Life with Bug, Bean and the Boy

We didn't snap any new photos this weekend, and took it kind of slow, which was nice. Thus, I will put up a rare post not about the kids. I jotted this note down at some point during one of my flights I was on for work, and figured I would go ahead and post it now.

For all too many people, their only experience with flying will be in those greyhound buses of the sky, packed in like cattle- enduring delays, cramped spaces, hustle and bustle, loud overwhelming moments of rushing from one spot to another contrasted by endless stretches of boredom confined to a seat. Even when you glance out the windows and see clouds stretching underneath into the horizon, or watch the sun set as you turn final for landing, you are still constrained to a 3x2 space of blurry, dirty window. However, in that one space of time, that one moment, you can almost taste what you should be seeing and feeling, but then it is gone.

I have been sadly absent from flying since I got my pilot’s license, but even with my limited time I have been shown a world that is far more peaceful, far more powerful and far more amazing than I would have ever imagined. There is a simple beauty to flying- beyond all the technology and weather reports, checklists, procedures and things to know, there is a simple, elegant beauty in seeing our world from a new perspective.

Pilot Officer Magee, who wrote High Flight, truly knew what it felt like. Much like commercial airline travel, I had always read this poem fast and furious, anxious to get to the end. I never took the time to see what was being painted in his words- now I do. I encourage you to read it and imagine, feel each line for all it is; don’t just rush to the end. I also encourage you to check out the following site, this producer has captured the essence of what it is to fly.

Flying Full Circle is a short 10 min film you can watch on line. There is also an intro sequence to One Six Right, a full length documentary about general aviation. I plan to watch it in its entirety very soon. It may be just me, but I hope somewhere in all this, the wonder filled kid in you can see out of your grown up eyes and bring back a sense of magic and amazement that may have been covered up by time.

This weekend we decided to try something that worked well for us last summer- the drive in. It was a great way to see movies without having to always find a baby sitter and little infant Amelia slept and snuggled the whole time through. So, being in an adventuresome mode, we wanted to try again this year with little infant Eliza and big sister Amelia.

Here we go again! We are back on track and once again attempting to commit to regular blog posts for all of our friends and family. With the arrival of our second little one, Ms. Eliza Jane, several of you have noted that this is the only place you can come to see updates and new photos. Only 3 weeks in to having two under age two, we have quickly found that we need to be even more extremely organized than we were before. As such, I am going to try and commit to a specific time each week to provide new pics and updates. Keep an eye out for posts on this, and perhaps a second blog, but for now, here are some updated photos for all to see.

Eliza Jane Kettenring: May 10, 2009, 7:14 AM, 7 lbs 12 oz, 21 in


Big Sister is a big help- she loves to kiss on her sister, and help burp her. If the pacifier falls out, you hear a big "Uh-Oh" and she tries to help get it back in. We have been very lucky in Amelia's attitude and behavior towards Eliza. She's got spunk and a lot of...personality...but she has been great towards her sister!


A good day at the park. Amelia got to swing and feed the ducks and romp around the playground. Little sis got to sleep...


A smile for mommy :-)



As always, big sister is a ham when the camera comes on...

Just some quick shots from the latest ice and snow strom that went through. We were lucky to never lose power or have to deal with anything other than minor annoyances. Amelia enjoyed another sledding day, but no pics, we were only out for a bit as it was super cold the day we went out.

As you see, she loves that corner between her toys and the bench by the window. She will play there all day keeping an eye on the neighborhood. Part watch dog and part neighborhood gossip I guess, cuz she chatters on and on about what she sees!!

As many others will be doing in the coming hours and days, I felt compelled to post on the transition our country ceremoniously began this morning. I came late to the party, as it were, prior to the election, only focusing at the very end of the campaign trail on what was being said by the candidates- and I was astonished by the message of hope that now President Obama was sharing with his countrymen. It struck a chord in me that I had honestly forgotten- the call to serve rather than be served, to hold each other up and to hold each other accountable, to strive for a vision of ourselves and our country that many of us have forgotten in the glitz of prosperity and self service.
Regardless of the lean and frightful times and all it's repercussions, I know the message would still ring loud and clear, but it has to have been amplified for us all amidst the world we see around us. I listened again yesterday to MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech, in full, and heard with new ears as a father the desire for something better for my children. I heard that again today in the President's call to action, to acceptance and love for one another and in the vision to restore the positive ideals of our nation. To be a beacon and an example, a city on the hill rather than a brutish, spoiled teenager. To affirm to our enemies, who are not swayed by our hope and our speeches, that amidst our newly rediscovered sense of self the iron core of our resolve is no less solid.
As I said to Shannon when President Obama was merely a candidate, even if the realities of Washington slow the pace of change or attempt to stall it entirely, the mere fact that someone is willing to say what no one has said, to take a stand as a leader and assert their positive picture of an America that can be more than it has settled for, then his and our efforts are not in vain. Hope, or the restoration thereof, has always been at the core of any great social change. And more than ever, I am fully confident and aware that no single person can make that change, but by instilling hope and faith in the multitudes, we as a people can affect a change to the world at large the likes of which we could only dream.

