Baby vs Big Girl

I also have to document a funny story for my memory books.  

Now that Kaley is walking and so very mobile she does not want to be held.  So I truly cherish every moment that she will just sit in my lap and let me hold her.  I was talking with my mother in law during one of those rare moments that she was letting me hold her.  I was telling my mother in law about how she is really growing up and she isn't really a baby anymore now she is a big girl.  All of the sudden Kaley sat up really fast and started shaking her head no and said "No no, baby"!  Carol and I just had to laugh.  So then we started asking her, "Are you mommy's big girl?"  and she would reply "No No, baby"!  It was too cute!  She was just trying to reassure me that she is still and will always be my baby!  Thanks sweet girl, I love you so much and it is just what mommy needed!  

Weekend Fun

What a great weekend we had!  It started out with Little Gym, then some cleaning to get ready for new living room furniture on Thursday.  On Friday John and I made use of our season pass to the zoo and took Kaley for the second time.  Both times we have taken her to the zoo have been so much fun but this time I think was better because she was walking around and talking so much more.  You could really tell when she saw the animals because she would point to them and say "ooo wow" and then laugh. That evening we watched 3 of the sweetest boys I have ever met (my friend Kendra's kids).  It was so much fun to have a house full of kiddos...a glimpse of what the future might be like :)  It was even nice to hear John say "I can't wait to have a boy" at the end of the night. Then on Saturday we got our new living room furniture and went out with some friends while Kaley had a slumber party at Grandma and Gramp's house.  Sunday consisted of grocery shopping, picking out paint for the living room, cooking dinner for John's parents and just enjoying some family time.    

Playing outside with Bayla.

Running around in an empty living room!

I got this outfit from a friend at work during one of my 

baby showers and I have been waiting for Kaley to fit in it!  

I just think the little bandana is so cute!

Kaley and Daddy watching the elephants.

Kaley pointing out the Tiger.

Chasing a bird around.

Already doing damage in the shopping department!  

Playing with Daddy and Brady.

Lounging on the new couch!

Daddy on the new chair and a half.

Mommy relaxing on the love seat

Kaley laying on the kitchen floor saying "Brrrrr" 

when she puts her cheek on the tile!

Tired girl after all the weekend fun!

That is her favorite "Lovey" that Uncle Brett and Aunt Bethany gave her!

A Mother's Prayer

My grandmother passed this down to me and I wanted to share it with all of you. I think she got it from her daily devotional.  

So for all of you mother's or soon to be mother's here is a prayer for you to pray:

"Lord, help me give my children the best - not of things, but of myself, cherishing them on good days and bad, theirs and mine.  Teach me to accept them for who they are, not just for what they do; to listen to what they say, if only so they'll listen to me; to encourage their goals, not mine.  Let me give them a home where respect and integrity are the cornerstones, and there's enough happiness to raise the roof.  May I give them courage to be true to themselves; the independence to take care of themselves, and the faith to believe in You.  May I discipline them without demeaning them, demand good manners without forgetting my own, and let them know they have limitless love no matter what they do.  Let me feed them properly, clothe them adequately, and have enough to give them small allowances - not for work they do, but the pleasure they bring.  Let me be moderate in all these things, so that the joy of getting will help them discover the joy of giving.  See that their responsibilities are real but not burdensome, that my expectations are high but not overwhelming, and that my praise is thoughtful and given when it's due.  Help me to teach them that excellence is work's real reward.  And when it comes - let me revel in each honor, however small, without once pretending that it's mine - my children are glories enough.  Above all, let me ground them so well in Your truth that I can let them go.  In Jesus' name, Amen!"

Also, thank you all so much for your prayers after my last post!  My sister-in-law and niece are doing well.  Marley (my niece) while she appears to be stubborn is keeping her little booty nice and cozy insider her momma.  In other good news, my friends have decided not to induce before the baby is ready to come unless there is a medical reason to.  She will be 37 weeks on Sunday and is having a lot of contractions so the baby could be here at any time but hopefully not until after Sunday!  Please continue to pray for both families!  

Eating, reading, and hats...What more do you need?

Dinner:  Cucumbers, Avocados, and Orange Peppers

Eating like a big girl!

Climbing into my reading spot (or as mommy and 

daddy call it the drawer that goes under my toy chest)

Reading before bed

I thought a toy chest was for storing toys....

Kaley and Daddy in their hats!

Hmm...I think something is different!

Eskimo Girl

More reading and more hats!  

She is just too stinkin' cute!!!

I don't have much to update but I would appreciate it if everyone kept my brother, sister-in-law and soon-to-be niece Marley in their prayers!  It has been what I like to call the "easiest most complicated" pregnancy ever.   There have been a few difficulties and the most current one is that her cervix has already started to drop and she is only 31 weeks.  Please pray that she is able to keep Marley safely inside until at least 37 weeks!  Pray for a healthy baby and mom!  

I also have an anonymous prayer request.  Please pray for a family who is thinking about inducing labor and bringing a baby into the world when the baby may not be ready.  Pray that they make an informed decision and a decision that is in the best interest of the child.  

Growing Up

My baby girl is growing up so fast!  She has finally decided to walk instead of crawl and it is so much fun to watch her explore everything from a new level.  John and I love to run after her and listen to her squeal and laugh.  Today we went to the dog park and she had so much fun.  As most of you know her puppy, Bayla, is her absolute favorite thing in the world so being with a lot of dogs was like heaven to her.  We didn't let her go inside the park she just walked up and down the sidewalk outside of the fence for over an hour screaming "PUPPY".  Everyone at the dog park enjoyed her as much as she enjoyed the dogs.  

She is also spoon feeding herself!  Yay!  Mommy is so proud of her.  She truly amazes me each and every day with all that she is learning and doing.  I am reminded everyday (well, 3 days a week) about the struggles that many families go through with kids with special needs.  Working with the kids I do allows me to really appreciate each and everything Kaley does and never take anything for granted.  

Kaley is also talking up a storm!  Who would have thought that would happen having such a shy, soft spoken mom!  :)  I think she is supposed to have something like 5 words for her age (I am sure one of my SLP friends will correct me on this) and she is well above that!  This is what she says (and I know some of them don't really count cause she doesn't know what they mean and some aren't real words but mommy and daddy know what they mean):

Mom, mama, mommy

Dad, dada, daddy

Puppy

Doggie (which doesn't quite sound like that)

Bay-bay (for bayla)

Baby

Baba (I am sure you know what that is...but she doesn't have a bottle, it is a sippy cup)

Ba (for bath)

Pease (please)

Tane too (thank you)

Toy

Happy (but it's typically, happyhappyhappy)

Pretty

Down

Bubble

Ball

Nigh-nigh (for bed)

Bye-bye

Apple

Turtle

I am sure I will remember some more later but for now I am going to clean the kitchen and get ready for bed!  Enjoy the video!  

             

The first of many to come...

I just wanted to say a quick congratulations to Rikki and her family! They welcomed their sweet baby girl, Violet Emily DeGrove, into the world this morning around 10AM!! She is a healthy little girl weighing in at 6 lbs 1 oz! Congratulations! Violet, I can't wait to meet you.

(As for the title of this post that is the first of 10 friends who are expecting from January to August!)