- Hannah-Kate is sleeping in her own room in her crib all night every night!
- Ryan and I went on our first date without our sweet girl on Sunday and she did pretty well!
- Ryan and I are really finding our happy mediums in this new life and learning how to give each other what we need
- I went to a Moms meet up and put myself out there to try to make better friends. So far I'm not sure what I think... we might all be stay at home moms... but are we all doing it for the same reasons? And how many other mommies know and love Jesus? I'm still going to explore and try several groups.
- I'm really excited to have reconnected with one of our very first couple friends from when Ryan and I were still dating! They happened to have a baby just 3 weeks after we did! Kelly and Roman are coming over to visit tomorrow and we are going to plan a family get together to include the guys!
- I found a potential MOPS group I think I might try before they break for summer, and I have one on back up.
- Ryan and I are not only back at Church and Small Group regularly but we picked out a fun Bible study to do together that is flexible and baby friendly.
- I've lost 10 pounds. It's not nearly as much as I would have hoped but I'm staying positive! 30 pounds to go!
- Ryan and I both eat healthier now and the weeks after Hannah-Kate's birth have shown Ryan that he likes to cook! (He pretty much grills everything, he's such a manly man he prefers to cook with an open flame! LOL) We are enjoying making meals together!
- I've learned that staying at home alone too much gives way to a lot of my emotional struggles and makes it easy to feel blue and lonely and forget all the wonderful things about life. I'm making several plans to be out of the house at least 3 our of the 5 work days even if just for a walk with my sweetie! Fresh air and sunlight are not only good for us physically but emotionally and for me being outside is good for me spiritually. I tend to talk to God in a more focused way on long walks.
- Ryan and I are already setting goals for Hannah-Kate and out future children and making changes in our lives to pave the way!
- Hannah-Kate's Dedication date has been set and the invite went out via e-mail. I'm seeing this day as out victory party! What a celebration it will be!
- I think a blog out of every month should be devoted to remembering all the blessings and good things I have in my life to try to keep a healthy and grateful perspective and attitude. This is a new goal.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
9 Weeks
Today my Precious is 9 weeks old. She had her 2 month check up on Friday and weighs 11 pounds 1 ounce and is currently 22 1/2 inches long.
She has found her fist and likes to suck/chew on it, she has very strong muscles and has been holding her head up pretty much since birth but is getting better and better and now she likes to stand in my lap. She is starting to try to roll over and we are really going to try to be better at getting her plenty of "Tummy Time" (Mommy forgets about these things.)
We introduced her play mat and she likes it for short periods of time. She loves watching fans and lights.
Biggest accomplishment of the week is happening right now! She is taking a nap in her CRIB! :)
She is a great night time sleeper but has been going through a long phase where she only sleeps in the car or in someone's arms. It's been about 30 minutes of being in the crib, happily staring at the fan and the camera etc, no crying, but she finally went to sleep. (She was asleep in my arms until I put her down)
Things like this are teaching my patience. I am learning so much as a new Mommy and as a new Wife that happens to also be a Mommy, it's different than being a wife who is not a mommy.
Ryan and I are enjoying watching The Bible series. We don't have the channel to watch it on TV but someone so graciously bought us the DVD collection and it has sparked some great conversation and so far we think it's pretty well done, all though I struggle with the accuracy of the violence.
I think I'm going to try to move Hannah Kate out of our room tonight. For some reason, this mile stone is the hardest for me. She slept for 8 hours straight last night and yet I want to keep her right next to my bed. I think it's partially about laziness, (It's so convenient to just pick her up, feed her, and put her back down without leaving my bed) but the other part is anxiety. I like being able to peek at her sleeping, watching her chest rise and fall and enjoy the comfort of knowing she is breathing and sleeping peacefully.
We have a video monitor but it's not that detailed to be able to watch her breathe, which, really, is a paranoia I probably just need to get over.
Ryan pointed out that the longer we wait, the harder it will be for both Hannah Kate and myself. So tonight is the night! At least, the night we try!
I have been convicted about a number of things lately.
1.) is how much I trust God... or don't
2.) is how much I'm allowing or including God in my life (ouch!)
3.) is how much I judge or feel anger towards people over "Charity Beliefs"
The last one is the hardest for me to change. "Charity Beliefs" are the opposite of "Core Beliefs." The important ones. Like, Jesus IS the son of God, He died for our sins, etc.
