tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62566042455900182592024-03-19T04:05:03.779-07:00LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.comBlogger648125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-83685419278146641572014-08-18T12:05:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.052-07:00Happy 11 Months Luke!It is hard to believe that a year ago I was busy making final preparations for your arrival. These past eleven months have gone by quickly, and it doesn't seem like you should be approaching a year old already. This past month in particular has been a very busy one for our family, and unfortunately I didn't take as many photos as usual.<br /><br />You are into everything! You crawl quickly everywhere, and you have become an expert at pulling up. You can pop up and down so quickly! You can "walk" along things as you hold on. You have also become quite a challenge when you ride in the grocery cart, because you have mastered wiggling around the seatbelt, standing up, and trying to climb in the back. The first photo below shows how I barricaded you in one day at Target to keep your from climbing out. And you are SO fast at wiggling out! You have also started climbing a little bit this month. You have climbed up the bean bags I've been using to barricade you in.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14778371802" title="Untitled by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3922/14778371802_cbb686d4b7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14776365264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="400" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3914/14776365264_a7b05f5236_z.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This month brought your first two instances of cuts/bumps/bruises. First, you cut your tongue when you were crawling with you cup. Later in the month, Troy was pushing you around in the stroller in the front yard when he accidentally pushed the stroller off the curb. The stroller lost its balance, and fell over and you hit the side of your head on the curb. You handled it like a champ though! Troy told Daddy, "Daddy, I forgot to turn." Troy's response was so sad and innocent all at the same time.</div><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14774546700" title="20140802-IMG_3000.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140802-IMG_3000.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/14774546700_cee398b117_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />You went swimming for the first time this month, and I think you really enjoyed the water (minus getting a little cold). Overall, I think you really enjoyed hanging out at the lake.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14961458395" title="20140726-IMG_2869.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140726-IMG_2869.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/14961458395_17fded2cd6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />You still like to eat, but you've slowed down a little bit. I'm certain your favorite food is yogurt. You get so excited when you see it, and if we bring it out with other foods at the same time, you want it and nothing else.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14774811329" title="20140731-IMG_2898.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140731-IMG_2898.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3883/14774811329_d845a0d722_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>You learned to sign "finished" this month, and I also think you signed "milk." You continue to babble up a storm, and you know how to yell at us to get our attention. This month you started showing us how "offended" you are when we take something away from you or tell you "no." You've also started looking up at us before you touch something you know you aren't supposed to touch. It is pretty funny!<br /><br />You enjoy putting objects into other things like baskets or buckets. You entertain yourself for a long time putting things in and out. You like to play with balls, and one of your favorite activities is playing "soccer" with daddy, Ella, and Troy. You also continue to enjoy looking at books.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14774540570" title="20140801-IMG_2990.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140801-IMG_2990.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3920/14774540570_32b6dff5a6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>You stayed for an extended period without us for the first time at the end of this past month. You did great, and had lots of fun being spoiled by your aunt!<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14774526710" title="20140725-IMG_2758.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140725-IMG_2758.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5585/14774526710_12f220b96a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/07/happy-10-months-luke.html" style="background-color: white; color: #909090; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px; text-decoration: none;">Luke @ 10 months</a><br /><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-11-months-troy.html" style="background-color: white; color: #909090; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px; text-decoration: none;">Troy @ 11 months</a><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" style="background-color: white; color: #909090; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">17 months old</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">, but I do have this </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2009/12/wordless-wednesday-what-im-ten-months.html" style="background-color: white; color: #909090; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px; text-decoration: none;">photo of Ella with her 10 month sign :)</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-74169163540238087782014-07-09T09:34:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.087-07:00Happy 10 Months Luke!Happy 10 Months Luke!<br /><br />These past couple of months have flown by! You have become so "grown up" for a baby . . . the days of sleepless nights and constant feedings seem like so long ago. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14243792287" title="20140610-IMG_1014.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140610-IMG_1014.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3925/14243792287_8bcbfde0d8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />You had your first Caskey peach this month, and you loved it! You gnawed on the peach all the way down to the pit. You ended up eating 5 peaches in all at your first Farmer's Market. Have I ever mentioned that you love to eat? ;) You continue to be a big eater - eating just about everything. You have gotten a little more picky in that you don't love your cheerios quite as much now that you've had lots of other foods. I think that yogurt is your favorite food - you get SO excited when you see it!<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14364911990" title="20140617-IMG_1152.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140617-IMG_1152.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/14364911990_8d905ebc07_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />You are extremely mobile now, crawling everywhere! And you can crawl fast when you want to get somewhere, particularly if you want to chase after Reeses. I need to do some serious re-babyproofing around the house so you can explore more (I've gotten a little lax with things since Ella and Troy have gotten older). You've also started pulling up in the past week or so. I finally had to lower your crib down.<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14550116094" title="20140626-IMG_1783.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140626-IMG_1783.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/14550116094_aa759be2b6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>You love to play with toys, and you continue to love to chew on tags, especially of your swaddling blankets. You also really like to look at books. You'll point and "talk" as you look through the pages. You also continue to be very vocal, "yelling" to get our attention or when you are excited about something.<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14430226095" title="20140610-IMG_0995.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140610-IMG_0995.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5199/14430226095_a5415a80b1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />You continue to like to play with Ella and Troy, and I think they like playing with you more and more as you are getting older. They (especially Ella!), are so excited when they see you do something "new." Ella will excitedly tell us what she saw you do and then tell us you've never done it before. :)<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14606405382" title="20140708-IMG_1880.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140708-IMG_1880.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/14606405382_dc78407b32_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/06/happy-9-months-luke.html">Luke @ 9 months</a><br /><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/07/happy-10-months-troy.html">Troy @ 10 months</a><br />I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" target="_blank">17 months old</a>, but I do have this <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2009/12/wordless-wednesday-what-im-ten-months.html">photo of Ella with her 10 month sign :)</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-29899341945222767862014-07-02T12:40:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.101-07:00Nose ScrunchDespite some subtle differences, there is no doubt that my kids are related. They look so much alike, and even make similar facial expressions. Here is one of my favorites: the nose scrunch.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Ella: </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/4541085003" title="IMG_6571 by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6571" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4002/4541085003_67928cb8b4_z.jpg" width="435" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Troy: </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/5996270915" title="110730IMG_7629.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="110730IMG_7629.jpg" height="457" src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6012/5996270915_607d0e4a8a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Luke:</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14571779983" title="20140626-IMG_1785.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140626-IMG_1785.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5491/14571779983_1fb972bcbf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-71312026801392360432014-06-26T19:17:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.113-07:00Teaching Ella to ReadI should have written this post several months ago, but life got busy (doesn't it always?), and I never wrote it. So, here it is now . . .only a few months late.<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13396717135" title="20140301-IMG_5591.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140301-IMG_5591.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3824/13396717135_4c37af65b7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>When Ella was around 4 1/2 years old, I ventured into the task of teaching her to read. Though I'd never taught anyone to read, I really thought she was showing lots of signs of readiness, so I decided that we would begin the journey. I entered into the task with caution: if, for some reason, she wasn't ready I wasn't going to push it. She was still young when I began the process, and I didn't want to deter her from reading or learning in any way by pushing her if she wasn't ready.</div><div><br /></div><div>I chose to use the book <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Child-Read-Lessons/dp/0671631985/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403830888&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+your+child+to+read+in+100+easy+lessons" target="_blank">Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons</a></u> as our curriculum (I've included a brief review at the end of this post). I made Ella a sticker chart to show her progress and help motivate her along the way. The first few lessons went well with Ella. Then, slowly, things started to get really frustrating. We were struggling through the lessons, and I was getting more and more frustrated. I really thought she could do the lessons (which only frustrated me more!), but just wasn't putting forth the right kind of effort to complete the lessons. So, around lesson 20 or so, we stopped. I decided to take a step back and reevaluate in a few months.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm SO glad we took a step back, and started again a few months later. Our lessons were like night and day compared to a few months earlier. She breezed through most lessons, and continued to be eager to learn more. That's not to say that there weren't times when we had tough lessons, but overall, our lesson time was much, much better. </div><div><br /></div><div>What was the difference in the few months time? Was Ella not really ready? When I reflect back to the first time that we tried to work on the lessons, I think the struggles with the lessons had a lot more to do with me than with Ella. It was my first time attempting anything like this, and I'm not sure that I had the right approach and attitude with Ella. I think she easily picked up on my frustration and that manifested in how she completed the lessons. When we started the second time, I started with a fresh attitude and more determined patience. I think my demeanor with her made a huge difference in the lessons.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12292677695" title="20140129-IMG_4431.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140129-IMG_4431.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/12292677695_1f9bfe8158_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div>And now, Ella can read! She finished the 100th lesson not long after she turned five years old. I was very pleased with how well she was reading when she completed all 100 lessons, and her reading has continued to progress even though the official lessons have stopped. I think the curriculum did a good job giving her the tools she needs to continue to grow in her reading ability. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13659185634" title="20140314-IMG_6151.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140314-IMG_6151.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/13659185634_c03d1accdb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br />Here are my general thoughts about the curriculum <u>Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons</u>. I should note that I haven't looked at any other curriculums or programs for teaching reading, so I do not have anything to compare the program to. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pros:</div><div><ul><li>The book is inexpensive, and does not require any additional materials except some paper to do the sound writing portion.</li><li>The book was very easy for me to use to teach her. Everything was laid out - even down to the words I should say during each lesson.</li><li>The lessons were short. The book states that each lesson should only take about 15-20 minutes. There were many times Ella finished a lesson in about 10 minutes, but there were also some lessons that took her longer than 20 minutes. On average, most lessons did take about 15 minutes.</li><ul><li>The lessons are also short enough that you can do more than one lesson a day, depending on your child. With Ella there were times she was especially eager to keep on, and it was nice to be able to move on to the next lesson.</li><li>It was also nice to know that if Ella was struggling with something, the lesson was short, and we didn't have to labor on for a long period of time.</li></ul><li>The book incorporated pictures, questions for checking for comprehension, as well as writing as part of learning to read.</li><ul><li>We frequently skipped the writing portion of the lessons. I think the writing portion is beneficial, but for Ella is wasn't always necessary.</li></ul><li>I wasn't sure how to classify this, but I really liked the way the book teaches the student to sound the words out.</li></ul><div>Cons:</div></div><div><ul><li>The lessons, particularly the first 25 or so, can be tedious until your child "gets" the method.</li><li>The names of the letters of the alphabet are not introduced until the very end of the book (letters are simply referred to using the sound they make). There is reasoning behind not using the letter names (and I understand that), but Ella already knew her letters prior to starting the curriculum, so we skipped parts of lessons at the end.</li></ul><div>Overall, I really liked this curriculum, and plan to use it for Troy. I do think it will be interesting to see how Troy takes to the approach compared to Ella, because I think Ella's personality fit the curriculum well and Troy and Ella are quite different. : ) </div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-17839143107183023772014-06-15T14:26:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.136-07:00Happy Father's Day!I do not have the words to express how truly blessed our family is because of my husband, and his love as husband and father. His life constantly shows his love towards our family in everything from his leadership to his firm hand to his gentleness and compassion. Thank you for all you do and are for our family!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14243606880" title="Untitled.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled.jpg" height="320" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3835/14243606880_7c21c71206_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />(Sometimes it is still hard to believe I've got a kid for each letter now!)<br /><br /><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/Father%27s%20Day" target="_blank">D-A-D photos from past years</a><br /><br /> This year, I had Ella and Troy answer questions for a Father’s Day questionnaire I found on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/63120832247777974/">Pinterest</a>. Their answers (particularly Troy's) were, uh, interesting at times. : )<br /><ul><li><b>What is Daddy’s name? </b></li><ul><li>Ella: Daddy </li><li>Troy: Trent</li></ul><li><b>What does Daddy do for fun?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: Play soccer outside</li><li>Troy: Sit down, I mean, play ball</li></ul><li><b>What does Daddy do at work?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: works</li><li>Troy: work</li></ul><li><b>What are his favorite things to eat?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: green beans and sweet potatoes</li><li>Troy: pickles, how about sandwiches with spicy stuff in it {I have absolutely NO idea where he got this answer from!}</li></ul><li><b>What does he like to drink?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: Dr. Pepper</li><li>Troy: Dr. Pepper</li></ul><li><b>How old is Daddy?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: 31</li><li>Troy: I can't remember; I can't even know</li></ul><li><b>Where did you and Daddy meet?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: when I was a baby</li><li>Troy: I can't remember, is it at McCarty?</li></ul><li><b>How long have you know Daddy?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: a long time</li><li>Troy: (reached to the sky)</li></ul><li><b>How tall is Daddy?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: (reached to the sky)</li><li>Troy: (stood up, pointed to the sky)</li></ul><li><b>What is Daddy’s hair like?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: tiny (showed with her fingers)</li><li>Troy: short</li></ul><li><b>How much does Daddy weigh?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: 80 lbs</li><li>Troy: reached to sky</li></ul><li><b>What makes Daddy the best?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: plays fight (wrestle) and plays ball and plays defense</li><li>Troy: cuz I love him</li></ul><li><b>What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy?</b></li><ul><li>Ella: play fight (wrestle)</li><li>Troy: play defense</li></ul></ul></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-36185329118557588632014-06-10T11:44:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.148-07:00Happy 9 Months Luke!Nine months! It seems like everyone lately has been commenting on how big you have gotten. Everyone also comments about how happy you are all the time, and, generally you are a very happy baby, though you definitely know how to let us know if you don't like something.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14306716432" title="20140515-IMG_9796.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140515-IMG_9796.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2907/14306716432_176e189872.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>This month has brought big changes when it comes to your mobility. You've gone from getting up on all fours and rocking to inchworming across the room to finally actually taking crawling "steps." <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="533" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/95190913" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="300"></iframe> <br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/95190913">Luke rocking</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5968912">Lisa</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/97493074" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="300"></iframe> <br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/97493074">Luke learning to Crawl June 5</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5968912">Lisa</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a><br /><br />You love, love, love to eat! And you eat a lot of food! You've only turned your nose up to one food - a puree of "garden vegetables," but I'm not sure I blame you since we gave it to you <i>after</i> you'd been eating some sweet fruit. You have a great pincer grasp, and do a really good job eating on your own. You also do a good job putting all eight of your teeth to work, chomping happily away!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14145948909" title="20140521-IMG_0244.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140521-IMG_0244.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3861/14145948909_d05a821542.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This month you've learned how to clap and wave. You practiced your wave a lot when we were at Disney World when everyone was stopping to say "hi" to you! You also sometimes say something that sounds like "hi" when you wave, so I guess that would officially be your first word!</div><br />I'll write more about Disney in a different post, but you were a champ at Disney. You loved being outside, and even enjoyed meeting some of the characters.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14331475474" title="20140518-IMG_9886.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140518-IMG_9886.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3885/14331475474_1bbbf729a2.jpg" width="640" /></a>Ella and Troy continue to love to play with you - they were especially excited to play with your new ball bopper with you. I'm thankful for the relationships that you have already formed with each of them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14306656252" title="20140515-IMG_9678.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr"><img alt="20140515-IMG_9678.jpg" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5238/14306656252_062141ce75.jpg" width="640" /></a><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/97493118" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="300"></iframe> </div></div><a href="http://vimeo.com/97493118">Luke</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5968912">Lisa</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="169" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/97005131" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="300"></iframe><br /></div><div><a href="http://vimeo.com/97005131">Luke jumping may 2014</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5968912">Lisa </a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/05/happy-8-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 8 months</a><br /><br /><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/07/happy-9-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 9 months</a><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was </span><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" style="background-color: white; color: #909090; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px; text-decoration: none;">17 months old</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">)</span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-39030537131081556332014-05-13T12:32:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.162-07:00Happy 8 Months Luke!<p>I’m a little late, but happy 8 months Luke! You turned 8 months old during Focal Point, but things were too crazy (in a good way!) to sit down to write this post.</p><a title="20140405-IMG_7254.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13765070153"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140405-IMG_7254.jpg" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5212/13765070153_7163c6b62e_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <p>Over the past few months you have definitely transitioned into a much happier baby. People are constantly commenting on how happy you always seem (granted, they aren’t around you all the time! : ) ). Everyone always loves to stop to talk to you – you usually love to talk and smile back at them.</p><a title="20140426-IMG_8797.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14059100354"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140426-IMG_8797.jpg" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/14059100354_cc42094e7c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <p>Though you haven’t started full-on crawling, you “inchworm” around and are pretty good at getting wherever you want to go. We had to officially get rid of the bumbo this month: you became quite good at bending yourself out of the bumbo. You are still a little unsteady when it comes to sitting by yourself, though you can do it. </p><a title="20140509-IMG_9652.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14163693385"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140509-IMG_9652.jpg" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/14163693385_1d8337b14c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <p>You LOVE to eat. Ella and Troy were good eaters from the beginning, but I think you trump both of them. You have eaten everything I’ve given you (and a lot of it!). You do a really good job picking up food and getting it in your mouth by yourself as well. You’ve learned to sign “more” this month, and you have definitely associated it with food. One morning when I got you up in the morning you were quickly signing “more” over and over again. I think you were hungry and ready for breakfast!</p><a title="20140416-IMG_8410.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13958946785"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140416-IMG_8410.jpg" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/13958946785_559911e59d_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <p>You have a mouth full of teeth! When you turned eight months, you had four teeth on top, and three on bottom (another has poked through on the bottom since you turned eight months). You love to chew, especially on your swaddle blanket tags. </p><a title="20140424-IMG_8699.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14055192281"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140424-IMG_8699.jpg" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14055192281_b51627c7fb_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <p>You are still doing a good job sleeping at night as well as during naptime. I was quite nervous about you and Troy sharing a room, but y’all have really done well together. Troy does an amazing job staying quiet so you can go to sleep. If I have to come get you to feed you or change you while Troy is trying to go to sleep he’ll very sweetly tell me that I need to bring you back.</p><a title="20140424-IMG_8680.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/14058803814"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140424-IMG_8680.jpg" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14058803814_6548de0435_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <p>I continue to love watching your interaction with Ella and Troy. Y’all are quite the trio!</p> <p><iframe height="169" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/95186995" frameborder="0" width="300" allowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen></iframe></p><iframe height="533" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/95188993" frameborder="0" width="300" allowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/04/happy-7-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 7 months</a></p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/05/happy-8-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 8 months</a></p> <p>(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html">17 months old</a>)</p> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-11578527501155161872014-04-13T14:14:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.174-07:00Happy 7 Months Luke!<p>Seven months . . . closer to one year old than being a brand new baby. You are such a funny baby: you complain and demand our attention, and when we look at you, you give us the biggest, cheesiest smile. You “talk” a lot, and you smile a lot too. </p> <p><a title="20140311-IMG_6032.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13746257714"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140311-IMG_6032.jpg" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/13746257714_0f6fd61b81.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a>You had three more teeth pop through this month – all on the top. Your teeth are so cute, and it is crazy how many you have already. You love to chew on toys and blankets – maybe because you have so many teeth coming in. You are pretty content in the car or stroller if you have a blanket to chew on while you are riding around. </p> <p><a title="20140314-IMG_6143.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13658816185"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140314-IMG_6143.jpg" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/13658816185_969fb73d04.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You started sleeping a lot better this month. Most nights you’ll sleep long enough that I’d consider you sleeping through the night. It is very nice to get some decent sleep again. : ) You have also started taking much longer and more consistent naps, which is also very nice for us. You still like to sleep on your belly. If you fuss for very long after I lay you down, I often find you flipped over on your back. You can roll from your back to your belly, but I think you are usually too sad to think about doing that in your crib. You also scoot around a lot in your crib. I don’t know *exactly* how you are moving around, just that you do because I find you in a different place than where I laid you down to start at night. In fact, you have a certain corner of the crib that I often find you in when I check on you before I go to bed. <a title="20140401-IMG_6568.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13708231954"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140401-IMG_6568.jpg" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/13708231954_627dc58405.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I feel like every day that passes you are more and more content. You are definitely a mama’s boy right now, but you have gotten to be more content when others have you when I’m not around. In fact, you are actually more content with others when I’m not there (probably because I’m not there to distract you!). <a title="20140401-IMG_6583.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13708319764"> <img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140401-IMG_6583.jpg" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/13708319764_114d13a83d.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> </p> <p>You have really started eating solids this month, and now that you have decided that eating solid food is OK, there hasn’t been anything you haven’t liked. You’ve loved all the different fruits and veggies you’ve tried, as well as yogurt and puffs. I think yogurt is probably your favorite food right now. You’ve gotten really good at eating puffs, and you entertain yourself for a long time while you eat them.<a title="20140327-IMG_6228.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13659388514"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140327-IMG_6228.jpg" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/13659388514_34b727bb1b_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Your grabbing skills have gotten even more refined this month. As evidenced below, you didn’t like the sticker (or maybe that I was taking your pictures) and you did something about it!<a title="20140406-IMG_7342.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13745945365"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140406-IMG_7342.jpg" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/13745945365_2a12e9f5a3.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <a title="20140406-IMG_7352.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13746240373"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140406-IMG_7352.jpg" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/13746240373_3a900e7b16.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Although you weren’t happy in the photo below, you generally really like to be outside. You’ve started showing some hints that you may suck your thumb, but you aren’t a full-fledged “thumb-sucker” yet. You really love your siblings, and you are very tolerant of them, smiling and laughing with them. You also have become fond of our dog Reeses (even though you didn’t seem so interested in her at first).<a title="20140405-IMG_7232.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/13765368534"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140405-IMG_7232.jpg" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/13765368534_5a29b580d2.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/03/happy-6-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 6 months</a></p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/04/happy-7-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 7 months</a></p> <p>(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html">17 months old</a>)</p> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-20730735949371336392014-03-09T22:14:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.187-07:00Happy 6 Months Luke!<p>Six months is one of those milestones that seems really big – halfway to no longer being a “baby.” Many days you remind me how much less you are like a newborn and how much more you are like a one year old. You don’t have to eat as often anymore. You grab and knock my phone out of my hand when I’m holding you. You smile when you see my face or hear my voice. You watch me as I walk away, and even cry sometimes too. </p> <p>You started using your jumperoo this month. Generally, I think you like it, but you’d prefer if someone sat by it and talked to you while you are in it.</p> <p><a title="20140206-IMG_5145.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12355703103/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140206-IMG_5145.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/12355703103_5e33393f04_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a>Your interactions with Ella and Troy also show how much you are changing. You love (most of the time!) when they talk and play with you. Ella, who has recently learned to read, loves reading books to you. Troy randomly kisses and hugs you many times a day. One day Troy told me, “I like Luke better than I like my big pillow.” And, he really likes his big pillow!</p> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140215-IMG_5419.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/12605279273_850c2f1f64_z.jpg" width="640" height="427">You started going to Bible class at the end of last month, but I forgot to mention it in that post. You were pretty unsure at first, and I had to hold you quite a bit the first couple of classes, but you have gotten a lot better in just a month in sitting in your chair and being content a good part of the class time.<a title="Untitled by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12709417173/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Untitled" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/12709417173_273b120d47_z.jpg" width="480" height="640"></a>I think you are going to be our first non-blue-eyed baby. Though your eyes have been blue, they’ve been darker than Ella’s or Troy’s from the beginning. Within the past month, the color near the center of your eye has started changing to brown. Maybe your eyes will be like mine – brown near the center and green on the outside. Only time will tell!<a title="20140222-IMG_5453.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12952029413/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140222-IMG_5453.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/12952029413_9e87b13531_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a>You started sleeping in your crib at night as well as during naptime this month. I was anxious about the transition, but once you figured out that your crib was OK for sleep, you’ve done pretty well. Your dad figured out that you prefer to sleep on your belly – crazy to me since you have not been a fan of tummy time (though you’ve started liking it more lately). You have gotten pretty good at holding yourself up during tummy time lately as well.<a title="20140223-IMG_5464.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12952349404/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140223-IMG_5464.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/12952349404_2e8fab591f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20140303-IMG_5743.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12972760864/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140303-IMG_5743.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/12972760864_25f1466de2_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a>I LOVE your smile – it is infectious to me. It reminds me SO much of Ella’s smile at the same age. I also love your laugh, and love that we can make you laugh easily. I got a good video of you laughing recently (at the end of the post). You started rolling over this month, but you aren’t a very “rolly” baby yet. <img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140223-IMG_5484.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/12952130723_777ffe4573_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></p> <p>You are getting pretty good at grasping toys (and hair!) as well as putting toys in your mouth to chew on which is a good thing since your front two bottom teeth popped through about a week before you turned 6 months. Your teeth are pretty cute. : ) We tried to give you food again a couple of times this past month. You didn’t hate it, but you also didn’t love it. We’ll keep trying though!<a title="20140306-IMG_5769.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12972878394/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140306-IMG_5769.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/12972878394_3ab0ebc70f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><iframe height="533" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/88107718" frameborder="0" width="300" allowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen></iframe> </p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/02/happy-5-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 5 months</a></p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/03/happy-6-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 6 months</a></p> <p>(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html">17 months old</a>)</p> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-86300990839545225292014-02-27T09:47:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.199-07:00The Mission Field in My Home<p>During a recent ladies class, I was reminded and encouraged about the importance of the mission field in my home: my children. As I was meditating again on the importance of the mission field in my home, a thought about my mission work struck me in a way it hadn’t before.</p> <p>I know that I am uniquely well-suited to teach the mission field in my home, well, because after all they are my children, and I should have the closest relationship with them. I’ve been with them from the beginning. I know their fears and joys. I know their weaknesses and struggles. I know their tender hearts and their lively spirits. I know their experiences, and how their experiences have molded them into the person they are. </p> <p>But I’m also uniquely well-suited to teach the mission field in my home because I don’t just get to plant the seed of the Word in my children’s hearts, I get to prepare the soil where I will plant the seed. In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15) Jesus describes the seed (the word) being sown on different soil types. Some seed is snatched up by the devil; some seed grows in rocky ground, has no roots and withers away; some seed grows among the thorns and is choked out; and some seed grows in good soil and bears fruit. I need to prepare my children’s hearts so that their hearts are “noble and good” (Luke 8:15), ready to receive the word and produce fruit.</p> <p>I must be careful to not allow the truth of God’s Word to be snatched away from my children. As a Christian mother, I am commanded to be a homemaker or a keeper of the home, literally meaning to guard the home (Titus 2:5). Do I guard my home from influences that would steal the seed from my children?</p> <p>I must also be careful to not place rocks or thorns in my children’s soil. Do I place rocks in their soil by undermining their future faith in God’s Word by my actions? My life must exemplify faith in God inside and outside the home. My children will not be fooled; for example, they will know if I am submissive to my husband and if I speak kind words. If I am hypocritical, I am placing rocks in my children’s soil. </p> <p>Do I place thorns in their soil by teaching them to love material things or to be worried with the things in this world? My children will see if my emphasis is on the material rather than the spiritual; if I am storing up treasures on earth rather than treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). </p> <p>Rather, I must nurture my children’s soil by teaching them to love God’s Word. I must nurture my children’s soil by teaching them the importance of respect and obedience. I must nurture my children’s soil by teaching them about self-sacrificing love. </p> <p>Though all souls are precious, the souls in my home hold a particularly precious place in my heart. The mission field in my home is a constant work and blessing. Am I placing rocks or thorns in my children’s soil? Am I allowing the seed to be thrown to the wayside where it can be quickly snatched away? Or am I preparing my children’s soil as a farmer would before planting the seed so that their hearts are ready to receive the Word which is able to save their souls (James 1:21)?</p><a title="20140126-IMG_4424.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12292794703/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140126-IMG_4424.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/12292794703_5e234f2b1b_z.jpg" width="427" height="640"></a> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-87168401905320338102014-02-05T13:10:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.210-07:00Happy 5 Months Luke!<p>Every day you become more expressive and more aware of the world around you. It is such a joy to watch you grow and learn.</p> <p><a title="20140107-IMG_3793.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12112649145/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140107-IMG_3793.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/12112649145_f6e1e2fa94_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You still aren’t sleeping very well at night, and I really hoped that after being back in the routine you’d start sleeping well again, but that hasn’t happened. Soon we’ll be moving you to your crib at night (out of our room), and hopefully that will help. We haven’t moved you in there yet because we didn’t want to disturb Troy’s sleeping, but it is time. We’ll probably let Troy sleep in Ella’s room for a few nights while you adjust to your crib. Your naps still aren’t very regular either. Generally you take lots of little naps during the day rather than longer ones. Every now and then you’ll take a longer nap, but you haven’t fully transitioned out of the “catnapping” yet.</p> <p><a title="20140114-IMG_4319.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12112723935/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140114-IMG_4319.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/12112723935_d6457509d0_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a>You are extremely expressive, and your faces crack us up. Sometimes your expressions are serious and sometimes they are silly. I love the look you get on your face when you spot your hands or your feet. You’ve been chewing on your hands a lot lately, and sometimes you suck on your fingers. You’ve even sucked on your thumb a few times. You also love to grab your toes/feet and try to chew on them. Your flexibility is so cute!<a title="20140129-IMG_4437.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12293280876/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140129-IMG_4437.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/12293280876_56cae604e5_z.jpg" width="427" height="640"></a>You haven’t rolled over yet (on a flat surface anyway), but I really think that is more my fault than anything. You just don’t get the floor time you need to practice your rolling over. You do wiggle around a lot and can roll halfway (below) very easily.</p> <p><a title="20140129-IMG_4446.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12293333956/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140129-IMG_4446.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2855/12293333956_e732fe713a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You really enjoy being outside, and are very content outside. You will sit in your bouncer for a long time while Ella and Troy trounce around outside. <a title="20140131-IMG_4479.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12293145693/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140131-IMG_4479.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/12293145693_e1b4e72baf_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You tried sweet potatoes this month, but really didn’t want anything to do with them. You made an awful face, and tried to keep me from putting more in your mouth. I’m not in a big hurry to push food on you because you don’t *need* it yet, and also because of your soy allergy.<a title="20140205-IMG_5114.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12355679553/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140205-IMG_5114.