Holland!

No. Not the country. The bunny rabbit.

Here he is.

So adorable!

He is 10 weeks today and is a pure bred, show quality (pedigree to prove it), broken torte dwarf Holland Lop. He will be about 3 pounds at full size and his ears will stay down permanently. He is so cute!

Rabbits are extremely low maintenance, pretty loving, and with proper care and handling, can be model citizens in the pet world. He loves hopping around, is a little skiddish while getting used to his surroundings here, and is pretty good with Elayne. They ignore each other for the most part. He sniffs her head. She accidentally kicks him. She laughs when mommy chases him around the house - daddy laughs too.

One big[ger] happy family!

When Bad Things Happen to Good People

Ever have one of those moments in life where you question things? I mean really question things. Like when bad things happen to good people and when some people just can't catch a break?

This week I've been quite thoughtful about this area. It seems like things are happening all around me and there is nothing I can do about it but pray. And maybe that's all I'm supposed to do. And maybe that's all I need to do.

When a phenomenal person is put on a double lung transplant list because God just might be ready to call His angel home. When a great friend is forced with yet another potential loss to overcome. When a student doesn't have the means to afford a place to stay. When someone is so tired they need rest, and yet can't find it. When getting ahead puts you further behind. When you just don't get it. When others around you are trying to stay afloat and you don't have any life savers to toss them.

Nearly helpless.

But I'll keep praying. Because that's all I can do and maybe that's all I'm supposed to do.

Join me in praying?

For Cereal

Last night, my baby grew up. When did that happen??? It feels like she spent a long time just hanging out for a few months and then WHAM! She's growing every single day. She goes to sleep one way and wakes up so much older. Time is flying and I'm desperately trying to hang on.

Last night. Last night, we introduced cereal. Now. I know what you're thinking.

"I thought you were going to wait until she was at least six months old."
"You said she wouldn't have cereal until she could sit up on her own."
"What about all of those studies that link to early cereal eating to obesity?"

Sigh.

Another way parenting changes you.

I still believe that Elayne isn't old enough for solids. I still believe we shouldn't rush her into anything she isn't ready for. And I still believe that what/how a child eats in early life sets him/her up for future eating habits. None of that has changed.

However, what has changed is talking with Elayne's pediatrician. Last week he suggested giving her a little bit to help her sleep through the night. She slept through the night consistently before she got sick last month, but since has regressed and still wakes up once through the night. Feeding her cereal right before bed should help with that.

The pediatrician also believes in extremely slow weaning - which I can totally get on board with. We're talking like 2 Tbs of cereal each night guys. And that's plenty for the time being. Gradually she'll work her way up to a full meal, and then adding it to the rest of the day, and so on. We won't start her on other foods for a while. And I am more than okay with that.

So last night we tried it. I anxiously sifted through the millions of bowls/spoons/bibs/cereals/accessories at BRU yesterday. Found the best practical deal. Made sure I picked a cereal exactly in line with the pediatrician's recommendations. Used coupons. And wha-la!

Then came the tricky part. Letting Elayne try it. We waited until she was halfway through a bottle, as directed, set Elayne up in her brand new highchair that came in Saturday, then we were ready to begin.

So without further ado, I give you -- Elayne the cereal eater!

Babies Ruin Bodies

Today I needed this.

This.

Perspective.