She's ONNNEEE!!!

Good grief she went and did it.  She went and grew up on us.  Tenley is ONE!  Overnight she has turned into a toddler.  What is she up to now you ask?

-She's 22 lbs.
-30 inches long (75th percentile)
-She walked across the living room the other night all by herself, but she hasn't done it since.  Stubborn little thing.  She knows how excited we got so now she's just teasing us!
-Anyone who knows her knows that she won't sit still for anything.  She's a little wiggle worm through and through- BUT when she's sitting on the chair that Grandpa made for her- She sits.  STILL.  This is a BIG accomplishment for our little ball of energy!
-She's drinking whole milk in the mornings with oatmeal and just getting a bottle of formula at night before bed.  We'll be trying to transition from a bottle soon.
-She's a great eater.
-She's still in size 3 diapers.
-She is in 18 month clothes.
-size 4 shoes.
-She says HI in the cutest way.  She also says HI at random passing signs, trees, people, animals, cars, etc.  No stranger danger here...we're going to have to work on that.

We survived our first year!  I know it's only going to get even more fun the older she gets!

One Year Ago Today...

Do you know what you were doing exactly one year ago today?  I sure do.  Today is the day that we were sent to the hospital to be induced!  A year ago on facebook I wrote "39 week appointment today!  I hope the doctor tells us something exciting!"  Boy did she!!  She said that due to my elevated blood pressure and a big baby, she was inducing!  Today!  I will never forget the look on Mike's face when she said "Are you ready to have a baby?"  Fear and excitment mixed as he looked at me, and then the doctor and said "TODAY?"  It's funny as we felt SO prepared walking into the doctor.  But walking out of the doctor and making our necessary phone calls, all the fear and nervousness kicked in!  Were we ready for our lives to change forever?!  Of course we were.  But in that moment we were second guessing ourselves!

I remember walking out to the car and making a list of everything Mike had to go and get from our apartment for me.  The doctor instructed Mike to drop me off at the hospital and let me get in checked in, and then he was to go back and get our bags.  I recall walking down the hallway in the hospital by myself thinking "We're really doing this...Today is the day baby!"  Little did I know that today would not be the day!  Tomorrow would actually be the day!

I couldn't wait for our parents to get there!  I still can so vividly remember calling Nappanee Elementary and asking the secretary for my mom.  Everyone knew this call would be coming soon!  The secretary said "Michelle?!  Is it time!?"  I just laughed as she paged my mom.  I simply said, "Mom, it's time!" I explained what was happening, that I was being induced and not to worry- Baby and I were fine, but that I was being induced right away and that they needed to come.  I called my dad and relayed the same message.  I'm sure they rushed around and so did Mike's parents.  They both walked into the hospital within minutes of each other!!  Of course they wouldn't have really needed to rush... our stubborn little baby took her sweet time coming out.

As I remember all of these feelings from that day I'm overwhelmed with how special of a day it was.  And the day after!  I love remembering everything about that day.  What an exciting time for Mike and I.  There's nothing like those feelings, thoughts and emotions.

Tomorrow our sweet girl turns one.  This year has gone so fast, I can't quite grasp it.  It's taken a year, but I'm feeling more confident in my mothering abilities (most days).  And Tenley is now trying to walk, "talking" more and her personality is incredible.  We love you so much bug!

Believe it or not.

Do you see it?  Do you see that birthday ticker right above this post!?  Can you even believe that our sweet little bug is almost ONE!?  If you're anything like Mike and I- you can't.  This past year has gone so quickly, I feel like I've had to be so intentional about stopping.  STOPPING.  And soaking in the moments.  I've tried to STOP.  and watch as Mike reads a story to Tenley.  STOP.  and watch how she lights up when we walk into a room.  STOP.  and hear the sound of her giggle.  Not just idle, but stop.  These moments will be gone before I know it.  More will come, more precious than the last.  But I'll never get this time back.  And that makes this mama a bit weepy (big surprise I know).

So, I'll continue soaking it all in and embrace the new milestones and challenges that come with it.

We are in full birthday party planning mode!  So far I'm coming in under budget.  It sure will be close though! We are so excited to share Tenley's special day with so many of our friends and family.

Calming Fears

Last night we had a storm roll through.  Around 11:45 there was a very loud crash of thunder!  It felt like it was right in our backyard.  I woke up in a panic and realizing that the windows were all still down all over the house! So I woke Mike up and we quickly (and very sleepily...yes sleepily) shut all the windows.  Right after the thunder sounded I heard Tenley cry, but I shut all the windows and then ran into her.  She was awake, kind of whimpering in the far back corner of her crib.  She was sitting there wide-eyed.  The thunder must have scared her to death!  I picked her up and hugged her telling her everything was ok and mommy was right here.  She laid her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes.  I could have stood there all night like that.  I wanted to soak in the moment.  It was the first time that I felt like I could really calm her fears.  I laid her back down and as I watched roll over and fall back to sleep, my mind raced in fast forward.  I skipped ahead mentally and could see little Tenley running into our room during a storm saying "mommy!  daddy!  I'm scared!  Can I sleep with you!?" I could just see Mike and I looking at each other with a defeated look like "How do we say no to that sweet face!?" as we make room for her in the middle.  I smiled as I laid back down thinking about how I love this job of being a mommy.  I love that for now, I have all the power in the world to calm her simple fears.  As she gets older- I know her fears will become greater and I'll have to give up so much of that control to God.  But for now- I thank you God for letting me have nights like last night.

