Playing with Felt

I wish I had a picture to post of the girls playing with the felt doll set my mom gave them for Christmas. I stole one from www.thefeltsource.com!

This was such a brilliant idea for constructive play for my girls, that I wanted to share it.

My mom made each of the girls a felt board, putting a label with their names on the back. They are very careful that they get the right board when I allow them to get their felt sets out.

Selena and Shana each got two ziploc bags with a felt doll, and all of her clothes and accessories all cut out. I think my mom and Neesie spent a lot of time doing this, and I am so thankful!

Here is the description from the website: The 8" girl dolls are Lindsey, Maria, Mikko, and Keisha. They are used just like the old fashioned paper dolls except that they never wear out and like all of the felts at The Felts Source they are hand washable!

The really neat thing about these sets is that they each come with a Christian story that includes the other dolls as well as all the outfits that come in the sets. When I tell you that this provides hours of play for my girls, I am not joking. Today they had their felt boards set up on the floor between their beds, and were imagining all sorts of wonderful things. I didn't hear from them for an hour and a half!

There are boy dolls available too. I'm considering getting the girls the felt dollhouse or the story sets as well, since they like the dolls so much.

If you are interested in getting these dolls for your family, the website is here.

Two Saturday Mornings for Two Girls

Early one Saturday morning, two weeks ago, a little girl was swooped out of her bed by her Daddy. He dressed her quietly and quickly, but not before another little nightgown clad figure appeared at our bedroom door with a questioning face and furrowed brow.

"Your week is next week," the little anxious one was told.

An little over an hour later, Daddy and oldest daughter came home bearing goodies in a brown bag, and we got to hear about the breakfast date with Daddy.

A week later, the smallest girl was similarly whisked out of bed and hurriedly dressed. Her older sister was still snoring in her mountain of pink blankets. With a giggle and a wiggle she gave me a big kiss and practically flew downstairs with her Daddy.

When she returned, she walked on air, prattling on and on about her Dunkin' Donuts trip. She danced all morning with a glow on her face.

The girls are already talking about their May dates with Daddy and the fun they will have. Who knows, maybe I'll get one too!

Two Little Very Grown - up Girls

Once there was a mama who loved her little girls very much. She loved to peek over the side of her bed to look at them as they slept in the bassinette when they first came home from the hospital.

She loved to stare at them as they slept in their comfy crib, even though she had to stand on her tippy toes to touch them as they slept.

She loved to kneel next to their toddler bed as they lay there among their many dolls and stuffed animals.

And she just can't wait to sit on their big girl beds and read them bedtime stories before tucking them in and giving them extra kisses.

Every stage of life is a blessing ...

Other Members of our Family

Just stopping in with a sweet thought ...

I never would have imagined that my favorite childhood doll would be loved by my own two daughters. I have had Samantha since I was two years old. My two girls adore her. They know to treat her gently and since she "lives" in Mama's room, they only have limited access to her. They treat her with much more care than they do their own dolls, Emma and Baby Bay.

Emma can often be found hanging from Selena's bed by one arm or riding face down in the baby stroller. At night she is forced to sleep underneath the dead weight of her sleeping mama.

She is fed about once a week, and is usually carried from place to place by her head.

Baby Bay, short for Dikembe Mutumbo (yes, daddy named her after a basketball player) - lives a more smothered existence. She rarely gets to take a breath, as she is constantly sought after by her 18 month old mistress. She is held all night long, and is chewed on, licked, and otherwise loved nearly to death.

Baby Samantha lives a semi-retired life of ease, and reigns as matriarch over the other two dolls. Sometimes they recline with her on Mama's bed, but often she is left in peace. She is kissed by two pairs of little lips, and her hat is adjusted every now and then. She is always smiling.

She is happy because her life has been filled with love, and she represents four generations of women. She has a drawer full of handmade clothes sewn with love by my Grammy. My parents gave her to me, and my mom passed down her own baby bed for her to sleep in. I brought her with me when I got married, and now my own girls get to love and enjoy her. Blessings abound!







