Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Bye bye!
Guess who is saying her first word?
And just to be sure she's not outdone by her younger sister, Caroline is showing off her speaking skills too.
In other Caroline-related news, I have a few Caroline-isms to share:
We were in the car on the way to school the other day and out of the blue Caroline said, "Hey Mama, know what? I'm not afraid of Armadillo's" Hmm. Okay.
There are a couple of words that Caroline uses that are really not the proper way to use them, but they are endearing because they are so "her." I know she'll grow out of them soon, and I probably should correct her speech, but I can't bring myself to just yet.
Instead of saying "so", Caroline says "for". Where the correct thing to say would be, "I need you to go get dressed so we can leave on time", Caroline would say, "I need you to go get dressed for we can leave on time."
And instead of saying "really", Caroline says "very." Where the correct thing to say would be, "I really want that Barbie", Caroline would say, "I very want that Barbie."
As we're walking down the road of kindergarten applications, I am sure it would be wise to help her make those words corrections, but there is something really endearing about the little four-year-old speak that makes me smile when she talks.
And just to be sure she's not outdone by her younger sister, Caroline is showing off her speaking skills too.
In other Caroline-related news, I have a few Caroline-isms to share:
We were in the car on the way to school the other day and out of the blue Caroline said, "Hey Mama, know what? I'm not afraid of Armadillo's" Hmm. Okay.
There are a couple of words that Caroline uses that are really not the proper way to use them, but they are endearing because they are so "her." I know she'll grow out of them soon, and I probably should correct her speech, but I can't bring myself to just yet.
Instead of saying "so", Caroline says "for". Where the correct thing to say would be, "I need you to go get dressed so we can leave on time", Caroline would say, "I need you to go get dressed for we can leave on time."
And instead of saying "really", Caroline says "very." Where the correct thing to say would be, "I really want that Barbie", Caroline would say, "I very want that Barbie."
As we're walking down the road of kindergarten applications, I am sure it would be wise to help her make those words corrections, but there is something really endearing about the little four-year-old speak that makes me smile when she talks.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Early morning run down
So, if you were to walk in the door at our house at about 6:30 or so on any given morning, here's what you'd see:
Caroline drawing.
And smiling.
Charlotte eating toast.
Lots of toast (please note the double fisting she has going on). Not to mention yogurt, cheerios, puffs, some kind of fruit, and of course, a bottle. Girl loves to eat! Her sister on the other hand, not so much. Give her some white paper and a bunch of crayons (or as she calls them, "craylons") and markers, and she's good to go.
Caroline drawing.
And smiling.
Charlotte eating toast.
Lots of toast (please note the double fisting she has going on). Not to mention yogurt, cheerios, puffs, some kind of fruit, and of course, a bottle. Girl loves to eat! Her sister on the other hand, not so much. Give her some white paper and a bunch of crayons (or as she calls them, "craylons") and markers, and she's good to go.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
October 15, 2009
Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Some of us open our eyes each day to remember, but knowing that so many are praying and remembering alongside us today means more than words can express.
I wish I had some meaningful words to share today, but they just aren't coming. These women (and this one), however, did a fine job and if you click on over, you'll be blessed by their words. I would really appreciate you joining me today especially in praying for those presently enduring and grieving the loss of a child.
Grace and peace.
I wish I had some meaningful words to share today, but they just aren't coming. These women (and this one), however, did a fine job and if you click on over, you'll be blessed by their words. I would really appreciate you joining me today especially in praying for those presently enduring and grieving the loss of a child.
Grace and peace.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 05, 2009
Career aspirations
Tonight when I was putting Caroline to bed I was rubbing her back for a few moments, and she sleepily said, "Hey Mama, you know what?" I replied, "No, Caroline, what?" She continued, "When I grow up I'm going be a builder. And a cooker. And a worker. And a doctor. And a cleaner. And a mama."
I love how her little heart comes out in those moments. Caroline is truly one of the the most helpful children I've ever known. I know I'm biased, but she genuinely wants to serve others and gets true joy out of helping. When we are baking together or when she is helping me unload the dishwasher or sweep the floor, you would think I was treating her to an ice cream sundae. Her face is abeam with the biggest smile because she enjoys being part of helping me do something. Anything. Her sharing her dreams with me and that smile are the reminder I need to enjoy those times when she wants to help, when really it would be easier to do it alone.
