Little Gardeners

We finally got to enjoy some spring-like weather this week, and one of the things we did was plant some seeds. I am definitely NOT a gardener. Everything I touch dies, but each year we plant some veggies in a few pots, and the kids take care of them. As long as I stay out of it, the plants do great, and we get to eat the fruits of their labor. Here are my two little gardeners getting their seeds in the soil.

I think the reason they like getting to plant seeds (other than getting to play in dirt) is that they get to water them, and they LOVE anything that involves getting wet.

Secrets

This looks like a sweet moment between the two of them, doesn't it?

Are you curious what the funny secret was? I'll tell you! "Charlie, call Mommy a Poopy Head!"
Which he delighted in doing. Several times.

These two together are T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

3 Months Old

Wow, time is moving so fast! I can hardly believe that Olivia is already three months old!! She continues to bring so much joy to our home. She is such a happy, easy-going baby (Praise the Lord!!), and her smile, which takes over her whole face, is extremely contagious. She is getting very strong and is the first of our kids to actually like spending time on her tummy. She has started grasping things and is beginning to discover her toys. She continues to be a great sleeper at night and a finicky sleeper during the day, but even if she hasn't napped enough during the day, she doesn't get grumpy in the evenings. In fact, tonight she was really tired and had a serious case of the tired giggles. We all watched her and giggled along.

Kate, who is beyond generous with her time and talent, took these great pictures of our big 3 month old! I apologize for the picture overload. :)

Look at those cheeks!!! They are so kissable!

Mother's Day Tea

Today I had the privilege of attending a Mother's Tea at Grace's school. The kids did a play of "Brown Bear, Brown Bear," sang a song for us, and led us in a dance. Then they served us our snack and the teachers read some things the kids had said about their moms. It was such a special one-on-one time with my sweet girl..something we've been needing!

All the kids ready to perform Me and my big preschooler (This picture is the first time I've ever seen a resemblance between the two of us!)
Crazy monkey!

Grace and her friend Alexis in front of the mural the kids made for decoration

Funny girls!

And one with her friend Megan and Miss Jenn added in. Alexis and Megan are her best friends at school, and I hear about them all the time!

Grace and Kayla...friends since they were 1!

Grace and Alexa...Alexa is in the other class, but Grace LOVES her, and we're hoping they will be in the same class next year because they will both be in afternoon Kindergarten together.

Grace made me a button and magnet and gave me a paper with an interview about me. Her answers were too funny not to share...

1. What does your mom do while you're at school? She mostly takes care of the baby and just clean, clean, cleans. Moms's a cleaning lady. (Those of you who know me well know just how hilarious this is!)

2. What's your mom's name? How old do you think she is? Brook W*** with no "e". Some people call her Brookie-that's her real nickname. I think she is 22, no, I know she is. She told me!

3. What is her favorite food? Mashed potatoes that have all this stuff in them that I don't like. Grandma makes them.

4. If you had lots of money, what would you buy for her? A day off. (Woo-hoo!! Good answer, girl!) I wouldn't even have to pay. She could go see Grandma in Oregon. I am going to be a mom though-then a Grandma.

5. I know my mom loves me because she...gave me a card once that said, "I love you this much!"

And before you all start thinking she's just such a sweetie enamored with her mom, let me share a little song she made up last night. We had done a little devotional before bed, and the activity was to make up a song about all the good things God has done for you. This is what she came up with...

Thank you for my cute little baby

Thank you for Olivia

Thank you that I'm growing pretty and loving

Help Mommy grow that way, too

Thank you for my mommy

I want to snuggle all day tomorrow

Hmmm...not so sure how to take that one! :)

Happy Celiac Awareness Month/Please Make my Life a Little Easier

I want to give you a little peek into what cooking for my family entails now that we know Grace and Charlie have Celiac Disease.

Soon after Charlie's diagnosis, I wanted to get some refried beans. I looked through every can on the grocery store shelf and couldn't find any that didn't have "natural flavoring" or "spice", either of which could or could not contain gluten. Buying a can of beans was out of the question until I had time to look up each brand on the internet and find one that was safe.

Instead, I found a recipe to make my own refried beans and decided to go that route so that I'd know exactly what was going into their bodies. Beans are naturally gluten free, so it seemed like an easy solution. But then I ran across an article explaining that many dried beans are packaged in the same facilities and on the same machines as gluten-containing grains. I did a little more research and found this to be true. So I did what I've done many times since the kids' diagnosis and contacted the company directly to find out how the beans are packaged. Once I hear back, I'll know whether or not I can make the beans myself. Otherwise, I'll start researching all those brands with "natural flavoring" and find one that is safe. ALL just for some refried beans!

One might wonder if it really matters. If there is just a little bit of gluten on the beans does it really make a difference? Yes, it does. Charlie spent most of last Saturday in the bathroom in quite a bit of pain. The energy he has regained since going gluten-free was zapped from his body, and he returned to the sick little boy he's been since last summer. He didn't eat anything that should have made him sick. He somehow experienced cross-contamination. I read that it takes as little as 1/1000 of a piece of bread to start a celiac response to gluten. So, yes, it matters.

Am I sharing this with you to earn your sympathy? Well, yes, a little bit. I'm hoping you'll feel sorry enough for me, my kids, and the estimated 3 million Americans who have Celiac disease to take 60 seconds out of your day to sign this petition calling for accurate and reliable labeling laws for gluten. (All you have to provide is your name and email address) As it is now, the FDA has failed to finalize standards for gluten-free labeling despite being tasked in 1997 by the FALCPA to do so. People are getting sick from food labeled gluten-free that clearly isn't. Restaurants can advertise a gluten-free menu without the food actually being gluten-free. For someone just casually cutting gluten out of their diet, a little cross contamination isn't that big of deal, but for someone with Celiac disease, it is a huge deal. For me personally, it would mean being able to go the grocery store without having to research every.single.thing. It would mean feeling more confident that the food I feed my children won't send them to the bathroom for the next couple of days. It would mean that it will be easier for my kids to one day feed themselves safely. It would mean a lot, so please help me out. :)

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and signing the petition!

Cutie Pie

We were heading out this morning to enjoy a walk in the beautiful sunshine (finally!!) and I thought Olivia looked too, too cute in her little hat. She's such a cutie pie!!

Visiting Nana Bea

I have been wanting to take Olivia to meet my grandma for awhile, so when my parents mentioned that they were driving down to Portland for the day to visit her, I jumped on the opportunity to tag along. It was a lot of time in the car in one day, but Olivia was a super traveler. It was actually one of the most relaxing days I've had in quite awhile!

Olivia has begun crying when anyone she doesn't know well tries to hold her, so I was a little nervous about how she would react to meeting my grandma, but Olivia instantly loved her Nana Bea! It was so special for me to watch the two of them get to know one another. Four Generations
I love the juxtaposition of this picture.

After all the playing Olivia was ready for a nap, and Nana Bea's lap was the perfect place!

What a special day!! Thanks, Mom and Dad, for letting us tag along and spoiling me for the day!!