The Week In Review

Wow. This was one of those weeks that just blew by. We've been busy preparing for next week--the start of the fall semester (meaning Matt's music studio nearly doubles).

We started homeschooling Owen this week. Owen and I have preschool classes together two or three days a week for 20-30 minutes. This week we learned big "A" and little "a," and we studied the color red. It was fun, but REALLY hard--for me. For the first day I just didn't feel like I was accomplishing anything, and Owen just didn't seem interested. However, when Matt came home, Owen proudly showed his daddy what he had learned. So, I'm adjusting my expectations, and that's helping a lot.

Owen had his last swim lesson, and I wish I had gone with them. Matt reported that after the lesson was over the instructors allowed them to go down the huge waterslide--and Owen loved it! Can't believe I missed that picture!

Owen also got a "big" bike this week. I found a great deal on Craig's list. Owen now has "bike school" with daddy a few nights each week. He's quickly learning to pedal on his own. He's a little wary of the big bike, so we've been practicing on his trike:

Eden, oh, Eden. That girl is into everything. We have to do Owen's lessons when she's sleeping, or we get nothing done. She's letting go of holding on to things while she stands, and standing on her own for 3-5 seconds. We learned this week that she also can stand in her highchair--yep, that was a freak out moment for mom. Her little tooth is becoming predominant. It's adorable, and I'm thinking it might have a friend coming in very soon too.

She also learned her first sign today--"All done!" Yeah, Eden! I was busting with excitement. She also said "ah dah" at the same time! Check it out:

Seconds later I was crushed when I realized my baby had just taken a major step from being an infant to becoming a kiddo. *sniff*

9 months old

Sunday marked Eden's 9th month outside my womb. *Sigh*

I got this idea from my friend Rose.

Nine things I love about my baby girl (in no particular order):

9. An amazing smile and delightful giggle that cures any sadness from any room

8. Her eyes that twinkle (especially when she smiles)

7. Eden is "gifted" ;) at blowing raspberries

6. The look in her eyes when her "da" walks into the room. They've had a special bond since the first day, and though sometimes I feel left out--mainly, I'm very happy she's her daddy's girl.

5. She is scrappy. No matter the obstacle, she is determined to overcome it (or him--meaning Owen).

4. The way she cuddles and clings to me. Sure, some days I wish she would like to be held more by someone else, but truly I LOVE having a baby want and need her mama so much.

3. Her jabber. What a talker we have! You should hear Owen & Eden converse as we drive around town. Their special "talk" always ends up in giggles (and subsequent raspberry-blowing contests).

2. Her chubby little legs

1. Her sweet voice--nothing is more precious than when she says "mama"

This Week In Photos

Here's a collection of photos from this week:

This was taken at 9 a.m. on Monday.

This is why little boys shouldn't wake up at 4:30 a.m.

How we pass the time on rainy Thursdays: laundry basket rides.

Eden discovered this week that milk comes out of something other than her mommy's boob. You can't tell from this picture, but she was quite delighted.

It rained and poured Friday and Saturday. That didn't stop (in fact, it encouraged) our little man from going outside.

What a good big brother

I know I'll never have to worry about Eden going hungry.
Just now the two of them were being very quiet--obviously meaning they were up to something. I found the two of them sitting in front of the screen door looking at the rain outside. I came in closer to find Owen had made himself a bowl of cereal and was feeding it to Eden.
What a good big brother.

This One Is for Tracy

We love our sprinkler, Tracy! Thank you!!

(It's hard to tell in the video, but the sprinkler is shooting water in every direction.)

Oh, Eden.

Eden Mara Cramer.

I find I'm saying that quite often these days. My little girl...oh my little girl. She's scrappy, adventurous, and determined. We call her trouble, and now I'm thinking "Bruiser" would be a good fit too.

See that brown lump on her forehead? That's the goose-egg bruise she got on Wednesday (after the swelling had gone down a bit).

She's not even 9 months old, folks, and this girl is DETERMINED to start walking--never-mind solid wood table legs that seem to get in her way.

She has little bruises all over her head and body from other minor bumps, slips and falls, and I thought for sure this one would slow her down. I think she cried and hollered for a whopping 8 seconds. I put ice on it, but she squirmed & wiggled out of my arms, back on the floor, where she attempted to stand up on her own yet again.

What else has this hard-headed beauty been up to? Well, she cut her first tooth, and I can firmly attest to that it is RAZOR sharp.

She likes to spend quality time in the plastic-ware cupboard daily. (Meaning I get to reorganize & clean it daily.)

Yesterday evening Owen requested to watch a train movie on my computer (b/c I was watching the Olympic opening ceremonies--apparently a big yawner for 3 year olds).

I had just diapered Eden after a bath, and went to help him put on the video. SECONDS later I came back to living room where I had left her & she's gone! No where in sight. I circled the couch, went through the kitchen and dining room--all the while calling her name louder and louder. I peeked in the laundry room, and then saw her--she had made it from the living room to her brother's room, and was coming back out looking at me with a look of "What?"--all innocent like. I swooped her up & gave her a good scolding on never scaring mommy like that again. She smiled. (Oh, am I in trouble.)

Eden puts everything in her mouth, and can find anything small and unsafe to chew on. Owen basically did the same thing, but he didn't have an older sibling with a bad habit of leaving potentially dangerous things in baby's reach. Today we found the top of a click-pen in her mouth (metal, about the size of a small screw). A few days ago--a guitar pick. I spend every day swiping her, now sharp, gums.

My favorite thing she does, and this is golden--when I catch her doing something SHE knows she's not supposed to be doing she jumps and quickly trys to "run" away with whatever object she has in her hot little hands. We don't call her Trouble (now with a capital "T") for nothing!

Day 29 & 30: And now a final word

I have no idea what happened yesterday. I thought I had blogged. Boy, am I glad this 30 days is over. I truly believe you should only blog when you really have something to say.
Which, I do.

This posting comes with a warning: DO NOT assume that this pertains to you.

We've had so many friends and family members encourage us during this "rough spot," and we appreciate it. However, I need to say something. This comes from conversation after conversation with friends who are desperately trying to cheer me up, encourage me, or somehow make it better with words.
It feels like we're in a boat that's taking on water, and we are going to drown. Friends who send off words of encouragement like "you did the right thing," "have patience," "trust God--it will work out," or similar phrases, are like people standing on the shore waving to us & smiling. You might have a different perspective standing on your safe shore, but think for a moment how we're feeling in this boat. Would you want the person on shore just smiling & waving? Or, are you screaming desperately for rescue?
If you don't have the solution, and you're not willing or unable to send a life line, or have never been in this boat--please stop trying to "fix it" with your words. It's not helping. Rather, the best thing to say would be--I'm here if you need someone.

We've reached a point where we're even sick of telling people how we're doing. It seems like life is full of dread and worry, and that's not who we are. I told Matt today that we need to have a "God is good" party. We're not yet sure what that looks like, but I'm sure it involves bacon.