on a mission

It's been a rough day here. This afternoon K has had many (I lost count... or actually chose not to keep count) tantrums and upsets. It got bad enough that I got to the point of crying, which, for those of you who know me, doesn't happen often. You just begin to doubt yourself and question what you're doing wrong when your child behaves in this way. Drew took K out this morning and spent some time with her (and let me sleep in!) that of which I was so greatful for. But, when we tried to go out to lunch as a family, things went down hill.

Both Drew and I were stressed, and didn't know what to do, how to react... I know both of us were praying, that's for sure. That's one thing we do realize. We know we can't do this on our own and we both pray for guidance and consistency when it comes to disciplining our children.

We've racked our brains trying to figure out what is going on in our little one's head that makes her behave this way...is she sick? do her ears hurt? is she tired? I think it's possible that in this instance it was the third option, because as you can see from the picture above, she finally (after about an hour of playing/and then finally crying it out in her crib) fell asleep and has been asleep for the past hour our so. I am sure that some of it too is her figuring out how to express her emotions. That, coupled with us being first time parents I guess means there will be a lot of trial and error. I just pray we don't make too many mistakes.

So it's become my mission, I'm researching, reading, trying to understand what is the best way to deal with this all. Pray for us. I know God will guide us. Well...she's waking now! Time to go!

Happy 17 Months!

Sis turned 17 months on Saturday! We just happened to be in Atlanta visiting our dear friends Josh and Elizabeth and going to Ikea. We drove up Friday morning, met the Swaffords for lunch, and went back to their place and let the girls nap. Afterward we went to Ikea. We wanted to try and find some furniture for K that didn't break the bank! Fortunately, we were able to do so! I was hesitant, but this full sized bed pictured above (with just the two cutest modes ever) was cheaper and nicer than any other beds we saw. We also decided that since we already had a full sized mattress we could go ahead and use that too! We also got K a bookcase, but we're gonna buy some canvas bins and put her clothes in it, and a table and chairs. We had a good trip to Ikea!

After Ikea, we got the girls home and just relaxed the rest of the evening and really the next day. It was fun to visit with Josh and Elizabeth because it was just like old times! (Drew and Josh were roommates in college) We headed home after lunch on Saturday. It's a four hour trip...and although we had a few rough patches with our little one, all in all it wasn't too bad. We realized that its important to stop...it's just easier, no matter how fast we want to get there! It's a good lesson because just next week we're heading up to the Cincinnati/Sellersburg area to visit friends and family!

Thanks to Josh, Elizabeth, and Adeline for opening your home and giving us a great time! Can't wait to see y'all in Savannah!

23 Weeks!

(didn't snap a picture this weekend...we were in ATL buying K some new furniture for her big sister room!)

Pregnancy Higlights:

How Far Along: 23 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: somewhere between 5-10 pounds...next week is our dr. appt!

Maternity Clothes: definitely! I was wearing some tank tops still, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to stop soon..my belly is getting big!

Best Moment This Week: Drew actually got to feel a strong kick, he didn't get those feelings with K.

Gender: Baby Boy!

Movement: This little guy loves to kick. I feel most of the movement in my lower belly right now.

Food Craving: Love sweets. But my appetite for just about anything is gaining...

What I Miss: nothing I can think of this week!

Sleep: Tossing and turning, and of course this little stinker is very active at night!

What I Am Looking Forward To: we got K some new furniture this week... I'm looking forward to transforming her room, and getting her little brother's ready!

Belly Button: Innie, but stretching wide!

Stretch Marks: still just left overs so far! Whew!

Symptoms: regular old pregnancy symptoms I would say...this time tough, instead of having heartburn during the day, it hits me once I lay down in bed :)

nice try satan

You know when you're feeling attacked? It's horrible isn't it? My initial reaction is to run and hide, try to get away from it. Well, satan is attacking, and worse off, it isn't just me, it's my family. Let me explain...

We're struggling, struggling with finances. You might think, well goodness, I'd never have known... all she posts is happy, fun things! I do that because we try our darndest to be happy and fun most of the time! But of course, there are hardships, and this is ours.

We've got bills, a house payment (for a house we're not living in), car payment, rent, and student loans. It's piling up. Another reason I don't like to post these types of things is because I feel completely blessed with our situation. I don't want it to seem like I'm not. God has brought us to the place we live by introducing us to an amazing family and working things out.

Nevertheless, just today something else came up (it always does, doesn't it?) and I'm feeling attacked. BUT instead of running and hiding this time...my initial reaction was to run to my SAVIOR!!! Why didn't I think of this before? Of course I had my panic, and unsettling thoughts...but I ran...ran to Jesus. I opened my bible to a passage that came from a book we're reading for my MOPS group. It's 2 Timothy 1:7, and it goes like this, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

I realized then...this fear, this panic I'm feeling isn't from God. He doesn't want me to feel that way, He wants me to have trust in Him. So that's what I'm choosing to do, and as I do that...I can feel the fear slowly creep away.

So go ahead satan, just try to attack me or my family... I've got a mighty force on my side!

Uh oh...

So the other day I was getting ready and K was with me in the bathroom. She's always interested in whatever I have or am doing so I try to keep her occupied some how, some way...

Well, she was asking for my mascara, and on a whim, I decided to give it to her, this is what happened...

It was really cute at first, she was actually trying to put it near her eyes...like her momma. Then she when all crazy! The pictures of her upset are only because she wanted the camera...or didn't want me to take any pictures of her!

Love these times I have with her...they are priceless!

22 Weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 22 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 5 pounds at the last appt... sure it's more now!

Maternity Clothes: definitely!

Best Moment This Week: feeling stronger kicks and movements

Gender: It's a BOY!

Movement: Love feeling this little guy move around in my belly.

Food Craving: I crave candy a lot...but I crave that when I'm not prego too...this just gives me an excuse to eat it more often!

What I Miss: nothin right now!

Sleep: I toss and turn a lot through out the night...thank goodness for body pillows!

What I Am Looking Forward To: loving on a baby boy

Belly Button: innie...my belly is definitely growing differently than the last time though

Stretch Marks: just the left-overs!

Symptoms: starting to get some lower back pain that I had the first time around...

Nap & Play Time

This sweet girl just melts my heart... her imagination and joy grow more and more each day! I am delighted every morning and every afternoon to walk into her room and see a smiling face to greet me! I wanted to snap a few pictures of what I saw and it was pretty funny...she was putting her hand out like, "No more paparazzi, please!"

She recently has taken a fondness to my shoes! Lately, I find her in our closet, and soon enough she'll be struggling to put on some of mommy's shoes so she can walk around in them! She does a pretty good job, but doesn't get too far! This time she managed to get some that matched her outfit! Way to go Kerrington!