I think Lily's starting to get the hang more of copying words/sounds that we make. The only words she's really had up until now that I know she knows is ball, bath, and this. Here's the other ones I think she knows now: no, trash, up/down, pop, nose, eyes, book, bye bye, and box. Guess where the "box" one came from? The GAZILLION boxes it seems like we have everywhere in our house right now! I'm sure most other people probably wouldn't understand her words at all right now but when you're around her enough you catch on. This weekend Matt's sister watched Lily while we went to the wedding and when we got back she asked if Lily knows the word "this." Haha - which of course she does. After bath, that was her next word. She uses it for everything obviously if she doesn't know the name of it.
There's a ton of things I know she understands now too even though she doesn't say them - several animals, laundry, milk, water, snack, nap, chair, out. And she knows when she's ready to go bye bye too because as soon as I put her shoes or coat on she runs to the door and keeps saying "bye." She loves going out probably because we're cooped up in the house so much right now during winter!
Tuesday, January 27
Monday, January 26
what i've learned in lynchburg
I never dreamed that my life would be like it has for the past 3 years. During college, I vowed that I would never live in Lynchburg. God is funny, isn't he? I thought that after we finished at Liberty Matt and I would get married and he would have a youth pastor job right away at some church probably not even in Virginia. As God's plans would have it, he found a part time youth job at Big Island Baptist Church (30 minutes outside of Lynchburg). He accepted the offer and then started looking for a full time position to support his soon to be wife. I started applying for jobs in Lynchburg as well and got one before Matt did at Central Virginia Community Services. Matt also applied at the agency and due to my mentioning his name in the interview, was also called for one. He got a job also! And it was just in the nick of time.
We moved in to our apartment at Willowbrook and really made it feel like home. We have loved living here even though with a child it has now become more cramped and lugging things up to the 3rd story has been no fun either! But the complex has been safe, well kept, and has a pool!
Matt worked at Big Island for a year before resigning so he could start seminary which our old home church, Suburban Christian, was going to completely finance for him! After 2 years of seminary, he finally graduated with his MAR in August of last year. And then the hunt began again for a church position. I know for a fact that Matt never wanted to be in the job at CVCSB for as long as he has been but God had him there and us in Lynchburg for a reason.
I left the CVCSB about a year after we got married and started work as a social worker at Westminster Canterbury, a retirement community. I absolutely loved that job and it was right up my alley of what I wanted to do.
In 2007, God blessed us with our first beautiful little daughter, Lily Madelyn Bruns. We never guessed how much life would change for us after having her! But we LOVE it! I have been able to stay at home as a full time mom since she was born - my dream come true.
The whole process of Matt getting the job at Suburban has been a long hard one. Mostly hard because of the waiting and having to trust God that if this wasn't the answer - he was going to financially provide for our family. God knew just when we needed to know about the job because our answer of "yes" came just in time before we were going to have to make some changes.
Well... this might sound disjointed because I've been going back and writing more as time has permitted. But the whole point in this is that I want to remember how God has provided for our family these past 3 years. The circumstances are no where what Matt or I thought they were going to be but God always knows what He's doing. Trusting God and giving Him control are two of the hardest things I struggle with because of my personality type so if for nothing but that reason, God used these years to gradually work on those qualities in my life. I've still got a long way to go but I'm a work in progress.
Only God knows what this next phase of life is going to bring for us as a family but we are praying that God would use us as He sees fit. It will be hard to leave Lynchburg - the place we have called home the past 3 years. It was Matt and I's first place we called home, our first "real world" jobs, and our first child was born here. Lynchburg will forever have a special place in my heart. And ultimately I will miss my closest friends that I have here. God knew what friends to put in my life for these 3 years and He did a darn good job! I've already cried once this week and I told Matt I'm sure there will be many more tears to come during the move. Change is hard, even good change. And leaving what you have called "home" is even more difficult. But that just means we get to make a new place home for us as a family.
The next week or two will be very busy so for all my devoted blog readers, you might not hear from me often or at all for a little bit depending upon how things are going and what kind of computer access I have!
We moved in to our apartment at Willowbrook and really made it feel like home. We have loved living here even though with a child it has now become more cramped and lugging things up to the 3rd story has been no fun either! But the complex has been safe, well kept, and has a pool!
Matt worked at Big Island for a year before resigning so he could start seminary which our old home church, Suburban Christian, was going to completely finance for him! After 2 years of seminary, he finally graduated with his MAR in August of last year. And then the hunt began again for a church position. I know for a fact that Matt never wanted to be in the job at CVCSB for as long as he has been but God had him there and us in Lynchburg for a reason.
