So, I got a glimpse of my future today, and it was bright and wonderful!! I decided yesterday that Christa needed a haircut, preferably before school starts on Monday, so I scheduled an appointment for her today. (After a couple of failed bang-trimming attempts, I would not dare try to cut it myself!) One of my best friends who I have known since I was 11, who took me to Hawaii to babysit her kids years ago, who introduced me to my husband, hand-smocked dresses for all of my girls, who is like a motherly-sisterly-friendly figure in my life, and who, being every mother's dream, calls me every couple of weeks just to ask me, "when can I help you with the kids?" (cue angels singing complete with their white robes and halos) already had plans to come over and play with my kiddos for today. So I took the rare opportunity to have a little Mommy-daughter time with my oldest.
This is special because I have tried to schedule Mommy-daughter time with Christa before, and with the exception of one very successful and fun pedicure-date, she has always wanted to bring the babies along. I didn't give her a choice today, however. I simply said that she and I were going to get a haircut for her while the little girls napped. We went to my favorite hair salon where the sweet girl who cuts her hair trimmed her locks, added ringlets with the curling iron, and clipped the sides back. Christa always feels so special when she does this and just beams. Afterwards, we stopped by our favorite bakery for a treat. She picked a cupcake, I picked an eclair, and we just sat outside eating our treats and sipping Cherry Coke. It was a moment - one of many I don't want to forget. There was no fear of anyone running out into the road, no trying to figure out how to discreetly nurse anyone, no trying to change any diapers without the luxury of a changing table, and no cleaning up a huge mess at the end. It was different. It was nice.
I couldn't help but look ahead to what will hopefully be many bakery dates with all of my girls as they get older. I even had a fun image of sitting there with 3 or 4 teenagers, just enjoying each others' company over sugary deliciousness one day. It's the first time I've really ever thought about them being older and more independent. And while I'll miss these cute, sweet, cuddly days with them, if today is any indication of life a few years from now, I can't help but look to the future with great anticipation.
I love my girls!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Simply Summer
Hello all!! I've been feeling a bit guilty because we haven't done anything "picture worthy" or "blog worthy" lately. It feels like too much time has passed since I got the camera out. So I decided to take some quick shots of what we have been up to, whether it's interesting or not :) These are the moments I want to remember down the road - the simple moments at home playing with my girls. I already struggle with finding a balance between over-scheduling all of us and having time at home to just enjoy my family and let my kids play with the overabundance of toys we have accumulated over the years. So this summer, we kept it simple. No weekly activities, no setting the alarm clock, and no committing to much of anything at all. Since Christa thrives on routine, and is at an age where certain camps and church activities are fun, I signed her up for one week of VBS, one 3-half-day summer camp at her school (Abby Kate tagged along for that one), and one week of Dance Camp where she takes ballet. I had planned to do many play-dates, but Cline's schedule allowed him to be at home nearly every morning, which is prime play-date time, so that didn't quite happen like I had hoped.
It's been relaxing for sure, and I've actually had time to just play with my kids, without feeling like there is something else I should be doing. I would do well to always achieve this type of balance. We didn't even go to the beach! Our only "trip" was the lake weekend for Cline's birthday. (Although we do have a trip to Disney coming up, and are planning a Fall visit to see my sister in Miami, so don't feel too sorry for us :).
So, as we get ready to go to school orientation this week and re-start our regular routine, here are some pictures of our simple summer (taken over the last two days).
We stayed indoors because it has been painfully hot, and I am pretty much a wimp when the weather isn't a comfortable 75 degrees. When Cline was off work, we went to the pool a lot! But I don't have any pictures of that, so....
.... we played with our Squinkies (a brilliant, non-sugary Easter-egg filler from my mother-in-law) and Strawberry Shortcake toys. We also watched a lot of Strawberry Shortcake on TV - that is Abby Kate's current favorite, and she asks for it every morning.
We also played with our Disney Princess toys and our castle, carefully lining up everyone and taking them out again. (We did the same with our My Little Pony house and toys many times).
The Disney Princesses enjoyed a friendly game of Red Rover yesterday!
Christa and Mommy had fun, too, while the babies were napping!
We read lots of books.... and Abby Kate discovered an all new love for the pacifier (thanks, Elizabeth :).
