passing days in hibernation

Sarah’s Thoughts:

I’ve traded in my broom and dish pan hands for yarn and a crocheting needle. A friend of mine gave me this cute little hat for Annabell and at the time, I thought, “I bet I could make that.” Well, this week, I tried and turns out that I can! One hat turned to two and then three. I’ve been putting animal ears on the hats, which automatically cranks the cute factor up like 3 notches. I have grand dreams of making a whole line and striking it rich by selling my hats to the tourist shops, but will probably end-up giving them away as baby gifts instead. Owen, who has been into “The Lion King” lately, wants me to make him a “Simba” hat, but I’m not sure how the whole mane thing would work out...

Luke Update:

As a part of his apprenticeship, Luke has to spend two months each year at a school in Anchorage. We were told that he’d be heading out in mid-April, so he wouldn’t be back until mid-June. Spring is where it’s at here in Juneau, with the nicest weather of the year, bear hunting, steelhead fishing, and Luke’s birthday. We were feeling kind of sad that he was going to miss all that, but accepted it as part of the deal. Anyway, we just heard that the spring school is full, so Luke will be here through the summer and head out in October instead. I immediately jumped on the state website to see if I could book any cabins for this spring, but every single weekend from May through August is already taken! Guess we’ll have to settle for wall tent camping!

Owen Update:

I’ve been working two days a week, so Owen and Annabell spend those two days with some friends of ours who have kids. He is absolutely loving the days that I’m at work. He says things like, “Mom, can you let me stay forever and never come to get me?” I walked into the living room to pick them up last week and they were watching a movie. Three kids were sitting on the floor, each curled inside a clear plastic bin (the kind you might store toys in) mesmerized by “Charlie Brown” while the wood stove blazed. Something about the whole scene looked so cozy, it made me want to stay forever too. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the plastic bins... but maybe the wood stove?

Annabell Update:

We have a four month old girl! Can you believe it? She’s been grabbing at everything- toys, shirts, hair. Its pretty crazy to watch her reach out her hands and patiently try to figure out which muscles to activate to manipulate those little fingers. Her stomach muscles are getting stronger and she’s pushing up with her legs to stand when we hold her on our laps. The second time around, I feel like I’m paying more attention to all these little milestones. The amount of growing that babies do in such a short period of time is amazing. Despite all these changes, she is still so sweet. At least once a day, Luke and I look at eachother and say, “How did we end up with such a sweet, smiley, cute girl?” Thank you God!

Look out! There' s a T-rex in the grass!

pretty kitty

pile of Woodruffs

Dino invasion!

Tribute to Andy Worhol

Buddies at the beach (and Dolly)

Annie and Daddy

baby blue eyes

all clean!

...another week at the Woodruffs

Sarah’s Thoughts:

I’m fast approaching the saddest time of day, taking that last sip of morning coffee. We make extremely strong coffee, which is delicious, but I can’t really have more then one cup without spending the rest of the day with my stomach in knots. So once the cup is empty, I have to move onto boring water. Also, I feel like the day doesn’t officially start while there's coffee in my cup. Before that, its O.K. to take things slower and ease into the day. After its gone, I have to step up and start being productive. Maybe if I warm up the last few drops, I won’t drink it so fast and can let the morning linger a bit longer...

Luke Update:

When he wasn’t working this week, Luke was falling in love with logarithims all over again. Not so much. Despite the fact that math was Luke’s least favorite subject in school, he is faithfully plowing through his Union mandated math class, one practice problem at a time. To add to his joyful weekend, I had to take a class for work on Saturday, so Luke spent the day with the kids. When I got home, the kids were napping and Luke was working on lovely math, so I actually think everything went just fine. Might have to do that a little more often!

Owen Update:

Our boy keeps us on our toes. He’s forever suggesting “great ideas” that mostly have to do with playing some sort of pretend game with his stuffed animals. Grow Annabell, grow! In an attempt to make nap-time more fun, I built a tent with a long bungie cord, ski poles and a large blanket over his bed. He’s been sleeping in it for the past week and a half. Now, at bedtime, he insists on a headlamp in addition to his regular regime of “snuggly stuff," since he’s sleeping in a tent... duh! I keep waiting for him to asked me to take the tent down, but so far he hasn't. I think its all about an excuse to have free access to the headlamp.

