Today's lessons from my family

Jenna taught me:  To stick to my word

Jenna knows by now that she has to wait until 7am to come into our bedroom to get up for the day.  She is great at it, but for the past week she has been coming in at 6:30 and then again at 6:38, and again at 6:52...you get the picture.  This morning I was so super grumpy when she came in for the second time at 6:48am.  I didn't want to face the day because I just didn't know how I was going to handle it.  I could hear her in her bed, hollering and yelling for me, and I could hear that she had woken up Elsie.  Argh.  I just laid in bed, praying and trying to come up with a plan.  Finally I figured out what I was going to do, and headed into Jenna's room.  We talked, and she was very aware of what she had done wrong.  So I went for it.  I said, "because you got out of bed two times and then yelled and complained, you have lost your tv privileges for the day."  For her that is a very extreme punishment.  But it is even more of a punishment for me.  That meant that no matter how the day went, I couldn't cave and turn on a show.  She doesn't watch a ton of tv, but she watches some.  And while she does I have some quite time to do a few quite things.  I know, I know, judge me if you will.  Maybe I will change this habit someday, but for now it works really well for us.  But that's not even the point that I am trying to make here.  What I am trying to say is that I was reminded again how important it is for me to be consistent and a mama of my word.  If I say no tv for the day, then I can't cave in.  That means two important things for me.  First, that I need to be very careful choosing how to teach.  I have to be able to go through with whatever it is that I set forth.  Second, I have to stick to it.  And when I do, I think and hope that a lesson will be learned.  This whole day wasn't really about her waking us up before 7am.  It is about her obeying and respecting us, and us staying consistent to the standards we are setting for the family.  Wow, that was a lot more in depth that I was originally planning to go.  It was a learning day.

Elsie taught me:  Crawlers aren't the best sleepers

As a crawler, she can also sit up on her own.  And once sitting up in your crib, it is hard to lay down and go to sleep!  So, we had a lot of fake out naps, frustrated cries, early wake-ups, etc etc.  It will probably just take some time to get through this one.  Quick side note...Elsie has all of a sudden started to snuggle with me right before I put her down for naps!  Ahhh, my heart just melts as she lays her head down on me, and we take turns sighing back and forth (she mimics my sighs).  

Eric taught me:  Hubby is awesome (I already knew this!)

Eric did all the laundry this morning before he went to work and stayed with the kids while I went garage sale-ing.  Thank you thank you thank you!!

I taught me:  Eating less is a big key to weight loss

It's true, eating less calories actually helps with the process of losing the baby weight.  What a concept :)

 

The Crawler!

Sometimes she just kills me with her cuteness!  I am biased because I'm her mama, but seriously isn't she the cutest!!  

Elsie took her first official forward crawls today.  The whole family was watching her when it happened.  It's pretty exciting for us to have a crawler.  Jenna went straight from sitting to walking, so it's been fun to watch Elsie learn the skill.   

Family outing!

We rode the max downtown, 

and saw the amazing sand creations (that's a super mario brother in the background).

Elsie ate some sand (she has quick hands!), 

Jenna could have played in it for hours.

Elsie stole a sip of Dad's ice tea

And then we headed home.  A very fun time was had by all!!

It is funny that I mentioned Elsie getting a tooth and all the google ads are now about dentists and teeth whitening, etc.  I find that funny.

Elsie

Elsie is 9 months old today!  It is hard to believe that it's already been nine months, yet it feels like she has always been part of the family.  Here are the top 10 things Elsie is up to right now...

1.  Trying so hard to crawl.  She is rocking on all fours, but the only direction she can go is backwards.  But she can roll anywhere she wants to go.

2.  Teeth!  Well, tooth.  The first one broke through finally!

3.  Real and Fake laughter.  She is very giggly, but will also join in with the family and laugh right along with us in a great burst of fake laughter.

4.  Curly cute.  Her strawberry blond hair is getting curlier and curlier, and it just matches her adorable personality.

5.  Skills.  She can clap her hands, wave bye-bye, and also raise her hands to the sky on cue (how big is elsie...SO big).  

6.  Friendly and shy.  She is smily to most strangers, but sometimes she hides her face shyly.  

7.  WIGGLY!  She is very squirmy.  Changing her diaper is a wrestling match, and the kiddo is strong!  She has some serious core strength!

8.  Sounds.  She is starting to practice saying different sounds.  "Baba, mama, and dada" are the main ones.  

9.  Good dexterity.  She is good at the 'grab & stuff' technique of eating.  A lot of it ends up down her shirt and in her lap, but she is getting better.

10.  Loved to pieces.  Sometimes I can physically feel my heart ache with love for my family.  She is so loved so much by Eric & me & Jenna, and all the extended family too.