Lucy's favorite book

Hoppity Hop Peekaboo looks like a cute book, but don't let it fool you. Don't get me wrong - it's fine. But after the 197th time reading it, it gets really old! (No, I am not exaggerating!) Lucy LOVES this book. When we finish reading it, we have to start again. This afternoon we read it three times in a row so I put it up on the table and tried to distract Lucy. Not even her piano would keep her from reaching for the Peekaboo book . . .so we read it again. I even tried reading a different book, like Peekaboo kisses or I know an Old Lady who swallowed a Fly . . .both of which are interactive books . . . but she still wanted Hoppity Hop Peekaboo. If anyone has a new book suggestion, we will gladly take it! :)

School finished on Wednesday for our spring break. I am so glad to be on break. .. even though I have to go in tomorrow for a work day, Lucy is going to go with me for a while. I am so excited about being at home for two weeks. I love my job, I do, but I love being a mom more. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough that we can get out and go for a walk or go to the park. Michael and I are hoping we can go one afternoon to the Greenville Zoo.

There are some new pictures of Lucy in the nine month folder. Check back over the next two weeks for some more!

And a little child shall lead them. . .

I love the musical group, Watermark. They are a husband and wife (Christy and Nathan Nockels) who recorded a few CDs years ago. In fact, I don't think they've done anything new since I was in high school. Christy Nockels does solo work now and I encourage you to listen to some of her worship music.

Anyway, I tell you all this to say that I was listening to Watermark on my Ipod the other day and the song, "Noah's song" came up. This is a song they wrote about their little boy and as I was listening to it, all I could think of was my sweet Lucy. Here are the lyrics:

Sweet Noah
Your eyes are a window
To all of our childhood dreams
It's almost like we're starting over again
One more trip through this life
With different eyes to see

You're the gift that came to take us back
Cause baby dear, you have the joy we lack
With your tiny hands
You touch a different world
Your full of wonder, full of hope
And full of one more chance
For us to see the world again
Like God sees the world

Little lover of God
You'd smile at a stranger
You don't think to be careful
How sweet is your love
You'd reach for the most unlovely of creatures
Your love is so unconditional

You're the gift that came to take us back
Cause baby dear, you have the love we lack
With your tiny heart
You'll love a different world
Your full of wonder, full of hope
And full of one more chance
For us to love the world again
Like God loves the world

And a child shall lead them
For such is the kingdom of heaven
Simple faith, simple love
Just because

Little faithful one
You're just like a mirror
Reflecting anything and everything we do
Mirror, mirror oh how you remind us
That we should reflect our Father just the same

You're the gift that came to take us back
Cause baby dear, you have the faith we lack
With your tiny life
You've shown the precious love of God
He's full of mercy, full of grace,
And full of one more chance
For us to daily learn to love
Like He first loved us

And a child shall lead them
For such is the kingdom of heaven
Simple faith, simple love
Just because

These lyrics just hit home for me. That childlike faith that we all should have is so evident in the innocence of a child. Lucy is such a joyful creature. . .people always comment about how happy she is! She lights up a room with her smile and her laughter is the sweetest music I have ever heard. Her joy radiates from her and those around her can't help but stop and smile as well.. . even strangers we pass in Target or sit next to at a restaurant. Her joyfulness inspires me to want to exude joy from my life as well, to help lift up others spirits as she does for mine.

I love the middle part of the song where it talks about the little lover of God. Today I met up with Lucy and Michael at MRLEC, our church's Life Enrichment Center for senior citizens. When I got there, Lucy was being passed from person to person and smiling and laughing and talking. She was enjoying all of the attention, but what caught my eye was how much those seniors were enjoying her. She loves everyone she meets, no matter how young or old, the color of their skin, their status . . . . they are all the same to her. She will smile and grin and love on anyone who comes her way. So often we overlook people who walk right by us every day because we are focused on ourselves and what is happening in our lives. Lucy inspires me to love more like she does - to take time to smile at someone or say hello because that one gesture can mean so much.

