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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Learning In Summer

Since summer was busy, I've combined what I've learned in July and August to bring you what I've learned this summer. Bonus: you'll find several pictures taken over the summer at the end of this post.

1. Praying during tantrums helps both mommy and daughter. 

With toddler-hood comes tantrums. When she's flailing and frustrated, I've learned that calmly stopping, bowing my head, and closing my eyes to whisper a quick prayer to God helps us both. It prevents me from becoming frustrated with her attitude and it makes her stop dead in her tracks to assess the situation. After a few seconds, she'll come over to me and try a new, more effective, approach. 

2. Netflix is for road-trips. 

Say what you will, but when we had an eight hour drive to the beach, Netflix was key to getting there with an antsy toddler strapped in her car seat. Baby Genius songs were a lifesaver. 

3. Plan, but then go with the flow. 

Before going to the beach, there were a few different things I did to keep my sanity and to keep organized. Once there, I reminded myself that vacations were meant for enjoying. Em's diet that week wasn't perfect, and that's okay. Everything was everywhere, and that was okay. We didn't use everything we brought, but no big deal. One thing I would highly recommend taking to the beach is baby powder. We typically use Desitin, but sand mixed with cream is not a good combination. Baby powder is the way to go. 

4. The phrase "rainbow baby" refers to a child conceived after a miscarriage. 

I'm considered a rainbow baby myself, though it sounds strange to say when I've never heard the expression until recently. 

5. Losing the pacifier has been wonderful! 

In July, we decided to wean our daughter from using a pacifier at naptime and bedtime. Life is much less stressful without that crazy thing, and we won't have to worry so much about pacifier confusion when the new baby arrives. 

6. Toilet Training is hard. 

It's no easy task to toilet train, but we've begun the process. Our daughter enjoys flushing the toilet and washing her hands, but has not gotten to the point of asking to go potty. Anyone have any tips or tricks they'd like to share for this process? 

7. Blanket tunnels and Tupperware frog ponds are wonderful for any child with imagination.

I'm all about creating new things that don't take a whole lot of time but keep a kid entertained for fifteen minute intervals. The most recent inventions have been throwing a blanket over the couch and ottoman to make a tunnel and pouring some water in a Tupperware container and setting it on the table with some frogs and lizards from the Dollar Tree. I grabbed some small plastic lids to use as lily-pads for the frogs to float on.

8. The Gilmore Girls reunion airs on Netflix November 25th. 

With a new baby at home, you bet I'm going to settle in and watch the new episodes once the oldest child is in bed. 

9. His and Hers prayer lists for the fridge are amazing.

I've been feeling frustrated by my inability to remember everyone I've said I'd pray for. In the past, I've tried keeping a list in notebooks, but then I'd lose the notebook or would forget to open it when praying. It dawned on me that I needed a list in a place I frequented. Using PowerPoint, I made two lists, slipped them in binder sleeves, and placed them on our fridge. Now I can use a dry erase marker to write down prayers and then erase and replace whenever it's time. Doing this has allowed me to continually pray throughout the day. I've also found myself praying over my husband's list as well because what is important to him is important to me. If you would like your own copies, sign up for my free monthly newsletter and you'll receive them in September! If you are already signed up, YIPPEE!, you'll receive them too! 



10. A devotional series is in the works. 

After much prayer, I've decided to bring you a devotional. Details will follow in a separate post on a later date. I'll keep you posted on my Facebook page

11. Pictures are worth a thousand words. 

Below are a few pictures with some short captions of little things I've learned over the summer.



She loves to help in the kitchen.

I've learned patience with this pregnancy.

Big sister loves giving hugs and kisses.

Hard work pays off in the form of homegrown vegetables.


She loves sand.
She loves her new play set. We just need to add mulch and sand.


My husband captures good pictures.

If all else fails, give her sunglasses.

I see my whole childhood in her little personality.

Like mother, like daughter. 

Applesauce with sprinkles for a girl with a cold is a win.

Where we first met. My how we've changed. 
But not too much.

She became Grandpap's girl on a Sunday evening at church.






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