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When I visited Missouri last week, the first thing I did was go and see this little guy…
He was celebrating his 3 month birthday and thankfully I was there for the festivities. Ok so there weren’t any festivities but we did have some fun.
He is getting really strong and can hold his little head up for awhile…
I thought this little expression was pretty funny…
Eli- It was great to finally meet you and next time we see each other you will have a new cousin to play with!
Love, Aunt Shannon
In less than 5 days I’ll be heading home to Missouri for a baby shower for me! My parents graciously offered to fly me home and my friend Mandi, my Aunt and my Mom are hosting the shower for me. I can’t wait to see some friends and share in the excitement. Plus many of my friends who are coming are either pregnant or have had babies since I’ve seen them last. So I’m sure there will be lots of mom talk. I’m actually flying in next Wednesday and on Thursday my mom and I are going to make a little side trip over to Boonville so I can finally see our house in person. I can’t wait to look around the place that I soon call home and I’m sure I’ll have more than a few pictures to share after that.
When coming home my parents offered to fly me directly into Springfield but I opted to fly into KC so I could finally meet this little guy…
Let me introduce you to our nephew, Eli. I can’t wait to meet him and see the rest of the Endicott family during my quick time in KC. Back in August Lucas was able to meet Eli but I wasn’t there to share in the fun…
You can guarantee there will be a baby photo shoot going on while I visit with them. :) Congrats again to Todd & Angie…what a beautiful family!
-Shannon
Recently I asked some of my friends who are moms a couple questions…what are the top 10 things you would recommend to any new parent and what are the top 10 things that you could’ve lived without? I asked this as Lucas and I are starting to think about registry stuff and what we “need” for this baby. We are definitely taking a less is more approach not only due to the one bedroom apartment we live in but also because we think stuff is just stuff. We realize certain items can be very helpful when having a baby but others are just not necessary.
I was very interested to find out what my friends would recommend getting and what items we should pass on. I’ve made two lists with all the items. The first is the list of recommended items. I placed the most highly recommended items first and worked my way down. If an item was suggested more than once I added a star by it as well. The second list contains the items deemed unecessary by some. I also used the same method of adding a star by those mentioned more than once. It was interesting to see some items made it on to both lists. :) But overall there were some standout items that are needed and others that are not needed.
So without further adieu I present to you the lists…
Items Recommended
- Swing ****
- Swaddlers *** (Swaddle Me Brand, Miracle Swaddle Blanket)
- Bouncy Seat ***
- Cloth Diapers used as Burp Cloths ***
- Car Seat Cover for winter ** (Bundle Me)
- Lansinoh Breast Cream & Pads **
- Boppy Pillow **
- Halo Sleep Sak *
- Lots of onesies *
- Target Brand Diapers *
- Multi-Use Baby Pads
- Sling
- Glider
- Nursing Cover
- Nursing Tanks
- Sleep Nursing Bra
- Zipper Sheets
- Umbrella Stroller
- Babywise Book
- Fisher Price Booster Seat
- Diaper Genie
- Pampers Swaddlers for Newborns
- Use Cloth Diapers
- Use Cloth Wipes
- Books
- Bath Propper
- Blackout Curtains
- Secrets of the Baby Whisperer Book
Don’t Recommend/Didn’t Need
- Blankets *
- Wipes Warmer *
- Regular High Chair *
- Baby Shoes *
- Crib Bumpers *
- Diaper Genie *
- Coat before 6 months
- Nursing Cover
- Excersaucer
- Bottle Warmer
- Baby Detergent
- Target Diapers
- Baby Hair Brush
Well there you have it. Thanks to all my friends who added to this list and gave me their input. I think the most encouraging thing to hear was that every baby is different and with all of this stuff you still need lots of patience and love…that is what really matters.
-Shannon
This post comes to you from c jane enjoy it, a blog I thoroughly enjoy. This particular post touched me…especially because I’m pregnant and emotional myself. :)
-Shannon
On How We Became Pregnant, In Three Parts
from c jane enjoy it by c jane
I.
In Twin Falls Idaho there is a massive crater-like canyon that runs through town. Like the earth’s flesh was cut open, leaving a deep scar of rocks and shadows. Looking into the canyon is like peering into the core of our planet. It intimidates me, it thrills me.
I stood on the threshold of that canyon, spiritless and humbled two years ago. Five years had not given me a pregnancy. Not even a hint or breath of a conception. Sometimes I wondered if a miscarriage would be a welcomed experience. A reassurance of possibility.
Instead, I gathered up all my hopes for motherhood and sent them over the cusp of the canyon, rolling past the dark volcanic rock, splashing into the cold Snake River and sinking down into the depths of the earth. To be buried forever by mud and sediment. They were too heavy to carry around, they obstructed my path to present happiness.
Heavenly Father, I will stop asking for fertility to make me happy. And I will be happy. Right now.
Two weeks later I found out I was pregnant.
II.
