Gotta Love a Momma

My mom came down to visit this past week. It was so nice to have her here. She helps me with so many things which is awesome as my energy is dwindling every day. We had lots of fun while she was here which was the point of the trip. When she comes next time it will be to help out after the baby arrives. She'll be quite busy taking care of me and Ayda mainly!

While she was here we shopped, went to Disney, cleaned out the nursery and it's closet, cleaned the kitchen, rested, went for walks, had picnics by the lake, and just hung out. The week went way too fast in my opinion but we had fun. Ayda LOVES her Be-Be so she had a blast all week. She has already asked for her several times today since my mom left.

I'm so thankful for my mom in so many ways.

She and Ayda played outside for 2 hours one afternoon so I could get dinner ready and clean up the house. They were counting airplanes and birds!

And having a tickle attack!

Ayda loves her tricycle! She rides it around the house all the time and of course lugs it outside whenever we go out there.

Wearing Be-Be's reading glasses. She thought she was something!!

"School Fun!"

A few weeks ago Kevin and I decided that I needed to work with Ayda more on her learning. I was doing the teach throughout the day method and was getting no where. Ayda is apparently the personality that needs me sit down with her one on one and teach. She is so busy and active that teaching throughout the day did not hold her attention well enough. So we started having "school" every morning after breakfast. She knows the routine and is always excited to sit down and work on words, letters, and numbers. We usually make it about 30 minutes which is pretty good for a two year old. I am loving seeing her progress now that we have started doing it this way. She can read about 12 words! The letters are coming along nicely as are her numbers. She cracks us up though because her favorite number is apparently 7 so when we ask her to count something she always starts with 7. She usually goes from 7 to 13...who needs the first 6 numbers right? We are working diligently on those and I do believe she knows them (she counted to 9 today with Kevin correctly), she just likes to start with 7. Funny kid!!!

Whenever we mention School and usually pipes in with "School fun!" I love it!!!

Tampa Aquarium

Ok so I am pretty far behind on the blogging scene!

A few weeks ago Kevin had the good idea of going to the aquarium in Tampa. It's only about an hour and a half drive, maybe less. So we got up that Saturday and were out the door by about 8. Ayda had so much fun looking at the fish, turtles, ducks, penguins, etc. Kevin and I were not as impressed with the place. We still like the Chattanooga aquarium best! But Ayda had fun and that is what is important. And we had an awesome family day!!!

Kevin pointing out the different fish and turtles!

So excited!

Checking out the River Otters!

Ayda's "WOW" face as several big fish swam right by her.

They had a huge sand box with shovels and pails outside! She loved playing there.

About 10 minutes into our drive home and she was out! She was non stop the whole time we were there!!!

Tiger Mom

Yes it is true! I read the book...and I liked it! Now I am not saying in the slightest bit that I will EVER be a Tiger Mom. For one my Chinese Zodiac is a dog. I admit the dog summarizes me quite well, and I am much different than a Tiger! I also was raised by a "Western Mom", a hippie mom as she calls herself. But when Kevin brought the book home last week and asked me to read it with him I agreed. I figured it would be good for me to learn ways to better discipline, teach, and pretty much crack down on Ayda. I was a little put off by it when I read the first couple chapters. Who is this lady? Did she want her kids to completely hate her?? But I kept on and soon realized she had many good points. I will say she makes Western parents seem lazy and uncaring about their children's education and future, which is not entirely true. However, I can see her points about western parents being more carefree and allowing their kids make their own choices. Live and learn mentality.

I actually learned a lot reading this book. Yes I have better ideas on how to teach Ayda (no we will not be studying for hours upon hours...at least not while she is 2!). I also gained a much better understanding of the Chinese culture which is still very true in Kevin's family. The mentality of his grandparents, parents, siblings, and himself. Education is very important. And we plan to teach Ayda daily so that she is learning all the time. Not let her just sit in front of a television or computer to learn either. I will be sitting down with her and working on different things appropriate for her age and also skills that are more advanced.

