special that I printed it out and saved it with her baby book.

Just like he did for Jade, Grandpa has also written something very special regarding Cutter's name. Both letters are so very precious and tell so much about my children's names and their meanings that I've decided to post them here for all to read.

Jade

What a special girl you are!

And your name is also very special. Your Mommy and Daddy chose it just for you, and it tells me some wonderful things about you.

Jade is your name. But jade is also the name for a very pretty stone. People use jade to make jewelry and other beautiful things.

Let me tell you about jade...and about you!

Jade is very valuable.

People in China know more about jade than anybody else, and they have always thought it was more valuable than gold. Whenever they had a race or wrestling contest, they would give the winner a prize made out of jade. The man who came in second place had to settle for just gold.

You are very valuable too. Your Daddy and mommy love you and they would do anything for you. So would Grandma and Grandpa.

And you are also very valuable to God. He loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to earth for you (1 John 4:10)

Jade is the toughest of all stones.

You can scratch a jade stone with a diamond, but you can't crush it. It has little fibers inside that make it very strong. Someone has found out that it takes 100,000 pounds of weight to crunch a one-inch piece of jade!

I believe you will grow up to be a very strong person. Even if you have hard times, you will still be able to smile and keep going.

God will help make you strong, so you can do everything you need to (Philippians 4:13)

Jade can become a thing of beauty

Because jade is so tough, it takes a long time to carve it into the shape you want. But a skilled carver can make it into something of incredible beauty and delicacy. Even the tiniest details will not break off, so you can make things out of Jade that you cannot do with any other stone.

As you grow up, your life will become something beautiful. God is the master stone carver, slowly and patiently shaping you into His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)

Jade, we are so happy that you are part of our family, and we love you.

~Grandma and Grandpa Bechtle April 2008

Cutter David Bechtle

We stand on the beach with blue sky overhead and sand between our toes, watching a brilliant white sail slicing through the waves. It’s a cutter, a small, speedy craft with a single mast – a pleasure to watch, a thrill to sail.

Cutters are sleek. They are graceful. They are fast! And that’s why people have used them for years to race, to play, to feel the sea breeze. There’s just something about a cutter that makes you take a deep breath . . . and smile.

Cutter, we smile whenever we think about you. In the next few years, you are going to pick up speed. You’re going to grow into a boy who loves life, and it is going to be a pleasure to watch you slice through the experiences of life.

When the United States was brand new, cutters took on a new role. America’s leaders decided to organize a fleet of small ships to watch over the coastlines of our country. They needed speedy craft that could defend our waters from smugglers and pirates. They needed ships that could rescue people in distress. What did they use? Cutters, of course!

Originally called the Revenue Marine, this organization later became the U.S. Coast Guard. As the needs grew, so did the ships. Cutters became bigger and bigger, and now any Coast Guard vessel over 65 feet long is called a cutter, and some cutters are up to 420 feet long!

These cutters are still fast, and they are extremely seaworthy; they can keep going in the roughest waters. They still carry protect us from pirates or drug smugglers, and they still rescue ships in distress. Between crises, they keep a watchful eye on all that goes on in the coastal waters of the United States.

In fact, you might call them the Shepherds of the Sea. When you are in trouble on the ocean, you are very glad to see a cutter coming your way! If you’re a criminal, you might not be so happy at the sight.

Cutter, as you grow older, it’s very possible that you too will develop into a kind of cutter that is bigger and more important than any of us can imagine right now. I can envision you as a shepherd of your own sea, protecting people from threats and helping people in trouble.

Your middle name is David, and it’s very significant that David was also a shepherd – of sheep, not seas. The name David means “dearly beloved,” and David was certainly loved . . . by his people and his God. When he was young, he took care of wooly lambs – feeding them, tending their cuts and bruises, leading them to the best pasture, and driving off the wild animals that would harm them.

As a young man, he was small (at least compared to Goliath) and fast. He defeated the giant by his speed and wits, not his brute force. When he was on the run from Saul, his speed and savvy carried him through some tight spots. Best of all, he realized that his strength was small, so he learned to trust completely in a very big, powerful God. And God blessed and used him.

In the end, he became shepherd of the nation. God “chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds . . . to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands (Psalms 78:70-72).

Cutter, you are dearly loved by your family and by God. As you grow, we pray that you will live up to both of your names: as a protector, a deliverer, a shepherd of all the people that God gives you. We believe that God will choose you to care for His people, and that you will find your greatest joy in that task.

