Great-Gramma's 80th Birthday!

This Saturday we celebrated my Gramma's 80th birthday with my family in Clayton. It was the first time my aunt, uncle and cousin had met Charissa, and it had been a long time since I'd seen my cousin's daughter so it was an exciting event. Here are some pictures from the day:

Gramma and my cousin's daughter Aareia who's 3.

My sister-in-laws Kat and Melissa

Charissa and her Nana.
Apparently Charissa likes the hat.
Aareia picked out the hats and she said she wanted Gramma
to have the same ones that she had at her birthday party - Tinkerbell.
Aareia and Charissa discovering how much fun cousins can be.

My brothers Bob and Rusty.
They're enjoying their Tinkerbell hats.

Grumpa and Nana like the hats too.

Gramma had a very bright cake!
They didn't have any birthday candles so they used ones off their mantle.

Apparently Charissa has a taste for Nana's shirt.

It's delicious!!

It was a really fun weekend. We were glad we got to hang out with our family, especially since we just found out that my brother Bob and his wife Melissa are moving to Seattle at the end of October. So we have to get all of our time with them in soon!

Questions I Ask Myself ...

Every time I go to the gym, I try to park as close as I can to the front. Why? I'm going to the gym to work out, but I don't want to walk an extra 10 yards to the door.

Ridiculous.

This Week in Treecingham

It has been quite a week for the Treeces! Here's what we've been up to:

• We're dog-sitting for my parents while they are in Alaska, so their 90 pound dog has become Charissa's new best friend. Shepard and Charissa play on the floor together and try to share toys, but they are thwarted by parents who think doggy slobber isn't good for little girls. Fortunately, Shepard is a very gentle and mild mannered dog, so he doesn't mind if Charissa tries to steal his toys, pulls his fur, rolls into him, or squeals loudly and often. By the way, for all you dog owners - I have two products to recommend for you: the Dyson vacuum cleaner, and the FURminator. One gets the dog hair up off your floors amazingly, and the other takes more hair off your dog than you thought was possible. If you have a dog with hair, the FURminator is a must.
• Charissa had her 6 month check up on Tuesday! YAY! She received a clean bill of health and they told us that she is cognitively and emotionally developing right on track. Her height is doing well - staying in that 37th percentile! - but her weight has dropped from the 60th percentile to the 30th. The doctor isn't concerned about her, but he said we should probably up her solid feedings to two a day. Which brings me to ...
• YUMMY SOLID FOODS! Charissa has decided that she likes solid food! Peaches were a huge hit with her, and we finally figured out how to get her to eat her rice cereal - add some banana. :) So she is now a happy little eater.
  
• On Tuesday, Charissa and I had our first mother-daughter incident where I was truly frightened for her. After I feed Charissa for the last time that night I was holding her in my lap and playing with her, when she vomited all over me. I had barely recognized what she had done, before she did it again. So there I was home alone, with vomit all over Charissa, myself, the couch, and the floor and I didn't know what to think or do. So I did what every woman does - I called my mom. Of course, it helps that my mom was a pediatric nurse for 11 years. But it didn't help that she's in Alaska and it took me about 10 minutes to connect with her. I've never been concerned for Charissa before like this, so I was almost hysterical. And Charissa was perfectly calm. I finally calmed down after it became apparent that she was just reacting to the two shots she had received early that day. So we both had a bath, got cleaned up, and then we cuddled because I didn't want to let her go.
• A friend of ours is going to stay with us for a little while before she gets married in September. In preparation for her arrival, Britt and I tried to rearrange a few things and make some room for her. While doing that, I got really frustrated and said, "We have too much stuff! I just want to get rid of it all!" This comment sparked a contest between me and Britt to see who could get rid of the most stuff. So both of us went through all of our drawers, our closets, the kitchen, and any place containing stuff and threw out a ton of stuff. And since both of us are highly competitive, we were constantly comparing piles, and saying to each other, "I claim it!" when we saw something to get rid of it. It was a really fun way to clean out our house. I highly recommend it.

I think that's all going on with us this week. Tune in again next week to hear more updates from Treecingham!

