Oh, bummer...

The most wonderful time of the day - I think it is because of the infrequency of our baths that we love them so much! These are their "funny" faces. Isn't Theo growing up!?

My Theo has really taken to saying "oh, bummer!" if he misses something. I've been trying to capture it for a while and I've got it. This video is particularly for Uncle Ken - as he was really hoping to hear it sometime.

haha... I looked at it again. You really can't make out the belly at all. At least you have the opportunity to poke fun at the fat face!! I'll get another one up..... no worries.

There you have it. haha... you can't see my belly at all because of the black shirt. I'll try and do better next time. By the way, that other baby? Already out. Born Jan 3rd!! Woot!! New Auntie I am.

A month passed....

I cannot believe a whole month has passed since I've last blogged. I suppose we should all get used to it because I am not sure how I will ever have time to do anything once this little girl arrives. You've got two more months ladies and gentleman! Two more months until complete and utter chaos reigns in the Koerber household. It almost reigns now... but for some reason we are keeping our heads slightly above it all.

So right.... Christmas has come and gone and New Years as well. These past two weeks have been really quite odd. The worst cold of the century is being passed from person to person... with Isaac finally starting to demonstrate his snifflies this afternoon. Hopefully it'll pass over him... but I'm fairly doubtful that it will. We've got our albuterol in stock and his dinosaur mask ready. So? I guess I'm ready?

Christmas was interesting this year. I feel like we spent all month feeling ready and on top of everything (all our shopping done early... a tree up on the 6th of December! -- monumental stuff for these Koerbers!) but then WHAM! Christmas hit. How could I feel blindsided by it when everything was done? We had a lovely play done by Hannah J and Rachel S w/ the church and it was a hit... Isaac even said his line! We had lovely dinners with several of the community groups in the church making my need for coming up w/ suppers scarce ;) sweet! Christmas Eve was spent at 1st Reformed and then with my parents. It was a treat to worship w/ so many that have loved and supported this new city church. And of course, supper w/ my family was a real treat -- too short!

Christmas day after spending some time together in the morning, we headed to Clearfield so spend time with Matthew's family. It was a real delight to be together the little time that we had before lil Theo decided to ruin it all by throwing up. Matthew got some good time studying and reading at his dad's office while me and the boys got some real good Nama time in.

We came home to a house that needed TONS of work before we opened it on New Year's Day - our annual open house. Christmas toys are still finding their way to their appropriate places... but we have a cleaner house than usual and still more unusual order.

Some of my Christmas highlights:

• worship at 1st Reformed Christmas Eve - I just love that church and the support that they have offered my family and City Reformed. It was a delight to worship with them Monday night.
• the boys got a new toy kitchen (that still isn't together yet) from Nama... we are loving it!
• iPods - the year of the iPod. Matt got a small 4gb ipod in exchange for our nasty couch (thanks A!) and got us slightly hooked on the idea of getting all of our music into one of those lil buggers. My Christmas present was the mother of all mothers - 80 GB iPod. holy smokes.
• Iron and Wine - Sammy makes the highlights! That album is marvelous. Matt's even hooked.
  
• My ultimate favorite - the Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. Isaac begs to read it every night and woke me up this morning w/ it asking to please read the story about Jesus and the nails. I have never seen a children's Bible that I have so loved and trusted! Every chapter is Christ centered. If you have children and do not have this book - please tell me and I will buy you a copy!! It's unbelievable.

So... that's enough. I'll try and post pictures soon. Robin - I'm not too keen on posting pics of my largeness. I am certainly not celebrating the body this time round ;) I'll try and find one and get it on here though... just for you!

Love you all.

Well, as per request: here is a picture of our lovely tree! We had a sweet time celebrating a dear friend's birthday at Cracker Barrel... and a gorgeous drive in the snow to the farm to pick out our tree. Poor Theo got sick as we left the house so our original plans of hunting our own tree were thrown out the window.

We are blessed. So blessed.

Ignore the goofy grin and tongue of the kid, he is in rare form today ;)








Here's a short clip of the decorating action & my old husband:

Hello Kitty! This cat really is quite patient with the children = his saving grace in remaining in the Koerber household. The boys love him.... how would we live without him? Oh Barnabas!

This video has to be an all time favorite of mine. If Daddy is ever in this kind of position, the boys are SURE to be on top of him. It's pretty funny... they have really been enjoying wrestling lately.