Abby Kate also spent lots of time putting her own shoes on.... sometimes mismatching... and often on the wrong feet!
Elizabeth chilled and enjoyed her sisters' attention.
Abby Kate snuck in a few minutes of playing with Christa's toys while she was at an impromptu cheer leading clinic this morning.
She also enjoyed having Elizabeth all to herself!
Sweet sisters!
Elizabeth is growing every day and is happy as can be!
It's been a great summer, and I don't think I would change a thing about it. I am looking forward to re-joining our school groups and activities in the coming weeks, though! I, too, thrive on routine, and I miss seeing my friends.
Have a great day!
It's been relaxing for sure, and I've actually had time to just play with my kids, without feeling like there is something else I should be doing. I would do well to always achieve this type of balance. We didn't even go to the beach! Our only "trip" was the lake weekend for Cline's birthday. (Although we do have a trip to Disney coming up, and are planning a Fall visit to see my sister in Miami, so don't feel too sorry for us :).
So, as we get ready to go to school orientation this week and re-start our regular routine, here are some pictures of our simple summer (taken over the last two days).
We stayed indoors because it has been painfully hot, and I am pretty much a wimp when the weather isn't a comfortable 75 degrees. When Cline was off work, we went to the pool a lot! But I don't have any pictures of that, so....
.... we played with our Squinkies (a brilliant, non-sugary Easter-egg filler from my mother-in-law) and Strawberry Shortcake toys. We also watched a lot of Strawberry Shortcake on TV - that is Abby Kate's current favorite, and she asks for it every morning.
We also played with our Disney Princess toys and our castle, carefully lining up everyone and taking them out again. (We did the same with our My Little Pony house and toys many times).
The Disney Princesses enjoyed a friendly game of Red Rover yesterday!
Christa and Mommy had fun, too, while the babies were napping!
We read lots of books.... and Abby Kate discovered an all new love for the pacifier (thanks, Elizabeth :).
Abby Kate also spent lots of time putting her own shoes on.... sometimes mismatching... and often on the wrong feet!
Elizabeth chilled and enjoyed her sisters' attention.
Abby Kate snuck in a few minutes of playing with Christa's toys while she was at an impromptu cheer leading clinic this morning.
She also enjoyed having Elizabeth all to herself!
Sweet sisters!
Elizabeth is growing every day and is happy as can be!It's been a great summer, and I don't think I would change a thing about it. I am looking forward to re-joining our school groups and activities in the coming weeks, though! I, too, thrive on routine, and I miss seeing my friends.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Cline's Birthday Weekend!
Hello all! We just got back from a fun weekend at the lake, celebrating Cline and his twin brother's birthday. Cline's entire family got to be there, so it was a blast! A bit exhausting, but fun, nonetheless. We all piled into one house for a few days and just enjoyed being together. We did this last year for their 30th birthdays, and it went so well, everyone wanted to do it again this year. I was ready to go on a little trip. We haven't been anywhere since January, so I was ready to do something different for a few days. Enjoy the pictures!
We canoed - Christa tried, but the boat was too unsteady for her taste, so Cline and I took Abby Kate.
The girls really enjoyed just playing in the little plastic pools and in the sprinkler. They LOVED having their cousins around to play with. Christa also loved talking us into letting her have a little more soda than we usually do (as she's stealing sips of mine :).
Cline and Abby Kate paddled a little in the paddle boat. We rented a deck boat for one day and had a blast on that, too. I can't remember the last time I went on a boat ride, but it was fun to see all the houses on the lake.
Happy Birthday Chas and Cline! 31 years ago, they were born at 27 weeks and not expected to live. I have tried to wrap my brain around what that whole ordeal must have been like for my mother-in-law and just can't do it. I am so glad that God had other plans for these two boys!
The only person missing from this picture is Uncle Chris, who had to leave early to go to a work conference. (And Poppy, who is taking the picture)! It sure is fun to get together with everyone, but I was ready to come home on Sunday. Having to constantly make sure someone is keeping your children out of the lake is quite tiring!
We canoed - Christa tried, but the boat was too unsteady for her taste, so Cline and I took Abby Kate.
