Steinberg Beginnings

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October

Ok...so I warned you I have not had much time to post as stated in my last blog. So here's the dish on October and our family.

We were invited to a Barmiztvah in Connecticut for Josh's cousins son's (did you get all that?) Hence the pictures above AKA Barmiztvah! We thought it would be a good time to connect with the family and have a little vacation as well as introduce them to our newest addition, Benjamin. It was more in-expensive for us to fly into Ohio where more of Josh's family lives, and visit with them first where we would then rent a car and drive to Connecticut. Now a little side note that maybe you did not know about me is that I love Books about the Amish by Wanda Brunstetter and Beverley Lewis as well as a few others. They are these sweet and innocent love stories with bits of actual information as to how the Amish really live. So with this in mind I noticed that "Hey! Pennsylvania is on the way to Connecticut! How convenient!" So I asked my hubby if we could plan a little "just the four of us" time in PA and check out the Lancaster area with all its Amish-ness. He agreed that it would be fun so he left that part of the travel planning up to me. I was so excited and set right to surfing the Internet for a family friendly B & B. Apparently there are not too many but there was a few. I wanted it to be something that Korban would enjoy and that would really embrace the whole country farm feel I was looking for. So I found this cool place http://www.rockyacre.com/. It is owned by the sweetest little Mennonite couple and they are going on 45 years of the B & B business. After 6 or so hours of driving with frequent stops to nurse, change, and well ya know...you drink a lot of water you just have to go...we finally arrived at our little B & B very late at night. Eileen, our greeter and Hostess was still up preparing for the farm size breakfast we would eat the next day. Since we were the only family staying in the main house, she upgraded us at no extra charge to a bigger room with a fireplace and bunk bed for Korban. After some yummy pizza and a good nights sleep we woke up to the smell of Breakfast cookiing and the mooing of the cows in the barn after their milking.

This is a picture from their website taken more in the spring..dummy me did not get a picture of the whole house.

This is is also from their site. Yes this is the dining table but it was not full when we were there, There was one other family of five and there would be 3 other families arriving the day we were leaving. This is why I like a bed and breakfast....the menu... Sausage (real Sausage fresh and local), fresh eggs, pancakes, homemade hash browns, Apple strudel, fresh fruit, coffee, hot chocolate, orange juice. There was PLENTY to go around! The second morning we were there, we ate in the kitchen since it was just the four of us. This is another reason I like a B & B, the people. It was so awesome to sit sown with Eileen and her daughters and learn more about them and share our common faith God. We really felt at home and welcome. It was like waking up at my grandma's house and having breakfast together with the family.

Since the pictures are a little out of order from how I wanted them, I will just explain them as they are. The top two are from our day out in Lancaster. We went to the Strastburg Railroad station and went for a train ride, and as you can tell Korban was VERY excited. The day was cold and windy and rainy so anything to get us out of it was good which is why we also found an Amish buggy ride! It was SO neat. Our driver though a little strange or as Josh liked to describe him "A very simple man but nice" took us on a country ride past several of the Amish farms. I could not imagine hanging out as much laundry as they do! But it was so cute to see all of the little dresses and pants hanging so organized and neatly on the lines. The steady clip clop of the horses hooves and peaceful ride made a stark contrast to the cars passing by in a hurry slowing down just enough not to spook our horse. Why do we live in such a fast paced world?

It was pretty cute that they had the farm all decked out for fall. Benjamin did not quite care for the pumpkin though, maybe it had to do with the fact that it was pretty darn cold outside and the pumpkin was a little wet from the morning mist. Next you see Korban feeding a baby calf. Now take in mind that we got up about 4:30 our time to do this, can we say tired? I couldn't believe the little trooper! He got up, got dressed and walked out to tend to our "farming duties." I really don't know how they do this every day, but then again feeding Benjamin at any hour of the night he feels hungry gives me somewhat of an idea.
There was so much fun stuff to do! He loved collecting the chicken eggs and would not let us help with the basket, "I do it myself, I big boy". He played in the play house, rode on the back of a tractor, rode in a "green choo choo" ( look for the little tiny head with the blue hoody). The green choo choo was his favorite and probably one of my favorite stories. I put him in the third seat back thinking "Oh Galin (Our host) is probably going to stay in the large driveway and close where we can see them...wrong. He takes the kids all the way around the dairy barn then across the road to the other side of their huge property where we couldn't even see them! It didn't cross my mind to be nervous until Josh said "Is there any seat belts in that thing? Did we just send our boy off on a ride all by himself?" So now we both were a ball of nerves until finally we see them come up and over the hill and hear his loud squeaky little voice. Relief. We could hear him hooping and hollering and squealing with delite all the way across the field. And of course a pony ride, what farm does not have a pony?

