What's In a Name?

Do you have a nickname? I do. I've collected several of them through life. As a youngster I was called "Amy Jane" by my dad (even though Jane is not my middle name).

I've also been called Ames, Amit, Aim, and of course, Miss Amy! 

Well, someone I love has given/is giving me another one. It's a name I thought I might receive someday...and I thought it would be a fun one. Well, let me tell you...now that it has happened...it's even more exciting than I imagined.

Do you remember  the post about these people coming to visit?

(Jonathan's brother, Daniel and his wife, Riss)

When they were here they shared some news with Jonathan and me.

THEY are having a baby!!! Which makes me an AUNT!!!

Wahooo!

I am so very happy. 

Funny story: when they told us, I didn't believe them. it was FRIDAY, APRIL 1st. I thought they'd come up with a very exciting joke...but then, they assured me it was NO joke. And I'm sure the ever-growing tummy is even less of a joke to them. 

The little one (gender still secret) will be here sometime early-mid November. For now we call the baby Ninja...because of all the mad skills he or she has displayed from the inside!

so, CONGRATS and THANK-YOU to Daniel and Riss...we can't even tell you how excited we are to now be Uncle Jonathan and Auntie Amy. (I just decided it should be "auntie" rolls off the tongue more smoothly than "aunt amy," I think).

Here's Looking at Sweetness

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Fake Sneezes

Location: our living room, early morning
Scene: Jonathan sneezed, Jonah laughed.

Jonah tries to re-create the sneeze, we all laugh.
Jonathan starts faking them...so does Jonah...
I grab the camera and capture what I can.

Peas.

I remember the first time I gave Jonah peas. He was 8 months old. I was on a girl-only weekend trip with my mom and sister. I guess it wasn't quite girls-only. Jonah was there.  Anyway, the point is, we were away from home.

I was new at the "introducing new foods thing." He liked them, I think. I don't remember him fussing about eating them. Maybe a little, but what kid doesn't fuss at peas, right?

Well, a couple of hours later I regretted feeding him the entire container of baby-food peas. He'd been fussing. I had reduced it to him being in an unfamiliar place, so I comforted him by nursing, even though he didn't seem to be getting much. 

He had plenty, I assure you. He proved to us he'd had ENOUGH when he projectile vomited like nothing I've ever seen before.  Do you remember the scene of Men in Black when a little alien baby is born in the back of that car? And there was something gross? Well, if you can believe it...that was EXACTLY what happened in our hotel room that night. Not exaggerating. I promise.

So, that scene made me nervous to try peas again. But, I was also of the mindset that he needed to have a taste for them before he was too old. I think the second time I tried them we were visiting Jonathan's family. Jonah was probably closer to a year old. 

Guess what?

he got sick. again. 

Sooooo....that was the end of peas for us. 

Until last week. 

Um. I thought it had been a baby food thing. 

No. 

Jonah is definitely allergic to peas. 

Is this common? I haven't researched it yet. If he is allergic to peas is there anything else he might have trouble eating? Is vomiting-as-the-only-symptom indication of an "allergy?" wouldn't there be a rash?

I don't care if there is an official diagnosis of "allergy." I WILL NOT be feeding Jonah peas. Ever. Someday he will brag about this to his friends. He'll be the only 3rd grader who isn't forced to "try" them.

Another Trip to the City

Last weekend Jonathan's parents came to visit. We took ourselves (with our season passes) out to Silver Dollar City. We really use them far too little. It's free (if you don't count gas or the occasional food purchase) entertainment. 

Anyway, we headed out there on Friday, and we sure were glad we didn't try to go on Saturday...cause it rained ALL day Saturday!!

(there may or may not be multiple collages today...be glad I didn't post all of the pictures individually...there are a lot of great ones!)

Remember this similar picture from the same time last year:

Jonah and Grandpa tried on some hats:

Jonah also did a lot of this:

And then, on the way out, Jonah (re-)discovered pumpkins!! (he thinks they are all BALLS!)

Wasps...Lots of Wasps

What is it with the creatures around here? Remember the slug from last week? Maybe I am too easily bugged! 

Yesterday a neighbor came to the door. As we were talking I saw a couple of wasps (or some such winged stinging creature) flying over head. We ended the conversation quickly so they didn't fly into my house.

Later, when I walked out to the driveway I discovered a ton of them swarmed on the corner of the house. YIPES.

(sorry the photo isn't better quality...I was trying to keep my distance...and it was difficult to see what I was capturing due to the glare of sunshine)

When the handy husband came home I asked him to check it out and take care of it. 

He sprayed some deadly stuff on them and down the inside of that edging. (they were falling out the bottom of it too)

This is what we discovered this morning:

I don't know what kind they are exactly. But, I know they are dead now. There were probably 30-40 of them lying all over the driveway and sidewalk today. 

Where I'm From

I saw this done on MarytheKay's blog today and was prompted to do the same. 

Here is the original template.

Where I'm From

I am from a long dirt driveway. Where leaving meant "going to town" and to go home was to "head for the hill." On that same hill is the barn my daddy built where the Ford tractor lives. 

I am from the brick house and wide front porch where the wind chimes jingle and birds gather.

I am from the home-grown garden that provided many summer (as well as a few winter) meals. From the house where the scent of wood smoke and baked goods is forever etched into the walls. (only to be marred by the occasional dead mouse in wall near the hall bathroom)

I am from a life-long value that Sunday is church and family day. A day when Grandma and Grandpa came for lunch and honked the horn on the way home.

I am from family game nights when Daddy's team was the one to beat.

I am from "hard work builds character," "don't stop until the job is done," and "always keep both hands busy." From heads bowed in thanks to God for each meal, every blessing, and the hardships too.

I am from the time I FINALLY got my little sister back for all her childhood shenanigans against me, the dog we buried in the back yard, and the volleyball net that stayed up all summer long.

I am from the home movies that played on a reel, the stack of photos in the laundry room cabinet, and the Olan Mills photos framed in the living room. 

I am from a family of four...ever expanding...ever loving.