So I guess we’re attached parents

Joshua and I recently realized that we practice attachment parenting. Families certainly had different parenting styles before anyone ever made up a name for them. We didn’t read much about parenting philosophies. We just knew that the most important thing we can do as parents is to teach Evalana about God, and we’re her first on-Earth example of her Father God’s unending love and caring guidance. We also felt like God created her perfectly, so she knows better than I when she’s hungry or tired. So, from the moment she was born, we pretty much gave her what she asked for. She was just getting to know us, and we wanted to make especially sure that she learned that she could trust us to take care of her. I guess there’s basically attachment parenting on one end of the parenting spectrum and baby training on the other. From what I understand, baby training helps teach the child to do more of what the parents are wanting for the baby, and attachment parenting more focuses on respecting the child’s desires—if that makes any sense. And I suppose most parents are somewhere in the middle. Attachment parents usually keep the baby close to them. I can see advantages to being able to lay your child down and walk off, but I really like my cuddle time with my little girl. Right now she’s sleeping in her wrap on me, and I love it. She’ll be an adult who’s not so easily holdable soon enough. Many attachment parents say that teaching your children that they can trust you from the very beginning helps them to be secure enough to be an independent adult with a good family relationship when they get older. I don’t know about the long-term effects of any loving parenting style, but I know that I love my time with my baby, and I really enjoy our somewhat attachment parenting style.

just a friday afternoon

a couple of videos for those who are missing a little evalana time:

Baby Led Weaning

February 1st Evalana will be six months old, and she’ll try her first non-breastmilk food. Evalana has been showing signs of being ready for food (sitting up, reaching and grabbing, no tongue-thrust reflex) for a couple weeks now, but the WHO recommends waiting until a baby is at least six months old before starting anything other than breastmilk. I don’t know that a couple weeks really matters, but Sunday will be a good day to start on food anyway. We’re doing a method called Baby Led Weaning. I’m still planning to breastfeed her for a lot longer, but introducing food is seen as the beginning of the weaning process, even if it takes years. And “baby-led” meaning that it’s pretty much up to Evalana what and when she wants to eat. She’ll be eating real food—such as a steamed carrot stick rather than mushed baby food. It’ll be fun because she’ll be able to eat with us, rather than we having to feed her while we try to eat, and she’ll get to have the full food experience of real food flavors and textures. Samson's looking forward to it, too. Thanks to Ashlee and Jennifer for introducing us to BLW! Check back Sunday evening for a video of her first experience with her edible toys. Joshua set up Evalana's highchair yesterday, and it made Joshua's eating a little easier, as you can see on the video below.

before highchair:


in highchair with toys:

So for quite a while now one of Evalana's favorite things to do is reach and grab, reach and grab. You can be walking with her, or eating with her at the table and her little arms swing quickly back and forth looking for something to grab, push, pull, or punch. I came home today and Rachel and Grandma had found a clever way to put this little force of nature to work. Don't worry, we give her two fifteen minute breaks every eight-hour shift, plus a half hour for lunch. Management is a little worried about what might happen if 41 brothers and sisters come along later and they decide to unionize, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Joshua

still getting better

Evalana slept the entire night in her bed last night. Thank you God! Her stuffy nose woke her up a few times, but she went back to sleep by herself before I even got out of bed. I'm so glad she was able to get some good rest last night. She's also had good naps today and continues to eat well. She's still a little fussy and is spitting up, but she's doing so much better now than on Tuesday. I'm so thankful this was just a little illness and that God made our bodies so that they can heal themselves of a virus. Thanks again for all the prayers!

much better!

Thanks for the prayers! Evalana seems to be doing much better today! Last night she still woke up several times, but she slept much better than the night before. She took some good naps today, and we went for an hour-long walk in the warm 60-degree weather. Evalana loves being outside. For her entire stroller ride, she just sat very still and stared at everything. I think both Joshua and Evalana are close to all better, and we're hoping Evalana gets some good sleep tonight.

sick

Well today I was feeling a little better, but Evalana and Joshua were worse. This sweet baby just keeps pooping and throwing up and, as you can see, has a runny nose. I feel bad for her. But she also has moments when she's just as happy as can be, like in the video from this afternoon. We're praying that she gets some sleep tonight and that her tummy feels better soon. She's been sick since Saturday, so I think she's due to be over this soon. I'm so thankful for our health and access to health care. And I'm also very thankful for my wonderful and helpful husband. As I'm typing this, Evalana seems to be falling asleep, so maybe she'll have some good rest tonight.

stand up

Rachel told me a few days ago that our sweet little cuddly baby was standing up on her own. While my wife is as honest as the day is long, I found that just a little difficult to believe. Well, here's the proof. I guess all those tricep dips and quad extensions are paying off. However, despite feats of strength like this, she is a bit under the weather with a bit of a tummy ache (Rachel has one too), so prayers on behalf of the Vaughn ladies would be much appreciated.

Joshua

Inauguration

Evalana, Samson, and I had an inauguration watch party today, except that Evalana’s not allowed to watch TV. We were supposed to go to work today, but Evalana hasn't been feeling very good since Saturday.
We’ve decided that January is no-TV-month in our house, but we made an exception today. It was neat to see this inauguration. People were understandably very excited in Washington D.C. today. I was reminded to think of how exciting it will be to see Jesus face to face someday. People stood outside for many hours today in 16 degree wind-chill to get a glimpse of President Obama. How hard do we work to notice and spend time with God?

yummy washcloths

Here's a video of what she likes to do in the bath with her washcloths (why she was trying to suck on the laundry yesterday).

sorting laundry

Evalana helped me sort her diaper laundry this morning. After I got her wipes put away, she leaned over, put her hands on her changing pad, and lifted/rolled herself off her potty and onto the floor. Then she rolled over onto her back so that her head was resting on her changing pad, and she picked up a book to read while she lounged. She really does a great job of keeping me entertained.

