Through the eyes of a child

Oh what JOY Christmas was this year! I learned so much through the eyes of Ella Beth. Scott and I (aka - Santa) got Ella Beth a kitchen for Christmas. We were anticipating it being moved to the playroom of our new house, but when that got nixed...I had decided that I was not going to have a tacky play-kitchen set up in my living room. Just not going to have it. Isn't is funny how God teaches us? Seeing how happy and excited Ella Beth has been over her kitchen has made me content to leave it out for everyone to see. I still wish that there was a playroom in the near future, but since there doesn't seem to be...I am happy watching her enjoy herself "cooking and cleaning" all day long.

Ella Beth got so much stuff for Christmas...a baby doll we named Anna, accessories for Anna which Ella Beth absolutely loves, a bus with people that move and sing, blocks - 120 of them!, puzzles, a tractor with a farmer and animals that make noises, money for savings bonds, clothes, her name painted and framed (meant for playroom...still wondering where to put it), books that have at least one kitty in each (a must), and various food items for her kitchen. Way too much, but she has enjoyed it all.

Okay...what I know you really want - PICTURES:

I hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours. It was so much fun to share in the love of Jesus with Ella Beth. Next year it will be even more fun with Landon in our family!

We leave for Gatlinburg on Friday, so I'll be taking a short hiatus. Plenty of pictures to share when we get back...that's a promise!

Happy 2008!

Through the eyes of a child

Oh what JOY Christmas was this year! I learned so much through the eyes of Ella Beth. Scott and I (aka - Santa) got Ella Beth a kitchen for Christmas. We were anticipating it being moved to the playroom of our new house, but when that got nixed...I had decided that I was not going to have a tacky play-kitchen set up in my living room. Just not going to have it. Isn't is funny how God teaches us? Seeing how happy and excited Ella Beth has been over her kitchen has made me content to leave it out for everyone to see. I still wish that there was a playroom in the near future, but since there doesn't seem to be...I am happy watching her enjoy herself "cooking and cleaning" all day long.

Ella Beth got so much stuff for Christmas...a baby doll we named Anna, accessories for Anna which Ella Beth absolutely loves, a bus with people that move and sing, blocks - 120 of them!, puzzles, a tractor with a farmer and animals that make noises, money for savings bonds, clothes, her name painted and framed (meant for playroom...still wondering where to put it), books that have at least one kitty in each (a must), and various food items for her kitchen. Way too much, but she has enjoyed it all.

Okay...what I know you really want - PICTURES:

I hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours. It was so much fun to share in the love of Jesus with Ella Beth. Next year it will be even more fun with Landon in our family!

We leave for Gatlinburg on Friday, so I'll be taking a short hiatus. Plenty of pictures to share when we get back...that's a promise!

Happy 2008!

Birth Announcement

This is my most favorite birth announcement that I have made thus far. I just think it is absolutely beautiful, and I just wanted to share it with someone out there. Oh, how I can't wait to create one especially for Landon! (Can I be honest and tell you that I already have 3 different layouts just waiting for his precious pictures! Oh boy!!!)

Birth Announcement

This is my most favorite birth announcement that I have made thus far. I just think it is absolutely beautiful, and I just wanted to share it with someone out there. Oh, how I can't wait to create one especially for Landon! (Can I be honest and tell you that I already have 3 different layouts just waiting for his precious pictures! Oh boy!!!)

I'm confused...

When I went to the doctor in November, they told me that I had gained 13 pounds total.

When I was weighed on Tuesday, they told me that I had only gained a pound and a half in the last month...which is why the doctor wasn't satisfied with my weight gain. She said that pound and a half had only put my weight gain at 14.5 pounds, but the nurse told me that I had gained a total of 19 pounds. Now, I know I didn't gain 6 pounds last month...but I don't know what my total weight gain is.

It was much easier during my pregnancy with Ella Beth b/c I stood backwards on the scale and didn't know how much weight I gained until the end of my pregnancy. I think I'm going to start standing backwards again (it's only 11 weeks until my due date, so no biggie). And, I guess it doesn't matter since I don't know exactly what I've gained anyway.

