Abby-girl

I watch her traipse about the front yard on sturdy little legs, this baby-child of mine. She alternately laughs and babbles, bringing me things and naming them- in her own little Abby-girl language. Some words ARE recognizable, though... "fowwwer, foowwwer" she chants over and over and crinkles up her little nose (as if the geraniums I have finally coaxed into bloom have a smell). She giggles hysterically at herself and marches on to the next thing her sweet baby hands can find.

I want to freeze this -this day, this age, this moment and remember. Remember the way her fat baby hands try to grasp brother's basketball, the sweet little point her hair is (finally) growing into, the chubby rolls on her thighs, and the funny little noises and eyes- crinkled- up smiles that are so much a part of her. So much a part of the hum and background noise of the daily in our home just now. So much a part that I won't notice the day they cease to be. That's how these things happen, you know. They become so familiar in the pattern of the present that their passing into the vault of babyhood goes unmarked and unnoticed.

Today, today, even today, my baby-child is growing. Her insistient "uh, uh, uhs" when she wants to be held and loved, the constant "ta- ta, heeeeayah mama" (as she brings various, often hilarious, objects from the household and yard from her hands to mine). This, her Abby-girl language is fast dissappering as she joins the ranks of toddlerhood. Still, no one could have ever explained this to me-nor could I have ever come close to knowing- the sweetness and joy and pain that is a mother's heart. I am thankful, oh! SO thankful for the blessings of these ordinary days~ for they are the thread of which life is made.

Guess Who?

Guess who turned 9 months old today??

If you were thinking it was this little sweetie, you'd be right!

I cannot believe it has been 9 months.... We'll soon be planning a first birthday party! Whoa.



At 9 months, Miss Abigail..

-has 4(!) upper teeth coming in AT THE SAME TIME! 3 broke the surface today and we are waiting on that last stubborn one! Bless her tiny heart!

- Remains the happiest, sweetest baby! She is a ray of sunshine every single day.

- Still has the LEAST amount of hair of any of my babies. Actually, she's quite bald (but beautiful!)

- Crawls backwards. Forwards? notsomuch. She has been known to roll halfway across the room to get the object of her affection.... in most cases, some sort of rattler or other such noisemaker!

-Loves and recognizes her family! She went ballistic when Andrew came home from school today! She squealed and kicked her fat little legs so hard I thought they would fall off. She loooves it when daddy come home from work and goes nuts when I (or her big sister) walk into the room.

-Objects LOUDLY when we take a toy (or bottle) away! So cute!



We are having so much fun with you, sweet Abigail!

Our little sweetheart

I have tons of posts rattling around in my head... but NO time to write? Anyone else have that problem?

So, today I'll leave you with a glimpse of our little sweetheart, who has turned into the happiest baby we've ever had... and the main reason behind "no time to write"... but she IS a cute little reason, though, isn't she?!??!

Life

Things have been hoppin' around our little nest. Life is busy and full and sweet... and beautiful. Some days in the midst of unloading the dishwasher or changing ANOTHER dirty diaper I have to remind my self of that. And, yes, that one day, I AM ... "gonna miss this"

Our little ones are growing SOOOO quickly. Why oh, WHY?? Waaaah!! My sweet boy walked in the room today with another pair of jeans that were too short for him! Truly, some days I just want to freeze time. "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that's the stuff life is made of". I need that stenciled on my forehead!

My little Andrew is reading SO well now. Ummmm.... didn't realize that they learned that in KINDERGARTEN these days. Wow. My mom (who shares my love of all things vintage) got him a collection of Dick and Jane readers... just like she and dad learned to read with... and he has been quite enthralled. Those stories are so simple and sweet and innocent. Oh! To live in days like those again. The sweetest thing, though, has been seeing him read to Anna Kate. I found them curled up in his bed the other day with him reading to her in that little "beginner reader" voice and I just wanted to cry! Those 2 do love each other so much. I pray that they will be close forever. I pray that God would only increase that love over time.

Anna Kate is of the mind that more is better.... when it comes to her wardrobe! She has adopted the "Fancy Nancy" style of dress, and wanted to leave the house in Cinderella heels, a BOA, sunglasses on her head, rings on EVERY finger and a princess dress the other day. That child is ALL girl... and a very prissy one at that. She is my constant shadow (along with her imaginary friends Kacy and Lucy. Ahem.) and wants to do every single thing I do. I am so thankful for my sweet "fancy" girl.

Our baby Abigail is growing by the day! She is the BEST baby we have ever had and so content. She smiles that toothless smile, coos and just melts my heart. She lights up every time I come into the room and I am grateful, grateful for her little life and the sunshine she brings into mine.

