Is it just me or...

is it possible that we have a red head or at least strawberry blonde little girl in our family?

I really can't wait to see what her hair color ends up being. My guess is blondish with possible red hue and some curl or at least wave to it.

I know she's mine and I am just a wee bit prejudice...but is this the cutest baby or what?

She's such a sweet baby, too. She sleeps most nights completely in her bassinett beside my bed. All night. And, when she does wake, I can typically give her a paci and she settles back down. And, if that doesn't do the trick, I just hold her in bed with me. But, this all usually happens within an hour of our normal "getting up" time of 6:00 so it's not even like it is the middle of the night. She's a good baby. Even when we first brought her home, she only had to be fed once during the night. Once between 1 and 3, then up around 6 or 7. That's the best we've ever had at such a young age. All of this sounds so good, yet, I still feel like I could sleep for days and still not feel rested. I truly don't know how I functioned when we had Tate because he most definitely did not have these good sleeping habits.

Ada Grace is content most of the time. Except when she is in her car seat riding in the car. I would not describe most of her car riding times as "content". Unless she is asleep. Which most of the time in the car, she is not asleep. Mostly she is crying. Wailing, really. Sometimes, it is worse than others. Sometimes she cries so hard that she finally just gives up and falls asleep. Other times, she takes little breaks in the crying to whimper and catch her breath and sniffle. Heartbreaking little sniffles that melt your heart and make you never want to take her in the car seat again until she is at least 30.

Well, maybe not that long. But, you get the idea.

When she is crying, Cora will say, "Ada is not happy. Take her to MawMaw's house and leave her there." Or, Cora will start "wailing" with her because she thinks it's funny. She starts play crying VERY LOUDLY which really doesn't help. AT ALL.

When Ada is actually not crying in the car, Cora will say "Ada is happy. She's being very patient."

Can anyone guess how Cora knows the word "patient"? I say it to her multiple times a day...Cora is learning that patience is a virtue...one that she doesn't have most of the time. She mostly wants things NOW.

Which kind of reminds me of, well, ME. At least the whole wanting things NOW part. Mostly, I think I have patience. But, not always. Just ask my kids or Craig. They have all seen me lose my patience - time and time again.

With that, I think I will end my ramblings.

Ada Grace at 9 weeks

Guest Blogger Coming Right Up

I'm Back!!!! I hope.

We have new internet service, and people, I hope to be back for real this time. I am so excited! We just got "hooked up" today and so far so good. I just tried it out downloading the GA Aquarium picture of Ben (see last post) and it was sooooo fast! Like blink of an eye fast. Like lightening bolt fast. Like crazy fast like the way Craig and I will scarf down our food when the baby is sleeping and the other kids are occupied and we are out to eat, kind of fast.

So, a little something to look forward to. Craig is going to be "guest blogging" about his adventures with our kids - remember his Father's Day presents this year? Well, he went on almost all of his adventures this summer (see previous post pics for a sneak peek) and I am going to have him blog about what they did and post some more pics.

And, hopefully, he will go on his last adventure very soon! We are planning our camping trip for September which was what Ada gave him. But, this time, the whole family gets to go!

So, be on the lookout for more on that!

Off to see the Fishies...

A Knight's Tale

Water Park Bound

Belly Buttons

There has been quite a lot of discussion around here lately about belly buttons. Ada Grace's belly button has been the center of attention because as the kids put it "It's so yucky!"

When we first brought her home, the kids watched everything we did with her. In the course of things, they noticed her belly button and the remaining cord thingy that was still attached. They wanted to know what it was, did it hurt, why was it there, did they have that as a baby, when it would fall off, etc. We explained it all to them and that was that.

Except that everytime we would change her, they would ask about her belly button. Ben would cringe at the sight of it. He couldn't stand it. And, I will admit I cringed a bit, too, especially at the pediatrician's office when she pulled and poked at it and put some kind of "stuff" to help dry it out. Cora would examine it to see the progress of the "falling off parts".

When it finally did fall off, we were gone out to eat for our 10th anniversary. Upon our arrival back at home, the first thing out of the kids' mouths was "Ada's belly button fell off!" It was quite an exciting event.

Even though most of her belly button had healed, there were still a few lingering pieces left. So, Cora still made sure to check it daily for progress. After a couple of days, Cora proclaimed that Ada's "tummy hole is pretty good now." Her tummy hole??

Now, Ada's "tummy hole" is all better. We can even give her real baths. Ben no longer has to turn the other way when she is being changed. All is well.

But, alas, the fascination with belly buttons has not ended. The other day Ben asked Craig, "Did Jesus have a yucky belly button when he was a baby, too?"

(I think I'll end with that question because what can top that?)

Lolly