Old School, She's a GUSHER and Tutu magic!

A couple of weeks ago I went to a baby shower for a good friend of mine from highschool, Meagan (she's having a girl...YAY!) Everyone had a great time catching up and it was soooo good to see everyone. Meg lives in AZ but the rest of us live here and just never see each other. Here's a commemerative pic:

(left to right) Sam, me, Mommy to be Meg, Ann, and Jennifer...
Yesterday was Lorelai's first blood-spilling accident. She was crawling in the kitchen in her dress (normally when on hard floors, she does what my friend Diane calls the "Mogli" (kid from junlge book) crawl where she crwls on her hands and feet like a spider monkey. Today, however, she decided to try to crawl on her hands and knees and as I was walking towards her to redirect her, she ATE it. Bigtime. Flat on her face, biting her two bottom teeth into her little tongue. I remained relatively calm because I saw the whole thing happen....but blood was literally POURING out of her mouth. I called to Shawn who walked in from the garage and thought she was dying (like I said...she's a gusher) but after I explained what had happened he had the good sense to go get a piece of ice for her to suck on (good, quick thinkin daddy!) while I caught the blood with a paper towel in between ice gulps. Here are some pics of her little purple and red tongue (taken today at Walmart, no less)


Can you see the blood on her face? I noticed a minute later she had reopened her wound somehow and made it bleed again. She didn't even notice, but I'm sure everyone around me was wandering why I was letting my child bleed to death.
On another note....today Lorelai and I had an impromptu photo shoot with her new tutu! It wasn't much fun since it's sooooo hot outside today, and the baby monster would NOT look at me the whole time! We did get some really cute shots, though! Here are a few of my favs:








Before you know it, I'll be taking pictures of her walking around! Wow!

I'm Diving In..

Well, I gave my two weeks notice at Crosspoint Fellowship today. If you haven't heard, don't feel left out...I didn't tell anyone on purpose! I am really, really seeking God and his will for my life right now and didn't want anyone's opinion.
While I was pregnant with Lorelai, I just knew that God wanted me to be a stay at home mom. When this opportunity at the church came up, I thought- Great! What an awesome way to make a little money and work one day a week and work from home! How could I ask for anything more??? Well...I should've known what was going to happen. I really, really don't adapt well to change. Before Lorelai, apparently I knew nothing about myself- I would've told you I'm an easy-going, go-with-the-flow kinda gal. I would've been unintentionally lying to you. I have learned so much about myself and who I want to be over the past year it is amazing. I now know I am high strung. I do not do well with change. I am creative. I am capricous. I can really only devote myself to one thing at a time, and if it's not God, he's pushed to the back burner with everything else. But, the one thing I am devoting myself to gets ALL of me. I do nothing half-heartedly, and that usually means a whole lot of nothing is getting done!
I have really been put through God's refining fire this year. I am ready to be putty in his hands, and to give myself- ALL of myself- to him to do what he will with me.
We were singing a song at church Sunday that says "I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all" and knew right then, I was ready (or should I say "ready again!" Please dont be confused and think I don't truly know where I always should be with God. I'm just not always there!). I truly was standing with arms high and heart abandoned.
SO, what does this have to do with Crosspoint? I am going back to the last time I heard God's direction....to be at home. My true, selfish (and yet, unselfish) desire is to stay at home as long as I have a kid there, but the truth is that we truly cannot afford it. I have been crying out to God that if home is where he wants me to be, he is going to have to hit me and Shawn both over the head with it. I am almost always ready to leap out into the deep water knowing God will save me, while Shawn is on the shore with his head on straight saying, "HELLO! Will you make sure God is calling you out into this shark-infested sea FIRST???"
Please join us in our prayers over where I am to be. I feel God's peace but am also anxious to hear his direction and constantly worried that I am missing some HUGE road signs he's putting in my path.

Krafty Katie!

Well I have had a busy weekend! I have had an urge to start sewing and just making fun things for Lorelai since the moment she was born, and now it is starting to come full circle. With a little help from Kelly (my mother in law) and her sewing machine, I made a few fun little items over the weekend. All of it was super easy seeing as how I am as much of a beginner as they come, so if you want to know how I made any of it, I'd be happy to show you!
Here is the tutu I made in a couple of hours...no sewing required on this one!

(I also have a lot of left over pink and brown tulle if anyone wants it!)
Here is the onesie that I had an idea for...Kelly actually sewed this one on to show me how. Great job Nana!

and last, but certainly not least, here are the baby legwarmers I have been DYING to make. They are made out of women's long socks....they are a little snug at the top (chunky child) so I now know to try the sock on her first!


