Time to Reflect

I don't know how single moms do it, I really don't. I need atleast 6 hands with James being in China and I only have 2. I found myself so stressed out about every little thing this weekend. I have found it extremely hard to handle Mira, Kayla, and Adam and I thought I was at my wits end by Saturday afternoon. I think my mom knew I needed help because she came over Saturday and went grocery shopping with Mira and me. For some reason, Mom knows how to comfort without even trying - I guess that is what moms do. Hopefully I will learn that. I was getting ready for church this morning and I had yelled at Adam, gotten frustrated because Mira wouldn't stay down for her nap, and lucky Kayla hadn't arrived yet. I told myself to chill out, literally. Sometimes things don't happen when you want them to and they never go as planned. I called Adam to come downstairs and I can only imagine he was sitting there saying, "What did I do now?" I apologized profusely from the bottom of my heart and begged for forgiveness. You could see the look of relief on his eyes. And when Mira woke up fifteen minutes later after taking very little of a nap, I went upstairs, smiled at my baby, and thanked God he gave me such wonderful gifts. I think Mira sighed in relief but I can't be sure - it might have been gas. I have also learned how understanding Kayla can be when her Nana is stressed to the max. She has told me she loved me atleast 10 times today and I have no idea what I did to deserve that. I don't have as much time for her or as much patience lately. I hope she looks over my crabbiness and remembers how much I love her. Motherhood aint easy but it is worth every single minute, even the hard ones.

Night Night Daddy!!!

Dear Daddy, I miss you and I want you to come home soon. Can't you see me reaching out my hand for you? Mommy is trying to teach me to say your name (really) but I am waiting til you get home from China. I love you and I miss you. I want you to change all of my poopy diapers when you get home because Mommy isn't as good at it as you! I have to go now because Mommy is making me go night night. I love you Daddy! Love, Mira Lin

Teeth, teeth, and more teeth!

Mira is now cutting 3 teeth at the same time. Yes people, I said 3! You would think she would be fussy but she is happy as a clam. She does like to chew on everything under the sun but her absolute favorite things to chew on are her daddy and mommy's fingers. She just laughs and laughs while we scream in extreme pain. Of course we let her do it because her belly laughs are too cute! What does that say about her that she likes to cause us physical pain as often as she can? What does that say about us that we let her? Our facilitator Xiulan would tell me, "You spoil that baby!!! She controlling you!" You betcha!

Mira loves her swing. She stayed in it Sunday for about an hour.  

This is Mommy NOT bribing Mira with ice for a kiss - I swear! 

I know this looks like Mira is giving Daddy a kiss in her swing but this is actually Daddy bribing Mira with ice for a kiss. Of course, I don't have to bribe (yeah right)! 

Mira's new word for the day!

Yes, Mira is saying, MAMA MAMA MAMA over and over again! I absolutely had a blast yesterday hearing those words. James, eat your heart out sweetie! When she woke up, she was saying Mama. When she was happy and content, she was saying Mama. When she was tired, she was saying Mama. I think that means, she wants Mama all the time! Every time she said it, James would try to get her to say DADA but she just kept saying Mama. Of course, I didn't rub his nose in it (yeah right)!

Thanks Bernhardt family! James' work threw us a baby shower with lots of yummy food and lots of presents for baby Mira. The best kind of baby shower is when the baby gets to go too! Mira loved the cake, by the way! Thanks especially to the Purchasing Department for throwing the shower - it means a lot to know so many people care! 

Mira loves her Mimi's gold! She later tried to chew her necklace off of her neck. 

Mira always wants to do what Kayla is doing and follow her around everywhere. I think we have a little bit of hero worship going on! 

Mira loves brushing her 4 teeth! She just loves Daddy's toothbrush more than hers! She carried that toothbrush around for about 30 minutes. She needs to teach her brother how to brush his teeth!!! 

Oh my goodness, my baby loves Ice Cream!!! We got an ice cream cone to share between me, James, and Kayla. I had no idea Mira would pitch a fit for a bite. I thought she would lick the ice cream and be done with it. Ha Ha Mommy! She pitched a fit until I let her have the rest of it. She got mad when it was gone! 

Kayla and Mira had a blast at Oktoberfest. I think Kayla may have had a little better time though. Poor Mira was stuck in a stroller while Kayla got to fly by the seat of her pants on the swings. Thank God Kayla didn't make me ride this one with her like she did all the rest of the rides! 

