It's Christmas time and the livin' is easy!

Wow - what a Christmas!  Opening gifts with a two year old and a 10 month old was a lot of fun, and it was a lot of work! It started on Christmas Eve at Scott's parents' house with a yummy dinner and lots of fun. There are now 10 cousins 11-years and younger. We all bring presents for the kiddos to open and it's a hoot!

Christmas morning was spent at our house. My mom was in town to enjoy Christmas morning with us. Both babies woke up around 7 a.m. It takes Ella Beth a while to wake up in the morning, so if you can believe it...she wanted to eat breakfast BEFORE opening her presents! Silly girl!

Ella Beth got a Dance Cam and it is loads of fun! It hooks up to a TV and Ella Beth is on the screen dancing. She just giggles and giggles - it's fun to watch! She got a HUGE chair that she loves to sit in. Her favorite gift was her American Girl Bitty Baby. We went through a list of names before Ella Beth settled on Laney.  (Laney was the name we had picked out if Landon had been a girl, so it's fun hearing that name in our house!) Ella Beth also got clothes, a high chair, bibs, and burp cloths to go with Laney. That doll hasn't left Ella Beth's side since she unwrapped it!

(Ella Beth got a book from her Waumba Land teacher, Ms. Tracey. Look how big her new chair is! Mommy likes to sit in it, too. :) )

 

(You can see Ella Beth on the TV. She was in new dress-up clothes, and she was dancing non-stop at Nana & Papa's!)

Landon got a chair...well, actually just a blue cover to replace Ella Beth's old pink one. ;) He got lots of toys - all of which make noise and keep him entertained! He got some fun flip books, clothes, jammies, and socks. His favorite present was a set of cars that pull back and then take off. He chases them around the house non-stop.

 

The morning after Christmas we went to Scott's sister Karla's house for breakfast and more presents.

 

 

It was a wonderful Christmas this year. Ella Beth talked about baby Jesus and His birthday every day leading up to Christmas. We sang Happy Birthday to Him, too, which was just too sweet! Christmas was so much fun for Ella Beth. She got into everything! She loved receiving presents, but she also enjoyed giving them, too. She was so proud when her cousins opened up gifts from her. Landon definitely had fun playing with the wrapping paper. He also cut a tooth on Christmas day! He now has two upper teeth and one lower tooth. Since he has taken so long to cut any, they are all coming in pretty fast now. We need to buy stock in Infant Motrin. ;)

I hope y'all had wonderful Christmases, too! I can't wait to see what next year brings!

God's whisper

Something that I have realized about myself is that I expect God to shout, not whisper.  Because of this, I wonder how many times I have missed God's gentle voice.  In 1 Kings, the story of Elijah fleeing because he thought that God would not protect him, has given me pause lately.  I suppose because I am an "immediate gratification" kind of a person, I am often impatient in waiting for answers. 

When God appeared to Elijah while he was in hiding, God simply asked him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"  He was asking him where his faith was; did he not remember how God had always protected him and provided for him in the past?  Andy Stanley says, "Today's worries often overshadow God's past faithfulness."  Very true.

I've been thinking about where I have missed God's whisper.  Landon is just now starting to sleep through the night consistently.  (He will be 10 months old next week.)  I have been in tears countless nights begging God to please help Landon sleep well so that he can be rested, as well as Scott and me.  There have been times when I have been beyond frustrated with God because he didn't answer my prayer by miraculously allowing Landon to fall asleep right then and sleep all night.  (See that immediate gratification glitch I have?)  However, throughout all of the past months, I missed God's whisper. 

Since Landon turned a month old, I honestly can't remember being exhausted during the day. 

Hindsight. 

God's whisper was Him simply giving me the energy, strength, and attitude to survive on minimal sleep for a very long time.

Not to say that I don't crash every night around 8:30, but that's not when my children, my husband, or my job need me.

There are other areas in my life where God has faithfully whispered, but the realization that God truly never lets go makes me want to listen even closer.

Is God whispering something in your ear?  Be still; listen.

Unwelcomed drama

Yesterday afternoon, December 5, 2008, around 4:50 p.m. Ella Beth had an accident.  A severe accident.  She had just tee-teed on the potty.  She was calling me in there so that she could wash her hands.  However, in the 5 seconds that it took me to get there Ella Beth decided to climb on top of the toilet and try to climb over to the bathroom counter.  She didn't make it.  I was there just in time to pick her up immediately, but I couldn't reach her before  Ella Beth landed on our ceramic trash can - which shattered and cut her forehead open. 

Blood galore.  Blood everywhere. 

Scott got Ella Beth and put towels on her head.  I called Scott's parents...this is the exact conversation: "Cleve, I need you to come here NOW.  We have to take Ella Beth to the emergency room.  We are leaving Landon in his crib."  He said, OK, and I hung up.

Now, they got there right before we left so we didn't end up leaving Landon alone...but I think we would have.  I'm talking blood everywhere. 