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/12355679553_53afb1c6bf_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You love to kick, and you have really gotten good control of your legs in the past month. I inadvertently put your bouncer together wrong, resulting in your toys being at your feet instead of your hands. Turned out that you loved them being down there because you could kick them!</p><iframe height="533" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/86034267" frameborder="0" width="300" allowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen></iframe> <p>I love making you laugh (and we can get you to laugh pretty easily these days). Your dad got this video of you talking/laughing at him one day.</p><iframe height="533" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/86034232" frameborder="0" width="300" allowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-4-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 4 Months</a></p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/02/happy-5-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 5 Months</a></p> <p>(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html">17 months old</a>)</p> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-3413658763248759572014-02-03T12:27:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.223-07:00Ella’s Fifth Birthday Interview<p>Wow, Ella is five! Here is her <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/Birthday%20interview" target="_blank">birthday interview</a>.</p> <ol> <li>What is your favorite color? <strong>Pink and purple</strong> <li>What is your favorite toy? <strong>My little new Elsa</strong> <li>What is your favorite fruit? <strong>Apples</strong> <li>What is your favorite TV show? <strong>Clifford</strong> <li>What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? <strong>Macaroni and Cheese</strong> <li>What is your favorite outfit? <strong>What I’m wearing right now</strong> <li>What is your favorite game? <strong>Chuck E Cheese</strong> <li>What is your favorite snack? <strong>Goldfish</strong> <li>What is your favorite animal? <strong>Zebra</strong> <li>What is your favorite song? <strong>Let It Go</strong> (from Frozen) <li>What is your favorite book? <strong>Clifford</strong> <li>Who is your best friend? <strong>Karsyn</strong> <li>What is your favorite cereal? <strong>Fruit Loops</strong> <li>What is your favorite thing to do outside? <strong>Play in the sandbox</strong> <li>What is your favorite drink? <strong>water</strong> (We recently started letting her get water from the fridge in hew own cup, and she loves it) <li>What is your favorite holiday? <strong>Christmas</strong> <li>What do you like to take to bed with you at night? <strong>Ana, Giraffe, and Monkey</strong> <li>What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? <strong>Pop Tarts</strong> <li>What is your favorite thing for dinner? <strong>Macaroni and Cheese</strong> <li>What do you want to be when you grow up? <strong>A Christian</strong> <li>What is your favorite movie? <strong>Frozen</strong> <li>Who is your favorite Disney princess? <strong>Elsa</strong> <li>Where is your favorite place to go? <strong>Chuck E Cheese</strong> <li>What is your favorite Bible story? <strong>Moses</strong> <li>What is your favorite Old Testament story? <strong>Moses</strong> <li>What is your favorite memory verse? <strong>Ephesians 6:1</strong> <li>What is your favorite letter? <strong>E</strong></li></ol><a title="20140201-IMG_4498.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/12299479545/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20140201-IMG_4498.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/12299479545_052c9623e2_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-72095348877382925032014-01-27T21:23:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.233-07:00Baby Gear I’m Loving Lately<p>I’ve written a couple posts in the past about <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-favorite-baby-gear.html" target="_blank">my favorite baby gear</a>, but since I’ve had Luke, I’ve gotten to try a few new items out.</p> <ol> <li><a href="http://www.target.com/p/fisher-price-my-little-snugamonkey-special-edition-deluxe-rock-n-play-sleeper/-/A-14775271#prodSlot=medium_1_2" target="_blank">Rock n’ Play Sleeper</a>. I love this thing! It is easy to move around the house and it is also easy to use while traveling (and takes up less packing room than a pack and play!). I also like the relined position, particularly since Luke has reflux. I like how easy it is to grab him out of this for the middle of the night feedings as well (I don’t have to get out of bed). I also liked that I could sleep/lay in bed and rock him back to sleep when he was smaller (now that he is bigger the rocking isn’t as effective).</li> <li><a href="http://www.target.com/p/boon-grass-countertop-bottle-drying-rack/-/A-12190250#prodSlot=medium_1_1" target="_blank">Boon Grass Drying Rack</a>. This thing may look crazy, but it is great! Many different baby items from medicine droppers, pump parts, bottle parts, and pacifiers stick on this drying rack without being easily knocked over. </li> <li><a href="http://www.target.com/p/mybaby-by-homedics-soundspa-on-the-go/-/A-14282460#prodSlot=medium_1_4&term=sound+machine" target="_blank">My Baby Sound Spa On The Go</a>. Luke loves white noise, and this conveniently hangs from his car seat. The only downside is that I didn’t get this until AFTER he was already used to the white noise on my phone which I can turn up louder than this. It also plays music and other sounds.</li> <li><a href="http://www.verabradley.com/product/Sale/Mom-and-Baby/Baby-Bag/154882/defaultColorVariantId/176012/pc/785/c/0/sc/989/p/154882.uts" target="_blank">Vera Bradley Diaper Bag</a>. I’ve gone through a few different diaper bags, and this one has been my favorite so far. It is a good size (not too big, not too small). I actually found the pockets (particularly on the outside) to be functional for my use. Bonus: I got a great deal on it at a Vera Bradley outlet!</li></ol> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-52027252525825467442014-01-14T13:38:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.244-07:00I Heart Faces: Best Face Photo from 2013<p>Though I have many photos I could choose, I knew immediately which photo I wanted to use this year. I love Troy’s personality showing through in this photo!</p> <p><a title="20131022-IMG_0512.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10496604676/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0512.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2816/10496604676_e9f3e11199_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Here’s my photos from <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2013/01/i-heart-faces-best-face-photo-from-2012.html" target="_blank">2012</a>, <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-heart-faces-best-face-photo-from-2011.html">2011</a>, <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-heart-faces-best-face-photo-of-2010.html">2010</a>, and <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-face-photo-at-i-heart-faces.html">2009</a>.</p><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/" target="_blank"><img title="I Heart Faces Photo Challenge Submission" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Photo Challenge Submission" src="http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/I-Heart-Faces-button.jpg"></a> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-11103131062470424042014-01-07T23:28:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.256-07:002014 Goals<p>For the <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/goals" target="_blank">past couple of years</a>, I’ve made a point to write out specific goals at the start of the year. Though I fell short in many of my goals last year (for lots of reasons, some <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/hyperemesis" target="_blank">legitimate</a>, some not so much), I find that writing these goals out really helps me to focus and reflect. Many goals are the same as in the past years; some because I didn’t complete them and others because they ought to continually be on the list.</p> <p>Spiritual Goals: </p><ul> <li>Daily Bible Reading </li><li>Focused/Planned Bible Study </li><li>Write Bible study lessons (and execute them) for the kids. </li><li>Continue using the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH4q7WjWAOY&list=UUoypxwrNeBaNSEUFHyFuXpQ&index=1">Scripture Memory System</a> with the kids (and me!). We started this system last year, and I really loved it! However, I started slacking off though in completing this with the kids, and I want to get back on track with it. </li><li>Develop a deeper and more specific prayer life. </li><li>Make an effort to be aware of others’ needs. </li><li>Make an effort to encourage brothers and sisters in Christ. </li><li>Always be ready and eager to share the gospel.</li></ul> <p>House Goals: </p><ul> <li>Get the house organized, and purged of excess junk at the beginning of the year. I feel like this is a never-ending project. I cleaned things out fairly well before having Luke, but I still need to clean out more! </li><li>Clear out and organize the kids' rooms and playroom. </li><li>Teach (and enforce) good habits to the kids for keeping their areas picked up. This will be particularly important once Luke becomes mobile.</li><li>Have a garage sale. </li><li>Keep up with <a href="http://flylady.net/">Flylady’s</a> daily assignments to help keep the house in a manageable state. </li><li>Handle papers (mail, or otherwise) when they come into the home, rather than just piling them up to handle later. </li><li>Get one “house” project done each month (paint the front door, repair the floor, etc.)</li> <li>This isn’t technically a “house” goal, but it fits here best: Keep our cars clear of junk and trash. </li></ul> <p>Health Goals: </p><ul> <li>Get back into a regular cardio routine even if it just means pushing the stroller around the block. </li><li>Gain strength and endurance. </li><li>Refocus on healthy eating. Between severe extended morning sickness and gestational diabetes, pregnancy always does a number on my eating habits, and last year’s pregnancy with Luke was no exception. </li></ul> <p>Family goals: </p><ul> <li>Eat at home more often. </li><li>Cook dinner with the kids 1-2 times a month. I really want to involve them more in cooking, but I get stuck in this bad habit of not involving them because it is quicker/easier for me to do things myself (and dinner time always seems to be hectic around our house). </li><li>Try out a new meal at least once a month. </li><li>Cook a hot breakfast for the family at least once a week. </li><li>Stick to our budget, and look for ways to save more. </li><li>Emphasize the concept of respect with Ella and Troy.</li><li>Foster a good relationship between the kids (teaching them about sharing, patience, kindness, etc.) </li><li>Give Ella and Troy more responsibilities around the house (chores, etc.) </li><li>Get outside more with the kids. </li><li>Get down on the floor and play with the kids more.</li></ul> <p>Photography: </p><ul> <li>Learn more about off-camera flash. </li><li>Learn more about Adobe Photoshop. </li><li>Work on posing. I’ve come a long way in my posing over the past couple of years, but I feel like it will be something where I can always learn more. </li><li>Learn more about graphic design.