Be Happy Challenge: Note to Someone

Hey not-quite-a-baby Baby Girl.

You, my dear one, amaze me every day. Where has the time gone? Almost 16 months have passed since we held you in our arms for the first time and almost TWO YEARS since we learned you were joining our family. 

You somehow possess most of your daddy's good traits and a couple of mine, as well as a few not so good traits (Stubbornness. Hello?). You've taken over our house with your smiles, your laughter, your chaos, your kisses and your toys, and I wouldn't have it any other way! You are saying more understandable words and phrases every day. You walk as slow as a turtle, unless I'm trying to grab you and then, boy, can you run!

Strange little one, you don't seem to like most convenience foods to the misfortune of your mother who cannot cook. I've recently discovered you like spaghetti-O's (Annies brand) though. You also like fish, both the kind that swims in the ocean and the kind made out of cheese. One day, you were given a choice between mac and cheese and jambalaya and you chose the spicy jambalaya. Perhaps you take after me more than I realize!

I could go on and on about your fabulousness because, girlfriend, you are. You are wonderful. You are fabulous. You are smart. You are beautiful.

And I am so lucky you call ME(!) 'Maa-maaa'.

I love you, bunny. I sure do.

Mama

Reasons Selah is Crying

I don't know if you have heard of the blog Reasons My Son Is Crying, but, as most parents know, it is hilariously true.

And it is a genius blog topic.

So, in honor of that blog, I've decided to do a semi-regular blog series called Reasons Selah Is Crying. I will include caption on some most, but some I will let you guys caption and I will make another post with the best captions. I may do a giveaway for the best caption one of these days.* Who knows?

The first picture is an enormously popular picture of Selah from a few months back. Some of you know the real reason she is crying here, but I'm going to open this one up for captioning.

Please post your caption in the comments!

*I'll let you know in advance if there will be a giveaway for best caption.

Rainbows and Sunshine (With Pictures)

Rainbow baby- a baby that is born following a miscarriage or still birth.

In the real world, a beautiful and bright rainbow follows a storm and gives hope of things getting better. The rainbow is more appreciated having just experienced the storm in comparison. In the case of a rainbow baby, the storm (pregnancy loss) has already happened and nothing can change that experience. Storm-clouds might still be overhead as the family continue to cope with the loss, but something colorful and bright has emerged from the darkness and misery.

 

I think I started planning (and pinning) Selah's first birthday probably before she was even born. You see, I knew she was a rainbow baby and wanted her first birthday party to reflect that. As we got closer to her birthday, our friends and I realized that it would work best for everyone involved to have a joint first birthday party for their son Liam (who was born a week before Selah) and for Selah. Since Rainbows and Sunshine is a pretty non-gender specific theme and I had already done a bunch of planning, we decided to stick with the theme. Works out well because Liam is a rainbow as well. :)

 

I'll, pretty much, let the pictures of the party speak for themselves.

 

"Happy Birthday, Liam & Selah"

Selah and Liam, throughout the year

Handmade felt birthday hat

two 1s for the two one year olds, not an 11 year old

Selah and her friend A with the adopted grandparents

Liam's so serious, but check out that attempted hand holding

Rainbow birthday tutu! (See, Meg? It wasn't that big!)

 And now it's time for a ton of cake smashing photos. Selah LOVED it (hence all of the pictures). Liam? Not so much. I think he ran from the cake and the icing and his crazy little girlfriend who was covered in the cake and icing.

Smash cupcake (from Blushing Bakeshop)

 

 

 Though the ground outside was covered in snow, the party inside was full of love and warmth, courtesy of our rainbows and sunshines and everybody who loves them.

Babies don't keep

"Mother, O' Mother, come shake out your cloth,

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth.

Hang out the washing, make up the bed,

Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,

Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due,

Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek - peekaboo.

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew,

And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo.

But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?

Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,

But children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep."

~ Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

Why God Made Little Girls

Why God Made Little Girls

"God made the world with its towering trees,
majestic mountains and restless seas,
then paused and said, ‘It needs one more thing.’
Someone to laugh and dance and sing,
to walk in the woods and gather flowers,
to commune with nature in quiet hours.
So God made little girls
with laughing eyes and bouncing curls,
with joyful hearts, and beautiful smiles,
enchanting ways and endless fashion styles.
And when He’d completed the task He’d begun,
he was pleased and proud of the job He’d done.
For the world when seen through a little girl’s eyes
greatly resembles paradise."

-Morgan Doe

 

 Found on another blog (Was it yours?)

My sunshine is ONE!

I still find it hard to believe.

Selah loves this video. I hope you do,too!

I have a One Year Old

As of 9:47am on March 6, 2013, I am the mother of a One Year Old. And, wow, has that year flown by!