Annabell Update:

I can’t be sure, but I think that Annabell may have moved into her own room at night! We’ve been laying her down for naps on the bed in the guest room. Then one night, what we thought was going to be an evening cat nap turned into “down for the night.” I’m hoping to eventually move her into Owen’s room, but I think I’ll wait until she’s sleeping through the night so that she doesn’t wake her brother up. Yet another marker that my newborn is growing up! Still no teeth, though her poor little chin is constantly covered in drool. She’s been doing some squeeling and lots of smiling. We are still in love.

hanging out in her swing while mama makes dinner

my rasta boy with a wee mustach

polka-dot baby

Owen giving lessons to his younger friend Hunter

in the art of playing in the sink

Thanks for the tractors, Uncle Ross

helping daddy with math

dressed in red and drool

the art of adapting to new

Sarah’s Thoughts:

I think I’ve written about my love of lists on this blog before. In honor of the new year, I decided to finally get on top of my chores. I made a list of all the things I need to do to keep up the house and then how often each task needs to happen. I printed off a calendar and made a schedule. I’ve been doing this for a week, and so far its been going good, although I think I might be losing steam. I cleaned the refrigerator yesterday and have been staying on top of dishes and laundry. I’ve even been reading my bible and exercising a little bit, which I’m quite excited about. If I can keep this up for a month, I might be able to make this routine stick... I’ll report back in February. Wish me luck!

Luke Update:

Luke is fully immersed in his apprenticeship. He’s been mastering the art of pipe bending and stud welding and pulling wire. He comes home from work and looks up YouTube videos of the skills he’s working on so that he can review before the next day. In addition to learning all these new skills, he taking an on-line math class that, that has to be completed before he heads to school in Anchorage this spring. Luke has been hopping around between different journeymen and projects, which has been interesting, but also challenging. Adapting to the groove and personality of the different coworkers is a big part of the job, not to mention learning and performing the ever changing job-specific requirements. It’s been a lot for Luke to juggle and its just going to continue for the next few years, but we can rest in the knowledge that God has provided this opportunity and He is in control. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Owen Update:

Owen is a full on three year old boy. He is all about constant entertainment and activity. He is very busy, but is also learning how to take responsibility for his actions. He’s getting better and better at cleaning up after himself and controlling himself, which is pretty huge. He and Annabell have been staying with our friends, the Andersons, when I’m at work (two days a week). They have a four year old, Gabie, who Owen is good friends with. Needless to say, he’s been thoroughly enjoying the days that I go to work and gets a little sad when he has to stay home with mom. I feel like I’m constantly giggling at the words that come out of his mouth. Awhile back he was sitting in the car and said, “Mom, God is my favorite. I like him the best.... and snakes.”

Annabell Update:

This week, I realized that for a brief period in time, Owen and Annabell are the same age - 3 1/2 (years and months, respectively). So my 3 1/2 month old is doing typical 3 1/2 month things like smiling and drooling and nursing and napping. This week, she’s been taking some really amazing afternoon naps, in the neighborhood of 2-3 hours. Once she gets into a little more of a groove, I think she’ll be ready to move out of the cradle and into a crib. Tired of cramming her chubby legs and long torso into her clothes, I moved her into 9 month clothes this week too. All signs that my baby is getting bigger!

triceratops playing with some tinkertoys

every girl needs a pair of big purple shoes

self portrait at the glacier

ice skating, anyone?

family work out

showing off the christmas jammies

Kicking off 2011

Sarah & Luke’s Thoughts:

Luke and I celebrated 6 years of marriage last Friday. On our way to dinner with the Padens (their anniversary is the day after ours, 11 years before us). We were reflecting on the past year of marriage and concluded that it was a great year. We definitely had our ups and downs, but in retrospect, realized that the downs turned out to be blessings in disguise. It was a slow year for fishing charters, but that meant we got to spend more family time enjoying the summer together. In the spring, Luke had a potential job opportunity that didn’t ever materialize, but now he has a much better job. Its awesome to see God’s hand at work through the downs, especially as we begin another year. Its a good reminder that we can rest in God’s plan and whatever happens, we know that God is in control.

Owen Update:

Our blue-eyed boy has let us in on some little known information regarding the relationship between plastic dinosaurs and water. We didn’t know this, but it turns out that if you ever see some sort of container (plastic bag, recycled sourcream bowl, bucket, what have you) it really should be filled with water and some plastic dinosaurs. Its best if you can carry your container of water and dinosaurs around the house and optimal if you can swing some way to sleep with it. If the container starts to leak fluid or the plastic bag filled with water comes undone, sound the alarms, threat level red! Let EVERYONE know that there is an EMERGENCY and do whatever is humanly possible to PLUG THAT LEAK! If you have any questions about the whole process, just give us a call.