I left the CVCSB about a year after we got married and started work as a social worker at Westminster Canterbury, a retirement community. I absolutely loved that job and it was right up my alley of what I wanted to do.
In 2007, God blessed us with our first beautiful little daughter, Lily Madelyn Bruns. We never guessed how much life would change for us after having her! But we LOVE it! I have been able to stay at home as a full time mom since she was born - my dream come true.
The whole process of Matt getting the job at Suburban has been a long hard one. Mostly hard because of the waiting and having to trust God that if this wasn't the answer - he was going to financially provide for our family. God knew just when we needed to know about the job because our answer of "yes" came just in time before we were going to have to make some changes.
Well... this might sound disjointed because I've been going back and writing more as time has permitted. But the whole point in this is that I want to remember how God has provided for our family these past 3 years. The circumstances are no where what Matt or I thought they were going to be but God always knows what He's doing. Trusting God and giving Him control are two of the hardest things I struggle with because of my personality type so if for nothing but that reason, God used these years to gradually work on those qualities in my life. I've still got a long way to go but I'm a work in progress.
Only God knows what this next phase of life is going to bring for us as a family but we are praying that God would use us as He sees fit. It will be hard to leave Lynchburg - the place we have called home the past 3 years. It was Matt and I's first place we called home, our first "real world" jobs, and our first child was born here. Lynchburg will forever have a special place in my heart. And ultimately I will miss my closest friends that I have here. God knew what friends to put in my life for these 3 years and He did a darn good job! I've already cried once this week and I told Matt I'm sure there will be many more tears to come during the move. Change is hard, even good change. And leaving what you have called "home" is even more difficult. But that just means we get to make a new place home for us as a family.
The next week or two will be very busy so for all my devoted blog readers, you might not hear from me often or at all for a little bit depending upon how things are going and what kind of computer access I have!
Saturday, January 24
making my blog private
FYI.... I said this awhile ago but changed my mind about it and kept it public. Anyways... I have decided to make my blog private for good now. If you want to continue keeping up with what's going on in the Bruns' household then I will need to put your email on the list. So leave your email address in the comments section of this blog post and I will add you or you can email it to me. You only have a few days! :)
Thursday, January 22
the evil hair clip
So guess what.....
we found the hair clip that we thought Lily had swallowed that one day! Matt went to get the car seat out of the car this morning since we're going with Alicia and Andi to chick-fil-a today. I was still in bed and he came in and held up. I was like are you serious??!! It had somehow gotten underneath the car seat in the back. We searched that car that day besides taking the car seat actually out so I don't know HOW in the world it got under the seat. Oh well... at least we know where it went now!
we found the hair clip that we thought Lily had swallowed that one day! Matt went to get the car seat out of the car this morning since we're going with Alicia and Andi to chick-fil-a today. I was still in bed and he came in and held up. I was like are you serious??!! It had somehow gotten underneath the car seat in the back. We searched that car that day besides taking the car seat actually out so I don't know HOW in the world it got under the seat. Oh well... at least we know where it went now!
Tuesday, January 20
Obama and my spirited Lily
Today was inauguration day and a big one at that for our country and the world. I will say up front that I did not vote for Obama but I am excited about his presidency and what good change he can bring for our country. Obama is very presidential looking. He has a great demeanor and is an excellent speaker. That isn't everything or the most important things but it does matter quite a bit when you're in such a high position as he is. He represents our country now to other countries. It was very exciting watching the big event today and getting to listen to his speech. And what a great one it was! Just hoping he can live up to all that he has to say in those eloquent speeches! His wife is gorgeous and his two little girls are just adorable. Well... enough about that subject and on to more important things....
Lily of course! I have a feeling she is going to be quite a toddler/preschooler! I think she will be in the "spirited" category like her cousin Ava, which like all personality types can be a good thing and a bad thing. She has been showing her true colors lately. The past few days she has been VERY opinionated about what she wants and when she wants it. For instance.... we were in Target walking by the kids section and at the end of one of the aisles was one of those things that holds all the balls. Well she starts saying "baw, baw" because she sees them and obviously wants them. I get one out and play with it for a minute and then put it back to leave. I think all hell broke loose! She screamed like a true "fit" scream like I have never heard her do before. Of course I just ignore it and keep pushing her stroller. Meanwhile I'm thinking... man I'm one of those moms who other people probably look at and say what is up with your child? Can't you make her be quiet? And my answer to that is obviously..... NO I can't! At this age there's not anything you can really do about those crying/yelling incidents. She's not old enough for "time outs" yet because she doesn't get it. And I can't just have a conversation with her like she's going to understand everything I say! From what I've read, at this age it's just best to either distract or ignore the behavior. Which is what I did... just kept right on going. She, of course, got over it and was fine eventually.