</li></ul> <p>Other: </p><ul> <li>Exhibit more patience towards everyone, but especially my husband and children. </li><li>Work on time management, including getting up at a more consistent time in the morning, and going to bed earlier in the evening. </li><li>Spend less time on the computer. </li><li>Finish reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Girls-Practical-Encouragement-Generation/dp/1414336497/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357664258&sr=8-1&keywords=bringing+up+girls">Bringing Up Girls</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Up-Boys-James-Dobson/dp/1414304501/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357664258&sr=8-2&keywords=bringing+up+girls">Bringing Up Boys</a>. </li><li>Re-read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Mama-Dont-Dance-Contemporary/dp/B004VHMTUM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357664313&sr=1-1&keywords=your+mama+don%27t+dance">Your Mama Don’t Dance</a>. </li><li>Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Well-Trained-Mind-Guide-Classical-Education/dp/0393067084/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357664383&sr=1-1&keywords=a+well-trained+mind">A Well-Trained Mind</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Education-Charlotte-Maria-Mason/dp/B00ANJE46E/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357664419&sr=1-10&keywords=charlotte+mason">Home Education</a>.</li> <li>Continue researching schooling choices for Ella, and make a decision with my husband about Ella’s schooling in the fall.</li></ul> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-36997692280757397402014-01-06T20:43:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.268-07:00Happy 4 Months Luke!<p>This past month has been filled with lots of firsts for you. First long drive back to visit families, first extended overnight stays away from home, first Christmas, and first New Year’s. Considering the craziness of our life over the past month, you’ve handled it well. <a title="20131207-IMG_2834.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11276696916/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131207-IMG_2834.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/11276696916_5d8e72e2dc_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>When we are in the car, I have a hard time believing that you are one of our children. You actually <em>like</em> riding in the car (particularly once we get going fast) and often fall asleep on car rides. Ella and Troy (especially Troy) screamed and screamed in the car and rarely fell asleep. I’m very thankful you like the car, especially since we drove a ton during the past month. <img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131214-IMG_3131.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/11661478125_1228b154ec_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131214-IMG_3147.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11661698073/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131214-IMG_3147.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/11661698073_e7030e56d9_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You are a very, very active baby. You have been since you were in the womb. You LOVE kicking. You had a great time kicking and playing on the mat at Gigi and Pop-pa’s house. Reeses even caught your eye when you were down playing on the floor one day. You are also a strong baby. You are often doing what we term “baby situps,” lifting yourself up without using your hands. Your pediatrician has also commented about your strength.<a title="20131221-IMG_3184.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11661602723/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131221-IMG_3184.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/11661602723_980c2eecee_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You haven’t been sleeping as well this past month, but I think there are probably a lot of things affecting your sleep, including our travels and a need to have your acid reflux medicine dose increased because you’ve grown so much. You weighed 14 lbs 4 oz at your 4 month appointment – 2 lbs more than Troy did at 4 months old. At your 4 month appointment, we also determined that you are highly likely <a href="http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=99" target="_blank">allergic to soy protein</a>. You had some bad reactions to soy formula (which we gave you in the first place because Ella was allergic to milk and Troy didn’t handle milk well either). You seem to tolerate cow’s milk fine though. Most kids outgrow this type of allergy though by the time they are 3-4. <a title="20131223-IMG_3213.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11662321456/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131223-IMG_3213.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/11662321456_7b40a87838_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You are a very ticklish baby, and I love to tickle you! You started laughing at things this month as well. I got the first laugh out of you. I’m pretty sure your dad got the first laughs from Ella and Troy, so I’m pretty excited to get the first laugh from you. When you grin big, you have a little dimple on one side.<a title="20131225-IMG_3407.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703369773/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131225-IMG_3407.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/11703369773_c309d95ec4_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131225-IMG_3415.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703161115/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131225-IMG_3415.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/11703161115_2ee1fe7681_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p>Ella (and Troy) helped open your Christmas presents for you. They loved getting to help you out and showing the presents to you. I love watching their interaction with you. They both interact with you in their own precious ways. They especially love coming to talk to you in the morning when you wake up. <p> </p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2013/12/happy-3-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 3 Months</a></p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-4-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 4 Months</a></p> <p>(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html">17 months old</a>)</p> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-10231494059701909592014-01-03T06:46:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.280-07:00Top 13 of 2013<p>I always love this time of year because it reminds me to reflect on the past. Here are my top 13 photos of the kids from 2013 (in no particular order because it is too hard to put them in order!).</p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2012/12/top-12-of-2012.html" target="_blank">Top `12 of 2012</a></p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/12/top-11-of-2011.html" target="_blank">Top 11 of 2011</a></p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/12/top-10-of-2010.html" target="_blank">Top 10 of 2010</a></p><a title="20130917-IMG_9857.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10280613096/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130917-IMG_9857.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/10280613096_c5244eabaa_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131022-IMG_0547.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10496619186/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0547.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/10496619186_e7d32c133c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20130923-IMG_9990.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10126892846/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130923-IMG_9990.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/10126892846_f7fc59618b_z.jpg" width="427" height="640"></a><a title="20130426-IMG_4354.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/8685338691/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130426-IMG_4354.jpg" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8685338691_a19cdaccc1_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131227-IMG_3645.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703611133/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131227-IMG_3645.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/11703611133_546f13a7b1_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20130712-IMG_7013.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/9307363743/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130712-IMG_7013.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/9307363743_db4a6e2812_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20130518-IMG_4965.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/9192940833/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130518-IMG_4965.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/9192940833_ed9c35a059_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20130827-IMG_9204.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/9658333384/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130827-IMG_9204.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/9658333384_6f000d4a74_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20130907-IMG_9437.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/9764923901/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130907-IMG_9437.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/9764923901_49ab90af50_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20130908-IMG_9457.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/9765217706/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130908-IMG_9457.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5322/9765217706_75d6250dbb_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131022-IMG_0384.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10442849133/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0384.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/10442849133_a38acc6370_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131203-IMG_2814.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11276682493/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131203-IMG_2814.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/11276682493_b1ae82733a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131127-IMG_2333.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11276450906/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131127-IMG_2333.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/11276450906_dcb38c4f35_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-3099874110941958152013-12-27T22:25:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.293-07:00Christmas 2013<p>First, our Christmas.</p><a title="20131209-IMG_2862.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11301808006/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131209-IMG_2862.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/11301808006_17042d8907_z.jpg" width="427" height="640"></a> <a title="20131209-IMG_2871.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11301892273/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131209-IMG_2871.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/11301892273_98cd03e388_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131209-IMG_2881.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11301843476/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131209-IMG_2881.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/11301843476_d1ca9642f3_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <p>Then, Christmas at Rhu-Rhu’s.</p><a title="20131223-IMG_3213.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11662321456/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131223-IMG_3213.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/11662321456_7b40a87838_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131224-IMG_3225.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11661770123/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131224-IMG_3225.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/11661770123_fa3c4ae96c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131224-IMG_3232.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11702942923/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131224-IMG_3232.