Happy Mother's Day

A Mother's Love

A Mother's love is something
that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

- Helen Steiner Rice -

To my mom, I love you.
To my mom in law, thank you.
To all you mothers that have encouraged, taught, and led by example, I will remember.

To the new moms, cherish every moment.

If you are missing your mom this weekend, may God soothe your pain.
If you are waiting to be a mother, and it hurts,
He sees your tears.

To my girls who have made me a mama,
i. love. you. always.

I Need You

Moms, you know what I'm talking about. It all started in the middle of the night when I awakened suddenly to hear a sad voice.

"Mama? I need you."

My whole body protested as I dragged my feet over the side of the bed and stumbled into my little Selena who was waiting for me with outstretched hand. She led me into her room. To make a long story short, the CD player in the girl's room had just stopped working.

After I had dragged the monstrosity of a stereo from the guest room into the girl's room, dropping it on my big toe in the process, classical music was again softly playing. After planting kisses on the two princesses, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Back in bed, my eyes were wide awake as I mentally planned the day ahead, thought about the day gone by, and wished I were sleeping as soundly as E.

Morning came too soon. The girls were up at the crack of dawn.

It was a day full of spills and messes.

Spilled coffee, orange juice, apple juice ... name it, it spilled!

Many prayers were whispered from this mama's lips. "Please Lord, help. I need You. My hip is hurting, I'm feeling irritable, and I need grace to fall from my lips today."

You know what?

We had an absolutely wonderful grocery shopping trip. The girls were happy, and cheered others around them. We were eating lunch, and E showed up totally unexpectedly to pick up something he had left at home. The girls got to have some fun, and I got some extra needed hugs and encouragement. After E went back to work, all three of us got to nap.

Blessings upon blessings. All little things that meant so much to a weary mom.

How wonderful that He is there when we say, I need You, Lord.

Life Lessons

So today, Selena's fish Tico died. She received two fish for her third birthday. Tico has always been sickly. I think he has "almost died" about once a month in the six months we've had him. This morning I noticed that when we fed the two fish, that Tico stayed at the bottom of the tank. He slowly died until late afternoon.

Selena seemed so cheerful through the process, running to see if Tico was still alive. I was very sad, she seemed almost excited about the whole thing. But when she got up from her nap and ran to check the tank, I could see her sadness. She went upstairs, and I found her on the floor, face pressed into the carpet. I hugged her for a while, and we went to find a little earring box to bury Tico in.

She told me that she thought Daddy would make Tico alive again when he came home. I explained to her that Tico was not ever coming back. She wanted to help E take her little dead fish out of the tank and she got her plastic rake to "help" us bury him.

As I tucked my little sad girl into bed, I wished I could take away all her hurts. I wish that I could shield both of my girls from sadness. But then I remembered that it is through these things that they will grow. They will become who God wants them to be. So my role is to kiss away those tears. Let them cry. Let them learn and grow.

Life Lessons.

Blessings

Today my sweet girls played dress up almost all day long. E and I gifted them with a big hatbox full of clothes, hats, and shoes as one of their Christmas gifts. Today, Lena dragged the box out and emptied it on the floor. I had to giggle as I watched her transform her sister into a thing of beauty. As I watched them at play, I thought back to myself as a little girl.

I used to wonder what my life would be like when I was "all grown up." I wondered if God would send me a husband, and if I would have children.

Remembering this makes me all the more thankful for what I have. What a blessing to be able to watch my little girls play dress up. I couldn't help but reach out and give Lena a squeeze as she teetered by in some fluffy slippers.

This stage of parenting is so fulfilling and yet somewhat frightening. The girls are little sponges, and they want to be like mama. When I am doing my hair, they stand behind me in wide eyed amazement. They pay attention to what mama reads, looks at, says, and does.

What a responsibility for E and I. May we glorify God!

We made it through three nights and four days without Daddy! This was the first time I have been apart from E this long, and I am so glad he is safely home again. Selena and I made this calendar while she was blinking back tears after saying goodbye. Each morning she crossed off another day on the calendar. Shana was very sad because she couldn't understand where Daddy was, and kept asking for him.

