Happy Birthday Morenna!

As I last mentioned, my baby girl will be turning one this Monday. Here are some snapshots from the past 12 months of her life. Enjoy!

April 2008

May 2008

June 2008

July 2008

August 2008

September 2008

October 2008

November 2008

December 2008

January 2009

February 2009

March 2009

Comin' Up

I was so blessed by the responses I received from my last post on time management. What a huge encouragement to see that other women (and men! Thanks Jesse!) are seeking to grow in this area (can't wait to see how you can further encourage us, Jessica!).

Speaking of time, this week marks the eve of my baby girl's first year on this earth (as an independent being :-)). In many ways it's gone by so fast (mobility, size)... and other aspects seem to be creeping along (teething). As a mom, I have been stretched in areas I didn't even know existed (need I go into detail?). I've been forced to fall at the foot of the cross over and over again seeking wisdom and strength just to get through an hour of the day! But I wouldn't change a thing... and I'll gladly do it all over again when the Lord chooses to bless us with #2. (No, this isn't an announcement).

In honor of her, my next post will be some reminiscent snapshots of the last 12 months of her life.

~

One year ago this week...

The last picture I have before Morenna entered the world.
I don't think I look too huge here, but I certainly felt it!

Brought to us Easter Morning by the Easter Bunny. :-)
Yay, you're finally here!

Just a couple days old.
This is one of my husband's favorites.

More to come!

...Because the Days are Evil

"Look carefully then how you walk,

not as unwise but as wise,
making the best use of the time,
because the days are evil."
~Eph. 5:15-16

"Your tea is getting cold," my husband said to me one night. "Aren't you coming to bed yet? I'd like to spend some time with you." Anxiously I made a few quick clicks with my mouse. "Not quite yet, just a few more things to do." My eyes were glued to my computer as I immersed myself in a friend's posting on facebook. Definitely need to write her a quick encouraging note. And did I remember to scan the latest deals and print those Huggies coupons? I can't go to the grocery without them! Oh look, an email from so-and-so!

An hour later I sank into bed. There were so many other blogs I wanted to read and sites I wanted to visit, but I was feeling guilty. I snuggled up to my husband and started to browse through my parenting magazine. My tea was cold.

"Hooked Online." The words on the page jumped out at me. "Three reasons moms are addicted to the internet." Addiction. Addiction. I stole a shy glance at Matt. He hadn't took notice of the headline. Cautiously I continued reading; I had that feeling that this article was meant for me. Sure enough, the author's word struck a chord... and it wasn't good. Perhaps the most identifying passage was this one:

"I started following coupon sites and became so engrossed in finding deals that I neglected the important things, like time with my son, for a while."

I've done this!!! While the article seemed to focus more on a mother's need for social stimulation (no comment) what I gleened was more a recognition of time-consuming bad habits. The mother mentioned above pursued something good, but at the cost of what was best. How often am I unintentionally doing that?

~

These past few weeks I've been contemplating time. Certainly as a new mom I've started seeing time as my enemy. There's never enough of it to accomplish my tasks. At the recommendation of a friend, I began reading Shopping for Time, a marvelous book written by a woman I couldn't esteem more highly. Her advice comes right from scripture: look carefully; live purposefully.

Look carefully... make the best use... days are evil. So, I looked. There it was: my computer. It's on from morning 'til night. I'm on it for work. I'm on it for play. I have to have it to score the best deals. And where would I find half my recipes without it? It's all good. But it's not the best. It's become my distraction. My bad habit keeping me from wholely pursuing my duties. What's yours?

I've witnessed so many other friends battling with this type of behavior. Ladies, we need to be proactive about sitting down and recognizing our priorities. The days are evil, now let's wisely take them on. For me, that meant sitting down and listing my priorities, and deciding where the internet fit (or didn't fit!) with them.

1. First and foremost, I am a child of God. He is my first priority and my time sitting at the foot of the cross, studying His word and bathing my day in prayer is SO important. Nothing must distract me from that time. (No internet here.)

2. My household comes next, and with it several smaller categories. I can't help but recall the Proverbs 31 woman (Lord, help us all! :-)): She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. (Prov. 31:27)

a) My husband. He is my primary focus. As his wife I am first and foremost his help-mate. Now, I should start acting like it. :-) That means children, church... everything else must come after. (Internet only if I need to use it to serve him in some way.)

b) My children. Training them in godliness and teaching them is next on my list. (No internet here.)

c) My home. This includes cleanliness, meals - whatever it takes to keep my home in working, efficient order. This also includes keeping house the way that would best please my husband and serve my children. It also includes being a good steward of what resources we have. Here is where couponing, bargain shopping, etc comes in for me. Even here, though, some prioritization is needed. Cleanliness comes before couponing, etc. (Internet: limited.)

