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Friday, September 30, 2011

Friday Phone Dump

Sitting up for tubby time.  Where did my baby go?!?!

Snuggle time with Mommy before bed!

Poor baby...bug bite on his face!

Loves holding onto anything I give him!

Looking through his babybook...and had to text Daddy this picture!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Six Months!

Here's a snapshot of JJ at 6 months.

Eating
JJ still eats 5 times a day, nurses in the morning and before bed, with 3 bottles in between.  He still gets fruit and cereal after his morning feeding and veggies and cereal after his 4th feeding.  He also eats puffs (which he's liking more and more each day) as well as banana and apple (banana is his favorite!) in his little mesh feeder bag.  He has had little bits of things like bread, pizza crust and cotton candy.

Sleeping
I know that we hit the jackpot with this boy.  Averages 11-12 hours straight a night.  He's been doing better and better with naps, usually taking 2 longer naps each day.  (Anywhere from 2-2 1/2 hours.)  He sleeps completely unswaddled now, and does it well!  We have a sleep sack that Aunt Gerrie made for JJ, so we use that when it's chilly instead of having to use blankets.  Here's a picture so you can see what I mean.



The bottom is just a big sack that keeps him warm.  He loves it!

Playing
Once again, JACKPOT!  This boy loves to play, and will play for quite long periods by himself.  He has some favorite toys, and they'll keep him busy for awhile.  He loves his shape sorter turtle, his truck that makes music, his mini piano, his ball that sings and some teethers.  He'll also spend lots of time in his exersaucer, especially if Baby Bach is playing in the background.  He LOVES that DVD and gets excited now when it starts to come on.  I should videotape his excitement, it's soooo funny!  He also gets very excited whenever Zoe comes around him.  He loves her so much, and the feeling seems to be mutual!

Developing
JJ is rolling.  And rolling, and rolling, and rolling!  It's like he went from not rolling to rolling all over in one day!  He spends lots of time on both his belly and back when he's playing.  Funny enough, he hasn't rolled when he's in his crib yet.  I hope he doesn't, I don't think it would make him very happy at this point!  JJ also sits up a lot.  He's not completely steady yet, it seems he doesn't realize that he has to keep himself up and sometimes just topples over.  But he does sit for long periods by himself, I'm just right next to him.  I use the boppy with him too, but I still don't go too far.  He tips forward sometimes and I don't want him to smash his face!

He grabs for absolutely everything.  Even just walking through the house carrying him, he reaches out and tries to grab the door jams, the curtains, anything he thinks he can get his hands on!  He loves to stand and hold onto things...of course with assistance. 

The biggest thing(s) happened on August 29 & 30:


We've got 2 teeth!  I keep thinking more are on their way, especially after the (scary!) fever he had last week, but so far nothing more.  JJ loves to brush his teeth after he eats, it's the cutest thing...he knows it's coming after I wash his face and hands, and he opens his mouth as I bring the toothbrush toward him.  Yet another thing I should videotape!

Stats
JJ tipped the scales at 18lbs. 2oz.  They measured his height at 26.5 inches.  75th and 50th percentiles, respectively.  Four shots and one oral vaccine later, he's no worse for the wear.

We consider ourselves so blessed to be Mommy and Daddy to this happy, energetic, excited, loving little boy.  Watching him grow and change is by far the most amazing thing I've ever been a part of.  Just when I think I can't love him more, I wake up the next morning and realize I do!  Who wouldn't?!



Friday, September 23, 2011

Friday Phone Dump

He's always so happy in the morning!

A little whipped cream on the finger from Aunt Sarah

Taken for Dave.  I was glad he hadn't fallen alseep on the way home, but poor munchkin had a fever, check out those cheeks.

He doesn't leave anything alone anymore!

alphalphanator!

Zoe guarding the door for some unknown reason

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

8 Things

I chose my lucky number when I was 8 years old.  Any guesses as to what that number was?  Yup.  8.  (I know I'm not supposed to start a sentence with '8' I'm supposed to write 'Eight'.  '8.' is also not a proper sentence.  I don't care.)

Besides it being my age, I'm not sure why I picked 8.  Or why I even felt the need to pick a lucky number.  But pick it I did, and to this day I consider it my lucky number.

(Kind of funny for someone who doesn't really believe in luck and has never really had anything 'lucky' happen to her.  Seriously, I never win anything.)

