Saturday, May 23, 2009

Daddy's Home!

Brandon got home from Peru this week! He was gone for 12 days; but it sure seemed longer when trying to manuvre single-parenting. The trip was a grand success. It started out really rocky; with huge airline problems causing them to lose a full day stuck in Miami then another day in Lima waiting for the luggage that didn't come from Miami. So they were a couple days behind on work schedule in Chincha; but made up for it with hard dedicated workers. The pictures show lots of time spent with the neighborhood children sharing loads of hugs and giggles. I"ll work on getting some pics up for you; they're still gathering them together from all the students. The team was awesome; Brandon was very impressed with the great attitudes and servant mindedness of his students!

Miranda and mommy missed him, but did pretty well throughout the week. I'm grateful for friends in town and a fantastic babysitter that helped watch her when I had evening commitments. She tried really hard not to learn any big new things so Brandon wouldn't miss out. Below is a video of her playing; she's gotten pretty good at clapping now which is one of her newer skills.

Big news in the Peterson family - Scott and Lisa had their baby girl! Alice is one week and one day old now. She's home now, eating, sleeping, eating and sleeping. She's beautiful and I swear she's already smiling in some of the pictures! I can't wait to go out to Boston in June and cuddle her!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day all you moms out there. I'm very happy to be in the mommy club this year. It is a club, I feel, an unspoken understanding among Moms everywhere. It seems to me that any gathering of moms will contain conversation on those little annoying things kids do; whether it's babies not sleeping, toddlers not listening, or teens not caring, but everyone in the circle knows those kids we're complaining about are our children and we love them to the moon and back! There's always that tone of endearment amidst the frustration. So, this mother's day - enjoy your kids; the handfuls they are!

Miranda hasn't been sleeping through the night lately- so that's our frustration. But she is learning new things each day, which is so fun to watch! She has a full fledge individual personality now; and it's a pretty likable one. She likes to play games and be silly. One of our favorite games is peek-a-boo; specifically when someone hides behind the couch and pops out on different sides, or unexpected places. She watches, and leans from side to side looking, then sqweels with delight when you appear. (I just explained peek-a-boo, as if you were all so unfamiliar with the concept!) Anyway, it's fun to make her laugh. When she wants to be silly she shakes her head from side to side like no-no-no-no and dances her legs a bit. She fully expects you to laught at this - so the jokes go both ways. Unfortunately personality comes with assertion and Miranda will certainly let you know what she wants in no uncertain terms; whether its a toy, or to be picked up, or food - she wants it now! Brandon thinks she gets that from me; could be.

We decided our Mother's Day/Anniversary tradition should be family photo shoots. Since May is almost half a year from Miranda's birthday this could ensure we have good pictures twice a year, of her on her birthdays and all of us on Mother's Day. So, we took our first outing to the park yesterday to attemp some colorful pictures. Conditions weren't good, windy, very bright and sunny, and baby was a little cranky. But, there were about 6 or 7 good shots in the whole ordeal. We actually got better ones in our own backyard later in the evening. So, that makes Mom happy! Visit the "Web Albums" link on the right to see these.

The big news around here is, of course, Brandon's trip to Peru. He left this afternoon with a few of the students and they are picking up more along the way to Omaha, NE. Once everyone is together 19 people will fly to Peru tomorrow morning! We had 3 of the college girls staying with us this week; as school got out last week and they were homeless until the trip. Everyone was pretty excited, nervous about remembering to pack everything, and gearing up for a long day of travel tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about how things will go around here without Miranda's favorite man; but I'm sure we'll manage. Brandon's co-leader Leah is leaving a house with 2 young girls and their daddy - so if he can do it, I can for sure, right!? Pray for the Peru mission team and all the things they'll see and do in the coming days!

No new baby Peterson yet - my vote is for today - have that baby already, Lisa; it's mother's day!