Life With A Two Year Old

Pony Tails and Potty Training!

Such a Beutiful Face!

Yeah! Big girl! Good job! Nanny is proud of you! Clap, clap, clap are the words and sounds you hear echoing from the bathroom at Nanny's house these days. Yes, we've entered that exciting time of Potting Training! In a previous blog, Have Potty Chair Will Travel, you were privileged to view a snap shot of Emma's personal "chamber pot." Since the posting of that Blog, we have upgraded. Emma is now the proud owner of her very own Potty Ring with side handles. The ring sits on top of Nanny's grownup toilet seat, of course there's a little step stool for Emma's ease in rising to the throne.

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The Queen of Nanny's House

How sweet it is to hear Emma say "I got a go peepee" or "go poofoo." I suppose that is music only to a Grandmother's ears. At the moment either one of these events take place, out comes my cell phone and the text messages (and a occasional picture) start surging over the airways. After all, we have to share the excitement.
A few of the recipients haven't appreciated the pictures, I don't understand their lack of enthusiasm.

A Girl Can Take Only So Much Excitement

This potty training business is hard work for both Emma and Nanny. Whew....sometimes you just have to chill out in your favorite recliner, Emma's just happens to be Papa's. When Emma takes a break, Nanny takes a break; that's the rule at Nanny's house. Yep, life is fun, full of excitement and I am truly blessed.

God bless all you read this blog.

A sinner saved by grace,
Nanny

My First Diaper Cake

The front of the Diaper Cake

The back of the Diaper Cake

The top of the Diaper Cake

What fun this project has been from start to finish! I had never heard of the Diaper Cake until over 2 years ago when Jen was making one for Carissa's Baby Shower. At that time I thought it was edible, that is until Jen sent me a link to check it out on the computer! I find myself feeling like an ole fat hen setting on a nest full of eggs. Lately it's very difficult for me to be still, get settled, you know.... make my nest. Folks, we're down to counting weeks, number 9 already! I'm just a tad anxious to say the least. They say keep yourself busy and time will fly.
The sewing machine has been out on the kitchen table more than in it's case of late.
I've sewn a Baby apron towel for the proud parents to use on that slick little wet one at bath time. I made a Toy Story baby blanket, stitched up a few Wee Wee Wigwams to have on hand at diaper change. In case any of you don't have a clue what the Wigwam is for, it protects you from getting wet while you change the baby boy's diaper. Jen is pretty savvy at surfing the net and finding neat and usable things for the baby, forwarding the picture to me along with a message "Mom I need you to make the baby some of these"! My latest project is to make the little mitts that cover the hands so that baby doesn't scratch his face. I am having the time of my life. What a joy this pregnancy has been (for me). At times I'm overwhelmed with emotions with the thought of my baby girl having a baby. I well remember...it was just yesterday I brought all 6 pounds and 19 inches of her home from the hospital. I pray her little baby boy, Padraig Henry Doherty will bring as much joy to her as she has given me. This is one happy and blessed Nanny.

God bless all who read this blog.

A sinner saved by grace,
Nanny

Have Potty Chair Will Travel

Emma and I went on an excursion this week. Jen needed our assistance with her two dogs, Bodie and Claire. Ryan was out of town, Jen's work is too far away for a quick drive home to let them out at noon, so, walah..., Emma and Nanny to the rescue. Naturally that required packing some of Emma's personal things to bring along. It's amazing the amount of "stuff" necessary when you travel with a 2 year old! I lost count on the number of trips I made unloading the van when we arrived at Jen's house. Of course Bodie and Claire knew Emma was coming, they were so excited to see her. Emma got a licking from head to toe and giggled all the while. She loves those dogs! Until this trip she had been calling both of the dogs "Bowie", all of sudden, from her sweet little lips came Claire, plain as day. She was so proud of herself. After that, it was Claire, no more Bowie, Emma had her name down pat.

Emma is a good little helper, especially at folding and unfolding towels that come from the dryer. Eventually, we did get the chore completed. She also is very accomplished at sweeping the kitchen floor. I'm sure it would have been most difficult for me to finish the housework without Emma's help! After helping me with all the chores she's ready for a little movie time and then a nap. We go downstairs so that I can tuck her in night-night for her nap and give her a kiss. When I make it to the stop of the stairs this is what I find:

Bodie and Claire had fallen asleep watching Lady and The Tramp on my computer while I was downstairs. Now, there's a couple of spoiled dogs! Well, Jen did manage to get in some one-on-one with her Mom. I managed to find the time to itch her legs (her terminology), she's pregnant you know! She does deserve some pampering. I do enjoy having either her head or her feet in my lap, it doesn't matter, she's still my little girl. I'll pamper her every chance I get; someday she may be taking care of me. This is Friday, I'll be heading home after I let the dogs out. I spent the morning tidying up after ourselves. I didn't want Jen to come home to a mess that we had left. Unless Bodie and Claire are naughty, she should find a nice clean kitchen and living room, we'll see what kind of report card the dogs receive when Mom gets home from work today.