Charity beliefs are anything that doesn't make a difference in one's Salvation.
Like chosen vs free, weather or not Adam and Eve had bellybuttons, etc.
I have one or two VERY strong convictions about what God intended for His people and they happen to be some of the most controversial subjects in today's society.
My emotions fuel my beliefs and as an emotional person it's hard for me to stop feeling a certain way even when I'm feeling convicted about it... God is working on my heart, and I am doing my best not to clench my fists while He does it.
I need to pray more. I should read my Bible more too but praying is more practical when I seem to always have a Baby in my arms.
Maybe I should get the Bible on CD or something so I can have it read to me... does that make me a cop out?
I love it when my husband or I can coax a big smile out of our daughter. Ryan is LOVING all of the development Hannah Kate is doing and going to do over the next few weeks. I can't believe how much she has already grown and changed.
I love her so much! I can't imagine doing or being anything else!
I was told the other day the statistics show that being a Stay At Home Mom is as stressful as having two full time jobs.
Well, let me tell you, it is like having two full time jobs! We are Wife We are Mom, We are Maid, and Cook! And I am PROUD to be a full time Mommy, I can't imagine leaving my Baby, I'm not even sure what to do now that I'm done blogging and my Baby is asleep... NOT in my arms!
I should probably do the dishes, clean the kitchen, run some laundry etc... But I can do all those things wearing my little one in the amazing Ergo! So instead... I think I'll take a Bubble Bath!
Thanks God, for the little things in life!
She has found her fist and likes to suck/chew on it, she has very strong muscles and has been holding her head up pretty much since birth but is getting better and better and now she likes to stand in my lap. She is starting to try to roll over and we are really going to try to be better at getting her plenty of "Tummy Time" (Mommy forgets about these things.)
We introduced her play mat and she likes it for short periods of time. She loves watching fans and lights.
Biggest accomplishment of the week is happening right now! She is taking a nap in her CRIB! :)
She is a great night time sleeper but has been going through a long phase where she only sleeps in the car or in someone's arms. It's been about 30 minutes of being in the crib, happily staring at the fan and the camera etc, no crying, but she finally went to sleep. (She was asleep in my arms until I put her down)
Things like this are teaching my patience. I am learning so much as a new Mommy and as a new Wife that happens to also be a Mommy, it's different than being a wife who is not a mommy.
Ryan and I are enjoying watching The Bible series. We don't have the channel to watch it on TV but someone so graciously bought us the DVD collection and it has sparked some great conversation and so far we think it's pretty well done, all though I struggle with the accuracy of the violence.
I think I'm going to try to move Hannah Kate out of our room tonight. For some reason, this mile stone is the hardest for me. She slept for 8 hours straight last night and yet I want to keep her right next to my bed. I think it's partially about laziness, (It's so convenient to just pick her up, feed her, and put her back down without leaving my bed) but the other part is anxiety. I like being able to peek at her sleeping, watching her chest rise and fall and enjoy the comfort of knowing she is breathing and sleeping peacefully.
We have a video monitor but it's not that detailed to be able to watch her breathe, which, really, is a paranoia I probably just need to get over.
Ryan pointed out that the longer we wait, the harder it will be for both Hannah Kate and myself. So tonight is the night! At least, the night we try!
I have been convicted about a number of things lately.
1.) is how much I trust God... or don't
2.) is how much I'm allowing or including God in my life (ouch!)
3.) is how much I judge or feel anger towards people over "Charity Beliefs"
The last one is the hardest for me to change. "Charity Beliefs" are the opposite of "Core Beliefs." The important ones. Like, Jesus IS the son of God, He died for our sins, etc.
Charity beliefs are anything that doesn't make a difference in one's Salvation.
Like chosen vs free, weather or not Adam and Eve had bellybuttons, etc.
I have one or two VERY strong convictions about what God intended for His people and they happen to be some of the most controversial subjects in today's society.
My emotions fuel my beliefs and as an emotional person it's hard for me to stop feeling a certain way even when I'm feeling convicted about it... God is working on my heart, and I am doing my best not to clench my fists while He does it.
I need to pray more. I should read my Bible more too but praying is more practical when I seem to always have a Baby in my arms.
Maybe I should get the Bible on CD or something so I can have it read to me... does that make me a cop out?
I love it when my husband or I can coax a big smile out of our daughter. Ryan is LOVING all of the development Hannah Kate is doing and going to do over the next few weeks. I can't believe how much she has already grown and changed.