While my husband was away, I grew to appreciate even more what an active role he plays in our lives, and how he makes our lives brighter. I also grew to appreciate Selena as a big sister to Shana, and mommy's helper.

One of my friends, Sara, came and stayed for one of the nights, and made the time go so much faster. She colored with Lena, read to her, and built towers out of blocks.


Hope you are all well!

Mama's Heart

'

A mama's heart loves. Like a mother bear protecting her cub, a mama fiercely loves her children.

A mama's heart melts. In a second, all frustrations melt away with the touch of little dimpled hands or a baby kiss.

A mama's heart yearns. With all of her being, a christian mama wants her children to love Him as she does.

A mama's heart weeps. When her child hurts, she feels it deep within. When her child hurts others, she is weighed down with the knowledge of her child's deeds. When others hurt her child, she mourns, and wishes she could take the pain away.

A mama's heart rejoices. With every achievement, milestone, and joy, her heart sings.

Today was a day filled with sweet mama moments, and I am savoring each one. Hope you are all well!

Bedside Chats

What do you say to your children before bedtime? Selena is now three, and the going to bed routine has gotten longer. As I've mentioned before, the two girls sleep in the same room now. Shana goes to bed about an hour before Lena does, so about 8pm, Lena and I (or Daddy) tiptoe upstairs for teeth brushing, final pottying, storytelling time.

After Lena is tucked into bed amid her many billowy blankets, stuffed animals and two pillows, she is ready for a story. She has an imaginary friend, so I often spin my stories around adventures that she, Shana, and her imaginary friend would have.

After one particularly discouraging day, my heart was full of love for her. Full of love and longing that she will one day be a woman of God. I started my story as usual:

"Once upon a time, there were --"
"TWO GIRLS!" she whisper shouted.
"And their names were Selena and Shana, and they were --"
"BEST FRIENDS!" she finished for me.

Then I paused, looking at her wide eyes and eager expression. I realized what a teachable moment I had, and began to tell my story in such a way that it would be character building for her. She was raptly attentive, and I was able to talk to her after the story. We said one of the verses that she knows, and as always, we prayed together for her and Shana.

Ever since that night, I have tried to take full advantage of those moments before she sleeps. I encourage her for the wonderful traits her daddy and I have seen in her, and I talk to her about some of the areas that need attention. We do this at naptime sometimes too if there is something good or otherwise that needs to be mentioned. And there are times, when I feel that all of this would be burdensome, so we just have our little story and then she goes to sleep. I pray that this will bear fruit in both of my girls. Sometimes Shae wakes up while we are talking, and I tuck her into bed next to Selena and talk to both of them for a few minutes.

Do you have a special place for your teachable moments? I'd love to hear about it!

Sisters

We've painted and hammered and nailed and arranged. The two sisters are sharing a room. Last week we heard them giggling together, playing, when they should have been asleep. Lena was reading out loud to a bouncing and giggling Shana. Their delighted screams brought a smile to my face even though I tried to be stern as I said, "WHAT is going on in here?"

Secretly I was delighted. Because I want them to love each other forever and always.

Shana is so adoring of her sister that she will.not.leave.her.alone. Poor Selena has to do her puzzles on high surfaces and read her books on the couch so that her precious things won't be ruined. She knows that her hair will get pulled constantly, and that her sister will drool on her face giving kisses.

Shana has to put up with Lena following her around with a blanket trying to "cuddle." Shana does not have time for this pasttime, and her older sis will not take a hint! She has been awakened multiple times by a too loud noise, or a sudden opening of the door.

Mama is loving this.

Amusing Moments

What amusing moments have you had with your kids? We went to ShopRite a couple of days ago, and I decided (bright idea, Bev!) to let Lena ride in one of those huge car attachment thingies. Lena loves to go grocery shopping with me, and I love taking her, and Shana just has to come because she has no choice!

