Anyone Still Out There? It's Been a While.....

Well, I'm back!  It has been quite some time.  The girls are getting so big!  Amanda just celebrated her 1st birthday and Abi thinks she just had another as well - every time someone has a birthday, Abi insists that it is also her birthday.  I am certain that by her calculations she is now nearing her driver's permit.  However, by accurate calculations put her at 2 1/2.  It is very hard to believe that a year ago Amanda entered the world just 5 pounds, 6 ounces and 17 1/2 inches long.  Now she is 18 pounds and 29 inches.  It amazes me how precious little beings become so big so fast.  

Abi has now decided that she wants to take showers instead of tubbies (baths).  Tonight, she told Mark to get out so she could do it herself.  She danced and sang in what she called "the rain."  It is a larger shower stall (no bathtub) so she had room to do it.  We couldn't get her out!  When we asked her the other day how old she would be on her next birthday her response was, "older."  No joke!  When asked whether she would like a hat or a bow her answer is, "I don't know but I'm about to find out!"  She has really started speaking in some very long, correct sentences.  She is little Miss Manners when she really puts her mind to it (or rather when she doesn't think and just speaks).  She really is a very happy, well-behaved child.  Don't get me wrong - she has her moments.  Sometimes hours.  The kind of moments that make you wish you were the one in the Calgon commercials enjoying the relaxing bath in the enormous spa tub.  However, her endearing moments far outweigh any of those.  Her smile is enough to brighten anyone's day.  She has such a sense of humor.... along with being a drama queen.  I know most of you are thinking, "wow - she gets that from Carrie."  I won't deny that, but Mark has his fair share of moments too! ;)   She loves to be outdoors, play instruments (yes, she has a tally on all the instruments she has verses those she does not yet have), play "soccer" (code for "anything that requires a ball larger than a baseball"), Dancing With the Stars, American Idol, dogs, swimming.... pretty much anything she comes across in life.  It is refreshing to stop and think of life through her eyes.  Everything is fresh, new, fun, exciting and even errands are full of adventure.  She loves going to the library and picking out books - we read them until she has them memorized.  I can't wait to start teaching her how to read!  Yes, I have ordered a homeschool program to get her started.  She is excited for it to come!  What a joy she is.  So full of life...

And Amanda - also so full of life.  She is a very good child as well, yet slightly more challenging than Abi ever was.  She has no fear and doesn't like to be told "no" to something.  She will keep on until you have to remove her, thus causing a scream which comes from her toes and slowly works its way all the way up to the top of her head and exiting through her little mouth!  Yes, she has my temper.  And Mark's sense of adventure.  She loves to kick a ball, or balloon, or whatever happens to be in her path.  I think she has been kicking balls (and very well I might add) since she was about 5 months or so.  She has recently started singing all the time (her new favorite song is "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes"), dancing, loves reading and playing with her alphabet letters on the magnetic easel, drawing, swimming, doing anything that Abi does..... she does love her big sister.  She lights up when Abi comes into the room.  When they are sleeping at different times of the day, Amanda will wait patiently but is ready to attack Abi with hugs and kisses as soon as she appears.  Abi is not usually ready for her right off the bat, so we have a bit of intercession until Abi is awake enough to take it.  While Amanda is not yet walking on her own, I think she is capable - she just doesn't realize it.  She has taken as many as 7 steps on her own, but this is the one thing that she still wants help with - a sense of security.  She is very stubborn, but oh so loving as well!  She loves parties and to be out and about.  If we are out, there is no sleeping for her.  Too many people to see, talk to and wave to!  She will run herself into the ground before she will sleep out in public.  She doesn't want to miss anything.... and rarely does :)  

Well, that is a long update on the girls.  Mark and I are doing well too!  Life is full of adventure and love.  We enjoy being with our girls, just being a family.  We look forward to having time to be together just the 4 of us.  We are constantly amazed  at how much our girls understand, pick up, do and say.  God's perfect creations soak up everything.  It is so important to really watch how we behave, what we say, how we react.... we are learning all over again how to be calm and what our actions say to the girls.  I have to admit, I am often disappointed in myself when I see how I am acting, reacting, etc., especially when I am teaching the girls to do it differently.  A constant reminder that we are all human, but we can always strive to be better.... to become more like a child.  To be like we were before we were tainted by the world we live in.  We will never fully be able to do that, but we can strive to be more like Christ.  How perfect He was even in the tainted world. 

