Besties

Yesterday, we had the joy of watching Delia get baptized. Delia was a little trooper throughout the whole service. But Adeline decided to scream in delight at the sight of her best friend up front, so we watched from the back. Afterwards, we let the babes be babes. They are thick as thieves. Seriously, they like to steal each others toys....and smack each other in the face. Enjoy the cuteness!

The End.

Snapshot Saturday

Instead of trying to catch up on the last few weeks of our lives, I thought I'd just say it in (mostly) pictures. :)

We went to Texas, ya'll! The Plantage crew surprised Darcy for her birthday.

Addie was an awesome traveler.

I got frisked by a female security guard in front of a restaurant full of soon-to-be airplane passengers. That was a highlight.

Solids have been a good time. She's not really a fan yet.

We went to Albert Lea for Thanksgiving and also celebrated Christmas with Gerrit's family. Yay!

Just a little sass from today. Love you all!

Confessions: Because I Feel Like It

1. If I weren't married, I wouldn't shave from September to May.

2. The movie Titanic traumatized me for the better part of 3 months in 7th grade.

3. I swear in my head...a lot. Maybe not like a sailor, but definitely like a canoe-r.

4. Certain shades of red annoy me.

5. The reader inside me wants so badly to enjoy Shakespeare, but she just can't.

6. I have a specific way that I eat macaroni and cheese, but it's too weird to explain.

7. Sometimes I think my life is like "The Truman Show."

8. I didn't want to grow out my boy haircut in junior high because I thought I would look "weird."

9. Mustaches....I can't.....they're just.....*gag* .....they need to be gone for the rest of time.

10. I'm a zit popper. I don't care what you say. Sometimes that's the only way to get rid of 'em.

(I feel better. Your turn.)

Tricks and Treatin'

For Adeline's first Halloween, we asked to tag along with my sister and her family. We thought it might be awkward to trick-or-treat with just an infant, since people might catch on that the candy is for the parents.
Carey and Greg have such a friendly neighborhood! I didn't feel I should rush to the front of the candy line, but people made a point to fill our bucket. A couple women even called their husbands to the door, "Honey, you have to see this baby!" And then they'd ask, "What is she supposed to be?" By the end of the night, we decided she was a baby phoenix.
Owen and Sophie had a great time running from door to door. Being the "Martha Stewart," super-mom that she is, Carey made their costumes. Owen was a robot; and Sophie was a unicorn. Adorable.
Adeline did surprisingly well. She only fussed a couple times. She was pretty content just being carted around all night.


By the time we hit the last block, Adeline had had about enough. We high-tailed it back to Carey and Greg's house to feed her while they finished at the last houses. Addie was pooped.

But she did wake up just in time to check out her loot. She especially liked the pretzels for their crinkly bag. :)After tough negotiations and trading of candy was done, we headed home. What fun!

A Cranky Ballerina...and Some Other Things

Last night was my sister and brother-in-law's annual Halloween party. Thanks again, Carey and Greg! Adeline has that adorable duck/turkey costume. But since it tends to be rather warm with a house full of people, we dressed her as a ballerina for the night. She was less than thrilled....I think her mean face looks like my Grandpa Harry.

The tutu was on for approximately 10 minutes before it was removed. Adeline kept trying to eat the tulle.

I wore all black and an enlarged postage stamp. I was "blackmail."

Gerrit and Adeline were winding down after the party. They are thick as thieves, always looking like they are plotting something against me.

We've been giving Adeline more rice cereal. On this particular evening, she wasn't in the mood to have anything other than a bottle. Hence, the mess of cereal on her face and not in her belly.

And lastly, Adeline in Gerrit's hat. Because everyone loves a gangster baby.She's been a little cranky-pants this week. We think she's teething, because she gets in a crazy mood where she doesn't want to eat, play, or sleep. She just wants to whine and chew. Lord, help us. She's a handful.

In other news, for those who are wondering, the postpartum depression/anxiety/whatever is going on has been getting better. I don't cry nearly as often; as in, hardly at all. I've really started enjoying the time with Adeline. I look forward to spending time with her. That wasn't always the case before (though I loved her anyway). Mentally, I feel more normal. Physically, I still feel weird almost everyday. Lord willing, my body will follow the trend of my mind and feel normal soon. Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement. I need it and appreciate it so much. Love you all.

A Happy Little Story

Last week, I became a small group leader at one of Renovation Church's House Groups. The topic of discussion was money as an idol. At the end of the night, one of the ladies wanted a challenge for the week. So, I challenged the group to pay for the person behind them at the drive-thru, should the opportunity present itself. It's just a small way to be more selfless with one's money and a way to bless someone's day.

Today, I decided to go through the Caribou Coffee drive-thru. I was just hoping someone would drive up behind me so I could pay for them. No one did. I was disappointed as I pulled up to get my drink. But then the cashier handed me my Caramel Highrise and said, "The woman in front of you already paid for you." I yelled with glee, "WHAT?! I was going to do the same thing! And now there's no one behind me!" She smiled and told me to have a great day anyway. And so, I did.

Thank you, Anonymous Lady, for the coffee. And thank you, Lord, for your happy little blessings.

The Cutest Baby I Ever Birthed!

Thanks to Adeline's Aunt Courtney, we have this adorable Halloween costume. Oh. My. Word. Could this child be any cuter? I can't stand it.