Miss Shana is now almost 8 months old, and she took her first assisted steps this week. By assisted, I mean that she was clinging for dear life onto a rolling push toy. She seemed a little frightened, but that could have been because her mommy was screaming, "you're WALKING Shana, you're WALKING!" Referring to myself in the third person makes this slightly less embarassing.

Anyway, I digress. Grocery store, right.

Lena was excited to ride in the car. She never gets to because, they are generally disgusting and grody looking, and also because I am a woman of habit. If I "always" do something, I continue to do it ad nauseum. Also, I have chronic hip pain, and I am very careful not to trigger it.

I decided to think outside the box for a change, and saw a relatively clean car for Lena to ride in. She was SO excited. I might add that I couldn't even get the cart out of the parking lot without running to the front side and tugging it from the front!

Anyone within 6 feet of us, gave us wide berth for passing. A couple of amused men said "whoa!"

Grandmotherly women said, "It is hard with young ones, hang in there!"

I must say, I wasn't feeling sorry for myself. I was laughing my way through the store. Lena was turning her steering wheel and saying "Beep, beep - excuse me!" Shana was chuckling everytime I crashed into something.

"Careful, Mommy!" shouted Lena as she braced herself for each crash. "Don't forget green grapes," she added.

I don't think I'll try this again. Lena missed out on her favorite part of shopping: helping me put food on the belt. I missed out on her help entertaining Shana. I might add that I couldn't even get out of the checkout lane. The store manager had to pull while I pushed. It was very amusing.

Any similar experiences to share? Or have you seen a mom like me?

When Shana is a "big girl," and able to do more for herself, I'll want to remember what it was like to hear her babbling on the monitor for me to come get her from her crib.

I'll want to remember the dinner out that we had when she spit up on me about five times, drenching me thoroughly. When Selena is a "big girl," and doesn't need Mommy so much, I'll want to remember the nights when I returned to her room a second time and she would say, "Mommy I love you sooo much - can you just hug me for a little while?"

I'll want to remember how she loved socks, applesauce, and her Bible CD from Uncle Khuram and Aunt Charissa, memorizing every song and blessing her daddy and mommy with the singing of them.

When Shana is running and jumping and playing games like a pro, I'll want to remember when I could hold her close and rock her in our glider.

I'll want to remember when her whole face would light up at the sight of Daddy, Mommy and sister.

When Selena has real friendships and it isn't just Mommy, Lena, and Shana anymore, I'll want to remember the mornings we did preschool while Shae grabbed at Lena's papers. I'll want to remember the hours of reading Little Bear books, and building castles for her horsies.

The giggles and the messes, and the times I let her stand on her little white stool and help me cook.

When the girls are old enough to sit still, I'll want to remember how we could never get a decent picture.

Because they are getting to be big girls so fast. Because they are doing more for themselves and depending less on me, I'll want to remember everything and never ever forget how wondrously tiring and fulfilling these days are.

Sweet Sleep

It was nighttime in our household. The only sounds that could be heard were the swishing of the dishwasher downstairs, Pachelbel's canon coming from Shana's temporary room and piano classics from Lena's room. I sleep with two monitors on my nightstand so that I can hear both of my babies when they call.

To give a little background, lately sleep has eluded me. Shana had been sleeping from 8-5 with no wakeups for a while. Lately, however, she had been waking multiple times throughout the night. I didn't feed her, but would put the pacifier in her mouth without saying a word to her. Then, I would rush back to the warmth of my bed, sinking into the deliciousness of our mattress. Just as I would drift into sleep, I'd hear her again. Even if I didn't respond until she fell back to sleep, I would find myself awake -- sometimes for hours during the night. This went on for a couple of weeks and I was exhausted.

But back to the story ...

This particular night, I was so tired as I went to bed. In fact, I had struggled with a migraine two nights before just from the exhaustion. And that night I started to come down with a cold. But I noticed that Shana had started to sleep through the night again - sporadically, but it was a start. And the times she woke, she would murmur a bit and go right back to sleep.

Wonderful, satisfying, restful sleep. Thank you, Lord. Sigh.

