And Then There Were Three

Oh, How Time Flies!

2009-04-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm not quite sure where to start. It's been quite some time since I blogged. So much has happened and, as usual, I don't' have much time to tell you about it. We just got back from a really wonderful trip visiting my dad in Georgia. We were there for a week and it was very relaxing and the food was delicious (I am blessed to have a mom and dad who are both amazing cooks!). One day we went to Hunting Island, South Carolina and went surf fishing. It was really windy and a little chilly but a lot of fun. James caught two fish and everyone else got skunked!

Although the trip was nice, getting home is another story!! Our original flight home was delayed from Savannah so we missed all our connecting flights. To make a long story short, we spent about 20 hours in airports and planes trying to get back to San Jose. Once we got back, Steve came to the airport to pick us up and told James that the oil light on our car had just come on. James thought that was weird but decided we'd get back to their house and check it before getting on the road headed home. Well, we didn't even make it off the freeway before the car started making a terrible metal on metal sound and the smoking!! We pulled off the freeway to take a look and found all the oil was leaking out...from who knows where! We were able to put oil in it and drive the few miles back to Steve and Sherry's. We tried to get a tow truck that night but couldn't so we stayed the night and Sherry had an Easter basket waiting for Landon in the morning and also a little Easter egg hunt. It ended up being really fun and I'm glad we stayed. Once we got a tow truck, we got towed to Vacaville and James dad picked us up there (poor guy spent basically his entire Easter in a tow truck!). So although I missed Ashley's baby shower and brunch, Easter dinner at Julianna and Jared's with the fam and my car being broken down with no idea what's wrong, we did make it home safely and in one piece!

Landon went to the doctor yesterday and he weighed in at 19lbs., 14oz. (though he feels like 30 pounds!!) and measured 30in. long. He is doing well, coming right along. He now claps, high-fives, waves, feeds himself, drinks from a sippy cup, pulls himself up on EVERYTHING, and is definitely picking up a little of my stubbornness! But he is still a good boy, happy all the time and sleeps very well.

I started my "Boot Camp" yesterday. For those of you who know me, you know how hard it is for be to get up before 9:00am!! But I have exercise boot camp 3 days a week from 5:30am to 6:30am for six weeks and I'm determined to make it to every one! James is still in the CHP hiring process for the second time...not much to report there. He's is working hard, as usual, and loving being a dad!

To Neil, we're sorry we missed your 30th birthday but you know we love you and can't wait to celebrate with you! Also, CONGRATS ON PASSING YOUR TESTS! I'm very proud of you and I knew you would do it!!!!!! Until next time...

Whoever said this was easy was WRONG!

2009-02-06T22:51:00.000-08:00

At the request of my mom (who is accusing me of grandparent abuse for not posting new pictures) I am once again going to attempt to keep my blog updated. My days are filled with playing with infant toys, wiping dirty bottoms, making lunches, making dinner, cleaning, bathing dirty babies, doing laundry, washing dishes, typing, etc., etc., etc. The list could go on for ever. I know I was leaving one full time job for another but I never expected this job to be so busy! I suppose I'm learing how true the old saying is: A mother's work is never done. I am really loving being home with my boy and it is such an incredible joy to see him grow and change every single second! He's is almost crawling (he's been army crawling for about two weeks) but still no teeth! At his last doctor's appointment he was 18lbs. 11oz. and 26 1/4 inches, that was a month and a half ago! He's growing by leaps and bounds. We also took the pacifer away about a week ago and so far no problmes...but stay tuned! So, mom, here are a few new pics!

A Day in History

2008-11-18T21:24:00.000-08:00

Landon is now five whole months old. What is he doing, you ask? Well, keep reading - - - As of about a month ago, is eating baby food and rice cereal. So far, he's had peas, prunes, squash, carrots and green beans. I can't get the peas, prunes and squash into his mouth fast enough (he is his mother's son!). I assume because they are all sweet (it could also be learned behavior being that I have the unfortunate tendency to inhale my food). He mostly spit out the carrots and green beans but we'll keep trying. He is rolling over from back to tummy and getting his arm out on his own! No teeth yet but I suspect when they come, there will be many; he's been working on them for some time now. He is playing with his hands and has discovered his toes in the last 3 or 4 days. He grabs for toys and pretty much anything you put in front of him. Of course, everything goes right for his mouth! About a month ago, a friend of mine found a rainforest jumperoo at a garage sale. She picked it up for me and after I sanitized the crap out of it, I put Landon in it and he loves it! He gout the jumping down right away. When he's in the bouncer, he looks like a little puppet; like somebody is controlling his feet with puppet strings. Also, he spins the little rattle and loves to hear the monkey and elephant sounds it makes when he bounces. It has been just an incredible joy to watch him change every single day. It's amazing how children change your life! I have a new found respect for my parents. When you come to the realization that your parents love you as much as you love your child, it's amazing. There just isn't any way for you to comprehend that until you have your own! Please enjoy the pictures and thank you for your continued prayer for us as we take this leap of faith! I'll be working for less than 6 more weeks!! Until next time...

