Optimal Environment

A few months ago we purchased a small fish tank for Lillian and tried out a few different species with minimal success. After doing a tank 'cleanse' I bought a few guppies to fill in the tank (we were still far under the healthy recommended minimum) because I had read these fish were hardy and fascinating so I was eager to try my hand at raising a few. We no longer have 'a few'. With the 7 juvi's who survived a drop a few weeks ago, along with the 10+ new tiny babies, we are fast running out of adequate space for Lillian's tank. Anyone have ideas on how and where to relocate these new specimens?

'At Least She's Wearing Them'...

Was my first thought when Lillian decided she'd rather wear her undies as a hat. Lillian is a full blown toddler with ideas, plans and sentences of her own and I delight in her creativity and zest for originality. In other news, the baby room is mostly done, minus mattress and accompanying baby. Little Hapa is going strong in her little cocoon and seems mostly content as long as Lillian doesn't squish her when she's in my lap. I on the other hand feel like Pluto's replacement to the planetary solar system we call home. Large and not usually in charge, I am officially 'term' and a full 37 weeks of non-glowing, penguin waddling, water buoyancy seeking woman. Here's a few photos of Hapa's current and future accommodations...

Oh I am so very, very pregnant!

Today...

I woke at 4.30am and couldn't fall back to sleep,
spent a glorious 1/2 hour in the Word without noise or interruption,
ate hard boiled eggs with my daughter,
dolled out 4 !great potty! stickers,
took my shoe off at the dr's office and took several minutes to get it back on,
tried to pee in a cup when I couldn't even see my feet,
convinced my two year old to eat some baby oranges and tomatoes,
disciplined the precious bobo of said two year old,
cuddled and prayed with same two year old,
and felt darling Hapa's hiccups along with a targeted roundhouse kick to my ribs.
I am Mama.

Authority

Paul has a special gifting with animals, along the line of the Dog Whisperer. He commands natural respect in the animal world, causing dogs of all varieties to recognize him as the dominant character in any scenario. It seems Lillian has been fostering this natural commanding presence in her two year old way. Today, while at the pool with my sisters, a little boy was playing nearby and screaming extra loud. His mother continued to tell him to be quiet, but to no avail. When the little boy decided to swim close to where we were playing, he let out an unnaturally high pitch scream to which Lillian authoritatively replied 'That is ENOUGH!', much in the same way Paul has gotten onto Logan in the past. I don't know if his mother heard her, but we sisters battled to suppress the onslaught of giggles that exploded from Lillian's response to the boy's behavior. She was the only one willing to say what everyone else was thinking!

The Plan

At my 35 week appointment this last week my doctor told me Hapa was measuring between 36 and 37 weeks! So I've adopted the following plan: I'm going to prepare to be baby-ready next week, but not expect a baby until the end of August. This will hopefully be a two-fold blessing in that I will be able to 'rest' during August and allow my body to as ready as can be for labor and those initial weeks with a new baby, and so that I will be able to treasure giving Lillian my undivided attentions for a bit longer. I had an overwhelming attack of preciousness when I pulled out a newborn diaper and marveled at how very tiny it was, and considered the bitty-bobo that will soon occupy it. Looking forward to snuggling your tinyness Miss Hapa Gomez...

Some Call It Love

She called it 'Bop' for a week when she was six months old, and the name stuck. Since then we've lived in a very minor 'fear' of losing our precious, thumb-sucking inducing, dearly beloved and discontinued sleep buddy. Bop has been showing signs of Lillian's preference for quite a while and we were finally able to locate (yeah eBay!) a replica. Lillian gave the impostor a thorough inspection, shaking him, tickling her face with his ear, and even testing out the horn that she likes to stick in her nose. He was quickly traded for the original who sports fuzz-less horns and a missing nostril. While initially referring to newbie as 'giraffe' she has come around to calling him 'New Bop' but only time will tell if he proves to be a valuable purchase or simply a keep-sake for her memory box of precious days gone by...

A Girl and Her Room

We have officially made a full-scale switch to a Big-Girl room, complete with toddler bed, book case, and a special place for her fish tank. She seems to love it and spends plenty of time tucking her babies into bed, feeding her birthday kittens a proper selection of fruits and vegetables (alas, Paul would only agree to felines of a stuffed variety), and listening/quoting/dancing to her cd's of Bible stories and songs.

Two...Minus the Terribles

It is almost unfair how fast time goes when you're watching your little one grow up. Lillian is officially two going on 16 and I marvel and fret at how quickly she's changing and growing. This little girl has challenged my heart, my mind, and my energy but has never been a challenge to love. Her vibrant personality finds a smile in nearly everyone she meets and never fails to make me laugh each day. The bubble-ish giddiness this little girl brings to my heart is unfathomable and I praise the Lord for His amazing Creation. What a pure gift of love she has been in our lives. Here's to the next 2 years at super-sonic-speed!