3. Work. This is a given for internet, but I must remember that it comes after everything else. For me, household things typically get done in the morning, then work follows after my devotions during Morenna's morning nap. (Yay for naps!) (Internet: yes, but for one primary purpose.)

4. Social Service. Hurray! Play time! Last but not least is my time for social interaction... playgroups, phone calls, facebook, email, blogging, you name it! And by the grace of God, here it is... right where it belongs. (If you're wondering about this post, yes, my chores are done for today, Morenna is napping, my husband is studying... FREEDOM! ) Whoops... now I have to go get lunch. :-)

There is such joy in looking carefully and evaluating your time. At the end of a weary day, you can look back and smile, knowing that what needed to get done, did get done. And like the Proverbs 31 woman, we can now laugh at the days to come.

Won't you join me in making the best use of our time?

A Weekend Home

It was with great joy (and much relief) that we headed home to Ohio this past Friday. Morenna definitely needed some time with Gramma and G-Daddy and Buddy the Dog (a.k.a. Uncle Feather, Uncle Buddy, Bugsy-Pugsy-Poo), and I definitely needed some time away from Morenna. :-) Matt needed time with both of us and NO school. Thankfully, we were able to achieve it all.

The first day home was beautiful and warm (nearly 80F) so Morenna spent the day outside with Gramma and Uncle Feather plucking grass, and basking in the sun with her new 'shades.

G-Daddy took a break from his work to give Morenna a ride on the tractor. She was totally cool, calm and collected.

Strawberries (one of Morenna's favorite foods) were on the menu. She's getting better at biting them with her two little teeth. Yes. Only two. So sad.

Unfortunately, Morenna had a really hard time sleeping while we were there. Her normal schedule typically includes 12 hour nights and a 2 hour morning nap. We were lucky to get her down for 7-8 hours at night and an 1 hour during the day. That translates into disaster. And bloodshot eyes for Mommy and Daddy. And a crazed child. Run away!

Also while we were there, Matt and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary with dinner out and time alone. We prayed over our marriage and for the next 98 years (hee, hee). It was lovely.

Tuesday we drove home through the evening/night. Matt entertained Morenna with his latest resurrection of the DVD set Pinky and the Brain (heaven help us, narf!) and in the end... both were sleeping. It really was lovely.

Gettin' Around

We're loving Morenna's moves these days. The best news of all: she's walking!!! About 10 days ago (right around 11 months) she decided that walking was cool... and has been doing it a little bit every day since (we do bribe her ;-)). Her unique scooting process is still her preferred way of mobility, but I don't think it will be too long before she walks exclusively.

I'm going to be taking a brief break from blogging (until next Tuesday) for a chance to spend some time with my parents and extended family. But in the meantime I leave you with this, our video journal of the "Get Along Gal" and her moves:

One of those days... #194

Today was one of those days. Morenna has been a handful over the last few days... days when my poor husband has been swamped with law school activities and consequently unavailable. Isn't that how it always is? Yes, you nod. But you're really wondering why I have a picture of a toilet posted here, aren't you? I have my relavant reasons.

The temper tantrum Morenna threw yesterday was quite shocking, in my unexperienced (on the flip side as a mom) opinion. We've had our little sin issues before, but this one manifested itself in old fashioned heel-kicking angry 'tude (as Matt would call it). Three-quarters of an hour later, we had peace. And friendship. And awareness of the learning curve ahead.

Today was day two of three without my hubby support. I knew it would be a rough one when Morenna awoke 4 times throughout the night with teething issues. But I was ready for it! Oh, how the mighty fall. Even before her morning nap Morenna had:

• ... somehow gotten herself caught in my Philodendron plant on the mantle and toppled it on top of herself. Dirt and all; and
  
• collected papers off my desk and dumped them in the toilet. I found her seconds later (seconds too late) bent over the toilet swishing them around in the water. GROSS!

So where was Mommy during all this? I hear you wondering. That's just it. I was right there. The whole time. And it still happened. It was just one of those days...

Bring it on.

