After what seemed like a pretty good nap for Grace, maybe an hour, Erin and I heard her calling for us to come into the bedroom. It was cloudy outside so the room was unusually dark, but it didn't take long for me to notice that Grace's face was entirely black. After a closer look it was clear that Grace's "quiet time" during her nap, didn't involve her sleeping, but her applying an entire tube of Erin's mascara over the entire surface of her face.
Literally, nothing was left uncovered. From chin to cheek, lips, and nose, all were black. Since Grace isn't allowed out of her bed during nap time before the buzzer goes off (that's another story) I knew I shouldn't laugh at her. My only option was to leave the room and crack up outside. I sent Erin in and she managed to keep a strait face long enough to tell Grace to get in the shower. Knowing she was already in trouble, Grace wasted no time. Before we knew it the shower was on and Grace was inside soaking wet with all of her clothes still on.
At this point, Erin, being the loving wife she is, went to the mall, abandoning me to a soaking wet two year old, standing fully dressed in a shower, covered in mascara. Now it was just the two of us. I got in the shower with my best scrub cloth and prepared for war. Erin warned me it wouldn't be easy to get off, but I wasn't intimidated. When I stepped in the shower, however, Grace made it as clear as she possibly could that she couldn't deal with the issue at hand because she had to put on her swimming pool goggles.
As I looked down at the beaming smile of my two year old girl, swimming goggles on, covered and dripping in black mascara, fully dressed in wet red shirt, I could only smile back and think to myself, it doesn't get better than this.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Ella Wagner Turns Two
Ever wonder what happens when two football playing buddies from highschool each have two little girls and no boys? The video below will demonstrate the outcome. They have melted under the precious sunshine of baby girls... and they become toe nail painting doting daddies. It is pretty adorable to watch. This video is from our Goddaughter Ella's second birthday. Grace and Ella are great friends and love playing with their daddy's together. Dave I hope this doesn't ruin your reputation from being an All-American lacrosse player and record setting linebacker... well if it does it was well worth it!
You two are awesome dads!
Happy Birthday Ella!!!
You two are awesome dads!
Happy Birthday Ella!!!
It is hard for them to turn these little girls down... even when they want to paint their daddys' toenails'....
Friday, August 29, 2008
Sisters
Watching Grace fall in love with her baby sister and watching Karis begin to recognize her big sister is one of the sweetest aspects of my day as a mom. We are so busy but this only reminds us that it is because we have been so blessed.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
When Grace was placed in my arms for the first time a shocking joy instantly overwhelmed me. There was nothing in my life that came close to this pressing feeling of responsiblity and hope for the future. Karis' arrival was different in so many ways and the emotions were same but the experience of them was less instantaneous. At first I was getting past the shocking pain of a natural and very rapid labor. The pain was quickly overtaken by shock because she was a girl and not a boy. I had prepared for months to have a baby boy. We absolutely love little girls so this was a very happy shock but a shock none the less.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Karis Maria
We have had a busy but wonderful three weeks as a family of four! Karis is still a great sleeper and Grace is a very loving big sister. I feel extremely thankful for a easy recovery and smooth transition so far. We wanted to share this album from the delivery:
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Karis Maria Tate
The whole experience of having our second baby went pretty much as planned apart from a few minor details (gender of the baby, name of baby…small stuff).
Erin first told me she was in labor at 5:30 Saturday morning. My heart jumped for a split second, and then I remembered that my wife has longer labors than any land mammal on the planet. As I lade in bed thinking about how I’d spend the next thirty-six hours I quickly came to the conclusion that I would need as much sleep as possible, and that concerning myself with petty “pre-labor” contractions would be a waste of valuable energy that I would need for later.
