it's been 5 months??? Where does the time go

I can not believe that it has been 5 months since I last wrote. The sure has flown. Watching Faith grow has been the most incredible experience. I could not imagine putting her in day care to spend my days in a menial job with people who truly could care less about my family. I cannot imagine leaving Faith with people who could truly care less about her well being. Not to say that all day care workers are like that. My sister was an excellent caretaker. But she also saw a lot of things that most parents don't know about. I am so thankful that God has directed Mike and I to live on one income. That he has given us the strength to give up the luxeries that we were used in exchange for the luxeries that Faith has provided.

My life is exactly where I hoped it would be at 30. I am a stay at home mom with an amazing daughter that keeps me smiling all day long. Mike (though I agreed to not talk about him on the web I think this is ok to say) is such a great dad. He loves to play with her and make her laugh. His #1 thought every day is her well being. He works so hard to make sure that we are able to raise her without the use of a sitter or day care. She adores him so much and laughs everytime he comes home from the station.

She will turn 1 year old in 21 days. She is almost walking, just needs to build the confidence to let go. She mimics talking on the phone, loves to wrestle with her toys, or tackle Jeremiah or shadow. She loves Nicolas so much. There are days when she is tired and won't crack a smile, but Nic can always make her laugh.

Wow. I just don't know how else I can sum her up but amazing. She is my happy thought when I am down. I will be better about writing. I am going to put it in my to do list so that I don't lose track of time again. Yes, for you who truly know me, I am actually getting organized! =)

Solids & Teething

I started Faith on solids a few weeks ago. Banana's, apples, avacodos & now she's on carrots. Carrots are the first spoon fed solids though. Everything else has been through a little mesh feeder thingy that I bought at toy's r us. She loves food that's for sure. She sees me with her spoon and starts going nuts. I'm going to do sweet potatoes next week. Hopefully she'll get some meat on her bones. She's 5mos and just now growing out of 3mo clothing. She only fits in 3-6mo right now. So...at 7 mos (Christmas) will she fit into 6mo clothing??? Christmas is going to be so much fun with her.

For the past 2 weeks I have had the hunch that Faith has been teething. This morning my hunch was confirmed. I looked into her mouth and saw 2 little white specks shinning back at me. My little baby girl is getting teeth!!! Part of me is so excited, but the other part of me is almost sad. Is she still going to have the cute baby face? What about her smile. The toothless grin is so captivating...how are teeth going to affect that. She'll still be gorgeous of course. There's no question about that! LOL!!!! Can you tell I'm a proud momma! My house is a wreck of course. Since she has been so fussy and what not I have not gotten a thing done. It wouldn't be so bad if Mike were on his regular schedule, but he has been home all week so I have had to cook every day too. Oh well, time to go clean now that Faith is napping.

So...when do I get my nap!?!?!?!?!?!?

Faith- 4 months

Well, I am sorry that I havn't been very good about sending pics of Faith. I get so distracted by how amazingly cute she is. Every day I am more amazed by Gods creation and how such a little person could affect me in such big ways.

We just finished two wonderful weeks with Grandma & Papa (too short if you ask me) and a quick visit from Ashley (also too short). Papa & Grandma were out for my dads 60th. This was the first time I was able to spend a lot of time with them as I am not working. Well, I am working harder than I ever have before, but you know what I mean.

Okay so Faith has rolled over a few times in her crib. The little stinker of course waits until we are not in the room to do so, but she does it none the less. At her 4 mo appt she measured 25" long and 11lbs 13oz. Long and lean, can't argue with that! Her toes and tongue are her favorite body parts right now and she is able to spend more and more time each day entertaining herself, but her favorite place to hang out is in the sling that Aunt Kathy gave me (thank you so much!!! It's been a real life (and time) saver.

She becomes more aware of the world around her with every passing day. Shadow is a new interest. Just this past week she has started watching her. Shadow is very cute with her and constantly lays next to her, and walks into her room to "Check" on her when she's chillin in the crib. If Faith is crying and I am in another room Shadow will run into the room and get my attention then turn around and lead me to wherever she is crying. I am still not comfortable with leaving her in the room alone with Faith. She's a great dog, but she's still a dog so we're pretty careful about that.

She is "talking" so much. Mike was home with her while I worked at the Opera house last night and said he was teaching her how to roar and she mimicked. If I could just get him to use the video camera!

Well, I know all you really want to see is pics. She is the cutest girl in the world by looks and spirit.