Ridiculous ...

Mostly Cloudy 101°F Feels Like 109°F Updated Aug 8 03:45 p.m. ET Watch the Raleigh Forecast	UV Index: 4 Moderate Wind: From SW at 8 mph Humidity: 34% Pressure: 29.84 in. Dew Point: 68°F Visibility: 10.0 miles NEW! Track Weather on Larger Maps

It's too hot. I'm not leaving my house again until September. Maybe October.

Solid Fun!

Charissa started solid foods this week! It has been a very exciting transition. I'm even making my own baby food! A friend of mine encouraged me to try and told me it wasn't that hard - which is true! Not that I'm convinces I'll only feed her homemade food, but I am enjoying making it so far. We're not sure if she likes the food yet, but she really enjoys meal time. While she sits in the high chair we're trying to make her smile or laugh because when she does her mouth is wide open and it's real easy to shove some food in. But she's definitely the toughest audience I've ever performed for. All other times of the day she smiles and laughs quite easily, but during mealtime she is stoic. If she does smile, it's a closed-mouth smile. I think she's working us.

Here are some pictures of CJ enjoying her food ...

I know it looks like she's naked, but she does have clothing on.
Her bib is just that big. Or she's really small.

Although it may appear that she is enjoying the food,
she is actually kicking me away with her feet.

As you can see, eating is exhausting.

God-Centered Children's Books

"What are some good, God-centered books for children?" a sister in our church was asking a few of us yesterday, so I decided to do a little research. My wife and I read a few of these regularly, and I found the others from trusted ministries and websites.

Here's my first list:

The Big Picture Story Bible by Paul Helm: excellent coverage of salvation history, following the creation-fall-redemption-restoration line; Christ-focused, Scriptural, and heart-aimed.

Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan and Richie Hunt: combines catechism with stories; practical, realistic, and basic.

The Gospel for Children by John B. Leuzarder: a basic Gospel presentation for children; God-centered, thorough, and simple.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: classic stories of the magical land of Narnia that highlight various truths about Christ, imaginative, innovative, and unforgettable.

The Dangerous Book for Boys by Hal and Conn Iggulden: a book written to renew a love for masculine things in boys and men; thorough, fun, active, and challenging. Get it to remember that God made boys to be men and nothing less. (*This book is not written by believers, nor does it make any explicit references to God, but we found it to be God-aimed nonetheless because of its view on masculinity.*) A powerful, man-shaping tool in the hands of a believing parent.

"The Christian Logic Series" by Nathaniel Bluedorn: both The Fallacy Detective and The Thinking Toolbox are written to teach adolescents and adults how God gives us reason and logic to think about the world; thorough, practical, and illustrative.

God Knows My Name by Debby Anderson: reminds children (and moms) that God cares for His people, even in the details; illustrated, practical, and simple.

The Bible Explorer: God's Truth from Genesis to Revelation by Carine Mackenzie: "a Bible reference tool for children," going through the canon with summaries and key texts; useful, thorough, and thought-provoking.

Ten Boys Who . . and Ten Girls Who . . series by Irene Howat: "a series of four books designed to introduce children to post-biblical heroes of the faith;" faith-giving, awe-inspring, and history-teaching.

Find the Animal series by Penny Reeve: four volumes designed to produce amazement and wonder in young children at the creative hand of God by showing exciting features of specific animals; each book is devoted to one animal in a detective style. "Guess which one this is!" Great for teaching about God's creation.

My God is So Big by Catherine Mackenzie: aimed at young children and utilizes the popular song for which it is named; teaches the next generation about the gigantitude of God.

Resources for finding and/or reviewing children's books:

• DesiringGOD.org's recommendations page
• DiscerningReader.com children's books page
• half.com - search for specific books to buy at lower prices

I'm sure there are more, so keeping letting me know and I'll keep posting them. Hope this helps for now.

Baby Present Ideas

It seems like every time I turn around another couple I know is having a baby! Which means that baby shower invitations are on the horizon. And this has me thinking, "What would a really great baby present be for new parents?" Having just had a baby myself and having a few months to reflect on what was helpful, what wasn't, and what I wished I had received I thought I might share for those of you who are also about to start hitting the local Babies 'r' Us.