As Selah Grows

I've started a blog over on Tumblr called As Selah Grows for pictures of little miss Selah Faith. By doing so, I can begin to prepare for a facebook shut down and I can, hopefully, get this blog back to what it used to be before people expected Selah picture updates through here.

Not that I won't be putting her up on here because you know I will. :)

28

One year ago, I made a birthday wish. My wish was a simple, yet complicated wish for a healthy baby.

This year, I hold in my arms my almost 3 month old daughter.

I don't need to wish this year. I have everything I could ever want and need.

Selah's first Easter

...in pictures. Nothing really to say about it that the pictures can't say.

Selah wasn't so sure of this getting dressed up for her first Easter service, even though she rocked the church service itself.

In her Easter "bonnet"

My grumpy little Easter bunny

Her "Easter basket"

One whole month!

Happy one month, baby girl!

A post (or twenty [million]) dedicated to you coming soon. :)

Naming

I've had some questions as to how Selah got her name and what her name means, so I thought I'd be nice and address them!

As I wrote on a friend's blog a while back (yes, I wrote what "San Francisco"'s name was early):

Our little girl (due end of February/beginning of March) is going to be named Selah Faith. Selah is my husband's pick and it's from the Bible (Psalms). It means "stop and listen/give thanks" as in to give time for praise and thanks. Faith came from what I needed to have after our miscarriage and also during this pregnancy, with all of the pregnancy worries. Her full name together basically means to stop and give thanks to God for what He has given us. 

There you have it. Pretty simple, huh? :)

Coming soon to (this) blog near you

I'll update you all on how Miss Selah is doing, perhaps a birth story, how I'm doing, where her name came from, etc. as soon as my eye doesn't hurt to look at the screen long (oh and I'll explain that, too).

And pictures. Prepare for a plethora of adorable new baby pictures. :)

Announcing....

Our birth announcements :)

(Don't look too closely because you may be getting one.)

Love

I can't wait to see your face!

38 weeks

How Far Along? 38 weeks. Ok. Now I know for sure that I've missed a week somewhere. Why? Because SF will be born THIS WEEK!
Picture? Nope. Why? Because it hurts too much to stand up to go take one. I'll take one before Tuesday.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: The doctor got upset with me because I lost 2 lbs in a week. Apparently, I need to eat more. <~~~ Same thing said at this week's appointment.  <~~~~ and AGAIN.
Size of baby:  Small watermelon? Dr said she's about 7-8 lbs
Maternity Clothes: We're lucky if I get dressed
Gender: Pink
Movement: I'm going to miss it.
Sleep: If/when I do fall asleep, it's nice, but my leg pain usually keeps me up.
What I miss: Sushi and iced caramel coffee
Cravings: Food. And almost any kind of it.
Anything Making You Queasy or Sick? Coughing, dog food, cooking meat. The usual.
Belly Button In or Out: Shallowing
Happy or Moody Most of the Time?  I have been crying a lot due to the stupid leg pain.
Stretch Marks? Finally got some new ones. :( Luckily, they're just around my belly button.
Other Symptoms: Leg PAIN. The area under my belly button is numb in places.
Have You Started to Show Yet? Yes.
Best Moment of the Week? Meg's visit :) Oh and not being injured or have damage in last night's storm
Looking Forward To: Tuesday! SF will be here!

36/37 Weeks

How Far Along? 36/37-ish weeks... Honestly, I'm not 100% sure how pregnant I am any more. I just know it's less than 2 weeks left!
Picture? Nope. Why? Because it hurts too much to stand up to go take one.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: The doctor got upset with me because I lost 2 lbs in a week. Apparently, I need to eat more. <~~~ Same thing said at this week's appointment.
Size of baby:  Small watermelon? Ultrasound says she's about 6.5 lbs.
Maternity Clothes: More like what's not maternity clothing that I wear.
Gender: Pink
Movement: Tons. I'm going to miss it.
Sleep: If/when I do fall asleep, it's nice, but my leg pain usually keeps me up. I've even tried EVERYTHING the dr suggests. :(
What I miss: Sushi and iced caramel coffee
Cravings: Shrimp
Anything Making You Queasy or Sick? Coughing, dog food, cooking meat. The usual.
Belly Button In or Out: Shallowing
Happy or Moody Most of the Time?  I have been crying a lot due to the stupid leg pain.
Stretch Marks? Only the old ones
Other Symptoms: Leg PAIN. The area under my belly button is numb in places.
Have You Started to Show Yet? Yes.
Best Moment of the Week? A good report from the endocrinologist.
Looking Forward To: Megin's visit this weekend :)

