Happy October!

 Hi!  Do you ever feel so happy, you feel guilty?  Like you don't really want to tell people, because you know they might not be as happy, but at the same time, you want to tell everybody, because, it's like a great sale at your favorite retailer...you want to share it with all your friends!  Well, that's me right now...Happy.  I would say life is "perrrfect" (in-fluctuation provided by Benjamin), but its not.  There are many life situations that are kind of -insert questionable word here- right now, but I think I'm experiencing the joy of the Lord.  Sounds cheesy, right?!

Well, I've never "been good" at "quiet time"/devotions.  Like NEVER., but I recently prayed that the Holy Spirit would help give me a strong desire for them...a passion.  And He did.  He is.  And he's helping take that incredible time, and apply it to most areas of my day - which makes bad situations bearable, and helps me have incredible thanksgiving in the good ones.  Speaking of thanksgiving...here are the people that I am bubbling over with thankfulness for!  

I'm scared he's starting to know he's cute!

A well rested Violet, is SUCH a fun Violet!

He does not hesitate giving kisses!

After a few days of lots of work, and a few days of being sick, can you tell they are  excited to see their daddy!

I'm in soup making mode!

I refer to this picture as the sin nature picture...I was putting Violet down to sleep, and came back to this, newly purchase tupe of Balmex, "slightly used."  You should have seen his face when he realized I was looking at him!

He loves to line up all his "nemos" in all his books and count them.  He told me tonight, that this picture includes a  "daddy fish, and a Jonah fish" (everything is either a momma, a daddy, a nana a papa, a grandma, a grandpa, or a Jonah...and sometimes a Marcus)

if she won't eat from me, I give the spoon to Benjamin, and she gobbles it up!  Little Stinker!

Happy October!

loving life

My mom frequently referred to the "glory days" when my two sisters and I were little, and life was great!.  I was always a little bit bummed that my current state wasn't her favorite...but I think I get it now.  I know I make Violets sleep seem like a big deal/problem, and there are occasions I mourn the loss of a carefree, child free life...but only because I like to talk, and I have a horrible habit of complaining more than being thankful.  Because as reality has it, that I totally get it now, mom.  I don't think life could get better than it currently is.  Yes we could have more money, Joel could be home for supper more, there a million and one "life circumstances" that I would change if I had the power...but the happiness that these two give me day in and day out, is more than I ever knew possible

Benjamin divided his cereal up so that he could share some with me.  Then I left the room and somehow  his pile which had dwindled down to nothing, grew substantially at the cost of mine!

I cut the mullet off.  It wasn't my best work of art!

This picture doesn't show how bad it is...It looks fine when its wet, but once it dries its quite unfortunate!

p.s.

For my own poor memory's sake...Violet can clap, and is rather proud of herself.  She also fully understands "no", although she feels she never deserves the command.  And lastly she goes to sleep fantastically if she's tired, but will not be tricked into naps or bed time.  Benjamin just needed to go through the routine, and he could sleep anytime!  Violet cannot.
...o.k.  Thats it!

10 months

This is our ONLY picture so far in September...I can't believe it!  I guess we have a couple on our phones, but I don't know how to transfer them.  Anyway, here's the cutie patooty at my friend Abby's wedding.  Look Closely...There are many of my dear friends skills and characteristics that I would excitedly wish upon Violet, but this isn't one of them! :)  We caught Violet yellow handed!

Oh Violet.  It's been a big month!  Lets just start off with the best of news....Violet has slept through the night 5 nights in a row.  :)  It's been facebook, text, and phone call news so I'm sure you all knew that, but why not say it again!  It took one night of an hour of tears, and a couple other bursts of 5ish minute episodes, but all in all, its been a breeze!  I know "cry it out" method proves to be controversial, but the fact that she has cried less in the last 4 or 5 nights, than in the three nights before, leaves me regret-less!

The other side of the story concerns naps...She doesn't want to take them.  At least not more than 1.  Today I decided to get serious and take the same attack as we did with her nights...but she's obviously teething, so we'll have to wait for another day.  One where she is not chewing on EVERYTHING!

She is scooting along all furniture, and has started standing, resting no weight on the furniture, but not being able to part from it.  She'll keep her hand in mine, or on the couch even though she doesn't need it, but the moment I try to make her free stand, she panics!

Her and Benjamin are Amazing in the mornings.  They play together so stink'n well.  Sometimes Benjamin gets frustrated when Violet destroys his "circle" (His Train Tracks), but then we talk about how we can build it again when Violet goes down for her nap, and he happily shares for at least another 20 minutes.  (at least this paragraph has been true the last 3 days...:)

She Loves Baby food, but isn't a fan of peaches, and really just wants grains...granola, rice, oatmeal, etc...She loves crackers and Veggie Straws, and is selective about veggies.  if she's hungry they are not a problem!

We are waiting to schedule an apt with Dr. Ferguson at Blanks Childrens Hospital in Des Moines for her feet.  We got a recommendation from our peds dr. after the first doctor failed to impress me.   I've found I don't do well with new Dr's.  I am familiar enough with insecurity that I can smell it a mile away, and when you cost that much, and have a say in my, or my child's health, I'd like you to know your stuff!

Anyway...Violet's personality is unfolding more and more everyday.  She LOVES to be tickled, LOVES to play with her older brother, Hates to be alone, and Hates to be told "no".  Her pouty lip after being scolded is enormous!  We love our little giggle box (even when she's oh so loud, or when she's not fully cooperating with sleep.)  Hopefully her negligent momma will take some pictures of her adorable self this next month!