Great Baby Presents:

• Books for the baby
• Gift cards to Blockbuster
  
• Diapers with scripture, songs, or anything written on them to make diaper changing more fun.
• Wipes!
  
• Stain remover
• Gift cards to get pictures developed (trust me - they can use this!)
  
• Toys for various stages of the first year
  
• Gift cards to the grocery store
• A meal given when the baby is two months old
• Offers to babysit
• Money for doctor's visits - there will be a lot of them! (Julie S. gave me this idea)
  

Also, after the baby is born, here are a few things that some moms might find helpful:

• Instead of asking if they need anything from the grocery store, just get a few staples and take them to their house (cereal, fresh fruit and vegetables, a frozen meal, etc.)
• When you stop by for a visit, ask if there is anything you can do and don't take "no" for an answer! Find something to wash, clean, or fold.
• If you take them a meal, dessert, or snack try to take it in a container you don't need returned or at least offer to pick it up instead of having them take it back to you

I may post more as I think of things - or as others tell me what was helpful for them!

The Girl of Many Faces

Time is ticking away! It's already the end of July and I feel like summer just began. Do you remember when you were a kid and you felt like the days were an eternity long and your parents told you that time speeds up as you get older? I guess I'm "older" now.

Charissa is almost six months old! And she is developing into quite a little lady. Occasionally people ask me if I'm bored staying at home with a baby all day, and I always emphatically answer "NO!" I wish they could spend the day with me and Charissa sometime - she is very entertaining! Just her facial expressions are entertaining ... and she's nonstop action (just like her Daddy). And here's the proof:

Charissa loves the swing! In fact, she's wondering when we're
going to stop taking pictures and push her again

This is Charissa's first time at the beach!
And she's kind of skeptical of sand - just like her Mama.

This soft, wet sand is weird!

She's not sure she likes the beach.

I know you can't see her face but this picture is so funny to me
because she literally fell asleep when I was changing her into her
bathing suit to go to the pool. Too tired to go swimming!

Isn't that funny? She looks both happy and angry.

While we were at the beach Charissa got to know her cousin
Dirk and decided that he makes her list of "Fun People to be Held By."

Charissa was supposed to be playing in the floor gym, but instead
she rolled away from it - and took the bunny with her!

She's watching television. Totally captivated.

This is her new favorite toy, and mine too
because she can't go anywhere!

Daddy + Swings = Big Fun!

So small and yet so much fun! I love my little girl!

July Weekends

This month sure has been fun, and hectic. We've been to three weddings, two road trips, one family vacation, and four different grocery stores. Highlights have included:

• better times with Jesus
  
• many good conversations with each other
  
• playing with our baby in several different pools
• getting rid of the many, many computers in our bedroom
• Big B getting a haircut
• playing settlers with the Haynes and Woods families
  
• eating the most gigantic vacation dinners we've had since . . . we can't remember when
• going on neighborhood walks
• sitting on the front porch and reading
  
• gettting an big family portrait while dressed as outlaws and barmaids
  
• giving our time and lives to those we love
• laughing a lot, especially with our friends
  
• reading our Bibles more
• seeing two wonderful, God-loving couples get married
  
• seeing some good movies (Bridge to Terabithia, Band of Brothers episode 1, and To End All Wars, among others)
  
• making up funny songs about rolling and diapers and all sorts of stuff
  
• watching our baby roll across the living room floor in less than two minutes
• getting lost on the way to Youngsville
• meeting new friends at the local park
  

Well, that's all for now. I just wanted to remember, and laugh some, too.

Crossing Borders!

This past weekend, Charissa crossed the stateline for the first time. She went all the way to South Carolina! YEAH! We went to Columbia for our friends Gary and Ashley's wedding. Here are the highlights:

• 3.5 hours in the car talking and laughing with my husband while the baby was content to sleep and hang out.
• Britt changing the name of the Boppy to Bilbo.
  
