She is crawling for real now, on hands and knees, and she recently was able to pull herself up to stand at the couch. She will be cruising in no time, but so far she just pulls herself up and looks at you with this look of glee and accomplishment.
This one:
I grew up on a farm in Southwest Iowa, and we moved across the state and into town living the summer before I turned 13. My life now is so differently, and the childhood experiences that my kids are getting is so different than how things were for me. I am so engrossed in their lives and building experiences for them, that I rarely spend much time thinking about my own experiences. I am so far removed from my time on the farm, but luckily I have a good memory. I can still see my way around the farm and outbuildings in my mind and remember the great adventures that Andrea and I had, starting as soon as we stepped outside of our back door. We didn't have a lot of money when I was kid, I know that now, but at the time I often felt like I had the whole world to myself out on our farm. We had our own play house, a really house (who cares if it was meant for chickens?) with windows and a roof and a door, complete with a homemade wooden play kitchen (awesome!). How many kids can say that? There were so many places to explore and I remember my sister and I creating elaborate pretend games. I hope that my kids will have lots of fun pretending and exploring, but it just isn't the same when you live on a quarter acre lot in the burbs with only a 40'x 70' fenced in back yard to call your playground. My kids have a lot of crap, but they don't have the wide open space and outbuildings filled with potential imaginary worlds that I had. But alas, we are a suburban family. The upside? We have some amazing friends who we love to hang out with, who have kids close in age to our kids, and who are giving their kids the kind of childhood that I had, and they had too, as they are both grown up farm kids. This past weekend we spent the day at the Weber farm in Mechanicsville and we had a really great time. I can tell you that this farm visit beats the heck out of any pumpkin farm I have ever seen! :)
We had lunch, steaks on the grill. Of course they didn't come from Hy Vee, but were home grown and delicious! The weather was perfect even though the grown was kind of wet so we took the kids out to play. Bryce will be 4 in just a couple of weeks and he is such a proud farm boy! He LOVED showing us around. The kids started off by picking up fallen apples out of the back yard and filling their wagons so we could feed them to the cows. It was at this point that we realized that we had left our camera inside and that such cuteness was going on with Bryce, Eli (just turned 2) and Leila, that we would have to run in for it. Let me take you on the photo tour, led by Bryce:
We attended a Halloween party last weekend. I am normally really not into Halloween, but we agreed that Leila would really get a kick out of the whole family dressing up, so we did. I have never actually seen Sleeping Beauty, but since that was Leila's costume, I did some google investigating and made myself into a fairy godmother Character to coordinate with her.
Cory and Thea also coordinated as a bee and bee keeper. Very cute stuff here!
I love it. Probably more than you do. Whining to follow...
I am a person that could sleep 12 hours every night if it was feasible. Before Thea was born, I was looking at 9 or 10 a night. From 9:00 PM, straight on through to 6 or 7. We had a two month stretch back in June and July where Thea obliged my need for sleep, and slept right on through with me. That time has long since passed, and I am now going on month 4 of no more than 3 or, if I am really lucky 4 hours of continuous sleep. I love my baby, even at 2 in the morning, but the lack of sleep is starting to make me a little bit crazy.
I can't concentrate on anything and I have been some kind of sicky feeling everyday for probably a month. The other day, laying in my bed staring at the dust on my ceiling fan I found myself feeling irrationally angry at the clutter and dirt in my life and at the impending cold weather that I dread so much. I am not very nice to my children or my husband. I don't feel very nice about anyone, but I probably try a little harder in the general public to be nice. I am tired of feeling responsible for so much, and I wish I was a better mother, a better worker, a better wife, a better friend, a better housekeeper. Working towards all of that seems so overwhelming. I would like to think that a few nights of regular sleep, and maybe a visit from a cleaning lady would cure what ails me. For now, I am blaming it on sleep and I will continue to tread water.
This is a song that I am really liking these days...two of my favorite artists teaming up is always a good thing, and the fact that they are from two different genre's makes that even more surprising.
This happens to also be my personal focus lately, being thankful for my life, my health and my family.
So several people have mentioned to me that they can't comment on my blog. I had it set up in a way that you had to be signed into a google account to leave comments. The reason I did this was that I didn't want to deal with Spam, but because I also really like comments, I turned off that feature so now anyone should be able to comment as long as they pass the word verification. Your welcome, now comment for me! :)
Since it was actually nice and warm outside, and we don't know when that will happen again, we took the time after work, before dark to carve our pumpkins!
Leila and I agreed, the insides of a pumpkin are gross.
Leila picked out the picture she wanted on the pumpkin, and was really enthusiastic about helping...for a while :)
What mommy was doing after Leila grew tired of pumpkins
Leave it to Cory to research an unconventional pumpkin carving method. 
Daddy and Leila posing with the finished products
This project has been brewing in my mind for quite some time. The house has long since been taken over by toys, and I really wanted to get my living room back to a state where maybe I could hide the toys well enough that the whole place didn't look like a playroom. In order to do that, I had to make room for toys elsewhere...I think you know where this is going. I felt a little bit bad, but honestly, I gave up any "woman room" I may have had a long time ago. (No kitchen comments, that is not a woman room.)
Here is a shot of the play area that we set up in the "man room." I made those pillows by recovering some old throw pillows in the style of a fleece tie blanket. Bright, colorful and soft. The toys were semi organized for about 15 seconds while I took this picture and then Leila promptly started dumping containers, and I tried to hold it together while all of my work was undone. :)
See, it isn't all kid room!! Daddy still has his sports stuff, big TV and recliner, as long as he doesn't look over his right shoulder, he can pretend he is in his old man room!
I turned 29 on the 15th. I don't really like a fuss about my birthday, I am just not one to thrive on attention in most cases. I do think it is important that Leila learn that everyone has a special day, not just her, and she really enjoys spoiling mom and dad too so it works out well. Daddy took Leila shopping, and though she was less excited about the giant cookie birthday cake that she picked out when she was told that she would not be eating it immediately (I guess there was a bit of a meltdown in the mall), I can report that she was excited to give it to me on my birthday, so she must have gotten over it! :)
I woke up on my birthday to "Pioneer Woman" pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream. Made from scratch by my husband. This is the man who I begged to make me pancakes one morning about 4 years ago when I was pregnant with Leila. If you know Cory, you know that he is a pretty happy guy, kind of hard to rattle. Well that day four years ago he told me that he would NEVER attempt pancakes again, and I believed him because he was quite pissed off at his failed attempt at the perfect cake. Well, I guess his love knows no bounds because I feasted on some beautifully prepared pancakes, and I didn't even have to ask. Not only was there a stack of flapjacks to greet me, but there was Diet Dr. Pepper on ice. How cute is this?
29 is no big deal. Every year and every day is a gift, the more I have, the more blessed I am. Thank you family for such a special day...I have to admit, the spoiling was kind of nice.
Today I am reminded of something that my mom always used to say to us. "Why can't I have anything for myself!?!" Sorry Mom, I feel your pain now.
I read this book by Max Lucado a couple of weeks ago. I have recently started trying to focus more of my time on reading for relaxation and I picked up this book because I was having a hard time dealing with some tragic happenings. I decided today to post about this book, because as I read the book, I knew that I really enjoyed it, but now a couple of weeks removed from reading it, I am finding myself reflecting on some of the items that the author brings up, and really finding comfort in the tough things in life. If you are a Christian, you will enjoy this book, I can't imagine that you wouldn't. It was a very quick read, even with two little kids around and it was spiritually uplifting, educating and comforting.
Lucado writes about an experience that he had riding in some kind of military plane. It was very fast and very frightening. He writes about focusing on the pilot of his plane, who has been through this very flight many many times before. He focuses on the pilot and his experience to bring himself comfort though a very frightening experience for himself and he likens it to focusing on Christ through our hard times, and remembering that he has been here before, and he will bring us through one way or another. The book is full of these types of scenarios: A real life experience coupled with an account from the Gospels where Jesus has calmed a similar fear, and capped off with words of comfort and removal of fear. I checked this one out from the library, and I can see myself checking it out again. Either way, I will definitely be reading more of this author. I consider myself to be a "Christian Lite." And this book appealed to me where a lot of Christian Literature seems judgmental and overbearing, this does not.
As I told my dad, each chapter of this book was like a really good church service without the music! :)
Yesterday after work Leila and I both got to experience our first time picking a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch. Not sure who enjoyed it more, but I have to say it was pretty exciting to find that perfect pumpkin to bring home! Since it was an impromptu trip, these are cell phone pictures so not great quality.
What Leila Thinks of Mommy
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Last winter a lot of my Facebook friends were doing this with their little kids. At the time Leila was too little to really answer so I waited. Yesterday I felt the urge to give it a try, so here is my interview with Leila.
Here are Leila’s answers (she's 3 and a half):
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What is something Mom always says to you?
I LOVE YOU
What makes Mom happy?
If I got her a Valentine
What makes Mom sad?
If some of her friends get sick.
How does your Mom make you laugh?
she tickles me
What was Mom like as a little girl?
She was a little kid
How old is your Mom?
It’s a pretty tricky one, I don’t know.
How tall is your Mom?
Like this size (holds her hands in front of her, one at her belly, one at her neck)
What is her favorite thing to do?
play with me
What does your Mom do when you're not around?
She gets sad
What is your mom really good at?
She is good at yo-yoing
What is your mom not very good at?
At picking up fire on a shovel
What does your mom do for her job?
