What's Up?!

Well, a lot actually!! September has proven to be a super busy month for us, which is exactly the way I like it!

Miss E is still having some diaper issues. I'm not one to divulge a whole lot of less-than-ladylike descriptions about my sweet Elli-bean to the blog-o-sphere, so suffice to say that what we've been dealing with here for the past 5 weeks is pretty gross. AND, for the record, I just want to say that sometimes Mama really does know best :) The first 2x we went to her pediatrician, we were told that what she's experiencing is normal (for some)...and let me just tell you that if what she's going through is normal, I'd MUCH rather her be dealing with something weird. Ha! So I kept pushing, and after our appointment yesterday he agreed that this is indeed not normal. We'll be seeing a Pediatric Gastroenterologist just as soon as we can get an appointment. We think she's allergic to milk protein, but until some more tests are run we won't know for sure. So if you could keep Elli in your prayers, we'd greatly appreciate it :)

Something that I'm super excited about is that C & I have really started to get a lot more involved with our church community. We've started going to a bible study led by our pastor once a week, and we're studying Romans. It's the first time that we've done anything like this together (outside of our home). Our pastor is one of the most intelligent men that I've ever met, and I'm just thrilled that we've been given the opportunity to learn from him and grow in our relationship with Christ together. I also joined a women's weekly bible study at the church, and we're doing Beth Moore's study on Esther. I've done it once before, but if you know anything about Beth you know that you can always benefit from going through her studies again & again :) I've really been longing to meet some women from church, and this has been such a blessing!

Because of our growing involvement in church, Elli has been spending a lot more time in the nursery with Miss Annie (whom she loves so very much!). Some of you may already know this, but I really struggled with whether or not I should put E in a Mother's Day Out program so that she could get some interaction with other kids, and I could get some much needed "me time". I struggled with the decision for several reasons. Money was a big one, and the nap schedule was another problem...I know, I know, one day wouldn't have killed her! But I was also conflicted b/c I didn't need someone else to watch her, I just wanted it...my heart was torn. I finally decided to just do it, and when I went to sign her up they had pulled the 1 yr old program due to lack of interest. Ha!! Serves me right :) But the cool thing is that now that we've been getting a little bit more involved, E is getting exactly what she needed anyway...a little bit of kid time :)

The other really exciting thing that has happened this month is that I joined MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers)! Ever heard of it? It's a great organization where mother's support mother's, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. What's even more exciting is that the organizers have asked me to be a Discussion Group Leader, which is basically exactly what it sounds like...a small group leader of sorts. We meet twice a month at our church, and while the moms get together, their kiddo's participate in their own little group activities. It's a win-win! And for us, it's another opportunity for Elli to interact with some friends.

September has been crazy around here...I wonder what October will bring!!

Show Us Your Life....Master Bedrooms

YAY!! Show Us Your Life is back at Kelly's Korner, and this week it is all about Master Bedrooms!! Hop on over to her blog and take a look at all the other gorgeous bedrooms, and then add yours in as well :)

The thing that's great about our Master Bedroom is that if you had asked to see it a little over a year ago, you would have laughed!! To say it has merely changed is a HUGE understatement! While living in England we literally had NO furniture. Our bed was a mattress on the ground, and used those 3 drawer plastic bins as a dresser. No nightstands, no lamps, no bookcase. Nothing! Needless to say, when we got back to the States we had to do some major furniture shopping :)

Here is what our room looks like from the hallway...

And from the window side of the room...

Our dresser & book case, or the"family shrine" as Chris calls it :)

And looking towards the hall from my side of the bed...

One of my favorite pictures, painted by my sister-in-law. I'll be framing it soon, and hanging it by our bed. You can't see the details, but in the awnings, the steps, the door and the siding of the house are words like "honor, unity, covenant, respect & love". You see, that's what makes this painting so special. When Chris & I went through our required pre-marital counseling, our pastor drew us a pencil sketch of a house, and wrote words all over it that symbolized what our marriage "home" should look like over the years as it weathers the ups & downs of life. We loved it so much that we asked Stephanie to paint us a picture of her interpretation...and I think she did a fabulous job!

