Training for Church

Gilana and Camelia have been having a rough time with the church nursery and we have been at our wits end trying to figure out how to get our family happily attending church.  After listening to the counsel of some parents of large families (one with 9 kids!) we have determined upon a route.  I will be training the girls to sit quietly for increasing periods of time every morning towards the end of having them sit through a service at church with us without being distractions!  We have seen this done with other young children, so we know that our aspirations (though high) are not unreasonable.  Now the only issue we face (other than Gigi and Meli's opposition) is my diligence.  Pray for diligence in this worthwhile cause!

This morning's quiet time went great for Gilana.  The picture says it all!

Sleepy girls

I write now because something rather odd has taken place in our home.  

Our daughters are sleeping.  

BOTH of them.

Camelia woke up a little early and insisted on an early nap.  

Fine for me, the girls are going to a birthday party today for Bailey.

Gilana, however, has yet to awaken from her evening slumber.

This is so refreshing for me.

Perhaps someone told Gigi that Saturdays are Sleep Days.

Camelia has several teeth coming in,

so she probably just needs some extra rest.
There are now 4 upper teeth and 2 lower.

Poor dear hasn't been interested in food lately, just nursing and water.

They do need to get up soon.

Did I mention the party starts in 5 minutes?

We might be late!

Gilana is Growing Up

Gilana is showing herself to be quite the young lady.  She now requires no monitoring (for the most part) to use the toilet during the day.  She is trying to speak in sentences uses 3 syllable words, and has been practicing saying "Gilana" and "Camelia" rather than the usual "Gigi" and "Ma."  Gilana is a dance-fiend, asking me on a regular basis for "dancing music," which implies something with a strong beat that she can shake her maracas to.  The "Mask of Zorro" soundtrack is her favorite, but she also enjoys similar gypsy style music and flamenco.  The girl just likes a rhythm!

She likes to sing the songs from Winnie the Pooh, do the motions to the Teddy Bear Teddy Bear poem (and can often be overheard reciting the poem), she LOVES the book Bear Snores On, and can finish every page when her daddy is reading it to her.

Gilana has a current fascination with the moon and the stars, and will often tell me about them and ask to go and see them at night.  She is quite the little explorer and such an excellent big sister, often asking for an extra morsel of food for Camelia whenever she gets a snack.

And another big development... Gilana can count to 5!

Gigi's Perfect Day

I asked Gilana what she wanted to do today and she responded "Kit-chien."  Which means she wanted to play with her kitchenette set and do some baking.  Next I asked her what would make this the perfect day.  Gilana answered without any hesitation, "Daddy home!"

As I write this Gilana has my phone and is trying to dial some numbers.  She is saying "Call Daddy!" Our big girl loves her Daddy.

Camelia's First Steps

We would like to record this monumental occasion as officially taking place yesterday on Daddy's day off.  Camelia stood and took two steps towards Daddy in order to give him a sweet kiss.  She has good control of her 22.2 pounds of baby chunk.  She is a darling little lovie!

Gilana's Great Successes

Gigi wet her bed twice last night, but hey, this is a brand new venture into foreign worlds of exotic expectations.  Today, however, has been an entirely different story.  Gilana started the day by bumping her head, leaning towards me, and reciting "Chissh, Mommy.  Chissh!"  I didn't understand at first, but then realised she wanted a kiss on her injured head.  I administered the requested cure, and Gigi pronounced herself healed with "aww betta"! 

Over the last two hours Gilana has requested assistance getting on and off the toilet and likewise taking her lovely "Merma" (princess) underwear off and on.  She has been very persistant about this, requesting assistance about every five minutes.  Please note that I was trying to iron some shirts (the results on this task were poor at best) and care for Meli at the same time.  All hoped-for productivity this week has been put on hold, as this is Gigi's Potty Training Intensive!  This last time Gilana was near frantic to get on the privy, but made it just in time to successfully take care of all her business.  She was shocked and pleased with herself, but the greatest pleasure came with the happy reward of a special M&M treat.

We are well on the road to a toilet trained toddler.

Potty Time

Today marks day two of our potty training adventure for our lovely 22 month old.  Yesterday went as expected with numerous accidents on the carpet, patio, garage floor, and twice in the crib at nap-time, all followed by a rush to the restroom to finish off the business there.  All in all a successful day.  Today, however, is not quite going as expected.  Gilana was slightly wet this morning, but after I woke her in attempt to use the toilet first thing, there has been nothing to report.  Nothing.  She has not relieved herself since that slight dampness this morning at 7 am.  It is now nearly 3 pm and while she has done some odd little dances and drank a large quantity of fluids she has not succumbed to the embarrassment of potty on the toilet.  I do not force her to sit there, but we do speak of it often.  The teddy bears have used it today and have gotten rewards for that, but Gigi has not.  She's a little tank, but alas, she will pop soon, and then I shall have a lot of cleaning on my hands.  The sterilizers and others cleaning instruments are ready, as are the change of sheets, clothing, and sweet little toddler undies.  We are on a mission to potty train.

Camelia at 9 months!

Camelia just hit the nine months mark today (Gilana is now 22 months).  Meli made it official yesterday by standing up in the middle of the room... and just stayed there, not sure what to do next other than balance in place and watch her sister's antics with Daddy.  She required so assistance to get up, stand there, or later to ease back down and crawl forward towards her next target.  Today she stood up next to the hutch and took some steps alongside.  She is such a sweet little gem, and we are so enjoying the pure joy of time with her.  She applauds exuberantly when Daddy comes home from work (or even comes back to her after being in another room), Camelia is quite gracious with offering her family kisses, and loves being loved.  She is a delightful little snuggle-chunk!