It's Time For a Reality Check

2008-10-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

Today is the day I must leave this face and return to work...but there is good news! It won't be for long because God has worked out our finances in such a way that will allow me to quit my job at the end of the year so that I do not have to miss one more day of watching our son grow up. This is bittersweet for me as I really enjoy going to work (or at least I did before Landon came along) and I love my job. Not to mention the money is great. But I will say that since having a child, I have a better understanding of why parents will sacrafice just about anything for their children. We sold our car a few weeks ago which was hard but it went to a good home! We sold it to a girl from Iowa and needed a commuter car to go back and forth to the children's hospital becuase her little boy has a congenital heart defect. That made it a little easier. James and I are both excited to see what is in store for us as we make a few big changes but I have a feeling it will be good! Landon is laying on the couch next to me right now kicking me and he is strong...his little toes are like daggers! It's 10:15 now and in 12 hours I will begining my first night of graveyard, ugh! Coffee and Pepsi will be a daily requirement for me over the next few months! Until next time...(which probably won't be for a while!)

3 Years and 3 Months

2008-09-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

September 17th was a big day in the Stark household. James and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary and our sweet baby boy turned 3 months old! We celebrated by going to AWANA first. Landon went to Grandma Lorraine's house but he didn't make it too long before he just lost it...only about an hour. Grandma Lorraine did her best to console him but it wasn't to be. So, I left early to go pick him up, then back to pick James up, and then the real party got started! We went to Red Lobster for endless shrimp. It was delicious! Landon actually slept almost the entire time so we got to enjoy each other's company. James gave me an opal necklace from Idaho. He went with a few other guys to Idaho for 10 days to elk hunt. While he was away, we went and visited Grandma Kim, Great Grandma Sally, Auntie Peri, Aunite Ellen, Uncle Bobby and all the Leon cousins. It was a fun time! My mom was really surprised at how big Landon has gotten. We all really enjoyed our visit but that isn't a drive I'll make by myself with a baby again(Redding, CA to Tacoma, WA!!). Since my last post, Landon has met so many new people! In the slide show are pictures of him with Aunt Stacy and Baby Kamalia; Aunt Chelsi and Baby Bryah; and, or course, with Miss Mackenzie! Enjoy the pictures. Sorry mom, but I love the pictures of you with your grandson so they got put on here! Until next time...

PS-Landon is now 15lbs, 3oz!

The Countdown to 30!!

2008-08-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

We celebrated James' 29th birthday which means in less than 365 days, less than 52 weeks, my husband will be 30 years old! (I'm not even 26 yet! Haha) I can't believe it! He was just 19 when we met and it seems as if no time has passed at all! Except that during that time, we've both had at least 9 birthdays, we got engaged, married, bought a car, bought a house, bought another car and then had a baby! And took quite a few trips in between all that, too. As I said in previous posts, time goes by so fast and especially when you're really enjoying life! In September, we will be married for 3 (yeah, count 'em, three!) years...I feel like I just got done planning a wedding! Anyway, here are pictures from James' birthday (Neil gave him this tube thing that is supposed to sound like an elk when you blow in it. How do they do that?) and our beautiful son in the crab suit Grandma Kim got for him. He went for his two month check up and he is now 13lbs. 13oz. and 23 1/2" long! He's in the 80th percentile for his height and weight! Wow! Enjoy! Until next time...(PS - James and Neil both got bucks on opening day of archery season)

2008-07-31T16:29:00.001-07:00

Six weeks can go by so fast...

