My Free-Spirirted Baby

Kristin marches to the beat of her own drum. My free-spirited baby girl. And, yes, she is still very much a baby. We are slowly trying to convince her it is okay to leave her paci and blanket in the van when we go places. Sometimes, I get her out the door without either item in tow. Potty training is almost non-existent as I pretty much threw up my hands in defeat until she is past the 2 and a half year mark come June. Maybe I'll have more success in the summer.



Kristin is very much a "mama's girl," and demands to be held and coddled just as much as Little Man. Sometimes, I have to carry both around at the same time.



Speech is coming VERY slowly. I am fairly sure she is delayed in speech, but this is the child who didn't walk until she was 18 months old (and she walks just fine now). She mimics pretty well, but otherwise, speaks in jibberish. I love to see her scold the other children...hysterical. She clearly says their names and goes on the shake her head and finger at them speaking a stern jibberish to put them in their place. Kristin's vocabulary is growing slowly, and while I can understand plenty of words, most people need a translation.



Other than her blanket and paci (papoo), Kristin's two favorite things in the world are her white tutu (courtesy of Aunt Georganne), and her pink sparkle shoes (courtesy of Nanet). She wears them both constantly, and yes, I let her sleep in them both and the tutu is often worn in public.



Kristin is my first child who has not yet developed a shyness around strangers. She is aloof much of the time, and I am always calling for her to stay close. However, she would much rather stop to smell the roses as they say. She is my first child to cut off a chunk of her hair, and the first one to have a habit of ripping all the pages out of books (I have now restricted her to board books for the time being).



Dancing is a new activity that Kristin has begun. She is absolutely adorable as she spins around with a huge smile on her face. It looks like we may have two future ballerinas in our house. (Unless they inherited my dancing skills, in which case, they better stick to something that does not involve being graceful).





Last weekend, my I looked outside to see my free-spirited child sitting in the dirt, with a shirt, diaper, and her fave pink sparkle shoes, happy as a clam. (Noah was doing yard work, so she wasn't unattended). I was about to throw out some expired oats I found in the back of the pantry, and thought it may provide some entertainment for the dirt covered girl. She sat for the next hour happily putting oats into the seed spreader.



My darling Kristin. You are so precious to me. My big beautiful baby who is always willing to snuggle close. I am holding on tight, because I know soon enough, my baby will be a big girl, ready to dance off on her own.

Love my Lulu.

Looking through my photos, I realized, I don't have quite as many photos to update on Lauralyn. However, I have plenty to say about this young lady.



Lauralyn has gone through a remarkable growth this year, going from a prissy princess, to more of a fashion wise diva. Sadly, I have a hard time to convince her to wear the sweet little girl dresses these days. She will wear what she thinks is acceptable, which often includes clothes with sparkles. We are blessed to be given many fashionable hand-me-downs.

The big sister role is well suited for Lauralyn. While she and Kristin occasionally have their squabbles, Lauralyn is a great help with Little Man. She is even strong enough to pick him up, much to her delight.



Lately, Lauralyn's favorite activities include "going to live at Nanet's" (spending the night), riding her bike, painting, making pancakes with Daddy, dancing, and playing with her friend, Corinna. Lauralyn is ready to start school, and looks forward to kindergarten (at home) in the fall. She is our budding artist, and thoroughly enjoys making creations. She has been loving her gymnastics class, and will start ballet as well in the fall. We are hoping this is the summer she learns how to swim.



As I write this post, Lauralyn is washing dishes...voluntarily. Don't get the impression my children are happy to clean... when asked to pick up their rooms you would think from their reaction that we were asking them to walk across hot coals. However, Lauralyn does enjoy helping me, at least when it's on her own terms :-) And since I loath washing dishes, it thrills me to see her at the sink.

Lauralyn has always been "the easy one," and loves for me to tell her how when she was a baby, she was very quiet and hardly ever cried. She likes it even more when I go on to talk about how Isaac cried all the time as a baby, and how Kristin screamed her head off when she was first born. I admit, Lauralyn gets the least attention from me, because she requires the least attention. Every once in a while, I'll pick her up, or she'll climb in my lap, and I am shocked at how big she has gotten.

My darling Lauralyn. Beautiful, clever girl. Such a precious gift to me.

Flashback Friday: Miss Ruby's

Last November, I took Lauralyn on an afternoon date to Miss Ruby's Tea Room. Located in an historic house by Uptown Lexington, I had heard the establishment was for sale, and may be closing. We had a delightful time together... Lauralyn still talks about going to "that fancy place" for lunch.



I was so impressed with the atmosphere and business potential, for a brief time Noah and I considered purchasing the tea room, and establishing our own place of business. I am a sucker for an appealing idea, not to mention beautiful historic houses.



