Family Update

Hello There..
I just want to update all readers: I am feeling quite a bit better about things.  I think I have found some peace in knowing that this stage is just that- a short phase in our lives, of which there will be others but will pass.  I recognize that our family is not the first or last to experience these "growing pains."  There are hard parts right now, but things will get better.  There will be other hard parts later, but will also improve or pass.

And quickly, I think.  Geneva starts Preschool tomorrow (Monday).  I think she will love getting back into a structured environment where she will be challenged, get to have new experiences, and benefit from being part of a small class of other young children.  Since visiting her school on Friday, meeting her classroom, and playing a bit in her classroom, she has been talking all weekend about going back and how she is excited to learn.  She says she is especially looking forward to learning how to write and draw.

It has helped, also, to hear from other parents who have said that their three-year olds have or are currently challenging and arguing with them at every turn.  Two years old was a very easy year with Geneva because she could speak so well, but now she is testing her limits and independence and trying out her voice and opinions.  I feel like with loving boundaries, she (and we) will successfully come through this stage.

We have had two difficult nights in a row with Cecily crying for hours on end and a few vomiting sessions.  In our sleep-deprived states, we did not have the clarity of mind that we do now- but Greg and I think that her symptoms look like she has been experiencing acid reflux at night.  If this is true, it would explain why she can only sleep in the swing at night.  And, as we have tested and realized, the swing must be upright.  I hope to get her into the doctor on Monday so that we can discuss other comfort measures.

I'd love to hear from other parents who have experienced either of these issues- 3 year old difficulties or acid reflux in babies.

Soo... Onto some pictures :)

My dad came to visit us last weekend.  It was especially nice because we had been planning to visit him, but realized that it would be impossible due to Cecily's reliance on the swing to sleep at night.  He surprised us and even looked after both girls so Greg and I could go out to dinner.  "Grampy Poo" (as Geneva calls him) got a good taste of both of them as he dealt with Cecily vomiting on him and Geneva throwing a bedtime tantrum that ended in her peeing on the floor.  Thank goodness for the love and tolerance of grandparents.

This was Cecily's first time in a bath tub.  She liked being submerged in warm water rather than lying on the newborn sponge. 

 I just love how babies look all swaddled up.  Both of our girls have been reliant on swaddling to sleep.

These are some of Cecily's first social-play smiles.  I was kissing her neck and shoulder and pulling away and she would smile. 

 Here is Geneva with my nursing cover "feeding" her Ariel Barbie Doll.

We had a lovely little rain shower last Monday.  Geneva wanted to go "look" at the rain and I started to call her back in so she wouldn't get her pajamas wet, but then I thought better of it and let her stay outside and play.  She loved prancing around and even just sitting down on chairs to let the rain hit her. Living in the desert, during a drought, has given us all a newfound appreciation of rain and water.

Speaking of rain, we just came out of a little afternoon storm.  Greg's mother has been visiting this weekend.  We are so grateful of her love, patience, and presence here as we have been in the midst of back to back sleepless nights.  At this moment, she is at the grocery store with Greg, Geneva is sleeping off some major post-swimming grumpies, and Cecily is getting a cat nap in her bouncy seat.

God is good and giving.  We will weather the storms together as a family and come out to sunshine.