Caroline is an extremely sensitive, very emotionally adept little girl, so as a result, I have to be very careful how I respond to her. I have to think before I decide whether to tell her "no" about something. The question I started asking myself when Caroline was about 18 months old is, "Is this important enough for me to say no and stick with it?"
If there is really no good reason for saying no (like when she wants to help me unload the dishwasher; she is able to help, she won't get hurt, and the only thing it costs me is a few extra minutes and a lesson in patience), then I try to be really diligent about saying yes. I want to cultivate that helping, caring spirit in this little gift God has allowed me to care for and not quench the spirit that makes her who she is and who she will be.
One of my most frequent prayers as a mother is, "God please give me wisdom to raise these girls well and the patience to let your will be done in them and not mine." I think that as adults we lose sight of the journey because we are so focused on the destination. I have my list of "to-dos" and I just want to get through it, but Caroline sees each thing on that list as something else she can be part of. No offense to the wonderful women who taught me in my school years, but Caroline is definitely the best teacher I've encountered in life thus far.
I love how her little heart comes out in those moments. Caroline is truly one of the the most helpful children I've ever known. I know I'm biased, but she genuinely wants to serve others and gets true joy out of helping. When we are baking together or when she is helping me unload the dishwasher or sweep the floor, you would think I was treating her to an ice cream sundae. Her face is abeam with the biggest smile because she enjoys being part of helping me do something. Anything. Her sharing her dreams with me and that smile are the reminder I need to enjoy those times when she wants to help, when really it would be easier to do it alone.
Caroline is an extremely sensitive, very emotionally adept little girl, so as a result, I have to be very careful how I respond to her. I have to think before I decide whether to tell her "no" about something. The question I started asking myself when Caroline was about 18 months old is, "Is this important enough for me to say no and stick with it?"
If there is really no good reason for saying no (like when she wants to help me unload the dishwasher; she is able to help, she won't get hurt, and the only thing it costs me is a few extra minutes and a lesson in patience), then I try to be really diligent about saying yes. I want to cultivate that helping, caring spirit in this little gift God has allowed me to care for and not quench the spirit that makes her who she is and who she will be.
One of my most frequent prayers as a mother is, "God please give me wisdom to raise these girls well and the patience to let your will be done in them and not mine." I think that as adults we lose sight of the journey because we are so focused on the destination. I have my list of "to-dos" and I just want to get through it, but Caroline sees each thing on that list as something else she can be part of. No offense to the wonderful women who taught me in my school years, but Caroline is definitely the best teacher I've encountered in life thus far.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Dear Charlotte,
Charlotte you are 10 months old today and I'm not quite sure how to explain how it feels to say that. In so many ways, I feel like you've been part of "us" for so long, but in others it feels like you just arrived. Your precious personality is revealing itself more and more each passing day. You are a joy to be around, happy and smiling most of your waking moments. You love to laugh, to be tickled, to listen to music, to crawl around the house exploring all that you aren't supposed to get into. Caroline's toys are a constant point of interest for your little eyes and hands. If she is in the room, your toys take a back seat to whatever it is she's playing with, especially if it's something like her tiny Disney princesses. In fact, anything to do with Caroline is your number one priority. She can make you laugh like no one else and she can play rough with you in ways that you would never allow anyone else. I can't tell you how much joy that brings to me and your Papa, seeing our girls love on one another is truly an amazing blessing.
You love to snuggle with me and Papa when we hold you, burying your head in our shoulders, hanging on tightly to your blankie. You love to hear yourself "talk". In the car or sitting in your high chair, the refrain from you is often, "Ba, ba, ba. Da, da, da." This morning I think you were trying to sing on the way to school; you starting saying, "ah" very softly and slowly getting a little louder and higher in pitch until I was literally laughing out loud at how high and loud you got.
I cherish every moment with you sweet Charlotte girl!
