spring

The grass is green. When did that happen? Seems like one day it's brown with just a tinge of green and the next day it's time to mow the already-green grass. Yesterday was so beautiful, at least in the evening. I wrapped Abbie in the Moby and we went for a walk in the evening and the sun was just hitting the grass so as to make it look so bright against the sharp contrast of the shadows it also cast. But, spring also seems to by synonymous with wind around here... so today we didn't go for a walk on account of the wind. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

The study of medical transcription is finally coming along. All thanks to my Moby... which turned out to be a great investment, after all. After realizing that Abbie has realized when I'm NOT around, I have to be around her and sometimes even that isn't enough. I can't just lay her on the floor next to me and study, I have to be looking at her and then that is enough. But if I put her in the wrap, then she is quite content and will fall asleep (without crying, hooray!!) and then I get studying done and I can still type while she is wrapped up next to me so we are both happy. Now, to find a comfortable chair to sit in all day long....

Bye-bye swing... and hello exersaucer! (Thank you, Amy!) Abbie is discovering new ways to entertain herself but also realizing some of the parts don't quite reach her mouth and then you can see a trait I passed along... one I wished she hadn't gotten - a temper. Now if I can work on mine enough to be able to show her that you can control it, we'll be in good shape.

I'm ready for a picnic. A real picnic. With a picnic basket full of good things to eat and plastic utensils and a red and white checkered blanket to lay on the green grass and spread the goods out on... maybe in the middle of a field with a crick nearby. I can't wait to see if Abbie will like picnics and exploring all the great wonders of the outdoors. We'll go on picnics with daddy and take lots of photographs, of flowers, the sky, running water, animals and of course each other and we'll play tag or hide-and-seek and daddy will give her rides on his shoulders so she can see everything from up high! I'm so excited!

easter

So I may be a little late with my easter post, but better late than never, right? It's been a busy week... again. Or is it still? Either way, the time passes so quickly. The Friday before Easter, Megan and Clara came out to visit Margaret and Abbie and I went over, too. Clara colored Easter eggs and left them for us to enjoy. She made special ones with stickers for each of us, which was so cool! We had fun and Margaret made chili and cornbread for lunch. Mmmmm.... cornbread. Yummy.

That Sunday I went to Eden but Derrick had to work so he didn't get to go with. We had such a nice ham dinner with all kinds of goodies to go with it and of course there were Easter baskets for Eli and Abbie, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Fox and Auntie Amy. Abbie now has her first  plush bunny! And there were even goodies tucked away in the baskets for Derrick and I. Woohoo! Jelly Beans!!!! I guess I had forgotten how fun holidays can be, but I still struggle with how we should handle them when Abbie gets older. I don't believe in lying to a child, regardless if it's what everyone else does. How can you tell them Jesus is real and then tell then Santa is real, only to inform them when they get older that Santa isn't real after all, but you still expect them to believe that Jesus is real? And besides, aren't holidays way too commercial anymore? Do we really need to buy all the decorations and cards and candy that go along with every holiday? But holidays can be fun, and when other kids are doing those things, will Abbie feel like she's missing out if she isn't doing the same things at home that other kids excitedly tell her about? So I'm just not sure yet....

We were asked about baptizing Abbie, but that goes against what I believe and although someone did point out that it won't hurt her... I still can't go through with it on that basis because then I'm giving in and not standing up for what I believe. It's not that I'm trying to say that everyone else is wrong or anything, it's just that I have a right to believe what I will and my reasoning behind not baptizing her isn't rebellious or mean-spirited. It's just simply what I believe. So, if Abbie wants to be baptized once she is old enough to understand, then I'm all for that!

Motivation. Organization. Time Management. Yeah, one and two I'e got.... it's the time management thing I still struggle with when trying to study (medical transcription) and do laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping, playing with Abbie, going for walks, etc. How do I get it all done and not feel guilty about neglecting something or someone?

baby love

So it's been one of those days where I feel like I've gotten nothing accomplished except hold and nurse Abbie. It's not entirely true, because I've done four loads of laundry, made chili for supper, made lunch and did the dishes. So I did do something, it just doesn't feel like it. Every time I put her down today she cries. Toys only help for a minute, doing anything to distract her and make her happy only works for a minute and then she tries to laugh and cry at the same time and that can be quite entertaining, actually. But I love my baby just the same, even though some days she makes it interesting. Not sure if she could be teething now or if it's a growth spurt or just boredom..... but at any rate, I hope tomorrow is more like how yesterday was. She was great yesterday! lol

So, here are some pics I've edited... and I'm not posting any of the ones of her crying!

She has discovered her feet and toes and likes to play with them now, although mostly only when she doesn't have any clothes on. Which makes for interesting diaper changes...

Speaking of diaper changes... I am LOVING the gDiaper system we are implementing. Just received the fabric to make the rest of the inserts so now I won't have to wash every day and I will have the correct size inserts. I've been using the M/L insert in the small diaper and have to fold it to get it to fit, which isn't ideal but it kind of works. So excited to get everything in place. All of the diapers are washed and organized by size in their correct bins in her dresser. Who ever said cloth diapering was hard?! I love it!

The following three photos are from the Hardin's Quick Takes that we took Abbie to. They look studio professional, but I've discovered that it's not my favorite look. To be honest, I prefer my own "natural" photos... the ones with no flash and it's just whatever the background is in our home. But I'm still glad we took her in. Now I know we won't do that again. I'll take the photos at home from now on and we'll save that money!