I love her so much! I can't imagine doing or being anything else!
I was told the other day the statistics show that being a Stay At Home Mom is as stressful as having two full time jobs.
Well, let me tell you, it is like having two full time jobs! We are Wife We are Mom, We are Maid, and Cook! And I am PROUD to be a full time Mommy, I can't imagine leaving my Baby, I'm not even sure what to do now that I'm done blogging and my Baby is asleep... NOT in my arms!
I should probably do the dishes, clean the kitchen, run some laundry etc... But I can do all those things wearing my little one in the amazing Ergo! So instead... I think I'll take a Bubble Bath!
Thanks God, for the little things in life!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Kid Stuff
Hannah-Kate has met 2 of her 3 cousins and will meet the 3rd and oldest cousin in a few weeks.
Nearly every time I am sitting in my living room I end up staring at the Crate and Barrel star step shelving we have on our largest wall. It looks like this...
And we use it as our study area so from top to bottom it was decorated with expensive books and picture frames and decor etc.
And every time I looked at it I thought "We really need to make our home a little more child friendly." And I know Hannah Kate is only 7 weeks old but we will have to do it for her alone eventually and if we want our friends and family to feel comfortable in our home we can't have it be an all "no" zone.
So, I cleared off the bottom few shelves and placed all sorts of fun baskets down there and moved other things out of reach of little ones and picked up some of my favorite universal kid toys from my many years in child care.
We got Stackadoos:
Blocks that stick together with a brush or comb like design... lots of fun! (Jeremy spent several minutes with them the other night.)
My favorite 1st Blocks selection:
Nearly every time I am sitting in my living room I end up staring at the Crate and Barrel star step shelving we have on our largest wall. It looks like this...
And every time I looked at it I thought "We really need to make our home a little more child friendly." And I know Hannah Kate is only 7 weeks old but we will have to do it for her alone eventually and if we want our friends and family to feel comfortable in our home we can't have it be an all "no" zone.
So, I cleared off the bottom few shelves and placed all sorts of fun baskets down there and moved other things out of reach of little ones and picked up some of my favorite universal kid toys from my many years in child care.
We got Stackadoos:
My favorite 1st Blocks selection:
They are soft and rubbery and they squeak when you squeeze them and they are great first toys because they can just gnaw on them until the figure out how to stack or squeeze them.
We also picked up these really neat toys that are half spheres that you can either stack as funky rounded towers or put together to make a ball, I looked for a picture but I don't know what they are called and I can't rightly describe them in an internet search, but they are really cool.
And all these new things were a hit! Makafui enjoyed playing at Auntie's house the other day! (He met his limit but it was a LOOONG day, Hannah-Kate had a rough night too!)
Here's one of my favorite parts: Because we chose basket storage, the kids can tornado the house with toys and in 5 minutes of walkin' around with a basket or 2 everything is picked up! So quick and easy! And none of these awesome toys needed to have seizure inducing lights on them, high pitched annoying sounds or buttons to keep kids, (and adults!) entertained! I love it! :) These are "Healthy Mind" toys. Exploitative, sensory, developmental, toys, great manipulatives. I know I will find myself playing with them on the floor with Hannah Kate while she lays on her toy mat. :)
A good investment.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Scattered Thoughts
I am not thinking in a very organized way these days so I figure a post that isn't really meant to be organized might be best.
There are several things on my brain that are related and unrelated so here goes nothin' ...
- My baby smiles already! It warms my heart and eases any frustration that may build up during a rough several hours of fussiness.
- My baby slept through the night! It was short lived but one night last week she slept from about 11pm to 6am and then went back to sleep for a few hours. That's a 7 hour stretch! The following night she did a 6 hour stretch and them she started allowing herself to go down earlier in the evening so we are back to a 4, 3, 2 schedule. (meaning she sleeps for 4 hours, wakes up to eat, then 3, then 2) and I'm not complaining. That's not bad either and it was getting harder and harder to stay up with her til 11pm so I'm enjoying earlier nights with even just an hour with my hubby once she's down.
- My hubby and I have had several conversations and reevaluation about the adjustments of this new life as a family of three. certain specific aspects are harder than expected and we both would like to do better
- We have so missed our church and small group. We are now regularly attending church again and Hannah-Kate does very well. Small group was cancelled last week but we plan on getting back to that as well. We need it!
