I cannot get over how much fun and how exciting each new day with Eden is as she grows older and bigger and learns so many new things... Every day is something new.
On singing...She has learned how to sing her very first song all the way through, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. One of the best renditions was probably when she was sick, sleeping in between mommy and daddy, and she sat up out of a dead sleep in the middle of the night, singing it. Then she laid back down and fell asleep. That same night she sat up and said, "pizza? pizza?" I think the breathing treatments...or the beandryl..or a combination of both, made her a tiny bit loopy, but boy was it cute. It's basically the only song she can sing, but she wants to sing it all the time. On a rare occasion, she will sing part of "I love you" from Barney and "Row, row, row your boat."
On talking...Her vocabulary is growing so much and she is putting full sentences together, asking what things are all. of. the. time., pointing out colors, counting, and telling us just exactly how she feels about everything. Anytime she leaves the room, she has to yell, "I be right back." Anytime she wants to help buckle her car seat, or get her own diaper, or open the door, or close the door, or put on her bib, "Mommy, I do it!" Anytime she is leaving, or pretending to leave, she yells, "Bye bye, seeya, have fun!" She proudly tells us now, "I'm a big girl." I'm hoping she keeps that attitude when baby brother arrives, and doesn't regress into being a baby again, although I have a feeling this will be a phase that she will go through.
On temper tantrums...Yep, she's got that down, just like any almost-two-year-old does. Yesterday for instance, going in to the doctor's office, she wanted to push her stroller, and when Josh pushed it instead, so that we could make it into the office in a decent amount of time, she threw herself on the ground screaming and crying--to everyones' amusement.
On just being adorable...This week I also got my favorite video of her ever. She picked up the stethoscope that goes along with the blood pressure cuff and said, "I'm a doctor," she put it on my stomach, and started saying, "beep beep, beep beep, beep beep," listening to the baby's heart beat of course... :)
On her interests...She loves all things Minnie Mouse, wants to listen to Barney Music 24/7, would watch Daniel Tiger for hours (if we would let her), she loves pretty much all food, but yogurt, fruit, cheese, bananas, applesauce are all her favorites. She's a mommy's girl but loves when daddy chases her and reads to her and spins her around.
I never knew how much love I could have for my sweet daughter. I can't believe that in less than a month she will be a two. No one is kidding when they say, "They grow up so fast."
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
2014 in Review
This year was a good year.
On Being Mommy- 2014 was a year that I got to spend watching sweet Eden grow from a baby to a toddler. I got to experience the world through her eyes and see the world from her perspective of newness. To her, all things are new. It was such a cool thing, and something I am so grateful for. Her personality is becoming so fun and I am just in awe of all of the things that she is learning every day. So many fun firsts too, that I am blessed to have been able to experience with her---learning to walk, first time trick or treating, expanding her vocabulary (this morning she told me, "no mommy, you stay," when I was trying to leave for work,) riding rides at Holiday World, sliding, first haircut, moving up to a big girl bed, feeding herself Orange leaf fro yo---(mommy's ultimate pregnancy craving with her.) Can't wait to experience more firsts (like her first time being a big sister) with her in 2015.
On family- Well, in 2014, Josh and I announced that we would be expanding our family in 2015. We found out in the summer that we were pregnant and were beyond thrilled--and then found out in the fall that we would be adding a little BOY to the family, and naming him Emmett Andrew. He will be here mid February-Early March, and we are so excited!! Josh and I also celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary this year.
Both my brother and my sister in law got engaged in 2014. My sister-in-law also got married, and we welcomed Clint into the family, and they announced the start of their family with a baby due in late summer, so I learned that I am going to be an aunt for the first time! Whew. 2014 was certainly busy for them.
2014 was my dad's first full year retired, and I am thankful for all the times that he came to EVV on short notice to watch his sick granddaughter or to help out in anyway we needed. It definitely made our lives easier.
