9 months ---> WOW!

SO behind here!!  I need to do Gage’s 9 month post (see below!) along with a beach post.. that’ll be a long one :)  All is well here.. just trying to stay cool in this awful heat.  I am busy dreaming of beautiful autumn leaves and cool, crisp autumn air!

Gage had his 9 month well baby check yesterday and he now weighs 19 pounds 6 ounces and is 30 inches long!  That places him in the 94th percentile for length and the 32nd percentile for weight.

• You have the most adorable laugh!!
• You’re all about the Army crawl – man you’re quick!
• You’re not a fan of the bathtub.. we’ll work on that.
• Paci = best friend!
• You’re babbling like crazy.. but still no mama :(
• The sippy cup (that I spent $6 on – yikes!) seems to be a favorite for you!
• You’re a PIG – you eat EVERYTHING, including ground beef, hot dogs, potatoes, fruit, and pretty much anything anyone has on their plate when they’re next to you!
• You had puffs for the first time yesterday and you LOVED them!  You get better each day with finger feeding yourself!
• Your first trip to the beach was great – daddy took you out to play in the waves and you fell right to sleep :)
• You laugh like crazy when mommy pinches your cute little bum!
• You love your brother and sister – and they love you right back!

     

LOVE LOVE LOVE my silly little peanut butter :)

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We will be away for an entire week – off to Ocean City, Maryland.. I am excited, as it will be baby Gage’s first trip to the beach.  I promise to come back with tons of photos and lots of fun memories to share :)  For now, enjoy my answers to Mama M’s My Little Life

1. Do you think cursive writing is overrated? (Schools in Indiana have now voted to take teaching cursive writing out of their curriculum.)  no, I do not think cursive is overrated and I think it should be taught in schools.

2. Do you still use a pocket calendar or notepad or do you keep your info on your smart phone?  I still have a pocket calendar I keep in my purse and a planner that I use for work.  I actually don’t use either of the calendars on my cell phones (work or personal). 

3. What 3 things would you save if your house was burning down? (family & pets are already safe)  every single photograph/photo CD I have, my Grammie’s cross-stitch pieces, the box of special baby mementos of my children’s births/first year.  (I guess this would all count as more than 3 things  but they all fall into the same category!

4. Country Mouse or City Mouse, err Person?  country.  Although I do enjoy some city exposure every once in a while, I really don’t think I am ‘cut out’ to be a city gal.  This does make me think that I’d like to take a trip to New York City this Christmas season.. who’s in?!?

5. If you could pick ANY reality show to go on, which would you pick? oh dear, this is tough.  Truthfully I think I would fail miserably at the ones I really like – Amazing Race, Survivor, or Big Brother.. so let’s say I’d like to be on Ami James’ new tattoo show on TLC.  I wouldn’t mind getting tattooed by him :)

truth #14 {serious} & #15 {silly}

truth #14: I have post-partum depression. 

Is it easy for me to share that, no way, but is it important that I do, absolutely!  I’ve been struggling with this, truthfully, for well over a year.. I really think it began shortly after I had Gabby and I’ve allowed it to go untreated for way too long.  I don’t share this so people will feel bad for me or give me ‘pity’ – but I do share this so other people can see that postpartum depression is real and is a very serious mental health disease that, if gone untreated, can be detrimental.  I finally took my butt to the doctor and I am beginning medication tomorrow – and obviously I know that won’t be the ‘cure-all’ but I am hopeful that it will help a lot!  Prayers/thoughts for me and my family would be appreciated =)  I realize some (my mom included) may think it’s crazy for me to share such a personal battle on such a public blog – but I think me acknowledging this here is just part of my journey towards wholeness.

truth #15: I want to be a florist!

More specifically, I’ve decided that when I leave my job as a pregnancy counselor, I’d like to deliver flowers to people!  I have a highly emotional and stressful job – last week being the worst week ever in the history of my 4 years at Bethany.  My coworker (HI CHRISTINA!) and I were talking last week in the midst of all my work ‘drama’ and she mentioned that she’d like to deliver flowers for a living.. genius!!  I’ve always racked my brain trying to think of something I could do that would still bring joy to people’s lives but that would be fairly stress free; this is the perfect solution!  Now, I do realize having to bring flowers when someone has died would be emotional but you’re still bringing them something to remind them that someone is thinking about them and sending their sympathy.  So, it’s nice for me to know I have a plan B =)

No post is complete without a few shots of my crazy rascals!!

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” – James 4:10

Happy Birthday Grammie!

Dear Grammie,

Happy Birthday!! 

