Precious Moment: God IS So Good

We put Addison to bed as usual at 8 pm. We turned on her monitor a few minutes later to be sure she was asleep (we had a big day so we thought she may have a bit of trouble winding down) and she was. Not a peep.

At about 9:45 pm we heard a loud noise outside followed by something coming from the kids rooms. So, we turned on the monitor to double check. A few moments later over the monitor we hear the sweetest voice singing:

"God is so good,
God is so good,
God is so good,
He's so good to me.

God cares for me,
God cares for me,
God cares for me,
He's so good to me"

My little joy, you are right. He IS SO good, especially for giving us you.

I rarely tear up over happy things, but this made me tear up. I love that little honey hair colored, greened eyed, talkative, sassy, compassionate, tough, long and lean little girl!!!!!! And I am quite proud and honored to be her mommy!!!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Nebraska Home Tour: Dining Room

Continuing in the series of showing our new home, we move into the dining room.  Since these photos, we have hung some additional items on the walls and finished putting our china in the cabinet.

We have never had enough space to unpack our china since we got married, which is a shame because I cook a lot (as you know) and I have people over for meals...a lot!!  I am excited to finally be able to have it out and ready to use.  These china cabinets are third hand from some friends.  I think it started with the Mills went to the Ewerths and now us.  I am never too good for a hand me down!!!

This is with your back in the living room; the doorway in the upper right is the breakfast area and kitchen.  We do not use the breakfast area.  I do not think we will ever own enough furniture to fill a place like this

Paci Fairy Came to Visit

The paci fairy came to visit Addison a couple of weeks ago.  She has only had a paci in her crib since about 12 months.  There were bigger things to worry about other than dropping a paci in bed between 12 months and now--28 months (namely introducing a new sibling at only 18 months, starting school, a move across the country, etc.).  So once things from the move settled, we told Addison the Paci Fairy was coming to visit her.

We spent a week decorating a box to contain the pacis.  We told her that one night we would put her pacis in the box and the paci fairy would visit and take them to baby girls who do not have any pacis.  In exchange for Addison's kindness to the baby girls, the fairy would bring her a very special prize.  Addison really took to the concept of baby girls getting her old pacis.  She still requests to see them, hug them and kiss them.

With great excitement, she placed the pacis in the box and closed the lid.  She paused and realized they were realized they were gone and instantly requested them.  The tears started.  "I changed my mind, no fairy please"  and even in her most non whinning voice "May I have my paci please?".  It broke my heart to see her sad, but as with anything the key is to stand firm.  She had her other comfort items (snuggle blanket and baby doll).  We kissed her and said we would be back in 10 minutes to check on her.  She cried.  After 10 minutes we walked in, kissed her and left.  Crying continued.  10 minutes later, we walked in, kissed her and left.  No discussions.  We repeated it one more time.  She cried 40 minutes then was asleep until 830 am the next morning.

The next morning she woke up to lip gloss and a baby doll stroller.  She has not stopped pushing that thing around since.

Nap time the next day was a doozie as I imagined it would be.  She cried for about an hour before going to sleep.  Since it was nap time we did not continue to check on her.

Over the course of three more days the crying became less and less.  By day 4, everything was back to normal.  I did not expect it to go that well honestly, but I am thankful it did.  She still talks about the fairy and she is very concerned about her dolls and Caleb having a paci, but she NEVER asks for hers.  I am so proud of her--always thinking of others.

Would I change the timing of the whole thing?  NOPE.  Not a chance.  We did what was right for HER given all the changes going on in her little short life.

We had to paint rocks too :)

Nebraska Home Tour: Playroom Wonderland

Here is the first in a series of posts showing our new home in Nebraska.  I cannot say it enough, we are blessed with this new place---we have so much more room to spread out.  We came from 1000 square feet and only two bedrooms so I hardly know what to do with all this space!

First up--Playroom Wonderland.  This is probably one of my favorite rooms in the house.  Previously, we used our living room as the primary place to play and since I do not like toys just sitting out everywhere in plain site on a regular basis, it meant we had to be creative with storage and clean up.  Although we (Addison included) clean the playroom everyday before nap and bedtime it is wonderful for the children to have a place to play together and spread out.  And the adults have their own space; I do not take these separate areas for granted!

This is sorta the guest quarters too since there is a half bath off this room.  We use the bed as a couch for reading time.  The playpen is for Caleb's daily independent play time--and to keep big sister from knocking him over when I am out of the room.

 Addison calls that her "Castle".

For the artist during art time and when we work on letters/numbers (which, sadly, has been rare lately).

 Can you tell how we spend most our time?  READING! 

My FAVORITE memory of the play room already is walking in to find Addison reading "The Lorax" to Caleb; she has most of it memorized so she told the story quite well!

Music Corner.

My mom's BEAUTIFUL stained glass.  An A and a C for the princess and prince of this playroom wonderland.

Happy, Happy, Very Happy 9 Months Caleb!

9 months!!! Wow.  Our sweet Little Caleb, is 9 months now, it just cannot be true.

Weight. 23 lbs 8.5 oz (three weeks ago); 81 or 91% (I can't remember)
Height: 29 inches (three weeks ago); 86%
Diaper size: 4
Clothing: 18 month, busting out in length!!!!
Overall: We KNEW Caleb was a sweetheart deep down inside and now that his tummy trouble is figured out, he is just simply a sweet joy to be around.
Dairy:  We decided to have his 9 month vist about two weeks so we could have the visit before the big move to Nebraska.  To summarize, NO dairy until 15 to 18 months.  The doctor recommended when we wean to a cup At 12 months, to start with plain almond milk.
Mobility: He is going nowhere fast.  He rolls around but no crawling and THANKFULLY no walking!
Talking: He can say baby, daddy and addy
Cup: He LOVES using a cup and does FANASTIC using it
Eating:  Boy, looooves to eat!!!  He is eating lots of finger foods now and he loves it!!!

Dearest Caleb:  Your smile lights up a room and your cackle is contagious!  I am so thankful to see to see you feeling well, FINALLY.  I will always regret how long it took to discover your intense allergy/intolerance to dairy.  I hate that MY diet hurt you, but I know the benefits of avoiding formula so long was worth the pain.  Thank you for being our sweet, sensitive, cuddly little boy.  Love is not strong enough to describe how we feel about you!!!!