Thoughts of Janey

Janey is getting married today!  I wish I was there!  We grew up together.  We lived next door to each other for many years.

I remember...

• going to preschool together
• primary classes together
• playing in the circle
• being so sad the day she went to kindergarten without me (I think I even cried)
• putting together a summer school for younger kids
• walking home from school together
• swapping books
• classes together again in high school (loved that)
• hanging out with friends
• group dates together
• and so much more.

Mommy lessons | Encouragement over Praise

I recently finished reading "Positive Discipline, the First Three Years" and thought it was a great in helping me better understand what Elizabeth understands and needs now.  One of the things that really stood out to me was the part about Praise versus Encouragement.  We live in a society where we all seek after praise {especially including myself}.  The praise though is something that can be a hindrance.  It says that you just get recognition after you have done something.  As for encouragement, it is saying that you believe in the person as they are working on something.  So as a parent I am going to try to seek was to encourage Elizabeth more.

I have already found that to be encouraging instead of just praising is a difficult thing to do.  Praising is such an ingrained thing.  I have found that I have to think really hard to change the way I say something to make it as encouragement instead of just praise.  I am looking for ways to help me better understand what encouragement is, and then make it into a habit to seek for ways that I can be encouraging.

I CAN DO IT!!!

Sweet little moments

Elizabeth gazing out the window with the evening light gently surrounding her.

Elizabeth falling asleep in my arms while reading to her before her nap.

Little Miss E standing on her little chair on the opposite side of the desk, flipping through a magazine.

Little E tasting the waffle batter, and leaving a ring around her lips and nose.

Rocking my girl before bedtime.

Blurbs of thought

After almost a week, Little Miss Elizabeth's fever has finally left!

Took Elizabeth to the doctor this morning and found out she has an ear infection.  Glad that this can be treated with antibiotics, unlike her croup.  But doctor thinks her croup should be gone in a few days.  I sure hope so!


The weather has been so beautiful!  Warm and sunny!  We all love it!!!


Jakobe called to chat this afternoon.  I love talking with my brother!


Elizabeth took a really long nap, and woke up content.  This makes us both really happy!

I never want to forget...

Elizabeth laughing in her sleep at DTW airport...

Elizabeth had fallen asleep on the first flight last Friday, and I carried her to our next gate and waited to board with her in my arms.  While waiting, I enjoyed watching her sleep, and once again noticed that she doesn't sleep with her eyes completely shut.  I knew that some in my family sleep the same way, but I didn't know about Brian.  So...I asked him if he slept with his eyes open, and he looked at me as if to say, "Really?  What kind of a question is that?"  I made me laugh, and when I laughed I heard and saw Elizabeth give a gentle smile and laugh in her sleep.  Well, this made me laugh a little more, which made Elizabeth laugh a little more, and smile a little bigger.  Which then made me laugh more, and you can guess the rest.  Elizabeth eventually woke up smiling and laughing.  I loved this moment!

This is for you, Amy

August 10, 2009

Nine days before Elizabeth Adelaide was born