Friday, December 12, 2008
A down day
Adam and I had Christmas potluck at our house last night with people from his department at school. It was good fun, and Kenly managed to be civil and social for most of the night. However, as soon as people left, the meltdowns began. She had such a tough night that I finally gave up and let her snuggle me in the bed from 2:30am-8:00. I think she just got overstimulated and needed a down day to recover. She's been clingy today. I don't know why, but today has been one of those days where I woke up in a bad mood. I know I have so much to be thankful for,especially the new dishwasher that was delivered yesterday, but I'm just grouchy. I could cry...okay, I am crying. I feel so selfish and I want things to be about me for awhile. I've tried to do nice things for Adam today--fill the bird feeders and make a fire. I thought maybe the spirit of giving would make me feel better, but no. The fire went out, and it just made me feel like I couldn't do anything right. Like a failure. I just feel a little defeated today--I'm bone tired. The kind even a three hour nap can't shake. I want to hide for awhile; I want to lick my wounds, even if they are small or imaginary. I want so much. Why do I have to be selfish?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
A Ladybug Memory
Adam and I had tried to get pregnant for 7 months, and we had not had any success. We decided to go fishing at Mr. Brand's Green River property. As we drove in, the tall grass slapped the sides of the car. We let the dog out to roam and had a good time fishing and playing at the property. When we went to leave, the car was covered in hundreds of ladybugs. They covered every surface inside and outside of the car. I've always loved ladybugs. Mama and I feel they are lucky...that you're being blessed when one lands on you. So, I called Mama to share, and she said, "This is going to be your lucky month. You and Adam are sure to get pregnant now." Turns out that she was right. You gotta love ladybugs.
The Best Present Ever
Kenly loves the Christmas tree and the twinkle lights. I think she'd be happy all day if I just let her lay on her back in front of the tree. Can't you just hear her squeal?
Don't worry...I didn't let her chew on them. I just snapped a quick photo.
The stocking says it all. She is a princess.
Kenly had her first rice cereal on 12/10/08. She didn't know quite what to do. Most of it came right back out. I had to promise her that "real" food does get better. Quite frankly she looked a little disappointed with the whole experience.
Here is an action shot. You can tell how runny I had the rice cereal by watching it drip off the spoon. What a mess...but what fun.
In other news...Kenly is currently in her bed just talking sweetly to the ceiling. I love her waking up noises. Most of the time they are so sweet. I am a little sad and proud at the same time today. I know those are not emotions that people commonly couple together, so let me explain. For the past three days, Kenly hasn't needed or wanted me to rock her to sleep. I remember wishing that I could just put her to bed. So, I'm proud that she's so grown up, but I'm sad because I miss my snuggle time.
Don't worry...I didn't let her chew on them. I just snapped a quick photo.
The stocking says it all. She is a princess.
Kenly had her first rice cereal on 12/10/08. She didn't know quite what to do. Most of it came right back out. I had to promise her that "real" food does get better. Quite frankly she looked a little disappointed with the whole experience.Here is an action shot. You can tell how runny I had the rice cereal by watching it drip off the spoon. What a mess...but what fun.
In other news...Kenly is currently in her bed just talking sweetly to the ceiling. I love her waking up noises. Most of the time they are so sweet. I am a little sad and proud at the same time today. I know those are not emotions that people commonly couple together, so let me explain. For the past three days, Kenly hasn't needed or wanted me to rock her to sleep. I remember wishing that I could just put her to bed. So, I'm proud that she's so grown up, but I'm sad because I miss my snuggle time.
I'm also celebrating because I think my milk has finally dried up. While this is a bit sad, I am happy because for the first time in four months, I slept without a bra. Oh the freedom....
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Four Months Marvelous
Kenly is four months old today. I can hardly believe that she's been a part of my life for that long already. I'm so blessed. We're about to get ready to go to the doctor for her four month check up. It makes me a little sad to know that she gets shots for her birthday, but I know she needs the protection they provide. Hopefully she'll do just wonderfully with them again. Here are some pictures in honor of her "birthday."
We tried out the Jump and Go yesterday too. She's still a little too small. Her armpits are supposed to go over the sides. She had fun spinning in circles for about 10 minutes.
