I'm Still Learning

We are still recovering here as it seems that the antibiotics aren't working well for Savannah. Although they have helped the scrape on her nose, they haven't helped the runny nose at all so that leads me to believe that it's not cold related and we're dealing with either something viral or allergies. She is VERY needy lately to top it all off. I'm not sure if it's just that she feels bad or if it's more teething. Have I mentioned that I hate teething?!

I've spent some time trying to find the silver lining and have determined that God is teaching me daily how to be a better mom. I get so caught up in my own agenda . . . errands, tutoring, cleaning, e-mail, etc. that I forget my primary role here is to mother this precious child. It's so frustrating when there are things that need to be done and other things that you want to be done (like Christmas shopping before the holiday rush) and none of it gets accomplished each day. When am I going to learn that more important things are being accomplished each day as I teach and love Savannah? What kind of example am I setting for her as I drag her from place to place, always rushing around and never really sitting down for some genuine play time? I found this post on a friend's blog and it really hit home today.

Her love is like an island

In life's ocean, vast and wide.

A peaceful quiet shelter

From the wind and rain, and tide.

'Tis bound on the north by Hope,

By Patience on the west.

By tender Counsel on the south,

And on the east by Rest.

Above is like a beacon light,

Shining Faith, and Truth, and Prayer;

And through the changing scenes of life,

I find a haven there.

~Author Unknown(from Being a Great Mom, Raising Great Kids by Sharon Jaynes)

Dear Lord, please continue to help me be a better mom. Guide me in providing a quiet, peaceful home sheltering Savannah from the craziness of the world . . . a place where she can be loved and feel Your love. Help me to be more patient and kinder. Remind me daily that the most important item on my agenda is caring for your precious gift to me, Savannah.

A Day's Work

This post is for those of you who think stay at home moms do nothing all day (Jamen). To my precious friends who are stay at home moms, I'm sure you have a list just as long and probably longer . . . I just want to offer a glimpse into our daily life. Here is a list of what I have done since 6:30 this morning:

• Laundry - washed, dried, folded and put away
• Dishes - loaded in dishwasher and put clean ones away
• Errand to Lowe's - toilet broke yesterday and I had to buy a piece to fix it
• Fixed toilet
• Cleaned kitchen
• Clipped and filed coupons from neighbor
• Balanced all of our accounts online - found an error in our credit card statement, called the store and corrected it
• Cleaned up living room and put furniture back in place - house had to be tidy for my cleaning lady appointment
• Met with cleaning lady here at the house
• Harris Teeter - did I mention making a grocery list and organizing my 20 coupons to triple?
• Harris Teeter again - you got that right! for triple coupons we make at least two trips
• Another errand to return the sewing machine foot
• Worked out and showered to get ready to go to doctor's office
• Took Savannah to the doctor - no easy process with a child who won't sit in the stroller!
• Errand to the bank
• Had Savannah's prescription filled and waited with a child while it was being done
• Cooked dinner
• Checked e-mail and blogs
• Cleaned up dinner
• Ran the dishwasher, again

Humored yet?? Notice I didn't even include in my list feeding a toddler and cleaning up that mess 4 times, changing 3 poopy diapers, bathing the baby, and keeping her occupied during the day. Now, please don't ever say that stay at home moms and moms in general do nothing!

Whew, What a Day!!

This morning started off with our normal trip to aerobics and honestly I think I did aerobics all day long! Once we got home, Aunt Cherry was just pulling in our driveway. She came for the day to finish our window treatments in the living room. We quickly realized that it was going to be an adventure as 1) the coordinating fabric was missing, 2) she had misplaced the special foot for the sewing machine, 3) I only had "poultry shears" and not fabric ones and she forgot her special ones, 4) Savannah decided that she only needed a 1/2 hour nap after being up since 5:30 am., and 5) I still had to tutor 2 kids today. Here's a small recap of one portion of my afternoon.

