Gotta Brag on the Hubby

This morning I got up and reached for my phone as I do pretty much every day.  I saw there was a text from Ben that said, "I love you!" "Awww! He's sweet." I thought to myself.  I quickly responded, "Love you too!" and wandered sleepily into Emme's room (as she had been saying, "I wanna wake up!!!" for about 20 minutes).  Since I had already decided that today was going to be a PJ day, I just got her out of her pull-up and into some Minnie panties and then we followed our routine of going over into JB's room and getting him up (right now I usually have to wake him up around 8 or 8:30 to eat... I know it is wrong to wake up a baby... but since we are still working on sleeping all the way through the night it has to be done) :)  Then the three of us made our way into the living room and I started to feed the baby.  Starting episode 1 of Micky Mouse Clubhouse for our lazy day, I had no sooner sat down in the recliner then Emme ran over and said, "Mommy!! Look at dis! What dis?!"  She was holding a beautiful rose in her hand.

Oh my goodness!! I ran over to the kitchen where she had come from (poor JB is pretty used to getting dragged along while nursing, taking multiple breaks during nursing to tend to "random" incidents, or feeding on-the-go... I could go on for days about how laid back this child is... but that is another post, and I digress...)  Here is what I found sitting on the counter:

Such a GREAT surprise!! Ben knows how much I love Starbucks, and I used to indulge in it way more- but now it is hard for me to get out of the house or time feedings after outings to go and grab a coffee.  He had left extra early to go to the store to get me one before driving back out to Frisco for work.  He also picked up that lovely rose and 2 treats for Emme and I to bake together.  We have gotten into the habit of baking at least one thing together every Thursday, but this had been a very busy week and I had not had a spare minute to get to the store... and considering the lack of energy I had had last night, I had casually mentioned to Ben that I doubted I would make the trip out with both kids today (hence no baking, and a sad, sad Emme).  It made me smile from ear to ear that he would be so thoughtful- not just for me, but for Emme too.

I finally connected the dots on the text from the morning too :)  I immediately called Ben to thank him and he asked if we had looked in Emme's play house yet?  We hadn't, so we peeked in while I was on the phone with him.  He had also left a rose for Emme.  She was pretty stoked... Exhibit A.

All of this to say. I am really thankful for my husband for turning this potentially ho-hum, lazy Thursday into something a little more special.  It was funny because I was seriously out of energy- but the shot of love and espresso my husband sent me actually got me motivated to clean the house as well today! I think I got myself a good one....  God has really given me a wonderful guy :)



JB's 2 Month Update

I can't believe that JB is 2 months old.  What a joy it has been so far!! Here are some fun facts about our little guy:

• Talk about smiling? This kid has been smiling since about 3 weeks old.  At first mom and Ben didn't believe me- but they soon witnessed it too.  He is an easy smiler.  If you show off your pearly whites to him... you will get a sweet gummy smile right back.
• He is cooing like crazy.  The combination of coo and smile seriously melts my heart- even at 2 am.
• Speaking of 2 am- as of right now he is doing about a 5 hour stretch (usually from 8 to 1) and then usually wakes about every 3 hours...or more... from there.  Mommy would love some more sleep soon, but luckily he will go down pretty easily after feeding so that is good. (Maybe I should read this post to him?) I also have to give him mad props for being an amazing napper so that helps to make up for the current lack of night time zzz's.
• JB loves to sit on the activity mat and look at the lights, and tummy time is something he actually really enjoys and rarely fights.  I am spoiled by how easily entertained he is.  It's no joke that he can sit on that mat for a good 30 minutes and stare and stare.  He seems to be quite the observer.
• He has two favorite toys right now, and both have black and white patterns on them.  He literally tracks them like a hawk and grins from ear to ear when you put them in front of him- so funny!
• JB can roll onto his side and has been doing this for about the past  2 weeks or so.  There are literally times that he is just sooo close to making it all the way to his belly. It has been really consistent so I'm predicting that he will be an early roller.
• I love snuggling and cuddling with JB!!  It is so fun to kiss him and look into his eyes, and pat his bottom as he drifts off to sleep.  It is so neat having a baby that will let me do that to him :)
• He takes quite a bit of affectionate abuse from his big sister.  Emme is so completely in LOVE with him and is ever the helper.  I have a ready supply of diapers, wipes, toys, pacis... anything I could ever need (or not haha) and if she can do something for him- I let her.  He is smothered in her kisses and hugs daily.
• JB is not a huge fan of the paci.  It is good occasionally for a fussy moment during the day- other than that- don't bother trying, it is one of the only things that makes him get irritated ;)
• I know I'm totally bias but I still get blown away by what a great baby he is.  And I also think he is super smart (again I know I'm the mama- but what can I say?) He is already reaching for toys on the bouncer and play mat, and will also do this sort of "laughing" talk- so stinkin' cute!! He is very responsive to Mommy, Daddy, and Emme's voices and is just a happy go lucky little guy.
• Stats at today's check-up: 12.8 lbs and 22 3/4 inches.   