So in honor of my lucky number 8 (and because I feel like blogging, but don't have a single solitary idea in this blank head of mine) I'm going to tell you 8 random, possibly little-known, most likely strange, things about me.  Wow, what a sentence.
  1. I count stairs.  Going up, going down, doesn't matter.  I've counted stairs for as long as I can remember!  I also have to start going up or down with my left foot.  
  2. When I close the blinds at night, I have to turn them the 'wrong' way...you know, the opposite way that most people turn them.  I feel like it makes it darker, which is a plus if you want to sleep in.  Oh wait, I don't do that anymore...
  3. I have to have the TV on to fall asleep.  Unfortunately, John needs the TV off to fall asleep.  You can see the dilemma this could cause.  I guess it's a good thing we rarely go to bed at the same time!
  4. I do the dishes every morning.  I leave them after dinner, because I'm busy playing with JJ, giving him a tubby, feeding him and getting him to bed.  I don't mind waking up to a sink-full...it gives me a sense of accomplishment first thing in the morning.  :)
  5. Even though I love music, sometimes I turn the radio off while I'm driving.  There are times when I just need some quiet!
  6. Frozen Hershey bars are one of my favorite snacks.  I just ate 2 of them.
  7. Sometimes I leave clothes in the dryer for days.  If there's something in there I need, I just fluff them up and pull it out.
  8. I make the coffee every night before bed.  Every.  Night.  Sometimes JJ and I get up at the same time, and it's hard to make coffee with one hand!

Wordless Wednesday


Monday, September 19, 2011

Manic Monday

I remember when Mondays were the most dreaded day of my week.  Now that I'm not working on Mondays, Tuesdays are.  Ha! 

We've already got the dishes done and a load of JJ's clothes (& washcloths, towels, bibs & burp cloths) in the wash.  And by we, of course I mean me

It was an early-rising morning for us.  Zoe woke JJ up (with her annoying barking) at 5:45.  He babbled on and on and I finally got him up at 6:30.  Now he's playing on the floor and I'm getting ready to start in on my second cup of coffee.

Plans for the immediate future include peaches for JJ, yogurt for Mommy, and as soon as he goes down for his first nap, the floor will be vacuumed! 

For the rest of Monday, we'll be hanging out at home, and maybe going out for a little bit.  Daddy's off today, so who knows what we'll decide to do!  JJ and I will be having dinner at my parent's tonight with Aunt Lucy!

Happy Monday everyone!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

bread & soap

Lately, the things that have been trending in the blogs and facebooks I most frequent, are bread and soap.  More specifically, baking homemade bread and making homemade laundry soap.

First off, let me say that my idea of baking homemade bread is throwing all the ingredients in the breadmaker.  And while making laundry detergent has piqued my interest, I'll admit it's most likely one of those cool-sounding things that I'll never get around to.

But I have more to say about it than that.

In an article on Josh Harris' website, there's a phrase that Tiffany pulled out and it really resonated with me:

"A friend of mine, a homeschool mom, just passed away of cancer. In the week before she died, I asked her if she had any regrets in her life. She told me she wished she had baked less bread - she said if she had it to do over again she would buy bread and spend more time with her children."

Let's face it.  Bread and soap are two necessities in our lives.  And most definitely God has called us to be good stewards of the money He has entrusted us with.  But at the expense of our children and family?  I don't think so.

Is saving a few pennies (or, maybe more than a few) worth the time not spent with your kids?

I think it's important to point out that bread and soap are just 2 of the things that could steal family time while clothed in a robe of stewardship, savings and health.  Making bread and soap are definitely not bad things.  They're definitely things I've considered doing!  Making bread and soap does not make you a bad person.  But if you've valuing those types of things over your family's more vital needs, whether physical, emotional or spiritual, you may just be making the wrong choice.

What else is taking the time that you should be giving to your family?  Keeping an immaculate house when a clean house will suffice?  Service to your church when your family needs you more at this point in time?  Placing too much emphasis on your job/work? 

All good things have the potential to be the 'bread & soap' in this scenario.  I'm asking God to help me reevaluate my life and show me the 'bread & soap' that are most definitely good things, but things that shouldn't have quite so much of my focus at this point in time. 