2008-07-31T15:58:00.000-07:00

So on Tuesday our son was officially six weeks old. When he was born, he weighed 7lbs, 8.6oz. When he went for his well baby check up at two weeks old he weighed 8lbs., 5oz. Well, I've been noticing that his size one diapers are already getting a quite tight so I called his pediatrician and asked if I could come in and have him weighed. You won't believe that in just four weeks, Landon has gained almost 4 pounds! When I saw 12lbs, 3.5oz pop up on the scale my jaw dropped! I knew he was gaining weight and getting chunky but 12 pounds! Wow, how fast they grow. It's such a miracle and a real joy to watch our beautiful son grow and change every day. It seems as though he goes through a different stage almost daily! As you can see, he is a very smiley, happy baby; especially in the morning. He loves his nursery. He will just lay in his crib looking around for sometimes 45 minutes at a time. He loves the bright daylight and he loves to be outside. He doesn't mind his car seat and almost always falls asleep when we're driving. I think James is truly enjoying his little boy! He is so patient with him and loves for Landon to sleep on his chest. I'm still dreading the day I have to return to work. I am in denial and therefore have not started looking for any daycare yet! I continue to pray that the Lord will allow a way for me to be able to stay home as I feel in my heart this is where I belong! I can't stand the thought of missing one second of this, it has been the best thing that has ever happened in my life! I'm so sad for my mom, my dad and my step-mom that they have to miss the joy and happiness this little boy brings to our lives! Check out my slide show from the past week or so (I took all these pictures with my new camera...I love it!!!).

Please keep James in your prayers as his third psych eval didn't go too well. He is still so optimistic about it; this is one of the things I love so much about my husband! We continue to pray that law enforcement is what the Lord has in store for him and for our family as this is where he feels his heart really is. Landon loves visitors so if you want to stop by, please feel free to! Until next time...

I Love My Life

2008-07-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share with you all a few pictures from the first four weeks of our precious little boy's life! I wake up every day so excited to start my day with this new life and I can't even begin to explain how much I love being a mother. It is such an amazing experience! I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as James and I do. We bought a new camera so as soon as I learn how to use it properly (hopefully with a little help from Alicia!) I'll have some new pictures to post! Landon has had so many visitors already and he's looking forward to meeting Grandma and Grandpa (all the way from Georgia), who will be here in September! Yeah! Until next time...

The First Four Weeks

2008-07-21T17:47:00.001-07:00

2008-07-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

Almost a Whole Month?!

2008-07-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

Can you believe in just four short days, Landon will be a month old! I can't believe how fast times goes by when you think in three hour increments! Landon is going through a phase of wanting to be either held or having someone sit next to him. I'm not sure if it's too early but I'm trying to break this habit because how will I ever get anything done!? I just never expected that I would love being a mom so much, it just gets better every day! I dread the day when I may have to leave my little boy and go back to work. I am praying God will work out the details...and maybe I won't have to. It's a long shot but I truly believe in the power or prayer! This last week was pretty busy for such a new baby! James cousins came to Redding, one from Michigan and one from Mariposa. We visited with them a few times, which was really fun! I'm glad Landon got a chance to meet them, even though he won't remember (and glad they got a chance to meet him). Then last weekend we went to Reno with Neil and Alicia, it was relaxing and we had a great time! James went to Cabelas and I got a new Coach wallet, so it was a great trip for both of us! It's the last time we will be able to afford anything for quite some time so we took advantage of it! We stayed at the Atlantis and watched fireworks from our hotel room. Any way, I can't wait to share more pictures and experiences of our son. Blessings to all...until next time...

For Dad and Lisa (Yep, that's right, Grandma and Grandpa!)

2008-07-03T17:41:00.000-07:00

Landon on Grandma Sally's quilt

Looking like his daddy!!

Because my dad and step-mom live so far away, these are the first pictures they're seeing of their first grandson. We love you and can't wait for you to meet Landon! Can you believe he is already two weeks old! Time flies when you're having fun...

2008-06-23T19:59:00.000-07:00

Landon Everett Stark

2008-06-23T19:48:00.001-07:00

The Lord has been so gracious and we are blessed to announce the birth of our beautiful son, Landon Everett Stark. He was born on June 17, 2008 at 5:11am. He weighed 7lbs., 8.6oz and he measured 20in. long. He is such an angel, he sleeps so well. He loves to sleep on his daddy's chest and James is such a proud father! I love to watch him Landon, it just melts my heart. The bond you feel with your child can't be described by any words I know. I feel such an incredible bond with our son and I am truly dreading the day I may have to return to work! My prayers now are to keep our baby healthy first and foremost and, if the Good Lord will allow, for me not to have to go back to work. I know it's a long shot, but I'm putting the future in His hands and for now will enjoy watching Landon change and grow day by day. Motherhood is such an amazing, wonderful thing!

It's sooo hot!

