I hope I Never Forget... 9 & 10 Months

Wow!  I really fell off the band wagon when it comes to these monthly updates.  Looking back so So SO much has changed in such a short time.  The timeline is becoming a little fuzzy, but I'll go ahead and put down what you've been up to since that last post!

At 10 months old, I hope I never forget...

• My walking girl!  That's right.  In my last update you were just pulling up on things.  Now you're my big walking girl!  You took your first steps about two weeks after 9 months.  You now take 4 or 5 steps at a time when you decide to go for it.  There was a long time that you would book it around furniture and anything you could hold onto, including a smooth wall.  You were having some confidence issues, but once you saw your cousin Kylie walking during Thanksgiving you really got inspired to go for it all the time.  You still prefer to have a finger to hold, but you really and truly walk whenever the urge hits you.
• My little foodie.  You have decided that you are too big for baby food.  It's a shame really because I have about 6 cases piled up in the pantry.  But now that you can eat most big people food, you really prefer to eat what everyone else is.  You are by far a big fan of all white meats.  You LOVE turkey, chicken, pork, etc.  You really don't like to eat red meat though.  I guess it's just not your thing.  You'll eat just about any vegetable, but your favorite is definitely broccoli.  On this note, daddy has continued to push baby foods with you, so you will sometimes eat the jar food for him, but you get highly offended if you see me pop a top for you.
• Our baby birdy.  This is in conjunction with the last point, but if we are eating any kind of snack, you demand that we share, and if you like what you've tasted, you will follow us around with your mouth hanging open.  You are just like a baby bird.  Especially because you still insist on us feeding you.  You still have no desire to put food in your mouth yourself.  If I put it on your tray you wait for me to put it in your mouth, rather than pick it up yourself.  You will hold some finger foods, but won't eat it.  It's one of those things that makes you you.  I guess I could push you more, but I'm in no hurry for you to grow any faster than you already are.
• Our reading baby.  That's right you love Love LOVE books!  You love for us to read to you over and over and over again, and if no one can read to you, you happily read your books yourself.  We could line all of your toys up and tell you to pick anything to play with, and you would go straight to the books.  You LOVE them!  You really like poem books that have a rhythm to them, you also like books that have a button for you to push.  If it plays a song and you have moved on to another toy, you will stop what you are doing when the song ends, go back to the book, and start it all over again.  It's so much fun to watch you play and explore and to learn what you find interesting.  You are also getting into lift the flap books, but we can't let you play with them on your own yet, because you are little rough on them.  I don't think you intend to be, but you haven't learned how to close them back before turning the page.  I've showed you how to do it a few times, and you try.  Maybe with a little practice you'll be able to look at those books by yourself.  You are really good at turning the pages one at a time.  (By the way, board books only at this point.)
• You are a little eclectic in your clothing sizes at this point.  You can still wear some 9 month clothing, a lot of 12 month clothing and some 18 month clothes.  Most 18 month clothing is too long for you, but you have a long torso, so we put you in 12-18 sleepers to get the torso length right.  But the feet easily slip off your toes and you end up tripping all over them if you are walking around.  You are in a size 4 diaper.
• Our curious cat.  You are definitely interested in everything around you.  You know what the word "No" means and for the most part you are good at listening to us and moving away from whatever we've told you you can't have, however, you will also cry if you really wanted to play with something and you're not allowed to.  We try to not to say "No" too much and use language like "Not for eating, you can touch and look, but not eat" When we say things like that to you, you know to not put it in your mouth.  It really cuts down on frustration for both of us, we're not cutting your off completely, but you know there are rules.  If you don't follow them, we'll take it away from you.  9 times out of 10 you if we give you a second chance you will do what you're supposed to.  You also want an explanation if we do say no and mean it, such as "Hot" or "Sharp".  You don't know what those words mean, but you know they mean you can't have it and are satisfied that we explained.
• The baby sleep olympics.  You are all over the place in your sleep.  You make rounds in your crib once you've gone to bed.  You will literally sit up and flop down with your head on the other side of the crib.  When we hear you rustling about in the middle of the night we always have to find your head and figure out how you are laying.  We have no idea how you get in some of the positions you do, but you will sleep in just about any position.  Our favorite is when you have your butt up in the air or have one leg propped up on the side of the crib.
• Blankie and Mr Bear are still your constant companions and your lovie comfort items.  If you've taken a tumble that makes you cry, you won't let it go until I've kissed it and you've told Mr. Bear all about it.  You'll be okay if bear is missing (like maybe he's taking a bath)  but you absolutely have to have a blankie if you are going to sleep.
• You've gone back to being a good napper, we're not sure if you are trying to go from 2-3 naps a day to just one, but you've been taking a longer midday nap than you used to, and are resistant to your morning nap.  You've also insisted on being held more like a newborn when I'm putting you down for a nap or nighttime.  You've realized that you little head doesn't really fit under my chin anymore, but you like to have your head near my heart.  There are also times you like to lean back and look at my face.  You like to point out my eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, and ears when you are falling asleep.  You also gone back to preferring for me to sing you our lullaby's.  We have about 4 songs we rotate through and if I start on one you don't want to hear, you'll shake your head one time until I sing the song you are looking for.  I guess I've kinda become your lullaby ipod.  It's neat and special.
• Bath time is another one of our special times together.  I am the only person you'll allow to bathe you at this point.  Grandma tried the other night when daddy and I went to my company Christmas party and you refused to get in the water.  The whole bedtime routine is really special between you and me.  I enjoy it and look forward to it every night.  Currently our routine is the same as 8 months, we do bath time, then naked play time, then milk, then lullaby's and you're out.
• You love naked play time.  I've been told that I should call it something else, but really, that's what it is.  I planned on doing some cloth diapering, but have ended up doing all disposables.  I want to make sure your skin gets to breath and it gets a break once a day.  You love it and it'll stop once you are potty trained and out of diapers (this is more of a note for anyone reading this that has questions)  But for now, you love it!  You think it's so funny to crawl around your room all naturale.
• Our sweet girl.  You love to give and kisses from everyone.  You will not only offer up kisses to people you like, but you will lean your head in to receive a kiss on the cheek or forehead from people you love.  It's really sweet.  If you see yourself in a mirror you kiss your reflection over and over again.  You also kiss your favorite toys and pictures in your book that you like.  You are so full of love and affection.
• I believe blue is your favorite color.  You tend to kiss things that are blue and pick up the blue blocks first.  You point out the blue lights on our Christmas tree.  I could be way off, but it's just an observation of watching you play.  I think I may have "pinked" you out a bit too much, because you tend to not like pink things when given a choice.  I don't think you really "hate" it, but are maybe just tired of seeing it everywhere.  So, I've been buying more color options when shopping for you rather than just getting the pink one.
• You are getting better at talking, you say a few words and are attempting others.  You were trying to bark like a dog the other night when daddy was playing with a dog ornament with you.  It was really cute!
• Which reminds me, you are scared of dogs.  Any type of dog makes you really nervous, even if we are holding you and showing you that the dog is friendly.  The worst thing that's happened to you is a dog licking your toe, but for whatever reason, you do NOT like them and want nothing to do with them.