On faith- God has taught me to trust in him. With everything that happened in 2013 I almost felt as if my life was over. For a time, I felt like I had life before my dad was diagnosed with HD and life after, like they were two separate lives that were in no way connected. However, God has been teaching me this year that he is bigger and stronger than any "thing" in our life, even a disease that seems pretty big. He is faithful in the calm and in the storm. He has shown me time and time again that when things feel out of control, I can still trust in him, I can still take refuge in him. I don't have to be afraid. I spent the end of 2013 and a good chunk of 2014 giving this disease control. God showed me this year that I don't have to do that, and I finally feel his peace.
On teaching- This has been my first year teaching fifth grade reading and I have loved (almost) every minute of it. Fifth grade is such a cool age, where they still care about your approval and want to please you, but they are also able to have conversations and understand things on a deeper level. The fifth grade class this year overall is phenomenal, and I feel blessed to have been able to teach them. It's also kind of funny that they were the same kiddos that I taught in third grade when I was pregnant with Eden, and now I am teaching them again, this time pregnant with Emmett.
In review this year has been a year of love for my family, learning to trust in God (a lesson that I am sure I will continue to learn and re-learn and learn again throughout my life), another year of doing a job that I love, and getting to do my second job as mommy, a year of experiencing the small, everyday life things, and learning that these things are really the big things. 2014 has been good to me, and I look forward to what 2015 has to bring.
On Being Mommy- 2014 was a year that I got to spend watching sweet Eden grow from a baby to a toddler. I got to experience the world through her eyes and see the world from her perspective of newness. To her, all things are new. It was such a cool thing, and something I am so grateful for. Her personality is becoming so fun and I am just in awe of all of the things that she is learning every day. So many fun firsts too, that I am blessed to have been able to experience with her---learning to walk, first time trick or treating, expanding her vocabulary (this morning she told me, "no mommy, you stay," when I was trying to leave for work,) riding rides at Holiday World, sliding, first haircut, moving up to a big girl bed, feeding herself Orange leaf fro yo---(mommy's ultimate pregnancy craving with her.) Can't wait to experience more firsts (like her first time being a big sister) with her in 2015.
On family- Well, in 2014, Josh and I announced that we would be expanding our family in 2015. We found out in the summer that we were pregnant and were beyond thrilled--and then found out in the fall that we would be adding a little BOY to the family, and naming him Emmett Andrew. He will be here mid February-Early March, and we are so excited!! Josh and I also celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary this year.
Both my brother and my sister in law got engaged in 2014. My sister-in-law also got married, and we welcomed Clint into the family, and they announced the start of their family with a baby due in late summer, so I learned that I am going to be an aunt for the first time! Whew. 2014 was certainly busy for them.
2014 was my dad's first full year retired, and I am thankful for all the times that he came to EVV on short notice to watch his sick granddaughter or to help out in anyway we needed. It definitely made our lives easier.
On faith- God has taught me to trust in him. With everything that happened in 2013 I almost felt as if my life was over. For a time, I felt like I had life before my dad was diagnosed with HD and life after, like they were two separate lives that were in no way connected. However, God has been teaching me this year that he is bigger and stronger than any "thing" in our life, even a disease that seems pretty big. He is faithful in the calm and in the storm. He has shown me time and time again that when things feel out of control, I can still trust in him, I can still take refuge in him. I don't have to be afraid. I spent the end of 2013 and a good chunk of 2014 giving this disease control. God showed me this year that I don't have to do that, and I finally feel his peace.
On teaching- This has been my first year teaching fifth grade reading and I have loved (almost) every minute of it. Fifth grade is such a cool age, where they still care about your approval and want to please you, but they are also able to have conversations and understand things on a deeper level. The fifth grade class this year overall is phenomenal, and I feel blessed to have been able to teach them. It's also kind of funny that they were the same kiddos that I taught in third grade when I was pregnant with Eden, and now I am teaching them again, this time pregnant with Emmett.
