Cousin time!

Akyah's cousins, Karter and Miles, came down from Portland yesterday for a little play-time and lunch. We had a great time and I, as always, enjoyed my "mommy time" with Kersten, their mom. Karter is 2 and a half and Miles will be 9 months in just a few days and both of them are really good with Akyah. Here are a few shots from the day:

I love this picture, just wish Miles was looking up

Sharing

Cute cousins!

Look at those teeth!

I was not able to get many pics of miss Karter who gets camera shy at times but she was looking very cute- she dressed herself and her ballet shoes were adorable. All 3 kids are an absolute joy to be around.

Good mom!

After a long conversation with someone it sparked a thought or rather question; what makes a good parent? Someone who spoils their kids and plays with them? Or someone who provides? Or perhaps, is loving them enough to be considered a good parent?

To me a good parent is one who loves and gives all they have to their children. A good parent is one who gets peed and pooped on, laughs it off and still smiles at their child telling them how much you love and adore them. A good parent is one who provides for their child’s EVERY need, making sure on a daily basis their needs are met. A good parent is one who puts their child and child’s needs before and above all else, including themselves. A good parent is one who protects their children from evil and evil people. A good parent is one who leads by example. A good parent is one who makes sure the diapers are always changed, they’re fed, clothed, bathed, and always has a smile on their face. A good parent knows that when you have a child you lose your right to be selfish. A good parent is one who can do it all, do it alone, and do it with a smile on their face knowing without a doubt that they’re doing a good job.

I’m a Very proud single mom and know without a doubt that I am a damn good mom and nothing anyone can ever say will change or affect the phenomenal care I give my daughter on a daily basis. Tooting my own horn? You better believe it. Six and a half months, only $39 in child support, kickin’ butt in school, and meeting all of Akyah’s needs on my own and it feels good, it feels real good. Soon enough I’ll be in the Ed program, teaching, buying a house, and working on my Master’s.

I love you Akyah Lynn, you are my everything! Mommy loves you more than anything on earth and promises to always love, cherish, support, and encourage you being be the best mom I can be.

Quick update

Akyah is doing quite well and I must say she loves to eat! When she eats solids she sits waiting with her mouth open and when I am ready to nurse her before her head even hits the nursing pillow her mouth is wide open! The lactation consultant said, "she knows where the food is," you got that right. Akyah likes both fruits and veggies and is digesting them well. The combination of me having no dairy or soy and her now having solids has eliminated the mucus in her stools altogether. What a Blessing.

Here are a few pictures from my friend Janel's visit around my birthday:

Saying goodbye to auntie Janel

Akyah loves her auntie Janel, who spoils her rotten

Sound asleep

Playing in her ExcerSaucer w/her new horsey

This Sunday will be Akyah's first "Burger Bash," our annual family pot-luck party, so look forward to lots of fun pictures

Grandma Rebecca

Have you ever had someone in your life that you were just plain thankful for? I met my friend, Rebecca, at a church group I was in when I was pregnant and never in my life would I have expected that she’d become like a mom to me and the best “adopted grandma” Akyah could ask for. Recently, Akyah and I visited Rebecca at work and everyone there knew who Akyah was, has seen her blog not to mention the fact that Rebecca had Akyah’s picture on the background of her computer, her picture on her desk, and brags about her to everyone! How amazing is that?!? Words cannot express how thankful I am to have her in our lives. When I found out I was pregnant, I pretty much knew instantly I would be a single mom and I was devastated to be in that situation but knew my dad would be a rock for us both. Things, unfortunately, did not work out that way and it’s hard for me, it breaks my heart (more than words can describe) that I’ll never have the opportunity to see my dad play with Akyah and love on her only the way my dad could.

So, to Rebecca, our mom and grandma, who faithfully reads this blog… we love you and are thankful to have you in our lives! You are an amazing woman with a heart for Jesus and truly lives by the Word. You lead by example and I am forever thankful and grateful to you for the way you love and cherish my daughter (and me).

6 month check-up

Akyah had her 6th month check-up today. She is now 14 lbs., 14 oz. and grew an inch since her last check-up and is now 25.5 inches long. She got 3 shots (well, 2 in the right leg and one by mouth) and took them like a champ, as always... she cries a little but we have routine of nursing right after and she calms down quickly. These are always tough days for us both but with some extra cuddling it makes for good bonding :o)

Akyah is on to carrots this week and is doing well with them. I'm keeping a food log to keep track of when she started foods and if there were any reactions; none thus far which is great.

Happy and healthy as always. She is consistently growing, perfectly, on her curve. She is still in the 50th percentile for height and 25th for weight. Her next appointment will be when she is 9 months old and that will be a nice break because there are no shots.

6 months old

Here are a couple shots from Akyah's 6 month photos (taken yesterday):

Mommy just turned 26 & Akyah 6 months old

She's getting so big... I cannot wait for summer so she can wear dresses all the time