Winter Wonders

We are having a great time in the States for Christmas. It is stressful traveling with two little ones. Shaylee's having a hard time sleeping and they are both a little overwhelmed with stimulation, which adds a little crankiness. But even with that we are enjoying seeing our family. We arrived in Illinois on the 8th. The next day we cut down our tree and Micaiah had his first experience with snow. He LOVES it! On the 14th we went to Texas for a few days to see my dad and sisters. Now we are back in Illinois, and Ell's fam (parents, bro and his girlfriend) is here through Sunday for a quick visit. Everyone is excited to see the babies. All the extra stress aside, it's so nice to see the fam for Christmas. It's also nice to do a few other Stateside things like go to Wal-Mart, Panera, Kohl's, eat Chicago pizza, and DRIVE (it's been two years for me).

Exploring Grandma's house in his favorite outfit

Taking the tractor ride out to cut the Christmas tree

Micaiah's first experience in snow

Playing in the leaves with Gramps (Dena's dad)

Flirting with Grandpa Mark (Dena's stepdad)

Fun in Grandma's hot tub

Rock The Vote

A while ago I began the investigation into 2008 presidential candidates. It's so hard to figure out everyone's voting record, who's a flip-flopper, who's telling the truth, and so on. So let me ask you...how are you deciding who to vote for? Are you sticking with your party? The party your parents vote for? Where are you getting info on the candidates? Fox News? CNN? Family? Friends? Know a great website? Now, I'm not asking you to share your pick, but by all means feel free to if you want.

My Life Lately

So it's been two months since my last post, shamefully. I've spent the last several weeks feeling guilty for forsaking the blogging community and thinking that soon probably no one will ever check my blog again because they will automatically assume I have not updated. Then yesterday I realized that I need to stop feeling guilty for being so involved with my family that I did not have time or energy for my computer. So, tothat end, I will give you general highlights of the last couple months. I hope they were worthwaiting for.
My amazing husband was ordained on Oct 14 by Dr. Jerry Pence and Rick West (L. Amer. Area Director). The service took place on Sunday morning at church. Dr. Pence gave the sermon and then proceeded with the ordination. I surprised myself by crying. At the same service, our pastor installed him as the youth pastor at church (timing purely coincidental).
The following week was the biannual conference of JIBACAM, the Latin American mission board (like Global Partners, only for L. Amer). The conference is in a different place every time. Two years ago it was in Mexico, this time here in Lima, and next time in Panama. It was a good time of teaching, planning, and connecting with other missionaries and mission-minded church leaders.
During this time Elliott's parents visited. The three of them went to the jungle for 5 days to explore, fish, etc, while I stayed home with the kids. They had fun eating, playing with the grandkids, and exploring the city. It was definitely sad to see them go.
We tried to start potty training shortly before the grandparents got here. We had two great days, then he wouldn't do it while they were here. No big deal, we started again three days after they left. By the end of the second day Micaiah was asking on his own to use the potty. When it's time to go we throw our hands up in the air, yell "potty time!" get all excited and run to the bathroom. So when he needs to go he throws his hands up and says "time!". I bought him underwear with cars on it, from the movie Cars, which is all he cares about watching. He likes his underwear, but his belly is so big he really can't see the picture on the front of it until he takes them off. He is doing very well, and we even have accident-free days. Although, he has peed on the couch a few times...I think we will have it cleaned after Christmas-it stinks!As for Christmas...we are going to the States!!! We leave on Dec 7 (arriving in Ill Dec 8) and return home on Dec 30th. I am so excited to see family, friends, and Wal-Mart! I need to do some serious shopping for things we can't get here, namely clothes tall enough for me. I can't wait to show snow to Micaiah. I LOVE to play in the snow like a little kid and I hope my son will, too.
In prep for our trip we have been running around trying to get paperwork for Shaylee. First we had to get her government-issued birth certificate. Then I took her to get her Peruvian passport. Has been working all week on her Canadian citizenship and passport. When we travel for Christmas she will have to exit Peru as a Peruvian (by law the first time she leaves the country she must do it as a Peruvian regardless of other nationalities), but will enter the U.S. as a Canadian (if she enters as a Peruvian, we would need to apply for a visa for the U.S. which she could be denied). It's confusing, but at least we are getting it all worked out.

Well, that's my update. I will give more about the kids before Christmas, I promise.

Proud moments at Elliott's ordination.

Getting so big!

My view for much of the day.

