Jibber Jabber

Despite Ambree's large vocabulary, she still lacks the ability to connect words beyond two or three into a meaningful sentence. So, she has resorted back to "babbling." Whether she is holding her red plastic toy phone, riding in the back seat of the car or just walking around the house, she has tons to say. You can hear, "gebber, gabber, blah, blah, doggie" all of the time. The last word of the sentence at least clues you into what she is talking about, but she's not waiting for a response- this is a one way conversation.

18 Month-isms

Today, Ambree, Chloe and I (Mommy) spent the afternoon at our neighborhood park. We all had a great time, except Chloe, who did not appreciate being tethered to the playground. Ambree is able to climb up the playscape, but is too afraid to go down a slide by herself, soon, though. She loves the park and asks to 'play' everytime we drive by it.

She has started humming when she is being put down to sleep or if she wakes up in the night and we are swaying with her. It's so cute. Ambree also is very familiar with her bedtime routine. As soon as she is dressed for bed (in our room), she runs down the hall to her room signing and saying 'sleep,' and becomes frustrated if you don't follow her to read her a story.

She also likes to have her toes rubbed in the car. Just yesterday, she ate real green beans and corn! and then this morning she ate an egg, a banana and some cereal- I didn't have to spoon anything to her! So we are finally making some progress with 'table' food.

Her other newest 'thing' is calling Daddy 'Sean.' She calls to him from other rooms just like Mommy. It's so hard not to laugh. Most of her play time is spent trying to jump- sometimes she gets both feet off at the same time, sometimes.

Who am I, O Lord, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

We have been trying to add to our family since the end of November 2008, but mostly because of nursing, we have been waiting. When I started nursing, I didn't feel strongly about it one way or the other, but once I got past the first 3 weeks and was able to do more research and actually enjoy it, I became more and more passionate about it. I know I was so blessed to be able to nurse Ambree most of her first year and even though it may have been part of what slowed us down in conceiving, I wouldn't give that up for anything.
But now! Eleven months later, all of our hard work (wink, wink) payed off! We are expecting another little Reilly! I just found out tonite. (I am retro-posting; I don't know that I would give this quick of an update on a pregnancy otherwise).
It's funny because with Ambree I was quite certain that I was pregnant before I even took the test. I had tested earlier in the week and received a negative result, so Sean told me to wait until the next month to waste any more money of pregnancy tests. But I just knew it, so I waited a few days, and then woke one morning with nausea. I knew it! Because I had already gone to the bathroom, I wanted to wait as long as I could before taking another test. I only had to work a half day that day, so at some point in the morning, I began "holding it." After work, I went to the grocery store to buy "baby" back ribs and "baby" carrots and broccoli, and came home to clean up the house and google how to cook baby-back ribs. At this point I still didn't even know for sure if I was pregnant with Ambree, but I was ready for my announcement either way! And then I took the test- pregnant!
Sean came home and smelling the ribs cooking, asked 'Is there a bun in the oven?' I don't know why that particular phrase came to mind, but I had to avert eye-contact as I said, um, no, can you help me set the table? We ate dinner and I'm sure Sean just thought I was ready to start trying again after our previous negative test results. Then for dessert, I pulled out ice cream I had already scooped with a pickle spear added for effect. Sean asked, "what are you expecting?"
It was hilarious and fun, and we took pictures with the pregnancy test and our dog.
That was our first pregnancy.
This time, I took the test and got a faint positive line, and continued to get ready for choir practice even though Sean was home. I had a lot to do before I left that night and I was running around the house getting everything ready for Ambree's night time routine. Practically on the way out the door, I turned to Sean, who I seem to remember was sitting on the dining room floor for some reason, and said, "oh, I think I might be pregnant. can you come look at the test with me?" It was very nonchalant. We were super excited after trying for so long, and as much as I wanted this pregnancy as much as the first one, we were both more calm. I guess this is why second children get complexes. I left soon after that for choir practice. No pictures this time.
But what an experience God created for us. What could have torn us apart, and often threatened to, grew us closer together. When I became angry at God for my waiting, He provide much grace and faith. I was so aware of God's working in my life during those 11 months, particularly the last 5 months. I wouldn't forsake that trial for what it gained me in Christ. So I ask, who am I, O Lord, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

18 Month Check Up and Sweet Berry Farm

Day started with a quick well-check. All is well. Ambree is still off the charts for height and Dr. Getman was impressed with her vocabulary, particularly when she said 'where'd it go' when he put the stethescope under her shirt. So after lunch and naps, we began our journey to Marble Falls.

It was a beautiful drive and we enjoyed listening to Johnny Mayer (which reminds us of when we started dating), but it did require many puppet shows and other distractions for Ambree- hmmm, maybe a DVD player is a good idea...

Once we got out there, we only had about 75 minutes before they shut down, so we let Ambree out to RUN everywhere. She was quite preoccupied with the goats. Even though she let them nibble her hands and pet them, she was too afraid to give them leaves to eat. After making friends in the goat pen, she went exploring. Among her discovers were flowers, pumpkins (of course), a giant cat (photo board), haystacks, and other little toddlers.

A Late Start

Encouraged by my cousin Laura, we are beginning our adventure in blogging as a way to keepsake precious day-to-day memories that would be otherwise lost with time. We hope you enjoy reading.