In review this year has been a year of love for my family, learning to trust in God (a lesson that I am sure I will continue to learn and re-learn and learn again throughout my life), another year of doing a job that I love, and getting to do my second job as mommy, a year of experiencing the small, everyday life things, and learning that these things are really the big things. 2014 has been good to me, and I look forward to what 2015 has to bring.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Life Update
I was honored this weekend to be a part of my sister in law's wedding. It was beautiful and perfect. The day couldn't have gone any better. I am so happy for both of them and their future together. The ceremony went off without a hitch. (well at least a hitch that the bride and groom noticed which is good.) I may or may not have had to leave halfway through the ceremony due to almost fainting. I hadn't eaten much throughout the day, the lights were so bright and it was so hot on stage, topped off by standing still in high heels and being 19 weeks pregnant--it just became too much, and I started feeling hot, and sweaty, and clammy and I knew that I was going to pass out if I didn't sit down, and soon. The crowd got blurry and black, and then I remember Megan (bridesmaid Megan, not the bride) trying to take me down the steps and I knew that that was not going to end well, so we went into one of the rooms by the baptistry. She made sure I was okay, and then Josh showed up and told me how pale I looked and clammy I felt. Then he got me some ice water and we went outside to cool off, and things got much better from there.
On another note, Eden did her flower girl duties like a pro, even though she never threw any of the heart shaped book pages to the ground. She marched down the aisle like she had done it a hundred times...and then proceeded to scream and cry when she didn't get to come up on stage with mommy. Of course everyone in the ceremony could hear her, even though she was in the lobby. The reception was great too. The food was delicious and everyone had a fun time dancing and reconnecting with friends and family.
This wedding weekend wore me out, so I am looking forward to a three day work week and then a long weekend in Gatlinburg. Looking forward to resting and taking in the beautiful scenery, hiking, shopping, eating at the Melting Pot. I. cannot. wait.
After we get back from our little vacation, more excitement is in store. No, not going back to school, although I do love teaching my fifth graders. On the Monday that we get back, we get to find out if Baby #2 is a boy or a girl at our anatomy scan. I am really thinking boy, because of how totally different this pregnant has been, but I guess we will have to wait a week to see.
I am remembering each day to thank God for all I have to be thankful for, which is so much. My family. This little blessing growing inside of me. My job. Fall weather. Hot coffee. Quiet moments. God is good and I am thankful for his blessings.
On another note, Eden did her flower girl duties like a pro, even though she never threw any of the heart shaped book pages to the ground. She marched down the aisle like she had done it a hundred times...and then proceeded to scream and cry when she didn't get to come up on stage with mommy. Of course everyone in the ceremony could hear her, even though she was in the lobby. The reception was great too. The food was delicious and everyone had a fun time dancing and reconnecting with friends and family.
This wedding weekend wore me out, so I am looking forward to a three day work week and then a long weekend in Gatlinburg. Looking forward to resting and taking in the beautiful scenery, hiking, shopping, eating at the Melting Pot. I. cannot. wait.
After we get back from our little vacation, more excitement is in store. No, not going back to school, although I do love teaching my fifth graders. On the Monday that we get back, we get to find out if Baby #2 is a boy or a girl at our anatomy scan. I am really thinking boy, because of how totally different this pregnant has been, but I guess we will have to wait a week to see.
I am remembering each day to thank God for all I have to be thankful for, which is so much. My family. This little blessing growing inside of me. My job. Fall weather. Hot coffee. Quiet moments. God is good and I am thankful for his blessings.
Monday, June 9, 2014
The End is Near 2013-2014
The end is near. 4 more days until the final dismissal of the 2013-2014 school year. 4 more days until school is out for the summer....finally. The final day of third grade for my students. The final day of my third full year of teaching third grade for me. I can see that the end is near in their inability to sit still as they on their grape chairs, as they try with all their might to focus, I can tell by the glazed over look in their eyes, as their minds are drifting to summer things; swimming and going to the park, Holiday World and grilling out, 4th of July. I hear it in their voices as the voice level in my classroom goes up, and up, and up, "Which pool do you swim at?" "Are you going to summer school?" "I'm gonna be at the Y every day." "I'm gonna play video games for eight hours straight." I see that summer is almost here in their short shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. I can tell that it is near by the Venti iced coffee that I thoughtlessly ordered this morning, to help get this teacher through. I never order a Venti. The end must be near.
