New Years Resolution

Ok, I never make New Years Resolutions because I believe that New Years Resolutions are doomed to fail. However, I do make some sort of plan at the beginning of the year that is intended to get me back on track after the holiday season. I guess I believe that since I'm not calling this plan resolutions, somehow the name will help me succeed. Somewhere in my heart, I hold on to the idea that I'm different than other people. Just like all the other different people in the world. Well, as I was making the plan this year (get in shape, get the house organized, you know, the typical) something occurred to me... It's plans like these that keep me from doing the things that I actually enjoy. So, here is my revised plan for 2008.

I'm refraining from numbering because numbers often indicate importance and these are being put down simply in the order that they pop into my head.

*PLAY

* Make a new friend. You know one of those friends that comes into your life and you know that your life is better because of them. One of those friends that understands you without you having to explain yourself. And, it's not even that they love you even though they disagree with you sometimes but that disagreeing with you isn't something that they think to do. They just let you be just the way you are because that is you and they love you. I have a couple of friends like this but they are few and far between and everyone could always use another.

*Be the same kind of friend I've described above.

*Spend time with this friend above (even if it is in an unorganized house) because spending time with people like I've describe undoubtedly makes a person better.

* Give more kissles. A t our house, kissles are a mix between a kiss and a tickle. When they are given, the recipient squeals with delight and says, "quit kissling me, quit kissling me". Kissles are a favorite at our house for Emma and Chloe shows signs of loving them too.

* take more naps with Chloe on my chest and Emma cuddled beside me.

*have conversations with God like He's sitting in the chair across from me.

* kiss Adam often and sit close.

* laugh until I cry

* praise a lot and criticize little

* take walks not because I'm getting in shape but because I love the sunshine.

* take time to let Emma (and soon Chloe) help me while I cook and clean. Because doing it perfectly isn't as important as doing it together.

So those are the ones that come to mind right now and I think I'll add to the list as I embrace the things that are important as I embrace an imperfect me. I must go now, I see a child that needs some kissling!

Love from above,
Dana

4 months!

Christmas Pictures Posted Below

At her four months appointment, which was a couple of weeks early, Chloe weighed 13 lbs. 12 oz. I'll have to look back at her length and edit it later but she was in the 50th percentile on weight and 90th on height.

I posted this picture below for a couple of reasons. 1) It was taken on Dec. 30th, the day that Chloe turned 4 months old and 2) To show my friend Hannah that she's not the only one with a baby that's going bald. Every time I pick her up from her bed or the swing or her changing pad or wherever, there are little hairs all over it. But don't worry Hannah, it won't be long at all before you're wrestling her with a bottle of detangler.




This is a picture of Chloe (sort of) sitting up on her own. She can sit up for a few seconds. She has good balance but her lower back muscles still need a little more strength. She just bends straight over. By the time I got back to take the picture , she was already bending.

Sweet Sisters

The holiday traveling messed up our routine and Chloe started waking up in the middle of the night again so I started giving her cereal before bed. I didn't start Emma on cereal until almost 6 months but she was sleeping through the night. I was surprised at how she did with it. She still pushes it out a little but all and all, she's doing well with the spoon. This morning, Chloe made it until 5:30. We'll probably leave the cereal to just at night for now.

Christmas 2007!

We left for Alabama on Christmas Eve. We were able to get pretty cheap tickets through Skybus so we flew to Chattanooga and dad came and picked us up there. We had a two hour drive on both ends but it still beat the 12 hours of driving we normally do. We opened presents from each other before we left. Keith and Lynn had bought a travel trailer so they camped out at a state park with Uncle Randy and Aunt Alice and came back and forth to my mom and dad's and we were able to stay in one place which was nice. Emma spent one night with them at the campground and did lots of fun stuff like go to a petting zoo. It was a short trip but like always, we squeezed a ton of stuff in including a brief trip to Montgomery to see our friends Tony and Susan and their new babies. I wasn't able to see any of my friends from high school or mine or Adam's grandmothers so the girls and I will be taking a trip back in Feb. I'm thinking it might time out where my friend Kristen has her baby while I'm there.

