What's new?

We have had a very exciting week around here. (If it takes a lot to get you excited, just stop reading, but if you take a lot of pleasure in small things, read on.)

We have enjoyed a few "firsts" around here this week. When you have a child...small things that are happening for the FIRST time, are video worthy. And when you are as excitable as Ryan and me..other things are at least blog worthy.

Brody had his first sips of whole milk and took it like a champ! He really seems to like it and that makes me SUPER happy because it feels a little better to buy a half gallon of whole milk for a few bucks than a can of formula for like a thousand dollars. (Not really even close to one thousand dollars..and may I say that I am so grateful for formula because it saves the lives of millions of babies and provides nourishment for precious angels!) The first sips were videoed

Brody also went to bed, 3 nights in a row without having a bottle at bed time. This is the child that we would make bottles for just so he would take a nap, not because he was hungry. Bed time is becoming a snap and he is being such a big boy about it. Does it make me sad that he doesn't want to rock and drink his bottle..yes, but does it make me proud that he is developing and growing and learning to do a few things on his own...yes, isn't that part of parenting? We still snuggle a little while Daddy reads his bible story and says a prayer.

We started brushing Brody's teeth every night. He LOVES it so much. (video worthy)

Brody went down a slide by himself for the first time. (video worthy)

We had guests over and there were enough people to have to use our new outdoor furniture! Thank you to the Palmers for enduring any bug bites you may have gotten while eating.

I looked up and mapped out the closest pediatrician to where we are going to be staying on our vacation. I wrote down the phone number and printed off directions. I stopped myself from looking up where they went to school.

Ryan went on a run with Brody by himself with the stroller. Brody was great..and daddy was tired.

I implemented a new cleaning schedule for myself. I have things that are daily tasks that must be done each day, and then there are things I do one day a week. It has pretty much changed my life! (possibly a blog post to come on this)

We bought some cedar planks to grill our salmon on and after soaking them for over an hour and being all ready to go..the grill ran out of gas.

Per the suggestion of some people in our Bible classes at church, when discussing how to study...we have started doing memory verses as a family. Also, a suggestion from class, I started the study method of reading the same few chapters of the Bible several days in a row until I feel like I really understand it/know it and then moving on and doing the same with the next few chapters. (Here I am not tooting my own horn, as they say, but it has really helped our family and encouragement is something that changes our lives daily.)

Lately...

We have been pretty busy lately..right now I can't really pin point exactly what has kept us so busy...but nevertheless.. we've been enjoying life.

In the past few months we have been basking in the light that was once at the "end of the tunnel". The light of your baby sleeping all the way through the night. Like..went to bed at 6:45 last night and got up at 7:20. :) We did not reach this milestone by the standard some would call early, but here we are and I've already forgotten what it is like to get up every single night. Also, as we lay down to go to bed last night Ryan and I were reflecting on how we "got him" to sleep through the night and we have no idea. We let him cry it out sometimes to go to bed or to take a nap. Other times we were sure there was something wrong with him so we rocked him and gave him bottles until he went into a milk coma. He got croup and ear infections and slept on the couch with me and in our bed once. And then he just started sleeping for 12 hours. If you want my book on how to get your baby to sleep..it will be coming out- never. 

Brody has taken unassisted steps. Six is the most he has done at one time. The first time he took 4 I cried with excitement and my heart swelled with pride. He is at a super busy and fun stage..I absolutely love it. 

Spring is great! We wait outside everyday for Daddy to come home and then we do something fun like go on a walk, a bike ride, or let Brody swing and play in the grass while we hit golf balls into the net or have chipping contests in the backyard. If you give Brody a golf club to hold he will sit in the grass very happily. 

The mornings. Brody hates to stay at home in the morning. He gets up, eats his breakfast, and then I put him on the floor to play and he has a meltdown. When we finally all get ready and get in the car..he turns back into the happiest baby on the block. 