But isn't she a cutie?!!
And a funny/sad story for the morning.... I had put together a big tall box for packing stuff this morning and Lily had gone over to it. Well she is trying to lean over the edge to see down in to it and goes head first down in to the long box!! It scared her to death more really than hurt probably. Even though I feel sorry for her it was funny too seeing her dive in there. :)
Lily of course! I have a feeling she is going to be quite a toddler/preschooler! I think she will be in the "spirited" category like her cousin Ava, which like all personality types can be a good thing and a bad thing. She has been showing her true colors lately. The past few days she has been VERY opinionated about what she wants and when she wants it. For instance.... we were in Target walking by the kids section and at the end of one of the aisles was one of those things that holds all the balls. Well she starts saying "baw, baw" because she sees them and obviously wants them. I get one out and play with it for a minute and then put it back to leave. I think all hell broke loose! She screamed like a true "fit" scream like I have never heard her do before. Of course I just ignore it and keep pushing her stroller. Meanwhile I'm thinking... man I'm one of those moms who other people probably look at and say what is up with your child? Can't you make her be quiet? And my answer to that is obviously..... NO I can't! At this age there's not anything you can really do about those crying/yelling incidents. She's not old enough for "time outs" yet because she doesn't get it. And I can't just have a conversation with her like she's going to understand everything I say! From what I've read, at this age it's just best to either distract or ignore the behavior. Which is what I did... just kept right on going. She, of course, got over it and was fine eventually.
But isn't she a cutie?!!
And a funny/sad story for the morning.... I had put together a big tall box for packing stuff this morning and Lily had gone over to it. Well she is trying to lean over the edge to see down in to it and goes head first down in to the long box!! It scared her to death more really than hurt probably. Even though I feel sorry for her it was funny too seeing her dive in there. :)
Sunday, January 18
church, one nap day, organizer
Today was our last sunday at our church here in Lynchburg. I have loved our church here - great worship, great preaching, great friends, and a GREAT nursery! It's going to be sad to leave that behind even though God has great things in store for us at our "new" church. Next weekend we will be out of town for a wedding so this was our last sunday. Thankfully nap didn't get in the way this morning.
I've been laying Lily down still in the mornings and most days she's been taking 2 naps. Today she ended up playing the whole time so off to church we headed. Hopefully she will take a nice long nap this afternoon - although the last time she did this it was an hour and 15 minutes. I decided to take her sock hand off this morning too because her thumb is doing so much better and she's still been crying a lot before going to sleep.
I also think that my little Lily is going to love organizing like me. :) Or maybe that just means a little obsessive-compulsive like myself. She loves to move her toys/cups, etc. back and forth between places. Yesterday she was taking her milk and water cup and moving them back and forth between the side table and the kitchen table. It was hilarious how she just kept doing that a bunch of times.
The Eagles play today!!!! We're hoping they win this one and go all the way to the superbowl in 2 weeks!! Go EAGLES!!
I've been laying Lily down still in the mornings and most days she's been taking 2 naps. Today she ended up playing the whole time so off to church we headed. Hopefully she will take a nice long nap this afternoon - although the last time she did this it was an hour and 15 minutes. I decided to take her sock hand off this morning too because her thumb is doing so much better and she's still been crying a lot before going to sleep.
I also think that my little Lily is going to love organizing like me. :) Or maybe that just means a little obsessive-compulsive like myself. She loves to move her toys/cups, etc. back and forth between places. Yesterday she was taking her milk and water cup and moving them back and forth between the side table and the kitchen table. It was hilarious how she just kept doing that a bunch of times.
The Eagles play today!!!! We're hoping they win this one and go all the way to the superbowl in 2 weeks!! Go EAGLES!!
Saturday, January 17
laughing Lily
Lily is totally in to playing with her ball now. Last night she brought it in to the bathroom when I was getting her bath ready and thought it was histerical when she threw it in. It's so cute now because she will just laugh at herself sometimes and something that she's doing. She'll put things between her legs while she's laying on her back and that makes her start laughing crazily. Having a toddler is great - there's always something that they do that makes you laugh!!
mom bloggers
Hey all you fellow mom bloggers! Guess what... apparently we are poised to be the new "it" when it comes to all things internet. Check out this article about the five reasons why mom blogs are the blogs to watch. Very interesting and very true about some of the reasons I love to blog! Make sure to click on the link and read the original Wall Street Journal article as well.
