What A Doll...

I guess I need to be more specific when I tell the kids to put away their toys. They sure love Reuben; they don't love how much of my time he takes. The other day he took a nice long nap and I was able to spend time with Sophia and Edison making chocolate thumbprint cookies. Edison's thumb made such a little print that he had to do two or three prints each cookie ; ). I hope to make a different kind of cookie each week with the kids leading up to Christmas and freeze half of each batch so we can assemble cookie trays.

Meet Panda Bear. Edison goes to sleep clutching him tight (after kissies of course, or "fissies" as Edison calls them). And each morning we wake up to toddler jibber jabber coming from his room as he tells his panda "stories". This can go on for as long as an hour. And each time I think, "I should really get up and get the video camera...I....that would be....*yawn*......snnnnnooooooooorrrrreeee".
Blessings.

Why Plastic Bags Have Warnings On Them....

I have a unique and lovable husband.
Only he would see a broken stretchy ball and think...
"Hmmm, I wonder if I can get that thing over my entire head".

I dedicate this blog to you, my love.
*if you look closely you'll actually see his upper lip dragged up to his nose in
a bizarre snarling expression, parents are cautioned*

Of This Of That

Our sweet little Reuben, growing more alert by the day.

We got wheels! Yay!
Sophia and her ballet friends before class.

Duraznito, "Little Peach"

Yes, they call him "the little peach". His fuzzy little head, incredibly soft to the touch and round and rosy as can be, invites just such a name. Here our Ecuadoran neighbors greet Reuben on his third day of life.
"Grandma" Gigi has already fallen head-over-heels for her newest "grandson". Her love for our kids is such a gift, especially as our families aren't here to celebrate with us.

Dustin and Eduardo with their Chilean sons, Reuben and Josue. Reuben will also become an American in about a month when we travel to the American embassy in Santiago.
Blessings, "little peach's" mom

More of Little One

Behold, A Son!

Are we blessed or what?!? Dear friends, we are proud to present our newest little Gingrich, Reuben Scott. He was born yesterday at 10:49 in the morning weighing in at 8 lbs. 6 oz. and 20 inches long.
I awoke at 7:15 in the morning to mild crampiness which, within an hour, changed to regular strong contractions, two minutes apart! I called Dustin to make him aware that baby may be on its way sometime that day. A half hour later I was calling him up and telling him he'd better get home fast! An hour later we arrived at the clinic, where I was discovered to be 7 cm. dialated and in full-blown labor. The pain was through the roof, though, comically I couldn't scream (I've lost my voice for a week now). I got an epidural, and a half hour later I was fully dialated. After 5 minutes of pushing, he came (no stitches, yes!)!
We were so surprised that it was a boy! For some reason we both thought we'd have another girl. Reuben means "Behold, a son!", and it certainly was appropriate to what we thought at that moment!
I give praise to God for this three and a half hour labor, this fine little boy, and the wonderful team that helped him to come out safely! We have been so blessed. Thank you for praying!
With much joy,
Sarah Lenora