Renatah's Language

Renatah's talking often keeps her from crying. She will think about wanting to cry and talk herself right out of it. We love to hear her talk. Wish we understood her language better!

Our Talking Girl

Poppy loves to 'talk' - her gurgles and smiles light up our life!! She loves talking and smiling with papa, who had the camera ready this time!

Renatah and Adelle

Renatah is growing up and starting to 'engage' with people . . . smiles and gurgles and reaching for attention.

We have had fun 'introducing' her to our friends kids. We hope that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!!

Adelle is the daughter of our friends Nate and Brooke. She is 6 months old here (Renatah is 10 weeks).

Watching Football with Papa

Tim is attempting to ensure that his daughter shares his love of football. Renatah loves hanging out with her papa over a football game!

Easily Entertained

Renatah keeps herself entertained in her bouncy seat! She loves looking at the bear rattle and is all smiles as she bats at the objects hanging from the bar. We can leave her here for 20 mins or so at a time without any complaints!!

I Love Bath Time

In her first days at home Renatah was rather undecided about whether she liked baths or not.

Since then she has convinced us that this is indeed a favourite past time! She has graduated out of the tiny little yellow tub from the hospital and even out grown the portable blue one that we had for her . . . so now it's baths in the laundry tub or kitchen sink.

The laundry tub (pictured here) has lots of room but not so good for mummy's back (it's a bit low). So these days we are using the kitchen sink.

It's the getting out that is detested. It is usually met by screams which subside once she is dry and dressed. We tried using the robe she was given not to long ago and it seems to do the trick. Screams are silenced when bundled in her bathrobe!!

Immigration Paperwork Saga continues ...

This whole process has been quite frustrating at times. Here's the latest . . . news only comes every so often because we go for such long stints of time with nothing happening at all . . . just waiting.

In March 2006 I arrived in Portland on a spouse visa which I was told entitled me to get my Social Security Number (SSN) which would allow me to get a job. I wasn't sure if I would seek employment but knew that getting a SSN was necessary anyway. When applying for my SSN I was told that my spouse visa wasn't the appropriate document to enable me to get my SSN. I needed an approved 'permission to work' form or a 'conditional resident' status card - also known as a green card I think.

Each of these cost money and required processes and other paperwork to gather in order to apply. The cheapest and easiest was the 'permission to work' form . . . so this was gathered and sent in April 2006. When we received notice that they had received the form we were told that I would get an appointment date to get my finger prints taken and then the process would take 3-6months to approve. At the end of August I still hadn't received my fingerprint appointment date so I called to inquire. They said they lodged an 'inquiry' and I should hear something within the month. I went through this process two more times (waiting a month in between each one) and finally I heard back at the beginning of December to say that they were investigating further and if I didn't hear anything in 6 MONTHS then I could call back again.

Now this was the climax of my frustrations!!

It was at this that we decided to finalise the 'change of status' paperwork (from spouse to conditinoal resident). I sent that in the first week of December and on the 20th I received notice of my fingerprint appointment for the change of status paperwork for the 26th of December.

I was in shock as to how quickly that all happened!! . . . if only . . . we had done this in April!! We weren't to know!

So . . . all that is to say I am now 'in the system' my fingerprints were taken electronically - it was actually pretty cool especially when I was prepared to walk out of there with black ink all over my fingers!

Now we continue to wait for that set of paperwork to be approved and my 'green card' to arrive in the mail.

However, with Renatah here now, I have no desire to get a job . . . but having the processes over and done with will be nice. And, if anything ever comes up I will be able to work if I so choose!!

Thanks to those of you who have prayed and continued to ask about what's going on with all this. Just getting here after 14months after we were married was the first step!

Our 2006 Christmas Slide Show

Our Precious Christmas Gift

Renatah was so beautiful in her 'baby's first Christmas' outfit from Aunt Judy.

She did not fully understand all that went on in the celebrations of Christ's birth this day . . . but she was still spoilt by her doting family.

More pictures will come soon!