11 months

Here's what Tenley's been up to this month!
-You're wearing 12-18 month clothes.
-Size 3 diapers
-You are eating oatmeal and about 5 oz. of a bottle for breakfast (the rest of your bottle goes in your oatmeal) and then for lunch you get a fruit and veggie of baby food.  You almost eat both jars!  You get an afternoon snack, usually applesauce or yogurt.  You love yogurt!  Supper is the time when we try lots of table foods!  You really like macaroni and cheese!  Here's a picture of you eating it for the first time.

There was most likely more on your bib, seat and lap then in your mouth- but you still loved it.  You've also tried toast, spaghetti, chicken, lots of fruits and veggies and of course ice cream! :)  Then you have a 7 oz. bottle before bedtime.
-You take two naps a day.  One in the morning for about an hour and a half and one in the afternoon for about two hours.  You go to bed at 8:30 and are such a great sleeper!
-Your bedtime routine:  we take a bath most nights, and then read a short story.  You love to give the animals kisses in the books!  Then we pray together and I lay you down.  You usually turn over on your left side and go right to sleep!
-You have 8 teeth, with more looking ready any day!
-You are cruising along the furniture.  You have stood alone for a couple seconds, and you really want to walk, but haven't alone yet.  You love to walk behind your walker though.  Here's a video of you doing that.

We love you Tenley!  You're ONE year birthday will be here before we know it!

Remains of Summer

The summer is almost over.  Time just really got away from us and before we know it, September will be upon us and our sweet Tenley will be turning one.  I'm not sure I've accepted it yet, but I know it will come whether I'm ready or not.  She's still my baby, but some days if I go to check on her during her nap, I'll just watch her sleep and I think "She's getting so big.  She looks so long in that crib.  She's looking more and more like a toddler, and less like a baby."  Our sweet little girl is growing up.  Remember on the show Saved By the Bell they used to do a TIME OUT!  That would be nice some days.  I just want to remember every moment.  Her sweet sounding jibberish.  I'm sure she has amazing stories to tell.  The way she says "tickle tickle tickle" or laughs until she gets the hiccups.  That's why I appreciate this blog, it's my way of remembering.

August and September will be very busy!  My best friend, Trina, gets married this weekend!  So this week brings a flurry of bridal and wedding activities!  I can't wait to do each one and share in this moment with her.  My new Thirty-One business is keeping me very busy, and I love it!  I now have three jobs that I love so much!!!  My part time job at the district office, Thirty-One, and being Tenley's mommy!!

I hope everyone is enjoying the remains of summer!!  I'll be putting up an 11 month most soon, and then some of Tenley's one year pictures after that.

SUYL

Over at Kelly's Korner today it's time again for Show Us Your Life.  I'm linking up today to talk about "Best Parenting Advice".

Are you done laughing?

I realize that I have been a parent for just under 11 months and I'm 100% certain that I have no business writing about this subject.  However, over the past 11 months I would like to think that I've at least picked up a thing or two.  I'll touch on a few things I've learned.

Pray.  Start and end the day with prayer.  I remind myself every night as I'm holding Tenley, her head on my shoulder that she's not ours.  God has trusted Mike and I with her and it's our responsibility to raise her to honor and glorify Him.  Sometimes that seems overwhelming.  That's where prayer comes in.

Every child is different.  I asked so many questions to my friends and family the first few months of Tenley's life.  What did I learn from those questions?  Everyone has advice, tricks and ideas of what will work.  But the truth is- no one has another Tenley.  She's one of a kind and what works with another child might not work with her.  This whole parenting thing is a lot of trial and error.

Put the Guilt to rest.  I learned very early on that breastfeeding was not for me.  I felt extremely guilty about this and it caused so much stress that I'm sure Tenley could sense it.  It's not for everyone.  Tenley seems to be adjusting just fine and we still have just as strong of a bond.  I'm not worried that I have wrecked my child just because I couldn't breastfeed.

Most of all I've learned to not doubt myself.  I'm her mother.  We know what's best for her.  And we do everything and make every decision in love.  It might not always be the right one, but that doesn't mean we didn't do it with the best of intentions.  Ask questions, weigh the options, but in the end- stick with your gut.  You carried this child for 9 months.  You know him/her.  Don't doubt that connection.