Princess or Bully?

Dear Addi,

Mommy and Daddy are very proud that you are walking now! You are our big girl and we love you very much!

However, we are not proud that you are hitting others - including one of your teachers. Some say that you are doing this because you sense a baby brother is coming. Others say it's because you are teething. Others say it's just a phase. Whatever it is, we don't like it. Just because you're so stinkin' cute, doesn't mean you can be mean to others.

You are definitely keeping us on our toes...and on our knees. We are praying hard that you will be nice tomorrow.

We love you...now be sweet!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

And for those of you who have just read this letter...please join us in praying that our baby girl is really just acting out due to teething. To think that she may be acting this way because she senses that another baby is on the way seriously makes me sick to my stomach. I cried the entire way home from her daycare today. And just a disclaimer...the daycare workers did not seem too concerned about her behavior...they say all the kids seem to go through a hitting phase. Even so, Addi is a princess, not a bully.

So Much To Do

It's 2:00 am and I woke up about 30 minutes ago running down a list of things I need to do at work today. I am so extremely overwhelmed both with what I have going on at work and all that is left to do at home in anticipation of our baby boy's arrival. The problem at work is time...there's not enough of it. The problem at home is energy...there's not enough of it. One thing is for sure, this baby is going to come eventually, whether or not we're prepared. I just really hope we are prepared...it will make his entrance into the world a whole lot more enjoyable for all of us. Please pray that I can get everything done.

A little scared; a lot blessed

In less than 8 weeks I will be holding our sweet baby boy in my arms. I cannot believe it. I am so sccared right now. Surprisingly I'm not overwhelmed about the idea of having another baby in diapers, sleepless nights, and other typical stuff that comes with having a newborn. I'm not scared about labor/delivery. However, I am terrified at the idea that I'm going to be a mommy to two children, both of whom deserve way more attention than I can give them. How in the world am I going to be able to make them both feel completely loved and secure? Thankfully I am not in this alone. First of all, I have a Heavenly Father who gives me strength and guidance...as long as I follow His direction, I cannot go wrong. I also have a husband who is sold out to Christ, and loves me and his children dearly. He does so much around the house and for Addi and me and does it all with a willing and happy heart. I know we will be just fine...I am just emotional right now. That doesn't change how excited and blessed I feel to know that soon I will be holding my son in my arms. And the first time I hold both my babies together, will be so amazing. God has done and continues to do great things in our lives and I am eternally grateful. So I need to stop freaking out...and probably should stop blogging past my bedtime because I am a bit too open on here sometimes. :)

Addi's World

The other night while we were taking a stroll through our neighborhood, one of the neighbors had his garage door open and had his music blaring. I made a comment to Jared that it was kind-of rude to be making everyone around him listen to the radio station of his choosing and Jared agreed. I’m not sure if he agreed because he felt the same as I did or because he is afraid to disagree with this pregnant woman right now…but I digress. I grew more irritated the closer we got to the annoying man until I noticed our sweet Addi. She was clapping. She had no idea that it is bad etiquette to perform a concert for the entire neighborhood…she just heard music and was happy. I wasn’t bothered by the music anymore…I looked at her and smiled…and clapped, too. I love seeing the world through her eyes. :)

Wonders Never Cease...

Addi cried it out for less than two minutes the second night that we put her into her crib while she was still awake and hasn't cried one night since. She is going to bed at 8:30 and sleeps until about 6:30!! :) She also is taking up to 4 steps on her own without holding on to anything. She will be walking before we know it! :)

That's all I have right now...I'm exhausted. That's right...it's not even 9:30 on a Friday night and I'm fighting to keep my eyes open.

Have a blessed weekend all!!

Crying It Out - Night One

We have not been very good about making Addi go to sleep on her own. This is mostly my fault. Addi cries, Jared encourages me to be strong, I go in the room to comfort her and come out with her in my arms. I am a push-over. I cannot stand to hear her cry and when she reaches out for me, I can't help but pick her up. Recently though Addi has been choosing her bedtime schedule. This has resulted in her being awake until 10:00 pm or later some nights. This is not good. That is what I keep telling myself as we listen to her cry. So far, she's been crying for 14 minutes - it feels like an eternity. Jared went into her room once and "comforted" her, but I think it only made her more upset when he left. So, we wait...and I pray...and Jared empties out the diswhasher (and probably prays too). I know in the end that this will be good for her. She HAS to be on a schedule. Jared and I need for her to be on a schedule. We can't get anything done at night when she stays awake until our bedtime. And two minutes after I started typing this, she has stopped crying and is asleep at 9:15 pm. Praise Jesus!