It is truly bittersweet for me. This year more than ever. Each year, I come to truly love and care about the sweet kiddos in my class. They are my 20 babies. They are special. They are smart. They are talented. They have gifts. And talents. They are silly and bubbly. They have learned. And grown. And succeeded. I wonder, have I told them that enough? Have I shown them? Have I been everything I could for them as their teacher? Do they know what they have taught me, not only what I have taught them? I pray that they do. Will they remember me when they remember 8x8? Will they remember me when they read, just for pleasure? Will they remember me when they find figurative language in poetry? Will they remember me when all of those things fade, and they have jobs and families? Will they remember me with special thoughts of third grade. I pray that they will.
This year, it is truly bitter sweet. As I say good-bye to 20 9-year-old faces eager for summer break, I get to shout, "It's summer!" to one joyful one year old who will be thrilled to have her mommy home. I envision summer days full of swimming in her baby pool, reading book after book, popsicles and ice cream, long walks, CMOE, sidewalk chalk and painting, the list goes on and on. This summer will be gone in the blink of an eye, just like this school year is.
It is bittersweet for sure.
It is truly bittersweet for me. This year more than ever. Each year, I come to truly love and care about the sweet kiddos in my class. They are my 20 babies. They are special. They are smart. They are talented. They have gifts. And talents. They are silly and bubbly. They have learned. And grown. And succeeded. I wonder, have I told them that enough? Have I shown them? Have I been everything I could for them as their teacher? Do they know what they have taught me, not only what I have taught them? I pray that they do. Will they remember me when they remember 8x8? Will they remember me when they read, just for pleasure? Will they remember me when they find figurative language in poetry? Will they remember me when all of those things fade, and they have jobs and families? Will they remember me with special thoughts of third grade. I pray that they will.
This year, it is truly bitter sweet. As I say good-bye to 20 9-year-old faces eager for summer break, I get to shout, "It's summer!" to one joyful one year old who will be thrilled to have her mommy home. I envision summer days full of swimming in her baby pool, reading book after book, popsicles and ice cream, long walks, CMOE, sidewalk chalk and painting, the list goes on and on. This summer will be gone in the blink of an eye, just like this school year is.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Sweet Little Moments
Last week, my dad was flipping through 6+ photos of Eden eating her first chip. (A whole grain tortilla chip, which she loved!) , and he jokingly said that if I take that many photos of her first chip, he's anxious to see what I do when it's actually something important, like maybe her first time walking, first day of preschool, high school graduation, wedding day, etc., etc. (He definitely was not complaining, as he is one who requests photo of her on the daily---the man really needs to be on facebook!)
It got me thinking. Yes, I fully admit that I am a little camera (well, iphone camera) happy. I love to document the little moments that are special to me (the moments that I am sure have my facebook friends rolling their eyes and thinking, seriously, another photo of her daughter smiling at a cheerio or crawling around the living room.) But, it makes my heart happy to document the little moments of her sweet little life, as these little moments go extremely fast. I've heard it said that time spent behind a camera turns into moments that were not treasured and that are hard to remember, but I disagree. I love having the photos to look back at and reminisce, while also living in the moment of, wow, look what she can do today!
Yes, I realize the little things that Eden is doing are things that many babies, okay, all babies before her have done. I get it, but they were not my baby. I love looking the video of the first time she laughed as we poked her belly and tickled her chubby little baby thighs. I'm glad that we have the video of when she learned how to play peek-a-boo with a pillow and the picture of her little butt as she crawled in the bathtub (although, that one won't be posted to facbook..you're welcome) I'm thankful to have the picture of her smiling up at me bundled up in her snow suit on a snow day and the one of her sitting criss cross on the living room floor patting her puppy.
