Beautiful Things

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

Beautiful Things- I was driving down the road the other day when this song came on the radio. If I wouldn't have been driving, I would have been on my knees in worship. Such a powerful song. Ruthie sung along with me in the car as we just praised our Lord. When we got home, she asked for "Beautiful Things" again and so it's been a constant loop in our house during the day. I love hearing my little girl sing. During Ruthie's nap, I was up cleaning the room with Brayden and listening to this song. I danced around the room with him and sang to him over and over again. The next day, I put the song on and my little boy started humming along to the music with me!!!! How awesome!!!

Big Girl

Big Girl

Sleeping In A Big Girl Bed- In UNDERWEAR- Seriously! Today I was getting her ready for her nap. As I was getting ready to take down her pant to put her into her pull-up, she looked at me and said "mommy, can I sleep in my underwear?" I asked her if she was going to keep them dry and she responded, "yes mommy" I'm a big girl, I don't want to wear a pull-up" So, just like that, she's sleeping in mommy and daddy's bed for her afternoon nap in her underwear. She has been keeping her pull-up dry for months and months now so I have no doubt she's ready and can do this, but I've enjoyed having the security of a pull-up- but hey, when she's ready, she's ready!

2 Year Molars-

Ruthie LOVES to brush her teeth! LOVES it! It's a great habit to be in but seriously, she'd brush her teeth after going to the bathroom every time if I'd let her! Anyway, since I was sick over the weekend, Jon's been in charge of hygiene so it's been a few days since I've looked into my girls mouth. Last night however, while brushing her teeth I noticed something in the back of her mouth. It took a lot of work to get Ruthie to open up wide enough and long enough to get a good view of the back her mouth but when I did, I saw two beautiful two-year molars coming in! Ah!! My poor girl. I'm sure she's been in a lot of pain. There have been moments when we're trying to brush her teeth or she's eating and she just screams out in pain, but we couldn't tell if she was getting a tooth or if there was something else going on! Now we know! Of course, as I was telling Jon I saw some teeth coming in, he lets me in on the fact that he had noticed a few days ago. :) I have no idea about the top two molars and probably won't know until they are in since it's so hard to see well that far back in her mouth- but my girl has molars!!! 

We Don't Want A Robot- A few nights ago (after a rough evening with our two year old) Jon and I were talking more about discipline. Ruthie has always taken well to timeouts but these last few days- that's not been the case. I know now, she's teething as well, and that doesn't help, but I've been at the end of my rope with her these last few days. Not only is she testing me, but she's also getting a little attitude. That hits my buttons SO fast! Of course, we don't have things completely figured out- and need to grow and learn with her, but for now, I'm really trying hard to give her options and give her some independence. She must listen- yes, but have to pick my battles. Do I really care if what order she gets ready for bed? No- but I do care that she get's ready for bed so- I'm asking would you like to brush your teeth or go to the bathroom first? Now we're going to get dressed and ready for bed- would you like to put on your pull-up or your night shirt first? It's a learning process, but I know consistency and a smile on my face is going to speak volumes! 

Mastitis

Mastitis

It was NOT a typical day in the Stube household. I decided to go to Target (typical) to get a few things. While there, I realized I didn't have my purse. Moments later, I realized I had forgotten my purse at the Elk Creek Cafe in Millheim the night before. I quickly called to see if they had found it, only to talk to an answering machine and noting that the restaurant wouldn't open until 4:00 pm. That's a long time to wait to make sure my purse was safe and secure!

I took my items to Customer Service and explained that I would not be buying these items today. Decided, it was time to go home and get the Ruthie lunch and Brayden down for a nap. Atleast I could rest while the kiddos rested. Well- as I'm running around the house getting the kids ready for naps, I realized I was having some pain on my chest. I changed my nursing pad and continued on with my afternoon. When Brayden woke up from his nap I realized I was freezing and had the chills. I didn't have a thermometer but I knew I had a fever. The pain in my chest was also worse. I fed him, laid him on the floor, and called the doctor right away. (I was just in to see a doctor a few days ago to treat a yeast infection) They had me come in right away. The doctor quickly said to go off the medication I was on to treat the yeast infection and told me that I had Mastitis. :( Seriously!!

