Christmas "Birth Stories"

Hey, all.  I probably linked to this post last year, but it is a favorite of mine.  Maybe it's just that I have had a new baby the last two Christmases.  Maybe it's that God is showing me more and more how good He is. 

Enjoy, and be blessed!

http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2009/12/birth-stories.html

Merry Christmas!

Myla's 2nd Birthday Party

     I am so not the awesome party-throwing mom.  I kept going back and forth on whether to have a big family party for Myla since her birthday is smack-dab between Christmas and Thanksgiving (i.e. we already have big gatherings, and it's just a busy season).
     My brilliant mom informed me, "Katy, her birthday is going to be on December 8th every year."  Oh, right.  Deal with it.
     We threw around a couple of ideas and ended up with the perfect little low-key event: a trip to the park and some presents/grub at Kris and Al's house.  I felt a little twinge of mama guilt when we walked in and Kristen had put up cute Minnie Mouse decorations everywhere!  Myles loved it.  Naturally, I stole all these photos from PawPaw.

 Piper, riding in style.

 Aunt Kristen was recruited for some team sliding.

 I guess it was more tiring than she remembered. :)

 Myla has never seen the world from quite this high.

 Sitting up is hard!

 A brief moment of sharing the birthday girl's chair...

 The menu included the birthday girl's favorite things: Mac-n-cheese and bread.

 She now wants to blow out every candle everywhere.

I would say she had a good time, and she's pretty obsessed with that Minnie Mouse chair.  See?

The Guardian

Someone around here watches the baby even more closely than I do...

The Graduate

     Today, my family is driving to Fort Worth to watch my cousin's graduation and nurse pinning at TCU.  I assume the pinning will look something like this:

 

     Have I mentioned I'm super excited?  There are only 5 first cousins on my mom's side of the family.  Erin is the baby.  She is the 5th and final graduate of our generation.  I bet you can identify at least two of these kids!

     Erin is an only child who was never alone.  She was the baby whose parents drove her around for hours to get her to sleep at night.  She ran around stark naked until the age of 3.  She was tearing up the ski slopes at the age of 4.  She was the little girl who opened Santa's presents at her house on Christmas morning then brought them to the family gathering to open them again in front of a larger audience.  She is the girl who went through a lot to get where she is today.  She turned into one of the most beautiful, caring young ladies the world has ever seen right before our eyes.
     We love you BIG, Erin.  Can't wait to see you graduate!  Any little kid would be lucky to have you as a nurse.  Your mama would be so proud.

 

 

 

One is Never Enough

All I did was ask Myla to bring Piper a toy...

A Yummy Snack-- Under 100 Calories!

At least Piper thinks so...

Two years ago today...

God made me a mama. I'll never forget how it still felt fake when the doctor told me to push (thanks, epidural). I'll never forget how they handed me a baby and I was wondering what in the heck would I do with this baby?!

Proof:

I'll never forget how you and your dad slept like this on the hospital couch because he couldn't bear to let you spend your first night in a tupperware box. (By the way, we put your sister in that tupperware, and we even let the nice nurses take her away for a couple hours. But that's another story).

The time has definitely FLOWN by:

Dear Myla,
      I love the gap between your two front teeth. I love your face. You are starting to pronounce words really well, but I'll always remember how you used to call yourself "My-my," your sister "Pipey Joey," and your Aunt Kristen "Aunt Titties" (a personal favorite). You were such an easy baby that I figured I could totally do the mom thing LOTS of times (currently redefining what "lots" might mean). You are a perfectionist. You study things and want to know how they work just like your dad. You are slow to warm up to people, and you do things at your own pace. You are funny and a great helper. You take good care of your little sister and seem very concerned on the rare occasions when I take you somewhere and leave her with Dad. I remember when I was at the hospital after Piper was born, and Nana and PawPaw brought you to meet her. I almost broke into tears when you walked in the door because I missed you so much! I'm glad you're my baby.

Happy birthday, Myla Grace! We love you! Being your mama is the best job in the world. Now stop coming into my room at 5:00am every morning!

