~ a little poem of gratitude ~

thanks a million
thanks a lot
what you did
won't be forgot

it made my day
it made me smile
it made me giddy
for a while

you're really swell
you're really great
and that's what i
appreciate

I'm tickled pink
by all you do
that's why I wrote
this poem for you!!

ok, maybe I didn't write it, but I mean it!
i love you all and I'm so thankful for my life. ox

six month smiles

The Monday before Love Bug turned a big Six Months Old was not full of smiles. She came down with a really high fever. We went to the Dr and after a good once over, she couldn't find anything obviously wrong with my very sick baby girl. That lead to the catheter to see if she had a UTI, nope that came back negative. That lead to pulling blood from her tiny arm to test white blood cells and inflammation, nope those came back normal too. After all that trauma, (I don't know who thought it was worse, me or her) the very high fever was chalked up to a virus. Seriously. So there was a virus among us for several days. I believe I'd rather have my babies spuing some bodily fluid with a fever as opposed to none other symptoms. How scary was that?!! Very. Did I mention Beau was with me for this event? Oh yes he was. And do you know how precious he is? Let me tell you. He was patting her little leg and saying, "Its ok sissy, that's a nurse, it's ok sissy." pat pat pat. The nurse said, "Beau we're not hurting her, she's just mad because we have to hold her still." he said, "ok" in almost an well-then-its-ok-with-me tone. He certainly loves that baby girl and she might love him more. Melt. The wonderful praise report is she is all better, especially when I started giving her the correct medication thanks to guidance from Nurse Jenny. Slap to forehead.

Sweet baby girl is tiny. She is in the 5th percentile for height and weight! Developmentally she's right where she's supposed to be. Trying to sit up, but still a webble wobble, eating cereal and a few baby food veggies, trying to hold a bottle and rolling from both sides. She is now Oh So Smiley! Loves to talk to anyone. Chew on her toes. Beat rattles on the ground. She sings herself to sleep. Reaches for all objects. Adores her Daddy and his attention. Tries to sit up in the swing. Has to help Mama cook in her bumbo seat on the counter. Perhaps is teething a smidge. Takes her reflux medicine like a champ! She's probably Beau's greatest fan and he thinks she's the greatest audience. Just a tip, it is not a good idea to put them in the tub together yet, trust me, not a good idea.

Peas Please!

Ready to Read.

I have a rekindled interest in reading. What was that?... it isn't rekindled, perhaps just discovered? Ok, ya got me. I never really enjoyed reading growing up. It all started with that dangnab Miss Nutt in the 1st grade... oh nevermind, I'm not supposed to blame teachers. I married into the most teachery family you could possibly have and I love teachers. Really.

I'm always trying to find a moment to read now. I have 2 books going at the same time. Dave Ramsey, Financial Peace (highly recommend) and a marriage book about Love and Respect (this one's dragging a little, but has good information). I also like to learn new things about raising babies. I like to investigate the possibility of cloth diapering, making my own baby food and wearing them in slings, just because it's interesting. I take it or leave it, as my Mama says. I find a LOT of information on this blog: http://mycharmingkids.net/2010/11/rebirthday-2/

I love this blog. It touches my heart. Jennifer is a sold-out for Jesus, realistic mother of 5 very small children, photography addicted, talented writer. She is always raising awareness of injustice in this world. Most importantly, (well the way I connect to her) she has Stellan. Stellan is just a few months younger than Beau. Stellan is a miracle and I encourage you to read his story. I can honestly say this blog gives me a deeper appreciation for my children, what they mean to me and what it means to live in the moment.

I'm also contemplating something new that would involve much more reading to the tune of getting my MBA. Why would I add something like that to my full plate? But why not? Something to read about.

"I do it Mommy"

Let me introduce you to Mr. Independent. My great big bear is very much into accomplishing his own goals. Many occasions he is applauded, others he is re-directed and others... send him to the corner. In this case I was washing diaper-ness off my hands. He said he needed a Jesus Cracker (Cheez-it), I said please wait for Mommy. He tried to follow directions, but scooting the box back on the counter resulted in a backflip over his head and a full box of Jesus crackers on the floor. He didn't get in trouble. I'd love to tell you I'd just finished mopping, washed all the dishes and darned some socks... but that would be a lie. I'm horrible to keep floors even swept. He was sad to see them go, so was Daddy. But heck, he was already working on that sucker (that he got himself). Which leads me to my next point.

Mr Bear has decided the majority of food I offer for dinner is now "Nasty". This is a new concept. Just a short while ago he would eat gum off your shoe, he loved food So Much. Not anymore. It's a huge struggle to get him to eat anything other than carbs, sugar, and meat. So, I've been talking to Mommy's, reading a little on Babycenter and have put forth an effort to educate myself on toddlerisms such as these. Roommate Jenny recommended a great cookbook. I ordered it today. It is called Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfield. I read a smidge and apparently I'll be putting pureed cauliflower in the mac n'cheese. Whahahah (evil laugh). I'm totally pumped. The other night he said, "more fish sticks please" I said, "please take two bites of peas you had 4 four sticks." he says, "But Mommy I NEED six and seven and eight!"

He calls the short school bus, a Baby Bus.

Yesterday he said to Joy, "See ya Joy, we're going to Vote!" you bet I took him in there with me!

All he wants to do is play catch with a ball. When the ball bounces off my face he says, "that's ok Mommy, you can try again."

He HAS to help "fix dinners." During this he sings; Walkin' in the Sunshine song while standing in the kitchen chair using my antique wine cork opener as a microphone.

Lions and Tigers and Bears OH MY!

Every baby should be a pumpkin for their 1st Halloween (according to me). So to tie the theme together, that is "Oh My" taped on Lauren's bottom. Mike has informed me this is the very last year he will be wearing ears pinned on a sweatshirt, or any other costume for that matter... party pooper.

There was also the cutest elephant and soccer player in our company. Lion says to Elephant, "So how hot are you right now? I'm melting in this thing!" Elephant says to Lion, "You don't have to deal with a trunk in your face buddy!" Suckers make it all better.

Everyone's smiling as long as sugar is involved. Will is double fisting it.

Have I mentioned we have some grandparents whom thoroughly enjoy every moment they get to see these little critters?!