So much for braving the scales!

I'll be posting belly shots as soon as Scott takes them. Believe me, the belly's not easy to miss!

Cookie Recipe!!!

Okay...I know this is 2 posts in one day...but I just have to share the cookie recipe that I just made. These "semi-homemade" cookies remind me exactly of the Chocholate Chocolate Mint cookies my grandma used to make. DELICIOUS!!!

1 Box Chocolate Cake Mix (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist Chocolate Fudge mix)

1 stick of butter

2 Large eggs

1 Tbs. water

1/2 bag of Andes Candes Mint Pieces

Mix first 4 ingredients together with mixer. You will have to work the batter off the sides and bottom b/c it will be very thick. (Remember, we're making cookies, not a cake. :o)

Stir in Andes pieces.

Drop by tablespoon on to parchment paper and bake @350 for 8-10 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet about 3 minutes; note: cookies will appear "puffy" when you take them out of the oven, but will settle by the time they are ready to remove. Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Little Miss A

Oh, how I love newborn sessions! The pure sweetness and innocence of a brand new life is so special. Working on these pictures really started getting me excited about taking Landon's pictures. I just can't wait to see him...his features, how he resembles Ella Beth, how much hair he has! Such anticipation!

Enjoy these few pics of Little A...

A band-aid and update

Yesterday, Ella Beth cut her finger and it bled pretty badly. We put her first band-aid on her tiny finger. She didn't know what to think of it at first, but left it on long enough for it to stop bleeding...and long enough for a quick picture!

I went to the doctor this morning for my appointment. I had to have my glucose screening test as well as a Rogham shot since I have a negative blood type and Scott has a positive. I got stuck twice within two minutes. OUCH! I am still measuring 1 cm small, which I did with Ella Beth. The doctor also said that my weight gain was low. Ummm...hello...have you looked at me? I surely am not sparce on the growth area! I have gained 19 pounds thus far, which is a lot if you ask me. However, since I was considered "under weight" at the beginning of my pregnancy, the doctor says I "should" be gaining more. Okay...I am 5 feet and 1/2 an inch tall. 19 pounds is a lot of weight for me. And, I still have weight to put on. Grrr.

Well, the doctor talked to me for a while about my contractions. I had three while at the doctor's office this morning. She said that I need to be re-evaluated at my next appointment in two weeks to determine whether or not I will need to be put on bed rest. Lovely. Just what a mother of a 16-month old wants to hear. I told her that I am sure they are due to chasing Ella Beth around all day. We'll see what they say in two weeks. Two weeks?!?! Can you believe that it's already time to start going to the doctor every two weeks? Where, oh where, has this pregnancy gone?

Over the weekend, we were invited to a Birthday Party For Jesus. It was so fun to get together with friends and their families. We had lots of yummy food, story time, craft time, and good ol' fun for the kiddos. We also found out 100% that Ella Beth still does not like to be dirty - even for craft time. There was an angel to make, and we tried to put paint on Ella Beth's hands to make the angel's wings. She started screaming when we got within a foot of her with that paint. Such a funny girl! She is such a neat freak that it really is comical. At dinner, if she's eating off of her tray and her food is all gone, she wants us to clean it off before she will let us put more food on it. We try to tell her that it will just get dirty again, but she won't listen to reason. ;) If some food falls in her lap, oh boy...we'd better get it up quick! Where did this come from? I mean, Scott and I like to be clean and tidy like the next person, but freakish about it we are not. She definitely gets this personality trait on her own. Here's a picture of Scott holding Ella Beth as she watches me get the paint ready. Can't you just read her face, "Ummm, you're not planning on me actually touching that are you???"