Remember How I Started Baking Bread?

   Well, I did.  I mean, for the past 6 weeks or so, I have not purchased any bread at the store.  I have been making a batch of 3 loaves every couple weeks to satisfy my need for peanut butter toast every sngle morning along with Myla's love of PBJ sandwiches.

   I was keeping up with it and even feeling a twinge of pride at my accomplishments!  I'm pretty good at this!  I mean let's be honest: this is about as Pioneer Woman as I may ever get.

   Then, my last batch of identically sized loaves looked like this:

Hmm, it seems as though the Livingston Bakery now features Humble Pie...

Little Buddies at the Park

 

    During Thanksgiving break this year, we made it out to Brazos Bend State Park with some friends!  I didnt get any pictures with the other kiddos (I was stuffing my face with picnic food my hands were full), but here are a few with Myla's little buddy, "Meeya."  Also, we saw no alligators, whew!

    Myla is passionate about sandwiches, so the kiddie picnic table was the first stop. 

 



 What's that?  You don't use a Wonder Bread sandwich tupperware from the dollar bin?  You should probably get one.

P.S. These five minutes were the total time "Meeya" spent sitting down.

And obviously, Piper was riding in style. 

   After picnicking and playing on the playground (and a dabble into archery by the menfolk), we set out on a "short walk" which accidentally turned into a 2+ mile walk with a 4-year-old, an 11-year-old, three 2-year-olds, one wagon that holds two said 2-year-olds nearing nap time, an infant, 6 parents, and zero strollers.  It was a good time.  Our friend ended up holding a sleeping Myla while Dave jogged off to get a truck and rescue us. 

    You read that right.  Dave jogged.

    But we all lived to tell the tale!  You know, after a few sessions of therapy each.

2012: A Literary Review

     The year isn't over yet, but let's face it: I probably won't complete any more books in 2012.  I used to be the reader of my family, but it seems like that has changed (at least for a season).  My kindle-toting dad and sister have me beat by a mile these days.  I love reading, but it seems like I have to gear myself up mentally to start a new book every time I finish one.

     And yes, I read books that interest me, not books that make me look smart(er).  This list is short.  I hope you don't mind excessive comas, parenthesis, and run-on sentences!  Here goes.

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins: You have heard the hype, and you should probably believe it.  This is the first books series bandwagon that I have joined (seeing as though I have yet to read Twilight or Harry Potter.  Oh, or Fifty Shades).  My friend who worked at Barnes and Noble recommended Hunger Games to me years ago, and I loved it.  Obviously, I had to re-read the book before seeing the movie this year!  Dave actually enjoyed the movie, but I know he'll never read the book.  I am thinking about searching for an audio version for us to listen to on a road trip.  Does this exist?  Anyone?

A Praying Life, Paul Miller: Y'all, read this book.  Please read it.  Maybe I am the only one who gets into a praying funk, but maybe not.  Paul Miller completely overhauled my view on prayer by reminding me how God really sees me.  I read A Praying Life earlier this year in a bible study, and it was amazing.  I was hooked by the first chapter thinking, "Yes, that's me!  Gah!"  Dave and I are reading/discussing it now, and I am already seeing the fruits of that in our day-to-day lives. 

Heaven is for Real, Todd Burpo: This is a quick, easy read.  It's a neat, nonfiction story about a boy who dies on an operating table.  He is miraculously revived, and for a full year following, he casually mentions things to his parents about being in heaven.  It seems weird, but it really makes you think.  Even professing Christians might not spend much time actually thinking about heaven, but this is really food for thought.  The book is so short that I might even call it a bathroom-type reader.  You know, if you like to think about heaven and Jesus while you're pooping.  I don't multi-task, though, so I can't really speak from experience. 

