Baby, Oh, Baby

I have been looking back at pictures.

Ones that start when Audrie was born.

Pictures like this.

I want another one.

I love Audrie being 8 months old.

But I miss her being a "baby" baby.

I need another baby.

I dont know how much longer I can wait.

The Family Calendar

Awhile back a blogged about making a menu for each night of the week. You can read about it here.

I thought I would give a little update about how it is going...I LOVE IT! Why didnt I do this before?  At the end of each month, I get out my list of recipes and fill in the days. When GT gets paid, I grocery shop for the next 2 weeks. Then, I dont have to think about it again. I look at in the mornings to see what meat I need to thaw, then when it comes dinner time, I have everything I need!  Sometimes, I have moved around the nights or made leftover night Wednesday...or so on...so it is still flexible.

In addition to the food menu, I am added chores to each day of the week too...I used to work and in those days things got clean when I had time, which I had a lot more time because I didnt have a child. I had decided that Wednesday would be "cleaning" day. I found out quickly that for me I start a project and get burned out. For me, I would rather do a little cleaning every day. So here is my schedule:

Monday- Bedrooms
Tuesday- Bathrooms
Wednesday- Floors (vacuuming, sweeping, mopping)
Thursday- Laundry
Weekend- Outside

In our house, the living room and kitchen is like one big room. Everyday is kitchen and living room. When Audrie goes down for her morning nap, I do my devotional, eat breakfast, then clean the kitchen/living room. Then for her afternoon nap, I clean the other things for the day. Some days I have to throw a shower in there too. And somedays we go somewhere, so I have to do all things during the morning nap--or put Baby Einstein on! I am starting this next week, will update.

And lastly, I am adding one more thing to the family calendar. I have been reading this book and it overwhelms me. There is alot of stuff to pray for in there. Each day I put something on the calendar to pray about for GT. And it just works out that she has 30 things! One for each day of the month...the next book I am reading is Power of a Praying Parent, so I am sure that I will be adding!

In Our Pain...

As I was reading through my dashboard of blogs I follow...I stumbled upon a new post by my friend Sara. Sara had a baby who had some kidney complications. He only lived for a few hours. Today would have been his second birthday. You can read her post here.

It made me quite emotional. I began crying as I rocked Audrie just thanking God for all He has given us and thinking how I am so unworthy to be blessed with this beautiful angel. I know it is an age-old question with no answer, of "why", "why do these things happen and especially why do they happen to good people?"

Like, I said there is no answer. At least not one we will know on this earth. I began to think of tragic events in my life (which are few). One is when GT lost his job, which in no way is comparable to losing a child. It has been over a year now...and wow, what a year. A year with lots of worries and tears. A year with lots of laughter and excitement.  A year with many unknowns and a year that have grown closer to God than ever before.

These are things I know for sure: God is in control. He has a plan. He is there for us through our pain. He is the only one who can give peace that passes all understanding. He love us so much more than we can image. And His son died for us. On a cross. So that we might have LIFE. Eternal life. 

I do not know how one can bear such pain without a loving Savior. I am so grateful that is something I will never know. 

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are

suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ,

so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed."

- 1st Peter 4:12-13

"But pain insists upon being attended to.

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in

our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His

megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

- C. S. Lewis

Top 2 Tuesdays Summer Favs

This weeks TOP TWO... top 2 favorite things about the summer!!!!!!!!! I dont know if I can do just 2!

Yes, I love sno-cones (or sno-balls as some people like to call them!). I havent had one yet this season because of my diet, but I hope to soon. My favorite flavor is strawberry with a little cream on top. Yummo.

I love swimming. And this year, I am so excited to get Audrie in a pool! There is a sligh drawback this year...even though I have lost close to 35 pounds, I still have dreaded stretch marks. No tankini for me friends. And it gets worst, Im gonna have to get some kind of skirt/wrap to cover my upper thighs...oh stretch marks. I hate you. 

Also, including in swimming, is going to the lake. Last year I did not get to go tubing because I was preggo...this year, I cant wait!

Head over the undomestic momma and play!

When Your Baby is Sick

This week has been pretty blah to say the least. Audrie started getting a runny nose the day after Easter. We just kind of ignored it because what can you do?  Then a week after that we could hear some chest congestion. So we brought her to see the doc last Wednesday because it had not cleared up. He didnt see any infections and said it was probably allergies and suggested we use zyrtec.

