Can I Have a Window Seat?

Eliza loves to look out our large heat sinking government designed Air Force base housing in which they abandoned gifted the city of Rome. I had recycled an old crib mattress which was a side of the road score in the neighborhood. Not good enough condition to put our future son on this winter, but certainly suitable for a window seat/reading nook to be abused loved on from a toddler. The rectangle cushions came from Ikea from when we had a futon and they were the ghetto arm rests.  

She loves her books

Story time with Daddy

Been a bit sick this week...should hopefully be able to post something decent and fun once life slows down a little bit and my stinking fabric arrives in the mail!

Toys

You know you've been a parent for long enough when you purposely hide your children's toys....and it isn't Christmas time.

I seem to enjoy my daughters play corner in the living room the most when it is all picked up and is in some organized fashion. Back around April, Gram blessed us with getting a Target dark brown bookshelf with 6 square openings.

                           
This is the Ikea version, but short two more squares. I wanted something better built than Closet Maid brand as kids are plain rough on stuff. They climb and stack or even fall into the things! Pair it with the cute Itso baskets....and you have something you don't mind it sitting in the main hub of your home. This also lets you not have to put a basket for each opening as some toys just need a cubby. The 8 square Ikea version resides on the same wall with the blended family. Then if we move and have more space and the kids are content playing in their own rooms, this momma can take it over for her :)

The toys which are very loved, but very abused all over the floor are the wooden puzzles. Or we have the cat face key board with all the different songs, including a microphone. She will play the noise over and over....in different tempos no doubt. If that wasn't  bad enough, she will insist on picking it up and slamming it on your face or lap when laying down. Because of course, we make the most excellent music stand!

I can handle the chunky books, as how can I get upset with a love of reading, or at least looking curiously at the pages.

Could This Be His Name?

I recently had a name come to mind that gave me such a peace inside. I hadn't told Mr. G about it yet, and was sure to go check out the meaning it came with. To a relief, it meant "Champion". Whew...nothing goofy. I then paired it with one of the other grandfathers names for the middle and it just flowed.

When coming home that evening, the first thing I uttered to Mr. G as he laid across the recliner was the full name. I felt confident and happy about it.

No.....

Something broke inside, like a cruel promise that wasn't meant to be. I still secretly hold on to this name, that some how, God will speak to my husband and let him know what HE wants to name His creation inside my womb.

Better Late than Never

Is it sad that 16 months later I am now starting to write in Eliza's baby journal? With all this technology and the online world, it isn't like I haven't documented all these milestones. Yet I wonder when my children are adults, will they be able to access this for future reference or be lost in cyber space?

Is there a service which will take a blog and put all the entries of your choice into a printed book? This would be AWESOME to have. My mother journal-ed the first 4 or so years of my life. Everything to the potty training success to the every day hum drum. I have found it fascinating to go back and see just how much Eliza is like myself. It certainly opens one's eyes to why you are who you are with out our culture heavily influencing a young mind yet.

There were my preschool/childcare friends, phases said, dislikes of food and likes of particular toys. Even the tantrums and constant sickness. I attribute a lot of the issues with my grandmothers addiction of cigarettes. Children's Tylenol and nasal Sudafed seemed to be the norm, along with ear infections after another.

How different of life my daughter is growing up in compared to my early childhood life. I have strong convictions about setting boundaries, daily execution of living in faith and playing a more active roll in my children's education outside of the classroom. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe being a hover parent is beneficial to either side, but I tend to gravitate to the old school approach when it comes to raising children. Something I exercise in the daily grind of the youth center. Band-Aids are not given for everything, and I urge each child to dig inside to tough things out or pull through them with the right support.

After all, we won't always be there to fight the fights or shield them from the fallen world we live in. 

Post Vacation Decompress

All good things must come to an end....

I have been very thankful for a short week at work and a weekend to greet me. Jet lag and pregnancy do not mix. We have been gluttons for sleeping in and even being late to work for someone. Late morning/early afternoon nap? Yes please! Eliza has been a good sport about heading to bed with mommy for an hour snooze.

The picture posted above is probably my favorite of all taken. We are sitting on the steps of my childhood home while my girl friend from my college takes it. Candid and improving, I love it. I of course can point out my body flaws and small repeated dimples in places I would rather Photoshop, but I am trying to put them aside and think about others ;)

We had an amazing time visiting with friends and family while out in San Diego. Such great times were had that it was painful in knowing I couldn't stash them in my luggage. It's HARD to spend 24 years in one place and know you do not belong there long term anymore. Yet I still try and contemplate logistics of how it could be made possible.

We stayed away from most heavily touristy spots, but did venture to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. I lived roughly 10 minutes away from the San Pasqual Valley, and always loved this place for the lack of urban zoo attractions and environment. The beach was hit for a few hours where Mr. G earned a very crispy back side. Eliza got more than her daily mineral requirement via the sand ingested. 

I hit a big milestone by celebrating my 30th (eeeeek!)

Staying with my mother has always been a very huge financial blessing when it has come to these visits from where ever in the country. Since her retirement, she always sleeps better when we occupy the living spaces. I will miss giving Eliza her bath in the same tub I did at this age, not to mention there being more room for bodies!

I will say, I do not wish to board a plane with a toddler for quite some time.....

When we returned home, we were greeted by many unwanted house guests like fruit flies! Nasty little buggers they are. The trash didn't get dumped prior to leaving and we had people over doing repairs in our bathroom.

My best candid/spontaneous pic taken in a long time. Thanks Sommer!

Mmmmm, gritty PB&J

Quality cable TV time with Daddy

Eliza frequented Gram's bed for a visit

"Fear? I know nothing of the sort" - Eliza

 We are slowly trying to get back into the swing of a new routine: Half time work again, a new sitter, full time work for Mr. G.....and of course getting ready for the newest family member in January.

 

The Very Awaited Ultrasound

After getting back from vacation (more on that in another post), Mr. G and I had the 20 ish week anatomy scan.

We are very excited to be welcoming a baby boy this January, making Eliza a big sister. I will be very curious as to how much this one will look like us in either direction. With so many comments on how our daughter looked so much like Mr. G, I would LOVE this one to take more after mommy :)