Beach Babies

First Landing/Seashore State Park is one of the best beaches for children!  We had so much fun.

The Artist

Everything about this makes me smile!!! All she needed was some tape, paper, imagination and WALA!  You have art.  Her collage is still up on our wall.  I do not have the heart to take it down.  :)

Silly Fun

It is Thursday and forever since I have posted anything.  And I am feeling punchy with no deep thoughts for the night.  So how about some fun photos instead.  Happy weekend- it can't come fast enough!

Happy Mother's Day

To My Mom-  Thank you for everything- I now fully undertand how much you gave up for us.

These photos are from when she visited.  I am pretty sure that the flour you see flying never happened when I was little.  :)

Loving the Strong Willed Child at 4:00 a.m.

I recently read an article from a mother about her daughter.  It was actually a devotional so this is a glimpse of just how deep I was digging for inspiration on loving a very determined little girl.  Please don't misunderstand- I love my daughter deeply, I just don't always like the choices she makes.  :)  The short writing spoke of a mother praising her adult daughter for the very qualities she used to curse when she was little.  So the past few weeks, as we wrestle with so many behaviors, I have searched for the gift in the messy.  This is easier said then done, especially at four o'clock in the morning.

The last three nights have been a little rough around here.  Sickness has paved the way and left a grumpy, sleepless mother in the wake.  We have had countless sleep issues her in the Berry household but they don't have much to do with having a 3 month old.
The problems encompass the other child, who shall remain nameless, having trouble staying in bed.  So "she who shall not be named" appeared approximately at the bedside this morning at 4:00 a.m.  And by the side of the bed means, balancing on the side-board, looming, silently thumb sucking and clutching a dingy, limp blanket.

She is stealth.
She is silent.  

After a racing heart returns to normal, a sleepy mother stumbles down the hall dragging her daughter back to bed.  In between the jostling of three year old arms and legs, a voice is heard.  "My bed is wet."

What? 


 Wet?

Never. Has. This. Happened.

Dumbfounded, I screech to a halt and whip around.  What.  Your bed is wet?  Through matted 3 day old dirty hair a mumbled yes is heard.

Why? bounces off the walls a little loudly.

Her response- "because Daddy gave me too much milk."  Ha- poor man never stood a chance.  Rounding the corner of her room only brought more surprise.  The sheets were stripped clean of a wet soiled bed and placed neatly in her hamper.  A glance back at her brought even more disbelief as a new set of dry pajamas replaced the wet ones.  To be astounded by the fact that the strong willed, determined three year old not only changed herself but changed her bed as well.  A simple tuck in under the sheets was all that was needed.  The very thing that drives me crazy in every day life, bought her independence and the will to see a job to the end.  The only thing she needed was a hug good night.

GOOD NIGHT!  Good night.  Good night? 

Can I dare have hope that this phase of strong will and determination will some day bring forth a successful young woman who lets nothing stand in her way?  Will the very determination that drives this momma wild- bring tears to my eyes in the years to come?  I smile as I write this and continue to realize that life with this little girl- no matter how much I want to pull my hair out- will never be dull.  For now, a prayer will be said for the day a praise can be sung for the strong will and an embrace can encircle the determined heart.        

    

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Audra celebrated her 3rd birthday on March 9th.  What fun we had.  I will let the photos speak for themselves. 

Warmth

May you experience warmth today . . .

We've created a monster!

Audra has taken an intense liking to a bunny and a blanket. Not a "I am fond of you" kind of liking more of a "I cannot live without and will cry and stomp my feet if I can't have you" kind of liking. I noticed the attraction a few days ago when it was time for bunny and blanket to be washed. I brought them down for upstairs and started for the laundry room. As I opened the laundry door, I heard little feet pounding the hardwood floor. I looked up to see Audra sprinting- yes sprinting for the laundry room with this look of adoration filling her face. Me being the naive mother thought the look of adoration was for me. Ha! Was I wrong. As I began to throw bunny and blanket in the washer, Audra screeched to a halt and her face crumpled into the most pathetic little pout. Tears began to well up in her eyes and she began to sob hysterically as the washer filled with water. She stood before the door to the front loading washer and pounded her little hands on the window. She watched it turn and tumble while the tears rolled down her face. I picked her up and carried her to the other room trying to console her. 2 hours later the dryer signal sounded and I stood to get the clothes out of the dryer. Again I heard little feet pounding the floor as I opened the door to the dryer. Audra wedged her way in front of me and lightning quick had her bunny and blanket out of the dryer. She wrapped her pudgy arms fiercely around her treasures and took off out the door. As she stomped out of the room she looked back at me with this look like" you will never get these from me again!" I laughed to myself as I realized we will need to work on the bunny/blanket addiction.

Just a side note- our Doctor told us that children who have a security blanket/item are showing they are able to make emotional connections that are healthy. However, the doctor did say that if she is still carrying bunny and blanket in kindergarten we will talk. :)

Just in case you didn't believe me I have posted a picture- notice the crazed look in her eyes AND a video.

Six Months- almost Seven

Here are some six month pictures. Enjoy. :)

Wagon Rides

My Aunt Carla gave Audra this wagon. Despite her pensive look she loves it! Audra loves being outside and we have already covered many miles in the wagon.