Nomads For Christ

Sweet Abby

Sarah — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:23:24 +0000

It’s amazing how quickly you can fall in love with a child. Abby is just so sweet especially now that she smiles a lot more often. She’s making cooing noises and almost what seems like a laugh.

Last night she slept for 6 1/2 hours….it was like heaven especially since the night before she was up at least 4 times. I think she is beginning to recognize Paul and I. I can tell that she knows my voice. She also knows that when I hold her that I am also her milk source

We take Abby everywhere with us. For the 4th of July, we went downtown to the local parade in Westcliffe and then also looked at the carshow. Later than night, we went out to fireworks at the lake. Right when the fireworks started, Abby had a bit of a meltdown. It was after all a LONG day!

So what do I do all day long?

Sarah — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:03:07 +0000

Whoever said being a full-time mom is easy is CRAZY!! Yesterday, I made curtains, managed to take a shower, and played with our new camera for Abby. In between, I fed, changed, rocked, and walked Abby. I find that I am NOT very efficient with tasks anymore. I can’t finish one without interruptions and then I must admit that I get sidetracked. Today, Abby had her 2 month appointment with the dreaded….shots. She was not happy. She did fall asleep while I was at Walmart and on the drive home but as soon as I got her out of her car seat, she started howling. This was definitely a new cry that I haven’t heard before - that of pain. A dear friend heard her screaming and came down to help me. We gave her tylenol and put warm washclothes over the shot spots. About an hour later, Abby and I took a nap. We woke to a bang! our neighbor’s little girl up above us had dropped a ceramic plate and cut herself. So I bandaged Mackenzie’s head and hand. Tonight, while Paul played with Abby, I made dinner, cleaned the living room and made chocolate chip cookies (yummy) but alas! no shower for me today

Sand Dunes

Paul — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:05:23 +0000

Recently Sarah, Sarah’s Mom, her sister (Debbie), Abby, and I took at drive to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It is this amazing dune field in the middle of Colorado, right next to the mountains. Some of the tallest sand dunes in North America are found here. The photo gallery has some additional pictures of the dunes. If you ever get the chance, you should check them out!

Laundry in Colorodo. . . IN JUNE!!!!

Paul — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:31:31 +0000

Thursdays are laundry day, yesterday it started to snow. . . it’s JUNE 5TH!! In Colorado in the mountains, you just never know what is going to happen. It’s sunny and warm today by the way. Go figure! There really was not enough that fell that it stuck too much to the ground (although it did stick to our laundry). It seems really odd for it to snow in June the Northern Hemisphere. Sarah’s mom said her friends back in South Africa wouldn’t believe it. . . well guys, there’s a video here for you, let us know what you think!

Snow starting to fall
Our laundry getting covered in snow

More snow

The flowers we planted got a coating (they’re Ok and blooming today.)

Still more snow falling

Back in Colorado

Paul — Sat, 31 May 2008 19:10:52 +0000

We arrived back in Colorado last weekend. It was actually snowing with the sun out when we arrived. We have settled back in nicely and Abby is adjusting well. Classes start-up again for me on Monday, and I am pretty excited about that. This should be a good, but challenging semester. As you can see from the photo, Abby is growing up quickly. Soon we will be sending her off to college! We are going this afternoon to Springs (Colorado Springs as the non-locals know it) to pick up Agogo (Abby’s grandmother, Sarah’s Mom) at the airport after her long travels from South Africa. She is spending a month here with us. We are glad to have her come and help and visit her granddaughter. Lot’s going on around here!

Moving Day

Paul — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:01:17 +0000

Hello from Albuquerque, New Mexico! We began our trip back to Colorado yesterday, and we will be arriving back in Colorado tomorrow. In an attempt to make the trip easier, Sarah and Abby flew to Albuquerque and I made the trip by car there. The drive from Tucson was extremely windy and dusty. Apparently the Interstate between Lordsburg, NM and Las Cruces was closed because of dust-storms after I had come through. Last night we stayed with Sarah’s Aunt Ginny, Uncle John, and cousins Eileen, Heidi, and Lindi. Packing the car to get here was a real adventure. I should learn that it is unwise to trust U-Haul. I had made a reservation for U-Haul a month beforehand and on Monday I got a call informing me that there was not going to be a trailer available. . . so much for reservations. My dad and I started working on alternatives, and we settled on a roof-top carrier made by Thule. It is canvas and we were able to put in two big suitcases and some bags of clothes. This leaves room from Abby’s stuff! Tomorrow’s drive will be 5 1/2 hours. Back to class on the first week of June with a new baby in tow!

Sleep? Who needs it?

Paul — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:33:18 +0000

I am beginning to learn that sleep is really overrated . . . or at least that’s what my daughter would have us believe. It is amazing the amount of changes our lives have undergone in the past 2 weeks. We went from just the two of us to the three of us and our entire life now seems to revolve around the eating and sleeping schedule of Abigail (last night it seemed like every half hour). This is not news to “seasoned” parent, but this is expected from a brand new infant. Nevertheless, no matter how much I prepared myself for it, I was not prepared. I have to say that as much as I love to sleep at night, I love holding my daughter (Okay so I really like sleep)! It is amazing how much I am already starting to see her personality. Every day Abby seems to change just a little bit more. We were excited to find out yesterday that she is almost at 5lbs. Well, speaking of baby needs, I think it’s time for a diaper change Enjoy the video below!

Happy Mother’s Day

Paul — Mon, 12 May 2008 02:31:34 +0000

Today was Sarah’s first Mother’s Day! She is already an awesome mom. We of course did not expect her to be celebrating (officially) Mother’s Day this year. . . but God’s in grace and provision, we have a healthy, beautiful little girl and Sarah is a brand new mom. Today was a really pleasant day. We had a number of family members over for dinner. Many of them saw Abby for the first time today. She is already living up to her name (brings joy)! As far as Mom’s go, Abby is a very blessed little girl to have Sarah as her mom. It is wonderful to see the connection that they already have for each other. I can’t wait until Father’s Day! Just one month! Happy Mother’s Day to all the mother’s out there! We are all grateful for all of you!

Baby Time

Paul — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:10:36 +0000

Well, Abigail has been born for a week and on Monday she will have been home for a week. Below is a video of a bath we gave her. She seems to really enjoy the baths. She particularly enjoys getting her head brushed. Right now life is pretty simple. Sarah and I get up, feed Abby, change her diapers, take a nap when she’s napping (she has us up at all hours of the night and . . . that’s about it. She is such a joy and a blessing to us. We are actually glad that she was born here in Tucson (the plan was for her to be born when we were back in Colorado) because my parents have had a chance to spend time with her. Well. . . it sounds like another diaper and feeding is calling. . . enjoy the short video. (By the way, there are some new photos in the gallery. . . check them out!)

Abby is Home!

Paul — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:46:54 +0000

Great news! Abigail Sophia Mourreale was able to go home today. Sarah and I are very excited. Thank you all for your prayers and support. As you know, Abby coming this early was a surprise to us, but we thank God that she is health and strong.

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