Sunday, June 5, 2011
The Box
"Oh no!" Hannah yelled as I carried in an empty card board box into our crowded play room. "Please don't sell my toys and craigslist," and she ran around the room holding onto toys she liked. I had to smile. This girls knows me too well...the box meaning that some toys were going to be cleaned out, and craigslist...she totally called it. I love buying things at garage sales and then selling them on craigslist for the same price (or sometimes more!) than what I purchased it. It makes me feel like I am just borrowing everything...that nothing is really mine. But, that is easy when it comes to someone's toys - not mine. I can't imagine what would happen if Jeff came into our too small and over crowded kitchen with an empty box and began cleaning out things, especially my Pampered Chef items! It's a hard lesson to let things go, but on this Sabbath I am reminded that the things that matter, the love, forgiveness and hope that I have is something that cannot be bought or sold (even on craigslist), no one can take, and nothing can compare to. Praise God for drawing me closer through the simple act of tidying the playroom.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Tubes
Yesterday Jeff and I had the follow up appointment with the Head and Neck Specialist for Kate's hearing loss. The doctor was hopeful that her hearing loss is temporary due to fluid building up and thinks that tubes will take care of the problem and make it so she can hear normally! Jeff and I have decided to let Kate go through this outpatient surgery, and are praying now that God will protect her during the procedure. My emotional reaction is a little sad since Kate will have surgery, so I cried a little in the appointment, but, I think this is the best news given the circumstances. There is a pretty straight forward remedy, and her hearing loss does not seem permanent PRAISE GOD! We are sceduled to have the surgery June 23, and after a few weeks we can go back to the audiologist to have her hearing retested.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Most Loved Baby on the Block
When I was a first time parent I read these books: Baby Whisper, Baby Wise, Healthy Sleep Habits, and Happiest Baby on the Block. Great resources, especially as a first time parent.
Two kids later, I am a totally different parent. There is a general routine to our day, but if Rachel Lee seems fussy and it's only been thirty minutes since her last feed I may try to feed her again. I also check her diaper and see if she is sleepy, but I am not so locked into a three hour schedule that I will wait to feed her again. For naps I do not "set the scene" with a dark quiet room (with two older sisters quiet is never really part of this house!), with the 5 S's (swaddle, sucking, shhhing, side, and...hmmm...I can't remember...sound machine?), but she may sleep in my arms after nursing at the park. Does she seem more difficult or fussy? No. In fact, she actually seems happier than my other two babies.
I saw this video on youtube and cracked up. Although the whole video is funny, I loved this part of the conversation between two moms:
I see you have a newborn baby over there.
That’s my little Anna. She’s my first baby.
How is everything going? What advice can I give you?
Advice? Okay, I stress about feeding her. I never know how much she’s getting.
Do not stress. Just feed her when she is hungry.
I do.
But make sure she is on a three hour schedule.
But you just said to feed her when she is hungry
Rockey mistake…you need to become baby wise while learning how to baby whisper her so she’ll have healthy sleep habits and be a happy child.
I am just grateful to be enjoying my baby as much as I am, and to have my girls enjoy their sister too. So instead of trying to have the Happiest Baby on the Block, we seem to have the most loved baby on the block. And I do love her.
Two kids later, I am a totally different parent. There is a general routine to our day, but if Rachel Lee seems fussy and it's only been thirty minutes since her last feed I may try to feed her again. I also check her diaper and see if she is sleepy, but I am not so locked into a three hour schedule that I will wait to feed her again. For naps I do not "set the scene" with a dark quiet room (with two older sisters quiet is never really part of this house!), with the 5 S's (swaddle, sucking, shhhing, side, and...hmmm...I can't remember...sound machine?), but she may sleep in my arms after nursing at the park. Does she seem more difficult or fussy? No. In fact, she actually seems happier than my other two babies.
I saw this video on youtube and cracked up. Although the whole video is funny, I loved this part of the conversation between two moms:
I see you have a newborn baby over there.
That’s my little Anna. She’s my first baby.
How is everything going? What advice can I give you?
Advice? Okay, I stress about feeding her. I never know how much she’s getting.
Do not stress. Just feed her when she is hungry.
I do.
But make sure she is on a three hour schedule.
But you just said to feed her when she is hungry
Rockey mistake…you need to become baby wise while learning how to baby whisper her so she’ll have healthy sleep habits and be a happy child.
