Toddler Delight

Yes it’s been just about a month since my last post. Confession: I’m not a blogger!  So many reasons why.  But honestly the main one is Gary and I attended a fabulous parenting conference (which I want to blog about) and all that sitting and writing notes flared up my tendonitis and fibromyalgia so typing is the last thing I want to do in my free time. Enough about me…

Our daughter is 18 months today!  I stopped taking the monthly photo at a year but Katelyn is not lacking in pictures of her early years.  Though it is getting more and more challenging as she wants my phone while I’m trying to capture “the moment”.  She is all toddler now.  I am not one to cry over milestones. Though I recently shed a few tears over her growing up when she learned to use a fork and spoon while eating at the table from bowls.  Our baby has grown into an adorable toddler.  

Making mommy cry.

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of meltdowns and tantrums but her sweet kisses, hugs, and little voice saying “mama” just melts me and reminds me that these early training years are so worth it.  Hard.  But worth it.  Thankful that we were able to learn more about raising Katelyn to love Jesus passionately and people with purpose.  Learn more at www.intentionalparents.org cause we all know I probably won’t get around to blogging about the conference.

All by herself. Toddler.

 

Not only is Katelyn 18 months but I have not nursed her the past three days.  We were down to only mornings and I figured with Gary home for the Thanksgiving holiday it would be a good time to completely wean her.  Plus, Katelyn has been waking up between 5 and 5:30am for about a month and IT MUST STOP!  I believe it is because she wants to nurse so I figure if I eliminate what she wants she’ll forgot about waking up and sleep until a decent hour.   Hasn’t worked yet but I’m hopeful.  For the two of you who read this, can you please pray that we continue to move forward with no nursing and that there aren’t any set backs?  Thank you!

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about weaning but I actually am doing just fine.  Poor Katelyn would tell you she’s not doing fine.  Thankfully she still gives lots of snuggles at nap and bedtime and also when she wakes up.  I honestly had no intention of nursing for 18 months especially since it took Katelyn 9 weeks just to latch!  But I am so thankful for the sweet bonding time I did have with my baby girl and will cherish those HOURS of nursing and will look back on them fondly.  Ha who am I kidding...just give me my body back please. Seriously, I really am so grateful that God blessed me with the ability to nurse and hopeful that I’ll have the experience again.  Not anytime soon though.  Thank you very much.

I feel I should end with some Katelyn updates but I’m just too tired to think of all her cute toddler ways.  I guess one of my favorites is that she grabs me by the hand and takes me where she wants us to go.  The gel mat in the kitchen is one of her favorites.  We sit there together a lot.  Just the two of us.   No judging my morning attire! And yes she's showing me the XBOX controller.

This is how we roll.

And a sneak peak from our family photo session.  

Growing up.

Delighting in Him.

It's Harvest Time

Over the past month or so we’ve visited three pumpkin patches.  They are a great place to let a toddler get the wiggles out.  Plus I absolutely love being outside and enjoying God’s creation.  We are very thankful the month of October was filled with sunshine and beautiful days.

Our first stop as a family was Baggenstos Farm.  They are just over the hill from us and have a free hay/tractor ride to the pumpkins.  We enjoyed their homemade french fries and Katelyn had a taste of her first milkshake!  

Then we met dear friends Andrea and Tyler at Lee Farms while they were driving through town.  Andrea and Tyler lived in England for three years and we hadn’t seen them since they moved back to the States.  They are settled in California and I hope more visits are to come now that they are only a 10 hour drive and not an international flight away.

Katelyn wasn’t feeling that great but she saw Andrea and knew right away she was her special “Auntie Dre”.  Gotta love FaceTime!  

Thanks friends for stopping on your drive north to see us.  We love you and can’t wait to connect again soon.  

Our final trip was with another dear friend, Theresa, and her daughter one HOT afternoon.  Seriously, we could have gone in shorts and tank tops it was so warm.  We checked out Lake View Farm in North Plains and the girls loved it.  There was a boat ride to the pumpkins and a train ride back.  Plus a fun hay maze that Katelyn loved and lots of animals.  

Halloween is not a holiday I like to celebrate.  I’d much rather focus on fall and harvest.  But when you have an adorable little one you just have to dress them up.  Katelyn went to our MOMS group in her costume and stayed in it for most of the day.  It only came off for meals and a nap.  I loved playing dress up with my girlfriends growing up and hope that Katelyn will as well.

Delighting in Him.

Ardiri Winery

Katelyn and I have been plagued with illness this past month.  Two Sundays ago my parents invited us to join them at Ardiri Winery where they are members.  I asked Gary to stay home with Katelyn so I could have a little time to relax.  It was absolutely gorgeous at the winery.  Fall is my favorite time of year with all the colors and crisp mornings.  It was a warm afternoon and the sun was shining.  I sat outside with the sun on my back sipping a glass of pinot that I shared with Mom.  Prior to being outside we were able to taste 5 different wines. I often forget to stop and enjoy God’s beautiful creation.  That afternoon was a much needed break to bask in His perfection.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

Psalm 23:2

I’ll admit, I was pretty tired and not myself but the time with my parents was just what I needed.  Even just sitting by myself in the back seat enjoying the view of the countryside put joy back in my heart.  

The grapes looked so good I was tempted to eat one off the vine! Thank you to my parents for sharing their afternoon with me at a place they enjoy immensely. I hope to receive an invitation to join them again soon.

Delighting in Him.  

Delight

I was recently chatting with my dear friend who lives in another state.  I commented on how I love her blog posts and she suggested I start one too.  I’ll admit, it’s been on my mind since Katelyn was born 17 months ago but honestly I’ve been too scared to do it.  Scared that no one will want to read what I have to say.  That I’ll have nothing to say.  And even ashamed of my rusty writing skills.  Well here I am.  I can’t promise I’ll be very consistent but I do promise to be transparent and open with those who are stopping by to find out what’s new.

When I picked the template today from Blogger I already had the blog title in my mind: Delighted Mama.  Even before Katelyn was born the word/name Delight has been a favorite of mine.  While struggling through infertility challenges, I meditated on lots of Scripture, specially Psalm 37:3-4.  Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  Delight.  To delight in the Lord and Him in me, I must know Him personally, follow and trust Him, and pray for His will to be done in my life as it in heaven.  And boy did having a desire to have a baby and each month not getting pregnant, help grow and strengthen my relationship with Jesus.  Even in the pain I trusted Him and had faith that He would give me the desires of my heart.  Yes, I had to ask for my desires to align with His; I had to trust His timing, not mine.  Thankfully, after 16 months I experience delight first hand when I found out we were pregnant!  Gary wasn’t thrilled with the name Delight for our baby girl but it’s still a name I love.  

Now that I am a mama, everyday Katelyn brings joy and pure delight to my life.  I am very thankful for the gift that the Lord gave me in her.  Even in the midst of the roughest days, she does something that makes me remember how much my Heavenly Father delights in me.  I know how to love her because God first loved me.  

I would love to hear from you and your experiences with delight.  

Delighting in Him.