After eight hours, which included going to Kayla and Brianna’s lacrosse game in ninety degree weather, there were still no changes in Erin’s contractions. I realized it would probably be a late-night delivery. Once again, sleep would be imperative in order for me to go through such an ordeal. At 2:30 in the afternoon Erin went to the mall with Nicole Marino which provided me with the chance for some much needed shut-eye. I put Grace down for her nap as soon as she left. We prayed for baby together and then we dozed off together for about two hours in good old fashioned cuddle mode.
Erin came home from the mall around 4:30, contractions picked up, and within an hour her water broke. By 6:30 we were in some seriously intense labor with only a couple minutes between each contraction. This was my cue to start packing. Actually, Erin had already packed (good thing). Erin, her sister Sarah, and I arrived at the birthing center at 7:00 P.M. It took half an hour just getting into the birthing room due the intensity of Erin’s labor.
For nearly five months Erin had been telling me that we were going to have a boy. We tried not to find out the gender during her sonogram, but when we looked at the pictures, we were all sure we had a little boy and that he was doing quite well for himself. As it turned out, however, what we had thought were some healthy man parts turned out to be cute little girl legs. At 8:27 P.M, Karis Maria Tate was born. 8lbs, 21 inches, real real cute.
Apparently, because Erin didn’t use an epidermal or any pain medicine, the noises coming from the birthing room had a deeply troubling affect on Steve, Erin’s dad. The faces he made in the waiting room might have made you think he was in labor too. The midwives even asked if he was o.k. Erin also gave birth to Karis in a bath tub, which, in Steve’s mind had never been attempted by humans before. We tried to reassure him that crazier things have been done in giving birth, and that the midwives (whom he’d thought only existed in ancient Judaism) knew what they were doing.
Amazingly, since we were at a birthing center instead of a hospital, we were allowed to leave whenever we wanted. Somehow, Erin was able to walk out on her own at 11:45…a little more then three hours after delivery. It seemed like a bad idea at the time, but then again, it did mean a full nights sleep for me which was very much needed after such a long day with only one two hour nap. As it turns out, though, sleep is kind of the theme of this little girls life so far. Unlike Grace, who seemed determined to walk home from the hospital on her own two feet, Karis is content being our little sleeping baby. Her first twenty four hours saw no more then two hours of daylight. I joined her on much of this sleep of course, so, to say the least I’m kind of feeling like a joke.
God amazing provided for us with this new birth. Erin’s sister especially has loved us incredibly over the past twenty four hours. It’s nice having a labor and delivery nurse stay with you after having a baby. The powerful images I witnessed yesterday; of being delivered from a place of darkness to a place of light, through the blood and sacrifice of another, has impressed on my own heart, once again, the work of Christ in redeeming us. The best part of the picture for me, as Karis has shown me, is that in Christ we’ve been delivered into a place of loving rest. Rest in Christ and know that we are loved.
In Him, Jeremy and Erin
Erin first told me she was in labor at 5:30 Saturday morning. My heart jumped for a split second, and then I remembered that my wife has longer labors than any land mammal on the planet. As I lade in bed thinking about how I’d spend the next thirty-six hours I quickly came to the conclusion that I would need as much sleep as possible, and that concerning myself with petty “pre-labor” contractions would be a waste of valuable energy that I would need for later.
After eight hours, which included going to Kayla and Brianna’s lacrosse game in ninety degree weather, there were still no changes in Erin’s contractions. I realized it would probably be a late-night delivery. Once again, sleep would be imperative in order for me to go through such an ordeal. At 2:30 in the afternoon Erin went to the mall with Nicole Marino which provided me with the chance for some much needed shut-eye. I put Grace down for her nap as soon as she left. We prayed for baby together and then we dozed off together for about two hours in good old fashioned cuddle mode.
Erin came home from the mall around 4:30, contractions picked up, and within an hour her water broke. By 6:30 we were in some seriously intense labor with only a couple minutes between each contraction. This was my cue to start packing. Actually, Erin had already packed (good thing). Erin, her sister Sarah, and I arrived at the birthing center at 7:00 P.M. It took half an hour just getting into the birthing room due the intensity of Erin’s labor.
