Pumpkin Pics

The Ants Go Marching One by One...

So beginning on Friday, Emme started to run a fever- first it was just a low grade, 99.5 or so, and with the bottom molars she was working on- and the shots she got on Tuesday, this came as no surprise.  Well the weekend went on and the fever continued.  By Sunday we were up to 103 and one sad little girl.  I'll put it this way- she sat in my lap, in a rocking chair, STILL for about 30 minutes on a couple of different occasions! This busy bee was definitely not herself.  But having learned that in the past when I have called the Dr.'s office, the nurse always says, "Well we really don't get worried till a temp of 104." (Crazy, I know, but whatever!) I held out thinking she would be better soon (and continued a tylenol drip). :)

So Monday morning rolls around and Emme is still out of sorts, fever is lower, but I can't decide it is worth the trip to see Dr. G (love the man- but I don't like it when he tells me, "It's a cold...")  So I go ahead and make an appointment for Tuesday morning at 9... just in case. 

Meanwhile... Ben and I have been noticing a line of ants that have been trampsing around the kitchen here and there for a couple of weeks. A can of Raid has basically knocked them out until last night.  We noticed more of a stream, as the ants appeared to be "getting their army on."   Ben said he would call the exterminator and schedule soon.  No worries. 

So as I sat rocking Emme last night before bedtime, I was praying, "Lord, I really don't know if Emme needs this doctor's appointment. Please make it clear to me in the morning whether we should go or not."  Let me just say that if I ever doubted that God hears the tiniest of requests, it was confirmed bright and early this morning!  As I walked into the kitchen to get Emme breakfast, a swarming pile of ants begins marching across the floor and into the living room.  Seeing as how I could not sit my child on the floor without her being attacked by the little guys- we made a "bee"line for the Dr.'s office this morning, while Adams Exterminating got after the ants :)

By the way... Emme did have an ear infection.  With the antibiotic she should be back to herself in no time.  Thank you, Lord for caring about even the smallest of things.