The Countdown Is ON!!

Assignment Night ~ 15 days.

Where we'll be finding out where we'll be heading next, which plane Chris will be flying, and basically what our lives will look like for the next 3+ years. Pretty exciting!!

Graduation ~ 29 days

A dream come true...the day that Chris will pin on his pilot wings!

End of Pilot Training/Anniversary/We NEED to Get Out Of Here/Trip to Maine ~ 31 days

No explanation needed :)

Of course I'm excited about Assignment Night. Anxious, nervous, excited, and all kinds of other emotions all rolled up into one big ball of happy is more like it :) And Graduation will be an incredible day as well. I mean, it's probably going to be one of the best days of Chris's life (right under marrying me (heehee!) and the birth of our daughter)! I'm so proud of him, of the work that he has done and the dedication he has shown. I'll be the obnoxious one with the camera in everyone's face, beaming from ear to ear!

BUT, I am so excited about going to Maine that I can hardly stand it! It's our reward for such an incredibly tough year, the brief lull before the next training storm hits, and a chance for us to finally just be able to look at each other for more than 15 minutes without having to think of all of the things that need to be done around the house or at work. Chris deserves some down time, a chance to relax a bit. And honestly, I do too! I'm so looking forward to just spending some time with him, my husband, my very best friend. I'm absolutely giddy about it!

You might wonder what the picture above has to do with anything. It's relevant, I swear :) It's a picture of us in Germany at The Eagle's Nest. That trip, after Chris's first 5 month deployment, is my all-time favorite. We spent a week just exploring Austria & Germany, and it was fab-u-lous!! I think I'm looking forward to going to Maine so much because I remember exactly how I felt on that trip...like it was nice to finally be back together again after life just seemed to make it kinda hard. You know what I mean? So, the countdown is on...there is so much to look forward to :)

Easier Said Than Done

It's not easy to give up control. I'm learning that more and more in my role as a mother. And it's not really just the not being in control that bothers me, but the not knowing that is the hardest to swallow. Do you feel me on that one?

Miss E really hasn't been herself lately. She's been crying a lot more, waking up in the middle of the night (which she hasn't done in over 7 months), changed her eating habits, and has had a few diaper issues (and by a few I mean a TON!). Part of it is that she's growing up, which in and of itself is hard to deal with :) Ha! But the other part of it is a mystery to me...which drives me crazy.

I thought she might be lactose intolerant, though after a little bit of research I've found that it's extremely rare for babies/toddler's to develop that issue. But there is a definite correlation between what she eats/drinks and what happens afterwards...though she didn't seem to have a problem during the first 12 months of her life so I'm a little bit baffled as to why it started now. Or, it could be that she's cutting 3 teeth. Or that she just has toddler's diarrhea (something I had never heard of before until the Dr mentioned it yesterday). Or it could be something worse, or nothing at all. So you see, it's the not knowing that's killing me here!

We've been to the Dr; he's running tests & we've changed her diet in the meantime. All of our parents (and we have 4 sets!) have reassured me that she's fine, and have encouraged me to not panic (who me?!) and to just wait it out. And that's exactly what I need to do, I KNOW this. But it's hard, isn't it? As a mom, the not being able to fix it? I have this inherent need to be able to spot, diagnose, treat, and cure every single thing that E faces in a short 24 hr time span. Don't we all? I mean, no one wants to see their child hurting, or uncomfortable. But, in trying to see the lesson here, I have come to the conclusion that this is only the beginning in a long line of things that I won't be able to fix for her. Or at least fix immediately. Sometimes a doctor knows best, or a mentor, or a grandparent. That's not to say that there isn't something to be said for trusting your gut, but I think that on this one, at least, I just need to take a deep breath and relax a little bit. But friends, I'm telling you right now, that's a lot easier said than done.

