Three Years

I never really buy it when people say they have no regrets. Yes, you do. Everyone has regrets. And don't give the line about things working out the way they are supposed to so you wouldn't change a thing. I have regrets. About things that I have said or things that I haven't said; people I have been mean to and people I have ignored; the list goes on.

HOWEVER, I do not regret the heartache of relationships gone awry. I do not regret the hours I spent praying for a husband to love me and love the Lord. I do not regret all the tears and time on the couch eating ice cream. I do not regret watching my friends get married one by one and trying to wait patiently for my turn. I do not regret one single moment of any of that because I know the reason.

It was so that I could spend my life with Ross. I often wonder why this soft-spoken, curly haired, intelligent, wonderful man picked me. And since I can't figure it out, I am just extremely grateful. So, Ross thank you for picking me. Thank you for loving my loud mouth and opinionated self. You are such a calming presence in my life and I am so proud of the moment I walked down that aisle towards you.

He never even reads this blog by the way :) Apparently the news is way more interesting. Oh well, I will shout it to whoever will listen.

I have been pregnant two out of our three anniversaries. HMMM. Yep, we are expecting again. We have been so blessed and we are just thrilled. Amelia is so thrilled she has chosen not to nap today. I was really looking forward to an "Anniversary" nap, but that is not happening.

Ross gave me BEAUTIFUL white roses this morning and a card---I will post a picture later, must go because Yo Gabba Gabba is over.

White Water

I was nervous-imagine that-about taking Amelia to WW. You know, the schedule being messed up and a water park for hours and paying that much to get in and on and on. And she just went with the flow-imagine that-and was a doll. Ross and I decided that we would try to get her to take a nap in the cabana we all rented and if it didn't work that we would just let her keep playing until she had a meltdown. The nap didn't pan out (but way to go Reed and Owen for snoozing on the go) so we let her keep playing. At three, I made the executive decision that we had been there too long and that sparked the meltdown. She kept screaming "NOOO" and "WAAAATAAAHH" but the drama was all encouraged by her lack of nap. Miss Amelia fell asleep as we walked to the car.

She loved the water pouring out and stuck her head under it several times, but was not happy when the water got in her eyes. Umm hard to avoid when you stick your head under there sweetie.




This tunnel was a favorite of hers even though it had very little to do with the water. Of course when Deacon was on the other end, squeals of delight ensued.





Apparently I have no pics of the other kids at White Water and very few of Amelia. I was watching her every second on the wet concrete and trying to hold her hand, etc. My normal spaz self made it hard to get a good picture. She did eat a piece of pizza which blew my mind. I had Ross document it.



And we got a family pic too during lunch. So sweet. (We told Amelia to look up, but she wasn't sure where ha)


Amy, Andrea, and I


One thing that I love about White Water is how people wear whatever they want. I love that a three hundred pound lady feels comfortable rocking out a flag bikini. There are some bathing suits that I saw and thought, Never in a million years... But at the same time, I am thinking, Good for you. Whatever floats your boat. Or rocks your wave pool.


It was a fantastic day and thank goodness for swim shirts. I thought they were so dorky, until I had a kid. Now, I love them and am so thankful that they help protect her little shoulders. Thanks friends for a great weekend :)

Reunited

Our LR friends came to Branson and stayed in a condo this weekend and we got to hang out with them--sweet bliss. Amelia was so excited to see Deacon that she couldn't see straight. And I was so excited to see my friends that I couldn't see straight. We had a girls shopping morning on Saturday and that evening the girls and kids all came up to see our new house and the guys went golfing. The kids had a blast in the basement playing. Owen loved Rocky.



Deacon and Stella loved jumping.



Amelia loved trying to hug Reed over and over.



And Reed loved sliding.
Amelia also loved getting tickled by Ashley.


The kids all behaved really well and had a great time together. Mom and Dad drove up at bedtime to watch Amelia so that we could all go back to the condo and play games. Thanks so much for doing that guys! We had a blast playing Nerts and got home around midnight. We jumped into bed to rest up for White Water the next day. I will post about it tomorrow but here is a peek at two cuties in their bathing suits before we got started.

Also, stay tuned for pics of all the hot mama's in their suits. Ashley--I have some great ones of you that I will post since you requested some bikini shots :)

Toughie

I wasn't going to make this post, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it was needed. Life with Amelia is fun. Yes, it is tiring and she is entering the fit stage and there have been several hitting incidents followed by time-out and more hitting. But, it is insanely fun to play with her and watch her learn and grow.

