Over the past week, Mackenna's appetite has changed from almost non-existent to hungry every three hours! Since we've introduced table foods, she's actually excited about eating! The only time she eats "baby" food now is in the morning. She has pureed fruit with oatmeal for breakfast. Then for lunch, she's loving fresh steamed veggies. Yes, that's right, I said veggies. This week she has carrots, zucchini, and celery. On Tuesday I steamed up enough for the week. I put a bay leaf and fresh chopped garlic in the steaming water. I read somewhere that babies enjoy the flavor of garlic. She still doesn't eat a lot at each meal, but she's eating each meal... huge progress! Last night for supper, she enjoyed some Tortellini & Spinach Soup with us. And of course, some garlic bread. She ate up navy beans, spinach, and tortellini. It's so exciting to see her enjoying her food. We've been very careful to not force her to eat or to reward her too much when she does eat. We really want to make sure she grows up with a healthy perspective on food and we also want to teach her to eat healthful foods right away.
I get so excited to watch her chew her foods and enjoy the flavors dancing on her tongue. She is a great little eater now... that's something I never thought I'd say! I know this may just be a phase and that next week I may have my finicky little girl back, but I'm enjoying every minute of this new found appetite and zest for trying new foods!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Felt Like A Child Again
Do you ever do something that reminds you of your childhood, and, "BAM!" you are back in that moment, re-living the memory, and feeling like a child again? That happened to me today. Today I got a chance to watch one of my friends children. He is five years old. So fun! When he comes over, I usually like to plan a fun craft or project. He tells his mom that he likes to come over to my house because we have craft time. So, anyway, today we made Valentine's Rice Krispy Treats. Yum!
As I plopped the butter into the saucepan, I went back. I went back almost twenty years and re-lived a memory of making Rice Krispy Treats with my Aunt Denise one summer in North Dakota. I don't remember exactly how old I was and I don't remember anything else about that day, but I do remember that I thought it was such hard work to stir the rice krispies into the melted marshmallows and butter. I remember my arm felt tired. I remember marveling at my aunt's strength as she mixed in the rice krispies after I had given up.
Today there was no ache in my arm and I laughed to myself when I quickly (and quite effortlessly), mixed in the rice krispies and coated them with the Shmallow Glue (that's what Eric and I decided to name the butter and marshmallow mixture). And then I pressed them into a baking dish and that was it! So simple! Of course, we had to taste a little bit to make sure it turned out right. And then again, as the simple goodness of butter, marshmallows, and rice krispies met the tip of my tongue, my heart was full of warmth at the memory of enjoying the fruits of our labor as I munched on Rice Krispy Treats with my aunt and my little cousins.
I love my family and I love memories. I am so thankful that God created our minds to be able to vividly remember moments that were so dear to our hearts and that we can go back to those times and feel those emotions as if it were happening all over again. I am blessed to have such an amazing family! And I am blessed to have so many heart warming memories of the time we spend together.
As I plopped the butter into the saucepan, I went back. I went back almost twenty years and re-lived a memory of making Rice Krispy Treats with my Aunt Denise one summer in North Dakota. I don't remember exactly how old I was and I don't remember anything else about that day, but I do remember that I thought it was such hard work to stir the rice krispies into the melted marshmallows and butter. I remember my arm felt tired. I remember marveling at my aunt's strength as she mixed in the rice krispies after I had given up.
Today there was no ache in my arm and I laughed to myself when I quickly (and quite effortlessly), mixed in the rice krispies and coated them with the Shmallow Glue (that's what Eric and I decided to name the butter and marshmallow mixture). And then I pressed them into a baking dish and that was it! So simple! Of course, we had to taste a little bit to make sure it turned out right. And then again, as the simple goodness of butter, marshmallows, and rice krispies met the tip of my tongue, my heart was full of warmth at the memory of enjoying the fruits of our labor as I munched on Rice Krispy Treats with my aunt and my little cousins.
I love my family and I love memories. I am so thankful that God created our minds to be able to vividly remember moments that were so dear to our hearts and that we can go back to those times and feel those emotions as if it were happening all over again. I am blessed to have such an amazing family! And I am blessed to have so many heart warming memories of the time we spend together.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Busy Bees
This week has been crazy! A lot going on in the Folden household. I wish that I would have gotten some pictures of Dustin cleaning our icy, snow-packed driveway because then I could have done an "our week in pictures" post. But, I do have some pictures of the events of the week so I will sprinkle them in here are there.
