Trying not to complain

Well, after yesterdays blog I should have expected today to be just how its been. Liv didn't sleep at all last night. In fact, she was in our bed at 11:30. Yesterday, her ear drum exploded, so once again I was at the Dr and she was given antibiotics. So I felt bad last night, and so again she was in our bed. Errr. I didn't sleep at all, but she was her smiley self in the morning so I decided to just try to not complain. However, as I left the flat for Thursday Bible study, I locked myself out! Not only did I lock myself out, but the spare key was on the kitchen sink, and the churches spare key was on the fire mantel... Soooo, I had to call the locksmith who charged me £50 for literally a minute of his time. Then I cooked Liv a lovely chicken lunch, and she threw it all over the ground. Then her Huggies leaked (OK I'm trying to get over the fact I bought Huggies this time around and I hate them). Anyways, she is now asleep and there is peace. God please help me to not complain and to realise once again how utterly blessed I am!

My baby girl

I am incredibly blessed by my baby girl. Shes starting to walk! I cant believe how fast that has happened. Where has the year gone?  I was reading in my book 'Feminine Appeal' about appreciating your children in whatever stage they are in. I'm always complaining, instead of rejoicing over the fact that my little girl is fearfully and wonderfully made. She has been in trusted to me for this short time and I'm to appreciate her. So, I'm going to try. Seriously, I am. I'm going to try to stop complaining when she doesn't sleep. Or when I cant go on the Internet when I want. Or when she wont eat. And I will just enjoy her for who she is now. An adorable little nearly 11 month old.

On a side note...her birthday party is going to be amazing!!! Super excited!

Shes walking!

Shes walking! I cant believe Liv took her first steps last night. I was excited, yet sad at the same time. My little girl is growing up so fast! Ive been busy planning and preparing her first birthday. Shes almost 1! Wow! As I think over what I was doing this time last year, Im amazed at how quickly time passes. It truly makes you appreciate the moments you have.

Celery and Purple Baby Shower

My dear friend Rebecka is having her baby in December. She doesnt know what she is having, so I decided to throw a color themed shower.  I had fun making the bunting and discovered how cute water bottle labels can be.  The nappy cake was a hit as well!

Family Photos

We wanted to get some family photos done of our growing family.  Our dear friend Matt at Matt Ethan Photography did an amazing job capturing our day out at the park. If you ever want your moments captured, he does an excellent job! You can find him at www.mattethan.co.uk.

  

Blessed

The dictionary has many definitions for the word blessed. I think the best one which describes how I feel right now, and strive to continue to feel is number 4 on the list...

4.  blissfully happy or contented.

 

 God has blessed me with a loving husband of 3 years, Chris, and an beautiful baby girl, Olivia, who is now turning 10 months old.  We live inside Jesmond Parish Church, as Chris is the verger there. Although challenging, I truly believe the Lord has called us to live here for this time. And for that, I am blessed.  I think I need to count my blessings more often. I often find that I get in a slump, feeling as though the entire world is closing in on me.  But then God does something amazing... He answers a prayer that has been prayed so many times. He is so faithful. Chris was an answer to prayer... when I was a single girl praying each night that the Lord would bring my husband to me. Olivia was an answer to prayer...as I prayed for months that the Lord would allow us to have children. Its funny... how I can forget those 2 huge answers to prayers when life gets tough. Yet, God is still faithful.

Today I passed my driving test. After 3 attempts, I passed. Thank you Lord.  I also have been blessed by wonderful friends, who, when I needed them, watched Olivia for a few hours so I could take my test without stressing about her.  I guess I just need to count my blessings more often.

Sleep!

What a busy couple of weeks we have had here in the Parry home. We dedicated Olivia to the Lord on the 3rd of this month, which was a very special service. It was followed by afternoon tea- with many, many cupcakes! We were blessed by all those who were able to make it (about 90). It truly reminded Chris and I that we are part of such a loving church family.

We have now finished the first week of sleep training. Let me tell you, it is a nightmare! Liv has been in our bed since birth...but last Wednesday night we decided it was time for her to be in her own bed. There has been many tears, screams, etc coming from our house... but I think we are making progress. If you are mom out there, and need to get your little one out of your bed, try the Baby Whisperer pick up/put down. I highly recommend it!

