In 18 days (the time from my last post to this one), Maegan has learned to:
-Crawl
-Go from crawling to sitting and back again
-Pull herself up to standing
-AND the spitting up has greatly decreased!
For her 8 month picture, I tried taking her to a part of our yard where a lot of wildflowers are blooming, but I didn't succeed in getting any good shots, either due to shadows or Maegan bending down and picking up dead leaves. In the picture I posted, she is about to eat some of the leaves...but I stopped her. Next year when our trilliums are blooming, maybe we can get some cute pictures of her sitting in the flowers. We wanted to this year, but never got the chance before they were done blooming. We have a large patch of them north and east of our house in the woods. For non-Michigan natives, here's where you can read about trilliums, which are somewhat rare wildflowers: (Trillium link)
In the other picture, you're seeing what we normally see for most of the day--her tongue sticking out. The only time I get to see her lips is when she's asleep. :) Our friend Randy said of her habit, "I know I've been greeted when she sticks out her tongue at me."
Other fun notes: we have started giving Maegan finger foods that she can gum such as cheddar cheese and fruit such as watermelon. She is able to pick up small pieces and feed herself now! Whenever she sees us eating, she leans forward and opens her mouth, which means, "Hey! Let me try some!" Tonight she tried dill pickles (which she liked) and sweet pickles (which she didn't like). She does pretty well at drinking from a cup now, too, although she often wants to bite the cup.
We're looking forward to a long weekend--Memorial Day! And then a short week at work for Lori (Tues and Wed) and then Grandma and Grandpa Armentrout (Dave and Kathy) arrive from Phoenix on Thursday!
In other news, Matthew will start a new job as a Network Administrator at Lake Michigan Credit Union in 2 weeks! (LMCU link) It is located just down the road from where my office will relocate in July, so we'll still be able to carpool.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Infant Dedication Liturgy (portion)
Here is the text from the portion of our church service that focused on Maegan. The bold sections were read by the full congregation.
The Anointing (Matt & Lori holding Maegan)
Matt: The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lori: Lift up your hearts
We lift them up to the Lord.
Matt & Lori: Today we embrace this child, Maegan Kathleen Wiese as a gift from the Lord.
All: And We Also
Matt & Lori: We confess our responsibility to care for, nurture, and train her in the ways of redeemed humanity.
All: And We Also
Lori: (as Maegan's forehead is anointed with oil)
As with the kings and prophets of old, we anoint this child, believing in faith that you will call, lead, and guide her in the paths you desire her to walk.
Matt & Lori: We claim her as our own for a time, knowing that a day will come when we must release her for mature service in your kingdom. We ask for grace and faithfulness to this end.
All: And We Also
Read as Tree is Planted
Lori: We plant this tree as a reminder of our responsibility and joy, for we proclaim with Eve, our first mother, "We have received a child from the Lord."
Matt: And we proclaim with Mary, the mother of our Lord, "May it be to us according to your Word…"
Based on Psalm 127: 1-6 (continue as tree is planted)
How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants around your table.
Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.
The Lord bless you from Zion,
And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
Indeed, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
(Based upon Psalm 37:23-24)
Matt & Lori: When the LORD delights in a child’s way, he makes her steps firm;
Though she stumble, she will not fall,
for the LORD will uphold her with his hand.
Prayers of Praise for the Three Children (following planting)
Lord, we rejoice that you have provided redemption for us in Christ. Let us rejoice with hope in a time of open prayer the redemptive potential represented in the lives of these three…
(where possible lay a hand upon one of the children)
Collective or individual prayers for the following…
For God’s grace in their life
For their early faith in him
For their redemptive potential toward others and creation
For our commitment to teach, train, and encourage them in their faith
Let us conclude with a hymn of dedication, expressing our corporate desire for Maegan.
Benediction
(Michael Card)
Verse: 1
The Lord be gracious to you.
The Lord make his face shine upon you.
And give you peace.
And give you peace.
And give you peace forever.
Verse 2:
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his glory shine through you.
And give you peace.
And give you peace.
And give you peace forever.
The Anointing (Matt & Lori holding Maegan)
Matt: The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lori: Lift up your hearts
We lift them up to the Lord.
Matt & Lori: Today we embrace this child, Maegan Kathleen Wiese as a gift from the Lord.
All: And We Also
Matt & Lori: We confess our responsibility to care for, nurture, and train her in the ways of redeemed humanity.
All: And We Also
Lori: (as Maegan's forehead is anointed with oil)
As with the kings and prophets of old, we anoint this child, believing in faith that you will call, lead, and guide her in the paths you desire her to walk.
Matt & Lori: We claim her as our own for a time, knowing that a day will come when we must release her for mature service in your kingdom. We ask for grace and faithfulness to this end.
