A post from Chayse....

Chayse likes to do whatever it is that we do so, today it was type on the keyboard... anyhow, here is her first post! She has so much to say and yes, all of it is her typing!

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My new toy...

Well, I never thought that I would be "one of those people" who was so over protective of everything that their children did but I appear to be one... at least when it comes to what my child eats! I am still nursing Chayse which is amazing in itself because I never thought that I would do it this long and she has been a very healthy baby so, I want to keep her on that track. She has started "eating" and I want to make sure she is eating healthy stuff with no added junk in it so I took on the task of making her food. I am also making food for Archie, the son of a great friend of mine, so I make it in bulk. Anyhow, I was trying a processor that was not getting the job done sooooooo, I decided to upgrade. I went a little crazy and got the blender that I have been eyeballing for a while. I have always wondered if I could justify the cost of it when you can get a blender for 15 bucks but, I decided to go ahead and get it because I can always use it later with breads, cupcakes, mashed potatoes.... I have to say, this thing is AWESOME! It is a Kitchenaid Professional 600 6-Qt. Stand Mixer and it is awesome. Of course I had to get the attachments that went with it and as I already said, twice I think, this thing is AWESOME and is worth every penny. Our kitchen is stainless steel but I really liked the black one better so, here is a picture of my new toy. Anyone else have one of these things and if so, how do you like it??

A week of first times...

Well, this past week held many "firsts" for Miss Chayse.

She had her first bites of cereal...

She felt cold air for the first time...

And she tried carrots for the first time!

4 Month stats on a growing girl

At Birth: 7 lbs 14 oz, 20.5 inches
At 2 months: 11 lbs 10 oz (60%), 22.5 inches (45%)
At 4 months: 14 lbs 3 oz (50%), 24.75 inches (60%)

Do you think we will ever be able to tell her no!!??

Who knew that smiling was such hard work!!!

History Lesson

Anyone ever heard of a fellow named Rod Blagojevich? He is the governor of Illinois. Due to a budget cut, the state of Illinois is going to close 25 parks and historic sites on October 1, 2008.

Anyone ever heard of a fellow named Pierre Menard? Pierre Menard was a very, very, very wealthy man in his time and was heavily involved in politics and trades. He was the first Lt. Gov. of the state of IL in Kaskaskia, where IL began. Pierre built an amazing house in his era which overlooked what is now called the Mississippi River. The home is just below Fort Gage State Park where so many events are held...wedding, reunions, field trips... The state bought The Menard Home and land in 1929, spent years restoring the home, and then opened it to the public in the late 1950's. This home had one state employee working on site for many years. The employees use volunteers to help with the home upkeep as well. This state site has been a frequent stopping place for Nathan and I in our visits out to his parents. The first time I was there, I thought that the house was grand... Nathan was SHOCKED at how much the house had changed. Weeds everywhere, the roof was bad, painting need to be done... it was quite a shock for him. Last year, a fellow named Andrew started there and has made some very important improvements to the home with the help of the volunteers. The flower beds are amazing and everything is in bloom, the house is being repainted... so many positive things!

The Mendard home is a state historic site, and sadly it is slated to be one of the ones closed. I personally think that this is a slap in the face of history. History has to be preserved for other generations to learn from. If I learned anything when I was working for the police department it was that empty places are certain to have vandalism. I think it is a shame that these historic sites and parks will be "fair game" for vandals and stand a chance of being horribly damaged.

Andrew is currently out of a job since he was laid off... the volunteers have received special permission to continue to work on the home to keep the weeds down and the mice out. They must have a letter when they are there though or they could be taken to jail! Closed means closed! If you would like to give the volunteers a word of encouragement as they continue their deeds in preserving history, leave them a message!

http://www.friendsofthemenardhome.blogspot.com/

If anyone is a resident of Illinois or someone who has visited there (or maybe a history buff) who is willing to write a letter to the governor of the state in protest of the closing of state parks and historic homes, here is his info:

Office of the Governor

207 State House Springfield, IL 62706

Phone: 217-782-0244 or 312-814-2121 TTY: 888-261-3336

http://thecapitolfaxblog.com/2008/09/04/backlash-building-over-state-park-closings/

http://www.gopetition.com/online/21603.html

Ribbit

Monday night, Chayse was sitting in my lap and I kept lifting her up and then leaning her forward towards me... every time I did, I simply said "ribbit". I have no clue where ribbit came from let alone why I was saying it at the time but every time I said ribbit, she would grin this HUGE grin which of course meant that I kept doing it. After maybe the 10th time, Chayse LAUGHED!!!!! It was the first time I have heard her laugh and actually known she was laughing. Normally I question if it is a laugh or a burp or whatever may come out of her little body but this was a LAUGH! It cracked me up! I tried to get her to do it again but, it never happened... soon though!!!

Chayse is doing well and just passed her 4 month mark. Here are a few things she is doing...

• She weighs 15 pounds now!
• She is holding her own bottle when I pump (which I think is great because she is still nursed more than not)
• She is sleeping all night with the exception of one feeding around 2:30 a.m. and when she looses her paci
• She is sitting up with little help
• She is rolling over
• She grabbing for toys when you put them in front of her
• She LOVES to stand up and has been doing this for about 8 weeks now
• She talks, talks, talks, and did I mention she talks???

So many things... she is growing so fast and getting so big!! These are some of my new favorite pictures. Some dear friends of ours, Brent and Sonya, became proud parents this past winter and knew that a mirror would be a huge hit with Miss Chayse. Well, they were right! Chayse just LOVES her mirror that she got from them... here are a few pictures of her playing! Thanks Boykin Family!

Pa James and Granny Myrtle

My grandparents passed away years ago but I have been blessed to have "another set" of grandparents in the Joyner's. My mother worked for Mrs. Myrtle in a barbecue place while she was in high school to help pay bills while her father was recovering from a heart attack. Myrtle, and her husband James, took to my mother and have been a part of our family ever since. They served as honorary parents when my parents got married, and they were honorary grandparents when Nathan and I married.

My mom, Chayse, and I went to visit them this weekend and boy, did Chayse get some smiles out of them! What a blessing to have such a wonderful extended family.