Christa-isms

Earlier tonight, Cline and I were talking about some cute things that Christa says, and he mentioned that he wished he could write all of them down. Since that's sort of the reason I keep this blog, I thought I'd try. Most of these probably won't mean much to you all, unless you've heard her say them, but I'm going to post them in hopes I will one day get around to printing this blog out.

"We are holding hands like a family."

"This chair is just my right size!"

"Nice to meet-cha!"

"I'm not sorry for any-fing! I was pretty good today." (We ask her to say something she's sorry for every night before bed to include in our bedtime prayer - this is her typical answer).

"When people are cold, they need blankets!"

"People need coke." (I agree :)

"I need a gumball because I stayed in bed."

"God likes it when we share." (as she's trying to take a toy away from Abby Kate)

"We are hugging together. We are just loving on each other."

"I just need to give you a kiss and a hug and a love."

"I fink so."

"I'm a-full." (I'm full).

Random kisses (love those!)

American Girls

Hello all!! I have some pictures from various things we've been up to lately. Christa took a dance camp a couple of weeks ago, and had a blast!! But when it was time for their end-of-the-week "recital"...

... my little diva was so disappointed that she wasn't on a "real" stage where the audience was "dark" that she just stood there, terribly upset.

She did pose with her friend, Molly, after the recital, though.

Miss Elizabeth is as happy as ever!

And she learned how to roll herself onto her stomach. I found her like this about an hour and a half after I laid her down on her back.

We didn't get the best picture, but I am so proud of these 3 dresses; all of them are hand-me-downs, and they matched beautifully. I'm not sure where Christa's dress originally came from, but her cousin passed it down to us. Abby Kate's was worn by Christa last year, and was given to us from a sweet friend who knows how much Cline's family loves the 4th of July. Elizabeth's dress was a Christmas present to Abby Kate when she was 3 months old!

Elizabeth likes her Bumbo seat, especially when the older two are watching Strawberry Shortcake. She seems to like that movie, too! (Ali, the onesies you passed onto us are sooooo cute on her - thanks!)

This year, for the parade, we loaded the kids up on the boat with the great-grandparents. Our sweet cousins were there as usual, as well as some good friends, Quint (to the left) and Emmelyn (white dress/pigtails).

Elizabeth was eventually carried, but she started off in her stroller.

Ready for the parade with cousin Maggie Beth!

Have a great day!

Christa is Four Years Old!!

We saved the present from Mommy and Daddy for Christa to open on her actual birthday - it's a step-stool with her name on it for her bathroom. We also had a fun toy to give her, but she got the same thing at her party, so I have it set aside. She was very excited about her stool!

Celebrating the birthday girl!! We had a full day of fun, including Dance Camp, a Chick-fil-A lunch, playtime with La-La, playtime at Kangaroo Jake's, and a date with Daddy to see Cars 2!


