Favorite things

Elmo has been added to Eli's "favorite" list.
Is it sad that he LOVES this vacuum? He will even hold it sometimes while we read books.

Everyone loves story time. Even the cats.
Although, it's starting to get a little ridiculous.
This particular day I was doing Alison's reading lesson with her.
She was being goofy, Eli was repeating everything she said, and Smoochie was just trying to catch some snuggles.

Our Patient

Ben had his wisdom teeth removed Monday morning. I confess I was excited to hear him say some funny things while coming out of anesthesia (and even had the video camera ready), but he didn't say anything out of the ordinary. He was very concerned how his surgery went and what his instructions were, and would absolutely not let me get him anything on the way home. I did think it was funny that he doesn't remember anything until we got home.

And this is where he (and the cats) spent the rest of the day.

I expected him to eat way more milkshakes and smoothies, but he's been recovering nicely. And I am totally getting a good dose of what he feels like while I'm pregnant:
Sitting in the waiting room, anxious, but there's nothing you can do.
Feeling terrible that your loved one is in pain, but know it's for the best.
Trying to get him to eat something, but he doesn't want it.

He's still a little loopy, but it's been fun to be able to take care of him. It's the least I can do after the months he's taken care of me.

18 Weeks

I had a doctor's appointment this week:

• Blood pressure, good.
• Baby's heart rate: 155.
• Weight gain so far: 6 lbs. The doctor commented, "Wow! You did really good over the Holiday's". Yeah, it's easy to do when you spend them throwing up.

• I attempted to take Flintstone Vitamins again this week, however, it was a failed mission. The Dr. prescribed a prenatal that I can dissolve in applesauce, but I've yet to attempt it. Folic Acid is my one true friend right now.
• I felt the baby's first real kick tonight. It startled me, but was thrilling all the same.
• I was able to saute garlic and onion tonight without throwing up for the first time in 4 months!
• I officially feel pregnant. Ben says people still probably can't even tell, but I feel enormous.
  

Just Can't Get Enough

I LOVE hearing Eli say this!

One Smart Cookie!

I am so proud of this little girl.
Yesterday Ben and I poked our heads in our her during quiet time to find her laying on her bed drawing on the magnadoodle. We thought it was sweet how she was quietly drawing.
Later that night, we were picking up the house and as I handed her the magnadoodle to be put away I noticed their were actual words written on it.
She said she was making a sign that said, "NO CATS ALLOWED" but 'allowed' didn't fit on the board. I was really impressed. Minus the 'no' being backwards, she actually figured out how to write "no cats" all by herself.
She's too smart for me.

Life Giving

Our road is getting easier, but I've still found it challenging. Though pregnancy sickness has gotten better, we've been battling colds for the last several weeks and in a short week, Ben will have his wisdom teeth removed. It seems like it's been months since we've all be healthy and fully functioning. Yes, life has been different and instead of bustling around, we've been home A LOT (and a majority of the time still in pj's).


This time has made me really see behaviors and attitudes my kids have and left me questioning how to parent them. However, this time has been a great learning time for me. Ben said it perfectly in his last sermon, "What is your first response when a problem arises? Is it to turn to yourself and worry? Or is it to turn to God and PRAY?" I've thought about this so many times. When Eli throws himself on the floor, screaming "NO!", do I exasperatedly sigh and give in? Or do I pray for him and for wisdom? When Alison has been crying for 30 minutes because her panties feel bubbly, do I scream at her to just buck up and get dressed already? Or do I pray for patience and understanding?


A friend passed this along to me one morning and it was changing for me. The facts are that:

• God called me to be their mom. He designed me for them and individually crafted me to my specific children.
  
• When God calls, He equips. He doesn't leave me...He's given me His Spirit and His Word and has equipped me to train my children to glorify Him.
• I need His vision to see my children like He sees them and to see their hearts, not just their actions.
• Today will soon be gone and this stage my kids are in won't last forever...tomorrow it will be something new that I will still need His grace and wisdom on.
• Every moment has purpose. No moment is apart from His ultimate sovereign ordaining. So even in "my panties are bubbly" whining, sobbing moments, there is a purpose and an opportunity to share Christ.
• His word is living and active. I can't change my kids' hearts, but He can. I can plant the seeds and He will bring the increase.
• My actions and words impact my kids greatly! If my thoughts bless and honor God, then my words will bless and honor God, and in turn my children. Pray that I would think life-giving thoughts and would speak life-giving words to my kids.

All this to say, I hope others find this encouraging too. I have been so blessed the past few weeks as I've PRAYED first and have seen the Lord provide the patience and wisdom that I've needed.

I can see this long time of sickness now as a blessing. Alright, I AM ready for the snot to be gone, but it has blessed me more than months of health would. I've fallen more in love with my kids and grown closer to my Savior...nothing can replace that.

Simon Says

Eating with a Monkey

A meal with Eli is never boring.
He has a pretty good appetite, but sometimes we struggle with getting him to have an appetite for healthy food.
This particular day, he just wanted to eat chips...or as he calls them, bips.
After finishing his corn, I let him have at it with the chips and dip.
He was one happy camper!

Ben is always able to persuade him to eat his healthy food, but when Daddy's at work, sometimes it takes turning eating peas into a game.
Who knew peas were so funny?

And then there are days that he just can't get enough healthy food.
Especially when it's disguised in a Dora cup.

16 Weeks

I am happy to report that I haven't been sick in one whole week. HURRAY!!!
I've found that if I drink enough water, I don't feel sick. And if I start not feeling good, I just down a couple glass of water and I'm much better. I wish I would have known that a long time ago.

I've started to feel little baby movements and am anxious for the big kicks (it always eases my mind that everything is okay). My appetite has returned, but seem to be neutral to cravings/aversions.

People still can't really tell I'm pregnant and most days I just feel like I have a large fat roll. I have a feeling that the fat roll will "pop" soon though because the dreaded hip pains have begun.

I'm still teaching at the Y and only had a take a week off after the whole near passing out episode. Looking back over the last 4 months, I'm not sure how I continued teaching through all the sickness, but I'm so thankful that I pushed through. I have a sub lined up to take over at any time that I decide I'm done, but for now I'm enjoying the challenge. Last week my good friend came to class and she told me afterwards, "I'm so thankful you are my friend, or I would have been thinking some really mean thoughts about you." I took it as a high complement. I often worry that my class has become too easy since being pregnant, but it was good affirmation that I still have it!