I had to work on keeping Ella Beth awake on the drive to Scottish Rite, but we arrived within 25 minutes.  They took us promptly back.  Now, she had calmed down pretty well on the ride there, but once she found out that the nurses and doctors were going to have to take off the towels and look at her head, she lost it.  I'm talking screaming uncontrollably!  They took one look and immediately said, "That's going to need stitches."  We figured, but had hoped for a good cleaning and a butterfly.

Once they cleaned it, we could all see bone.  Nice.  They put some numbing cream on her head, and then they gave her a sedative to help relax her a bit.  We had to put her in a straight jacket...literally...and the doctor stitched her up.  4 stitches total.  We were told that she will probably have a scar, but that is fine with us.  We were just so relieved that she didn't end up having a concussion.  Thankfully, the scar is horizontal so one day it will blend in with a wrinkle. ;)  Hopefully, with Mederma and vitamin E, it won't be too noticeable; but like I said, we're thankful for a scar and nothing worse!

Here are a few pictures:

  

Unfortunately, Ella Beth's boo-boo has not slowed her down any which has kept me stressed out and on edge all day.  I have repeatedly freaked out when I could just see another accident waiting to happen.  I'm praying that she makes it through this recovery without re-injuring her head.  We have to go back to Scottish Rite Wed/Thursday for her stitches to be removed.  I honestly don't know if I'll be able to handle that.  You can pray for me, too!

I can feel God moving in me

Today at work I had the most awesome experience.  I was able to worship our Mighty God with my boss, my "big boss," and my co-workers.  We celebrated the wonderful name of Jesus together as we sang worship songs and took communion together during our all-staff meeting.  How amazing it is that I work in a place where the mission is "To lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ."  I truly enjoy working at North Point, but after such an amazing staff meeting today where we celebrated in our almighty Father's name...it makes my "job" so much more fulfilling.  Even though I am a teeny-tiny part, everything everyone does at NP helps lead other people towards our mission.

At our staff meeting today, I stood with my friend Ashly.  I worshiped the Lord with my friend who has undergone a tragedy beyond anything I can imagine.  There were times when I was lost in prayer talking to God about how I don't know how Ashly is standing, let alone here to worship Him.  There is not a day that goes by where I don't think about Ashly and pray for her broken heart.  My heart still aches for the loss of Brooks.  But I am confident our God is a loving God because her tragedy has not broken her spirit.  I lifted my hands as we shouted, "God loves us.  Oh how He loves us."  He truly does.

In church yesterday, Andy said something that I thought was profound.  He said that God often doesn't speak to us unless He knows we are going to obey.  I thought that was absolutely amazing.  How true it is, too, isn't it?  Think about it, when we are at our limit - when we are desperate for an answer - isn't that when we can truly hear God speaking?  We are so willing to obey because we have exhausted all other options.  Wow.  Think about how being an obedient child of God would allow us to hear Him, hear the Holy Spirit's wisdom speaking straight to us, all of the time.  WOW!

I don't know about you, but my prayer for the next week/month/year (however long it takes) is to become a more obedient child of our Heavenly Father because I want to hear from Him.  I want to hear His guidance and His tender words of love and understanding. 

My Princess and My Fella

I am so thankful for my little girl.  She is tiny in body, but not in spirit.  No day is ever a boring day when spent with Ella Beth.  She is on the go from the time she wakes up until the time she falls asleep.  Thank goodness we still get a nap in most days!  She amazes me at least once a day.  She doesn't forget anything.  (Which isn't always good for me..."Mommy, you said I could have a surprise if I put my sweater on nicely.  Remember that?!"  Good ol' bribery...coming back to bite me!)

So by now most of y'all know that I had Ella Beth's ears pierced, but I'll post it anyway. :)  Well, last Friday I took Ella Beth to her pediatrician's office to have her ears "medically pierced."  It was an experience!  She did great for most of it...most of it.  I truly believe that it didn't really hurt her at all because she never complained about it hurting, but the "pop" of the gun scared her.  I felt so bad after they did the first one (since it was done at the doctor's office they couldn't do both ears at the same time...bummer).  She cried and said, "I don't want to do the other one.  It scared me."  Well, we couldn't leave with only one ear pierced!  So, we bribed her with a sucker and the other ear was pierced.  Once the second ear was done she said, "Where's my sucker?"  That's my girl!  And, since leaving the doctor's office she has showed off her earrings to everyone.  She is so proud of them.

Here are a couple of pictures with her new studs.  Now, Ella Beth has tiny ear lobes and her diamond studs are tiny, too.  But, if you look closely you'll see what our princess loves to show off.

 

 

(Everyone told me that when Ella Beth turned two the "terribles" came with it.  No one told me, however, that when she turned two she would also turn into a wild child.  This, my friends, is Ella Beth's current smile.  Ask her to smile for a picture, and this is what you get!)

And, my little fella is 9 months old today.  Sniff, sniff.  I am so thankful for Landon, and how God chose to put him into my life.  He has to be the sweetest little fella ever!  He loves to snuggle...and I just eat it up!!!  He's so happy.  He has also mastered crawling.  He goes 0-60 in no time, and watching his little self crawl all around makes me smile endlessly!