A high pitched, shrill cry pierced the softness of my dreams and I started in my sleep. Which girl was it, I thought sleepily looking at my pair of monitors. It was Lena. My blind -as- a -bat eyes squinted at the clock which read 3:30am. I threw back the covers and jumped out of bed (lately having perfected this into one fluid motion).

Lena is my dependable 12 - 13 hour a night sleeper. But the one night that I really needed it, here she was crying about something having to do with going potty and she wasn't calming down. I felt something akin to hysteria rising within and took some deep breaths. I was launching into a long dissertation of how she had awakened me and I was really tired and couldshepleasegobacktosleep?!!

The only response I got was more crying (she had wet her diaper and was upset that she hadn't gone in the potty), and I don't blame her for it. I can only imagine myself with bloodshot eyes and hair standing on end rambling to my two year old about how I was so upset that she had awakened me when her sister was peacefully sleeping next door.

Daddy woke up, so I must have been pretty loud. He could sleep through a tornado. He guided Lena into bed and waited while I prayed with her. He guided me into bed, speaking to me in soothing tones and hugging me until I was able to stop rambling about how I thought I would never get any sleep, and if it wasn't one girl it was another. I rambled about how we had a drs appt for Shana the next day and that now since Lena had been up at night, she would be tired and grumpy. My poor husband.

The next day he was still sympathetic and restructured his busy morning so that I could drop off Lena at his office while I took Shae to the doctor. I am so thankful for him.

I am also thankful that we are seeing the light of day (no pun intended) with this whole sleeping thing. Shana is turning back into my 8-5 sleeper slowly but surely. I knew we'd get there!!

School Days

These are quiet times for our little family. We have been sick, and consequently housebound a lot. I've been in bed all day, only managing to dress and feed the girls. Lena had to be content to sit next to me in bed, coloring with me and watching episodes of Little Bear!

Our girls are growing by leaps and bounds. I've been doing preschool with Lena in the mornings. She looks forward to these times so much! We usually begin with saying "Good Morning" to each other and practicing writing her name and the date. We do dot to dot and number pages. She has to sit with her hands folded at her little desk, and wait for commands from me. We move to the floor to do puzzles, practicing each letter and its sound, and practice sounding out simple words. We sing hymns, read a story, and she is working on short verse Scripture memorization.

I've realized how very much I enjoy teaching her. It has been a very special time for the two of us each morning, and I pray it will benefit her emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. Shana sometimes joins us during our sessions and spends time in the crib "playing."

Shana watches her big sister's every move with wide eyes and her most loving smile. Selena is "little mommy," telling me what she thinks Shana needs or wants. She has started taking Shae's face in between her two little hands and kissing her often during the day.

Goals for the next six months:

Continue to do preschool at least 3 times a week with Selena

Be more organized when it comes to our office

Get back to menu planning

Pack lunches for hubby 4 times a week

Continue Shana's nighttime sleep training (she now sleeps from 8:30 or 9pm to 4:00 - 5:00 and then back to sleep for two hours)

Get the girls to sleep in the same room

Get Lena completely potty trained (she wears underwear for half a day now)

Scripture memorization (for myself!)

Restart my prayer journal and keep it up!!

I know I haven't posted very often, but I have been very busy just keeping things together in our home. I do think of all of you, and will make my rounds very soon! Off to go take some Advil for this fever.

A Myriad of Things .... and a few pictures to keep you happy!

I am so glad to be able to post! It has been a long time, I know. I used to spend time blogging after Lena went to bed. Now, when Lena goes to bed, our evening hours are spent cuddling, tickling and keeping awake our little one month old!

Yes, there are definitely some scary moments when the two girls are together!!

I LOVE having two girls. Yes, there are times when I am so tired, I wonder if I will make it until naptime. There are times when I feel like all I am doing during the day is changing diapers. But that all pales in comparison with the joy I have in my heart with the addition of Shana.

spending time with Daddy

Lena and I are having so much fun introducing Shae Shae to all of our "traditions." We hold her hands together so she can thank God with us for Lena's food. We bring her onto the couch to snuggle under our red blanket and read with us. In the car, since the days and nights are colder, we now have two blankets. Each girl gets one, and Lena is especially thrilled by this.

