Kaitlyn's going to be a big sister!

Kaitlyn's Second Birthday Party

A part of me cannot believe I am writing about my baby's second birthday, how does this happen? It is true what they say, the days go by slow but the years go by fast. Her party was a blast and there was no mistaking who it was all about. I think it is safe to say a good time was had by all. Kaitlyn was surrounded by her family and friends and most importantly, everything Dora! What could be better? Here are some pictures of my girl's special day. And the night before, her last night of being one...

Prisoner of Potty Training!

It all started on Sun Feb 10th. Kaitlyn told me she had to go potty and dragged me to the bathroom where she sat down and went. Mon the same thing happened and Tues followed suite. Tues I finally decided that was it. Three days in a row of her initiating it was enough of a sign of readiness. I put her in panties and off we went! We had two accidents that day, one of which I probably could have prevented because she was too into Dora and didn't want to go. The second day we didn't have any accidents. I was shocked and so proud and pleased. From there it's been a whirl of potties and panties. :) There have been some accidents and the #2 situation is still a bit shaky but I figure we'll get a hold of peeing and work from there.

There are so many transitions in the first few years of a child's life and to be honest, I have dreaded almost all of them, this one included and have realized, with a sigh of relief that each one turns out infinitely better than I ever thought possible. I think I had a harder time giving up bottles than she did, her pacifier was a breeze, and the one I dreaded most, one day we couldn't find it, we told her it was all gone, and that was that. There are two main points to all of this...

#1 I am scared about our next child if everything with her has been this easy!
#2 I STILL need to learn to let go and trust that things will happen at the EXACT moment they are supposed to.

Now this is not to say there will never be challenges or resistance to transitions like these, but the point is, I need to know that I can feel this kind of peace beforehand, not after when everything is over and done.

If anyone out there still occasionally checks my blog to see if I am alive, I am still here, thanks for believing in me :)

Wordless Wednesday

Faithful

Tara's Trust post got me thinking. My favorite word to describe our Lord...Faithful. He's faithful to fulfill ALL His promises, I can't even be faithful about doing a daily blog! What would it be like, I wonder, if I were to fulfill all my promises? If every time I said I was going to do something, I did it, without fail. Even small things.

I know He is waiting for me to fulfill unkept promises, and still He waits for me faithfully. Our Lord waits for ME, personally. He is perfect and faithful and I cannot go to Him. Why can't I be as faithful to Him?

Christmas Edition Questionarre!

Thanks for the tag Tara! And thanks for the push I needed to get past the pumpkin patch! On to Christmas!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I would have to say both, although I do lean towards the wrapping paper. Bags require tissue paper which seems almost impossible for me to remember at the store or keep neat when not in use. :) Tara, love your box idea, Ben's mom has some nesting boxes we always do that with but they're just Christmas themed, I never thought of wrapping them in special paper, knowing K she would just rip the paper off!

2. Real tree or artificial?

Artificial. Ben's parents gave us an artificial tree last year and this year I am going with a budget friendly repeat of that one. However, it is pre-lit and half the lights seem not to work or be replaceable, this is where having three sections of the tree that rotate come in handy :)


3. When do you put up the tree?

We don't have a specific day, we haven't done it yet this yet, we haven't gotten our lights up either. But I am not stressing about that this year. Lights and a tree are not what this season is about and I don't want to be focused on those kinds of things. Although I would like some light and a tree up at some point. :)



4.When do you take the tree down?

The day after Christmas! I am usually done by then and if I don't get it done during the break I just don't have as much motivation. Plus I figure the day after Christmas the kids will always still be distracted with their new toys and I can get it done!



5. Do you like eggnog?

Yes!!! Hot, cold, whip, cinnamon, nutmeg...I'll take it however it comes! Tara, here's hoping I need to drink Silk Nog this year with ya!


6. Favorite gift received as a child?

When I was a teenager I got a hope chest (which I used to call my I hope (I get the heck out of here soon) chest!) and one Christmas I got dishes, bake ware and kitchen utensils to put in my hope chest for when I moved out. Funny how eager I was to move out, I look back and wonder why I didn't stay longer, my meals were cooked, my hot water paid for...ahhh to be young again :)


7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes, it's huge and ceramic and I don't know where to put it but the pieces are not separate so at least that's good. I want a small one for K to play with but have yet to get one yet.


8. Easiest person to buy for?

Kaitlyn, she's overjoyed with a pair of ruby red Dorothy slippers!


9. Hardest person to buy for?

Ben. He NEVER gives a list and is so hard to buy for. Still thinking on that one, I have a few weeks right? :)

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I can't think of anything supremely awful at the moment.


11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?

Mail, I just need stamps!


12. Favorite Christmas movie?

The Snowman. It's an animated short movie about a boy and a snowman he makes that takes him to a wonderful snowman party. There are no words (except an introduction narrative), just music and if you've never seen it, you should!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Whenever I remember "oh yeah, I should probably start shopping for Christmas before it arrives!"


14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

I don't think so. Mom makes homemade fruitcake and Dad LOVES it, so we've never had to recycle that either! :)


15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Food. I will be joining Tara this year for Christmas Eve.


16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

CLEAR! Just love em!


17. Favorite Christmas song?

Oh Holy Night and Carol of the Bells


18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

We have the morning to ourselves and then go to Ben's parents house in the afternoon.


19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph of course!


20. Angel on the tree top, or a star?

Angel I think.


21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

We open one gift on Christmas Eve, usually a new ornament to put on the tree and then the rest are opened in the morning.


22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Being worried about money. I hate that this happens every year. It's not like we go crazy but it seems like there's always one more thing to buy and it takes over everything else that this season is about. Hence the reason I don't care that I have no lights or tree up, I am not sweating the small stuff this year!


23. What I love most about Christmas?

I love that it feels like a time of renewal, to celebrate the birth of our Lord and have the reminder of what He came for always makes me feel like no matter what I've done throughout the year, he's always waiting with open arms to welcome me into fellowship with Him.

Pictures from the pumpkin patch

Ben, Kaitlyn and I took our first annual trip to the pumpkin patch today. I have decided it will be annual :) We didn't go for very long but it was a much needed family outing and we had a blast!