For nearly five months Erin had been telling me that we were going to have a boy. We tried not to find out the gender during her sonogram, but when we looked at the pictures, we were all sure we had a little boy and that he was doing quite well for himself. As it turned out, however, what we had thought were some healthy man parts turned out to be cute little girl legs. At 8:27 P.M, Karis Maria Tate was born. 8lbs, 21 inches, real real cute.
Apparently, because Erin didn’t use an epidermal or any pain medicine, the noises coming from the birthing room had a deeply troubling affect on Steve, Erin’s dad. The faces he made in the waiting room might have made you think he was in labor too. The midwives even asked if he was o.k. Erin also gave birth to Karis in a bath tub, which, in Steve’s mind had never been attempted by humans before. We tried to reassure him that crazier things have been done in giving birth, and that the midwives (whom he’d thought only existed in ancient Judaism) knew what they were doing.
Amazingly, since we were at a birthing center instead of a hospital, we were allowed to leave whenever we wanted. Somehow, Erin was able to walk out on her own at 11:45…a little more then three hours after delivery. It seemed like a bad idea at the time, but then again, it did mean a full nights sleep for me which was very much needed after such a long day with only one two hour nap. As it turns out, though, sleep is kind of the theme of this little girls life so far. Unlike Grace, who seemed determined to walk home from the hospital on her own two feet, Karis is content being our little sleeping baby. Her first twenty four hours saw no more then two hours of daylight. I joined her on much of this sleep of course, so, to say the least I’m kind of feeling like a joke.
God amazing provided for us with this new birth. Erin’s sister especially has loved us incredibly over the past twenty four hours. It’s nice having a labor and delivery nurse stay with you after having a baby. The powerful images I witnessed yesterday; of being delivered from a place of darkness to a place of light, through the blood and sacrifice of another, has impressed on my own heart, once again, the work of Christ in redeeming us. The best part of the picture for me, as Karis has shown me, is that in Christ we’ve been delivered into a place of loving rest. Rest in Christ and know that we are loved.
In Him, Jeremy and Erin
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Baby Tate is Coming!
We are in the early stages of labor. We ask for your prayers during these following days. Erin and Baby are doing very well. Thanks for all the support during this pregnancy.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
From Jeremy about Grace
Hey friends,
Recently we've run into a strange problem in our typical nightly routine. Typically, we eat dinner, give Grace a bath, get her PJ's on, and then we read the Jesus story book Bible. Every night we're excited for Grace to hear more about Jesus and how much He loves her. Grace, however, has taken a liking to a different character. Moses you guess? Noah? Maybe one of the twelve Apostles? Not for this 23 month old. Her favorite is Goliath. Yes every night, as Erin and I try to lovingly move her on to the others stories, Grace pat-pat's Goliath, kisses Goliath, and smiles at him as he threatens to annihilate the Israelites. When we read about Isaiah or somebody else she starts to cry and through her tears says only one thing...Goliath...want Goliath. We've almost given up the battle. Every time we read about his promise to slaughter whoever comes to face him, her little face just lights up like Christmas morning. It's cute in an extremely disturbing kind of way. I've given her my best theological arguments concerning how truly evil he is. I feel like the father of an 18 year old, trying to convince my daughter to dump her jerk boyfriend. "Really Grace, He's not good for you." So far, all the efforts have been in vain. Thankfully though, the Jesus Story Book Bible leaves out the part where David decapitates Goliath. That might have been a little much for Grace to deal with. She thinks he just goes to sleep at the end of the story with a boo-boo on his forehead. I'll keep you updated. - Jeremy
Recently we've run into a strange problem in our typical nightly routine. Typically, we eat dinner, give Grace a bath, get her PJ's on, and then we read the Jesus story book Bible. Every night we're excited for Grace to hear more about Jesus and how much He loves her. Grace, however, has taken a liking to a different character. Moses you guess? Noah? Maybe one of the twelve Apostles? Not for this 23 month old. Her favorite is Goliath. Yes every night, as Erin and I try to lovingly move her on to the others stories, Grace pat-pat's Goliath, kisses Goliath, and smiles at him as he threatens to annihilate the Israelites. When we read about Isaiah or somebody else she starts to cry and through her tears says only one thing...Goliath...want Goliath. We've almost given up the battle. Every time we read about his promise to slaughter whoever comes to face him, her little face just lights up like Christmas morning. It's cute in an extremely disturbing kind of way. I've given her my best theological arguments concerning how truly evil he is. I feel like the father of an 18 year old, trying to convince my daughter to dump her jerk boyfriend. "Really Grace, He's not good for you." So far, all the efforts have been in vain. Thankfully though, the Jesus Story Book Bible leaves out the part where David decapitates Goliath. That might have been a little much for Grace to deal with. She thinks he just goes to sleep at the end of the story with a boo-boo on his forehead. I'll keep you updated. - Jeremy