There will always be time to make bread later.  Right now, I'd rather be playing with my baby.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Friday phone dump

always thirsty

when he first found his feet

the freedom to steal chips off the counter :)

chilling after his morning feeding

freaky caterpillar (camping)

not a happy boy

there are teeth in there!

 this never gets old

he started off on the play mat...

look at me mommy!

really not feelin' the puffs...

feeding himself

silly kid

 just plain happy

 he knows he's a cutie

such a big boy!








Wednesday, September 14, 2011

I love this boy!

Who would have thought such a small little person could change my life in so many ways?


Sometimes, late at night, when I'm enjoying my time alone, I miss this adorable face.  And I'm almost (I said almost!) tempted to go wake him up just so I can snuggle his neck and kiss his cheeks.  I don't wake him up.  I'm not that crazy.  But it is crazy how I can miss him when he's just sleeping in the other room!

I love laying in my bed in the morning, listening to him babble through the monitor.  He always wakes up so happy, and he's content to lay in his bed for quite awhile...usually long enough for me to finish (or nearly finish) a cup of coffee.  Then I can't help it anymore and I have to run in and scoop him up.  Because there is just no resisting this boy!


He's made me prioritize a little better.  Or at least try to!  I thought getting things done before was difficult.  I'm a procrastinator through and through...and housework is not my favorite.  But I'm trying to be better, and his new-found rolling independence makes that easier, because he stays happier for longer when he's playing.

The things that used to be important to me just aren't any more.  He has really become my priority in every way.  He makes me want to be a better wife, mother and person.  I now see things I do and say as if in a mirror...and I think, would I want JJ doing or saying that?  I've never prayed for anymore more than I pray for him.


And while not all the changes have been easy in the past (almost) 6 months, they've all been so worth it!  I would give up anything for this boy, and I thank God every day for giving us such a precious gift!


Monday, September 12, 2011

Puffs

I've been anxiously waiting to try puffs with JJ.  Now that his 2 little teeth are poking further and further up...


I decided it's time.  Unfortunately, JJ wasn't quite as enthused as I was.  Especially after his first taste...



Or his second taste...



Ah, well.  He's still a cutie.  And I'm sure he'll aquire a taste for them!




Sunday, September 11, 2011

Don't forget!

The other day when I was getting JJ dressed I rolled up his onesie in my hands so I could pull it down over his head.  As I brought it closer to him, he scrunched up his nose and squinted his eyes, preparing himself for the squishing to come.  How funny!  I had never noticed him do that before!

When JJ needs to fall asleep in the car now, he rarely cries.  (He used to scream bloody murder!)  Now he just talks and sings himself to sleep.  It's so sweet.

I just laid JJ down for his first nap without any swaddle.  A little bit of crying, but so far so good!

The way JJ looks and laughs at Zoe is so funny.  He can be in a grumpy mood, but as soon as Zoe walks by he gets distracted by her and starts laughing at her. 

JJ is such a little flirt!  He loves to smile at people, especially when they're talking to him.  Then he turns and buries his head in my shoulder, like he's pretending to be shy.

Squirt toys are his (and my!) new favorite at tubby time.  He likes to be squirted, and he especially likes when the last of the water is squeezed out of the little fish and it makes a spitting noise.  Biggest belly laugh ever!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Death

Yes I've been slacking.

And yes, here I come with a big heavy topic.

Let's see if I can even get out when I feel like I want to say.

The past week and a half or so has left us surrounded by death.  My Aunt passed away last Wednesday.  My sister-in-law's Aunt passed away this past Monday.  (I knew her well, and for many years.)  Death is sad.  Cancer is evil. 

I've been sad over these deaths, even though I know that I'll see these women again.  I'm sad for those left behind.  For my cousins without a Mom.  For my Dad and his siblings without a sister.  For my sister-in-laws family without a daughter, sister and aunt.

But the biggest fear that I have, while living through the past week and a half, and actually the past several years of cancer crap, is the loss of a sibling.  I can't imagine having to watch one of my siblings suffer through a disease like that.  I can't imagine having to say goodbye to one of my siblings, long before it's time.  It's honestly almost too much for me to even comprehend. 

I know there will be a day when we'll no longer deal with death, pain, cancer, hospitals and disease.  It's promised to us.  And I'm holding tight to that promise, praying that the suffering will stay far, far away from my family until that day comes.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."  Revelation 21:4