Thursday, January 15
vicky, lily kisses, and moving
It's been a busy few days! My bf Vicky ended up finding out she has blood clots in her leg and both sides of her lungs. It's a long story so I won't try to recap but she is doing well all things considered. She will most likely be at the hospital until Monday to try and get her blood thickness levels stabilized so it will clear the clots. Then she will have to be on blood thinners for at least a year. Her mom and dad are now here from NH to be with her which is great. I know how it is when you're really sick or having something wrong - you just want your mom to take care of you.
Lily is giving kisses now. :) It's WAY cute! She gave me my first one last night. I walked in the door from seeing Vicky, knelt down and asked her for a kiss, and she leaned in and gave me one right smack on the lips. It was so adorable and just melted my heart!!! Lily just has to be the cutest little girl ever! :)
I took Lily to see Vicky this afternoon at the hospital and of course Vicky was very glad to see her. Lily crawled right up on her and just laid there, thankfully not trying to pull any of the cords or IV!
Let's see.... other things about Lily nowadays... She loves to wear Matt's hats on her head but only backwards. Her thumb is doing MUCH better and she doesn't suck it during the day. I keep the sock pj's on though for naps and bedtime though still so it can heal completely. She can point to a nose and a mouth now when we ask her to so she knows those. Lily loves carrots. It's the vegetable that I know that she will always eat no matter what. That's crazy because I HATE carrots! Go figure! She can stack a few blocks on top of each other. She has these great wooden ones that her "auntie" tara got her for her birthday and she does really well with them now. Lily's still taking 2 naps a day on a regular basis. I put her down in the morning and she usually sleeps. If not, then I just let her chill for awhile and put her down earlier in the afternoon. She loves belly buttons and still loves to carry around and hold socks. She loves to be in our room. She goes to the window which is low enough for her to see out over the whole apartment complex and will just stand there and lick the cold window. She hates diaper changes with a passion or getting dressed for that matter either.
In moving news, we've reserved our truck and orderd a bunch of moving supplies and boxes. Only 2 weeks until we move!!! I can't believe it and feel like there's SO many things I need to remember to do. We're trying to get everything in order like health insurance changes, retirement fund changes, etc.
That's the news around these parts. Off to get Lily a bath and then watch a new episode of "The Office."
Lily is giving kisses now. :) It's WAY cute! She gave me my first one last night. I walked in the door from seeing Vicky, knelt down and asked her for a kiss, and she leaned in and gave me one right smack on the lips. It was so adorable and just melted my heart!!! Lily just has to be the cutest little girl ever! :)
I took Lily to see Vicky this afternoon at the hospital and of course Vicky was very glad to see her. Lily crawled right up on her and just laid there, thankfully not trying to pull any of the cords or IV!
Let's see.... other things about Lily nowadays... She loves to wear Matt's hats on her head but only backwards. Her thumb is doing MUCH better and she doesn't suck it during the day. I keep the sock pj's on though for naps and bedtime though still so it can heal completely. She can point to a nose and a mouth now when we ask her to so she knows those. Lily loves carrots. It's the vegetable that I know that she will always eat no matter what. That's crazy because I HATE carrots! Go figure! She can stack a few blocks on top of each other. She has these great wooden ones that her "auntie" tara got her for her birthday and she does really well with them now. Lily's still taking 2 naps a day on a regular basis. I put her down in the morning and she usually sleeps. If not, then I just let her chill for awhile and put her down earlier in the afternoon. She loves belly buttons and still loves to carry around and hold socks. She loves to be in our room. She goes to the window which is low enough for her to see out over the whole apartment complex and will just stand there and lick the cold window. She hates diaper changes with a passion or getting dressed for that matter either.
In moving news, we've reserved our truck and orderd a bunch of moving supplies and boxes. Only 2 weeks until we move!!! I can't believe it and feel like there's SO many things I need to remember to do. We're trying to get everything in order like health insurance changes, retirement fund changes, etc.
That's the news around these parts. Off to get Lily a bath and then watch a new episode of "The Office."
Monday, January 12
we're moving!
It's finally fully official! The congregational vote took place yesterday and it was unanimous for Matt to become the youth pastor at Suburban Christian Church! Matt got a call from the head of the search committee today to let him know. We are all set for pack up day here in Lynchburg on January 31st and then move and unpack to Virginia Beach the next day, February 1st. We're looking for any strong men that can help us here in Lynchburg on the 31st! Let us know if you can.
And the Eagles are one step closer to the superbowl! GO EAGLES! The superbowl is the same day we'll get to virginia beach so if the Eagles do go all the way then that day will be even a more glorious day!
And the Eagles are one step closer to the superbowl! GO EAGLES! The superbowl is the same day we'll get to virginia beach so if the Eagles do go all the way then that day will be even a more glorious day!