However, it is scary too. And this week Amelia took a bad fall down seven stairs. It is hard to even type out because I can't really talk about it. I just recall her tumbling over and over and I couldn't stop her. I was one mili-second behind the fall and couldn't stop her. It was an accident. Everyone has accidents. But, this really shook me up and to be honest, I am still shaken by it. I just want to post about it because in my heart, I know how careful I am with Amelia. Over-protective is the word that most would give, yet here she was, tumbling down the stairs.

She was running through the living room and flinging herself against the couch. I was cracking up because it was funny and she was showing off. She did this several more times and ran the opposite way from the couch. I remember thinking, Man she is running fast. With no couch to stop her, she tried to catch herself on the baby gate. I am up at this point, but it was too late. All her weight was on the baby gate and it flew open and she stumbled and rolled down seven stairs coming to a hard plop at the end. It was terrifying. It is still scary. The gate was not properly latched at the bottom and that is why it gave way with her weight--my fault, as I was the last one up from downstairs. I cried all night. She cried about two minutes, ate a grape popsicle and played in the sprinkler. That night I could not shake this fear of what might have been with that fall. What if it had been at our apartment? Fourteen stairs and a tile bottom? What if she had lost consciousness? What if she had broken her arm or leg?

And then, I was reminded of that ever present truth that I cannot seem to grasp. Heather, you are not in control. Any of those what if's could have happened and God still would have been in control. I will continue to do my best to protect Amelia from scrapes and bruises and head bumps. As she gets older I will strive to protect her from hurt feelings and heartache. And as she is even older still, I will work endlessly to make things go right for her. But, she will still fall. Her heart will still break, and things will still not always work out as she plans them.

I realize there are many praises in this situation and the main one is that I was with her. If Ross had been in the living room and I had heard her rolling down the stairs, I would have lost it. It would have been ugly and I would not have understood it to be an accident. This has been a big wake up call for me. I also have kept Amelia close the last few days and held her every second. She is calling herself a "bay bee" and smiling. Ha.

Bottom line--Thank you Lord for protecting Amelia and showing me how little I have to do with making the Earth go round. I love this little girl more than I ever envisioned loving anything or anyone. I might carry her until she can drive :) Thanks for letting me share.

G and Pa

Started typing this last night and fell asleep. Surprise, surprise. I am seriously a drag after Amelia goes to bed.

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Today after some fun swimming at Aunt Jen's pool (and mom forgetting diapers and Amelia peeing all over Aunt Jen's carpet--twice) we came home just in time for a surprise visit from G and Pa. I don't think that Amelia could believe all the fun that was crammed in today. She did a lot of G and Pa stuff this evening like water flowers and sneak by the neighbor's fence to see the bunnies.

They left right at bed time and she was exhausted. Gammy came up on Tuesday to see her, and Gammy and Aunt Steph are coming up tomorrow, so she is feeling pretty special this week. It is so nice to live one hour from family :) Have I mentioned that I love my house?

And, some extra special news--Amelia gets to see all her Little Rock friends this weekend! Deacon, Owen, Reed, and Stella are all coming to Branson to stay for the weekend. Ten adults and five one year olds take over White Water. Yikes. It will be great to see everyone and hopefully I can get some good pictures of the fun.

Lots of Happy

I'm a day late, but.....

Happy Father's Day! I have a great dad and I always prayed that I would marry someone who would treat me the way my dad treats my mom AND would be a loving father to our children. For a while, it seemed like such a tall order that I was fearful the Lord would not provide. Silly of me. Because he did provide and Ross is a wonderful father to Amelia. He is caring and hands-on and talks in silly voices and changes a lot of diapers :) It makes me proud to see how quickly he adjusted to being her Daddy. Not gonna lie--I really wondered that first moment when he held her and let her head flop all around. :)


We had a fun Father's Day lunch and then headed back home to go to another resident event. Amelia and I were able to go to this one and it was...fun. I hesitate because no one in Ross's class has kids. Some are single and a few are very NEWlywed. So, we are just at a different stage than anyone in the group. I had to bring Amelia's toys over and watch her around all the stairs and breakable things and was honestly exhausted when we left. I didn't get to visit with anyone really and left feeling a little downtrodden. My theory on friendships with children is as follows. If you are true friends with someone( I am talking a deep, lasting friendship), when they have a child you will take an interest in that child because you so love the couple and naturally love whatever is theirs. Most of those friendships will not change. However, couples with no children are not going to generally seek out couples with children to befriend. It just makes no sense to do so. All of this to say--I had romanticized the idea of becoming BEST friends for life with some of Ross's classmates and it is safe to say that is probably not going to happen. However, I think they will be great people for him to work with. That was exhausting, huh?