I often forget just how little you still are.  You are on the go and learning new things each and everyday that it's easy to wrapped up in all the accomplishments and looking for what's next.  But you are still little.  You're still a baby and love your squishy little face and little hands and the excitement you have in everyday life.  I love the sweet snuggles and hand holding you already like to do.  I love that you are small and need us.  You're the biggest you've ever been, but your biggest is still little bitty.  I love you baby girl!  I look forward to each and every day I get to spend with you.  You're my favorite little 10 month old! 

Love forever and always,
Mommy

First time playing with leaves

First time at a pumpkin patch/corn maze

First carosel ride

You and me hanging out

Love those cute gill cheeky's

My happy girl

Your cute Thanksgiving dress

Rules For Me, For My Daughter

Recently my sister sent me a link on facebook to this blog post about rules for Mothers and Daughters.  Needless to say, by the end I was in tears.  There is so much that I anticpate doing with my girl(s), and I thought, I need to do this.  I need to sit down and write out rules for us, or really rules for me.  And maybe one day when we're in the throws of adolesence, I'll need this reminder.  So here are my rules:

1.  Be Present.  Go to every event minor or major, just so she knows you're proud of her and her hard work.  Bake cookies or cupcakes for birthday's and eat lunch with her at school when she asks.  Chaperone field trips.  Always be available to her.

2.  Show her how to love.  Love her deeply and passionately with no restraint.  Show her that love, in it's purest form, is what living is about.  Let her fall in love with whoever she chooses and if she gets hurt, cry with her.  When she's ready, encourage her to love again.  Giggle and gush over the boy(s) she likes.

3.  Let life happen.  Throw the rule book out the window every now and then.  Desert for dinner, late bedtimes, and pink hair are okay.  Let her know rules are important, but so is living.

4.  Validate her opinion.  Let her discover who she is and not who anyone else wants her to be (including yourself).  Back her up.  Her voice and thoughts are important.  The way she thinks and processes things is perfect.  Even if it's different from you.

5.   Show her God.  Everywhere you go and everything you do, teach her to see the face of God.  Pray with her and for her daily.  Show her how to have faith and trust in things unseen.  Marvel at creation with her.

6.  Hold her hand.  Let her know your hand is always open to her.  Squeeze her hand when she needs support.  High five her when she's excited.  Stroke her hand softly when she's upset.  Always have a free hand to offer her.

7.  Talk to her and listen.  Share, share, share.  Share secrets, share dreams, share fears, share feelings.  Listen when she talks.  Let her know it's okay to tell you anything and everything.  Don't be scared of any topic.  It's your job to talk about anything with her.  Be her friend.

8.  Teach her.  Teach her all the things you know.  If you don't know, learn together.  Struggle through that tough test or subject with her.  Make flashcards and quiz games.   Teach her through living.   Always take the opportunity to teach when you can.  Share in her frustrations and set backs as well as her triumphs and excels.

9.  Be silly.  Laugh a lot.  Sing, dance, wiggle, tickle, imagine, play.  Be goofy and spontaneous.  Dress up.  Don't worry about what you look like.  Follow her imagination.

10.  Tell her she's beautiful.  Everyday.  Let her be a girly girl or a tomboy.  Either way, tell her she beautiful with sweat running down her face or dolled up for a date.  She is perfect the way she is.  Lift her up.  Tell her she's beautiful.

11.  Get messy.  Play in the rain, make mud pies, finger paint, mix food with your hands, use glitter.  Make memories. Don't worry about the clean up.  Live in the moment and get dirty.

12.  Share traditions.  Share both you and her fathers family traditions.  Share that secret recipe and do things the same way it's always been done.  Take pride in family and belonging.  Show her the family tree.  Share family secrets and stories.  Let her know she claimed and is a valuable member of your family.

13.  Teach her social skills.  Show her how to make small talk, look people in the eye, be kind to everyone, and be a friend.  Don't expect her just to know.

14.  Make her a fighter.  Show her when to stand up and when to walk away.  Teach her to pick battles.  Words are always better than fists, sometimes silence is better than words.  Teach her the differences.

15.  Kiss, Hug, Snuggle.  Never underestimate the power of showing of love and affection.  Don't be scared of physical contact.  We're all human and need these things.
 
16.  Be the safe harbor.  Let your home be the one place she can always come and feel safe.  Always give her a key.

17.  Teach her to be independent.  Let her choose her path, then teach her to stand on her own.  Help her along the way, but let her take the lead.  Give her the tools and knowledge to be successful, then let her fly.

18.  Do makeovers.  Let her do your makeup and hair.  Let her use every sparkly clip she can find and call you a princess.  Let her put the brightest shades of makeup on you.  When she's ready, teach her to do her hair and makeup.  Get manicures and pedicures together.  Go shopping.  Put on pretty dresses.  Be girly.