Lena has more jobs around the house too. She has to straighten her room and throw away all the diapers that need to go into the trash. She holds the clean diapers while I am changing Shana. She has to walk more when we are out.

I have to admit, I haven't gone out by myself with the two girls too much yet. It seems a little daunting, but I'm sure I'll get there!

Napping is great! Shana takes three naps during the day. During nap number one, Lena and I eat breakfast together, and then Lena goes to her room for quiet reading time. I then get an hour to myself ;-) Nap number two is my favorite, because Lena naps and I nap too! During nap number three, I try to make dinner and we eat.

Nighttime is a little more challenging. She has skipped her 1:30am - 2:00 am feeding so often that I am pushing that a little bit more. However, Lena is right across the hall, and I don't want two girls awake. I'm hoping we can get her just eating once at night without too much fuss!

The housekeeping I've been able to accomplish is minimal! I am trying to keep it in perspective. In the morning, if I get the dishwasher emptied, and all three of us dressed I am happy. By afternoon, as long as the floors are vaccuumed, and dinner is cooked I am happy. By evening, if I have been coherent enough to talk to my hubby about his day, I am happy.

I have a question for moms with baby slings/carriers. I have the ultimate baby wrap, and have put Shae in it, but I am still scared to go completely hands free. She seems secure, but I don't know, her head just seems a little floppy in it. Does anyone have a sling that you just LOVE? Does anyone have the Moby wrap? Shopping season is coming, and I'd love to be able to push Lena in the stroller or cart while wearing Shana.

Ok - half of my quiet reading time hour is up ... love to you all. Mwah!!

Some news ...

We found out today that another princess is joining our family. I was completely wrong because I thought it was a boy! Mr. S thought it was a girl, and Lena insisted that she was having a "sisser."

Seeing our new little one on the screen made everything more real somehow. I came home and told Lena that her new baby was going to be a sister. She was at our house with Pop Pop, Nanna and Auntie Nee.

She looked at me and said "I apple?"

After she was happily munching on her apple, she was interested to see the picture of her new baby sister. She even gave it a kiss.

I just wanted to update those of you who hadn't heard. Have a blessed weekend!

Things I'm Lovin'

About this new big girl bed thing:

1. Being able to kiss her goodnight before I go to bed.

2. Putting a little surprise pile of books at the foot of her bed so that she can read in bed after a nap.

3. Teaching her to straighten up her bed (we try anyway!)

4. Quiet reading time is now quiet room time, but it is even more wonderful now that she has a choice of things to do.

Things still on the burner for this summer:

1. Deciding whether or not to nix the pacifier before baby comes or let her still have it at night and naptime to get her through the rough patches. I'm thinking ahead to mommy - in - the - hospital times! Any advice??

2. We've been talking a lot about the potty. She goes occasionally, but I'd like to try to conquer this before there is an infant around.

Things that are status quo:

1. Our begonia is still living, and thriving!!

2. Spring cleaning is going to drift into summer :-)

3. Mr. S is doing a lot of organizing, and I'm sooooo thankful for his help.

4. Sciatica is on again, off again ... but we are doing well with it. Lena is helping me pick things up off of the floor so I don't have to bend over. She's so grown up now!

5. Mr. S and I have had such nice times together lately - whether it be cooking in our snug kitchen, talking until late in the night wrapped in blankets, or laughing until we feel sick. (If you know Mr. S well, you'll know that he loves to be funny, and his wife loves to laugh at him)! It has been really refreshing to me - and I'm thankful for it.

Just a brief update - hope everyone is well!!!!!

She Did It! (follow up from last post)

Well, it appears that it was that easy! Last night went beautifully, except for a little hiccup at 4:11am. I heard her cry out, and found her sitting on the floor next to her bed. Her night light had blown out, and it was pitch black in her room! So I replaced the night light, tucked her back in and didn't hear from her again until morning.

Naptime was lovely, and we took the crib down soon after.

I just can't believe we have gone from this ...

To this ...