I feel the need to ask for a little bit of prayer. I have not been handling the not-getting-a-house situation very gracefully over the last few days. Apparently, I am much more disappointed, upset, angry, etc., than I thought. I am sure it's due to the fact that we had already done so much regarding the house (e.g. chosen paint colors, lighting fixtures, carpet, re-designed the kitchen, and on), and also due to the fact that this house seems so small just thinking about Landon's arrival. I can't imagine how small it is going to feel once he actually arrives. I know that I should be thankful for what I have; I know that I am "rich" compared to 98% of the world; I know that "one day" will actually be reality. I know all of this. I don't need a lecture, just prayers that I will be content and happy where God has me.

Thanks.

Love grows best in little houses

Well, this past weekend Scott and I have decided not to build the house that we put a contract on in Dawson Forest Manor. Wow. I actually typed that, so it means it's true.

Am I disappointed? Yes.

Am I okay with the decision? Without a doubt.

Isn't it weird how you can be very disappointed about something but totally okay with it at the same time? I guess that's what faith and trust are all about.

It is still sinking in that we will remain in these tight quarters for yet another "little while longer," but when my husband comes to me and tells me that he "just doesn't feel right" about the house - I trust his decision. I know that the Lord will still bless us here. I know that the Lord will still bless us in the future when we do build our "dream" house.

Scott has really thought about the house in DFM, and he feels that the builder is really taking advantage of us. We want a nice house, and since Scott was going to do so much work himself, financially the builder was still asking way too much. We could afford it, so that's not the issue. It's just that if we are going to put so much money and personal time into something, we want to make sure that it's worth it.

For now, we will just wait and see what happens. We are under contract with Century 21 for 3 months for their real estate services. With the market the way it is, I'm sure we will still be here in 3 months time. If something were to come out of our real estate contract, we'll just go from there.

There is a bright side...I do have a nursery that I now get to decorate. :)

Anyway, thanks to those of you who have kept us in your prayers about the house situation. Apparently, our prayers were answered; just not in the way we thought they would be. But, that's okay. As they say, "Love grows best in little houses."

Ella Beth

My daughter is 16 months old today. That takes my breath away. She is getting so "big" in many different ways. She wants to feed herself, and if we try to help she gets very upset. It's messy business. Ella Beth loves to twirl around and around. With or without music. She throws her arms out to the side, and just goes around and around. She wants "down" almost always when we're out in public. It's almost as though she's hit the teenage stage where kids want to be separate from their parents. At home, it's a different story.

My daughter is wide open all of the time. My dad used to use the term "wide open" and I never really liked it. However...Scott and I use it on a daily basis to describe our little girl. She is non-stop from the moment she wakes up until she goes to sleep. She runs everywhere. She talks constantly. She talks in her sleep. Really.

My daughter is tiny. She finally weighs 17 pounds. We fed her beyond her compacity over the last month, and it worked. However, she's eating less now b/c she knows when she's hungry and when she's not. That's fine with me. The doctor told us at her appointment this past Monday that Ella Beth has achieved all of the 2-year milestones. Wow. The doctor observed Ella Beth for almost 20 minutes and determined that, "due to her advanced acheivement I don't feel that it is necessary to see a nutritionist. I can see from watching her that she is 1) very active, 2) very advanced, and 3) going to be petite." Finally. I wanted to say that she could have listened to me months ago. But I didn't.

I love this little girl. I love watching her around other babies and children. She is very sweet to babies. She thinks she is as big as older kids. She is a paradox. Feisty and stubborn and whiney one minute. Cuddly and sweet the next.

Ella Elizabeth has changed me as a person. Although not always evident, I am much more patient and tolerant and understanding than ever before. I try to look at things from her perspective, and I realize that it's hard being a baby toddler.

It's hard being a parent, too. Knowing that so much love can consume one heart is over-whelming. Love for the child and for the father of that child.

I am loving each stage with Ella Beth more than the previous one. My friend, Jennifer Kinsey, always told me that I would...but I just kept thinking that I would always cherish those first few months with Ella Beth more than any other. While I do cherish those months, it is just so much fun to play with Ella Beth and watch her grow. She is beginning to really show her personality.

She is sweet.

She is fiesty.

She is a very early riser. It was 5:38 AM this morning.

She is talkative beyond belief.