Saturday, January 10
thumb infection
It sucks being a mom sometimes. Not that I would trade motherhood for the world. But inevitably in this fallen world, there will be hard times for your children. And part of being a good mom sometimes is having to do something that in your children's eyes is mean.
Yesterday morning I noticed that Lily's thumb looked like it had some junky black stuff under the skin of her thumb. She sucks that thing to death! It normally looks raw and gross but it just looked unusually abnormal to me. So off to the doctor we went. The doc checked it out and said that she had an infection. What happens is that the cracks she gets in her thumb can get infected if they open up. He gave me a prescription antibiotic topical cream and an oral antibiotic to give her to help clear it up. The big thing is though that it really needs to be dry and out of her mouth to heal. HAH! So of course I ask him how I'm supposed to do that with a 13 month old who can't just obey instructions yet! He said to put a sock/glove/mitten on her hand and try to keep that on there so she doesn't suck on it. That's another HAH! I was thinking in my mind... "you really think that my toddler is going to keep that on her hand?!"
Off we went to Walgreens to get her prescriptions filled and then to Target to try and come up with some options to keep her thumb out of her mouth. I got a bunch of different tapes/bandages to try including some waterproof bandaids and these "tattoo" bandaids for kids. But I knew that I couldn't leave something like that on her unsupervised and she would probably somehow get it off anyways. So I bought a pair of socks to try and do something with. Couldn't find any mittens or gloves at this point in the season much less small enough to fit her little hands. When I got home I sewed a sock on to the end of her pj's to cover her hand so she couldn't get to her thumb. And that way she couldn't take the sock off. All the way to bedtime I was DREADING having to do this to her. It felt so mean and awful even though I knew it was to help her thumb get better. I thought we were going to have a VERY bad night.
In the end, I probably cried more than she did! :) Last night she cried off and on for about 15-20 minutes before going to sleep. Really not that bad considering! For naps today she cried off and on again this morning for about 45 minutes and then this afternoon for 15 minutes. She's been taking a long time to go to sleep for naps though anyways because I think she's on the verge of cutting down to just 1 nap a day.
Last night I brainstormed about how today was going to work and what I could do for her. The sock thing during the day would be hard for her because she couldn't really grab anything. And like I said before, bandage stuff would probably just get ripped off. So I took the other sock I bought and cut a slit down it and sewed it into basically what a mitten would be. So there was a place for her thumb in the sock and then the rest of her hand in the other portion. That way she could at least use her grasp to pick things up. Then I sewed that on to a long sleeve onesie. It worked out really great actually and she didn't seem to mind it too much.
I actually feel pretty proud of myself for being able to make that and come up with something that would work. Did make me feel like I was a decent mom despite having to keep my child from sucking her thumb. Around mealtime today I would just take that onesie off and just leave the see through waterproof bandaid on it. If I got her distracted she was okay with just that for a little while.
So tonight I was expecting some more crying for bedtime. And as I speak, I have just heard her babble a little bit in there but that's it since I put her down!!! Yay!!!! I don't think she's quite to sleep yet so still hoping there's no crying.
Always seems like there's some saga going on in our household...
In good news, the church vote is tomorrow. So hopefully I will have some great news to report tomorrow!
Yesterday morning I noticed that Lily's thumb looked like it had some junky black stuff under the skin of her thumb. She sucks that thing to death! It normally looks raw and gross but it just looked unusually abnormal to me. So off to the doctor we went. The doc checked it out and said that she had an infection. What happens is that the cracks she gets in her thumb can get infected if they open up. He gave me a prescription antibiotic topical cream and an oral antibiotic to give her to help clear it up. The big thing is though that it really needs to be dry and out of her mouth to heal. HAH! So of course I ask him how I'm supposed to do that with a 13 month old who can't just obey instructions yet! He said to put a sock/glove/mitten on her hand and try to keep that on there so she doesn't suck on it. That's another HAH! I was thinking in my mind... "you really think that my toddler is going to keep that on her hand?!"
Off we went to Walgreens to get her prescriptions filled and then to Target to try and come up with some options to keep her thumb out of her mouth. I got a bunch of different tapes/bandages to try including some waterproof bandaids and these "tattoo" bandaids for kids. But I knew that I couldn't leave something like that on her unsupervised and she would probably somehow get it off anyways. So I bought a pair of socks to try and do something with. Couldn't find any mittens or gloves at this point in the season much less small enough to fit her little hands. When I got home I sewed a sock on to the end of her pj's to cover her hand so she couldn't get to her thumb. And that way she couldn't take the sock off. All the way to bedtime I was DREADING having to do this to her. It felt so mean and awful even though I knew it was to help her thumb get better. I thought we were going to have a VERY bad night.