19.  Comfort her.  Be home when she's sick.  Drink 7up and watch movies on the couch with her.  Stay up all night when she can't sleep.  Fight invisible monsters.  Hold her when she's crying.  Let her sit in your lap no matter how big she gets.  Let her fall asleep on you.  Hold her hand.  Always answer her calls.  Be encouraging.  Be mommy.

20.  Read to her.  Let books take her on adventures.  When she's bigger, let her read to you.  Always have books available.  Share pop up books and chapter books.  Take her to the library.

21.  When she is lost, find her.  Physically or figuratively.  If she can't find her way back to you, find your way to her.  Never give up. Never stop searching.

22.  People are people.  Teach her to value all people.  To be humble. We're all equal.  Every single one of us.  Some might get paid more than others.  Some might have more "power" than others.  But everyone started out the same and will end the same.  Birth and death.  Don't let anyone make you feel "less than" and don't make anyone else feel "less than".  People are people.

23.  Trust her.  Whether she's ready to take that first step ever or first step on her own.  Teach her to trust herself.  She knows when she's ready.  Help her believe in herself by believing in her.  Trust her.

24.  Give consequences.  You are her mother.  It's your job to teach responsibility, cause and effect.  Discipline when it is needed.  She will be a better person when she has boundaries.  Set those boundaries.  Make sure she knows why she is being punished.  Always hug after.  Discipline and move on.

25.  Be proud.  Be her biggest number one fan, ever.  Let her hear your voice shouting above all the rest.  Let her see you sitting in the audience or crowd.  A mother's love is like no other, it can not be replaced.  She needs you.  Be proud of her.  Be proud to be her mother.  Claim her always as your own.  Your baby.  Your little girl.  No one can ever change that.  Love her completely and be proud.

So these are my rules.  What are yours??

Songs... And being lyrically challenged

So it's no big secret that I'm lyrically challenged.  I'm just not musically inclined, in fact, I'm musically retarded.  I just don't understand music and couldn't play an instrument to save my life.  I've tried, it's not pretty...  But I do have a beautiful baby girl who loves music (she takes after her daddy that way).  And she loves it when I sing to her, it actually calms her down most of the time.  So I've been dusting off my children's song repertoire and it's slightly convoluted.  I have even taken the time to look up a songs proper words and attempt to commit it to memory.  But when the moment hits, the actual words flee from my brain like a scarecrow running from fire. 

So what is the end result?  Songs with my own words substituted.  Most of the time, they center around using Sarah's name in some way, just so she knows how special she is ;-).  Poor child may get a bit of a shock when she realizes the songs she knows don't match those of other kids.  But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it... Do you want to know some examples of my songs to Sarah?  Great!  Keep Reading!  (Whoa, did I totally just ask you all a question like a children's show?  Yes.  Yes I did... that just happened... Maybe playhouse Disney is on a little too much in the background... haha!)

Let start with her favorite... Ironically the tune I use for this is actually the "Clean Up" song which I know every word... but along the way it changed and she loves when I sing my version.  Her whole face lights up:

To the tune of Clean Up, Clean Up
Sarah, Sarah
I love you!
I love you!
Sarah, Sarah
I love you so much!


To the tune of Bingo:
There was a mommy who had a baby
And Sarah was her name-o
S-A-R-A-H
S-A-R-A-H
S-A-R-A-H
And Sarah was her name-o.
(And repeat through like the Bingo song)
(Hey, I'm teaching her spell her name.. It works...)

To the tune of Jesus Loves Me:
Sarah's hungry this I know
For her crying tells me so
She's so hungry yes indeed
Hurry with the food mommy
Yes, Sarah's hungry
Yes, Sarah's hungry
Yes, Sarah's hungry
Her crying tells me so...
(This is always, Always, ALWAYS followed with the real version.  Because by then she's eating and calm and I want her to know the proper words)

To the tune of the Aardvark Song:
I love my Sarah
My Sarah loves me
I feed my Sarah milk and honey
My little Sarah goes...
(click you tongue 3 times)(or insert any babble, noise, movement of the moment)
Continue on with other animals, adding the mix but always ending with Sarah.
(No, I don't feed Sarah honey.  I know infants should NOT eat honey, it just rhymes and goes with the other words)

Some songs I just substitute Sarah's name into the song...

Grin Again Gang
Grin Again Gang
Get Gung Ho and Jesus
Smile sweetly Sarah so you'll send Satin sadly away
Buck up brother Bill
Because a bunch of bigger boys
Became a bunch of better boys
Behind big big smiles
Grin again gang get gung ho about Jesus

Some songs get similar words and yet I know they aren't right:
The Farmer and the Dell
The Farmer and the Dell
The Farmer and the Dell
Hi Ho the Cherry-o
The Farmer and the Dell

The Farmer takes a wife
The wife takes a horse
The horse takes a cow
The cow gives the milk
The milk turns to cheeze
The cheese stands alone
(I know it starts with the farmer, then the wife, and ends with cheese standing alone, gotta get there somehow)

Or
Hush Little Baby
Hush little baby don't say a word
Papa's gonna buy you a mocking bird
And if that mocking bird won't sing
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring won't shine
Papa's gonna buy you a lemon or lime
And if that lemon or lime is sour
Papa's gonna buy you a big tall tower
And if that big tall tower falls over
Papa's gonna buy you a dog named rover
And if that dog named rover won't bark
Papa's gonna buy you a green grass park
And if that green grass park turns brown
You'll still be the cutest little baby in town.


Other songs that get regularly sung to Sarah:
Jesus Loves the Little Children
Old Mac Donald
Yankee Doodle
Twinkle Twinkle / ABC's
5 Little Speckled Frogs
Row Row Row your Boat
I Am A Promise
Anchors Aweigh


And of course I have my lullaby's I sing to her.  I always sing these in the same order and they are her falling asleep songs if she's having a tough time at naptime or nighttime.

Baby Mine
You Are My Sunshine
Twinkle Twinkle
Goodnight Sweetheart (3 Men and A Baby)

I sing each song 3 times through before moving on the the next.  Usually by Twinkle Twinkle she's asleep or close to it.

