Mom had a very busy week, because of the high school graduations. The bakery hit an all time record high for cake orders in one day...72! Rachel sat on a can on the table and watched Mimi decorate cakes. She found all sorts of toys to play with! Mom enjoyed the company, however, her progress slowed quite a bit! Rachel liked her cookie on a stick!
We drove to Abilene to spend the long weekend with Mom and Dad. We hadn’t been there since Easter and needed some time away. Rachel and I stayed the week, but it was a short trip for Aaron.
We went swimming almost everyday. Rachel continued to get more and more comfortable with the water. She was insecure at first and would say “hep, hep!” She insisted that someone was touching her floaty with both hands at all times. But just in a few days, she learned how to float by herself and didn’t want anyone heping her at all! She wanted to do it all herself! My anxiety level dropped dramatically when she could balance herself and kick her feet. I was able to really relax and enjoy myself. I gave her some crackers to snack on, but she couldn’t figure out why they kept getting soggy! “Hold the cracker up Rachel!”
Aaron’s choir banquet was last night. We had a great time. It was a date! The students dressed up and many awards were given. Aaron honored the seniors and his good friend and associate Jennifer (since she will be teaching somewhere else next year). Later everyone danced and had so much fun. Aaron was pleased with the amount of people that came…150.
Every week, Rachel and I have lunch at La Cantera with friends! It is so nice. I look forward to it every week. My friend Rachel Epperson and I started meeting for lunch when Baby Girl was only 2 months old! Yesterday, I took some pictures so that I could share. We eat in the food court, then go play at the playground. It is a much needed time for me and Rachel. Our group has grown so much and we are now out numbered by our kids! I am the only Mom with just one kid now! ….don’t get any ideas!
Today was a good day for us. We stayed home the whole day and played together! She also “helped” me clean the house. While I was cleaning my office area, I found some Krispy Kreme stickers and she was fascinated! She wore them on her body for a long while. It was a Kodak moment! She didn’t have a nap today…in fact, she has decided lately that she doesn’t need a nap. She is so tired, but just refuses to sleep…not sure why.
After her bath tonight, I was noticing how long her hair was getting, so I made a braid…HER FIRST BRAID! So pretty!
I planted several bulbs a little over a month ago (April 17th) and they have been amazing to watch! I have never been so successful at growing anything in my whole life! They are really starting to bloom and they change every day! The first picture was taken on May 15th and the second picture was taken today…only 8 days later! I am feeling very proud! ….and wanted to share!
Aaron had his last concert of the season on Sunday. It was one of the best that I have seen. He was so excited, because everyone had worked so hard and the music was masterful…Brahms. The church was full all the way to the back and the choir and orchestra were impressive in number. It was so relaxing to sit in that church and listen to the live polished choir. Rachel would have loved the music, but I did not bring her. I needed the break, and she would have definitely been on the recording! Oh dear!
We have a new best friend in the Hufty household…ELMO! About a month ago, I discovered that Sesame Street came on from 9:00am-10:00am every morning. Ever since this discovery our morning always includes the show. It is not hard to tell that Elmo is her favorite part as she mimics everything he does…singing, dancing, laughing. Saturday, we found an Elmo doll at Target and now Elmo goes everywhere Rachel does.
What a wonderful day! I was expecting to have a boring uneventful Mother’s Day, but it was surprisingly great! Church was energizing and uplifting. I am surrounded by so many people that love me and I know that I am so blessed. Aaron was in Missouri for his Grandfather’s funeral, so I was just going to spend the day at home. However, I didn’t have to, because I was invited to lunch by our dear friends Pat and Marcia Snodgrass. We went to the Hyatt Resort! There was live music, ice sculptures, clowns, and TONS of food (buffet style)…my favorite was the dessert buffet! I enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and the great company! Rachel was surprisingly good considering I really pushed her naptime back. The rest of the day, I reflected on how much I love being a Mommy! I tried to get Rachel to tell me Happy Mother’s Day, but she said, “NO!” I did not take offense. I took a hug instead!