I groveled to Amy after this cookout and she sent me love from Little Rock and I went to bed much less stressed. And thankfully for Ross, I stopped theorizing.

Another Happy-- Happy 16 Months Amelia Claire!


-Amelia is talking up a storm. Most of what she says is just a repeat of what others are saying and it is hilarious. Some of my favorites are caterpillar, more, thank you, uncle d, ally, and bug.

- She is still tiny, but has tons of energy. No weight or height stats because we haven't found a pediatrician here yet. The eating is...going. She eats in spurts. Today she ate not one single bite for lunch and cried until I got her out of her highchair. She just isn't hungry a lot of the time. Snacks are something she will never turn down though ha. Ritz, Goldfish, graham crackers, cereal, etc. She still prefers baby food to any table food.

- The sleeping situation has improved so drastically. I am beyond grateful for the fact that she will sleep in her Pack N Play during the night (crib just never worked for some reason) and for most naps. She sleeps better and so do I!

- Her personality is seemingly an equal blend of Ross and I. She is very contemplative and studies things carefully. When she first meets someone that is really trying to get to know her, she shies away. Those are very Ross. But, she is animated and a ham around people she knows and knows how to throw a fit when something doesn't go her way. If all attention is on her, then all is right in the world. If you look away or try to talk to someone else, umm no. That is her Mom.

- She understands most of what I say and I am amazed at how we communicate during the day. I can almost always figure out what she wants and it is becoming more and more fun to hang out together :)

Happy Fun Spot. While Dad was on vacation, Mom and Dad found this awesome place in Branson that is a mere three dollars and was so fun for Amelia. We met them there and Amelia enjoyed the activities, games, slide, and balls for a good two and a half hours. Thanks for the discovery Mom and Dad--super fun morning. Did I mention--three dollars????
Yep. Long winded tonight.

One more happy. Ingrid will be here in two weeks. I am so excited to meet her. Oh, and my sister looks like this almost 40 weeks pregnant. Yeah, amazing.

William and Walker-- Fun Times Two

Amy Jo drove up for a play date today and I was so tickled. She is the first friend from home to come see me and I couldn't wait for her and the boys to get here. We played inside since it was so hot, but eventually caved and busted out the sprinkle mat and little pool.

Walker loved Amelia's little watering can. Isn't he sweet?
Amelia is so fair. I have gotten attached to these swim shirts because her shoulders are the most sensitive. So, even when she has on a cute suit, I put a shirt on her. She obviously could care less what she has on, as long as she is in the sprinkle mat.


Today was the first time that she stuck her face over the water as it was shooting up. She would then run to me drenched and proud.


Will (donning Amelia's pink sunglasses) was concentrating so hard on filling up this bucket. He was really good with the "babies" today.


It was a great morning and after some grilled cheese sandwiches, they headed off for naps and we did the same.

The cookout last night was a no-go for Amelia and I. It was lightning, windy, hailing, raining and we were under a STW right when it was time to leave. I told Ross my child would not be at a park under a pavilion in lightning. He said, "Mine won't be either." Good answer since we share a child. So, he went alone and for the millionth time in my life, weather foiled my plans. He said his classmates were super nice and he was excited to start today. YES--first day at Cox--so proud of him.

Sometimes...

Sometimes, it is super fun to color with your red crayon.

And then pretend to fall down.



Only to pop your head back up and laugh.



Sometimes, this fun will last you a good thirty minutes. Maybe longer if your mama laughs hysterically at you.


Have I mentioned that my preshy poo baby now sleeps in her pack n play for naps and night night? This is still miraculous to me. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness. Whew.

We Made It!

Chillin' before the trip. I was a nervous wreck. Amelia, not so much.
Honestly, I was really nervous about the drive, but I knew we needed to go see family and I knew Mom and Dad had a great attitude about it and lo and behold Amelia did fabulous going to TN. I am really not sure how. The trip took much longer than anticipated due to rain, motorcyclists, and just a ton of traffic. However, we all sang and acted crazy and we made it there with only one small meltdown. The wedding reception was gorgeous and Amelia was crazy about all the dancing. She finally met her cousin Vayda and the two had a ball together.
These two ran around and danced and had a grand time. Amelia only had about a 45 minute nap this day and was still a peach. Honestly I was so proud of her the whole time that I just gushed inside. I kept waiting for a breakdown and it didn't happen. Here I am with the bride and Krissi.