I also love the sweet little moments that can't be captured by a photo. Like teething in the middle of the night that calls for cuddles in mommy and daddy's bed, yelling momomomom at the top of her lungs on an early morning Target shopping trip, playing peekaboo behind mommy with a stranger while eating dinner at Zuki, kisses to every baby that she sees. I love these moments with her. I love them, captured or not. On that note, it is time for this blog post to end, as sweet Eden is no longer content with her corn snacks and sippy cup. She is ready to play a game of I drop it. You pick it up. Repeat. Over and over.
It got me thinking. Yes, I fully admit that I am a little camera (well, iphone camera) happy. I love to document the little moments that are special to me (the moments that I am sure have my facebook friends rolling their eyes and thinking, seriously, another photo of her daughter smiling at a cheerio or crawling around the living room.) But, it makes my heart happy to document the little moments of her sweet little life, as these little moments go extremely fast. I've heard it said that time spent behind a camera turns into moments that were not treasured and that are hard to remember, but I disagree. I love having the photos to look back at and reminisce, while also living in the moment of, wow, look what she can do today!
Yes, I realize the little things that Eden is doing are things that many babies, okay, all babies before her have done. I get it, but they were not my baby. I love looking the video of the first time she laughed as we poked her belly and tickled her chubby little baby thighs. I'm glad that we have the video of when she learned how to play peek-a-boo with a pillow and the picture of her little butt as she crawled in the bathtub (although, that one won't be posted to facbook..you're welcome) I'm thankful to have the picture of her smiling up at me bundled up in her snow suit on a snow day and the one of her sitting criss cross on the living room floor patting her puppy.
I also love the sweet little moments that can't be captured by a photo. Like teething in the middle of the night that calls for cuddles in mommy and daddy's bed, yelling momomomom at the top of her lungs on an early morning Target shopping trip, playing peekaboo behind mommy with a stranger while eating dinner at Zuki, kisses to every baby that she sees. I love these moments with her. I love them, captured or not. On that note, it is time for this blog post to end, as sweet Eden is no longer content with her corn snacks and sippy cup. She is ready to play a game of I drop it. You pick it up. Repeat. Over and over.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
On Being a Teacher Mom
Today as my third graders loaded up their foam trays with chili, cheese quesadillas, chips, and corn, and headed back to our classroom for lunch before our early dismissal, one of my third graders asked me if I was excited to be leaving early. I responded, "Well no, I wanna be here at school, teaching you.. "Really?" he asked, "Wouldn't you rather be with Eden," or something along those lines.. It made me think.
Before I became a mom, I was a teacher. I have been known to say things along the lines of, "I could never be a stay at home mom. I love my job way too much." Then came Eden. Before I had Eden a normal day for me was arriving at school at 6am, teaching until 2:05, teaching after school until 4:30 and getting things ready for the next day until 5:00 or 5:30. I ate, slept, and breathed school, teaching, and my relationships with my kiddos, and I loved every minute of it.
When I was 24 weeks pregnant and my doctor advised me to stop teaching until after my little one arrived, due to high blood pressure and fear of preeclampsia, I was devastated, to say the least. I couldn't imagine spending weeks away from my students before my little girl arrived, and I had a hard time giving up control. It was a trying and stretching time for me and God taught me a lot about trusting him, being patience, and having peace in his presence.
After Eden arrived, I enjoyed every minute with her, and I treasured the days of being a stay at home mom. Maybe it was for me after all. . . . Thinking of going back to school and leaving Eden at daycare left a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. How could I be a teacher and be her mom. Would I ever stop thinking about my baby while I was at work? Would being a teacher be what it was before?
