Pictures

Sisters.

That sweet smiles comes easier every day.

Aliza has declared these items as her favorite things. She revealed them at her "favorite things show."

Confidence Booster

While discussing with Meghan whether we would get together on Thursday morning, I looked out the window and saw that I had a flat tire. Jeremy put air in it and could hear the air running out of it as soon as it was full. We knew that I could get to the tire center safely if I left as soon as he pumped up the tire. Jeremy called the tire center and they estimated 45 minutes to patch a tire. I figured I could survive in the small play room for that long--since I really do like having transportation at my disposal. We planned for me to get the tire fixed Friday morning.

We arrived at the tire center at 10:15. Aliza and Josiah had spent 5 minutes in the play room before so they were really looking forward to it. They went straight to play and I checked the car in. Jeremy stopped by to make sure we got there ok and then he headed off to work. Aliza colored and Josiah played with trucks and tractors. They stayed in the play area. They shared toys with the other children that came in. Anna laid on the bench beside me and looked around. Aliza stopped being a dinosaur and making siren noises when I directed her to. It was a most amazing experience....that lasted for not just 45 minutes, but ONE HOUR and 45 minutes.

When it came time to pack up and pay it got a bit hairy since Josiah was quite interested in the tire display and Aliza was interested in the candy machines on the other side of the showroom. A kind employee asked if he could help and I let him carry Anna to the car. The bill was far less than I expected and they showed me an at least 3 inch piece of what appeared to be a kitchen knife that was my tire. Thankfully they were able to patch the tire on the inside and we didn't have to buy a new one.

We got in the car and I told Aliza and Josiah how proud I was of them. We got McDonalds for lunch as a treat. They both even got a milkshake with their Happy Meal. Believe me I would have given them a million dollars if they asked. To top it off the toys in their meals were perfect. Josiah got a truck with a snow plow attachment and Aliza got a My Little Pony. A first for her. She played with that pony all afternoon and evening and is still playing with it this morning.

That was an experience I needed to continue on this journey of parenting. I must be doing something right. A retired woman was sitting beside me and even told me I was a good Mom. Seriously, I needed that!

Must be Baby Blues

I'm sure hoping that my recent feelings of inadequacy and low level of self-confidence, preoccupation with how much weight I have yet to lose, and seemingly constant frustrations with my older children can be chalked up to baby blues. Instead of airing all the details I'll just leave it at that and write again when I'm feeling a bit better about life!

After Almost 2 Years...

....of pulling out my hair and banging my head against the wall, Aliza is finally pooping in the potty! I cannot describe how profoundly exciting this is to me. The first night it happened I was at Bible study. When I came home Aliza tapped me on the shoulder and whispered in my ear that she peed and pooped at the same time. I started feeling for wet thinking I needed to change her and didn't feel anything. I asked if Daddy had helped her. She said "No, I pooped in the potty." I said, "You did??? YOU DID!!!!" I wrapped her up in the arms and gave her a huge hug. When I looked at her she had the proudest smile on her face and happy tears in her eyes. I was done in. My eyes were teary and I looked at Mom, who happened to be there, and her eyes were teary too. Since then there has not been an accident and she has told me several times, "Mom, I'm getting the hang of it."

Here's what happened. Aliza went 12 days without pooping. I had to do some serious intervention and we got her back on track. My solution to preventing this problem was stool softener and that seems to have been just what was needed. Why, oh why, didn't I think of this 18 months ago? I had a feeling there was something wrong with the trainer... One day I will apologize to my little girl for all the spankings she endured during the time when we thought that might motivate her in the right direction. The final threat was that she would not be able to have her 5th birthday party until she was pooping in the potty. It looks like she will have her party on time!

(Christie, the first time was the same day we talked.)

Anna--2 Months

Once I start kissing those cheeks it is very hard to stop! Right now Anna is laying beside me talking and smiling. She likes to stay up late and talk to Mommy and Daddy. Very soon Anna will be enrolled in the Heslop Family School of Falling-Asleep-By-Yourself.

Rooftops by Jesus Culture

I have not been able to get enough of this song. I could listen to it over and over and over. Not that I ever have a chance to listen to adult music. This Jesus Culture is in the car now and today Aliza said "Is this the Rooftop song again?" My response, Yes, it is as I turned it up loud enough that I would not be able to hear any little voices over the music!



Here I am before You, falling in love and seeking Your truth
Knowing that Your perfect grace has brought me to this place
Because of You I freely live, my life to You, oh God, I give
So I stand before You, God
I lift my voice cause You set me free

So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours

All the good You've done for me, I lift up my hands for all to see
You're the only one who brings me to my knees
To share this love across the earth, the beauty of Your holy worth
So I kneel before You, God

I lift my hands cause You set me free

So I shout out Your name, from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours
All that I am, I place into Your loving hands
And I am Yours, I am Yours

Here I am, I stand, with arms wide open
To the One, the Son, the Everlasting God

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday it took all of us to give Anna a bath. I'm still loving that puj tub!

Yesterday Aliza had a photoshoot with her most favorite book. There were at least 15 pictures of the book in various poses on my camera.

Today Anna weighs 11 lbs. 11 oz.

Today I made a major step towards becoming addicted to the Amazon Kindle. If only I could borrow digital books!
Today Grandad brought Josiah a box of scrap wood so that Josiah can build.

Today Josiah learned to cut. He concentrated so hard that his mouth opened and closed with the scissors.

Today I remembered that I forgot to say that I'm going to be an aunt again!!! Janell is expecting a baby in August.

Today we spent 45 minutes at the table doing crafts. Entertaining Aliza for that long is near impossible!
Today Aliza made a doll house out of construction paper. Each paper is a room. She cut out pieces for each room from papers she had printed then glued them.

Today Anna got shots so she hung out with me in the Moby Wrap. Her little legs were sore. =(

Today I love that Aliza provides me with blackmail for the future with her self-portraits.