Well, I am not sure what all I said as my brain is running on empty.  So I guess it is now time to shut down.  Be blessed and I hope to make this more regular again!

Reflections

As I sit thinking about all that has happened since my last blog update, I could write about how Amanda is waving, says "dada", wants to run with Abi in the worst way but can't get her balance yet, loves to "cruise" around tables or ottomans or just play outside, how she is so full of joy (what a fitting middle name for her).... or how Abi comes out with some of the funniest sentences these days, complete with manners (pleases, thank yous, yes/no sir, yes/no ma'am.... - example: "No I don't want an apple thank you daddy."), new words, how she LOVES to dance to any music she hears, has a new-found love for honking noses, making people laugh, always wanting to go see "kids", how eager she is to learn and just how much she takes in - such a sponge. However, what really strikes me as I process through the past year and the adventures that it held is that last portion - so eager to learn and take everything in.

One evening a few months back, I was putting Abi to bed and something was making her sad. When I asked her to use her words and tell mama how I could help, she did. Then I talked to her about "communication," never thinking she would care about a word so big (she is only 27 months). When she repeated the word after I explained what it meant, she said, "Nother one mama!" So we did a few more "big" words and she listened, took it all in, wanted to learn and understand. As I reflected on that conversation, I was reminded of how God wants that with us. He wants us to communicate with Him - to be eager to listen and learn. Oh to have the heart, eyes and passions of a child again. They are so fresh, still untainted by the world we live in. What a magical moment that was - for both of us.

Then we work on discipline - how to behave and obey. When I reach about the gazillionth time of saying the same thing over and over I think, "How many times, Lord, have you had to tell me the same thing over and over only for me to either not listen or do my own thing? How many times have you spoken to me when I have not listened or paid any attention? How many times have you tried to get my attention and I have been too distracted by something before me?" Then when there is a break through with Abi, there is a HUGE celebration! So much praise, high fives, kisses, hugs and excitement! How much more our Lord must feel when I finally reach a breakthrough with which He has been helping me for so long! How much joy and excitement He must have when I finally "get it." Parenting has given me a whole new awareness of God's presence in my life and His unfailing love and devotion to me. To be able to rest in His peace, comfort, love and celebration of life. There is no better place to be!

That is my Christmas prayer for all of you, that you truely remember, discover and embrace all that this Christmas celebration is all about - the Love that Christ has given us through His birth, life, death and risen spirit. When all else seems to be in shambles, there is still peace and comfort in the Lord's embrace. Embrace it. Embrace Him. Discover love in the little things. Enjoy the simplicity of cutting back. Embrace the celebration of life. Have a blessed Christmas!

Ephemera

Hi everyone! Today I thought I would promote Ginny Owens' new EP. Ginny is someone who not only writes and sings beautiful music but is genuine, caring, loving, vulnerable and lives her life for Christ. She is a selfless friend - always wanting to know how she can help others... how others can come before herself. She has a new EP coming out and while I haven't yet heard it, I know we will all be blessed by it. I encourge you to go to her website and check out her story, the background of this new project and to pre-order it today! I promise that even just reading her story, you will be blessed. She is an eloquent writer and you will be drawn into her story and into her heart. Here is a little snippette for you - then you can click to read the rest and sign up to receive updates as they are posted! For more of Ginny's blog entries click on "News Feed" on the top left of her page on the link below...


Ephemera: What is it? Who does it? How’d It Get Here? It seems that, over the past several years, I’ve spent my time doing everything but making records. Although I’ve been aching to get back into the studio, I’ve known that it wasn’t time—until now. Many of you know that this past March, I temporarily moved back to Jackson, Ms to partner with my Mom in her journey through intensive cancer treatment. The treatment is nearing its end and has proven to be successful. Both of these things are, as you can imagine, incredible blessings.
Visit http://ginnyowens.com/ to read more!

WOW! It's been a while....

HI everyone! I am so sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. After being in and out of the hospital for gallbladder surgery and then some complications, I took some time to be with my family and to focus on getting healthy again. Aas much as I love my doctor, I don't care to see him for a very long time! Every time I go in he sends me to the hospital. I am hoping that this visit on Monday for bloodwork is the final visit. So, lots to catch up on!!!!

Where to begin..... Amanda has rolled over from her back to her tummy! She is very strong and wants so badly to play and run with Abi. She watches everything Abi does very intently. And Abi of course is like a little Mommy! She askes for "baby" every morning and gets so excited when she hears her!! She runs in laughing, sayng "Baby!" and then tries to see if she can pick her up through the pack 'n play. Then when I bring Amanda out, Abi hs already decidd where Amanda should go firsts - the swing, chair or jumper. Then she taks to her, laughs with her and is ready to help feed her. The other day she even pulled out a bowl and her doll spoon and pretended to fix smething for Amanda to eat. Then she "fed" her!!!! Too cute. She is very protective and we have recently discovered that she really loves all babies! One of our neighbors had a baby girl a few weeks ago and Abi loves to talk to her too. It is really precious to watch.

Abi also got on the floor the other day during Amanda's tummy time and was showing her how to roll over. "See Manda - like this!" she would say over and over. Then she would say, "Good girl, Manda. Like this..." Then after Abi rolled a few times she said, "YAY!!!!!!" Then she proceeded to dance and laugh at herself in front of the glass doors of the entertainment center. She does like to admire herself!!! Who wouldn't want to admire that cute face! She is a trip!

Abi also likes to share her toys with Amanda. She even let her drive her new car! One of our neighbors handed this down and it is hard to keep Abi out of it!

Abi is reading Dora's "It Sharing Day!" - her favorite! Thanks Uncle Jim and Aunt Missy!

Amanda sure does LOVE her tummy time!

Well, I am going to call it a night. Thank you again for your patience! I will be back soon!

Breakthrough?

Have we had a breakthrough?  We'll see tonight!  Amanda slept for almost 9 hours last night!!  2 nights ago she slept 8 1/2 and the night in between was only 5 1/2 to 6 hours.  I have decided that since she has not settled into a regular routine as easily as Abi did that I am going to create one for her :)  We are starting it full force today, so I'll let you know!  She seems to take one short nap in the morning, one longer one during mid-day (this is the one that I am adding to her schedule) and one 30 minute nap just after dinner.  Then it's bedtime at about 8!!  It seemed to work for her yesterday, so I am trying it again today.  

Abi is beginning to talk up a storm!  She loves to dance and sing and she is beginning to really learn her alphabet and counting from 1-10!  I was shocked when I was reading a counting book to her and she got every one except for 9.  Amazing!  She really is a sponge right now so I am trying to work with her on a lot of these things.  She has an alphabet puzzle (thanks Nana!) and she is really starting to learn her letters.  So exciting!  She is very animated and dramatic (not sure WHERE she gets that) ;P  which makes things very funny.  She absolutely loves her baby sister and loves to help get her dressed, change her diaper, feed her, give her the pacifier - even if Amanda doesn't want it.  She is quick to let us know if Amanda is crying (even if we are sitting right in front her) because she can't stand to hear her cry - it makes Abi sad too!  It is all very sweet.  Amanda loves to watch her big sister and even give her kisses.  So cute!  we are blessed!

Amanda continues to grow so fast!!!  She is also talking a lot and loves to be in the kitchen with me while I am cooking.  She talks through the whole experience and smiles as I imitate her sounds.  She has the biggest smile!  AND the cutest little dimple in her left cheek.  She is very alert, wants to see everything that is going on and is VERY strong.  She is becoming a little chunk, but that's just extra sugar to love :)  She was even laughing in her sleep the other night!  She is a happy baby and oh so cute!

I continue to adjust to being a mother of 2 and have to admit that I love it more and more each day.  Abi is at a really fun stage as she is learning so much and Amanda is really starting to develop a personality of her own.  The girls are so different, but both very happy and bless us so much.  I had a dream a few weeks ago that I made a sippy cup birthday cake for Abi's birthday, so now I am wondering if I should attempt it!  I am not sure I could pull that one off.  She doesn't even like cake!  Maybe I should make a giant green bean instead :)  I can't believe she is almost 2 already....

Mark continues to work very hard not only at his job but also around the house.  Relaxing is not something he does well, but much of what he does is very therapeutic for him.  He loves to spend time with his girls and we all love it just as much!  He really is the best dad and husband.  I am so blessed!!!!  

Well, as we are continually blessed, we pray all of you are as well.  Have a wonderful weekend and I will check back in soon!

Green Beans for Breakfast?

I have heard of having breakfast for dinner, but green beans for breakfast?  One morning I asked Abi what she would like for breakfast and she said, "Bean" with the sign she made up for green beans.  How funny is that?  I asked her a few more times just to be sure, and then I gave her some.  She gobbled them right up!  Then she wanted some banana.  At least it is healthy, right?

