My Brother, The Marine

On Saturday, June 18th, my brother Mark graduated from Marine Boot Camp in San Diego, California. Although I wasn't able to go see his graduation, I was thinking about him that entire day and thanking God for this great accomplishment! My parents flew down and spent the weekend there, enjoying the wonderful opportunity to have a small vacation while celebrating this momentous occasion. 

After floating by with no direction in life for several years, Mark made steps to turn his life around including the decision to join the Marines. It was a difficult process, and it seemed that each time Mark went to see the recruiter he would be given something new to accomplish before they would accept him. But Mark could not be swayed. (Ever hear of a man's one track mind?!!)  He went back to school, got his GED, and took a semester of college credits, taking tough classes and earning excellent grades. Then he got the unexpected call that he would be sent to boot camp six months earlier than planned! While we missed him while he was gone, we had no doubt he would succeed. My brother thrives on challenges and risks (which makes his Mama very nervous!). After thirteen weeks of tremendous difficulty, Mark graduated and was given a week leave to come home and visit before moving on to North Carolina to be trained as an military electrician.

We were thrilled to have him home, and many family events were planned. Of course, Mom made him all of his favorite meals (don't ask how the chocolate cookies I made him turned out!), and we repeated our annual Mother's Day softball game and hike that he missed in May. 

I'm so proud of my brother for this great achievement, and I'm excited to watch him continue on in his training. One of the best things about having him home for that week was listening to him talk about his goals for the future. He brought out two slips of paper that he had "laminated" himself with packaging tape. He had penciled on these sheets the steps he needs to take to open up a Bed & Breakfast when he gets out of the Marines. You should hear all that he has planned! The ideas kept growing and growing as he spoke! But just to hear his dreams and plans is a miracle considering the place he was a couple years ago. We are all praising God for the work He is doing in my brother's life. Congratulations, Mark! I love you!

First time Mark met his new niece Selah

Selah's 1 Month Birthday!

I cannot believe how quickly time goes once you have a baby. For me the entire pregnancy DRAGS by, especially the last month; yet now that Selah is here, time has resumed its intense speed. Why is that?!!

Already my baby girl is gaining chub on her thighs, arms and cheeks, and she is working on holding her back straight and head high. This is wonderful to see, of course, but these achievements make a mother’s heart a little sad because these newborn days will never return! 

Highlights from Selah’s first month:

• She loves to hear the sound of running water.
• She has grown from wanting to eat every 1-2 hours to every 3-4. (Praise the Lord!!!)
• We are so grateful for Dr. Solberg’s suggestion to give her Lactase Enzyme. This has helped her tummy aches tremendously!
• The verdict is still out on whether or not she enjoys bath time.
• Her sisters love on her ALL the time, and are great helpers with getting diapers and plugging her mouth with the binky whenever she cries!
• She is definitely a binky baby.
• She likes to be held. A lot.
• She’ll usually settle for the swing if arms aren’t available.
• Nicknames “Punky Poo” (Mom) and “Cootie Pie” (from Cassie) :)
• SHE HAS NOT HAD ANY SEIZURES! We are so very thankful!
• She just started wearing some 0-3 mo. clothes this week, and moved up to size 1 diapers.
• She is an EXPLOSIVE pooper already!
• She has already been to Six Flags Amusement Park, Milwaukee County Zoo, and Monkey Joes.
• Her first month birthday was spent at Cedarburg’s Strawberry Festival.
• She notices when I walk into a room and her eyes follow me. This makes me smile.

I love you darling Selah-girl. You are a treasure, and I’m thankful that God gave us you. I love to sit and snuggle your fuzzy hair and kiss your soft baby neck. You are a wonderful addition to our family, and you are tremendously loved! Oh, and just a friendly reminder… you WILL smile at Mommy first!!! :)

Technology and Blue's Clues

This afternoon Brooklyn was watching an episode from the first season of Blue’s Clues on Netflix, and the first clue Steve found was a tape player. Brooklyn turned to me and said, “A tape player?!!” Then she laughed as she watched Steve draw a picture in the notebook, “That’s just a radio! Tape can’t play! He is being so silly, Mom.”

Oh, what our kids will never know!

Potty Training Adventures

Can't believe I'm starting my blog with the first post being about potty training... but this is a moment to remember! (Can't wait until it is over so it is JUST a distant memory!!!) This week I started the dreaded process with my 2.5 year old Cassidy Reghan. I thought this would be easy since she previously would go when I occasionally put her on the toilet, but since I made the official plunge, her stubbornness has kicked in full swing! 

The raincoat was her idea. Should have been my first clue she was planning on getting wet.

The day started out great with her going No. 2 on the toilet, but by 1:30 PM she had wet 5 panties. I was giving her juice and water to drink and taking her to the bathroom every 30 min, but apparently that was too long. Even with setting the timer every 10 min and trying, she still was having accidents. SO FRUSTRATING. I think potty training is the hardest part of parenting toddlers!

Cassidy teasing me with her naughtiness!

Now three days into this adventure, we continue to have some victories and some failures. Actually, Day #2 went really well, but that was basically because I refused to give her much to drink, and probably dehydrated her. And Day #3... well, lets just say that the guests I had in my home this morning were privileged to encounter a pile of "stuff" on my kitchen floor squished by a little girl's foot (and, no, we don't have a dog). sigh...

If you stop by our home, you'll likely hear me muttering under my breath, "We won't go back to diapers. We are not giving up. She WILL be potty-trained!" But even with her stubbornness, Cassidy still makes me smile. Envision this conversation between Cassie and I while she sat on the toilet:

C: You see pee, Mama?

Me: No. You didn't go yet.

C: Ugh... where pee go? No is!

Me: You don't know where your pee is?

C: No. Want it come home!

Me: You want your pee to come home?

C: Yeah. <sighing dejectedly>

My Cassie-girl: Feet covered in mud and sidewalk chalk, yet with painted toes. :)

I hope it clicks in her head soon! The way this is going, I'll have to do laundry twice a day!

The damage after the first day (minus the pair of wet underwear I found hidden in the porch after I took this pic)