I sometimes forget that God has blessed me with so much that I can't even utter enough thank yous. The other day it was a beautiful day outside and I couldn't believe that I woke up to find out that a friend of mine's dad had a stroke the night before. We forget that when we sit in our home that we love and is pretty small by American standards that there are plenty of people who don't have a home at all. We don't know what it feels like to come home to a marriage that is crumbling. We are so blessed and I pray that our family can enjoy these moments and hang onto them for dear life. These moments need to matter and the need to glorify God in all we do.We need to let the joy we have overflow to others. Mainly, we need to remember that even if we lose all the things we have now..we still have Jesus. 

Lately, I am feeling unworthy of the blessings I have been given. Lately, I am looking for ways that God can use me. Lately, I am trying to make sure everything I do is for the Lord..even if its just empty the dishwasher..again. :)

A Biking Kind of Saturday

This past Saturday was one of my favorite days since Brody was born. It started around 7:00 in the morning (whoa, I'm a mom, I just said my favorite day began on a Saturday at 7:00am). We had a little breakfast as a family and played in the floor for a while and we talked about what we were going to do that day. Our conversation led us to the car and we headed to REI. It wasn't opened yet. So we went to TJ Maxx and bought 2 sippy cups and a book about tractors. BACK in the car and to REI!

We had been talking about getting me a bike for a long time. You see, back when our love was new we used to ride bikes a lot in Chattanooga. Ryan would bring his bike in the truck when he came to visit me on the weekends and I would ride my sister's bike. We loved it and talked about how we would get me a bike and do this all the time when we were married and then we'd see those people with the bike trailer and they're sleeping children in them and I would dream of my family just biking along on a beautiful day. So... almost 3 years later..we got me a bike! And now we have this kid, so we had to get a bike rack for the SUV and a baby seat and the sweetest itty bitty helmet for our baby.

We got home and Brody took a great nap while we put the seat together, I tested out my bike, and we packed a bag for the bike ride. Thankfully Brody woke up just after we finished getting everything ready because we were about to burst with excitement. Off to the park we went..it was a perfect day...overcast and warm, no rain predicted.

We learned these things very quickly:

• A kickstand doesn't hold up a bike with an empty baby seat on it, much less with a 20lb baby in it.
• A 10 month old in a bike helmet is almost too cute to handle
• We both needed to raise out bike seats up
• Brody does better when he can't see mommy

We rode approximately 8 miles and Brody was pretty great! We stopped and gave him a sippy cup and a snack cup and boy do I love whoever made puffs! It was great, I loved watching Brody's little head look around at things and hearing Ryan point stuff out to him. Ryan said that Brody kept going "pat pat" on his back and I thought that was really sweet. I think he was saying "giddy up daddy!" 

Here are some fun pictures from our ride..

Brody is all strapped in and ready!

Stopping for a little bike adjustment

Okay, so he wasn't perfect..but he calmed down and was great!

 I'm not even looking for mommy now..

Oh, There she is, Hey Mom!

Brody is telling me all about his first bike ride and how great his daddy was at making it fun for him!

2 is better than 1

Brody and I survived our week without our favorite husband and daddy. Last week Ryan went on a mission trip to Haiti with the group from Estes. He had a great trip, except for the terrible stomach bug that wreaked havoc on his insides for about a day. But, 7 pounds later, he returned to us safe and healthy. :) Praise God, Thank you for watching over this important man!

Ryan's absence began on Thursday when I took him to meet his grandparents half way between here and Henderson. We started off with a bang when Brody cried and threw everything I handed him for over an hour on our drive home. Friday and Saturday were good days because we had a few events planned, but those evening hours tend to be a little long when it's just you and all those weird noises and nothing good on TV. But, dawn came each morning and we were still here. Finally, on Sunday, my parents were coming back into Nashville from a trip and they rode with Brody and me to Chattanooga to visit for a few days. And, by the way, Brody and I were at church on time and I didn't have to take him out. We enjoyed our visit in Chattanooga playing with GiGi and Boompa! I got to see some old friends and a sweet little  newborn baby boy and Micah and Trent's new house! It was nice to have someone help me chase my little ball of fire around every day. Brody and I headed home on Thursday morning to prepare for the arrival of Daddy!!! We started counting down the minutes...and then..a blessed sweet reunion at the airport with Ryan and Papa. We even parked the car and got in our new consignment sale umbrella stroller and waited at the proper arrival gate. (If you ever want to be in a good mood, go and stand at an arrival gate at the airport and watch the people anxiously waiting for their loved ones to arrive/return..it's sweet.)