Dear Gusta-Bear,

You are four years old today!! As I sit here typing this, four years ago tonight, I was getting settled in my post-partum room, trying to process the fact that I was finally a mom!! It was truly one of the best days of my life - one of those days where minute details are etched into my memory. I've gone on and on about how perfect that day was. I can still hear the clanging of the forceps as Dr. Burns got ready to pull you out. I can still hear the nurse telling me that Mimi and Margaret Anne were standing outside the delivery room with their ears pressed against the door. I can still see the garden view outside my room. I can still see the tiny piece of yarn tied into a bow in your fine, soft hair.
You are a lot different today, but still my little Gusta-Bear in so many ways. You are a lot more cuddly today than you were then. You didn't like to snuggle much as a baby, but now you are an expert at finding excuses to snuggle with Daddy or Me! Have I ever told you how we came up with your nickname, "Gusta-bear"?? Shortly after we got home from the hospital, your daddy sang a catchy little tune. It's hard to convey the tune in writing, but the words were, "Me gusta... the Mommy-Bear because she is great.... doo doo doo doo doo doo..." We also said in goofy voices, "Me gusta you," which is another little phrase your silly daddy came up with during a moment of fun one time. The phrase stuck, and we said it to each other and to you. It's our unique way of saying, "I love you." It somehow evolved into, "My Gusta," and then eventually to just "Gusta." I added the "bear" to make you, "Gusta-Bear." We still call you that, though not quite as often as we used to. I think people sometimes think we're trying to say,"Christa," and just are not getting it right :)
Anyway, four years ago, I couldn't imagine being a mother to a big four-year-old girl, but here we are!! And you keep getting better and better!! You are hilarious right now. You say, "tell me why that is," quite often, demanding reasons and explanations for all kinds of things. You LOVE the Clocktower. At the beginning of this school year, you had "C" week at your preschool. We took a field trip to eat "Cookies at the Clocktower," and you talk about it constantly to this day. Every time we are driving around town, you can spot that landmark from miles away, and you always point out pictures of it as we see them. You have Abby Kate saying "cookies, clocktower," too! Last week, we had a picnic at the Clocktower, and you and your little sister thought that was great!
You love anything girly. You are not hugely into baby dolls, but you love any small toys that you can line up on your dresser or on the carpet. Your favorite toys right now are all of your My Little Pony things, and you love to color with colored pencils. You love to dress up in Disney Princess clothes, and we have had a lot of fun the last few days playing with your new Disney Princess cash register. You just discovered Strawberry Shortcake, and that is your movie of choice at the moment, although you are happy with just about any Disney movie or kid-oriented TV show. Over the last few days, you have decided that you are too cool for toddler CDs and want "fast songs." So we have been listening to Hillsong, which is Mommy's only adult CD that she keeps in the car.
You are the best big sister ever! At one time a long long time ago, I might have had a twinge of guilt that you were only an "only child" for just over 2 years. I needed not to have worried a bit. You adore your little sisters. You are usually very sweet to share with Abby Kate or help her if she's having trouble. You love holding Elizabeth, and often pick her up, whether I want you to or not. If I try to get onto you, you say, "I'm just holding/hugging/snuggling with her," in the sweetest little voice, making it impossible for me to correct your "disobedience." I don't want to do anything to discourage your love for your sisters, so I let you get away with not listening to me in this department. You like to go up to your sisters, shake their hands emphatically, and say, "Nice to meetcha!" You and Abby Kate like to "dance" - a.k.a. - run around the room in circles. You took ballet for the first time this year, and LOVE performing on stage. You tell me about words like "plie" and "arabesque" and demonstrate what they mean.
You are still petite for your age, and your hair is finally getting some length to it. It's still blond, which shocks Mommy. I never, ever thought I'd have a blond little girl, and I love it! Most days you want to wear it down, without any bows or ponytails. You call it wearing it "curly." The ends do curl a little, especially when it's humid outside. You will only wear dresses right now. I think this is the first year that I bought you clothes that aren't getting worn. You won't consider wearing your shorts outfits or pajama shorts/pants that I bought at the beginning of the season. Luckily you have 2 little sisters, so I'm considering my investment new clothes for them in a few years!
You can have very adult conversations with us and have learned to "argue." Most of our "arguments" are over whether you can have coke or candy or not, and you frequently talk me into it by bringing up a good example of why I should let you have some. You think that every good deed (such as staying in bed, pooping on the potty, doing what I ask you to, etc.) deserves a treat - such as a gumball - or coke or candy. You also have your own friends. This is the first year that I invited your friends to your birthday party instead of my friends with kids. You say that your "best" friend is Ava, a little girl from your class.
You are growing up so fast, but in some ways, at just the right pace. I have loved every stage with you, but I can not imagine you any older or any younger than you are right now! I try hard to live these years with you to the fullest, and enjoy you exactly as you are at this moment. You make that easy to do, sweet girl!

You make me so proud every day!! You are beautiful, funny, smart, and confident. You are outgoing and kind. I pray every night that above all else, you will grow up to know and love God and to accomplish every purpose He has for you. So far, so good :)

I love you so much!
Mommy

My Little Pony Pizza Party

Hello all!! Christa has a birthday coming up this week, so we celebrated yesterday with a My Little Pony-themed pizza party at Mellow Mushroom. It was a blast!! I was a little nervous when Christa first declared that she wanted a My Little Pony theme. I hadn't seen much My Little Pony "stuff" in years. But luckily for me, some channel called "The Hub" has recently brought my childhood equine friends back in vogue, so finding decorations, gifts, and activities was a breeze! Christa was so glad to see some of her school and neighborhood friends. Thank you so much to everyone who took time to celebrate with us. Christa is having a great time discovering how her new toys work.

The birthday girl all ready for her party!! She's at such a fun age; she understands what a "birthday party" is and has been excitedly talking about it for months.

