Happy Birthday Eden

Eden Meets Steeplechase

So, I still can't upload videos here... boo blogger. But I was successful in uploading them to facebook (well, technically Josh was successful). So check out this link and have a merry Christmas!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=570491124435

Look what Eden Did...

For WEEKS (maybe months) now, we have been working on getting Eden to hold two objects in her hands while playing and then "banging" them together. Every time we gave her a toy, she'd drop what was in her hand to get the next toy... it was almost humorous how she just would NOT hold on the the first toy. Today during physical therapy, we caught Eden holding two toys at the same time! Yahhhhh Eden!  Jenny and I decided that she while she doesn't like to do things on command, if we talk and ignore her, she will do a lot more things:) Now I'm wondering what all she does when I'm not watching! 

These were from our "photo shoot" earlier today...

And then here's what I've been up to:)  Yesterday was a day FULL of cooking, crafting and wrapping. I had a few baby recipes to try for Eden... Here's chicken, apples and sweet potatoes  and Chicken, broccoli and squash... she's tried both (and I actually tried them both) and seemed to like them!

Some fun coasters and journals I made from one of my new favorite books "Last Minute Patchwork Gifts"...

And my first ever handbag... from keykalou... her shop is on etsy... and she has lots of different fun patterns!

For all you cloth diaper mamas...

Here's a quick post for all my cloth diapering friends... Cotton Babies has clearanced Bum Genius 3.0s right now for $12! They have some other styles as well... I just ordered 7 diapers for less than $80 (including shipping).  Poor Eden, getting diapers for Christmas:) (thanks Nana and Papa Joe!)

Christmas at our house...

So we've been busy these past few weeks, getting ready for Christmas. I wish I was doing a better job of blogging, but here's what we have been up to instead:

Exploring the Christmas Tree..

Loving the Christmas tree...

Becoming a drama queen... note the pouty face... she's cutting a few top teeth, so I'll attribute the "drama" to that.

LOVING our Advent calendar Gigi made... here's E opening some spoons:) 

And playing, lots of playing... 

And me, getting sentimental! I always thought it was a silly idea that my parents got us ornaments every year.... well, this year when I put the Christmas tree up, I began to realize how glad I was that I had all those ornaments and decided to start the tradition with E... so I immediately went to etsy to see what I could find and here's what I found. I loved it so much, I returned to this shop and bought a few more items which a few of my readers might be getting for Christmas:) 

I'm staying busy with etsy orders these days... when I'm not with E on the floor, you will probably find me at my craft table sewing or cutting away! Here's some Christmas cards for a sweet friend:

And the beginning of a batch of 15 list takers, yes... 15! I had sold out of all of the ones I had in my shop, so decided to make a whole bunch more: I'll be listing them slowly, so check back... and if you want one you see here, but not in the shop, just ask!

I also just realized that I forgot to update on Eden's evaluation a few weeks ago at Duke... well, it resulted in yet another:) evaluation.... they sent us to Lenox Baker Children's Hospital (its assocaited with Duke) to see their "feeding expert" team which consisted of a feeding therapist and occupational therapist. They spent 2 hours with Eden, watching her eat and play... needless to say it was VERY thourough. Their conclusion was that she doesn't really need feeding therapy!!! They agreed with Dr. Herriott (who I took Eden to see the day before, our pediatrician) in that now she's almost a year old and is transitioning to solids, the number of ounces she takes isn't so important. You don't know who freeing this was for me!!!! For the past few months, I've thought... if I could just feed her solids all day, she'd eat. Well... thats what we're going to do and see how her weight does. So far, she's eating lots! I've already had to go the grocery store an extra time just to get some more food that she could eat. So even though she doesn't need feeding therapy according to Duke, we're going to go back once a month for occupational therapy and feeding "follow-up". I think this is a great plan and am SOOOO glad I got a second opinion on her feeding issues! I definitely won't wait this long next time I feel a second opinion is warrented! 

Okay, Eden's screaming for more cottage cheese... so I must go... but hope you all enjoyed the update! Merry Christmas!

Finally... another update!

We are all three home and together again! Thirteen days apart is long enough! But I have to say, I had a wonderful trip to TN, visiting with everyone and taking some much needed rest - And I'll speak for Josh and say that he had a wonderful trip to Africa and enjoyed his visit with Staci as well. 

Here's a link to his pictures if you want to browse through the few "hundred" he took!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2005292&l=3cc48&id=176300477

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2005224&l=cddc7&id=176300477

Sadly though, Eden and I didn't take many pictures while we were there, so here's all I have to post from our trip:




Not much else is new here... we have another visit at Duke tomorrow for a second opinion on Eden's feeding issues... we'll keep you posted on how it goes. Thanks again for checking on us!