She watches me play
What is your mom's favorite food?
dinner and breakfast
What makes you proud of your mom?
I really love her
If your mom was a cartoon character, who would she be?
A princess one
What do you and Mom do together?
We play with blocks
How are you and your mom the same?
Our eyes are brown
How are you and your mom different?
She have glasses on her
How do you know your mom loves you?
because she really loves to play with me
Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
To the library
Today was Thea's dedication at church. Our church is a non denominational Christian church and we do not practice infant baptism. Instead we wait until the child makes the choice for himself and then they get a full on dunking. I remember my baptism and I am hoping that my daughters choose to be baptized as well, but I am happy to leave that up to them.
The dedication ceremony is our way of committing to raising Thea in a Christian home and to do our best to teach her to live as Christ would want. It is very important to me, because I take the pledge seriously. We may not have the best attendance record at church, and I do not claim to be a perfect example of Christian life, but it is important to me to do my best to live as Christ lived. Whether or not my children grow to have a strong faith in God, I want them to grow up thinking of others and practicing empathy and compassion, as Jesus did. We are so blessed to have our family and our congregation behind us as we all pledge to raise Thea in our Church family.
For this event, I requested one of my favorite of the traditional dedication songs, here are the lyrics:
I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell.
When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I’ll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk ’till rising sun.
In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,
I’ll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I’ve begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I’ll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise.
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I’ll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
My kitchen counter is littered with the little cellophane wrappers of too many oatmeal creme pies and dirty dishes. That is the kind of week I have had. I have a headache, it is starting to get cold and I can't seem to shake my bad attitude. As much as I try to focus on how lucky I am, and what a wonderful life and family I have, some days I find myself wallowing in self pity over all of the things I don't have. It is the most unbecoming way to be, and lately, it is just me. I am embarrassed to admit that when Ree from the Pioneer woman (www.thepioneerwoman.com) gave away a fancy new Kitchenaid mixer the other day. I nearly cried when I didn't win. I don't even have a place for a mixer so I am going to blame my poor attitude and propensity for tears on postpartum hormones. I can still do that 7 months after giving birth, right?
To make myself feel a little better, I am going to take this time, while Thea is napping and Leila is watching Dinosaur Train not to clean my kitchen, or my bathroom, but to post pictures of some of the things that I can't afford, but want. A lot. Forgive me while I bathe myself in envy and materialism. In no particular order:
A Blackberry. Because my Internet addiction is not quenched unless I have constant web access.
Actual bedroom furniture. How pathetic is it that I am nearly 29 years old and I have never had a headboard? Oh how I covet this bedroom set...
A new down comforter. I have one of these that Cory got for me on my 21st birthday. I have a 5 year old dog who likes to sleep with us and has a urinary incontinence issue. Those things can only be dry cleaned so many times. Need I say more? 
When Leila was a baby we spent like 600 dollars on a video camera that we have used like 3 times. If I could have that 600 dollars back and a cheap flip video camera, I would absolutely buy this:
Love this house that is for sale in North Liberty (though I don't love the location). Can't even come close to affording it, so I guess the location doesn't matter:
I hate hate hate how crap gets stacked up on the half wall in my house. I want something like this to house all of the junk that just must be dropped right inside the door:
*sigh*
Cory's birthday was on Sunday, and I had a great time with Leila getting ready for the big day. Birthday's are kind of a HUGE deal to 3 year olds, so she was notably excited about Daddy's big day. Friday while Daddy was at work we went to the mall to buy a present for him. Leila picked out some new boxers. I took her to the store and told her she could pick out her favorites to give to Daddy, this way I knew she would be excited to pick, and Cory wouldn't have to go around wearing some super embarrassing shirt or something that she picked out. I thought it was good thinking on my part...we picked up a couple of other things for him too, but the boxers were the highlight for Leila. I gave her my credit card and she paid for them herself. Well, I had to sign for it, but she did the swiping! And then she told me that she was just going to hold that card and I couldn't have it. I managed to avoid a tantrum and get my card back by letting her carry the bag out of the store. Next we went to Target where I picked out my gift for Daddy, and Leila got to pick the wrapping paper. I told her to be sure to pick something that DADDY would like. She picked the pink paper with the flowers on it. When I asked her if she was sure that is what Daddy would like, she assured me that it was. Ok.
The present that I picked out for Cory was a video game. I know, you are probably thinking I am crazy to want to give my husband a time sucking disk, but the truth is, he deserves it. Cory is such a wonderful husband and father that I wish that I could give him everything that he really wanted, a new house, a blackberry, new clothes...but for now, the video game will have to do, and I know he will put it to good use when he stays up rocking our baby girl to sleep when all else fails and Momma needs her rest, because that is the kind of daddy he is.
I love you Cory and I hope you had a great day!