Grandma Cates was tickled to see her great-grandbaby again since it had been quite awhile. She was also tickled to see me :)
After the reception and no nap, we went swimming in my Aunt and Uncle's pool and had so much fun. Amelia's new life jacket was a disaster, so we tried floaties (which almost scared me to death; she seems much too small for floaties) and she did great. Here I am with the two cousins.

Amelia slept in her pack n play in the motel and did wonderful, which is another miracle in itself. She is really growing up. I was bragging on her flexibility and Meme said, "Heather, when will you get it? Amelia always goes with the flow; you are the one who isn't flexible." So true. This trip was a stretch for me, with naps off and bedtime off and in and out of the car and eating in laps, etc. I love schedules. Live for them. But, it went well. Largely thanks to my parents who are so amazing with Amelia that I just sit back in awe. They are great parents and as grandparents, truly out-do themselves. Thanks for a fun trip you two!

Tomorrow is Ross's last day off before he starts at Cox. I will be so sad. I have loved having him home since he graduated. It will really be a rude awakening for Amelia and I that he isn't here all day. He starts with orientation for a few weeks, so his schedule should be easy to begin with. He meets his new co-workers for the first time tomorrow at a picnic Cox is having, so hopefully everyone gets along fabulously.

Tonight we went over to Jen's and played with all the toys she has accumulated for Amelia. Of course Amelia followed Jared around. She swang on the swing Jen bought her and played in a sandbox for the first time. It was a great night and will be so fun to get to see Jen and Jared more than we are used to. Ten minutes to their house sure beats the 4 1/2 from Little Rock.

Road Trip?

We are about to head to Tenn for my cousin's wedding.

We are taking Buzz.

We know good and well she hates the car.

We will check in after about, say, eight hours of traveling.

We are crazy.

WHEE!

Amelia loves to slide and Mom and Dad got her a new slide for our new place. She was very interested in helping Ross assemble it.


And was quite tickled when she was able to stand on top and turn the wheel.

But, when it came to sliding for the first time, she was all business.



It has already provided consecutive minutes of fun (which I am finding is rare for a toddler) and we love it. We also discovered that we love the Farmer's Market--where we went on Saturday with the Hahn's. Asher held Amelia's hand right off the bat and showered her with hugs. There were breads and cinammon rolls and fresh fruit and flowers and soap and all kinds of delightful treats.


Then they showed us a great little park and the kids ran around and had a blast.
Steph had another baby shower on Sunday and it was so fun. She is beautiful and I can't wait to meet that sweet little baby niece. Aunt Heathy is anxious for her to arrive. Here she is with her hostesses.

On a side note, I watched Kate Plus 8 and I have a few things to say. One, I love Kate. I don't care if you don't, but I am so sick of people bashing her for every move she makes. She is doing the show to make MONEY so that she and her family can LIVE. Everyone makes money and this is how she is making hers. I know how hard it is to take care of one child, so the fact that her EIGHT are well-adjusted, funny, and loving life speaks volume. And for the people who choose to side with Jon---my gosh-- just don't take sides at all. Look at what he is in the media for--smoking, dressing like a teen, and dating skanks. But does the media rip him? NO. Okay, I'm done. :)

Water-Logged, Worn Out, and Wonderful

I do declare that today shall be the day I blog regularly again. We have internet finally, and all boxes are unpacked (not put away) so the excuses are all gone. Before we left Harrison for the final move in, my friend Jaimi dropped off these most adorable cookies. Beyond precious and thoughtful, right?

Our very first night in our house we got invited over to Emily and Shelby's (he works at Cox) for a cookout and it was so much fun. The food was delightful and the company was too. Asher was great with Amelia. He showed her all his toys and played great with her. Amelia was, of course, enamored with Asher.

I called around to find a park in Ozark and after a couple of wrong turns, we found the local park here and Amelia had a great time. There is a river trail and we fed the ducks and threw in some rocks. But, her favorite was the swing--hands down.
She also got to use her new sprinkler mat from G and Pa and Ross and I had a blast watching her use it in our new front yard!!! It is her first yard and she is so excited not to have just apartment parking lot to play in.
The next day Jen invited us over to swim at her neighborhood pool and we got to see Jared too! Amelia loved the kiddie pool and the big pool. After about five seconds, she wanted no part of her sweet Pooh floatie from last year, so we will just have to do life jackets it looks like. As Meme said, "She thinks she is three."

And with that my friends, I bid you adieu. I am tired. But, not too tired to say the following. Ross (watching over my shoulder as I type): "What is Adeeayouu?"
Me: "Um, adieu. It means goodbye."
Ross: Dorky laugh