Also, did you notice the large tush covering my kid is sporting? That's right, we are officially starting cloth diapering! (*Collective Gasp*)
I know, I know. I was one of the biggest mockers of all when it comes to this old-fashioned practice. How could I stand touching my child's poop with my bare hands? all of that laundry? and what about the piles of diapers waiting to be washed smelling up her room? Well, three things happened. First, I became a mom and realized that no matter what, I was going to have to touch my baby's poop. I've had it leaked on me and just plain shot out at me. Not as big a deal as it sounded. Second, I realized that I needed to start saving money, and this was one way to do it. and Third, I did a TON research and found out that you no longer have to rinse the poop off diapers (thanks to disposable liners that you just flush), they now make all in ones that are just like regular diapers, but a little bigger (and cuter! this is just a plain white one Lorelai is wearing, but the others have super cute designs!) and that the laundry isnt that bad...and doesnt stink up her room if thrown into the right concoction of baking soda and vinegar. I will keep everyone updated and we'll see if I stick with this. I have been researching for about 2 months now so this isn't something I'm rushing into. I am starting out using Kushies all in ones (5 in a pack for $38.00 on Wal-mart.com!!! you can NOT beat that!) Kushies disposable liners, some cloth liners and thirsties covers (THANK YOU Aunt Melissa!!!) and some good old fashioned pre-folds with plastic gerber liners. Shout out to Elizabeth for allowing me to pick her brain over the course of like a MILLION e-mails.
That is all for now! Everyone have a great first week of September!

Doggie Doors, Clinton Kelly, Crazed Naked Baby, Cowgirl Lorelai, Walkers, and XTREME Kitchen Makeover!

WHEW! so, needless to say, this is going to be a MEGA post! I apologize for not fulfilling my motherly duty of blogging every other day, but my child just had SURGERY for crying out loud! (or atleast, that is going to be my excuse....forget the fact that it was the easiest thing ever.)
KICKING off the mega post....Kyle, C, Mark and Junie came over a couple of weeks ago to hang out...we were standing in the kitchen talking when we heard Junie's sweet little voice saying something to the effect of "see? out...Lorelai..." etc and looked over to see Junie trying to show Lorelai how to crawl out of our newly installed doggie door in the kitchen. It was soooooo funny! Lorelai didn't make it out....she only pushed up on it, but it was a cute moment.


MOVING ON:
when the grand opening of the new Pearland town center came around, Clinton Kelly, my obsession from What Not to Wear came to the Macy's to give a fashion show. It was AWESOME. I love him (who cares if he is most likely gay...) Rachel and I stalked him a little bit in an effort to just say hello without having to spend the mandatory $200 at Macy's for an autograph. Not to name any names....but while I was using the restroom, SOMEONE let him walk RIGHT BY!!! We should move on from this subject before we conjure up all of those bitter feelings. Here is my sweet Clinton and Rachel about to be struck down:


The following is a collection of random cute moments with Lorelai....



Here is our little baby monster recovering from surgery:


....AND, as a special bonus, here are some pictures from our XTREME Kitchen Makeover! We painted ALL of the cabinets, island, walls, and trim. We also removed the flourescent lights and installed pot lights. Thanks to Nana for all of the help painting! The only before pictures are from right when we were moving into our house, so it looks a little empty. and please excuse the mess on the counters in the after pictures. I have no excuse, I'm just sometimes very messy.

It's Over!

The surgery went very well....it was nice and quick (about 15 minutes.) Lorelai was pretty fussy when she first came out of her sedation, but has been sleeping most of the day away and has been surprisingly pleasant when she has been awake. Thanks for all of your prayers! God has kept us all calm and relaxed today and Lorelai doesnt seem to be in any pain. Yay!

I Have a Headache.

I don't really feel in the funny, blog-writing mood, but my child is having outpatient surgery tomorrow morning so I'd like to ask for everyone's prayers. If she still has chest congestion tomorrow morning, they might reschedule her appointment...but I'm hoping it's all clear so that we can get this overwith. I am not looking forward to a hurting, unhappy baby tomorrow, but I am thankful that this surgery exists so that we don't have to deal with anymore ear infections! *sigh* Ok, well, I'll post tomorrow letting everyone know how it went.

Make it a double!

Well, for everyone who witnessed my child's bi-polar behavior this past weekend, here is our excuse: I took Lorelai to the pediatrician after a weekend of fussiness of psychotic levels only to find out she has not one, but TWO ear infections. So, after 6 ear infections in her 8 1/2 months of life, her pediatrician is finally sending us to an ENT to have tubes placed. I know most of you will immediately want to send me words of encouragement- fyi, you dont have to! I am actually quite relieved. I've heard it's a super easy procedure, and afterwards- No ear infections! No antibiotics! No endless fussiness! Sweet music to my ears. Her consult is 8/15.