Happy Birthday, The Gwendolyn!

Nothing better calms this anxious mind
Than knowing that you are not mine

What quickly stops this all too busy body
And brings rest to your preparing mommy
Is knowing that you are not mine

These days for you, every one, have been designed
By the same Mighty One who fashioned mine

Though for a brief and blessed time
I enjoy you and, Little Gwendolyn,
I thank the Lord that you are not mine!

Happy Birthday, Baby! I'ts so fun watching you grow!

Thank you, Aunt Jenn!!

Thank you Aunt Jenn Lamb (and Abbie and Uncle Kevin!) for the beautiful shirt you sent me for my birthday!!! We all miss you guys so much!

It's so fun to get a package in the mail!

Yeah! Clothes!

I'm so pretty!

Enough Pictures, Mom!

We Love the Lambs and we thank the Lord for them!

Giveaways From a Fun Blogger

I often mention Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking because I (and so many others) find her insights encouraging, and her homemaking tips very practical.

Check out the fun giveaways Lindsay is hosting as she celebrates her second year of sharing how Jesus continues to bless her and enable her to richly bless others! Check out the first giveaway HERE!

Green Eggs for Baby

So, I've been wanting the book Super Baby Food, but my library doesn't have it and I am trying this new thing where I don't always run out and buy everything I want at all times...not as fun as it sounds.

So, I decided to come up with something of my own. Gwendolyn hated green beans and egg yolk was just too dry...but I wanted to give her both of these things. I also needed something hearty and nutritious that I could have on hand (in the freezer and fridge) for when I didn't have the time or energy to find, cook, and cut-up a good lunch for her. My Green Eggs and Quinoa is a SMASHING success!!!! I had heard about Quinoa (Keen-wa) and found mine at Costco. I'm sure this would work for other grains, such as Millet or Rice, too!

2-3 cups cooked Quinoa (Millet, Rice, etc.)
2+ cups of steamed green beans (reserve the cooking liquid!)
4 hard boiled egg yolks
Butter -or coconut oil- (to taste)
Sea Salt (to taste)

(Keep in mind...I have NO idea how to write or express a RECIPE. These amounts may or may not be good ratios...it's just how I did it and it worked for me.)

• Cook Quinoa (or other grain), set aside
• Hard Boil Eggs and separate yolks, set aside
• Steam Green Beans until tender, reserving the cooking liquid.
• Place green beans into Blender (or food processor) and add cooking liquid to make a pureed consistency.
• Add Egg Yolks to Blender. you will need to add more green bean cooking liquid to maintain the moist, pureed consistency to the green bean/egg mixture.
• Mix the Green Bean/Egg Puree into the Cooked Quinoa. add sea salt and butter to taste. I think these helped with partially disguising the strong green bean smell and taste.

I put mine into baby cubes and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Gwendolyn LOVED this little porridge and wanted a double portion. I did find that my batch seemed a little dry (probably not enough liquid in the puree) but she didn't mind and I just kept her sippy cup filled with water!

"Getting Caught Up in the Competition Game"

Human development isn't a race; it's not who gets anywhere first! Character takes seasoning and really isn't seen until we're adults. I can probably drum up hundreds of kids who rolled over onto their stomachs before all their peers-and who ended up in jail. Don't worry about other kids' progress compared to yours, and don't gloat if your kid's progress seems advanced. It doesn't matter (91).

Leman, Dr. Kevin. First Time Mom: Getting Off on the Right Foot - From Birth to First Grade. Wheaton, Tyndale: 2004

Love the Salad...Hate the Salad-Making

Once the Salad is made it is SO enjoyable. But, during the incessant cutting-up of toppings, I am cursing sloppy tomatoes and wishing I had made a meal out of the chocolate chips in my cupboard!

Facebook

Ahhh, yes...Facebook. What an interesting commentary on our social, emotional and mental state as a people.


Disclaimer: I, personally, am a member of Facebook and spend countless seconds, minutes...hours...perusing many, many meaningless comments from people I haven't talked to in a very long time and probably won't talk to any time soon...unless I accidentally run into them at Trader Joe's or Wal-Mart. I also, like many others, find this avenue of communication both convenient and interesting.