Noah and I both have some experience in the food industry (I worked as a waitress in an Italian restaurant, and he worked in a few kitchens during our college years). A great deal of the appeal in owning an establishment like Miss Ruby's is to have a hand in helping Lexington be more than just a barbeque town... a little class wouldn't hurt this sweet city. It saddened me to think of Miss Ruby's shutting down just because the owner was moving.



However, after crunching the numbers, we could see God was not going to open the door on this particular business venture. Even if we could have increased the business, the cost of a part-time nanny would have sucked away most profits, and we couldn't figure out how to make the 4 bedrooms upstairs create revenue. ~sigh~ Maybe someday.



Isn't my princess a doll? I look forward to writing my next post, which will be all our darling Lulu.

The First Born

Looking back through recent photos, I realize how behind I am in blog posts. In an effort to catch up and consolidate, I figure a spotlight post on each child is a easy fix.

Isaac Brice. My sweet, sweet boy. One month shy of his 6th birthday. I cannot even begin to explain how wonderful, helpful, and creative this child has become. He is a true treasure, and an excellent "oldest" child. He loves having this position in the family line-up, and will often talk about how he will "always be the oldest" and how once it was just Mommy, Daddy, and him. I have to reassure Lauralyn, that she is the "oldest girl" which is also a very important position.

Yesterday, Isaac brought a load of clean clothes up from the dryer without me at all suggesting he do so. With a big smile on his face he said, "Mommy, I am going to learn how to do the laundry so that I can help you." Priceless. My eyes tear up just thinking about it. So, today when I took a load down to put in the washer, he happily tagged along and listened to my washing machine tutorial.



Isaac LOVES to help his daddy. "Man" work is right up Isaac's alley... any project that involves tools, or going to Lowe's. He is content to spend the entire day outside if I would let him. Although, lately, he wants somebody to be outside with him, and the lady folk of the Haut House get bored with the outdoors after an hour or so.





Thankfully, Isaac has a homeschooled buddy who comes over to play about once a week. Jefferson and Isaac are classic boys... cowboys and Indians, army men and hunters, they get along splendidly. It cracks me up to watch them practice their wrestling moves... they will ask one another "Are you okay, Buddy?" every once in a while. Or, they pretend to get shot and dramatically fall to the ground. So funny.





Isaac still has his favorite "blankie," which happens to be his third. His blue baby blanket, and the blanket he stole from Lauralyn are standbys in case his current blankie is in the wash. All of them have silk around the edges. He is not at all embarrassed to admit his love for his silkies, "I am a silkie boy."



As a big brother, Isaac is very loving and tender. Most of the time. Naturally, he pesters Lauralyn the most. However, Isaac is great to help, especially with Little Man. He will hold him if I need a hand, or entertain him during his twice a day breathing treatments. Isaac is tenderhearted when Little Man is hurt, and will try his best to calm him down saying, "It's okay, Boogs, you're a tough boy."





Isaac continues to show his natural ability for athletics. He rides his bike probably better than I could at this point. He is once again playing soccer this year, and has a new interest in basketball. The child is made of bones and muscle... not an ounce of fat on him. Although he dropped out of gymnastics, Isaac has gone on to perfect his cartwheel and handstand. Maybe, this will be the year to learn how to do a flip off the diving board?



My sweet Isaac. My first born. I am so thankful God brought you into our lives.

Adoption Blog Update

I have updated my adoption blog... I normally don't mention these updates, but feel I need extra prayer for tomorrow.

Those with access, visit Random Arrows for more information. Those who would like access, simply leave me a comment with your email address (I won't post the comment, so email is protected).

Flashback Friday: The Zoo

Our first trip to the NC Zoo was almost exactly 5 years ago. This year, we have joined the zoo in hopes of at more frequent visits. It's only about a 35 minute drive from our house, and there are miles of good walking paths.

In honor of our new zoo membership, let's take a look back at our first excursion there... soon, I'll post on our most recent trip.

Pizza Cleanup and a Penny for Your Thoughts.

After downing the slice of pizza, I asked Kristin to help clean Little Man. She said that he was such a mess, he needed a bath in the sink.

On a totally different topic, Little Man paid me a penny to change his dirty diaper this morning. That's right. Think about it for a minute if you don't get what I'm saying. Although I was grateful for the generous tip, I left the penny where he deposited it. It's now in one of those lovely Wal-mart bags from the last post. Mom of the Year, here I come!

Mmmmm. Pizza.

Little Man loves food. Pizza is naturally a favorite. The other night I gave him a whole slice to see what he would do... he ate the entire thing. Two little bottom teeth and jaws like a pitbull. The boy chomped away, delighted with his supper.

