The Week That Keeps on Giving

This was my last trip to Harrison before Elise gets here due to doctor's orders and I wanted to stay for the long haul. Amelia and I spent the whole week and Ross joined us from Wednesday on. Staying that many days has made today verrrry hard for Amelia, but I will tell about that later. For now, all the fun we had :)


On Thanksgiving Week, you...

Get to spend time with your sweet cousin.




Get tickled sipping tea with your Poppy.



Get to play with a new Playdough machine AND celebrate your Dad being off work.


On Thanksgiving Week, you...


Get to help Gammy make sweet potato casserole in your jammies.



Get to pretend you are in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and wave from your bus.



Get to be loved on. And loved on, and loved on...




Get to wear matching dresses with Ingrid.




Get to walk to the creek with your Pa.




Get to have a surprise visit from your Mammaw.



Ahhh. What a Thanksgiving Week :)

Chismas Tee

We put up Amelia's small Christmas Tree. Yes, it is early, but we figured if Halloween was an indication of her love for seasonal things that we should stretch out the fun. And she didn't disappoint. This girl was just giddy. I asked her if she remembered her tree from last year and she said, "too little." Haha, yes you were my sweetie pie.


I wish I could get the video up of her trying to lug her tree back to her room by herself, but I apparently am not talented enough. Which doesn't surprise you since I never put videos up. One day...

Amelia got all dolled up in polka dots (her choice) for her first basketball game last night.
She absolutely loved it and was mesmerized by her Uncle D playing in the alumni game. I was impressed with her behavior and surprised by how much she seemed to enjoy it. She cried when it was over. This is a new phase--crying when something fun is over. Cue Sesame Street Live Breakdown 2010.

But, if you look this cute in a turkey dress, the breakdowns are more easily overlooked.

Gobble, gobble.

Diarrhea of the Brain

Edit: My devotional verse was Psalm 40:3 today. I read it minutes after I wrote my post.

"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."

I am thankful for a new song of praise. I am drowning in a sea of things to be thankful for. And, just because I acknowledge fears I am having does not overshadow or erase this fact. SO, for the rest of the afternoon, I will be singing a new song.

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Diarrhea is a really hard word to spell.

My brain is working overtime today. So is my gallbladder. This will just be a spew of thoughts. Some stinky. Some running together. Some painful to admit. But, I will feel better when it is over.

Today has been hard. Amelia had a breakdown today and wouldn't stop crying. It was like she had no idea what it stemmed from and was just crying and confused. She finally told me, "Meme and Pop's house." I told her we couldn't go there right now and then she told me, "Gammy holds Ingrid." Ah...so, she is realizing the baby is very close to coming and maybe a few jealousy issues are coming out about Ing too--or just babies in general. She then said amidst tears, "Me Mommy's baby." Okay, cue my heart breaking.

Amelia is very perceptive. There is no telling what thoughts she is trying to process in her head. I know that after Elise gets here, things will be very different. Today, I just decided maybe too different. Our schedule will be messed up, Amelia might feel resentful, she will definitely act out, she will miss playing with her friends while I recover from surgery, and I might fold under the pressure. Of course it is taboo to say these things because obviously many couples long for a child and we are blessed enough to have another on the way. In fact, one of my dearest friends is one of those couples. But, that doesn't erase the fear I am feeling right now. Even if it is fleeting, today is a hard day. I don't want to cheat Amelia. Nor do I want to cheat Elise. I haven't even spent the energy I want to spend being excited about her arrival because I am spending so much energy worrying about Amelia. A friend that knows me too well sent me this a few weeks ago just as these feelings were stirring up.

And are you having panic attacks yet about if you will be cheating baby # 1 when you have baby # 2? and how in the world will you possibly be able to love another living being half as much as you love Amelia? (I panicked all the way to the hospital and all the hours before Adam was born-worried for months before.) It will be miraculously okay.

Yes, it will miraculously be okay. We will be a family of four and I will love my girls so much that my heart can barely contain it. I remember writing a post around week four of Amelia's life and I was wondering what I had gotten into. Things were tough. I was exhausted. Parenting seemed bleak. And now, as I look at my fears the second time around, I can't help but laugh. Things have surely changed. How wonderfully and fulfillingly they have changed.

So, this is just the beginning of a new journey--new tears, new victories, and new challenges. I pray Amelia is so blessed with Elise's presence that she can never imagine her life without her. The same way that I feel about Stephanie. I always called her my built in best friend and she is that to this day.

I'm still terrified. My stomach is gurgling a bit. The tears aren't totally gone. But, I do feel better. Thanks for listening.

As Jaimi told me via text, "Some of this is hormones." Ding. Ding. Ding.

As I told Jaimi, "I hope a LOT of this is hormones."

Amelia told me the following before nap, "Me happy now Mom." Then she planted a big smooch on my nose and said, "Sticker on boob?" How did she know a Dora sticker on my boob would make everything okay? Man, I love her. And Elise Mae, I love you too, with the same fierceness.

Interesting...

We have been having trouble with Amelia not wanting to get her diaper changed. The fits range from small and easily deterred to large, screaming tantrums. I guess she just doesn't want to stop what she is doing to get changed, but we are trying everything these days to have a successful diaper change with no problems. Last night, Ross laid down on the floor to pretend to have his diaper changed. She thought this was hilarious and got hers changed right beside him with no problems. Then, she jumped up and wiped his bottom with a wipe. She said, "Poop off now dad." Weird.

