We've had a delightful couple weeks with Emma. She is very interested in toys (especially ladybug toys), and just this week she started rolling over! She can roll from her tummy to her back pretty consistently, but just today she rolled from tummy to back to tummy to back. She'll also lay on her back and turn herself in circles, and has started to draw her knees under her in an attempt to crawl. At play group, all the kids are older, so I think she is trying to do what they can do.
She also loves "diaper free time". We put her on a towel without her diaper and let her play. She kicks her feet out and flails her arms in joy. Its adorable.
Last Sunday, we were singing at services and she reached for Aarron to hold her. It was an endearing moment for him, as he is still her favorite person in the whole world! She has done it twice since then.
We're both doing our paper routes. It has gotten pretty easy during nice weather, but it is a bit miserable during the heavy rains and winds we've been having. Earlier this week (Tuesday) I did my route from 2:30am-4:30am. Starting at about 7am I was getting so many calls from people saying they couldn't find their paper, that I ended up redoing the bulk of the route. I found papers that had blown several blocks from where I had delivered them! Needless to say that was not the best day I've ever had. Some people are pretty rude about something as basic as a newspaper. They often act like I intentionally poured water on their paper, or purposely threw it a block down the road. I've been trying hard to be a good carrier, so those attitudes are a bit disheartening.
All in all we are doing fantastically! We love being parents. As one of Aarron's t-shirts says "Its the toughest job you'll ever love." Since she turned 3 months, it seems we've turned a corner. She is not a new baby, and we've settled into a more comfortable rhythm. I understand her moods and needs better, and can count on my instinct. I don't worry as easily as I did. Ahh....it is a nice shift. I'm still learning how to get stuff done. She doesn't like to be put down much, and she doesn't nap a whole lot during the day (but she sleeps great at night, so I'm not complaining!). I know with diligence and patience, these challenges will be overcome, as will the ones yet to come.
Have a great week, and if I don't post again before then, a wonderful Thanksgiving with those that are special in your life!
Just hold her, love her, and thoroughly enjoy her! Glad things are going so well for you all. I am amazed at how quickly time flies and they grow and change. What a blessing!
Hey, nice post! Life is good, I'm wrapping up my first term at PCC, and will probly wait to do any more becaue of money/ getting a permanent position at work. But things are going well, I'm just rushed to get a paper done...
The past few weeks have been full of some very fun changes in Emma's abilities. I'm still getting used to how quickly she grows - one day she can't do something and the next day she suddenly can! It sure keeps me on my toes! Last week she started grabbing at her toys, and just last night she started actually holding one. Perhaps my favorite development this week is the appearance of the full belly laugh. Monday morning Aarron was playing with her and she started cracking up. For 5 minutes she laughed and laughed with him.
We started going to a baby storytime at the library, and a play group for 0-18 month kiddos. She was the youngest at the playgroup, but she seemed fascinated by the older kids and what they could do.
I've discovered that Costco is no longer a quick stop. Yesterday we went and she decided sitting in her carrier was keeping her from enjoying the full scope of the Costco shopping experience. I held her in my arms as we walked through and mutually drooled over all the Christmas stuff (I limit my Costco time once they get their Christmas stock in. My eyes this time of year are bigger than my budget.) Now perched on my shoulder, my little daughter discovered that flirting elicited fun reactions from passers-by. We must have been approached by at least a dozen people upon whom Emma would bestow her most winning smiles. Two or three asked if they could trade their shopping carts for my little load :o) She has this little princess thing down a little too well.
She's quite the chatterbox and delights in making loud, high pitched noises just to see what we do. It's fun because we now "talk" with each other instead of me just talking to her.
The past few days I have been training to do a paper route in the morning. It's something I can do to help us reach some financial goals without leaving Emma. I never knew it could be so complicated - throw this one, put that one in the tube, make sure to throw this one on the porch, not the driveway, etc, etc. A lot to remember at first, but I'm told after a week or two it is second nature. The guy training me is a farmer. He and his brother from Arkansas did it for a couple months. His brother is classic cowboy material - tall, stetson hat, southern accent, and an affinity for hunting. We spotted a two-prong buck as we went, so of course we had to stop and back up to look at it. Lucky deer - they didn't have their guns.
It has been a busy couple weeks, and we've faced some challenges. Yet again God amazes me with His faithful, watchful care over us. Praise the Lord for His goodness!
A month has passed and what a month it has been!We moved this week!
We've talked about moving on and off for several months now. Its was really difficult at our old place because we were so far away from people.The quiet was driving me crazy. And to take Emma on walks I'd have to load her in the car, drive into town, unload her, walk, then repeat the loading process to get home.
I am currently buried in boxes, but we love our new home. Its an old house in the more historic part of anacortes. With 3BR, it is the largest place we've lived! We hope to stay put until we're ready to buy.
So, here are 10 things I'm excited about:
-a separate laundry area! No more washer/dryer in my closet or at a coin-op laundry facility. Pretty important when cloth diapering!
-my desk can be somewhere other than the bedroom or living room.
-the vacuum is no longer serving as a living room fixture. It has a home in the laundry area.
-aarron's bike is no longer inside the house!!