So it has been a while since we have updated and just thought it was about time. Amelia turned a year old on the 10th of December and we celebrated with a small party and a small cake for her. She loves cake....our little lady did not hesitate in tearing into the cake, frosting and all. I have to admit i was a little unsure of giving so much sugar and such to our little girl so i decided to make her cake with pumpkin and leave out the oil and eggs she did not seem to notice.
Amelia's birthday brought about another big milestone for her and really for me. About a week after her birthday she enjoyed her last nursing session. I really wanted to breastfeed for a full year and was willing to follow her lead after a year. Amelia decided a year was enough and just didn't seem interested the last few days so i took her cues and she is now on whole milk from a sippy cup. I thought i would be relieved especially now that i am 51/2 months pregnant and i am in some ways but as Amelia has become more active and curious, nursing was one of the few times during the day that she sat still enough to cuddle. I guess this is just the first of many times to come that she is telling me to I have to let go... just a little. Weening her does actually give me a few months of "freedom" of which i am sure i will be grateful.
She is pulling up on everything and cruising like crazy and i am sure walking is just around the corner. She is truly a joy and has quite a personality that is alot like her mothers... good and bad. Amelia is over being fed by us and really loves to feed herself so we have moved to steamed veggies and pasta and she even shared a piece of tofu meatloaf with me at whole foods a few days ago. She is pretty good with a spoon but will use her fingers when she is really hungry. Her one year check up with Dr. Warner was great and he was impressed with her health record and pleased with her development. What more could a mother ask for.
Baby number 2 or "bean" as we refer to the new baby is also doing great. I have been feeling great in the last few weeks going to prenatal yoga and a prenatal water class... oh and keeping up with a very active 1year old. I had my first ultra sound the day before Christmas Eve and everything looks great...it looks like I am right on track for a due day of May 7th although my midwife seems to think i may go a little early as i did with Amelia...we will see. As far as the sex of the baby goes....we are having...........a surprise, once again we chose not to find out the sex of the baby..after much debate and thought. Shawn thinks it is a boy and i am leaning towards girl...really just hoping to prove him wrong.
We had a very blessed but busy Christmas travelling to see both our families. Santa and the grandparents were very good to Amelia and we didn't do all that bad ourselves...i am not sure how much work around the house will get done now that we have a Wii but Shawn and I can work in shifts. Since we were in Ohio for Christmas Eve we were not able to attend out regular church for service. Instead my dearest and best friend ,Kelli ,invited us to her church with her family. Kelli sang a Cantata with the choir a\and I along with everyone in the Church could feel the beauty and the joy of Christ as they sang. It is small church and a choir of only maybe 25 people but their voices, joy and love could have filled a cathedral. I was truly moved and blessed to be a part of such a beautiful and heartfelt celebration. Thank you, Kelli and I love you.
We are looking forward to a happy New Year and all the changes, blessings and excitement it will bring.

p.s. We have lots of pictures we will post...it has taken me a long time to find a quiet moment and I was too lazy to find the camera...i promise pictures will follow soon.

So as some of you may know... Shawn and I love being parents so much we thought we would do it again! Much to our surprise and excitement we are expecting a brother/sister for Amelia in early May. So far this pregnancy has been much like my first which for me means alot of "morning sickness "or really I should say "all day sickness". I will be the first to say that it is totally worth it and a very small part of what I remember about being pregnant with Amelia. But I will also say that it is my least favorite part. I am happy to report that I am over that for the most part. I have also started to get much of my energy back- nursing and pregnant make for a tired mama. Shawn has been great and taken on even more than his fair share of work around the house including making time for me to get my much needed naptime. We really couldn't be happier. We may have a few concerns about time and space but in the end the idea of one more little, beautiful, happy, crazy, busy, loud, sticky, stubborn child couldn't sound more perfect. Please pray for us.

p.s. You may have noticed that I have just discovered tickers. Thay are cute ,but for me serve another purpose. I am horrible at remembering dates and filling in calendars, I do not know why but it is almost impossible for me to keep track of days and even weeks. This way I have a cute visual reminder. Enjoy!