The Voices Within Me

I have a little girl that is simply adored by her baby brother. I don't think she can do wrong in his eyes... I snapped this picture of Ad helping Si try to ride the tricycle. He wanted NOTHING to do with my assistance... only called out for his "Ahhhh deeeeee" (and this is proof that there was at least one day without snow on the ground!)


(btw... can I just say that I LOVE the instagram app on my phone?!? I have had it for less than a week and I am already addicted!)

my little baby turned into a 1 year old before my eyes. I can not believe that a year has passed since he joined out family and I am still brought to tears when I think about the first time I laid eyes on his beautiful dark head of hair and chunky face and legs. Silas has brought us SO much joy this past year, I really truly can't imagine life without him being a part of it. He has simply the best personality and sweetest disposition of any of our children and just knows how to melt his Mama's heart (even if he still won't say Mama). I can't believe that this stage in our lives is over, I want to rewind and live so many moments over again but then I am reminded of the amazing boy he has grown into and I look forward to all that the future still has in store. God truly knew what we needed to make our family complete and he gave us all of that and more in Silas and for that I am eternally grateful and pray that I can be a wonderful Mom to him and he always knows just how much he is loved.At one years old, this is Silas:

*Around 24/ 25 lbs (will find out next week)
*Walks everywhere (almost running already)
*Claps, gives high fives, plays patty cake and peek a boo
*Has an uncontrollable giggle, double dimples and twinkling eyes
*Loves his little people farm, Thomas, Wonder Pets, Baby Einstein and bath time
*Is drawn to all electronic equipment (just like his big brother)
*Wears 12-18 month clothes and size 3 diapers
*Nurses 2x a day*Eats almost all table food*Has 4 teeth (2 top and 2 bottom)
*Loves music and dancing
*loves being outside (esp. the swings at the park)
*Says a few words... Dada, Thank you, That, Cracker
*Blows kisses and cuddles with almost anyone
*Has wavy light brown hair
*Active (hardly even sits still)

1 year ago Silas was
*8 lbs 10 ozs
*20.5 inches long*Dark haired
*Covered in a little rash
*Cuddly
*Sleepy
*Just starting to spit up
*large belly button hernia
*Took a binky for the first time
*Too short for even newborn clothes
*Active (hated being swaddled)

A lot has changed in a year. There have been many ups and a few downs but thankfully we have all came out stronger in the end. I can't wait to see what this coming year will hold... watching him change and grow and continue to interact more and more with the world around him. While I am sad he is no longer my little baby in size, he will always be my baby and therefore hold that special place in my heart.



If you would like to read about everything from last year's account and see more pictures... visit the April 2009 archive.

I can't deny it anymore... the holiday season is over. Yes, I am sentimental... yes, our tree is turned on for one last hurrah but no matter how much I try to hold on, the season is officially past.
We had a nice end to last week, Tim's family all left on Saturday but we made sure to spend as much time together as possible... including a trip to Dairy Queen on Friday nite. Gotta love a family that loves ice cream! :) I participated in the yearly "Girl's Overnighter" at our church right after the Dairy Queen trip and had a nice time with the 14 or so girls that came. It is always fun to spend quality time (if you can call it that- ha! ) with them. We always figure out how to have fun.

We weren't sure what we were going to do New Years but decided to go out to Kurt and Carla's house as we have in years past, and we all had a nice time. The kids enjoyed playing with Walker, Ellie, Jeremiah and Isaac... so much that the first thing Micah asked when he woke up the next day was, "Can we go back to Walker's house today?" The kids actually stayed up until midnight (they had a nap until 6 or so beforehand to prep them) and actually did really well. I thought they would fall asleep on the way home but they were both wide awake, which ended up being perfect b/c they were on the verge of sleep as soon as we got them in and ready for bed. We all enjoyed sleeping in Tuesday and are now trying to get back into a normal routine.

Micah is still off of school until Monday so we have a few days to fill with things though we will be heading to my parent's house on Friday for our Christmas there. My Dad is getting out of rehab (if you missed this before, it was for knee replacement surgery... not drugs or alcohol ;) ) sometime today. He is definitely ready to come home and we are excited to go see him and my Mom. I love giving people their Christmas gifts and I think we chose some fun things this year for everyone so I am anxious for everyone to open everything.

I actually scrapbooked last nite... two pages in fact. I did have a sort of deadline which helps explain why I actually did two in one nite but I will share that later. I haven't gotten to sit and scrap in quite sometime so it was nice to be able to do that and have the sense of accomplishment when i finished. I hope to do a lot more of it this coming year.

New years always bring about a sense of desiring change (at least to me) and though I don't make resolutions, I do always try to have a few things to work on in each area of my life.
Here are a few of my ideas... hopefully they are basic things I can easily weave in without much ado.