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Mercy in Uganda
Please view this clip from NBC nightly news if you have two minutes,
Obviously, Uganda is near to my heart after spending some time there this past summer. It is actually a success story in the fight against AIDs however, the children are still bearing many grievous consequences of a nearly an entire generation lost to the disease.
If you are interested in how you can help please click on the "fount of Mercy" link on the left side of this page.
Obviously, Uganda is near to my heart after spending some time there this past summer. It is actually a success story in the fight against AIDs however, the children are still bearing many grievous consequences of a nearly an entire generation lost to the disease.
If you are interested in how you can help please click on the "fount of Mercy" link on the left side of this page.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Grace and her Baby
Christmas 2007- February 2008 107
Originally uploaded by erintate41
Grace takes very good care of her baby!
Grace and Brianna
Christmas 2007- February 2008 026
Originally uploaded by erintate41
Grace at Christmas with cousin Brianna
Christmas 2007- February 2008 054
Christmas 2007- February 2008 054
Originally uploaded by erintate41
This is a little late to post but, here is a sibling and significant others photo.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Obama
If you ask Grace, our twenty-two month old, who she wants to win for president she will emphatically wave her fist in the air and shout OOOO bam a!! For a while I have been hesitant to voice my support of one candidate because I don't like to cause tension. I know I have many many wonderful friends with the opposite political persuasions that I hold. However, I am not going to hold back on this one. After finishing his book and following the campaign closely I whole-heartedly support Barack OOO bam a! I know he is not a perfect person and I hold no delusions that he will be the perfect president that we all hope for, no such person exists. However, I do believe he is inspiring so many that have lost hope or fallen cynical. Please take a look at this video clip.
www.dipdive.com
I was inspired to stop being a chicken about my views by my dear friend who is the granddaughter of a republican president and supports Obama. If she can be brave enough to be vocal than I definitely can! I must say, she has always been much braver than me.
P.S. I promise to post more about our life and less about politics. I am just really excited about this.
www.dipdive.com
I was inspired to stop being a chicken about my views by my dear friend who is the granddaughter of a republican president and supports Obama. If she can be brave enough to be vocal than I definitely can! I must say, she has always been much braver than me.
P.S. I promise to post more about our life and less about politics. I am just really excited about this.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The Iowa Caucuses
Jeremy and I were debating last night about what a caucus really is. We both should know this seeing as how he taught U.S. politics and I minored in it however, it is tricky to understand and apparently details from college are a little fuzzy. I will blame that on baby brain. Well, instead of rambling I will get to the point. Tomorrow are the Iowa Caucuses. Apparently, the Democratic caucus is like sorority rush. You walk around from "interest group" to "interest group" trying to decide which group, or in this case, candidate will best match your values and interest. In both a campaign and a sorority rush the experience can be quite shallow and selfish. However, if we stop, as responsible citizens and decide which candidate is best for the entire country then the experience can be less shallow than rushing a sorority. Now, when it comes to the other elections they are not in this caucus style but I still urge all of us to take the time to think about which candidates are best for those who are among the least in our country. As a Christian I believe at the very least we should be trying to understand who will champion the causes of the least among us, (I don't think this always means I will vote for the candidate who can talk the Christian language. After all a Christian vocabulary and a Christian life are often quite divergent). Now, I believe that is a very complex question to search the answer too. I describe myself as a pro-life democrat. However, in this election I am all over the board. I challenge each of you to do some research, if you have not already, and really think through who will look out for the meek.
