Crab Boil

A few weeks ago we travelled down to Charleston to enjoy the Woodard's annual crab boil. We had a great time, especially Eason. It was so good to see Wench (aka Melissa), Will & beautiful little Reed. Melissa and I met two years ago when we were both pregnant with our gifts from God, and I count myself blessed to have her as a friend and to have shared that experience together. Eason was born on October 8th and Reed was born on October 31st.

Also, at the crab boil, we got to see the ones who introduced me to Wench. H (Sarah) and Simons Young.
H is, I do believe, my oldest friend, going back all the way to kindergarten and I love her more than words can tell. She is truly one of the greatest girls I know, and the Lord has blessed us with one of those precious friendships that picks up right where it left off, no matter the lapse of time between talking. H & Simons live in ole San Fran now, but they were back to visit & it was soooo great to see them. Although, she scorned me as having become too landlocked up in Columbia, by not already having Eason addictecd to shrimp and other fares from the lowcountry. H, I am sorry, I repent & will do better to bring him up as one who trods in the pluff mud.

Eason was a hit. and speaking of hitting, he really enjoyed the mallets used to crack open the crabs, playing drums wherever he could and running laps around the table.

He also reminded me of how very literal children are in interpreting what they hear. We had been in the back of Wench's yard enjoying Reed's car (thanks Miss Reed for sharing) when I mentioned to him, "let's go back into the party and say hi to everyone." Now, Warren & I knew some of the folks there, but certainly not all of them, and Eason really knew even less. But that did not stop him from reaching and waving his little hand as high as he could and proclaiming, "HI!" as he made his way around to greet each group of people at the party. I tell you what, that boy has never met a stranger. We had a great time and look forward to next years'!

Exhausted

Well, I have much to post and stories to share, but lately have been too tired to sit down at the computer at night and blog. Why have I been so tired? No, it's not so much just the being a wife to the greatest husband, a mom to the most precious toddler and coolest pup, and working full time...it's more that I am exhausted because I am 10 weeks pregnant. Yep, go ahead and let that one sink in. Praise the Lord! He is so kind and gracious and we are expecting a little brother or sister for Eason come March 27th or so. Here's a picture of the little peanut from a few weeks ago.
For those who do not know, we were pregnant over Christmas, but had a miscarriage over New Years. It was tough, but we serve an amazing and awesome God! By His grace, it occurred when we were still very early in the pregnancy and it was not too physically painful. Plus, it is quite hard to be down when you have this to come home to everyday!
God in His great mercy, then allowed us to conceive before what would have been the due date of the baby that miscarried. I count that as a sweet gift from my heavenly Father. Thank you Lord. All that to say, this time around has been a stretching and growing experience for my faith. When I was pregnant with Eason, I often said, "Lord, if today is as long as I get to have him, I am thankful that I had him this long." For weeks I have wrestled with resting in God's sovereignty over this pregnancy and this baby. My joy was often extinguished by trepidation. but God, in His patient mercy, lavished me with His love and with friends who prayed for me and encouraged me. Today, I can again say, "Lord, if I only have this baby so long, I thank you that I was able to have it that long." Not to say I would not be sorely disappointed should the Lord change the course of this baby, but He is helping me to trust again in His sovereignty. For the truth is, He is the author and perfector and giver of life (mine, Warren's, Eason's, yours). So, I promise to post more, but for now, I am taking naps as often as I can get them.

Talk to the eyes

We are blessed to have a polite child-in-training. Eason has done well to learn please & thank you. Often following a prompt to say them, but sometimes surprising us with saying them without the prompt. Since he was doing so well, I thought we should probably work on eye contact when speaking to someone. Eason usually looks at the floor, the object sought after, or straight ahead. I have tried to gently guide his chin up to look into my face, but as the chin goes up, the eyes often go to the side.

Well, some of Eason's favorite books were (and still are) "Where is baby's belly button" by Karen Katz. They are lift the flap books and great for teaching body parts. Because of that, Eason knows well the parts of his face, etc.  Using this, I decided I would try to show him where to look when speaking to someone.  As I handed him his coveted milk, the conversation went like this:

Sara: "Eason, what do you say?"
Eason: "Peease."
Sara: (handing him his milk) "Then what do you say"
Eason: "Tank you."
Sara: "Eason, where are mommies eyes?"
Eason: (pokes his finger in my eye)
Sara: "Eason, can you say thank you to my eyes?"
Eason: (looking directly at my eyes) "Tank you eyes."

Eason proudly walked away with his well earned milk.
I must give him credit, that is what I asked him to say.

Strike a pose

Eason had become obsessed with the Pixar movie, Cars.  The week at Edisto, I think we watched it 20 times.  E would often wake up in the morning or from his nap, and much to the same beat of the "Shane-Dada-tar" request, he would suggest "car-Doc-car."  For those of you who have not seen the movie, one of the main characters is Doc Hudson.  

Anyway, I really started this post to put on another funny video of E.  One of his newest joys is hiding and making grand entrances.

"I don't care who you are, that's funny right thar."

-Mater, Cars