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/11702942923_7dda3ecc24_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131224-IMG_3248.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11702777083/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131224-IMG_3248.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/11702777083_3571ab789a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131224-IMG_3300.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11702377644/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131224-IMG_3300.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/11702377644_5c3ec6d07a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131224-IMG_3305.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11701941805/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131224-IMG_3305.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/11701941805_0453374dff_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131224-IMG_3265.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11702616083/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131224-IMG_3265.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/11702616083_b650de1ef4_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <p>Finally, Christmas at Gigi and Pop-pa’s.</p><a title="20131213-IMG_3041.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11661843674/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131213-IMG_3041.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/11661843674_2999efe281_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131225-IMG_3316.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703633276/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131225-IMG_3316.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/11703633276_e141e01d37_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131225-IMG_3323.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703270174/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131225-IMG_3323.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/11703270174_7855eba28d_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131225-IMG_3372.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703041765/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131225-IMG_3372.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/11703041765_15a96f1811_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131225-IMG_3394.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703334533/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131225-IMG_3394.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/11703334533_d8c56a97eb_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131225-IMG_3402.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703129855/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131225-IMG_3402.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/11703129855_f8cc8109cc_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131225-IMG_3407.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703369773/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131225-IMG_3407.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/11703369773_c309d95ec4_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131225-IMG_3415.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703161115/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131225-IMG_3415.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/11703161115_2ee1fe7681_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131225-IMG_3429.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703949986/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131225-IMG_3429.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/11703949986_71689e0d78_z.jpg" width="640" height="509"></a><a title="20131225-IMG_3437.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11703436283/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131225-IMG_3437.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/11703436283_2faf63f302_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-2012.html" target="_blank">Christmas 2012</a></p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-2011.html" target="_blank">Christmas 2011</a></p> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-5186669218044555492013-12-27T21:11:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.306-07:00Blessed By A Choice<p>As my husband and I quickly approach our ten year anniversary, I’m more grateful everyday for the choice that I made in my spouse. I’m thankful that I chose a spouse who is going to help my walk with God and not hinder it. I’m thankful that I chose a spouse who is committed to our family and committed to raising our children in the Lord. I’m thankful that I chose a spouse who exhibits patience towards me. I’m thankful that I chose a spouse who works hard to provide for our family, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I’m thankful that I chose a spouse who exhibits the agape love of 1 Corinthians 13 in our marriage.</p> <p>As a 21 year old, I know that I did not fully grasp the importance of my decision when I said “I do.” I have a feeling that if I am blessed with another ten years of marriage that I’ll look back at this ten year mark and think I didn’t know the half of it then either. I’m so thankful that looking back over the past ten years brings joy, and that I’m confident and comforted by my choice in my spouse.</p> <p>And, my prayer for my children choose someone who is a Christian, seeking to follow and obey God daily. As I pray for them, I must teach them. I have to first teach my children to love and obey God. If they don’t live that life, finding a spouse who loves God isn’t going to be important to them. There are many other influences in the world telling them what their priorities should be in a spouse, and loving God isn’t on that list. I also have to teach them about the gravity and significance of marriage. Once again, there are many other influences telling them that marriage isn’t significant, that it isn’t really that big of a deal such that marriage can be stopped and started again without consequence. However, marriage is something to be honored as precious and valuable. </p> <p>Though teaching my children about marriage is a complex matter, instilling the importance of a spouse who loves God as well as instilling value and worth in marriage should lay a strong foundation for preparing them for marriage. I know that I am blessed because my spouse loves God and honors marriage, and my desire for each of my children is that they make choices that result in marriages that are blessings as well.</p> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-11006558053869838622013-12-17T12:48:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.319-07:00Goofy did it!<p>Troy is always saying things that surprise me. His creativity always makes me smile even when it shouldn’t. For example, a few months ago I told Troy to stop doing something (I don’t even remember now what it was) he said, “But Goofy did it!'” At the time Troy was holding his stuffed Goofy animal, and Troy was using Goofy to perform the action that I asked him to stop doing. Troy thought he had the best of both worlds: getting to do what I told him not to do and passing the blame to someone else.</p><a title="20131003-IMG_0179.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10373914603/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131003-IMG_0179.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/10373914603_b0485ba86c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <p>I think that we can easily fall into this way of thinking as well: doing things that go against God’s will and then passing the blame to someone or something else. What about the woman who dresses inadequately and inappropriately, but blames the man for looking? Or the parents who fail to teach their children about God at home, but blame the Bible class program? What about the Christian who fails to give to God, but blames the economy? Or the countless other ways that we try to push our faults to someone or something else? Brushing the burden of sin off to someone or something else may ease our conscience, but it will not cleanse sin off our record to God. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), even if we try to push the responsibility of our actions off of ourselves. Consider 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” We must be careful not to fall into the dangerous trap that removes personal responsibility for the sin in our lives.</p> <p>And, considering my role and responsibility as a parent, I must teach my children that they must take ownership of their actions rather than passing the blame off to something else. Sometimes I think our instincts as parents may encourage us to make excuses for our children, thinking that we are protecting them in some way. However, I think that when we consistently make excuses for our children we do them a great disservice because we don’t teach them the importance of personal responsibility and accountability. Though no parent wants their child to do wrong, we must realize that our children will be better off in the long run if they are held accountable for their actions, ultimately so that they will understand the severity of sin and the importance of obedience to God.</p> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-56055995200745134802013-12-05T08:41:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.331-07:00Happy 3 Months Luke!<p>It is amazing that in such a short time you can change so much. Those brand new baby days are gone, and have been replaced with a baby who really responds and interacts with us.</p> <p><a title="20131116-IMG_1927.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11144911155/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131116-IMG_1927.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/11144911155_5b3179ebb1_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You have become very vocal this month. You love to have a “conversation” with us, particularly when you first wake up in the morning. I love how you smile and respond to us! You are very expressive, and I love to see the faces you make.<a title="20131119-IMG_2187.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11276249643/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131119-IMG_2187.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/11276249643_10c73ebd4e_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You’ve been sleeping even better at night in the past few weeks. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been putting you down between 9-10 and you’ve been sleeping from anywhere to 6-8. It is wonderful! I also feel like we’ve gotten into a pretty good bedtime routine and you go down pretty easy. <a title="20131123-IMG_2208.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11276167193/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131123-IMG_2208.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/11276167193_903b3dd21c_z.jpg" width="427" height="640"></a></p> <p>We’ve had quite a bit of cold weather lately, and though you don’t like the cold you do like to be outside. You don’t like your football hat though, even though I love it. : )</p> <p><a title="20131123-IMG_2213.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11276092084/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131123-IMG_2213.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3705/11276092084_3e6aec10ec_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>I love to watch you with Ella and Troy. They love it when you talk to them and smile at them. Troy will tell us: “He’s grinnin’ at me!” In the picture above Ella decided (on her own) that she was going to read a book to you. It was precious! </p> <p>You have really enjoyed sitting in your bumbo seat. I think you like being up where you can see all the action going on around you (and I don’t blame you!). You are still not a fan of your pacifier, though you’ll suck on it every now and then for a couple of minutes. You haven’t found your thumb yet either, but you do suck on your hands sometimes, and it wouldn’t surprise me if you get your thumb soon. Several times when you have been sleeping I’ve noticed that your mouth moves as if you had a pacifier, but you don’t have your hands or your pacifier in your mouth. It is pretty cute to watch though!