22 Month old

So I have a 22 month old! Its hard to imagine that in December, Liv will be 2.  Since Ive last blogged, some exciting news has made its way into the Parry household. I am pregnant with another little girl, who I cant wait to meet in March. God has truly blessed us!  The past couple of days have been filled with organizing. Ive been organizing all of Livs old baby clothes. Wow, we have a ton! A word to the wise, make sure you label all the clothes in appropriate boxes when you put them away in the loft. Otherwise you are stuck with a big fat mess in your dinning room which needs to be cleaned tonight so that your friends can enjoy lunch at the table tomorrow! Im not stressed, I just feel productive!

On the party planning side, I havent dont much of it lately.  I am taking things slow as its been difficult with Liv being sick all the time, and her unpredictable sleep patterns.  I have decided that, for the time being, i will just focus on personal events, and church events.  This summer, I did a really cute blue and yellow themed party for Sara Jordans second little boy. I loved how it turned out...and wish I had some fun pictures to share...but we lost our camera in Holy Island with them on it! Err.  The next event I have is a coffee night for mums and friends from church. Hmmm. Im working with my good friend Sarah Wood on this which will be fun. I have some ideas of what we might do...so stay tunned.

Now going back to my messy dinning room needing to be cleaned for friends. Ive invited the mums I usually hang out with on a Wed am over with their toddlers to decorate sugar cookies and have lunch. Im going to make my traditional sugar cookie recipe (thanks Martha Stewart), and let the kids roll the dough out and use the various cutters I have to cut out the cookies. I also have some decor which we can use to decorate them afterwards.  For lunch, Im serving a weight watcher friendly meal (2 of the ladies are on ww), We will have ww quiche, salad, fruit, hummus and dipping vegetables...and for desert... pumpkin muffins with cream cheese frosting. All I can say about these muffins is YUMMMM! They are amazing...so moist and yummy.  Liv loved them (without the cream cheese of course).

Well, I shall post some pics of tomorrows excitement when I am able.  I will also get some pics of the nursery as it gets transformed into a little girls room. I'm so excited to have sisters!

My 19 month old

I cannot believe how fast time is going. I now have a 19 month old little girl. Today as Chris and Olivia danced around the living room to Psalty, I reminded myself to savour these moments as they wont last forever.  I am one blessed woman.  The past couple of months have been jam packed with visits with friends, dancing around to psalty, and playing with play doh...or baaaaa as Olivia calls it.  She can say quite a few words and is trying really hard to talk. Its quite cute, although I can imagine a bit frustrating for her.  She has such a vibrant personality, although she can be quite moody at times.  We definitely have our hands full.  I haven't been working on Tuesdays which has been nice. Im enjoying having lots of time off, although I do have quite a few work responsibilities that Im finding hard getting around to do.  I guess my mind and heart is set on just being a mom.  I realize it truly is a calling and a gift. not many people can do it.

Uncertain times

Well, these are truly uncertain times. Chris is still unsure about what is happening with his job. Im not sure how I feel...some days I am scared, others Im rejoicing in the Lords plans. I know He has a plan for our family, and I just need to wait and see what that is.  Chris applied for a new job yesterday. A positive side of it is that its only 20 minutes away from home...its only during school term time, and he said that the job description seems to be something he would rather be doing. So I am praying that if this is the Lords will, that Chris will get selected for the job above all the other applicants. So we just have to wait and see.

I, on the other hand, will find out Tuesday what is happening with my job. Its not looking to positive for me. I had a good cry about it already...and now feel like I can handle any news they throw at me. 

On the baby front...yes, you may be asking, did I say baby front? Well, Chris and I havent started 'trying' yet... but Im already getting a bit of anxiety.  Many of my mommy friends are starting to have baby number 2.  Although we havent even tried...I am well aware that it may not even happen. One miracle may be all that the Lord is going to give us. Although my desire of my heart is to have a large family, Gods desire might be different. Im just praying and waiting to see what the Lord has instore for us.

