Saturday, January 30, 2010

A Good Meal

Eliana is just days from entering toddlerhood! And she is already displaying glimpses of the willful defiance characteristic of toddlers. She has scratched me, bit me numerous times, refused to let me out of her sight, only to cry if I pick her up, but worst of all...she has refused to eat!

I finally resorted to the most pitiful feeding method known to woman. All week I have been preparing her breakfast, lunch and dinner. I make all her food and use mostly organic ingredients. I carefully plan for her to eat a good balance of vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins and dairy and also throw in some baked sweets. I want the best we can provide for her nutrition. However, Eliana made it clear every single day, numerous times a day that she simply had no time for a good meal. I fought back curses as I poured yet another meal down the drain!

In my exasperation I reached for a well-known parenting book that had this piece of wisdom to offer regarding the change in attitude towards mealtime:

"Now [meals] represent an unwelcome interruption in a 'day in the life of a fledging toddler' who'd rather be on the go (so many things to do, so many places to see, so much trouble to make--so little time in a day)!"

I gave up trying to feed her lunch and set her in her room to play. After a while, she began to whine and cry, surely out of starvation. Believe me, I was in no condition to attempt another feeding. Here is where the pitiful method comes in.

I grabbed a plastic lid from the kitchen, poured some cereal puffs in it and placed it on the floor of her room...deliriously laughing all the way. I felt as though I were feeding a puppy instead of my precious girl. But she was absolutely delighted!

There sat my child of God on the not-so clean carpet, eating cereal puffs off the floor! Sitting idly in the refrigerator were all her organic, home-prepared meals!! Can you see the irony?

Eliana! I want to feed you the best food I can possibly provide and you rather eat puffs off the floor? If you could only understand taht I want to feed you so you can grow strong, be healthy and have all the energy you need for your countless hours of exploring, playing and troublemaking you want to do! Let me take care of you!

Then God spoke to my heart and said, "Kind of sounds like you doesn't it?"

This morning after I set Eliana down for her nap, I opted out of my quiet time with God. "Just for today God, I have things to do after all! I will spend time with you later. I got this!"

After spilling my coffee while I was trying to sew, I was unwillingly led to my knees and say, "I'm sorry, I tried to prioritize my projects over your Word!"

I was mad with God though because I just knew He had sent an angel to knock over my coffee mug! I just knew He was trying to sabotage the completion of my projects! Praise God for his grace and sense of humor!

Eliana was not the only one refusing good nutrition today. If I had gone before my Father this morning, kneeled before His throne and allowed Him to feed me His Sweet and Living Word (Psalm 119:103), I would have certainly received the spiritual nourishment I so desperately needed for the rough day we had ahead of us. I chose to try and be effective in my own strength. And I am thankful I failed!

My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Hebrews 12:5-6

I pray that both Eliana and I would learn the futility of independence from God.

Seek first His kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
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Here is the pitiful lid...


Eli would rather eat straight off the floor!
The poster child for complacency!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Cupcake Rehearsal

Yesterday was Dada's birthday so I made him spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. And what a perfect time to practice for E's BIG DAY next week! Liking the sprinkes...
Hmm...the paper does not taste as good...




Goin' for it!


Experiencing PCE (Post-Cupcake Euphoria)


We are almost ready for the BIG DAY!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Eliana was hit by a car yesterday.

No it's not a joke. Here she is earlier that day at the doctor's office. We went on a walk yesterday and a woman in the right turn lane was not looking right! We had just started to leave the sidewalk when she attempted to turn right into Eli's stroller. Praise God! that we have such a big and bulky BOB stroller.

And Praise the Name of Jesus for keeping E completely unharmed. I was horrified to look inside the stroller but when I did, she looked up at me like, "Why did we stop?" Eliana was hit on the left side of the stroller and she had been comfortably leaning on the right side of the stroller!!!

Next week as we celebrate her 1st year of life, we will have yet one more reason to call her first year a miracle!







The LORD will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:7-8
God was not kidding when he spoke this to you little baby!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Poor Poor Pitiful E!

Eliana has contracted some sort of viral infection and after a late night visit to the doctor we came home with an unwanted new contraption. Here is the little pooh resigned to her treatment.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Fortunately...

We are back! Unfortunately we are back with snot and tears! Eli is sick. She probably picked up a bug while we went on our first walk since the freezing weather. Here she is this morning upset about something.

PS: We have not found our charger...we bought one, but I still have hope it will turn up!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

For the LOVE!

...of all the moments going unrecorded!!! If you love seeing Eliana's escapades please pray that I find my camera battery charger. I am in serious mood altering withdrawal from not being able to take pictures of my Boo!

She looks very cute right now as we speak...with her pink pants and pink bow in her wet freshly washed pelo...and did I mention she's got like 6 teeth coming on top? But you'll never know unless you pray I find that charger!! Unless you come see her that is.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Unfortunately this is not December 37th!

So might as well finish out the month with the rest of my adventures before I turn 1!!! No Grandada, I do not see better with these.

My shirt says it all!

How'dja get blond curly pelo?


Where's Benna?
Great-Grandada took me to the museum and I finally got a little stroller.


She is cute!


Baby Heaven!

I feel so small...
Where is everyone getting the blond pelo??


That's my Great-Gramps! He built a gyroplane. And he flies it too! Did I mention he teaches a Sunday school too? He is cool.