<a title="20131203-IMG_2813.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/11276543305/"> <img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131203-IMG_2813.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/11276543305_14f9546d76_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2013/11/happy-2-months-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ 2 Months</a></p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-3-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ 3 Months</a></p> <p>(I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html">17 months old</a>)</p> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-11210226992095206442013-11-05T20:33:00.000-08:002014-08-18T12:19:42.342-07:00Happy 2 Months Luke!<p><a title="20131010-IMG_0267.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10373777813/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131010-IMG_0267.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7362/10373777813_b4c71b5c9b_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>Wow, two months old! It is amazing how much can change in a month. I already feel like I have many more things to write about you this month compared to last month. Overall, you seem less content at two months old compared to one month. I’m not sure exactly what the fussiness is all about, but we think it may be acid reflux or possibly an issue with dairy. Hopefully we’ll figure it out soon so you won’t feel so bad. <a title="20131017-IMG_0308.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10373489675/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131017-IMG_0308.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/10373489675_21b30338a2_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You are more alert every day and you have been sleeping for much longer stretches at night. I knew you were growing, but I was amazed to find out that you weigh more than a pound more than your brother did at 2 months. That might make wearing hand-me-downs a little difficult!<a title="20131025-IMG_0606.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10753031206/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131025-IMG_0606.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/10753031206_a4f5dff0ca_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You started smiling this month and it melts my heart. I love to see you smile! You have found your hands and at times like to suck on your hands. I’m curious to see if you end up being a thumb-sucker. <a title="20131025-IMG_0612.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10753045666/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131025-IMG_0612.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/10753045666_e400aeb045_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You are an extremely expressive little boy from smiles to wrinkly foreheads to big eyes. Sometimes we joke that you have “big-eyed” us when we you give us a certain look. You’ve also started making the cutest baby noises.<a title="20131030-IMG_0668.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10753159106/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131030-IMG_0668.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/10753159106_501d7e2182_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a></p> <p>You can be quite picky about the way you like to be held. Sometimes you make your dad hold you like the photo below to be happy. :) <a title="20131030-IMG_0722.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10753194645/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131030-IMG_0722.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/10753194645_9f4a5ae0c8_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131102-IMG_0807.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10753036374/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131102-IMG_0807.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/10753036374_89d520bfe8_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2013/10/happy-1-month-luke.html" target="_blank">Luke @ one month</a> </p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/11/happy-2-months-troy.html" target="_blank">Troy @ two months</a> (I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" target="_blank">17 months old</a>) </p> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-79442629993348955792013-10-23T13:04:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.355-07:00Pickin’ Pumpkins<p>Yesterday we took the kids to the local pumpkin patch. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and they had a great time. We let Ella and Troy each pick a pumpkin. Troy picked his right away; Ella took her time, searching for the smallest pumpkin she could find in the pumpkin patch. Luke slept the entire time. : )</p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2012/11/fun-at-pumpkin-patch.html" target="_blank">Last year’s pumpkin patch trip</a></p><a title="20131022-IMG_0384.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10442849133/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0384.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/10442849133_a38acc6370_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131022-IMG_0404.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10442762433/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0404.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/10442762433_961db31fcd_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20131022-IMG_0390.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10442656644/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0390.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/10442656644_57ca4c8c98_z.jpg" width="427" height="640"></a><a title="20131022-IMG_0417.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10442512776/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0417.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/10442512776_8768eb554e_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <a title="20131022-IMG_0424.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10442627343/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0424.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/10442627343_0821404f8b_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <a title="20131022-IMG_0431.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10442451885/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0431.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/10442451885_8b9e4010bb_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <a title="20131022-IMG_0455.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10442544373/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0455.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/10442544373_4f64a06605_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <a title="20131022-IMG_0460.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10442339534/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0460.jpg" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/10442339534_ba6971ae4c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <a title="20131022-IMG_0468.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10442313434/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0468.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/10442313434_3348140764_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <a title="20131022-IMG_0445.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10442394606/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20131022-IMG_0445.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/10442394606_6346c471c9_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-18662707955830681402013-10-08T12:19:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.367-07:00Happy 1 Month Luke!<p>I always find the one month mark sobering. For me, at least, it feels like it takes each month of pregnancy forever to pass, and then after you have your baby in the world, the first month flies by.</p> <p>You are a precious little boy! You are strong like your siblings were at this age, holding your head up well and bearing weight on your legs. You are also extremely wiggly, just like you were in the womb. You kicked and moved around so much more than your siblings in the womb! It seems like everyone who holds you comments on how wiggly you are. </p> <p>You are a content baby, really only fussing if you need something. You are quickly settled when we swaddle you up and turn on some white noise.</p> <p>Your siblings already love you, and they are great with you. Ella will let you hold her finger and then she tells me that she taught you to hold her hand. Ella and Troy are both greatly concerned about you, and love to help out where they can. Troy is always bringing your pacifier to me to make sure you have it (though you aren’t attached to your pacifier yet). I look forward to watching your relationship grow with your siblings.</p> <p> </p><a title="20130909-IMG_9480.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/9765258915/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130909-IMG_9480.jpg" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/9765258915_d1b05961f0_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20130915-IMG_9633.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/9767177824/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130915-IMG_9633.jpg" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/9767177824_93b1e943ca_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20130917-IMG_9701.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10104076703/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130917-IMG_9701.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/10104076703_bea206ce12_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a title="20130923-IMG_9994.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10126820635/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130923-IMG_9994.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/10126820635_8a4f4f1b0e_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <a title="20130917-IMG_9857.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10280613096/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130917-IMG_9857.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/10280613096_c5244eabaa_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a> <p>For more newborn pictures, check out my <a href="http://www.lisakennedyphotography.com/2013/10/14/mine-san-marcos-tx-newborn-photographer/" target="_blank">photography website</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/search/label/1%20month" target="_blank">Troy @ one month</a> (I didn’t start writing these monthly posts for Ella until she was <a href="http://beingwhatiwanttobe.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-17-months-ella.html" target="_blank">17 months old</a>)</p> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6256604245590018259.post-30047314417984035212013-10-08T12:17:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:19:42.399-07:00I Heart Faces: Pink<a title="20130917-IMG_9738.jpg by DiAnne82, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44232523@N08/10104096414/"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="20130917-IMG_9738.jpg" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/10104096414_4b959e370b_z.jpg" width="640" height="427"></a><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img title="I Heart Faces Photo Challenge Submission" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Photo Challenge Submission" src="http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/I-Heart-Faces-button.jpg"></a> Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152656312101942157noreply@blogger.com0