Baby Donkey

Have you ever tried to rock a donkey to sleep? It is quite the challenge. Amelia said "hee haw" for about twenty straight minutes tonight and was laughing and kicking. I kept a straight face through it all, but it is much easier to rock a tiny girl. Then, I was worn out and fell asleep rocking her. I haven't done this in a while, but I woke up all confused, ha. Why are my arms so heavy and my back aching? OH, I am holding a baby donkey.

This weekend was blissful. We just enjoyed family and friends. Nothing better. We drove home for church on Sunday morning and Amelia loved the nursery! She had to be picked up and carried to me to go home. I was so proud of her. Elated really. Ah...it is starting to feel like "our" church. Of course, it is God's and I feel his work being done, but he knows what I mean. To drive an hour home for church (with my not really loving the car child) and then have such a great service was a nice feeling. I will give Amelia credit--she made it all but ten minutes being quite a peach.

That night we made masks, as Amelia had been asking to do since we checked out the mask book at the library. Excuse me, the "maks book." I was an Indian, Ross was a cat, and Amelia was a bird. Fun times.


Oh, and just because I haven't in a while... a Ross story.

Ross: I am going to run to the store now to pick up some milk.
Me: Ok, hurry back.
Ross: Why don't you just come with me?
Me: (dumbfounded) Um...because our child is asleep. And would be left alone...
Ross: (laughing) Oh...yeah.

The most intelligent clueless guy I know :)

Three O'Clock

So, it is obvious that I have been having a hard time with Ross's hours of late and hating when he gets home after supper. Mind you, Ross and Amelia have been doing just fine with his hours and making the most of their time together. Typical. Ha. Anyway, on Tuesday I got a big surprise and Ross got home at THREE in the afternoon. I almost fainted. We whisked off to the zoo for an hour or so and Amelia was most impressed with the goats and the donkey. No pics with the donkey because I feared he would bite off her hand while I was photographing.



Another favorite of hers this time, oddly enough, was the hippo. She kept saying hippo and clapping even though he is really far away and did nothing spectacular. This picture is for you Memer, as I know you love him. A really fun family day in the middle of the week. Yeah.



Then on Wednesday we met Mom, Steph, and Ingrid in Branson for some shopping. I knew it would be a disaster, but I met them anyway ha. To my surprise, Amelia did wonderful for the outing. I tried my new reward strategy. She stays in her stroller for 2-3 stores and then gets to get out and walk on the way to the next one. She was very receptive to the idea and understood that she had to stay in and get pushed around in order to get to walk. Whew. The FIRST time we have had a good shopping trip :) She got some precious new fall clothes!! Great sales in Branson right now. Ingrid was a champ of course. That kid is a shopper to say the least haha. I wish I had taken a picture of her adorable outfit.

We came home for a nap and then G and Pa came up for the evening after supper. Amelia was delighted and kept saying G and Pa over and over. G brought some new bubbles and some new silver shoes along with a few other goodies. It was a great way to end the day.
The weather has been gorgeous. I have been reminded that each day I can choose the joy of the Lord or reject it. My daughter is the light of my life and my husband is a very hard worker. Each member of my family pours love onto Ross, Amelia, and I. The less I sweat, the mushier I get :)

A Breath of Fresh Air

It was gorgeous this morning! Our driveway is shaded and we decided to have a painting session in the breeze. Amelia loves to paint and do all things crafty, which cracks me up because Ross nor I have a crafty bone in our body. She always asks to "daw" and her favorite thing to draw is hands down a snake. We stayed outside two and a half hours and it is amazing what some fresh air can do for the soul.


I am trying to encourage her to understand the difference in a paintbrush (no paint on hands) and no paintbrush (okay to get paint on hands). It is confusing to her a bit, but we managed to have a successful paintbrush and finger painting session. Her eyes sparkle when I get the paint out. She wrinkles up that nose and smiles with pride when I clap and tell her that her picture is beautiful. My heart melts and my eyes well up a little and the process repeats. I am so elated with motherhood. (as a whole...you know...lol)

Snack time outside too? Wow Mom, best day ever.
She wanted a drink out of a big girl cup ALL by herself...
Oops....