Bossypants, Tina Fey: You know, in case you thought I'm too conservative.  This is a really fun read.  Everyone knows Tina Fey is hilarious, and if you disagree, you probably don't enjoy things like laughter, puppies, hot chocolate, and happiness.  One caviat though: if you have no history watching SNL or 30 Rock, you may be a little bored at times.  She essentially puts together her history through (non-linear) anecdotes, many of which contain references to these shows.  She also seems so spend a little bit of time (in my opinion) trying to clear the air about media interviews/incidents where she came across badly.

Winter Garden, Kristin Hannah:  My sister told me to read this book because it was "beautiful."  She's right.  If you like novels with a little historical fiction and family issues, this may be the book for you.  It goes back and forth between a present-day story and one set in Leningrad, Russia during WWII.  In present-day Alaska, two adult sisters mourn the loss of their father while trying to reach out to their severely private and harsh mother who only seemed to have warmth in her heart for her now-deceased husband.  Their father's dying wish was that he tell the girls "the rest of the story."  The chapters switch back and forth to this story told in fairy-tale style, weaving a beautiful and tragic history that shows them who their mother really is.  Anyway, the story is beautiful, though the ending seems just a teensy bit too easy for me... I can't describe it, but it's definitely worth reading. 

Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese: Who are we kidding, I am not even halfway through this one, but it is wonderful already.  Just ask the New York Times best seller list.  I wouldn't call it a difficult read, but the language might be a little awkard if you prefer reading modern/conversational American English.  It's more proper-sounding than that.  My aunt mentioned this title to me, because my cousin's family adopted a little girl from Ethiopia (where the story takes place).  It is a beautiful story so far, with a tone almost reminiscent (to me) of the Kite Runner. I am looking forward to finishing this one.  You know, if I ever stop watching Take Home Chef on Netflix long enough to read something.

The Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd Jones: We read this almost every night with Myla before she goes to bed.  Does she always pay attention?  No.  But she now she asks every day, "Bye bye? (bible)" to remind us to read it.  I am not suggesting that children shouldn't hear or understand the actual bible in its traditional wording, but this is an excellent version that shows how everything in the bible really sets the stage for Jesus.  Even growing up in the church with bible "stories," you don't always make the connection as a child (or even as an adult) that everything in God's word points to Jesus.  I have gotten chills before while reading this with Myles.  Case in point: this little treasure from the story of Abraham and Isaac:
     "Many years later, another Son would climb another hill, carrying wood on his back.  Like Isaac, he would trust his Father and do what his Father asked.  He wouldn't struggle or run away.  Who was he?  God's Son, his only Son-- the Son he loved.  The Lamb of God."

Happy reading!

Life as We Know It: A Potty Training Edition

    Potty training has been 750 times less traumatic this time than our first attempt was.  Thank you, Lord.  I'm sure it helps that I have overheard a few gems along the way from my husband to keep me laughing.

Like this one (overheard Dave singing to Myla while she was on the potty):

"The itsy bitsy spider walked up the water spout.  Down came the something, and I don't know the words... Mommy needs to come in here..."

     Sometimes at home, we alternate from having Myla in panties or just naked from the waist down (since she can't really maneuver underwear yet).  I happened to hang her Minnie Mouse undies on the doorknob of the bathroom one day.  That prompted this conversation:

Dave: "You know, there was a time in my life when panties on a doorknob meant something entirely different."

Me: "No there wasn't."

Dave: "No.  No, there wasn't..."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     For all you people on the other side of this potty training journey who also used bribery, when do you stop the candy treats?  I don't want to quit too soon since she's doing well (we are about one week in).  But the kid will pee 3 drops into a potty every ten minutes and then say "Candies?"

I created a monster.  A really cute one, but still.

Confessions of a Suburban Mama

 

     A thought will strike me every now and then: "Am I the only one who ____?"   Case in point: My car.  

     Truth be told, the tidiness of my vehicle isn't really a top priority in my life right now.  Most of the time I am ok with that.  Other times I am totally embarassed at how it looks.  "Oh really, you need a ride?  Sorry my car never looks this bad!"  I sometimes dream of the day when every space I live/drive in isn't consumed by baby gear...