So, um, yeah.  This is just a random little blog about the songs and music that are a part of Sarah's world.  I will say that she still prefers music that have no lyrics or singing when she's listening to recordings.  Jazz is her favorite, but classical comes in a close second these days.

Are you lyrically challenged?  What songs do you sing to your little one?

I Hope I Never Forget... 8 Months

Sarah,
Wow!  I can't believe you've been a part of our world for 8 months already!  I look at you sometimes and think, "Where did you come from?"  You're just such a delight to be around.  You've been showing us more and more bits and pieces of your awesome unique personality.  I have to be honest, at this stage in your growth and development I really feel like I can't take my eyes off of you for fear of missing some great big milestone!  So before I forget this crazy time, let's talk about what's been going on with you the past month.  At 8 months old I hope I never forget...

• The go go go!  Oh my goodness little one, you are on the move and giving us a run for our money!  We spent the entire weekend baby proofing the house, because you are going places and exploring every crevice of our house!
• Crawling!  You crawl like a champ!  You started scooting, where you would scoot around on all fours keeping one leg underneath you so you wouldn't pancake out on the floor, but that only lasted about 4 days.  Then you quickly learned that crawling was much more efficient and have been on the go ever since!
• Since we're talking about going places, you are also a pro at pulling up to standing.  Anything that is tall enough that you can get your hands on is fair game for you to pull up on.  You started out with both feet together, but now adjust to a wider stance immediately!  Papa came over and tethered all of our bookcases and tall furniture just to make sure your practicing is safe.  You can also stand for a few seconds unassisted and can side step around objects like the coffee table.  I have a sneaking suspicion that walking is just around the corner!  Oh, and you've started to show signs of being a climber by pulling with your arms and stepping up on objects that you are standing by, like the bottom shelf of a bookcase.
• Your resistance to all forms of napping.  I think you may have a bit of a stubborn streak in you.  (Not surprising with your parents... haha!)  You know when we are trying to put you down and will resist with all your might.  Then sleep for about an 1-1.5 hours when you are asleep.  You're still taking about 3 naps a day. 
• Daddy's Girl.  You are definitely on team daddy most days, although I come in at a close second.  You are just super attached to him at the moment.  You've even cried at Gammy or Grandma's house when you realized he left for work.  But you've never cried when he's left and I'm with you.  So I know you're happy to stay with me.  But, I'm happy you two are so close!
• Your chatty chattiness.  Yes I made up that word.  But you talk to us all the time, usually you rotate between Daddy and Mommy and all forms of those and will throw in some "Baba" too!  And your intonation proves that you are paying attention to conversations around you, and we swear you say "love you" sometimes, even if not it's close and we know what you mean ;).
• Bath time.  Bath time is our special time together every evening.  We have so much fun playing in the water and splashing.  You even really enjoy your naked play time afterwards.  But Lord help me when I go to put your PJ's on... You get so upset every. single. time.  It's so frustrating, but I know it's only because your tired and ready for bed.  We've also started to brush your two little teeth.  You don't like it, but it's getting better.  No new teeth to report.
• You're still a good eater, but don't like new textures or some of the baby food combinations, especially if it's a tart fruit (like raspberry's or peaches).  The only thing you have tried to feed yourself is water from your cup, which you are getting pretty good at with the reminders to tip it up, and a baby mum mum.  And really we just gave you the mum mum today after epic fails with puffs, yogurt melts, rice rusks, real banana etc.  And I'd say your favorite new food of the month is yogurt.  You're really digging the different flavored yogurts. You're least favorite is probably anything with barley in it.
• You love love love books right now!  You especially love books that have a song that goes with the pictures.  Snuggle Puppy, The Wheels on the Bus, There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly..etc.  Once hooked on a book, you want to read it over and over again.  You also know the sign for book.
• Signing. You see and understand most of the signs we've introduced.  You'll do some of the back, but we're starting to expand your vocabulary to include, Drink, Water, Sleep, Stop, Sit, and Music.
• Playtime.  You're getting into a different phase of playtime.  Mostly you want to work on and show off your mad moving skills, but are getting into buttons and cause and effect.  You want to see how to make the music start or button light up.  On that note, you love toys that play music to you.  You are still not that into singing, but love to listen to anything instrumental.  You also still check to see what noise, if any, items make.  You shake, bang, and toss things to hear what noise they make.  You also like for us to build up towers with you blocks for you to knock down.  You don't really have a favorite toy at the moment, although you like your Elmo radio that plays different songs a lot.
• You are definately aware of people and know whether or not you've met them.  In small groups you do great, but in larger groups when everyone wants to hold you, you tend to get overwhelmed and be more clingy.
• You have transitioned from being more attached to your bear to your blanket.  You used to love bear more, but now need blankie often.  But as long as you have either or both, you're ok.
• You are all over your bed at night now.  You sit up and fall forward, you're head can be at either end.  When we check on you at night on the monitor we have to locate you head then figure out how you're laying.  We typically leave you alone, unless you look just completely uncomfortable.  It's quite entertaining actually!

I don't really know what else to say kiddo!  It's so much fun to see your perspective on the world.  You are keeping us on our toes and on the go!  I can't wait to see what this month brings.  I love you so so much sweet girl! 
Love forever and forever,
Mommy

The missing post...

I've taken a bit of a hiatus from the ole blog lately.  Now most of the time it is not intentional, but not this time.  I have been purposefully not posting on here as a way of protecting my family.  I don't want to anger or hurt any readers, but I have to get this out.  So here it goes...

You may have seen the pictures on earlier posts of Mike and Sarah's baptism and wondered why I haven't written a post on it.  It's a huge huge milestone for both Mike and Sarah.  But honestly, it has been such a source of heartache.  You see, a week after they were baptised it was made clear to us that our family was not welcome at the church we joined.   In their words "it may not be the right place for us".

