Monday, November 23, 2009

Update: Cliff's Notes Version

Our lives have changed a ton since my last posting...so here is the very short list of updates.

  • new house (actually old house, new remodel)
  • moved twice (from old house, to Kaufman, to new house)
  • never ending house projects
  • Raylee: four teeth, crawling, eating finger foods, walking with support
  • visited Missouri for Rachel's shower and bachelorette party.

Here are a couple of new pictures of Raylee





























Monday, October 19, 2009

Mourning growing up...

It has been a very long time since I last posted. We are still living in Kaufman while our house is being remodeled, so no pictures. We are hoping to move in November 1st! PRAY!!!! My b-day is November 3rd, and that is all I want.

Anyways, I have been a little sad lately, mourning the inevitable process of my daughter growing up. I know God gives us children to slowly enable them to become independent of their parents and dependent on God, but it stinks. So, a week and a half ago, Raylee began biting me while breastfeeding. As I thought I was getting it under control, my body decided to come down with mastitis (an infection) and stop producing enough milk. I am a huge believer in breast feeding, and I wanted to make it to a year. However, Raylee just hasn't been getting enough, so we have had to start supplementing with formula. I know it isn't the end of the world, and I can keep nursing in the mornings and before bed, but I am a little forlorn thinking of her growing up and not needing me anymore. This feeling of sadness and neediness is probably confounded by the fact that I am a little bored and dissatisfied with living in limbo (without a home...although I am grateful for my in-laws hospitality!) However, I know there will be many instances where I have to give Raylee her independence. I am dreading the first day of Kindergarten...AH!!! So I guess I thought I would slough off my sadness with this post, and try to cherish everyday I have with her. I truly do love each new stage...but you can't help but look back and miss the newborn stages as well.

Proverbs 22: 6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Monday, September 28, 2009

Homemade Baby Food

Well, it has been a long time since I last posted. We are in the 2 month long process of moving. We bought a new house and sold our old house, but the new house isn't ready yet because we are completely remodeling the entire house. Therefore, we are very blessed that Michael's parents are letting us live in their house in Kaufman. Long story, but they have two houses on their property so we are living right next door to them. I don't have access to my computer, so no pictures. However, I did want to post on one of my latest favorite websites. I have been making Raylee's baby food, and I am now a huge proponent of homemade baby food. It is healthier, cheaper, and tastes better (I know...I have tried it!) Anyways, this website called Wholesomebabyfood.com is amazing! It answers all your questions regarding how to make it, how to freeze the food, and in what order to serve certain foods. I love it! So far I have made all these foods:
  • sweet potato
  • butternut squash
  • avocado
  • carrots
  • green beans
  • peas
  • pears
  • apples
  • mango
  • banana

While we are displaced from our house I am going on a small hiatus and buying regular baby food, and I have to tell you it has been a bit disappointing. First of all, it is really expensive, and second of all it isn't that great. If you are a mom, I highly recommend you try it. It is a bit time consuming, but once a week I just make a big batch of food and then freeze it. All you need is a food processor. Some people use blenders or mixers, but I find the food processor to work best. Give it a try, and then let me know how it goes!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Play group!

They're holding hands!


I just thought I would post a shout out to my playgroup! I am so thankful for these women and their adorable babies! Every Thursday I really look forward to seeing all these smiling faces! Here are a couple of pictures from last Thursday. Raylee always seems to pee on her cute playgroup outfit, so she is in her "back-up" onesie! HAHA!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Raylee's Six Months Old Today!




Happy half birthday!


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Baby Dedication

This past Sunday we dedicated Raylee to our Lord and Savior. It was a beautiful ceremony! Our good friend, JP, led the service, which we had outside with our friends and family. Raylee wore a very special dress that her cousin, Grace (who only lived 7 weeks) was baptized in. My mom flew all the way from Missouri to participate in the ceremony. Thanks to all our friends and family who participated.

Throughout our struggles with miscarriage and infertility, I fervently prayed for a child. Then when we did get pregnant we had many ups and downs as Raylee was again and again diagnosed with multiple health issues. On Sunday, we praised God that he healed her in so many ways before she was even born, and we symbolically gave her back to the Lord. For she is merely on loan to us; she is always in the hands of God. I have included some of the scripture that spoke to me during this process.

In 1 Samuel 2 Hannah says to God “As surely as you live, my Lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give this child to the Lord, for her whole life will be given over to the Lord.”

Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Here are some pictures from Sunday.























Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Patsy Aiken Trunk Show

Hey friends, with children, grandchildren, neices, friends with children! I am hosting a trunk show at my house on Saturday from 4-6! Patsy Aiken has adorable clothes for boys and girls! There will be fun, food, fellowship....and of course clothes! Please feel free to stop by with your kiddos, and bring your friends. If you want to come, please let me know at erikatoney@gmail.com, so I can prepare food. You can check out the cute clothes at www.patsyaiken.com.