Here are her four month pictures. I swear she smiles so much I'm afraid her face is going to crack wide open. She has the sweetest disposition.
This picture was taken yesterday. This is the first time Kenly sat in the high chair Mrs. Dale gave her. Doesn't she look so tiny?
We tried out the Jump and Go yesterday too. She's still a little too small. Her armpits are supposed to go over the sides. She had fun spinning in circles for about 10 minutes.
Here are her four month pictures. I swear she smiles so much I'm afraid her face is going to crack wide open. She has the sweetest disposition.Monday, December 8, 2008
Random Facts about Rhonda
So, I was playing on Facebook, and some old students were listing 16 random facts, goals, shortcoming, or interesting trivia about themselves. It made me start thinking. I do some really crazy things. So, in honor of what I read...
1. If there is less than 64 ounces of Heinz Ketchup in the house, I start to get nervous. I secretly keep a Sam's membership for this reason...it's not really for diapers.
2. Even numbers give me satisfaction and odd numbers make me nervous. So, I CAN'T just eat one cookie. If I eat three, then I must eat four. You can see why diets become an issue.
3. I have a pen fetish. Even though we probably have 15o ink pens in various colors around the house, I always feel like I need more. I'm a border line pen thief. I always take the pens from hotels home. I'm so obsessed with pens that I can't go anywhere near an Office Depot or the office supply aisle at Walmart for fear that I will break down and buy another pen.
4. I have at least $200 worth of scrapbooking supplies in a closet, and I haven't created a single page of a scrapbook since 2004; I still want to buy more stuff.
5. I tend to binge and purge, but not with food. I'll save stuff for months or years, making neat little organized piles. Then, one day I'll wake up and have to throw most of it away because I can't look at it any more. I've been like this since childhood.
6. When someone I love leaves for a trip, I have to leave everything just the way he/she left it until he/she returns.
7. I am obsessive about an alarm clock. I have to check it multiple times just to make sure. Adam has lots of fun with this one.
8. I love greeting cards with a passion. Some times I buy an amazing card and then refuse to send it because it's just too good to give away.
9. Ninety-five percent of the time, if I start a book, I am compelled to finish it even if I find it boring or offensive.
10. If I nap, it needs to be for at least 2 hours or it's pointless. Forget a power nap...I'll be a grump for the rest of the day. You can imagine where this is a problem as a mom.
11. I cover any flat surface with piles...clothes, papers, pictures, books. I haven't seen the top of my dresser in 6 months.
12. I can't throw away or recycle a magazine. I hold on to them secretly hoping that I can find someone who will want them.
13. I secretly fear that Stacy and Clinton from TLC's What Not to Wear are going to jump out an attack me at Walmart as I shop in my Mickey Mouse pajama bottoms.
14. I can't put an outfit together to save my life because I have no fashion sense. So, I buy things that hang together at the store. If I every get brave and buy a single "piece" that is more than a basic black, it hangs in my closet feeling rejected with the original tags still attached.
15. I still color on bad days. The smell of crayons is as good as a muscle relaxant.
16. I still sleep with a blanket as a 32 year-old, married woman.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I'm just a little odd, but I guess that is what makes me human and interesting. Maybe one day Kenly will read this and understand why she's a little off...after all, she's half me.
1. If there is less than 64 ounces of Heinz Ketchup in the house, I start to get nervous. I secretly keep a Sam's membership for this reason...it's not really for diapers.
2. Even numbers give me satisfaction and odd numbers make me nervous. So, I CAN'T just eat one cookie. If I eat three, then I must eat four. You can see why diets become an issue.
3. I have a pen fetish. Even though we probably have 15o ink pens in various colors around the house, I always feel like I need more. I'm a border line pen thief. I always take the pens from hotels home. I'm so obsessed with pens that I can't go anywhere near an Office Depot or the office supply aisle at Walmart for fear that I will break down and buy another pen.
4. I have at least $200 worth of scrapbooking supplies in a closet, and I haven't created a single page of a scrapbook since 2004; I still want to buy more stuff.
5. I tend to binge and purge, but not with food. I'll save stuff for months or years, making neat little organized piles. Then, one day I'll wake up and have to throw most of it away because I can't look at it any more. I've been like this since childhood.