Back up, okay, for those who don't know, my mom used to work at the church where we are members.  Long story short, they decided to eliminate her position, create a new one, beg (heavily encourage) her to apply, and then hire someone else, all while she was asked to continue to do the job.  It was a really shady, hurtful ordeal.  More members than just ourselves were completely thrown hurt by the way they chose to handle the whole process.  Apparently they are going in a new direction... But that's beside the point.

Getting back on track, I did write to the head of the committee voicing my disappointment.  And in the reponse I got, it was made clear that they felt that particular church wasn't our home.  So we were ousted a week after the baptisms.  It's just such a slap in the face.  I just can't wrap my head around that kind of mentality.  Welcome to Christ's church universal!  Yay!  Now get out. 

Wait. What?!

This is also in conjuction with the fact that our wishes for Sarah's baptism were not really respected.  We wanted her to poured over and she was sprinkled, neither of us got to lay our hands on her and pray for her (Not that we don't all the time at home, but you know, we were placing her in God and the churches hands... shouldn't we lay hands on her?  And all the family were there that wanted to lay hands on her too....)  I keep trying to focus on the fact that it's not the means but the intent that matters.  It's just hard because since I was a little kid, I looked forward to the day when my baby would be baptised.  When he or she would be walked up and down the aisle and be welcomed to the fold by the church.  I always love seeing the babies and when doing the congregational part of the vows I take it very seriously.  I WILL do EVERYTHING in my power to help that child grow up to know and love Christ.  I love infant baptism's and 6th grade confirmation's.  I just do.  It's such a celebratory time!

So now, my question is, what do I (we) do?  I never thought I'd be a person who would be so hurt by a church that I am completely turned off of the whole institution.  I guess I should be thankful for the way that I can now relate to all the lost sheep who refuse to give church a try because they were hurt.  But I don't want this big ole chip on my shoulder.  And Mike was one of those people who had been hurt by a church in his past.  Now, he had found a church he liked and felt comfortable, albeit little steps at a time, and now it's done the same thing in a different way.  I guess that's why they call it a journey...  We'll find our way.  But please pray for us as we look for a church that will welcome us with open arms for the family and people that we are...

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Now that you've read through the drama of the baptism, would you like to know the positive side?  Because let's face it, baptisms are a celebration!  As mentioned, both Mike and Sarah were baptised at the same time.  Daddy/daughter baptisms, how awesome!!  My mom made Sarah's baptismal gown.  She has a real talent at making gorgeous baptism gowns and it filled my heart with joy that she made something so special for my baby girl to wear.  The bonnet she made to go with the gown didn't fit Sarah very well, but in true grandma style, she had backups.  She looked so cute in her white bonnet and gown.  Just like a little doll baby.

Just to document some highlights of the day, Sarah did great through the service for being awake the whole time.  She did try to meet various family members eyes to smile and giggle at through out the service.  Despite our best efforts to keep her quiet, a few happy coo's escaped.  But hey, I'd rather hear happy sounds than unhappy sounds.  And really, who can resist a baby's smile?  And she's generally pretty good at mimiking her current surroundings.  She'll be quiet when it's quiet, and loud when it's loud.  I guess she just gets it.  Who knows if that will hold up in the future!  But for now, she's a good baby.

Funny thing, she actually started to fall asleep right when we were called up to do the baptism, so we kinda had to wake her up to do it.  As soon as she was sprinkled and handed back to me, she settled right back down and fell asleep, until the clapping started... which made that little head snap straight up to attention until I reassured her it was okay and she went back to sleep.  She was tired from all that eye catching she was trying to do throughout the service.  Needless to say, I am thrilled beyond thrilled that Mike made a commitment to Christ and that we have formally committed Sarah to God's care.  Haley was baptised a few years ago, so now our whole family is united with God.  Our journey is far from over, but we're all on the same path.

 

After the ceremony everyone went over to my parents house for a light lunch and some fellowship.  I think Sarah could sense that her time with Aunty Bethany was coming to a close, because she insisted on sitting on her lap and having her read to her.  Through out story time, Sarah would stop and cuddle into Bethany.  It was so sweet!!  She has such a sweet nature about her!  It was great to have both Mike and I's parents together to celebrate this great milestone in all of our lives!  I think it's one of the first times his mom's been back to church in years.  In fact, she's expressed an interest in searching for a church with us when we go.  The Holy Spirit is still at work in our family, just not through the church like we were expecting.  So in closing, I just want to be clear that we don't wish any ill will toward our former church, or the people there, it is just time to move on to our next stop on our Christian walk...

 

 

 



6 Er I mean 7 Month Photos!

So... Um... Yeah... about the six month photos... well see what had happened was...  Okay, we botched the 6 month photo's.  I'm sorry!  With moving and all the many changes we went through during Sarah's 6th month of life, we never made it around to getting her photo taken.  I know, I know... I so wanted to be on top of her first year time line photos, but alas, it just didn't work out this time.  Sometimes life just happens and you have to roll with it.  But we did get pictures taken at 7 months...  So now that I've gotten that out of the way... who wants to see the cutest little 7 month old ever!?!  (Hey I'm her mom, I get to be biased ;D )

 

 

 

Yay!  I'm so in love with this little one!  I could stare at her sweet face all day long!  I hope you enjoy these!

I Hope I Never Forget... 7 Months

Sarah,
7 months baby girl!  7 months!  I can't believe how fast time is flying by.  I just want it to stop sometimes and revel in your small world for awhile.  I love this time in your life, you are figuring out things left and right and are so happy when you add something new to the list of things you can do.  In just the 4 days that I procrastinated writing this, so many new milestones have been reached.  It seems the bigger you get the more joy you bring into our lives.  But I have to keep writing these to remember the unique things your doing at this phase.  So with that, here they are... I hope I never forget...