 

 

Our Thanksgiving Thankful List:

Ella Beth: pre-school, Mommy, and Daddy

Landon: Mommy, Daddy, and his bottle

Scott: family, and how God has always watched over him and his familly

Amber: family, friends, and God's never ending love

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU!!!

7 Random things

I've been tagged by my friend JJ to come up with 7 random things about myself that you probably don't know.  Let's see how well I do.

1) My favorite word is "LOVELY."  I don't have a great explanation other than I just love it.  I save it for very special uses.  For example, hydrangeas (which are my favorite flowers) are always LOVELY to me. :)

2) I am terrified of scary movies.  I'm talking terrified to the point of tears.  I can't watch commercials that advertise upcoming movies on TV if they even look like they may be scary.  When I was in high school, I went to see Scream with my high school youth group.  After the killer asked Drew Barymore's character what her name was because he wanted to know who he was looking at, I buried my head in my youth minister's coat and didn't watch another second of the movie.  FYI: that scene was the very first scene in the entire movie!

3) One of my secret vices is sugary cereal.  I *heart* Lucky Charms, Coco Puffs, Cookie Crisp, and Honey Smacks.  Hey, they have to be better for me than donuts!

4) I am a clean freak locked inside the mother of two.  If I didn't have two children making constant messes, my house would be spotless.  I hate clutter, but am surrounded by it.  My desk downstairs is 100% horrifying because: a) I never have time to clean it, b) it's where everyone else (i.e. Scott) puts junk mail and our recycling magazines and newspapers, c) when I do have time to clean it, I'm way too tired and don't want to :)

5) I have always wanted a "pixie" haircut.  I am sure it would look absolutely horrible on me, and I am sure Scott would have a heart attack the moment I walked in the door...but, I'd still love to try one out.  Maybe I should buy a wig and tuck my hair up in it to see what it would look like!

6) I simply MUST get ready each morning.  I am not one of those people who can lounge around in their pjs all day and feel comfortable.  I must have a shower, dry my hair, and put on chapstick for any day to be successful.  I will (and do!) get up at 5:30 each morning just so that I have time to get ready before my kiddos wake up.  Yes, that sometimes includes Saturdays.  Scoff me if you must, but you wouldn't want my company otherwise!

7) I really don't enjoy being petite.  It's hard to shop for clothes and shoes; people think I'm much younger than I am...and treat me like it.  Most people think that being petite is "cute" - but cute gets old.

So here are the rules:

*Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

*Tell seven random facts about yourself on your blog

* Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs

*Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

Ok - tag, you're it:

Ally
Angie
Ashley
Cherish
Karin
Kylie
Megan

Mr. Blue Eyes

8 months.

The bluest eyes I've ever seen.

The happiest little fella I've ever met.

Yep, this Mommy loves her boy!

How do you BOO?!

I have something to admit.  Halloween was more fun this year than I can ever remember.  Ella Beth was so excited and into everything.  She loved dressing up as Minnie Mouse, and she absolutely loved Landon as a little leopard. 

Landon playing at Kimberly's house:

All of the kiddos at Kimberly's.  None of them were much too happy about posing for this shot!

Our first Trick-or-Treater.  Brody lives next door; he and Ella Beth are big buds.

Mommy and Landon.

The kiddos in our family that we trick-or-treat with each year. We could barely keep Ella Beth still long enough to take a picture. You can see her excitement all over her face!

Landon with big cousin, Chess.

Ella Beth was so exited all night long. Her trick-or-treat buddy was Jordan, and they had a blast!

Jordan and her little sister, Kylie, "helping" Ella Beth. It's so sweet how the kiddos love Ella Beth and always make sure she is OK. :)

 

Ella Beth with cousin Kaitlin.

 

And a great shot with Mommy and Daddy!!!

 

Now, be honest...too many pictures for one post??? Hope you enjoyed them anyway!

My Vote

I have given up on trying not to offend others politically.  I am not a perfect person; I am not a perfect Christian.  But I am one who will stand up for what I believe in. 

There is nothing more that I believe in than life.  Life is given to all of us by our Heavenly Father - whether we call Him that, or not.  Eternal life is given to us by our Heavenly Father - it is simply ours to accept.

I have a friend that I grew up with.  He lived three houses down from me, we went to church together every Sunday, Sunday night, and Wednesday.  We hung out a lot.  We grew together in our spiritual journey, each trying to hold the other accountable.  It's so strange how views can change. 