In Hopes of Fall...

~~~My house
             Smells like pumpkin roll scentsy
                     Sounds like Enya
                             Looks like a slow rain outside the window
                                       Tastes like hot, aromatic coffee
                                                   Feels like home~~~

Romans Reflections

Scripture speaks for itself, what does it say to you today?

Romans 8:12-17
"So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.


For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. "

ONEderful times

Happy Birthday to You...

Happy Birthday to You...

Happy Birthday, Dear Emme...

Happy Birthday to You...

And Many More....

Love you, sweet girl!

The Shoes Make the Outfit

Mommy!! More shoes!

 (Emme kept doing the sign for more, then picking up her shoes and trying to hand them to me-

 a first for her as of today).

I simply can't wear this diaper without these shoes! Now where are my sunglasses and hand bag?

A girl must have her accessories :)

A Parent's Prayer

Psalm 25
Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord;
point out the right road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
Remember, O Lord, your unfailing love and compassion,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth;
look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.
The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path those who go astray.
He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them his way.
The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees.

The Countdown....

We have a few countdowns going on at our house!  Our little Emme Lou is inching every day closer to turning 1 (August 7th)! Wow! Does time fly?  Really, I have started to believe so.  

My best friend has a countdown going on too- so therefore it is also my countdown (what are friends for, right?)

She is due with her second baby on August 15th.  So we are all wondering... who will make it to the countdown first? Will it be the new kid on the block, or the birthday girl?

Either way, I am thinking there should be cake involved! :)

Lady Liberty

When Left Unattended.... ;)

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

My dear friend Rachel got to throw out the first pitch at the Rough Riders game in Frisco Thursday night. Of course we had to jump on the chance to head out to the game. A great time was had by all... thanks, Aunt Rachel!!!

Local celebrity, Aunt Rachel!

Our fun friends

Enjoying time as a family

Love my sweet Emme

"Emmeisms"

• Every time you sneeze it makes you laugh!
• You love to splash in the tub
• Your lovey is definitely the bumper of your bed- you curl up to it every time you are in the crib
• You have absolutely no fear of water- at the pool you were playing in the sprayer, splashing and going after your toys even though it was FREEZING!
• You have 5 teeth but are working on at least 7
• When we put you in the jumperoo you start jumping as high as you can
• Textures are so fun for you.  You analyze things with your fingers.
• You are doing the inch-worm crawl now! Selective crawling is what we call it- you like to go after things like cell phones, wallets, remotes... and Clara the cat :)
• Other babies are pretty much your favorite thing in the world
• We should buy stock in Gerber Puffs... you could eat us out of house and home
• You smile with your whole face- and it is so beautiful!

Childproof

Most of you mommies out there have probably seen or used these lovely little morsels- Humphrey's "3" all natural teething tablets.  Some people swear by them.  We have used them from time to time to help with the teething process, although I never really noticed anything super magical.  Anyway, we keep them by the diaper stuff and Emme likes to play with the bottle (which makes a nice little maraca noise) while I change her.

Recently Em and I have taken to spending an hour or more outside after lunch and before nap. She is more than happy to play with toys and enjoy the sunny, warm weather- and I can usually get in a chapter or two (bonus of not having a totally mobile baby yet! He he!)

So apparently I didn't notice that Em was still holding on to her little maraca before we headed out the door to the front yard.  Clearly I was lulled by the sound of the shaker because probably 15 minutes after being out there I hear her making a little sucking noise and look over to see she has unscrewed the lid (I personally think that takes some serious fine motor skills!), poured out all of the teething tablets- and started going to town. (I should add that they are totally harmless- and I think I saved her before she had managed to eat too many!) 

Before kids I used to get annoyed by all of the childproof lids... now... well lets just say I have a different opinion!  Guess I've got her new trick for story time! (Just kidding)

Pass the Peas Please

I'm not sure when it happened, but eating out with a baby has become more of an olympic sporting event than a meal as far as I'm concerned.... that combined with a game of "Beat the Clock!"  Granted, I do have a bit of an advantage since as a teacher you are trained to eat in 15 minutes or less- I still feel like I deserve a medal after my efforts taking a baby into an eating establishment by myself!

I was just talking with a friend today about the whole process (after we had just done it ourselves!) and her words pretty much pegged it. "Afterwards you think, did I enjoy my food/meal/dining experience... um I can't even remember!"

Eating out pre-baby:
1. Get a table
2. Order food
3. Talk & Savor meal with chosen company
4. Pay
5. Leave feeling great that you didn't have to clean up any dishes!

Eating out post-baby (over newborn sleep all day age):
1. Get a table
     a. table must be child friendly and avoid hitting passersby with baby gear if seat is too far out in the aisle
     b. strap baby into seat and assemble toys to entertain child until you can get food out (or discover there
         are no straps on the seat given to you and repeat process) :)
     c. simultaneously keep child from pulling on mini blinds on the window
2. Order food
    a. try to figure out what you want while pulling out snacks for baby, rearranging items on table so they are