A Reminder for the Ladies

I sat down at a computer at work the other morning to check my email before the school bell rang. I found an email sent from "Gordon," my dad. My jaw dropped as I opened it and read:

Be sure to do breast exam and get a ribbon shaped bagel at Panera for me!

Reading a little further down, I realized this was a message from my mother. But you can imagine my discomfort at my short-lived misunderstanding. Awkward.....

Anyway, as you probably know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I didn't think too much of this until my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer just a few years ago. They found a small lump during a routine mammogram. Praise the Lord, the lump was found early and removed quickly. Surgery and treatment went well for her. And because of early intervention and God being so good, the cancer is gone. But ever since that time, we've become an "aware" family. So, here I am, spreading the awareness! If you're of age, go get that mammogram! It's worth the discomfort. My sister blogged about her experience--click here. If you're not of mammogram age, go give the "ladies" a feel during your next shower. :) Or for the married ladies out there, have your husband do it! October will be his new favorite month! To be on the safe side, a self-exam should be done once a month. So, get to it! Give the "girls" a squeeze.

Milestones

At Adeline's four month appointment, we completed a checklist of her "milestones." The list includes motor and social skills, among other things. She has met all the expectations of a four month old, and then some. She's ahead of the game so far! Yay, Addie!

At home, we're seeing her become a little lady with a big personality. She has started waking up in the morning screaming with glee. She loves to play with us and grab our faces. She's a pincher!

A bittersweet milestone has been packing away her 0-3 month summer clothes. It's wonderful that she's healthy and growing; but the fact that she'll never be this little again is hard to grasp. As I was folding and packing the clothes, I kept thinking, "We'll get these out again next summer for her. She'll be so cute." And then, "Oh wait, that's not how it works with baby clothes!" She's been so well dressed thanks to our family and friends. Hopefully, we can maintain your standards now that we'll be buying her clothes on our own. :)

This picture doesn't represent a milestone, but it's so darn cute. I noticed that daddy and daughter were both in their "sweats."

A delightful new trick Adeline is learning is laughing! What a wonderful sound to hear (and a lovely contrast to crying). And okay, I'm getting a little crazy with the video posting; but my family appreciates it! So, this is a little video of us trying to get Addie to laugh. She's so cute. I think we'll keep her.

A First Time for Everything

Adeline had her first taste of rice cereal this evening. She had been sleeping really well at night but has recently been getting up more frequently to eat. Thus, we thought we'd give the cereal a try. She may not be ready yet but we'll try it again soon.

This One's For You, Mom. You Had it Coming.

My mom is turning into my her mother. What I mean by this is that she is losing her verbal filter. I told her I would punish her by posting her comments on my blog. But that's only because I told her I was going to Dr. Phil and she said she would not join me on the show.

Exhibit A: (As background information, I will tell you that I have been quite the hypochondriac lately. I call often to have my parents talk me out of my latest fatal illness.) Today, I called to tell her that I found a lump on my neck. Her comforting response was, "Well, why don't you just get cancer and die? Would that make you feel better? To just get it over with?"

Exhibit B: Adeline took a very long nap at daycare yesterday, basically sleeping the day away. (She has a cold and the kids there totally overstimulate her, so this wasn't too concerning to me. In all other ways, she was completely normal yesterday.) Anyway, my mom expressed her concern by asking, "Do you think the daycare lady is drugging her?"

Oh Mom, I love ya. I do, I do. I feel warm and fuzzy. This is just my form of a blog spanking to you. Seriously though, you're a wonderful mom. Remember the post I wrote about you? You're great. I wouldn't trade you for anything. Besides, I'm turning into you. So, I better enjoy it.

For Her Fans

Addie Rose is four months old! Where does the time go? She's a sassy little girl! She's got a temper, especially when we try to put her in her car seat. She'll arch her back so hard she slides right out of the seat. We have to wrestle her into it! Adeline is also very chatty in the morning. It's so fun to hear her little "thoughts." Sometimes she wants to talk so much that she'll neglect her morning bottle to gab with us. Here are some pictures for those who love her.
I'm trying my hand at posting a video. I took this one about a month ago now. Adeline was talking and flailing about. It might bore the average reader, but I think family will appreciate seeing her sass. :) Enjoy!

We're Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo....

On what may have been the last summer-ish weekend for awhile, we went to the zoo with Adam, Maria, and Delia. We went for the last hour it was open, but man!, it was busy! Maneuvering two strollers through the crowds (and other strollers) made looking at the animals a secondary thought. Also, it was Addie and Delia's first zoo experience, so we had to document it.

Gerrit and Addie near the flamingos. It was obvious to me, and I think you'll agree, that they were her favorite. Just look at that expression of joy and enchantment.

Am I a bad mom if I think Adeline looks a liiiiiittle bit like a monkey? A really cute one though!

This is our first Maria/Delia with Cassie/Adeline picture! Hopefully, the first of many. Oh...and Adam was there, too.

Just giving ya a hard time, Adam! You're a cool guy.

***********

On a separate note, I want to thank everyone who has reached out since my previous post about my postpartum struggles. I was hesitant to write it at all, thinking that it may be too personal. But it was well worth it. I've received a lot of encouragement and I feel blessed by that. I've also gotten to hear from and talk to others who are struggling or who have gone through something similar. Things aren't completely better, and I know that may take time. But I'm touched by the messages and support I've gotten. Thank you so much. I'll continue to need it. :) I love you all!

A Thousand Words

While Gerrit washed dishes, I attempted to get a good mother/daughter picture. At least one of us had fun.

My favorite :)