Getting the festivities started with soda and crafts. We made pony stables out of foam kits, pony necklaces, and had a couple of options for our male friends. We also played "pin-the-sticker-on-the-pony."

Proud parents of this sweet girl!

Ponies and pizza - what could be better??

... maybe cake...

.... and presents!!

Christa was excited to get a Disney princess cash register!! We've been playing "grocery store" lately, so this was one of many fantastic gifts!! She is also enjoying her "My Little Pony" presents. I'm pretty sure she now has every My Little Pony play set available, and I was very surprised that she didn't get any duplicate gifts. We are also now into fairies, after receiving a couple of fun fairy-themed gifts.

After working really hard to get Abby Kate to look at the camera, she promptly stuck her finger in her nose!! What a funny personality she has!

Well, at least no one's finger is in their nose!! How my standards for "good family pictures" have dropped :)

Hmmm... my kids are still sleeping, and I've updated the blog. I almost don't know what to do with myself - I'm not used to having this kind of free time. Maybe I'll organize my new coupon binder...

Elizabeth is Three Months

Wow!! I'm realizing how behind I am on blogging. Sorry, me. I'm apologizing to myself because I don't keep this blog up for you guys (although you know you love it :). It's my digital scrapbook, since I don't do real scrapbooking - can't stand the mess!! At any rate, my excuse this time is that we've been going full steam ahead since the beginning of May with no sign of a slow-down any time soon. Attention all family members: May, June, and the beginning of July are maxed out for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. No one is allowed to have a baby, get married, or declare a day to "celebrate" anyone during these months, alright?? Just kidding! But if I'm smart, I'll try to plan my next kid's birth sometime between January and March (of a year in the future - not *next* January and March). My other excuse is that Little Miss Elizabeth eats constantly. It doesn't matter if it's breast-milk or formula - I do well to get a 2 hour break in between feedings. I'm really hoping our pediatrician will let us start solids at 4 months - or maybe this week - for this reason!
Anyway, Elizabeth continues to be a delightful baby, despite her increasingly high-maintenance eating habits. She smiles at her big sisters a lot and loves to be talked to. She rolls from tummy to back, and from her back to her side - hasn't quite made a back to tummy roll, but she's getting close. She likes to sleep on her side (her doing, not mine), and sleeps well in her bassinet for the first half of the night. She coos and talks a lot, and I am having a blast dressing her in tons of cute hand-me-down summer clothes that some sweet friends gave us! She is a lot like Christa in that she will sit for a while in her bouncy seat or swing. Here are some pictures from June 17:

Abby Kate wishing Elizabeth a happy 3-month-birthday.... OK, really she's taking her pacifier, which she never wanted until recent days.

Elizabeth is 3 months!!

Christa continues to love her big sister role and insists on having her picture made with Elizabeth any time I get the camera out.

Daddy with 2 of his girls on Father's Day. They got him a box with their pictures in it for him to keep all of the cards they get/make for him. The box is engraved, "We'll always be your little girls." What thoughtful girls he has :)

Getting a Father's Day kiss from Abby Kate - since she refuses to pose for pictures at the moment. Should make the professional photo session I have scheduled next week fun!

I'm off to download pictures of Christa's birthday party yesterday! Have a great day!