Chloe's first Christmas.... I have to say that since I've had Chloe, there has been one thing after another and my hope is now that the holidays are over, I can slow down and soak her up before she grows up on me. Since I'm a second child, I do a lot of thinking about keeping things even between the girls. I was little worried about Chloe following Emma since Emma was the first grandkid on Adam's side and the first granddaughter on my side. And also, Emma has such a fun loving personality that just seems to draw people to her. I will admit, they are definitely different. But I think Chloe stole everyone's heart. I know that you aren't supposed to brag on your own kids but this is my blog and I assume that one day, my kids will read this and I want them to know how special I think they are. Anyway, not to take anything away from Emma because she is absolutely wonderful in her own ways but, Chloe is the sweetest baby. She is so happy and easy going. She smiles all the time. When I was pregnant with her, I remember thinking that I hoped she was just like Emma because I couldn't imagine anyone being able to measure up to her. Now, I am so glad that God made them so unique. It's amazing how when you have that second child, your heart just automatically makes room for another one. And Emma has just been so sweet and loving to her. The way they love each other is beautiful. I've said it many times before but, I feel like when I became a mother, I became what God has always intended me to be. Who could ask for anything more?

I know that a few of you can't view the slide shows but if I post all of these pictures one by one, you will be scrolling forever. If you can't view the slide show and want to see some pictures from Christmas, let me know. I have tons of things on my mind that I've been wanting to post so hopefully I will be able to get things caught up around the house so I will have a little bit of time to do this while everyone else is sleeping.

I hope 2008 brings you as many blessings as 2007 did us!

Blessings,
Dana

More pictures

Here are a few more of the pictures we had made from Sears. I have one more that I will post along with one of Emma from her first Christmas but since that will have to be scanned, it will have to wait. I know I have a ton of catching up to do but I'm just going to do it a little at a time because I just don't have several hours to sit here to do them all at once. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Our visit to see our family went by way to quickly but we had a great time.

Christmas Picture At last

I broke down and took them to Sears. I was pretty pleased. I'll put the other ones up when I get a chance. About the outfits. It looks familiar? Yes, Emma is wearing the one she wore last year. Yes, I am cheap. Last year I ordered it big so she could wear it two years in a roll. When I found out I was pregnant with a girl, I e-mailed the lady that made it and asked her if she could make me one in 3-6 months with a "C" on it. She had record of exactly what she made me and matched them up perfectly. If you are looking for a special outfit, I highly recommend her. She does little jon jons for boys too. There is a link to her site at the bottom of my page (Lillifee Boutique). She does an awesome job!

Be back soon with more pictures.

Love from above,
Dana

I'm Dreaming of a Warm Christmas

This is the view out my back door this morning. The big fir tree is in our next door neighbors yard. I thought it looked like Christmas. School is closed today and that is fine with me seeing as it's 9 degrees outside.

I will get a Christmas picture of the girls if I'm ever able to get them both well at the same time. We've been fighting what is most popularly known as "the crud" for about a month now. Both of my girls have had this yucky stuff coming out of their eyes, it would go away for a while and then they'd seem to have a relapse. Well, Emma was put on antibiotics a couple of weeks ago. I thought Chloe was going to kick it but we woke up yesterday morning with her eyes matted together. So, now Chloe gets here turn... I was trying to avoid putting her on antibiotics but, here we go.. My mom and dad are flying in this weekend so I'm hoping she gets to feeling better soon. Btw, prayers for things to warm up and the snow to melt off would be great since we will be making a trip to Columbus to get them and that's a good two and a half hours away.