I accepted my friend Jaimi's challenge to do my daily devotional before I blog because quiet time with the Lord is the thing that most often gets shoved to the last item of the day (and then we all know we are too tired). Thanks Jaimi for that challenge--today was my first day and it will hopefully become less and less of a challenge. I found a verse that really sums up how I have been feeling lately about feeling burdened for people and sometimes not knowing exactly what to pray.

from Romans 8--The Message
"If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans."

Call Weekend

What a weekend. Ross was on call and worked from 7 Friday morning until 2:30 Saturday afternoon with no sleep. He came home, took Advil, slept 15 hours, and got up for a repeat on Sunday. I had no help, little sleep, and was starting to get Amelia's runny nose, cough, etc. I strongly dislike call weekends. Strongly.

In the evening hours of Saturday morning, I was weary and weepy. Tired. Wanted help. Needed a break from a 24/7 job. I have never heard God speak in an audible voice. But, as my thoughts went on a rampage, I heard what he wanted me to--loud and clear.
----------
I am so tired and wish someone was here to play with Amelia these last few hours before bed.
I have blessed you with a healthy child.

Why is Ross working, working, working? It would be great if he was NOT on call and at home to help me instead.
You prayed for this Godly husband--honor him.

Adult interaction? Please. Please. I need a friend to come over.
I am always here to talk to.
-------

He had an answer pop into my head for every concern. Amelia had a hard night that night, but I remained calm while rocking her at two a.m. and felt peaceful. I spent that time praying for some families that are going through great turmoil right now. Please join me and pray for the Fitch, McMullen, and Hilton families.

I woke up Sunday feeling awful again and unable to take Amelia to church by myself (plus, her nose was still runnnnning). Our plans with Steph, Derek, and Ingrid go canceled because we couldn't chance the little one getting sick. AHHHH so sad. Mom and Dad came up after she napped and played with Amelia and I got to finish some laundry and shower. Luxuries! Meme stopped by and played with Amelia on Thursday and let Ross and I go to dinner. Another luxury! I am so thankful that the Lord sees my need--no matter its size compared to other people's--and it is important to him. That visit from my mom and dad so re-energized me yesterday and I feel rested and excited for this week with Amelia.

That was long. But, sometimes things aren't hunky dory. Sometimes it is hard to stay home, even though I choose to do so. Sometimes you just have to lay it all out there and be honest.

Now, on to Part II. You might have to come back later for this part since the above was exhausting. We went to Open Gym for the first time today. $5 for an hour of play. Amelia absolutely adored it. She walked on the beam, jumped in the foam pit, jumped on the trampoline, ran down the ramp mats. She was all over the place! We will definitely go back ( I promised amidst her tears) and it makes me think she will love gymnastics lessons. I snapped some pics on my phone. Most are blurry because I was running after her, but still cute. (Oh, and Amy, you and Owen inspired this visit).

Such a success!! Then, Brandy and Nate and her parents came by to see Amelia and the house and she had a blast showing off all her toys to them. Thanks so much for stopping by Brandy. Now, nap. Whew. I might try to doze a bit myself...

Breezy

For one brief moment yesterday there was a breeze outside. A strong breeze. Amelia had wanted to go out all morning and I finally relented as I saw the trees doing the wave. She wanted to play in the dirt, which was odd. We have walked by this bush a million times and she has shown no interest in it, but yesterday she loved it and clapped and wanted to put her hands in the dirt. So, she did.




And, when the fun ended (as in, the breeze stopped) I told her to go sweep up the dirt. What an angel child. Or, maybe she swept one minute and stamped her foot and said "DONE." That might have been more along the lines of what happened.

She is 18 months old today and I can't get over how well we can communicate during the day. She loves to say the names of the colors, done, up, need, animal sounds, please, thank you, peoples' names over and over, and will try to mimic me on most things if I ask her to. She tried to tell her first story last week. "Orange, black, stuck, boo boo." [Translation: When she was playing with her orange and black playdough, her foot got stuck in the chair and she got a boo boo.] We have a blast together and her personality is still a consistent mix of Ross and I's. She is shy in a group and takes a while to warm up, however, once she warms up and connects with you, watch out.