My friend is "world traveled" as he calls it.  He has seen the animosity of the world.  He blames America's mentality for most of it.  To me, that's crazy.  I'll admit that I'm not "world traveled," but there are far too many people trying to get INTO America for me to believe that everyone hates us.  That being said, he keeps gently harassing me about my reasons for not voting for Obama.  This is what I finally put into words and sent him:

"Friend,"
I didn't watch it all (referring to Obama's 30-min campaign message on Wednesday night) because I am tired of the bologna this man throws
out there.  He sits in his high-class office and tries to relate to the
"struggling Americans."  Where is all of the money going that he has
"raised" to support his campaign?  Why not spread that wealth around? 
I'm tired of his radical liberal views being pushed to the side just
because people have been unhappy with the last president.  I have
examined Obama's record and have seen who he associates with, which is enough
to know that Americans can't trust this man to be our president.


I also can NOT put aside where this man stands on the issue of life. 
Life is given to us by our Heavenly Father from the moment of
conception.  When I went to my first appointments to confirm both of my
pregnancies with Ella Beth and Landon, they were no larger than a grain
of rice YET I COULD EASILY MAKE OUT THEIR HEARTBEATS. 


You don't know this, but when I was pregnant with Ella Beth the doctors
told us that Ella Beth had a 1:26 chance of being born with Down
Syndrome. (The "typical ration is 1:1000.)  We were given the option of
ending her life through abortion 20 weeks into my pregnancy.  There is
not a day that goes by that I don't think about that.  When I look at
my beautiful daughter - God's beautiful gift to Scott and me - I can't
believe that her life could have ended simply because of a "ratio."  Of
course, Ella Beth does not have Downs, but had we been given a 100%
confirmation that she would have been born with Downs - we would not
have done anything differently.  There is no more precious gift than
the gift of life.  That gift is one only God can give.  People have no
right to take that away.  I truly believe that people in authority
will be held to high standards by our Lord.  "From everyone who has
been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been
entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48  Obama has
been given a great gift of persuasion, but he is not using his gift to
profit the will of our Lord. 


There are things that I am unhappy with through our current
administration, but somethings - LIFE, TRUST, and HONOR - are far too
valuable to ever vote against.


Amber

Now it's your turn - what was your opinion?

I hope I haven't lost any "blurkers" (blog lurkers) or friends, but as they say...

YOU'VE GOT TO STAND FOR SOMETHING, OR YOU'LL FALL FOR ANYTHING.

My birthday is Tuesday...didn't you know?

Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. I don't have an excuse other than life's been busy, but that's always the case!

Let's see...where to start? First, how about some news that most people don't know about. I've been putting off posting anything about this, but I realized that it was prideful of me to do so. I've been so consumed with "not wanting to announce disappointment...again" that I've purposefully not shared. Well, no more pride - our house is under contract to sell. It's been a messy situation, but we should still be moving sometime in the near future. See if you can follow me here: the couple buying our house is from New Mexico. They have been living with their daughter and her family for the last three months. They love our house and put a contract on it a month ago; we were supposed to close on Halloween. Well, their house out in NM has been holding things up. The man buying their house is using inheritance money, and apparently with inheritance moo-lah there is a L-O-T of red tape. That being said, the contract on our house has been extended until Nov. 24. We have a contract on a house in a subdivision that is very nice, and we're hoping to call that home soon. I can barely contain my excitement at decorating a new house. :)

So, last week Ella Beth, Landon, and I went to the outlet mall to purchase a birthday gift. We were on our way back to the car when it started to rain. I was carrying Landon, carrying bags of clothes (and the gift that we really went for), and holding Ella Beth's hand. I was trying to hurry Ella Beth along when I heard her start making this "uh, uh, uh" noise. Figuring that she was just trying to keep up, I kept up my pace. All of a sudden there was a man walking towards us who just busted out laughing. I smiled at him and gave him a little "what's so funny look." He was so tickled he couldn't get any words out, so he just pointed. I realized that he was pointing at Ella Beth. When I looked down at her, I found that the reason she was "uh, uh, uh-ing" was because she was having hard time keeping up...due to the fact that HER PANTS WERE DOWN AROUND HER ANKLES!!! It was absolutely hilarious, and I just kissed Ella Beth all over for being such a good sport! Here is an unplanned reenactment while she was dancing in the playroom. (These jeans are size 12-18 months!)

 

We have been to a few birthday parties this last month. Ella Beth loved her birthday party (back in August); apparently, she loved her birthday so much she thinks she should have another. Lately, when people have asked her how old she is she says, "I'm two, and my birthday is on Tuesday." She cracks me up. She thinks she knows everything! She has been learning a lot at pre-school. She can't eat anything on her plate without counting it first. We have "circle time" a lot around the house. She sings constantly. She talks more than ever - which I really didn't think was possible! She is just so smart that it amazes me. If we teach her something once, she remembers it forever. The girl doesn't forget anything. The other day she laid down for a nap right after going to the potty. When she woke up from her nap the first words out of her mouth were, "I need to get an M&M, remember?! I tee-teed on the potty!" 3 hours later, and she made sure I hadn't forgotten!