• Charissa enjoying her first trip to a real pool (not baby pool!) She loved it! I think she's going to be a swimmer!
• Fellowshipping with some old friends from Providence at the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
• Finding out some friends of ours are expecting their third child!
  
• Meeting new friends who were also in the wedding party (Britt was a groomsman).
• Going to the Columbia Zoo and seeing lots of amazing animals. It wasn't the most impressive zoo, but in the middle of the summer, in the middle of the day with a 4.5 month old baby, it was just big enough for us.
• Having a little girl ask me if I was a Jehovah's Witness, and when I said "no" her proceeding to ask me why not and if I wanted to become one. And she was four!
  
• Gracious friends going out of their way to accommodate us by allowing us to use their hotel room.
• Charissa behaving herself so well during the ceremony - she only made two little noises the whole time!
  
• Charissa had her first real daddy-daughter dance at the reception. It was very, very precious.
  

It was a very fun weekend. Charissa traveled well and was generally in good spirits despite her whole schedule being thrown out the window and being in two new places for bedtime. Again proving what a good natured, flexible baby she is!

What is "one rib?"

Last night as Britt and I were talking before bed he was teasing me about something and said, "I want my rib back!" I laughed and said something about him wanting just one instead of the whole side. This comment launched a 10 minute discussion in which I realized that for 23 years I had been thinking that when God took "one" of Adam's ribs, I had been thinking that God took one whole side of Adam's ribs. How have I come this far without ever realizing my error? After this came to light, there was much teasing by one party.

Oh well ... I guess we all have our bad theology that needs to be rooted out! :)

Happy Father's Day!

We had a fun Father's Day together. We went to church together (side note: Charissa went to nursery for the first time this morning! And apparently she was a "delight") and heard about how God is our Good Father. Then we had lunch, hung out together for the afternoon, and then we went to a friend's house for dinner. Of course, I should add that the "dinner" mostly involved talking to a bunch of Turks (and one Iranian!) and learning what it is like be surrounded by people who are very different and speaking a different language. But it was actually really fun because we got to work on our gesturing, slow speak, and that words often mean very different things in another culture. Also, I've discovered that no matter what culture you're from the bonds of motherhood are still strong. There was another family there with a 7 month old girl and they were really fun to get to know. Charissa was very excited to play with another girl and was all smiles. In fact, she was all smiles the whole night! It amazed us how happy she was with people she's never met. She got passed all through the group and thought it was a fabulous opportunity to touch a lot of new noses (her new favorite activity).

And to end the day, Charissa decided that the best gift she could give her Daddy was to show him that she wants to follow in his foot steps as a hard rocker. I think she has potential.

Say What?

Last night before putting her to bed, Britt read to Charissa from The Big Picture Story Bible (which I highly recommend you get/read even if you don't have children). I was down the hall listening to him talk to her, and he started off by saying, "Now in this episode the Israelites..." My head jerked up, and I looked down the hall quizzically and thought,"Did my husband just call a chapter in a book an 'episode'? My husband? Who hardly watches television?" I started laughing and asked him about it, and he just said, "Oh ... yeah, I meant 'chapter.'"

Strange times in the Treece household ...

Charissa's First Swimming Adventure!

Charissa went swimming in her baby pool for the first time today. The doctor my mom works for gave Charissa a bathing suit right after she was born, and we were very anxious to us it. Can you blame us? Have you ever seen such a cute baby bathing suit? Strike that - have you ever seen such a cute bathing suit?


Charissa was a little hesitant at first ...

... and it was a little cold for her liking, but once we warmed it up ...

... the real fun began!

SPLISH SPLASH!!

What a happy little girl!

I love this picture because of her feet.

I thought she was going to throw that duck at me!

Again with the happy feet!

After about 45 minutes we took her out because we were afraid she was getting chilly. She definitely would have stayed in if we had let her.

A $4 pool + 1 inch of water = one happy girl!


I'm so glad that Charissa and I could enjoy an afternoon outside splashing around on the front porch. I foresee many an afternoon splashing around this summer!

So Many Wonderful Things to Share!

I haven't written in a week and normally that means nothing has happened, but in this case it means A LOT has happened! So let me update you ...