She is cute to boot!

Scott's sister, Karla, donated Katilin's old play house to Ella Beth and it's her new favority thing. "House" as she calls it, is outside. So is Whiskers. Whiskers is the community's neighbor's cat. She visits quite often, and she entertains Ella Beth like nothing else can. I got some great pictures of her playing today. The last pic is my favorite. Whiskers had just walked off, and Ella Beth is saying, "Where's Whiskers?" It was too cute, and I'm glad I had my camera ready!

On Friday, Ashley and Hamilton came over for some play time. Ashley brought me a huge tub of boy clothes for Landon to wear. I have had such a fun time going through them. Boy clothes are very different from girl clothes - lots of primary colors, cars, sports, and dogs! It was about the 5th time that we've gotten together, but it's the first time captured on camera. Here's a sweet picture of Hamilton putting on for the camera!

Here are two cute pics of Ella Beth and Hamilton. Such a sweet hug! And, there's Ella Beth teaching Hamilton about "hair." Which she loves. :)

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And...one last pic of Ella Beth before bath time. :)

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Random

I took Ella Beth back to the doctor yesterday morning. We were there when they opened since we didn't have an appointment, and were so blessed to be taken back almost immediately. Ella Beth's cold turned into a bacterial infection in her sinuses, left eye, and right ear. Thankfully, the medication she was put on is already working!!! Such a blessing. She still has her cough from all of the drainage, but she is sleeping better (still not great) and not contagious. So...that means we are good to go for our play-date with Hamilton and Ashley this Friday. I was so hoping that we wouldn't have to cancel - and we don't!

Okay, this is just too funny not to share. I call Scott "Honey" all of the time. It somehow started a long time ago, and it just stuck. Well, now Ella Beth calls Scott "Honey," too. In fact, sometimes completely out of the blue, she will just start walking around the house calling out, "Honey. Honey. HOOOONNNNEEY!" It is absolutely hilarious! It is so funny what little ones pick up on. She is starting to become a bit of a clean-freak, and I know it's because she sees me cleaning/dusting/wiping things down all of the time. I just need to be attentive that I don't start showing a bad habit (e.g. being critical when looking in the mirror) in front of her. I defintely don't want her to pick up a bad habit from her mommy.

Yesterday, Scott and I met with the builder and contractor for our new house. It is being staked and "footed" this week, and construction should begin next week. I am so excited! I don't know exactly what it is about the house that I like so much. It's not huge (which I would never want a huge house anyway...too much to clean, and too much space to be separated from those I love). It's just cozy, well laid-out, and one-story (with an upstairs finished bonus). I hope that once we are moved into it that I will still like it as much as I am anticipating. When I think of Landon coming in March, it seems so close. But, when I think of having to wait until the end of March to move into our house, it seems forever away.

On a closing note to the random post, I have been doing a personal quiet time for a month now that I want to recommend. It is Beth Moore's Personal Reflection: JESUS, 90 Days with the One and Only. It is a daily, journal-type quiet time that is very reflective and really allows me to be introspective. It's very deep without being over-whelming or time-consuming. I love how I am learning more and more about who Jesus was. I'm also learning that we were created to serve and worship God, but to learn from the life of His Son. I kinda always put the worship towards both God and Jesus, not really separating the two of them. Of course, I still sing praises to Jesus for His act of Salvation! Anyway, it's just an awesome study that I hope you will take the time to look into. I really feel that I am growing in a deeper understanding, and that's what a personal study is all about. Once these 90 days are up, I'd love a suggestion for another personal study - so if you have one, feel free to share!

Well, that's all the catching up I have. :)

Baby, baby, baby!

Here are belly shots from today. I feel huge. Wearing bulky sweaters and layers these days doesn't help with that. Oh well. It will all be over soon enough. I put the second picture in B&W to see if that helps slim me down any. You can't blame a pregnant girl for trying.

Landon is still active, but seems to be getting on a pretty consistent schedule. Hopefully, getting him on a consistent schedule once he's out in the world will come as easily. :) I have been having Braxton Hick's contractions for about 2 weeks now, and they have been getting a little stronger. I don't remember having them this early with Ella Beth. Hmmm...

