6 Months Old

Well, we are halfway through Andrew's first year, and I don't really know where the time is going. In the last month Andrew has started having food in addition to his really expensive formula that doesn't really help with the spitting up. He likes all of the vegetables he has had so far, which are squash, sweet potatoes and green beans. He is sort of ambivalent about applesauce but categorically hates bananas. I did learn (by accident) that he likes Teddy Grahams when I came up the stairs from folding laundry and found that Baby Faith had generously shared some of her snack with him. He had about 6 of them in his mouth and became very agitated when I took them out before he choked. He has also begun sleeping through the night (most nights) and has almost mastered sitting up. He likes to play "Trot, Trot to Boston" and thinks Peek-a-Boo is hilarious. For those with questions, he is not bowing in the first picture, he is working on not being a Weeble (like I am told his Auntie Heidi was). He is a sweet boy and we are falling a little bit more in love with him every day.

Five Months Old

Hard to believe that Andrew is 5 months old today. As a gift to his mother on his Five Month Birthday, he slept through the night last night, in his own bed! He likes his rice cereal to be made with his daily amount of apple juice, and warmed for 15 seconds. He would like it better if I would let him feed himself, but this is more mess than I can deal with. His favorite songs are "Skinamarink" and "God Made the Sunshine". He still loves a bath and can roll himself over (although he does not choose to do it very often). He spends more time talking to his pacifier than he does sucking on it, and loves to sit in his Bumbo chair. When he is at work with me, he plays in the play yard, sits in the swing, and hardly ever cries...but he won't help do Stats. We are having such fun with him and are so thankful for him.

When I See You Smile...

I have just joined the world of Facebook, and while it is fun to connect with people that way, I find that this is a better journal/scrapbook. We are having so much fun getting to know little Andrew. He is such a happy baby and it is hard to believe he is 4 months old today. We are learning more about what he likes and dislikes...he likes to be in any kind of sitting position, and strongly dislikes being on his back. He loves any kind of a bath and hates to have his medicine (he has Zantac twice a day to help with all of the spitting up). He loves to look at and listen to his sisters and hates to have his nose cleaned. He dislikes sleeping alone, and loves to be held while he sleeps (we are still working on getting him to love his own bed). He sleeps all day and wants to be awake and held and talked to all night.

He has a million dollar smile...which is what I wanted to share with you today....

God Is In Control

"I have lived a long time, sir, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God governs in the affairs of men. "Benjamin Franklin

Today is a significant day in history, maybe not for the reasons the press is focusing on. Whenever a new President is Inaugurated, history is made. For a society that is so focused on becoming "color blind", quite a bit of emphasis has been placed on the color of the new President's skin. I am far more concerned with his experience, skill and belief system than I am with his age, background or skin color. There has also been repeated use of the word, "change". I think it is important to remember that not all change is good. Sometimes change is made in haste, and it leads to more trouble and unrest than there was to begin with.
In the past few weeks, I have realized that sarcasm about this new President's lack of experience leading anything, his personal beliefs and promises is not productive. Sarcasm and doubt don't ever change anything. Prayer does. So, Ryan and I spent some time praying for President-elect Obama last night. We prayed for his protection, for wisdom, for him to surround himself with men and women of experience and wisdom, for his family, for his ability to unite a nation that is so divided. I am praying that whether or not he believes in God, that God will use him in a powerful way in the next 4 years.
A recent study (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/23/AR2008062300813_pf.html) showed that more than half of all Americans prayed at least once each day. This has to be quite a mix of people, with an even more varied mix of beliefs. What if we all pray together for President Obama? Not that he can get gay marriage passed, or that he doesn't destroy the military, or that he can single-handedly fix the economy? What if everyone that believes in prayer just prays that he is careful and wise in how he leads us?
So, needless to say, I have been apprehensive (at best) about the new President. There are many different reasons for my apprehension. In the quiet last night as I was falling asleep, I was reminded that this country does not belong to Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives, Christians or Atheists. This country belongs to God. My days are not determined by the President or Congress, but by the Sovereign God of the universe.

"… let’s remember that He is in control. Nothing alarms Him, or takes Him by surprise. Nothing is too big for Him to handle, or so small it escapes His attention. When the winds of my world begin to blow, He remains seated. When raging waves surround me, He governs their temper…I need not be moved … Because the Lord is seated and sovereign…He alone is sovereign." -Ronald James

Preparing for Christmas

Thanksgiving was a nice weekend in our house. We had Thanksgiving dinner with our good friends, the Angells, and just enjoyed a quiet day. Erin and I went shopping for Black Friday, starting at 11:00 on Thursday night, ending at 8:00 Friday morning. It was really fun and we got some terrific deals. I am posting a few pictures that show how we are getting ready. For your information, Grace and Faith put on a Christmas play for Ryan and I Sunday evening that is a real treat...I'll try to post some of it another day. So you are seeing pictures of Grace as Joseph and Faith as Mary. The two camels are carrying two of their Wise Men.

Every Good and Perfect Gift....Andrew Ryan Struck

You are viewing pictures of the reason the Strucks have been absent from blogging...we have been working on a new addition to the blog. We are pleased to "formally" introduce Andrew Ryan Struck. Andrew was born two weeks early on October 9th, weighing 9 lbs, 7 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. We were so glad to meet him, we forgave the fact that he came before we were completely ready for him. After he was born, we enjoyed a month with both grandmas (and Aunt Trish) and a short visit from Papa. So, we have taken lots of pictures, but time has been short in getting them posted or sent.

Here is what we know about our new addition. He likes to be held (all the time), makes a very big deal out of having to be burped (he coughs and wheezes), has eyes that are turning a light brown color, loves to take a shower or a bath, does not like to be naked outside of the shower, resents having to have his diaper changed, he growls to express his discomfort, is very patient with his sisters, has to be woken up to eat, and does not spit up as much as his sisters both did.

More importantly, we know that God has trusted us with a wonderful, perfect gift, and we have already been humbled and blessed by little Andrew.

The Birthday Celebration

Faith's birthday was a two-part celebration. We had cupcakes with our friends, the Angells, on Faith's actual birthday, then had her party last Saturday. The first couple are from her actual birthday, where she got to open her presents from her family. She got a new doll from Mama and Daddy, lots of new baby clothes from Grammie and Papa, and a new doll stroller from Grandma and Grandpa. I love the picture of her with the cupcake the best. We asked her what the best part of her birthday was and she said, "the prizes".

On Saturday, we had her party at a local place called "Lil Biggs". This is a place where there are lots of different "stations" for the kids to play in. There is a pretend hospital, jail, boutique and more. The kids can dress up and just run around. Faith and her friends had a great time. As we sat down for cake, presents and pizza, we heard Faith announce to the table that she was in charge. After correcting her and diverting her with cake and presents, everyone had a good time. For those that have heard about Cooper from school, the little boy in the picture with Faith is Cooper. Over all, Faith's birthday was a lot of fun, and she is really enjoying all of her new things.