I Will Never Forget

"Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they can not touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we are the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world.

And no one will keep that light from shining."

President George W. Bush

9-11-01

Dear Elliana, (A Year Reflected Upon)

From the moment I saw you, I knew I'd never be the same. Your piercing blue eyes had me from those first seconds, and I fell completely, totally, head-over-heels in love with you. And I'm pretty sure that your Daddy feels the exact same way :)

The first few days at home were a whirlwind. With family and friends coming and going, we felt showered with helpful advice, love and well-wishes. It was a surreal feeling; the new motherhood thing, and I basked in it. Over the course of the next 12 months I discovered that it's even better than I could have ever imagined. In the same way that your Daddy was made to fly, I feel that was made to be a mother. Your mother. It has been the greatest gift of my life, and it is my daily prayer that through the triumphs and trials that your life will bring, I never take for granted the spectacular miracle that you are.

Each day with you brings something new; a new look, sound, word, or gesture. You smile when you learn new things, and clap when you know you've done a good job. It's all about discovery these days, and you are so very good at discovering. When you find or do something new, you'll look up at me as if to say, "see Mama?!"... it melts my heart. And I can see your personality shining through more and more, too. I can already tell that you're going to be a rule-follower, and that you have a tender heart...things that I think you got from me. You love to snuggle, just like your Daddy, and seem to have his affinity for the outdoors as well. You have a very sweet disposition, and are perpetually laid-back. You've only recently started showing signs of getting frustrated by things, and it's usually because you'd rather be playing than taking care of needless tasks like getting your dirty diapers changed! Ha! You're curious, but cautious at the same time, and there is nowhere that you'd rather be than in our arms (something I hope doesn't change any time soon!).

You have brought us such joy this year, and I truly feel like my cup is overflowing with love. I love your messy hair when you wake up in the morning, and how it curls up above your ears when you get hot. I love your wrinkled-nose smile, and your open-mouthed laugh. I love the sound of your voice when you say my name, "Mama". I love the way that you still have that sweet baby scent. I love your three little teeth, and how they barely peek out from your grin. I love your little fingers as they grip my arm when I hold you. I love the weight of your head on my shoulder as I rock you to sleep. I love that your 4th toe is the longest one :) I love your tender heart, and your inquisitive spirit. I love that the first thing you go to when we sit down to play is your books. I love that when you dance, you flap your arms and try to spin. I love the way your long eyelashes lay on your rosy pink cheeks as you sleep. I love your blue eyes, your heart shaped mouth, and your cute button nose.

But perhaps the thing I love the most about you is a selfish one...I love the way that you love me. It's the unquestioning, unconditional, innocent, and pure love of a child. It has changed me from the inside out. I want to be better for you; to be a good example, a thorough teacher, a great wife, a loving friend, and to let my love of the Lord shine through my life so that you can see where happiness truly starts.

I love you, baby girl. Sweet, silly, smiley, snuggly you. More than you could ever imagine.

Love Forever and Always,

Mommy

A 3rd Generation Pianist...

My mom got Elli this cute pink piano for her birthday, and Elli is now obsessed with it!! I think it's pretty cool that she can sit on the little seat and move her little fingers that way since, sadly, she's never seen anyone play before. Well, unless you count the times that I drag her to the instrument section of Best Buy and make her sit in her stroller while I play the keyboards and dream of the day that we'll have a piano again :) Ha!

I remember my mom playing the piano all the time when I was a little girl. First, it was on the up-right that I learned on, and then it was on the Baby Grand that my grandparents bought for her as a gift. Oh how I love playing on that piano, and hearing the music fill the rooms of my mother's home. I think it's so important to instill a love of music in children, and hopefully I'll be able to do that for Elli...with or without a "real" piano :)

Do y'all have musical instruments in your home? If so, do you play for your kids? And at what age did you start lessons? It's good to be prepared for the future, you know! Ha!