We were so happy to have Ryan home for a million reasons. Mainly..I missed my best friend...Largely also..because he is a great dad and there is no perfect substitute for a good father and husband. Sure I have friends to spend time with, and yes, those grandparents are amazing helpers (thank you to all of you!), sometimes they may even be a little more energetic or forgiving, but Ryan is the best match for this parenting team. Shout out to single moms...bless you, and please, let me know when you need some help. 

I am constantly reminded how important parents are and how important it is to really protect your marriage. I chose to be a wife, and I chose to be a mother. I have some really important jobs to do here. Reminders are all over the place that marriages are crumbling around us, and it's no secret that when children are involved things get hard. I am far from a perfect wife but I am going to hold onto this marriage tightly and do all I can to  make my husband feel loved. Things are getting bad out there people, don't just assume you're marriage is safe from Satan's tricks. It isn't. 

Now, since I have been married for almost 3 years, and am now an expert, here is my marital advice. In bullet point form, of course.. (personal experience and observation are the sources I used for this research)

• Greet your husband at the door when he comes home, or go all the way outside to his car door (This is even easier to remember to do if you have a young child that you have been at home with all day)
• If he ever comments on a picture of you from your honeymoon with long hair and a tan and says something like, "You were so pretty in that picture..." just get over the fact that he said "were" and say thanks, and then quit cutting your hair short and tell him to look forward to summer, and maybe put on a little blush
• Exercise (hot button topic?) You will be in a better mood if you exercise (especially if its outdoors), you will probably feel better about yourself if the results of the exercise are something you desire, the clothes in your closet are much more desirable if they fit you, and you will have more energy!
• Cook dinner-the more often, the better in this house-and don't ask for suggestions unless he really wants to request a favorite or something, they want to have to make meal decisions about as much as we do
• If your husband really likes for you to be in the same room with him almost every minute..live in a small house where there isn't anywhere to hide or watch a separate television
• Sit outside with him while he pulls weeds, you don't even have to pull any, just talk to him and tell him thanks for taking care of the yard
• Learn the names of some athletes or important financial people and throw names around in conversation occasionally
• When you encourage him to read a book that you just read, and he downloads the audio book instead..just listen to it with him, even though you just read it
• Pray together, read the bible together, hold hands in church
• Read before bed, whatever you want, and when he wants to talk to you about golf, guns, the Forbes 400, etc. try really hard to listen..and then say, please hold all other comments for at least 5 minutes
• Ask him if there are things that he wishes you were interested in and when he tells you something..get interested
• Don't just be room mates-live life together
• Talk, talk, talk! (I have always said that I am extremely blessed to be married to an open book, so for me this is easy, but if it isn't for you..just start working on it!)
• Tell him he's a good man..and he'll probably act like one
• Brag on him in front of others (it feels really good when he does it about you)

Now I know we're young and we have one child and that things are going to get tougher. But I'm going to be the wife that I promised God and Ryan I would be. Not alone, with His help. Let's encourage one another to work to keep our marriages strong and pray for one another! Share your words of wisdom with me and remember to pray for all of our marriages. If you see a storm ahead...do something now, before it hits. 

Random Thoughts

Sometimes I feel like my mind has no general direction or destination in mind, it simply wanders aimlessly from thought to thought..especially..when I have no one but my baby to talk to during the day. Sometimes I think I should get a twitter account so I can share these one liners or random ideas and comments, but I don't actually understand twitter.

