God Bless Henry... and Vivian too!

 “We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him.” – I Samuel 1:27


Henry Phillip was baptized today by Pastor David Smith at the First Presbyterian Church in Hartford City, IN.


We started our day off right with some major coffee--- I drank a little yesterday and today both, and so far, no complaints from the little one in the milk production department. :)
Nick had the news on and he and Henry snuggled up and flipped between that and Sportscenter while Vivian and I got ready for church. Vivian was excited to wear her butterfly dress. We picked it out the other day and she laid everything out last night to be ready. She enjoys going to the HC church because they have a huge kids care room with toys. She calls First Pres "kid church." (She has not been as fond of Grace Evangelical Lutheran where we go in Muncie since they don't offer that during the service as children are encouraged to stay in the sanctuary with their parents.) So going to HC was a huge treat for her.

Henry wore a beautiful christening outfit. Mom found it in a new kids store in Frankfort and Grandma and Grandpa Oyler are the ones who gifted him with it. It is soft and warm and he was very comfortable all day. (Although he changed around 3pm for a nap.)

All our old friends and church family members were so gracious and warm to us. It was our decision to ask David if he would baptize Henry, for two reasons: one, because he has performed every other important ceremony in our lives: marriage and Vivian's baptism; and two, because we haven't been attending the Lutheran church long enough to feel like it is our new home. We wanted that homey feeling when Henry was baptized, and we had it. Thank you, Pastor David!

After church, our whole family drove back to Muncie and went to Red Lobster (YUM!). Nick wanted RL because of the shrimp linguine alfredo, and lucky him, it was ENDLESS SHRIMP promotion time!

We got a cake in honor of the occasion for dessert (any excuse to have a cake...) and it was delicious. I even had a coupon for $2 off the cake when I bought it. (Woot woot!)

Those present today: Nick, Jessica, Vivian and Henry Papandria, John Deboy and Kaitlyn French, David Deboy, Mamaw and Papaw Millie (DEBOY) and Mamaw and Papaw Maxie (PAPANDRIA), and Old Mamaw and Papaw Kochmar (Bob and Ruth.)

Nick and I are insanely jealous of both my parents and Bob and Ruth as they are on their way to Florida. We are hoping to go down for Spring Break time to enjoy some beach weather. Vivian can't wait to 'show baby brudder the ocean.'

What a glorious day! :) 





Hamster Placed in Protective Custody... Really?

Reading the news this morning on various web pages... found this hilarious story. Enjoy!


Hamster placed in protective custody after owner arrested on DUI charges

Frighteningly Good Finger Painting

Since I'm on maternity leave, Vivian is obviously not going to preschool. Hartford City is 30 minutes away, and we are not paying for gas to drive her there and back each week. So, we have had to get creative around here to keep her occupied and involved.

Today I branched out into unknown territory: Finger Paints. The phrase scares me, but then I thought about it a little more, and figured our house is pretty much destroyed half the time anyway, so what more is some paint?

I remember being a little girl and staying at Grandma Oyler's over the summer, and finger painting was one of the fun things we did together. She is a crafty lady and I always liked to do that sort of thing with her.

I looked around on the internet to find a recipe for homemade finger paint, since I don't keep those types of items just lying around. Here is what we found:

Homemade Finger Paint


1 cup cornstarch

4 tablespoons sugar

4 cups cold water

1/2 cup clear liquid dish soap

food coloring

plastic containers with lids

In a saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch, sugar, and cold water. Over medium low heat, cook and stir until thickened and slightly bubbly.

Remove from heat and stir in dish soap.

Let cool 30 minutes.

Divide paint into plastic containers and add food coloring to each container as desired.


So far so good with the recipe. At first I was like, "Dish soap? What?" but I guess it's good to make it easy to clean up. Whatever. Vivian pulled a chair up next to me by the stove while I made the paint. I had to stir it pretty much constantly for a good 10 minutes to make sure it thickened up correctly. Viv had her own saucepan and whisk to 'pretend' stir her own mixture.

Anyway, the finger paints turned out ok. They looked like frosting for sugar cookies to me, however, the dish soap ingredient served as a deterrent so I wouldn't eat them. :)

We made painted a spooky house and a big jack-o-lantern. Vivian seemed to really enjoy herself. We put lids on the leftover paint and stuck it in the fridge. I guess it keeps for about 3 weeks, so we will be painting again here soon.

Lt. Col. Henry P. Fussybritches & Scotcharoos

No, I won't have a sugar rush later!

Well yesterday and today have been quite eventful. At least, eventful for a mommy and two little ones. Yesterday Vivian and I made yummy scotcharoos - Daddy's favorite - and Vivian's as well, since she gets to lick the chocolate spoons.

The scotcharoos were a replacement batch after the first was mysteriously eaten during the 2nd Presidential debate by someone...

Today, Mamaw Millie came over again today to help out. Vivian was excited to see someone other than Mommy for the day. Mommy was excited to see another adult. :)

Henry has been quite the little fussybritches today and last night. I think it was due to some tasty meatloaf with onion powder and lots of ketchup. Maybe that didn't sit well with him? I thought it was great (at the time!)

Henry will be baptized this Sunday. We are happy to have Pastor David of First Presbyterian agree to perform the service. Dave has served as the pastor for our wedding and baptized Vivian as well.

Mamaw Millie and her two best grandbabies.

 Tonight we are having fun watching Big Bang Theory with Daddy, and are looking forward to watching Notre Dame play BYU this Saturday.

Must be careful about rooting against BYU... that's where Mitt Romney went for his undergrad. :)


Lt. Col. Henry P. Fussybritches




Vivian Jane (She was pretending to be Sleeping Beauty today.)

Welcome Henry Phillip

Our newest addition was born September 12, 2012 at 7:34 am at Ball Hospital in Muncie. Henry Phillip Papandria weighed 7lbs 14 oz. and was 20 inches long. He is beautiful and we couldn't be more proud. Vivian is so excited to have a new baby brother, or as she says, "baby brudder." 


Henry Phillip Papandria ~ 9/12/12

 Henry came home with us on September 13, and we are adjusting to our new family. He has gained weight- he is now 10.5 lbs!
Vivian has been a big help, and at this point, still gets excited when it is time to change a diaper. She wants to 'help' get out the wipes and even volunteers to throw away the stinky diapers.
Mamaw Millie has been at our house quite a bit since Henry was born, and we are so thankful for her help in keeping us fed and our laundry somewhat done.
I'm taking 12 weeks off from school, and enjoying every moment. Nick was able to be home for a week with us but has now returned to work.
Henry and Vivian are our gifts from God.
"Children are a reward from Him..." ~ Psalm 127:3

Pumpkin Patch 2012

Our family visited a local farm on Saturday to pick out pumpkins to carve for Halloween. Vivian especially enjoyed riding in the wagon, and looking at the spooky ghosts, or as she called them, "goats." We have a great time and made it home just in time to watch Notre Dame escape with a win over Stanford!

One week left

Only one week left until school begins and Vivian has to go to daycare. I am sad about being separated from her, but also happy to be going back to work. I think I am fortunate to love my job and to be happy in my current position. It's not that bad compared to what others have told me.

She is growing and learning more everyday, and we fall more in love with her every day as well. What a wonderful little girl I have... she is beautiful and sweet and cuddly... God has blessed us so much with this little miracle. I pray I can continue to be a good mother to her. :)

Prayers for my brother and the Overtones this week as they are in Romania on a mission trip.