Today, the fact is, I am not just a teacher, and I am not just a mom, I am a teacher-mom. I feel that it is the profession that God has called me to. Sure, being a teacher is different than it used to be. Now, I drop Eden off at daycare to arrive to school as early as possible, so that I can leave as early as possible, while still being organized and prepared for the next day. I take a bag full of school work home, papers to grade while she naps, lessons to plan, printing to do. I am still a teacher. I still cherish the relationships with my class, love their excitement when I bring in donuts or make slime during fun friday. I still get excited when a child moves up a reading level or when a light bulb goes on in math. I love sharing my life with them, and I love how they beg me to share pictures and stories of Eden.
I love how my two important jobs have intertwined. I couldn't have known a year ago, how great, and how rewarding, being a teacher mom would be.
Before I became a mom, I was a teacher. I have been known to say things along the lines of, "I could never be a stay at home mom. I love my job way too much." Then came Eden. Before I had Eden a normal day for me was arriving at school at 6am, teaching until 2:05, teaching after school until 4:30 and getting things ready for the next day until 5:00 or 5:30. I ate, slept, and breathed school, teaching, and my relationships with my kiddos, and I loved every minute of it.
When I was 24 weeks pregnant and my doctor advised me to stop teaching until after my little one arrived, due to high blood pressure and fear of preeclampsia, I was devastated, to say the least. I couldn't imagine spending weeks away from my students before my little girl arrived, and I had a hard time giving up control. It was a trying and stretching time for me and God taught me a lot about trusting him, being patience, and having peace in his presence.
After Eden arrived, I enjoyed every minute with her, and I treasured the days of being a stay at home mom. Maybe it was for me after all. . . . Thinking of going back to school and leaving Eden at daycare left a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. How could I be a teacher and be her mom. Would I ever stop thinking about my baby while I was at work? Would being a teacher be what it was before?
Today, the fact is, I am not just a teacher, and I am not just a mom, I am a teacher-mom. I feel that it is the profession that God has called me to. Sure, being a teacher is different than it used to be. Now, I drop Eden off at daycare to arrive to school as early as possible, so that I can leave as early as possible, while still being organized and prepared for the next day. I take a bag full of school work home, papers to grade while she naps, lessons to plan, printing to do. I am still a teacher. I still cherish the relationships with my class, love their excitement when I bring in donuts or make slime during fun friday. I still get excited when a child moves up a reading level or when a light bulb goes on in math. I love sharing my life with them, and I love how they beg me to share pictures and stories of Eden.
I love how my two important jobs have intertwined. I couldn't have known a year ago, how great, and how rewarding, being a teacher mom would be.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Christmas Break
What a good break this has been. Thankful to still have 3 days left, although, Josh has to go back to work tomorrow. Not in the mood to do a long post, so here are the highlights from my break so far, in no particular order.
Baking
Brake Christmas
Christmas Eve Service at Crossroads
Starbucks and Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights with my parents
First Christmas morning as a family of 3.
Christmas Eve with my family
Kerkhof Christmas day
Bowman Christmas
Seeing my Bolen family- some of them met Eden for the first time.
Seeing Eden open presents and play with her new toys.
Newport mini-vacation- dinner at Hofbrauhaus, aquarium, lunch at Tom+Chee, Cincinatti Natural History Museum
Being home
Eden giving kisses
Looking forward to spending time with Katie & Eli, lunch with Heather, New Years Eve, and 3 more days spent at home with my little girl.
Baking
Brake Christmas
Christmas Eve Service at Crossroads
Starbucks and Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights with my parents
First Christmas morning as a family of 3.
Christmas Eve with my family
Kerkhof Christmas day
Bowman Christmas
Seeing my Bolen family- some of them met Eden for the first time.
Seeing Eden open presents and play with her new toys.
Newport mini-vacation- dinner at Hofbrauhaus, aquarium, lunch at Tom+Chee, Cincinatti Natural History Museum
Being home
Eden giving kisses
Looking forward to spending time with Katie & Eli, lunch with Heather, New Years Eve, and 3 more days spent at home with my little girl.
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