John, Amy & Søren Samuel

his laugh is precious

nobody@vox.com(AmyStröm) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:01:10 -0700

2008-08-03-laugh

I know this is poor videography and I sound retarded, but I couldn't resist posting him laugh.

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monkeydoodle

nobody@vox.com(AmyStröm) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:43:41 -0700

5 months

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fall bible study

nobody@vox.com(AmyStröm) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:14:06 -0700

A Jewel in His Crown: Rediscovering Your Value as a Woman of Excellence

Priscilla Shirer

Fall Bible study has just begun. Here on the east coast school starts next week. It really is strange to to have back to school campaigns in what I feels like the middle of summer. (which it is, and it is still blazing hot and humid) When I was a kid growing up in the pacific northwest, you bought autumn clothes for back to school. The new school year began the day after labor day, which was still technically in the summer solstice, but it felt like 'fall'. Different place and different time......fun to reminisce, glad I am not heading back to school!!

Anyhow, we are doing Pricilla Shirer's, A Jewel in His Crown. She is the daughter of well known author-pastor, Tony Evans. It feels good to be back in the swing of things. I am hoping this study will be as good as the Beth Moore study of Daniel. (oh-so-good) I just got my book, and it seems both relevant and challenging so I am off to a good start.

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every day is a good day

nobody@vox.com(AmyStröm) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:45:29 -0700

oh-so-happy

Every day I get the privilege of seeing this cute little face. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with love for him and how thankful I am to be his mommy. I am already saddened by the passage of time as everyday he does new things, slowly gaining independance from me. Ohhhh! But it is also good to see a brand new life with a clean slate, so full of opportunity and wonder. I can only imagine what it will be like to hear him say mama for the first time! I love being a mom.

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things I love

nobody@vox.com(AmyStröm) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:38:39 -0700

♥my savior Jesus

♥the loud pulsing sound of the tree frogs and bugs on a hot tennessee night

♥my pets waiting for me in the window when I get home

♥fireflies

♥the view of city lights over a valley at night (in yakima and in pasadena)

♥bright blue morning sky

♥sunrise shining at mt rainier

♥fresh squeezed lemonade

♥brilliant sunsets

♥looking at the stars

♥waking up to the sound of waves crashing on the beach

♥bright sparkling turquoise swimming pool

♥a bright sunny window

♥little blue flowers

♥bright green moss

♥thunderstorms

♥white couches

♥fresh, crisp, clean sheets

♥cardigan sweaters

♥flowering trees

♥bright green grass

♥big, fluffy down comforters

♥warm cozy fire in the fireplace

♥taking a nap after an afternoon laying at the pool

♥taking walks

♥boating

♥kiwi fruit

♥fresh berries

♥cute little funky stores in old towne (anywhere)

♥kittens

♥bunnies hopping in my yard

♥topiaries

♥peppermint soap

♥the sound of the river at our family cabin

♥birdies (bluebirds and sparrows)

♥hot bubble baths

♥haagen dazs ice cream (strawberry & coffee)

♥bibi cafe

♥cinnabon

♥the smell of fresh cinnamon bread baking

♥warm runny yolks on sweet toast

♥chocolate milk

♥laughing until I cry or pee my pants

♥the smell of my baby's breath

♥being loved

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20 weeks

nobody@vox.com(AmyStröm) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:25:12 -0700

IMG_2671

Our little punkin is 20 weeks. For the most part he is putting himself to sleep on his own now. Thankfully we didn't have to go through the 'cry it out' routine. We thought we'd have to do that, which seems so rough on the little baby. We read some stuff on the matter and thought we'd wean the rocking time and that has worked like a charm.

He has learned the word 'up'! We have always said 'up' every time we pick him up and now he anticipates it by either lifting his arms or arching his back to sit up. He also knows the word Whiskey, as everytime Whiskey comes around I say his name and Soren looks for him and smiles!

He hasn't voacalized any words yet, not even a simple da-da or ga-goo or anything. He still just blows bubbles, razzes, and loves to scream to test his voice. He can stand with assistance and sit for a short while without assistance which he prefers rather than his stomach. I make him play as long as possible on his stomach, but he really doesn't like it still....he cries after a few minutes and rolls over....but we are making progress slowly.

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cousins playing in the kiddie pool

nobody@vox.com(AmyStröm) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:24:53 -0700

Soren-david

Soren and David Griffin had a blast playing together for more than an hour.

Both boys were thoroughly pruned by the end.

It was a perfectly sunny, hot & humid day to enjoy our new deck with the kiddos.

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11th Anniversary

nobody@vox.com(AmyStröm) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:18:22 -0700

j.l. strom family

We have been married 11 years and best friends for 14. I am so truly blessed to be married to the most wonderful guy.

What kind of guy......

-buys three kinds of haagen dazs when not sure what kind I want

-takes out the trash, cleans the litter box, and vaccums before I have the chance....without griping or guilt tripping

-keeps MY car sparkling clean, and always fills it with gas ( I can't remember the last time I filled the tank)

-wears breathe right strips so I can sleep peacefully without battling the snores

-cuts my hair, colors my hair (many years ago...what a pro)

-buys nursing tanks and bras in every color and multiple sizes....'just in case'

-puts cash in my wallet

-calls me to say hi at least 3 times a day

-always wants to sleep close

-tells me I should get out and go shopping and buy whatever I want

-always first to apologize

-tells me he loves me 100 times a day and means it......

my husband, my true love

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Soren 18 weeks

nobody@vox.com(AmyStröm) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:46:39 -0700

Bumbo

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the boys

nobody@vox.com(AmyStröm) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:08:00 -0700

the boys

Soren is 18 weeks old! He is more fun than I thought possible. He is fully engaged with people, watching their every move, studying facial expressions, trying to figure out if something is funny and warrants a laugh or is serious. He gets distracted when nursing, he wants to be a part of everything.

He startles easily which is comical. If I sneeze without him looking, or someone shouts to the dog or something, he bursts out crying with the most pathetic pout. Very dramatic.

He is sitting up on the couch, in the bumbo seat and on our laps, although not on his own yet.....hmmm. He can be held on our hip which is much more comfortable. He is practicing his crawling, not very well yet...he just runs his face into the ground, but he's building arm strength.

Oma put him in the excersaucer(?) thing where he is standing and can bounce. He kinda liked it. He mainly loves to lay on his back and kick as hard as he can. He loves his little baby pool. Since he loves baths, it wasn't much of a transition. Next month we will take him to the big pool.

He experienced his first fireworks on the 4th. We did ones that didn't have noise, he was mesmerized by the colors and lights. It was fun to watch.

I am still adjusting to motherhood:

-He only sleeps 6 1/2 hours. Still one night feeding...Since I am exclusively nursing, I can't go more than about 6 hours without feeling engorged.......I would love to change this.....

-Still hard to go anywhere for any length of time, he gets uncomfortable or bored in the car seat.....unless there are two of us to distract him, its not worth the crying and the missed quality naps. It is inevitable, as soon as I pull up to a drive thru of any kind, he starts crying.....

-Church is a pain, cause he won't sit still in the service so I am out in the foyer as he sleeps or wiggles/giggles (why would I expect any different, right?)

-Still doesn't 'play' on his own. When he is awake, he demands constant interaction. He will only play by himself for about 10 minutes. This makes it difficult to get anything done. He only sleeps for 45 min-1 hour for his naps.....I race to get stuff done, but there never seems to be enough time in the day. My to do list grows faster than it gets done....and I am constantly doing something.......

-I am looking forward to getting my body back. Altough I LOVE nursing him, and wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING, it will be nice not to have my body "working" so hard. Those of you who nurse, know. I am in a constant state of draining, refilling, leaking, etc....funny....and I am still ravenous.....I feel like I just can't eat enough!

Is it worth it?

His laugh and smile make it worth it ten times over.

I love him.

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