Well, you may have noticed that I've been in a bit of a blogging slump. I do have some home improvements to share, which I plan to do tomorrow, once I get some pictures taken. I have been in survival mode more than usual lately. After our trip to WA for two nights, a couple of nights at Grandma's, some severe teething and a cold, Amelia has not been sleeping much at all, and neither have we. Last night, we were up with her for up to an hour at a time, finally get her back to sleep only to have her wake up twenty minutes to an hour later. Her longest stretch of sleep was two hours! Getting her down for naps has also been arduous, and some days it just hasn't happened, but not for lack of trying.
I have been feeling really rundown and this cold keeps coming and going. I have been having some pretty bad constant headaches, and it has been really hard to get up in the mornings (obviously!) We have been praying that all of this will soon pass, and just asking for extra grace.

Our days have been challenging, but it doesn't mean that we have been miserable! I have had some really nice times with Amelia this week. She has a new word every day, and is constantly making new connections in terms of how the world works and in her relationship with us. It is so nice to get real heartfelt hugs and kisses from her, especially on those difficult days. She has a love and special tone of voice she uses for any "baby" she sees, which includes little ones her size or smaller, and she can now "woof" back at dogs when they bark. She is especially proud of her new ability to drink out of a little silver cup her Auntie E. had her name engraved onto, without much spilling. I just ordered a potty for her, since she has been announcing her "movements" to us before, during and after the fact with "Poop!" She also just says it for fun-- can you blame her?

The weather here has been absolutely gorgeous, and we are so thankful to be able to enjoy the drama of the seasons changing. Our house is coming together, and we love the feeling of working on our living space with the knowledge that we'll be here for more than a year, and that all that work is worth it! Like I said, I'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow.