I love my daddy!

Hosea loves Jed! And, why wouldn't he?! He is an amazing, funny, loving, crazy, gentle, snugggly, strong, godly daddy! It is such a blessing that BOTH of us get to be home with Hosea. Jed does so much for me, as a mom, and so much to care for Hosea (he needs a lot!).  One of the things Jed is amazing at is putting Hosea down for a nap and to sleep at night.  This is no small task! Hosea is a screamer (see posting on high needs baby) and Jed so gently shushes, sings, bounces, etc Hosea off to sleep. One of my favorite times to watch Hosea & Jed interact is when Hosea is on his changing table. When Hosea was very small he hated getting his diaper and clothing changed. Now, he loves getting his diaper changed and kind of likes getting his clothes changed (loves being naked...does not love getting his clothes back on).  Hooray for daddy!  He is the best!

Nana, Night Out, & New Adventures

This past Saturday (November 13^th), Nana (Jed’s mom) flew into Baltimore to come visit us for a week.  We are not going to be able to see her for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year, so we were thrilled when she bought a ticket to come see us.  Hosea loves Nana and has taken advantage of her snuggles, smiles, and singing. 

Snuggles

Outside of The Falls Church with Nana

On Tuesday night, Jed and I got a night out.  Nana was Hosea’s first babysitter.  I have to be honest.  No matter how much you trust someone to watch your baby and no matter how much you want a date night, leaving your little one for the first time is hard.  I think I always thought I’d be a super relaxed mom when it comes to leaving her baby.  If there is one lesson I have learned since having Hosea, it is “get ready to let go of your expectations.”  If there is a second lesson I’ve learned, it’s “get over yourself.”  If there is a third lesson I’ve learned, it’s “my feelings as a mom are totally normal, valid, and real.”  So, first I admit that I am not super relaxed…I’m a mess.  Second, I admit I got over myself and pulled myself together (this was hard work and aided by the gentleness of an amazing husband).  Third, I admit (well, still learning to admit is more like it) that I am a normal mom with normal emotions and feelings.  Leaving your baby for the first time does induce feelings of guilt, worry, anxiety, and sadness.  These feelings are very real and natural.  Writing this blog is therapeutic, as it provides a place for me to own these thoughts and feelings. 

Nana did a great job watching Hosea, while Jed and I got away for a few hours.  Our night out consisted of a romantic, yummy dinner and amazing conversation at “Pie-tanza,” coffee at Starbucks, and grocery shopping.  It was divine!  I love my husband so much.  Spending time with him alone (or with our baby) is my favorite thing to do…every day (shouts out to Nacho Libre).

Babysitter Nana

Date night long-arm shot outside Pie-tanza and Starbucks

Our time with Nana has been very fun.  We’ve had a whole bunch of new adventures.  For sake of time, I will just list them, but believe me, they were great: taking the Metro into DC to check out the Freer Art Gallery, strolling around the Washington Monument at sunset, exploring Great Falls National Park, lunch with cousin Deb and cousin Cam at Evening Star in Alexandria, and window shopping in quaint, oldtown Alexandria. 

Another new adventure for Hosea was his first ride on daddy’s shoulders (hopefully it won’t be the last).  Hosea was so excited that he spit up all over daddy’s head and shirt.  It was hilarious, if you ask me. 

Having fun

So much fun...

Veteran's Day 2010

Today, Thursday, November 11, 2010, Jed and I had the Veteran's Day holiday off, so we thought it would be appropriate (now that we live in the DC area), to celebrate at Arlington National Cemetery.  We loaded up Hosea in the Baby Bjorn and made our way into the city via the Metro.  It was the most amazing fall day!  The fall colors and beautiful views at the cemetery, along with the crisp, cool air, made our trip even more memorable.  We thought we would provide a picture and video summary of our day.

Waiting for the TourMobile

The "John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame"

Arlington House - view from John F. Kennedy's tomb



Arlington National Cemetery has numerous signs encouraging "Silence and Respect".  At the JFK Memorial (please note, the first stop on our tourmobile), Hosea made it known that he can't read, doesn't care to be shushed, and will speak up when he so desires.  No respect!

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Note to self: Don't take a talkative baby to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider during "The Changing of the Guard" ceremony on Veteran's Day (the video was too long to insert here, but trust me, it was bad). 

"The Canadian Cross of Sacrifice" - we heard some amazing bugle and bagpipe music here

Once again, Hosea found it hard to be quiet...especially with all the exciting bagpipe music.

Back on the TourMobile - Hosea was so sleepy and snuggled with daddy

Gorgeous view of Washington, D.C. from Arlington House

Family shot

My husband takes amazing panoramics

Headed on the bus back to the visitor's center

Leaving the cemetery on the Metro, headed to meet Matt for a late lunch

Uncle Matt lives in the Logan/Dupont Circle areas of the District - we're so happy to live close to him!

BGR - The Burger Joint...it was SO yummy!

There are numerous signs throughout the Metro stations, reminding passengers that food and drinks are not allowed in the Metro.  Well, we risked it/disobeyed, bringing a Coke onto the train, and look what happened.  One jerky Metro train + one ever-moving baby + two disobedient parents = SPILL!  Ooops!

 Happy Veteran's Day! We are so thankful to the Lord for the freedoms we share in the United States of America.  We are also so thankful for the many who have served and died to protect those freedoms. 

 

Pumpkin Day!

I declare yesterday, November 10, 2010, Pumpkin Day in the von Steinbergs home.  In an earlier blog, perhaps you read about our trip to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard.  Well, on that trip, we discovered and purchased the most magnificent pumpkin…picking it right from the vine.  It is upsetting that we never got a picture of the beaut at the patch, but trust me, she was one amazing 20 ½ pound gourd. 

Our fairest winter squash spent the month of October and part of November outdoors, beautifying our entry steps.  Yesterday, however, we brought him (our pumpkin is a boy…named Jimmy Gourd, after the VeggieTales character) inside for a little operation.  We will take you on a picture and video journey of our afternoon.  (Cameron and Hosea napping made the operation a little bit easier. Ha!)

Our Pumpkin Day yielded pumpkin puree, roasted pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin apple raisin bread (not pictured).  For being a huge pumpkin, Jimmy Gourd didn’t produce too many seeds (only about ¾ cup, which we roasted).  He did have a lot of flesh…we pureed 20 cups of pumpkin – enough for 10 pies!  Wow!  The bread was my husband’s creative masterpiece, his own rendition of a Joy of Cooking recipe.  Hooray for Pumpkin Day!

Jazzercise changes lives!

Since moving to Virginia, Jed and I have made a pledge to "operation fitness" and have been following through in various ways - walking (lots of this with two babies and two dogs), longboarding (I gave Jed a sweet one for his b-day), and workout videos.  Workout videos, in particular, have been a good choice for a more physically demanding workout, as we spend a significant chunk of the day indoors as the kiddos nap.  In the past, I have worked out using various videos- yoga, pilates, Tae-Bo with Billy Blanks, and (my personal favorite) Paula Abdul's "Get Up and Dance". I was familiar with "Jazzercise" because of Linda Schubring's demos of the moves, however I had yet to attend a class or use a Jazzercise video, until 2 weeks ago.
Upon receiving a local Northern VA librabry card, we checked out a "boot camp fitness" and post-pregnancy Jazzercise DVDs.  The post-prego one contained excercises to do with your baby, so I was drawn to that one. Hosea and I both enjoyed the video and I definitely got a workout.  In finding an even closer library, with an even better DVD library, I discovered many more Jazzercise videos.  Boy, did I strike gold with another of the Jazzercise corporation hits called "Street Jazz!", learning street jam movements incorporating jazz dance, hip hop and funk.  Check out the cover...who wouldn't rent it?!

After my cheerleading/dance career, I figured this would give me a chance to rekindle my love for street jam movements.  Yeah!!!  So, the workout was actually quite fun and challenging.  I've only done it once so far, but I think I would like to renew it so I can MASTER the moves.  Jed really likes watching me do this video.  :)  I have to admit that it is a bit cheesy, however, it gets the heart rate up.  I have no idea how these people smile the entire time.  Even as a former cheerleader, I found it a bit excessive. 
Tonight, I searched the web to find additional Street Jazz Jazzercise videos.  I stumbled upon this! 
I sat completely STUNNED as Jed made laughing sounds I have NEVER heard him make before.  Please watcth the ENTIRE video...it is worth every second of your precious time.  My waistline got a workout from laughing! 

Jazzercise - Move your Boogie Body 1982


"HOTDOG!"

Snowsuits are the cutest!

Up until this past weekend, the temperature in Virginia has been really warm...totally didn't feel like fall.  But, this past weekend, the weather started to get much more fall-ish.  The colors are absolutely amazing and the air is brisk.  Two nights ago, we took a walk to the grocery store and I thought it would be the perfect time to try out Hosea's snowsuit.  We got this snowsuit as a hand-me-down gift from some friends.  Good thing we put Hosea in it, because he is almost too big for it.  Daddy thought the snowsuit was a little excessive, however, once he saw how cute Hosea was in it and how chilly it was outside, I think he agreed with me.

"Daddy, look how cute he is!"

Can't stop kissing those cheeks.

Hosea LOVES his snowsuit!  Look how big he is getting!

Ready for our walk...after all the picture taking, I think Hosea was getting a little hot.  :)

Flippin Over

Last week, Hosea flipped over, from his back to his front, for the first time (well, actually, he flipped himself over when he was 4 weeks old, but hasn't ever done it again since then).  He has only done it two other times since then, and of courese, I have never been able to capture this on camera.  After many attempts, I'm posting a video of me helping Hosea flip from back to front and some tummy time.  It is 2 1/2 minutes long, which I realize is sort of a long video to post, but I never get sick of watching this kiddo do cute stuff.  Hope you enjoy!