6. When someone I love leaves for a trip, I have to leave everything just the way he/she left it until he/she returns.
7. I am obsessive about an alarm clock. I have to check it multiple times just to make sure. Adam has lots of fun with this one.
8. I love greeting cards with a passion. Some times I buy an amazing card and then refuse to send it because it's just too good to give away.
9. Ninety-five percent of the time, if I start a book, I am compelled to finish it even if I find it boring or offensive.
10. If I nap, it needs to be for at least 2 hours or it's pointless. Forget a power nap...I'll be a grump for the rest of the day. You can imagine where this is a problem as a mom.
11. I cover any flat surface with piles...clothes, papers, pictures, books. I haven't seen the top of my dresser in 6 months.
12. I can't throw away or recycle a magazine. I hold on to them secretly hoping that I can find someone who will want them.
13. I secretly fear that Stacy and Clinton from TLC's What Not to Wear are going to jump out an attack me at Walmart as I shop in my Mickey Mouse pajama bottoms.
14. I can't put an outfit together to save my life because I have no fashion sense. So, I buy things that hang together at the store. If I every get brave and buy a single "piece" that is more than a basic black, it hangs in my closet feeling rejected with the original tags still attached.
15. I still color on bad days. The smell of crayons is as good as a muscle relaxant.
16. I still sleep with a blanket as a 32 year-old, married woman.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I'm just a little odd, but I guess that is what makes me human and interesting. Maybe one day Kenly will read this and understand why she's a little off...after all, she's half me.
A Shiny Red Fire Engine
Here is the official banner of the parade...only the police cars came first.
You have to love a dog in a punch bug..check out the reflection in the side of the car.
Okay, so it's not the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but it is small town fun.
What was that noise mom?
All bundled up and ready to go. Thanks to my friends Leanne and Leigh Ann, Kenly stayed snug as a bug in a rug.
You have to love a dog in a punch bug..check out the reflection in the side of the car.
Okay, so it's not the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but it is small town fun.
What was that noise mom?
All bundled up and ready to go. Thanks to my friends Leanne and Leigh Ann, Kenly stayed snug as a bug in a rug.
Christmas Parade
Adam and I took Kenly to the Hendersonville Christmas Parade on Main Street on Saturday. We love the parade. We always pack hot chocolate and show up to cheer and wait for Santa. I still have to resist the urge to shove small children while diving for the candy, coloring books and stuffed Chick-fil-A cows that fall from heaven during the parade. Kenly had good time. She was oblivious to most of what was going on around her. We enjoyed all the sights and sounds--little league champs, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts, dance troops, fire trucks, little girls wearing tiaras, and Shriners on motorcycles. Who doesn't love a parade? Kenly only jumped twice. A firetruck startled her, and East High's drumline kept her from finishing a bottle by "breaking it down" right in front of us. Here are a few pictures that I think you'll enjoy...
Here is Kenly enjoying her version of hot chocolate...the koozie kept her bottle nice and warm. This is before the drums made her think the bottle was poison.
She liked checking out the Shriners on motorcycles. 
She loves hanging out with her Dada...she was all smiles in his lap.
Adam and I kept warm by having hot chocolate. Believe it or not, the left over hot chocolate was still hot at 9:00PM that night. We were at the parade at 10:30AM...that thermos is amazing.
Christmas parades and Santa hats go hand and hand. Leanne sent Kenly this little coat...I love it! It kept Kenly so warm. Thanks Aunt Leanne.
Here is Kenly enjoying her version of hot chocolate...the koozie kept her bottle nice and warm. This is before the drums made her think the bottle was poison.
She liked checking out the Shriners on motorcycles. 
She loves hanging out with her Dada...she was all smiles in his lap.
Adam and I kept warm by having hot chocolate. Believe it or not, the left over hot chocolate was still hot at 9:00PM that night. We were at the parade at 10:30AM...that thermos is amazing.