Then, Ross said, "Hey, Heather, what if I was laying here and really did have poop?" Umm seriously? I really don't know about him sometimes. Weirder.

End of February is my estimated potty training start goal. I pray that it doesn't result in Ross wearing Dora panties. Weirdest.

Steph gave me the idea to make an owl puppet out of a paper bag and Amelia absolutely loved him. The construction paper feathers were a hit and she helped crinkle them. Provided at least an hour of fun. I glued the feathers on the wrong way because I didn't listen to her instructions, but he still was super cute.
Amelia and Ing were twins at church. Derek has the money shot that I am anxiously awaiting, but here is a glimpse at how precious their matching dresses were. Amelia is crazy about Ingrid and talks about her all the time.


Here we are before story time. We are quite excited! I love Wednesday story time because the lady in charge does such wonderful songs, books, crafts, and stations. It is really educational and Amelia and I have been going to story time since she was seven months old. It has been fun to watch her come out of her shell more and now she really gets down and boogies during song time.

For Kim

And, for anyone else on the edge of his or her seat. :)

The weekend was a blast. We hadn't been to Harrison in three weeks because everyone kept coming to us (which is niiiice too) and so Amelia was tickled beyond tickled to get there. We had a fun dinner with G and Pa on Friday and Amelia only wanted her Pa to hold her, sit by her at dinner, and ride with her in HER car. Hilarious.

Saturday we had Meme's party and Amelia had down this phrase perfectly, "Happy Birthday Meme." She said it all day and I melted every time. Delicious cookout and sides, FOUR yummy birthday desserts--including cupcakes that Amelia loved- and lots of fun presents. I got to hold Ingrid a lot and she honestly couldn't have any better disposition. Just like her mom. Here are some pics...


I love this sweet picture Ross snapped. Amelia is so incredibly proud of herself here for taking Meme's presents over. Ahh..that used to be my favorite job at parties.
Meme you are full of vibrancy, vigor, vitality, and you've still got that va va voom at 74. You know I love you with all my heart. Hope you had a great party---my crew sure enjoyed it.

Church was great and after a good lunch we headed to Jasper for Brandy's baby shower. She got a ton of stuff for Lily and it was great to see her. Not sure if I will see her again before Elise gets here...weird. Steph took some pictures there and I will get those from her.

The ride home last night was insane. Amelia cried the entire hour to our house. Screaming for Gammy and Gampy. Ross said, "it didn't bother me and wasn't really that bad." Hmm, he never ceases to amaze me. I was going insane and tried to reason with her, bribe her, everything I could think of. We ate supper and she started in again and wanted "Gammy's straw cup" and on and on. This morning she wanted Gammy or Gampy to hold her when she woke up. I finally got it through her head that they don't live with us and we have had a wonderful day together. She loves gym more and more and is becoming stronger and braver on the equipment.

This weekend with the house full of family and oohhing at Ing and gabbing with Buzz, I got really nervous about adding Elise in the mix. Excited. But, nervous. Eeeeek....

Greatest Night Ever

I am not exaggerating. I always build things up in my head and think they are going to be SO fun--as in earth shattering. A lot of times, this works and things are more fun to me than anyone else. But, sometimes--especially with a kid-- things just don't turn out like you think and you have to go with it.

BUT- This rocked our world. Amelia was so tickled that she kept clapping and shaking. Not kidding. The characters were so vibrant and the show was stellar, even for the adults. When Big Bird came out to introduce the show she yelled out, "HIIIII Bird," at the top of her lungs. She proceeded to do this for each character. But, I am getting ahead of myself. Here she is before the show with Lynna, her BFF.



Lynna gave her an Abby doll so that they could both have one at the show. Amelia slept with it last night :) When the music and lights started, the wonder in her eyes was really moving. I cried. I don't think it had to do with pregnancy hormones, but it could have. It was really about seeing her love something so much and I was just really excited for her.

I didn't get many pictures during the show because it was so fun and so dark. Here are a few.




And guess who was there? Bert! She was screaming his name when he came out dancing haha. The songs were catchy and all the parents had a great time as well. Amelia and Lynna were so good. Not a peep out of them or a restless moment--I was very proud. However, they both burst into tears when the show was over. Amelia cried for Elmo half of the way home. Ross said, "At least she loved it."

She didn't get to sleep until 10:15 due to happiness overload, but was still up at 6:20. For the love :)

"Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?"

Family Time

We are so glad that Ross is on an easier rotation this month. Especially with the new darkness settling so early. Amelia keeps informing me, "Mom, sun 'sleep--night night?" I told her the sun is going to bed early because he is tired and we are just going to stay up and play longer (being that this question is asked at six). That has satisfied her. Anyway, it has been fun to have Ross home longer in the evening for more play time.

I wasn't going to tell Amelia about Sesame Street Live until tomorrow, but Lynna was babbling about it excitedly at gymnastics and Amelia looked super confused. So, I broke down and explained that we were going to see Elmo and Abby and Big Bird in person. She is elated and keeps reminding us every thirty minutes ha. The strangest thing is that she keeps asking if Bert is going to be there. Who likes Bert? Ross and I were cracking up and told her maybe. So now she keeps walking around chanting, "Maybe Bert be there."
I never post in the morning, but Amelia is watching Sesame Street and she told me, "Mom, out." Hmm, okay then you little stink pot. She is sitting in there mumbling things to Elmo.

Yesterday was 70 degrees and beautiful and after gymnastics we went to the park. It was so fun, but Amelia only wanted to play on the big playset. She usually likes the two smaller slides and I got sad because she is SO big.