• Your wiggling!  Oh my goodness girl, you don't stop from the time you wake up until the time you fall asleep.  You turn circles in our arms, literally.  When playing on the floor you roll and scoot and try different theories you come up with to crawl.  You're so stinking close, I have no doubt it will all click into place in the next couple days.
• The love of solid foods you express.  You are now eating two meals a day and we've been trying to get that up to three.  I think the only thing you've flat out refused to eat has been Gerber peas.  We always feed you Earth's Best organic baby food, but we were out one weekend and daddy went out and bought Gerber at the store (They don't sell Earth's best).  Well the tears came fairly quickly along with a rash on your chest.  Needless to say, we won't be feeding you those again.  (Side note: you love the Earth's Best Peas).  But you've loved every other new food you've tried.  And yes, you still have absolutely no desire to feed yourself.
• You love drinking water!  Which is awesome!  Talk about a healthy choice.  You love drinking from your cup.  If we're having dinner and you aren't, you are more than content to sip water until we're finished.  And really you're more than happy to sip water anytime.
• The daddy's girl you've become.  To be honest, I'm a little jealous.  You live and breath for your daddy.  You want his attention if he's around and there may have been a time or two when I was not the one you wanted to comfort you...  But I'm happy that you and daddy have such a strong bond (most of the time...)
• Your cute baby signs!  We're still only been doing the few that we introduced last month.  But you now comprehend most of the signs and will sign back when you want milk and food (all the time!).   I don't think you have the dexterity for diaper yet, but I have a feeling that is the next one on your list to start signing back.
• The love you have for your routine.  We moved last month and had a few rocky days of putting you on a new routine, but now you're so used to it that we actually have a hard time when we change it up.
• On that note, you nap like a pro now.  You take at least three good 1-2 hour naps a day.  You're also trying to move your bedtime up, but I've been resisting that because I know it'll make you rise earlier.  You've gotten pretty insistent so that may be in the cards shortly.  You also love you're night time routine and know when you are tired that when we start it, you're close to sleep and become a lot more tolerant.
• Questioning the concept of sharing.  You haven't been around a lot of babies, but when you are and they play with your toys you get a little stressed out and need constant reassurance that it's okay for the other baby to play with them.  You've never taken a toy away or flat out cried, but you have whimpered and looked at us with that "Are you seeing this? Are you not going to do something?" look.  On that note, you do great in a nursery setting when you know the toys aren't yours.  This only comes into play when it's your toy being played with.
• Reaching for the people you want.  Not only have you started reaching for people you want to hold you, but you will figure out a way to roll and scoot to someone you want attention from and then hug their leg, foot, arm,whatever you can reach for a cuddle.
• Your love of cuddling.  On the rare occasion you aren't wiggling, you want to stop and cuddle.  You love resting your head on whoever's chest is holding you and cooing softly to them.  You also give out baby kisses when your in this mood.  It's so sweet.
• Determination.  You are absolutely determined to figure out how to crawl on your own.  You absolutely do not want our help to figure it out.  If we try, you get mad at us for interfering.  I love this about you!  It may take a little longer, but I know the sense of accomplishment you'll feel at the end!
• You're definitely expressing your opinion more.  You'll let us know when you like something or don't.  We're running into this a lot with items that aren't toys that you are not allowed to play with.  You don't like being turned down.  That'll be fun in a couple years... haha just kidding... kinda...
• I don't think you have a favorite toy or type of toy at the moment.  You like all of the things you've liked before but vary what you want to play with from one playtime to the next.  You do really enjoy your stacker and musical dog though (especially when Haley helps you play songs).  Oh!  and you've become pretty attached to a small pink bear at nap and nighttime.  You don't sleep with it, but you want it when you're falling asleep.
• Your cute baby booty!  Yeah, that may seem a little weird, but I see it all day long during diaper changes.  It seems the second you are layed down for a diaper change I'm staring at booty.  I have to constantly flip you back over.   Sometimes a toy helps, sometimes it doesn't.  You're just on the move.
• Your stiff arm.  Seriously yo.  You have gotten into the habit of pushing your arms and legs against us when we're holding you.  You look like a sideways tee pee.  It's fine most of the time, except when you push on our necks.  We've been working to correct the next pushing.  Ouch!
• You have tremendous balance!  You hardly ever topple, even when it looks like you will.  You can catch yourself every time. You get so excited sometimes that your arms and legs go stiff, usually resulting in you balancing on your butt for a few seconds.  It's quite impressive!
• Spitting.  Yes girly!  You love to blow raspberry's, which is a nice way of saying you spit.  I took you to the mall the other day where you sat in your stroller and spit the whole time.   People kept stopping to say hi and how cute you are and you would look at them and spit.  It was really quite funny!  You also spit when you don't know what to do.  If you're done being tickled, you start spitting.  Don't want to eat anymore?  Spit.  I don't know how it became a catch all, but it did.
• Bouncing and kicking are still a favorite, but you have been taking more interest in the motion of stepping and standing.  You know how to stand, but I think seeing your cousin walking has led to an increase in walking motions.
• Your double cowlicks!  You've had them since birth, but now your hair is long enough that right at your crown, you have a tuft of hair that swirls straight into each other and sticks up.  It's so cute!

Okay, now because it's a few days into 7 month's I'm going to separate these next few, because these have been in the last couple of days and maybe should be on next months... but I really can't wait that long!

• You have two teethy's!!!!  We first noticed them on Friday September 7th, but there is a good chance they broke through on the 6th.  (I didn't check on the 6th)  But you had a rough night Wednesday night.  You tossed and turned and cried out in your sleep a couple of times.  Drove your sister crazy!  But anyway, you have two little teeth on the bottom.  You don't want anyone to see them, but they're there.
• You've said your first official word!  Sure you've been saying "mimi" and "adada" at times, but Wednesday you very clearly said "Mom ma".  I heard it and Haley heard it.  Then you repeated it several times for daddy.  Yay!  Maybe mommy has a shot at rivaling daddy for favorite!  I mean... it's not a competition... You don't have a favorite... Um... ...
• Rocking.  You can get on your hands and knees and rock, but you haven't officially crawled.  You also rock when you're sitting.

Honey, I love you so much!  I am so blessed that you've come into my life.  I can't imagine life being any different.  I'm going to borrow a line from one of your favorite books right now (Snuggle Puppy) "I love what you are and I love what you do"!  I love being your mom.  I love watching you grow and learn.  I love your sweet nature and unique personality.  I just LOVE you kiddo!
Love forever and ever,
Mommy

Yay for bathy's!

