Yay, I can post pics again!

Playing in the box the new chair came in



Looking for birds in the backyard



Spring has sprung!

Fightin' Words

Before I write this please know that if you work and don't stay home with your baby, I'm NOT attacking you!!

With that said, a neighbor had his first granddaughter a few days ago. I was looking at the pictures and asking all the questions about the new baby. I asked if his daughter was going back to teaching or staying home with the baby, to which he replied she was going back to work. Then he followed with, "It's really better. Kids who aren't in daycare are socially and academically behind. They have to catch up with the other kids who know more, etc, etc, etc...."

He's saying this to me, knowing I stay home with Eden. Besides that, this is simply not true. Maybe for a small percentage of kids whose parents are 'behind' already themselves, but not for the majority of kids who have stay-at-home-moms. Is this a common belief? That kids don't need their mothers? Daycare is best? I think most would agree that a mom's care is best.

We are fairly well educated around here. I'm a former teacher, and a teacher at heart, even when I'm not being paid for it. Knowledge and academics are pretty important. We've been reading to Eden since she was born, and both of us read books on a wide variety of subjects. Learning is valued in our home. She'll be quite ready for school when the time comes, and I'll venture to say she'll be on target or above. We talk to her, teach her as we are going about our lives, tell her about everything. Eden has a natural curiosity and wants to 'know." She's already been on several vacations and 'field' trips, learning constantly. And socially? If you know anything about us, we are social people!! Hardly loners over here! Eden has friends of all colors, creeds, races, and ages. She's been exposed (in a good way) to more in her first ten months of life than most kids, I think.

And like I said, if you are unable to stay home with your kids, this is not meant to offend you. We all are doing what is best for our families. But we think nothing can take the place of me, her mom, being home with her as she grows up. We waited so long for her, I can't imagine leaving her with someone else. Will I ever go back to work? Maybe. But it won't be for a while. These precious early years will never come again, and it's an honor to be able to stay at home with her.
 

Just Adopt....yeah, right!

I'm a little tired of hearing people say a few certain words pertaining to adoption. They come in sentences like this: "Oh, I don't want to be pregnant again, so we'll just adopt."  "Oh, you can't get pregnant? Just adopt ."  "My son and his wife are going to just adopt." "Infertility's not really a big deal. Just adopt."


Like it's dropping by the store to pick up a gallon of milk. No big deal. No paperwork, no interviews, fingerprinting, background checks, medical evaluations, or reference letters. And don't forget the little part about money. Or waiting. Or rejection. Or a disruption.  Want to show how little you know about adoption? Say those words. Just say them!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

This past weekend was the opening weekend for LSU baseball. They were playing Wake Forest Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. We were lucky enough to get a call from friends Sat. morning who had extra tickets for the afternoon game. Of course we threw off all our plans to work around the house so we could join our friends and have fun at the ballpark. And Eden could enjoy her first LSU baseball game. How could we say 'no' to that?!

Alex Box Stadium

By the way, we won! In fact, the weekend was a sweep, with LSU winning all three games. Geaux Tigers!!

Gripe Update

Since I griped the other day about Eden's sleep patterns of late, I thought I'd at least mention that the last two nights have been better. Night before last she slept from nine until five a.m. Not too happy about getting up at FIVE, but it's better than three! Then last night was what I call perfect, with her sleeping from 8:45 p.m. until 7:30 this morning. YAY!! That's what we'd gotten used to before the interruptions. ; )

I also found another tooth (number four) on top a few minutes ago, which explains part (if not all) of the sleeping problems. Poor baby. Hope she feels better now. And she can probably chew buffalo meat now, since the top teeth are so BIG! ; )

Anyway, thanks for listening!

New View of New Orleans



After lunch at Acme Oyster House



I had a dr appt last week in New Orleans and we decided to make a family affair out of it. Usually it's not the most pleasant of trips because of where the office is---smack dab in the middle of downtown. Traffic is no fun, and parking is a nightmare. But this time was different. Eden was with us and watching her see the city for the first time was priceless. Here are some pics from the day!

Checking out the street scenes

What is it you wanted me to do, Mom? Look at the camera?

She was fascinated by this trombone player! And he was very good.

Nothing better than cafe au lait ~ too full for beignets this time.

Watching the Mighty Mississippi

My Zoo Friends

 I took Eden to the zoo for the very first time this week. Strolling outside looking at animals is her favorite way to pass the time, of course. And she had two friends, Christian and Daniel, to entertain her as well. Great day!

 The zoo has an new bird exhibit where the birds are walking around right there near you. It's so cool! This one beautiful, little bird imitated our whistles and followed us around. Eden was intrigued by him.



Wow, Mom, that's a big creature. What'd you call him?