I am doing a little better with getting us into a "new" routine around here... and things... things.. are really so ordinary that they are beautiful. Just the way I like it!

Blessings and Happy Tuesday!

Much Love,

Rhythm

A rhythm slowly begins to settle over the house. ...
Crying, bottle, dishes, coffee, change diaper, make beds, swing, mama can you button me, bouncer, I'm hungry, She's not sharing, coos, tiny fists waving in the air, read me a book, Sesame Street, is it time for a snack, do you like my picture, wind mobile again in crib, washing machine, unloading dishwasher, crying, bottle, lunch, can I go outside, walking in stroller, telephone, computer, naps, wash hands, sing to baby, rock, rock, rock, lullabies, act silly with me, is it time to get brother from school, car, carpool line, friends, home, snack, Lord, I am tired of the demands! Have I looked at myself in mirror today, did I brush my teeth, need to start supper, homework, when is daddy coming home, can we go next door to play, I love you mommy, crying, bottle, need to get it together, phone calls, please hush, mommy is trying to talk, where IS daddy, help, tired, need a break, fold clothes, cook, rock, rock, rock baby, play candy land, daddy please hurry home.....
Still.... this is my favorite job in the world. Thank you, Father God for my life. Thank you.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
AMEN.
Happy Thursday and Much Love,
Jennifer

Home again, home again!

Our sweet baby came home from the hospital (once again!) this week. She is doing much, much better! We are still having a few issues here and there, but she is so much improved. Hopefully we are on the permanent road to recovery this time! Thank you so MUCH for your prayers. God bless you for them!
Having our 3rd little one has been such a blessing... but has thrown me for a LOOP in the scheduling department! Wow. Our home was running like a well-oiled machine before sweet Abigail came along, but now?? We can't seem to get on a schedule! For someone who thrives on schedule and routines, this is more than a little frustrating! Hopefully that will improve soon (probably when she is sleeping more!) but for now I am just trying to enjoy them! I think I may even throw caution to the wind this afternoon and read the pile of books they've been asking me to..... Cleaning cabinets can wait, right?? I hope my desires for a well-run, clean, orderly home don't interfere with spending lots of time just enjoying and playing with them! Such a hard balance to strike!!
They are growing so fast.... wish I could just "freeze frame" them at the ages they are now. *Sigh*. The age old wish of all moms...
Off to enjoy!
Happy Friday and Much Love!
Jennifer

Signs of spring !

Spring is definitely in the air around here !!

From a little boy making a birdhouse (with a little help from daddy of course!)...

to fat bunnies sleeping on a bed of moss....

to glittery eggs AND robin's eggs adorning the dining room....



Oh, and for a little eye candy, click here to see what Katie has done to decorate for Easter.... just gorgeous!

Dahling, you look mahvelous!

One can only HOPE that practice will make perfect....

Apparently

Yes... apparently disciplinary action taken against her older brother made quite an impression upon the little miss today.
This is the scene I found upon walking by our little foyer (where the "naughty corner" is located!)




Ahem.

When questioned about what transgression her tiny charge committed, her reply (without a moment's hesitation, or even looking up from her play), was
"she Not OBEY SHE MAMA!!!!"

Indeed.

Sillies

Apparently (or unfortunately), this attire is entirely indicitive of the weather we've been having in the past couple of weeks....
From the 20s to the 70s and back again, one is not sure whether to dress for the sunshine or the snow!

I guess a bathing suit top (OVER the cover up) paired with the hat and mittens is just the trick. Great job my little 2 year old fashionista!

I laughed until I almost lost my breath over this one. The 4 year old has become increasingly territorial with his, ummm, "art" lately. I guess when you have a Tasmanian devil for a little sister, you become a little protective of your property. At any rate, I found this "sign" attached to his latest masterpiece tonight. Phonetically speaking, I guess you can tell where we are from. (The accent even comes out in the writing.) He really did a great job of "sounding out" the words to spell them, and subsequently marked his sign with his name. Guess we need to work a little on the punctuation! Cracks. me. UP!!!

Happy Sunday and much love,

Organizing bliss

Anyone that knows me knows that I am constantly decluttering, looking for better ways to organize and compulsively straightening things. I know, I know, it's a sickness, but I get it HONESTLY. My mom and sis are worse than I am (though my husband might disagree with this, he has never lived with the two of them. It can get ugly, y'all !!!!)