Mira says, "Can Kayla ride back here with me all the time?" Car seats are much easier when Kayla rides with Mira. She accepts her fate of being strapped in with much more ease. 

Mira loves her Sissy Kayla! She gets so excited when she sees her that she laughs and screams and kicks her feet all at the same time. 

Oatmeal anyone? I absolutely hate oatmeal - but my baby has other ideas. She loves oatmeal but I think what she likes best is getting it all over her, the highchair, the floor, and of course, MOMMY! 

Is James going back to his baby days? LOL - no, he knows Mira hates it when anyone sucks their thumb but her! Notice the blanket too. Mira loves rubbing the end of a blanket when she's sleepy. 

One month anniversary!

As of October 14th we have had Mira for exactly one month. I can't believe the time has gone by so fast. She is adjusting very well to the family and her new home. I think she realizes this is her home and she is here to stay. In fact, I think she thinks she is in charge of the house in general. She absolutely adores her sisters and brother Adam. Let me rephrase that - she already loves to torture Adam by trying to steal his glasses and his toys. Adam has been pretty funny about it so far (it won't last). Every time she sees Kayla, she gets so excited and laughs and screams. Natalie is teaching her to growl like a good sister. She has made our family complete and we couldn't love her more. I hear the little minx waking up so its time to go! I will post more pics as soon as my lovely husband fixes our docking station for our camera (Hint Hint)!

Wake up already!!!!

Mira slept 10 hours nonstop last night - yahoooo! She has great sleeping habits, which is a blessing. But after she got up, she only lasted an hour then fell asleep in the Cadillac highchair while eating her breakfast!!! She has now been back asleep for almost 1 1/2 hours. I hear her heavy breathing in the baby monitor. I am now bored and want her to wake up. Stupid, huh? Morning time is fun time though and I don't want to miss it. Mira evidently has other plans. Rainy weather makes me want to sleep too. Do you think if I turn the light on that will do the trick? Mean Mommy, mean Mommy.

Bath time is always fun for Mira. I think part of the reason why is because she doesn't have to wear a diaper! No that is not a bite mark on her chest. She got bitten by something in China and it burst. This is the result. Don't worry - we asked the doctor and he said it looked like it was healing! 

Mira woke in a great mood this morning. She loves to give raspberries to Mommy (and everyone else). 

More cheerios please!!! Today I had the hardest time getting Mira to eat anything - that is until I broke out the Cheerios. I think maybe I should buy some stock in cereal. She couldn't get enough of them today. Check out the primo highchair. Cousin Jeanne and Great Aunt Ruby, thank you, thank you, thank you! This is the Cadillac of all highchairs - it reclines and has a tray that lifts off so it is extremely easy to clean. Trust me, I need SOMETHING that is easy to clean!

"Peace Mommy." Mira looked sooooo cute in her tie-dyed t-shirt that I couldn't resist. She loves having her picture made!!!!!!!!!! 

Uncle Danny and Aunt Miriam were there to celebrate Mira's special day. Yes, Mira was named for her Aunt Miriam. Miriam and Danny are two of Mira's godparents. Yes, we gave her another set also - Aunt Denise and Uncle Jeff. You can never have too many watching over you, right? 

What a special day! This is a picture of the whole family on Mira's baptism day. Pastor Guelzow centered the whole service around my precious baby, even holding her up for the whole congregation to see! He said we probably saved her life. That may be true but she has made our lives so much richer and so much more fulfilled. I am so thankful every day that I have her. 

Mira wouldn't show her smiley face but Sissy did. I tried to get a pic of Mira giving Nat kisses but I was too slow. This is actually Natalie's bragging smile saying, "Ha Ha, I got kisses and you didn't!" 

Mira loves her Aunt Terri! Uncle Matt and Aunt Terri came in to see Mira get baptized and brought her a teddy bear to boot! Mira loves presents but she loves her family best! 

Mommy, Daddy, and Mira are getting ready to go to church for the very first time. Mira didn't know it yet but it was a very special day - the day she got baptized. Mommy knew though, because she cried (alot)! 

Papaw had to hold Mira back from those tasty newspapers. Why oh why does my baby think paper tastes so good? Does this say something about American formula? 

Mira says, "Look at the pretty baby! Can she come play Mommy?"