Happy Birthday Rebekah!

Rebekah is one! We will celebrate with family next Sunday after her dedication. This is a picture of her trying to grab one of Luke's dinos while he's looking away. I love it.

Below is an entry from Rebekah's journal. It's for her first birthday. It's a bit long, and we don't really expect our gentle readers to read the whole thing...except maybe her grandmas and grandpas.

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9/1/2008: Yesterday was your first birthday! Happy Birthday! We went to church (it was Sunday). Mormor and Morfar were here for the weekend. We sang Happy Birthday to you.
What are you up to? (In no particular order…)

• You’re standing on your own pretty well, but not taking a step yet.
  You can walk when we hold both your hands. You love it. A couple days ago you took a few steps with me just holding one hand.


• For a while you’d go to the basement stairs, use the baby-gate to stand up, then rattle it. (Want to watch TV in the basement?)


• You love to climb the stairs, to the second floor. Naturally, up is less intimidating than down, but you work on both to some extent. We’re trying to work on your technique for going down (just like up, but backwards). Sometimes you try sitting and scooting down, but you’re not ready for that yet.


• You know how to start your brother’s Shake-and-Go racer, and make it do its crash.


• You love our electric piano. I play its songs and you dance. We use it for background music. You bang on the keys, then turn and smile at me.


• You still prefer people to things. You get more excited over toy people (dolls, little figures) than your brother’s vehicles and stuff, though you like them well enough. You like it when we play peek-a-boo. Sometimes you play it yourself, with a towel or something you find around.


• You’re very cute with your big ducky (she’s almost as big as you): you hug her and touch your nose to hers. A week ago when Annika was born (her brothers stayed with us), you got a hold of Jonathan’s stuffed cow and it was very cute: you’d hold it and reach around and gently grab its front hoof, then give it a big hug.


• I know you know a lot of words, but I don’t think you’re too close to talking.


• You love it when Luke makes you laugh. He loves it too. You still love to watch him.


• You’ve been crawling like a pro for months now, but it’s frustrating trying to crawl in dresses (which you wear pretty often). I try to pull them back with a clothes pin so you can crawl better, but I can’t do it as often as I’d like.


• You love playing chase: you crawl a few feet, then turn back to see who’s chasing you. Then spin around and do it again. Super cute!


• You’ve got spunk: you like to grab the toys your brother is playing with. We’re working on this—trying to be fair to each of you. He sometimes likes to take away the toy you’re playing with, and he’s got the size advantage. Neither is ok.


• You get frustrated at things sometimes. When you can’t make something work; when we take away something you shouldn’t be playing with; when we sweep something out of your mouth; when we change your diaper without giving you adequate distraction; when we use the booger-sucker on your nose; when we put you down for a nap before you’re ready; when we leave you at the table. You let us know in no uncertain terms. You can cry like it’s the end of the world. But you gain your composure pretty fast, too.


• You still have a smile for just about everyone, and a wonderful disposition in spite of your tough times. Even when you’re sick, you manage to muster your positive cheerful little self better than I (your Dad) ever do. Your smile melts my heart big-time.


• You’re very expressive. You raise your eyebrows, furl them, cock them a little.
  You’re growing some hair, though it’s still pretty wispy. We put a little bow in it sometimes—very cute! You’re just starting to look less like a little bald baby, and more like a toddler. Everything still goes in your mouth (it’s just where you’re at).

I love being your Daddy!

9/1/2008: [Kirsten] My turn! Happy birthday, little Rebekah! It’s hard to believe your one already! You’re a great addition to our family. We love you!

You are still nursing like it’s a bit of heaven on earth. You’ve never really taken a bottle or used a pacifier, no need I guess. You’re s-l-o-w-l-y weaning to a sippy cup. I’m not rushing things since you could have food allergies like Luke. And the truth is, our quiet nursing times are often a favorite part of my day.

You have an intense look in your eyes. People often comment on it when they are trying to get you to smile. They can tell you are studying their every move. Your dad has the same stare, so you get it from him. When you do smile for them, you light up the room, so their work is well rewarded.

You are a very determined girl, who does not give up easily. You love to learn new skills and will practice them until you have them mastered. I’m sure this will serve you well in this life.

We are dedicating you next Sunday and having your birthday party then. It’s rally Sunday at church, so everyone will be together in one service. The guest speaker is C. John Weborg…and modern day saint who happens to be Covenant. Mom (your mormor) asked Dad (grandpa) who he would most like to preach on the Sunday you’re dedicated and he said John Weborg! What a blessing! We are hoping the church we have chosen to raise you will play an important role in helping us raise you up to be a Jesus follower. I want more than anything for you to see Jesus make a difference in our lives. I hope our lives draw you to Him and that you will want to love and serve Him and our family together we will be the hands, feet and voice of Jesus to each other, to our neighbors….and the world (you and Luke can do that in your 20's...we'll pay for your flight).

I love you, my sweet, strong little lady.