Annabelle-isms: January-September 2012

I often get "requests" to post the funny things AB says from time to time. So, my Facebook status usually consists of something hilarious she's said that day...sometimes twice that day! Since my status updates disappear into cyber space, and I probably won't ever try to retrieve them, I thought a good way to document and remember the funny things she's said, I'll copy and paste into a blog post. So, here's a few from the last few months or so.

Me: "Annabelle, we're going to have to leave in a bit to go to the doctor."
Annabelle: "What? I have an appoint-tent?"
Me: "Yes. We need to see why you are sick."
Annabelle: "But Mommy! I don't want to go to the doctor! I want to go....to....to church!" 
Me: "Well as happy as that makes Mommy, I'm sorry to inform you it isn't Sunday, and you still have to go to your "appoint-tent."

Me: "Ok, Annabelle. I need you to come lie down and get ready for bed."
AB: "Ok, Mommy!! I'll make good choices!!"
Do you think her having a Kindergarten teacher for a mother has had any impact on her at all?

An AB quote (talking to LC): "Aww, Landree. Do you like everything about everything you're doing?" I'm still trying to figure this question out...

I've been informed by my 3 year old that I'm grouchy and "being frustrated" tonight. *sigh* The sad thing is...she's right! Yet, what is she doing? Loving on me and giving me kisses. I'm thankful for her sweet and forgiving nature.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love that AB is a Daddy's girl. It's beyond sweet -BUT- this little alliance she has formed is getting old!! I can't do things nearly as good as Daddy, and my new favorite, "I'm sorry Mommy, but you're just not as strong as Daddy and me." Sheesh! I'm changing my name to "Chopped Liver." — with Austin Aldrich.

I told AB we would have a Mommy and AB afternoon. I took her with me to get some work clothes for me, but promised her Yogurtville when we finished. On our way to Yogurtville she announced, "I like Yogurtville the best because it is NOT shopping!" Hmm...I'm determined to turn her into a shop-a-holic, yet!

"Let's play catch, Lamp. Aww...you look a little bit tired, Lamp. Don't worry, Lamp, you can lay down and sleep!" All things I'm hearing from AB while playing in the playroom. I'm thinking, why is she playing with a lamp?? I turn around and see she is playing with her toy LAMB!!!

Austin and I have never laughed so hard...we were in our room and AB was in the living room. I call to her from our room to check on her. She comes running in...Me: What are you doing? AB: I'm just in here playing with my sticker book...(pause)...but thanks for asking. As she proceeds to run off, leaving us in stitches!!!

Cousins!

This summer we got the whole family together for our Grandmother's birthday. I love when all the family and all the cousins are together. Afterwards, we got some shots of the kiddos. Looking at these 3 is eerie to me! It could be me, Bubba and Amanda 25 years ago! I love it! 

Not having siblings growing up, my cousins were my siblings. I'm so glad my girls will have their cousins that they're close to, also. It means so much.

Miss Landree was already tuckered out and in her carrier, so unfortunately, she wasn't included in this shoot...but I know there will be several more pictures in the years to come of all of these sweet cousins.

This face! Seriously, this face is so precious! Love her!

Oh, look at them. I could eat them up they're so sweet!

He's All I Need

Something I've really come to learn about myself over the last several months, is how incredibly sensitive I am. Most of you who have known me my whole life are probably wondering why I am just now figuring this out....because you've known this about me for years!! I've known it, too, but the degree of which I become sensitive is increased. I'm assuming most of it has to do with the last year of my life. My work environment, my pregnancy with Landree, those two combined, and Landree's many special needs - sigh - has turned me into a quite the basket case, at times. I find myself wanting peace and very little problems with those around me. I guess I feel all the issues we have with Landree seem so big, that "the small stuff" just really isn't all that important anymore. I feel like I rarely find myself wanting to make my house more beautiful, or needing things that I really don't need, or simply getting myself worked up over things that don't matter. Pretty much - things that don't have anything to do with my kids or husband, I try not to get myself worked up over. However, this school year has posed it's trials with new curriculum, new environment and learning to be a working mom of two, and my emotions have gotten the best of me - but again, this has to do with my kids. I have days where I really struggle when I feel I've lost a friend or have one upset with me. I don't understand. Why can't "the small stuff" be overlooked by others? I know I'm learning how to do it. Of course, no one has walked in my shoes and I can't expect people to understand what I mentally and emotionally go through on a daily basis. But there are the few close friends who do empathize and love me, and yet, I find disappointment in them, too. It's not their fault - I allow that to happen.

Point being - I still put too much faith in humans. What do humans do? They fail. They fail miserably at most things. I can say this, because I am one. 100% human, and I fail everyday. I'm sure I fail my friends, family, etc..., as well. My prayer is lately, to not put so much "stock" into humans, who continually disappoint. I am trying to be more diligent to focus on the One who doesn't disappoint, but continually loves and supports. My Creator and My Father is the one who I turn to. Thank goodness for Him. Thank goodness for a loving Heavenly Father to uplift and encourage.

My heavy heart is crying out to Him for His comfort and peace. I'm trying to learn that being sensitive to different things by done and said by people is obsolete. All I need is the love of my Father and His promises to me. Thank goodness for that. Thank goodness scripture provides that peace and promise of God's love.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Amen.

Watch Out, Angelina Ballerina!

Something I've been waiting for, for three years finally took place this year...Annabelle started dance! Now, I realize I'm a tad bit bias, but this has to be the cutest ballerina around! 

         

I was completely impressed with her willingness to go right into her dance class, sit down, and wait for teacher's instructions. That was a really proud momma moment! The teacher in me has EXTREMELY high expectations of her. I was so proud! I'm not going to lie, I got a little teary-eyed at the sight of my baby girl in her very first dance class. 