...and very SAD. I've noticed, lately, how each facebook STATUS is like a little hop, skip and jump from one "lovely and meaningful experience" to the next. As a "facebook-er" or a "tweet-er" or whatever...we want our feelings, emotions, memories, experiences and thoughts to MATTER...to US...to OTHER people.

We talk (write) about our experiences as if they are in this pretty and simple little vacuum. Each of our life's experiences are wrapped up in one sentence...once (or ten times) a day...depending on who you are...

No one writes about how they cried themselves to sleep or yelled at their child (or spouse). We see no pictures of broken people realizing they are in the middle of a growing season and are acutely aware of how much it SUCKS!!!!!!

When a facebook-er depicts "hurt" or "worry" it is always in some kind of ambiguous manner...and those who choose to be more upfront, are sure to follow their expression of emotion with a JOKE or a "God Is In Control!" comment...and then, of course, the inevitable explanation mark (!) which means: "It's OK...don't worry about me...I'll figure it out...and I will be alright...and I'll be sure to update my STATUS really soon (with good news) so that no one really needs to give me a call or stop by my house.

Facebook is just EASIER...You get to watch as people you know express their "emotions" (as lame as they may be) and you can wait...sometimes only for an hour or two, until they "update" themselves with some kind of excellent outcome. All's Well, that Ends Well...I suppose.

The problem is...It doesn't solve the problem. We ALL want to be KNOWN...we were created to desire that. And, I totally adore means of written communication that engage my life with the lives of my friends (near and far). There are MANY reasons for being a part of an Internet Social Community. But, in personal observation...the more I check my facebook...the less I enjoy it.

Seriously...Who's Baby IS This?

Oh, Wait...here we go...

Pretty Little Madelyn!

I am so happy for our Dear friends, Jenni and Josh Thye! Look at this little cute thing!!!! She is so awesome and I look forward to watching her grow. We praise the Lord for your little girl and we love you, Thye Family!

Bibs...FYI

Is anyone else amused by that fact that this is my 3rd blog about BIBS???

Anyone reading this should know that when I began my blog I decided that I would write about WHATEVER I wanted and that I would not succumb to the pressure of keeping it updated and would resist the need to feel weird if I didn't blog about an event (or 10) and that, even if I wanted to write about something but didn't get around to it, I wouldn't feel bad about it.

So, here I am...talking about bibs...

The new bib I planned to try at IKEA was a total bust...It's BIG...too Big. Maybe for when she is a few years older! Just thought I would share!

My darling Sister-in-Law, Jenná, was kind enough to look at me like I was crazy, when she saw the bib , and point out that there was a 4 yr. old pictured with the bib! But, she also wheeled my cart through IKEA...so I let it slide.

Gwendolyn Helping Daddy Study

"The Greatest of These Is LOVE"

1 Corinthians 13

[The Apostle, Paul's, letter addressed to the Church (a body, or group, of Followers of Christ) in the city of Corinth. Apparently, most of the Christians there were having difficulty separating themselves from their "old" self - the one once enslaved by sin. This letter was written to correct them.]


1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. it does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong-doing, but rejoices with the truth. love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends...

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Grand Velas '09

Anybody Want a Bib...Or Something Else From IKEA?

I'm having bib issues.

I had mentioned the Kiddopotamus Bib in an earlier post. I really loved this bib, but then Gwendolyn started eating more on her own and this bib is no longer a match for her! It's fine to get her naked and let her eat...but then I have to wipe off her whole body instead of just her hands and face. My "little controller" HATES being wiped off!

I thought this post from Passionate Homemaking, about IKEA’s Barnslig Rand Bibs sounded cool and I'm going to try the bibs. I had planned to be at IKEA within a week or two, anyway, so if anyone in Tucson wants me to pick something up for them, (provided it's not too large ;0) I'm game! Let me know!

I Want a Pure Heart

“Pure Christian humility is silent about the sins of others, or speaks of them with grief and pity. The spiritually proud person finds fault with other saints for their lack of progress in grace, while the humble Christian sees so much evil in his own heart, and is so concerned about it, that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts.