Jen telling her babies bye before leaving for work early this morning.

I've packed my van, it's been fun, what a joy to be close enough to help out when they call. It will be nice to have a fire going in the fireplace at home this evening. I'll soon be on the road again, traveling back to NKC. Randy and Jason both did a great job clearing the driveway and sidewalk of the 6-8 inches of snow that fell while we were here. Ryan will appreciate that I am sure! As I've said before, there's always something going on at Nanny's house. Thank you God for another day of life. Have a great day, and God bless all who read this blog.

Nanny, a sinner saved by grace

Pro 4:18 The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come.

The Making of Pádraig Henry Doherty's Nursery

Pádraig Henry Doherty, a fine Irish name if ever I heard one! For those of you who may not know, that's Patrick in our language. Oh, but with the wee boy having a Great Grandfather being Irish, we'll be calling the lad Pádraig. Have ya noticed the wee one's initials ....P.H.D.(born with a Ph.D.)pretty impressive don't ya think! Of course me being his Nanny, naturally I'm a tad prejudice. This past Saturday Papa, Emma (the wee one's 2 year old cousin) and I spent the day at Ryan and Jen's. Emma and I were occupied pampering Jen, you know; itching her legs, rubbing her head and massaging her back.
Ryan and Papa used up most of the day prepping the nursery and laying on the beautiful one-of-a-kind blue paint. We three girls were so excited, quite frequently we would abandon the couch and run into the nursery to check on the progress. Emma would always exclaim "pity". After a quick exit, back to the couch we would go to continue our personal spa for Jen. I must admit, I love pampering my Jen. It is a joy to be near by and travel this journey with her and Ryan. I am so excited and can hardly contain myself while I'm patiently waiting for our gift from God to arrive. Ryan has been a real trooper through this uh, this uh, this pregnancy. He has stepped up to the plate and basically taken over the house so Jen could stay off her feet and rest. When we come in the door for a visit, he is usually cleaning the kitchen vacuuming the floors, cooking breakfast or taking care of Jen's needs. Wow, my hat's off to this man. From what I've seen, I believe Ryan is going to be a great Dad. With Jen having all the examples from her Nanny Marie and Mama Emma to follow; and hopefully I have influenced her in a positive way, our baby boy is going to have great parents. I would like to close this blog with an Irish quote: Go n-eírí an bóthar leat. May the road rise with you.
God bless each and everyone who reads this blog.

A sinner saved by grace, Nanny

What A Party!

Psa 139:13 You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb.
Psa 139:14 I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful. I know it with all my heart.
Psa 139:15 When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there---
Psa 139:16 you saw me before I was born. The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began.

God is so awesome and amazing. Emma, God's creation, is more precious than all the jewels of the world. Her beauty surpasses the finest sapphire or the clearest diamond that could be found. She is made by God and given to our family as a gift, a valuable and treasured gift. Randy and I thank God for Emma and the privilege to love and cherish her. It is our desire to live an exemplary life in front of Emma in order that she will come to love Jesus and realize her need for a savior while she is young. There's no greater joy on earth than to see your children and grandchildren come to Jesus. Wow, what a party! So much excitement, so much to do! Nanny must admit there was a little anxiety with the thought of going to CHUCKeCHEESE PIZZA for the party. Years ago I took Jennifer and Jason to Show Biz Pizza in Paducah, KY, when they were small. I left that place with a horrible migraine headache and hadn't stepped foot into such a place since that time! But, it was Emma's 2nd birthday celebration, what could I do? Times have changed, I have mellowed or my hearing has greatly decreased (I would prefer the mellowing out). The place wasn't bad, the pizza was good, the games were fun, the entertainment was entertaining, the party was a hit! Most importantly Emma had a great time. Now, Nanny is looking forward to see if there really is such a thing as "terrible 2's", I may be partial, somehow I don't expect a severe outbreak of the epidemic at Nanny's house. God bless each one who reads this blog.

A sinner saved by Grace, Nanny

Forgetting What's Behind - Happy New Year

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Phi 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Phi 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

2010 was a good year, it could have been better, it could have been worse.
Looking back, Randy and I see God's hand prints on every aspect of all the events which took place. We are so thankful that He is in charge. We greatly miss our friends and team members we left in Romania. There are somedays still that we shed tears for them. Randy and I are so blessed to be home and near our children. Our grandchildren have brought us joy unspeakable and we are anxiously looking forward to the arrival of our first grandson in April. Emma has kept me on my toes. We play baby dolls, read books, watch her favorite movies, and color but my favorite thing we do is just snuggle in Papa's chair...that's a very special time. Yes, God's been good and I look forward to what He has in store for Nanny and her family in this New Year. As a child of God, with Christ in your life, He brings hope as the New Year begins, a new start. This is what God's word says: 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. In this New Year if you don't know Jesus Christ as your savior, you can, you need to, everyone needs a savior. He will make you a new person, give you a new heart, make you new from the inside out. Don't just take my word, try it for yourself, you won't be disappointed. God bless each and everyone of you and a Happy and joy filled New Year to you from Nanny's house.