Happy Eighth Month Birthday My Little Baby Lady

Dear Jennavieve,

It's amazing being your momma. Let me tell you that. I am amazed by your abilities every single day. You are so smart, adventurous and pretty too. Quite the triple threat when you get older, heck it's s triple threat now! Let's see if momma can try to recap the last month to you in a letter. It gets harder and harder writing you letters because you take up so much of my time, but it's your nap time now!

This month a lot of life-changing things happened for our family. We went to Idaho to do the technical evaluation with Mission Aviation Fellowship. We took a LONG car ride (about 11 hours) to Idaho and you did great. You slept a lot of the time. Some time towards the end you decided that 10 hours was your limit in the car, but you held on until we finally got to Nampa, Idaho.

We had fun in Nampa while daddy was doing his evaluations. We got to meet The Scheers with their son Blake. You liked little Blake the moment you saw him. I think he was 18months and could run and play. He could do all the things you wanted to do. Which made you extra eager to get a move on. Before our trip you could sit and reach for things you wanted, but you really couldn't full on crawl. During this trip you figured out how to crawl fast and pull yourself up on things! Oh and you also got two teeth!!! I think you were trying to catch up with lil' Blake. :) We went to the Boise Zoo with them and you saw a lot of animals for the first time! Your grandma and grandpa Reed gave us money to buy you a souvenir and we bought you a giraffe from the zoo! I wonder if you still have it today?

It was also fun to walk around headquarters with you because everyone thought you were so pretty and fun! I put fun flower headbands on you and that helped everyone to want to come and see you. You loved all the attention. Sometimes I had to go and talk with a few people and put you on the floor. For the most part you did great playing with the toys I brought for you. Other times you decided it was too boring staying in a cubicle and you tried to make an escape. :)

Because of the weather for Daddy's flying, we had some extra time to go and do things. We took you to a park in Boise and you saw ducks and geese for the first time close up! You wanted to chase them and catch them when we held you up so you could walk. This was also the trip where you saw grass for the first time! You loved it! In fact I think you could sit in it all day and be content. Well... I guess not all day.

We also got a chance to visit with the Maddox's while we were in Idaho. One morning momma and you had breakfast with Miss Sarah and her sons Jesse Jay and Tobey. Tobey thought your flower was so cool and wanted to touch it! He also thought you were pretty cool and kept wanting to hug and try to kiss you. He ended up kissing you during that morning. So you officially got your first kiss too on this trip. I am not sure you wanted that kiss as you were trying to move away from the boy. They say they're raising him with the best intentions, so I don't think it was all that bad. ;)

On the way home from the trip you did great again. You are such a great kid for road trips. I hope you get used to them because we'll be taking a lot of them. We passed our evaluation which means that we'll be moving overseas to be missionaries with Mission Aviation Fellowship. I am sure you'll love living in another country because you are so adventurous and friendly right now. I am excited for you to learn a second language. You'll probably be more fluent in it than me and translate for us when we're overseas. I hope you get to learn as many languages as you'd like. Learning languages is fun and it helps us to communicate with everyone!

Lately momma's been making your food more and more. She just isn't happy with the gross meat products they have available for you to eat in the baby food aisle. In fact most of the food available for you now in the stores has some meat in it...gross. So momma is making your food. She made some zucchini with millet and apple, asparagus "risotto" and is trying out some more recipes. So far you've liked everything you've had with the exception of Yams (not to be confused with sweet potatoes because you love those) and though you ate the asparagus, you liked it better when we added applesauce to it. :)

You are talking a lot these days too. Lately you've learned how to use your tongue and you've been using that to make la sounds. You watch momma and daddy very carefully to try to match how we say things. Your sounds this month have been: mamama, papappa, babababa, lala and some random sputtering sounds. You've actually said Mo for More and Pup for up and Pu for puffs. Unfortunately it's not consistent yet, but you are really trying to use words which makes momma happy! We're trying to also teach you sign language so you can communicate that way too.

Well... I hope to add pictures to this post when I get time but I wanted to put it on record how well you are doing! We love you so much and love to see how you are growing!