First time you had nap hair!

Before your baptism

After you and daddy were baptised

Moving with a 6 Month Old

**If you want the short list of things I did to ease Sarah into the move skip to the bottom**

So I've been kinda MIA on the blog again.  Shocker! I know!  But this time it is actually for a plausible reason (excuse).  I have been up to my eyeballs in moving. I HATE MOVING!!!  There are very few times I wish I had a magic wand I could wave and have everything done, but moving is definitely one of them.  (I'm one of those nerds who loves to do things myself and have great sense of accomplishment and pride when it's complete)  But moving and probably cleaning the bathtub are the two things I would wave my wand and have instantly finished, oh and maybe painting a room, how tedious! 

Anyway, the point of this post is sharing my strategy for moving with a baby.  Because let's face it, I needed a strategy to deal with time management of packing and a strategy for causing the least amount of stress on Sarah.  So I started weeks ago with packing.  I figured if I could pack one or two boxes a night I would be in a lot better shape than trying to do it all at once. (Previously I've been the chick up till 4am packing to make sure that when the truck was picked up at 8am we'd be ready... ha! like I was ever ready....)  So I started with the things in cabinets or closets we don't use on a daily basis and that Sarah wouldn't notice had changed.  But there is only so much of that type of stuff to pack... So soon I had to start on the things in plain view that we don't need daily.  You know, pictures on the wall, books, DVDs etc.  Well Sarah started to get a little stressed when she would notice something had changed.  So I had the brilliant idea of showing her what I was packing.  That didn't work.  It's better to pack things when they are out of sight and just acknowledge the changes when she woke up.  Her watching me pack was a nightmare.

Have I mentioned Sarah is completely freaked out by the noise packing tape makes when it comes off the role?  Because you want to talk about turning a sweet happy baby into a huge alligator tear crying infant, seal a box.  I tried showing her the tape, letting her feel it, showing her how it comes off the role.  That didn't work.  The second I pulled on the tape her little bottom lip jutted out and her eyes filled up with tears and looked at me with those big sad eyes that were begging the question "Why are you doing this to me?"  So I stopped sealing boxes when she was awake.  I'd pack them and put them off to the side to seal later after she went to bed or napped.

I saved my bedroom for last, thinking that she needed her sleep area to remain uninterrupted.  I didn't take anything off the walls until the week before the move, and would pack a closet then close the door so she couldn't see the difference.  I was also very purposeful in keeping her corner of the room exactly the way it had been since setting up her crib.  That way she'd be able to sleep well at nap time and night time.  But things needed to get done, so eventually I packed the whole room except her corner.  That area was her safe space in the moving process.  I thought she needed that.

So we had to move in phases.  The two major days were Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday was devoted to moving my sister and Sunday was devoted to moving us.  I arranged for Sarah to spend Saturday with my parents.  It was just easier to have her away from the apartment so she didn't have to be involved with that craziness.  So after moving all of my sisters things out Saturday, I went to pick up my girl, and let me tell you she had a ball with her grandma and papa!  They had a fun day of bonding, playing, swimming, strolling etc.  She was pretty much exhausted by the time I went back to apartment which was my plan so I just had to let her play a few minutes before bedtime.  Again, her area of our room was untouched, so she got a good nights sleep.  Sunday morning, Mike got up and took Sarah to his mom's to spend the day.  I waited until they left to dismantle her area.  I packed everything up in my car so that when we got to the new house I could re-create her area in a similar fashion to help with the stress.

Sarah had another great day spending time with her Gammy and big sister, but I'd be lying if I said it was stress free.  We were moving until late Sunday.  His mom tried really hard to put her to bed, but she just wasn't going for it.  I have always put her to sleep, on the extremely rare occasion that I haven't, Mike has been there.  She knew something was up and was waiting for one of us to be there.  We got a call around 10:30 PM saying that she was pitiful.  Not crying, but clearly exhausted, and could we maybe hurry or one of us come back.  So we threw what was left in our cars, returned the truck and headed to the new house. (Have I mentioned that we're moving into a duplex that his mother lives on the other side? Cause I guess that's kinda important at this point)

By the time I got there she was laying down, with her eyes barely open, but clearly fighting sleep.  I wanted to shower and put clean clothes on, but at this point it was more important to get her to bed.  So I picked her up and she instantly settled on my chest and went to sleep.  I took her into her room with her corner being set up very similarly and put her to bed.  I made sure she had her noise machine and music.  But she's just too smart.  She tossed and turned that night, crying in her sleep.  So we spent the night running back and forth soothing and comforting her.  She just needed to know we were still there, because the second she felt my hand on her she would settle back into sleep.  Oh! And when she woke up that morning I swear she had no idea who I was or Mike.  She had this wild look in her eyes looking back and forth between us followed by screaming.  It got better after her bottle and lots of soothing.  I think this was just a product of the restless night she had.

The next day I made it very clear that she needed to take all of her naps in her bed.  She needed to get used to the space and the more time she spent in there the better it would be for all of us.  So Mike put her down for naps and let her play in the room.  We still had some moving things to do Monday, so I picked her up after work and took her to my mom's while we got the rest of the junky things out and cleaned the apartment to turn it over.  But I made sure to be back at the new house before Sarah's bedtime.  I did as much of her nightly routine as was possible and took my time getting her ready for bed.  When I gave her the last bottle she was tired from all of the events of the weekend and was having a hard time relaxing in the strange quietness that is a new house full of boxes.  So I sang her some of the songs I've been singing to her since birth.  Even threw in a few TV theme songs for good measure (I'll be there for yooouuuu.... When the rain starts to poor... I'll be there for yoooouuuu... Like I've been there before... (Name that show!))  And when I took her into her room for our walk (I don't have a rocker, so we pace around the room to sleep) I left a soft lamp on so she could see where she was.  If her head popped off my chest because something caught her attention I stopped and let her look at whatever it was and explained what it was and why it was there.  We did this for probably 5-10 min, then I turned off the lights and her head instantly went to her spot on my chest and she was out.  She slept like a baby that night.  No more tossing and turning and crying in her sleep.  The night time sleep battle won.  I can say that with confidence now that we've had 3 nights of normal sleep.