I'm WHAT?!?!

(I'll post a belly shot later today or tomorrow when Scott gets a chance to take a picture.)

I'm in my THIRD TRIMESTER. Already. Already???? Oh my word! Today marks the beginning of my last trimester, and I can hardly believe it. I guess since I was almost 10 weeks pregnant when we found out, time has just flown by. It's hard to believe that it's been a month since we found out that Landon is a boy. When I was at the doctor yesterday for my monthly check-up, he informed me that in four weeks I start coming in every other week. I about passed out! It's just so hard to believe that I'm in the home-stretch. That excites and terrifies me at the same time.

My appointment went well yesterday. My OB even gave me some medicine for my sinus infection, which I can tell has already taken effect. Now, if we can just get Ella Beth some relief things will really improve. The poor little thing has such a bad cold...again. I didn't post this earlier, but here's how she got so sick: We went in to the doctor for her "rash" (aka - hives). We had to wait over an HOUR in the waiting room - I'm not exaggerating. Our OLD pediatrician's office didn't have separate "sick" and "well" seating areas, so Ella Beth was exposed to so many kids that day who were coughing, sneezing, wheezing, snotty, you name it. That's where she got her sickness from. What made it even worse is that when we finally saw the doctor (45 minutes after we were put in a room - still not exaggerating), she told us that hives are the only "rash that moves." Which means that when I had called the day before about Ella Beth's rash, they could have diagnosed her over the phone. To top it off, she was put on Claritin - an Over The Counter medicine. So the whole 2 hours at the doctor were worthless, and ended up causing Ella Beth to be very sick. Grrrrr. Does anyone question why we changed pediatricians???

Anyway...back to my appointment yesterday. Despite the fact that I feel bigger than I should, I am measuring a little small (only one cm.). My doctor said that when I stand up I may feel bigger, but the only way to tell for sure is to measure lying down - which I can't really do. So I just took his word for it. Landon's heartbeat is between 150-153, which they say is a bit high for a boy. I didn't need their doppler machine to tell me that becaue I know how active he is! Just like Ella Beth was. Oh boy...if he is as active out of my tummy as Ella Beth has been since the day she was born...I'm in for it! I have not even thought about worrying how to get off my baby weight. It should come off just fine chasing Ella Beth and taking care of Landon! Speaking of weight - I gained 4 pounds since my last appointment. It's funny - the month before I felt sure that I had gained a lot and I only gained 1 pound; this month I felt that I hadn't really gained much and I gained 4 pounds. I guess there's just no way to tell. Well, the 4 pounds puts me at 13 total pounds gained.

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. Thanksgiving is such a great holiday. Even though I am thankful each day for the blessings in my life, it's nice to really reflect on them. I am so blessed as a wife and mother to have Scott and Ella Beth brighten my days. I'm blessed by family who love me and that I am granted more time with them each day. And I am so blessed to have a Savior who has forgiven me and calls me His Own. I hope each and every one of you are able to enjoy this holiday with those you love. For some it will be a reminder of the ones we've lost, but remember and be thankful for the time that we did have with them. And REJOICE that they are at home with our Savior! HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

One of those days...(warning: TMI for some)

This has been one of the worst days that I can remember. I feel the need to vent so that maybe someone will say a prayer for me that the rest of the day and week will improve.

I have been sick for about 4 days now. It started out as a cold, but has become a bad sinus infection. Since I can't take any of the prescription drugs (I'm very sensitive to them while prego), I have to rely on Contac or Tylenol Severe Sinus. The Contac works okay during the day...at night it's as if I've taken nothing. I have been coughing all night, blowing my nose all night, and not sleeping. Which doesn't make for a good morning. To top it off, I've been incredibly constipated despite the fact that I've been taking fiber supplements every morning (now...I warned you that it might be too much info for some. Turn back now if you want.) So before bed, I took a Dulcalax laxitive. I hate laxitives, but what else is there to do sometimes?