Soooo, you can imagine my excitement and absolute GLEE when I discovered this little organizational tidbit buried in the Living section of our paper. I am constantly battling organization in the drawers in our bathroom. I've reorganized, regrouped, bought tiny containers, bought larger containers, etc. Still it is never up to my standards. But NO MORE!!! The article suggested that you think of the things in your bathroom as kitchen utensils/tools/items..... and buy things that you would to organize the kitchen-- such as utensil holders and MY FAVORITE thing of all..... the inner door organizer like the one I have in my kitchen (for Saran Wrap, Foil, sandwich bags, etc. )



You can use it in your bathroom for things like hairspray, hair products, etc. You know, those things that clutter up drawers and under cabinet areas and make people like me crazy!!

Works like a charm, and has made my weekend, I tell you!

Let me share....

Exhibit A

Exhibit B.....

Okay, you know I had to stick a couple of kid pics up!

Little Miss Anna Kate is Lovin' her new outfit from Uncle "John John", and my Andrew is stylin' in some shades (that might be some old ones of mine!) and his Baptist hymnal... totally his own idea (even if it is upside down)

Have a great weekend y'all!!

Happy Friday and Much Love,

Quilt tents

It's been a dark, dreary, rainy Friday here in the deep south. After a morning of the gym, errands, and taking Andrew back and forth to preschool (all in the aforementioned rain, mind you!), we had a quick lunch and then naps for the little ones. Unfortunately, the rain and "funder" were worse than ever when they awoke. I faced the daunting task of a very long afternoon cooped up indoors with a 3 year old and a 1 year old that love spending their after nap time outdoors more than anything. Sooooo, I revived an old favorite from my childhood..... the quilt tent. My brother, sister and I spent many a happy afternoon cozied up in our elaborate creations hung between dining room chairs and couches and anchored with mom and dad's heavy old college texts. The one I made today for them was a pretty simple version of the ones of old. Just one quilt, 2 chairs, 3 books and a couch. The sum, however, was one happy little "pirate boy" (who insisted on wearing his costume from last Halloween all afternoon),one happy little toddler girl, numerous baby dolls, books, sippie cups and crayons. Oh, yeah, and one happy mama that played in there with them, reading books, coloring, tickling and throwing household chores to the wind for the afternoon. I can't think of any other way I'd rather have spent it!




Happy Friday and
Much Love,

Before and after

HERE it is!! The finished "baby doll crib" project.
I showed y'all in this post a peek of the bedding I was making for the baby doll crib that was mine as a little girl. That little crib started out a darkish stained wood (so very "80s" looking, doncha think?) that I painted white.... after a coat of primer and 3 topcoats! I made the little "sheet" of the pink gingham, and the blanket of pink gingham and leftover white eyelet from the bassinet cover and a wee little white eyelet pillow. And what does our sweet girl think of it? LOVES it. LOVESSSSS it. My dilemma now? Oh, just keeping a certain little 19 month old OUT of the crib with her babies. Check out the photographic evidence!!

Happy Saturday and
Much Love,

Andrew-isms

These are my favorite (and funniest) recent Andrew-isms from my favorite little 3 year old in the world!

Walked into living room wearing plastic construction hat and carrying plastic tool box. Exclaims "Mommy WOOK.... I am a big construct-er may-un"

When seeing a picture of yarn on his "ABC" floor puzzle, exclaims "MAMA! It's kitty cat balls"

Mommy calls Andrew to come here.... Andrew walks into room and says "What is it my child?"

Finds toothpick, sticks it in his mouth and says "Hey folks, I'm Daddy"
note: his Daddy has a penchant for toothpicks, obviously

Mama and Andrew are reading a book at bedtime.
Mommy says, "Okay, we are going to read the Tale of Jeremy Fisher" (who is a frog) (by Beatrix Potter).
Andrew sighs heavily, throws his hands up in the air and says "Mama, you are just so silly, you know frogs don't have tails"

Mama: Andrew would you like some hot chocolate with Mommy
Andrew Ummmm..... what about just some regular ol' cold chocolate?

Andrew "MOMMY we forgot to take my bottom-may-uns.
Me: "WHAT?!?!"
Andrew "You know mommy, in the cabinet with the silly ma-un on da bottle"
Translation (after a little research).... He was referring to his Flintstone VITAMINS.

When I lost my keys and was just frantically searching for them.... Andrew taps on my leg and says "Mama, I think you just need to stop and pw-ray and ask Jesus to help us find those keys. He will help us Mama, I promise, "

A:Mama, you telled me that this bo0-boo would leave a "scarf" on my hay-und.
Me:Yes darlin, it will probably leave a little scar.
A:But, mama, my hay-und doesn't need a scarf, it's already warm

Out of the mouths of babes....

