"Oh, girls, just wanna have fun"

I had really BIG plans for this post. Monday, I had a fabulous girls day with my mother and a girls crew from Birmingham that included: Kathy, Aunt Donna and Granny. It was a wonderful excuse to polish the silver, get out the fine china, and cut flowers from the garden.



And, of course, I had to make girlie food like chicken salad and zucchini bread.



I thought it would make a wonderful blog post to capture all the women chatting and enjoying the day. Alas, all I have are a few before pictures.




You know you are having a grand time when you have your camera out, but are enjoying yourself so much that you forget to take pictures. I wish I could fully explain how wonderful the day was. It can sometimes be a little lonely as a stay-at-home mom. Therefore, all the company was delightful.

My guest arrived a little after 11am, and we visited for a good while before sitting down to dine on my meager attempts at a nice luncheon. After polishing off cookies we decided to head to Unique Treasures, my all time favorite store in Scottsboro. It was a blast to scourer through the antiques, and I think almost everyone found a little something. After our perusing, we made our way to Huntsville. I had the privilege of driving Granny and visiting with her one on one. It was a lovely ride, though Charlotte did wake from a nap upset. I sang her a lullaby and felt sorry that Granny had to suffer through my off key tune. We arrived at the Greenery (my favorite store in Huntsville) and immediately headed for the indoor section to cool off. Many treasures were found, and we all decided that if we were made of money we would have bought every object they had. We finished our outing with a pit stop at McDonald's for cooling ice cream treats. And much to my chagrin, the girls had to head home. I am VERY MUCH hoping that they all decide to make the trek back again in the not too distant future. If you lovely ladies are reading this, you all provided me with an unforgettable day, and I would love to have you again soon.

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In other news, Charlotte has really been a trooper with her patching. It is a fight to put it on and painful to take it off, yet in the three hours interim she does fabulous. I think this is a good age because once applied; she has no clue how to remove it and so goes on about her play. I can only imagine that a toddler is much more of a struggle. I am hoping that the patching does its work before this turns into a full on fit pitching affair.

Thank you all for your kind comments on my homemade patch. I too, thought it was more fun, yet I have got to do what works best. But this patch is pretty boring right?



So, I've decided to make things a little more interesting.



No, it is not nearly so beautiful as Charlotte real eyes, but I think it's pretty funny. Many times my options seem like either laugh or cry, and I trying to choose laugh as much as possible!



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Just for fun:



It is not easy to braid the moving, bobbing, swaying head of a baby. But I love doing it...and Charlotte loves pulling it all out :)

Did I mention Baby Girl is starting to get an attitude?? I know, it was only a matter of time. She throws a fit if I hesitate for one moment feeding her zucchini bread, her new favorite. And you'd think I'd pinched her if I don't give her the object she wants. I'm really not ready for the discipline stage. However, I know full well that it is in her best interest. Spoiled is an unattractive quality on even the cutest child. I am praying for wisdom on how to handle this new coming stage and for patience (not one of my strengths).

Yet, 99 percent of the time she is my ray of sunshine. Actually, make that 100 percent of the time!

What's a pirates favorite pattern?

ARRRRgyle!

June continues its chaotic schedule and has me rubbing my eyes this morning and doubling how much coffee I will make. Yet, we did get a weekend at home which was lovely. You are probably thinking I took time to get much accomplished in terms of house cleaning and yard work, since I am always complaining about their sorry state...WRONG. The weekend was spent lounging with my husband and playing with my baby.




My creative self has been starving lately, therefore, I did satiate it with time spent working on Charlotte's baby book and upcoming birthday party. If cleaning toilets were as fun as glitter, construction paper, and glue, our bathrooms would be spotless.




Monday, we road down to Birmingham early so that we could visit with family and take Charlotte for her first dip in a pool. These last few weeks have been crazy, but I'd do it over and over again for my family. They are amazing, and I'd love to talk any and all of them into relocating to our booming metropolis. We laughed with cousins and were entertained as Charlotte acquainted herself with the swimming pool. My aunt and uncle had us over for a scrumptious dinner where I devoured more corn drenched in butter than I should have.

Tuesday morning, Charlotte, my mom, and I headed over to our ophthalmologist. I had already shed my tears over the possibility of a patch and girded myself for what might come. Dr. Metz was superb and after testing Charlotte's eyes, he did see crossing. The plan is for me to patch her eyes for three hours everyday, alternating which eye. After a month I am to call Dr.Metz and tell him how Charlotte is progressing. If the patch is not helping, then the next step is surgery. Dr. Metz informed me that I could make Charlotte's patch since she has latex precautions.

My old Singer finally gave up the go a few weeks ago. My mother decided the best plan of action was to locate a new sewing machine. THANK YOU MOM!!! We did eventually find one and had a ball along the way. I now have more projects in my head than I will ever have time to accomplish. But first on the list was a patch!