In London, England there is a tunneled walkway which takes a traveler on foot from bridge to bridge along the Thames. I followed Chup as he led me towards the Millennium Bridge on a quiet evening. Dampness and darkness pushed us to hurry. We were having dinner over the river, and rain was across the sky.
We reached a concrete stairway which led straight into the rocky Thames. Chup descended and let the waves lap up his feet. I stood away from him, looking up river. My mind floated away with the water, across the ocean, over the rocky mountains to where my baby was sleeping in his crib. He was now a part of me, and being a part from him made me feel less whole.
We desired a dozen more, (two dozen more!) but my fertility record didn’t substantiate anything. And I didn’t want to spend my motherhood in a month-to-month anticipation cycle. It had already started, months after giving birth. And the next one? When? How? When? When? When!
The wind blew and I almost lost Chup with the tugboats to the Thames.
Heavenly Father, I can be happy with one baby. There would be cousins and neighborhood kids for communal siblings. He wouldn’t be lonely, he’d be just fine. One baby. I could be happy with one baby. This prayer I sailed into the wind while taking my husband’s hand for stability.
Two months later I found out I was pregnant.
III.
To create life–this act of man and wife–is sanctified by God as the greatest of man’s ability. To some He gives it freely, to others he tempers with humility and patience. To struggle with procreation is how God chooses to keep my pride in check. I fail, I fail and fail until it becomes more logical to give up. Somehow in giving up, He gives to me.
And that is how we became pregnant.
One of my favorite things during our trip to Vancouver was meeting up with this little cutie…
I was so excited when I found out Levi and Shelley (Avery’s parents) were able to make it to Vancouver to celebrate Levi’s graduation. They are from British Columbia but not Vancouver so it wasn’t a given that they would be there. Thankfully they were and I was able to finally meet Avery and spend some wonderful time catching up with Shelley at Regent. It was simply refreshing to see her again and to see her as a mother to this darling person…
Avery is quite the thinker…she just sits and thinks. But we were still able to get some smiles out of her…
And of course I had to not only take pictures of Avery but with her as well…
A few shots of the beautiful Simpson family…mother and daughter…
…the whole family…
While Avery was mostly calm and thoughtful there was one time when she tried to bite my head off…
It was so good to catch up with Shelley and I wish we would’ve had more time together but I’m so thankful for the time we shared. Shelley, you are a wonderful friend. :)
-Shannon
P.S. – I’ll leave you with my favorite shot of the day…I dont’ know why but this picture just makes me crack up…
When we made our recent trip to Vancouver we were lucky enough to stay with Nathan & Karen, a family from our former home group. When we lived in Vancouver we met each week at their house and they never ceased to amaze with their hospitality. And this trip to Vancouver was no exception. They were so easy going with our crazy come and go schedule and I’m so thankful we were able to spend time with them and their two boys, Luke & Caleb. We knew Luke when we lived in Vancouver but Caleb came along right as we were leaving. It was so neat to see the brothers interact and I can’t believe how big they have both grown.
Nathan, their dad, is a man after Lucas’ own heart. He was raised in the mountains of British Columbia and while he’s a fancy, dancy lawyer these days he has dreams of buying some land and becoming a farmer. A couple years ago for Nathan’s birthday Karen got him a trip to Cowboy Camp. After he returned we celebrated by having a Cowboy Party and Nathan unveiled his rope and “cow”. Well he brought these back out on the occasion of our arrival. The boys (and by boys I mean Nathan and Lucas) spent most of the afternoon roping and I spent my time following around Luke & Caleb with my camera.
Nathan showing Luke how it’s done…
Luke was only interested for so long and went back to playing in the dirt with his dozer…
I followed Caleb around for awhile and loved playing with him. Last time I saw him he was just a teensy baby so it was extra fun to play with him this time…
This is probably my favorite shot of the day…he just climbed up to stand between the two posts and this shot happened…
Another favorite shot of the day happened after I laid down on the ground to get on Caleb’s level. His eyes lit up and he crawled over to and then proceeded to crawl on top of me! I snapped this one of the two of us and I just love it…
Finally a few shots of Nathan & Caleb with Nathan being the horse and trying to buck Caleb off. Good thing Caleb loves it!
Thanks again for letting us stay with you!
-Shannon
When we visited our friends Matt & Tracy up in Ithaca, I couldn’t help but do a little photo shoot with their new daughter Nadya. Here are some of my favorites from our time together…
Yay for cute babies!