I know it’s a special birthday for you – it’s your first birthday you get to celebrate in Heaven with Jesus and of course, with your hubby and family in Heaven as well!  This day is hard for me Grammie, although I know you already knew that.  I wish so badly I could wake up, get your card filled out, wrap your gift, pack my kids up in the van and make that hour drive to visit you.  We’d just sit and talk, take pictures, try to eat and enjoy some fun laughs.  I’m sure I’d play with your hair and give you tons of kisses.  Maybe I’d bring some special friends and family along that never had the chance to meet you.. I know they’d adore you.  I’ve been able to visit with you the past few years on your birthday and will definitely miss seeing your beautiful smile this year.  I know I haven’t dealt real well with your passing; it’s been so much harder than I ever anticipated.  I praise God every single day for you and for all that you taught me about life and about being a good person.  Thankfully, my memories of you will never fade.. they will live on in my heart and in yours.  I continue to try and fulfill that promise I made to you.. to be the shining light of your beautiful spirit.. to show people the love and grace, concern and friendship that you showed everyone.  I pray this birthday is the best one yet!  I know my day will come.. when I get to run into the arms of Jesus, just as you did.  I know you’ll be waiting there for me and I cannot wait to give you the biggest hug and sloppiest ‘soap opera’ kiss ever =) 

Happy Birthday Grammie, I LOVE YOU!

    

Betty Louise Cundiff – June 21, 1923 – January 9, 2011

Happy Retirement Mom!

I am SO proud of my mother!  After 12 years of working as a speech and language therapist in several elementary schools for one district and for years before that working as the director of a day care/preschool center, she has decided to retire!!! =) 

Mom – You are one very special woman!  You have touched SO many lives through the work that you do and I know those students and staff members are going to miss you like crazy!  You were the teacher that saw potential in every student you worked with.  You were the teacher that focused on the positives, not on the negatives.  You were the teacher that saw each student as a young little soul who needed your guidance – not as a young little brat who didn’t want to listen or learn.  You were the teacher that had the fun games, the cool prizes, the creative learning strategies and the awesome ideas that all the other teachers stole =)  As you pack up your office and say your ‘goodbyes’ try to remember the impact you had in the schools where you worked.  Try to remember those special moments.. those breakthroughs with the tougher students.. those powerful and exciting times when students began realizing their potential through your work with them.. (like when that little girl finally spoke at school, in front of her class!)  I know that you will miss your job but I pray this new journey brings even more happiness and joy into your life… you definitely deserve it after all your years of hard work!

You have always been my biggest cheerleader and I LOVED being able to cheer you on as you celebrated your retirement with coworkers and friends.  I am blessed to have you as my mother and appreciate all that you do for our family!

I LOVE YOU MUCHERMOSTESTMOREMUCHERMORE!!!!!

*Okay, so I had some information a little mixed up.. My mom worked in public education for 16 1/2 years and in preschool/private education for 11 years.. all while being one incredible mom!!! SEE – SHE IS AWESOME =)

Peanut Butter is 8 months old =)

Wow! Time flies =)  I can’t believe my sweet little Gage David is 8 months old already.  He is growing and learning and changing so much!  Gage is our little fussy pants.  He definitely has very grouchy tendencies, which we think are amplified right now because he’s close to getting some teeth.  Although I didn’t understand God’s plan when I first learned about my baby Gum Drop – I praise Him every single day for this gorgeous, dimple-filled face!

 

• no idea what you weigh or how long you are – I will try to figure that out soon!
• You sit like a pro =)
• your poor knees are all red from trying to crawl – you get up on your hands and knees and rock back and forth but no actual crawling yet
• you’re a great eater – bananas seem to be one of your favorites
• you like to eat your toes all the time
• bath time = crazy splashing and kicking!!  [finally!]
• your hair is super blond now and I love it!
• mommy’s brown eyed boy – just like your big bro!
• your brother can always get you laughing
• your sister has become SUPER jealous of you and often tries to sit on you =)
• you are quickly outgrowing your infant carrier car seat
• separation anxiety seems to be kicking in.. I hope it doesn’t start happening on Sundays at church.. I’m not sure mommy can handle that!
• paci = lifesaver!

Love & blessings!

my ring =)

My special ring came on Friday – and it couldn’t have come at a better time – I really needed it!!  I LOVE it and cannot thank my dear friend Katie enough for this amazing birthday gift.  Like I said before Katie, you are such a doll and I can’t imagine my life without.  You have been so inspiring to me in so many ways – I appreciate your friendship!  I really hope my daughter (and my sons) grow up to be as kind, as generous, as thoughtful and as faithful as you!

LET IT SHINE!

I love you Grammie, and feel like I miss you more with each passing day.  I will wear this ring proudly and do all that I can to let the light of your beautiful spirit shine through all that I do and all that I am.