Okay...here's where a bad day gets worse. So, I wake up feeling awful. I research some "at home care" for sinus infections on Web MD. It said to take a hot, steamy shower. So I took as hot of a shower that Landon and I could stand. I felt maybe 10% better. But I was clean, so that was a good thing. Well, we put our house on the market yesterday. As I am finishing buckling Ella Beth into her carseat, Century 21 calls to say that they are missing 1 sheet from the 15 that we had to fax yesterday. Well, I knew that if I got Ella Beth out of her carseat she would not get back in. So I put on the ABC's and went upstairs to fax the missing sheet. Of course, Ella Beth was none to happy to be left alone in the car...but what was I to do?

The reason I was leaving the house at all was because I needed to get some Tylenol Severe Sinus since the Contac isn't working. A good enough reason to have to leave. So I thought.

Well, I needed to run by the bank to get money out of the ATM. We were just issued a new ATM card, and I needed to activate it. Since it was the first time I had used it, the machine gave me the option of changing my PIN. Well, yes I would like to change it b/c I can't remember their random number. So I changed it. When I go to make a withdrawl, it tells me that my PIN is wrong and to try again. I did. 7 times. Neither the number that they originally issued worked, nor did my new one work. The lady behind me at the ATM actually honked her horn and told me to move. I was about in tears. So, I pull around to go into the bank. I get Ella Beth out of her carseat only to find that her diaper has leaked. Her pants are soaked. The seat is soaked. Keeps getting better. So, I change her diaper and pants. I go into the bank where they notify me that they will have to send off and order another PIN for me. I have to fill out some paperwork. I'm holding a very squirmy Ella Beth during all of this.

So, then it's off to Home Depot. Scott called and asked if I could pick something up for him. Sure. Why not. I kid you not - I ask 5 different people to help me find a "Gromet Cover" (it's the cover that goes in the back of a cabinet or desk to thread wires through). 5 different people WHO WORK AT HOME DEPOT don't know what I am talking about. To make it worse, none of them try to help me. They just say, "I just don't know what you're talking about," and walk off. Nice. I finally find where the gromet covers should be (after calling Scott to ask him...even though he doesn't work at HD). When I find the section, can you believe that they are all out? Lovely.

Well, then it's off to Wal-Mart where I need about 15 items and Tylenol. I start on my journey and my stomach starts to hurt. Oh yeah...now I remember...I took one of those lovely laxitives last night. Great. I go to the bathroom. I finish my shopping and make it to my car, only to have my stomach tell me that it's not feeling well. I think to myself, "Why did I even bother leaving the house?" I go back in Wal-Mart and the bathroom in the front is "Closed for Cleaning." OH MY WORD. I barely make it to the back of the store to the bathroom. Has anyone tried going to the bathroom in a public restroom with a 15 month old? When you're tummy is in trouble, it is no fun.

So, I finally make it home. I'm not leaving again today.

A little bit of everything = long post :)

This morning I had to take Ella Beth for a weigh in (as if she's on the wrestling team or something!). I just knew that things would look up because I can tell that she's been putting on weight. Toting her around this last month has really started making me quite winded! And, we know that she's grown two inches b/c we keep up with that at home. Well, when they put her on the scale and it read 16 lbs, 14 oz - I just knew that was good. WRONG. Ella Beth weighed a little over 15 pounds at her 1-year appointment. Apparently, babies are supposed to go through a major growth spurt during the 12-15 month period. Considering that Ella Beth gained over a pound and a half in three months, I thought that was a growth spurt. That's the most weight she's ever gained in that span of time. The doctor told me this morning that Ella Beth has fallen even farther off the chart. She should have gained more than twice what she did through the "spurt." So now she is back on Pediasure, Mommy-dearest is back to keeping a food diary of her fat & calorie intake (which I have so much time for, ugh), and we are now being sent to see a nutritionist who is going to evaluate Ella Beth's eating habits (which are good). We are still 100% convinced that there is nothing "wrong" with Ella Beth; she is just petite. However, here we go again to see a doctor about her weight. I'll keep you updated on what they say.

