We love ChickFila

This morning I asked Claire what the ChickFila cow says.

Her immediate response:

"Eat more chicken!"

I'm so proud.

Picture Update

Confession: I often leave Mary Jane in just a onesie so I can stare at her absolutely adorable legs. And those cheeks!!!!! Kind of makes me want to go wake her up...

Claire's ready for Spring training! Let's hope she likes baseball as much as she loves football. The girl LOVES watching football and playing with the football she had to have last weekend.

I painted Claire's toenails this week. Oh. my. gosh. I didn't think her little feet could get any cuter! Jeremy's a little weirded out by it but Claire likes to admire them and compare her matching toes with mine. I love it. Bring on the flip flops!!!!! (and warm weather)

Things I'm loving right now:

1. This granola recipe. It's seriously the best granola I've ever eaten. It calls for more sugar than the recipe I used to use but I seriously won't use another recipe again. It's THAT GOOD. And I followed the directions and it baked perfectly. Usually I have to adjust the time or over bake. Make. This. Recipe.

2. Words with Friends. So fun to play with friends that I have all over the country that I don't get to see anymore.

3. How much Claire is talking. It's fun to have conversations with her.

4. Dance parties with both girls. So cute. Especially when Claire yells, "Dance party!"

5. Getting to know Mary Jane. She's such a sweetheart.

6. Mary Jane sleeping more at night. I'm feeling like a human being again. And she's so happy and smiley in the morning.

7. Finally picking out the playset we're getting for the backyard. SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS. I can't wait to have people over to play.

8. That Spring feels like it's just around the corner. Go away cold weather!

9. This sermon that Zack preached on Sunday. SO GOOD. (it's the 2/20/11 sermon)

10. Guacamole. I used to hate it. Then I started CRAVING it when I was pregnant with Mary Jane. Now I love it. Weird, huh? If anyone has any good recipes, please share. Right now, Trader Joe's is my supplier :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

And Happy 60th Birthday to my Mom!

Amy and Mom came in for a long weekend which has been really fun especially after a crazy week. We shopped, cooked, ate a lot, played with the kiddos, and had a great time. A much needed weekend for me.

Today Mom, Mary Jane, Claire, and I went to the zoo. Claire loves the penguins and monkeys. Today they put on quite the show for her. She also loved the bears and really loved riding the carousel. We followed it up with Steak n Shake. It was a fun way to spend Mom's birthday!

Also, the husband outdid himself and surprised me with a Kindle! I love it and was very surprised. Thanks, again, husband!!

Home sweet home

I'm too tired to blog about the last few days right now but I will soon.

I'm thankful for a baby girl on the mend.

I'm thankful for meals waiting on us when we came home.

I'm thankful for my friends, near and far, who have loved us well.

I'm thankful for goodies to look forward to tomorrow.

I'm thankful that the husband kept the house clean just so I could relax when I got home. He loves his girls well and has taken such good care of Claire. (no surprise there)

I'm thankful to be home.

Things I've realized in the last 48 hours

1. Insist on your child's iv be put in her foot if you're nursing. So much easier.

2. MoBap has some amazing nurses. Nurses who treat your kid like their own. Who take an extra minute to rock or sing to them.

3. Could the furniture be any more uncomfortable?

4. I really am my child's advocate and expert.

5. God knew that the new ChickFila would bring me some joy. I believe He opened it for me.

6. Hands down, I have the most amazing friends. Seriously. I hope you're as lucky. And I hope I'm a good friend to them.

7. I'm so thankful for my Droid to talk to my mom and sister and to distract me.

8. I have always admired my friend, Katie, and now I'm convinced she's a hero to her children. I can't begin to describe her strength and endurance. I do know it's rooted in her faith in Jesus.

9. My husband and I can do anything together. There are some things I'm just not strong enough to do. He stepped up. No surprise; he always does.

Operation "Give mama a break"

Last weekend my sister, Amy, came to visit. I did not plan this but the weekend became focused on getting Mary Jane more used to being away from me. Amy actually tried to visit the two previous weekends but things kept getting in the way. I'm now convinced that the Lord knew I needed her this past weekend.

I won't give you all the boring details of the weekend. I'll give you the highlights: Amy, Jeremy, and I were all able to give her bottles, MJ stayed with Amy a few hours alone and slept almost the whole time, and both Amy and Jeremy were able to get her to calm down.

THIS IS HUGE!

I really want to go on a girls' trip this weekend and now I can. But most importantly, I feel like my little girl and I have turned a corner. And I'm one happy mama! I think it's a combination of trying to be persistent the last week or so, MJ getting bigger/older, and sweet friends praying. (Speaking of which, please pray this weekend goes smoothly!)

My girl still prefers me but now I have a little breathing room. Which makes me a better and happier mama. Thank you, Jesus!

And thank you to my sister and husband for loving me through the crazy fog. Gotta love having an infant....