She rolled over today!

from her tummy to her back . . .

she loves 'tummy time' and is getting so strong

She SMILES!!!

it was a little hard to 'capture' but it was sure cute when it happened . . . 20 minutes of 'play' . . . we even got a laugh!!

Pouty in Pink

we love that little lip

Renatah's Baptism

Sunday, December 3rd 2006

First Sunday of Advent

Parish of Saint Mark

Portland, Oregon

Renatah was baptised by Father Lillegard during a traditional anglican high mass. She has Australian God-parents, Grant and Julie Douglas, and American God-parents, Chris and Joy Dennis. We missed Grant and Julie on the day but know they were there in spirit. We enjoyed sharing the occasion with Chris and Joy.

On this day we, as Renatah's parents, promised to raise her in the ways and love of the Lord, with Christs help and the help of her God-parents.

We thank the Lord for our little blessing and take the responsibility of raising her in Christ very seriously. We value you prayers, encouragement and support along the way.

To find out more about the Parish of St Mark visit www.stmarkportland.org

O Christmas Tree

On December 2nd we went hunting for our Christmas tree with friends from our Home Community. We found a lot on the outskirts of Sandy that was selling trees that you could cut down yourself.
So the three familys trecked into the lot with one little hand saw and eyes peeled to find the 'perfect tree'.

It didn't take us too long to find one we liked. This is our family in front of our 2006 Christmas Tree!

Tim and Shalom cut down our tree . . .

. . . then they hauled it to the car.

Much fun was had by all.

First Snow

On Monday Nov 27th we had our first snow of the year here in Sandy. So we got all rugged up and played outside for a bit. Renatah enjoyed a sled ride with her daddy down the hill!! But didn't enjoy her oversized outfit all that much - at least she kept warm though!

Hey Phil - recognise the coat I'm wearing!! Very handy in this weather- thanks heaps!!

Cramped Quarters

Renatah hasn't decided if she likes baths or not yet - sometimes she loves them sometimes she squawks through the event.

We were using the little tub from the hospital for a few days but as you can see in this picture - it is a tad too small - so we have graduated to a larger portable bath tub.

The Secret is in the Swing

We have found that the most successful way to calm our Poppy when she gets terribly upset is to put her in her sling.

The secret, however, is not to put the sling on - but to swing her in the sling. This quickly turns the tears into little squeaks as she calms down and soon drifts off to sleep.

Daddy figured this trick out!! It started with swinging in the carseat - but that was a bit awkward - so then we tried the sling that we are borrowing from a friend.

It works wonders!

Cuddles with Big Sister

Renatah is enjoying the cuddles of her big sister Shalom.

Shalom is 8 and a wonderfully helpful big sister to Renatah. This was their first meeting when Renatah was 10 days old.

First Family Photo

This was taken when Renatah was 2 days old. Her first day at home.

7 days ago

With all the excitement of the arrival of Renatah I have overlooked letting you know how the whole 'being induced' thing went!

I was scheduled to go into hospital on Wednesday November 1st at 9pm. Earlier that evening I started with mild contractions every 7-10 minutes. It was exciting thinking that perhaps she would just come on her own.

At 10:30pm they gave me a gel to prepare for the petocin (the labour stimulating drug). I was to have the petocin 6 hours after the gel had been put in. Within an hour of having the gel contractions increased to every 1.5-2 minutes lasting for at least a minute ... it was pretty intense. At 4:30am they started the petcoin but because my labour was progressing so well they only had me on a very low dose!! That was an answer to prayer! Dialation was happening and the pain was increasing!! My Dr came in to see me and broke my water at 8:30am - I was 5 cm dialated.

After that I lost all track of time as I focused on getting through the contractions. Tim was an incredible support 'dancing' through contractions with me and helping me keep my breathing focused. Some time in there came the urge to push but I wasn't allowed to yet as I was only 7cm dialated. Things seemed to go quickly then though.


Just after 11am I was allowed to start pushing - my Dr was in surgery with another patient so the midwife on call was there setting up ... just as I was preparing to start the final stint my Dr arrived and a few minutes later (which felt like eternity) Renatah popped out!