Day 2

Day 2: Watching the bond that is forming between you both is a blessing I will always treasure in my heart.  My dear girls-you may have your ups and downs as you grow up together, but I pray you will always share in the love you have as sisters.

Until tomorrow's frame...

Capturing One Frame a Day-Day 1

Today, my sweet baby girl is 3 months old, and I hardly know where the days have gone.  Having a toddler and a baby seems to make time pass infinitely faster...too fast.

In the joys and frustrations of being a parent, I have learned that memories are made in the times I least expect-the unplanned, the accidents, the unforeseen....in such have the most perfect moments in my life thus far been created. 

In a better attempt to encapsulate some of these precious memories, I am hoping to capture of frame a day.  This may be over-ambitious of me, since I can hardly remember my own name some days.  But I shall try-beginning today.

Day 1: Sweet baby girl-you are so content in your daddy's arms.  You could cruise for hours, gazing in wonderment of the world you are discovering.

Until tomorrow's frame...

For my girls...

I pray you'll be my eyes
And watch her where she goes
And help her to be wise
Help me to let go

Every mother's prayer
Every child knows
Lead her to a place
Guide her with your grace
To a place where she'll be safe

I pray she finds your light
And holds it in her heart
As darkness falls each night
Remind her where you are

 Lead her to a place
Guide her with your grace
To a place where she'll be safe 

Pinterest

YES!

It's true....I have jumped on the Pinterest Band-wagon....and it's oh, so fun!

My boards are still in the works, but check them out here:

http://pinterest.com/crystal_karges/

Happy Pinning!

Baby inside...

Dear Baby Girl-

The weeks are passing by, the seasons are changing.  You are growing, and I am getting bigger.  I keep this picture of you on my dresser to remind me of the miracle taking place within me.  I must admit, I haven't had all of my attention on you these past few months.  Your big sister, Celeste, is growing up too.  Although she doesn't quite understand that you're coming, I'm quite certain that she's going to love you entirely.  Often, I imagine what you two will be like together and feel blessed to be your mother.  I know that at times, things will be challenging, but I promise that you will be loved beyond measure and cared for and that your daddy and I will always do our best in bringing you up.

As your date of arrival draws near, I find myself more and more excited to meet you finally.  I've loved you wholeheartedly from the moment I learned of your existence.  I'm constantly praying for the strength, wisdom, grace, and courage to be the best mother I can be for you and your sister.  I can't wait to meet you, sweet baby inside.

Love,
Your mama

"No one else will ever know the strength of my love for you.  After all, you're the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside." 

Celeste Lately....

It's really hard to believe how fast time seems to go by, especially since we've had Celeste.  While summer is almost over, her adventures seem to just be beginning.  Here are some pictures of her over the last month....

Eating Corn on the Cob-Love daddy's grillin'!

Celeste at 15 months...

Celeste LOVES boxed....and her Teddy!

I caught a video of Celeste, who discovered a marker for the first time.

We're enjoying our days with Celeste because in December, there will be another Karges baby girl to love on!  Here I am at 20 weeks with baby #2:

We're so grateful for the life of this baby and are looking forward to being parents of 2 girls!

Top 10 Tips for Parents Who Want Healthy Kids

I loved this article by Dena Cabrera, Psy.D., Remuda Ranch

1.  Be a good role model. Do not follow fad diets for weight loss; eat intuitively. Choose from a variety of foods that are tasteful and satisfying. Eat when hungry; stop when not hungry any more.

2.  Promote Size Acceptance. All bodies are shaped differently; this is natural and a part of one's genetic makeup. Fostering an environment of size acceptance and diversity in shape helps to promote a child's own self acceptance and well being. Differences are welcomed, not feared.

3.  Use positive body language. Are you consistently talking about the weight you want to lose? How much better you would look if you could lose these last 10 pounds? Commenting on others' appearance and making judgments? Talking positively about one's own body will model a healthy self-concept.

4.  Allow for freedom of choice within structure.  Provide food options for children within reason: one snack may be either an apple with peanut butter or graham crackers and milk; another may be a cereal bar or two small cookies. If given the opportunity, children are wonderful intuitive eaters. Make healthy food choices easily accessible and available. 

5.  Create a positive environment around food and eating. We know that children excel emotionally and academically in an environment in which they feel loved and safe (Your Child's Weight, Helping without Harming, chapter 3, "Make family meals a priority", Ellyn Satter, MS, RD, LCSW, BCD). The dinner table is a terrific venue for providing this kind of safety. Make it a rule for the family to eat at least one meal together per day. Keep the conversation positive. The child will associate the context of the meal with positive feelings which in turn promote a healthy relationship with food.

6.  Develop Critical Thinking Skills
Media images and messages about food and bodies are often distorted and kids are the most vulnerable to these messages. Teach them to be watchdogs of the media!  Parents can question advertisements, messages and use talk back techniques with their kids when hearing messages that both discourage healthy realistic attitudes and behaviors related to beauty, eating and weight.

7.  Be active. This can be difficult especially with teens during the summer.  Limit screen time per day: television, computer, video games, text messaging, etc. Build in family activity time to encourage a lifestyle of activity. Set clear expectations for chores done by the child around the house; do not apologize for requiring the child to contribute to the household in this way. Invent games while doing chores. Plan active family vacations: hiking, biking, roller blading, swimming, etc.

8.  Involve the child in menu planning. Invite the child's preferences when planning the weekly menu without dictating the entire menu. Include the child in grocery shopping and meal preparation when possible.  These are great teachable moments.

9.  Everyone should eat the same meal at dinner time. Resist the urge to make a special plate for the child who refuses to eat what is served. Allow the child to decide if she/he will eat and if so, how much; the parent decides what will be served and when.  Parents must be consistent on this issue or they will indefinitely be short-order cooks on demand for the child.

10.  Eat with balance, variety and moderation. Do not require the child to finish everything on his plate. Provide a variety of flavors, colors, textures and aromas in food to expand the child's food repertoire. Depending on the child's age, portion food appropriately or let the child portion on her own. Small, frequent meals and snacks allow the body's metabolism to work most efficiently.

For more information about eating disorders, please call 1-800-445-1900 or visit www.remudaranch.com.

To read more excellent articles regarding eating disorders, visit the Eating Disorder Hope Articles Library.