Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Dwight wasn't able to get the best pictures when he came to see the show - but there are a couple cute ones. One of my friend's from the cast had her husband take some amazing professional pictures so I'll be able to have those for posterity. But in the meantime - here are a few of the better ones.

My makeup done for the first act.
My new, good friend Meg. She played the prettiest boy ever :)
Being in Joseph was an amazing experience for me. I learned so much about myself. I was able to challenge myself vocally and physically. Even at 24 weeks (not 24 months - thanks mom for catching that) pregnant, which is what I was on the day of the last performance, I was able to keep up with every one of those dance numbers - and they weren't just step-touch stuff. I was really proud of myself that I had the energy and stamina for that. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with the desire and ability to be a part of something like this. I'm also especially grateful that over time He helped me overcome a lot of my insecurities - I don't think I got nervous one time during the performances! And also, I was able to discover some other things about myself that I think I'd like to improve on - which is always a good thing.
I also learned a lot about where I am at in life - as far as what's really important and who's opinions really matter. I don't need everyone's acceptance or friendship - though I've always been someone who welcomed it and felt as though I needed it. But now, I'm ok if I don't get it from every single person I come in contact with. I recognize more and more the people who are truly important in my life. I love that I can add more people to that special group - but I don't need everyone there. It's been so long that I've done something for myself, with people who I don't spend a lot of time with - that I've forgotten that it's something I've always struggled with - needing everyone to love and accept me. And life just doesn't happen that way. So that was an interesting experience - and I handled it well I think. When it was all said and done - I really enjoyed working with all the people I had the opportunity to work with. But I was able to walk away knowing that I'm in a different place in life and it's ok if everyone didn't think I was amazing and consider me a new best friend. Those who I was able to become close with are the ones that matter and I love that it's enough. I've come a long way I think.
But really - the best part was that it was an awesome show and I loved doing it! I worked with some amazing people who really helped me to strengthen my talents! I really hope I get to be more involved with the community theater in this area. I'll have to take a little break while Dwight is in school - but then I'll be back :)

Rebecca's Room!

This first picture on top of this post has nothing to do with getting ready for Rebecca - but I thought it was so darn cute. Dwight sure loves that boy - and Jonah sure thinks the world of his daddy.

Yesterday we made the big purchase! We ordered the crib! It's hard for Dwight to make a big purchase without doing a lot of research and it always takes a long time to make a decision. So I am so happy that we finally came to an agreement and I just know we're going to love this one!
We've had the bedding for a while. Some friend's of ours are moving to Germany and needed to get rid of a bunch of stuff so that they wouldn't have to ship it over. They're having a little boy so they decided to sell their daughter's old bedroom set. And it just so happens that it was the exact color and theme we wanted for Rebecca's room! And it was in such awesome shape. So we were able to get an amazing deal on most of the pieces in this picture. Talk about good timing!
I've also been working a little bit on the wall painting. We wont need to paint the walls - the light yellow is the perfect color. But I'm doing some acrylic stamping of butterflies around the room. Quite the project. This is what I've gotten done so far - the words are vinyl, but I added the purple color to them so that they stand out a little more. The crib will go right under this. I love how it turned out!

And then, as I started going through all the many beautiful pieces of the bedroom set, and started putting up curtains and such, I began to feel bad that Jonah's room was never quite completed - and that we didn't have as many cute things to do in it. So I started coming up with stuff for his room too. Here's one thing I made with my cricut. That machine has got to be one of the best toys ever!

So now, once the crib arrives, we'll get all the furniture out of the room and start getting things set up. I remember how much fun it was when we were working on Jonah's room- so I'm really looking forward to this one!

Florida and Family

One awesome thing about living is Florida is that it's a place where people actually want to come and visit! I've been blessed to have had so many of my family members come and stay with us, especially within this last year. My sister, Karissa, her husband Jeremy and two really fun kids, Quinton (turned 5 while he was here) and Avery (just turned 1), spent some time with us last week. It was so fun to have them here. Jonah had a blast! Here are some of the things we did.

Disneyworld!

Universal Studios!

New Smyrna Beach!

We also went to Kennedy Space Center - but most of the good pictures were taken with my sister's camera. I'll have to post them when she sends me copies.

Jonah and Avery just had the best time together! They really got along well. I dont' know if I've ever heard Jonah laugh so much! I wish they were closer. I think they'll be good friends as they grow up :)

Family and Jonah's 18 month pictures

Jonah is 18 months old - as of the 14th!!! But we decided to have some friends do pictures for us instead of making the usual Sears run. They turned out good - and it was fun to do it at the house.
The only thing is, I have no clue how to edit photos - and we'll want to do some of that before we order any. Also, Jonah was SO tired during the pictures. I should have planned nap time a little better. So no smiles. But we are kind of ok with that because when we look back on this time in his life, we'll remember that, although he does smile a lot and is a happy happy boy, he often wears a very serious face - as if he's thinking very deeply. He probably is. But still - we have another photographer friend who wants to do some more pictures of just him - where he is happy. That will be perfect! So...enjoy the first round of Jonah's 18 month/family pictures.

It's A GIRL!!!

Today was our "20 week" ultrasound - though I wont be 20 weeks until Sunday and the ultrasound puts me at 19 weeks tomorrow. Some things you just never know - like when exactly these babies will decide to join us in the outside world. But one thing we don't have to wonder about - this baby is definitely a girl!!! And she's looking beautiful and healthy! And we couldn't be happier!

