Recipe and Reminiscing

Today I made a Cream Cheese Clouds (a deliciously, yummy, very healthy -ha!-recipe I got from my friend in college). It made me think about my friend Diana which made me very happy.

It also made me think about my Nanny which made me happy and sad because I miss her soooo much! I remember making these with Nanny one Christmas. Thinking about this reminded me of how much I miss her. Of course I got teary-eyed. I've been thinking about her often. While shopping in Publix the other day I saw someone who had hair that looked like Nanny's. Silly, I know, but I wanted to touch it. She had the softest hair. This too made me teary-eyed. I had to quickly pull myself together so I wouldn't be that person crying in the grocery store! I just wish she were here to see Karaline. She would have been in LOVE with my little sweetie.

Here's thelink to the recipe: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/cream-cheese-clouds-62254.aspx

Karaline Loves...

Here are a few things Karaline loves:

*The dishwasher... anytime I open it to load or unload it, girlfriend speed crawls from wherever she is to play in it. I try not to do this when her Daddy is around because he has a fit when she puts her mouth on any part of it. Of course I don't want her to eat the dishwasher either, but those of you who know Joey know he can be a bit crazed with that kind of thing. I try not to sweat it.

*The refrigerator...same as the dishwasher...she could play there for hours!

*Other children...we'll be out somewhere and she will spot a kid and get soooo excited! She'll squeal with joy :) She's a little rough when she actually gets to play with them but we're working on being gentle. She gets to play with (torture) kids at her sitter's house.

*Greenbeans and bananas...these are the only 2 foods that I can guarantee that she will eat at this time. The doctor says it's okay so that's what we do.

*Talking...Karaline LOVES to talk! She can't talk enough it seems. I don't know why because both Joey and I are very introverted people. :)

*Her racoon... My mom bought her this racoon that plays a harmonica. She could watch it for hours on end!

*Music...Whether it's a CD or someone playing, Karaline is in awe. Sam's boyfriend, Matt, plays guitar when she's over. He's written her a few songs and let's Karaline play along with him.

These are just a few things that Karaline is loving at the moment. We're having a blast spending lots of time together. Slow down, summer!!!

Motherhood

Being a mom has been the most amazing, shocking experience I have ever had. I always knew that I wanted to be a mommy but had no idea what to expect. Yes, I'm an early childhood teacher and have been around babies but everything changes when you become responsible for the little blessing God has given you.

I'm not the mom I thought I would be. I thought I would be much tougher and more okay with cries but I'm not. I HATE hearing Karaline cry (or even fuss) for that matter. I don't want to raise a spoiled child, but I also want her to know that I will do everything in my power to meet her needs. It's a tough line. I'm getting better at not rushing over with each and every whimper but it is hard! Sometimes I wonder if I would be the same parent if I stayed at home with her. I'm sure these are all "normal mom" worries but there are many things I didn't consider.

I want to spend ALL of my time with her. Obsessive? Maybe...err...probably... but there is no one I would rather be with. Joey is a close second- most of the time - but Karaline definitely takes first :)

I also thought that a baby wouldn't dictate things I do. SILLY ME! example: I haven't traveled to visit family since Easter. For the last few months, Karaline {screams} in the car after the first 5 or so minutes and continues for most of the ride. I always thought that babies cry it out- not her. This is just one of the examples of her being strongwilled (not sure where she gets it!).

My nephew came and visited a few weeks ago. My mom and sister brought him down and then he took the train home. His train left from Winter Haven - about a 30 minute drive- and Karaline successfully screamed and cried the entire time. LJ was thankful he was able to take the train and didn't have to ride 2.5 hours with us. I don't know if she gets car sick or doesn't like being strapped in or not seeing anyone, but it is torture! While I would love to see family more often, it's really tough for me to want to travel with her being miserable. And packing the car- that's a whole other task!

There are many other expectations and ideas I had about being a mom. I'm learning that I have to do what works for our family. I still like hearing what has worked and not worked for my friends but am accepting that I may not be the same mom they are and it's okay!

