Shocking!

OK.... so I know the picture below is rather small, but I just wanted to share that it pays to have a family member who works for Lowes. In the last two days Sean has brought home a $266 dollar carpet cleaner for less than a quarter of the price in comparison and then today.... The lamps shown below for ... can you guess!?! JUST $7!!!!!! We have had, since we were married, second-hand lamps as well as two (one of which gave up the ghost a long time ago) that I have had since I was a teen. I am still appreciative for the old but very much overwhelmed by God's providence in regard to the new lamps.

No need for response!

This is nothing monumental, but still I found it amusing. It just shows, once again, that my little baby is growing:

So, I walked into the hallway to find that Charis has gone in the pantry and taken the box of zip-lock bags off the shelf. She was joyfully distributing them all over the hallway. While I was contemplating the best means of approach I heared her state, "Chaar --rees, Chaar --ees!!!" in a rather dramatic fashion as soon as she saw the look on my face. Charis than began shoving the bags back (rather neatly if I might add) in the box as fast as she could and then handed the box to me with her typical, "Here ya go."

Hmmm... I didn't need to say a word! :) She played, reprimanded herself, cleaned up, and gave me what was rightfully mine. Parenting is getting easier and easier. LOL!

AND.... growing!

So, for those of you who knew we went to Australia for the month... it was a wonderful time to relax and visit and visit and visit family/friends. Last time I went, we did not have the luxury of getting to meet so many of Sean's old acquaintances. Perhaps, it had something to do with the newness of our own. One can be a little stingy on their honeymoon right? :)

Anyhow our days were filled with barbies (having to do with grilling food not the blond bimbos with impeccably, impossible bodies), seeing animals, surfing (just Sean), fishing, going to the beach, etc. Unfortunately, I do not have too many pictures but a lot of video. I will post what I can off of the video camera the first chance I get!

I do have to say that Charis loved the sand, but a close second if not first was her frenzy over horses. She loves them and has absolutely no fear of them. She did also like this little push car that played music that her Nana had picked up for her. Both of her Aunties were attempting to teach Charis additional dance moves. Not sure if she learned anything though.

Anyhow, Charis seems to be adding new things to her repertoire daily.

She loves to point to and attempt to pronounce the following body parts:

~Eyebrow
~Eyelashes
~Hair
~Head
~Shoulder
~Back
~Elbow
~Wrist
~Hand
~Fingers
~Tummy
~Belly button
~Knee
~Ankle
~Toes
~Foot

The last two she is still having some difficulty learning:

~Thigh (keeps pointing to her hip)
~Calf muscle (she keeps getting confused with Sean's accent and actually coughs!)

Other than that, Charis is getting 4 new teeth on the bottom front and keeps us in sympathy with her by her constant desire to be held.

She is getting quite proficient with, "Up, please ( the last word sounds more like 'peas' with her own modification of scratching her chin while saying the word)." She has certain question or phrases down such as:

~Where is it? -- she loves to hide stuff and then ask this question and then when we find it....
~There it is. -- quite slurred together...
~What's that? -- thankfully, this question is not so much used these days!!!
~Here ya go. -- The way in which this is stated is usually so sweet that one would actually think Charis is giving something away. However, it is usually a demand for something. Like, "here ya go..." you can have my juice cup but fill it up right now!

Otherwise, all is well! I can't believe how long it takes to get over jet lag when you have a youngster. It is a much slower process, but one of these days, I will get my energy back!

Just a couple pictures of our growing girl. Hopefully, some more Australian scenery will accompany my next post!

Charis loved sitting on Bessie -- my mother-in-law's old dog!

Contemplation of...???

Getting Bigger

Charis is such a joy, as those of you know who either have children or are at least around those little tots growing to maturity. She is daily learning new things and keeping us hopping with her random bursts of naughty behaviors and silly acts. We took Charis to play on a type of playground at the mall for younger children. She first just stood there and looked around in silence. She then adopted a few followers who she mostly ignored. They would get right in her face, and she even shook her head rather violently side to side. Though she would get a bit flustered if she could not find either Sean or myself every minute or so, she seemed otherwise pretty independent. Charis, at the end of the play time, just walked around looking exactly like a "head bang-er." Who knows where she get these random but amusing ideas!?!

