The Positives

We have SO many things we are thankful for right now. As of last weekend (10/30), Kara has been eating better! She still despises baby food, but she is now able to chomp on some solids after picking them up (without throwing up!) New things we've added, in tiny bits, are:
* Chicken
* Beans
* Carrots, peas (well cooked)
* Cheese
* Life cereal (her favorite, broken into 1/4 size pieces)

The timing of this was great (actually, clearly providential) as I had been cutting back pumping to allow more time for caring for the kids. Today will be the first time since Kara was born that I will be able to go somewhere (the airport in this case) without bringing all my pumping things and figuring out where/when. What bliss!! A few more days and we'll be totally done. God has been very gracious in giving us a freezer supply that will enable Kara to have 10 to 12 oz per day of breastmilk until she turns one. Wow!

The kids and I walked to the library Wed. Clear, sunny, brisk day. It does me so much good to be outside. - Oh yeah, I also got to be outside on Monday sweeping up cedar needles that weren't sopping wet, hooray! I'm continuing to smile when our children echo me and say "Sunshine!!! Thank you, God!" Meanwhile, I'm also thanking God that He also created people (as well as climates) differently. And I'm thankful for several of my dear friends who love the clouds and rain, and that I know they are finding enjoyment in those days.

We have carpet in our home, for the first time in 7 years. Pretty surreal. And it looks quite nice - our master bed flooring is done. Now for baseboards. I would upload a picture, but Jeremy has our camera packed for his hunting trip with his Dad. We are both VERY thankful for the opportunity to get away, hunt, and most especially, time with his Dad.

In moving things out of our room and closet for the carpet, Connor and Katie helped. Last night, Connor & Daddy started to put back what they could, while Katie and I went to the grocery store. Here's a mini-conversation Jeremy relayed to me later:
Connor: "This is hard work!"
Jeremy: "It is. Do you like hard work?"
Connor: "Yeah! It builds muscles!"

Thank you, Jeremy, for being such a good example of thanking God for giving us work, and for "1 Cor 10:31"ing in WHATEVER you do.

Pictures

Every Autumn, the goal is the same. Find a semi-dry day when there are also leaves on the ground and when the kids look "o.k." for pictures. The only casualty? Naps. Not too bad, though. We need to work on our attention-getting strategies, apparently. Here are 2 from our attempt last Sunday.

Feeding Therapy

Oh my!  This is Kara and her feeding therapist.  Kara has been refusing baby food for over a month now and she would throw up anything besides puffs (split in half) and MUM MUMs.  She is, shall we say, high maintenance!  So her feeding therapist gave us some new strategies.   Now, we are able to get her to eat some baby food, but she feeds herself.  We have been encouraged to use anything and everything, dipped in food.  Both ends of the spoon, a straw, toothbrush, whatever... to get her to put food in her mouth.  She does eat it, but takes a lot of coaching.  I have never seen a baby who knew her mind quite like Kara.  In many ways it has been a huge blessing.  She knows her limitations, and that has kept her (and her airways) safe.  I have to tell myself that over and over when she's not eating and I'm tempted to be frustrated and/or angry.

Fun fact - it takes 4 oz. of squash to equal the calories in 2 oz. of breastmilk.  Kara is probably eating, um, 8 spoonfuls of squash (and I mean baby spoons) at a "good" feed.  We have a ways to go...  

Kara has a 6th sense about cameras.  She always turns and SMILES.  Which is wonderful... except when we want an action shot.

This morning's prayers

Katie - "Thank you God.. for my... for all of our food.  In Jesus' Name, Amen"  And then... to us: "I prayed for all of our food, so you don't need to pray."

Connor - "Thank you God, for a good s-Leep.  Thank you for our food, help it to... *thinking*... glory our bodies.  Help us to Yuv (love) each other.  In Jesus' name, amen"

Meg - (among other things) "Thank you, God that Kara is still asleep."

Since our trip...

We came back and jumped straight into tutoring for Meg, work for Jeremy.  The next day, our dear friend & mentor, Cammy, came from Southern California to help and encourage.  Meg had vein surgery Friday and Monday.  It was minor as far as surgeries go, and we're SO thankful for the provision that enabled us to have this done!  What a blessing to be able to just talk with Cammy, and to have an opportunity for our children to get to know her. 

Now things are... shall we say... normal.  Kara's feeding continues to be a challenge and and opportunity to learn to, (while seeing our deficiencies), trust the Lord.  We often choose to share (and try to focus on) the positives - she is growing and developing. 

Vacation & after

We left for Grandma Dot & Grandpa Fred's (in New Mexico) on 9/27, and boy have we been busy since!  We had such a wonderful time.  God was so gracious to provide 80 degree weather which meant lots of time outside.

We enjoyed SO many special privileges.  The top highlights for us were (disclaimer: Meg is speaking for everyone, so it might not be 100% accurate):
All - Time with Grandma and Grandpa.  We feel so loved and welcomed, and appreciate the extra hands that enable us to spend more time enjoying the kids (or going to Starbucks during naptime!)  We enjoyed all the things we did and all the things they provided for our comfort and enjoyment, but mostly enjoyed THEM.
Jeremy -
1) Time with our dear friends, the Schmidts and the Cantwells
2) lunch at Papa Nachos - carne asada tacos with lime, GREEN CHILE salsa, and sopa pillas.  YUM
Meg -
1) Going on leisurely walks (whether or not Kara is sleeping)
2) Time to get a bit of a start on Kara's baby book
Connor -
1) Learning to ride a tricycle (John Deere, of course)
2) His tractor shirt and hat (John Deere).  I think he's worn them every second since we've returned (except for the 2 hrs every few days that it's in the wash!
Katie -
1) First airplane ride on Grandpa Fred's airplane "It's so big!" and the tractor
2) Picking vegetables from the garden and spraying bugs (well, usually just spraying her mouth) with the spray bottle.  Have I mentioned that she says "I'd like to wash my tongue!" when we see a water fountain?
Kara -
1) Sitting and enjoying the scenery.  Especially while watching the hot air balloons
2) Having Daddy feed her lots and lots.

You're Hired!

Wow, they are getting so big.  Here are achievements from yesterday or today:

Connor - got out of tub, dried self, and completely dressed himself (in an outfit that's almost too small - quite a feat).  Only later, after pottying did I notice he forgot underwear... oops!  Oh well, I'm not a picky employer.

Katie - we only knew she was awake and out of bed upon hearing the toilet flush.

Kara - I just went in to peek on her.  I had reluctantly put her to nap while on a feed (she tends to be mischievous with her tube) but she REALLY was acting like she needed it.  When I peeked, she had found her lovey and put in her binky. 

I think I'd better pay attention, or I'm going to work myself out of a job!