Finally, we are eating a little better. She has added blueberries and yogurt to her small list of foods and will almost always eat chicken. She weights 21 pounds (10th percentile) and is in the 50th percentile in height. I wish I could give her some chewable vitamins, but we have to wait until she is two. Thankfully, she still loves milk and drinks a ton of it every single day. If I give her a choice, she almost always picks "nilk."

I am working on having her play more by herself because I usually play with her the whole time she is awake and do odds and ends during her nap. However, I know with the new baby coming, she will not get to have all my attention, "Mommma, sit. Momma, down. Momma, now," and so we need to slowly veer away from constant play. It is going about as well as I thought it would lol. She is IN CHARGE and wants to play CONSTANTLY.

She understands perfectly when she SHOULD and SHOULD NOT do something. We are still doing time-out, although she thinks it is hilarious. The only time it really works is if I shut her door, which I hate doing. Usually the threat alone will work with her. One or two times I have swatted her hand and oh my word her heart breaks and breaks. That is much more effective with her, but she is still little.

Amelia stands at the window waiting on Ross to get home and loves waving and clapping screaming, "Daddo." (Some days I am screaming and clapping too. Another adult!!!!) I try not to play in the playroom with her too much during the day and save that for her and Ross to do in the evening. This is a beautiful age and we are having so much fun watching her grow.

Right now, she is obsessed with her silkies and has to have them at nap and nightime. She has two, Big and Baby---she named them herself and loves them dearly. Her pacifier is still a major presence at nap and night. After bath, she starts asking for it. Yikes--that will be a tough one to break and I am in no mind to do it right now.

She is curious about peeing and pooping and knows when she does so. Not sure if it would translate into potty training well or not...

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday DD! Thanks for always making me light up when you walk in the room :) That was from Amelia, but you make me smile too Derek. We love you and hope you are having a wonderfully blessed day. Who knew you would be so darn good looking at the END of your twenties? Heehe.



Speaking of lighting up, Buzz is feeling much better today and although I checked fervently through the night, she never had a fever and thus, no Tylenol was needed. She has still been fever free today and I am so thankful. The nose still runneths, but she is smiley and delightful. Hoping everything clears on up.

AND, she just wanted to show your her NEW sandals that she got at the END of summer because her foot has grown to the next size quite suddenly. All too little sandals are boxed up Meme--I know you are happy.P.S. This little baby poo has been kicking during the whole post. Guess he/she wants to say hello!

Bzzzzz

EDIT: I let my child do whatever she wants when she is sick. She has watched more Yo Gabba Gabba today than in her whole existence as a person. She has also gotten to carry her paci around. AND she got to sleep with me. She also has not had to eat in her highchair today. Why do I turn into a wimp when she is sick? Okay, end edit.

Oh my word she is precious.


Amelia made up a fun game yesterday while looking at her outfit. Every day when she gets dress she wants to go look at her outfit, shoes, and bow in the mirror. We clap and talk about how pretty she is. It is quite the production all just from getting dressed, but I am just building self-esteem early, right? Yesterday she played peek-a-boo with her self, saying "BOO Amumble" over and over.

Now that is a good time! We have been having fun playing outside the last few evenings as the weather has been MUCH cooler. AC got all sniffly and watery eyed and I though those darn spring allergies were back. However, she started running a fever and last night it got up to 102. AHHH. I slept like two hours and just checked her temp over and over. She slept about four hours and couldn't breathe and kept asking me "UP MOM?"

She is napping and I should be too, but I am too pyschotic to rest while I have a chance. So, I will blog and go check on her a million times. Hopefully this virus will buzz on out of here soon. On a great note, Amelia is still playing and only getting annoyed when I wipe her nose for the five thousandth time. She has been well ALL summer, so I am trying to take this little bug in stride.

Off to eat some candy corn. Sugar might be the root of all evil. We have no money, so I know that's not it... :)

This Pregnancy in a Candy Shell

I cannot stop eating candy and sweets this pregnancy. Nope. Can't. At first it was specifically red and pink Starbursts. I continued to buy them and eat only those two colors out leaving mountains of yellow and orange lying everywhere. I am also a sucker for pink Mentos, but it isn't even worth buying them since they put ONE pink in the package. Does it cost more to make the pink ones? Seriously... cookies, brownies (by the pan), Hershey bars, M&Ms, and now, those dreaded pumpkins, and the list goes on.