It is funny to me that this book has gotten such a negative feedback from so many. I can only guess it is because the author is so blunt about our culture verses her culture. But having grown up in the American culture and now being married to someone who was raised in the Chinese culture, I see both sides of the story. Perhaps I am more open minded. I admire Kevin's parents for pushing him the way they did with his education. He teaches me things all the time. Now don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change my childhood for anything. I played sports which I think does teach discipline and socialization. I wasn't a straight A student but I graduated high school with honors, went to the college of my choice, graduated nursing school .2 points from honors (that was annoying!), and worked at one of the best Children's Hospitals in the country. Do I wish I had a master's degree in something. Yes. But am I in a place in my life right now that I feel that is obtainable, not really. With (almost) two small children that degree might wait a couple more years. Kevin on the other hand received his Doctorate at the age of 26. I think that is quite impressive.

It is just fascinating to look at both cultures and see the good and the bad. I cannot see myself being as crazy strict and disciplined with Ayda as this lady was with her daughters. But I see that I really need to step up my game a lot and make some changes. It's scary because I doubt my abilities to teach her daily. When she flat out refuses to tell me which reading card say "dog" I sit there at a loss.Knowing she knows the word but is just refusing to tell me. So we sit there and stare at each other. Finally I ask again and she usually points to the word that says dog. Whew! But I still doubt. The book was good for me though. If you know me well, you know I am the slowest reader out there. I read this book in four days though (229 pages) and gained so much insight from it! I think it is getting way more negative publicity than it deserves. Just my opinion. So from here Kevin and I plan to find the balance. Balance "the American way" with the "Chinese way". Honestly I am ok if we swing more to the Chinese way. I admire it, respect it, and want that for her.

Moving Along

I will be 34 weeks tomorrow! I feel like we are so very close, yet so far away still. I feel when I say it could be only 5 more weeks (39 weeks is when I had Ayda) it seems like so little time. But then when I look at the calendar and actually think about 5 weeks it seems like so long.

We are getting things done nicely. Well I am getting things done, Ayda is undoing them, and I have surrendered to that fact and will redo it at a later time. Let's just say the baby's nursery will not be perfect when he/she arrives. Ayda is loving having the bouncy seat, crib, bassinet, and swing to put her dolls in. I went in there this morning and there were two dolls in the crib, one in the bassinet. She informed me that they were sleeping. And somehow the baby bath tub ended up in our room today as well. But it's all there so that's what this nesting momma cares about!

We ordered 9 more cloth diapers which should arrive this week. I'm excited to get those! We'll have 24 total which I hope is enough. Unfortunately we have pretty much had to stop using cloth on Ayda because she outgrew them and they leak too much. I use them when we are home and for naps but for the most part she is in disposable. Drives me nuts that I can't get them to work but it's a battle I'm willing to give up. I'm REALLY hoping she will potty train soon anyway. So the diapers will be ready for baby and we plan to start using them within a week or so of the birth. I don't plan to wait long at all!

I'm getting more and more anxious to know if we are having a boy or girl. I don't have a strong feeling either way like I did with Ayda. Kevin is hoping we have a boy to keep things more balanced around here. I think he is a little scared about having two girls to raise!

And I know people think I am crazy but I cannot wait to start labor. My labor with Ayda was so awesome and I can't wait to do it again. People have asked if we will have this one at home too and the answer is, yes, absolutely. I have yet to do anything to prepare the house for it but I will have it done by 36 weeks. Our midwife will deliver at 37 and beyond. I'm of course praying for an uneventful labor and birth for us and our baby. I am just excited to be home with our family as we welcome another little one into our lives. I'm so excited to feel that first contraction and say "it's go time!".

Well enough rambling. Till next time!

She's Got Spunk!