And the last part. . . .where she is a reflection of anything and everything we do . . . kind of scary! She is now beginning to try and echo sounds you say to her as well as copy your clapping or waving. (Neither of which she is very successful at, but it's fun to watch her try!) As she becomes more and more aware and begins to imitate Michael and I more, it is more important than ever to set good examples in everything. I want so much for her to grow up to be a smart, beautiful and talented girl. (Which of course she will be!) But more than that, I want her to have a heart full of compassion and caring for those around her. I want her to seek after God and all that He has in store for her. But does she see me doing that? Does she see me taking time to send a card to someone who is sick? Does she see me taking time to ask someone how their day was . . .and really listen to their answer? Does she see me seeking God's will for my life and asking for His help and guidance?

And a little child shall lead them, for such is the kingdom of Heaven. . .Thank you Lord for my precious little girl and the joy, love, and inspiration she brings to me every day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Everyone is finally starting to feel better at the Flack house! Lucy and Daddy have been sick with colds and Mommy had a terrible stomach bug. Lucy's still has a cough and some congestion but hopefully it is on its way out.

We dressed Lucy up in her St. Patty's jammies tonight and she has had fun playing in them - thanks Aunt Nae! She has a St. Patrick's bib to wear tomorrow from Mama Mae . . . no one will be pinching her! :) We ate peas tonight since we were talking about the color green . . . .I guess we'll have peas and green beans tomorrow too!

Lucy is finally going to get to meet Kendra this weekend. She's coming to NC to race in the High Point Marathon so we are going to go cheer her on. I can't believe I haven't seen her since her wedding and that she hasn't met Lucy yet! I am looking forward to getting to sit and visit (even for a short while!) with her.

Lucy will be nine months old on Thursday - can you believe it? Where does time go? She is SO close to crawling . . . she pushes herself up on her hands and knees but every time she goes to move her knees she falls back down to the ground. It's so cute to watch her little face concentrate as her brain tries to figure out how to tell her body to move! Today she just got frustrated with trying so she rolled everywhere to get everything. I can't wait to see her crawl for the first time, but I am also dreading it because I know she is going to be into EVERYTHING!!! She gets this little gleam in her eye when she sees something she wants . . . Mommy will have to be FAST to keep up with her!

Before we go, here's one more picture. You can see more (outtakes and all!) in the 8 month folder. Isn't she the cutest baby you've ever seen?

Can you see those pearly whites?

Lucy doesn't like to show off her two bottom teeth . . .but they are quickly becoming a noticeable part of her charming smile. This is the first picture I've taken where I can see them - do you? (Warning - you do have to look hard!!)

No more dairy . . . again . . . .

When we went for Lucy's checkup the other week, Dr. Bernstein mentioned cutting dairy out of my diet again to help with Lucy's skin. I kind of laughed it off because her skin was looking better than it had been and it seems that the warmer the weather gets, the better her skin looks. But this weekend, an ugly little rash has broken out on her body . . .not on her arms and legs though. It doesn't seem to bother her too much, but lotion and hydrocortizone doesn't seem to be clearing it up. So for the next two weeks, I am going to cut dairy out of my diet and keep a food journal for her. If we're still having trouble with her skin, at least we'll be able to rule out those steps and try the next thing! I know that I can cut the dairy out since I have done it before, but it's such a pain! I never realized until I had to start reading labels how many different foods have dairy. Hopefully she doesn't have a milk allergy and if she does, it will disappear as she gets older. I would hate for her to have to go her whole life without real chocolate!!! :)

They are calling for snow here tomorrow. As much as I hate having to miss school and make it up later, it would be nice to stay at home with Lucy for the day! The weekend was so busy with things at church that I feel like I haven't seen her much! Of course, they aren't calling for anything until the early morning, so we'll have to see in the morning!

Below is a video of Lucy playing her piano. She has the best time with it!!! :)