If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them

I actually relate to this more with Ellie than with Ainsley. Most of the time I feel like this when they both are crying...

Swinging

Ainsley seems to love swinging. Ellie hated it until she was about 18 months old. I guess it makes sense since Ainsley also likes to be rocked/swayed and they are very similar motions. The other night (the night Ellie bit her tongue), we pulled out the swing because Ainsley was fussing during dinner. After dinner, Ellie decided to have a little fun with Ainsley:



They sure do love each other, it brings me so much joy :)

Tongue Boo Boo

Last night while I was cooking dinner, Zach was watching the girls. Ellie decided to do what she does best, mess with Kayla. She thinks that standing on Kayla while holding onto the couch is tons of fun (along with jumping on Kayla, riding Kayla, hitting Kayla, kissing Kayla, and some good things such as playing ball with Kayla, laying next to Kayla). Zach warned her and told her not to stand on Kayla (mostly because we feel bad for the dog, not that we were concerned with her getting hurt). Welp, Kayla stood up because it wasn't feeling too good and Ellie was on her back, so she wacked herself onto the couch. She was crying really hard and was bleeding in her mouth, but we thought maybe she busted her lip or bit her gum. During dinner we discovered, when she stuck her tongue out, that she bit her tongue (on both sides)! It must have really hurt and I definitely can feel her pain with this one:
I took many pictures trying to get her to stick out her tongue. Here are some of the outtakes that were cute (Zach was trying to help, so I thought I needed to include him in some of the pics):

Precious Ainsley

She is just too cute. I love it when she smiles and giggles. She absolutely loves this thing (the exersaucer). When I sit on the couch and she looks over at it, she gets the biggest smile on her face. However, she does not like being in it when we are out of the room.

Oh a few more tid bits about growing Ainsley. I'm not sure what it is, but she is never content for more than 15 minutes anywhere but in my arms. This means I am almost always holding her, which is hard to give Ellie some one on one attention. It is also hard to get much of anything done without a fussy baby in the background. I do feel extra special though, and it really has made me learn to give up on some things just to spend time with both my girls. Ainsley also is starting to suck her thumb a lot more. I'll be able to get a paci in her mouth occasionally in the car or when going to sleep, but most of the time she ends up knocking it out and sticking her thumb in. Oh well, it unavoidable I think. At least I try.

Enjoy the video. Warning: it's a long video.



(This video was taken a few weeks ago, she has a blanket in the exersaucer to help her balance since she still can't sit up completely by herself.)

Why I Choose Not to Take the Pill

Since this is almost the 50th Anniversary of the Pill I've been reading a lot about birth control and it has struck me that I never really have shared my opinion on this subject. I know that this blog is mostly about my kids, but it is also a place I can share my views. I like to look back and see not only how my kids have grown, but also how I have grown. So here it is, my view of the pill:

Way back in 2007, when Zach and I were engaged, I decided to address the issue or what we will use for birth control. I had been on the pill since high school for cramping and assumed that I would probably remain on the pill, however I wanted to see all the options. I'm not sure if I heard it somewhere or I just read how the pill works, but I found something that alarmed me.

The pill works in three ways:
1) prevents ovulation preventing any possibility of pregnancy
2) thickens the cervical mucus preventing sperm from reaching the egg
3) thins the lining of the uterus preventing a fertilized egg from implanting

The third is what alarmed me because I would consider this abortion. I believe life begins at conception, when the DNA is formed. Now if you believe life begins at any different point (such as implantation), then you would disagree. But I think a majority of my audience probably agrees. No one knows how often the third step actually happens while taking the pill, but we do know that sometimes even all three methods don't work (since women get pregnant on the pill all the time). I understand how women might find this alarming or question if this is really wrong since their intention is not to abort a child. I can't describe it any better than Al Mohler on why I choose not to take the pill because of the fact it can work as an abortifacient. Here is his blog post about it: Can Christians Use Birth Control?

After discussing with Zach about my concerns, we agreed to use another method (condoms). He didn't really share my view on this matter, but is up in the air. Tonight I actually told him he needed to do more research on the subject. You might be thinking, well they didn't use the pill and they ended up getting pregnant one month later. Yea we messed up (twice, even with Ainsley), but I'm kinda glad we did. We might have gotten carried away with the views that we needed this or that before having kids, or needed to do this before having kids, or even the typical I'm not ready yet. Now don't get me wrong, I definitely feel that there are good reasons for waiting to have kids, but we probably wouldn't have had any. I'm the first to say that having kids is definitely hard work, with tremendous sacrifice. However the blessings they are to me and all that I have learned from them are incomparable to the "burdens". Our society views kids more as burdens than blessings, which has led many astray.

