Grumpy Baby

Dear John,

we need to talk.

You're nearing five months old, buddy.  What does this mean?

The fussiness has to go.

The waking up all night?  That's got to go too.

I was counting on a happier baby at six weeks.

Six weeks passed us by.

Then, I began to talk about three months.

That will do the trick, I said.

Three months passed us by.

Sweetie, as much as you would love it if I could just sit all day and hold you and cuddle you and feed you.

Let's face it; there are other things that I have to do.

Such as sleep.

I know this is bad news, but booger boo, it's growing up time.

It's time to smile for goodness sake.

I've got mouths to feed

other than yours, I mean.

Clothes to wash and beds to make

and other lives to shape

Yes, it's true.

Little Ada, needs me too.

It's best you learn it early.  It is, I'm sorry to say, not all about you.

think about what I've said.

I love you, booger boo, but please give me a tiny little break.

But really, I love you, my grumpy little baby

Diet Coke Withdrawals, Extra Long Naps, and a whole new wardrobe=Life in Scottsboro

So we have been here since Sunday, and the diet coke reduction is going okay. I have decided that I will no longer purchase diet coke at the store, that way if I want it I have to actually get in the car and drive somewhere to get it. And I can only afford so many fountain drinks a day. Hopefully this will make the whole process a little bit easier. I have been drinking lots more water, but I am not sure how much all of this is helping. We'll see.

Ada is also adjusting well to being here instead of her own home. I was a little nervous about having nights by myself because Scott is much better at letting her cry it out. However, I had enough sense to know that if I gave in on night one, we would have a terrible week, so I stood my ground through two middle of the night wake ups, and since then it hasn't been so bad. She still wakes up at least once a night, but I just go in there and lie her back down, and we all go back to sleep. Plus, today, she took a 3 1/2 hour nap. I think she would have kept sleeping, but I thought that if I let her sleep longer than that she would never go to sleep tonight. Yea for a long afternoon of rest for me!!

And the best part of Scottsboro so far--last night Ann gave me all of her non-maternity clothes to wear while she is pregnant. Basically I received an entire fall and winter wardrobe for FREE!! Yea for sisters that are my same size. I told her we should just keep doing this--once she has this baby, I will proceed with baby number two and we can switch again. I get the maternity clothes and she gets the non-maternity clothes. It's a great system that saves lots of money. Ada is certainly thankful for all of the clothes she has borrowed from Ellie!! Seriously, though, I have been wanting to invest in some new fall clothes so badly, and I am oh so thankful that I am borrowing these for free. Dave Ramsey would approve, I think.

Sunday Night, Running, and a few other things to record

Tonight our church went from a missionary church to a particular church. This means that our tiny church, which has been in the planting phase for four years now, can now stand on its own with no monetary support from the Presbytery. And Scott and I got to be a part of the celebration, as members.

As I sat in the celebration service tonight, I felt very taken care of by God. And very aware of how much I do not know about what I need. I remember the first time with visited South Point, and, in pride, we expressed to each other that we weren't sure if it was what we were looking for. Because, of course, we were looking for Intown, which was not to be found in South Atlanta. What I have found since then, is that Southpoint seems like the perfect fit for our family. We have grown to love the people and the church, and no matter where life takes us, this small church will always be so special to me because it is the first church Scott and I joined as a married couple, and it will be the church where Ada is baptized (more on that later because that has been a decision I have wrestled with). Tonight let me see even more into the hearts of the people who first started Southpoint, and it was very encouraging to hear how much they desire for everyone to know the gospel. Simple as that. It all comes back to the gospel. God continues to provide in such specific and unpredictable ways.

On a completely opposite note, I am just having the hardest time with the half-marathon training, and I am quickly losing steam. I just keep hitting brick wall after brick wall. The running is not getting easier, and I am getting more and more behind in my training. I can't even run three miles, and it's not for lack of effort. It feels physically impossible. Any advice, anyone? My motivation is hitting rock bottom, and I feel like throwing in the towel. I thought it would get easier. I am having a hard time remembering why I wanted to do this in the first place. I burn more calories doing tae bo boot camp, and it isn't nearly as hard for me to do. I don't know. Maybe I am just not a runner.

And the last random thing to share, our desk top computer is so very sick with a virus, and I don't know when I will be able to download any pictures. I am so scared that I am going to lose all of my pictures because of this. I have a few printed of Ada after she was born, and I have a few saved with Kodak Gallery, but not nearly as many as I have saved on the desktop. Any computer geniuses out there have any advice for getting rid of a virus?

P.S. tonight marks night three in letting Ada cry-it-out. She slept all night last night, but I think it was just a fluke. So with renewed determination, we will see what happens tonight. Stay posted.