Olivias Baby Dedication

God has truly blessed us with our little Olivia Grace!  Our greatest desire is that she grows up to know and love the Lord, calling Him her Lord and Savior.  It was very important to both Chris and I that we dedicate her life to Him in a ceremony at church.  It was such a beautiful day, filled with lovely songs, and followed by yummy food. I made loads of cupcakes, with the help of my dear friends Sarah and Eleanor. The color theme was pink and orange, and I think it came out quite nice.  Everyone seemed to be very impressed with the afternoon tea. We had sandwiches and baby foods on one table, tea cups with tea and coffee on another, and then the cupcake bar. 

Afternoon Tea and Bumps

I had four friends who are all pregnant at the same time and wanted them to meet each other. What better way for that to happen than having a yummy afternoon tea.  I experimented and tried out Martha Stewarts french macaroons. All I can say is they were difficult! I didn't add enough food coloring and I think I over-baked them a bit. However, they tasted yummy.  I also made some cinnamon spice scones served with apple pie jam. All I can say is DELISH! The afternoon was filled with much baby chatter and laughter.  Ive thrown in a pic of my little Livy and I before everything was set out.

Party planning

well, Ive been busy trying to plan a few events/parties. Olivias baby dedication is on the 3rd of October, followed by Rebeccas baby shower. Then its Livs America 1st birthday, followed by her UK 1st busy. Phew... busy busy. Im trying to be organized, which means being busy planning now. I feel like my head is spinning with ideas..I just need to do them. Its a bit hard with Liv, as I dont want her to be bored going around all the shops. So alot of work is being done online. Oh the joys of late night internet shopping! Keep an eye out for upcoming events!

6 months!!!

Well, its been over 6 months since I have blogged. Wow, where has the time gone! Olivia is currently asleep (in our bed...wish I could say cot = ) ), and I am able to write a bit before she wakes up. She has grown so quickly.. I cant believe shes already sitting up, eating solids, and trying to crawl. I am really enjoying being a mommy. It has its challenges, but is very rewarding. Olivia is such a happy little girl; always smiling. I am blessed to have such a lovely baby. Our schedule is quite busy during the week...visiting with friends, attending baby groups, etc. We have made some amazing new friends who are true kindred spirits. My NCT friends have been such a source of encouragement and support... I couldn't have gotten this far without them. I sit here in my nice clean house (thanks hannah), relaxed and peaceful, and I am overwhelmed with how blessed I truly am! Well, that's all for now. Liv seems to be stirring a bit.

Olivias 6 Month Birthday

We are celebrating Olivia's 6 month birthday today. I know, a bit strange having a 6 month birthday party. I just wanted to do something small to celebrate getting through the last 6 months... and what better way of doing it than with a bit of Hello Kitty

!

Olivia Grace Parry

We are happy to announce the safe arrival of our little miracle, Olivia Grace Parry, born December 31st weighing 9 lbs. After a very long labour...im talking Monday till Thursday, she decided to make her grand entrance. We knew from the word one of my clients gave before I knew I was pregnant that she would be born before the end of the year, and would be healthy. But as the end of the year approached and the hospital was insistent that I was just experiencing false labour, we began to doubt. Finally, early morning on Thursday December 31st, I rang the hospital, again, and demanded to come in. I had been having contractions since that Monday and was tired. They told me to come in, but that they were probably going to send me home as they thought it was false labour because the contractions weren't consistent (being between 3-5 min apart and stopping every now and then). However, when we arrived I was 4 cent. dilated, and the contractions never became consistent. Unfortunately, after 10 hours in the water, I wasn't able to give a water birth because Olivia wasn't in the right position to make me dilate fast enough ( probably why I had contractions since Monday). Anyways, be 2:11 in the afternoon on the 31st she came into the world. Now, I thought the labour was the hard bit. But, actually, after all those sleepless days of labouring.... we faced more sleepless days and nights when we arrived home. Its been really tough adjusting to life with our baby. The dr said its usually toughest for those who have struggled getting pregnant because your expectations are harder. I think for me, breastfeeding has been the hardest thing. Its been very tempting to just switch to formula...as I would be able to get some sleep, and my breasts could heal from the torture of feeding ( Ive had sores and mastitis which is an infection causing you to have flu like symptoms and severely painful breasts). But we have gotten through the worst bit , well thats what everyone keeps saying. God provided us with one of the pastors wives at the church who is a pediatrician. She came along every day and night to check on Olivia and I and to encourage me with my breastfeeding. We would not be where we are without her. Chris' mum also stayed the night during the first week when things hit an all time low with my breastfeeding and I had to express for a week. What a help... and we were able to get a good nights sleep which does a world of good for you. But, like I said, chris and I have gotten through the worst bit and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still haven't managed to get dressed everyday, but my pjs are comfy and I cling to the fact that I know I will be able to one day.