Winter Joys

Yesterday was a snowy day. And seeing how Morenna had yet to be properly introduced to snow, Matt and I decided it was time. My parents had bought her little rain boots and we used them as snow boots, seeing how her big feet already fit into the T-2 size boots!

(The boots are special ones to us. I'm not sure if you can tell in the picture, but they say "Rescue #4" on them... the exact station where my dad is a firefighter. When we stumbled upon them at Babies 'R Us we exclaimed "What are the odds!" The rest is history.)

It definitely took us longer to get Morenna bundled up than we were actually outside. She appeared a solid combination of the abominable snow monster and the Pillsbury Dough Boy. It made for a good laugh. At her expense.

Once outside, she was very cautious of the white powder, but on the whole seemed relatively unimpressed. I think the bitter wind that was nipping at her cheeks stole most of her attention. After only a few minutes she appeared miserable and cold... so we headed back in. Maybe next year she'll be a bit more interested.

The Snowy Day

It was a snowy day at our house today. I love snowy days, and particularly this one. You see, I discovered last night that I had jury duty today. Though I had been hoping I would be selected, as of last night I wasn't looking forward to rising at such an early hour and leaving Morenna all day (with Matt, of course!).

But wonder of wonders, VA actually received a decent amount of snow overnight... along with so much wind that I had trouble sleeping. :-P When I phoned the jury management office early this morning, I discovered all jurers were dismissed... so I went back to bed. As did Matt.

And now we are all cozy here at home. Together. Let it snow.

Around the House

Tired of all my "Morenna" posts yet? :-) Sorry to be sending a slew of them your way! Here's the last for a bit... a few random ones I captured this month:

As previously mentioned, our bed is one of Morenna's favorite play stops.
Especially favored right when she wakes up in the morning.

Baskets are great for carrying stray toys... or unruly children.

My little BG, playing like a big girl in her room.
And making a big girl mess, as I later discovered.

Angelic Playtime

February 18, 2009
Location: Daddy & Mommy's Bed

Search Rewards? Search No Longer

A few months ago I started hearing about a search engine called Swagbucks. Supposedly this search engine would combine the powerful returns of Google and Ask Jeeves, but also offered points, or swagbucks, for your internet queries. These bucks can be used to purchase gift cards, books, movies - pretty much anything - from the Swagbucks store.

I'm not too into things like this, but one random afternoon I decided to give it a shot after hearing of so many others who had success with it.

I'm so glad I did!

I've been a member since the first of the year and already have enough bucks earned for a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card or a $15 Starbucks card. Can't beat that!

So if you're interested in taking my word for it and giving it a shot, feel free to try it out! You won't be disappointed! (To sign up, you can either click the link above or the banner at the bottom of my blog.)

Going Swimmin'

Last weekend a friend and I decided to take Morenna to a local public pool. After a bit of scurrying through a box of Morenna's old clothes, I unearthed her swimming suit from last summer (size 3-6 months). I had a hunch it would still fit her... and it did. :-) She's growing leaps and bounds - UP - not out, so that certainly helped.

She absolutely adored the pool despite how loud it was. She took turns pretend "swimming" between my friend and I until we were too tired to keep holding her. It was wonderful exercise!

Here are a couple of pictures of her when we were "fitting" her for her suit:

I think the suit definitely fits her better than it did 7 months ago :-) :

Oldie, but Goodie

November 2008
Forgotten, but rediscovered.
Definitely a favorite.

BTW, Happy 11th Month Birthday, BG!

Baring the Shelves

Two years ago this week I moved into then Matt's townhouse. (For those of you doing the math, yes I moved in before Matt and I got married, but it was all on the up-and-up: Matt moved into the guest bedroom and I stayed in the master with my mother. Yes. My MOTHER. :-).) He had been living there nearly a year with a handful of other bachelor guys. Yeah.

Since that time, I merely scooted all my food items into the pantry and that was that. Until last week. Spurred on by some spring cleaning posts, I decided to empty the pantry, clean it, and start from scratch. How fun.

Meanwhile... two hours later...

I was thrilled with the results! First of all, I didn't know I could store so much in such a skinny little pantry. Second, I didn't know so much spoiled food could hide there! Two of my more interesting artifacts were a 2005 box of graham crackers and a 2006 bottle of white grapefruit juice. Yum. I blame Matt. I don't drink grapefruit juice.

Now we have nothing but good food in there and lots of extra space. And no grapefruit juice. Yippee!