So...fast forward to Friday, we are on our way to Dallas and Audrie had a 99. something fever. Then Saturday it was 100. something, Saturday night 101 then Sunday 102. So we brought her to the weekend clinic. The PA said she had mild bronchitis plus a left ear infection. Prescribed antibiotics.

Then, yesterday she still wasnt better, so I brought her back to see the doc. And her ear infection was not clearing up and she needed a stronger antibiotic. Poor sweet girl.

Audrie has been sick before. She had the croup and was in the hospital overnight. But this time, oh man. She was pitiful. and rightfully so, but man, Im exhausted. She wanted to be held all the time even while sleeping.

Today was a much better day and I think she is on the road to being back to normal....

Then...while all this has been happening, Saturday when we got home from Dallas our garage door broke. So now, our garage door is just open. I told the hubby I was scared someone would steal our food out of the deep freeze, he said "how about someone stealing the whole freezer."... haha, oh yeah, that too!

In thinking about this past week, I was just thinking about how amazing it is that God created a woman to be a mom. He created woman with patience, gentleness, nurturing, etc... And I know some women have this more than others. But I can be at my wits end, and when I look at her, it all melts. She is worth every frustration, spit up, sleepless night, dirty toy-filled house, oh, I could go on.

Motherhood is amazing. Something that cannot be described to someone who has never experienced it. I would do it all again in second (and hope too soon!).

Reminders and a Giveaway

Last week at my Bible study, Frazzled Female, we talked about things we could do as a reminder to pray or meditate on a scripture. One of the ideas was to get a specific piece of jewelry and everytime you looked at it, it would be a reminder.

I think that is a brilliant idea. 

Well...today, one of my blogger friends is giving away a beautiful necklace on her blog. Go there and check it out! You could win!

It is a beautiful necklace and a reminder that "We are loved"...it could mean anything to anyone. About anyone. For me, it is a reminder of God's love for me. 

"I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."            Romans 8:38-39 (The Message)

Top 2 Tuesdays Under $15

This weeks....

Is favs under $15. 

Lynzie (my bestie) and I were at a baby boutique the other day and we saw these...

These are snack containers made by Packin Smart. They come in all sorts of colors and shapes. I purchased the green round ones. They are so neat. You can put snacks, formula, baby food etc... in these containers and they snap off. You can take 1 or you can take all three. 

This certain container is only $11.95. You can purchase it here.

Ok, so this should be Lydia's favorite baby things under $15. Because the next one is this...

This is a necklace by Smart Mom Jewelry. It is called Teething Bling. They sell jewelry made specifically for a baby to teeth on. Audrie loves this necklace! She constantly chews on it. It is very helpful when we are somewhere without a toy, it is around my neck! 

It is a little more than $15.. it is $19.10 plus tax....but, right now there is a sale on their website. 2 bangle bracelets (which are also for teething) for $15! 

Some of my other favorite items under $15:

Old Navy Flip-Flops

Finger Nail Polish (any brand-but I really like the Nicole brand)

Old Navy Tank Tops

Bobby Pins (I think I have like 300-and most of them you can find all over my house)

Mary Kay face wash

Aveeno Moisturizer 

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips (I use it as eye shadow)

Mac Lip Glass

This list could go on...and I was only supposed to pick 2! I couldnt help it! 

Its a girl! Part 2.

On April 16 of last year (almost a year ago) we found out that we were having a girl. Before Audrie was born, this blog existed, however, I didnt write much or often. I was working for one thing, and I didnt realize how much I loved to write. Also, I didnt know how much the memories would mean to me later.

So...I wanted to recall as much I can of the day we had the gender sonogram.

My parents met us at the office. I remember waiting for what felt like forever. I wanted it to be a girl. From the moment I saw the pregnancy test, I felt like it was going to be a girl. But then my friend Lynzie found out she was having a girl like 2 weeks before we found out, and our bellies looked SOOOO different. So I started doubting my strong feeling that it was a girl. Anyway, they walked us back to the sonogram room.

There was a girl in training that was doing the ultrasound. She started measuring the bones and organs. I remember looking at the screen and we could see was her spine. So, I told GT we were having a dinosaur. The tech looked at me like I was a wierdo.

Then, I said, this better be a girl....the tech showed us some of her organs on the screen then said, "And here are the girls parts"...I said, " I knew it, I knew it! I am so glad it's a girl!"

I cant remember to much of the rest except that Audrie would not move correctly for the u/s tech to get accurate enough readings, so we would have to go back for another sono in 8 weeks.

