it won’t be long until Little is on the move. For several weeks she has been pulling up on the hearth and on Matt and I; this week she has mastered the art. She can now pull up on anything and everything – her bed, the pack ‘n play, the couch, her Leap Frog table.
It is fun to watch her learning new things and discovering the world around her. It also means that we will be spending time this weekend putting locks on cabinets and drawers.
Matt’s parents came to visit this weekend. With a 10-hour trip from their house to ours we don’t get to see them as often as we would like. We didn’t really do anything very exciting, but it was nice just to get to spend time together relaxing, talking, enjoying Little. Little lapped up all of the attention and had fun playing with and performing for people other than Mommy and Daddy. It rained most of the day Saturday, but we were able to get out Sunday afternoon to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful Spring weather. I have truly been blessed with wonderful in-laws.
Other than the first few months after our marriage, Matt and I have not lived closer to our family than a 3-hour drive; this is both good and bad. Early on, it was good for the two of us to have to rely on each other and God. We had to figure out the whole marriage/finances (Matt was in grad school and I was working full-time)/church/friends thing on our own. Through that we built a strong relationship, really enjoyed time together, and learned a lot about God and ourselves. I don’t know how our marriage would be different if we had been in the same city with family, but I’m sure it would be.
Now that Little has come along, it would be nice to live closer to family in some ways. Growing up, I lived within a few miles of both sets of my grandparents and most of my extended family. I spent lots of time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins; I would love for Little to have the opportunity to have a day-to-day relationship with her extended family as well. It would also be nice to have the close-by babysitting that comes with living near relatives.
For now, we are called to live and work where we are which means being separated from family by many miles. When we have the opportunity to visit with family – either at our house or theirs – we enjoy it while we can; we talk, we laugh, we drink coffee, we linger over meals, we overstimulate Little and she won’t nap (but that’s okay). The physical distance between us makes our gatherings that much sweeter.
At 1:59 a.m. Matt and I were awakened by cries coming from Little’s room. I realize that in many households this is not unusual, but when it happens around here you can be pretty sure that there is a problem. Matt jumped out of bed, literally, and went to Little’s rescue. It seems that she had her leg stuck between the slats on her crib and when she moved the rest of her body that leg just wouldn’t come along like it should. Her Daddy gently freed her leg and then picked her up to comfort and reassure her.
She went back to sleep pretty quickly; it took me a while. When I’m having trouble going to sleep I often pray. As I lay there in the dark praying I thought about how our Father is always there; it doesn’t matter what time of day or night we call out, it doesn’t matter if we’ve just talked to Him or if it has been awhile, it doesn’t matter if it’s the time we usually talk to Him or if we’re calling out in fear, discomfort, pain, desperation. He is always there with open ears, open arms, an open heart. He is always there to pick us up, to comfort us, to reassure us.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
An update on my spending hiatus: – I have not purchased anything for myself since March 1st. I have been tempted (and have a list of things I will get in April :-)), but have remained strong – I broke down and purchased something for Little on Monday. I was in Children’s Place buying a birthday gift and got Little a pair of sunglasses (I had to in order to get the 2 for $5 deal; that’s a good reason, right?) – I have not organized Little’s closet. – I realize that I can go a few weeks without buying clothes or shoes.
A few odd details, none of which really warrant a post of their own, that someone (like a grandmother) might be interested in: – Little has figured out how to “cruise” around her Leap Frog table – she can’t pull up to it yet, but is trying – Little has started sitting herself up – time to lower the crib mattress as far as it will go – Little got her leg stuck between the slats on her crib after the bumper pads were removed – those darn bumper pads; can’t live with them, can’t live without them – Little thought it was hysterically funny this morning when I said the word “boo” – she sat in her highchair and cackled as long as I kept saying it – there is nothing quite like hearing a child laugh – Little seems to have no interest in eating her cereal…or fruit (odd, huh?) – but she’ll scarf down some veggies – Little still doesn’t have those crazy teeth we keep believing are soon to come
Some really cute things I’ve found recently that would make great gifts for a child: – Cute ballet skirts at Katchy Kids – Adorable beaded socks at The Sock Shop – Chalk mats, art smocks, and cool hats at Aunt Art – Neat plush toys at Monster Factory
Little seems to be developing a keen ear for music. When Bach’s Partita for Solo Violin No.2 in D Minor begins playing she stops what she is doing to listen. If she is playing and we turn on Miles Davis she will get quiet and listen. M was playing guitar one evening last week and Little dropped everything to watch and listen. On Friday I was watching The Rachael Ray Show and Vince Gill was performing. Little was paying no attention until he started to play guitar and sing; when the music started she strained to turn to the TV and was perfectly still and quiet until the song ended, at which point she went about playing again.
I don’t know what it is about the music that catches her attention, but if this trend continues there will be lots of music playing in our house when she is a bit more mobile.
Random thoughts of a wife, mother, Christ follower
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