     But it's time to put it out there (for my 4 readers) in hopes of catharsis.  If you're brave, you should probably put up some pictures of the inside of your car, too.  I need to know that I am not the only one out there with this situation.  I'm not blog-smart enough yet to add a link-up tool.  One day, peeps, one day... Who am I kidding?  That day may never come.

     Welp, here goes nothin': 

 The most important feature:

 Carseat hell Central

Items in my car include (but are not limited to): strollers, towels, Longhorn blanket (in case I want to lay baby on the floor somewhere), sweater (it can get down to 60 degrees here!), bank deposit slips, diaper bag #1, secondary diaper bag, viser, umbrella, shopping cart cover thingy, ring sling baby carrier, mei tai baby carrier, tissue box, hand sanitizer, Reese's wrapper from the candy I stole at Mom's house on Halloween, emergency Nutri Grain bar, Ibuprofin, Ipod headphones, coins (that I totally scavenged the other day to buy a frappuccino).

Gah, I'm exhausted.  Please, show me your car.

Homeschooling at Our House

(And I bet you thought I was the teacher)!

See the Resemblance?

(Or is it just me)?

Piper: 4 Months

     I took Piper to the doc for her 4-month Well Baby Exam.  Very exciting.  In normal fashion, I'm posting the stats here since I can't for the life of me keep a baby book updated.  If you want to compare with Myles, go, here.  (I totally forgot Myla made baby dinosaur noises all the time at four months as well).  Time flies when you're having babies.

Piper @ 4 Months:

Height: 24 inches (25-50%)

Weight: 14 pounds, 3 ounces (50-75%)

Head: 16.5 inches (50-75%)

Poopsplosions: 1-2 per week

Other boring things to note: Piper can now roll both ways as of two days ago.  She is an obsessive finger sucker, and no matter where I lay her in the crib, she shimmies over to where her head is smashing into her creepy musical bedtime seahorse.

We love you, Piper Joy!

Get Thee to a Bakery!

     When I was in high school, I scored a spot in the only Honors English class period taught by a coach.  This isn't a generalization about coaches who are teachers, because some of them are super-awesome.  But I will say this: we spent six weeks in a "Satire Unit" where we mostly watched Simpsons and Family Guy parodies of classic literature.  You may or may not know this about me, but I wasn't allowed to watch the Simpsons or Family Guy, even in high school!  I also wasn't allowed to watch MTV.  But one time, when I was a freshman and "going out" with a guy, we watched an episode of the Simpsons over the phone.  It was back before texting, so it was much more romantic than kids these days. Sorry, dad.  

     Anyway, my take-away from English class was this: Get Thee to a Bakery! (instead of the line from Hamlet: "Get thee to a nunnery!"  No, I don't remember the plot, but I'm pretty sure everyone dies).

    All that to say, we have been baking around here.  I don't know how my gluten-free friends do it, because bread is taking over our lives.  A few weeks ago, Dave got a hankering for homemade pretzels and a wife with love handles.  He whipped out the Kitchenaid mixer and got to work.  We let Myla shape a pretzel of her own.  

 I guess she needed a little sample of the dough...Tasty!

This weekend, I made bread.  It's true, y'all.  I have never felt more Suzy Homemaker in my entire life.  I eat two pieces of peanut butter toast every morning, and Myla eats peanut butter&jelly sandwiches almost every day, so I decided to give this a go. I definitely had to gear myself up to start the process, because I have a slight fear of baking and a slight fear of using our mixer, and a real fear of getting it down off the top of the refrigerator.  That thing could crush a skull, so Dave helped a sister out.  I also prefer to do the bread things with him around because he used to work in a bakery in real life.  I followed this honey-wheat recipe except that I didn't buy special bread flour.  I would definitely recommend it! I froze two loaves and started using one for breakfast.

Immediately after I finished the bread, Dave decided to make biscuits on one of his baking whims.  The man is trying to sabotage my life.  Needless to say, I don't have a picture, because the two of us hovered over the skillet and ate half the biscuits in the pan for dinner.

All that baking made for an exhausting day, but we still made time for tummy time!