My "Big" Girl

Normally I refer to Grace as my big girl. But this week I found myself saying to Faith, "You are such a big girl." Oh, dear when did she become big? She is supposed to be my baby. Faith has had a lot of milestones this week. On Sunday (Mother's Day) Faith had her baby dedication ceremony. It was just as special getting to experience this with her as it was with Grace. The girls wore coordinating pink polka dot dresses (See new family pic). On Monday, Faith slept in her room with her sister for the first time. Due to the girls sharing a room Faith had still been in our room up until this point. I was excited for Jeremy and I to reclaim our bedroom but also sad that she no longer needed to be near us. Both girls have done great adjusting to the transition. They really love each other right now. Faith also had her first stinky diaper. (Moms, you know what I'm talking about the diapers get way smellier when you start baby food!) Also, she tried out a sippy cup and "puffs." I just put some in front of her to see what she would do. She picked it right up and popped it in her mouth. She thought it was fun practicing getting them in her mouth. She is deffinitely getting more enthusiastic about baby food. So far she has tried green beans, peas, squash, apples, peaches, & pears.

Faith,
You are such a happy and content baby. You are so content to just be with our family and experience life around you. I have started praying that you will always feel that kind of contentment through your relationship with Jesus. I tend to be a doer. Sometime I struggle to just be with Jesus. I pray you will find enjoyment throughout your life, simply being in the presence of God. Your smiles are a true blessing to your mama. I love you.

I knew I stopped wearing earings for a reason!

So yesterday I was getting ready to go to Quincy to run some errands and meet my aunt for lunch. So I was trying to acutally get ready (aka put on some makeup, actually fix my hair, and wear something other than a t-shirt). And I had this thought- I haven't worn earings in forever! I think the last time seriously might have been when I was pregnant with Grace. I guess I just cut that step out of my routine to save time. So I thought, "that sounds fun- how about some earrings." So I had to go dig around in my bathroom to actually find some. Oh, I forgot to mention before I walked into my room and the whole earring thing popped in my head I told Grace to find her shoes it was almost time to go. Okay, back to the digging for earrings. About 5-10 minutes into the process of choosing earrings for my five different holes in my ears and trying to acutally locate the long lost holes I had a warning alarm go off in my brain. It was super quiet-not good. I thought Grace had gone downstairs to her play room but I realized I hadn't heard anything as I got swept away with my whole earring hunt. So I went looking. Guess where I found my child?

In my backyard!!!! Yep, there she was. Her Dora bag packed (complete with diaper & pjs) and set by the van and her shoes on. Apparently she thought we were going to Papa and Grammy's house. She had been playing unsupervised in our backyard for about ten minutes. Did I mention our backyard is not entirely fenced in? Wow, I felt like mom of the year!

So, in conclusion today I will be hunting through my Christmas decorations for a jingle bell to attach to my back door. I knew I stopped wearing earings for a reason!

"Write it down...or you'll forget."

When you are a young mom with little kids moms with older kids start telling you to write down the funny things they say and do or you will forget. Well, I thought yeah I will when I have time- of course I hadn't done it yet. Then I was reading this book and the author was reflecting on her kids growing up. She was remembering when her child used to say, "Hold you me." And I thought Grace used to say that! Then I thought when did she start saying it "correctly"? And I had no idea! So here it goes- here are some of our recent funny times & toddler lingo I want to remember someday.

Funny Moments:
-The other night I could hear Grace on the monitor. She was supposed to be going to bed and finally after about 20 minutes of chattering and a little banging around I decided I better go inform her it was time to settle down and go to sleep. As I walked down the hall to her room I noticed there was a lot of light coming from under the door. She has the light on...and it gets better. Her entire bed was covered with every piece of "Little People" toys we own. She has the entire village set up and was having a great time. I couldn't help it I burst out laughing. I knew I probably shouldn't but it just caught me by surprise. I was really wondering how she got the light on by herself (usually she has to have her stool from the bathroom). So I asked her and she simply said, "Mama I reached!"
-Grace decided after spending the day at Grammy's house she no longer needed to use her potty seat. I tried to convinve her it was easier with the potty seat but she insisted that no she could do it by herself. She fell completely in the toilet and got soaked. After a brief moment to make sure she wasn't going to cry I laughed & so did she.
-I have walked in her room several times to find her fast asleep with a book still open just like she is reading it.
-Today we went over to some of our friend's who are in the process of building a house. The mud was like a magnet drawing her so strongly she couldn't resist. Finally she made her way and stepped in it. Then she looked up and said, "Mama I mess," like she was seriously upset about it.

Grace's Version of the English Language:
-Waubee (tv or movie)
-Num Nums (food of any kind)
-EEE Eww (Thank you)
-SSSSS (Short for Snack)
-Mama, I miss you. (She says this like I love you)
-Mama, I need you. (She uses this as a term of endearment-or when she is in trouble)
-I'm done. (Any time she is tired of something, for example her carseat)
- What is your name? Gracie (not sure-we almost always call her Grace)
- What is Faith's name? Sissy

Baby girl, you crack me up! While I look forward to understanding more of your constant chatter (you have lots to say!) I will miss when you look at me most sincerely and say "EEE Eww, Mama" voluntarily when I've done something for you.