Annabell Update:

This week, I picked up the sleep book that I read with Owen to refresh on sleep patterns in babies and how to deal with that whole aspect of baby life. I’m happy to report that as of last week, she’s started napping on her own. Yipee! She hasn’t really settled into any kind of a schedule yet, but having some Annabell-free time makes life so much more do-able. I think she’s a happier baby too when she’s getting some good rest and I can catch up on things like blogging and laundry and dishes...

Owen and some of his ground-breaking research

Annabell and her birthday buddy and twin, baby Brooks

bathing beauty

soaking Woodruffs

snuggling in the stroller

On the cusp of a new year

The new year is upon us in just a few days, and because I’ve only written a handful of entries this year, I’m going to use this opportunity to summarize 2010 David Letterman style, in “The Woodruff Family Top 10 Highlights of 2010”

10- Owen’s neighborhood “Friends”

Thanks to a super charged squirt gun from Grammy and Grandpa, Owen quickly made friends with some 5 year olds in our neighborhood. He would quiver with excitement at the thought of playing with his “friends”... Luke and I, not so much, mostly because the kids were quite a bit older then Owen and most of them could use a lesson in respect and sharing. However, funny to think that there are some waist-high people out there who know Luke and I as “Owen’s parents”.

9- New Orleans, trip away from Owen

The dental office that I work for made a trip to New Orleans last spring for a conference on implant dentistry. This was a first for me- visiting New Orleans and spending more then one night away from Owen. I enjoyed seeing a little bit of this historic city and Luke and Owen did great together while I was gone.

8- Summer hiking

We spent quite a few sunny saturdays hiking some of the trails around Juneau. Luke packed Owen in the backpack and I packed unborn Annabell. Many of the trails have cabins at the end, and Owen decided that when he gets bigger, he’s going to have a big slumber party at one of the cabins with all of his friends and dinos and toys and books and swimming pool and...

7- Owen - letters

Owen started showing interest in letters this year. It started out with a placemat that had the alphabet printed around the edges. From there, Owen learned how to spell his name and then started learning many of the letters. When Grammy and Grandpa visited last fall, Grandpa brought a movie with Owen that taught him the sounds that each letter makes. I think that next comes reading... 2011?

6- House projects- tile, shed, sunroom

Like everyone, Luke and I have had a list of house projects that we dream of doing. This fall, when my parents were visiting, my dad spearheaded a few of those projects. We now have a nice tile entryway, a porch and sunroom that are level with the rest of the house, and a fully enclosed shed!

5- Sockeye and Coho

Because Luke had a slower charter fishing season this year, we were able to do more personal fishing. We spent several saturdays on the boat, improving our trolling skills and stocking up on salmon.

4- Canadian camping trip

Also, because we had more free-time this summer, we got to take a 6 day camping trip to Canada. Although the weather wasn’t optimal, we had a great time riding the ferry, seeing a little bit of the yukon and dialing in the wall-tent set-up/take-down.

3- Owen potty trained

Thanks to Lela Paden, Owen spent the majority of 2010 wearing big boy pants. Yipee!

2- IBEW

After 13 years of guiding, Luke hung up his waders and has pledged allegiance to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Luke has been feeling the need for a change of occupation for a few years now, but nothing has worked out. However, in December, he started an 8000 hour (4-5 year) apprenticeship a position. So far, he’s been enjoying the work and learning a lot. Union YES! ;)

1- Annabell

...and the surprise #1 highlight of 2010 was the birth of our sweet Annabell Lee. She is a precious girl, 16 pounds at 2 1/2 months old. She’s a good nurser and sleeper, getting up to eat just once a night. She’s talking and smiling and kicking and we are all in love.

Happy New Year to you!!!

smiley

tummy time

wintery walk

slinky in christmas jammies

sometimes a guy needs a little ear protection while eating lunch...

especially when Uncle Christian is nearby with a nail gun

naked baby in a field of flowers

annabell hearts 212

woodruff family five!

chilly

blue eyes, pink cheeks, take 1

blue eyes, pink cheeks take 2

annabell and velvet, the bunny

find that boy some pants!