Love,

Mama

New Morning Traditions

It's been kind of a whirlwind having an 8 month old moving around this house. Thank goodness most kids don't remember the first year or two! Because getting used to momma-hood has been tricky. You just figure out one way of doing things that works and then the baby adapts and needs a different way. It's kinda like a virus/disease/Star Trek Borg, but a good. :)

We are trying to sleep train the little one and it's been tricky. I am SO tired of reading book after book on different methods. I've decided just to do what feels right for me and my little girlie. It gets hard when she's sick or now teething because she wakes in pain. Plus I've run out of overnight diapers so that's hard too! I really need to buy more so she doesn't wake as easily. But that's for another day.

Lately I've decided that I want to set a good example for my daughter. I know, crazy right? I didn't really remember growing up reading the bible every morning or doing devotions, but I know I want my daughter to have those habits and patterns. Every morning we'll read her bible and she'll get a lesson in Portuguese and Swahili (because those are the language books I have right now that are close to a language we might learn in the future depending on where we go with MAF) I started this before but I kinda slacked off for a few months. No more! She LOVES books so I need to read them to her. :)

Right now I am slacking and writing this while she watches Sid the Science kid and bounces happily in her bouncer. I know I wanted to do the no television thing, but I figure she's hearing continual language from it (or the radio) and I only watch shows that are either kid shows or comedies. She loves text and it does help once in a while when I need it. Because honestly, there's only so much we can do and play right now! I can't wait until she's a little older and we can do some fun crafts, games and songs. I am trying to enjoy this phase though! :)

Okay.... I think I need to jet, the show is almost over!

Blessings,

Kristine

It's been a while!

Things have been busy with the Reed household. I am debating on whether to merge our two blogs into one since our family will soon be missionaries with MAF. That's right.. we are just a two week step away from becoming full-time missionaries with Mission Aviation Fellowship.

In case you don't follow my other blog, "Taking off with the Reeds" our family just got back from two weeks of evaluations with Mission Aviation Fellowship and we passed! This summer we go back for Candidacy and at that time they will show us more about their organization and show us the opportunities to serve. By the end of the two weeks we should have a country! Praise God! Then we do some other trainings and after that we full-time fundraise until all support is met. Sometime within that time we'd also like to have a second child, but I am not pregnant and won't be until maybe next January or something. We're still working out timing details.

I still need to write Jenna's letters....she's so busy these days that time flies by! She's crawling, pulling herself up on things and eating solids. She also babbles a lot. Right now she's got a stomach bug, which isn't so fun for anyone!

But the real reason I am writing is that since it's just me and baby I need an avenue for my thoughts! Today I went to Winco and walked there. Since it's a great day (and Jenna's not 100%) I put on the hiking baby carrier and was on my way. I got the usual What the ? looks, some smiles but most again had never seen a hiking carrier before. It was today, well it was last time too, but today I realized that when you become a mom...you have no shame.

What do I mean by this? Well things that before would make you think twice before leaving the house, you don't care about. Say there's a stain on your shirt that happened right before you are going to leave and you have your kid packed up.... you leave. Who cares if people see you in a stained shirt? Or today when I was walking around in the crazy looking carrier. Yes I could do the more fashionable front pack...but 1) It hurts my back 2) Jenna doesn't last long in it and 3) it doesn't have sun protection for Jenna. The hiking pack is definitely the better choice because: Jenna loves it, it has sun protection and my back thanks me. So what if people stare at me like I am some crazy woman. I don't care! :)

There are other things like this as well. You just do what you can and try your best. That's really all you can do as a mom...or even a human being! Sometimes getting out is worth not having things perfect. :)

Seven Months of my Lady Baby

Dear Lady Baby,

It seems like yesterday that I was writing your six month letter! How the time flies. It might be because I've been super busy trying to get everything ready for the technical evaluation we have with MAF next week! This month you've blossomed and are really growing into your own little personality.