I can't wait to see what the next month will bring.  Love you buddy!

Let's be honest...

God uses our kids to refine us.  Right now I feel like I'm a garden being pruned with a weed-whacker!  I'll be the first to say that I have a tough time with change, I'm a perfectionist, and I like things to be just-so/follow a rule book (by the way who is it that wrote that rule book?)  I tend to get caught up in what I'm not doing, compare myself to others, and get discontent.  I will also say that I am a total wuss when it comes to night time sleep.  My least favorite part of having an infant is the lack of rest (particularly at night).  I get cranky, impatient, and downright grumpy at times!

Thank goodness for a little book called 10-Minute Time Outs for Moms.  It is totally saving me right now with little glimpses of hope from the Word.  Today I read about how God disciplines us so we can become more like Him. Ouch!  When life changes, boy does it send me reeling.  Pull a few creature comforts (aka sleep and showers) from this girl and I get super whiny with God.  I love the prayer from today's quiet time though.  And I am praying it over and over!

Heavenly Father,
I praise You for demonstrating tough love through Your discipline.  It's not pleasant, but it teaches me how to live.  You have a purpose: that I might share in Your holiness.  I embrace Your ways, Father, for they will bring me righteousness and peace if I allow myself to be trained by them (Hebrews 12:6-11). Amen.

I posted my struggles with piles, lack of "productivity", feeling tired, and just general crankiness on facebook today and received such encouragement from fellow moms in the trenches.  God has been good to remind me that I am in a "season" of life that won't be around forever and I do need to be thankful in all things.  A friend also shared this reminder with me:

Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.

 

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings.

Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible.

Thank you, Lord , that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising.

Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.

Thank you, Lord, for my family.. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced,

Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is stressful or monotonous.

Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest.

Thank you, Lord, for life.

I also remember that saying, "A clean stable is an empty one."  I'll take the fullness of the "messes" I have around my house today and do my best to be thankful.  I'm glad God cares enough about me to not leave me as I am.  And when the day comes that I get a little more "done", get a little more sleep, and get to take a few more showers, well... I will praise Him then too.

Happy New Year

Here we are in 2012!! And while we are all adjusting to our new life as a family of 4,  I must say that I am so looking forward to all this year will hold.  It has been a great few weeks having Ben home and I am super sad to have him returning to work tomorrow morning.  Definitely a perk of teaching!! Mom left just before Christmas, and I was less than excited for Grammy to head back up to the great land of Wisconsin, but I have been doing my best to focus on how AMAZING it was to have her here for 2 months.  We were most definitely spoiled by her company and I am thankful to the Lord that she was able to stay for so long- such a blessing!

Christmas was lots of fun this year.  We made it to the Christmas Eve service and it was fun to get the kiddos dressed up and experience the season as our new family unit.  Emme was so cute and fun to watch over the holidays.  This was the first time that she really has understood any of the Christmas story and season, and I loved seeing her light up at all the festivities!  I am also thankful that my mom was here to do some fun Christmas crafts, baking, and other fun activities with her- as mommy was a bit preoccupied during November and December ;). She learned "Away in a Manger" and "Jingle Bells" and could sing both by heart.  She could recount the basics of the Nativity story and loved playing with her Nativity scene and "Mawy and Jofef and Baby Jesus." She also found a love for Santa (I think she visited him 3 times at various locations and events) and could tell us that he would say "Ho Ho Ho!"  The concept of presents (what she wanted to receive) was still beyond her though.  And if you asked her what she wanted  for Christmas (like Santa did at the Northpark Mall) she would respond, "I two!" Haha... being two years old is pretty much her standard response for any question she doesn't quite understand and  of course, the coolest thing ever.

Emme, Rylan, and Ransom at the Christmas Eve Service at DBC

Emme and JB visit santa at Northpark Mall

We kept things pretty low key this year... seeing as how we have a newborn and all ;)  It was fun just hanging around the house and doing things together as a family.  Christmas morning we all slept in  Daddy made us yummy banana and peanut butter pancakes and we opened stockings and presents leisurely.  It was so fun watching Emme and we wanted to soak up every minute of the excitement over even the smallest thing.  She wanted to play with each item in her stocking and LOVED unwrapping presents.  Ben and I didn't exchange gifts or stockings this year, but it was the best gift ever just seeing Em enjoy the things she received from Grammy & Pappy, Uncle Scott & Allison, and Mommy & Daddy.  JB slept peacefully through it all :)





Emme enjoying her new "Abby Dabby" doll

Sweet siblings in Christmas PJ's... it doesn't get much better than that!

Our feeble attempt at a family pic ;)

Here's to a wonderful 2012 and all of the adventures it will bring!