I am just grateful to be enjoying my baby as much as I am, and to have my girls enjoy their sister too. So instead of trying to have the Happiest Baby on the Block, we seem to have the most loved baby on the block. And I do love her.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Kate Quotes
"I don't like meat. I like chicken nuggets!" Even a 2 year old know there is something not quite right about chicken nuggets, and yet they are so tasty at least the way I microwave them!
"Daddy, you have to give me cheese before you go ti work." Huh? okay...
Best Taters quote: "I wuv you!"
"Daddy, you have to give me cheese before you go ti work." Huh? okay...
Best Taters quote: "I wuv you!"
A Perfect Imprefection
Today I am reminded that my girls are not perfect, but that they were each created perfectly by God. They are uniquely formed for God's glory. No freckle, wart or blemish on them is not known and created by God. They are exactly as He intended for them to be. And that gives me hope.
Over the last few months we have noticed Kate's behavior changing. She was ignoring us more. When disciplining her she would say, "I'm sorry mama. I no hearded you." You mean you were not listening, I would respond.
But then I noticed that she would put toys next to her ears to hear them. She also brought me a toy a couple times asking for new batteries, even though it was still working fine.
So I did a small test. When everything was quiet I would say, "Come here if you want a gummy bear." Hannah would come running, even if she were in the other room, and Kate, seeing the commotion would come and say, "What mommy? What?" as if she knew she were missing out on something good, but she didn't know what.
I needed to know: was she not paying attention, was she willfully ignoring, was she seeking attention, or was she really not hearing me.
I called to make an appointment with an audiologist and at the appointment today they told me she does have hearing loss and I need to see a specialist to see what to do next.
My heart sank. How will this hearing loss effect her? How long has this been going on? How many times did I put her on time out, take away a toy, spank or withhold a reward from her because she did not hear me? Guilt began to sink in.
But, I am forgiven. God knows that I am not perfect. My girls are seeing that I am not perfect. And I can be free from that guilt because I am forgiven for my mistakes. Praise God!
After the guilt came a rush of fears: my already shy girl, how will this effect her? Will her teachers and peers know what a delightful, silly little girl she is? Will she need surgery or hearing aides?
But, I have no reason to fear because I know that she is wonderfully made. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.'" God spoke these words to his chosen people while they were in exile. What seemed bad for His people was part of the plan, and this is part of His plan for Kate. It may be short term hearing loss or permanent, but this is His plan, and I rest in knowing that it will prosper her and ultimately bring glory to God.
God, I humbly ask that you would give Kate hope in your steadfast love, and that you would prosper her and be glorified through her!
Over the last few months we have noticed Kate's behavior changing. She was ignoring us more. When disciplining her she would say, "I'm sorry mama. I no hearded you." You mean you were not listening, I would respond.
But then I noticed that she would put toys next to her ears to hear them. She also brought me a toy a couple times asking for new batteries, even though it was still working fine.
So I did a small test. When everything was quiet I would say, "Come here if you want a gummy bear." Hannah would come running, even if she were in the other room, and Kate, seeing the commotion would come and say, "What mommy? What?" as if she knew she were missing out on something good, but she didn't know what.
I needed to know: was she not paying attention, was she willfully ignoring, was she seeking attention, or was she really not hearing me.
I called to make an appointment with an audiologist and at the appointment today they told me she does have hearing loss and I need to see a specialist to see what to do next.
My heart sank. How will this hearing loss effect her? How long has this been going on? How many times did I put her on time out, take away a toy, spank or withhold a reward from her because she did not hear me? Guilt began to sink in.
But, I am forgiven. God knows that I am not perfect. My girls are seeing that I am not perfect. And I can be free from that guilt because I am forgiven for my mistakes. Praise God!
After the guilt came a rush of fears: my already shy girl, how will this effect her? Will her teachers and peers know what a delightful, silly little girl she is? Will she need surgery or hearing aides?
But, I have no reason to fear because I know that she is wonderfully made. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.'" God spoke these words to his chosen people while they were in exile. What seemed bad for His people was part of the plan, and this is part of His plan for Kate. It may be short term hearing loss or permanent, but this is His plan, and I rest in knowing that it will prosper her and ultimately bring glory to God.
God, I humbly ask that you would give Kate hope in your steadfast love, and that you would prosper her and be glorified through her!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)