Now we just have to unpack all the millions of boxes.  We've spent the last two evening arranging furniture and unpacking daily necessities such as dishes and glasses.  Now that things are in place the unpacking moving marathon will start, along with all the million's of paint projects we have planned.  Have I mentioned I HATE MOVING!!!????  Because really I do, the whole process is a pain in the butt.  BUT, I am kinda excited to start living our lives as the Gill Family (Even if I'm not a Gill... yet!)

Oh and if you want a short list of things that were important to me through the move with Sarah here they are:

1.  I stopped referring to any one place as home.  I would say things like "Do you want to go with mommy?" instead of "Do you want to go home?"  I'm giving her time to disassociate the apartment with "home".
2.  I did not let Sarah see the apartment empty.  After my sister's move, I shut her door so she couldn't see in that room and there was relatively little furniture from our living spaces missing.  She knew our apartment parking lot and stairs and thought she didn't need to see the place empty.
3.  I kept the things she is used to the same.  Her sleep corner is relatively the same, her noise machine and music the same.  Same kitchen sink set up with her bottles and food.  Same toys to play with. etc.
4.  I arranged for her to be with people she knew and trusted to keep her occupied during the move so she could have "good days"
5.  I let her get to know her new room on her terms during the first real day there and night.
5.  Saved packing things she saw on a daily basis until the last week.  Acknowledged when something was different and moved on. 6 month olds are surprisingly distractable with a rattle or toy.

So yeah, if you've read this whole post, yay for you!!  (It's super long...) And as a reward you get a bright shiny internet hug from me! 

Changes.

This post is somewhat out of place here, but I'm going to write it anyway. (Mostly because I need an outlet right about now.)  So sorry if you're looking for a post on pregnancy or baby related.  I'll get back to posting those in the near(ish) future.

Currently, my little corner of the world is going topsy turvy.  You know how they say you go through seasons of change in your life?  Well, that's my life in a nutshell right now.  And to be quite frank and honest, I'm not exactly sure how to proceed at the moment.  So let's just start with the biggest thing that is on my mind and emotions currently.

My sister is moving across the country.  Now, those of you know me or know us, know that there have been huge chunks of our adult lives spent away from one another, I've lived in Italy for two years, she's spent more than one summer away at various National Parks.  We went to college hours away from one another.  But for the last 6(ish) years we have lived together.  We spent time away doing our various life pursuits and found ourselves back in Nashville and it worked out to live together. 

Um, I'm not even sure how to put into words the type of teeter totter emotions I feel about her moving so far away right now.  On the one side, I'm so incredibly happy for her.  I just know that her new city and state are going to fit her like a glove.  I can honestly say that I don't think she'd ever choose Tennessee has her home if her family wasn't here.  She is heading off to grad school to become qualified to do the things she was meant to do in life.  I genuinely believe she is going to find mountains and mountains of happiness there, doing things she loves and being surrounded by people who share the same passion(s) she does.  I don't want to say too much on what her future endevours will be because I haven't asked her permission to share it with my handful of readers...  So for this side of emotions I'm elated for her.  I really really REALLY think this is going to be so positive for her.

But then there is my selfish self-centered side that wants to grab her leg and beg her not to go!  I want to tell her to stay here and hang out with me.  I can totally take up hiking and backpacking... Okay maybe that's not really my thing, but we can work out some sort of system involving hiking through the mall or setting up a tent in the back yard  Ooooh!  I can build her a forest in the living room, who loves card board and tissue paper!?!.  I can talk her round, right?...  But I know that wouldn't be fair to her.  So my heart hurts a little(lot) at the thought of losing her right now.  I know that I'll adjust to a new routine and a new living situation and all that, but it's more the loss of my best friend that makes me so sad.  She knows how to read me and we have too many inside jokes and references that anyone else would think I'm crazy.  See I don't really hang out with many people, okay, I don't hang out with anyone.  But we always found stuff to do together.  We would take Sarah to the zoo or a pretty garden or go shopping or to some fun craft fair. We made "fun" together.  Plus, I can't even put into words the emotions I feel when I get past myself and factor in Sarah.  I really can't even get into that... I've been sitting here trying to put words to it and there are none... but I know that she knows what I mean.  Plus, who is going to teach Sarah the right words to songs?  We all know I'm lyrically challenged.

But again, I'm so so SO excited about this new chapter in her life and I know we'll keep in touch.

Which brings me to the next major change in my life.  We moved this weekend.  Mike and I have decided to live together and finally become a more traditional family unit.  We feel this is very important for both Haley and Sarah (and us too).  We've been talking about it for awhile now and it's finally happened.  Yes, we are still on team "let's get married sometime" but as life goes, sometimes you do things out of order.  This another one of those things.  Really we're just working backward.  Haha!  This has been a long time coming and we both feel like it's time.  Actually we feel it's a little past time, but we're at a great place.  We've been together five years and really feel we know how to communicate with one another and can read each other enough to really make it work.  Well not just work, but be good.  We've weathered A LOT of rocky times together and know that we're in it together.  But, as we all know, officially living together brings on more adjustments.  I don't think these will be that hard or difficult, just different.  Another major change in life.

Then there are little changes going on right now.  I've been at my current job for about a year and half.  The woman who trained me and is my crutch at work has announced that she will be leaving the end of August.  She is moving out of state to be with her family.  I don't know about you, but a year and half at a job is not really long enough to know every little thing or all the little random things that don't always come up... so I'm a little nervous for her to leave.  When she's gone I'll be the only Admin left here.  Yikes!!!

So to re-cap:
-Sister/Best friend moving across the country
-Living with boy becoming family unit
-Work/job uncertainty

Plus all the little things that change... I am just a little unhinged or maybe it's exhaustion from the three day moving marathon... but yeah, definately a season of change new beginnings all the way around.