Tough Day

All I can say is today wasnt the easiest of days.  Liv woke up at 5, snuggled with me till about 6, then was up!  We did some chores around the house, got dressed, and then sat down for breakfast around 7.  Well Liv decided to have her fingers in her mouth...and then, all of a sudden, vomit flew all over me, her, the floor, the cabinets...it was everywhere! She then started to cry...and well, that was pretty much the state of her mood for the rest of the day. I got her to take a nap at 10 am, a bit off schedule, but I was desperate. My friend Karen came over for coffee and a chat...and again, not sure what happened, but all of a sudden my coffee slipped out of my hand, and landed all over me. Outfit change number 2 of the day, and before 10:30am!  After Karen left, live woke up. We had lunch, and then tried to bake some cookies for Rebecca....but realized we didnt have flour. She wasnt coming over till 3, so I thought we could go to the store, buy some, swing by pets corner, and get back by 2 to bake the cookies. So we set off. Everything was fine until we got to pets corner, and it was closed! Then Liv decided to throw a tantrum and threw her water cup down an embankment towards the stream in the park! Ahhhh. Pretty much the walk home, which should have taken 15 minutes, was filled with screaming and crying...from Liv and myself = ). 45 min later we were home.... No cookies for rebecka = (. And outfit change number 3 happened as Liv decided to wipe boogies all over my top. What a day!!!

I feel good

This morning I woke up feeling really good. Chris is on night duty with Olivia, waking up with her throughout the night so we can wean her off her night feeds. The rule is, she cant come into our bed until 6 am for her morning feed.  We usually snuggle till 7, when shes ready for the day.  I was able to get a nice shower in and properly get ready for the day. Chris took her downstairs after he had set up for communion, and I was able to read my Bible and have a cup of coffee in peace.  Church was really good as well, and I felt at peace for the first time in weeks. I really hope this continues.  I know God is control of our entire situation...and so I trust Him. (well atleast right this second I do).  Liv has had her lunch and is getting her wiggles out before her afternoon nap. Im ready to relax in my sweats for the rest of the afternoon with Chris.

Lack of Trust

What does someone look like who doesn't trust the Lord. Well, i think i am a pretty good picture of that right now. Chris will find out in April if his job is secure or not. My contract ends March 31st, and its unknown whether it will be renewed (although i am only working 5 hours a week, every little bit helps). We are cutting back in every way we can. Especially in my frivolous spending.  I keep looking around and seeing friends with huge houses, great dreams, etc. I feel trapped. I feel like God has forgotten us and doesn't want to allow us to have a home. We went to view a house yesterday, bad idea. It left me feeling hopeless. when will that ever be for us. Word to the wise, don't ever view a house you cant ever afford!  well, that's how im feeling today...and im trying to trust that God has everything in His hands!

Charity Event

Blue Sky Trust asked me to make 15 centerpieces for the recent ceilidh they had.... the only problem was they only had a £20 budget! That had to include napkins, tableware, etc. So I thought, and thought, and thought some more. Greggs donated some cakes...and they wanted some fruit as well. So... here it is. My £20 job.

Little Birdie Shower

I loved creating this shower. I used little birdies as my theme for my dear friend Sarahs baby shower.  The cake balls were once again a major hit! I loved the little blue bows on them.  I am very excited to meet baby Wood who will be here very soon!

Olivias First Birthday

I cant believe my little girl is one! Where has the time gone.  I couldn't wait to throw her a fabulous party to celebrate this momentous occasion. The theme was pink and white polka dots, inspired by her cute chair purchased at Pottery Barn Kids. My mother and I worked hard at creating the banners, ribbon topiary, and other hand made goodies. My sister at Cakes by Jeanine made the amazing cake!  Olivia's outfit was from Rachel on a Hill.  And I threw in a picture of the Yo Gabba Gabba character for laughs (note to self, never hire a cheap character because you will end up with a man dressed as a pink monster, showing up an hour late, with the foam coming out of the suit).  Hope you enjoy!

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