parenting conference + leaving livie

Last weekend, Chad and I attended a parenting conference with some of our friends called "Getting to the Heart of Parenting".  Since Livie turned 1... well, actually before she turned 1 too...we've had our eyes opened to the fact that our baby is not only growing up and becoming cuter by the day :)...but she's becoming more and more selfish by the day too.   This conference came at just the right time for us.  The speaker, Paul Tripp, came with a heart for God, Biblical understanding of parenting, years of experience, and great practical advice.  We learned SO much. Hopefully now we can put it into practice.

Worst part of the weekend?  I puked for the first time in this pregnancy on Saturday night.  I know I was just really tired from the evening before.  But it was miserable.  I hope it was a one time thing.  Maybe, just maybe, I won't get as sick with this one after 11-12 weeks?  With Livie I remember puking MOST mornings before work weeks 12-18.  Yuck.  It hasn't happened again so...I'm hoping.

So, what do we do after going to an amazing parenting conference?  Well, tomorrow, Chad and I leave for Aruba :).  And we're leaving Livie.  When we planned the trip, we were all about taking Livie along.  Then we realized that we really wanted to relax and enjoy this vacation with a new baby on the way and a house starting soon.

We'll be gone 7 days and nights.  This is the longest we'll have been a part from her.  And we're a little sad.  In fact, Chad just came home for lunch and started feeding her all sorts of candy and gum.  When I was about to stop him, he says, "We want her to remember us and like us when we get back!".  I'm sure some last minute candy will do the trick :).

Here's what I'm going to miss:

Her sitting in all sorts of places around the house that "fit her".  Yesterday she attempted to sit on the printer and inside a toy box that was way too small for her :).  

Her cuteness :).

She stands in front of the pantry when she wants some "num-nums".  If I'm not paying attention, she'll cry till I do. 

Crying out of desperation because she's SO hungry!

Looking for her favorite - the cookies hidden away at the bottom.

And loving it when she actually gets some.  She brings them back to this seat and thoroughly enjoys them.

Being curious.  Yes, Chad is taking a shower here :).

As sad as I am to leave her, I am soo excited for warm weather, beaches, and pure relaxation.  I'm praying morning sickness will be over and the trip will just be amazing!  And seeing that I'm supposed to drop Livie off at my mom's in just a few hours...and that I still have not packed our clothes...I'd better get busy.