        out of baby's reach, and discovering that jr. has a poopy diaper
    b. try to finesse waiter with cool tricks your baby can do seeing as how he/she will probably be leaving the
        table in disarray, though you try your best to minimize collateral damage :)
    c. order food and 50 extra napkins too
3. Talk & Savor meal with chosen company
    --- this just makes me laugh! I am good if I can remember the story I am trying to tell! It will take me the whole meal to finish one thought most likely.  Continue multitasking.... ---
4. Pay
    a. If you have made it this far you have also made it through every scrap of food you have brought for
        baby in the diaper bag and he/she is politely letting you know the highchair is getting boring
    b. Attempt to do math to figure out tip and such (again I have not mastered the multitasking, clearly!) :)
5. Leave feeling great that you didn't have to clean up any dishes!
    a. Still feel good about this, but you are also feeling slightly guilty about the amount of smashed
        food particles under your child's seat, as well as the pile of wipes, napkins, etc.

Then if you are really lucky (again speaking from recent personal experience)...
Little one may let you see their lunch all over again on the way home.  Not a fan of peas the second time around... :)

Mommy Guilt

So I just have to take a quick second to rant a bit and get something off my chest.  Emme and I have been going to Story Time at the local public library. I really enjoy it and it is a great program. Emme loves the songs, chants, and stories, and then they offer a little play time at the end for all the babies. 

The routine is pretty much the same every week. The first thing you do is introduce yourself and your baby, how old he/she is, and somethine new they have learned.  This isn't really a problem, as babies seem to pick up a new trick every day-- but today I was starting to feel a little intimdated by other people's "tricks."  I don't really know why but there were lots of babies today in Emme's age range, and the stories from each mom kept getting bigger and bigger- like one of those fishing tales.

It sounded sort of like this...
Me: "I'm Janna, and this is Emme. She is 8 months old and she just started clapping recently."
Moms: "Awww! So sweet..."

Mom #2: " I'm --- and this is ---.  He is 9 months old and walking all over the place! I can't hardly get him to sit down!"
Mom #3: "I'm --- and this is ---. She is 9 months old and saying "Baby... Mama... and Dada!"
Mom #4: "I'm --- and this is ---. He is 8 months old and crawling all over the house. He can also push behind his walking toys!"
Mom#5: "I'm --- and this is ---. She is 9 months old and she just started doing somersaults from her classes at the Little Gym."  (at this point she proceeds to show us how her daughter can do that- quite impressive).

Anyway, after Story Time was over, I left feeling somewhat defeated.  I love being around other moms, but sometimes it feels like a competition- and I don't like that feeling.  All the tricks sort of piled up on me this week and I was feeling like, "Man! I'm behind! How to I get Emme to do all of that?!?"  --Breathe deeply--

So now I'm trying to shrug off the need to compare and just enjoy the stage Emme is in right now.  End rant.

Sunny Days

Recently we have been trying to take advantage of the amazing weather.  On Saturday we made a day of it!

Playing on the swings with Daddy.

Is that Mommy  back there pushing me?

Lovin' the Great Outdoors!

Quick Starbucks break...

Do I really want to get in that icy cold water???

You better believe it!

Work those sunglasses, glamour girl!

Our first trip away...

Ben and I were in Branson, MO with the choir kids last weekend. We were so blessed to have my mom come down and take care of Emme. I knew she would be in great hands and that helped ease any fears I had of leaving her for 4 days! We had a great time. The weather was absolutely beautiful and even though we were surrounded by high schoolers (they are really excellent students) we felt like we were on vacation.  We are always surprised by the amount of things you can squeeze in to a short amount of time without a diaper bag, feedings, car seats, and such!  We visited Lamberts (home of the thrown rolls), Silver Dollar City, the Hard Luck Cafe (the servers sing to you), Dixie Stampede, and stayed at a gorgeous resort (we were quite impressed with the accommodations given it was a school-sponsored trip).  Of course I don't have any photos to show- but I promise you it was a phenomenal trip.  I would love to go back- Branson is a super family friendly town.  The drive back on Sunday was the only part that got me! By that point I was SOOO ready to see my little girl!

While we were gone my mom took Emme to take pictures in the bluebonnets. Mom said that Emme was more interested in examining the flowers than smiling- but I love this shot :)

Emme's First Easter!

The Easter bunny can be a little scary unless mommy is right by your side!

There! All better!

Ben's school hosted an Easter egg hunt.

Emme enjoyed playing in the grass and we did a little "hunting" on her behalf. :)

Daddy thought the basket might also make a cute hat!

She absolutely loved the beautiful day and just getting to play outside.

Posing on Easter morning!

Couldn't resist a little Easter snuggle with my baby!

Rylan and Emme at church... too busy playing to stop for a picture!

The whole "O" Gang! He is risen, praise the Lord for this wonderful day of Celebration!

Tears in a Target Store...

Don't let the title alarm you, I'm sure most of you out there view Target as your happy place (I know I do). I use it as often as my budget will allow as an "out" from my weekly torture trips to Walmart. The tears I am referring to are those of tenderness, reflection, and joy.

Emme and I stopped in to the store this morning for a little outing and to pick up just a few things. While there, I couldn't help but browse the baby section (as they always have adorable clothes, accessories, and various and sundry things for little ones I find amusing). I pulled my cart over and looked over at the cutest little sundresses for baby girls and noticed that the sizes only went up to 12 months. For some reason this wave of emotion just rolled over me! Anything I would buy for Emme would be a 9 month outfit... leaving only one more size before she is "promoted" to the "toddler" clothing. What?!?