I am not endorsing one candidate. I am not even sure who I will vote for but here are some of those who have really impressed me:
Barack Obama:
Early Childhood Education: from his website
* "Zero to Five Plan: Obama's comprehensive "Zero to Five" plan will provide critical support to young children and their parents. Unlike other early childhood education plans, Obama's plan places key emphasis at early care and education for infants, which is essential for children to be ready to enter kindergarten. Obama will create Early Learning Challenge Grants to promote state "zero to five" efforts and help states move toward voluntary, universal pre-school."
Reform No Child Left Behind: "Obama will reform NCLB, which starts by funding the law. Obama believes teachers should not be forced to spend the academic year preparing students to fill in bubbles on standardized tests. He will improve the assessments used to track student progress to measure readiness for college and the workplace and improve student learning in a timely, individualized manner. Obama will also improve NCLB's accountability system so that we are supporting schools that need improvement, rather than punishing them."
This is an issue Jeremy and I have talked about and lived through after teaching high school and Elementary School in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn.
Mike Huckabee
#" I believe that every child should have the opportunity for a quality education that teaches the fundamental skills needed to compete in a global economy."
# Music and the arts are not extraneous, extra-curricular, or expendable - I believe they are essential. I want to provide every child these "Weapons of Mass Instruction." from his website
"I opposed the teachers' union and got the Fair Dismissal Law passed, which allowed us to terminate poorly performing teachers. To attract top talent, I raised teachers' salaries from among the lowest in the nation to among the most competitive. I created systems to make our schools accountable to both parents and taxpayers by insisting on transparency in how money is spent, efficiency in putting money into classroom programs rather than administrative costs, and clear responsibility of all employees for the tasks assigned to them".
I am not endorsing one candidate. I am not even sure who I will vote for but here are some of those who have really impressed me:
Barack Obama:
Early Childhood Education: from his website
* "Zero to Five Plan: Obama's comprehensive "Zero to Five" plan will provide critical support to young children and their parents. Unlike other early childhood education plans, Obama's plan places key emphasis at early care and education for infants, which is essential for children to be ready to enter kindergarten. Obama will create Early Learning Challenge Grants to promote state "zero to five" efforts and help states move toward voluntary, universal pre-school."
Reform No Child Left Behind: "Obama will reform NCLB, which starts by funding the law. Obama believes teachers should not be forced to spend the academic year preparing students to fill in bubbles on standardized tests. He will improve the assessments used to track student progress to measure readiness for college and the workplace and improve student learning in a timely, individualized manner. Obama will also improve NCLB's accountability system so that we are supporting schools that need improvement, rather than punishing them."
This is an issue Jeremy and I have talked about and lived through after teaching high school and Elementary School in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn.
Mike Huckabee
#" I believe that every child should have the opportunity for a quality education that teaches the fundamental skills needed to compete in a global economy."
# Music and the arts are not extraneous, extra-curricular, or expendable - I believe they are essential. I want to provide every child these "Weapons of Mass Instruction." from his website
"I opposed the teachers' union and got the Fair Dismissal Law passed, which allowed us to terminate poorly performing teachers. To attract top talent, I raised teachers' salaries from among the lowest in the nation to among the most competitive. I created systems to make our schools accountable to both parents and taxpayers by insisting on transparency in how money is spent, efficiency in putting money into classroom programs rather than administrative costs, and clear responsibility of all employees for the tasks assigned to them".
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