Look how cute I am sitting up in my chair!
So proper. So well behaved. I'm not going anywhere, I swear.
Who me?
Wheee! Look, Mama, no hands!
Can you see all my teeth? I have six. I'm probably growing more too. I am SO going to have braces.
OOhhh. Can I have the camera?
It seems like financial advice is everywhere these days. We’re all stressed out about the economical crisis and what it is going to do to our monthly budgets. There are books, blogs and articles a-plenty with fantastic suggestions to cut costs and make wiser choices.
However, there is usually more to it than just reading an advice column. In fact, there is more to it than just reading the book I am about to recommend. Fortunately, this book is not only inspiring; it is also loaded with clear, practical steps to financial freedom.
Though a Crown veteran, I am by no means an economical pro. Finances, for me, are something that need to be revisited every few years. Free & Clear was not only thorough enough for someone who is just beginning to search for financial wisdom, but also refreshing for the person who needs a reminder for why they need to stick with God’s money plan.
Yes, God does indeed have a plan for your money. What’s that? It’s all His anyway? Oh yeah. Good point.
I really enjoyed the narrative of this book. There are charts and stats and pages to fill out and great homework, but it tells the story of people who were where you may be and how they were able to push their head above the surface and get to the shore.
It takes more than just a good book to become debt-free. It takes an insane amount of hard work and determination to continue to choose to make wise choices. Free & Clear is a great first step to take you down that path.
Last weekend we were able to go over to the zoo for the annual Zoo Goes Boo event! I love that we live so close (three blocks!) and it was fun to go for this 'preschoolers only' day. There were tons of super cute kiddos in costumes and of course, we love to see all the animals out and about.
Baby however, didn't enjoy getting into her costume. Oh little bug, you're so cute!
Hay mazes, trick or treating, musical guests...ok, so there was this one guy on a guitar. It sounded like there was a whole band, but it was just him. We kind of chuckled over that. Luckily, he was pretty decent.
"Look, Mama! A lion!"
"Can I go play with the lion? It looks cuddly."
"No? Ah gee."
Sheesh. Nine already? You're such a big girl! Yesterday you got a couple nine month shots and I'll be honest, I wasn't very happy with your doctor. The shots weren't so bad but he was a replacement for the fellow you usually see and he wasn't my favorite. I haven't been giving you every single one of the scheduled vaccines, not because I think the pharmaceutical companies are only out for money (which they probably are) and not that I'm not going to have you get most of them eventually, but because I just don't like the idea of your tiny little body getting such huge doses all at once. Just my preference. I guess I was just frustrated with him because he kept calling you a "he", which obviously meant he wasn't reading your chart, he was putting down the nurse who had just taken your size stats and then he was so sarcastic with me about "wanting to leave baby open to danger longer." Seems like he could have shared his concerns with me a bit more respectfully. Next time I'll take you back to the other doctor.
You love anything that involves being outside or with lots of people. The grocery store provides both tons of entertainment for you and lots of oohs & aahs from everyone around you. We walk outside almost every day. To the store, on the biking path, up the big hill (great for Mama's butt) or just around the neighborhood. Next to tubby time, I think it's your favorite.
You are crawling all over the place and climbing up and cruising anything and everything. We can't just leave you in one place and walk away anymore--the house is getting more baby-proofed every day. I never before thought about whether or not our trash can had to have a lid on it. It is a good thing that all of our staircases have doors though. We don't need any tumbles on that noggin of yours. You knock it on enough things as it is...
The day that the kitty discovered you could get over to her was a sad day in her furry life. Now she has to sit up high on the furniture or hide in the basement from you. She doesn't mind it when you pet her, but she doesn't like being chased. You also learned to play Babyzilla with your Little People toys. Smash those people, baby girl!
You are finally back to sleeping through the night (mostly) which makes Mama & Daddy very happy indeed. Very. Happy. It is always so intriguing to me how your schedule changes so randomly. You just switched from a 7-7 nighttime to an 8pm-9am nighttime and it works out so much better for everyone! You won't have to go immediately to bed from church on Saturday nights, though Sunday morning will be coming super early for you this week.
