Crunch, Crunch, Crunch

I have recently been involved in several conversations about being "crunchy." If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm a little bit crunchy. I used to say I was crunchy around the edges, but I think I'm becoming crunchier all the way through. I breastfeed and have no intentions of stopping anytime soon, I am a supporter of extended rear-facing car seats, I make my own laundry detergent, I had a natural birth, I use organic makeup, I make my own deodorant and shampoo, I use essential oils....I embrace it. (I don't say any of that to brag or boast, just giving clarification as to why I might be considered "crunchy.")

Well, I have added a little more crunch to my life. A few months ago, I was introduced to  Norwex. Norwex is a company that sells chemical-free cleaning and beauty products. I was instantly intrigued about a chemical-free cleaning solution and wanted to learn more. After doing some research and talking with a friend in Texas who is a consultant, I was hooked! Not only was I sold on using the product, but I wanted to share it with those around me. I had been praying and seeking the Lord's will about the possibility of finding a way for us to bring a little more income to help get in a better financial position to buy or build a house soon. If it was going to be something I would do, I knew it had to be flexible, allow me to stay home, and be something I was passionate about.

I feel like the Lord led us to Norwex and I am embarking on this journey. I have become a Norwex Independent Sales Consultant and I will be hosting my Launch Party next Thursday. Direct sales is NOT an area I ever thought I would be in, but I'm trusting in the Lord to bring me out of my shell. It's not as much about the money for me as it is about sharing something I am passionate about and that could make a huge impact in the lives of those around me.

For my local readers, I invite you to join us at my house for my Launch Party. More than likely, you will receive an invitation and more information about it in the mail. But if not, please contact me. For my non-local readers, you can visit my website to learn more about it and place an order if you are interested.

My website is: www.lydiacrouse.norwex.biz

10 Months

Baby Girl,

Today, on your 10 month birthday, I am continually amazed by how much joy and delight you bring to our lives. I don't think I ever laughed and smiled as much as I do now that I'm a parent.

One of your biggest developments this month is that you have learned how to stand up on your own and you have taken just a few steps. One day you were playing in the kitchen floor while I was cooking supper. When I turned around, you were standing in the middle of the floor, obviously with nothing around to pull up on. I thought it might be a fluke, but then a few days later I watched you do it over and over. You will crawl, then just stand up, bounce up and down, wiggle your feet, then fall back on your behind. You want to take some steps, but you don't quite have the confidence. You took one step while in Mississippi, then another single step a couple days later. Just today, you took three steps at a time between me and Daddy. I know it's just around the corner and you will be running around! Yikes!

Another big development this month is that we moved you from your infant seat to a new big girl seat. You were very close to outgrowing your infant seat and we had hopes that a new seat would make you happier. After much research and making my head swim, we bought you a Diono Radian RXT. You seem to really like being able to move your arms and legs more, as well as see out the window a little better. We tried out the new seat on a trip to Mississippi and you barely fussed the whole trip! You look so big, yet so tiny in the new seat!

Not only did you do great on the drive to and home from Mississippi, but you were such a happy girl while we were there. You started the month being extremely attached to me, but you seem to be coming out of that phase a little. You did great going to Papaw, Grandma Kate, and Mum without much of a fuss. You even fell asleep on Papaw's lap one morning and let Grandma Kate rock you to sleep one afternoon. As usual, you entertained everyone with your jabbering, crawling, and curiosity. We were iced in the house for two days and we sure would have been bored without you!

While in Mississippi, you also learned to wave bye-bye. I have been working on it with you for a while, but you would just flap your arms up and down. You finally started actually opening and closing your hand in a waving motion. Like most kids just learning, you are doing it toward yourself instead of facing out, which I think is just sweet.

 

Peek-a-boo and hide and seek have become some of your favorite entertainment. You love when we play peek-a-boo with you and you have started trying to play. I was sitting on the couch the other day, and you pulled up to it and kept putting your head down and popping it up smiling. I couldn't tell what you were doing at first, but once I figured it out you would just laugh when I said "peek-a-boo" as you popped your head up. You also like to play hide and seek. I will crawl behind a door or the couch and call for you. You crawl over as fast as you can and peek your head behind where I'm hiding. When you see me, you laugh yourself silly. You especially like it when Daddy plays and carries you around to find me. It is entertaining for everyone!

I took you to the movie theater for the first time this month. We went with Sis. Bobbie Jo and Audrey to see Frozen. I was a little nervous about how you would do, but thought it was worth a shot. You didn't pay much attention to the movie at all, but you did very well! You loved the popcorn, even though I don't know how you tasted much of it. I would break off the tiniest pieces and soften them in my mouth before I gave them to you. You were so excited and couldn't wait for more. You also enjoyed the frozen peas and peaches I brought, but still wanted popcorn anytime I put it in my mouth. You started getting tired and fussy toward the end, but never caused much disruption.

I love watching your mind work as you are learning more and more. You have started being able to work some of your toys on your own. You are curious as ever, getting into all the kitchen cabinets, and trying to figure out how to reach the drawers. You don't like to be left alone. If I put you in the living room to play with toys while I work in the kitchen, it takes you about 2 seconds to be right there in the kitchen with me. You are learning things so quickly these days, including how to charm your way out of getting in trouble. You continue to be an active little thing and rarely stop to take a minute to be still. We love you, sweet girl, and love spending our moments watching you.

 

Other things to remember this month:

• You now have 8 teeth!!! Four on top, four on bottom
• You were sick with a cold at the beginning of the month and missed your first Sunday at church
• You can say "night-night" and often do when you're tired
• You have started trying to blow kisses by putting your hand up to your mouth
• Can pull the handle on your See n' Say
• Had your first food texture issue - mashed potatoes
• You have started dancing when you hear music