35 Weeks

How Far Along? 35-ish weeks... Honestly, I'm not 100% sure how pregnant I am any more
Picture? Nope. Why? Because I'm too lazy and I hurt too much to stand up to go take one.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: The doctor got upset with me because I lost 2 lbs in a week. Apparently, I need to eat more.
Size of baby:  3-liter bottle of soda/juice
Maternity Clothes: Yup.
Gender: Pink
Movement: All day
Sleep: The last few nights have been rough. Hot and uncomfortable. And I wake up with a stiff back and sore arms when I do sleep.
What I miss: Sushi and iced caramel coffee
Cravings: Chocolate chip cookies
Anything Making You Queasy or Sick? Coughing, dog food, cooking meat. The usual.
Belly Button In or Out: Shallowing
Happy or Moody Most of the Time?  Moody. I doubt this will change.
Stretch Marks? Only the old ones
Other Symptoms: Leg PAIN. And it won't go away until she moves or she's born. Seriously, PAIN. I can't even walk at times.

Have You Started to Show Yet? Yes.
Best Moment of the Week? Passing another (almost iffy) NST. Package from Auntie Teresa!
Looking Forward To: Officially announcing her name and the relief of this leg pain. AND a Megin visit!!

25 Rules for Mothers of Daughters

I recently posted about rules for Dads and Daughters, but I figured I should find a list of rules for Moms and Daughters. Especially since SF will be here in ONE MONTH (or less!).

Well, I found the following list here:

25 Rules for Mothers of Daughters

Source: Pinterest- meggielynne.tumblr.com

1. Paint her nails. Then let her scratch it off and dirty them up. Teach her to care about her appearance, and then quickly remind her that living and having fun is most important.

Source: Pinterest:  art-e-zine.co.uk

2. Let her put on your makeup, even if it means bright-red-smudged lips and streaked-blue eyes. Let her experiment in her attempts to be like you…then let her be herself.

Source: Pinterest: sp2.fotolog.com

3. Let her be wild. She may want to stay home and read books on the couch, or she may want to hop on the back of a motorcycle-gasp. She may be a homebody or a traveler. She may fall in love with the wrong boy, or meet mr. right at age 5. Try to remember that you were her age once. Everyone makes mistakes, let her make her own.

4. Be present. Be there for her at her Kindergarten performances, her dance recitals, her soccer games…her everyday-little-moments. When she looks through the crowds of people, she will be looking for your smile and pride. Show it to her as often as possible.

Source: Pinterest: crazycraftycousins.blogspot.com

5. Encourage her to try on your shoes and play dress-up. If she would rather wear her brother’s superman cape with high heals, allow it. If she wants to wear a tutu or dinosaur costume to the grocery store, why stop her? She needs to decide who she is and be confident in her decision.


6. Teach her to be independent. Show her by example that woman can be strong. Find and follow your own passions. Search for outlets of expression and enjoyment for yourself- not just your husband or children.  Define yourself by your own attributes, not by what others expect you to be. Know who you are as a person, and help your daughter find out who she is.

Source: Pinterest: flickr.com

 7. Pick flowers with her. Put them in her hair. There is nothing more beautiful than a girl and a flower.

Source: Pinterest- 500px.com

8. Let her get messy. Get messy with her, no matter how much it makes you cringe inside. Splash in the puddles, throw snowballs, make mud pies, finger paint the walls: just let it happen. The most wonderful of memories are often the messy ones.

9. Give her good role models- you being one of them. Introduce her to successful woman- friends, co-workers, doctors, astronauts, or authors.  Read to her about influential woman- Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie. Read her the words of inspirational woman- Jane Austen, Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson. She should know that anything is possible.

 Source: Pinterest- google.com

10. Show her affection. Daughters will mimic the compassion of their mother. “I love yous” and Eskimo kisses go a long way.

11. Hold her hand. Whether she is 3 years-old in the parking lot or sixteen years old in the mall, hold on to her always- this will teach her to be confident in herself and proud of her family.

Source: Pinterest- weheartit.com

12. Believe in her. It is the moments that she does not believe in herself that she will need you to believe enough for both of you. Whether it is a spelling test in the first grade, a big game or recital, a first date, or the first day of college…remind her of the independent and capable woman you have taught her to be.

Source: Pinterest-  weddings.halbergphotographers.com

13. Tell her how beautiful she is. Whether it is her first day of Kindergarten, immediately after a soccer game where she is grass-stained and sweaty, or her wedding day. She needs your reminders. She needs your pride. She needs your reassurance. She is only human.

14. Love her father. Teach her to love a good man, like him. One who lets her be herself…she is after all wonderful.

Source: Pinterest- blog.hgtv.com

15. Make forts with boxes and blankets. Help her to find magic in the ordinary, to imagine, to create and to believe in fairy tales. Someday she will make her 5 by 5 dorm-room her home with magic touches and inspiration. And she will fall in love with a boy and believe him to be Prince Charming.