Well, last weekend I took Ella Beth to see Santa. I knew ahead of time that it would be an ordeal, but I just had to do it. We have to have pictures with Santa! My sister-in-law and neice met us there. Kaitlin is 4 1/2 and was very excited to give Santa her list. I got some great pics of her with Santa. And then in Ella Beth's pictures with Santa...there's Mommy! Oh well, we can always try again next year!

Every morning we go through the same routine, but lately it's been getting more and more fun. After breakfast and play time, I will get a shower while Ella Beth eats Cherrios & raisins and plays in the bathroom. Once I'm out of the shower, Ella Beth can hardly wait for me to dry off because she loves to bring me my lotion. She is becoming a good "helper" and loves her new role. After I dry off, she then loves to take off my hair towel and help me shake out my hair. She laughs every time. Once I'm dressed, the most fun begins! She now loves to get ready right along side of me. I sit her up on the counter next to me (don't worry, she's safe) and we get ready together.

The funniest thing that she does right now is spit when we brush our teeth. If Mommy spits, Ella Beth spits. Of course, she has nothing to spit - but it is so stinkin' cute! After our teeth-brushing, comes make up. Ella Beth is obsessed with "stick", being lipstick or chapstick. She puts it on over and over again while I'm putting my face on. Thankfully, she hasn't learned how to roll the "stick" up yet, so things haven't gotten messy. I know that day will come though! Now, while all of this is going on there is music playing in the background. Not just any music mind you. Elvis Presley is singing! For those of you who don't know...Scott and I are huge Elvis fans. I used to wake up to Track 1: "Burnin' Love" every morning when I was teaching. Maybe that's where Ella Beth got her taste for Elvis. I am only imagining that Landon will be an Elvis fan, too, since his big sister keeps it playing! Well, while Ella Beth is on the counter, she is dancing her little heart out while applying her "stick." This whole scenerio is just too precious. Scott is gone by this time every morning, but I am determined to get it on video some how so that we can look back and laugh at what a hoot we were each morning!

Another precious "newbie" of Ella Beth's is that she tells me she loves me. Oh how I never tire of hearing it! She has been giving kisses and hugs freely for over a month now (which still melt my heart each and every time), but now that she includes a "Love you" with them...oh I know why I love being a mommy! It's absolutely wonderful. One thing that I am thankful for growing up is that there was never a day when "I love you" wasn't spoken in our home. I am so delighted that it will be the same way in our family. I hope Ella Beth, Landon, and Scott never tire of hearing it b/c I know that I will never tire of saying it. :)

We are officially putting our house on the market this weekend. We have decided to try and sell it ourselves right now. That's just more money that we can put down towards the new house and not have to give away to a real estate agent. Please keep us in your prayers that things will go well for us. It's stressful knowing that this house has to sell to get our new house - and timing is everything. I am surprisingly less stressed than I would have imagined. I'm just trusting that God will take care of us and let things work out as they should.

Since we're putting the house up for sale, keeping the house tidy all of the time is not the easiest thing. However, I got a new weapon - a Swiffer Vac. I've had an original Swiffer forever, but when it comes to cracker crumbs and Cheerios...all it does is push them around. Since Ella Beth is terrified of our Roomba, I thought I would go out on a whim and try the Swiffer Vac. Love it! It is very quiet and small, so it does not intimidate Ella Beth in the slightest. Now, I can get up anything at any time. It's been especially nice to vaccum our bathroom each morning after I blow dry my hair! The Roomba is a wonderful thing, but it can only run when our house is empty. Now, I have a little tool that helps keep little messes cleaned up all of the time! Which will be perfect when we need to "show" our house at last minute notices.