A new outlet for self-expression?

I stumbled across a new collaborative web-publishing site today and fell in love. Not quite sure what to do with this new-found interest, but it certainly could be promising. :-) Anyone ever heard of iScribd before?

Cheaper Diapers...

Who doesn't enjoy cheaper diapers now and again? I know I certainly grab them up when I can find them at a reduced price. While I typically do my diaper shopping at CVS, I recently found a relatively good deal at diapers.com! What's even better is that the diapers are delivered quickly (1-2 business days) right to your doorstep. Awesome.

To score the deal, simply log onto diapers.com and select $50 worth of diapers (most jumbo packs are currently on sale right now - although they aren't as cheap as I can get them at CVS, combined with the following transaction they are significantly cheaper) and head to the checkout. In the promotional code box, enter UNDE4330 to receive $10 off your order.

Once your diapers arrive, simply fill out this rebate form to receive back an additional $15! (Simply print and fill out this form and attach proof-of-payment of your Diapers.com qualifying purchase(s) and mail both pieces.)

Like I said, for those times when alternative deals on diapers seem scarce, this is a worthy purchase. :-)

Tagged... Just for You

I have to admit I was happy to be tagged in this random photo tag. I think they are so much fun!

Post the 4th photo in the 4th folder of your picture folders.

I guess it's no big surprise that my picture would be of... Morenna! Probably 80% of my pictures are, although I was kinda hoping maybe one of the lone 20% might be the one tagged. Oh well, I can't seem to get enough of the curious, cheerful face on this little tike. I snapped this picture earlier this month when she was standing at the wicker chair picking at it with her finger trying to understand the pattern.

And now, I tag Sarah M., Jessica, and Janice. You go girls!

Baking Day

Yesterday was baking day in our house. A new phenomena, but definitely a keeper. Why not dirty up measuring cups, spoons and bowls all at the same time?! It's great!

So want to know what we made? Whole wheat waffles*, banana crumb muffins, oat bran muffins*, and breakfast hot pockets. (*Recipe below.)

It was great fun and now my freezer is filled with yummy, healthy, items M can grab and take for breakfast on workdays.

Best of all, Morenna was well-behaved and emptied and examined all the items in her play cupboard while I cooked. It's so nice to freely move around the kitchen without a little one tugging on your pant leg.

Whole Wheat Waffles 1 3/4 cup wheat flour 1 3/4 cup buttermilk Combine and let soak overnight. Then mix in: 1 t. baking powder 1/2 t. salt 2 eggs 1/4 cup coconut oil (or I use 1/2 cup of applesauce) Pour batter onto greased waffle iron. Best if served with fruit syrup.

Oat Bran Muffins 2 cups oat bran 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 t. baking powder 1/2 t. salt 1 cup milk 2 T. oil (or 1/4 applesauce) 1/4 cup molasses 1 egg Mix all ingredients together and spoon into a greased or lined muffin pan. Bake at 425F for 15-17 minutes.

Valentine's Meets OBX

For Valentine's Day this year, my husband (and family!) gave me the greatest gift ever: time away with some girlfriends. It was perfect... and now I'm back with them feeling more refreshed and invigorated than ever.

My parents came over for the weekend and joined M in watching Morenna so that I could get away. Saturday I headed south to a beach house on the shores of Outer Banks, NC. There I joined up with seven girlfriends from college for a three day stay on the beach. Though it was super cold, it was beautiful. We pretty much laid around and ate, read, gazed over the horizon and watched old movies. It was wonderful to be without responsibility for a couple of days.

Me with one of my college roommates
and the host of our weekend.

Heaven shines down.

The gang, all together again.

Monday I made the trek back home and was so excited to be reunited with my family... especially my little girl. She did really well considering I was away for two nights. The smile on her face when I walked in was so valuable to me. I love being a Mom.

As a side note, you may be wondering, as some others have, why I would choose to celebrate Valentine's Day apart from my Valentine (now that I have one!). My answer is just this: my husband and I try to make every day Valentine's Day, in that each day we purposely make time to spend quietly with each other, reminding each other just how much we value and cherish the other. So while the card-manufacturer holiday is great for an excuse to go out to eat, sniff brilliant flowers or splurge on an extra 300 calories of chocolate (something else I do just about every day anyway :-) ), M and I don't see it as any more special of a day than today. And that's why my hubby was ok with me being away. :-)

The Finger...