From a biblical stand point, I think God intended sex not just for pleasure but for procreation. Therefore if you are having sex (which should be done within marriage), you should always be open to having kids. So even though we have not only one, but two surprises... they were both planned by God. However this does lead me to question how open I should be to having kids? Should I completely surrender all forms of birth control, surrender everything but Natural Family Planning since there is nothing to stop procreation except abstinence, or are non hormonal contraceptives (i.e. condoms) okay? I still have yet to conclude that any birth control that is merely a contraceptive and not an abortifacient would be theologically inconsistent.

Feel free to share your opinions.

Ellie Rolls

Look at what Ellie has learned to do:



Just a note: this video is from a few weeks ago. I have taken the birthday banner down, although it did take me another week after Ellie's bday.

Double Date- Minute to Win It

Last Thursday we had a double date with our friends, Laura and John Baumeister. We had a yummy dinner, put the kids to bed, then played Minute to Win It (stole this idea from the Shelton's).

We played a total of 8 games. How you play: you have to do the activity provided in one minute or you loose. Zach won with the most points, which we made up how to score. A few of the games: sorting candies in order, rolling a ping pong ball on a tape measurer into a shot glass, spinning around 5 times then tossing a ball into a hole, make 3 golf balls stand on top of each other (no one was able to accomplish this, however John did do it while we were just hanging out afterward), keep 3 non-helium balloons off the ground (extremely difficult), toss a ping pong off a wall and catch it in a bowl on your head 5 times, and more...

We did play a game where you have to make a candy elevator. Here are some picture from that:
John went first, had a hard time. I'm pretty sure he never got them in his mouth. Next, Laura B:
She got the candies in her mouth, took a little fixing of the elevator first. Up next, Zach:
Zach won this game, he got the candies immediately. Last, me:
Yea, I lost. Never could get them into my mouth. Oh well.

We had a lot of fun! Thanks to the Shelton's for the idea, and then to the Baumeister's for a great time!

Ainsley's First Taste of Solids

I won't say first taste of food because I feel like rice cereal isn't really much of anything. I decided with doctor's advice to go ahead and start the solids. We documented this experience:


I don't think Ainsley is quite ready. As you can tell from the video, all of it I'm pretty sure came out of her mouth. I tried again at lunch time and she only got one bite. I just don't want to cram the stuff in her mouth, that's not the point. So I think I'm going to wait a few more weeks and try again.

With Ellie I made most of her babyfood except the veggies. I definitely want to do that again, I actually enjoy it. I think to make it a little bit easier I might invest in one of those babyfood processors which cook it and puree it all in one! I'm going to enjoy seeing how Ainsley likes each new food. I love this stage... they don't make much of a mess because you control it all and they will eat anything that you put in their mouth (although they might not like it much).

Red Lights

This past week while riding in the car, every time we have had to stop at a stoplight Ellie starts yelling. At first I could not figure out what she was saying, so then she started using some more words in her sentence. She was telling the cars in front of us to go.

So we would pull up to a stoplight and stop behind a car. She then says, "No car, go. Car going, go." As she says this to the car, as if it was going to obey her, she motions her hands as well. I find this hilarious, but after multiple times I realized I should probably teach her what's going on. I usually tell her we can't make the car go, but today I taught her about the stoplights. Didn't really work, because she said it again, but I'll keep explaining that the lights, not Ellie, are what tell us to go or stop .

Learning to Potty

The past few months Ellie has been interested in the potty. She has asked to sit on the potty, and recently is starting to want to sit more frequently. She finally has used the bathroom on the potty, number 2. It occurred Wednesday night right before bedtime, Zach and I were shocked! We were super excited, got out the potty chart, put a sticker on the chart, and gave her a lollipop (which took FOREVER to eat).

I'm just not sure if I'm ready for this next step. I'm really excited that my little toddler is desiring to be a big girl, but it's exhausting! Now that she's wanting to sit on the potty more frequently, we are having to go in the store, the library, the gym. Now I don't think I would mind so much if she actually did go potty, but this is not the case. So I have to lug everybody into the bathroom, take off the pants and diaper, sit there for 3-5 minutes waiting for something to happen while making sure Ellie doesn't fall into the toilet and Ainsley is somewhat entertained, then we skip the wiping and flushing since nothing occurred and wash our hands (which Ellie is still not too good at). It just stinks to go through all the trouble when nothing happens! However, I highly enjoyed this morning after trying to potty and asking her to get a diaper, she came in with two pairs of underwear on. Of course both of them were on completely wrong (one was up around her tummy, the other covering her bottom, but both of them were put on with both legs through one leg hole). It seems that most of the time at home we can rarely have a good moment to potty. I either have to stop what I'm doing (i.e. cooking), or leave her on the potty because Ainsley starts to fuss or cry. This afternoon right before her nap, she runs into the kitchen while I'm washing a few dishes and hands me her dirty diaper (fresh poo inside). She then proceeds to tell me she wants to poo poo in the potty... she'll get it soon enough. Oh boy, if only it was easy...

