Sippy Success

So Natty has been on this bottle strike thing for about a month. In the course of this month, I've tried "RELENTLESSLY" to find some kind of cup she will drink out of. From about 5:30 to 4ish, she does not get any milk and I was concerned. Her doc says she's doing great though, so I felt a little bit better. But still! Anyhow, I learned about these straw sippy cups from my husband's cousin. Took Natty about a week, but she LOVES them. Haven't tried it with milk yet, but she'll take just about anything else in them. I absolutely love them and high recommend them to any other mom. =)

The Silent Treatment

I love my husband to pieces, but this is TOO funny!!!!

The Silent Treatment.
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.

Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, 'Please wake me at 5:00 AM.' He left it where he knew she would find it. The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, 'It is 5:00 AM. Wake up.'

Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests. God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.

9 Months as a "Ma-Ma"

OUR GORGEOUS PRINCESS

Natty has been out with us for a little over 9 months now. She amazes me. Every little thing about her - from her 6 tiny teeth to facial expressions, the way she looks at me when I get home to how she sleeps peacefully at night - it all amazes me. I am in awe how the Lord has formed her, breathe life into her, and continues to work on and in her. The thing that has been on my heart lately is to not take a single moment for granted. I still struggle with having to work and not be home. It's the role I've been given for this place in time. I am doing - trying to - the best I can to fulfill it. Some days are better than others. I struggle with being content, not having regrets or resentment.

Today I was really tired, and I felt a twinge of guilt for being glad she was asleep early. It's hard. I'm still a nut about running in to check and see if she's breathing and her heart's beating. Almost every morning, I will put my ear lightly on her chest and just listen. The little drumming gives me joy beyond anything, and it's a joy that is just not worthy of putting into words.

Sometimes I just want to keep her as my little "baby." Then I am hubly reminded that she is not "mind," and everyday the Lord is molding her into whom He desires her to be - I pray everyday (try to remember to) that she already is developing a thrist and love for Jesus. Natty is growing so fast. She has learned to do SO much and in little time. Being pregnant with her seems like eons ago.

Natty says "Ma Ma," "Da Da" (just started a week ago), and "Up" every now and then. She tries to say Hi, or mimick me at least, but it just comes out and "AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" She has super strong legs that she is standing up on, and trying to stand on her own (currently her record is 3 secs). She loves puppies, pasta, and fruit. She gives "love pats" when you pick her up on your back. Tim and I absolutely love her and adore every minute we have with her. She has taught me SO much about Jesus, life, love, commitment, myself, Tim, and just how to be joyful.

In other news, I'm counting down the days until I go off track! Last week of October!!! I have so much to get ready for - - Natty's First Birthday!!!!!! We've already gotten her invitations, and I'm SOSOSOSOSOSOSO excited! =P

The First Day of School

Ugh, I always dread the "first day" of the new school year. I also dread the day we come back on track. Part of the reason I get so worked up about it is that the day is just filled with chaos. Kids are lost and stressed, so I become lost (in my own little world) and stressed. The first day of school almost means a new batch of kids, which terrifies me to pieces, but it really shouldn't, but it always does. In some weird way, I always feel like I need to prove myself to everyone, and I really need to stop feeling that way. Not only is it not healthy, but it's not Christ-like. I truly believe (in my heart of hearts) that Christ has equipped me for this task, until it's over. I seriously need oober prayers for more faith though. I do not believe that Christ would place me in the position He has and given me all the experiences from last year, without equipping me to glorify Him. I just need to trust Him more and have faith.

I'm sure tomorrow will go well, and pass by before I know it, and I'll be excited to be home with Tim and Natty. I just need to stop working myself up.

In other news, Natty is full out crawling - she still does her "commando-style" crawling, but does the crawling on her knees as well. She is also standing up and trying to walk. We are so proud of her, and are amazed every single day. Oh, and she has SIX teeth!!!! She'll be turning 9 months in just a week and a half. We are SO blessed.