Christmas parades and Santa hats go hand and hand. Leanne sent Kenly this little coat...I love it! It kept Kenly so warm. Thanks Aunt Leanne.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Discovering the Dog
Kenly has discovered that she has a four-legged, furry brother named Chance. The sequence is the same every day. He'll come sit by her, and she'll stare up at him, fascinated by what she has discovered. He'll move in for some mouth sugar...she'll flinch and then smile. Chance will get tired of me telling him to stop kissing her, and he'll walk away dejected. Kenly will try her hardest to follow him. You can almost hear her thinking...Gosh..he was right there? Where did that cool furry thing go? Today I caught it on film...you can still see Chance's legs in the last frame.
Pictures just because it's December 4th
Kenly got this cute outfit from my friends Brad and Noriko. She's finally big enough..she looks too cute. Too bad she spit up horribly right before I took these. Her favorite thing to do now is chew her fingers or to stick her finger in my mouth. I'm not sure what she's trying to find, but she has loads of fun searching.
Hanging out in our PJs is loads of fun. Doesn't she just look like she's chilling?
You can almost hear her say, "You mean I could have been grabbing these all along. What time I wasted. This is fun."
Hanging out in our PJs is loads of fun. Doesn't she just look like she's chilling?
You can almost hear her say, "You mean I could have been grabbing these all along. What time I wasted. This is fun."
Puns and Christmas Spirit
Old story that has been rattling around in my brain all day, so I have to share it first. Adam, Kenly, and I are going to Florida after Christmas. I always look forward to warmth, sun, and soaking up some rays. My meds say that I can't have prolonged sun exposure, so I was whining in typical fashion to Adam the other night. My "punny" husband, without a seconds hesitation, said, "Well, it's a good thing we had a daughter then." I looked all confused...Adam said, "Wait for it"....because he knows I'm slow, and then I died laughing. The good belly kind that makes you hurt all over.
So, back to today. I woke up grouchy. I even idly threatened to shove the binky up Kenly's nose this morning. I couldn't shake the funks all day...I tried. Kenly screamed all the way home from my lab work. I just kept getting wound tighter and tighter. Adam came home and gave me my fourth day of Christmas....he's shooting for a present for all 25 days. How he can do it and stay under budget, I'll never know. Today's present was a book of nursery rhymes with a CD. He's building my arsenal for my "classroom of one." Then it started. I noticed the Christmas lights. Adam built a warm, inviting fire. We ate a great taco dinner, and then we watched the old black and white version of Miracle on 34th Street. Don't you love the scene where they dump the letters on the judge in the courtroom? Doesn't it make your heart sing? I am a sucker for Christmas movies. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy. I can't wait to introduce Kenly to Cindy Lou Who, the Grinch, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman. I can't wait to see her face as she watches Charlie Brown pick out that scrawny tree that turns into a glowing spectacle of lights. We'll watch Elf and laugh as Will Ferrell eats nasty gum off a rail in NY City. We'll cheer when Tim Allen saves the day in The Santa Clause. What will her face be like as she watches the Polar Express? The wonder of Christmas through my child's eyes will be a miracle to behold. I love Christmas. It brings out the child in me....I can't wait to share all the wonders with her. Christmas Spirit rubbed off on me tonight. I got the attitude adjustment I needed...and I believe. I always will.
So, back to today. I woke up grouchy. I even idly threatened to shove the binky up Kenly's nose this morning. I couldn't shake the funks all day...I tried. Kenly screamed all the way home from my lab work. I just kept getting wound tighter and tighter. Adam came home and gave me my fourth day of Christmas....he's shooting for a present for all 25 days. How he can do it and stay under budget, I'll never know. Today's present was a book of nursery rhymes with a CD. He's building my arsenal for my "classroom of one." Then it started. I noticed the Christmas lights. Adam built a warm, inviting fire. We ate a great taco dinner, and then we watched the old black and white version of Miracle on 34th Street. Don't you love the scene where they dump the letters on the judge in the courtroom? Doesn't it make your heart sing? I am a sucker for Christmas movies. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy. I can't wait to introduce Kenly to Cindy Lou Who, the Grinch, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman. I can't wait to see her face as she watches Charlie Brown pick out that scrawny tree that turns into a glowing spectacle of lights. We'll watch Elf and laugh as Will Ferrell eats nasty gum off a rail in NY City. We'll cheer when Tim Allen saves the day in The Santa Clause. What will her face be like as she watches the Polar Express? The wonder of Christmas through my child's eyes will be a miracle to behold. I love Christmas. It brings out the child in me....I can't wait to share all the wonders with her. Christmas Spirit rubbed off on me tonight. I got the attitude adjustment I needed...and I believe. I always will.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Could it be?