Happy Thursday and
Much Love,

All tuckered out

I left the kitchen for a few minutes during lunchtime today to help big brother "go potty" (he still has a hard time with buttons and such) and found this when I returned. My sweet girl, fast asleep in her highchair, with her beloved thumb in her mouth. I was reminded of how much I love her... dirty little face and all.

Happy Thursday and Much Love,

Just call him Rudolph

Just call him Rudolph... the Andrew. At least, that what he is requesting to be called! Earlier this week at his preschool (he goes to a 2 morning a week program for 3 year olds at a local church) they made these "Rudolph" hats - and he has NOT wanted to take it off since! He even wants to bathe in it (not much harm in THAT, I suppose, since it is made of foam). So, I guess I've come to terms with the fact that "Rudolph the Andrew" lives here... at least until Christmas!

Happy Wednesday and Much Love,

** edited to add** UPDATE- please pray for the neighbor family as their baby that I had been requesting prayers for died yesterday. I am sure they would appreciate being lifted up . Thank you!

Picture Post

Picture post of fun activites from last weekend !




Christmas festival... with a very unhappy little girl (and a happy little boy studying a candy cane)





Oh! The wonder of (fake) snow... it WAS cold enough for the real thing, though!

Marmee and her happy little grands after eating breakfast with Santa.









Hanging out at Papa and Marmee's after baths







We LOVE fire trucks... the louder the better... WOO WOO.



















And, finally, Papa and his best "little helper" on the tractor.

Happy Tuesday and Much Love,

3 year old's thoughts on a Japanese breakfast

Found written on a pack of instant oatmeal this morning:
A typical breakfast in Japan consists of Rice, Fish, Soup, Pickles and Seaweed.
After reading this aloud the 3 year old quips "Oh MOMMY that is SO nasty mommy, are we so sad that they don't know about oak-meal and gwi-uts?"
AND "Andrew's tummy would starve and hurt if we had to go to a-pan"
My sentiments exactly.
Happy Wednesday and
Much Love,
Jennifer

Imprints

Just now, I was listening to my son over the monitor talking to himself before he fell asleep for his afternoon nap (the monitor is actually in the baby's room, but is so sensitive it picks up sounds all over that side of the house!!) He sleeps with a giant Pooh bear, and has lots of great conversations with him before he drifts off to dreamland. Today the conversation went something like this
A: "When I tell you to do something, you do it. Right then. Do you understand me, Pooh"?
A:(in high pitched "Pooh" voice) "Yes Ma'am mommy, I will be your sweet boy"
A: Very good, Pooh, you have to mind mommy and listen to what she says
A: (Pooh voice) I know dat mommy, I have to obey my mommy and my daddy
A: That's right Pooh, If mommy tells you to sit there, you sit until mommy comes to get you
A: (Pooh Voice) "But I don't want to"
A: Well, you have to because I said so
A: (Pooh voice) I re-wy don't like I said sos, they make me bery sad.

This "conversation" he had with Pooh bear was actually an exact transcript of the conversation that he and I had we while out to lunch (with others) today. Whether or not he acknowledges it at the time, he listens to every word I say.... and remembers it. My life, my words, and my deeds are reflected in this little, moldable, sponge of a boy and he bears my imprint. The things I say and do are all observed and mimiced by him, and therein lies a tremendous responsibility.

That being said, where does MY imprint come from? Am I spending enough time in the word and on my knees everyday that he sees Christ in me... even as small as he is? What image does he see in my life? Does he see someone that absoutely delights and rejoices in him as our Father does in us? Does he see a mama that is too busy trying to adhere to her schedule and have a "perfect" house ... too busy to play with him? Does he see a mama that is constantly disciplining him? Does he see a mama that loves him unconditionally?

I hope that the imprint I leave on his life is the imprint that Christ leaves on mine. May this daily spur me on to spend more time in the word, more time in prayer and more TIME investing in the lives of my little ones than worrying about any "to do" list.
Easier said than done, isn't it? Especially when we start comparing ourselves and our lives to others. You know Mrs.___ that always has the perfect house, and cooks gourmet meals, or always looks perfect, or is amazingly organized, or... you fill in the blank. Want to know what my response has been to lately?? SO WHAT?? Big deal! I don't know her heart, I don't know what her walk is, and I don't know what the Lord is saying to her. But I do know what he is saying to me. And that is all I ever need to worry about. I need to worry about my imprint of Him. Becoming more like Him. Being made into His image. Those are the things of eternal value.
May the imprints we leave on the lives of our children, and those around us be the imprint and the image of Christ.
Col. 3:10... and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the IMAGE of its Creator. (emphasis mine)
Happy Wednesday and
Much Love,