-i have more room for seating besides just a couch.
-we inherited a kitty that the previous renters fed. It is sure a cutie, even if it does try to sneak inside the moment we open the door!
-we can step out the front door to go for walks.
-my parents are 20 blocks away
-my parents are 20 blocks away :o) ie - close but not too close!
-the library is only a few blocks down the road.
There are others, but I'm updating from my phone and my fingers are getting tired.
Emma is thriving, thank the Lord! She is my daily joy and delight, reminding me that life is short and helping me use my time with that in mind.
As we've rejoiced over her every little sign of growth and development, the Lord has taught me something. If we as parents delight in every wobbly movement that becomes a little stronger, regardless of whether that movement is totally perfected, how does that apply to our heavenly Father's feelings towards us as we grow in His service? I have been guilty of expecting my "first steps" to be flawless and becoming afraid when they are not. Yet I think God rejoices in our small steps, so long as we continue to grow. So, as I observe my daughter hold her head up a little longer, stand on her legs more often, and show more emotions and expressions, God reminds me that He, too, is carefully observing my growth and rejoicing at even my wobbly attempts to be more useful in His kingdom.
:) I can totally feel your happiness. I love our new place too! And I really look forward to Jonathan teaching me those lessons (once he's ready to come and meet me.)
Aw! It is very awesome to be called a child of God, isn't it? Hooray for your new house!! Hopefully this will be the last move for awhile. Thanks for the update- I've been wondering how you all were!
It's gonna be cool when Sarah and I can meet you and your family. It's funny when you call in to State Farm how it seems like we've been friends for years. I love what God had in store for us through our Christian family
Sorry for the delay...our internet connection is terrible, so I had to load all our pictures on a portable drive and take them over to my parents' house to load them.
Emma is now almost 7 weeks. She is full of smiles and makes this really cute sound that is not quite a full laugh. We call it her "happy noise". Her Daddy's girl tendency is becoming stronger - she smiles biggest for him, falls asleep easiest for him, and often protests strongly if he gets home and doesn't hold her right away. It's absolutely adorable and warms my heart every day. *Sigh*
For all of you who have been praying for us regarding her kidney issue: She had a test at Seattle Children's Hospital last week. Unfortunately, the test showed that urine is refluxing back into her kidneys. She will need to be on antibiotics for several years while we wait to see if it resolves itself (many children do). If it doesn't, or if she gets urinary tract infections, we will have to look at minor surgery options. It was humbling to be at the Children's Hospital and see so many children in wheelchairs, attached to monitors, or without their hair. Although we are disappointed that she has this condition, we feel so thankful to God that it is not more serious.
Enjoy the pics....I'll plan/try to update once a month. At this point that seems the most often I will be able to get on.
Kristin, she. is. precious. Oh my! so glad to hear things are going well. Sorry she has a health issue but, it sounds like it is very managable and you guys will tend to her wonderfully! She is so lucky to have you for Christian parents! God sure knew what He was doing didn't he!?!
soooo cue Kristin. I'm so happy for you all. We will definately keep Emma in our prayers that this condition will right itself as she grows. Praise God for children!
I'm sorry to hear about the kidney condition-- we've been wondering. . . Kevin asked me the other day what I'd heard and I haven't had time to get on here and find out. I will spread the word here and you'll be in our prayers! It was so good to see you! Much love!
It's actually only 9 months because February is 1 month after January even though it is the 2nd month... which makes people kind of go "huh" when Jonathan is past his due date. So I have had to explain the whole way-they-count-it thing to a couple of people to reassure them he is a real honeymoon baby. ugh.
Emma is almost 4 weeks old and I can't believe how fast time is going! She changes daily in so many small ways. This week has brought more smiles and adorable noises. Her personality is coming out more and she is starting to fill out a bit.
Motherhood is better than I imagined and it's harder at the same time. It's so hard to know what is "normal". Just when I think we've conquered a challenge, things change again. I struggle to trust my instincts because it is all so new and unfamiliar. The physical demands of mothering pale in comparison to the emotional weight of responsibility that I feel. In my moments of doubt and fear I am reminded of God's faithfulness. He loves her more than I do. Every day I pray for wisdom to care for her needs properly.
Aarron's parents and his sister and brother-in-law came to visit last weekend. I'm glad they got to see her as a newborn! We're going to Oregon over Labor Day weekend to visit all our friends and family there. We're looking forward to it! I'm posting from my phone, so I can't post pictures right now. I'll try to get some up this weekend.
May your week be blessed and may all you do be to God's glory.
Yeah! Motherhood is soooo rewarding and babies are so very precious. Each success brings new confidence in your skills as mom...you'll do fine...just continue to trust yourself and place the ultimate trust in God.
Hi Kristin! She's wonderful! We are having a potluck at our house on Sunday-- David is back and will be sharing his trip photos--- would love for you to join us!
I am going to ask them to invite you to Cloth_Diapering too, because if you end up having any issues with washing/absobancy/smell, chances are they have some helpful info to resolve the problem quickly.
I take back my sizing comment, from what I hear the size recommendations are for if you wrap and pin them on, if you just lay them in covers trifolded, I guess they don't need to be as big.