A New Friend

Yesterday I took Karaline out for a walk around our cul-de-sac. We do this several times a day and she gets equally as excited each time we walk to the door. On the way back Karaline noticed her shadow and began squealing with joy. She started clapping, smiling, and waving. It was the cutest thing I've ever seen!!! She was soooo excited! Of course I took a few pictures :)

4th of July Festivities

This year we had a very laid back 4th of July. We celebrated on Sunday with our friends, Matt and Sam. Joey grilled chicken that was yummy! Sam brought a watermelon over and we let Karaline try it. She LOVED it! {See pic below} They also brought some fireworks so after dinner we did a few. Karaline really enjoyed them. I wondered if she would like them or not, but as usual she handled the noise like a pro. She stared in awe at them. She even did her first baby sign for firework. I do not know the sign for it, but Matt was making a hand sign while saying fireworks and she copyed him! :) Love it!!! I hate that it gets dark around 9 because it's hard to stretch Karaline that long so she couldn't see the big ones. That just leaves next year though :)

In other news, her first tooth is breaking through. I wondered if it would ever come. She's been "teething" for well over 4 months. She's handling it pretty well, too. The only symptons have been a few whiney times for unknown reasons, less eating, and more sleeping.

Enjoying watermelon :)

Clapping for the fireworks

Look at that face!

Signing fireworks

Time Flies

Here it is another month has gone by and I've not updated, but as the saying goes, "Time flies!" I think as a parent you begin to truly understand this statement. School is out for summer-yippee!- and I have been super busy trying to keep up with Karaline. She is a busy girl. She is crawling EVERYWHERE and getting into EVERYTHING!!! It's crazy how quickly she went from immobile to fully mobile. She can also stand up on just about anything and is beginning to "cruise" by holding on to something and walk.

Probably my favorite thing that she can do is wave. It is the cutest thing. Joey went away for the weekend and when he came home he woke her up. When she saw him, her face lit up and she began to wave. Sweetest thing ever!

Karaline loves other kids. She has kids at her sitter's house and she just talks and talks to them. She desperately wants to get down and play with them, too. On Saturday we had a get together with our church group and Karaline attacked two of the kids. She gets excited and grabs with full force whatever she can get a hold of - unfortunately, both times it was their hair! She then tries to pull them in for a kiss. The little boy was a champ and didn't complain at all...in fact, I think he liked it. The little girl, however, instantly began to cry. Sooo sad :( She didn't want to play with Karaline after that either.

So, Joey and I are taking the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Class. The other day while I was cleaning, Karaline pulled the box out and began to move it on her journeys around the house. I took this picture of her and said that I'll send it to Dave when we can say, "We are debt free!" :) I think he'd like that.

I'm loving being home with Karaline and am enjoying being able to be a stay at home mom for the summer. August will be tough!

Busy, Busy, Busy

I cannot believe it's been a month and a half since my last post. Things have been very busy around here! The end of the school year is always rushed and at home we've been super busy, too. Karaline is doing fabulously. Day after day, month after month, we are loving watching her grow, develop, and change.
Brief recap of her milestones since last month:
*Karaline is now eating food - peas (she hates), green beans (she likes), and carrots. We're going to go through the veggies before moving on to fruits.
*Karaline is crawling...for a few crawls. Then she'll fall on her belly and army scoot. She is getting around well and enjoys playing on the floor.
*She loves to play and walk in her walker. When we first bought it her feet did not touch the floor; amazing what 2 weeks will do...now both feet can touch and she can move. She has one at her sitter's that she loves, too. Lynda said Karaline will chase the other kids :)
*She gives kisses when asked :)
*Daddy taught her how to give zerberts or raspberries. She gives them to me often but also will give one to her stuffed animals, toys, spoon, and tub.

I hope to post more frequently when school gets out. My last day is June 10. Hooray for summer!