Oh there was so much more but I think this blog is quite long enough. More to post later but don't get your hopes up that it will be any time too soon!

Time

Do you ever find yourself in that place where you have time to do something but there are a million things on your to do list to choose from and you just get overwhelmed? Or there are the things you would like to do that are more leisurely and the things that you need to do which are necessity if you want to keep your home livable. Even right now I feel guilty for posting this small and probably pointless blog but I know some of you will agree with me on the issue. (sticky notes...I need to get sticky notes although they don't seem to be helping the girl in the above pic)

So where am I going with this? Well I have not blogged very much lately about the two cutest little things that pertain to my life or our everyday happenings and it is all because of the "things I need to do" as mentioned above. But the list is dwindling so there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I have much to share and even more pictures to post of our latest adventure and life in general so please don't give up on me yet!

P.S. and just because I thought it was funny...

My Boys

Benjamin is changing before my eyes every day. You could ask me where the last month went and I would tell you that it went very very far away. I'm already kicking myself for not writing down every cute little thing Benjamin does and the funny things Korban says. Pictures are my best way to hang onto any and every memory. I may even take five or six photos of the same thing just to make sure I have not missed a thing! This picture below is one of about five. Korban wanted to "nuggle" (his word for snuggle) Benjamin on his bed and they were just so cute I had to get out the camera and get as many shots as I could before Benjamin had had enough. If you had a caption for this face that he is making please share because I'm sure it will make the photo that much more adorable and funny.His character is coming out more and more with each passing day...

I feel like I waited too long to take family portraits with Korban when he was born so I jumped on it as quick as I felt up to it this time and I loved them all! Especially this one, he has a very sly grin on his face that makes me want to chuckle.

And here is Korban doing what he loves...playing with his cars from "Cars" . He was not too into the picture taking that morning but if you want to take pictures of him with his cars then he is more than glad to pose! And this one...it just oozes with sweetness. I might be partial but isn't he adorable!We have been enjoying every minute with our little ones and seeing the blessings in even the tiniest of moments between the crying and changing of diapers. I just know we are going to look back 10 years from now and ask again...where has the time gone?

Baby Benjamin

Starting to feel somewhat normal, and big thanks to my mom for holding the little one, I am able to steel away for a blogging moment.

On August 5Th 2010 in the early evening, I began to feel what I hoped were real contractions. I had had some earlier in the week that would come and go but lead to nothing. So this time I was trying not to get my hopes up just in case. When Josh came home from Bible study...my body said "stay home!"...I was still feeling little back pains. Not wanting to panic or get ahead of myself, I went to bed to see if they would change or decide to linger. They lingered. By 5:30 am ,same time I went into labor with Korban, I knew this was it! We made a few phone calls and packed up the car ready to face the day ahead of us.

It wasn't too bad driving down the dirt road this time, I was dreading it before hand, and Josh got us to the hospital as quickly and safely as possible as the contractions were already about 6 minutes apart. It seemed a little surreal this time. I was of sound mind since things seemed to be progressing at predictable moments and we were not rushed into any medical rooms or surgery right away. It was neat to see all the things they normally do to check in a laboring mommy and anxious Dad. Benjamin's heart beat was good and he seemed to be tolerating the labor pains better than me. I had my cheer leading squad of my mom and Jess ready with ice chips in hand. Ice never tasted sop good! I really had no idea what this was going to be like and what the pain would be like as things progressed. My amazing husband was a huge support and knew just how to hold me through the contractions...you really do need something to hold onto, Jesus, your hubby, or a hospital bed railing, anything to get you through it. I do not remember much of what happened between my contractions from 7 to 10 centimeters but I do remember that it hurt! Oh my the pain. I still cannot come up with the perfect word to describe it, it is kind of a toss up between having hot coals poured on to your back and lying down on a bed of nails, you pick.

