Squishy is becoming more Squishy

Well we are just a couple of days away from Squishy (see Finding Nemo for explanation of name) being 6 months old! She is becoming more and more FUN and her personality is beginning to show much more. Though she has the Medstud's good looks, she certainly has a lot of my personality.

People comment on how the time has flown and how she is getting so big so fast and I'm sure she is but I'm just so content in the day to day moments that I do not feel like they are fleeting. The time has gone by quite nicely for us; not too slow and not too fast. God has definitely made us enjoy these last 6 months with her and we are so grateful for the time He has given us with this sweet precious child.


At just shy of 6 months Squishy:

. is still in 3 months clothing and has a tiny head. But is one solid chick
. is the sweetest thing in the world when she wakes up. She is all smiles and coos
.is a celebrity everywhere we go lol. Everyone just wants to hold her (we don’t let everyone get their wishes with that one though for the sake of protecting her and not getting her over stimulated)
. loves her Mama and wants to be with me a lot more. That's a great feeling cause' I know the day is coming where she will be a complete Daddy's girl
. gets excited to see Daddy coming through the door
.has a lot more energy than I do
.does not like to cuddle, she's too busy with what to put next in her mouth
. has 3 solid foods a day and nurses 5 times. The girl LOVES her food. I'm going to be introducing papaya and mango soon :) I make all her baby food and she loves watching me make it
.we pray before each meal with her (we want it to be a regular part of her life)
.she got her 1st name inscribed Bible (best gift a child can get)
. naps on average 6 hours a day. She still sleeps between 10 and 12 hours a night, usually 11 though
. likes to stand with the support of furniture or our hands
. no longer cries in the car and actually loves going out on errands or for walks
. finally sleeps in her car seat when out on the road
. she is starting to make a very high pitched excited squeal


We are still falling in love with her each and every day. Our marriage has been great and keeping Christ at the center has been the reason for it all. We still have things in perspective and haven't gotten lost in our child or made our home a child-centered home. Jesus is at the center, then mama and papa then baby. God is good to have given us this sweet girl to love and nurture and grow into a godly woman! We pray for her salvation often and we simply love being her parents!

Happy half-birthday Squishy!

White Board....Pin Board...Clip Boards.....Chalk Board....

White Board....Pin Board...Clip Boards.....Chalk Board....You know what these all have in common? A HEAD-ACHE! Recently I went to Staples to buy the Medstud an assortment of boards so that he can study more efficiently. A white board so he can draw diagrams and write reminders. A pin-board (if that's what they're called) so that he can tack any important notes or paperwork. A clip-board so if he needs to write anywhere but on a desk he has an hard surface. And a chalk board, which I didn't get but thought it would be fun for the title. Chalk is just too messy for my taste and if you know me I loathe messes.

Anyhow back to Staples. So I march in their with my little $5 off coupon, walk to the back of the store and select a few boards and needed accessorizes. Do you know how much time and thought goes into buying these items? What size should I get? What color frame should I choose? Do one of these weigh lighter than the other? Should I get an all-in-one board? Or should I buy them individually? Which would be less expensive? Then the accessorizes; magnets or clips? markers: thick or fine point? You get the point. Little did I know my total was going to be over $130 for boards!!! First of all, the boards were all placed in different price tag areas and second who would of thought these various boards could be so expensive. The cashier rang me up and I was reluctant to pay after I saw the total. I thought I could get these boards for less money else where. But out of lazyness to go on a bargain hunt for boards I paid and thanked the woman for her help.

My next trip was to Babies R Us'. Which I drove in a rush to because they close at 9pm; I made it in the doors at 8:56pm only to see the stores hours posted and learned that this Babies R Us' closes at 9:30pm. I then proceed to the toy section to buy some more stimulating toys for the kid cause' she has very few and you know ALL 6 month old babies need toy lap tops and crazy gadgets. As I make my way back to the front to pay I see the kids' arts and supply section. And what do they have?!?! BOARDS!!! And for about the price I paid for one I could have them all! This just about grinds my gears! I got bamboozled at Staples (no wonder they throw those $5 coupons at you)  and now I would have to waste some gas and time to return those set of boards. My trunk looked like I had a hoarding problem over boards but I made my return and it was all good. The manager did ask why I was returning the boards and I explained the situation to him. He was glad that I let him know and that he would definitely take note of it. So in the future if you see that prices have changed at Staples you can just thank me :)


 Lesson learned: check and compare prices before making purchases. Coupons don't necessarily mean you will get a better price. And if you want to get bamboozled go to Staples. Totally kidding, Staples does have some good deals but those boards were way overpriced. 

Lastly, thank you Babies R Us' for keeping your prices fair. And thank you children of the world for using white boards, pin boards, clip boards and chalk boards. Without you there would be no art and supply section at Babies R Us' and the world would be forced to purchase overpriced boards at Staples.

 The "diagram" above is brought to you by the Medstud. He used the magnets as eyes and he no longer has the facial hair. I'm glad he's using one of his boards for something kinda useful, making me happy and feel loved!

The New Stay-at-Home Mom

I've yet to post anything new in quite some time, however, the following is from a good friend's blog and I simply LOVE her description. Enjoy!

 

Apron Strings and College Degrees

(http://legacymindedwomen.posterous.com/)

“I am the NEW stay-at-home mom.  I am the COO of the Household.  When you ask “What do you do all day?” I answer, “What don’t I do?” 

I am responsible for strategic planning, risk management, quality assurance, information systems, administration, and the day-to-day results while inspiring, developing, coaching and unleashing my children into their future.  I manage efficiently and effectively.  I create and analyze operations and systems.  I maintain and monitor.  I prioritize and implement strategies with an action-oriented approach.  I am an agent of change.  I squarely meet and overcome operational challenges daily.  I maximize value.  I create. I innovate.  I implement.

I partner with the CEO and complement his experience, knowledge, and skill.  While the CEO of our household manages up and out, I manage down and in.  I am responsible for bringing our Family’s vision to life at all levels of our home while giving the CEO space to lead.

I am secure in my worth, contribution, intelligence, and direction which allows me to gracefully encourage and support other stay-at-home, working, and single moms alike.

I am the NEW stay-at-home mom.”

- Chief Operations Officer