Finger Painting!

Yesterday we got out the finger paints and gave it a try. Hannah had a fun time exploring how it feels to have the paint on her fingers... and hands... and pretty soon her body! She enjoyed making "robots" as she told me they were.

With each new experience I am learning more and more that Hannah is definitely not a messy girl. The painting only lasted about 10-15 minutes before she realized how truly messy her hands were. Next thing I knew she was asking me "hands, mommy... ewwww messy".

If this next baby is a BOY my world is going to be looking a little different I think. Hannah's too. We'll have to see!

"Boogie, Mommy"

It is a common phrase in our household lately. "Boogie, Mommy. I can't get it." Hannah has learned that she can use her finger to fish out her boogies... I know. YUCK. Let me paint the picture of what happened today...

We were in the car and Hannah was contently snacking on raisins. I heard her start to talk about "boogies" and turned to see her finger in her nose. I was afraid that she may be sticking raisins up there so I told her not to. As the car ride continued, so did her complaints. "I can't get it, Mommy. Ow. Ow." What was I supposed to do- I was driving! We were close to home, so I explained we would blow her nose when we got home. "O-tay" she said.

We got home and the complaints continued and I got out a kleenex for her to blow her nose. (She has become very good at this and doesn't complain anymore.) I couldn't see ANYTHING up her nose or in the kleenex. I thought- PHEW, problem solved. She seemed to be pleased again and went on to playing.

Throughout the day I kept hearing complaints of her nose hurting, that there were boogies that she couldn't get, etc. I wasn't sure what to do for her and thought she was just being over dramatic.

.... 2 hours (or more) later we were enjoying a little cartoon together when I look over and she is tilting her head down and pulling a RAISIN out of her NOSE!!!! Sure enough... she stuck it up there earlier (to make my suspicions correct). THAT was why she was complaining!! I would imagine a raisin up your nose may cause a little bit of discomfort.

PS- This is not the first time a "mystery" disappearance has occurred. When we were on our way to Hilton Head, Hannah said that there was a sticker up her nose. HOURS later it came out... let's hope this habit breaks soon.

Mommies, Mommies

Me with Hannah, Sarita with Brayden, Danielle with her baby girl and Jackson

I have joined a Mommies Group! We are having so much fun meeting at other's houses, splash pads, water parks, and occasional mommies only nights!! It's just what I've needed. Transitioning into full time mommy and not working mommy has had its ups and downs. Part of me misses the routine and part of me totally doesn't! I have felt a little burdened to be in the same place daily and have been praying about what God wants for me on this journey.

I got on the internet and found "Christian Mommies of the East Valley" and joined up! I have met wonderful moms, shared advice about parenting, got some great book recommendations (yay!), and best of all, Hannah is meeting new friends, too! She plays great with the boys and girls.

Having a small event to look forward to once or twice a week and great fellowship with other Christian moms is fantastic! I am also looking into joining up with the Mops group (moms) at our church. It's a new way of going about my weeks... but I certainly am feeling better about it!

"I told you so"

Nap times have been much more difficult for us since the new toddler bed. Apparently Hannah's easy access to the toys in her room are a distraction... hmmm. When it is nap time we follow the same routine: story time in bed, tuck her in, lights out, and then she is supposed to close her beautiful blue eyes and drift off to sleepy land. This has only happened ONCE since we moved her into the bed.

But today (drum roll please) she is STILL sleeping as I type this and it's been almost three hours! I peeked in after only about five minutes and she was silently sleeping cuddling her little baby doll and her book on her tummy.

So I ask myself, is it because she woke up at 5am?? Or because she woke up at 1am before that? Or because she didn't fall asleep until 9pm? I'm sure she was verrrry tired. I think through these options and I hear Matt's voice in the back of my head... "I told you so." WHY?? Because he tells me that if we were to wake up early enough she would be tired enough to take a nap. Hmmmm. Maybe he's right. I'll have to ponder this a little more... It's just so nice to sleep in until 7:30-8 each morning. But it is REALLY nice to have her sleeping while I get a few extra things done AND a nap myself...

Thinking About Baby

As we head into week #31 I have been thinking more and more about how our life is going to change yet again! I caught myself stopping in the hallway and looking in both children's rooms... Hannah's and the new baby's... it was a strange feeling to know that we will have TWO children! I wonder lots of things:

Will Hannah be jealous? Will Hannah act out and want a lot more attention? Or will she welcome the new baby with excitement? Will this baby be as "easy" as Hannah was? Will it be a BOY or a GIRL? If it's a boy... how do I take care of a BOY??? (sounds funny but I really wonder that last one)

This pregnancy has been very similar to my pregnancy with Hannah. The hot months make it a little harder on me and causes a lot of nausea and little annoyances. It's harder to run errands in the heat PLUS being pregnant AND with a toddler. But I do it. I learn something new each time I go out- a little trick to keep Hannah occupied or something to make the ride a little more fun for her. My best trick to distract her from how hot her carseat really is: Give her cold water and tell her to drink it and it will make everything cooler. It works! She asks right away for "code water" and doesn't complain as much about how hot it is.

So like every other change that has come our way, we will adapt. I'm sure we will struggle a little... cry a little (or a lot..), hopefully laugh through it, too. Thankfully and graciously we have our heavenly Father in control of it all. That's the only way I can get through my days!!