Hand-Holding Fun
Charissa and I went down to Charlotte to take care of my mom because she was having surgery on her eye. It's a 2.5-3 hour drive which means that it'd be really hard to make it non-stop with a four month old. We got about half an hour from my parents' house when Charissa realized that she was starting to feel hungry. I reached my hand around to find her pacifier, but she grabbed my hand and quieted down. It was about 1030 at night, so it was pretty dark in the car, and I guess she thought she was alone before and now that she could hold me she felt better. So for the next 30 minutes we just held hands. It was so tender and special. I'm not I've ever been able to alleviate or solve anyone's problems by just being near to them. It was a special mama-daughter moment.


Nana's Great Surgery
My mom had surgery on her eye last Thursday. It was an outpatient surgery, but was still pretty serious as they had to go through the eye and the surgery was almost an hour and a half long. But she did really well! She's recovering nicely and is able to see out of that eye, and should be back to normal in a few weeks!


1st Anniversary Celebration
Sunday was our 1st Anniversary!! YAY!! Praise God! Britt met me down in Charlotte and after giving plenty of unnecessary instructions to my parents about how to take care of Charissa for the next 20 hours, we left and went to the same hotel we stayed at last year. Apparently the hotel is very good about celebrating with those who are celebrating because our room had a bottle of champagne on ice, chocolates, strawberries, and pastries. We went swimming and relaxed and then went to a dinner at the hotel's restaurant. The hotel was especially accommodating - we had VIP seating away from the other diners, a wonderful waitress, the manager came over several times to make sure our every need was being taken care of, and to top it all off they made us a very special dessert - individual chocolate cakes with molten lava, Haagen Daas ice cream, pineapple pieces, and chocolate syrup swirled in beautiful designs around the plate. AND THEN - Britt made me a DVD slide show of our relationship. It was beautiful! I wish I had a way to post it and share because it's so fabulous, but I haven't figured out how to do it yet. It was a wonderful anniversary. But by the end, we were ready to see Charissa again. We missed our little girl!


The Double-Rolling Wonder
Charissa rolled over! Twice! And I know what you're thinking - the same way two times. But that's not what she did. She rolled over from her back to her stomach and then within 1 minute she rolled from her stomach to her back! Two milestones in 90 seconds! I had predicted for a long time that she would roll from her back to her stomach first and then be so irritated that she was on her stomach she'd roll right back over. In case you don't know, Charissa hates to be on her stomach. In fact today at her 4 month check up, the doctor observed Charissa on her stomach and immediately said, "She's gonna crawl real soon if for no other reason than she's mad that she's on her stomach!" Ahh CJ ... the never-ending entertaining wonder!!


It's been such a wonderful week!

A Tiny Heartbeat

I was playing with our daughter tonight,
and I leaned over and listened to her little heart beat -
it was quieter than her breaths,
and softer than her thumping feet;

but, oh, what a joy!
oh, what hand divine!
could make not only big hearts but tiny ones,
with one word, in a moment of time!

How Firm a Foundation

Last night we went to a going away party for a friend of ours, Tyler, who is going to Minneapolis to study at The Bethlehem Institute. We are sad to see him go, but excited about what an incredible opportunity God has laid before him. At the end of the festivities, we sang a few songs and then prayed for Tyler. As we were singing I looked around the room and my heart was warmed by the sight. There were about 20 people there, most in the mid-twenties, and all but four were men. And there they were singing their hearts out in praise to the Lord. What an incredible sight. I know that one of my prayers for years, and the prayers of many other women, is that God was raise up an army of men of faith in our generation. Last night, I was with part of that army. And how it refreshed me! It was so encouraging to see how God is moving in the lives of the young men at our church. Once again, I was overwhelmed with thankfulness for Treasuring Christ Church (for more reasons on this subject go to my March 9th post). Of course, I was also thankful for the three other women there as they were being Biblical women in serving with great hospitality.

I am learning that I really am happiest when I am most satisfied in Jesus. I will leave you with the words from the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" that we sang last night.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall My strength ever be.

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of grief shall not thee overflow
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine."

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to break,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake."