Tuesday, June 29, 2010

One Big Mess

How's the feeding progress coming, you ask?
Well, it's coming....
 but I'm not sure if it's a step in the right direction or not.


We've progressed from just squash to squash and carrots.
Although it appears she prefers the carrots ON her mouth rather than IN her mouth.


It's a good thing I absolutely adore this kid...
or we'd both be in trouble.
 Because above all else these days, she's a MESS.


It's a good thing though that she happens to be the cutest mess I've ever known,
and don't worry- we're gonna keep her. ;) 

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Better than just alright

In a desperate attempt to stop the teething madness and cure the summer slump,
 we made a mad dash out of town this weekend.
By WE, I mean me and the girls.
Solo.
My first attempt at being outnumbered on the road.

Needless to say, Lib's face in this picture about sums up how it went.



Although, despite the overwhelming heat that made my poor baby's face turn this nice shade of pink....



the weekend did have its high points.

So, instead of focusing on and ranting about all the things that didn't exactly go as planned (like how I only got a grand total of one hour and forty-five minutes of sleep that night and how Hollyn cried more in one twenty-four period than ever before or how after about fifteen attempts, this was the best we could get in terms of a family picture....),



I'm choosing to overlook (aka block out) all of that and focus on the high points of our getaway.

Point number one: my grandmother's spaghetti.

 In my family, this stuff is infamous.
 In fact, I'm so terribly spoiled by how good this stuff is that I never attempt to make spaghetti of my own, because I know my limits,
and there's just no way I can compete with this.
And if that wasn't bad enough, it's also the only spaghetti I eat because second best just doesn't cut it when it comes to sketti.


Point number two: the fashion show.

In case letting her eat ice cream for breakfast wasn't enough to guarantee that my grandmother's house is Lib's favorite place to visit,
she also gives the Libster free reign of her closet while we're there.
And if you know Libby, you know there's nothing she loves more than a good game of dress up,
 especially when the dress up includes high heels.



Point number three: the newest addition.

My brother and his wife have just had their second child.
Her name is Carlyle, and we love her.
How could we not?
She's so stinkin' cute.


And apparently, holding a new baby never gets old...
even when you have one of your own at home.



And hands down, Lib's favorite part of the weekend was getting to play with Rylee Kate,
my brother's firstborn.
She lets Lib run the show, which makes Lib more than happy.


All in all, it was a good weekend....
at least it's good when you choose to ignore all the stuff that went wrong
and focus on the things that went better than just alright.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The Big Jump

Today was the Libster's last day of swimming lessons, and she went out with a bang!
 Her goal for the week was to get to jump off of the high dive.
My thoughts exactly.
I mean, really?
Not a simple jump off the side or even the regular diving board?


Nope. Not my girl.



When she sets her mind to something, there's no stopping her....



...not even if her goal includes climbing a super tall ladder....



....that only seems to make it more appealing, really.



My baby knows no fear.
I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not.....



But good thing or not, it's so HER.

You can check out her first attempt here.
She jumps and then swims to her super fabulous swim teacher (hi, Mrs. Rene).


Happy summer to you and you and you!

One bite at a time

So, if you do recall, teaching Hollyn how to eat from a spoon made the list of things I hope to do this summer.


And all though it's a 'one day at a time' type of situation, we are gradually making progress.



Ok, so perhaps by 'progress' I really mean, BIG MESS......

but as long as she keeps on lookin' so dang cute, she can make all the messes her little heart desires.

And besides, it's nothin' we can't cure with a nice duck bath, right?


Monday, June 21, 2010

Her name in lights


Welcome to big girl land.
This weekend was monumental for Libby-- not because it was her first dance recital.
Dance recitals are fun but totally trivial.
No, I think this weekend was big because I got to share one of my all-time greatest loves with one of my all-time favorite people: performing.
For the first time in her little life, Libby put it all on the line, faced her fears, and did her thing in front of several hundred pairs of watchful eyes.

 And to put it mildly, she was amazing.

Although she was a little nervous before her big moment....



and maybe even a little scared.....



the little girl pulled it all together and did her very best.

And the whole time, she remembered to focus on what was
THE MOST IMPORTANT thing she had to do that day:
HAVE FUN.



And that she did.
She even got an award for being the one who always keeps the teacher on track
 and picks up on new skills quickly.
Ummmm....could you possibly describe my child any more perfectly?

And I do believe that after this first attempt,  my little one has inherited her momma's love for all things
stage-like.



She said she loved every minute of it.
And while dancing is fun, that's only a smart part of it, I think.



I mean, yes I'm proud my little one can shimmy and shake,
but I'm much more proud that she can look her fears in the face.....



and say BRING IT.



Being on stage has brought me so much joy.
 I love the late night practices, the people,
 the nervous feeling that consumes my stomach before I take the stage,
and the rush I get while it's actually my time to shine.