The girls really enjoyed just playing in the little plastic pools and in the sprinkler. They LOVED having their cousins around to play with. Christa also loved talking us into letting her have a little more soda than we usually do (as she's stealing sips of mine :).
Cline and Abby Kate paddled a little in the paddle boat. We rented a deck boat for one day and had a blast on that, too. I can't remember the last time I went on a boat ride, but it was fun to see all the houses on the lake.
Happy Birthday Chas and Cline! 31 years ago, they were born at 27 weeks and not expected to live. I have tried to wrap my brain around what that whole ordeal must have been like for my mother-in-law and just can't do it. I am so glad that God had other plans for these two boys!
The only person missing from this picture is Uncle Chris, who had to leave early to go to a work conference. (And Poppy, who is taking the picture)! It sure is fun to get together with everyone, but I was ready to come home on Sunday. Having to constantly make sure someone is keeping your children out of the lake is quite tiring!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Elizabeth is Four Months
Hello all!! I'm finally taking a few minutes to catch up on this blog. We have been staying busy this summer. I can't really pinpoint what we've been staying busy at, but let's just say I have 3 kids ages 4 and under, so that is enough to let a person get behind on things from time to time :) The girls are growing fast and doing new things every day. Enjoy the pictures!
Christa and Abby Kate attended a little school camp a few weeks ago for a few days. It is held where they go to their little pre-school, so we got out the backpacks and sent them on their way. They both had a blast, and I am very excited for what the upcoming school year holds for them!
We started cereal with Elizabeth a couple of nights before her 4 month birthday. I got the go-ahead from her pediatrician to try and satisfy her with cereal since I was still having to nurse her about 10 times a day. (Long story on that one, but here's the short version: Things got worse; I tried to quit; the "sweet petite" refused to take a bottle; things have magically been much much better since :) The cereal was short-lived. She didn't hate it, but still has a very strong tongue reflex, so she spit most of it out. We'll try again at some point, but since the nursing is going exactly the way I want it to for the moment, I've put this extra task on hold.
Hmmm.... this is different.
And Elizabeth is officially 4 months old!! This is one of my favorite ages! I love how she's a true baby, can do enough to be cute and entertaining (such as smile, give "kisses," take decent naps, etc.) but isn't quite mobile enough to need that constant supervision.
And she's 4 months old and dressed for the day! She is rolling over from back to front and front to back, is now a tummy sleeper, just like my other 2 were, is still sleeping in my room in her bassinet and with me during the night (don't feel like traveling far 3 times a night just yet), and is the sweetest baby ever! (Well, she ties for that role with her sisters, anyway). She just learned how to give kisses - a.k.a. slobber all over my cheeks and nose, and her whole body lights up with glee when I put her to my face and make kissy sounds.
Christa and Abby Kate attended a little school camp a few weeks ago for a few days. It is held where they go to their little pre-school, so we got out the backpacks and sent them on their way. They both had a blast, and I am very excited for what the upcoming school year holds for them!
We started cereal with Elizabeth a couple of nights before her 4 month birthday. I got the go-ahead from her pediatrician to try and satisfy her with cereal since I was still having to nurse her about 10 times a day. (Long story on that one, but here's the short version: Things got worse; I tried to quit; the "sweet petite" refused to take a bottle; things have magically been much much better since :) The cereal was short-lived. She didn't hate it, but still has a very strong tongue reflex, so she spit most of it out. We'll try again at some point, but since the nursing is going exactly the way I want it to for the moment, I've put this extra task on hold.
Hmmm.... this is different.
And Elizabeth is officially 4 months old!! This is one of my favorite ages! I love how she's a true baby, can do enough to be cute and entertaining (such as smile, give "kisses," take decent naps, etc.) but isn't quite mobile enough to need that constant supervision.
And she's 4 months old and dressed for the day! She is rolling over from back to front and front to back, is now a tummy sleeper, just like my other 2 were, is still sleeping in my room in her bassinet and with me during the night (don't feel like traveling far 3 times a night just yet), and is the sweetest baby ever! (Well, she ties for that role with her sisters, anyway). She just learned how to give kisses - a.k.a. slobber all over my cheeks and nose, and her whole body lights up with glee when I put her to my face and make kissy sounds.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Three Years Ago
Three years ago we celebrated Cline's final days of residency in Augusta, celebrated Christa's 1st birthday, celebrated our long-awaited move home, celebrated the 4th of July, and celebrated a little life that we never got the chance to meet. Many of you know that I had a miscarriage shortly after Christa's 1st birthday. I will never forget walking into that ultrasound room full of hope and expectation, and leaving with the reality that a tragedy had struck our happy family. I won't lie - that day pretty much sucked the fun out of every ultrasound I've had since then.