Abi has also just started putting words together to form sentences.  It just seems to come out of nowhere!  Just when you think she is not learning or will never be able to grasp the concept, she comes out with a gazillion new words and starts putting them together!  I really is amazing to watch.  

Abi has also started coming out of her room at about 4:30 am, climbing up onto the couch and sleeping there until people get up.  She doesn't want to miss Papa in the morning and wants to make sure she is a part of everything that happens!  Mark caught her sleeping before he moved her to her room.

She also went pee-pee on the potty the other day!  Well, sort of.  Let's just say she is off to a good start!  It will be off and on for a while as she gets used to the thought of it all, but the first signs have begun!  Another new phase for all of us.

Because there is water everywhere and Abi loves the water, we enrolled her in swimming lessons.  She did fairly well for the few lessons and now asks us to sing the songs for the movements so that she can do them in the tub and pool!  we will continue to work with her in the pool, but she is able to let herself into the pool.  She climbs in the side!  Fortunately there is a bench that catches her and she usually only goes in when Papa is in the pool.  However, we do have to watch her now!  It is exciting to see her get so excited about things though.  Too cute!  Now we have the opportunity to relive all these moments again through the eyes of Amanda!  We are blessed!

Amanda is as cute as ever and is growing like a weed!  At her 2 month appointment she was 21 1/2 inches and 10 pounds 1 ounce!  She is smiling at everyone and everything and loves to be outside.  She is developing quite the personality.  Here are a few shots of both our girls!

Ummm... This Weekend?

Hi!  Okay, did I mention what weekend I would get stories and pictures up?  It is still a weekend :)  I ended up in the hospital for an unexpected gallbladder surgery so I have been a bit out of commission.  Now I am back and almost 100% again!  

Okay, story number one.  As we were driving home from the airport, Cara was trying to give Amanda some milk as she was screaming.  I am not sure if I have mentioned anything about her screaming, but she could really do some voice overs for horror films!  No exaggeration.  She has quite a set of lungs.  So, as Cara was leaning over a seat to give her some milk, all of a sudden she says, "Are you getting anything?  What is wrong with this thing?  It's like there is a stopper or something in it!" 

 

My reply, "There is a stopper in it so hat it wouldn't spill or overflow on the plane!"  Yes, this was the start of our weekend.  Once Amanda finally got some milk we were all in business. Conversations could be heard and Amanda was guzzling like she had not eaten in days!  

Story number two.  We decided to have dinner out on the patio one night and make use of the grill as well.  Cara grilled the chicken while I put some things together in the kitchen.  As we were enjoying dinner, having some "remember when" conversations, all of a sudden we hear something over near the cabinets on the patio.  We both stopped and looked, but didn't see anything.  We continued with our conversation and heard it again!  We were both a little freaked out, so Cara went to see if she what it was.  She was on the outside of the cabinets when we heard it again.  "It was a bird over there - I saw it," she says.

"No, I saw that bird, but the noise was in there."

"Oh."

Cara came back to the table and we were going to just let it go..... until we heard it again!  "There is something in the cabinets!" Cara screams!  Cara decides to be brave and head into the area where the cabinets were - armed with a little broom!  She lunges forward and smacks the first cabinet.  Nothing.  She lunges even further and smacks the second cabinet.  Nothing.  Then she walks very slowly in to the back portion and we hear it again!  All of a sudden at the same time I said, "It's the ice maker!"  while she asked (screamed), "Is there an ice maker out here?!"  Too funny!  To have had all that on video would have been perfect.  Yes, the ice maker sounded like a very large rodent rifling through the cabinets.  Laughter is such a great thing.

Here are some pictures from that weekend.  

Here we have Amanda sleeping peacefully in her stroller at the park - while squirrels were trying to climb up and join her!  I had to chase them away!  And let me tell ya - that was no easy task.  They are strong-willed squirrels!

                                            

                Here are Cara and Abi on the slide:

Is it okay if I climb up this thing?

Abi loves the park and it is a nice little walk there and back.  She also loves the pool!

I was not able to get into the pool yet, but here are a couple of shots at the pool:

Abi LOVES to watch people jump into the pool!  I am not sure if it was Caroline or Cara jumping in, but she got some good laughs out of it.

                                        Cara and Abi