                         

I could've sat there all day and watched her in her ballet class. The instructor, Ms. Marisa, doesn't allow parents in the room - smart lady! I'm under the belief that children perform a lot better without their parents around. I was impressed with AB's non-existent separation anxiety. Not that this child has really every had an issue with that, but I had no idea what to expect. Luckily though, there are flat screen tv's in the waiting area where moms can watch their kids from the other room - love it!

I'd say it was a pretty successful first dance class! I can't wait until our first recital in December - a Christmas one! Eeek! How fun! Then our big recital is in June. I think this girl is ready for all the dancing ahead of her!

Five Months Old!

Happy Five Months Old, Landree Claire!

 

 

What an absolute joy you are! I don't think Mommy, Daddy and Big Sister have ever laughed or smiled so much. You light up our lives. 

 

 

However, there are those rare occasions where you don't feel like smiling. Those times can be a bit....uh....challenging.

 

BUT it's never too long until you're back to your old self, again! I swear, I didn't think one smile could completely change my life. Yours does, for sure!

 

 You are so happy! Your personality really starting shining through last month, but it's only gotten more fun this month. There is rarely a time when Daddy, Mommy or Sister is talking to you that you don't talk back at us and give us that huge gummy grin. Oh, how we love that!

This month brought a lot of changes for you and our family LC. First off, you had a swallow study to figure out why you were making so many congested noises. Turns out, you were aspirating every liquid you took in. Talk about breaking a Mommy's heart. That's why they had to stick this tube down your nose, and this is how you eat now. You're a pretty good sport about it, though. You were fussy the first week and a half after you had it, but after that, you adjusted and went back to our old Landree. Good thing, too! I missed my happy, smiley girl. You were a little miserable there for a while. I believe it was just because you weren't getting your bottle. I'm so sad about that. I wish I could explain to you why Mommy just stopped giving you a bottle. You would cry mainly when you saw me. Daddy thinks it's because you know Mommy is the one who mainly fed you, so you were pleading to get that bottle. I could cry when I think about how it must make you feel. But, in true Landree fashion, you adjusted and went with the flow. Bless your heart, you've had to do that a bit in your last five months of life. But you are, so go with the flow!

Another adjustment, for you and me mainly, was Mommy went back to work. I was off with you and your sister for four whole months! That was a much longer time than when Annabelle was born. I had to take her back at six weeks. So, the four months we had together was so much fun and we got very used to each other. I'm pretty sure Mommy is the one who had the bigger adjustment, not you. Ms. Andrea is amazing - she's taken you and your sister in without even a second thought. That's huge seeing as that you aren't eating out of a bottle anymore. So, Mommy is very grateful for her. I'm back at work, and loving the new place God has placed me...but I'm missing you very much. I spent a lot of my day kissing those sweet cheeks of yours. I mean, can you blame me?????

God has blessed us with amazing friends and family that love you. Absolutely love you. I want you to know this, LC. I want you to know how many people out there are praying for you. They aren't just saying they're praying for you...but they really, really are. You have four sets of parents. One of those sets, being your real parents. The other three sets are Jason and Kate, Jason and Chelsea and beloved Jill and Jonas. Really. I'm pretty sure you'll grow up thinking that they are just like Mommy and Daddy. They treat you as if you are their own (same with your sister). You are so blessed, LC. There aren't a whole lot of people out there like them. And they love YOU!

You've also got your pick of beaus coming up. One of which I have already approved. Mr. Nolan Felderhoff is a preferred choice of Mommy and Daddy. We love Nolan's Mommy and Daddy, too. It looks like you guys have already hit it off!

Oh, how I could just eat you up! I love your sweet little face! It's almost too much for Mommy to take! You're absolutely precious, inside and out. I can already tell, even at five months old. You're amazing. Absolutely amazing.

Thank you for blessing us, LC. Thank you for making our lives that much better. We love everything about you. Every. Little. Thing. Your smile takes my breath away, and I prayed for that. So did a few others. Ooooh, you're just so sweet!

The future is a little uncertain in many ways. All I can do is pray about that. I know that God has you wrapped up in His hands and He has a plan picked out just for you. I'm not going to lie, I struggle with the uncertainties. I like to have everything figured out. I like to be in control. I'm sure God is laughing at this right now. I have no control. That's why I try and give it to him. One way, though, the future is NOT uncertain is that God is going to use you. He's going to use you in a great way. A way that will bring glory to His name. Oh, how I can't wait to see what He has in store. In the meantime, you just go on ahead and be you. You just go on ahead and continue to touch people's lives. You've already impacted so many....and you're only five months old!

You're amazing, my sweet angel. I love you. And I love who you are.



Love,

Mommy

This Face! Oh, This Face!

The last couple weeks have pretty much been just like this...

...big, happy, gummy grins from my sweet baby girl. I can't get enough. I find myself up in her face all the time just to catch a glimpse of that sweet smile. She smiles instantly! How sad is this, when she sees my phone go up, she instantly smiles, she knows what I'm doing! Oh, how I adore this precious face!

Oh, Sisterly Love!

One thing I never had was a sister. So, I love observing the two of my girls be just that...sisters. It's such a funny dynamic right now. They're age difference, I've been told, is a great one, but not quite yet. They can't really play together, and with Landree's delays, it will probably take a while before AB can really "play" with her. However, it doesn't stop big sister from loving on her sweet baby sister. She ADORES her. The next four pictures are absolutely precious, but also, absolutely indicative of their relationship right now. Pay close attention to Landree's face as the pictures go on. Cracks. Me. UP!

Annabelle's faces crack me up, too! They are so funny together. I'm thankful for these sweet sisters!