Relaxation time

Tuesday, Tripp and I headed down to the lake house to spend some time quality time with my parents.  It was just the four of us so the house was super quiet.  Mom and Dad took care of all of the cooking and really helped out with Tripp.  I was able to relax and not worry about chores for a few days...huge plus!  I'm lucky to have such helpful parents.  Seriously, they're the best!  We mostly hung around the house, played in the lake, and went to the park.  The only time we ventured out was to run to Dick's Sporting Goods in Auburn to buy some water shoes and a new life jacket for Tripp.  It was a wonderful two days.  The only thing that would have made the trip better was if Rob had been able to go with us.  Unfortunately, he had school and lots of studying to accomplish.  We sure missed him though and can't wait for him to head down with us next time. 

All worn out after playing in the lake

Banana Face

Watching the boats pass by

Memere and Tripp at the park

Pepere "Papa" and Tripp

Tales of the the Teething, Picky Eater

The past week has been quite tough for this momma.  Tripp is getting four new teeth in and has been crankier than usual.  This has actually been the worst teething experience he's had so far.  I remember him being slightly fussy when the first few came in, but overall he was fine.  This time he's constantly had hands in his mouth and everytime he pulls them out they are drenched in saliva.  On top of that, he's become a super picky eater.  I know teething can make children not want to eat as much, but I think the picky eating trend has been developing for awhile now.  It's super frustrating because I really want him to eat a variety of foods, but he seems set on certain things and flat out refuses to try many new foods at this point.  I always offer him everything we are eating and sometimes he wants it while other times he doesn't.  Part of the problem is that he is always on the go and rarely wants to sit down for a meal.  Being such an active child, he'd much rather eat on the run.  Most of the time, if I can just get him to taste a new food, he'll figure out I'm NOT trying to poison him and I'm actually offering something yummy.  I'm know many parents have gone through this and it's completely normal, but I have to vent my frustration.  Parenting can be so challenging at times, especially with toddlers, because there is just no way to reason with them.  You really have to be able to take a deep breath knowing that this finicky toddler stage will pass.  For now, I will just have to be thankful he eats the healthy foods he does eat and remember he will begin to try more and more foods in time. 

Pouting

Now we're happy

Pushing his cars around the house

Of course he'll eat pizza!

Teething hurts so much

Happy once again

Playing with his trains on Daddy

Going outside makes everything better

He never touches the grill, but always points to it and says "hot".

IT'S A...

GIRL!!!  We're excited to say Camille Marie Dennis looked great on the ultrasound Tuesday.  She is growing perfectly and weighs a whopping 10 ounces or so.  I have an anterior placenta (in the front instead of the back of my uterus) this time so it explains why it took me a little longer than I expected to feel her move.  I actually felt her the same week as I felt Tripp's first movements, but with this being my second baby I was worried since I thought I'd feel her so much sooner.  Since she's getting a lot bigger now and her kicks are getting so strong, I can actually feel her pretty frequently throughout the day.  She was doing somersaults on the the ultrasound.  The tech commented that she was an extremely active baby.  In fact, her kicks are so strong, Rob has already been able to feel her and I can see my abdomen pop-up whenever she gives me a good kick.  It's such an awesome feeling.

     
WE CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU CAMILLE!!

What will the baby look like?

I've been thinking a lot about this lately.  For some reason, it's so hard to imagine Rob and I having a child that doesn't look exactly like Tripp, but this will most definitely be the case.  Sure, my two babies could look very similar, but even similar looking children have obvious differences.  It's funny to me how some siblings look just alike while others look barely related.  I laugh as I try to picture a slight variation of Tripp vs. a child that looks nothing like him, knowing that neither of my visions will be exactly correct.  Only God really knows what this baby is going to look like at this point.  I hope, as I did with Tripp, that this baby is born with a combo of Rob's and my best qualities.  I know, however, that no matter what this child looks like, we will think he/she is one of the most beautiful children in the world.  That's one of things I find most special about the parent-child relationship.  No matter how a child looks physically, the parents will undoubtedly think he/she is stunningly beautiful (inside and out).  I'm very thankful for this because everyone deserves to have someone think they are the best.  Love for a child is something that happens without effort.  You may get frustrated or mad or disappointed with a child for his/her actions or choices as they grow, but your love will never cease, just as God's love never ceases for all of his children.  Not that I could ever understand God's love for us.  It is more powerful than I could ever imagine, but I do think he gives us children as a way of showing us this type of love...even if our love is only a fraction of his.  I know some parents worry they won't love the second child as much as the first, but I don't stress over this.  My heart has already grown for this tiny human (without any effort on my part) just as I prayed it would.  Seeing those two pink lines and the first glimpse of the heartbeat proved this to me.  I am excited beyond measure to meet this second little beauty, see what he/she looks like, and have my heart continue to grow.  Of course, the NICU nurse in me wants him/her to cook a little more...but, when it's time, bring on that precious baby.  I'm ready!