-- Grandpa Bechtle, March 25, 2010

Another wonderful day

We gave Cutter his first bath later in the evening last night. It was quite a shock to the little guy and he got good and tired from all the crying and fussing over him. This turned him into quite the little sleeper, so Jonathan and I got lots of sleep!
My little angel is at that wonderful "I sleep all day and only wake to eat" stage. I find myself just staring at him even when he's not moving. Jade loves to do the same, giving him tender kisses and brushing his chubby little cheeks with her tiny fingers.
She insists to make his bouncy seat play music and show lights. It amuses her so well I don't mind and honestly I think Cutter loves the attention.
Grandma has been a wonderful help. She says she doesn't have enough to do, but she spent the whole morning doting over Jade, braiding her hair and dancing in princess dresses up in Jade's room. When she isn't playing with Jade she is helping me with Cutter, changing diapers, doing dishes, offering food and picking up around the house.
In comparison I've only changed a few diapers of Cutters so far, and today, while Mom was out running errands I got the joy of being the first to get peed all over. The little fountain went so high and fast I didn't know what to do. A change of clothes for both Cutter and I, and the floor had to be cleaned up with a rag. lol It's very different changing little boy diapers:)

It's kind of a gloomy day, but I don't mind so much, since I can't really go anywhere just yet. Spent most of the day relaxing on the couch, talking with mom, feeding my precious baby and checking emails. Though I did find time to watch a Sheer Genius episode and a Friends rerun. I also had a wonderfully long, long, shower and I'm starting to feel a bit human again.

Yes, I'm now a Mom of two!

My week started out pretty normal. Woke up and Mom and I started doing chores, cleaning, walking, laundry. I had a midwife appt around 10:30am Monday morning. It was fairly uneventful, midwife said baby had his hands up near his face and suggested we try some techniques to get his hands away from his face so his head could engage.

We ran errands, had lunch, did more laundry and cleaning. Sometime before 3pm we decided to try one of the moves the midwife recommended. Not long after I started having some painful contractions. About 3 I had some more signs that labor may be upon us...but also it may take a few days. I decided not to get my hopes up and just keep on keeping on.

It was a pretty day so we went outside to hang out and play some baseball. This is me about 2.5hrs into labor
And here is Jade and Mom playing ball. She actually (jade I mean) hit quite a few of the balls, I was really proud of her.
As the evening progressed I started becoming more and more sure that this was real labor. I finally decided to call the midwife and have her come check on me. She came around 10:30pm. Told me I was 100% effaced but only 2cm dilated. She recommended rest and trying to sleep as it would most likely be a long while yet. If my water were to break she said to call her. She left around 11pm and gave me some special herbs to drink to try to relax me. I did very hard trying to relax and sleep, but with each contraction I found myself talking to the baby and telling him I was perfectly okay if he wanted to come see me today. At exactly midnight I heard/felt a loud *POP* and it was as if a giant water balloon exploded all over the bed. Needless to say I woke JB and Mom.

The midwife and assistant waited awhile to come thinking I still had a ways to go, so maybe around 2pm. Thankfully mom and JB were there to help me through all the painful contractions and keep me focused.

What must have been an eternity to everyone else only seemed like mere painful moments for me and at 3:14am Cutter David Bechtle was born. 7lb 13oz 2oin long.
Some of you may have read my earlier posts about the possibility of Cutter being born with a clubbed foot. As you can see from the pic below he has perfectly beautiful feet!! Praise the Lord!
Nice, round and red, he is a perfect little poocher of a pumpkin
Jade got to meet him the around 8am that morning, declaring him the "cutest little brother"
She already adores him and offers him her blanket, toys and any other form of entertainment she can find. We are all nice and tired, but happy and healthy. Thank you to all of you who prayed for us!!

Jade's first Pedicure

I have been painting Jade's toes since she was very little but this was the first time I've actually taken her to a salon to get her nails done. I wasn't sure how well she'd do...but she did fabulous! She sat perfectly still for the pedicure and even enjoyed the mini leg massage. They painted a cute little flower on her big toes after painting her nails. I'm so proud of my cutie for sitting so still and having such a good time!

Uno play pics

Jonathan teaching Jade the game of "Uno"

Didn't take her long to catch on. She really likes to use "skips" lol

I have pictures some where of Jonathan teaching Jade how to play Uno. He taught her last night (or was it the night before) and she became an instant fan. After about game 5 she even let me join in. She loves card games and board games and anything with colors and counting. It's fun seeing her grow up and find her favorite little things to do.

This evening I was able to go out and celebrate a birthday with a friend and about 12 other gals. We went to Anthony's Hearthfire Grill as they had a fabulous early dinner special. I got to sit next to a friend who is due to have a baby just two weeks after I am, we are pretty funny looking with our huge belly's and pregnancy stories.
I love that I can get out as often as I do and Jonathan is more then happy to watch our little princess. I heard they played more games of "uno" and had a well balanced dinner...I think Jade had cottage cheese and apple sauce. hee, hee

While many people have told me that they feel like baby Cutter may come early, I don't really think it will happen. I'd be happy to be a momma of two tonight, but I'm pretty sure he's very content inside where it's nice and warm.

On a night like tonight, however, I'm wishing baby Cutter was here, so I'd have someone to talk to instead of just mumbling to myself.

Thankfully I haven't had any problems sleeping until very recently, but now it's difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep in and so I find myself staying up much later then I'm use to in order to fall asleep.

I saw the midwife today, everything is looking good and I'm fat and healthy. Jade loved helping measure my belly with the midwife and listen to baby's heart beat. She says it goes "thump, thump" and then says "it's a beautiful heartbeat". I love my Jade:)

I'm 38weeks...won't be long now.

Jade in one of her new dresses from Grandma B

Spring is gone.

So, Spring WAS in the air, but then it left. Probably went to CA or some other state that boasts sunshine all year round.

Am I complaining? No, I'm I bummed? Yes.

Spring will be here soon enough though and then I can brag about our fabulous WA summers and make those of you in states like VA, OH, MI, TX super jealous of me;) I'm looking forward to those posts.

Feeling big and pregnant. Hopefully baby will come around due date and I won't have to wait to long after and post long, cranky blog posts. If he is late though...I'll probably be posting long cranky posts. Yah...most likely.

Spring is in the air

We keep getting teased with spring like weather over here. I know it's not suppose to last and more rain and cold are right around the corner, but for now even my daffodils think it's spring
I'm so glad to see their happy faces, just bummed they are already blooming before the rest of my flowers.
All I want to do is soak up this sun. I even went and bought a sundress today at Old Navy nothing fancy, just something to wear on these warmer, sunnier days as I'm finishing out this pregnancy. Since these dresses are empire waist and super long, I can even buy them in the non-maternity sizes:) Nice...perhaps I'll get to wear this dress after the baby too!

Tree art

Inspired by the sunshine and my friend Camille's blog I pulled out the water colors and got the girls in aprons and we tackled a crafty painting project today.
Copying the idea from Camille, who found it on another blog, we first went outside and found a twig so we could see the designs a tree would make. Then tearing pieces of masking tape into thin strips I helped the girls place their tape all over the page to look like a tree.
Then it was color away for quite some time. The two pictures below Jade painted, the first she used a sponge brush. It retained so much water that it only took her a few strokes to cover the whole page, so I switched her over to a regular little paint brush and she had a lot more fun working with detailed colors. The black spot on the top left corner is her "moon" for the tree and the bottom black and blue she said was the "ocean".
Hopefully I can get a frame at Michaels this weekend (possibly today) and hang up these adorable tree art paintings in Jade's room.

White Hair

I found my first white hair yesterday. I was so excited about it I almost made a general announcement during prayer time at bible study on Wednesday. hee, hee

I'm not really excited about white hair per say, it's just funny to see. It's like that first time when you realize a wrinkle on your face doesn't bounce back after you stop smiling, or when you wake up from what should have been a restful nights sleep and realize your back hurts and your muscles ache. Your growing older.

There is nothing you can do about growing older, despite our greatest efforts, so like my mom, I'm determined to embrace age and not freak out about it. So, seeing my first white hair in the mirror the other day brought a smile to my face instead of a frown. Here's to more white hairs, back aches and smile wrinkles!

Another trip to Chuck E Cheese

Monday morning I met my friend her four kids at Chuck E Cheese for an early morning play date. Again, we had the whole place to ourselves and she had a super duper coupon so we got tons of coins for super cheap! The three older kids all had a blast playing together. Here they are on tv!
watching themselves on a play game. lol
Jade didn't win many tickets but she does have a blast playing all the games!
to short to peddling, but not to short to have fun!
All three kiddos in the giant rocking horse
and bit of a close-up "cheese!" You have to say "cheese" at Chuck E Cheese! lol!