In the end, I probably cried more than she did! :) Last night she cried off and on for about 15-20 minutes before going to sleep. Really not that bad considering! For naps today she cried off and on again this morning for about 45 minutes and then this afternoon for 15 minutes. She's been taking a long time to go to sleep for naps though anyways because I think she's on the verge of cutting down to just 1 nap a day.
Last night I brainstormed about how today was going to work and what I could do for her. The sock thing during the day would be hard for her because she couldn't really grab anything. And like I said before, bandage stuff would probably just get ripped off. So I took the other sock I bought and cut a slit down it and sewed it into basically what a mitten would be. So there was a place for her thumb in the sock and then the rest of her hand in the other portion. That way she could at least use her grasp to pick things up. Then I sewed that on to a long sleeve onesie. It worked out really great actually and she didn't seem to mind it too much.
I actually feel pretty proud of myself for being able to make that and come up with something that would work. Did make me feel like I was a decent mom despite having to keep my child from sucking her thumb. Around mealtime today I would just take that onesie off and just leave the see through waterproof bandaid on it. If I got her distracted she was okay with just that for a little while.
So tonight I was expecting some more crying for bedtime. And as I speak, I have just heard her babble a little bit in there but that's it since I put her down!!! Yay!!!! I don't think she's quite to sleep yet so still hoping there's no crying.
Always seems like there's some saga going on in our household...
In good news, the church vote is tomorrow. So hopefully I will have some great news to report tomorrow!
Thursday, January 8
blessings, a biting, and coffee
I just have to start this post by saying that I am SO thankful that I serve such a great God! He continues to prove Himself faithful to not only my immediate family, but extended family and friends too. I won't go in to details but if you have access to my sister's blog, be sure to check it out today. God sent her a huge blessing today. He always seems to come through in the most unique and surprising ways. I'm so thankful that God has heard her prayers as well as mine. My sister is the most wonderful sister, mom, wife, and friend I can think of. She inspires me. In her mind, I'm sure she can't believe this or see it at all... but it's true. I'm so proud of my big sister.
In other news for the day... Lily bit me. It wasn't any light bite either. She dug in HARD! I didn't know a 1 year old could hurt someone like that! I think it was more accidental though. She was sitting on my lap at the computer and I took her hands away because she was trying to mess with the keyboard. She got upset and my hand was right by her mouth, so she just clenched down. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. :)
Yesterday marked one of my last coffee dates with Vicky. Only probably 3 more remain. It SUCKS having to leave good friends and move away. It's crazy because in college Vicky and I were close but not as close as we are now. These past 3 years in Lynchburg have really enabled us to spend more time together and become closer. She is one of those people though that I know I will be close with regardless of distance. I can count just on one hand the people in my life that I know will be like that for me for the rest of my life.
It's funny because each phase of my life has brought me with one of those goodbyes to my best friends. In high school it was my sister getting married and moving away. After college it was my best friend and roommate Tara getting married and moving back to her hometown. And now it's me moving away from my two closest friends here in Lynchburg, Vicky and Alicia. I am praying and know that God will provide me a good friend in Virginia Beach though. He always has put wonderful friends in my life. And even though we will be moving on to a new phase of life, I know that I can always count on these few wonderful friends that God has given to me no matter what.
Tuesday, January 6
Lily's new thing and Bailey pics
Now that Lily is walking all the time she has come up with her new favorite thing to do. She just aimlessly walks around the house with something in her hands. She'll pick up any and everything but her favorites are socks or articles of clothing. It's so very cute. Today she had on her dad's hat and was walking around with that on. She must just be astounded by her new ability to walk and just wants to try it out. You can see in this picture that EVIL clip that Lily might possibly have swallowed.... It was cute while it lasted.
And I got the pictures from Vicky of our visit to see Tara and Bailey. It was so great getting to snuggle with Bailey asleep on my chest! She's adorable!
And I got the pictures from Vicky of our visit to see Tara and Bailey. It was so great getting to snuggle with Bailey asleep on my chest! She's adorable!
Monday, January 5
ER visit
We unfortunately took Lily to her first visit to the Emergency Room on Sunday. Here's the story....
