Learning to listen

We've experience all sorts of fun new challenges in the communication department these last few days. I started attempting to teach some basic signing when Elyse was about 8 months old, and it wasn't exactly successful at first :) Really, I've never been very committed to it, but I did decide that since we're with her 100% of the time, we might as well give it a shot when we remember! And, I am glad we stuck to it. If for nothing else, it has convinced me how much she can learn in other areas. My sis-in-law Anneke says often that these little kiddos know a LOT more than we give them credit for, and this is one of those areas. We started with "please" and moved to "all done" and "more." The first was and is a great challenge. For some reason, she will not sign "please," but she'll sign "more" and "all done" almost consistently. I had all but given up on "please" when she proved Aunt Anneke right :) The other day, she was rolling around under the piano bench (yes, she rolls around here since crawling and walking are still not on the radar) and managed to get herself wedged pretty good between the bench and the piano. She started whimpering and looking at me with those sad eyes, so I asked her to say "please, Mommy" before I would free her from the bonds of the piano bench. She was holding a small block in each hand, and the first time I asked, she looked at me with the "blank" look. I asked her again, and almost impatiently, she dropped her blocks and signed "please." I just lost it laughing. Well, needless to say, we aren't giving up on that sign.

Now, the fun issue (and I KNEW this was coming) is listening to her "speak."

Elyse now signs "more" for books she likes: Cute.

She signs "more" for food she likes: Good!

She signs "all done" when she's ready to get out of the bathtub: Helpful.

She signs "all done" when I have just removed her diaper: Nope.

She signs "all done" after one bite of veggies: Nope.

She signs "all done" when she's sick of playing alone: Okay *sigh* (how do you resist that?)

She signs "all done" when she's tired of Daddy tickling her: Kind of funny.

She signs "all done" when she gets put in her crib: No, ma'am.

She signs "all done" when I'm trying to cut her nails: Dangerous.

We've definitely laughed a lot during this phase, because it begins the verbal communication. Yes, hers is still mostly nonverbal, but ours has definitely become verbal & very instructional. I have no idea how much of "No, honey, Mommy wants you to eat 790 more bites" she understands, but it's got to start somewhere, right?

Ahh, the joys of communication. Hasn't it baffled anyone else how much these little people have to learn from scratch!? Wow. Stay tuned: right around the corner is "not getting her way," and I'm sure that will be just as fun. I am definitely learning to listen, and I sure hope she is, too!

Bear Hugs

These last few days have been filled with big ol' hugs from our baby. She's always been affectionate, but perhaps this recent nasty cough is making her a bit clingy. I must say, there's nothing like feeling your baby hug you intentionally :)

She had quite a traumatic day today which included a fat lip, an annoying thermometer under her arm (yes, so painful) on a couple of occasions, a bonk on the head, a nap interrupted several times by coughing, a very unfair dinner (including peas and potatoes), and a mom's audacious attempt to remove a booger. Yes, it was a rough day. Each of these events incited intense screaming followed by BIG bear hugs and wimpering.

Big hugs were the best part of my day, and I am anxiously awaiting a big hug from my main squeeze when he gets home from work.

Yes, bear hugs make just about everything better, and I have to enjoy them from my husband while I can. He politely informed me the other day that he's feeling farther and farther away from me these days thanks to our new baby girl buttin' in... I still remember how strange it felt to hug him after Elyse was born. :)

Anyway, I do imagine that I will have to eat some insanely good Turkey Hill PomBlueberry Chocolate Truffle frozen yogurt while I wait for my hug... Next to hugs, ice cream is a close second to making everything better.

Red noses & cold hands

The credit for any smiles in the below pictures must go to our great photographer, Sarah from Sarah Melissa Photography. My sweet friend patiently photographed us in 40-some degree weather as the wind was gusting and my baby was fussing... I told Jordan afterwards that I'd be amazed if she captured 1 decent picture of our runny-nosed bunch :) She was great, though, and so sweet to persevere with us! Here are some of the results:

And one of my personal favorites, a picture taken at the whim of Daddy :)

Then & Now

Today marks the one year anniversary of bringing our baby home from the hospital. I still remember that feeling of "newness" and thank God for the sleep we now receive :)

That was then, and this is now...

Christmas Time Was Here!

Here are some pictures of our 7th Christmas together as a family. Speaking of family, I remember specifically mentioning to Jordan when we were first married that someday it would be fun to do things as a "family" and hearing his prompt reminder that we became a family the day we got married :) I love that.

We crashed at Anneke's and Izaak's house along with Seth and Bethany on Christmas Eve, and it was so fun to wake up Christmas morning and watch Shiloh and Eli anticipate opening the presents. I'm sure Elyse will be there next year, but for this year, she was pretty interested in breakfast alone. After reading the Christmas story together, we broke into presents and spent the rest of the day celebrating God's great Gift!!! I think the highlight of my day was probably the afternoon the "grown-ups" had while the kiddos were napping. We prepared a huge meal and enjoyed some great conversation without any distractions. Now that I'm in the mommy world, I realize what 2 1/2 hours of peace and quiet means! :) It made me so thankful for our siblings and for the great relationship we have with them! We love you guys! Yes, it was fun when the kids woke up, but definitely a different kind of fun :) Hope your Christmas was merry!

This was the best sight to me Christmas morning!

I love this guy!

Yes, she's fascinated with her own reflection...

Our Christmas buds. :) Love you guys!

1!

Elyse's first birthday party was so fun. We started the Christmas Eve festivities off with some appetizers and cake (of course) before we headed over to Anneke's and Izaak's house for our big slumber party. Elyse did not seem to mind at all that her party was the prelude to Christmas fun, and I can only hope that her sweet attitude will continue for many years. Elyse loved her first cupcake and managed to keep herself fairly clean, much to the joy of Daddy and me and our OCD tendencies (I'm just partially kidding). She had no interest in trying to open her presents, but she did enjoy her gifts! I am so thankful that her aunts, uncles and cousins were so thoughtful in making her birthday so special. We are blessed with such a sweet girl, and I know I will never forget the fun we had as we celebrated the first year of her life!

Beautiful.

The sight of our new baby girl was a beautiful sight today. This picture captures only a fraction of what we witnessed as the ultrasound technician explored the surface of my stomach this morning. I forgot what an amazing sight it is to see more than little "hiccups" of movement on the screen. It was just 16 months ago that I watched sweet little Elyse stretch and hold her little foot as she put on a show for us. I fell in love all over again as I watched our new baby scrunch her little knees up to her chest and yawn, as if exhausted from... performing. I watched her little hands frame her face as if to say "cheese!" Not only did she "empty her bladder" (as the technician politely informed us) for us on camera, but she also showed us what a great eater she will be as she gulped fluid for a good 15 seconds before our very eyes. There is nothing like seeing a baby weighing no more than 8 ounces as she stretches and moves in me the very way I know she will in our arms. Yes, I fell in love with our baby the minute my little pregnancy test showed positive, but I fell in love again with this little baby girl today. As I feel her squirm around in me tonight as I type, I love her even more than I did yesterday. And I know I will love her even more tomorrow. We can't wait to meet you, little one! Your dad and I couldn't be happier as we anticipate your arrival!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward."

Psalm 127:3

Merry Christmas!

I hope each of you enjoys a great day of reflection on God's perfect Gift. God truly blessed us in Jesus Christ!

Here's a picture of our little stocking stuffer last year, and a picture of our big stocking stuffer this year. Wishing each of you a wonderful Christmas!

(I think somebody's a bit too excited about her presents!)

Elyse Noelle Turns ONE!

Well, it's here! Today we celebrate the birth of Elyse. There are so many things that have changed in the last year, it's hard to even think of listing them. I guess there are a few obvious ways I have changed, and most of those changes can be contributed to motherhood. Jordan has probably changed in many ways, but he continues to be the "anchor" for our family, just as he has been from day 1. Elyse, on the other hand, has tripled in weight (SO glad I can't say I have done that... yet), produced 5 teeth, grown almost ALL new hair, learned how to jabber, chew, do some tricks, ... the list goes on and on. The miracle of life is so incredible, and so is the miracle of growth. I walked into her room the other night as Jordan was rocking her before bed, and it startled me to see her legs hanging down so far... she was looking so big. I was shocked to find out she weights more than 20 pounds. What??? It's been so fun to see her develop more personality. Seems like yesterday we sat around trying to make her laugh, and she now spends her time trying to get laughs out of us (NOT a challenge). There are so many things I love about this stage, but I'll just list a few of my new "fun's" and "not-so-fun's."

"fun's"

* cow's milk, baby! Elyse loves it, thankfully!

* the new "doodle-oodle-oodle" noise she makes

* peek-a-boo at all times of the day

* a new hearty laugh at odd times

* excessively big hugs lately

* lots of dancing & bopping to music

* much more flexibility to eat out when we can (when she's rested & happy :) Bye, bye, baby food!

* "walking" with her around the house (no, she still can't do this by herself yet!)

* hearing lots of "meemee," "..ssss....," "teeteetee," in addition to the "mama's" and "dada's"

* transitioning away from the ol' bottle

* teaching her some manners, like sharing

* she's been a real cuddler lately, especially when I rock her before bed...LOVE this.

* Elyse rests her head lots on my shoulder, especially when she's shy :)

* she hums along when I sing to her

"not-so-fun's"

* fierce independent streak

* the face she makes when she knows she's going to get scolded (okay, it's actually kind of funny, but....)

* on a similar note, biting the inside of my cheek when I'm trying NOT to laugh at her bad behavior

* removing "toys" she shouldn't have & listening to the aftermath

* she's getting to love all the foods I love, but not necessarily the foods I want her to love :)

* small anger fits over SILLY things

* graduating my baby into the world of a one-year-old!!! :(

Elyse, you are such a precious gift to us. We thank God every day for you! We know that this year you will learn SO many new things, but you will always be our little girl.