5.27.2014

just keep swimming

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Lately we have been spending a lot of time in the sunshine, in the pool that we have set up on our back porch. It is money well spent because the kids LOVE it and it wears Clara out so she goes down super easy for naptime and bedtime {because you can’t just swim ONCE a day, right?}. I was kind of disappointed to wake up to dreary skies this morning. Ah well, the swim suits were in the wash, anyway.

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For those of you who do not struggle with issues like anxiety or depression, a little insight… some days are very, very challenging. Parenting is challenging in the first place but when it feels like your mind is working against you… those days seem so impossible. Meltdowns happen, sometimes for all three of us. Sometimes it’s hard to “just keep swimming” when you just wanna throw in the {beach} towel.

It helps to be able to get out of the house and into the sunshine. The kids are happy, and I can relax. The kids being outside means that the house doesn’t get torn up quite as bad as when they spend the day inside, which means I don’t feel out of control and stressed at  the end of the day. And besides that, there have been studies that show vitamin D can help with depression, so there’s that, too.

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It’s just a little bit amazing how a little bit of sunshine can affect our moods.

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Maybe after naptime, which is currently going on right now, the sun will have peeked out from behind some of these clouds and we’ll have a few rays to splash around in. Here’s hoping!

5.23.2014

Clara, you are fourteen months old!

14 MONTHS

Clara Grace, you are a ray of sunshine one moment and a storm cloud the next! My goodness, you keep us on our toes but we just adore you anyway! I can’t believe you are already 14 months old! You’ve kept us on our toes for 14 months?! Wow!

Little girl, you love to dance! One of the things we like to do during the day is go into the playroom and dance to some music. You are just filled with so much joy! You also like to play with your brother’s hot wheels and you like to play outside so much that you cry when we come back inside.

You have finally taken your first steps although you aren’t walking full-time yet. Your vocabulary has also exploded this month, with words like: Ben, cat, dog, bird, belly, thank-you, bible, and probably others because you seem to just pop out with a new word every day.

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You also like to stand on things.

Well sweet girl, I can’t wait to see what you do in the next month! We love you, little girl!

5.06.2014

this smile.

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It just melts my heart!

5.03.2014

Clara Grace, You are 13 Months Old

** Okay so this is a couple weeks late! Sorry! Been so busy with… well, life. I am hoping to pick up blogging again soon because I miss it and I hate that I have so much chronicling Benjamin’s life (up to a point) and so little chronicling Clara’s. Anyway… **

13mos 

Little miss personality. I don’t know what to do with you! You are a spitfire and I think as you get older we’ll be able to help you channel your, um, passion… but for now WOO GIRL. Those tantrums!!

Let’s talk about your sunny side, though. You’re a sweetheart most of the time and love to give mama hugs, and you’ve been giving daddy kisses lately, too. You’re certainly not as affectionate as Benjamin was, but hey if it’s not your personality who can really fault you for it?

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You are still pretty much a mama’s girl but you are getting more and more independent and like to do your own thing (the way you want to do it) a lot of the time, too. You still are not walking. I’m sure you know how but you just like making me tote you everywhere. Mhm, I’m onto you, girl. Mama knows these tricks.

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Some things you love:

  • “talking” on the phone
  • Hello Kitty
  • Your bubba
  • eating
  • playing outside
  • Dylan
  • eating
  • singing “Roll the Gospel Chariot Along”
  • eating
  • bath time
  • the wiggles
  • and eating.

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Maybe next month we can update that you’re walking but you know what? All in your own time, I suppose. We learned very early on not to compare you to any other baby because you will do your own thing!

You are wearing 12 months clothes still, and you’re a wittle thing but I think you may have actually gained a pound, who knows?

Can’t wait to continue to see you grow, sweet Clara! It’s always an adventure with you!