Another "Corny" Post

We had a great, sunny day! Tessa enjoyed playing at the park and with her new bubble machine. Boy am I glad that Tessa is a very independent player! To be honest, I was SO not in the mood to be a cool mommy today. I was doing good to keep Tessa from running with knives around the house. I just didn't want to have long conversations in what I call "Name-That-Word" speak. That is where Tessa says a word that I don't understand and she has to repeat it several times before I guess what she is saying. Like at dinner, for instance. She said what sounded like "boon". That is basically what blue and balloon sound like. I couldn't figure out WHY she was saying either of those words. I was just ignoring her, pretty much. Well, it turns out, she was saying "spoon" because hers had fallen onto the floor. It would help if she would try a little harder to communicate what she needs, but Tessa seems to take after her Daddy in this area. That is to say, she sits back and waits to see if you figure it out on your own. And if not, oh well. At least she could eat her corn without needing a spoon:

If you put corn on her plate, she pushes it around. If you put corn-on-the-cob on her plate, she cries when you take away the bare, gnawed down nub of a cob. But I have yet to get her to eat broccoli--even when I tell her it's really "little trees" like some magazines on parenting would have you believe works.

When There is A Queen...And You're Not IT

Tessa has been very challenging this week. She seems even more independant than usual. The smallest things have to be done her way. Like getting in the car seat. I made the fatal mistake of putting her in the car seat rather than let her climb in herself. Now don't get me wrong, I love not having to heave that child in and out of that seat, but it takes her quite a while to get in the thing because she dawdles.

She has decided that she can use chairs as her personal step ladder to mischief around the house. I found this out when she came up and drew on my pants with a pen she used to not be able to reach and then ran off. I "confiscated" the pen and checked her other two favorite drawing places. Yep, there were incriminating swirls on her tummy AND the kitchen table. At least her height-challenged escapades all begin with the tell-tale sound of a chair scraping across the floor.

She also found a zip lock bag full of various sized rubber bands in a kitchen drawer. I scolded her for getting in the drawer and made her pick up every rubberband and put them back in the bag. She had left a trail around the house. A few minutes later, while I was folding laundry upstairs, I noticed it was quiet. That is never good. I looked over the balcony to see Tessa with the bag of rubber bands out again. She didn't know I could see her. So I said, "What are you doing?" and without even looking up she threw her body over the evidence and said, "I put back!"

And all I can think is, "Don't laugh, don't laugh, don't laugh..."

Clips for the Fam!

I have had a request to add some more video clips of hers truly. So here they are! The first three parts are of Tessa at the zoo (which she loves) and the last part is a quick clip of Tessa being a ballerina. Be sure to pause the music on the player to the right before you play the movies. Enjoy!

What are you gonna do? The girl loves her BOOKS!

This morning, I came down to the basement to do some email. At about 7:15, I heard Tessa stirring. She started her ritual morning conversation with Mr. Bunny who sleeps in her crib. I walked upstairs to get her up as usual, but when I opened the door, she wasn't in her crib! She was sitting in the rocking chair in her room reading a book. When I saw her sitting there, I laughed and she yelled "BOOK!!!". This is the second time she has climbed out of her crib in the morning. The first time involved vaseline and every surface little fingers can smear. I am still discovering vaseline in unexpected places. There's nothing like reaching blindly for a dry diaper and putting your hand down on a glob of vaseline.

Makes me want to sing!

Our little family has been blessed by the Lord lately. First, we had a quick visit from Grandma and Grandpa Todd. Tess thoroughly enjoyed showing off and having long conversations with them. She is so good at bringing smiles out in people!! Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures. I think the visit was so quick that I just completely forgot. I am regretting that now.

Shortly after Grandma and Grandpa Todd left, Memaw and Papa Burden showed up. They helped us paint the inside of our house! No more white! It looks fabulous--like right out of a magazine. My dad also installed a light in Tessa's room. So now there is a pretty butterfly/flower light and ceiling fan hanging in what was once a blank ceiling. Tessa again had tons of fun showing off and misbehaving.

Speaking of visitors, the Lord has filled me with His Spirit and taught me to forgive while giving me the opportunity to teach some of his younger children (teens). This age group is near and dear to my heart. Due to the Lord's timing, I will be teaching the teen girls in a Bible study. I have been given the "go ahead" to teach whatever I want. Because of the grace of God, I know what to do:

"Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses."
Deut 34:9

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. "
Eph 5:18-20

So I will be seeking the direction of the Lord through His Spirit. Pray for the teens--and me!

Peace.