- We have a Sam's Club membership now, though once Bethany takes us to Costco on Thursday we may regret that decision and wish there was a way to trade to Costco; HOWEVER we do tend to buy a couple of adorable Carter's outfits for Hannah-Kate nearly every time we go to Sam's and I LOVE my Zero Water in bulk! :)
- My sister and I are going to do a half marathon together! (What have I gotten myself into! LOL)
- I just got a photo book I made of Hannah-Kate's first 6 weeks. I might have found a new hobby. I had a great time putting it together online and love looking through it now that it's here!
- I can't believe summer is next Month! It was summer of last year that we just found out we were pregnant! (Don't worry, that won't happen again this summer! At least not intentionally! Hah!)
- Our front yard is looking pretty awesome, I'll have to take some pictures.
- Avery and I planned the coolest girl's celebration for Bethany's Birthday this week! We are turning my kitchen into a salon and makin' a trip to Sally to give Beth the hair make over she has been wanting! (And I get to take advantage of the situation and get a hair update too!)
We are so lucky our soon-to-be sister-in-law is so generous and talented! We are so excited for her to join our family and I'm glad we get along so well! It will be a great afternoon!
- I love being a Mommy so much but I've noticed this pressure to be perfect hanging over my head. I want to be the best for her and unfortunately I don't feel like I am. I often feel guilty for my weak places and things I struggle with, including thoughts and feelings... after talking with my hubby about this I'm working on trying to give myself a break but I've wanted to be a Mom so bad for so long that now that I am I feel like I should be beyond excellent. I need more Jesus in my life.
- My guilty pleasure lately has been General Hospital. Hannah-Kate is always asleep that time of day and they are making a huge deal out of the 50 year mark. It's hard to ignore.
- I love spending time with my sister and nephew and day dream about what good friends "Coffee" and "Cake" will be :)
There are several things on my brain that are related and unrelated so here goes nothin' ...
- My baby smiles already! It warms my heart and eases any frustration that may build up during a rough several hours of fussiness.
- My baby slept through the night! It was short lived but one night last week she slept from about 11pm to 6am and then went back to sleep for a few hours. That's a 7 hour stretch! The following night she did a 6 hour stretch and them she started allowing herself to go down earlier in the evening so we are back to a 4, 3, 2 schedule. (meaning she sleeps for 4 hours, wakes up to eat, then 3, then 2) and I'm not complaining. That's not bad either and it was getting harder and harder to stay up with her til 11pm so I'm enjoying earlier nights with even just an hour with my hubby once she's down.
- My hubby and I have had several conversations and reevaluation about the adjustments of this new life as a family of three. certain specific aspects are harder than expected and we both would like to do better
- We have so missed our church and small group. We are now regularly attending church again and Hannah-Kate does very well. Small group was cancelled last week but we plan on getting back to that as well. We need it!
- We have a Sam's Club membership now, though once Bethany takes us to Costco on Thursday we may regret that decision and wish there was a way to trade to Costco; HOWEVER we do tend to buy a couple of adorable Carter's outfits for Hannah-Kate nearly every time we go to Sam's and I LOVE my Zero Water in bulk! :)
- My sister and I are going to do a half marathon together! (What have I gotten myself into! LOL)
- I just got a photo book I made of Hannah-Kate's first 6 weeks. I might have found a new hobby. I had a great time putting it together online and love looking through it now that it's here!
- I can't believe summer is next Month! It was summer of last year that we just found out we were pregnant! (Don't worry, that won't happen again this summer! At least not intentionally! Hah!)
- Our front yard is looking pretty awesome, I'll have to take some pictures.
- Avery and I planned the coolest girl's celebration for Bethany's Birthday this week! We are turning my kitchen into a salon and makin' a trip to Sally to give Beth the hair make over she has been wanting! (And I get to take advantage of the situation and get a hair update too!)
We are so lucky our soon-to-be sister-in-law is so generous and talented! We are so excited for her to join our family and I'm glad we get along so well! It will be a great afternoon!
- I love being a Mommy so much but I've noticed this pressure to be perfect hanging over my head. I want to be the best for her and unfortunately I don't feel like I am. I often feel guilty for my weak places and things I struggle with, including thoughts and feelings... after talking with my hubby about this I'm working on trying to give myself a break but I've wanted to be a Mom so bad for so long that now that I am I feel like I should be beyond excellent. I need more Jesus in my life.