Then we went and ate a New Hupei (chinese) and I text everyone and their mother...plus I told everyone on FB about 300 times. I was a little excited to say the least.

We did go back when I was 28 weeks preggo for another u/s. I remember asking the tech how much Audrie weighed. She told me they didnt order for her to determine weight-whatever that meant. I wonder had she calculated the weight, would we have known by her weight that I had developed diabetes? I guess not since it was around the same time I took the diabetes test.

Hodge Podge of Things

I have been meaning to blog for awhile now, about various topics. Some reason, my child has decided napping is not fun anymore unless she is sleeping in my arms. So...I have limited time to blog. I hope this is a phase that passes fast.

First order of business. I have previously blogged about wanting wear Audrie again. She just wants to be held so much these days, and holding a 19 pound 8 month old will wear you out! So...after much research I decided to get a ring sling (unpadded) from here. I ordered a European linen one in the color ginger (light tan). I decided to order from this particular woman because of all the good reviews on her quality of work and it was reasonably priced. I picked linen because of how hot it gets here and picked a neutral color. I will update how it works for us!

Second- BABY EINSTEIN. My major in college was Family and Child Studies and in many of my classes we discussed parenting and various topics...Well, one class the brand Baby Einstein was brought up. And everyone was saying how it was invented by a mom, and it isnt scientifically studied etc... So this is the view I took on as well. UNTIL NOW! I purchased Babies First Sounds dvd...and oh my goodness. My child just sits and watches this for about 40 minutes straight. It is stupid and gets on my nerves, but I dont care. It allows me to get things done...you know, like a take a shower. Anyway, Im not too excited about Audrie watching tv, because when we have it on normal tv she doesnt even pay attention to it (except for Wheel of Fortune. I think she likes the clapping)...so sometimes I feel bad for letting her watch it (sometimes twice a day!) but a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do!

Third- I didnt do a weekly diet blog. I just didnt have time, so I will include it here. I was 197 on Tuesday. Makes a total of 31 pounds lost! And 12 to go!

Lastly and a little more seriously...God has been teaching me about alot of things, too many to insert here. But there are 2 big things dealing with marriage and I thought I would quickly share them.

   1. Expectations. My hub went from a job were he got home at 5:30, got off half day on Fridays to working some nights until 7 and even has to work a Saturday a month. I am very grateful for his job and he loves his job. It has been hard for me to adjust. I expect him to be home no later than 5:30 and when he isnt I get upset, he gets upset, its no good. Its not that he doesnt want to be home at 5:30 he does, it just isnt how his job works, especially right now. I am having to learn to lower my expectations. When he gets home at 5:30...great! If not, he is out working so hard to provide for me and Audrie. And I know he would much rather be home with us then treating someone's house for termites or other pests.

This is just an example, but we do this all the time. We hold our spouses or even other family members to these high expectations that are not realistic. And we get mad at them and blame them, when in all actuality it is us that needs to change. We are the ones with the expectations. I find when I do this, I get a lot less frustrated and so does he. I just need to be reminded alot! :)

     2. If someone wins, both people lose. One of my favorite professors in college told our class this, and it has stuck with me. If my husband and I are an argument, and I "win" then we both lose. This really can be said for any argument between any people not just spouses. Winning is not the best result. The best result is to come to an understanding and agreement that makes both people satisfied, so both win.

This is a lot easier to say then to do in the moment of a heated argument. Many times I remember this after the fact and have to go back and correct it.

Top 2 Tuesdays

This weeks top 2: Beauty Secrets. I didnt participate last week because it was magazines and I never read them....

1. I have frizzy, thick ugh hair...And something I always put on my hair....

I put it on after a shower, while my hair is still wet. Then blow dry. Then chi. Its amazing. No really. And it smells delicious.

2. Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara

I'm one of those mascara freaks. I love it. And I try all the new kinds that come out. Until I discovered this. Last year, I started selling Mary Kay, which I dont do anymore...well I will put in an order every 2 months or so...to get this mascara! It is THAT amazing! I love it! It beats any store brand for sure!....And I LOVE their mineral powder also. I used to would not leave the house without medium coverage foundation on---oh, no more my friend, now all I use in mineral powder and I feel liberated!

Baby Wearing

Prior to having Audrie, GT and I took a class at our church that taught the parenting style of Baby Wise. We learned alot and had thought we knew what kind of parenting we wanted to do. Also, during my pregnancy I purchased "The Baby Book" by Dr. Sears. The first few chapters went against everything we had been taught in our class. So I did not read anymore.