Finally after attempting a couple of pushes it was decided that baby Ben was not doing well with his little heart and once again we were rushed into an emergency c-section. Once again my husband could not go with me and I have to say after all was said and done and when I found out he was not in the room, it broke my heart. But my faithful husband was not going to let it get in the way of video taping as much as possible through a tiny little window on the OR door.

At 4:20 pm on August 6Th Benjamin Shepherd Steinberg was born weighing in at 8 lbs 2 oz. He was healthy and strong and very very hungry! He looks so much like his brother in so many ways but definitely has his own identity as well. Its like a flash back but this time with a video to see and hear for the first time our precious little baby. Holding him for the first time and feeling that love of another little person that needs you so much is just the best feeling in the world.

When I finally got to watch the video I felt so redeemed from the first time...I love you Josh:)

He is almost 2 weeks old now and we have just been trying to get through all the new and interesting things that come along with a newborn and a two year old. Which by the way Korban is an amazing big brother, I'm so thankful he is not jealous! Benjamin has checked out great with his health and his circumcision went well...that's always important! He now weighs 9 lbs and it is not even two weeks yet! I'm going to have a big eater on my hands.

There is so much more that went on during our stay but that is for another blog, the important thing is we are all home and healthy now just enjoying the 4 of us:)

The Belly

As Promised here are a few of my favorite belly shots and family photos that we recently had taken. Despite the fact that Korban was not in the biggest photo taking mood that day, Adria managed to capture some good ones of our soon to be big brother. Enjoy!

Now if only this little one would be born some time soon, now, within the week?

He's 2

Another year has come and gone and Korban has turned 2. I know I'm a little, well pretty late, with this blog but it is still post worthy! I can't believe he went from this...To this in a matter of 2 years.

Doesn't he look like such a typical little boy in the picture? He's chewing gum (what was I thinking putting those in a 2 year old party bag?), wearing his hat backwards, holding a car in one hand and a harmonica in the other....sigh...a happy sigh:)

And he is beginning to say silly things that I need to now make a list of lest I forget them down the road, or tomorrow for that matter.

And now he is going to be a big brother any day now really. We finally had some family pregnancy photos done which will be posted soon but this is just a sneak peak at my growing belly....sigh, a tired sigh mixed mostly with happy.

7 years

Josh and I recently celebrated our 7th anniversary. We thought we would make it a grand one and decided whats more grand than the Grand Canyon? Actually neither of us had ever been there before and thought it would be a fun mini couples trip before the new baby's arrival. We took the "scenic" route which had a bit of an un-scenic stretch to it but it ended beautifully. It boggels my mind the most random places people live. I wish I had taken a picture of one of the little houses planted smack dab in the middle of nowheres-ville so you could see what I mean. What kind of people live out there?

After about 8 hours of driving we arrived in Williams Arizona where we would be staying for the next three nights. We did not know that it was literally built on route 66! Just like Radiator Springs in Korbans all time favorite movie Cars, Williams was the last little town to be bipassed by the new highway. But because they are one of the closest towns to the grand canyon, they survived and are a big tourist trap. We had so much fun in this little town. It was patriotic and full of friendly shop owners and resteraunts.

The Grand Canyon had a dizzying effect on us both but it was marvelous and interesting to look at. I had so much fun with my husband and am so glad we took this time together. I know 7 years is nothing compared to most but I'm looking forward to so many more anniversary's and adventures with him:)

St. Louieeee!

May has been an eventful month. I think I mentioned in the last post that we were going to St. Louis Missouri for a wedding. Korban and I had only been home for about a weak when we were all off again! Normally I would not plan so much in one month but it was the only way things worked out this time around. We were hoping and praying that we would get three seats all the way. The first flight we did and Korban was so excited to be sitting by the window during take off. My Sister in law Jessica gave me the nifty idea to get a special little something just for the plane trip to keep the little one occupied....It worked! He loved his "airpane" and held on to it the majority of the time making all the cool sounds and zooming it through the air.