And I am thrilled to share this love with my first-born.

Whatever God has in store for her, I have a feeling that it's something VERY, VERY big, because He's made her so fearless, so funny, so driven, so talented, and so independent.

Oh, and as for the make-up.....she's officially in love.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Those little summer moments

I like to believe that summer is made up of lots of little moments that somehow seem to add up to something big, something wonderful, and something magical.

Here are some of the moments we've experienced in the past few days:

- The moment I realized this whole 'stay-at-home mom job' thing might turn out to be bigger than I'd ever hoped....



- The moment we rode by our old house, which is now sporting a new coat of paint, and it no longer looked or felt like home.


-The moment Libby opted for rocker silly bands over princess, and I realized that she's growing up before my very eyes.



- The moment this little one REALLY learned how to jump in her jumper, and it hit me that very, very soon, there will be no stopping her.


- The moment Hollyn discovered that adorable baby staring back at her while she takes a bath.


-The moment this one took her first swim of the summer.


-The moment I looked at her and saw a big girl instead of the baby she once was.


-The moment this one sported her first accessory.


And last but not least:

- The moment I realized we got exactly what we prayed for this super mellow, laid back little girl who will sleep any place and any time she sees fit.


I can't wait to see what other moments summer is sure to unveil....and thanks to all who prayed for Hollyn last week- we've been spot free since Saturday. :)

Friday, June 11, 2010

Seeing spots

Have you missed me this week? I've most certainly missed you. To put it mildly, this has not been a stellar week at our house.
What have we been doing, you ask?
Oh, well we've been busy seeing spots.


In fact, I've seen so many spots this week that my life will be complete and my heart will be content if I never see another spot as long as I live.




Roseola- we are not friends.
You are not welcome at my house.
You cannot stay for dinner.
 In fact, you've completely outworn the welcome I never extended you.
 Pack your stuff and hit the road.
Now.
Please.



I suppose the only positive thing I can say about this experience is that I haven't felt the need to do any arm workouts this week-- I've gotten plenty by holding my five-month-old for hours upon hours every day in an attempt to appease her during her time of uncomfort. My biceps are like steel. Do you hear me? Steel.

And Libby, in an attempt to get on the action, 'broke' her foot at dance and needed a 'cast'.



Fastest healing 'broken' foot I've ever seen. In fact, by the time I snapped this picture....


I think she was feeling much better.

And speaking of feeling better....don't worry about H. We'll make it.



I mean, she can't stay spotted forever, right?

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Pseudo Sisters- Part Two

*** In case you missed part one of this, you can find it here.***

Bless you, my darling, and remember you are always in the heart – oh tucked so close there is no chance of escape – of your sister. ~ Katherine Mansfield


 
This quote utterly exemplifies how I feel about this one:
 
 

Bloggers, meet my Rebecca.  She's my pseudo sister, number two, and I absolutely could not possibly adore her more. She's the little sister I never had, my greatest cheerleader (other than my mom, of course), my all-time support in the motherhood department, and my favorite sounding board. She's also my guitar hero, the most patient person I've ever met, and who I aim to be in terms of serving others.

Words cannot express how much I love this one.



She's been there during the birth (well, in the lobby, seeing as how I've had two c-sections) of both of my babies. She also happens to be Libby's godmother. To say the Libster adores her-- well, mildly put, that just doesn't do it justice.



She's the friend I know I can call any time of day, and although she's truly one of the busiest people I know, she's never too busy for me. We can go weeks (although I'd rather not) without talking and NEVER miss a beat. We have very similar parenting styles, and she loves my girls unconditionally....this was put to the test the time Libby got the stomach virus at her house. We're still talking two years later. That's true friendship, folks.



She is a true spiritual advisor for me, and I firmly believe every Christian girl needs one of these. I know I can always rely on her to give me good, Godly advice, to always listen to me, always be honest with me, and support me no matter what kind of mess I may fall into one day down the road.



We met my last year in college and took to each other like flies to honey. In fact, she's my social club little sister. (Good thing that worked out, because she threatened to quit pledging if she'd been paired with anyone but me. ;) ).  And for the past eight years come this September, a piece of my heart has had her name on it.

Should I ever have a crazy, completely random, totally off the wall idea, she's the one I call, 1.) because I know if she laughs at me it will be with love, and 2.) because I know that if she thinks my idea is total junk she'll find the perfect way to word her response that will leave me knowing I need to rethink and still feeling ok about my decision-making abilities.

In addition to loving her, I also love her little one like he is my own.....



...and sometimes I wish he was.

So, Becka- thank you.

 Thank you for loving me despite all my imperfections, bad decisions, and days when I don't call.
You are truly one of my greatest gifts.