The other night, I walked in to give Isaac his final kiss goodnight (I am an incessant kissy mommy - especially when they are sound asleep) and I found him like this. We had to take a picture - you would have too, right?



This video - taken by his father - which you will be able to "hear" - he is not nearly as obnoxious as I. Theo was helping him out in the back while Isaac and I cleaned his room. It was good father-son time. It has really been fun to see Matt fall more and more in love with his youngest son. (note: Matt is not much of a "baby" guy)

Well, due to endless PRODDING from the lil sister who CHOSE to move to Erie, I am blogging. I have to admit that there are a number of things vying for my attention besides the obvious boys.

Church life has been full... mainly Matt being very distracted and pushing me into single parentdom ;) Although, it hasn't been as bad as it has been in the past. I've been really enjoying my relationships with women in our church! We are so stinkin' blessed.

Advent work has been fun lately, but also a bit time consuming. I've put out feelers about getting someone to watch the kiddos so I can be more intentional w/ Advent stuff... I've had the loveliest of all leads! A girlfriend of mine from church is a student and may have some availability to play w/ those sweet boys. She loves them much... and there would be nothing better than that.

Harry Potter. I have finally succumbed - mostly due to my husband's fervor!! He is ridiculous about it so if I don't read them, then, well.... our marriage is headed for disaster (heehee... just being extreme 'cause it's fun!) I am addicted though! What a good read!

OK - I think that's it. Until next time.....

If you want to turn down the volume on my obnoxiousness.... please do so!

Here are a couple more of our pictures. Isaac was a dinosaur and Theo a monkey. We really enjoyed meeting people in our community! This was my first time EVER trick or treating... what a fascinating experience. I loved it.

A couple of video takes of Soccer. I promised them! I don't know if you will be able to find him, but you'll definitely hear a proud momma screaming the background. One of them (but I'm not sure which one) will be a shot of him getting kicked in the head... while it's not really funny, I had not a clue that he got kicked because of my "video" view.

We are well.

Some of my favorite things right now:

• My revolving front door. We've been getting to know a lot of our neighbors... and with this crazy October weather there have a been a lot of folks out on walks. I love having them in the home.
• My husband... He should always be on the list, but his friendship is TRUE delight to me. I don't know where I would be without his love and support.
• My children... While their fighting increases (and sin abounds) - they have been interacting so much more of late. I have been really enjoying their energy and lease on life!
• Having a girl... oh, I'm in love with our name.
• This crazy October weather!
• A trip to North Carolina. I'm looking forward to Asheville in the fall! Details and pictures when we come home...
  
• I love my friends. I am so blessed.

My sweet husband spilled water on my laptop, consequently destroying the video card and screen ;) It is our sole computer for the house and I am ashamed to admit how lost I felt without it. He (the love of my life) made up for his fatal error by bringing home a monitor left by the old tenants of CityReformed offices' space and I can now bring ya'll up to speed on what's going on at the ole Koerber homestead.

First and foremost: It's a GIRL! I thought we were incapable of such... but apparently we are not. Wow, I'm thrilled. It makes all the woes of this pregnancy (my out of whack hormonal system, headaches, crazy sickness in the beginning... to name a few) a bit more worth it? We surely would have delighted just the same at the news of a lil boy. Now, we have to name her... why naming girls so much harder than boys?

Isaac and soccer. Today he played quite well. I took videos, so I'll get them up soon! He had a couple of shots on goal, but managed to score on our own goalie. It was a valiant effort!

UGH. I've got to deal with a little boy who will not eat his beans.

I can't believe I'm posting about this, but I feel like I need to tell the world!! NBC is finally showing their shows online -- which means, Chrissie gets to watch the OFFICE tonight!! 2 thoughts: 1) that statement might give my readers the impression that the WORLD reads my blog. Nope, I'm not creative, nor smart enough for that & 2) I always have study Thursday nights at 8:30pm. That's why I care!!!

I drove past the library yesterday - Isaac declared he wanted to go in and read some books. We almost stopped. I was exhausted and didn't feel I had the energy to park, pay and go in. Well, turns out, because of my laziness, we missed Ben Roethlisberger reading, "the True Story of the 3 Little Pigs." Bummer, huh? That's the last time I don't listen to Isaac.