I already knew it but it is definitely official that Emma is the best big sister ever. Chloe spits up quite a bit anyway but since she's got all of this mucus stuff, it's been particularly bad lately. Well, this morning, she spit up on Emma. Emma's face to be exact. Emma said, "yuck" and froze until I could wipe her up then she looked at Chloe and said, "poor baby". Now, here's where my sickness comes in... What was I doing? Well, I did clean them up but the whole time, I was laughing my head off. I guess that since I get spit up on so regularly, I think it's hilarious when it happens to someone else. I remember laughing at the one particular time when Emma was a baby when Adam had the bright idea to lift her right over his face right after she had eaten. But it doesn't stop at that.. I laugh when he hurts himself too. I know.. it's horrible but I can't help it. I'm also remembering the time that Adam ran full speed into our sliding glass door. I'm laughing now just thinking about it. But that day, I was rolling on the floor. Adam's mom was here and she at least checked to make sure he was ok before she started laughing. I know, I'm cruel and heartless. But seriously, I didn't have to check to know he's hard headed. Anyway, sorry about the randomness. No sleep, sick baby.


Love from Above,
Dana

PS: Note to Adam... I will continue to post embarrassing stories about you until you decide to comment :). I love you

Going Green!

I have some news I just had to share! Ok, we've gradually switched our whole house over to the economy friendly lightbulbs. You know the little slinky looking ones. Well, I just got an electric bill. Drum roll please..... $42.51. That is the first time I've ever had one under $80. I compared it to this time last year. Last year in October, we used 1126 KWH, this year--551 KWH. The average daily cost last year was $2.54. This year, $1.29. As far as I can tell, that is the only thing we've changed. Our heat is gas so it isn't that. In fact, with having an additional person in the house, I think I'm running more. Two night lights, two noise makers running at night, a video monitor and, for the last month, we've been running humidifiers in all of our rooms. Plus, my dryer is running constantly because of all the clothes I'm washing. Walmart now has Great Value brand of these lightbulbs. I think they probably pay for themselves in a month! Do something for the environment and your wallet!

Love from above,
Dana

Three Months Today

Wow, Chloe is three months old today. In a way, it seems like she's been here forever and in another way it seems like it's flown.

She is doing great! She smiles all the time. Especially when she sees Emma. And as far as sleep goes... We've got a pretty good routine going where she sleeps from 10 til 5 Hip, Hip Hooray!! Then I feed her and she sleeps until 8!! Woo Hoo! She's been doing it for several weeks. I just keep forgetting to give you all and update on all of that. We all have had this yucky sinus stuff. I was the last to get it and I seem to be on the tail end of it so hopefully we can get rested back up and back to normal life... whatever that is.

Love from above :)

Chloe's First Tea Party

Emma is trying her best to play with Chloe. It's pretty funny actually. Today was Chloe's first tea party. I think Chloe is going to enjoy the girlie things her big sister is going to teach her.

Boycotting Thanksgiving

We decided that we were going to skip Thanksgiving this year since we weren't going to have any family to share it with. So, this was the plan... We were going to go out to eat for Thanksgiving lunch. Great plan if you ask me. I hate cooking and hate cleaning up the mess even more! I didn't think this would be a problem since there were restaurants open on even Christmas last year but apparently, people think Thanksgiving is a family day or something... Weird... So, we stopped by Walmart and picked up some hamburgers and Adam grilled us hamburgers. Then, on Thanksgiving evening, Ruby Tuesdays was open so we went to eat there. The most important thing... I got out of cooking.

I was all prepared to wallow in self-pity because we were having to spend Thanksgiving without our family. However, my parents have plane tickets to come visit Dec. 7th. So with knowing that they would be visiting soon, we actually had a very nice Thanksgiving, just our family. I think it's the first time that we've ever had three days in a roll at home. Adam watched a movie with the teenagers on Friday evening but other than that, we had him all to ourselves. I must say, it was very nice. We watched a few movies, played a few games, and got some much needed housework done. It would be ok with me if we made breaking Thanksgiving traditions a Thanksgiving tradition.