Here are some of the awesome pictures they took of our little Rebecca!

This is one of the 4-D images they took. She was cuddling up against the placenta so a lot of her face was hidden - but we almost got a full face view for this picture. I think she looks just like Jonah!

She's going to hate that I posted this if she ever runs across this blog in later years -
but I think it's great!

I had prepared myself for the news that we might be having another boy - to the point where I had convinced myself that I couldn't be the mother of a girl! I just couldn't wrap my head around that idea. I know how to take care of a little boy - that I could handle. But a girl! - haha
But I think I only tried to convince myself that I felt this way because I knew that I wanted a little girl and I didn't want to feel disappointed if we found out we were having another boy. Truth is, it just wouldn't have mattered - we already love this baby no matter what. But, even when I told that to Dwight - he wasn't afraid to admit that though he feels the same way, what he's really hoping for is a Daddy's Girl : ) I'm so glad that he got his wish! And Jonah gets a little sister! I think he'd like that too if he understood any of what is going on.

One of my most favorite parts of the ultrasound was when the tech left and we were waiting for the doctor and Dwight started asking me how we want to decorate her room. He had opinions on the colors and everything - mostly purple to go with the yellow walls! Dwight is not normally one to care about this sort of stuff - being a manly man and all - so it was it was so cute to see him excited to the point that he's already getting geared up for the baby girl prep!

Needless to say - we are on clouds today and are so excited to start getting things ready for Rebecca's arrival.
That's going to be her name, by the way. We're pretty set on it. Middle name - not so sure yet - but we love the name Rebecca and it just feels right.


So - now we're about half way there and thank heavens I'm feeling better these days because now that we know who we're going to be getting ready for - it's time to get to work!

I wrote this to a friend who just had her baby and I realized that it summed up so much of how I feel about Jonah at this age. With a new baby on the way, I think back a lot to when Jonah was first born and I'm so grateful for every single day that has brought him to this point in his life. What a special little boy I have! Here's what I wrote:

"I always get sad as every different stage passes - but then I come to love the next one even better! Especially since he becomes more aware of things, sleeping patterns become easier, and then he begins to show how much he loves you! That's my favorite thing : ). Of course he loves you now, you're everything to him! But wait until he comes up to you and hugs you for no reason. I miss the baby stage - but boy do I love my toddler!"

I hope I can continue to remember and appreciate those memories as he grows up. I still get so sad at how fast time is passing - but I can't help but be so happy too. Jonah is so full of life and love and I can't wait to see the amazing person he's going to become. I just hope I can record everything well enough so that I never forget these precious times and all the ones we've yet to enjoy.

Update...

Well - we lost our camera a few weeks ago so my update wont have any pictures on it...again. We have a video camera that takes still pictures, but I don't know how to upload yet - we'll have to figure all that stuff out one of these days.
Meanwhile - here are some updates

Jonah is walking! Two weeks ago Wednesday, we were playing in the living room and he stood up and walked! It was literally overnight. He had his final PT apt last week and Jeanette was so happy with the progress he made that she discharged him completely and said there's nothing that she would have us work on. He should just keep on from here. He still wants to hold our hand most of the time, but at least he can do it now and it's so fun to watch how proud he gets of himself.

During this time I was able to have my mom and my sister visit. My niece and nephew stayed with us for a few days and my mom was here for a week. We really enjoyed the company and Jonah had so much fun. He especially loved my step-dad, Hal's beard - which was cute.

We got Universal Studio year passes while the family was here and we were able to go two times so far. This last time we got to see the Harry Potter world. Very cool. I actually did the broomstick ride which I guess I shouldn't have as a general rule for pregnant ladies - but Dwight checked it out first and we decided it wasn't any worse than an airplane ride - : ). Loved it! I probably wont go on it again til the baby comes - but that's why we have the year passes! Can't wait to go again, especially when it's not so crazy busy.

Speaking of the baby- he's (or she's) doing great! 18 weeks now! We heard a very strong heartbeat at our last appt. I've felt him move a little bit lately - that's always so fun. And in two weeks on July 1st we'll get to see him in an ultrasound again! Hopefully we'll know then if we should say 'he' or she' : )

Also, I'm in a play right now. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I'm just in the chorus, but the plan is to do enough of these that people in the area know me well enough to eventually let me have a bigger part. In the meantime - it's way fun and I'm getting to meet a lot of great people. I'm so glad Dwight supports me being in these community musicals. I forgot how much I miss them!

Dwight's doing good - loves his job, loves Jonah and had a wonderful Father's Day! He got accepted into the program with NASA that will pay for his schooling so we wont have to use his GI Bill and dig into savings to make up the rest - Master's are expensive! He starts in August so our freetime will be limited for a few years, but it will be worth it in the end. His first finals are the week after the baby is due so we can already see how crazy life is going to be. Good times ahead!

So that's what's going on with this Renshaw clan - business as usual! Life is mostly full of watching Jonah grow and falling more in love with him all the time. He is the sweetest, funnest little guy. I'm so sad I lost all those pictures of him - but I don't think my memories will ever get lost...hopefully : )
Hopefully one of these days I'll blog regularly and wont have to condense months worth of fun into one posting. But really, why do I do this anyway - mostly for me to write memories down and if anyone happens to run across it - they can enjoy my reminiscing. My next goal - journaling! Sure wish I was better at that...