Lily's hair hangs in her face now because it's working on growing out and I DO NOT want bangs cut on my child! So a lot of times I will put a barrette/clip in her hair to hold it back out of her face. I've always worried about those things because she takes them out occasionally when she realizes she has something in her hair. Sunday I had put one in her hair. It was a heart shaped snap metal barrette. We went to lunch with Vicky at IHOP. I clearly remember her having the hair clip in her hair when we left there. On the way home, we heard Lily make this weird choke/cough sound in the backseat. We turned around and she was just sitting there and seemed to be okay. I didn't think anything of it. Then when we got home I realized that her barrette was gone. We looked everywhere for it but no clip was to be found. Lily was breathing okay, drinking, and just seemed like her normal self. Me the paranoid mom though was obviously very worried about it. So we headed to the ER to have everything checked out. They did an x-ray and nothing was in her chest or throat which was great news! The doctor said that if she did in fact swallow it that it had already gone through to her stomach and she would just pass it in her poop. The dangerous part is the throat/chest area when you swallow things so he said we didn't have anything to worry about. The other option of course is she didn't swallow it and we just don't know where the heck the clip went. Guess I'll find out in a few days after looking through her poop whether she swallowed it or not! I wanted to gag today looking in it! The things I do for my child! :)
Needless to say, I felt like a HORRIBLE mother for putting things on her body that are obviously choking hazards. So many people do it though and I didn't want Lily's hair to be in her face all the time. No more small clips for me anymore! I do have a few big bows that my mom got her for christmas that I think I will use on occasion since they are MUCH larger than a small barrette/clip. I learned my lesson! To all you other moms out there with little girls who don't know what is and isn't appropriate to put in their mouths... I highly advise not to use small clips in their hair! :)
Lily's hair hangs in her face now because it's working on growing out and I DO NOT want bangs cut on my child! So a lot of times I will put a barrette/clip in her hair to hold it back out of her face. I've always worried about those things because she takes them out occasionally when she realizes she has something in her hair. Sunday I had put one in her hair. It was a heart shaped snap metal barrette. We went to lunch with Vicky at IHOP. I clearly remember her having the hair clip in her hair when we left there. On the way home, we heard Lily make this weird choke/cough sound in the backseat. We turned around and she was just sitting there and seemed to be okay. I didn't think anything of it. Then when we got home I realized that her barrette was gone. We looked everywhere for it but no clip was to be found. Lily was breathing okay, drinking, and just seemed like her normal self. Me the paranoid mom though was obviously very worried about it. So we headed to the ER to have everything checked out. They did an x-ray and nothing was in her chest or throat which was great news! The doctor said that if she did in fact swallow it that it had already gone through to her stomach and she would just pass it in her poop. The dangerous part is the throat/chest area when you swallow things so he said we didn't have anything to worry about. The other option of course is she didn't swallow it and we just don't know where the heck the clip went. Guess I'll find out in a few days after looking through her poop whether she swallowed it or not! I wanted to gag today looking in it! The things I do for my child! :)
Needless to say, I felt like a HORRIBLE mother for putting things on her body that are obviously choking hazards. So many people do it though and I didn't want Lily's hair to be in her face all the time. No more small clips for me anymore! I do have a few big bows that my mom got her for christmas that I think I will use on occasion since they are MUCH larger than a small barrette/clip. I learned my lesson! To all you other moms out there with little girls who don't know what is and isn't appropriate to put in their mouths... I highly advise not to use small clips in their hair! :)
my husband
Look who's name is up on the church website!!! Go check it out here under "special congregational meeting". Congregational vote is next Sunday!
Saturday, January 3
Lo Mein
Who would have thought that Lily would love lo mein?! We got chinese food on new year's eve as part of our family tradition. I had made Lily something else just because I figured she wouldn't like it. As soon as I gave her a bite of the lo mein though she was hooked! She gobbled that stuff up!
Matt got Lily the cutest dress today too at Target for the summer. She's definitely the best dressed kid! Dressing Lily is one of my favorite things to do. :) I would rather buy her clothes than clothes for me! And Target is usually my downfall. I can't go in there without buying something for her.
Next week is going to be rough getting back to the normal schedule. Matt has been off all last week and this week. It's been VERY VERY nice having all that help around! This month will probably fly by though since we'll be getting ready to move. Speaking of moving.... I don't know where to begin!! I've never really moved as an adult/married, etc. before. I moved my things up to Lynchburg when Matt and I got married but I didn't really have that much stuff to bring with me. Plus this time we have to think about all the bills, etc. that will need to get switched over. I wish I could start working on something but I feel like there's not much I can do until maybe the week before or so, especially when it comes to packing. We still don't have a definite date yet as we are waiting for the congregational vote on January 11th. We should know right after that happens.
Matt got Lily the cutest dress today too at Target for the summer. She's definitely the best dressed kid! Dressing Lily is one of my favorite things to do. :) I would rather buy her clothes than clothes for me! And Target is usually my downfall. I can't go in there without buying something for her.