Our week began with a winter storm. We only got a small blast of arctic weather compared to many other cities in the U.S. but it was still quite a big storm for Lafayette. Most businesses were closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Usually I watch a little boy in the mornings, but his mom's work was closed, so it was just me and Mackenna hunkered down in our warm little house watching the pretty snowflakes fall to the ground. On Thursday I hosted a brunch at my house with my friends, Dawn & Aubrey. The kids played while we enjoyed brunch. It was a much needed "Mommy Time" after the two snow days that kept us all inside.
On Thursday Mackenna had to get some blood drawn to test for a couple allergies (milk, wheat, and gluten). Dustin blessed me so much by taking Mackenna to get her blood drawn so that I wouldn't have to endure seeing her in such pain. He said that she was a trooper, but that there were lots of tears. The nurse couldn't find her vein, so it took longer and I am sure was more painful. She's got her mommy's veins. Here are a few pictures of our little trooper with her Tweety bird band aid.
... And one of her reading one of her favorite books, upside down! Made me giggle!
Since we moved into our house in October, we've been saving little by little for a water softener and a dishwasher. It worked out for us to rent a water softening system, which left us money to purchase a dishwasher (yippee!) and so, on Thursday we purchased a dishwasher and Friday the water softener was installed. Friday night, Dustin and I (ok, mostly Dustin) installed the dishwasher. I am so proud of him! He did such a great job! He read the instructions, made a game plan, and an hour or so later we had a fully functioning dishwasher. I've done three loads of dishes already. Here are some snapshots of my handy man!
And then, Friday night I moved a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer and an hour later checked on it in the dryer and there was no warm air in the dryer. The air was cold and the clothes were still wet! I was freaking out! So on Saturday morning, Dustin googled our dryer's model number and followed some troubleshooting tips. Was the breaker tripped? No. Was the air vent clogged? No. We vacuumed it out and there was still no heat. After the first two "easy" steps, Dustin turned off the electricity to the dryer, moved it, took it apart, and checked a bunch of electrical things. Way over my head! But, he did find out that the heating element wasn't working. So, I searched for a Maytag store in town and called them up and they had our part in stock! Praise the Lord!
We quickly packed up our tired baby girl, picked up the part, stopped by a CVS Minute Clinic (I've been sick for three weeks, but got a prescription so hopefully will be doing better soon), stopped at a salon for a quick haircut for Dustin, and returned home. Dustin successfully installed the new heating element and voila, we have warm air in our dryer again! Here's some pictures of my handsome boy fixing our dryer. I know I am bias, but I sure think he's cute when he's fixing things. :-)
And now, we're home. And we're resting. Because we are both exhausted. Yes, I have laundry to do (since I couldn't do it yesterday), and yes, there are probably ten other things I could be doing. But, we've done a lot this week and we have a lot to do tomorrow and next week. So for right now, resting is the perfect thing for us to be doing.
Our week began with a winter storm. We only got a small blast of arctic weather compared to many other cities in the U.S. but it was still quite a big storm for Lafayette. Most businesses were closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Usually I watch a little boy in the mornings, but his mom's work was closed, so it was just me and Mackenna hunkered down in our warm little house watching the pretty snowflakes fall to the ground. On Thursday I hosted a brunch at my house with my friends, Dawn & Aubrey. The kids played while we enjoyed brunch. It was a much needed "Mommy Time" after the two snow days that kept us all inside.
On Thursday Mackenna had to get some blood drawn to test for a couple allergies (milk, wheat, and gluten). Dustin blessed me so much by taking Mackenna to get her blood drawn so that I wouldn't have to endure seeing her in such pain. He said that she was a trooper, but that there were lots of tears. The nurse couldn't find her vein, so it took longer and I am sure was more painful. She's got her mommy's veins. Here are a few pictures of our little trooper with her Tweety bird band aid.
... And one of her reading one of her favorite books, upside down! Made me giggle!
Since we moved into our house in October, we've been saving little by little for a water softener and a dishwasher. It worked out for us to rent a water softening system, which left us money to purchase a dishwasher (yippee!) and so, on Thursday we purchased a dishwasher and Friday the water softener was installed. Friday night, Dustin and I (ok, mostly Dustin) installed the dishwasher. I am so proud of him! He did such a great job! He read the instructions, made a game plan, and an hour or so later we had a fully functioning dishwasher. I've done three loads of dishes already. Here are some snapshots of my handy man!