You can pretty much crawl all around the floor in your own way. I have to look around to make sure that you aren't getting into things now! You can sit up on your own and even get to a sitting up position from being on your back. Sometimes now you even pull yourself up on things. I think it's not long until you are a walking girl. That both excites me and tires me to think of it because I know then I'll have to really be on my toes!

You figured out how to use the jumperoo this month that Grandma and Grandpa Reed bought you. It was like a switch turned on in your head and all of a sudden you started using your little legs to jump up and down. You can go for quite a while in that thing when you want to. One day you jumped so long that you fell asleep in the jumper! Don't worry, we didn't let you nap in there. We took you out and you weren't happy and ended up taking a nap.

Lately you've been talking up a storm. This month you've done a great job of really looking at the adults when they talk, especially me. You've said Mo for More, Uh for Up and even moved your little hand in an approximation of please. In the car you babble all the time. Sometimes you say mamamama, or babababa or any number of combinations. You never cease to amaze me. I really think you said Jesus the other day. No joke! We were in bed and talking about church and out popped that. Daddy heard you too. He said maybe it was a sign that we were supposed to go to church that Sunday or at least open the bible. Speaking of which, I need to read you your bible more. I was doing so well and now that I've been overwhelmed I've been slacking. Not cool. I'll make it up to you. :)

On the food front, we're continuing to feed you solids. You seem to like everything we put in front of you. I've noticed that you like Sweet Potatoes but only tolerate Yams. I mean you'll eat them, but you definitely know the difference between the two. That's my smart girl. :) I am now going to start feeding you twice a day. I need to figure everything out but so far you've eaten: Sweet Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Yams, Butternut Squash, Zucchini, Bananas and Pears. Maybe I need to add more variety to your meals? I'll try to do that more this next month. I make most of your food but sometimes I buy containers of baby food. Right now it's mainly organic because I feel that's best at the moment since you are so young. Maybe I'll change my tune later...but we'll see.

We got a hiking carrier this month and you LOVE it. I seriously can take you anywhere and you'll be perfectly content in it. I took a long walk with you in the carrier and we went to Winco. Everyone thought I was crazy, but I don't care and you don't either. I think you and I have kinda kindred spirits when it comes to adventure. We both love to be independent and to see the world.

Your daddy and I are so excited that you are growing up to be such an intelligent, funny, adventurous little lady. We love you so very very much and look forward to the month ahead!

Love,

Momma

Six Month Letter to Jenna

My Dear Jennavieve,

I simply cannot believe it's been six months since we were in the hospital. Sometimes it seems like yesterday, then other days it seems like it was ages ago! This past month you've grown leaps and bounds developmentally. I think one thing that's most notable is your ability to sit by yourself and play by yourself on the floor for a good 10-15 minutes. This may not seem long, but believe me it is! You are beginning to be able to entertain yourself and that's awesome. I love the little person you're becoming.

Because we are so busy daily, it's hard to recall every single thing that happened within this month. We did start solid food. Well when I say solid I mean watery food, but it's definitely different than milk! So far you love all the foods you've tried (Butternut Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Peas and Zuchinni). Your favorite is the Butternut Squash. I made sure to make up a bunch of that in the freezer. I am not sure what we'll try next...maybe carrots? I want to start you on all the basic veggies and then build on that. We won't have fruits for a little bit. If we do, we might start you on apples or pears.

This past month it seems you've been sick every week with maybe a week in-between when you weren't sick. It seems every time we go to the church nursery you get a cold from there. It could just be a coincidence, but I want my baby to be healthy! It makes me sad to hear you coughing at night or have you upset because your nose constantly runs. Plus you tend to choose to wipe your nose on everything, including my shirts. Now I love you but, um, that's gross. I'd like to be able to wear the same clothes most of the day. Granted I just kinda go with the flow and let the spit up or snot dry. Yes I know you think it's gross but why dirty another shirt or pants? You'll understand when you have kids of your own someday.

This month you really seem to get excited when Daddy comes home. There's a sense of joy on your face when he notices you and puts you on his shoulders. That's your absolute favorite place to be! Oh speaking of Daddy...this month you saw him get baptized! How special is that! It's like he wanted to wait until you came into his life to show you how much he loves the Lord. You did great at the baptism and even met Karen, Brock's wife. That was fun! She gave us a great lullaby CD. I hope we'll use it a lot because it's very relaxing.