Morenna's finger, that is. It goes where she goes and is her primary method of communication. Every now and then a companion grunt goes along with it... but for the most part it "says" all she needs to say.

"B-b-b-baby!"
Evidence of Morenna's latest fascination with babies,
toddlers and small children, all of whom she dubs: babies.

Her adoration of the garbage men... or truck.
I'm not sure which.

Not the same finger, but the same meaning.
There goes my good box of Wheat Thins.
Ever want to see the inside of my pantry? Ha!
Pretty pathetic after sticky-fingers has been on the scene. :-)

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Many thanks to Erin over at $5 Dinners for her inspiration with this recipe. I simply added/adjusted a few more ingredients to her wonderful creation. My family loved this and it was so easy to do.

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

4 chicken breasts
8 slices of bacon
1 cup bbq sauce (I used KC Masterpiece Sweet & Tangy, and it was perfect)
3 T lemon juice
1 large granny smith apple, peeled & cored
1 T dried parsley (or fresh)
1 t. garlic powder
2 t. sea salt

Wrap chicken breasts with slices of bacon, 2 per breast. Place in a 6 quart crockpot (you could try 4 quart, but may need to lengthen cooking time, especially if your chicken is frozen).

In a bowl, shred apple and mix with bbq sauce, lemon juice, parsley, garlic powder, and salt. Spoon on top of chicken. (If your chicken is layered, place a bit of sauce between each layer). Cook on high for 4-6 hours, or on low for 6-8. If chicken is frozen, lengthen cooking time. Chicken should register 165F when fully cooked.

Enjoy!

Open & Closed

Doors are a new fascination for Morenna. Each day she giggles her way into our bathroom to push open and closed the bathroom door. Why she prefers our bathroom door to all the rest is still somewhat of a mystery, although my thought is that she can finagle herself around the door better on the slippery tile floor. For the last week I've been meaning to capture some of her joy on camera and finally got around to it today. (Note the drool. I told you she was teething.)

Some babies start crying when they discover they've closed themselves in a room and can't get out. Not mine. Once the latch clicks she'll laugh out loud and squeal. Then she goes about tearing the bathroom apart. She's smart. Too smart.

When she's not pulling all the towels down or banging on the tub, she likes to have things passed to her under the door. Today, she started sticking her fingers out and wiggling them around. Too cute!

Triple Coupon Days

It's triple coupon days again at Harris Teeter. I love when they do this! Today I scored free taco seasoning, free worcestershire sauce, 2 free cans of Del Monte vegetables, $0.50 Celestial Seasons Tea, $0.39 organic yogurt, $0.44 Wet Ones (antibacterial wipes) and $0.84 bacon, $0.85 Honey-Nut Cheerios, and more! For those of you on the East Coast with a HT nearby, here are some great coupon match-ups for you!

Walkin' 'n Talkin'

Morenna stands alone now. And she could definitely walk, if she wanted to. I really witness in her a certain fear of falling down. She'll walk all over the place if you hold her hand, or if she's focused on something she really wants... like food. Heaven help her. :-)

Here she is with her signature toothy grin. Aw, I could just eat her up.

Thriving

Dear Journal,

Thriving. I've often voiced to M since Morenna's been born my longing not just to "get by", but to "thrive".

I want to be as a tall oak by a flowing stream that gives brilliant beauty in every season. Beautiful. Useful. Strong.

Yet so often I feel as though I'm a cactus in a parched desert, with just enough water to make it through one more sun-scorched day. I offer little beauty to the world around me. No shade. Just sharp thorns for any passerby.

But even the cactus can flower. It's a choice.

Each tree is beautiful; each serves a purpose in bringing glory to God. I need to find contentment as either, for each relies on equal amounts of God's grace to get through the day.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

Feelin' Sew Sew?

I'm not big into sewing, but my mom always has been (and she's good at it!) and so I have the honor of owning all of her hand-me-down sewing hardware. My current stash boasts of her used (but definitely like-new) Bernette sewing machine. It's been sitting in my closet screaming "USE ME!!!" for quite some time now. I'm usually good at ignoring it, but this quick & easy sewing project is just what I needed to answer the call.

Here 'tis: A child's pool robe made out of a standard bath towel. Isn't it so cute!?

Many thanks to blogger How About Orange for alerting me of this great sewing opportunity. You can download the quick directions here.


Bet I can have mine done before you! ;-)

Sundays and Shadows

Peek-a-boo Toes, 1/11/2009