Pumpkin Patch

Today after Stella's nap, we headed to Shaw Farm. It's about 30 minutes from our house and has lots of things for kids - pumpkins, farm animals, hay rides, corn maze, music, and more. Stella was a little under the weather towards the end of the week and was still not herself this afternoon. We think she is over the 24-hr stomach bug going around, but her lower molars are coming in and her teeth are killing her. She even points in her mouth and does the sign for "help". Numbing her gums only lasts so long! She enjoyed the farm animals, but wasn't so crazy about the pumpkins. She was happiest when we were back in the car headed home. All of the pictures are posted on Shutterfly.

What's Your Sign?

When Stella was 9 months old she and I took a 5-week Baby Sign Language class. It was worth EVERY penny! Learning simple signs for basic baby words has opened up our communication a TON. The class advertised that research has proven that babies that sign actually speak more words more frequently...and I now believe this. Stella generally lets us know what she wants - either by signing or using words. In these video clips she uses the signs for "more", "please" and "all-done". Her other favorite signs are "eat", "drink", "book", "banana", "thank you" and "help". Now if only we could get her to use the spoon correctly!

Why Is Sex So Important?

I knew the title would keep you reading! Yesterday was our ultrasound for Baby #2. We are very thankful that it has all of its correct bones, parts, pieces, organs, veins, measurements, etc. It apparently weighs just less than a can of pop. We've included some photos. Unfortunately our printer doesn't like being in scanner-mode while wireless so I had to take actual pictures of the pictures so they aren't the greatest. You will see on the right side of the picture above that its hand is next to its face. Some of the other stuff floating around its stomach is the umbilical cord.

Above is its foot. I refer to it as "it" because we did not find out the sex. (Nor did we with Stella) I am always amazed by the negative looks and responses people give me when they hear that news. I don't know why it's important for people to know the sex of my baby right now - particularly strangers. Look, I'm also the crazy woman that delivered naturally = NO DRUGS. My mantra the whole time was "What kind of baby is it? What kind of baby is it?" I knew I could get through it in order to discover if we had a boy or a girl. And that's my plan again.

So...we don't know the sex and won't find out until delivery day! Below is a close-up profile of its face.

*Chinese Lunar Calendar says its a GIRL! And it was right about Stella...

What's Your Dream?

As part of my current role at Messer, I facilitate a monthly book/movie leadership series. A calendar was set in January listing a book or movie for each month with a question guide. Each month employees (this is a voluntary activity) read the chosen book or watch the movie and then attend a 2-hour discussion over lunch with me as the facilitator.

It's been quite interesting. We've discussed the movies "Braveheart", "Karate Kid", "Remember the Titans", "Apollo 13" and the favorite (and biggest crowd getter) - "Office Space". Books we've read included "Who Moved My Cheese", "17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player" and "The One Thing You Need to Know." Most of our discussions focus on leadership vs. management, coaching, employee engagement and motivation, teamwork, etc. We all try to figure out how to incorporate key learnings into our everyday world at work and home.

This week we discussed "The Dream Manager" by Matthew Kelly. It's a great, quick read. A short (111 pg) parable about employee motivation and people's dreams/goals. This book has really made me sit down and think about what I want out of life. So I encourage you to do the same. Whether you read this book or not, sit down and think "What's My Dream?" Make a list. I've started mine...

Stella Loves Pasta

Not much more to add! Quiet evening at the Wade house.

Wade Picnic 2008

For the past 8 years, at the beginning of every fall, Andy & I invite all of our college friends and my high school friends for a day out at my mom's farm in Indiana. It has transitioned from all of us drinking all afternoon to all of us chasing our kids all afternoon. We were blessed with beautiful weather this past weekend.

(I think the highlight of the event happened after everyone went home. Andy, Stella and I spent the night. We got toilet-papered at 1 AM.)

Check out the photos on our Shutterfly site.

http://thewadesphotos.shutterfly.com/

Thanks Disney

Is Stella asleep on the couch? Nope. Sadly, she is watching tv and enjoying it. Normally, we really limit the amount of time the tv is on in our house during Stella's awake time. However, between her dinner and the time Andy gets home from work can be stressful in the house - even when it's a short time period. Stella is usually pretty good, but sometimes her patience wears thin with me and it's "da-da? da-da?" over and over again.

Meltdowns are common during this 30-45 minutes. Who comes to the rescue? Mickey Mouse. Yes, I let her watch tv (actually, we DVR the Mouse for these occasions). The funny thing is that it makes her so happy. Really I think it's just the introductory music...because after 5-10 minutes, she has moved on to something else and isn't in a tv coma. So for now, it works for us. I'll take 10 minutes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse over 30 minutes of a tantrum on the floor. Thanks Disney!