1st Cereal

Have I mentioned before that things are busy in this house?  There is always something going on here it seems, but I sometimes forget to post those happenings.  Even the important ones.  Like Nolan eating cereal for the first time.  It actually happened on Tuesday of last week.  Nolan may not be a good sleeper, but when it comes to eating, he's definitely the most laid back of the four kids.  He has never not eaten something I have given him, whether he's nursing or drinking cold formula from a bottle.  And thankfully, eating rice cereal was much the same.  He opened right up without any objections.  It took a couple of tries for him to figure out that he needed to swallow it without pushing it around with his tongue, but once he figured out what to do with it, he eagerly opened up for the next bite when he saw the spoon coming.

 

Morgan took a couple pictures of those first bites. 

 

 

 

Ahhh.

Feeling content...and full.

 

 

As I said, he's really "laid back" when it comes to eating!

 

I Hope You Dance...

In a busy week full of track meets, weeds to pull, projects to complete, lunches to pack, and bills to pay, sometimes you just have to stop and dance.

 

 

I hope YOU dance this week as well!!

Wordless Wednesday

Belated Birthday Pictures

Morgan's 9th birthday was last Thursday night.  Our plan was to celebrate together as a family on Thursday night since Noel was home and then Morgan had invited two of her friends to come over Friday night to play and celebrate some more.  I tried to throw in a few surprises along the way however to make it fun. 

 

So, when I picked her up from school, I told her that surprise #1 was underway.  That surprise was taking her to a place in town called "Mud Love" where you can get a free bracelet on your birthday.  She's been asking to go in to their downtown store for several months, so this was a great surprise. 

 

Surprise #2 was coming home to a house decorated for her birthday.  Here is part of it:

 

 

Surprise #3 was hearing that Grandpa and Grandma M had called the day before and asked to take us out for pizza that night as a way to celebrate with her.  Then, we invited them back to our house for some cake and gifts. 

 

See the new "sparkler" candles that I chose this year??  They were suppose to be so much fun as they sparkled like the fourth of July!!

 

Yeah, not so much!

I think they were more scary than anything as they caught fire and dripped quickly all over the cake...

 

Good thing she got them all blown out or they have burned the house down!!

 

She was so excited to get a Kohl's gift card from her Aunt Dawn and family and another Kohl's card from her grandparents.  Noel and I bought her some hair accessories, a Chris Tomlin CD that she had asked for, and another bracelet from Mud Love.

 

 

I chose "Be the Change" because I decided that would be a great theme for a little girl on her birthday as she takes a stand for what is right... and she chose "John 3:16" for her birthday bracelet.

 

Our birthday girl modeling ALL of her hair accessories at the same time!

 

 

Mother's Day 2013

Here is just part of the stash that I received for Mother's Day yesterday.

 

 

I LOVE getting homemade gifts from the girls each year for Mother's Day.  They use to come completely from their Sunday School teachers, but now as the girls get older, they've started using their creativity to come up with their own great ideas.  I love seeing and reading what they come up with.  Here are some of the gems from this year.

 

MELAYNA'S CARD:

MY MOM IS: 30 years old (Oh bless you child!!)

MY MOM IS PRETTIEST WHEN:  she wears clothes (well, that is good to know!)

MY MOM LIKES TO MAKE:  monte cristo

MY MOM ALWAYS SAYS:  obey!  (yeah, with Melayna's that's just about right!)

WHAT MY MOM LIKES MOST ABOUT ME:   that I'm pretty!!

FOR A JOB, MY MOM:  goes inside to help clean the house

 

MARISSA'S CARD:

MY MOM IS SPECIAL BECAUSE:  she helps me when I'm stuck on something

I LIKE IT WHEN MY MOM:  plays games with me

MY MOM CAN DO MANY THINGS!  I THINK SHE'S BEST AT:  cooking.

MY MOM IS AS PRETTY AS A:  princess

MY MOM IS SMART!  SHE EVEN KNOWS:  50 divided by 2!!

 

MORGAN'S CARD:

My Mom rocks!  She is very nice.  When she smiles, it makes me so happy.  I love doing things with her, especially reading.  And she is very good at cooking.  She really is the best!

 

++++++

 

Noel blessed me on Mother's Day by cooking lunch with Morgan's assistance.  They made tacos, at my request, and then cleaned everything up afterwards so I could go take a nap while Nolan was napping.  Then, after evening church, upon my girls' request, we went to Culver's for some ice cream.  And the best thing my husband did for me yesterday?  HE CLEANED THE STOVETOP AND MICROWAVE!!  With a young baby in the house, I just don't always have time to do the detailed things like that and he took care of it for me!  LOVE THAT MAN!!

 

 

Yes, it's official.  I am VERY blessed this Mother's Day 2013!

 

Overheard...

The other day, Melayna was playing library on our living room floor.  She had a pile of books set up beside her to her right and a play cash register on the left.  As I was working in the kitchen, I overheard her on her little play phone.  She was talking in a hushed but stern voice and her conversation went something like this...  "I'm just trying to do my job.  You should just do your job.  And do you know what your job is?  It's to let me do my job!!!"  Then she hung up her pretend phone and said, "Oh my goodness!!  Some people!!"

++++++

Yesterday, I got Nolan settled down for a nap and then I went upstairs to my bathroom to take a shower.  I asked Melayna to get dressed so she went downstairs to her bedroom to get dressed.  A few minutes later I thought I heard crying over the noise of the shower water.  And then I heard a frantic knocking on the bathroom door.  I shut off the water and she was standing in the bathroom with her shirt stuck precariously on her head in a way that covered her eyes.  She couldn't get her shirt all the way on and she couldn't pull it back off, so she had to walk blindly up two flights of stairs to be "rescued".  She was quite upset with me when I finally got the shirt off her head.  "Mommy, that was a 'mergency and you were no where to be found!!"

The Story of an Urinalysis, Needle Pricks, and a Few Rough Days...

DISCLAIMER**the following post may seem long and medically boring to some so feel free to skip it all together.  I am being detailed in my description as a form of reference later**

 

Things have been rough for Nolan the past two weeks or so.  About two weeks ago, he began waking up every two hours again in the middle of the night wanting to eat.  Just thinking it was the beginning of a growth spurt, (and it probably was), I fed him each and every time he awoke and hoped it would pass quickly.  After a few days however,  he began to wake up even more frequently, only now he wasn't interested in eating.  He would push me away and cry.  He began to get a stuffy nose and a slight cough.  During the day he would be his normal self... some giggles....some fussiness, but nothing too out of the ordinary for him.  But nights were terrible.  I began to fear that I was just spoiling him and creating some bad habits by getting up with him, so I decided that last weekend would be a great time to commence "Operation Cry It Out" as we fondly describe this torturous event in each of our baby's lives. 

 

Friday night went horribly.  He would scream and cry it out for about 15 minutes and then fall asleep as planned, only to wake up again in an hour to start the process over again.  We woke up exhausted and to a very fussy and crabby baby who was now having trouble eating as well.  What was going on?  I would see him struggling and hear him screaming in discontent and I couldn't figure out what was going on.  This was all day on Saturday of last week.  Finally, Saturday night as I was attempting to feed him again, I just prayed for wisdom and direction from God and he brought to mind the fact that I had been taking an OTC antihistimine for three days in the attempt of drying up my head cold.  It was helping my head....but drying up everything else as well.  I realized that I would now have to recover from the head cold w/out the aid of medicines and I would have to go back to frequent feedings all through the night in the hopes of correcting the damage I had already done to Nolan's ability to nurse.  Another sleepless weekend...

 

I didn't think that Nolan's sleeping could possibly get any worse, but somehow it seemed to.  He was nursing great again and doing seemingly better during the day, but Monday and Tuesday nights were horrible.  We were both exhausted and I was pretty frustrated with how clingy and demanding he was being.  I decided that I would take him to the doctor to rule out ear infections or sinus infections etc, before making him cry it out once again. 

 

At the doctor's appointment, they weighed him first thing and he had lost half of a pound since his wellness visit just last week.  (When you only weigh 10 pounds, half a pound is a lot!)  He was thrashing around and screaming while the dr was trying to look at him, and beginning to show signs of dehydration.  My doctor immediately sent us over for a urinalysis and some blood work.  He also ordered a chest xray because he was afraid that Nolan had contracted RSV.  For all of you parents out there who have had to hold their screaming children down while they draw blood or try to do xrays - WOW!  You know what I'm talking about, don't you?  I knew it had to be done for his well-being but it sure is hard to look into their questioning eyes while I am just seemingly standing there allowing someone to inflict pain on him!!  Thankfully, all of the tests came back in a normal range and he was allowed to go back home with us under our careful watch.  Apparently, he just has a nasty virus of some sort that is wiping him out.  We have been trying to lay low and make sure he's nursing well and staying in an upright position as much as possible to help break up his cough until it passes.  He's doing better for the most part, but still has a way to go to get  back to his smiling self.  I am just praising the Lord for his goodness to us and his protection over our little man during these past days.