16. Read to her. Read her Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle. But also remember the power of Sylvia Plath and Robert Frost. Show her the beauty of words on a page and let her see you enjoy them. Words can be simply written and simply spoken, yet can harvest so much meaning. Help her to find their meaning.

Source: Pinterest-  instagr.am

17. Teach her how to love- with passion and kisses. Love her passionately. Love her father passionately and her siblings passionately. Express your love. Show her how to love with no restraint. Let her get her heart broken and try again. Let her cry, and gush, giggle and scream. She will love like you love or hate like you hate. So, choose love for both you and her.

18. Encourage her to dance and sing. Dance and sing with her- even if it sounds or looks horrible.  Let her wiggle to nursery rhymes. Let her dance on her daddy's feet and spin in your arms. Then later, let her blast noise and headbang in her bedroom with her door shut if she wants. Or karaoke to Tom Petty in the living room if she would rather. Introduce her to the classics- like The Beatles- and listen to her latest favorite- like Taylor Swift. Share the magic of music together, it will bring you closer- or at least create a soundtrack to your life together.

Source: Pinterest- thehollywoodgossip.com

19. Share secrets together. Communicate. Talk. Talk about anything. Let her tell you about boys, friends, school. Listen. Ask questions. Share dreams, hopes, concerns. She is not only your daughter, you are not only her mother. Be her friend too.

20. Teach her manners. Because sometimes you have to be her mother, not just her friend. The world is a happier place when made up of polite words and smiles.

21. Teach her when to stand-up and when to walk away. Whether she has classmates who tease her because of her glasses, or a boyfriend who tells her she is too fat- let her know she does not have to listen. Make sure she knows how to demand respect- she is worthy of it. It does not mean she has to fight back with fists or words, because sometimes you say more with silence. Also make sure she knows which battles are worth fighting. Remind her that some people can be mean and nasty because of jealousy, or other personal reasons. Help her to understand when to shut her mouth and walk-away. Teach her to be the bigger -the better- person.

22. Let her choose who she loves. Even when you see through the charming boy she thinks he is, let her love him without your disapproving words: she will anyway. When he breaks her heart, be there for her with words of support rather than I told-you-so. Let her mess up again and again until she finds the one. And when she finds the one, tell her.

Source: Pinterest- justquotes.org

23. Mother her. Being a mother—to her—is undoubtedly one of your greatest accomplishments. Share with her the joys of motherhood, so one day she will want to be a mother too. Remind her over and over again with words and kisses that no one will ever love her like you love her. No one can replace or replicate a mother’s love for their children.

Source: Pinterest- marrabelle.deviantart.com

24. Comfort her. Because sometimes you just need your mommy. When she is sick, rub her back, make her soup and cover her in blankets- no matter how old she is. Someday, if she is giving birth to her own child, push her hair out of her face, encourage her, and tell her how beautiful she is. These are the moments she will remember you for. And someday when her husband rubs her back in attempt to comfort her...she may just whisper, "I need my mommy."

25. Be home. When she is sick with a cold or broken heart, she will come to you: welcome her. When she is engaged or pregnant, she will run to you to share her news: embrace her. When she is lost or confused, she will search for you: find her. When she needs advice on boys, schools, friends or an outfit: tell her. She is your daughter and will always need a safe harbor- where she can turn a key to see comforting eyes and a familiar smile: be home.

34 Weeks

How Far Along? 34-ish weeks... Honestly, I'm not 100% sure how pregnant I am any more
Picture? Yeah. Ok. The dress makes me look huge though. I'm seriously not that big.

I have no idea why my head is twisted all crazy like.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Doc said I can still gain plenty.
Size of baby:  Loaf of bread?
Maternity Clothes: Yup.
Gender: Sugar and spice and everything nice
Movement: All day
Sleep: The last few nights have been rough. Hot and uncomfortable. And I wake up with a stiff back and sore arms when I do sleep.
What I miss: Being able to walk without pain in my legs and feet.
Cravings: Buffalo Chicken Dip and chocolate chip cookies
Anything Making You Queasy or Sick? Coughing, dog food, cooking meat. The usual.
Belly Button In or Out: Shallowing
Happy or Moody Most of the Time?  Moody. I doubt this will change.
Stretch Marks? Only the old ones
Other Symptoms: Swelling of the feet, leg pain and itchiness. Plus perhaps a BH or two.

Yuck!

Have You Started to Show Yet? Yes.
Best Moment of the Week? Passing another NST. A package of hand me downs from "Auntie Jenn". :)
Looking Forward To: Officially announcing her name. ;)