She is getting a bit more adept at speaking. Her vocabulary is:

- u-bow (elbow)
-knee
-nose
-eyes
-pease (please) -- she mostly refuses to say this word in particular!
- bup (up)
-daddy
-mama
-click (when she is put in her carseat or anything with a harness device which makes noise)
-pee-pee
- snap (when I put on her never ending layers of onesies... :)
- chair
-keys
- nu nu nu noooo
- bu- oon (balloon - forgot to add this earlier)

Hmmm.... She knows so many more words, but these are the only ones she really likes to say. We are attempting to remove the grunts and sighs from her vocabulary slowly but surely.


The most recent event in her life was her first haircut which happened almost five weeks ago. I know.... speak about lazy posting:

Charis loves playing with shoes --specifically the laces

Before...

After... The hair down the middle is not as long as the sides and since I didn't want to cut it too short, I just attempted to make the sides approximately the same length. Not great, but better!

Potty Time!

Ok... so I admit. I was a little camera happy, but Charis is developing this amazing, goofy personality. She loves to laugh, smile, be silly, etc. AND... I just happened to be able to catch my often serious little girl in one of her quirky moods... on the potty! :) Which makes it just a little bit cuter in my estimation. So enjoy!

"Uh oh! Mom's got the camera!"

"Uhm.... I am not sure this is a good time."

"So, I guess I'll just play to the camera."

"Hey, you wanna see my goofy lip?"

Little concentration going on...

"Phew-wee!!! You guys did not tell me about the smells involved with this whole potty thing."

"I love you mum, but could we be done now!"

The Color Blue!

This is Charis' newest dress and present from Grandaddy and Grandma in GA. So, I thought I might just post a few pics primarily for them but also for others to enjoy if desired. I thought this color looked particularly good on her. She certainly seemed to like it. :)

Charis walking

I just love these shoes!

She just loves sitting at the piano!!!

Not quite the right form but... It is a modern arrangement! :)

Yeah.... "How many pictures has this been now... 30 and counting???"

I just love the little hands and feet!

I had to post this pic as this is a very typical face of Charis when she has had enough!

Now for the comfy clothes and Daddy's hat!

You know that you are a "parent" when...

WHEN.....

1) You lean down to tie your shoe and without thought, double knot the lace.

2) You fix a meal for yourself (finally...) and give half or all of it to your ever eating, and particularly adorable at the moment child.

3) You are showered in smelly substances and do not give a shriek of alarm.

4) You are not upset by the the little cries emanating from the bedroom announcing that the "long morning of rest" you were cherishing is now over.

5) You are cooking a meal and suddenly there are little arms wrapped around your legs, seeking to stop all movement, and almost succeeding as you fly towards the floor.

6) You are trying to take that much needed, restful, warm shower only to have the shower curtain opened again and again... so much for the warm-part of the shower. :)

7) You find amusement in watching your small child perform the same antics again and again.



Well, the list could go on... if any of your readers can give input as to their experiences. I would love to hear from you!!! : -)

Have a wonderful NEW YEAR!!!!!

Hmmm... my baby daughter is growing like a weed. So much for the "small compared to everyone else" stage. I have posted pictures here and there without doing too many at a time, especially when it came to pictures of our trip to GA. So, here are some outside ones of us enjoying:

Charis getting ready for her first horse back ride!!!

Wow! That does look like fun.

Charis and Mummy

All done already.... "please, can I get back on???"

"Maybe one of the horses passing by might just let me on... anyone, please?"

Riding with Daddy... Woohoo!!!

Still riding...

Patting the horse

Yep...now it is my turn to drive... hold on!!!

"And... back to watching, again."

What's new!

I don't have much to share other than a couple of semi-important events. My baby is growing up and despite the lack of communication on her part -- or at least intelligible communication -- it is comforting to know that she does understand.

Our biggest news is that Charis actually walked a couple of days ago. Sean has been working and working with her, and then my dad came for a visit and bought her some adorable shoes that seem to lend just a tiny bit of needed support. So, I came back from teaching violin to hear that she had been walking. I did not really believe it until I saw her walk not just one toddling step but up to ten!!! Let me not shout forth too joyously as Charis has since decided that walking is not really her thing quite yet. It seems that only Starbursts induce sudden desires to walk. :)

Secondly, Charis never, and I mean never, sleeps in our bed. In fact, I have had to work on actually making her rest in my arms recently. However, we had an incident of "paci gone missing" last night. So, around 5:00 am she awoke, and Sean who was getting up for work brought her upstairs. I went back down to look for paci and could NOT find it. I searched and searched only finally to search Charis and find it down in her jammies!?! :) Tired, sleepy, and Charis a little emotional, I took her up to bed with me. We both slept happily until about 8:30. Yeah!!! :) Charis of course woke me first and insisted on getting out of bed. I placed her on the floor and explained that until I got some pants on we were not going anywhere. She looks around and then grabs the first article of clothing on the floor and hands it to me. I was impressed!!! The object was not exactly pants, but it showed that Charis was comprehending my needs by my words alone, not actions or guestures needed!