I attached one, but to avoid using all your email storage space here's a link to the rest of our pics.
http://picasaweb.google.com/ImKita

Article on Measles outbreak

Ok, so many of you have heard about Measles outbreaks across the nation. I have read several articles on the topic, and they are rediculously biased. Not that I am surprised as it is the media. Anyway ALL of the articles make a coment about nearly half of those with measles did not get the immunization. Ok...so read that again and slower... NEARLY half. Which means that MORE than half of those with the measles DID get the shot, yet STILL got the measles and are spreading it. Yet the tone of the articles are on the irrisponsibilities of parents that do not vaccinate. It kills me how the media can still twist the facts of a story by using specific wording to make it sound like they are right.

Each parent is right in whatever they decide to do regarding vaccines. I would never tell someone that it's wrong to vaccinate. The only thing that I believe to be wrong is making blind parenting choices based on what one is "supposed" to do. Again I say, Parent with purpose!!!

Disturbing

I witness a consistently disturbing practice every day. It happens in every city in every state, and in many more countries than just ours. It isn't gross. It's not unlawful. But to me it is very disturbing. That is parenting by chance not purpose.

Too many people become parents and choose not to train or discipline their children. Fits no longer bring on discipline, but equal reward. Parents yell and scream at their children instead of providing correction and direction. There are no longer consequences for bad behavior. I fear for society more and more with each generation of whiners that is created. I fear what is to come as disciplne is now shunned in our society and children are being given what they want, and parents have no follow through with their discipline tactics.

It's time to bring back the paddles and switches if you ask me. Allow teachers to discipline, and parents to spank. It never did the past generations any harm.

A little correction is healthy

So, I have suffered from foot in mouth disease a lot lately. I am a bit hot headed as most of you know, and certainly have a problem with correction (I am working on that). I have offended a friend, though I am not sure who she is, that was just trying to give me a little direction in my response to things and immediately shot out a post that was meant for them. Thankfully this weighed on my heart enough that I went back and changed the post. So, to Mrs. Anonymous (or I guess there's a chance it could be a Mr. but I think I know who it is, and she's definitely a Mrs.) I am sorry for my reaction, and I apreciate your words and correction. I will heed them and try to be more careful in the future.

Okay, so here is the problem though. This is how I ALWAYS react to correction, advice, constructive critisizm, anything that isn't saying I am perfect. How sad is that! But I always, after reacting poorly, think about what was said and often what that person said was true, and helpful.

It affects every aspect of my life, and all I really know to do is pray that God will change my heart and mind. But I think He needs me to do the work so that I learn from it. This brings me to you. So, how do I fix this? I am seriously asking for help and advice. Do any of you suffer from this foot in mouth disease? How have you worked through it?

Adventures in Diapering

So, it is always interesting to see what I will find in a restroom when I go to change Faith's diaper. Many of you moms can sympathize. Katie, I have no clue how you do it with twins, more power to you sister girl!!!! Well, I had such a...well.....hmm.... yeah.....ummm... experience in a restaurant bathroom, that I thought I would share.

I will start this all by saying that I started the evening out with switching to a new diaper bag....something that should have been simple...though had I remembered the bottom pocket that held the wipes I wouldn't be telling this story.

So, Faith had used her potty (had a BM) that morning so I pretty much knew I was clear for the evening just having to deal with wet diapers if that. We got to the restaurant and Faith started fussing. I figured she was wet so I went to the bathroom to change her diaper....only find out there wasn't a changing station, nor a place to use as one. Normally I would put the pad on the floor, but it was a 2 person bathroom and someone was using one of the stalls. So...I waited until they left. Then I had the brilliant idea to put my bag in the sink and cover it with the pad to make somewhat of a flat surface. it worked okay, but Faith wasn't thrilled as it was a corner sink so VERY cramped. So I take her diaper off and notice there is a little bit of poop that I needed to clean up....wipes...where are my wipes...I just need one wipe....CRAP they're at home. I guess I'll use TP. So I pick Faith up and walk over and take care of that then walk back to the makeshift changing station. As you know I practice EC which teaches them to wait for the cue to eliminate, Well.....the way I was carrying her is pretty much the same position that I hold her in over the potty....and I made the mistake of saying "potty" which triggered a Pavlov's response. Yup...you guessed it. She peed on my new bag, the counter, the floor and my leg. All this time she is crying and Mike's family is waiting at the table for me as our dinners had been delivered. So....then I had to clean up her pee while holding her and not dropping anything (including her) on the ground... It was quite comical. I was laughing pretty much the whole time.

So...you can bet I will try and never forget the wipes again. :)