Ever since my SIL took Ayda's two year pictures back at Thanksgiving, if she sees me get my actual camera out (rather than the phone camera) she immediately points and says "Buzz" and then "Cheese"! She says Buzz because that is how we got her to look into Allison's camera. Most kids look for puppies or monkeys, my kid looked for Buzz. And then the famous "say cheese" line stuck as it does with most kids. When we were at my mom's a couple weeks ago my camera was sitting on my mom's desk. Ayda saw it and carefully handed it to me (or tossed it in my lap, to my dismay) and said "Mommy, CHEESE!!!" And this is the picture I got! We need to work on the say cheese and stay still part I guess! But as I look at this picture it just makes me laugh. It is Ayda. Full of spunk! The girl loves to make you laugh and gets quite tickled with herself even.

Everyone keeps telling me to really enjoy these last few weeks with just having her. I'm torn because I already enjoy everyday with her. We have fun, we learn, we laugh, we get frustrated with each other. It's what we do! I cherish the time I have with her and I am just excited to add the baby into the mix! But I do know life is about to change and get a big stressful as we all adjust. I won't be able to just go and do for a while with her. And it will rarely just be the two of us out and about again. But, that doesn't bother me though because I know our family is about to grow and so will our hearts as we love another little one!

Anyway, I saw this picture in our gallery today and wanted to post a little something about Ayda!

I'm REALLY bad about taking pictures on my phone which pretty much stay on my phone. I am going to work at getting the real camera out so I have more pictures on the computer to upload!

Stuff on my mind!

I feel like this week has been a week full stuff on my mind. My poor friend, Kaitlin, asked yesterday how I was doing and boy she got an ear full! With a 2 year old that loves to talk it is difficult to complete one thought though so perhaps that is why things are lingering. Don't get me wrong, I love that Ayda has so much to say. She keeps things quite entertaining.

As we are rapidly approaching our due date I am beginning to think of ways to get Ayda ready. She has no clue what is about to happen. Well I take that back...I think she senses something is going on and about to change but she does not know what that is. We talk about the baby and she kisses my tummy all the time. But I don't think she fully realizes that Mommy will not be able to meet her every need the minute she wants it. I'm praying for a smooth transition for her and I'm sure she will do great. She loves to help me around the house with little tasks and she loves babies. The realization that during the day it will be 2 on 1 is sometimes overwhelming. Hopefully we'll fall into a routine quickly and be just fine!

Also I have my brother and SIL on my mind. They just got home from Africa where they met their newest member of the family. It sounds like their trip was amazing and I am full of joy as I hear the stories. I left a piece of my heart in Africa when I went several years ago for a couple months. So of course I am so very excited to have a nephew from Ethiopia. I am in love. It has been such a long and tough journey for them as they have followed God on this path. My heart is full of joy and excitement but also there is heartache in there as well for them. Anyway they found out while they were there this past week that there was missing paperwork so they cannot legally call Micah theirs yet. Hopefully in a few weeks. But we are all so ready to have him home so a couple more weeks seems too long. I know that God has a purpose and plan in all this. He has made that very clear. There are a few things that just makes him theirs. Such a good match for their family. He was born in Ethiopia and just met his parents this week but has a few traits about him that all I could say is...he's a Lewis!

Kevin and I are also making some changes around here. We have read some really good books lately that have changed the way we think and want to live life. There are still somethings in the air but for the most part we are on a neat path right now. There are things that will certainly challenge me as an introvert and as someone who doubts herself a good bit. So I am processing those each day and striving to keep up! And keeping up with some of this at the same time my energy is dwindling daily is a challenge. Staying motivated is on my mind daily. Fortunately my sweet husband is a huge help when he is home and I am just pooped.

Lastly, I decided to make my blog public again. Their will more posts like these where I just share some thoughts and of course posts about Ayda and the new baby when he/she arrives. I basically don't want to feel like I have to upload pics and such to Facebook and this blog. I doubt I'll have time to do both and I'd rather stuff be on here! It's the closest thing to scrapbooking I have left!

That's it for now. I am off to try to go for a walk. I usually don't make it far these days because of the Sciatic in my back. I am so excited to soon be able to really work out again! I miss it so much!