a busy time of year

Christmas is fast approaching and I feel like I have so much to do and so little time to get it done. I have done NO shopping at all and I'm not sure when I'm going to get it done. I'll be making my first trip to Springfield in six weeks on Thur to go see my Dr. Kayler is going with me and we're meeting up with a friend and her daughter for lunch. I may try to do some shopping after my appt but I'm not sure how that's going to go by myself. I guess I'll give it a whirl and figure it out as I go. Hopefully the weather won't be nasty. 

On top of all the normal Christmas stuff we're having family stay with us for ten days right after Christmas. I'm so looking forward to having company but I think its going to be a little stressful too. I have some house cleaning to do before they come as well as some extra shopping. It will be fun to see Aidan and Lily meet their cousin for the first time and I will enjoy some adult conversation with Clint and Joy. What I'm dreading is the break in our routine b/c what we're doing right now with Kayler is working very well. I may have to be pretty strict with scheduling activities around her schedule instead of my own wishes. 

Saturday we're going to have Kayler's picture taken with Santa. That should be fun. Justin will be taking the pics at the YMCA so it should be pretty easy. That night we're going to a Chrismas party and then Sunday we're getting together with the Bayless family for pics and an afternoon of fellowship. I'm also hoping that we can make it to our church's Christmas program that evening. It's going to be a busy weekend. Unfortunately next week doesn't slow down any. I have a dentist appt, Kayler's Dr. appt and two days of computer class for work. I'm getting stressed just listing out all the activities to come. 

I better go get started on something on my to do list while Kayler is napping. 

proud mama

Ok, its official...I've definitely become one of those annoying moms who thinks their kid is the greatest in the world. No the truth is every mom should think their kid is the greatest and I definitely think Kayler Noel is. 

I have to brag on her just a little. She is doing so well sleeping! I have to thank my friend Katie who gave me a great book to borrow, Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. So far I swear by it. Last night was probably the best and easiest night so far. She ate at 7pm then had bath time with daddy and was in bed by 8pm. She was up at 1:30am to eat and back to sleep within the hour. Then she slept til 7am. I actually had to wake her up to feed her. I pretty much have her on a strict feeding schedule of every three hours during the day and at night Justin gives her a bottle whenever she wakes up. She naps in the morning for two hours, a short nap after her 10am feeding, an afternoon nap and another short nap after her 4pm feeding. She seems to do the best, both with eating and sleeping, if we can catch her before she is starving or exhausted. That's the whole philosophy in the book. 

I just spoke with my friend Dallion who told me about a couple with a much needed prayer request. They have a son who is globally brain damaged. He is approximately 2-3 years old but is like a newborn. He is in the hospital and not expected to live. In a way this is a blessing but I can only imagine the anguish they must be feeling. I pray for them to have peace in their hearts and for Soren to be free and whole and with the Lord. 

Okay...I'm now going to go hug and hold my healthy baby girl. Thank you God for her!

cold winter day

Well the weather is absolutely frigid. It was beautiful last week, warm enough to take a walk with only a light jacket and today its 30 degrees with snow on the ground. MO weather is crazy. While I love the seasonal changes its sort of making me nuts being cooped up in the house all day. 

Kayler is doing well. She is sleeping next to me in her boppy right now. Soon it will be time to eat again. Some days I feel like that's all I get done. I have a rather long list of things I'd like to get done around the house but its so hard to make time to do it. The days go so fast when they go in 3hr cycles. I guess I'll manage to get the important things done and the rest will just have to wait. 

Over the holiday weekend I got to spend some great time with my dad. He came over Friday afternoon for a few hours and again on Saturday evening. I cooked dinner Saturday. He got to spend some time with Kayler which is very important. It was good to visit with him and catch up. He is a very proud Papa.

As always there were some difficult moments of the holiday where I really missed my mom, brother and grandparents. I am so thankful for MY new family and for the family I have left. We spent some time with Justin's family on Thursday. Kayler got to meet her uncle Brian. It was so cute to see how tiny she looked in his big arms. It was good to see them and I was so glad we didn't end up going out to eat. It was nice to sit around the table at Grandma and Grandpa's house and enjoy a meal together.