Life Abundant

We are well. This past week was somewhat of a test in patience mostly because my mind becomes so efficiency oriented in the realm of productivity that it easily slips into overdrive, leaving me to feel unaccomplished and unfit in the realm of motherhood and housekeeping. When I do take the time to step back and re-evaluate the importance of my goals, the most important are met, leaving me without valid complaint. Lillian is in bliss when we take the time to snuggle and read, Paul appreciates a grilled cheese as much as Moroccan lamb stew (if not more), and I prefer to wear my hair in a simple, out of the way ponytail rather than chic and strait. I am quite sure my closets will eventually be put in order, the yard will look like the 'after' photo of The Secret Garden, my meals will be presented with five-course flare, and I will stop dropping plates, tools, and boxes of partially open cereal. Someday...

The latest news is as such:

Lillian's yellow balloon molly had her babies and although I've only seen one once, I'm holding out hope a few of the fry survive. Her white/silver balloon molly is looking to drop any day so maybe we will have a few from her as well. We spotted our female ghost shrimp (teeny shweeemp) carrying eggs a few days ago and recently noticed they had hatched and she has tiny, white-ish moving particles on her legs. Maybe some of these little guys will survive as well.

My parents blessed me beyond words last Friday and kept Lillian for the day. While I toyed with the tempting prospect of an uninterrupted nap, I finally decided it would be more refreshing and rewarding to clean without the interruption of last minute potty dashes and static toddler cling.

Lillian has recently developed her love for owls and asks daily to see snowy owls, dancing baby owls, and if the above cannot be provided, her bird book, in which she seeks out the burrowing owl and great horned owl all on her own. She also loves to take walks or explore our less-than-beautiful backyard with rapt interest in bugs, trees and birds. REI is in her future.

This is the morning routine. Lillian begins to stir and Mercy runs to her door and sits down, waiting patiently for me. I open the door to be greeted by sweet smiles while Mercy dashes through and jumps excitedly at the crib with tail wagging madly. It's wonderful to be loved, even if it's a 5 lb. something or other from the streets.

GORGEOUS!!!

For several years I have 'raised' beautiful purple/red lilies. This year, I have opted to clear out the rest of the flower bed and focus on lilies, seeing as how they seem to do so well. What do you think of the new additions?

These are my absolute favorite! Lovely,ruffled, pink and yellow (my two favorite colors, by the way) petals are just stunning!!!

I happen to think this little lady is quite stunning as well. This is her cashing in on Mama's craving... pickles!

Once, Twice, Three Times...

A lady! Our final (Lord willing) sonogram was today and the doctor informed us that besides the freckle on her heart, everything was beautifully formed and she looks healthy. She also unabashedly confirmed (again) she was female and proud to be. Lillian was a trouper during the hour and a half appointment and used the potty twice! Amazing child.

Another big development was the purchase of real 'big girl' undies for Miss Lillibug, which are colorfully arrayed with Miss Kitty and various flower formations. She wasn't too interested until I pulled out a pair with a Panda Bear on them. I'm quite sure she prefers no diaper, no nothing, rather than colorful underthings, cartoon panda or not.

Don't Eat The Fruit Candy

We've been reading Bible stories to Lillian every morning in hopes of instilling a habit and love for the Word. We are also potty training and the two endeavors sometimes get crossed. I'm a huge fan of positive training and reinforcement, thus the use of fruit smoothie flavored jelly beans and M&M chocolates, and I wonder if these have more impact than they should. While recounting the story of Adam and 'Veve' to me the other day, Lillian made this warning: 'Adam and Veve, Don't eat dah Fwoot Cahndy fwom dah Tchweee!' Close, darling. Very close.

Lillian has reached the 'doll' stage and her favorite doll she refers to as 'blue baby'. (The baby originally had a blue outfit on, and despite a change in clothing to baby pink, the doll has retained it's original name.) We were visiting with my Mom at her home and I quickly got on to Lillian when her fingers tried to explore a nearby outlet. We cuddled and talked about obedience and why it was very important, and Lillian quickly resumed her play after a bit of reassurance from Mama. A few minutes later I walked back into the room and Lillian was standing in front of the outlet with a very stern look on her face, baby doll's hand held against the outlet. She spied me from the corner of her eye, and began to shake her head at Blue Baby,' No, No, No!'. They say the best way to learn is to teach...

Give Unto Ceasar...

Yes, it's April 15th...laundry day! I'm always reminded on 'tax day' how wonderfully rich and blessed I am. When the returns are freshly completed and on their way to the post office, it's often hard to keep from criticizing the government that seems to be wasting all of 'my' money. But I quickly realize that I'm rather rolling in million dollar bills of blessings, despite the lack of bankable paper. God gave me TWO baby girls, one I'm just as eager to meet as I feel waiting for Lillian to wake up every morning! I have a wonderful husband who has a deep desire to glorify the Lord in everything, no matter the cost...something, it seems, I need daily reminding. We own two cars outright, the Lord providing us with the ability to pay them off, gas for those two cars...just so many blessings that more seem to pop up as I consider them. Lillian said a precious prayer the other day that impressed upon my heart, both the abundant blessing the Lord has fairly drowned me in, and a tender, learning heart towards thanksgiving. It went like this...I'll translate:

'Deah Jeees-ush, You-ahh Howeee' (Dear Jesus, You are Holy)

'Daint due poh-dah pish' (Thank you for the fish)

'Daint due dweepannahtweed dah dowgs' (Thank you that we can feed the dogs)

'Daint due poh ShtawBah-whees' (Thank you for Strawberry's)

'Amen' (Amen)

What is it about precious, simple, barely understood prayers that make me so teary? I wish I naturally saw thanksgiving in every-day blessings, like being able to feed my dogs.