- My guilty pleasure lately has been General Hospital. Hannah-Kate is always asleep that time of day and they are making a huge deal out of the 50 year mark. It's hard to ignore.
- I love spending time with my sister and nephew and day dream about what good friends "Coffee" and "Cake" will be :)
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
6 Weeks Old
I haven't posted in a few weeks... I've been busy being a Mommy! :)
The past few weeks have been teaching me a lot.
My Aunt Tammy died of Breast Cancer at the age of 40 and left behind a 5 year old little girl and her husband (My Uncle Tony) to raise her.
This shocking news brought so much sadness, thoughts and discussion.
I'm so glad Tammy knew Jesus and is in Heaven but no little girl should have to grow up without their Mommy.
This made me really think about taking care of myself to the BEST of my ability to be there for my baby girl all the way through her babies growing up.
Easter was a great celebration of new life in the midst of this family tragedy and it was a day of victory and rejoicing for our family as it should be! It was Hannah-Kate's first church experience and she did SO well! We got to see much of our church family that we hadn't seen in so long and they were beamed with gladness and rejoiced with us in the gift of our precious girl!
A lot of new parents assign a sweet verse to the joy of having a child and our verse is 1 Samuel 1:27 "For this child I have prayed and God has granted me the petition I made of Him." Amen!
2 long and hard years waiting for our precious girl makes the victory so intensely sweet! And we are blessed to have a church who prayed with us, counseled us, and encouraged us through the hard part of the journey, and rejoices with us in the victory.
Yesterday was Hannah-Kate's OFFICIAL 6 week mark and we commemorated it with Aunt Bethany and Cousin Makafui at Old Settlers park with Blue Bonnet pictures!
I love how sweet and gentle this precious boy is with my little girl! He is gonna be like a protective big brother to her growing up. They are going to be BEST friends!
Now; the 6 week mark is often times when new parents move their baby to the nursery... I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet. And I'm sure there are people who think I really should ... fill in the blank about a number of my parenting choices, but the fact is, Ryan and I know what's best for our daughter and us and I am not ready to move my baby out of my room yet, try to schedule her sleep or eating patterns YET amongst other things, but I love my girl so much and I'm doing what is best for us as a family.
I LOVE being a Mom. It is my career, my investment, my life's work, and my greatest goal... to be excellent at it!
Thank You Jesus that I get to do this full time and never miss a thing! So grateful!
The past few weeks have been teaching me a lot.
My Aunt Tammy died of Breast Cancer at the age of 40 and left behind a 5 year old little girl and her husband (My Uncle Tony) to raise her.
This shocking news brought so much sadness, thoughts and discussion.
I'm so glad Tammy knew Jesus and is in Heaven but no little girl should have to grow up without their Mommy.
This made me really think about taking care of myself to the BEST of my ability to be there for my baby girl all the way through her babies growing up.
Easter was a great celebration of new life in the midst of this family tragedy and it was a day of victory and rejoicing for our family as it should be! It was Hannah-Kate's first church experience and she did SO well! We got to see much of our church family that we hadn't seen in so long and they were beamed with gladness and rejoiced with us in the gift of our precious girl!
A lot of new parents assign a sweet verse to the joy of having a child and our verse is 1 Samuel 1:27 "For this child I have prayed and God has granted me the petition I made of Him." Amen!
2 long and hard years waiting for our precious girl makes the victory so intensely sweet! And we are blessed to have a church who prayed with us, counseled us, and encouraged us through the hard part of the journey, and rejoices with us in the victory.
Yesterday was Hannah-Kate's OFFICIAL 6 week mark and we commemorated it with Aunt Bethany and Cousin Makafui at Old Settlers park with Blue Bonnet pictures!
I love how sweet and gentle this precious boy is with my little girl! He is gonna be like a protective big brother to her growing up. They are going to be BEST friends!
Now; the 6 week mark is often times when new parents move their baby to the nursery... I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet. And I'm sure there are people who think I really should ... fill in the blank about a number of my parenting choices, but the fact is, Ryan and I know what's best for our daughter and us and I am not ready to move my baby out of my room yet, try to schedule her sleep or eating patterns YET amongst other things, but I love my girl so much and I'm doing what is best for us as a family.
I LOVE being a Mom. It is my career, my investment, my life's work, and my greatest goal... to be excellent at it!
Thank You Jesus that I get to do this full time and never miss a thing! So grateful!
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