Lately I've been trying to learn how to sew you different things. So far I've made you: headbands, leggings, leg warmers, shoes/slippers and two dresses. I've figured out a pattern and am going to make you more dresses soon. I just love seeing you in a dress! You are so pretty! You're growing more hair too and that's exciting! Soon we'll be able to put little clips in your hair! Yay!

We went to the doctor and you got your six month checkup and shots. Here are your stats: Height 25 3/4" (53rd percentile), Weight 15lbs 13 oz (47th percentile) and Head Circum 46.1 cm (95+ percentile). You still have a huge head, but we are hoping that'll even out in the next few months. I keep saying that just means you are a smartie. :) You are one intelligent, expressive little girl and we love you!

Love Always,

Momma

Preparation

Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

You ever feel like God was preparing you for something? You know...allowing you to go through things so that you are more prepared for what's to come? That's kinda how I am feeling right now.

Some days I think about how we are living pretty far from my family and closest friends. I think about how it's been a little more difficult to navigate new motherhood without much family nearby and with friends that are mom's but also work. I think about how it's sometimes hard to have the baby the entire day while Eric goes to work and then again when he comes home and needs to work some more on school, bible and flying stuff. I think about how everything related to the house is now my responsibility on top of having a little baby. As you can see... I think about a lot of things.

But with this time period that's harder, I realize, God must be working in me to help prepare me for something more in the future. Nothing happens in this world for a reason. Of this I am certain. Maybe God is transforming me into a strong mother and wife. Maybe God is preparing me for missionary work in the future and all these things that have happened in my life are leading up to long term separation from family and friends as well as having to solely rely on Eric and myself to take care of the children. (We hope to have one more child in the next couple years) Also sometimes lately it seems Miss J is sick and we have to stay home from church. So God has been working in us on how to "go to church" while being at home.

I don't know what God's preparing me for, but I will follow obediently until I see where He leads me. Be that a long-term missionary or something else. Sometimes the joy is in the journey, that's what I have to remember. :)

This too shall pass....

Well life as a momma has it's ups and downs. There are the times where your baby laughs and giggles and plays with you joyfully. Then there are times where all they seem to know how to do is scream and claw and kick. In those times it's important to remember that 1) God has a plan and 2)this too shall pass.

Some mothers adore the first six months of life with their little baby. They love that the baby depends on them for everything. They love everything that comes with that age. While I love my daughter, I simply can't wait for her to get a little older so I can play with her, talk with her, laugh with her and dream with her. Right now she can't talk, can sit up but hasn't figured out how to move yet so she gets frustrated all the time, cries/fusses sometimes for long stints of time and well is NOT a hugger or cuddly baby.

Some mommas get cuddly babies. You know those ones that love to snuggle and be held close. Pretty much since we got home from the hospital and she's hated swaddling, not enjoyed being hugged or being close. I always dreamed my little one would want the snuggle and cuddle, maybe that will come with our second child (in the future). For now this girl is active. Simply always wanting to be on the move and get into whatever her little hands can get a hold of. She's very intelligent and loves interaction with people, but is definitely hard to please. It kinda wears on me at times because at her age, there's only so many things you can do! (Walk around with her, sit on the floor and play with her, push her in the stroller, swing her in the swing, introduce new toys to her, sing songs with her...etc.) Once those few options run out, then creativity must take hold or else she decides she's going to be upset.

When I tell other moms that I can't wait for her to get out of this stage, they look at me in disbelief. Like somehow I don't love my daughter. They said to cherish these moments because they go so fast. It sometimes bugs me the looks I get when I say such things, but you know what... I stand by my statement. It will be SO much fun when I can teach her new words, sing WITH her not just to her, have dance parties, go exploring and discuss God with her. I think that will be the golden age for me!

Until then I have to remember it's been almost six months and I've survived. The next couple months will fly by... this too shall pass.