Two Tiny Tots

This short film documents the first meeting between Luca Florence and Isaiah Robert. This evening, despite the lightning, rain and 20 degree temps (no that is not a typo) my Mom took Luca and I over to meet Isaiah. Oh, and to see Zach & Sarie of course. These cousins are a bit unsure but to be quite honest it might have been the grownups hovering and squealing that made them unsure. In any case, we have this adorable video courtesy of my brother. And I think he put it best: "It's always fun to see surprisingly little happen with small people."
---They seemed to be unsure of each other at first, glancing at one another quickly to avoid acknowledgement. But as the moments passed they became comfortable, held hands, and Luca seemed to say, "so..........rice cereal huh?.........looks like the jokes on you. And your shirt. Gross." To which Isaiah replied under a huff of breath p....m...s.

Tagged - 7 random facts about me - Here you go Amy!

1. I have double jointed hips
2. I cannot stand bananas. Taste, texture or smell.
3. I love night. A prefect day is 10am to 2am!
4. I've never jumped out of an airplane even though my husband has over 1300 times.
5. My middle name means "little rock" and with Brooke, that makes me "a little rock in a ditch full of water".
6. I can't do algebra.
7. I could live on potatoes alone.

I tag Amberlee and Tonya! :-)

Storytime

One of the few times I've managed to get her voice on tape. She is enamored with the camera and as soon as she spies it, all noises stop. :-)

Crowning Glory?

Remember that verse in 1 Corinthians about a woman's hair being her crown of glory? Well, Luca's crown is a little lopsided. Today I was looking through all of the pictures we have on the computer and noticed a theme: Crazy hair. So funny! Her hair started out so cute, albeit a little unruly but now there are some new adjectives. Riotous. Mutinous. Ungovernable. Bonkers. It's short on the sides and about two inches long on top. Curly and red when wet, fine and brownish when dry, sticking out in odd formations always. Ahhh...babies are an endless supply of fun

A Little Bit of Sewing

I went shopping for a Christmas outfit for Luca and didn't see anything that I really liked. Okay, that's not true, I found a couple that I really liked but of course they cost more than an entire Christmas outfit for ME. Seriously, who pays $50 for a 1/4 yard of fabric? Someone does or they wouldn't have them I guess. Anyway, instead, I decided to try my hand at a little sewing. Below are my attempts. Joe thinks the hairbow is a little over the top and I agree but when can you get away with a giant bow except when your three months old? Well, that and maybe the Kentucky Derby. I had a lot of fun and side note: I didn't get all of the fuzzys and threads off of one of the dresses so I got out the lint roller. Luca thought that the roller running up her tummy was hilarious! Sorry they're kind of blurry...

My Sugar Plum...


Little Miss Claus...

The last week or so has been "Operation Self-Soothe" for Miss Bean. After a chat with my sister-in-law, Sarie, (mutual morale support!), we decided that Luca and Isaiah should be able to fall asleep by themselves and (hopefully) sleep through the night. Luca has done amazingly well! (PTL!) Apparently, it was this Mommy who was the problem. After a little trial and error (she hates the dark, hello night-light and likes to be bundled) she now sleeps from 11pm-6am! And she's gotten very good at putting herself to sleep, I give her a kiss, sing "Jesus Loves Me" and then put her in her crib. Sometimes she fusses but usually she "sings" herself to sleep.

Everyday I am overcome with how much I love this little girl. Nothing makes my heart hurt (the good hurt) like peeking over the crib edge to a baby, smiling just for me. I pray that God will continue to work in my heart, creating a woman who can raise a godly woman. What an awesome responsibility!

Goodwill

I need new jeans. I have one pair that are perfect except for the holes developing on the backside (not the holes you can leave) and another pair that would be great if I hadn't had a baby. In the past when my pair needed replacing, I'd take a coupon down to the Lucky store and buy my standard favorite cut and fit. However, that's still pretty expensive. So I took my jean stealing baby and went to Goodwill. :-) And guess what? There on the rack were a pair of Luckys in my cut and fit! I also found some Gap jeans and a pair of Nine West boots. I was so excited! And grateful. How good is God to take care of my little wardrobe concerns?

"And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?" Matthew 6:28-30

"For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands." Psalm 92:4

For Laughs

This is several weeks old but it makes me smile. Enjoy!

The Christmas Survey Thing...

1. Wrapping paper or bags? Paper, paper, paper. You need it to create the giant pile we jump in after the opening is over! It's the Christmas version of fall leaves.

2. Real or artificial tree? Artificial. We had a real tree my first three years of life, since then it's all about the fake.

3. When do you put of the tree? If it was up to me, October first. Joe has this absurd rule about no Christmas before Thanksgiving. This year however, I'm not doing any.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually end of January/beginning of February. I LOVE Christmas decorations!

5. Do you like Eggnog? Yum yum.

6 Favorite gift received as a child? My Teddy "Floppy" and my horse, Jeremy. Yes, a real horse. I was the girl who actually got that. :-)

7. Hardest person to buy for? Hmmm...my sister? Not sure on that one, it depends on the year.

8. Easiest person to buy for? If I have a million dollars, Joe. If I'm poor, my Mom.

9. Do you have a nativity? Yep.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail - and I seem to get them out every-other year. Unless I fail this year and then that trend is a bust.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Appliqued sweatshirts that were four sizes too small (sorry Grandma).

12. Favorite Christmas movie? "It's a Wonderful Life" and "The Matrix". And yes, at my house, the Matrix is a Christmas movie. :-)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Ha! Not early enough.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? Christmas no, wedding, yes.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My Mom's creme de menthe/fudge squares.

16. Lights on the tree? HUNDREDS. Colored for nostalgia but white is more my taste.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Once in Royal David's City and What Child is This.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home (but I guess since I mean Nebraska, it's travel :-)

19. Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer? One of them has a red nose, right?

20. Angel on the tree top or star? Angel. Made with my Mom

21. Open present on Christmas Eve or morning? Traditionally, Stockings Christmas morning, presents in the afternoon and when we were really little one small gift on the Eve.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? All of the "PC" mumbo jumbo. In my Barnes&Noble Days, green and red were not allowed on signage and we were encouraged to say "Happy Holidays". BUT, if you listen to the in-store play you will hear "O Holy Night", "Joy to the World" and even "Mary did you Know". Everyone's tolerant of everything except Christianity. Oh, and rude people. Is your life really so bad that you need that 4 seconds you gained by cutting me off?

23. Favorite Ornament? The engraved brass ones from Grandma Irvin, the ones Grandma Whitson and I made together and a miniture book my Dad made.

24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Mashed Potatoes. (Kind of my favorite food at any dinner)

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? To monopolize Isaiah Whitson's every waking moment. (my nephew :-)

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Hmm...

27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Hmmm...again...

Monkey Pajamas

Isn't she cute in her monkey pajamas? I just love this outfit. Well, this is the week that we are trying to get Luca to fall asleep by herself in her crib. I was a “bad” Mommy and let her get used to crashing in her swing most of the time so now she relies on it. It makes me feel so guilty to leave her crying in her room when I know that she’d fall asleep immediately if I’d just put her in the swing. Those big blue eyes can look so accusatory! Ah well, I knew I was giving her a “crutch” and now I’m paying for it. On the up-side my big girl is sleeping through the night! No more 3am feeding! Seven hours a night and still a two hour nap in the afternoon, I’m pretty blessed to have such a good baby! Now if I could figure out a way for her to entertain herself while she’s awake…

Joe and I have started running and Luca goes with us in her new jogging stroller. She prefers it when we run at night so she can sleep. She’s not a fan of the wind in her face! It’s finally cool enough to be outside, now if Joe and I can just have self discipline…

Luca’s first rainstorm. She gave it almost as much attention as she gives the coffee table. I guess rain isn’t exciting until you can toddle around in it. :-)

Saying "No"

This week seems to have gone by quickly and slowly at the same time. Is that possible? Lots of laundry has been done, rooms have been cleaned, Joe and Luca have been fed, errands have been run and I finished a book. While doing said laundry, I put Luca in the basket. I couldn't walk down the hallway with her and the basket without bumping my elbows (I'm not very coordinated). Luca became absolutely still and her eyes got really big. I guess it's wierd to go floating around the house on your back! :-) I also had my first real encounter with a naughty daughter. Luca was supposed to be napping but after listening to her talk and fuss for half an hour I decided to let her get up and play for a while. She was looking at her canopy when I walked in but as soon as she saw me she let loose with the “I’m angry” cry. Then, after calming her down and letting her play on her blanket, I got up to get a drink. This is where I saw her little sin nature coming through. She didn’t want me to get up! She started to throw a fit. I put my finger on her mouth and told her “no” and she stopped and smiled. But as soon as I moved, her little face scrunched up again. We went through this a couple of times until when I stood up, she stayed happy. Probably the easiest time I’ll ever have disciplining her but I really thought I’d have longer than three months before telling her “no”! Other than that one incident she’s pretty much an angel. I love her little smiles and her peaceful face when she’s asleep. And she’s getting so big! I can’t believe that November is almost over. I’m still not used to this Arizona weather, it’s really August, right?

Daddy's Little Girl

I am so thankful for Joe. As a "Daddy's Girl"myself, I know what it means to have a godly father. Thank you Lord for giving Luca a living example of how You love us!

The Many Expressions of Luca

Sunday Morning at the Park

We had church at Tempe Town Lake today and then a grill-out/pot-luck. This is Miss Bean listening to the sermon and looking pretty cute in the process. Lots of fun fellowship, really good food (nice work Kenny!) and sunshine. We are so grateful for our church family!

The Sniffles

Miss Bean has a cold. As I write this she is snoring in her swing and Joe finds this hilarious. Poor thing can hardly breathe sometimes! She had a rough day (and by "she" I really mean "I"), all of the usual happy times were cranky times and napping was a no-go. After being up for a total of 5 hours between 10pm and 6am last night I was REALLY hoping she would nap so that I could nap! I knew that my sleep patterns would have to adjust when I had a baby but I think I missed the fine print that said "sleep will be canceled completely, often and unpredictably" in the Motherhood contract. Ah well...she's worth it.

Here goes nothing...

All right, I am joining the blogging world.

I am sure that this will be an excellent way to avoid doing laundry ;-)