Ummm...?

Today I called the national registry to register Shaylee's birth with the government. The call went like this:

Me: Hi, I need to register a birth.
Woman on other end: Of a child?
Me: (pondering what other types of births I could possibly be registering. Someone born elderly? My goat, perhaps? The birth of a new African nation? Yet I simply replied...) Yes.
Woman: One moment please.

I'm not sure that lady was really with it today.

Good Morning Starshine

Shaylee started smiling about a month ago, just after her one month 'birthday'. At first she only smiled at me, but after a little while she began including Elliott in the fun. And now she has a few select toys that also share the pleasure of receiving her toothless grin. A couple of weeks ago she started laughing, and it is the cutest thing! Occasionally she can spend about 20 minutes just laughing at me. It always brightens my day. Even on the stressful days, I love being a mommy!

Bilingual Baby

Micaiah talks incessantly all day long. Most of it is nonsense gibberish, but he is starting to build quite a vocabulary. He says several food words like bread, cheese, juice, etc. He can point to and name several body parts (his favorite is to poke his sister in the eye and say "eyes"). He can name several animals like dog, cat, horsie, bird, etc. He also asks for several things. He'll bring his shoes to me and say "shoes" then run to the door and say "outside". He has learned a few new cute things, like he says "oh man" and recently learned "c'mon" which he says with such inflection it's hilarious!

He speaks English mostly, but says a few things in Spanish. Since he was about 10 months he will play answer the phone by saying "¿aló?" He has a bath book with pond animals that has taught him "cisne" or swan, in Spanish. Since he loves bread he has also learned to ask for that in Spanish (pan). But on Friday we were at home eating lunch with a Peruvian lady, so we were all speaking Spanish. I was also talking to Micaiah in Spanish. He had eaten well, then decided he'd had enough, so he very sternly told me "no más!" (no more). I was amazed! He was in no way prompted, and I've never heard him say this before. One (of the many) thing I like about living overseas is the opportunity my kids have to grow up bilingual. And it's really fun to watch it happen.

Potty Training Here We Come

That's right, I think Micaiah may be ready to use a potty. He's been showing several of the classic signs of readiness (although Elliott is having a hard time-doesn't want his little guy to grow up). We have checked out a few little potties, and I think we settled on one (they are so expensive here!) We are planing to get the potty this week and give him a little while to get used to it before we actually start the training. I am reading about just how to start the whole process and have talked with a good friend about what worked and didn't work for her little girl.

So, here's my question: pull-ups or straight to training underwear? Which did you use for your little ones? Did it work well, or would you do it differently if you could do it over? I've heard some moms say that pull-ups just confused their child and normal underwear worked better. Anyone else have this experience? Or the opposite? Any other advice or "wish I would have known that before" information is most welcome.

Six Weeks of Sweetness

This was originally supposed to be a one month update, but it's so hard to make it to the computer these days. Anyway, Shaylee is doing great! She is such a blessing. She is growing like a weed! At her one month check-up she had put on three pounds since the birth, topping her off at an even 11. She grew from 20.5 inches to 22. I constantly look at her and think, "I'm sure glad that head was smaller when it came out of me". She sleeps pretty well - she only gets up once in the night to eat, usually. She is becoming more alert everyday and starting to show preferences for certain things. She turns her head to follow a voice, and if she is fussy she immediately calms down when her mama comes near. We've even gotten a few smiles out of her! Her big brother is doing well with her, and only occasionally tries to hit her. He does steal her pacifier, though it's been over a year since he used one. He recognizes which things are hers, and will bring me a burp cloth or blanket and say , "sis". When she cries he gives her a kiss on the head and also sometimes gives her high five and "props". They'll have so much fun together in a few months.

Here are a few pictures showing the six weeks of our little sweetie's life.

She's finally here!

Only two days old


She may be asleep, but that smile still melts my heart.

Her baby dedication

Catching some sun after church (after over a week of overcast)


Shaylee's first time at the ocean


Catching some 'shut eye' - ha ha


Future rookie card pose!

All dressed up and ready for church

Posing for a family portrait

Cuddle time with Grandma

Playing with big brother


A Cubs fan from birth

Earthquake Update

As you may have seen on the news, Peru has been hit by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake. We are all fine, if not slightly shaken (pardon the ill timed pun). There appears to be no damage to our house or neighboring buildings and we have received word that our mentors, Jarvis and Sue are safe and sound.

Please keep Peru in prayer as the nation recovers.