Not only am I not ready, I also feel like she's not quite ready. She doesn't quite understand the "got to go" feeling, but I don't want to discourage from using the bathroom. I'm conflicted in what to do. I guess I'll suck it up and deal with the inconvenience, she'll learn eventually (but the question is, how long will it take? can I deal with it that long?).

Let me know if you have any tips, I would love to hear thoughts on this.

Lalalalala

Just a glimpse at Ellie's singing ability:

Ainsley 4 months!

Can you believe Ainsley is 4 months? It's hard to remember life without her, but then again it just felt like yesterday when she was welcomed into this world! We went in for her 4 month check up today and she still is growing strong. She weighed 16lbs. 3oz. (94%), measured 24.5 in. (50%), and head circumference of 42.2cm (80%). She's still a chunky little girl, I love it!

So let me tell you about this little sunshine. Ainsley LOVES mommy. She loves being in my arms, looking at me, laughing with me, smiling with me... and I LOVE that! The other night I had her giggling up a storm and Zach said that she only does that with me. I said I doubt that and told him to try it. He was doing the exact same thing I was doing, and barely got anything out of there. He was right, she was only laughing with me. Don't get me wrong, she doesn't seem to mind other people either, but you can definitely tell she's a mommy's girl right now. She also LOVES her sister. Ellie always makes her smile and giggle, and Ainsley just loves to watch her run around. Ainsley is a very happy girl and is mostly super easy! She cries occasionally when she is hungry, tired, or is left alone (she wants to be right beside mommy and Ellie), but most days it's only when she's tired and we're trying to put her down for a nap. She had two shots today for her vaccinations, and we didn't get a single tear! She gave us a frown with the second shot, but nothing more. She did show her distaste to the oral vaccine, but was still very content. I couldn't believe how easy the doctor was! Ainsley is such a sweetie and I can't wait to see more of her personality.


It's so funny how when you become a mom your excitement comes from just a simple smile, a single word, spit bubbles, or even a burp. It's just so exciting see your little one learn new things. Here is what Ainsley can do, which I get super excited about:
-hold her head up
-smile and giggle/laugh
-squeal, babble
-blow spit bubbles, and occasionally will do some raspberries (vibrating lower lip)
-sit with support
-spend 5-10 minutes on tummy, lifts her head completely up, props herself up on her hands and elbows
-roll from back to tummy, although she doesn't do this everyday.
-grab toys and put them in her mouth
-drool all over herself! I think she's teething, but we'll see when this first tooth comes.
-sleeps 9-10 hours at night, nurses 6 times a day
-sometimes will go to sleep completely by herself for naps, but most of the time I still rock her until her eyes start to close, then I lay her down.
-sits in exersaucer for up to 20 minutes.
-stand on her legs with all her weight and even stand up by herself while holding onto my fingers

Schedule:
7:00-7:30a - wakes up when Ellie wakes up, eats, sits at table for breakfast with us
8:30a- nap
9:30a- eats and plays until we go out to play
10:00-11:30a- takes a cat nap while we're out
12:30p- eats then plays
1:00p- naps
3:30p- I usually have to wake her up to feed her, then she plays
5:30p- naps
6:30p- eats then plays
7:30p- bed time
8:30p-9:30p- I wake her up to feed her one last time and she goes back to sleep immediately

Her naps usually last about an hour except for the afternoon nap which can go up to 3 hours sometimes! This is awesome because that's when Ellie takes her nap, and sometimes I take mine :) Sometimes she will take a longer nap in the morning while we're out, which ruins her afternoon nap (she usually won't sleep but 30-45 minutes then). This schedule is pretty much our normal right now. I'm going to start solids soon, so I'm sure that will change things up!

I love you sweet Ainsley! You bring so much joy to my life!

Some think she looks a lot like her Papa:

Frisbee!

Ellie won a frisbee at the Raleigh Easter Egg Hunt. She seems to enjoy playing frisbee. She is learning how to throw it, she's got a pretty good throw for a 2 year old girl.

Summer Chairs

Ellie has been playing with one of these chairs for almost a year. We got this last year, but only brought one of the chairs out. Now that Ainsley is almost ready to sit in the chair, I decided to go ahead and put it together. Ellie seems to enjoy it. The umbrella is super fun.


(Ainsley isn't quite ready to sit in the chair, I had to get a picture though.)