Dear Jesus, Thank you so much for this day. Thank you so much for the breath of life you've given me, my children, my husband, even my silly pets. Thank you for a warm home, overly-abundant in it's filling. Thank you for a baby who sleeps through the night. Thank you for our Blueberry Pancakes. You are Holy Lord Jesus. Thank you for...

Not Quite the Fairytale

Today wasn't quite as smooth sailing as yesterday. Potty training is going on without a hitch, without a single accident to speak of... so far. But the day started with a different sort of spill when Lillian fell down a couple of stairs and hit her chin, quickly followed by a fall into rocks in the backyard, tripping over Mama's shoes, dripping Mango-Lemonade in her eye, napping for only 45 minutes, and not wanting anything for dinner except milk, creamed corn and cottage cheese. Not the easiest day to be pregnant. Thankfully the cheerful little Bug rallied her spirits tolerably well when a Tubbie was promised and delivered in short order. I'm thoroughly feeling every bit of my 5 months but all was compensated for when Lillian burst out (without prompting) 'I love Mama!' while we played on her chair and ate oranges. It's great being Mama.

Once Upon A Tuesday

...in an enchanted kingdom full of toys and little responsibility, a little girl lived a precious sort of life. Aside from the few times the wiggly beasts of the land would attack with well placed kisses, she endured little hardship and spent her days using the potty, doing the diaper dance, and feeding fish of an orange nature.

Today's the Day

Today is our official 'potty only' kick-off! We have been casually introducing the big-girl potty for several months and I've only had to change one dirty diaper in over month, but now we're taking it to the next step. Every hour after 'wake up potty', you can find us giggling, joking, reading, etc. for several minutes in the b-room and quite often breaking into celebratory cheering, song, and occasional dance when we achieve success. Ladies, if ya' wanna' come out and hang out at the house, you're !more than welcome! but I plan on stifling all outing urges for a while. Cheers to monumental moments in parenting!

Too Cool for a 1 Year Old

Gigantor at 21 weeks

And yet again, I'm promising to swell nearly beyond recognition in the next few months. Here's to the second half!

PS. Is there a 'pregnancy photos for dummies' book anywhere out there? This was probably the 2oth I took and it's still fairly drenched in pathetic 'e for effort' marksmanship.

Come On Honey-Pot!

...is what my 1 year old told me on our walk this morning. The other day we were sitting in a restaurant and a lady walked by, quickly greeted by Lillian's sweet voice, 'Hi Sugar!'. She sounds like a true lady of the south already! While sugary-sweet nick-names seem to be her new specialty she has also adopted a mission to gently show Mama what needs a bit of cleaning. Paul opened the living room curtains this morning to the delighted squeal of 'Snow!' from Lillian. It wasn't snow. The now sunlit room unabashedly showered each floating particle of dust with a glinting light of it's own. Where did I put my swiffer duster?

Fish & Puppy Dog Tails

Alas, I have been delayed in writing for no other reason than we've been busy, I've been tired, the camera cords were in the closet, the dogs ate my blogging material, and other not terribly valid excuses for my lack of contact. So shall I sum up?

I've already shared about waffles, but this picture was just too darling!

Let me explain the game. Mercy sits still and wags her tail. Lillian holds her face close and then laughs hilariously as Mercy tickles her face. Allister got into it, too. Fun was had by all.


Another visit to the aquarium using our yearly passes. Lillian put on quite a show splashing in the water, kissing the turtle, and tempting the option of a full body soak in the fountain. Luckily this was avoided.

The visit to the aquarium inspired a home tank purchase of a few fish for Lillian's room. 'See the fish?' is the first thing she asks when she wakes up, finishes using the potty, eats her breakfast, etc. They're a big hit.

Easter was celebrated with family and friends at my sister's home. Lillian loved the Easter Egg game so much we ended up sneaking eggs out of her basket and re-hiding them for her hunting pleasure.

Lillian and I managed to enjoy a particularly blustery day sheltered by the front 'stoop' of our home. We practiced writing and our colors... our writing needs some work, but Lillian's colors seem well-in-hand.

Our second baby girl (confirmed in another ultrasound) is growing strong and chubby while I just seem to be growing chubby. Our recent ultrasound revealed a spot on our new baby's heart that could mean something or nothing and we meet with a doctor for yet another ultrasound in a few weeks. Lord willing it will be nothing, or He will give us the strength to deal with a something. Other than the fact that we seem destined to avoid perfect ultrasounds, life is beautiful, blessed, and abundant in the Gomez home. Until next time...