new blog...

So...Google will only allow 1GB of storage space for pictures. I guess I should have downsized all of the blog pictures from the past seven years. Oh well.

I'm using Wordpress now. You can find me at:

http://lauradaulton.wordpress.com/

Bear with me as I try to figure things out over there. It seems very easy, though!

Project 52: FORTY-SIX

I know this picture isn't the greatest quality (it was taken in low light on Jenny's iPad), but I just love it. Last weekend, as I said in my previous post, I went to Austin to visit Jenny! As her friend Jessica said, "All is well in the world when the Rich twins are together." I agree.

I "helped" Jenny with coordinating the volunteers for ArtReach. By "help," I just kept her company the whole day...which means I shopped for myself. Let's just say I am set for my Christmas presents to myself (you know you do it, too...or maybe it's just me). I also nagged her to rest more since she's battling walking pneumonia. She didn't so much like that part of it.

We had a great time Saturday evening, too, eating her roommate's yummy feast and watching a movie together she had checked out from the library...and then giving up on that painfully boring movie and watching Gilmore Girls together instead.

I really enjoyed my little vacation to see my sister. It was very weird to not have G or Eric with me, though. I slept in each day (!!!) and didn't have to feed anyone before feeding myself. It was pretty blissful.

Project 52: FORTY-FIVE

We have the privilege of having the Hill family stay with us for a week.

They are missionaries to China that our church supports.

They just happen to have an 18 month old daughter 

(score! instant playmate for G!).

We have had such a great time getting to know this sweet family.

Even though our house isn't the biggest or the best,

we do have a guest room

and the kid stuff. 

Maybe someday we can swing over to Beijing and visit them!

(Don't worry...there were three adults surrounding this daredevil.)

(I had to post this cutie-pie picture, too!)

G and LG have fun together, 

and we have fun with Andrew and Jaime 

(who, surprisingly, are very similar to us...just mirrored).

Shout out to Eric... he has such a hospitable heart. He knew how important it was for me to spend this past weekend with my sister in Austin at ARTreach. He kept G, took great care of him, AND was a great host to our guests. He even made Turkey Cookies on his own to take to the International Thanksgiving Dinner. He EVEN made it to early service at church on time! I mean, really. This guy is a keeper.

Our guests have been so much fun. Jaime is sweet with a servant heart. I don't think our kitchen has ever been this consistently clean! Oh, and she's cooking for us tonight! Andrew provides us with great conversation and home improvements...He fixed Eric's closet door (finally!), checked out why our dryer isn't the greatest, and raked up all the leaves in our yard. Wait, he didn't do the last thing. That's just wishful thinking.

14 month update!

STATS: 26 pounds, really tall, 18 month clothing

EATING: Eating is about the same - you eat three meals a day and sometimes an afternoon snack. We offer you milk at every meal and water in the afternoon. If you ever finish your milk, you get water. We make sure to give you veggies first so you'll eat them! Your favorite is still asparagus. You pretty much eat what we eat most of the time. We have even given you some spicy curry like in Mommy's Lentil Soup. You sometimes like spicy things...and then sometimes eat them and yell at us. Ha! Let's just say you drink a lot of water and milk at those times.

SLEEPING: You sleep about 11 1/2 hours each night. On the days we are home and don't have activities, you take two naps (or try to...these have been a challenge recently). On days we are out and about, you take one nap. Total nap time equals about 2 1/2 hours.

NEW THINGS: You are a walker!!! You now officially want to walk more than crawl. Crawling is still your go-to, but in the past two weeks, you have become more brave with walking. You get a look of determination on your face and go for it!

You have some new signs (and you LOVE the "Baby Signing Time" video and ask for it all the time...and throw fits when Mommy "redirects" you...): "signing," "drink," and occasionally some of the animal names.

You say some new things: "down," "mama" (more than "Laura" or "Rara"...much to your extended family's chagrin), "please" (I've heard it just a couple times), "bye-bye"

You can blow your nose (only on your terms). This month, the weather has changed a bit, and we've noticed that you have your Daddy's seasonal allergies. Yay. At the beginning of the month, your cough remained and became dry during the night. You would have these coughing fits every night. I started you back on some old Albuterol that we had from last year when you had RSV until I could get you to the doctor. We switched you to a Pediatrician (duh) and he asked if you had any eczema. Well, you do have patches on your legs! He said that eczema and asthma run in the same circles. So now, we have you on steroid cream and steroid breathing treatments (which are milder than albuterol). We have some non-expired albuterol for emergencies. Once we started you on this, you got much better. Your allergies came back once the weather warmed up again, but you're no longer waking us up in the night with your coughing. Yay!

You are starting to learn how to use a fork. You always want to help Mommy with this. Sometimes she helps you get food on the fork, and you pick it up and feed yourself. Next skill: drinking from a cup!

When you are riding with Mommy in the car, and she says, "I love you," You will find her face in the rearview mirror from your mirror and give a kiss! It's so precious.

You wave bye bye (and say it!) to everyone now. You are also very free with blowing kisses.

You have had some separation anxiety lately with Mommy when she goes to Ladies' Bible Class or MOPS.

For Mommy's reference, here's your schedule:
7am wake, breathing treatment & books, brush teeth, breakfast, independent playtime, playing or walking/running with Mommy
9:30am nap...ish
10:45-11:00am wake & play
12:00pm lunch, possibly an errand
1:00pm nap
3:00ish wake & play...maybe a snack, depending on how much you ate for lunch and how late you slept
5:30-6:00pm dinner
7:00pm Daddy-duty - maybe a bath, books, pjs, bedtime at 7:30

Garrett,

You are more and more like a little boy instead of a baby each day. You always surprise us with the things you know and are learning. You are so cheerful and most of the time are very flexible and good natured. You eat very well, too. You have good table manners and are learning how to use a fork...kind of. We love you so much.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy