And so the light shines...

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
~Hebrews 12:11

"He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
~Proverbs 10:17

"He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored."
~Proverbs 13:18

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother -- which is the first commandment with a promise -- that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
~Ephesians 6: 1-3

The Bun~and~The Oven

An Update:

I will be exactly 26 weeks, tomorrow

Continue to be nausea-free

Little bits of heartburn from time to time

Random days of fatigue

The ugly number on the scale tells me that I'm 19 pounds heavier

It's still a GIRL :)

Potential name: Parker Kay

I feel her move ALL THE TIME...and I love it

Cravings: cereal, Daylight Donuts' glazed donuts, spicy food (jalapenos, wickles), sandwiches (McAlister's Deli, Jersey Mikes)...actually, I just love to eat about anything right now!! :)

Thirty Months.

Dear Rylie,

On April 8th, you turned two and a half years old! And I'm not even going to freak out about how fast this has happened. Because that's just life. But what I am going to freak out about is how independent you have become. Because, honey...it's driving mommy nuts! :)

Above everything else, that is the biggest difference I have seen in you. You MUST.DO.EVERYTHING.BY.YOURSELF!!! You must pick out your own clothes. Dress your self. Put the lid on your cup (every cotton-pickin' time). Mommy rarely gets to hold or carry you anymore because you must walk everywhere now. You must climb in the vehicle by yourself. Climb in your carseat by yourself. Buckle yourself in (unless Uncle "Bobert" is around...you'll let him help you). And although I think it's truly a great thing to see you asserting your independence so quickly...it just means that I have to work on my level of patience...again! The time it takes us to get ready in the mornings has nearly doubled. Which actually, has turned out to be a great thing because you now get up in time to see daddy off to work...and that makes you happy. But we're still trying to find a good morning routine (we've had a few rough mornings lately). This week, however, you have done fantastically well and are such a joy to be around in the mornings. So maybe we have finally found the routine that works best for both me and you...hallelujah!

You are such a spirited child, Rylie. And I absolutely adore that about you. However, I will say that it does not make things easy. :) You like to push your boundaries. You can be very stubborn and for some reason, you like to act out in public. But you also know how and when to turn on your charm. If you've made me upset about something...you will look up at me and softly say, "sorry, mommy!" Breaks my heart. You've also recently started this "thing" where you walk around with your shoulders slouched, arms crossed...and continuously mumble, "I'm sad." I have no idea where it started (and trust me, you're really not SAD)...but it's just a little game you like to play, I guess. You will even stick out your bottom lip to really go over the top. But little missy, I'll fill you in on a little secret...pouting really works well with your daddy!! :) Just don't ask me how I know that, okay?!

Here is a list of some of your current favorite things:

• your "car"- A.K.A., your princess ride-on that Granny and Gramps bought you last year for Christmas
  


• driving- you love to pretend to drive mommy and daddy's vehicles, too



• The Cat and the Hat movie- but you call it The Hat and the Kitty



• SHOPPING, be it for clothes, shoes, groceries...you don't care, as long as we say we are going shopping, you squeal with excitement!



• ice cream (of course)



• swings...and slides! While driving by, you spot them out before anyone else can (sometimes, I'll even tell you "no, honey, there's no slide." And before I know it, we're passing by one). Smart, I tell ya', just smart. :)



• playing catch with your big bouncy ball



• reading books



• singing songs



• Uncle "Bobert"



• traveling to Kansas (you already know and understand that means that you will get to see some...or even all...of your grandparents, aunts and uncles)

Just a few random truths:

• You can sing the entire alphabet song



• ...and can count to 10 (even in spanish...thanks to daddy and a little help from Dora, the Explorer)



• you know your colors (for the most part...but the one you have a tendency to forget is yellow)



• you have good manners and say please, thank you and excuse me...all at the appropriate times


• daddy admitted, for the first time out-loud, that you are clearly a "mommy's girl" (which totally made me smile and giggle inside)



• you wear size 2T clothes (but if I want your shirts to be really loose and comfy, I will sometimes even buy 3T)



• you wear size 6 shoes



• you have been completely potty-trained for several months now...but still sleep in a diaper at night

and even though this may be a bit late (in some opinions)...I have some exciting news!!!!!

• as of three days ago...you are BINKY-FREE!!!!!!!! For the past year and a half, you only got your binky during naps and when we put you down for the night (and you never had to have it at your Nana's house...can you explain that, please?!) But because I felt (and guilt-fully knew) that it was time...I took it away, completely, three days ago. If it was up to your daddy, he would have "given in" that first nap...because it was hard! You cried out for your binky for 30 minutes. But we stayed strong (well, actually, I stayed strong and forced your daddy to be, as well). You still cried out for your binky during the first two nights, but last night...you simply asked for it once and after I reminded you that you "threw it away", you went to sleep without a single cry. SO PROUD OF YOU, RYLIE! :)

We have some big changes coming this summer. Starting next month, we will be moving out of our home...your first and so far, only, home. We will temporarily be living in an apartment for 3-4 months. Your first (and probably only) baby sister will be entering "your world" at the end of July. We will then move, again, to our new home...hopefully by the end of August. And then, I'm thinking that things will begin to settle down again. But I have a feeling you're going to absolutely love, what will become, our new "norm." :)

Rylie, you continue to inspire me. You continue to shape me. And you continue to fill my heart with pride and joy!

I love you, little missy.

Hugs and kisses,

Mommy