Photography has been picking up quite a bit lately. I have really enjoyed meeting new families and capturing some precious (and fun!) pictures. I've been contemplating the purchase of a new lens, but it's very expensive. I'll just have to wait and see. Landon turns 8 months old tomorrow, so I will have some of my own sweet pictures to share. We are still working very hard on getting pictures of Ella Beth and Landon together. Man! I had no idea how hard it would be. Either we can't get Landon's attention, or Ella Beth can't keep her hands off of him long enough for him not to be pestered. One of these days I know I'll get one. Hopefully for Christmas cards at least!

How's your last month been?

The beginning of a new season

Or at least the beginning of a new month!  Goodbye, September.  Hello, October!!!

So...throughout the last month I had to make an extremely difficult decision.  It's one that I went back and forth on at least five different times.  It's one that was very emotional for me.  It's one that I have now accepted, and I have chosen to move forward with no regrets.

I am no longer nursing Landon. 

Wow, just reading those words brings up a few emotions.  Sigh. 

There were many different factors involved in my decision, but the top two were: 1) anesthesia and pain killers really do eliminate a mommy's milk supply; 2) Landon's reflux / milk protein allergy is very severe.  After my emergency surgery, nursing was not only painful, but it wasn't all that productive - leaving me with a very hungry and fussy little boy.  We started him on soy formula to supplement, but it turns out that Landon is allergic to soy.  Oh my word.  We went through 4 different times of formula until we found the correct (and very expensive) type that would work for his sensitive system.  Well, once he started getting full and satisfied with the formula, he did not want to nurse for full feedings any longer. 

I kept going back and forth between the decision to jack up my supply or let it go.  It was hard doing that.  I had to really sit down and work through the "issues" that I had with bottle feeding.  Of course, my biggest issue was that Ella Beth never had formula; it didn't seem fair that Landon should.  But, after really praying about it, I honestly know that I have made the best decision for Landon and me.  (That's despite the fact that I loathe washing bottles over and over!)

On another feeding note, Landon has finally, finally, finally started eating baby food!  Hooray!!!  I can't tell you how long it has taken us, but now we are enjoying watching him eat.  Right now he's enjoying oatmeal cereal, sweet potatoes, and applesauce. 

Well, Landon turned 7 months last week.  He's getting so big.  Moving around everywhere, sitting up and playing, saying "Mama" over and over (love it!), and laughing at himself all of the time.  Well, laughing at himself and his big sister.  She gets a kick out of making him laugh, too!  Having two this close is still difficult, but I can honestly say that if I had to do it again this is the way I'd do it.  They are about to enter into the stage of friendship, and I can't wait!!!

OK, so here are some cute pics I took of Landon to capture his 7th month. 

Wardrobe change!

And, just one naked shot.  My boy loves his birthday suit!

Here are a couple of pics that we took of Ella Beth in a field of sunflowers.  These sunflowers are amazing.  There are thousands of them in 7 separate fields that are close to my mom in Hartwell.  Nothing like God's beautiful creation to make life shine!

And this last picture causes my heart to skip.  Where has my baby girl gone?  Is there a pause button anywhere that I can press for just a little while?  I am once again reminded that I need to cherish every day with my babies.

What a month

Let me just be honest and say that September 2008 has been one rotten month.  It's one that I am glad to see end, and it had better not repeat!

I am still in the healing process of my surgery.  It has been very uncomfortable.  I had a bit of a set back when I went for a post-op visit last Tuesday.  Apparently, my wound wasn't being packed as deeply as it should be.  (Yes, it is as horrible as it sounds.)  When the doctor and nurse saw me, they had to do a bit of work and showed Scott how to correctly pack it.  OK, people - I cried at the doctor's office.  I am 29 years old, and I cried.  It was just so very painful.  After that was over with (thank goodness!), my doctor asked me if I needed a note for work.  I said that my boss understood that I had to leave early that day, and no, I didn't need one.  He looked at me funny and said, "You're back at work?  In the office?"  I said that I was, and he told me that I was the "toughest patient he's ever had."  WOW!  That's saying a lot.  Especially when it comes to me!  He said that most people who have this surgery take at least a month off of work.  I'll be the first to admit that going back to work was very difficult (read: painful) at first, but staying home with two babies is much more difficult.  On Wednesdays when I work from home, I really struggle.  I'm constantly having to pick up my babies, and that does nothing good for an open wound.  No, I told the doctor that going to work really is easier than staying home every day.  Men really under estimate the strength, resiliency, and toughness of mothers.  What's surgery when I've given birth twice???

I have been missing my grandma a lot over the last couple of days.  I miss how my grandma was back when we shared so many wonderful memories together.  It's hard to say goodbye to anyone, I guess, even if you truly know and understand that they are in a much better place. 

I'm still struggling with my friend's loss.  I keep thinking that it must be a nightmare because nothing like this really happens.  But it did.  I know that she's been struggling over the past week.  I learned yesterday that one of the nurses at the pediatrician's office lost her baby when she was 24 hours old.  She was born with a herniated diaphragm that was undetected.  She now has two other children, who were both born healthy.  I pray that God will bless Ashly and Denny in the same way.