Tonight after Kenly's 7PM feeding, she reached up and put her hands on both sides of my face and smiled. On purpose? Who cares....my heart is soaring.
Plus...I have a new dishwasher on the way. No more boiling bottles. Who could ask for more?
Plus...I have a new dishwasher on the way. No more boiling bottles. Who could ask for more?
My Mother Letter
I wrote this mother letter at the request of a fellow blogger that I've never met. He wants to give the letters to his wife for Christmas. Here is my contribution.
Dear Mother,
I was not prepared for the onslaught of emotion that overtook my body when they placed Kenly in my arms. I felt joy and pure love, but the emotion that surprised me the most was fear. I know that sounds crazy, but the overwhelming responsibility of providing for her and protecting her filled me with crazy, body-numbing fear. This isn’t a fear that keeps you from acting; it’s a fear that drives you to protect, to nurture, and to sacrifice yourself to make this little screaming, gassy bundle of loveliness happy. I’d do anything to ease her pain, to make her life just a little better. I wish I had a super power to protect her from the pain of gas, from the struggle of constipation, and from the many unnamed hurts that loom in her future.
How will I keep myself from destroying the first child who makes her cry in playgroup? How will I keep myself from maiming the first boy who breaks her heart? How will I deal with myself when I have to break her heart by refusing her something that “she’s just got to have?”
She’s only four months old now, but her little hurts have already brought me to tears on multiple occasions. What will I do when she really hurts? I can’t even begin to prepare for when she sits in my lap and sobs over things I can’t heal or fix. I can’t protect her from every harm, and that one little thought terrifies me and plagues my heart. My heart is now on her tiny sleeve, and she will carry it out into the world. She’ll expose it to great happiness and to many thrills. She’ll teach my heart to love the little things, all the miniscule wonders of the world. I’ll see things new again because she’s teaching my heart to stop and pay attention. BUT, she’ll also hurt my heart in ways she can’t even imagine. She won’t mean to. Most of the time, the pain will be from watching her hurt, from longing to protect. But sometimes she’ll hurt me no purpose, and that thought slays my heart.
So, when the fear of raising this child gets to be too much to bear, I remember that I don’t have to carry it. God gave her to Adam and me as a gift, and he promises that he won’t give us more than we can bear. Most of all, I remember that He loves me with the same fierce, uncontrollable love that I feel for Kenly. I have to remind my heart that God has a plan for me, for Adam, and for Kenly, and that plan is “to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future.” Job 23:10 says that he knows the ways we take, and when he has tried us, we will come forth as gold. I have to remember that every pain that I bear, every pain that Kenly bears—it’s all for a purpose. The most beautiful thing is that God will hold us in His protective hands and feel the pain with us so that we are not alone.
Love,
Rhonda Brand
Hendersonville, NC
Dear Mother,
I was not prepared for the onslaught of emotion that overtook my body when they placed Kenly in my arms. I felt joy and pure love, but the emotion that surprised me the most was fear. I know that sounds crazy, but the overwhelming responsibility of providing for her and protecting her filled me with crazy, body-numbing fear. This isn’t a fear that keeps you from acting; it’s a fear that drives you to protect, to nurture, and to sacrifice yourself to make this little screaming, gassy bundle of loveliness happy. I’d do anything to ease her pain, to make her life just a little better. I wish I had a super power to protect her from the pain of gas, from the struggle of constipation, and from the many unnamed hurts that loom in her future.
How will I keep myself from destroying the first child who makes her cry in playgroup? How will I keep myself from maiming the first boy who breaks her heart? How will I deal with myself when I have to break her heart by refusing her something that “she’s just got to have?”
She’s only four months old now, but her little hurts have already brought me to tears on multiple occasions. What will I do when she really hurts? I can’t even begin to prepare for when she sits in my lap and sobs over things I can’t heal or fix. I can’t protect her from every harm, and that one little thought terrifies me and plagues my heart. My heart is now on her tiny sleeve, and she will carry it out into the world. She’ll expose it to great happiness and to many thrills. She’ll teach my heart to love the little things, all the miniscule wonders of the world. I’ll see things new again because she’s teaching my heart to stop and pay attention. BUT, she’ll also hurt my heart in ways she can’t even imagine. She won’t mean to. Most of the time, the pain will be from watching her hurt, from longing to protect. But sometimes she’ll hurt me no purpose, and that thought slays my heart.
