Car Seat Help!!!

Ok blogger mommies..I need your help!!  Makayla is getting VERY close to outgrowing her infant car seat and we're going to be buying a new convertible seat so it will last for a longer time probably by next month. 

I want your input!!

What are the best convertible car seats out there, in your opinion?  I know Britax has a really good reputation..I want something good because this is a car seat I am hoping she will be in for a while.  I also don't want to break the bank (I know Britax also comes with a price tag)..$150 or under would be preferable..but if its a little over I'd look into it if it came recommended.  I love her infant car seat but my only complaint with it is that even though its installed using the LATCH system..its never seemed like its tight enough.  And that worries me.  So I'd like something thats going to be easy to install yet sturdy while in place (if that makes sense).  And from the looks of it..the convertible car seats aren't removeable from the base (that is..like an infant one where you can take them in the stores with you..etc.).  To me..thats a HUGE bummer.  Alot of times she'll fall asleep in her car seat and its great to just be able to take her and the seat in the house..or in the store..wherever we may be. 

But anyways..please leave me some input..I'd truely appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eight {Ocho~Huit~Acht} Months!!



Today my baby girl turns eight months old!  The time is literally flying by..I told someone the other day it seems after they hit that two month mark the months just tick by before you have time to turn around!!  She's doing great though..and its a joy to watch her grow and learn new things each day.  Here are a few newer things she's been up to as of late.

~ Starting to go forward in her walker
~ A pro at sitting up (except on our hardwood floors..they are just too slippery for a little butt to have any grip!
~ Saying "ma-ma", "ba-ba", "ra-ra"..and still blowing raspberries
~ Smiling her "cookie monster" smile
~ Crawling army style..backwards (this has happened only once so far)
~ And still..cutting teeth..with none to show
~ Helping me eat lunch (video to follow)

Yeah she still doesn't have any teeth at 8 months!  I have a feeling though she's going to cut some this month and I wouldn't be at all suprised if she doesn't have like 5 by this time next month!  She's been working hard on it (and been grouchy as proof) so it probably won't be long.

She still LOVES her baby food!  I've been making all her babyfood in the past month and have loved every minute of it!  Her favorites are blueberries and pears.  I only wish peaches were in because she really likes peaches too.  I'll probably buy some frozen at some point and go about it that way.  I want to start her on meats this month too.  She's tried the meat baby food but hasn't really liked it.  I don't blame her..I've tasted them and they were pretty gross.  So homemade I think will definately be the route to go there.  And as you read above..she helps me 'eat' my lunch everyday!  Its so funny!

Makayla helping me eat lunch!

Her stats..as of her last doctor visit she had at the beginning of January are:

17 pounds (50% percentile)
27 1/4 inches tall (90% percentile)
18 inch head circumference (95% percentile)

She's definately got her daddy's head!  The doctor was pleased that her head wasnt growing quickly (she wanted to keep a check on it since she was in such a high range) and concluded that the nurses who measure her must have made a mistake early on with her head circumference..thus making her think it grew really quickly between one of her visits early on.  Whew!  I was glad about that!  It suprises me how much she has grown though..I look at her at times and think..gosh..she really is getting to be a big girl!!!  It does make me sad..but also happy that she's growing and getting stronger each day!  :-)

Love my baby girl!!!

 

Walking by Faith

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."  2nd Corinthians 5:7

I know many of you have probably read and heard this particular scripture preached on many many times.  But do we really take it for what it means?

Case in point, with the outlook in our area with coal mining jobs as of late..with a number of people getting layed off and other mines posting 60 day notices to close (as is the case w/Damons job site)..I've heard people over and over (to the point I'm literally sick of hearing it) say this phrase:

"Boy..things sure don't look good..do they?"

While that is true..where is the faith behind a statement like that?  And why on earth would you say such a sad thing to someone who may possibly be facing losing their job? 

We've had MANY people say this to us in the past week..and at first I didn't think a whole lot about it.  Until yesterday..when once again..we were told this for the hundreth time.  In church, no less. 

Do we really have and show our faith when troubled times arise????

This is something to think on, I believe.

While yes..at first I was upset at learning the news of the job situations around us..after it set in..I didn't worry about it anymore.  And I refuse to in the future.  Why?

Phil. 4:19  "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
2 Chron. 20:17  "Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:  set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem:  fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you."

Now granted the second scripture was intended for Judah and Jerusalem..but I believe the Bible is meant for us all.  God fights our battles for us..He expects us to have faith that He can take care of us..no matter the situation.  He's there for us..reguardless.  And yes..while it is possible we may have to face Damon not having a job for a little whie..its also possible that he WON'T lose his job either and that things will be turned around before then. 

Either way..God will be taking care of us.

:-)))))))

A belated photo shoot

I did a little photo shoot with Makayla just after Christmas and am just now getting around to showing you guys!  Things have just been really busy around here since the holidays! 

Anyways..I know alot of you on blogger did similar pictures of your babies with Christmas lights..and I just adored every one of them and had to do it myself.  Though I didn't get to take my 'photo shoot' in front of the tree (since I'd already taken it down by time I got around to doing this)..I did do a backdrop of snowflakes..which went pretty good with everything.  Here is the final product...my only regret is I couldn't get a smile out of her..but for her..thats pretty normal..she's just like daddy..clams up in front of the camera!!

Master Bathroom ~ Before & After!

If you remember a few weeks ago..or maybe it was even months ago..I said I was in the process of putting down new flooring in our master bath?  Well..I got it finished this week!  And I must say..it is totally AMAZING!  I'm in LOVE with my new floors..and I did it all myself...working at nights after Damon went to work and Makayla went to bed.  I managed to accomplish it all in 3 nights which I thought was pretty good!  Here are some before and after pictures..though the finished product looks much better in person!

~Before~

~After~





I would have taken a picture just like the first one so it would be more 'comparable' but we don't have the trim put back up yet and I was anxious to take pictures of the finished product!!!  My biggest reason for reflooring is before it was just WAY too light for my taste.  It showed every single speck of dirt..which I hated.  Even when I'd clean and clean the floors..it still looked dirty.  Plus I just like a more earthy tone for flooring and this totally matched our taste.  I love it!!! 

Now I've got the itch to repaint our laundry room!!

Did someone say "cookie"?

A little while back..we bought Makayla a cookie monster doll.  It wasn't long after that she started making what we call the "cookie face".  Totally hilarious!!  I was able to catch the 'cookie monster' in action the other morning when we were playing.

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Cutest monster I've ever seen!!!!!

Staying Positive

Sometimes it can really be hard to stay positive in this world..especially when trials come our way.  Over the weekend, we learned Damon's job site is on a 60 day notice to shut down.  We're still not 100% sure what has happened..but it had caught everyone in our community by suprise.  There were layoffs at other mines as well and some others also have 60 day notices.

But the one thing I do know is this..prayer changes things.

If things can go from really good to seeminlgy bad in a heartbeat like they did the other day..it can go right back the other way too.  I'm very optimistic that things will be turned around soon.  I know that no matter what, God is watching out for us and either way..He'll provide for us.  He did in the past when we faced a layoff for months, a mere 2 weeks after buying our home no less. 

I'm so thankful I serve not only a saving and caring God..but one who takes care of His children too.

:-D