And, yes. That is an beautiful antique wine rack, which is where we store our Wal-mart bags. No diaper pales in our house... just bag 'em and tag 'em. Because we're classy like that.

@#%&#!! Warning. Venting in Progress.

I am not one to spew on my blog, but I gotta release this anger somehow, otherwise innocent bystanders may unjustly be on the receiving end of my wrath.

So, after excitedly going through my new Alpha Omega curriculum yesterday, I received a strange box in the mail today. A duplicate to what I opened yesterday (I didn't open the new box, because the packing list was on a label and I could clearly see it was a duplicate order). Checking my credit card charges, I was indeed charged the same amount twice, and looking through my emails, I saw duplicated order confirmation emails that were sent 60 seconds apart. I simply had not noticed the emails, and assumed the website surely would not make a silly mistake like that. I was wrong.

Upon calling the Alpha Omega Customer Service (I use the term "costumer service" very loosely here), I was told by two separate agents that this duplication mistake must be my fault, because they believe their computer system is infallible. I told them I have ordered hundreds of online orders from other sites and never had this happen, I know for a fact I did not "double click" the confirm button, and I most certainly didn't rush through and make the exact same order as soon as I placed my "first" order. They said, "Sorry, but there is nothing we can do. We'll be happy to refund your money once you pay to ship the box back." I told them that I have never dealt with a company that would not pay for their own mistakes. I walked away from the entire conversation very angry. I felt like they cared more about making a buck, than having a happy customer. Plus they essentially insinuated I am a computer illiterate idiot and questioned my character (they trust their online system before they trust my word). Arggh.

Now I don't know if I can use their curriculum with the terrible taste they have left in my mouth. This REALLY makes me MAD. So, I have called my credit card company to dispute the charge, and wonder if I should go ahead and take the box to the post office to refuse shipment. I wrote a lengthy email explaining the situation to the Alpha Omega customer service hoping they would realize losing a possible loyal customer is not worth it... that they would realize what poor business ethics they are using, ESPECIALLY coming from a "Christian" company. I mean, I have dealt with much more ethical companies in the secular world. How disappointing. I have not yet heard back from Alpha Omega.

I know that it would only cost me ten bucks or so to ship the box back, but it's the principal of the matter! I should not be punished for the publishers mistake.

Okay. I'm done now.

Easter Weekend

I know I have been slack in blogging in the last couple of weeks, and I'm slowly catching up. Figured I'd go ahead and blog something current.





Easter weekend was a little crazier than normal, as we had a 14 month old guest (a friend's foster baby) stay with us Saturday and Sunday. Adorable little "R" was very easy to have around, and we got a good dose of what it would be like to have twins. Is it okay to hope I never have twins? (Jessica, I know you are having a good laugh right now.)





Saturday, the we took the kids to Finch Park for the foster families Easter party. It was crazy loaded with kids running around. We had a quick meal, an unorganized Easter egg hunt, and lots of playing on the crowded playground. My hats off to the family that planned the party as they have 6 little ones and own their own business! I am grateful for those gatherings, but Noah is less than thrilled to attend, mostly because of the mass amounts of children.





Easter Sunday was lovely. Noah took Isaac to church early for the 7:30 breakfast, while I barely got the other four ready by myself. I miraculously made it there almost in time for the 9:00 Easter service. Naturally, I did not get much out of it, because I was in the "cry room" with the two babies, but I always enjoy fellowshipping with other moms in the same boat.

Easter lunch was at our house, since we had napping children. Granny, Pop Pop, Nanet, and Mr. Jesse brought most of the food, and it was extra yummy as I had forgotten to eat breakfast (I guess I was too busy making sure the kids were dressed and fed).





In the afternoon, we had a good ol' fashion Easter egg hunt in Granny and Pop Pop's backyard. Two days before, Granny had dyed Easter eggs with Isaac and Lauralyn. One reason I am grateful for Granny's close proximity is the fact that I simply don't have the energy to do these "extra" traditions. And yes, that means my deprived children do not receive Easter baskets. It's simply too much work, and I would rather spend the money on say, a zoo membership (which I did).





The older kids changed out of their lovely Easter outfits before I could take their photos, but I did get a few of Little Man, and Kristin wore her dress all day. The girls wore the same adorable dresses Nanut made them last year.







Little Man's newest thing is to lift his arms over his head and grin. He is totally irresistible. I just have to smother his cuteness with kisses.



Overall, a successful weekend! Admittedly, I did not spend as much time reflecting on the reason for Easter. The reason we have hope. The reason death no longer stings. Thank you, Lord for providing the perfect sacrifice! For without it, there would be no point in celebrating.