11 Months Old. Wow.

Well, my little sweetie is one month away from being 1 year old. Elyse seems to have changed so much this month in personality and development. No, she still has not become mobile. Hmm. We'll just see what happens with that :) I can now see so much more in her facial expressions. The looks of "innocence" when food mysteriously falls to the floor... the determination in her eyes when she insists on getting Daddy to look at her... I love these new faces. She has two new teeth since my last birthday post, and one more looks to be so close to coming through! I just have a great feeling that maybe it will choose Thanksgiving Day to bug her. Wouldn't that be fun? :) Elyse is definitely getting more determined to get what she wants to, as long as she doesn't have to move much to do it. I'm sure that will all change soon, but life is still pretty simple around here (for which I am thankful). She seems to be getting a bit pickier in the food department, and the only green she still likes is peas. Beans and broccoli are the new enemy. She's into laughing each time we put her down for a nap or for bedtime. I'm not sure how this has become a game...? I am cherishing each day I have with this little girl, and we are so amazed at how much fun she brings to our lives. I can only describe her as a true delight to us, and we thank God for her! Here are my traditional "fun's" and "not-so-fun's" for this month:

"fun's"

* Elyse is still working on being consistent with the "please" sign (yes, that means we're working on it), but we added "all done" and we're working on "more." Sometimes they all come out as a clap, but I don't care a bit :)
* She loves to "play" the piano, and though the noise is horrible, the look on her face is priceless!
* The time change has somehow worked some magic on her wake-up time- it's now 8am many mornings. What would I do with 14 hours of sleep every night? I get lazy just thinking about it.
* She can eat most foods by hand now, except for some slippery fruits :)
* She loves to squish the bumper in her crib down so she can put her arms and legs through the slats. ?
* "Mama" is quite frequent now, and she's starting to really convince me it's on purpose!

* She waves "hi" and "bye" 75% of the times we ask her :) Maybe 50%...

"not-so-fun's"

* She is quite independent. If we invade her personal space too much, she lets us know!

* She's into thrashing her arms around when she doesn't like something, especially getting her diaper changed. Not too charming.
* She isn't easily distracted from a toy anymore- if it's taken from her, she does have a meltdown :(
* She snubs (I'm putting that nicely) foods she doesn't like.
* Packing up all her baby clothes- it does make me want some more pink in our house someday :)

We love you, Elyse! And someday if you ever read this, just imagine us having to turn and laugh our heads off right after we scold you for some of the funniest things. I know it's only going to get worse, but we have to get a grip! :) Oh, my...

Surprise Getaway!

My husband left a little note for me after he left for work one day last week telling me that he was going to take me away for a night. His note was really cute, but he said we were just going somewhere in our own backyard. Yes, I missed the figurative aspect of that phrase, and immediately I pictured a small 4 person tent in our backyard, the baby monitor 12 inches from my head. Nope, I don't think so! Once I clarified that with him, I was actually quite excited! My sweet hubby took me to the Governor Dinwiddie Hotel in Olde Towne Portsmouth. The name of the hotel made me giggle, but the place was awesome! We had a great suite and perfect weather to walk around and catch the ferry over to downtown Norfolk for dinner. Jordan got to enjoy a whole lobster, and I inhaled a filet mignon at the charming Freemason Abbey. I promise I did chew! :) It was my first night away from Elyse, but I knew she was in very capable hands. Of course, I still had to confirm with Aunt Anneke that she was truly asleep before I could sleep peacefully, but it was a perfect night away. Yes, I was so excited to see my pumpkin the next morning, but our getaway was a lovely reminder of our "original" little family. I knew it was just what we needed when we came home ready to fight over who got to hold Elyse first! I'm so thankful Jordan & I are more in love today than we ever dreamed we could be 6 1/2 years ago. Every day gets better!

What's been soundin' good

This current pregnancy of mine has me wanting LOTS of carbs and NOT a lot of vegetables. It really has been a chore this time to make myself a salad or fix veggies. And believe me, it's not because I fail to have good food on hand. In fact, I am most motivated when I shop! Last year, I switched out all of our whites for whole wheats, and I only go back on rare occasions (eg. french toast!). I spend more time now shopping the perimeter of the grocery store (fresh and refrigerated), but now there are days when I return from the grocery store discouraged because I don't want to eat a BIT of what I bought! I'm determined to persist through this phase, though, knowing it will pass & knowing my baby's health is more important than what sounds good to me. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I begin craving spinach & carrot sticks again. *cough, cough* I have been feeling well, as long as I refrain from overeating (always a good thing!) and remember to eat something small at least every 2 or 3 hours. Here are some pictures of what's been tasting good to me (the salad picture is quite motivational to me). One is good, one is okay, and one is very, very, very bad :)

Who doesn't love a BLTCheese???

And my all-time new favorite, our version of the Canadian "Poutine." (FYI, please do not look that up in any search engine... take my word for it.) BUT, I'll tell you it's french fries, gravy and cheese. I mocked it for years until I finally tried it. I'm sorry, poutine! I will make it up to you! :)

This little piggy...

... stole our hearts :) Our community group met last night, and we had a great time outside in the 70-some degree weather. I know, strange! I remember trick-or-treating in South Dakota when I was little, wearing at least 50 layers. In fact, our costumes usually consisted of anything we could wear OVER our winter coats! This year, my friend Becca passed along an outfit her two adorable girls wore, and Elyse was Piglet. She didn't last in the costume all too long because of the heat, but we had enough time to snap some pictures. Cousins Eli and Shiloh were looking smashing in their costumes, and we even watched the guys bob for apples in the backyard. Wow, that was frightening. No candy for the munchkin this year, but Mommy made sure she ate Elyse's share, too. Isn't that nice of Mommy?

Thankful.

That's how I'm feeling this morning. I'm thankful for God's blessing to me in the form of this handsome guy:

...this sweet girl:

...and this darling baby, arriving in May '10:

10 Months Old!

I can still hardly believe it's October, let alone my baby's 10 month birthday! I am really having the time of my life with her these days as I watch her new funny faces, see her goofy antics in her highchair, hear her crazy noises that come from who-knows-where...? It's almost a laugh a minute around here. We have no new "mobility" milestones to report, but I'm sure those days will come... right? :) Her vocab consists of "da-da," "dee-dee," "ya-ya," "ma-ma," "ba-ba," "ta-ta," "ga-ga" (rarely), and lots of uninterpreted jibberish. Her favorite foods are cottage cheese, pasta, cheddar cheese, graham crackers, pears, and carrots. She will eat her foods on her tray in order of preference. Graham crackers or bread always come first, then any cheese or fruit, followed by those disgusting vegetables. Elyse does not enjoy meat, yet, but I think she'll develop a taste for it. She loves to drink from a real cup, and she's beginning to get the hang of her sippy cup. Lately, her sign of "please" is confused with clapping, so I'm not sure if we'll master that one again for a while. The evening nap is officially GONE (unless we're having a rough afternoon) but she still can't stay awake past 6 or 6:30pm. Her hair is getting longer and thicker, and the back is full of little curls. She's into pinching everything with her thumb and index finger & that includes our noses & ears :) Here are some of my current fun's and not-so-fun's for this month:

fun's:

* I love the random bursts of clapping. She'll clap when she coughs or when she likes her food, and it never ceases to make me laugh.
* A scrunched up little happy face always accompanies the claps :)
* She claps her feet together very often, especially when she's on her changing table, which makes for some interesting diaper changes!
* She's getting more interactive with our games. From tickling to peek-a-boo, I actually am starting to think she's playing!
* I could be wrong, but I swear she's saying "da-da" to Jordan more and more! Yes, I'm "da-da," too sometimes.
* Story-time at night is still quite funny. She has her favorite books and favorite parts in each book that always yield a smile! She has also learned to close the book when she's bored. Um, I don't think so!
* Kids and animals make her laugh, HARD. She also loves her teddy bear from Dad. In the grumpiest of moods, that bear will get a belly laugh out of her!
* One of the songs I sing over and over to her at night as we rock is Karen Carpenter's "Close To You." I've been singing that song to her since I was pregnant with her, and she always gives me a huge smile when she hears the opening line. If that doesn't melt your heart...?

not-so-fun's:

* Elyse is definitely experiencing some frustration at her lack of mobility. Hmm... I can think of a solution!
* Thankfully, most of the whining has disappeared (for now, right?), but it has been replaced by a strange fake cry that can often mimic a tiny, pathetic puppy.
* She is into yanking on any jewelry with all her might. NOT okay with Mom.
* She is also into yanking on hair with all her might. NOT okay with Mom. (Who really believes that short hair prevents that problem?) :)
* She is SO nosey when it comes to computers or remotes or cell phones. She is not allowed to play with any of these so as not to create future problems when she's a toddler, but she doesn't quite get that yet :) What is it about buttons?
* And the BIGGEST not-so-fun is watching my baby grow up. Shouldn't I always be able to cradle her in my arms? Don't worry, I'm not giving that up yet :)

Job Security

As my last post indicated, we made a long trip home from Indiana Monday night, pulling in our driveway at 6:45am. My incredible husband drove 100% of the trip both ways, while I dozed contentedly (if that's possible in a seat that can't recline) for at least 7 of those hours in the passenger seat. I came home to an empty fridge, LOADS of diapers to fold, 4 new loads of laundry (2 items included "bonus" stains from my pumpkin), bills to pay, a budget to "recalculate," way too much to unpack, and a kiddo with a cold to boot.

It's moments like these that I like to mentally "rewind" to last year at this time. If I would have returned from a 5 day vacation, I would have entered my office to find approximately 25 new files to work, a stack of phone calls to return, fixing computer problems, fixing thermostat problems, spending 90 non-consecutive minutes on hold for the people I'm calling, 8 self-absorbed clients specializing in time-wasting, ... the list truly could go on and on.

Now comes the big smile.

Have I mentioned how much I love my job? I love that I can spend an entire evening washing, drying, and folding laundry, only to have it all reappear in 72 hours. I love that I can sweep the floor today, only to have it return to "crumb-ville" in 24 hours. I love that I can spend an hour on a shopping list & coupons that will get us food to last us 7 days. I love that I can wash 4 loads of dishes daily. I love love love it. AND, every time some selfish part of me creeps up to remind me that my life somewhat resembles a hamster on a wheel right now, I remember that I have job security. I also remember that even in my old office days, I could love doing what I did because God gave meaning to the daily grind. I just happen to be doing now as a SAHM what I knew would be my dream job a year ago. And, this little face confirms with every chore I do that I AM doing my dream job.

Road Trip!

We spent a long weekend up in Indiana celebrating my brother's wedding, and we enjoyed our time immensely! We drove through the night both trips to minimize stops, and overall, Elyse did so well. Twelve hours in a car seat backwards would make me a bit dizzy! This was the first wedding I'd been to in a while, and it was so neat to see my brother marry the girl of his dreams. We have a very small family, but it was also great to see my three great grandparents and my two aunts. I am always astounded at how fun and peaceful our family gatherings are, and the credit goes to God's grace in each of their lives. My brother has married a beautiful girl, both inside and out. It was neat to see my husband stand up for him, just as Philip stood up for him in our wedding. Each wedding I've attended since ours has never failed to make me a bit "misty-eyed" as I reflect on what an astounding picture marriage is. Even in the 6 years of marriage we have shared, we are only beginning to glimpse the great love Christ has for his Bride. I love all the pomp and tradition that surrounds a wedding, as I think it truly is one of the most picturesque celebrations for a believer. Yes, my favorite part is watching the bride come down the aisle to her groom... that is a moment I will never forget from my own wedding. Well, enough of the sentimental stuff :) Here are some pictures from our time with family, and as you can see, Elyse did not lack for attention.

Finally!

Yes, I know some of you are wondering if I will post that Elyse can now crawl or even walk. No. BUT, I am posting a communication milestone. Okay, there's really no way to post anything that your kid is doing without sounding like bragging, is there? So, lest you think this milestone has puffed me up in any way, I fully realize that I have the going-on-10-month-old that has no interest in standing for more than a few seconds or crawling :) Today she finally learned how to sign "please!" I think this small success meant more to me than just about anything she's done to this point. There's something so fun about seeing her little hand sign something that can be used to communicate! {As I type that, I can't help but think of Brian Regan's Little League routine...} I started the whole signing process back in August, and some of the expressions she would make as I tried to teach her "please" would have me rolling with laughter. She had this blank little expression that really made us feel STUPID as we slapped our hands against our chests in hopes she would mimic us. Hilarious, really. I had just about given up on the whole mess. Anyway, today, she was on her changing table, and she randomly started signing "please." As I reinforced what she was "saying," she got more and more excited. As we ate lunch, we peeked in the living room where she was playing, just slappin' her tummy over and over again :) It was quite amusing. Although it's a simple illustration, it did get me thinking about the process that parenting really is. Each day is full of opportunities to make deliberate and intentional decisions about how to raise our child. Sign language is hardly a fair illustration, but I know as we focus on things we want Elyse to develop as she grows, it will be easy to desire instant results. I can only imagine how tempting it will be to get discouraged at times. I'm so thankful we have God's Word and are surrounded by a multitude of "counselors" that are striving to raise (or have raised) their children to know and love the Lord. I guess patience is one of those virtues I must keep striving to develop, because my battles will soon be a little greater than how to say "please."

...worth a thousand words :)

See Ya, September!

It's always at this time every year that I begin to bemoan the fact that we didn't make the most of summer. We are seeing some cool days crowd in here and there, and it reminds me that I need to make the most of these days! We spent some time at the park on Monday, which is much more fun now that Elyse can swing :) I LOVE Septembers in Virginia. The days still have some heat without most of the humidity, and the nights are almost cool enough to want a sweatshirt. I'm not quite in the "fall" mood, yet, but I'll get there. Until then, I'm going to enjoy these lovely days that don't come around yearly: the days we have with Elyse as a 9-month old :)

Savin' for a rainy day, or a doll...

Last week, we enjoyed a visit from Jordan's parents. They were en route to the great NORTH, but we were happy to distract them for a few days! Elyse enjoyed the extra attention immensely. Having an audience other than Mom and Dad is quite fun. Mom and Dad brought each of the grandkids a bank, and Elyse's cousin Shiloh was just enthralled by these banks! As you can see from the pictures, Eli and Elyse were only along for the ride :) Mom and Dad hand-painted them, and they are simply adorable. These pictures were just too irresistible to post, mostly because it is so fun to watch kids enjoy the simple things of life. I remember my first "piggy" bank (which was actually a plastic bunny), and each penny I added made me feel so rich. Though Elyse doesn't enjoy putting coins in this adorable little elephant yet, I hope she finds GREAT enjoyment someday in saving for the future! I'm already curious as to what she will want to spend her savings on in a few years. Hmm...