So,... we will keep working!!!

Thanksgiving!

When I reflect over the past days, months, years... I am always comforted to see the hand of God working in my life. There are times when I become disgruntled and yes, upset, and think that I could perhaps do better myself, but... just about then, I am given a "lovely" view of the end result of situations that I attempted to micro-manage. These images are not oh so lovely! :) While this is difficult, at least it serves as a reminder to trust in God above all else.

Anyhow, I am so thankful for a loving, supportive family, and thought... I might just share a few pics with you from our family gathering. So, off of my soap box I jump! Enjoy! :)

Getting stuff ready!

Boys will be ... boys!?! :)

Mom and Martha

Martha and Me

Charis and Alex

This little/big man has the ability to light up any room with his infectious smile!

Kids, Babies, and Bigger Kids!

Belated Happy Thanksgiving from Mine to Yours!!!

News

I do hope that everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving. My family, though busy, thoroughly enjoyed the time that all siblings, children, and parents had together. The only unfortunate event was that everyone seemed to have some variation of a cold and which was passed around. Some of us were able to ward off the sickness, but most of us succumbed to illness eventually, despite the numerous safeguards taken -- and believe me... I took everyone possible one!

Anyhow, I will be posting those pictures at a later time taken at our family gathering. I am even contemplating posting a link to the professional pictures made of the 23 of us, but ... We'll see.

Instead I thought I might just post a few of Charis' newest antics.

Charis seems to like attention, especially mummy's attention when mum talks too much to someone else. Charis reminded me of this quite some time back when she made the most awful eye bulging, nose scrunching, body shaking, face reddening, and noise growling gesture I have ever seen at my mom, who was discussing some upcoming music plans with me. I have never seen anything like it!!!!

Other than the occasional tumble backwards, Charis seems not to get hurt too often. Sean did find her yesterday (and I would give anything to see a picture of it), after hearing a rather distant, as if in a box, cry emanating from the living room. Somehow, Charis when reaching into her box of toys had fallen head first. By the time Sean noticed the peculiar cry for help, though rather muffled, her little bum was poking straight up, her head in her box, and her body bent at a rather odd angle. I just keep laughing every time I think of it, though full of sympathy! :)

Otherwise, Charis loves to grab my cell phone and chatter away while holding next to her ear. It is rather odd, as I really don't talk on it very often in front of her.

AND.... she seems to be addicted never to learn any new words other than .... "Waz-dat?" This question at times is used as a question, but more than often it if employed to point out something desired, or rather demanded. My little girl has not yet mastered the technique of polite requests.

AND.... Charis cannot seem to respond to our emphatic, ... "NO!" Still working... maybe one day.

Well, perhaps by the time I post next Charis will have come across a new interests like... Walking!!! One step so far unassisted, but...

Until next time... God bless!

Project and Picture!

Well, I had a long explanation of what I have been up to recently written out, but as it is quite late, and I just erased everything!!!... A brief summary will have to do. Suffice it to say that piano moving, banister building, car brakes changing (now for the third time due to faulty info), curtain hanging, leaf raking, closet organizing, storage room and door painting, A/C unit removing, etc. have been just a few of my activities. When you add on private violin lessons, 6-7 suggested hrs of practice daily (except that I have only had time for 3-4 hrs daily because Charis sleeps lightly in the early morning and Sean sleep lightly late night :), and oh yeah, did someone say something about family time and FOOD! :) Needless to say, I don't exactly have too much time to sit around. Providentially, I have also been getting quite a few students here and teach Mon/Wed evenings and Thurs/Fri afternoons. So, here are just a few pictures of Charis recently and the of a past project of which I promised pictures ages ago but due to a slight battle with blogger's idiocy failed to perform.

So... enjoy!

Massage time which follows each shower seems to produce a trance-like state...

And then sleepiness...

An then... back to reality! -- "Mom, did you get water in my ear???"

Below are a few pictures from my moment of temporary insanity when I attempted, somewhat effectively, to make a pattern from my car seat to produce a new cover for my oldest sister's car seat. I attempted to choose fabrics that I best thought blended with her personal taste.