Emme was happily playing in the cart (which she now sits up in)! And I just couldn't help but fight back tears. She all of a sudden seems to be growing up so quickly. I will be the first to admit that the first 3 months of infancy were painfully slow for us. But now, things just keep getting more and more fun as Emme's sweet personality keeps developing.

All that to say... I just enjoy my little girl so much and every day with her is a treat. At MOMs group on Tuesday, one of our leaders again exhorted us to pray for our children. She suggested 5 specific areas.

• Salvation- Lord, would you draw Emme's heart to YOU. Would her ears hear YOUR voice at an early age. That she would be sensitive to YOUR calling, recognize her sin and need for Jesus as Savior, and accept the free gift of Christ. Sanctify her and keep her yearning for the Lord.
• Friends- I have heard it said, "Show me your friends, and I will show you your future." Lord, surround Emme with Christlike buddies. Peers that also seek You first and are unafraid of standing out from the world's trends. Protect her from the evil one that would try and expose her to people/things that would harm her. Help her to have discernment and be willing to stand for Truth.
• Purity- Guard Emme's heart, O God. Help her to trust You with today as well as the uncertainties of tomorrow- seeking God's best and waiting on Him. Prepare her for her future mate and let her affections rest in You alone.
• Schoolwork- Give her diligence, perseverance, and a desire to be obedient to authority. Give us wisdom to lead her in responsibility and good workmanship. May she seek to please and serve the Lord as the Master of her work, rather than men.
• Church Involvement- I pray that Emme would seek to pursue a relationship with her Heavenly Father over religion. Set her heart on learning the things of eternal value. Help us to show her how to hide God's Word in her heart, discover spiritual gifts, and use the talents God has given her to benefit the Kingdom.

Dedication Day

Father, I pray that Emme will live a blameless life, trusting You without wavering. Keep Your loving-kindness before her eyes. Help her walk continually in Your truth (Psalm 26:1,3). I pray that she will be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit, inviting You to search her heart, revealing any hurtful way. Lead her in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24). May she put away any false god or teaching and yield her heart to You (Joshua 24:23). Amen.

Time Management 101

This past week I have learned quite a lesson in time management.... in other words, I overbooked myself. Being a new mommy I have already gone through a season of quiet- I mean the kind of quiet where you start to go a little bit crazy-- and this week I experienced the other side of that coin.

By my own admission I will say that I didn't coordinate my calendar well, leaving me feeling spent- and wondering how being a "stay at home" mom all of a sudden became so hectic.

I have been going through the Study A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George at MOM's group, and it has really challenged me to think about listening to what God would have me do with "my" time, rather than just nonchalantly planning out the week and saying "YES" to everything.

A few points I've been pondering as I lean on God's grace and hopefully learn from this week!

• Am I watching over my home (like the Proverbs 31 woman) or am I glancing?
• Am I living as though I will be held accountable for the use of my time?
• Am I taking the time to sow what I wish to reap?
• Am I really being quiet before the Lord and listening for His voice to guide my steps?

I was inspired by this poem Ms. George quoted in her book:

Some have had kings in their lineage, Some to whome honor was paid. Not blest of my ancestors- but, I have a mother who prays.

I have a mother who prays for me, and pleads with the Lord every day for me. O what a difference it makes for me- I have a mother who prays.

Some have worldly success, and trust in riches they've made- This is my surest asset. I have a mother who prays.

My mother's prayer cannot save me, only mine can avail; But mother introduced me to Someone- Someone who never could fail.

Oh Yes... I have a mother who prays for me, and pleads with the Lord every day for me. O what a difference it makes for me- I have a mother who prays.

Beautiful Baby

6 months and counting!

I can't believe that Emme will be 6 months old on Sunday. Tomorrow we are celebrating our dear friend, Rylan's big 1 year... and to me that is just unbelievable. It gets me pretty emotional thinking about how fast that time has gone by and that our little babies really are growing up before our very eyes!

Emme has been entertaining us with plenty of tricks lately--- sitting up (she would basically do this all day if I would let her), grabbing everything with those pudgy fingers from hair to toys, eating solid foods like crazy (I've yet to find a food she doesn't like!), and she's even begun scooting on her tummy (usually backwards while she is crying... tummy time=torture time). I should also update on naptime and say that "Operation Emme Naps" was a sweet success! It took us about 3 weeks of crying it out (aka Mommy cries it out)- but she will now get anywhere between 1.5-3 hours of consolidated naptime in the crib without a complaint (woo-hoo!!)

My little girl also LOVES textures. She loves to squeeze plastic water bottles or the bags from Walmart or Target trips. She also loves sounds- I'll sing to her loud, then soft- or even whisper in her ear and all of sudden she will get very, very quiet. It is hilarious! She's also started giving hugs (mostly excusively to Mommy--- sorry Dad!) and making what we call "excited arms" waving them up and down quite franticly. Emme is my wiggle worm- I cherish those moments when she lets me cuddle her in my lap. I have to say that Mommyhood just keeps getting better and better.

I'll leave you with a fun video of Rylan and Emme... already best buddies! And they have already changed so much from the time I took this video at the end of Decemeber!