Okay...I'll close this long post with two fun things: 1) Christmas Cards. I have been having so much fun creating Christmas cards for people lately. They are as much fun to me as Birth Announcements. I guess it's just because I love the Christmas season, and I feel as though I'm already getting in the mode. Here's one of my favorites that I just finished for a sweet friend:

If you are interested, let me know. There is still plenty of time to get pictures made and have cards customized for you! Now, if I can just settle on the card I want to use for our family! 2) The ladies group that I'm in has started a new Bible study titled, A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study. Even though I've just started getting into it, I can tell that it's going to be a hoot! What fun it is to say that a Bible study is a hoot! I know that there is lots to get out of it, but it's just refreshing that it's in a fun and uplifting way!

Wow...that was a lot of stuff for one post. Hope you're not cross-eyed if you've stayed with me this long! Toodles!

Hives, hives, hives

My poor little girl has hives - EVERYWHERE. They keep jumping from place to place all over her body. She had a pretty bad cold last week with a high fever, but it has gone away. Now it's been replaced with horrible red hives. I know she's been miserable; which explains why she's been a bit whiny over the last few days. And, all of this is on top of her second molar coming in. As they say, "when it rains..."

Anyway, since hives aren't contagious we were given the green light to go to Ella Beth's first gymnastics class this morning. How much F-U-N it was! Ella Beth had such a great time. She laughed almost the entire 30 minutes. Her favorite things were the pony kick and forward roll. We've practiced them a few times already. :) I didn't have any way to take pictures, but believe me she was cute. We can't find a leotard small enough to fit her (surprise, surprise), but the other little girls in their leotards were super cute. They were a bit older...most right at 2. It just gives me something to look forward to as gymnastics goes on. My friend Angie and her little girl Brenna were in our class, and Jennifer and her little girl Ava were as well. It was lots of fun watching our little ones. :)

Nap time sure was quick today...

Everything Blue

It's kinda fun changing gears and thinking about blue things and not just pink things. Pink is my favorite color, so I do love dressing Ella Beth as girly as I can. :) But it will be fun delving into the world of blue and fun sports themes. My sweet friend Jennifer S. gave me some birp cloths and a hooded towel set. I bought the cutest little newborn booties with a baseball on them this morning while I was out. I also still have the cutest onesie and long sleeve t-shirt that I bought when I didn't know if Ella Beth was a girl or boy. It has been fun to get those out and know that there will be a tiny little boy in them soon. And to think, I almost gave them away on more than one occassion to friends who were having boys!

Halloween and Anxieties

HALLOWEEN

Ella Beth had a blast as Tinkerbell for Halloween. She was the cutest little thing I've ever seen! I call her "Tink" as a nickname all the time, so her costume was more than appropriate!

She had such a big time running around with all of our cousins. She thought she was just as big as they were, and tried to do everything they did. We had a time keeping up with her as she ran all over the place!

I love this picture of Ella Beth trick-or-treating with Scott. She just looks so tiny!

ANXIETIES

I've noticed that I have pretty specific anxieties concerning the arrival of Landon. Maybe if I express them, they won't make me as anxious. Maybe if I express them, someone can give me some idea of a solution to one, or more, of them.

1) When will I get a shower? I am one of those people who HAS to have a shower each morning. When will I do this? If I don't get a shower, I feel miserable...dirty, ugly, gross. It is something that HAS to be done. I am not one of those people who can get a shower at night.

2) When will I exercise? Now that the weather is cooling off, I'm finding it difficult to find a good time to exercise, and I only have Ella Beth. We used to walk every morning, but now it's too cool to get her out. And, since I have to have a shower in the morning, it seems pointless to exercise in the afternoon b/c then I'll be all gross again.

3) How will I get two little ones to sleep? Ella Beth was doing so well about going to sleep on her own, but something changed and molars started popping in...now bedtime/naptime isn't as easy. Sometimes it's a struggle. What will I do with Landon while I'm getting Ella Beth down? We plan to start earlier with Landon and "sleep-training," but we need to get some control over Ella Beth's sleep habits now.

4) When will I go to the grocery store? How will I go to the grocery store?

It's these four things that really cause my heart to be anxious. I pray about them, but goodness...the unknown...knowing how difficult it will be...it's hard.

Any thoughts are welcome. :)