One under the influence of spiritual pride is more apt to instruct others than to ask questions. Such a person naturally puts on the airs of a master. The eminently humble Christian thinks he needs help from everybody, whereas the spiritually proud person thinks everybody needs his help. Christian humility entreats and beseeches, spiritual pride commands and warns with authority.”

~Jonathon Edwards

- Awesome Encouragement from Lyndsay at Passionate Homemaking.

I Got the ERGO!

So, I've always been a big fan of the baby sling. It was invaluable to me when my crazy baby was little. I had hoped to use it longer, but my shoulder is KILLING me! My almost 21-pound (not crawling) 9 month old is a little too much for the one shoulder, I guess.

I have secretly been wanting the ERGo for a while now...and when my husband's family told me that he NEVER crawled and neither did his father and father's siblings (and they all took FOREVER to walk) I was able to him of my "need" for the new beautiful carrier!

I don't know if Gwen will ever crawl. She just rolls all over the room...



And then, of course, there is the "thrusting"...

Anyway, I really like my Ergo and I feel all "cool" wearing it. I still feel it in my shoulders, though. It might just be my back issues. The Ergo is known for it's excellent support.

But, the real reason for this blog post is to show you pictures. All the babies I have ever seen in the ERGO have been so lovely, docile, happy, calm, sleepy and comfy-looking. Here is MY baby....



But, it's been a few days now that we've used it and she really seems to love it. I changed all the light-bulbs in the ceiling fans (up on the ladder) today with her in the Ergo and she LOVES being a part of everything!

"...Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

I was feeling very sad this morning as I scooped out yet another pitcher of formula for my baby. For me, I don't like giving her formula. The whole feeding thing with her has been an emotional and challenging process that has been very HARD for me, but has also opened up so much more opportunity for me to trust in the Lord's care for Gwendolyn and in His plan to bring me into a deeper relationship with him, by bringing me further away from MYSELF.

But, my feelings this morning were the work of the Enemy. The Lord is pleased with me. I can bring my sadness to him and "cast my care" on His mighty, powerful shoulders...and be ENCOURAGED!

So, I AM encouraged! I am excited about taking her off the formula in just a couple of months and about enjoying more and more nourishing food with her. She's getting so big! I love it!

And, of course, the Gwendolyn is ever the helpful one. Here she is reading the instructions for her new (gigantic) car seat...

Good Nap!

My baby just fell asleep snuggled in my arms and then I put her in her crib and she didn't scream. It's such a good day! Weird...but Great!

It's 5:40 AM...Do You Know Where Your Baby Is?

Mine is on the couch watching Shirley Temple in Heidi.

So cute...So early.

Fun With Papa, Grandma and Great-Grandma Bickerton!

Gwendolyn has a great time with her Daddy's side of the family! She just loves all the attention!

Her strategy is making everyone in that house do things for her...Great-Grandma's job was to just give Gwendolyn all her toys and sippy-cups at random.

Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful Dinner!

My Big Cousin Jonny

Gwendolyn, like all the rest of her cousins, is completely obsessed with Jonathan.

He is awesome with all his little cousins, in spite of the fact that they constantly stare at him, follow him around, pull on his limbs and clothes, and take all his toys from him.

He's the best Big Cousin a kid can have!

Gwendolyn's Response to Anything Involving Bed or Nap Time

"Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light." -- Dylan Thomas



I will introduce you to screams like you have never heard before. I will be like the whistle of a freight train or the scrapes of chalk on a chalk board. I will choke on my own saliva. I will NOT "go gently into that good night!"

I will fight until my mommy lets me get up and watch Baby Einstein.

The Many Faces of Gwendolyn

Party Girl

Gwendolyn has never been one to go to bed easily, but Friday night was extreme. We would put her to bed (a couple of times) and she would just scream, as if out of devastation. It just seemed clear that she wanted to stay up and party with Mommy and Daddy. You can probably tell by the upside-down sippy cup and erratic behavior that she was totally delirious...but she had a great time and we had so much fun watching her. When we finally put her back down at 9pm...she went right to bed without a sound. It was lovely.