Baby books.

After posting my current reading list for 2013, I thought I would share Michael's favorite "reads" as of late. Boy, does that child love looking at books. We pull him off the grown-up shelves at least 10 times a day, and I think he is starting to get the hint. I have a little area for him for his stack of books, but apparently he knows he's missing out on the deeper stuff. Mama reads to him at least 3 times a day, and Papa usually reads to him  once in the evening. And we read the same books...again...and again. These are Michael's current favorites.

He loves the Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Polar Bear, Polar Bear books...I think the repetitive nature of the text and the brightly colored picture of a single animal on each page catches his attention:

And this gem that we grew up with; hard to find, but Nana has secured one for him and for his cousins:

He likes the illustrations of the children and angels in this book, and likes finding Jesus:

As Michael enjoys watching trucks and cars drive past, he pours over this book, turning the pages back and forth; he also enjoys the 'Boats' book in this series, as he is used to seeing many different kinds of boats around the Puget Sound here.

He loves seeing the little babies on every page of this book, coos at them and tries to kiss them:

This is a real favorite of his, although not a board book, which describes the different ways animal babies are carried by their mother, with a few human babies thrown in :):

This cute little publication is from the children's magazine Highlights and is a toddler edition complete with laminated baby safe pages - so cute! My great-aunt who writes for Highlights gifted Michael with a subscription. I think he enjoys being allowed to look at something more paper-like. The illustrations and little poems and songs are fun to read aloud to him. Thank you, Aunt Patricia!

It is good to foster a love of books, of learning and of reading early, even with babies. As we read to them, they start to grasp all the new and wonderful things they can see and learn about, yes even by way of picture books - especially truths about the world and God. I remember reading this once upon a time..."Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." I saw it occur within my family growing up. Mom would patiently read through the large piles of books that we children would drag to her side; religious, science, historical biography's, nature, fiction  etc., and I remember doing the same for my younger siblings. Also, as we got older, she would read aloud marvelous historical fictions books, usually pertaining to a subject we were studying in school. Just a chapter a day, over tea during the winter and outdoors during the summer. I truly believe these actions of hers nourished our love of books and of reading and still bear fruit in the present day. Thanks, Mother! 

"You may have tangible wealth untold. Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be - I had a mother who read to me."

~ Strickland Gillilan

Around here.

It's been a pretty quiet week; we've been staying indoors out of the cold and rain, doing a few things to prepare for Thanksgiving, and reflecting on our blessings.

Who said decorative pumpkins go to waste? I got about 13 lbs out of my mine pureed and in the freezer for soups and baking.

Not to mention roasted pumpkin seeds for a yummy snack.

With Michael in the beginning stages of walking, I've been on the lookout for some shoes for him. When we're outside, we like to give him a break from the Ergo now and then, so I was delighted to come across these PediPeds at Goodwill, practically brand new for $3.99. New, they run $30-40. Score.

On that note, I finished one "footie" for the little man over the weekend and started on the other...as the weather gets progressively colder, I wanted him to have something warm for his feet, and as he's not technically walking yet, these will do fine at home, and out and about.

With the holiday season upon us, I have started baking again, which I have much missed since we embarked on the Paleo track. Visiting and gifting gives me the excuse to fire up the mixer and bring out the baking sheets/pans! Keep the word GIFTING in mind, hubby. :) Coming from the oven today, are wheat honey rolls for Thanksgiving dinner and pumpkin cranberry walnut bread.

It's been a very short work week for hubby, as he already gets Tuesdays off, and today, Fr. let the staff go at 1pm. Even though he had to prep for class tonight, it was nice to have him here this afternoon to help with Michael while I was in the kitchen!

Michael loved it.

Our love for our little man grows leaps and bounds by the day, and we are so grateful to God for this beautiful gift.

Meditating on this...

"Do you not know that utter dying to self, to live only in God and for God, can only take place by degrees, through a persistent fidelity in making the sacrifice of the intelligence, of the will, of all our passions and caprices, of our feelings and affection; finally and above all, the sacrifice that comes of a complete submission in all trials, in unceasing interior vicissitudes, and in states, sometimes painful indeed, through which God makes us pass in order to change us completely into him?"

~ Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, S.J.

November is always a contemplative, sentimental month for me...my dear Nana passed away in this month, and I miscarried our first two children consecutively in the Novembers of 2009 and 2010; on Thanksgiving the first year, and on All Soul's Day the second. Ah, the sufferings He sends us along with and triumphs and joys. Many lessons in dying to self so that we may be united to His holy will. In retrospect, I am able to look back at the past trials and sufferings of my life, and see how the Lord has worked on me or through me accordingly, and I am thankful. With this in mind, I must work on being thankful during the trials or struggles that I face, beause I am sure that if I approached things with a more joyful, trusting, and grateful attitude, how much more good He could work on/through me. This November brought the arrival of Dilanji nephew #5, and he was recieved with much joy. Born on November 3 and baptized on November 11, Connor Donald is such a cutie, and I hear he is a great baby and very loved by his siblings. I hope to meet him in the near future!