-Shannon
This past Friday I took off work early and we drove the 4 1/2 hours up to Ithaca. Our friends Matt & Tracy live in Ithaca and our other friends Joel & Nichole live in Erie, PA. We decided to meet in the middle in Ithaca. Unfortunately Nichole came down with the flu the night before so she and baby Cecily weren”t able to make it. On Friday when we arrived we headed off to join Matt & Tracy at Chi Alpha. All six of us were involved in Chi Alpha campus ministry at Missouri State and now both Matt & Tracy and Joel & Nichole are Chi Alpha campus pastors. We were able to enjoy Chi Alpha again as we went to their group meeting. Afterwards we headed out to eat and then off to bed. On Saturday we woke up, ate a big breakfast and then decided to walk around campus. They say Ithaca is gorgeous and they aren’t kidding. These are just right in the middle of campus…
The boys trying to smile in the freezing cold weather…
Lucas and I enjoying the views…
Cornell is perched above the town and looks out on to the lake. It really is quite beautiful…
We climbed to the top of the bell tower and I was able to get a few shots from above…
On our way down the bell tower we enjoyed a concert. This guy is playing the bells and as he pushes the levers they are connected to strings that pull the bells. It was actually quite fascinating…
After the mini-concert we peeked in the campus chapel. It is kind of ironic the Cornell even has a chapel since the school was founded as an antithesis to religiously founded schools. This chapel is more of a “sacred space” in that it reflects are kinds of religions and “good” people. It was pretty but it was the first time I have seen Florence Nightingale in stained glass.
The main man in the altar space is holding a banner that says, “philosophia”…
After the chapel we headed to the bowling alley on campus and played a game…
Matt keeping track of the score…
Joel and Lucas debating who will win…
After bowling we had lunch at a little greek restaurant and then headed back to Matt & Tracy’s place. One of the most exciting things about seeing Matt & Tracy was meeting their new baby girl Nadya!
Matt & Tracy have been in the adoption process but a few weeks before Christmas they received a call asking if they could come the next day and pick up a baby girl! They were expecting a few weeks preparation but due to the circumstances they were asked to come get her immediately. Nadya was two weeks old when they brought her home and she is now eight weeks old. She is quite the little cutie!
The whole family…Matt, Tracy, Nadya and Angel…
We had such a great time seeing old friends and hopefully next time Nichole and Cecily can make it too!
-Shannon
After our 3+ days in KC we headed down to West Plains to spend time with my parents. Along the way we stopped in Springfield to have lunch with my Aunt Shirley and cousins Chris and Carrie at none other than Springfield Brew Co.
I was also able to sneak in a little time with my friend Mandi. We only had an hour together at Barnes & Noble but it was so great to see her…
We even got to see Jesse for a bit when he came to pick Mandi up…
Then we were on our way to West Plains to celebrate Christmas some more. My Aunt Dodo and Uncle Mike were visiting from Kentucky so we were able to see them as well. The evening was great with time spent together and presents shared…although Lucas and I had way too many presents to open. :)
Lucas got a mandolin!
And I received many wonderful gifts as well. One of my favorites was from my Aunt and Uncle…a picture of me and my Grandpa, my mom’s dad. I don’t have many pictures of him or with him because he died when I was young. All the more reason to love this picture…
The next day my Aunt and Uncle headed back home and we spent part of the afternoon at the conservation center. But first my mom had to get ready to go…and no it wasn’t even cold! :)
While we were with my parents we celebrated New Year’s Eve with them. I ended up setting up my new Wii and Wii Fit so we were well entertained. We had a lovely dinner of appetizers…
And then we enjoyed the Wii..
It was one of the best New Year’s Eve celebrations I’ve ever had. Although I think April, our family dog, had a little too much fun…
Happy New Year!
The next night we enjoyed our final dinner together…
And then it was time to say goodbye…
It was a great visit home to Missouri although it was too short to do much else other than see our family. After the 19 hour drive back home we are settled back into life in Princeton.
-Shannon
After our long drive home we arrived in Kansas City, MO around noon on Christmas Day. We spent the day catching up and playing Wii but Lucas and I were in bed by 5:30 that night and didn’t wake up until 9:00am the next day! Todd & Angie, Lucas’ brother and sister-in-law, were down in Joplin with Angie’s family so we spent the next few days with Lucas’ parents and grandparents.
The day after Christmas we made a trip up to St. Joseph to possibly eat at a restaurant to celebrate Lucas’ birthday. Along the way we spent some time at a local park. It had been very cold in Missouri but on this day it was in the mid 60’s!
During our time in St. Joe we found out the restaurant wasn’t open anymore so we ended up driving all the way over to Wabash BBQ. Even though it was too much driving the food was worth it. Plus Lucas was able to pick up some BBQ sauce as well.
We were also able to meet up with our friend Jeff as he drove through town on his way back to Chicago. And what better place to meet than Taco Bell…
Finally on Sunday Todd & Angie were back so we were able to celebrate more of Christmas with the opening of presents…
Lucas’ favorite ornament…
Angie enjoyed her presents…
Lucas loved opening his presents as well…
Dad…
Grandma & Grandpa..
Mom…
Lucas with his favorite BBQ sauce…
And more presents…
And my big present…
Then we enjoyed a wonderful meal…Lucas helped out but Bonnie was really the chef..
And then we had the biggest news of Christmas…Todd & Angie are having a baby!!! We are so excited for them and Lucas and I will now be an Aunt and Uncle! Congratulations!
-Shannon