Don't Forget to Laugh

Love the Babycenter e-mails, especially the "Don't Forget to Laugh" section at the end. This week's:

I didn't feel like this with only one baby so much, but now with two it's a never ending list. Most of the time I forget the list and end up taking a nap (and the list keeps growing)... and that is only if they end up both sleeping at the same time (otherwise it's me taking care of one of them tired beyond the point of exhaustion, trying to find patience somewhere, and trying to forget about the list that is growing). Does anybody else relate?

Blow Up Pool Time

Since the neighborhood pool isn't opened yet and it's basically summer outside, we decided to get our blow up pool out. Zach was out of town the first day I got it out and I wasn't sure how in the world I was going to blow that huge thing up. So during nap time, I took it out and gave it a try. After about 20 minutes with no progress visible, I decided to google how to blow up a pool. I found out they have pumps for these things and there was even one at Walmart. The girls barely took a nap, which ended up being perfect because it gave us enough time to run to Walmart and still have plenty of time to play in the pool before dinner. So I bought the pump and it was AMAZING. It was only $5 and took about 5 minutes to blow up the whole thing. Life saver.

Thanks to the Bryant's for an adorable bathing suit!

She mostly just plays with recycled cups, fills them up and dumps/tosses the water out.

Ainsley watching, I think she's a little mad she can't join in on the fun:
Kayla relaxing after chasing the water ball. Ellie liked pouring water on Kayla, especially her face. Kayla didn't seem to mind too much:
2nd day, sporting her new bathing suit. Super cute:
Kayla and Ellie love the pool. What a helpful dog:

We haven't played with it this week since it's been a tad bit colder, but last week when it was in the 90's we highly enjoyed it! Ellie will play in the pool for at least an hour, I'm the one that tends to get bored in it.

Bug Locket

I absolutely loved catching bugs as a child. We had a creek growing up in our backyard, so my sisters and I were always getting down and dirty every chance that we got. Me and my sister, Carla, were talking the other day and we said we weren't sure what our kids were going to do without a creek in the backyard. We had so many memories catching frogs, salamanders, crickets, lightning bugs, crawfish, tadpoles, caterpillars, anything! So of course when I was in the dollar spot at Target the other day and saw the bug locket, I had to get it. Ellie has loved it! I took a video of the first bug we caught:



Since then we have caught caterpillars, a beetle, an ant, and more spiders. She's very good about keeping the lid on. I tell her we don't touch the bugs, I do not want to touch them! If I could only keep her from putting it in her mouth, disgusting.

This bug talk reminds me of something somewhat unrelated. The other day I was opening a box with tissue paper in our house and found a caterpillar. I got completely grossed out, I had to call Zach in to get rid of it. I don't mind them outside, but for some reason I can't STAND them inside things in our house. I think it's because I don't like the idea of bugs inside things surprising me. They could be in anything... I hate that.

Tricycle

Ellie is trying to figure out how to ride the tricycle, she's just not quite interested enough in learning. She'll sit on it and she'll let us push her most of the time, but when we try to teach her how to ride it she only wants to get off. We're really excited about this little tricycle though. Our neighbors gave it to us about 3 weeks ago and it's the perfect size! We have one at Nana's house that is too big and every one we have found at consignments were too big. I can't wait for her to learn, I think it'll be soon.

Ainsley rolls over!

Ainsley rolled over twice yesterday (April 12)!! I was doing some laundry and had her laying on her belly on the floor, then left the room to put clothes on the bed. When I came back she was on her back! I think ran into the garage/Zach's office to tell him. We put her back on her belly to see if she would do it again for daddy and me to see, she did! She wouldn't do it for the video camera though.


I was able to get a mini photo shoot of Ainsley during tummy time, and of course Ellie too. I love that Ainsley likes tummy time, I hope this means she will crawl sooner than 10.5 months. Well, maybe I don't hope that because I know that will just bring me more work trying to keep track of her! Oh well, enjoy the pics.


I forgot to mention Ellie fell face down on the back porch which is whyshe has a scratched up nose. No Ainsley didn't push her, neither did I. She did it all by herself, tripping on her own two feet (which seems to happen a lot more recently).

Easter Recap at Summit

This past weekend was a pretty awesome weekend at our church. Here is a recap video:

Easter Recap from The Summit Church on Vimeo.

We are excited to be a part of a church with not only an awesome vision but which continually challenges us each and every Sunday. We are not content in where we stand, we want to continue to know God better, grow in our faith, and the gospel continued to be heard in every city/town/village.

Our pastor also wrote a blog with some pretty awesome stories from Easter Sunday. You can check it out here: http://www.jdgreear.com/my_weblog/2010/04/sunday-night-download.html