The most wonderful time of the year..... Ok, not only am I talking about football season.... but this is also the time of year that both Matt and I get our music itches. We just recently ordered about five new CDs and are now reveling in the joy of new music!

• Johnny Cash The Johnny Cash's Children's Album - while I LOVE Cash, I was a bit surprised by how "mellow" this album was. The kids and I have been listening to it in the mornings. I think I need to step it up to get more used to it! I don't know ANY of the songs (me not being able to sing along makes me sad.... )
• Fiest The Reminder - hmm.... I have to say, I absolutely adore her voice and style. I am in love w/ a new artist. "My Moon and My Man" and "1234" I love although I'll die if Isaac learns to count from her... 1234569&10. Ouch, sweet woman!
  
• Over the Rhine The Trumpet Child - another album that I adore. I love that each album comes packed with NEW. When artists produce as much as they do, all the songs tend to begin to sound as one it seems. I'm still listening... but I think I'm going to enjoy!!
• Phish Rift - I'll let Matt review. As I will not have a ton positive to say other than the kids adore dancing w/ their dadda with this album. I can't tell if it's their nutty taste in music or just the fact that their father is in absolute bliss when listening?
• Bob Dylan Saved - Here I go. I'm going to admit something publicly that I have only admitted at home. I don't like Dylan's voice and especially w/ this pregnancy (I can blame it on the child, right?) I find myself getting headaches when I listen to him. I have to admit that I like this album far more than I thought I would. Maybe because I knew all of the songs because of Third Day's Offerings. So sorry Bob.
• Bob Dylan Modern Times - thankfully to my pregnant self this album hasn't arrived just yet. Thank you Lord for your grace ;)

OK -- I know I'm going to get bomb-blasted by all of you Dylan lovers. But you have to admit, if you love clean music, Bob gets too messy.

BTW - I am loving football this year. The Steelers have been keeping things fun here in Pittsburgh. A lot of surprises this year. We are trying to have more self control this year in the midst of the NFL season, translated means: we are watching only the Steelers. Many a Sunday years past you would find us (maybe even more so me!) watching football all Sunday. Then we started taking the Sabbath a bit more seriously ;)

Soccer Mom

Never really thought I'd see the day. Here's what we have been up to: Our first game was this past Saturday and Isaac successfully scored 1 goal for the other team ;) Our little green team had a hard time turning the ball around and heading towards our own goal. About 75% of our time was spent w/ the blue team making shots at our goal. Our sweet lil guys and gals were pretty small comparatively! I don't have any pictures of our game but do have some video footage. I have to figure out how to get it on the comp (taken w/ our DVD recorder rather than camera.)

Here are some shots of practice














Ball handling skills...















Practice game















Demonstrating the Italian fake fouled fall!















A content little observer














A proud 3 year old.

Yes, he is now THREE!! We didn't end up having very planned party as my brother got married that weekend! (Wow, yes, another delightful event!) We had a spontaneous party that included persons from our community group as well as some dear neighbors. We played pin the tail on the donkey and had a pinata. It was a treat to have everyone that came.

Well... the new little Koerber is due March 12th. I had a sonogram today to try and determine when this lil new tyke is to be born. It was a treat to see the lil one... I even made a tear! Life is amazing... It is amazing that the little tyke is alive and moving his arms and legs. I don't love being pregnant, but I love that I am in the process of bringing a new, little, precious child into this world. Isaac from the beginning has been "wanting" a boy brother (as opposed to a girl brother...) His list of names for the new one includes "potato head," "baby head," or "baby thomas" (after the great, Thomas the Tank Engine.) So far, his names have been pretty creative. We'll keep a running list ;)

Love you all. Thanks for your support and well wishes!

lack of posting = sick chrissie = chaotic house

why?

pregnant chrissie. yes, again. a bit unexpected... really scary... a gift from the Lord, yes. we were hoping for another year between the "two sets of kids" we wanted. however, obviously, the Lord had other plans. we are more and more getting excited. your prayers would be appreciated ;)

Gosh -- A couple more videos because the boys keep giving reasons to record!



Isaac's new moves. I think we could make money off of him...



Theo's evening play...

I promise an update soon ... I mean, actual writing. We've been really busy and well, frankly, I'm tired! I hope all are well - I miss finding the time to really write.

The Spraying Toddler... He is really into "soaking" us of late!



My favorite time of the day - apparently the boys as well!