So, when the fear of raising this child gets to be too much to bear, I remember that I don’t have to carry it. God gave her to Adam and me as a gift, and he promises that he won’t give us more than we can bear. Most of all, I remember that He loves me with the same fierce, uncontrollable love that I feel for Kenly. I have to remind my heart that God has a plan for me, for Adam, and for Kenly, and that plan is “to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future.” Job 23:10 says that he knows the ways we take, and when he has tried us, we will come forth as gold. I have to remember that every pain that I bear, every pain that Kenly bears—it’s all for a purpose. The most beautiful thing is that God will hold us in His protective hands and feel the pain with us so that we are not alone.
Love,
Rhonda Brand
Hendersonville, NC
The Quest for Poop
Never in all of my years did I think I would stress so much about poop. Is this poop normal? When will she ever poop? Oh my gosh...look at that poop. When did I become so gross? So, in honor of poop, a few stories.
On Halloween Kenly, Adam, and I all went down to the park at the base of our neighborhood to hand out candy. Kids can't go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood because it is too hilly. So, we make a party out of it in the park...kinda like a trunk-or-treat. Kenly dressed in her pumpkin onesie and a pair of jeans. She looked so cute that no one would have ever suspected the "trick" in her pants. It was so massive that it blew down both legs and up her back. So, I was getting a bath ready to clean her up properly when Adam created a song. He's always singing and making up new words to old tunes. So, sing this in your head to the tune of "Monster Mash."
Down in the park on my first Halloween
I filled my pants with something sticky and green
I took a poop, I took a monster poop.
I filled my pants with goop.
I took a poop, I took a monster poop.
I've since forgotten the other verses. I love my husband...and his silly songs. They make great memories.
Story Number Two
Nana and Papa were up for a visit and we were chilling around the dinner table when Kenly got fussy. Nana picked her up and snuggled her close. She touched her leg and got slimed by something. She looked at me and said, "Rhonda, what is this?" I quickly and calmly responded, "That would be poop." Poor Nana got slimed two times on that visit.
Now I'm begging for poop. Please let the constipation pass.
On Halloween Kenly, Adam, and I all went down to the park at the base of our neighborhood to hand out candy. Kids can't go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood because it is too hilly. So, we make a party out of it in the park...kinda like a trunk-or-treat. Kenly dressed in her pumpkin onesie and a pair of jeans. She looked so cute that no one would have ever suspected the "trick" in her pants. It was so massive that it blew down both legs and up her back. So, I was getting a bath ready to clean her up properly when Adam created a song. He's always singing and making up new words to old tunes. So, sing this in your head to the tune of "Monster Mash."
Down in the park on my first Halloween
I filled my pants with something sticky and green
I took a poop, I took a monster poop.
I filled my pants with goop.
I took a poop, I took a monster poop.
I've since forgotten the other verses. I love my husband...and his silly songs. They make great memories.
Story Number Two
Nana and Papa were up for a visit and we were chilling around the dinner table when Kenly got fussy. Nana picked her up and snuggled her close. She touched her leg and got slimed by something. She looked at me and said, "Rhonda, what is this?" I quickly and calmly responded, "That would be poop." Poor Nana got slimed two times on that visit.
Now I'm begging for poop. Please let the constipation pass.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thanksgiving
Grandma bought Kenly this cute outfit for Christmas. We wore it on Thanksgiving because she's was about to outgrow it. This is the outfit she wore when she sat on Santa's lap, so you can imagine how cute she looked.
Nana and Papa introduced Kenly to the train in the village. She loved watching it zoom by.
Kenly now like to snuggle a teddy bear or a lovey when she gets the chance. She's about to move in for the nuzzle in this picture.
The bib says it all. She watched every bite we took. I think she's ready to start solids, but we'll wait an ask the doctor next Tuesday when we go to get our dreaded second round of shots.
