Essie is 4 months old - turned over today

Yeah!!! Esther turned over today 4 times to prove it wasn't an accident. Though the look on her face told another story. She didn't make a big deal about it, need encouragement or kudos. She just did it. I wonder if this is going to be her personality - flying under the radar. She turned from her tummy to back. Though she has been working very hard to go from her back to her tummy, so I am a bit surprised. She hasn't even showed interest in going the other way.
Our 4 month visit went great. She is off the scales for height at 26 1/4 inches and weight 19lbs 1oz. I think God is creating her just right to keep up with her sister.
We talked a lot about germs and keeping our household well by keeping everyone well. Good hand washing and not sharing food/utensils within our family or others. This will be a hard habit to break as Adeline likes a bite of just about everything. However, we need to all stay well to keep Esther well. It will be a gift of love from Adeline to Esther.
Esther has been laughing up a storm. Her cooing has seemed to go to the back burner so she can work on her fine motor skills. She bats at things with her hands and with her feet. She kicks this one ball that dangles with such precision with her feet it is rather impressive. Stay posted. I hope to get a video up soon. Or minimally a link to youtube.com.
We had an excellent thanksgiving out at the Suwanee river. Always something different with these wonderful Conrads, keeping it interesting (liquids, chopping wood, spreading rock with a bobcat and manually too). Bryan did a ton of cooking for all meals other than Thanksgiving traditions. He is a superstar to me! And just to note... my folks got off from a cruise on Thanksgiving day. Not a bad idea!
Esther also survived and even thrived on baby boot camp. We all worked to get her back on the pre-daycare schedule. It was amazing how she just slipped right into it. I think not have 3 other babies around must have helped. She still needs 3 naps a day. She kept the record for the nighttime battle this week, yes back in the habit of a 3-4 am feeding AGAIN! We will take on that issue next weekend. I still believe if we get a good daytime schedule going the nighttime will follow. We will keep you posted. It also is dependent on having a healthy (not congested) baby.
Today we took Adeline to a Pow-Wow at Hart Springs. It was a little scary and a bit educational. Most importantly she was cute in her indian dress made by Neige, Amanda and Lauren from SSD (Son Shine Daycare).
Happy Birthday Rossie...My grandmother's birthday today :)

Family

 

 

 

 

Oh how I love all my family! My folks joined us this past weekend for an evening as they headed down to catch a cruise. Then Saturday after they left we headed out to Dudly Farms. Adeine wanted to go see a Farmer. Thank goodness we saw one. We also got to see many animals: cows, horse, mule, turkey (gobbling and feathers out), chickens (she got to feed them), and some rain fell. Martha and Bill caught up with us as we were just finishing. We just did it all again, Adeline loved it! It was a beautiful overcast day. It hasn't rained in a long time and in its own way being briefly caught in the rain was nice.
God it so good. He keeps me singing for sure. I am adapting to work and family life without loosing my head. The good news too is that Esther is back to sleeping through the night. It is official (she did it last night - once - that counts right). I have been studying the fruit of the Spirit: Love (never fails), Joy (comes - on ya), Peace (rules), and Patience (waits). So far each of these has come at the perfect time. God loves me so much.

Another thing I have been thinking about. I hate discipline. It is way tooo hard. I firmly believe it is necessary. It is so hard to correct a little girl who is fussy because she missed her nap and you are late feeding supper. She is having a melt down and I need to put in time out because she hit me or something. This isn't a regular occurrence. She truly is so sweet and caring. She is a 2 yr old learing her limits though too. I do believe in parenting/discipline with grace too. We all need passes on bad decisions or what we have said. I always thought I would be the tough one. I am finding I would rather just give her grace and grace and more grace. That is right up until I don't. I wonder how hard it is for God to discipline us. He wants the best for us and we all know at times we need to be called out on something to grow from it. I never have thought about it from His perspective before. Oh how I love these girls and want only the best for them. I think there is a balance. Now just to prayerfully find it. And to get things right in my life so as to avoid any further discipline from God. Lessons are good, but I have felt His hand of discipline too! yikes!!!

Hooray for the Red, White and Blue!

 

 

 

 

We went to the Veteran's park today for the festivities. We are so blessed by God to live in a country where we have such freedom. Freedom that came at a cost. And no I don't mean having to stand in line to vote (as some have complained about this past week). I thank God for his direction in forming our nation. I thank God for today. I know we are not the country He wants us to be with so much dissrespect for Him. Though I know He is still in control today as much as He was years ago. I am thankful for so many in the human race that chose to protect this country. I pray that more would do so and others would respect those that make the choice to do so today. I can only imagine the blessingsGod has in store for us if our elected officals would seek Him and His ways in their daily decisions. Imagine the changes. Imagine if each person would seek Him daily. We probably wouldn't need the government to have so many programs because we would be taking care of our neighbors. Anyway... I love the USA.
Adeline had a blast seeing airplane, parachuters, helicopter, and a couple of Florida Football players today. (We saw the Pouncy twins, Watkins and Hart on the O line they tell me). Yes I was bouncing when I spoke with them. I can't believe I didn't even think to have them autograph Essies head. But it was sad to think I hadn't sung with Adeline our more patriotic heritage and hadn't said the Pledge of Allegiance with her. Some things will change.
Then off to the butterfly garden. Adeline wore her wings. It was soooo cute. Essie actually was noticing the butterflies and really enjoyed it!!!

A visitor

 

Uncle Andy came by tonight... on his way home to Naples. We love you Andy. Thank you to Tommy for stopping by as well.

First Hair Cut and Happy Pumpkin Day

 

Adeline had her first hair cut yesterday. She wanted to go so bad right up until the lady asked her to get in the seat.

 

 

 

My cuties had fun this past Friday visiting neighbors, cookie decorating and going for a hay ride in our neighborhood.