2008-05-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

Does anyone ever remember Redding being this hot in the middle of May! It's been over 100 degrees for 3 of the last 5 days, I'm dying, here. God sure does have a sense of humor, doesn't he! I'll try to get some pictures up in the next couple days but I haven't cleared out my camera for some time...it's all so overwhelming for me. I just keep adding things to my "to do" list. I had a wonderful baby shower a few weeks ago, James and I (and Landon) are truly blessed. Kerri, Chris, et. al. did a really fantastic job and made it really special. There were so many people there! It was really great and by the end I was exhausted. We received so many wonderful gifts, I didn't know what to do with it all!! Kerri came over this last weekend and basically did everything for me - she organized everything in Landon's room and made sure everything was put away. Thank you so much for your help, Kerri, you're a life saver (and Landon thanks you, too!). So, with just five weeks to go (hopefully less) we're almost ready for this little guy to make his grand entrance into this world.

As I'm sure most of you know, James didn't leave for the academy in April like we had hoped. God has other plans for us right now, which really is a blessing because he will get to see his first son be born! But, we are still waiting for God to direct us on what to do with James' work. I know His plans are greater than ours! Well, happy beginning of summer to everyone. Although it's way to early to be saying that, summer is obvioulsy here! We look forward to barbeques and swimming...

A Big Belly and Trip to the Coast

2008-03-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

I am definately glad this is almost over...I am so thankful and I really am blessed that my pregnancy has been so easy but I also can't say I'm enjoying it! We can't wait until our baby is born...he finally has a name, too! I will say it's been fun to register and collecting baby stuff. It makes it all more real and exciting. I'm only 26 1/2 weeks here, imagine how huge I'll be when it's time to have this little boy...

This was so fun! We went to the coast with Jake and Jennifer a few weeks ago just to go to Samoa Cookhouse. Unfortunatley, the food wasn't really that great but we had such a great time. Cailee was so good the whole time and the drive was beautiful. We went to the shore line and watched the waves crash into the rocks. It was spraying pretty high at some points. There was this little boy there with his dad and grandma and he and his dad were challenging the water so to speak. After tempting fate one too many times the water sprayed about 20 feet into the air and knocked the little boy flat on his butt! Not to mention he and his dad were completely soaked. It was pretty cold, too! We had a real good laugh for a few minutes. Jake took us to this really cool art gallery in downtown Eureka and then I saw a chocolate shop so of course we had to stop (when the baby says he want's chocolate, I have to eat chocolate)! Since we don't know how much longer James will be in town, we've been trying to do something together every weeked because our time together, without a baby, is limited! We still haven't gotten James' "invitation" to the academy but we continue to be faithful and know that God has a perfect plan for us...Happy Easter to all!!!!!

It's a Boy!!

2008-02-15T21:27:00.000-08:00

What a blessing it is to see this baby's hand so clearly with five fingers and waivng! How can you deny the good Lord exists when you see such an amazing miracle!

So, sure enough, it's a boy! We don't have a name picked out yet, but we're both excited to know that our baby is healthy. All his measurements were perfect, his heart beat was strong and we watched his little person moving around on the screen! I felt him move for the first time on January 10th. Since then, this whole experience has become so real and so exciting for me!

James had his physical last week and his psych is next week...we'll see if he passes! Please pray for us if you think of us. There will be many changes for us over the next year and we're both starting to feel the presure just a little! But we continue to remain optomistic and know that God will provide everything we need!!!

A New Job, A New Baby and A New Place to Live?

2007-12-03T15:24:00.000-08:00

Well, at least one of those is a sure thing! We're having a kid. Can you believe it? At first I though we would be the first of all our friends to have kids but it turns out God had another plan for us, we're the last of almost all our friends (and family for that matter) to bring a little Stark into the world! As I'm sure many of you know, James applied with CHP and is currenly in the background process...he may start the Academy as soon as April! We are very excited about the changes to come this year. As long as James passes his background and all the other tests they will subject him to, he will attend the Academy for 27 weeks and then be assigned somewhere in the state of California for work (that narrows it down, huh?). We are praying he will be somwhere within a few hundred miles, like the bay area. But, if he did get assigned to Carmel or Monterey, I wouldn't be too dissapointed to have to live there! So, we're definateld having a baby, probably new jobs and maybe even a new place to live! Stay tuned!

New to all this!

2007-10-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

So, this is my first post. I have finally broken down and done it...and it will be fun! Although, this will be another thing to fit into my busy schedule, we'll see how much I actually get to post! Have a great day and until next time...