 

Finally, I'm posting a few pictures of Nolan.  They don't have anything to do with his sickness or this post in any way, shape, or form.  I just realize that no one likes to read through a long boring post and then realize that there aren't any pictures either!  LOL

 

 

First Day at the Zoo

It feels like forever ago now, but Laynie, Nolan, and I were able to visit the zoo for the first time a week ago (or so).  My friend and her daughter joined us and the weather was absolutely beautiful!  The zoo had only been open a week when we went, so a few of the exhibits weren't out yet, and we had to stop more often than normal to feed Nolan, but all in all, it was a great time!

 

We got there first thing after dropping the older girls off of school.  By the time we made the drive there and checked in though, it was time to feed Nolan already, so I found a relatively vacant area over by the wishing well where I could feed him while letting Keira and Laynie play.  At first they were just dipping their fingers into the cool water, but soon Laynie discovered that there was money at the bottom of the pool and that's when the real fun began!  First she wanted to know why there was money at the bottom.  When I told her that people threw money in and made wishes, she responded with, "That's silly.  Wishes don't come true just 'cuz you put money in there!".  And then she started reaching in and pulling the money out to put into her pocket.  She just didn't understand why you can't steal money from a wishing well!!  LOL  Never fear.  I convinced her that it was really the zoo's money and that we needed to leave it where they could come back and get it.

 

 

After feeding Nolan and returning stolen wish money, we actually were able to walk all through the zoo and see most of the animals. 

 

And this is one animal that I've never seen out of it's shell in all the years that we've visited this zoo.  So the tortoise really does need to eat every now and again...

 

Laynie is the only daughter that actually enjoys feeding and brushing the goats.  (The other two were scared of them when they were younger.)

 

And by far, here are two of my favorite "animals" from the zoo visit that day!!

I cannot believe how much older Melayna suddenly looks simply by holding her baby brother.

 

I'm not sure that the girls and I have ever ridden the train around the zoo either, so we decided to see what it was all about.  The two girls sat together...

 

and Noelle, Nolan, and I took a seat behind them.

Believe it or not, by this point, Nolan was almost ready to eat again and the fussyness was barely being held at bay.

 

With a full belly and an afternoon in the warm sun, he finally gave in and took a nice nap.

 

 

I'm sure that we'll have other visits to the zoo this summer, especially when Marissa and Morgan can join us.  We're so blessed to have such a wonderful zoo so close to us.

Happy Birthday Serious One!!

A very happy 9th birthday to our SERIOUS one!

 

When you entered the world on Mother's day 9 years ago on this date, I knew my life would be changed drastically, but what I didn't know was the depth of love that I could ever feel for you!  You have always been one of our greatest gifts from God and as I see you blossoming into such a sweet, compassionate young lady, I am definitely blessed to call you my daughter!

 

  My prayer is that your heart will always be soft and receptive to the things of God and that you will let Him direct your paths.  He has given you some amazing gifts.  Don't be afraid to dream big and use them for Him!!  Mommy and Daddy love you!

 

+++++

 

I heard "In My Daughter's Eyes" for the first time when I was pregnant with Morgan back in 2004 and I cried.  I still cry each and every time I hear it. 

 

Jacob's Splatter Color Run

Noel asked the two older girls if they wanted to run another 5K.  This time it would be with him.  They both quickly agreed.  This race was so much fun for them.  It was a color run, which is new to our area.  Basically, you start out at the starting line with a bag of colored powdered.  Before the race, they asked everyone to start tossing their colored powder on the person beside them, and then at various points throughout the course, you were sprayed with water and more powder.  The goal was to get as colored as you could.  Well, that and to finish, I guess. 

 

Here Noel is checking in with the girls and their friend, Emily.  If she looks familiar, that's because she's one of the friends who ran with the girls the weekend before.

 

There was a great turn-out for this inaugural event.  Over 400 people were pre-registered for the event with more showing up that day.  All of the proceeds went to benefit area children with special needs.

 

Noel and Morgan are nearing the finish line.  (Once again, Emily had already completed the race but was running alongside Morgan to encourage her!) 

 

As you can see from Noel's shirt, there are certain advantages or disadvantages to being a local teacher.  Some of your former students might just take out past grudges on you!!

 

Once Morgan and Noel crossed the finish line, they only had to wait another minute or two until they saw Marissa rounding the bend.  Noel quickly jumped in and ran along beside her as she crossed the finish line as well.  She was pretty exhausted, never having run that far before, but she made it all the same!! 

 

Runners & Friends.

The girl standing to Morgan's right received the award for the cleanest shirt.  According to her mother, this was the first time that her name and the word "clean" were ever put into the same sentence. 

 

 

My gang...Before.  And after! 

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Yep.  His shirt pretty much sums it all up...