Sincerely,
Elliott, Dena, Micaiah and Shaylee Innes

A Shaylee Story

Well, as most of you know from Elliott's blog, Shaylee Ann Innes was born Tuesday July 10th at 6:53pm. She weighed 8 lbs 0.5 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long, and she is beautiful! Thanks to all of you who were praying with us for a safe delivery. (Disclaimer-may contain material considered sensitive by some.) So without further ado, here is the story of Shaylee...

We were staying at a friend's house in twin beds in their guest room, since the floors in our house were just being finished. I woke up at 12:30 very early Tuesday morning feeling very wet. I wasn't sure if my water broke or what, but I turned on the light and asked Elliott to go get a towel. Sure enough, my water had broken. We decided we would just go back to sleep and wait for contractions to start, but since sharing the only dry twin bed was very hard (especially with my big belly) we decided to go home. We arrived home to beautiful new floors and very little odor. We managed to get a few hours sleep, and still woke up to no contractions. Elliott called the doctor and she said for me to walk, walk, walk to get labor going. So I went outside and did a few laps in the back yard, got bored, so I swept the driveway. Still waiting for contractions, I swept the kitchen, did some dishes, vacuumed the hallway, the stairs, then finally took a shower and got ready for the day. We had no groceries, so Ell suggested we go shopping. Well, walking all over the grocery store did it. As we were paying at the cash register I had my first contraction. It was almost 1pm - a little over 12 hours after my water broke.

The contractions weren't very strong yet, so we sat down to eat some lunch with our friends and spend a little time with Micaiah before the real work got started. Then I cuddled on the couch with my little guy until I needed to go to bed to concentrate on the labor.

The contractions were hard to get an average on. I would wait 8 minutes, have an intense one, wait about a minute and a half, have a weaker one, then repeat the cycle. The doctor came around 3:00pm to check me, and said I was only at about 2-3 cm, and the baby was still at station -3. We figured it would be a long labor, so I settled into bed and anticipated a birth sometime after midnight. After a few hours I got in the birthing pool we had set up in our bedroom. I was having another contraction as I entered, but the second the water hit my belly the discomfort greatly decreased. I spent a little over an hour in the water just relaxing through the contractions. Elliott was great to coach me when I needed it and stay silent when I needed that.

We called the doctor about 5:30 to give her an update. She asked if I wanted her to come then, but I figured we had several hours ahead of us so I told her she was fine to wait. About ten minutes later I realized everything was getting more intense and I was starting to feel the "self doubt" that lets you know you are getting close. So we called her back and told her she better head over. Then it seemed that maybe the water was not helping as much as before, so I got out of the pool to see if laying down on the bed would help.

As soon as I laid down I had one pretty intense contraction. The next one came a few minutes later and I could feel I needed to push. The doctor was not at the house yet, so I asked Ell to call to see where she was. Just then the door bell rang. All I wanted was for the doctor to confirm I was at 9 or 10 centimeters so I could push. She took a while getting to our room and I was wondering if this baby was going to beat the doctor. She checked me quickly and then started talking to Elliott. All I wanted was to hear a number. I told her a couple times that I wanted to get back in the pool, but no one could hear me. So I finally yelled, "water, now!" The doctor jumped out of the way as Elliott helped me stand up and walk two steps to the pool. As I was doing this the baby's head came halfway out. I was scared I was going to tear like crazy since she seemed to be coming so fast. I got in the pool and waited, for what seemed like an eternity, for the next contraction to come. Elliott got in the pool with me and waited. The next contraction came, I pushed twice, and out she came -- right into Elliott's hands! The umbilical cord was loosely around her neck, so the doctor helped turn her around to free the cord.

Elliott handed our daughter to me, and we sat there in the tub in awe of what had just happened. I was a little shocked at how quickly our "long" labor had progressed - about 6 hours from the first contraction. And I didn't tear at all! I held her in my arms and she immediately began rooting. So at three minutes old she nursed for the first time, right there in the tub. After delivering the placenta and cutting the cord we all got out. I laid on our bed and cuddled with her under blankets to keep us both warm. After about a half an hour Micaiah came in and we had one of the most precious moments of my life as our new family spent time getting to know each other. Micaiah immediately wanted to give her kisses, and seemed very happy to see his mommy after several hours apart.

