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.