I can't get videos to upload on blogger right now.

Worldwide Moms' Day of Prayer

Today mothers across the world are praying. Generations before us have prayed for us, and now we get to pray for our children and grandchildren. It is such a privilage to pray for Evalana, our other future children, and their children and grandchildren. I know God hears and answers our prayers. Praying is the most important thing we can do. Here's a Family Life devotion for you if you want to read it: http://www.familylifemomblog.com/2009/01/worldwide-moms-day-of-prayer.html#more.

napping

This afternoon my mom came over, and Evalana took her afternoon nap with Grandma. When Evalana takes naps with me, I put her to sleep in her wrap. Here’s a video of her right before she fell asleep this evening and right after.

standing up

Usually Joshua gives Evalana her bath and Bible story, but he has a lot of work to do at home tonight, so I was the bather this evening. Evalana was sitting in her little inflatable tub, playing with her toys, and then she put her hands on the side of the tub and stood up. The strong little girl even did it a few more times.

Is she talking?

Last week when I picked Evalana up from childcare, they asked me if she's talking. I said no. They said she kept saying "mama" when she was upset. When she gets mad, she says "mmmm" when she tries to calm down. So when she cries, she does end up saying "mama." Here's a video that kind of shows her doing it while she was waiting for dinner (I couldn't let her get too upset).

While I was writing this, she just turned to Joshua and said "Doe." I told her she should call him dada instead of dodo though.

Evenin' all. In an effort to share the blogging burdon with my blushing bride, I'll try to post every now and again on the comings and goings of our big headed little baby. Today Evalana got to go to Westside where she had lunch with mom back in the nursing room during the service (started an awesome new message series we're excited about), and then hung out with me afterwards while mom did a great job presenting to a bunch of interested Westsiders on the Adoption and Foster Care ministry. The coolest new thing Evalana is up to is sitting on her own. Once propped up, she can sit unassisted for quite a while without tipping over. It is more than a little amazing to realize, when we pass little milestones like that, that she will never go back to that state again. God is an amazing giver, that is for sure.

grandparents

Evalana has 16 grandparents and great grandparents. When I was born, I had four grandparents and two great grandparents. I now only have my grandpa (my mom’s dad) and my stepgrandma (my stepmom’s mom). I am thankful to remember all of the grandparents who were alive during my lifetime, but I still wish I had more of their stories recorded. The one person who we do have quite a few stories from is my great grandma Steever because she lived to be 106 and had a better memory than I’ve ever had. We celebrated “this could be Grandma’s last birthday” for 16 years, and we got to hear so many great stories from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
We’re trying to collect grandparent stories for Evalana and her future siblings and cousins. We’ve used these two books which have been very helpful:
A Grandparent's Book
A Grandparent's Legacy: Your Life Story in Your Own Words

Reach for your toes

Evalana got her toes to her mouth today!

visiting Great Grandpa Moser

Yesterday we went to visit my grandpa in Lincoln, which is about a 3-hour drive. We left early in the morning, hoping to get to Lincoln about the time Evalana would be waking up, but Evalana decided to be awake for part of the drive, although she actually did okay most of the way there. We got to visit Grandpa and some other family, and it was great to see them. We tried to leave at Evalana's afternoon nap time, but Evalana decided to cry a lot of the way home. She stopped crying when we let her out of her car seat to drive, though.

My friend Crystal has some great New Year's questions to consider at http://www.pinkhairedgirl.net/?p=2302. You should check out her blog and Wednesday lifegroup.

5 months

This baby is growing up so quickly! We’re now on a pretty predictable schedule during the day, so that helps me to know when to expect her to be tired or hungry. She still likes to stay up late, but we keep working on her bedtime, and she now goes to sleep between 9pm and 11pm and generally wakes up between 7am and 8:30am. I love listening to her laugh. She gets so excited when she sees Joshua or me and unfortunately gets upset when we’re not around. When she gets tired, she rubs her eyes and fusses, and when she gets hungry she grunts and grabs at me. She likes to play and kick and use her muscles, and she especially enjoys sitting and standing (with some help). The only time Evalana really ever cries is if I try a food that doesn’t work well for her (wheat, dairy, corn, egg, soy, peanuts, or fish). She’s just a happy and silly girl who loves her puppy and her parents. Joshua and I are thankful every day for our Evalana, and I love every moment that I get to spend with her. Here's a video of her newest sound that she discovered she can make. It sounds like a pterodactyl’s screech or a smoker’s squeal I guess. She's just funny.

2009

2008 was a great year, but I’m looking forward to 2009. I’m looking forward to having lots of fun with Evalana. She’ll be learning to walk and talk this year! Joshua’s not taking any classes this semester, so I’m looking forward to a little more time with him. Joshua’s leading a Westside trip to South Africa in July. Evalana and I are staying home, but you should consider going! I’m planning to continue working part-time at Westside, but we won’t get to have childcare there anymore, and I’m not quite sure what we’re going to do about that. I’m excited to experience all that God has planned in 2009!