Next week is going to be rough getting back to the normal schedule. Matt has been off all last week and this week. It's been VERY VERY nice having all that help around! This month will probably fly by though since we'll be getting ready to move. Speaking of moving.... I don't know where to begin!! I've never really moved as an adult/married, etc. before. I moved my things up to Lynchburg when Matt and I got married but I didn't really have that much stuff to bring with me. Plus this time we have to think about all the bills, etc. that will need to get switched over. I wish I could start working on something but I feel like there's not much I can do until maybe the week before or so, especially when it comes to packing. We still don't have a definite date yet as we are waiting for the congregational vote on January 11th. We should know right after that happens.
Friday, January 2
Lily's 1 Year Video
I realized that I never got to show the slideshow I had made of Lily's first year for her 1st birthday party. There wasn't a place to hook the computer up. :( And I was going to post it on here but then forgot about that! So for your viewing pleasure.... (I think I tear up every time I watch it!).
compare/contrast
Found this picture of me when I was 12 months so I took a picture of Lily today in a white onesie too to compare and contrast. She definitely has my eyes and eyebrows. I think she looks a lot like me now.
Amanda (12 months)
Lily (13 months)
And for the fun of it... here's a picture of Matt when he was a baby but I'm not sure how old he was in this picture:
Amanda (12 months)
Lily (13 months)
And for the fun of it... here's a picture of Matt when he was a baby but I'm not sure how old he was in this picture:
walking to the bath
Every night, Lily heads straight to the bathroom door as soon as we take her clothes off. She definitely knows what time it is! And now she can walk there...
Thursday, January 1
2008 recap
- figured out life as a new mom (and still always learning)
- signed up for substitute teaching (which I only did twice)
- joined a playgroup
- turned 25
- found out our old church in virginia beach would be hiring a youth pastor
- found out my best friend was pregnant
- many weekly visits to starbucks on wednesday nights with Vicky
- weekly playdates with Alicia and Andi
- waited and prayed that Matt would get his dream job
- celebrated the birth of my sister's beautiful twins, Cecilia and Owen
- celebrated the birth of my cousin Beth's baby girl
- celebrated the birth of my cousin Becky's baby girl
- waited and prayed that Matt would get his dream job
- Matt graduated from seminary with his master's!
- MRSA scare
- waited and prayed that Matt would get his dream job
- took a week long vacation in Myrtle Beach
- celebrated our 3rd anniversary
- met Matt's aunt and uncle from australia for the first time
- waited and prayed that Matt would get his dream job
- Matt interviewed for the youth pastor position
- Celebrated Lily's 1st birthday!!
- waited and prayed that Matt would get his dream job
- celebrated the birth of my best friend Tara's baby girl
- found out just before christmas that God heard all our praying - Matt got his dream job!!!
- continued to be astounded at God's faithfulness and provision for our family
- saw my little baby girl walk for the very first time
Mr. Mom
That's what my wonderful hubby was today. Vicky and I went up to Waynesboro for the day today to visit Tara and her brand new baby, Bailey. We had a great time and a fun short road trip together. I realized that this was the longest I've been away from Lily since she was born (a grand total of 8 hours!). I didn't want to take her just because she just got over a cold plus it just takes more work to take her on the road (needs a place to nap, meals, etc.). So Matt graciously took care of our little girl for the day. He does great with Lily of course but I think he's decided a stay at home dad career would not be for him. :) This was his first full day of taking care of her.
Even though I had a great time and LOVED getting to snuggle with a sleeping beautiful baby on my chest, it was great to walk in the door to my hubby and adorable little girl. When I'm away, even for just a few short hours, it always so strongly reminds me just how much I LOVE my family. As soon as I walked in the door Lily's little face just lit up with a big smile and she came rushing over to me. :)
Tara is already doing a super job as mom and functioning REALLY well for just having had a baby and a c-section! Bailey has the cutest chubby cheeks and snuggled right in my chest for a nice nap. Vicky took all the pictures on her camera so as soon as she gets them to me I will post them.
Even though I had a great time and LOVED getting to snuggle with a sleeping beautiful baby on my chest, it was great to walk in the door to my hubby and adorable little girl. When I'm away, even for just a few short hours, it always so strongly reminds me just how much I LOVE my family. As soon as I walked in the door Lily's little face just lit up with a big smile and she came rushing over to me. :)
Tara is already doing a super job as mom and functioning REALLY well for just having had a baby and a c-section! Bailey has the cutest chubby cheeks and snuggled right in my chest for a nice nap. Vicky took all the pictures on her camera so as soon as she gets them to me I will post them.
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