Tomorrow we are going to Mass, and then will be off to my great-uncle and aunt's in Leavenworth for the holiday. Looking forward to enjoying a few days with them, in their cozy log house by the river with a wood stove! We will probably see a bit of snow on the way, so praying for a safe drive. Wishing you all a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving celebration. Remember to pray for complete religious freedom - the very origin of this holiday.

One of those days...

...where my to-do list goes out the window. Mama not feeling well + teething, needy baby = lots of cuddle time on the couch and in bed. Oh well. At least the diapers got washed and the meals were cooked. More importantly, Michael is feeling love, attention, and support during yet another baby transitory period. The bathrooms can wait. Reminded me of this little saying I read somewhere and had jotted down in my notes:

"Cleaning and scrubbing will wait ’till tomorrow, but children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs! Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep." 

– Ruth Hamilton

This first year with Michael is speeding away never to return again. I am thankful for days like this which force me to stop and savor the moment, these precious moments with my darling first-born. This time will never be again. There is a different kind of sweetness for each season and I want to sear this current sweetness into my memory. I really am very thankful, for Michael is still such a good baby despite what he is going through at this time. He has had a hard last few days and has been clinging a little tighter to me, which prompted me to just let things go today.

Happy mothering to you mothers! Be easy on yourselves during days like this. Cherish these baby months. Feel accomplishment in the smiles of your little one(s). You will reap the rewards of your investment in this life and the next...

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." 
Psalms 90:12

Friendship, baby bellies, and smiles.

This past week, I stopped by to visit my dear friend Christine who is also pregnant (with a girl!) due in about a week. We were determined to capture both of our pregnant bellies together and were happy to get these photos. We've spent many an hour conversing about mothering and babies, and have been blessed to share in this experience at the same time. Enjoy the happiness and fun! Got a few shots with hubby too.

A friend should be one in whose understanding and virtue we can equally confide, and whose opinion we can value at once for its justness and its sincerity. ~ Robert Hall

When did all this happen?!?

It's been a wild ride up to this point!

"When we consider the blessings of God—the gifts that add beauty and joy to our lives, that enable us to keep going through stretches of boredom and even suffering - friendship is very near the top." Donald W. McCullough

Almost 22 weeks...

...and falling in love with our little boy.

Introducing...

Juliette Marie Dilanji born September 15 at home in the water! I was fortunate to be feeling a little better this past week, and so was able to go up to Gainseville and meet her, and visit with Laura's family and Mom and Catherine who were in visiting/helping out. It was so very encouraging for me to be able to hold and spend time with a newborn - reminded me how precious is the gift that awaits at the end of this tough beautiful journey of pregnancy. :) Juliette is so precious and will receive much love, especially from her 3 older brothers.

Too cute not to share.

A fellow blogger-friend posted a link to this blog, and hubby and I spent a good 5 minutes oooing and chuckling over these photographs.  I love the fabric, composition, creative thought, and of course, the baby, that went into this little hobby.  Moms, if you find yourself getting bored during your child's naptime, try this! :)  Below are a few of my favorites...



Princess and the pea



Gone Fishin'



Pippi Longstockings

Bookworm



Precious Pearl



Mary Poppins



The little loves in my life.

My nephews and nieces (4 of them, godchildren) have been on my mind this week.  Thankful for their smiles, sweet innocence, unconditional love, joy, precious childish insights, and infatuation with life.  Also thankful for Skype which allows me to see these cute faces at least once a week!  Their little souls are always in my thoughts and prayers...

Kieran, Elias, Aidan



Gabrielle, Declan, Nehemiah



Family day

As Grandpa and his wife, Joyce were in Sarasota visiting my uncle and aunt this weekend, I was happy that I was able to go up to visit for the day yesterday. Unfortunately, Andrew and Ben were swamped with work, papers, ect. and so were not able to accompany me. It was great to visit with Grandpa and Joyce and hear about their RV trip across the US. Laura and Gabe drove down from Gainesville for the weekend - it's always great to see them and the boys! I was kept busy holding little hands, dressing little bodies, and cuddling little boys, so my camera was not as an action as I would have liked - the little it was out is thanks to Laura who did capture some cuteness for me. :)

Kieran is such an active, talkative, cute little chap.


Aidan and I had a great time playing in the waves.

Visiting Kieran

This evening we took the boys to visit Laura and Kieran in the hospital. Aidan jumped right on the bed, interested to get a look at the baby, but Elias took longer to warm up to his new little brother. They were both happy to see Mommy, but we are all looking forward to having them home tomorrow.