The Gateway Arch. What St. Luis is mostly known for having and attracting lots of people. It is really quite something to see in person and you practically fall over while trying to look up at it and walk at the same time.

My GQ little man just before the wedding. Isn't he just so cute?! He danced his socks of that night as the wedding went on late into the evening. If he could have fallen asleep dancing I think he would have.

Ah yes, this was pretty neat for my Hubby. There was going to be a big MMA fight in St Louis the weekend we were there and our Hotel was swimming with these guys from all over the world who were professional fighters. We, ahem... I mean he likes to watch MMA/UFC fighting. We, I mean he, got into it a few summers ago in Hawaii and began to have our friends over for "fight nights" to watch it all together. It is pretty exciting actually, and I do enjoy watching it with him. It is not your cheesy WWF chair smashing stuff, it is real actual skill in mixed martial arts and kick boxing. Now I don't keep up with the names of all the guys in the fights but Josh recognized this one from something called the "Strike Force" in the MMA. Jacare Souza happened to be on our elevator one morning and we struck up a conversation with him on our way to the lobby. So not what you would think one of these hard core looking fighters would be. He has a wife and son at home, Korbans age and another on the way due about the same time ours is due. He was from Brazil so the english was a little strained but he was very nice and even let us have this picture with him. Needless to say, he won his fight the night before hence the sun glasses, he was not trying to look cool he just had a really good size gash under his left eye.

St. Louis science center. Just a funny picture I had to include because he would put the magnifying glass up to his mouth making his mouth and nose much larger than normal...he must know what he's doing:)

The dizzying view from inside the arch all the way at the top. Korban's response to it all..."Awesome!"

The day we were leaving was kind of funny. Josh did not realize it but when he booked our flight home, he booked it on his Birthday.

We were so blessed to be able to go and have a little family time away with all three and a half of us before the baby arrives. Korban was a trooper and hardly complained about a thing. Praise God his two year old molars were not coming in yet like they are now because I'm sure this would end differently.

Utah

O.K. I must explain this one...Don't worry, Korban is not really smoking a pipe...he just wants to look like Papa. And he totally did shirt and all! Our visit to Utah was much different this time than it was last year. Last year was warm and sunny which made for many fun days outside. Not so this time, but we had many fun days inside! It snowed on several occasions and was pretty darn cold and windy. But it made the tulips even that much more beautiful!

My dad got out the old 70 Chevy and let Korban pretend to drive, and he was so stoked to be behind the wheel that when I took him inside he was so sad that we just had to let him drive a little more...and he was satisfied! I love this truck and have so many memories of camping trips with this thing. It used to have a camper shell on the back with a bench seat inside and an intercom so that my brothers could communicate with my parents for bathroom breaks or beg for mercy because the other one was annoying them....ah those were the days. I'm sure my mom and dad have some stories.

One of our slight chances to go outside and play before the wind became too much!

This is a little boy after my own, and Grammies heart. He loves to help in the kitchen when allowed. Not his best picture but the boy had a mouth full of cookie dough, wouldn't you? But I loved this one of my mom so it wins:) He loved helping with pouring in the flour and scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula....and of course tasting along the way.

And perhaps one of my favorite pictures...a not so happy Korban in the snow. Mean mommy plopped him in the middle of the yard and forced a picture upon him. I think its the dimples in his chin from fighting back tears and what he really would like to say to me at that moment that makes me like this picture.

All in all we had a very relaxing time, and I was kind of forced to since we stayed inside so much. Lets just say I made quite a few styling baby beanies for next winter and read Two really good books. My mom also managed to make me a beautiful maternity dress for a wedding we will be attending next weekend but you will have to wait for those pictures when I get back from Missouri! I know I know! Do the Steinbergs ever slow down? Everything just happended to fall into this month which is making the pregnancy fly by that much faster. I am almost at 7 months people! I can't blieve it and even more I am not ready (house wise)! But who ever is right? But I am so looking forward to see just who it is that has been tumbling around so much lately:)