Then Audrie came... And everything changed.

There are good ideas from both schools of thought, and we kind of do a combo of them. I really like how Baby Wise stresses the importance of keeping the marriage relationship priority and how you should try to invite the child into your family instead of making your world revolve around your child (kinda hard when you are a SHAM or when your child is as spoiled as mine!)...And for the Dr. Sears part, I loved Audrie sleeping next to me for the first few months, however, at 3 months, it was time for her to be in her own room and we were lucky the transition went pretty well..And I love rocking her to sleep--most of the time....and the thing I really love is Baby Wearing!

I got my Moby wrap when Audrie was around 7 weeks old I think. I wish I had it before that! It is so Amazing! Audrie would sleep in it for hours and I had my hands free to do whatever I needed to get done. I would recommend this for everyone...around 5 months it didnt work for us anymore. She didnt want to be facing me and her weight just didnt work for the way I wore her anymore.

Now she is getting so heavy and quite attached to me...and I miss wearing her. So I am in the market for a new wearer. Here is what I am looking for...

• One where I can wear her on my hip comfortable for both of us. And possibly on my back in the future. 
• Something affordable..aka, under $100
• One that will grow with her...like until she is 2 or 3
• Something if possible I can wear an infant in too for when we have our next (I will use the moby too) 
• Light fabric for summer time

I have been on the babywearer website for awhile now researching and I just cant decide. Wrap or sling? Which kind of wrap or sling? Which fabric? If anyone reading this is into baby wearing, please HELP! I would love ideas, advice and/or suggestions! 

Gymboree Play and Learn

Lynzie and I brought the girls to Gymboree play class yesterday! They had alot of fun!

There was a gym full of toys and my child plays on the window.

Audrie playing with her BFF Adalynn! 

Diet Week 7

Weekly weigh in 200!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so close to being out of the 200 club! It has been 7 weeks since I started this diet, and I have lost a total of 28 pounds! I have 15 pounds to go!

I need to step it up and start exercising! It was hard this weekend with all the Easter food. I ate what I wanted, but still did portion control. I made a carrot cake from Pioneer Woman...It was so good, but over the whole weekend I only had 1 1/2 pieces. 

I should have taken some "before" pictures...but I didnt. And I wish I would have measured my body in fat places, but I didnt. So this is the closest full body shot I can find pre-diet...and this is me this past Sunday. As you can see, I still have the belly to work on, which is where the exercising comes in. 

 

Christmas Eve 2009

       Easter Sunday 2010    

Baskets, Eggs and Bunnies

What do you put in an 8 month old's Easter basket?

Yogurt Melts, Lil' Crunchies (Baby Cheetos), Apple Juice, Sippy Cup and Socks... Ok, maybe I was going to buy all this stuff anyway...

Audrie and Nanny

The three of us...

She was more interested in the grass then the eggs, but I got a few pics of her playing with the eggs!

We had a fabulous Easter! I was sorta glad Audrie is too young to hunt Easter eggs. I am looking forward to next year, but it was kinda nice to sit and watch instead of following her and helping her find the eggs.

Oh, I dont think I have blogged her picture of seeing the easter bunny...

She did not cry, but as you can see she was not thrilled either. 

Almost 8 months...

Audrie will be 8 months on Saturday! Since we will be going out of town tomorrow for Easter...I decided to go ahead and blog about it!

Wow. Audrie has changed so much since she turned 7 months old. It is hard to believe she was just really sitting up well when she turned 7 months...now she is crawling EVERYWHERE, pulling up on EVERYTHING...eating ANYTHING I will let her, by herself, with her own hands...She has also just started standing independently for a few seconds at a time! Also during this month, she has learned to clap and play patty cake (which really means she just claps when I saw patty cake-but it sure it cute!)

Some of her favorite finger foods: baby cheetos, mild cheddar cheese, cherrios, teething biscuits and of course, Baby Mum-Mums!

     

Also, I am going to start giving her formula in a sippy cups once a day, then next month-twice, and so on...until she is drinking from a sippy cup and no more bottles...praise Jesus!

  

And...in 123 days, or 4 months...NO MORE FORMULA! We are going to feel rich! Ok, not really, but have you looked at the price of formula these days!

Anyway, if you couldnt tell I am getting a little excited about changes that are happening and coming! Now, if we could just potty train at a year old-that would be amazing! :)