Nana and Papa introduced Kenly to the train in the village. She loved watching it zoom by.
Kenly now like to snuggle a teddy bear or a lovey when she gets the chance. She's about to move in for the nuzzle in this picture.
The bib says it all. She watched every bite we took. I think she's ready to start solids, but we'll wait an ask the doctor next Tuesday when we go to get our dreaded second round of shots.
Just because I'm dressed nice doesn't mean that I have to smile for the camera. Kenly was tired of showing off after church in Augusta and started screaming until I took off the shoes, the tights, the bloomers, and the dress. I guess she does take after her Mama...she wants to live in PJs.
Nana and Papa put the tree up for Kenly Shae and she loved it. She stared at it. She played with ornaments when Nana and Papa put her under the tree.
Mops and Pops came up and we played a couple fierce games of Priceless. Kenly was observing, learning how to kick our butts in just a few years. Mops and Pops kept Kenly so that I could take Adam on a surprise date to a Japanese spa for a two hour hot tub soak and then to the Lobster Trap in downtown Asheville for supper. The date was interesting to say the least....poor Adam got overheated and passed out and didn't feel well for supper, but even with all of that, it was the best time together we've had in four months. We enjoyed grown up talk and time to be alone. It was talking that made us lose track of how much time we had spent in the hot tub. Shame on us.
Here are Nana and Papa with Kenly up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We wanted to see pretty leaves, but most of them had already fallen. The views were great still.
Nana and Papa put the tree up for Kenly Shae and she loved it. She stared at it. She played with ornaments when Nana and Papa put her under the tree.
Mops and Pops came up and we played a couple fierce games of Priceless. Kenly was observing, learning how to kick our butts in just a few years. Mops and Pops kept Kenly so that I could take Adam on a surprise date to a Japanese spa for a two hour hot tub soak and then to the Lobster Trap in downtown Asheville for supper. The date was interesting to say the least....poor Adam got overheated and passed out and didn't feel well for supper, but even with all of that, it was the best time together we've had in four months. We enjoyed grown up talk and time to be alone. It was talking that made us lose track of how much time we had spent in the hot tub. Shame on us.
Here are Nana and Papa with Kenly up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We wanted to see pretty leaves, but most of them had already fallen. The views were great still.
Since it's been awhile...
Kenly wouldn't take a nap in her crib last week, but I was determined that she was going to sleep so I snuggled her on the futon. She was so cute that I didn't get a nap. I was too busy looking at her and taking pictures.
This is Kenly just one day after her three month birthday. We were playing in the fall leaves. I chopped all my hair off, so you're looking at the new, improved Rhonda.
Tummy time is still not Kenly's favorite way to pass an afternoon,but she's learning to embrace it. She always rolls over now. She looks so proud and satisfied after she's on her back.
You can't tell in this picture, but it really is snowing. So, this was Kenly's first look at snow. It was only flurries, but it was great. Pops was up taking care of his girls, and he snapped this picture of us frolicking in the snow.
This is Kenly just one day after her three month birthday. We were playing in the fall leaves. I chopped all my hair off, so you're looking at the new, improved Rhonda.
Tummy time is still not Kenly's favorite way to pass an afternoon,but she's learning to embrace it. She always rolls over now. She looks so proud and satisfied after she's on her back.
You can't tell in this picture, but it really is snowing. So, this was Kenly's first look at snow. It was only flurries, but it was great. Pops was up taking care of his girls, and he snapped this picture of us frolicking in the snow.
Here's my Baby
Look at my cute baby with her first boo boos after her shots. Papa was holding her and massaging her legs to keep them from getting stiff. She was such a trooper. She wailed for abour 45 seconds and then she was all better.
She does indeed have a few dresses. She looks adorable in them too.
Here is Kenly on Halloween. I must have taken about forty pictures of her with the pumpkin. I think I did good to only keep 14. Here is one of my favorites. Aren't those toes cute?
Kenly now loves baths. She's looking up at her Nana and Papa in this shot. It is one of my absolute favorites. After this bath, she got to expereince her first shower. She loved it. She reached out and played with the streams of water. I now think that I'm going to have to buy a hand held shower head just so she can play. Is she a spoiled baby or what?
She does indeed have a few dresses. She looks adorable in them too.
