~9 1/2 Months~

Where has the time gone? Today our little girl is 9 1/2 months old! It is crazy how fast time flies, but boy are we having a blast! It is so much fun to see her learning so many new things, and become such a smart little girl with such attitude! lol We are working on trying to redirect her behaviors when she gets frustrated because she is starting to hit, and scratch. I feel like it is so early to be dealing with that, but she does not have a way to communicate her feelings since she can't talk yet. I am thinking of starting to sign with her, and see if that helps. She tends to get her bossy ways when it gets close to bedtime and she is just pooped. She definitely has Travs temper and stubborn ways. She is starting to pick up on us teaching her to be nice when she wants to kick some ass! lol Since we came home from Flag I was ill and trying to mend without having to take a trip to the doctor and pay a million dollars. That is one huge downside to not being married, that and not sharing the same last name as my bug. The other day Trav suggested we head to the courthouse so that I can have health insurance, but of course I said no because that is not how it will happen. I deserve our day, and it will be a very special one and not in some crappy courthouse. I know that is not how he wants it either. Anyway so thankfully I was able to get myself up to par without antibiotics which is wonderful. Bailey was the perfect company while I was feeling poopy. While I was sick I searched around online to find some home remedies to help me out, when I came across such sad news and a story I have been following for awhile. A little 3 year old girl out here in Gilbert had been battling a brain tumor since birth, and lost her fight the other day. This story touched me greatly when I first heard about Briannah months ago. At the time I read about her and her parents I admired their strength, and belief in the power of prayer. To face this terminal illness with such strength is something I am not so sure I could do. They kept a website for her and often posted updates and pictures of their precious little girl. http://www.babybriannah.org/, here is a poem written and posted on the website that just really touched my heart:

Briannah's Homecoming

Unexpectedly invited to witness a most intimate moment

Her Father says she left her earthly body less than an hour ago

Invited into her room Her Mother holds the three year old's body in her arms Wrapped in a soft blanket

Low lights, background praise music Her Mother strokes her baby girl's downy soft blond hair She holds her close to her body, speaking softly to Jesus about her beautiful daughter

Her Father speaks tenderly of the coming moments - to bathe their baby girl for the last time, to cut a lock of her hair

The peace they have - she's held in Jesus' arms now Home at last.

Wishing they were with her. Knowing He's not ready for them yet. Only sweet Briannah.

I know for me it really put into perspective my life and what awesome things I have to be thankful for. I know alot of friends/family are facing alot of different trying times from losing homes, jobs, and in some cases everything. It is now though that it is good to sit back and look at the bigger picture. If Trav was to lose his job today, our home was to be taken and all our posessions gone we would still have eachother and our beautiful daughter, and that is something to be uber grateful for. Jobs, homes, belongings.........all those things are able to be replaced and for me atleast are not the end all to anything. We are all so blessed to have our health and beautiful families and I for one am guilty at times of taking advantage of how great we have it. I put myself in Briannah's Mom's shoes and imagine living my life from the day my daughter was born knowing that someday she would die from her brain tumor, and what that would be like. My heart breaks for her, and encourages me that much more to be the mother that I am to Bailey. We sat down the other night and talked about the economy and what is important to us. We both agree that as long as we have eachother we can and will make it through anything. Posessions are just that, and in the end they are nothing that matters. I know that much worse things can happen, like having to bury a child after 3 short years. Not something anyone ever expects to happen, but it can. I do not put much value into material things and never have, but I vow to try even harder to pour more into my family than ever before, and cherish them every moment of every day! I am so grateful for the wonderful friends and family that we have.

On a lighter note I was able to make another diaper yesterday morning and it came out great! Today I am working on Bailey's Valentines dress which will be fun. I gotta run, Bailey is waking up which means time to make some pancakes! Yum! Happy Friday!

P.S. I included a picture of a book I am currently into called "Raising Baby Green" by Alan Greene...........this book is awesome and full of tons of great info starting on what to do to make sure you have a healthy pregnancy also. I had to post a pic of Bailey my monkey and her monkey "boots" in Flagstaff!