A Week of Feasting

We couldn't get enough of those 'Thanksgiving' flavors after our meal at Dan's parents house, so I made up a new version of dressing for the next day.

I thought it turned out delicious as well as colorful! I used 4 cups of pumpernickel bread cubed, 2 eggs, a cup of corn, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery sticks, 2 chopped onions, broth, several handfuls of left over turkey chopped, rosemary, thyme, oregano, salt, & pepper.

Add some roasted green beans and a few roasted potatoes to make a great post Thanksgiving meal.

Then we had our first ever outdoor Thanksgiving meal with our friends. It was so much fun, we decided to do it every year. I really liked getting every one's different 'take' on the traditions of Thanksgiving. It added so much to our holiday. We had some really good dishes that I will definitely try next year.

Some of the kids enjoying the feast together.

Six of the eight kids that live on campus here with us. Libby & Ella are the only two missing. Six of these eight kids have been born while their families lived here at SEU. I like to think they have a bond since this is all they've ever known. Maybe one day they can have a campus kid reunion or something.

If you look in the right corner, you can see our Howard Owl we brought for some added decoration!

Ben chowing down.

What I'm Thankful For

Ali's photography... above & below... not bad!

The first picture of The Bittinger 5!

Our attempt at the 'cousins' picture

Mia's tradition of gingerbread house making

The two master decoraters!

Wishbone Wishing

5 Weeks & A Day of Thanks

Ella,

Here you are five weeks today. I can't believe it has only been five weeks... and now, today is already your second holiday! It feels as if you've always been with us now... love that feeling. You have been nothing but a treasured joy since we first held you 5 weeks ago.

Things I could tell you about you being an infant... hmm... your life has been quite (thankfully) uneventful so far. You are beginning to lose all that hair you came into the world with. Though we are confident it will return. I remember your sister doing that too.

Benjamin calls you 'L baby'... we were calling you 'baby Ella' to him and that ended up being his interpretation of it. :) He will stop in the middle of his energetic boyness- running, jumping, throwing, flying, (trying at least), etc. just to give you a soft sweet kiss or to touch your 'babee toe' throughout the day. He loves you in a special way. Each of your siblings request that you tuck them in bed each night (instead of just mom & dad).

I love the memories we are making together with you and even though you won't remember with us... here is a bit for you to enjoy later.

Couldn't pass up a pic of my boy making me laugh again.

In Honor of Turkey Day

The feathers are their hands & the body of the turkey is the outline of both of their feet (heels together).Ali's Turkey

Ben's Turkey

Ella's Turkey (& her very first crafty! :)

It totally looks like Ali is about to drop Ella, but actually she is very good with her. Holding her came very natural to her & you can see her little maternal instincts... especially when a visitor is holding her. She is very protective. It is funny because a baby's cry usually makes me uneasy... like I just want to fix whatever is wrong - but Ali is always calm when Ella is crying... it doesn't phase her a bit. She just starts trying things to settle her, then says, "mom, I think Ella just wants you".

Ben doesn't get upset when she cries, just he doesn't try to help her either. He has always been my cuddler, so he still demands his 30min - 1hour cuddle time after nap each day. He wants to cuddle with baby too, but it usually is about 4-5 times a day for about 30-45 seconds, then he is done!

They are very loving & gentle with her. The bond that seems to be beginning between the three makes me very happy... and perhaps a bit jealous.

I think next year, Dan and I will have to make one too!

...and just because.

Big Day

For the future lady who might one day be curious of her beginnings...

Today was your first time to 'eat' at a restaurant... Crispers downtown. Your umbilical cord fell off today... and Ali is very excited about giving you a real bath.

And here is how you've traveled around & about for the last couple weeks...

... to a football game

... a soccer game

... to the campus library

... and the campus mail room

Here's a Taste...

of what is in store for the end of

NoShave November!!

(Christmas Parade Downtown 2008)

I love this time of year for yet another reason... it is Dan's second annual No Shave November that he does with his team. I love (did I say that already) this man with a full auburn beard... and doesn't he grow a nice one!?!

Lazy Crazy Days

Nope, not another Halloween costume... just what she wanted to wear.

I could use a nap right about now...

Ella Update

What are you feeding her?

... was the question on the doctor's lips as he read her chart today.

Ella had her 2 week check up this morning. Two weeks have f.l.o.w.n. by. She has gained over a pound in her two weeks with us. We are both doing remarkably well to be 2weeks postpartum. Strangely (meaning I didn't expect it) I feel very normal. I accredit that to two answers to prayer...1) that my surgery would go smoothly and 2) that Ella would nurse & sleep well.

Dan is (without question) the most amazing help to me and such a cool father. He heads back to work tomorrow. With his investment & priority into our family, I feel confident to tackle the days and weeks ahead... hopefully to return to my role as helpmate - that he so graciously carried these two weeks. He has made our transition to the Bittinger 5 smooth and even at times fun.

"In everything we choose to partake in we must remember that the stakes are high. The enemy wants to distract us from real, meaningful soul relationships...especially with our family."

This is a snipit of a post that I found thought provoking. My thoughts of family coupled with the direction I want to see myself headed in, with the ending of a year and the oh so quickly approaching new one, are optimistic.

It seems most people I talk to about family, have not so encouraging things to say about their experiences. Is it that most people have bad families? Or is it that the scars of the 'bad' moments are what most people take away from their experiences with their families? If family was God's idea, why does it so often crumble with no lasting-ness?

From someone who trys to fight the distaste of selfishness all to often, I think the 'me' has a lot to do with the answers. Loving myself always brings that gut-stinging isolation. Loving others, though hard (for me) initially, always allows peace. It is overwhelming to think of change - to make everything 'right'. Focus on change, not making everything right.

Change begins, reaping follows.

You can check out the rest of the initial post using the link below. It isn't a terribly lengthy post - & a worth while read... at least from this sahm's perspective.

http://www.incourage.me/2009/11/warm-and-happy-and-grateful.html