*Make weekly menus so I don't have those "what should I have for dinner" moments
*Do something creative at least once a week
*Read a book to the kids at least 5x a week
*Do devotions with the kids every evening (we got the cutest devotional book for preschoolers from Berean for Christmas)
*Grow the business even further than last year

Those are just a few of tons of ideas swirling in my head right now. I think they are all good and attainable so I can't be let down ;) I wish you luck in any changes you are implementing this year as well... here is to a new and better 2008!


(I must share two more Christmasy photos just because I can't let go...)

to post pictures of baby Anderson so...

presenting the newest addition to the Kandel family...






I am sure they will have a ton more to post when they get the chance and some of the entire family but hopefully these will hold you over until then :)

although the ultimate title didn't come home with the team, the pride of Louisville is still strong and we hold our heads high and support our team. Great game guys... State in '08!!

town sendoff...



game time... a whopping 25 degrees and strong winds

Give us something good to eat...

It has been a week already? Opps...
I don't exactly know where the time has gone but here we are a week later. Life sure does go quickly once fall hits doesn't it? Soon it will be January again.

Tonite we took the kids to "Playhouse Disney Live" which was cute... but Sesame Street Live was put together better in my opinion. No matter, the kids had a blast and it was great to see them join in singing and mesmerized by the show. When it was all over, Addie said, "time of the next show" Silly girl!! I have some pictures to share, but first had some cute things from the kids this week :)


Kidisms...
While I was babysitting on Tuesday, Micah was being his usual loud self and the little girl (who is Addie's age) looked at him and told him to be quiet b/c he was being too loud. He looked at her and said, "I can't help it. That is how God made my voice." What a goof!! But oh so true ;)

While shopping with Addie yesterday she made up a song to the tune of a song sung by her ride on pony. Of course it won't be the same just reading it but she said... "Addie's not a ba---by, clippity clop clippity clop. Addie is a big girl, Clippity clop clippity clop" It was really funny. She was singing this b/c we are officially potty trained- public and privately :) She has had a great week- even staying dry four nites!!

Another one from Addie... when she has pigtails or a ponytail in these days... she calls them "curly tails" and tells me how pretty curly tails are. If I wear my hair up I have "curly tails" as well and those are the days I look the best in her eyes :)

Gosh... there were at least two others but I have now forgotten them since it happened a few days ago. Guess that is what happens when you don't blog regularly.

On that note... I will share some pictures from tonite :)

We are venturing into the "po_ _ y training" mode around here. She went before bed last nite, went again this morning and is so far dry today :) I am sure it can't be this easy BUT I have my fingers crossed. We have been trying every 20 mins (or more b/c she thinks it is fun) so hopefully we can catch it before there is a mess. Time will tell...

And now... onto two new pictures of the kids. I still have more to edit and share- but I should be doing client work- not my own so I am trying to compromise.

that we are truly going to have fall weather? Today it is in the mid-70s and tomorrow it is supposed to be in the 60s... I am almost afraid to believe it could be true for fear of disappointment.
Just in case this is as cool as it gets... we went out to Wildwood Park to try to get a few fall photos. Let me just say- I know why parents are always there with their kids at my photo sessions... it is next to impossible to do it alone (even with my own children- I need one to make sure they are sitting and then me to actually take the picture) With that said, I thankfully got at least one picture- this was the first one I took and I could stop now b/c I am really happy with how it turned out :)

and not much to show for it... Did the usual Y routines, Micah had school (and went on his first field trip but I had to miss out this time), babysat, girl's Bible study, and then today had another senior session and then tomorrow I have a family session as well. I really should be proofing right now, but I just watched the Indians win game 2 :) and since Tim is on the phone and has Friday Night Lights on pause, I am taking a break as well.

It is so unbelievably HOT here right now... it was 90 today... yes, it is October- insane isn't it? I really hope we will still get a fall but I fear we will jump right into winter instead. I really want the leaves to change and feel crisp cool air... please!! Right now I am about ready to pull out the kiddie pool again for the kids- seriously! It really is THAT hot out!

I guess I should quit procrastinating and get to editing but I will share a fun picture from our afternoon at Quail Hollow earlier this week. It would have been gorgeous if the trees had already turned, but I still enjoyed the stroll through the woods until the bugs attacked and we had to run for cover.

I have a few new pictures I uploaded and thought I would share...

takes talent.
While working on umm... filling a diaper, Ms. Addie passed out from the smell and promptly fell sound asleep leaning over the couch. Ok, maybe she didn't pass out BUT, she did fall asleep like this and would have remained there if her parents weren't nice. Unfortunately, we should have left her that way... once we laid her down to change her diaper, Micah woke her up and that was that for a nap today.

"say cheese mommy" ... "here is your picture mommy, it is you"

Even Addie has caught onto my tricks ;) She just came up to me with a telescope thing (which she was using as a camera) and said the above. I have to say, she is a bit mor convincing than I, one can't help but smile hearing her little voice and sweet blue eyes staring back at you.

with that said... here are a few new (old) pictures of her


Dancing Queen

and then a few that wouldn't fit in the slideshow...