Happy Mother's Day Mommy/ Mimi! I hope you have a RELAXING and peaceful day! You are such an awesome person and I love you so much! You are EVERY WOMAN! I want to teach Rachel everything you have taught me about life, Jesus, faith, unconditional love, and inner beauty, because those are a few of the many priceless gifts you have given me! I am so glad there is a day to honor people like you, because you deserve it! Thank you for always showering Baby Girl with your overflowing love and attention. She KNOWS her Mimi loves her! I miss you tons and hope to be in Abilene sometime soon to go swimming with you (and Rachel)! I need a Mom fix! Kiss, kiss, hug, hug from me Rachel and Aaron! I love you so much Mom!
April
(pictures taken in February '08)
Today is Rachel's 13th day of being sober from the bottle! I am so proud of her. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the support of my friends. I dreaded taking it away from her, but found myself at times embarrassed that she is almost 2 and still on the bottle. I had been slowly withholding the bottle for about 3 months now and finally decided that wasn't working and I needed to wash those bottles and put them away for good! COLD TURKEY!It has been tough on me and her both, but we are almost fully adjusted to the new lifestyle. Yesterday was the first day that I really felt like she ate enough in a day! She has never eaten well and is completely disinterested in food 95% of the time. All she wanted was the bottle. She is slowly learning that she needs to eat to have energy and a full tummy. I let her sit in her chair and eat anytime she wants to which is about 4 or 5 times a day. She is even starting to tell me when she is hungry by saying "uh hunry" and "eat some?". She woke up a couple of days ago and I the first thing she said was, "roni-cheese" (macaroni and cheese) so that is what she had for breakfast! When we go places, coping without the bottle is tough, especially when sometimes we drive for 30 minutes! So her diaper bag is always stocked with her favorite snacks- fruit gummys, mini-oreos, chex, and crackers. She recently learned the word cookie, but when Rachel requests it, it comes out "kicoo"!!!
April 18th- I wanted to show off my freshly tamed, pruned, and mulched garden. It took a lot of hard work...luckily I had Rachel to help me! Ha! She kept pointing to my legs saying "dirty!" ...and looking at my hands and saying "yucky!" When I used the water hose she said "water?" I wanted to put some old shoes on her, but she insisted on wearing the on-backwards-miss-matched ones she picked out and put on herself (see picture). I planted some bulbs (calladiums) in pots that I will transfer to the garden when and if they survive. I had some old empty pots laying around and Rachel kept saying "hat?" and putting it on her head (dirt and all). I made her stay on the outside of the garden while I worked, but she was very upset about it. She pouted and cried...and then when she got quiet, I looked back and notice that she had one foot in!...she was testing me!
She is at such a teachable age. We learned how to say we are sorry today. "tell Mommy you're sorry" ...Rachel says "Shaaahwy" ...super cute!
Rachel is my life and my joy! The Lord has given me such an important and special little girl to raise and take care of. She makes me smile everyday and I am so blessed to get to stay home with her.
We went to the Zoo last Saturday! Rachel went last summer, but this was like going for the first time! It was so great! Aaron and I had a blast showing Rachel the animals and teaching her about frogs, elephants, hippos, birds, monkeys, bears, fish, ect. She saw a mountain lion and called it a kitty cat! She could have stayed there all day. We went to the petting part of the Zoo and she touched a sheep and several goats. The day was beautiful and breezy, not too hot. When we got home she crashed!
It is getting really hot down here in San Antonio, so we are finding new ways to cool off. Rachel loves to play in the water and splash. She is still learning the word "swim," so I ask her if she wants to take a bath outside...She practically can't get her clothes off fast enough. The picture shows her in a bathing suit (first time in the kiddy pool), but most of the time she plays n@k3d!!!
So most of you have noticed that I cut my hair off! I had been growing it out for a while so that I could donate it to Locks of Love. Thank you to Emily and Tim (sister and brother-in-law) who greatly inspired me! I went to the salon on April 18th and was able to donate 11 inches. It was a gratifying and liberating experience. I love my new hair and now I am ready for the summer!