The whole birth was a wonderful experience. It was such a blessing to give birth to her at home. Elliott was amazing -- timing contractions, coaching me through labor and even catching Shaylee as she came out. Everything was perfect. Thank you, Lord for a safe and healthy birth, for an amazing husband, and these two little miracles.

*Check Elliott's blog for many pictures*
www.globalinnes.blogspot.com

Baby's Coming!

Just to let you all know -- my water broke today (tues) at 12:30am. Nine hours later I still have no contractions, but everything seems fine and we are just waiting. Elliott will be providing more frequent updates on his blog, www.globalinnes.blogspot.com. The next post from me will probably contain new baby pictures!

We would appreciate your prayers that everything goes well and we are both safe and healthy. Thanks!

Yummm

Last night for dessert I had apple praline ravioli with saffron ice cream. A definate first for me, and oh so good!

M-M-M-My Micaiah

Micaiah and I are hiding out at our friend's house while the men lay the wood floor at our's. Here is Peru they put wood down by heating tar and using that to affixthe wood to the concrete beneath. So our house stinks and it's a little toxic to the pregnancy, so we left. Hopefully the fumes will clear out enough for us to sleep there tonight.

I just wanted to take a few minutes to let my little boy shine. In a few days he will have to share the spotlight with a little bro/sis, so I thought I'd give him his moment in the sun. He's so precious and does so many new things everyday.

He mimics everything we say. He may not always get all the letters in there, but it's clear he's repeating the words he hears. He learned to walk backwards a couple weeks ago and he loves to show off his new skill. When it's bath time he says "bath" and runs to the tub and looks in all excited. He follows a few directions like bringing us the object we ask for, and will tell us when an object is "no no". He loves to dance to music and does the motions to Itsy Bitsy Sppider. He loves to give kisses, and will pucker up and lean forward for them. When we say the baby's name he lifts up my shirt and kisses the belly. I know I'm biased, but I just think he's the most precious thing ever. And in a few days or weeks I will think the same about another little bundle.

Update

Wow, sorry it has been so long! So much has been happening, I will just give you all a point list so I don't lose you in all the details.

- Elliott went to the Amazon on a missions trip. All went well, but he came home with dengue fever. He spent over a week in bed, but is just fine now.
- During that time Micaiah got two molars at the same time and screamed for two days straight. I almost lost my mind!
- Micaiah had his first illness the last two days Ell was gone and we ended up at the clinic because he kept throwing up. He was fine, but a couple days later I got the same bug and spent a couple nights in a row hovering over the toilet.
- We are all now well in spite of Micaiah getting a third molar. This one came in with much less pain than the first two.
- On the first floor of our house, the wood flooring was raising up. Long story short: the entire first floor wood was removed. The problem was discovered to be the concrete underneath. Five centimeters of that was removed and new concrete was poured. (Our whole house is now covered in dust and all the furniture is squished into the office.) That is now dry and they should begin the process of laying the new wood today. This will take about a week by the time they finish laying the varnish. (This is really pushing close to the due date, yikes!)
- I am now 39 weeks! Baby is so low it's crazy. I feel great, and all is still going well. I am enjoying the last few days I have to give my full attention to Micaiah. We are all ready for the birth and hoping for a pleasent one like we had with Micaiah.

I'm sorry so many of you were wondering if I'd had the baby. We will post as soon as anything happens.

Pregnancy and Ecuador Pics

We spent last Tuesday thru Friday night in Ecuador getting our residency. Tuesday we mainly traveled and got settled into the hotel. Wednesday morning we rode thru the countryside to the town where the consulate was located, we spent the afternoon in the consulate. (Very easy to get residency in Peru!) Thursday we drove back to the city and played a little in the park in the afternoon. Friday we hung out and then boarded our plane. Because of delay after delay, we did not return home until 4am Saturday. But Micaiah did beautifully with all his missed naps and different foods to eat.

On the pregnancy front, I am 33 weeks now. I think I am about as big now as I was when I was due with Micaiah. A couple people have told me I've dropped, but I don't know. It's still awfully early, but possible. Things are still going well, although I can tell I am getting closer. I am waddling more and walking slower. Sometimes I think of Angela's post a couple days before her baby was born when she got lapped by the old folks on the track. I'm starting to feel that way!

Calling All Bloggers

Okay, we need help! We have had a girl's name picked out since before we were even married. We have always refered to our first daughter by this name. Now we are not so sure if we want to sick with it. We are covered in the boy's name department, but we need your help with a girl's name. We like uncommon, but not weird names, something with great meaning. Something a little trendy would be okay, but not commonly trendy like Madison. Something old-fashioned would be fine, but not something 80's like Brandy or Tiffany. Something Biblical would be nice, but not something too plain like Rebecca or Elizabeth, and not something awful like Dorcus or Jezebel.