Two in tow

Sarah’s Thoughts:

I’ve been cheating. So far, two weeks of two kids has been a breeze, but only because we’ve had so much help from my parents. Owen is completely smitten with his Yia Yia (my mom) and hardly gives her enough “alone time” to go to the bathroom by herself. As a result, Luke and I have been able to go on walks and “dates” to the grocery store without two kids in tow. I’m a little bit nervous, but also a little bit excited to see how things go when our household shrinks back down to four + Dolly. Until then, I guess I’ll just ride this wave and enjoy the help!

Luke Update:

Luke has been a busy fellow since the arrival of the in-laws. Fueled by my dad’s energy and know-how, Luke and Dad have been working on all kinds of projects around the house. They installed tile leading out to our back porch. They lifted up the back section of the house so now we are able to lock our sliding glass door. They installed gutters in the back of the house to prevent future siding damage and foundation settling. Most recently, they are working on the shed that is attached to our house, creating walls and even a door. All very exciting, long-anticipated home improvement projects. In between projects, Luke has been sneaking out for a little deer hunting and coho fishing. Its shaping up to be a nice little fall if I do say so myself!

Owen Update:

Annabell’s big brother has an imagination! I don’t know if all the Yia Yia time has encouraged this pretending but most of the time he is not himself- He is either a baby T-rex or a cowboy or maybe even Derek from down the street. If he does happen to be “Owen” then he’s at the airport or the zoo or possibly on a train. His memory is also incredible. Recently, we were watching a movie that had a cricket in it. All of a sudden, he said, “We heard crickets at nighttime at Grammy’s house,” which is true. The last time we were there, however, was last October. I don’t remember the crickets being a big deal at the time, or something that we’ve talked about since. It blows me away that he can remember something so random from when he was barely two years old!

Annabell Update:

Our newest family member is growing! We haven’t officially had her weighed recently, but hung her up on the fish scale in the garage (in her car seat) and deducted that she’s pushing 11 lbs. Thanks to the generous hand-me downs from some of our friends, she now has some girly clothes to wear which makes getting dressed a lot more fun! We went to a birthday party recently and Annabell got to wear her very first dress, complete with tights. Of course, we couldn’t find tights in her current size, so we had to tuck the extra material into her socks, but she looked pretty stinking cute!

very excited to find October dandelions

on Admiralty Island

Grandpa Roger

party dress

Uncle Christian holding a sleeping baby

snuggled up with Grandpa Roger

probably laughing at blonde joke

It's A GIRL!

Welcome sweet Annabell Lee!

After nine long months, we are thrilled with the new addition of a baby girl to our family. Our Annabell was born at 1:41am on Friday, October 1st, just in time to share a birthday with her Uncle Dusty. Where Owen was born a day before his due date, Annabell came three days late. Owen measured 8 pounds, 20 inches long and Annabell was a hefty 9 lbs 11 oz, 22 inches long. Compared to Owen’s newborn pictures, Annabell looks quite a lot like her big brother, but we think her hair and possibly eyes are a little bit darker. In the three short days that we’ve had her, we’ve already discovered that she is a sweet baby. She doesn’t cry much and is perfectly content to be held all day long.

The whole birthing process was just as painful as I remember, but all things considered, went very well. Out of 9 possible doctors, the one that happened to be on-call that evening was my doctor, Dr. Welling. My dear friends, Jessica and Deana came to my aide to rub my back, read me stories of far away places and help me breathe my way through one debilitating contraction after another. And my sweet husband was there through it all, offering a hand for me to squeeze the life out of and strong shoulders to lean on. We arrived the hospital around 10:30pm. Three hours and two big pushes later came the announcement that we’d be waiting for... “It’s a Girl!” I realized in that moment of amazement that I’d been expecting another boy.

Owen is so excited with his baby sister. When he came to visit us at the hospital, I was nursing Annabell and he climbed right up on the couch and whispered excitedly, “Mom! Does she have feet?” He wanted to check out every eyelash and elbow and then he wanted to hold her. He sat perfectly still, smiling ear to ear, while she lay on his lap. When we arrived home from the hospital, Owen wanted Annabell to crawl around his room and play hide and seek. He was a little bit disappointed to learn that it might be awhile before she can crawl around and play, but I have a feeling its going to happen before we know it.

So there you have it! Bring on the polka dots and pig tails!

proud daddy and his girl

Deana and Annabell

Grandpa Roger and a sweet baby girl

checking each other out

just joking around

sleeping baby

looking for mud

mama and a brown bear

woodruff family

sitting up