Thanks to Harry

All kids do funny/weird things, and mine are certainly no exception. Dane has recently gone through a 'Harry Potter' phase - not that he's read the books, obviously, but we've listened to the first 2 books on CD in the car and he's seen the first couple movies. And with the new movie and book release last month I suppose he's heard the name thrown around a lot. Well, now he's all about Harry.

He came home from Arizona with glasses and a wand from grandma. He asks to be called Harry and wants to wear solid colored shirts (which he calls 'closed shirts') with unbuttoned plaid shirts ('open shirts') on top. We can even tip our hats in thanks to Harry for nudging along the recent potty training (all Potter fans will remember that Peeves does call him Harry "Potty", right?) because . . . well, Harry Potter doesn't wear diapers.(duh)

So - the other day we were playing with Davis and some of his toys. After a while Davis went down for his nap and I found Dane rediscovering some old friends (aka baby toys). He was Harry Potter clad, so I -of course- got out the camera and had him demonstrate how to play with a classic: rings around a post (I do believe that's the official name).

Here's the vid. Enjoy, and pay particular attention to how he tries not to move his head or look down. This does give the effect of blindness or mild retardation, but I think he does it because he's afraid his glasses will fall off. My mom says I was a weird kid growing up, and I never really knew what she meant until . . .

FYI -you'll need to mute the music from the slide show. Just click on the sound symbol.

Finally - some new pictures!

M.I.A.

I've slipped from reality into that other dimension called "new motherhood", except sadly, I am not a NEW mother. Still, the whole survival mode thing is very real and has pared my priorities down to what Dalton refers to as Bear Grylls (Man vs. Wild) most important things: 1. water, 2. food, 3. shelter, 4. a way home. Okay, so #3 & #4 aren't truly relevant (although 'shelter' is debatable - as any mother of young kids can attest; however, I might more aptly call it 'hideout' or 'sane time away' or something like that) Anyway, the heirarchy of needs is dominating my daily ativities - and it's mostly the needs of my munchkins that get met most readily.

We've achieved the 4 week mark and I can feel the clouds parting and the sunshine of normal (albeit altered normal) life peeking back in. I've done the park a couple times, the grocery store, and target, but I did turn down the beach today (not without my husband). O-blah-dee O-blah-dah, Life goes on! Shockingly, it doesn't slow down and wait for you to catch up. So here we go.

And yeah, I'll post some more pictures soon. yeah, yeah.

Baby Videos

Well, Davis is now 9 days old, and I'm finally getting around to posting some videos of him. The big boys, Dalton and Dane, are in AZ with Grandma & Grandpa and their aunts and uncles and cousins. Despite my being worried and feeling guilty (the God-given right/burden of parenthood) about sending them, they are having the time of their lives! It also gives me the chance to rest and just stare at my new baby. I can't get enough of him! (I think this is what they call 'bonding') So here are two videos of the cutie pie - which Darren said is clearly "straight from heaven". (he really said that! what a good daddy)

This first one is from the hospital the day after he was born. Ignore the red light; I hadn't yet thought to cover the red light on the camera. Love the new baby noises!




This second one is from his one week birthday. Again, the red light. Future videos will not include this charming touch. This video features a sneeze.

9 Years

I know, I know - everyone wants more baby pictures, BUT I would be remiss if I failed to at least acknowledge the passing of our 9th wedding anniversary - July 17th. It has definitely taken a backseat to all the excitement over the baby, but it deserves some blog space. Nine years and counting. I could fill volumes with 'how much I love Darren', but don't worry - I'll save the mush for a card . . .

Presenting . . .

Davis Bitner Rennaker

born July 11, 2007

at 4:24 am

7 lbs 8 oz, 19.5 "

Surprise! He arrived 2 weeks early, and we're so happy he made it safe and sound.