Here is Kenly on Halloween. I must have taken about forty pictures of her with the pumpkin. I think I did good to only keep 14. Here is one of my favorites. Aren't those toes cute?
Kenly now loves baths. She's looking up at her Nana and Papa in this shot. It is one of my absolute favorites. After this bath, she got to expereince her first shower. She loved it. She reached out and played with the streams of water. I now think that I'm going to have to buy a hand held shower head just so she can play. Is she a spoiled baby or what?
Who Knew?
Who knew that watching a baby grow could be so utterly fascinating? Everyday that I wake up, I realize that Kenly has changed over night. She's such a big girl now. She's even starting to lose some of that baby look. While I'm excited to see her grow and discover, I'm also amazed and a little sad at how fast time flies. It seems like just yesterday that we brought her home, but in reality, she's been with us for almost four months. Next Tuesday she'll hit that mark. She chews on things constantly now. Grandma says that "her gums itch." I'm sure they do. She'll practically dive out of my lap if my hand comes anywhere near her mouth. She'll bend in half to get a toy in her mouth. She's just so grown. About two weeks ago I let her sit in her Bumbo chair, and you can tell she really loves the new perspective. She looks so proud...like she's lounging in her baby recliner. Today I put her under the Baby Einstein mat in her Bumbo chair and she was double fisting toys. Last time we played on the mat, she was barely aware that there were toys hanging around her. Now she reaches out and grabs things with remarkable accuracy. She's also good at warming my heart. When she gets tired, she leans into me now and nuzzles against my neck and face. She can also break my heart with her huge tears. On Monday she actually discovered her feet. She hasn't grabbed them yet, but she is aware they exist. She rubs them together and she loves to "tap dance." Mama nicknamed her Thumper over Thanksgiving because even in her sleep she's tapping her feet. Kenly's also had some issues here recently. Her Daddy once called her "Princess Poops A lot," but I'm afraid the name no longer applies thanks to formula and rice cereal. The poor kid is so constipated and it kills me to watch her hurt. She's on prune juice and suppositories now, and tomorrow we might try some Karo syrup. I miss the diapers she produces when we were breastfeeding.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving with Mama and Daddy. I think I gained all my baby weight back thanks to the yummy turkey and ham and all the fixings. This Prednisone makes me ravenous....I can't eat enough. Couple a huge apetite with an endless supply of yummy food and you have a receipe for disaster. Good thing I'm feeling better so that I can start exercising soon or I'll be big as a house before Christmas.
Kenly also went to the mall in Augusta to sit on Santa's lap. She did great. Santa held her and sang to her, and she repaid him by pulling his beard. I don't know if that means that she's on the naughty or nice list. I did buy some pictures, but you'll have to wait to see them. I hope to get out Christmas cards and I want her picture to be a part of that process.
I'm realizing on a daily basis just how blessed I am to be able to stay home. I love watching every little first. I love reading books. I love singing songs and acting like a fool to get just one more smile. I love that she knows me and clings to me for comfort. It's the biggest ego boost I've every had. Motherhood is painful, beautiful, thrilling, and exhausting. I'm so glad I was able to join the ranks. What an amazing privilege and gift.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving with Mama and Daddy. I think I gained all my baby weight back thanks to the yummy turkey and ham and all the fixings. This Prednisone makes me ravenous....I can't eat enough. Couple a huge apetite with an endless supply of yummy food and you have a receipe for disaster. Good thing I'm feeling better so that I can start exercising soon or I'll be big as a house before Christmas.
Kenly also went to the mall in Augusta to sit on Santa's lap. She did great. Santa held her and sang to her, and she repaid him by pulling his beard. I don't know if that means that she's on the naughty or nice list. I did buy some pictures, but you'll have to wait to see them. I hope to get out Christmas cards and I want her picture to be a part of that process.
I'm realizing on a daily basis just how blessed I am to be able to stay home. I love watching every little first. I love reading books. I love singing songs and acting like a fool to get just one more smile. I love that she knows me and clings to me for comfort. It's the biggest ego boost I've every had. Motherhood is painful, beautiful, thrilling, and exhausting. I'm so glad I was able to join the ranks. What an amazing privilege and gift.
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