Love,
Mama
You love to snuggle with me and Papa when we hold you, burying your head in our shoulders, hanging on tightly to your blankie. You love to hear yourself "talk". In the car or sitting in your high chair, the refrain from you is often, "Ba, ba, ba. Da, da, da." This morning I think you were trying to sing on the way to school; you starting saying, "ah" very softly and slowly getting a little louder and higher in pitch until I was literally laughing out loud at how high and loud you got.
I cherish every moment with you sweet Charlotte girl!
Love,
Mama
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Blue sky day
We spent some time outside this afternoon with the girls. Caroline and Jeff went rode their bikes and I pushed Charlotte in the stroller. It was a beautiful afternoon, blue skies, bright sun, and a little breeze. The girls are great; Charlotte has recovered nicely from her surgery and we'll go back Tuesday to see how everything looks!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
And we're back
Yes, we're still alive and well. I'm not sure what has happened to the past two weeks, so I won't attempt to explain my absence. But, I'll give a quick rundown: Jeff was out of town for a week, Charlotte has been sick (ears), and I've been busy at work, so when I get home the last place I want to be is on the computer.
In other good news, Drew and Amelia had their baby, a precious boy named Asher Andrew. I wish I could kiss those cheeks right now! Isn't he beautiful? There is something really special about seeing my brother become a father, something I really feel he was born to do. Drew is patient and kind and level-headed, all wonderful attributes when it comes to caring for a newborn. Or a teenager. Amelia is a beautiful mother and I know this boy will easily live up to his name with the two of them guiding his way.
Charlotte is actually getting tubes tomorrow, so we're gearing up for that. Thankfully we've been through this once before with Caroline. The recovery for her was a matter of hours, so I'm predicting by Monday afternoon we'll be back to normal over here. The worst part of for Charlotte should be waking up and not being able to eat until after the surgery. Have I mentioned before how much Charlotte loves to eat? Should be interesting.
Caroline is doing well in school; she's been on a writing kick these past few weeks. She wants to write everyone's name, so I'm busy writing sheets full of people's names so she can copy them. It's fun to see her progress in her writing skills even over a short amount of time. I'm not sure where she gets it from (ha.), but she can be a little obsessive about these types of things. I'm just relishing the time now when she is obsessed with something like writing letters.
Building with her Dora house set. This was called "pincher house".
Jeff and Caroline made masks the other morning. Caroline had so much fun.
Cheering on the Tigers!
This afternoon when we got home from church, I was feeding Charlotte her lunch and Caroline was in her room listening to the Little Mermaid soundtrack. I heard her singing and when I went to go peek in her room to see how she was doing, I saw that she was using her bed as a little stage to perform along with Ariel. I caught part of it on camera; here you go!
In other good news, Drew and Amelia had their baby, a precious boy named Asher Andrew. I wish I could kiss those cheeks right now! Isn't he beautiful? There is something really special about seeing my brother become a father, something I really feel he was born to do. Drew is patient and kind and level-headed, all wonderful attributes when it comes to caring for a newborn. Or a teenager. Amelia is a beautiful mother and I know this boy will easily live up to his name with the two of them guiding his way.
Charlotte is actually getting tubes tomorrow, so we're gearing up for that. Thankfully we've been through this once before with Caroline. The recovery for her was a matter of hours, so I'm predicting by Monday afternoon we'll be back to normal over here. The worst part of for Charlotte should be waking up and not being able to eat until after the surgery. Have I mentioned before how much Charlotte loves to eat? Should be interesting.
Caroline is doing well in school; she's been on a writing kick these past few weeks. She wants to write everyone's name, so I'm busy writing sheets full of people's names so she can copy them. It's fun to see her progress in her writing skills even over a short amount of time. I'm not sure where she gets it from (ha.), but she can be a little obsessive about these types of things. I'm just relishing the time now when she is obsessed with something like writing letters.
Building with her Dora house set. This was called "pincher house".
Jeff and Caroline made masks the other morning. Caroline had so much fun.
Cheering on the Tigers!
This afternoon when we got home from church, I was feeding Charlotte her lunch and Caroline was in her room listening to the Little Mermaid soundtrack. I heard her singing and when I went to go peek in her room to see how she was doing, I saw that she was using her bed as a little stage to perform along with Ariel. I caught part of it on camera; here you go!
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