Scott, Ella Beth, and Landon are also sick.  Scott has had a bad cold.  Ella Beth has an ear infection, and her ear drum ruptured during the night on Thursday.  Landon has a very bad cold that's in his chest.  When it rains, it pours.  It's been rough not being 100% myself and trying to take care of everyone.  Scott hasn't taken "time off" from being a Daddy, but it's rough on him not being 100%, too. 

I am definitely looking forward to October.  This taste of fall weather has helped to lift my spirits.  I truly am blessed in so many ways, so I won't ponder on the month of September once it has passed.  I will focus on the many blessings and opportunities that I know are in store. 

"But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, 'The Lord be exalted!'"  Psalm 40:16

A beautiful life

Mary Catherine Whalin - my grandmother.  May 27, 1920-September 21, 2008.

Some of my most vivid memories of being a little girl revolve around time spent with my grandmother.  Most of those memories were made in a kitchen.  My "Mamaw" taught me everything I know about baking.  I still measure my dry ingredients (sugar, flour, etc.) the way Mamaw taught me...with the back side of a knife so to make it exactly the correct amount. 

I spent hours upon hours in the kitchen with Mamaw.  I had my special step stool to stand on so that I was high enough to work on the counter tops.  We made thousands of cookies, hundreds of cakes, hundreds of jars of jams, and many other yummies.  Smells trigger memories of my Mamaw more than anything else.  That's so fitting.

I stayed with Mamaw many days growing up while my mom worked.  I can't remember ever being bored.  (What kid could be bored when sugary treats were involved? :))  We spent time out in her garden.  We visited with her friends...who also had nice sugary treats to share.  We watched her "stories" (aka - soaps) before they became R rated.  We played thousands of rounds of Yahtzee - still one of my favorite games.

Mamaw lost my grandfather when I was 4.  I never remember her sulking or being depressed about his passing.  She loved to tell stories of wonderful times they spent together.  She loved to tell me how they eloped.  I love this story: Mamaw was only 17 when she eloped with my Papaw.  Her parents didn't really like Papaw, but she was in love.  She lived at home with her parents until she turned 18 - secretly married.  Then, they spent the rest of their lives together.  Isn't that just such a fun story? 

My mom and I moved to GA when I was 8.  It was harder to leave my grandmother behind in KY than anything else.  Mamaw moved down as soon as she could, and I remember being so happy when she was down here with us.  She stayed with us a little while, in our very small house - with a cat and a dog...neither of which she liked all that much!  But, oh, how I loved her being there with me.  When she did move into her own place, it was only about 4 miles away.

These last few years have been very different.  Mamaw was diagnosed with Dementia a few years back. Alzheimers/Dementia is such a cruel disease.  I know my grandmother didn't remember much in the last couple of years, but I believe that she did remember some of our wonderful memories that we shared together.  It made me happy that she could remember really far back - memories of times with my grandfather, memories of times with her siblings, memories of things that were special to her. 

When you think of the people you have known all your life, parents, siblings, and grand parents are usually who you remember.  That makes those people even more special.  I hate that I won't know Mamaw the rest of my life, but I will always remember her.

Mamaw was a wonderful grandmother.  I have loved her deeply all of my life.  I always will.

My heart aches

Today, my friend Ashly experienced a tragedy beyond comprehension.  Today, her son Brooks was born and was given immediately to our Lord.

Ashly was in her last week of pregnancy with her son, Brooks.  I ate lunch with her on Monday and we talked about those "last minute details" of pregnancy and preparing to bring home a child.  I can still remember the look of excitement and anticipation on her face as we just gushed with giddiness.

It's gone. 

Yesterday, Ashly and her husband, Denny, learned that their son no longer had a heartbeat.  Ashly gave birth to Brooks this morning at 8:20.  She held him.  She loved him.  She didn't want to let him go.

I don't understand why she had to.

My heart aches for Ashly.  I want to be mad, but for some reason...I just can't be.  I want to shake my fists at God and scream, "WHY?????"  But I don't.  

2 Samuel 22:31 tells us that God's way is perfect.  I choose to believe it. 

I don't understand how this is perfect.  Brooks must have been amazingly special, because our Lord simply called him home.

=====
Please pray for Ashly and Denny.  Pray for healing.  Pray for comfort.  Pray for protection.  Pray for peace.  Pray that Jesus would surround them.  Pray that they will feel Him.

Bandage change

Ouch.  That's really all I have to say. 

I did scream out a slightly dirty word during my bandage change, but when gauze is being poked into an open wound, can you blame me?  I feel badly about my slip, but not as badly as I was feeling during the actual procedure.  Hopefully, God will forgive me!

I've been home most of the day, other than my post-op at the hospital.  I've been able to rest, which has been very nice...and needed.  Landon didn't sleep well last night, so Scott and I didn't get much rest.  Scott got up with Landon, but I was still awake.  Something about having one of my babies crying; I just can't sleep through it. 

