The shock of my life!

After I changed Madison this afternoon I didn't put her clothes back on her.  Her room has been really warm so I just decided to let her take her afternoon nap in her diaper. -- This was a very bad idea now that I think about it.  But, since she is only 9 months I didn't consider the possibility of her taking her diaper off.  Well......I was so-o wrong!  I was shocked when I opened the door to her room and saw her completely naked.  What I didn't know then was that the real shock was still to come!  I put her on the changing table and noticed that something in the room really stunk.  I also saw some dried brown stains on her :(  I've had experience with Ethan flinging his poopy diaper on the floor during nap time so I immediately started looking in and around the crib.  I didn't find anything.  I came back to Madison and for the first time saw her clenched fist.  I was horrified when I opened that fist.  I'm sure you can guess what she had been holding on to.  Yuck!!!!  As soon as I took the poop away she looked almost relieved.  A nice, long bath came next.

My baby girl is growing up!

My 9 month-old continues to amaze me with all that she is learning.  This past week I was singing to her, and she started bouncing up and down and clapping!  She has been waving "hi" for well over a month, but the clapping is new :)

She has also started crawling!!!  It is so-o cute!  Many times she gets up on her feet and moves forward on her feet instead of her knees.  It makes me laugh when she is pushing up with her feet and hands making a tunnel with her body.

And then last, but not least she said, "duck" today in the bathtub!

What happened to my little infant girl?  It feels like it was just yesterday that I was bringing her home from the hospital!

Pink and Green beanies for my nieces!

Spring beanies for my nieces that live in Connecticut!

Abigail's beanie

Alyssa's beanie

I'm trying to get back into my crocheting at night even though I'm tired.  It is a great way to get something done at the end of the day, and be able to keep my feet up!  These beanies are for my nieces upcoming Birthday's.  I miss those sweet, sweet girls!  Now I just need to make their brother a beanie so he doesn't feel left out.

Bath time is so much fun!

Why is mommy taking pictures?

waving "hi"

Supremely happy:)

I still don't get why mommy is taking pics. right now!

Madison's 9 month appointment and Ethan's haircut

Yesterday was Madison's 9 month appointment.  She weighs 21lbs and 12oz!  And her height/length is.....start the drum roll :) ...30 inches!!!!  Yes, she is off the charts in height.  Am I proud? - just a little :)  My doctor says that she is exactly where she should be in weight because of how long she is.  I thought that was a little funny since she has very chubby thighs!

Madison had 3 shots.  Poor girl!  She sobbed and then just clung to me.  I felt like she was looking at me as if to say, "How could you let that happen to me?"  It was so hard on my mommy's heart to see her so sad and confused.  She is such a happy, gentle girl and that makes it even harder to see her in pain. 

For the last couple weeks I have been dreading Ethan's upcoming haircut.  Why?  Well let's just say that haircuts are on his "do not like at all" list.  And since he is extremely vocal and enthusiastic about all his likes and dislikes--I've had my work cut out for me.  Usually, I am thankful if I can just get through the haircut without giving him a bald spot!  Well, I've been thinking about what I can do to make it a better experience for both of us.  I knew I needed to keep his mind off the hair falling on him. It drives him crazy :)  So the result was:  Ethan taking a bath with a sucker, and mommy rolling up her pants and wading in the water!  Ha ha!!!  This may seem like I am coddling him too much.  But in this case it was definitely worth it!  Ethan was so happy dropping his sucker in the tub and splashing mom.  Mom was so happy that haircuts could actually be a very fun experience!  Ethan giggled and giggled, and I smiled because he was so happy and I didn't get a headache.

This way of doing haircuts is not a permanent fix, but I think it will help him get over his fear of the falling hair:)  I am learning that dreaded chores can be fun!  My attitude about tasks usually determines whether I enjoy it or not.  Ethan loves to pick up toys because he looks at it as fun.  What other things in life could I enjoy so much more if I just looked at them that way? 

The differences between my boy and girl!

For a long time I've wanted to write down some of the things that are different about Ethan and Madison. Why? Because their personalities are completely and almost totally different! It makes parenting very interesting and fun :) So this is what I am talking about:

Ethan/Madison

E.- Giggles very hard
M.- Laughs very loud :)

E.- Always loved baby food
M.- Loves bland baby cereal best

E.- Ethan is a constant mover; not the "sit and cuddle" type
M.- Adores being cuddled and held

E.- Expresses everything on his face and in his voice
M-. Pretty "even-keeled" and calm

E.- Goes full-force and head-on into everything (aka "bulldozer")
M.- So-o-o gentle and feminine

E.- Very pain tolerant (has hardly ever cried over shots)
M.- Sobs over getting shots!

E.- Loves to perform for us!
M.- Loves to watch the performance :)

E.- Does best when occupied with something
M.- Sits and is happy for hours with her toys

E.- Didn't go through much separation anxiety
M.- Watch out if momma's not in sight!

E.- Lives for commotion and people
M.- Not a good nursery baby at all

E.- Daddy's boy
M.- Mommy's girl

E.- Lives to eat!- - really :)
M.- Eats to live

E.- Desires everything done a specific way
M.- Patient and able to go with the flow

I know as these kiddos grow there will be more differences and maybe even similarities that I see. I am so thankful for their uniqueness and for their own sweet personality. They are completely different, yet they get along like best friends. They adore each other, and that is so fun to see as a parent! Ethan is always looking out for his little sis, and she watches him with so much affection.

Stay at home Mom:)

I am so excited to start my "mommy" blog!  I think I'm going to start by thanking the Lord for allowing me to marry my husband and have the blessing of motherhood.  I am doing what I have always dreamed of doing - being a wife and mother.  At one time I would have said that I didn't have very big aspirations in life. Now that I am a mother I know how wrong that was!  Being a godly mother is the most important job that I could ever aspire to do!  I see being a stay at home mom as a blessing, a challenge, and a calling.  There are definite and big sacrifices that come with not being a two income family.  But the blessings and rewards of being the one to train my children and being the same one to reinforce that training are immense!  It is hard, exhausting work, yet it is a command from God - "train up a child in the way he should go..."  In today's society the world sees a successful woman as one outside the home with a career.   I believe that God sees the value and success of a woman that is a "keeper of the home."  There are days when I would love to work in an adult atmosphere and let someone else enforce obedience issues with my children:)  Yet, I know the blessing of being the first to see and hear the "firsts" in my children's lives.  I also know after working in a day care that most mothers that work full-time see their children for only a couple hours a day.  How blessed am I that I spend all day everyday with the people I love most!  Thank you Lord!