Of of all the shots I snapped…this one is the best. Getting a good photo of the 3 kids has proven fairly difficult. You can see Lauralyn’s new hair cut. It was simply too difficult to comb through, and I was tired of the screams and ordeal of brushing through the locks. I like it short, though. It makes her look extra cute in my opinion. Kristin wore Lauralyn’s first Easter dress, and Lauralyn wore a dress made by Nanut. The cold snap changed the planned attire, but thankfully, I am not the type to go out and purchase special Easter clothing. I kept the newborn nursery at church (there was only one other baby), but at least I could hear the music somewhat, and Noah did a great job singing backup (and playing guitar) on a song with Katelyn. The handbells were a nice touch, too. I didn’t hear the sermon, but I am sure it was good. For lunch we dined on yummy ham at Nanet and Mr. Jesse’s and Miss Mary made the most awesome lemon pie EVER. I got in a nice nap, and we ended the evening with a few good rounds of Nerts (a horrible and addictive card game that I lack talent in, yet Noah dominates) with Shannon and Jason. Overall, a very nice day, and best of all, I can rejoice in the knowledge that He is Risen!
I don’t normally have time to play with photos I take, but my friend, Leah, has inspired me to give it a go. I had fun with this pic of Lauralyn in her cute cherry dress. Noah will have to help me navigate Photoshop, since it has been forever since I have used the program, but it’s fun to create when I have a spare moment.
Okay. So, it’s a bit late for a New Year Resolution (they never stick anyway), so beginning this month, I resolve to only feed my kids food that I would eat myself. I was suddenly convicted of my children’s lack of nutritional food when my Lauralyn insisted on having chicken nuggets for lunch the other day (this was not my suggestion, but her own idea). I would not eat 1 chicken nugget, let alone 5 or 6, and yet out of laziness and apathy, I thought it was fine for my kids to eat them on a regular basis. Side Note: Now this is a personal conviction, and I assure you that I will not judge you if you feed your kids chicken nuggets!
Essentially, ever since realizing the importance of whole food nutrition, my family’s diet has been transforming into a much healthier regiment. However, I just have been lazier with the kids’ food. No more! From here on, I hope to only allow the kids to eat that which I eat, which is generally pretty nutritional. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy my occasional sweet, and I wish they made a calorie free cabernet (no, the kids won’t be allowed to have wine), but I am an avid fan of high fiber cereal, spinach, cheese, turkey, broccoli, chicken, etc. (not all together) on a daily basis. I want Isaac and Lauralyn to grow taste buds that crave healthy food, rather than processed food.
Oh, and for those wondering about my weight loss… it seems I have hit one of those annoying plateaus, but I expect to start loosing some pounds soon, as my clothes have gotten a bit looser. The nice weather has allowed me to get walking again… 3 kids on/in one double stroller, it’s quite a site, and great resistance training (about 95 lbs. including the stroller). I seemed to have forgotten that when being the sole provision of food for an infant…one gets hungry on a regular basis and consumes calories which prevents the desired weight loss. But, at least Kristin is gaining plenty of weight, and assures me she appreciates her Momma Milk, even if it means Momma is a little fluffier than Momma would like to be. Such is life.
I am blessed to have a friend that is starting a photography business! She does a fabulous job, don’t you think? Her website is http://www.lchphotography.net
I hate to say it, but my mom was right. A month ago, Granny suggested getting a little potty for Lauralyn, saying “she would probably train herself.” I said, “yeah, right.” See, Isaac never used the little potty I bought for him, and I gave it away last fall. He went straight to using the big potty, and was totally trained by the time he was two and a half…early for a boy I’ve been told. Of course his training involved bribery, and a good deal a iron fist persuasion, which admittedly, I look back on and think I was too strict. But, it did work for him.
Lauralyn, however, has shown no interest in the big potty. She had one coincidental success on it, and has balked at any line of questioning regarding use of said potty. SO, at our yard sale last week, Shannon was unable to sell the little potty purchased for Elijah, yet virtually unused as Elijah went straight to the big potty like Isaac. She gave it to us and WHAMMO, that very evening, Lauralyn peepeed on the little potty! She loves her little potty, and is essentially training herself slowly but surely. She sits there with her bucket of books, and has had many successes since the first. We’ll see how fast she graduates to “big girl panty” status. She is doing great though, considering I have put no effort into helping her figure this all out. As a reward, I purchased her several new “little books,” tiny board books that she adores reading.
Beth