I went home, laid on the couch, and that's where I stayed all weekend. I continued to feel nauseous all weekend and had a fever as high as 102.8. Jon was amazing (as he always is). He took care of the kids and the house (and me) all weekend. I'm still taking my medication (almost a week later) and still have a burning feeling- but thankfully, all other symptoms are gone and hopefully the burning will go away soon. Brayden and I don't need any more complications nursing from here on out! 

2 1/2 Years Old

2 1/2 Years Old

 Height: 3 Feet .5 Inches

Weight: 33 pounds 8 ounces

So much joy you bring us Ruthie Mackenzie.

You have such a sweet voice- sometimes you use it to make fun of your brothers cries- other times, you sing sweetly to your brother to try and soothe him to sleep. However you're using it, I just love listening to it. You make up new songs (mostly about puppies) and love an audience! 

You have "learned" (haha) to roll over again! Apparently when your brother got lots of attention for rolling over for the 1st time- you got a wee bit jealous and decided to roll over too! It's fun! We don't mind clapping our hands and cheering for you!

You just had your 1st (of many to come) date nights with your daddy to Chick-fil-a! You had such a blast! It was so neat to hear all about it when you got home. Balloons, Roses, Pictures, Cows, Oh My! You are obsessed with Chick-Fil-A! You woke up the next morning and asked to go to Chick-Fil-A again!

Swimming! My you love the water just like your mommy! We love going to the pool any chance we get. We pack picnic lunches and spend an hour or two in the am and then go home for naps and a lot of times, pack back up and go again in the afternoon! You are a little fish in the water. Having no fear! You do the little water slide (all by yourself at times) and show off your floaties. Man- we just love watching you love the pool. The pool just opened and we already have gotten our money's worth!

Little girl- keep charming people with that huge smile of yours. You have such a fun personality. You are polite, always asking if people are alright. You use your manners, most the time without being prompted.

I can't believe you are 2 1/2! Time is just flying by!

Love you Ru Ru

Great Grandparents

Great Grandparents

We Are Blessed

Great Grandma Yingling

 Great Granddad Oram

Great Grandma Oram

 Great Grandpa Marshall

Great Nana Marshall

From Springs Mills to Boalsburg, Boalsburg to Lancaster we have traveled throughout central PA so that we could introduce our little man Brayden to his Great Grandparents.

So here is some fun stuff:

4 Generations of 1st Born Daughters

Grandma Yingling, Marmee (Gaga), Mommy, & Ruthie

3 Generations of 2nd Born Sons

Opa, Daddy, & Brayden

Four Months

~ Four Months ~

Weighing in at: 12 lbs 2.5 oz

Stretching long at: 1' 11.5"

Brayden Timothy- each day continues to get better and better. I never knew I could have this much love in my heart- but it's there, overflowing, out of this world love. We all love watching you accomplish new things, responding to our voices. 

Some new things:

1. Rolling Over- you now roll over almost on command. You do not enjoy being on your tummy so you do what you can to roll over as fast as you can. Sometimes, if mommy and you are outside and I bring out the play mat, you'll hand on your tummy for a while and enjoy the fresh air. 

2. Hands Hands Hands- you are now using your hands with a purpose. You can pick up your "po" (sometimes put it successfully back in your mouth) You love holding your toys and bringing them to your mouth. Your favorite toy (besides Whaley) is your "jelly beans"

3. Speaking of Hands... Fingers- You are now less and less interested in your "po" and now love to suck on your two fingers. I just love the sound you make while sucking on those fingers!

4. Sitting- you love to sit! (with help of course) 

5. Scooting- My oh my- this mommy is not ready for you to be mobile, but ready or not... here you come! You love to scoot all around your crib and also on your play mat. oy!

Mommy and Daddy love you sooooo much Brayden.

Ruthie too!