He's a wonderful baby.

translation: he sleeps really well ;)

Shameless Product Endorsements


I can't help myself, I have to plug these things! I know it's because I'm pregnant and they're all to do with that, but perhaps somebody out there can benefit from this consumer's report. I should really get paid to post this. (click on the link to see the product website)

1. Snoogle Body Pillow - thanks to Collette Archibald for loaning hers to me. I'm currently shopping for my own. It has become a must have. It has changed my night life! I get some every night! Sleep, that is. Now I only get up to use the bathroom and visit the trough for another drink of water. Seems like a vicious cycle in pregnancy - constantly thirsty and constantly needing to go. But I digress . . . I love the snoogle.

2. Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter - Essential for any prego mommy, especially in the end of days when the tummy skin is as taut as Joan River's most recent face-lift. To top it all off, it smells yummy! It's impossible to just use it on the tum-tum.

3. Bebe au lait - okay . . . I haven't used this yet, but I've seen it in use enough to know that I will love it when I get to use mine! (thanks Maegan Merrell!) Super clever in comparison to traditional nursing covers and cute to boot! (plus, the nickname 'hooter hider' brings a smile to my lips every time)

Okay, enough. I'll stop.

Happy Canada Day

It's July 1st, Canada Day!

And even though we're not celebrating, we can't help but remember a year ago today when we were in Creston for the festivities. So here's a little stroll down memory lane as we recall a few moments from our time in the Great White North, the destination of our cross-country (LA-Canada) trip in the summer of '06.

This is the Rennaker farm - gorgeous in any season.

Darren and Dane - looks like Dane just discovered his hand, but I think he's waving.

Kissin' Cousins Kiley and Dalton. Don't mind the weird colors on his face. She had toy make-up and used it to give him glasses like Harry Potter. (?!)

Dalton and Dane and their cute cousins Addi and Benjamin (our traveling companions, along with their cute mom Aunt Jenni). We had two portable DVD players going at this point. It was nice for the mommies up front.

The hayride around the property, with Grandpa at the helm.

The view out the back window. Makes me wanna sit on the porch for a while, play some Rook, then head into town for a screamer and some fries'n'gravy!

OH CANADA!

The Crowd's Calling for It

Okay, fine! Quite a few people have asked to see a picture of me (I can only assume to make themselves feel better about how they look when they're full of baby), so here I am in all my gestational glory. For reference, this was taken yesterday (36 weeks, 5 days) - so I will get even bigger, though I'm not sure that's possible!

A little help please!

Okay. It's getting down to the wire (kind of) with less than a month left until #3 comes our way . . . and we have no idea what to name him.

We've been searching and making lists for months and still no clear winner. Not even a clear front -runner. I like a couple names, Darren wants some others, Dalton has a clear preference, and Dane doesn't really care (he's suggested Dalton, Baby Jesus, and Kieran - his friend's baby brother). We've kinda painted ourselves into a corner with the "D" thing, but at this point I don't think we can deviate.

To complicate matters, Dalton had some drama in church last week when they were discussing the meaning of names. He found out that his name means "valley farm" and needless to say he wasn't impressed. As a matter of fact he was upset (didn't help that some other kids laughed - even though the meanings of their names were equally nonsensical).

We tried to console him by telling him that we named him after his Grandma and Grandpa Rennaker's farm in the Creston Valley, that we made lots of lists and his name was always on both of ours - so it won! That, followed by a procession of apologizing primary children (with prodding parents in tow), wasn't sufficient to assuage him. He still insisted that he hated his name.

Then, on the way home from church he announced that he wanted us to call him "ACE". (Stifled laughter and wide-eyed bewilderment exhanged in the front seat at this point) I don't know where he got that (maybe from Chicken Little -"Oh Ace!") but luckily he changed his mind later in the afternoon. (We did our best to call him Ace at every opportunity - in hopes of annoying him into wanting his old name back. All very passive agressive) Consequently, the ordeal has made me look a little more at the meanings of names than before.

Should I mention that one of the names I like, Drew, means "manly"?

I suppose we'll see what happens in the next few weeks. Maybe inspiration will strike and we'll just know. Or we'll keep tossing ridiculous suggestions back and forth until we're in the hospital and suddenly we've got a baby named after my painkillers.
Only time will tell.