We quickly packed up our tired baby girl, picked up the part, stopped by a CVS Minute Clinic (I've been sick for three weeks, but got a prescription so hopefully will be doing better soon), stopped at a salon for a quick haircut for Dustin, and returned home. Dustin successfully installed the new heating element and voila, we have warm air in our dryer again! Here's some pictures of my handsome boy fixing our dryer. I know I am bias, but I sure think he's cute when he's fixing things. :-)
And now, we're home. And we're resting. Because we are both exhausted. Yes, I have laundry to do (since I couldn't do it yesterday), and yes, there are probably ten other things I could be doing. But, we've done a lot this week and we have a lot to do tomorrow and next week. So for right now, resting is the perfect thing for us to be doing.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Not Temper Tantrums already?!?
Mackenna has started to share her opinion in a more, ahem, defiant manner. She's started throwing the dreaded temper tantrum, or as we call them in our house, angry fits. We knew they would show up someday, but they came on suddenly without any warning. No "mini" fits to get us warmed up to handling a full blown angry fit. But, here we are, learning to parent and train a child with heart that is bent toward getting her own way. All the time. Without question.
Teaching a nine month old that we don't always get what we want has humbled me. As Mackenna throws a very loud, very irrational, very real, angry fit when I take away a beloved toy and lay her down for a nap, I am vividly aware of the times throughout my day that I throw an equally loud, irrational, and real, angry fit inside my heart. I may not get on the floor, flail my arms and legs, and scream at the top of my lungs, but every time that I get impatient, every time that I wish for something that I don't have and then get angry because I don't have it- I am doing the exact same thing as Mackenna. Wow. I'm humbled. And thankful. Thankful that God uses Mackenna to help me grow closer to Him. When I see my weaknesses and sins, I am once again amazed at His grace and humbled by the fact that He would save me. As I meditate on His grace and mercy, it helps me patiently correct and train Mackenna. Instead of getting angry at the inconvenience of her angry fits, I become more concerned with the fact that she is disobeying God and will be held accountable for that disobedience. God gives me wisdom in each situation to know what Scripture to teach her, how to keep my tone firm, yet loving, and how to remember that I am doing all this to be a good steward of the life that He's given me to train and love.
Isn't it amazing how God uses every detail of our lives to teach us and help us grow? If only I could keep that perspective more consistently!
Teaching a nine month old that we don't always get what we want has humbled me. As Mackenna throws a very loud, very irrational, very real, angry fit when I take away a beloved toy and lay her down for a nap, I am vividly aware of the times throughout my day that I throw an equally loud, irrational, and real, angry fit inside my heart. I may not get on the floor, flail my arms and legs, and scream at the top of my lungs, but every time that I get impatient, every time that I wish for something that I don't have and then get angry because I don't have it- I am doing the exact same thing as Mackenna. Wow. I'm humbled. And thankful. Thankful that God uses Mackenna to help me grow closer to Him. When I see my weaknesses and sins, I am once again amazed at His grace and humbled by the fact that He would save me. As I meditate on His grace and mercy, it helps me patiently correct and train Mackenna. Instead of getting angry at the inconvenience of her angry fits, I become more concerned with the fact that she is disobeying God and will be held accountable for that disobedience. God gives me wisdom in each situation to know what Scripture to teach her, how to keep my tone firm, yet loving, and how to remember that I am doing all this to be a good steward of the life that He's given me to train and love.
Isn't it amazing how God uses every detail of our lives to teach us and help us grow? If only I could keep that perspective more consistently!
Monday, January 31, 2011
She's On The Move
I just couldn't resist snapping these pictures last week as Mackenna made her way around the house. She's pretty much perfected the crawl and can move at a monumental speed. Much quicker then I ever thought possible. And nothing is off limits in her mind. A dirty kitchen floor? The dirtier the better... there's more interesting stuff to pick up, examine, and put in her mouth. I'm learning quickly that sweeping and a quick once over with the Swiffer is going to have to become a daily happening at our house. But, I love it. I love watching Mackenna crawl. I love learning what her favorite toys are... the one's that warrant a crawl across the living room floor are worthy of much effort and thus, I conclude, they are a favorite. I leave you with these pictures of my girl, crawling around, playing, and making funny faces. I am blessed!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Mission: Guest Bedroom
Over the next few weeks, we'll be welcoming a few guests into our home. We'll be hosting a guest at our church's Biblical Counseling Training Conference, then my dad is coming to visit for a weekend, and then Dustin's brother is coming to stay for a week. We're excited! But, as I prepare for these guests, I am reminded of the sad state of our guest bedroom. So, this week and next week I am on a mission to clean, organize, and add a few special touches to ensure our guests feeling welcome and right at home.
My Budget: $50.00
Needs
My Budget: $50.00
Needs
- Comforter (I have a bright pink one for when Mackenna is in a big girl bed, but it doesn't quite fit for the current purpose of the room)
- Window Treatments
- Throw Pillows
- Alarm Clock
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