Emma Annette

The newest addition to the Schumacher family! We finally got a chance to meet this precious niece/cousin of ours and she is a beauty. She looks just like her big sis, though she weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs and 3 oz compared to Claire's 5 lbs 15 oz. Mom and baby are getting along great.

I selfishly held Emma the whole time we visited. I needed to remind myself what it's like to hold a newborn babe...and it's just as sweet as I remember. Georgia seemed more interested in toys (and Claire) than the baby, which kind of surprised me. She's enamored with her little baby friend, Ollie and so I'm undecided at how she'll behave when her new sibling arrives. Guess we'll see.

Home Projects

Recently Andy's dad asked us if we had done everything we wanted to make our house our own. We rattled off a few things, but later on had quite a conversation about what we would still do if we could. After time passes it seems like there is always something you can do to improve your home.

As you know, I like lists. These are a few of the things we'll do when the timing (and money) is right:

*New windows. This is our top priority. There is a great deal out there - purchase and install energy efficient windows in 2010 and receive a 30% tax credit.
*New front porch. Ours is very small and we're not really trying to make something new, but the wood is old and we're missing a few nails and too soon it won't be very safe.
*New bathtub. This is my dream. Ours is old and difficult to clean and always needs to be re-caulked.
*Room redecoration. We're currently in the process of redoing a guest room for Georgia so the baby can have the nursery. Not much is required there. However with the overflow of all the toys we've received and will receive, we've decided (with inspiration from Andy's brother and his wife) to finally turn a downstairs room into a play room. We need to paint and add some shelving.
*New carpet and flooring upstairs. Another dream of mine. Andy thinks it's unrealistic since we'll have small children for a while, but I did say it was a dream.

Andy and I like having projects to improve our home. We have no time line (well, maybe the windows) and are in no hurry, but we have some goals. We could live in our house just fine the way it is and still be perfectly happy, but I'll say it again....it's fun to dream.

Blessed

I wanted to get one more post in before the month of August is gone completely.

I was thinking today of what a generous church family Andy and I are a part of and my heart swelled. As a ministry staff couple, we get doted on by the parishioners of Grandview church. Just this summer we have received (are you ready?): sweet corn, green beans, tomatoes, LOTS of cute clothes for Georgia, biscotti, meals while Andy was gone, free child care by at least four different families, a toddler bed complete with dresser, diapers, bread, toys and books, and other small gifts. There are many other things we've received over the years, too.

I just want to say thank you to these kind people and how grateful we are that God has put us in a church home that knows how to love and care for their pastors and families. We are truly blessed!

Scott County

After six and a half years of marriage and living in Davenport that long (7 1/2 for Andy), we finally have Scott County plates on one of our vehicles! Up until last week, our vehicles said Hamilton and Carroll. Andy's car still says Carroll, but I don't want anyone getting any ideas...we're here to stay!

In a way, it's very validating. Scott County; yes, this is where we live. :) I don't know why it's such a big deal to me, but it is! Funny.

I took a picture of the plates, but Andy thought it might be dangerous to have it so accessible online, so here is the best I could do. Now people will no longer ask me, "Where is Hamilton County?"

So Sneaky

Andy said to me yesterday, "Honey, why is there a shoe in our bathroom drawer?"


Oh, I don't know, dear. I'll give you three guesses....as if you need that many.

Feeling Better

I have been feeling so much better. Today was the very first day that I didn't feel the need to run for the bathroom first thing in the morning. Up until yesterday, that was a part of my daily routine. The first three months left me feeling sick and often getting sick all day long. The last two weeks I've only felt sick right away in the morning, but after a little breakfast in my tummy I'm good to go. Today I only felt lightly queasy for a few minutes this morning.

I can tell things are starting to look up...I've been able to cook without getting/feeling sick, my house is cleaner and I look forward to going out now. I haven't had to say to Andy, "Can you do this, can you do that?" in a while. Plus, my blog posts have increased. Five measly posts in July? That was a yucky month.

So now comes the fun part of pregnancy. I'm starting to get a little belly, I'm certain I've felt one or two slight jerks from the baby and I can feel the nesting urge coming on. Plans are in the making this fall to convert one of our guest rooms into a toddler room for Georgia so the baby can take the nursery. It still seems impossible that the three of us will soon become four; I sometimes even marvel that the two of us became three.

Hmmm...I Think I Can Fit In There

Any spot she can find to clear out and crawl into, she will.