Right after Savannah had lunch, we headed to Calico Corners (about a 30 minute drive) to find some trim for the valance. She did great for most of the time in the store, but after awhile, she was ready to get out of that stroller. So, I gave in and let her out. Now keep in mind that this store is somewhere you aren't normally "allowed" to bring children. Oh well, we did it. She wasn't fussy, but shortly after she got out of the stroller I realized that she had a poopy diaper . . . and it wasn't long after that I remembered that she had wasted the last of my diaper bag wipes and I didn't have any. Still wondering what to do about the wipe situation, I checked out and was ready to leave when I couldn't find my keys. The last time I remembered seeing them Savannah had them. GREAT! After looking everywhere I rememberred her being, I solicited some help from the store associates. I could just feel their eyes rolling as they all started searching for my keys. Long story short, we finally found them in a drawer!!! SAVANNAH!!!

We finally escaped there and made it home to start the sewing. Thankfully, my friend Kristin had just the foot for the sewing machine so we were in luck. After a very long day, Aunt Cherry finished up the valance and it looks great. Here is a picture of her with her masterpiece. You can tell how tired I am because the picture is blurry and crooked! I'm going to crash now.

Our First Bad Fall

We were headed to see Dave at work on Saturday which is 15 minutes away from our house and got stuck in traffic. Long story short, after 45 minutes of fighting traffic we finally arrived at his office. Our original plan was just to drop off daddy's lunch and then head to the mall, but after being in the car for that long, I promised a screaming child that she could get out for a little bit. I figured that the parking lot there would be a lot safer than the parking lot at the mall and I knew she'd be getting strapped into the stroller so I figured it'd be good to let her stretch a little. Anyway, as soon as she got out of the car she took off running and hit the pavement head first. It was so scary, but thankfully she seemed okay. Here's a picture of her little injured nose. It's healed a lot already!

Chef Disaster Already

So I tried another Sneaky Chef recipe at dinner . . . disaster. I ended up with a cup of spinach juice, a sink full of dishes, food all over Savannah and the floor, and a child that is starving. My neighbor came over in the middle of the feeding episode and felt sorry for us all. She tried to help out, but Savannah was pretty determined not to eat any of the egg burrito that I slaved over making. So, she ended up eating goldfish, cheerios, and peaches for dinner. I guess that goes pretty well with her oranges for lunch and strawberry icecream for snack. She just can't live on fruit alone! AAAHHH!!!

A Sneaky Chef

Since Savannah is now refusing to eat even the nasty Tyson chicken nuggets that have absolutely NO nutritional value I have decided to take drastic action. I almost broke down yesterday feeling guilty for feeding her so poorly. She hasn't eaten vegetables in over a week (other than what is in the Juicy Juice that she loves), eats very little protein since she no longer likes peanut butter, and seems to be living on fruit. What have I been thinking? Honestly, I'm just lazy and get frustrated easily. I've heard girls in Bible study talking about how they sneak vegetables in homemade chicken nuggets and pizza, but honestly I didn't want to go to the effort knowing that Savannah doesn't like regular pizza, pasta, quesidallas, etc.

So, today I went to the bookstore and bought the cookbook called The Sneaky Chef by Lapine. I also made yet another trip to Harris Teeter to buy some necessities: spinach, frozen strawberries, sweet potatoes, carrots, and white beans. I'm a little anxious about this as I HATE cooking, especially when it goes to waste, but I'm determined to make this work. She has to eat healthier, and starting now.

I tried one recipe when she woke up from her nap. It was strawberry icecream made with frozen strawberries, milk, and very little sugar. I'm amazed at how easy it was. Here's the funny part . . . I had to literally hold her down with one arm, hold her head to the side with my body and force the icecream into her mouth. She was screaming the entire time. Whew. She ended up loving it and begging for more, but that's just a little foreshadowing of what trying new things is going to be like around here.

Trick or Treating

Savannah had her first taste of trick or treating last night. It all started with a neighborhood block party in our cul-de-sac. She had a blast dancing to the music, pushing her beep beep car around, and playing with all of the kids. Then she went out trick or treating with her daddy. Honestly, I know I'm partial, but they were the cutest sight together. She didn't get much candy before wearing completely out, but at least I got some cute pictures! This costume has been well worn and for now it's being packed away!