Cousins! Part II

I thought it well worth noting that I was RIGHT about my sister-in-law's baby...it is a GIRL! We are so excited to have another niece in the family.

I am usually never right about these things, so of course I'm totally bragging. Oh yes, I knew all along it was a girl; there was never a doubt in my mind. Ok, I think my first-born syndrome is starting to take over...

First Oreo Experience

In my opinion, this is something well worth documenting. Why? For several reasons:

1. I am a junk food junkie, especially involving chocolate and any chocolate experience is worth noting.
2. It's a first and I love recording firsts.
3. It's cute! These were special springtime Oreos Andy bought to celebrate the arrival of spring.

First, she had to check it out a little.

Next, offer Daddy a bite. If he'll eat it, it's safe.

Then, take a little nibble to see if she would like it.

I think she likes it!

I believe I have successfully passed on the love of all things sweet and bad for your teeth.

Ghost of Easter Past

Babies change a lot in a year! I thought it would be fun to put up some pictures of Georgia from Easter last year to see how much she has grown.


See what I mean!! We really did have a nice Easter. Early breakfast, church service, dinner with some friends and an Easter egg hunt. (Yes, Georgia found three eggs, even though she can't walk. Thank you, Daddy.)

Which got me thinking, where did the Easter Bunny come from? And what's with the eggs? It certainly has nothing to do with Jesus' crucifixion or resurrection. So I did a little reading and researching online, you know, since everything on the Internet is true. There were a few discrepancies, but basically it goes something like this:

Before Christianity, the people of northern Europe worshiped Eostre, the goddess of fertility, during their spring festivals because spring is a time of new life and birth. She was often linked with the hare, which was a symbol of fertility (I think we can all understand that one) and the egg, yet another fertility symbol. Their pagan legend says that Eostre cast the hare into the heavens to form the constellation Lepus the Hare, and gave him the ability to lay eggs once a year.

Then, in order to convert people to Christianity, the hare/eggs were blended into the celebration of the Christian holiday, because the spring festivals were held at the same time as the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. This is first mentioned in some German writings from the 1600s where the Germans changed the hare to Oschter Haws, a rabbit that delivers gifts and colored eggs to good little children. This tradition was brought to America in the 1700s by the Pennsylvania Dutch settlers, and gradually evolved into our Easter Bunny.

So now you know. And while the Easter baskets and egg hunts are all fun and games, it is very important to Andy and me that Georgia knows the full meaning of Christ's death and that our true celebration will be thanks to God for our salvation. Here are a few more pictures from our day:

He's Alive!

Growing up, my siblings, cousins and I would listen and dance to a Dolly Parton CD my grandparents had. We loved it! There was one particular song that has never left my memory and it comes to me often, especially at Easter.

It's a truly powerful song, told from Peter's perspective after Jesus' death on the cross and what he experiences when he realizes that Jesus has come back to life. Take a few minutes to listen if you can.

Cousins!

Our extended family is growing and we couldn't be more thrilled! Georgia will have two new cousins to play with this year and we are very excited.

First up is Andy's brother, Justin and his wife, Annie and daughter, Claire. They are expecting baby #2 at the end of August. We'll get to find out the gender next week. If you ask me, I'm saying G-I-R-L.


Then it's my sister, Sarah and her husband, Nathan and kids Ida, Val and Madge. They are expecting baby #4 in the middle of November. She will officially have one child born during each season of the year. I'm not making any guesses as to what the gender will be...I need some time to decide. We'll find out the good old-fashioned way though - the birth day!

Miss Blue Eyes

I can't tell you how many times we've been stopped to have someone comment on how blue Georgia's eyes are and how pretty she is. It does this mama's heart good to hear people say that kind of thing! They always say she has my eyes, though the color is definitely from her daddy. I just smile proudly and say thanks, soaking it all in.

Sick Lil Punkin

Georgia and I didn't make it to church this morning. (Insert sad sigh.) I always look forward to Sunday mornings at church. But Georgie-girl is sick, and I didn't want any mad mommies after me for infecting their kids. She has a nasty cough and a runny nose. I don't know how she could have gotten sick. I keep things pretty clean around here (I think) and though I know babies just get sick, I have this mom-paranoia that I am somehow to blame. And I am second guessing myself about not going to the doctor. I didn't want to run to the office for a cold that I thought would pass, but it's been pretty persistent and the guilt is starting to set in.

Last night I woke up to her coughing. I went to check on her even though she wasn't crying. She was just laying there holding her blankie, wide awake. So sad! I knew she would breathe better upright, so we rocked in the chair until she fell asleep. We did this a couple of times throughout the night.

Georgia isn't much of a fusser, but during the day she has turned it on full throttle. I think she's whined more in the last two days than she did the whole first year of her life! But she's still a pretty easy patient. With lots of cuddles and a few toys, she'll flash you the sweetest smile through her red-rimmed eyes and snot-dripping nose. If she's not noticeably improved by tomorrow, we will make an appointment.