Three years later, my life is full and happy most days. I am blessed beyond anything I can understand or imagine with a fabulous husband and the 3 most beautiful and precious girls in the world. I love my family more than I can express, and while I'm far from perfect, I am amazed daily at the wonderful life God has given me. But I certainly haven't forgotten or stopped missing our little "Teeny-bear." Cline and I have a good cry every Christmas as we hang the engraved Christmas ornament he got for me that year so that we would have a tangible way to remember our second child. I will occasionally see a child that was born in early 2009 (my due date would have been late February of that year), and I wonder what kind of a toddler my baby would be today. How would she and Christa get along? Would she be running and talking as well as that other little girl is? What in the world would she look like, since all 3 of my girls look so different from each other??
Sometimes, as I look at my beautiful, healthy babies, I am reminded of how much I lost that day. And so I hug my girls a little tighter and play with them a little longer. And I thank God a little more often for giving me the incredible honor of raising these sweet babies.
Sadly, I have had friends since that day go through similar experiences. And my heart has broken for each friend each time I've heard about their situation. I recently ran across this poem in a book that has been about as comforting to me as anything I've read, so I want to share it with my sweet friends who have also experienced this loss.
To My Baby
Is it proper to cry for a baby too small for a coffin?
Yes, I think it is.
Does Jesus have my too-small baby in His tender arms?
Yes, I think He does.
There is so much I do not know about you- My child
He, she?
quiet or restless?
Will I recognize someone I knew so little about, yet loved so much?
Yes, I think I will.
Ah, sweet, small child
Can I say that loving you is like loving God?
Loving, yet not seeing.
Holding, yet not touching.
Caressing, yet separated by the chasm of time.
No tombstone marks your sojourn, and only God recorded your name.
The banquet was not canceled, just moved, just moved.
Yet a tear remains where baby should have been.
-Bob Neudorf
Three years later, my life is full and happy most days. I am blessed beyond anything I can understand or imagine with a fabulous husband and the 3 most beautiful and precious girls in the world. I love my family more than I can express, and while I'm far from perfect, I am amazed daily at the wonderful life God has given me. But I certainly haven't forgotten or stopped missing our little "Teeny-bear." Cline and I have a good cry every Christmas as we hang the engraved Christmas ornament he got for me that year so that we would have a tangible way to remember our second child. I will occasionally see a child that was born in early 2009 (my due date would have been late February of that year), and I wonder what kind of a toddler my baby would be today. How would she and Christa get along? Would she be running and talking as well as that other little girl is? What in the world would she look like, since all 3 of my girls look so different from each other??
Sometimes, as I look at my beautiful, healthy babies, I am reminded of how much I lost that day. And so I hug my girls a little tighter and play with them a little longer. And I thank God a little more often for giving me the incredible honor of raising these sweet babies.
Sadly, I have had friends since that day go through similar experiences. And my heart has broken for each friend each time I've heard about their situation. I recently ran across this poem in a book that has been about as comforting to me as anything I've read, so I want to share it with my sweet friends who have also experienced this loss.
To My Baby
Is it proper to cry for a baby too small for a coffin?
Yes, I think it is.
Does Jesus have my too-small baby in His tender arms?
Yes, I think He does.
There is so much I do not know about you- My child
He, she?
quiet or restless?
Will I recognize someone I knew so little about, yet loved so much?
Yes, I think I will.
Ah, sweet, small child
Can I say that loving you is like loving God?
Loving, yet not seeing.
Holding, yet not touching.
Caressing, yet separated by the chasm of time.
No tombstone marks your sojourn, and only God recorded your name.
The banquet was not canceled, just moved, just moved.
Yet a tear remains where baby should have been.
-Bob Neudorf
Friday, July 8, 2011
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!)
"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!
... 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!
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