I made it with soft cotton and lace. Charlotte ROCKED it!




I made it convex to allow for blinking. Well, Charlotte's beautiful eyelashes still rubbed on the patch causing irritation. So, my homemade patch was a no-go. After much internet research, I discovered some adhesive patches without latex. They also hold the eye closed which can be less bothersome to a child. Baby girl can rock anything!



She screamed bloody murder taking it off, and it did leave her slightly red. But the redness died down quickly, so we are going to try them again today. She is a trooper, my girl. Charlotte quietly forges on through anything that comes her way. I think there is some inner steel in her. And baby girl can wear anything and look good!!!!




For now, we have a lovely pirate rolling around the floor for a few hours everyday. We are praying this solves the problem, and no surgery will be needed.




Yet, if it is needed, I have confidence that my baby girl will forge through with all the childhood vigor that astounds us as parents. And I am confident that my God will strengthen me with all the grace and mercy which astounds me as a sinner.

"Rain falls angry on the tin roof"

The sky looks slightly gray, and I am praying that rain would come and pour through the cracks in our parched lawn and revive the hostas that are succumbing to the ferrous heat of this summer. I might take Charlotte outside and let her feel and taste the sweetness of much needed water. She has yet to experience the delight of a cooling summer rain, and today may remedy that. Yet, I am not holding my breath because there is still much sunshine amidst the graying cirrus sky.



We went ahead and watered many plants this morning, and pools of sweat lined both our foreheads. Charlotte rode on my back as I watered, weeded, and sprayed the yard which has now lost its spring luster. Instead it looks dry, overgrown, and in much need of a gardener's diligent hand. However, time and heat are keeping this gardener from her work...that and a little baby girl.



Our church's VBS is in full swing currently, and I am enjoying the time to get to know more children at Riverside. I leave the program early every night to feed and put the baby to bed. Even though I am only gone about two hours Charlotte does not like the current arrangement. As I often tell people, she is a wonderful baby as long as I do what she wants: be with her 24/7, nurse her whenever she wants, and hold her a large part of the day.



This new nighttime agenda does not fall into Charlotte's plan, and she is making her daddy work hard every night to keep her happy. But I have no doubt she will survive and Friday will bring restoration to the schedule.



We are all looking forward to a weekend at home. This weekend is our rain for we have been parched from travel and are in need of soaking rest. I have the typical mile long to-do list rumbling around in my head. But as I look at Charlotte babbling in her bumbo and think of Ben working hard to allow me this time at home; I am going to let the list dissipate from my mind. Instead of a Saturday filled with to-do's, I'm longing for a day with my little family. Maybe we will finally get that plastic haven called a baby pool; or it might pour all day and allow us the luxury of movies and board games. Whatever we do, I just want to soak it in. I want to laugh and twirl Charlotte around the room. I want to watch Lilly chase bumble bees on our deck. I want to rest in the crook on my husband's arm and tell him just how wonderful he his. To-do's will be there when the week starts back.



One more note before I am off to water more plants because the blazing sun has dispelled all hope for rain. Tuesday, Charlotte meets with an ophthalmologist in Birmingham to look at her wandering eyes. We are hoping that no surgery will be needed and have heard that patches are often used to strengthen the eyes. But what I really want is a magic cure. I am ashamed to say it but I don't want to patch those big beautiful blues. They take me in, her eyes. Every time I look into them I reel at the love and joy she has brought to my life.



Yes, I am aware that it is much better than surgery. Yet, the possibility of a patch saddens my heart (as foolish as that may be). You all have been so supportive in this journey and I ask you to once again pray for my baby girl. I ask you to pray for me as well: for continued acceptance of the path we are on and peace when the road diverges from the route I thought we were taking.

"Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'/ Into the future"

I'm trying to soak in the quiet moments of the day.



They are few and far between at the moment. We have and will continue to travel the rest of the month. Ben and I are both looking forward to a restful July.



Yet, it has been wonderful to see relatives and celebrate marriages and birthdays. It is a blessing to be loved and lifted up by family.

Memorial weekend we celebrated with my Dad's side of the family in Tennessee. It was the weekend of many firsts for Charlotte.

First time meeting many cousins, aunts, and uncles.





First time in a bathing suit




And the first time in the lake for both Lia and Charlotte.




Charlotte seemed to love it, even though she was stuck in a life jacket from the 80s.



Lia however, was not a fan and happy to be on dry land.




It was wonderful to share in the joy of watching these girls interact with family and to anticipate the years to come when we can hear bouts of giggles as these girls and their cousins to come play together.




Yet there is always a bittersweetness to it all. I revel in the delight of watching Charlotte grow and change while desperately wanting to hold onto these fleeting moments of babyhood.



Life passes so quickly as a parent, but I see the gaiety that my parents have as they interact with our children. One day I hope to watch Charlotte play with her own children. One day I hope to be as full of joy and vitality as:



My own grandmother :)