All: And We Also
Read as Tree is Planted
Lori: We plant this tree as a reminder of our responsibility and joy, for we proclaim with Eve, our first mother, "We have received a child from the Lord."
Matt: And we proclaim with Mary, the mother of our Lord, "May it be to us according to your Word…"
Based on Psalm 127: 1-6 (continue as tree is planted)
How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants around your table.
Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.
The Lord bless you from Zion,
And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
Indeed, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
(Based upon Psalm 37:23-24)
Matt & Lori: When the LORD delights in a child’s way, he makes her steps firm;
Though she stumble, she will not fall,
for the LORD will uphold her with his hand.
Prayers of Praise for the Three Children (following planting)
Lord, we rejoice that you have provided redemption for us in Christ. Let us rejoice with hope in a time of open prayer the redemptive potential represented in the lives of these three…
(where possible lay a hand upon one of the children)
Collective or individual prayers for the following…
For God’s grace in their life
For their early faith in him
For their redemptive potential toward others and creation
For our commitment to teach, train, and encourage them in their faith
Let us conclude with a hymn of dedication, expressing our corporate desire for Maegan.
Benediction
(Michael Card)
Verse: 1
The Lord be gracious to you.
The Lord make his face shine upon you.
And give you peace.
And give you peace.
And give you peace forever.
Verse 2:
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his glory shine through you.
And give you peace.
And give you peace.
And give you peace forever.
Two teeth
Maegan's first 2 teeth came in over the last couple of days (bottom front). She had a rough day at day care to day with not much napping, but was happy tonight. We can feel the teeth now, but it is hard to see them with that tongue in the way (see picture). Lately Maegan likes to stick out her tongue. Mostly it is curved up over her top lip, but the picture captured it hanging way out.
A big thanks to our friend, Ginger, who has a knack for taking portraits. These were all taken Sunday May 1. Our church had a special service for the three babies born in the last year. We traveled from house to house and planted a tree for each baby. Maegan's is a peach tree, and it looks like it may bear about 6-7 peaches this summer. I'll see if I can figure out how to post the text of the liturgy we used for those of you who are interested.
Mother's Day weekend in Chicago with Matthew's family was great. We enjoyed the time with family and seeing the sights in the city. A highlight for me was a boat tour on the Chicago River that explained the history of Chicago and its architecture. We also ate at Rick Bayless' restaurant--Frontera Grill (http://www.fronterakitchens.com/restaurants/). SUPER gourmet Mexican food! We highly recommend it.
Maegan's favorite sound to make these days is 'da-da-da-da', much to her father's delight. She can now sit unassisted and catches herself on her elbows if she falls over. She's still not quite crawling, but gets up on her hands and knees more frequently.
A big thanks to our friend, Ginger, who has a knack for taking portraits. These were all taken Sunday May 1. Our church had a special service for the three babies born in the last year. We traveled from house to house and planted a tree for each baby. Maegan's is a peach tree, and it looks like it may bear about 6-7 peaches this summer. I'll see if I can figure out how to post the text of the liturgy we used for those of you who are interested.
Mother's Day weekend in Chicago with Matthew's family was great. We enjoyed the time with family and seeing the sights in the city. A highlight for me was a boat tour on the Chicago River that explained the history of Chicago and its architecture. We also ate at Rick Bayless' restaurant--Frontera Grill (http://www.fronterakitchens.com/restaurants/). SUPER gourmet Mexican food! We highly recommend it.
Maegan's favorite sound to make these days is 'da-da-da-da', much to her father's delight. She can now sit unassisted and catches herself on her elbows if she falls over. She's still not quite crawling, but gets up on her hands and knees more frequently.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Seven month update
Maegan turned 7 months old on Friday. Since she outgrew the bouncy seat last month, we have started taking her monthly pictures of her in her high chair. The picture I posted was taken after her meal of spinach and carrots and pears, so if you look closely, you can see a bit of spinach on her middle finger. :) Also note that she has curls sticking out on the left side of her head but not her right. This is a mystery--the hair is just longer on that side!
Maegan is on the verge of crawling now. She frequently gets up onto all fours, but when she moves forward, she tends to go down onto her left elbow and then land on her tummy. She also likes to stick her right leg out so she is on her left elbow and knee and right hand and foot-a bit lop-sided.
She had another cold this week, but it only lasted a couple of days. She seems to put her fingers in her mouth when she cries lately--possibly teething pain?
Maegan is on the verge of crawling now. She frequently gets up onto all fours, but when she moves forward, she tends to go down onto her left elbow and then land on her tummy. She also likes to stick her right leg out so she is on her left elbow and knee and right hand and foot-a bit lop-sided.
She had another cold this week, but it only lasted a couple of days. She seems to put her fingers in her mouth when she cries lately--possibly teething pain?