When I hit month five, my sickness vanished :) No nausea in sight. No puke in sight. I have most of my energy back until night falls and then zzzzz. As of right now, I am not as nervous this go around. I would like to chalk it up to my incredibly strengthened faith, but I know it is because I have Amelia to focus on and thus, time doesn't allow. Either way, I am falling more and more in love with both of my kiddos each day.

Finally found out yesterday that we have a precious girl who is looking great. Elise Mae will be a delight, I know, and I can't wait to meet her. I am, however, having some major scary moments where I am not sure how I will handle two so close together. Amelia is just tiny and still has many needs. Plus, I love tending to those needs and I don't want her to feel stripped of my time or neglected. That is worrisome too--I want to give 100% of my time to both. Sigh. Ross told me when I have those moments to do what he does, "Just don't think about it. Denial is my friend." Bless him.

I was so SWOLLEN and had massive cankles a good part of my pregnancy with Amelia, so I have been drinking water like no ones business. Hopefully it will ward of the pitting edema this time- a.k.a. mushy legs.

It still feels surreal that I am pregnant again and sometimes I will feel a kick and think, "Oh my word. That is a baby." Genius, aren't I?

I have gained 12 pounds total and am wearing most of Steph's maternity clothes. She gave me several bags full and I am so thankful, considering her maternity clothes are more stylish than my regular ones.

It is different being pregnant with number two because you don't get to sit around and talk to the baby as much or rush to your husband to feel every little kick. You don't constantly think about the baby and some days you carry on and forget that a little one will be entering your world in a few months. But, it is almost like this time around I am carrying around a special secret. I already know how great it is to be a mom. I already know how amazing it feels to watch your child learn and grow. That in itself makes this pregnancy so darn cool.

Tomorrow is my sugar test. Yikes. Please refer to the first paragraph. I could be in for it.

Unrelated, here is our new ghost- Amelia talks to him all day.

Cutey Pie

I loved seeing Ingrid every day last week :) She is so beautiful. And, it was comforting that Amelia seemed to do so good with her. She loves Ing Ing and is not too terribly rough (minus the one time she tried to rip her ear off).

She has been asking for Ing Ing all morning and has renamed her babies as such.

On another note, we have gnats since Ross was home by himself for the week. Coincidence? I think not.

"Wuurk"

I went to work last week. Teachers that want to keep their certification have to get 60 hours of inservice and I got 30 of mine last week at Bergman. Thankfully, the school let me come to all the meetings and Mom kept Amelia (and Ingrid). It was actually fun to get dressed up each morning and although the meetings were not exhilarating, I enjoyed the conversation with colleagues that I have missed. Amelia also enjoyed me going to "wuuurk" as she called it and clung to her Gammy yelling bye to me out the door. She was traumatized, you see. Ha.

Aaron and Rebecca came up to see us and we were thrilled since time off is precious to a resident (or anyone for that matter). Amelia immediately remembered them and was ready to play. Aaron was her favorite, as most men are, and she started ordering him to her room right when he got here. Note her hand on his arm--quite possessive.



All four of us got to go out to dinner and Mom and Dad came to watch Amelia. It was so fun to be out together again and we were just missing Adam and Joanna. It was truly a delightful weekend and they were our first spend the night guests!
We can't wait to go to their house in October to meet their new baby--so fun. Reb and I with our belly shot.

While in Bergman, little Maelea made her first Arkansas appearance and I was so glad that I got to see her. She is just adorable--and I mean adorable. I had seen a million pictures of her, but she was even more gorgeous in person.


Mary Beth and Steph have been best friends for over twenty years and their babies were born less than a week apart. Too cool!

Here is Amelia, not to be outdone by the baby cuteness, showing out for Stacey.

Amelia was fully doted on last week and she ate every minute of it up. I am so thankful that my family shows her so much love and attention. Makes me happy.

It was a busy week and my beautiful Mom dominated the laundry, feedings, bathtime, playing, book reading and just let me rest and watch Amelia play. Thanks for all you do Mom! And Gampy, you are the MOST fun player according to Amelia Claire and she really hopes to see you lay-ler.