Thankful Day 8: Family

Pop Pop, Nanny, and Eliana

Sometimes it is really hard to be 2 hours away from most of my family. Today was SUPER SPECIAL because a bunch of my family came to see Eliana and me. Nanny, Pop Pop, my mom, Tara, Trisha, and Ashlee all came. We enjoyed a yummy lunch at Cheesecake Factory and a little bit of shopping too. A bonus to their visit is that they wanted to dote on my wee one. While I went to get the stroller, Eliana got a hat. Santa apparently comes quite early to the mall, and my family really wanted to see her meet him. I double checked with Kyle if he minded that they meet without him, and he was fine with that. I mentioned that she wasn't really dressed to meet Santa, and my sister's response was that we could fix that. So off we ventured to the land of baby clothes. We found a very cute dress. My mom also found a darling outfit and bib. She ended up being too fussy for a picture with Santa, but I'll post pictures of Eliana and her cute clothes and hat soon. Eliana did great for being out and about for hours. My family had come right after she ate, so she was delighted to have company. She took a good nap while we were at the restaurant. She ate again while my family shopped, and then was happy as a clam to go shopping. She is now sleeping. Today I am thankful for family visits! It made my day!

Eliana was enjoying the car ride playing with her Aunt Trisha.

Thankful Day 7: Babies

Last week a friend had a baby. Today, two other friends are in the hospital to have their babies. It is such a blessing to have friends that are also on the adventure of motherhood.

Some improvements Eliana has made over the past 19 weeks:
* up 1 - 2 times a night
* not crying nearly as often in the car
* having fewer but longer naps
* enjoys family and friends
* has a good giggle session at least once a day
* makes good eye contact
* smiles often
* eats well
* not taking as long to eat as she used to
* grown out of her 0-3 month clothes
* blesses many people just by being around
* enjoys going on walks with me
* enjoys spotting Kyle or me when with others

Thankful Day 6: Cousins

I am glad that we got to celebrate Kallie's first birthday yesterday! It was great to see family and friends!

Here is Kallie in the special chair that Aunt Marcie, GramE, Grand Apa, Kyle, Eliana, and I got for Kallie!


For now they can both sit in it! Ha! One day I'm sure we'll laugh at how small they used to be.


Kallie was very interested in her cousin's toes!


Kallie and her Grandpa Mark



Kallie's friend Josie


Sadly, Kallie didn't absolutely love her cake! It was WAY cute though!


From left to right: GramE, Grandma Sue, Kallie, Candace, Eliana, Kallie's friend, Joe, and Josie

Thankful Day 5: Imagination

My imagination sometimes gets the best of me. I know I am posting about yesterday late, but we left town for a special celebration yesterday. So, back to my imagination. Yesterday I was glad that my hyper active imagination was totally wrong. I thought that Kyle could be home as early at 11:30 am yesterday. Kyle had worked some longer days so that he could get off few hours early yesterday. I was giving him until some time after 12 before I started to really get worried. Since I had him just about dead on the side of the road when it was nearing 1, I decided to wait just 3 more minutes before I started to really panic. As it turns out, Kyle was totally fine. He got backed up in some traffic and didn't leave when I thought he would be.

Thankful Day 4: Children's Books

I went to the library earlier this week and checked out a handful of kids' books. Three of them were holds from another branch, and they needed that special librarian touch in order for me to check them out. The librarian asked if I had older children. I think he assumed that since I was checking out all kids' books that I had older kids who'd read them. I chuckled to myself and told him that no, I was just a teacher who loves books.

I joined a children's literature book club. We meet once a month on the first Thursday of the month. I LOVE finding other people who also enjoy a good book. If you are interested in joining us, let me know! The next two books are The Wednesday Wars and The Junkyard Wonders. Today I am grateful for an opportunity to get out of the house and talk with adults who loves to read things I love to read!

Thankful Day 3: Fall

Fall is one of my all time favorite seasons. I'll be honest that the display of God's creativity can be distracting to me while driving. Green may be my favorite color, but a red leaf is inspiring. I'm so glad that God made the Earth tilt just so on its axis that we get seasons.


Inspiring, right?


I'm also glad that Eliana could enjoy my walk with me. She is getting to be so much better in the car. For this mini adventure, Eliana didn't cry on the way there or on the ride back!!!




Aren't these just fascinating? I've seen similar seeds in green and brown, but I've never noticed these hot pink ones before.

Thankful Day 2: Water

Have you ever thought about how vital water is to your life? I am super grateful for hot showers. While overseas a number of years ago I took a cold shower every morning. Even though it was summer time, those sprays of cold water gave me the opportunity to pray that I wouldn't scream in the hotel from mere shock. I have curly hair that is only curly if I moose if right after a shower. Thus, even though there was the possibility of warm water in the evenings, I was kinds stuck with the cold showers in the morning.

I use water everyday. Eliana needs me to drink lots of water to help make her milk. I bathe Eliana nearly everyday. She spits up so often it is an odorous offense if I don't. Dishes, clothes, hands, and teeth get washed in water. My plants wilt when I forget to water them. Think about what a mess you'd have if you only had a toilet but didn't have water.

Thankful Day 1: Judy and Harry

I'm on an adventure to share something that I'm thankful for every day until Thanksgiving. I know I'll be out of town here and there, but I can have a goal.

Today I am thankful for my friends Judy and Harry. Judy put up with a pregnant carpooling buddy for most of last year! I know I was full of random questions, spots of forgetfulness, and huffs and puff getting in and out of her car. Harry knows my viewing selection for movies is very narrow, ie kid movies are my favorite. I do like thought provoking things, but I have a tendency to have nightmares. I love color and music, so scary, gory, lust filled moments in movies stick with me way too long. Harry has figured this out about me and carefully chooses movies that I'll enjoy. Judy loves my little one very much. I'm sure Harry is just waiting until he can place catch with her:)

We had them over for dinner two nights ago, and they had us over last night. It was so great to be pampered for the evening with a yummy meal, a good flick, and fabulous company. I loved watching Eliana and Judy play!

Here is my wee one arriving at Judy and Harry's! Isn't her hat adorable?