Welcome to our World...

Norah has been getting a large dose of our world of late... The boys are deeply in love and gentle and dear. Here are some notables of late:

• Norah Grace SLEEPS. She has given me at least one 5 hour stretch EVERY night since we've come home from the hospital. Immediately upon nursing during that ONE feeding a night, she goes right back to sleep. Consequently, I have had more energy NOW than I had prior to having her! (Now, if only my house would reflect that fact!)
• Last Thursday morning, Norah was sleeping w/ daddy and Theo still in bed, Isaac and I had a precious and rare moment just the two of us. We were eating breakfast and it hit me that it was no longer just Isaac and Theo any longer -- there was a NEW child, new life in our family. I mentioned the fact to Isaac - in awe - and he responded by putting his fork down, looking me in the eye and asking, "wow mommy, can you handle it?" Oh, that I would handle it well.
• Anytime Norah cries - Isaac immediately runs to her (no matter WHERE she is) and says, "it's alright Norah, I'm here. You are not lonely any more. I'm here!"
  

We are enjoying our new addition to our world. We are all in love.

Theo is constantly adding to his "stuffed animal" collection that he has to have in bed w/ him at night. We thought we'd give our new addition a shot -- He was so sad when we told him he couldn't actually keep her in there all night.


















Of course, Isaac wanted in on it... They were so excited about this!


















The ever famous jaundiced Koerber.... ;) Poor thing...

Norah Grace

This is an email that Matt sent out just yesterday - while he was entirely unsupervised.

As you probably knew, Chrissie has been experiencing severe abdominal
swelling. This led to some pretty great discomfort and when she began
to have piercing pain on Monday we decided that she should go to the
hospital. Anyway, after a very short investigation, the doctors were
able to determine the cause of the problems. Believe it or not,
Chrissie had a small person living inside of her! It was amazing.
Well, the doctors have a special procedure for getting the baby out -
iI would not have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes.

Well, that solved everything. Chrissie is feeling fine. The pains
have stopped and her swelling has already been reduced. We have
decided to keep this new person and make her part of the family. We
named her Norah Grace (8 bls. 4 oz.) and she is cute.

Thanks for your prayers!

In Christ,
Matt (Chrissie, Isaac, Theo and Norah)

Here are a couple of pictures to satisfy the peoples ;) I'll try and get more later and up.

















Ball Bellies. Theo's new favorite game















MY ball.















Boys & grandparents meet the ball.















Daddy rests with the ball.















Look at my hair!!

To some, this will mean nothing... to others - like myself - you'll be impressed! This morning, Matt and I decided to take the kiddos to our lil breakfast place - Elana's across Greenfield Ave. Matt took the van and dropped it off to be inspected and me and boysie's walked down Lydia. As we passed Kanai funeral home at the bottom of our street, the door opened and out walked Art Rooney Jr w/ a bodyguard/driver/friend? Immediately recognizing him... I wondered... it is kosher to say hi? The poor fellow, recognized, I AM SURE, everywhere he goes, was leaving the funeral home and walking across the street to St Rosalia's to where the funeral mass was to take place. We made eye contact and acknowledged each other's presence. As we went to cross the street, the sweet owner of the PITTSBURGH STEELERS told us to be careful and wait for him to cross with us. They giggled at Theo's "future Steeler" cap that he was sporting... and we parted by asking that the Lord would bless one another.

This is why I love living in the city. I love that all of you dear folk in Boston and elsewhere with no allegiance to this lovely city would have no reaction to this story. BUT, if you are a Pittsburgher, you'd want to buy a house next store ;) just in case Art comes back... heehee.

No babies yet. I'm weary!



These sweet lil buggers keep me going ;)

A very productive weekend! We became our own particularized church, Matt landed his first senior pastor position, ordained a couple of elders, vowed to serve the Pittsburgh community, built a loft, painted a room - FUSCIA pink!, and got another week closer to having a baby girl ;).

Some fun new shots.















A bright and contagious smile. He had just gotten back from his "sitting on the step" routine that happens every night when he pitches fits about dinner ;) with that hat. He comes back with a new hat every time.















Camera savvy - always ready to take a picture. I do have a normal smile picture of him somewhere ;)















Mommy's playdate at the dinosaur museum! What a treat!















I can't handle our cat 99% of the time. (Evil, I know... but, to my credit, I already have 3 other beings craving my attention, cuddles and affection. I can't handle having to pet/touch such an attention-starved cat!) However, this is what keeps poor ole Barnabus in this home....

A couple of videos for the grandparents!

The following video was taken at PiratesFest -- we got tickets from our SWEET and dear neighbor across the street (who loves my fuscia room, by the way). The boys love baseball - and well, we only let them watch the Pirates ;) The event was fairly disappointing... you'd think that for a very under producing sports team that they would try and serve their fading fan base just a little bit. It cost over 30 bucks to get in and then cost money to "play" games. We didn't see a single player there. I did get a chance to capture the best part of our time there... The Pirate Parrot was very entertaining!



Here's a little footage of our attempts to dig up some ole dinosaur bones at the NHM (Natural History Museum.) Theo was a trip and REALLY into the whole process. He cried when I took his ridiculous goggles off (the ones that prohibited breathing through his nose.) The kids had a blast.



Alright ... signing out. It's laundry day!

I have been an extremely poor blogger of late. The last two weeks we've had the computer upstairs - which is a GOOD thing for my addictive self. That means I have to drag my very pregnant self up my steep stairs to check my email (ie - waste time on the internet,) something I find more and more tiring and troublesome. My boys rarely "play" upstairs... something I hope we change soon.

This girl is a mover and shaker! It's crazy how much she is tearing it up inside. Theo certainly did not move this much - I think Isaac did. We are getting more and more excited about meeting her and actually less intimidated (maybe that's why the Lord gives you the rottenest month of pregnancy - called the 9th month.) I'm looking forward to NOT feeling like a freight truck. I'm looking forward to not looking like one too!

We are looking forward to a visit from the in-laws this weekend ... they've committed (i think...) to painting and getting our rooms re-organized upstairs. The boys will either be built a loft or be bought a bunkbed set and finally move in together ;) The lil chica's room will be painted, the crib will be assembled and all of Matt's books will be moved... I feel very anxious about this process... once it's done... I'll be ready for her! Anyway... the boys are beside themselves looking forward to a visit from the Clearfield grandparents.















I just love this face!






























My sweet boys!

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 ;)