Any and all suggestions are welcome as long as they are sincere.
Thanks for your help.

Pet Peeves

I'm curious and I'd like to hear your thoughts. This may require a little self-reflection and honesty. What are your pet peeves? What are those things that drive you crazy that other people do? I was just thinking about it today, and it made me wonder what bothers other people.

I'll start. I can't handle when people stand in doorways. The whole point of a doorway is to provide an entrance or exit to somewhere else. It is only something to pass through for a brief moment, not somewhere to congregate. Yet, many do not understand this concept and continue to have long discussions in doorways. So there. That's one of my pet peeves. Not sure if I'd say it's my biggest, but one that makes the list. So, now it's your turn.

(Side note: Ell and Micaiah are back safe and sound after having an incredible time. I'm so glad to have my family again!)

Empty Nest

Elliott and Micaiah went to Ontario for 10 days. They left at almost midnight on Wed. It's sad and lonely here. It is nice to be able to eat a meal all by myself instead of feeding Micaiah simultaneously. And it's nice not to have to clean up the messes and pick up toys. But I miss my family. I'm a mom...what do I do without a child to care for? The little one in me is quite busy kicking away every chance he/she gets. But even still, this baby does not require attention like an out-of-the-womb one does.

I am sill working on missions stuff while they are gone. And I have been catching up on Grey's Anatomy and Heroes (we have the dvd's). But it's not the same without my little family. We have done video phone calls over the web so I get to see my little guy. But he looks so cute I just want to cuddle him.

Well, enough sap for now. I have youth group to prepare for.

Self-Discipline

How do you teach yourself to be self disciplined? I have never really possesed this skill, but I want to. I've never been able to keep a diary, can't remember to take a vitamin daily, and am easily disracted when working alone. So how do I correct this? Is it futile to think if I have no self-discipline that I can teach myself to have it? What do you think? Can you help me?

Recent Happenings

Yesterday I went to Immigration to finish the process Elliott started the day before of extending our time here. We entered on our passports and were told they were good for 90 days. We are in the process of getting residency, but are waiting for the paperwork to return, which should only be another 2-3 weeks. So after two trips to the office (because it closed while we were there, but before we could finish) and time spent standing in line, I was told we were not elligible for renewal because we are already over our time, and therefore illegal. Our time on a passport is only 60 days, not 90. Great! Not a big deal, we will each have to pay a fine of one dollar per day we were over time. Ell and Micaiah are going to N. America in about 10 days, so they will each pay about 45 dollars. I'm not sure when I am leaving, but it'll have to be soon.

Micaiah has been walking for about two weeks now. He got up, took his first steps, and never stopped. He didn't just take a few steps the first day, he just started walking! It was pretty cool. And now that's all he wants to do. I am hoping that when he and Ell get to Canada he will just walk right to his grandma. That'll make her cry, and we all know that's the point. He also started saying real words recently. He's been calling the dog "ga ga" (I think it meant "good girl") for a couple months, but now he says "dog", and possibly "no" and "book". He's been saying "lie" and pointing at lights for about 3 months, but we're stilling waiting for those ending consonants. But all day he babbles in his own language, and I just love it!

We were supposed to be in Argentina right now, but since our residency visas are not in yet, we could not go. Very sad. We were supposed to go down to the very southern tip and would have gotten to see penguins and possibly whales! Not quite what you think of in S. America, is it?

Well, that's all for now.

25 Weeks and Counting

For those of you who have asked, and any others who care to see, here's the growing baby. We turned 25 weeks yesterday. It continues to be a very easy pregnancy, like the previous one. I am starting to feel those abdominal muscles stretching out, but that is normal. All is well, and we pray it keeps going that way.

Happy Birthday!

My little guy is one year old today! Happy Birthday to him! We will have a party on Saturday and I'll share pics. Today we are spending a nice morning at the park just the three of us. Happy Special Day, little one!

Special Day

Last Sunday, a week ago, Micaiah was dedicated in church. It was not as big a deal as we normally make it in N. America, but it was special, nonetheless. It was just two minutes at the service. Micaiah was precious -- pulling the pen out from the Pastor's pocket, and smiling for the camera. He's our little cutie.