Reflections of a Breast-Feeding Mom

Hello all!! Time for a slightly more serious post, I suppose - one I've written and deleted several times. But this topic seems to be a recurring theme in my life, so I am posting it this time. It can be a controversial subject, and one that many mothers can be very sensitive about. With that in mind, let me just say, that I am not making any statement here on which feeding method I feel is best for anyone other than myself. I am also not intending to start a debate on who is the better mothering group :) I am simply trying to walk through some of my own emotions as a mother who wants the very best - whatever that may mean - for all of my children. So, here is my say :)
I am a nursing mom - for the 3rd time. I am also a bottle-feeder - for the 3rd time. I have nothing but respect for all of my mom-friends who choose to breast-feed exclusively, bottle-feed exclusively, or do both, as I have chosen.
Honestly, I have never had a strong desire to breast-feed. Before Christa was born, I figured I would give it a shot because, as a nurse, I believed in the health benefits of it. My husband, as a result of his medical training, encouraged me in this decision, and warned me that it might be tough at first, but assured me that the benefits would be well-worth the effort. Fortunately, despite those nerve-racking first couple of weeks of trying to make sure I was "doing it right," things went really well. I nursed as much as I was able, supplemented with formula when it was convenient, and Christa and I enjoyed a 9-month nursing/bottle-feeding relationship.
When Abby Kate came along, I had the same mental plan..... which fell apart to bits within her first week of life. A latch issue turned into a supply issue, which then turned into emotional turmoil as I struggled to make the best decision for how to feed my baby. The thought of nursing my fussy, starving baby around the clock was exhausting, but the guilt of thinking about quitting was overwhelming. After a few weeks of an intense nurse/bottle-feed/pump/repeat routine, we were able to stumble through our nursing journey for about 10 months. I vowed that I would never put such pressure on myself again, and that if I had any trouble at all with the 3rd, we would buy a can of formula and be done with it.
Elizabeth has been a dream baby, and our nursing relationship has been less-perfect that Christa's and easier than Abby Kate's. We got off to a great start with the help of my wonderful and much-respected lactation consultant. I agreed to some extra pumping during the first few weeks in order to establish a strong milk supply, and Elizabeth and I coasted right along for the first 2 months. Now at the end of her 3rd month of life, I find myself facing supply issues once again, despite a hearty diet of carbs and sugar and some healthy doses of both herbal and medicinal aides. Shortly after Elizabeth's 2 month check-up, we began what I thought was a growth spurt. After a week of fussy behavior and a constant desire to nurse, I scheduled a weight check and learned that she has gained very little weight in nearly a month. (Nursing babies typically gain weight more slowly than formula fed ones, but her weight gain is almost non-existent despite very frequent nursing all day, every day.) The supplemental formula has been kicked up a few notches, given this information. However, it is not easy to nurse every time she seems hungry, then bottle-feed her, then wonder if she's still hungry 45 minutes later because I have no idea how much she got, if anything, from me. I am basically doubling the workload of the most time-consuming job there is with a young baby, and missing out on some fun activities with my older children because of it.
Which leads me to a question that I have been asking myself since Abby Kate was born - how much am I willing to sacrifice for the health benefits of breast milk?? (I am not open to ordering milk on the internet, but place no judgment on those who do). What exactly are these health benefits that I believe in so much that I am willing to invest such time and energy and endure such frustration for months and months?
I had a talk with my good friend, Google, and Google basically told me that breast-feeding my baby reduces her "risk" for 18,000 different terrible diseases. I found very little that breast-feeding outright prevents, but all of the health-care professionals seem to agree that reducing these "risks" outweighs any cost or complications that might make breast-feeding difficult for some people. I learned of some other benefits, such as advanced IQ, some decreased risks of diseases for myself, and quicker weight loss for myself. I know for sure that last one isn't happening for me, and do I really care if my kids' IQs are 2 points higher than they might otherwise have been? Won't having time to read and work puzzles with them because I'm not sitting down to nurse every time we get a chance to play also enhance their IQ??
I am mulling this information over in my head, as I have done many times before. Rationally, I am not a huge statistics person. I am a big believer in taking common-sense steps to prevent terrible accidents and diseases. For example, I strap my children in 5-point harness carseats whenever we are riding in a vehicle, and I would not take my 3-month-old into a room full of people with the flu. However, I can not promise that Christa will be riding in a booster seat until she is 11 years old because "studies show" that "might possibly" reduce her "risk" of a "spinal cord injury" in the event that we "might" be in a car accident that "might" be severe enough to cause said spinal cord injury in spite of the use of simple seat belt. Additionally, we routinely shop at Wal-Mart, and I do not disinfect everything we touch while there. In other words, while I do want my children to be as healthy and safe as possible, I do not believe that I have the power and control to "maybe" prevent every "possible" bad thing that could ever happen to them. Nor do I have the energy or the emotional strength to try. Maybe I am lazy. Or maybe I am just a mom who wants to enjoy all 3 of her kids at these special ages without constantly worrying (or being told by "helpful parenting articles") that I'm not doing enough to protect them from diabetes, or cancer, or a car accident that is out of my control.
All that being said, it's a lot harder to quit than I think it should be. I don't want to shy away from something just because it's difficult, and I don't want to wish I had "tried harder" a year from now. Doing everything I *reasonably* can to lower my children's risks of horrible or minor diseases is a good thing.
I know what my breast-feeding friends would tell me to do. I know what my bottle-feeding friends would tell me to do. I know what my parents would tell me to do. I have heard what my lactation consultant has told me to do. Five years from now, this will not feel like such a huge decision, and I doubt I will regret my choice either way. If, heaven forbid, Elizabeth does get a terrible disease down the road, I do not seriously think that I will be quick to blame it on the lack of breast milk she got as an infant. But it is something to think about for the moment, so think I will continue to do.... until we either get to 9 or so months and I'm still nursing somehow or I find out she's still not gaining enough weight at her next weight check, and I start stocking up on some trusty Enfamil.

