A Gracious Place

Friday, December 19, 2008

Smiles, Stars, and Suprises

Well, Johnny hit a developmental milestone this week. No, he did not sleep through the night. I know that is what you all were hoping for ;-) He smiled on Tuesday for the first time! And I’ve seen him smile at least once a day since then. I think he’s going to be a smiley guy––and social too. At this age Miranda started to prefer lying on the floor to being held. Johnny definitely prefers to be held, even if he is fed and clean.

He’s on a three-hour schedule at night, like clockwork. He usually wakes me up at 6am and is ready to eat and then start his day. Miranda wakes up around seven, so Johnny and I have a little one on one time in the mornings. Here are some of our activities this morning: aired out his bottom to help clear up a little diaper rash, peed into a “pee-pee teepee” while airing out bottom (those things are WONDERFUL!), smiled at the black and white frame on the wall, danced to “I’ll be Home for Christmas” Kenny G style (we leave on our 20 hour drive tomorrow!), got a booger with the booger sucker, gazed at the fan on the ceiling, sang “This is the Day,” and counted hiccups…still counting. It was a very exciting morning for an almost 5 week old.

Miranda has bloomed lately. With her vocabulary explosion about a week before Johnny was born, she parrots most of what I say. There is nothing like a toddler to let you know what words you overuse. It seems my personal favorites are “sheesh,” “whoa,” and “alright.” Miranda’s favorite word right now, actually bordering on obsession is “STARS.” She finds them everywhere. When we are out it’s like, “Where’s Waldo.” Miranda says, “star” and we all try to find the star she is talking about. One time it was on a bulldozer. Yesterday it was on the Wal-Mart sign between “Wal” and “Mart.” I never noticed that before. (Our trip to Wal-Mart is a whole different story.)

She also loves to sing! Whenever we are singing, in the car or before bed or nap, she says, “More songs, more songs.” She’s got the CD’s in the van almost memorized. It’s so amazing hearing her sing along to the tunes. She also loves to sing Jesus Loves Me.

And before I leave this post with no pictures , but actual paragraphs for once (sorry Grandparents), here is a Miranda story: The other day I thought Miranda had a poopy diaper, so I was talking to her about her poopy and getting ready to change her. When I opened the diaper I exclaimed, “Oh, you’re not poopy!” To which Miranda replied, “Surprise!” ☺

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Sweet Johnny


Sweet Johnny2
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.


Sweet Johnny5
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.


Sweet Johnny4
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.


Sweet Johnny6
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

The New Ride!!!

Here is our new double stroller. Miranda had fun playing with it while it was being assembled. This makes getting out with two so much easier. Thanks to all in the Blosser clan who gave this to us!

Reading to Mary and Joseph


Reading to Mary and Joseph2
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.
I walked in from the other room to find Miranda squeezed in between the pack and play and the wall by where our little nativity is set up. She was holding Mary in one arm and Joseph in the other reading to them. So precious!

Reading to Mary and Joseph


Reading to Mary and Joseph
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

"See my Muscles"


Muscle Man
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

A Little Concerned


A Little Concerned
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

Sleeping by the Dryer


Sleeping by the Dryer2
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Big Boy


Slack Jaw
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.
Welp, we've survived the first couple days totally alone, that is- me alone with two kids. It's going well. Miranda has been a champ and I'm learning how to balance/juggle the kids needs, eating, diapering, bathing, soothing...etc.

Johnny is growing up way too fast, although I must say I am looking forward to a little more sleep at night. Right now he is fast asleep by the dryer...if only I could leave that running all night, for some reason it seems to work better than a fan. My womb must sound more like a dryer. He's on a pretty consistent three hour schedule, so I really can't complain. For a newborn he's sleeping great.

Back to him growing up too fast, at his two week appointment on Monday he had gained over a pound from his discharge weight (7.5) and almost exactly a pound from his birth weight (7.11). Must be all the holiday food he's...er..I'm eating. Well, I would love to stay and chat, but I've got about a half hour till the next mealtime and then it's to bed for Johnny and me at my new bedtime- 9:00pm.

My Two Kiddos


My Two Kiddos
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.

Blowing her Nose


Blowing her Nose
Originally uploaded by dandeelines.