Birthday Adventuring

For several weeks Byron expressed his excitement for my birthday.  I on the other hand was not so thrilled.  My days had been rather long and trying, and I don't get excited about surprises because I don't know what I am supposed to be getting excited for.  So two days prior to the big day, Byron revealed his plans for me.  My excitement started to grow.

Morning with the girls

 

Breakfast with dear friends

Church, listening to a sermon by our beloved pastor with dear friends

Put the girls down for naptime at home and leave them to the care of Alexandru and Kelsey!


Sushi in Glendale

Stroll through the Americana

Couple's Massage

Stroll around Pasadena

Dinner at the Melting Pot

A FULL NIGHT'S Rest at our Honeymoon Hotel in Burbank

Home for a pool party with the cuties

Baseball Training

Daddy will be so proud...

Gilana found our sports collection and started naming off the baseballs and basketballs.  She then proceeded to extract the baseball glove from the assortment and inserted a baseball in the center.  Perfect fit!  All of this done without my involvement or input.  Little smarty.

Camelia's Teeth

Two more today! Now she has two bottom and one top right.  Lookout world, Camelia can bite!!

Sleeping progress

After Camelia's second crying episode of 2.5 hours tearing my heart to pieces, we decided to put the girls into separate rooms so that Camelia's stubborn sleep habits would not negatively impact Gilana.  I plan on them being in the same room again after this baby stage, but for now this is the best thing for our family.  Once Byron and I determined to separate them last week, we went straight to work rearranging the rooms in time for bed.  This required dismantling Meli's crib and determining furniture placement using this handy tool.  Byron made the call to no longer have a guest room as it made the 10' by 10' rooms too cramped with a cribs, armoire, desk, futon, rocking chairs, and bookcases spread out between them.  After a couple hours of concentrated effort all was ready and lovely for the babes.  That night Camelia went right to sleep after only 5 minutes fuss in her new room.  Nights have gotten progressively easier.  Success!!!

An Encouragement

Here's a little something I borrowed from another blog. Some encouragement of eternal worth.  

Motherly Greatness

2010 at 11:35 am   |   by Kristin Chesemore
Filed under Motherhood “The mother is the hub of the home, holding all the spokes in place. Without her being at her post, the family spins out of control and falls apart.” Mark Chanski

When school starts, do you find that it gets more difficult to “hold all the spokes in place”? I sure do.

On a typical day I must get my son, Andrew, out the door for school (with homework, lunch and back-pack), clean up from breakfast, homeschool my two younger boys, pay the bills, drive to an afternoon activity, get home in time to meet Andrew and help him with homework, prepare dinner for my family and a guest, do dishes, catch up on laundry and finally clean up my house which looks like it has been visited by a tornado.

Just another ordinary day in the life of a mom. But so often, I go through these ordinary days far more aware of what I am giving than whom I am serving.

I need my gaze lifted beyond my daily duties to my eternal mission as a mother. In his book, Womanly Dominion, Mr. Chanski brings us encouragement right where we need it:

“There she sits exhausted on the edge of her bed, her face in her hands, wondering, “Where's the glory in this?”

She needs something more empowering to keep her going.

She needs to gain and maintain the deep conviction of the glory, honor, and nobility of selfless service. This she finds at the foot of the cross, looking up to the One who earned for Himself “the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9), by “emptying Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant” (2:7), humbling “Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (2:8). There she beholds her Savior who mopped up the damning vomit of her own sin with the precious sponge of His perfect life and atoning death. The love of Christ constrains and compels her to press on (2 Corinthians 5:14). The Spirit of Christ empowers her” (pp. 120-121, emphasis mine).

Are you having a hard time being “the hub” today? Then "fix your eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:2-3), ask Him for help and strength, and thank Him for the honor of being a mother.

Camelia Cries

Byron just reminded me that there was a point when Camelia couldn't cry past 5 minutes without getting exhausted and needing a break.  Well, those days are over.  After 1.5 hours, Camelia is still crying.  She is not in pain, is perfectly content when held, she just wants to play.  The wee hours of the morning are not the time for that.  So she cries, and we sit awake, periodically checking on her to remind her of the time.

I plan on trying a new approach to this sleeping issue.  For the next couple days I will be the one awaking her in the middle of the night to disrupt this pattern.  We shall see how it fares.

In other news, she broke her first tooth two days ago, and was declared to be in the 95th percentile for height, weight and head circumference.  She is terribly cute, loves being gushed over, and yesterday was discovered standing next to the big piano playing a tune.  Meli waves hello and good-bye at the appropriate times, and is nearly 8 months old.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hopefully I will get a tad bit more sleep before my day actually begins.  This episode began prior to 4 am and Camelia is finally fast asleep and perfectly content.  She sure is cute and snuggly for such a demanding little munchkin.

DADDY

I love being a dad and tonight reminded me why.

It was the annual church carnival and we decided to take the girls (even though it was way past their bed time). Camelia was strapped to mommy and GG clutched my neck as we rushed to the fun.

Initially Gilana was intimidated by all the excitement. But after a little cotton candy, a snow cone, petting rabbits, and a balloon flower from aunt Erin she was having a marvelous time!

GG was holding tight to her daddy the majority of the night as we explored the transformed church.  Her frequent screams of delight and sweet little laugh brought joy to my heart.

Then came my favorite moment of the Carnival.  As things were closing down and the exhilaration of the night was ending Gilana and I strolled away from the crowd to wait for mommy.  We sat on a small wooden bench and as we sat she stopped to look at me.  With a huge smile she patted me on the leg and lovingly said "daddy".

Then to top the night off Gilana set the record for sweetness.  I was going through the routine where she said goodnight to Momma and Camelia.  Then as I was putting her in the crib, she squeezed me around the neck and said "wuv wa daddy".

Being a daddy is wonderful!