You follow me around the house and all over the place. It's so hysterical to see your little personality come out as you want to be with us and help with whatever we're doing. I think Daddy has sent out several emails that you helped him to type.
You love all the food I make you. I've taken to putting pears or bananas into practically everything that I make. You eat your beans & peas & corn now with no fuss at all. Though the sweet potatoes and plain pears are still your #1 fav. It seems like you spend a lot of time every day in your high chair. You do love to eat! Somehow, you're still a 50% baby though, which I am thankful for. You fit all your clothes just when you are supposed to. Except for shoes, of course. Those tootsies of yours are tiny!
Books hold new interest for you. You used to only like the books that had fuzzy patches or something to touch or grab, but now you seem to really enjoy looking at the pictures and turning the pages and hearing the story. Good thing too...you won't run out of books for years!
This month you started clapping and giving fives and learning how to really work some of your toys. You love to play the bongos and shake the shakers and help Daddy strum his guitar. You want to talk on my phone and Basically, you're doing all kinds of stuff now. You have wants and not just needs. You have preferences, likes & dislikes. You are becoming a real little person.
Every day brings a new pile of cuteness. I can't stop kissing your sweet little cheek and holding your tiny little fingers. I love the times of day when I get to cuddle and feed you and just enjoy our quiet time together. I love you my sweet girl.
Last Sunday we went apple picking. Our first family apple picking event ever. I may have gone once as a kid myself, but I don't frankly remember. I've picked cherries and blueberries and strawberries and a few other things ending with -ies, but no apples.
Anyway, the past few days have been spent working on applesauce, freezing apples to make apple crisp (easier and, in my opinion, better than pie) as well as freezing a bunch of my veggies from our farm share.
Some nights are easier than others. It's hard to know when the problem is teething or when it is sleeplessness or when it is hunger. Or just plain anti-sleep baby.
Harvested from the garden.
Washed and dried.
Mashed.
Simmering with a side of mashing.
Cooked for 15 minutes.
Pouring through cheesecloth.
Straining overnight.
Chilling and straining.
Chilled and strained.
Ready.
Cheers!
After harvesting, washing, mashing, cooking and straining the grapes, I poured it into a wine glass with a splash of sparkling water.
Sweet girl, you have had a good month. Your little body has been growing and learning and stretching at every moment. You recognize your name and some of the names of people around you. While you haven't said "Mama", you know that that is who I am.
Finger foods are very manageable for you now. You've got the pincher grasp down and are so happy with a bowl of O's, baby puffs or bananas to snack on. You love your sweet tators and pears best of all, but will tolerate pretty much anything so long as it is paired with a bite of some rice cereal.
You like to spend as much time standing as you possibly can. Some days we have to force you to sit or lie down and work other muscles, otherwise you'd never get any other exercise. And the books say you have to, so we've got to follow the books, right? Work those abs, baby!
Whether it's at the coffee table, the couch, the tub or around the outside of the exer-saucer you are quite the little cruiser. Not that you seem to go very fast and you don't really appear to be in a hurry for any real walking, but you're darn cute pounding your little hands or toys on the table.
I knew you were teething lately, but I had no idea that you would turn out to be a tiny vampire. Apparently, I am going to have to start stocking up on red meat.
We've started your sewing lessons this month. Won't be long before you can start putting together your own home made clothes. It's just tricky keeping your fingers out from under the needle...
Every day we try to spend time outside. Either walking or playing in the yard or going to the park. You love feeling the breeze and watching the world go by. Everything holds so much interest and it's so fun to see you experience all the different things in life for the first time.
Your favorite toy this month was the spinners. Tops. Anything we could put on a hard surface and twirl. You'll crawl for them, stare at them, do your tummy time for them. Spin, spin, spin.
My little boppy girl. We had to put the rocker and a few of your other baby things away this month as you are starting to outgrow them. A little comparison maybe? To how tiny you were when you first were sleeping here?
Baby girl. Eight months seems so old! Sigh. Can't you just quit growing? Pretty please?