I did have flowers delivered from my team at work.  Such nice guys I work with!  For those of you who don't know, of the 7 people on my team I am the only girl.  You better believe I keep them in line!  I am, again, reminded how blessed I am  to work in such a wonderful environment.   Since I was so unexpectedly sick, I couldn't imagine a more understanding team of people to support me.  I can tell you that I am looking forward to getting back to work on Monday.  I may still be moving slowly, but I'll be moving at work.

Well, my mom is here cooking supper, so I'm going to enjoy a little more rest.  :)

Home

I'm home.  My spine & tailbone are numb for the moment.  I have plenty of percoset for when the local they gave me wears off.  That's what I'm nervous about.  I'm enjoying not feeling anything right now, and I don't want to go back.

The surgery went well.  The doctor thinks that he got most to all of the tumor, which he wasn't expecting to be able to do.  Blessing!  They are sending it to the lab for testing.  Praying it comes back clean.

I'm going to go rest.  I didn't sleep well last night b/c the percoset never really set in, but I'm hoping that since the tumor has been removed the percoset will do its job.

Thank you all for your emails and messages.  I feel so blessed to have such sweet friends. :)

A pain in the butt

OK, so it's really in my tailbone...but it's close enough.

Tomorrow morning I am going in for surgery to have a cyst/tumor removed from the base of my spine.  I have been in excruciating pain for the past 3 days, so I finally went to the doctor.  (I've been hurting for almost two weeks, but it's one of those things that I kept hoping would go away.)  When I saw the doctor this morning, he immediately called the hospital and sent me over.  I am having emergency surgery tomorrow.  Sounds worse than it is.  Kinda. 

I have honestly never been in such horrible pain.  After I had Ella Beth, I had some pretty extensive recovery, but I also had my sweet daughter to help keep my mind off the discomfort.  Even with colitis that I just had two months ago, I went to the ER quickly so it was over soon enough.

I should have listened to my body (and to my hubby) and gone to the doctor much sooner.  Lesson learned.

I can't sit at all.  Makes nursing interesting since I have to stand.  It hurts to lay down because there is still pressure on my spine no matter how I position myself. 

Ugh.  I've been taking percoset, but my pain has gotten so severe that in all honesty, it hasn't been working in the last 8 hours. 

I am looking forward to the procedure, though I will admit I am a bit scared.  I am just hopeful that once my surgery is over, the only discomfort I will feel is from healing.  Healing.  Now that's a word I like. 

I've been in contact with Landon's ped and a lactation consultant.  They both say that if I just pump-n-dump once after the anesthesia wears off, I should be good to go.  I am also going to be on a pretty stiff antibiotic to fight off any infection, but with good timing Landon shouldn't have any adverse side-effects.

Well, I'm only up this late because I've been waiting for the time that I can take another pain killer.  Hopefully this one will help me out. 

Night, night.

6 Months

Oh what a joy this little fella is!  Landon is absolutely, 100% H-A-P-P-Y!  It has been really emotional on me this week because Landon is now half-way to his first birthday.  I can't get over how time flies, especially when little ones enter the world. 

Landon is such a happy little fella.  He smiles all of the time.  He laughs all of the time.  He's just yummy!  In the last week he has started saying "mama" and has been reaching for me...and only me.  I won't be shy...I LOVE IT!  He loves his Mommy!  I tell you what, I kiss him more than is legal I'm sure.  I was the same way with Ella Beth.  What am I saying, "Was?"  Heck, I still kiss that girl any time I can!!!  Landon enjoys watching his big sister play and talk.  He has learned (the hard way) that when she gets close he needs to watch out.  Most of the time when she gets too close to him, even if she hasn't touched him, he will give a little cry out as if to say, "Ummm, hello?  Someone help me before she gets me again!"  He's always a good sport with Ella Beth's excitable playing, but he definitely knows he needs some back up!  However, he can dish it out with some mighty fine hair pulling.  The boy loves hair, and he will snatch it whenever he can.  Ella Beth has been a good sport about it, too. :)

Landon is 6 months and 14 pounds, 26 inches.  Of course, he doesn't weigh what the charts say he should.  He's already not on them.  Ha!  Thank goodness our pediatrician understands that he's healthy (just like his sister).  She says that my babies just have off-the-chart metabolisms, and that's why they are not on the chart. ;)  Who cares!  Landon is healthy and happy.  He measures in at the 40% for height, but I'm still trusting that my prayers for him to be tall will be answered as he grows up.  Pun intended. :)

He is also sleeping better.  Everyone is sleeping better.  Everyone = Mommy & Daddy. :)  He transitioned from not being swaddled quicker than we anticipated.  Sometimes he will fuss for a few minutes before he drifts off to sleep, but it's not bad at all.  Yay!  Landon has also learned to be mobile.  He can scoot on his back, pushing with his feet, all over the place.  He will make it around a room in about 2 minutes flat.  That's going to every corner, every wall, every place in one room.  He loves it!  When he figures out the whole crawling maneuver we're in for it! 