**I welcome any positive and respectful opinions on this topic :) **

Meeting Aunt Alicia

OK, so these pictures look a little grainy for some reason. Don't have time to figure that out right now - sorry :) Elizabeth was baptized this weekend. I was raised in the Lutheran church, and so we baptize our babies at my parents' church - the church I grew up in. All 3 of my girls have worn the same dress that I was baptized in, so that is special. We were thrilled that my little sister, Alicia, was able to be there in person for this occasion. You see, I have the coolest little sister ever. And I am ashamed to admit that I wasn't very nice to her when we were growing up. I really took great pleasure in aggravating her and getting her into trouble every chance I got. She pestered me non-stop for years, but now I realize (even though it was explained to me at the time) that she looked up to me and wanted to be like me. (That should have really called her judgment into question - I was kind of a nerd growing up - a rather immature nerd, but it was what it was :) At any rate, sometime around middle school, she became cooler than I was. She has a really hilarious story about being the class dork, and then getting a haircut and instantly being invited to join the "in-crowd."
After I went off to college, I really started to realize how great she was and how lucky I was to have her for a sister. I started to enjoy her company very much and respect her opinions and advice. I also started to feel really guilty for the way I'd treated her all those years! By the time I got engaged, I really wanted to solidify our friendship, so I did what any good sister would do. I invited her on a trip to New York City - just the two of us. And it was a blast - one of my favorite trips ever!! She lives in Miami now, and when I find out she's coming home for a visit, I look forward to it for months!! She is one of my favorite people in the world :)
For a few years, I liked to think that the trip to New York sort of made up for the years of torment I caused her. But then a few years after that, in my adjusting-to-caring-for-two-small-kids-nonstop-fog, I forgot to tell her she was the godmother for Abby Kate's baptism. So I'm pretty sure I owe her another trip :)
After this *small* oversight (she wasn't able to be at the baptism as a result) I clarified that she would be the godmother for any and all future children I am blessed with. When Elizabeth was born, I told her she was the godmother an additional 5 times, and planned the special day around her schedule. It took a small army to find a weekend that both she and Cline could be off of work, but we made it happen this past Sunday!! Alicia flew in on Friday and got to spend 2 days with our family. It was fabulous, and it was also Elizabeth's first time meeting her Aunt Alicia!!

Elizabeth all ready for church (in the baptismal dress I wore as a baby). I am still kicking myself for forgetting to put her bonnet on. All 3 of my girls have white bonnets that convert to handkerchiefs for the "something old" on their wedding day. Christa and Abby Kate wore theirs home for the hospital. I didn't have Elizabeth's when we came home from the hospital, so I told myself she would wear it for her baptism. Then I forgot. So I have to come up with another special occasion for her to wear it. But at least I remembered to tell Alicia she was the godmother :)

Christa is such a great big sister. She LOVES holding Elizabeth and taking care of her little sisters. Most of the time, she is kind, helpful, and loving to them!! I do everything I can to encourage that to continue.

Aunt Alicia holding Elizabeth after the baptism.

Elizabeth being baptized by my Uncle Jack - the pastor at my parents' church.

Our family with Alicia, Mimi, and Pa. Alicia is a bit of a fashion icon and looks like a model. She works for Nieman Marcus and occasionally scores some fun name-brand bags and kids' clothes for us :)


My wonderful family.

Elizabeth tries to roll over on her side/stomach when she's tired. She hasn't rolled over from her back to her stomach yet, but she got about as close as she could in the bouncer :)

Alicia with all 3 of my girls. Abby Kate was pretty bashful most of the weekend. Alicia and I went shopping for a Father's Day present for our dad a few hours before her flight left. While we were at the store, she picked up some birthday presents for the girls since she likely won't be around for their birthdays. Abby Kate warmed up to her very quickly after receiving her Snow White dress-up set :)

Gotta run - screaming babies need my attention. Have a great day!