Thankful Heart

1.) Devoted, loyal  husband

2.) Beautiful, sweet daughter

3.) Caring and involved parents and in-loves

4.) Compassionate, dependable sisters

5.) Loving friends

6.) Cuddly, cute pooch

7.) Passionate church

8.) Transforming Bible Study

9.) Friendly community

10.) Unconditional, perfect, forgiving, merciful, sinless, gracious, loving, servant, peaceful, precious, mighty, (and the list goes on and on)  Heavenly Father

I am blessed.

Closet Listener

It's official....the Christmas music has turned on here in Chicagoland. I confess I love Christmas music and totally listen to it.  But I do admit that some of it gets a little old by the time Christmas rolls around.  But it just puts me in such a great mood.  Especially the classics! It's funny because every year I tell myself this year will be different.  I'll wait until Thanksgiving, but I totally get sucked in.  I refer to myself as a closet listener because my hubby doesn't approve of it before Thanksgiving.  Don't get me wrong, Thanksgiving is a great holiday and one that needs to be recognized.  I look forward to November as a month where I look more closely at my life and realize all I have to be grateful for.  As a family we do not decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving...but I do sneak a listen here and there. 

What are your thoughts?  Are you a closet listener like me?  Or like my hubby and prefer to wait until after Thanksgiving?

  

Dear Anya, Happy 6 months!

Dear Anya,
A half a year ago I was giving birth to a beautiful baby girl...YOU!  What a joy our life has been now that you are in it!  This has been the fastest 6 months of my life.  This month has been full of new adventures and developments.  You have started solids and love them.  So far you have tried rice cereal, apple sauce, peas, sweet potatoes, pears, and string beans.  You love apple sauce and sweet potatoes...but are still getting accustomed to the green beans.  Daddy loves watching the silly faces you make when you swallow it.  I have started to eat dairy again as it is not bothering your tummy anymore:-) 

Aside from eating, you have become a total wiggle worm! It is impossible to get your diapers on without you rolling over.  The other day Grandma Nilsson babysat you and she put your diaper on backwards.  I can only imagine how squiry you were for her that she thought she had it on the right way!  You are still stationary, but want to crawl so badly!  Actually  you want to walk so badly...we do "walking, walking" and you put one foot in front of the other.  It's adorable! 

This month you went to your first pumpkin patch, celebrated your first Halloween, and started sitting like a big girl in your stroller for walks.  You love being able to face out see the world.  The colorful leaves and your best friend Charlie have all of your attention!  We read books all the time, but when you are sitting on my lap you just want to put the book in your mouth.  You love grabbing your feet, it's so precious to watch.

It looks like you are going to be getting your first tooth soon.  I see a tiny white spot on your gums.  Mommy is still waiting for the nights when you are constantly sleeping through the night.  A few days earlier this week you slept 11 straight hours!!  But then last night you woke up 3x.  Mommy is tired, but I'll do anything for you. 

We are excited to see you grow this next month!  We have a doctor's appointment in a few days so we will find out how much you weigh and how long  you are now!  My arms have started hurting when I hold you so I am guessing over 20 lbs!

 Love you always,
Mommy