Here are a couple of pictures that I snapped just to document the 6th month mark.  I'm going to take some more, but these are just a couple of the ones I snapped before Ella Beth entered the room and distracted Landon.  Once she came in, he was only interested in what she was doing.  Sibling love.  Priceless. :)

Any wonder why this is my favorite little fella?!!

Hi, it's me, Amber. Is anyone awake?

So, it's officially 1:09 AM as I sit in Landon's room.  He's wide awake.  I'm surprisingly not as exhausted now as I was two and a half hours ago when this whole fiasco started.  We have made the decision not to swaddle Landon any longer.  It seems as though it's getting a little "dangerous" because he squirms and tosses so much that we are honestly worried that he is going to hurt himself.  He has been using his neck to turn over due to his arms being in the straight-jacket.  It just really seems that he's going to strain his neck or hurt his shoulders.  Alas, we haven't had much sleep in the last few nights.  It's been rough.  I don't know why he's having such a difficult time adjusting (aside from the fact that swaddling is "normal" to him).  He falls asleep in his car seat (sometimes) and his legs and arms are "free" there.   He will fall alseep in our arms with his arms and legs just dangling.  We've tried every position for sleep, too.  If he's on his back, he kicks his legs and moves all over the place...usually getting himself trapped in the corner and very unhappy.  He isn't happy in the sleep positioner on his side now that he's not swaddled.  And, oh, he does not like being on his tummy.  That's the position we tried for hours tonight.  We patted his back, "shhhh-ed" him, let him cry...we've done all of this for over two hours.  Ugh.  We are tired.  We are ill.  Any suggestions?

The worst thing about all of this is just how it makes us feel during the day and night.  Sleep deprevation is very hard, and it is taking its toll on relationships around here.  Scott and I have been short with each other; we have limited amounts of patience, and when that gets used up...watch out.  I hate that exhaustion wears on us so much, but this really is a form of torture.  We leave for my mom's house tomorrow after church, and that just spells more exhaustion because Ella Beth doesn't sleep well there either.  Two babies up for hours with zombies for parents = great need for prayer. 

Is there an infant dosage for Tylenol PM??????????

Yawn.

Poop ain't for the weak!

OK, people.  Poop is just icky.  No way around it.

My new friend, Allison (shout out...Hey, Allison!!) and I were talking the other day about how no one ever tells you how DISGUSTING parenting is.  People tell you how sweet, how special, how rewarding, even how time-consuming it is.  But never did anyone tell me how GROSS it is.  So, for all you moms to be out there, here's your warning:

POOP AIN'T FOR THE WEAK!  (Neither is vomit.  But that's another post.)

So church just doesn't come at the greatest time of the day for babies.  Poor Landon was just exhausted when it was time for Waumba Land today.  Since the nursery ladies are pretty stretched thin, I just took him with me to "big church" b/c I knew that he would sleep in my arms.  He doesn't sleep well in the nursery b/c they just like to put him in the swing...(which I know is easy for them, but not for Landon...but, I digress).  Well, he slept like an angel in "big church" - mouth hanging open, paci barely holding on to his bottom lip; just precious!  Then he woke up.  I smelled it.  Never heard it.  But the nose doesn't lie.  It was at the end of the service, so I just thought I'd wait and change his diaper in a couple of minutes.  So, I waited.  He patiently sat in my lap kicking his legs and smiling away.  It wasn't until I walked into Waumba Land to pick Ella Beth up that I realized not only had Landon's diaper exploded all over his Strausburg dedication outfit (hey, I wanted to get a little more use out of it!), but Mommy was wearing Landon's poop all over her, too.  Gotta love it!  Come on, people, anyone with me here?!?

I made it home only slightly embarrassed.  And slightly stinky.

On to potty-training.  Sunday afternoon.  Same day.  Potty-training with Ella Beth has been a blessing.  As much of a blessing as it can be.  We consider her 95% trained, and it's been relatively easy.  Nice.  She's very proud of her new potty abilities, and loves to do the "I tee-tee'd, I tee-tee'd dance" at every opportunity.  (It's seriously one of the cutest things I've ever seen.  I'll be getting it on video!)  I guess I should say that potty-training was a blessing until Ella Beth's tummy started hurting today.  Anyone out there got a shout out now?!!  Oh My Word!  The poor thing couldn't run to the potty fast enough to keep up with her tummy.  Did I mention that we can't find pull-ups or panties small enough for her?  Do you know what that means???  Everything that comes out just keeps on coming.  Down her legs, all the way to her feet.  Now, I did feel sorry for my sweet little girl b/c she got very upset each time she had an accident.  But let me be honest here and say that I was felling pretty sorry for myself, too!!!  All 5 times!  It ain't for the weak, people!!! 

Here's hoping for a cleaner, more sweet-smelling start to your week. :)

Hayden Lukas

So, I left you with a teaser at the end of my last post.  My latest excitement has been the arrival of our nephew, Hayden Lukas.  Karla, Greg, and Kaitlin welcomed him on August 18, weighing in at 8lbs, 2 oz! 

Kaitlin is a proud big sister. :)