So, here's what I've got...

Praise the Lord we broke our little pattern of visiting the pediatrician every other Saturday with ear infections! It is so wonderful to see my little man back to his happy and very busy self.  Watching your baby being sick is no fun and my heart REALLY goes out to those who have chronically ill children that never really want to play and also to the sweet babies in places where a Dr. visit and some antibiotics is just not possible. Thank you thank you thank you Lord for doctors and medicine and the blessing of being able to use them!!!

If Brody ever goes on The Voice..I won't be able to bare watching him in the blind auditions or especially the battle round. It's just too hard for me to watch and I cry way too often for people. Its just. too. much.

If you walk down our street selling something at a good price and it's a beautiful day outside, my husband will buy it from you. We canceled our cable about a month ago with AT&T and are now proud users of Comcast cable, internet, and a home phone (which we've NEVER had). Who needs an antenna?

I always said I wouldn't make my day revolve around my children's naps but when 2 good naps means sleeping through the night..you  better believe I will give up on pretty much everything else there is to do.

Couples should decide if they are more concerned with their child making a mess in a restaurant or the child making noise...if you talk about this, along with a child's newest "eating tricks, like spitting" you will avoid having to give those looks to your husband that mean "get over it, he's being quiet, I will clean up the mess, he does that all the time and I don't know what to do about it.." Clearly I stand on the mess over noise side of the fence. :)

A clean house makes me extremely happy!

I'm a little obsessed with the show Downton Abbey and now I have watched all there is to offer on Netflix.

When you move your baby up a size in diapers finally..he will probably quit waking up  in the middle of the night with wet pajamas and sheets.

We live too close to Target for it to be good for the budget

We are proud new owners of a Costco membership. Once again, all someone had to say was "cash back" and my hubby upgraded our membership.

Brody loves to wash his hands, he loves bottles, also loves drinking water from a sippy cup (the straw kind especially), loves it when you come in and get him from his nap and jumps up and down in the bed, loves being outside as long as you don't make him touch the grass, and still LOVES swinging.

A Day to Remember

   Yesterday God gave the people of middle Tennessee (and many other areas) a wonderful gift. A PERFECT day in February. After a few weeks of sickness and being stuck inside, some rainy days, and a few days being outside and thinking, "If it were only a few degrees warmer...", yesterday was extremely welcome and appreciated.

  On Wednesday night many people were anticipating the glorious day to come and were making plans to do some fun outdoor activities and change up the normal routine. My friend Amanda and I made plans at church to go to the zoo, just hoping that our babies would nap at the same time Thursday morning and make it easy for us.

  To my delight, Brody woke up as happy as can be and we enjoyed the morning together. I fed him breakfast and then he played in his pack n play while I sat on the hardwood floor one foot away from it and ate my bran muffin and drank my coffee. (This is what works for us, he can still see and almost touch mommy and I can eat breakfast without chasing him around.) Brody began his 2 1/2 hour nap within about 20 minutes of Tinley's long nap and I was able to make Ryan lunch, eat my own lunch, get ready, do some laundry, and actually listen to what Ryan was saying to me when he came home to eat lunch. (By the way, the phrase "nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby" has an evolving meaning)

  When Brody woke up we headed out to the zoo to meet Amanda and Tinley where I flashed my zoo membership card for the 2nd time this week and just walked in like a really important person and felt good about it because my friend didn't have to pay either. We spent a couple hours at the zoo with two perfect babies and enjoyed pushing those perfect sweeties in the swings for like 45 minutes while we just talked. Now to me, this is one of the most perfect scenarios, watching your child having fun and smiling while you can carry on a conversation with a girlfriend and only have to stop occasionally to stop you kid from putting the swing in their mouth (both of them). :)

 When I got home, we were sure Ryan would be home just any minute so we waited outside on the porch swing (for an hour) and then got very excited when he pulled into the driveway. We quickly got to work on hanging Brody's swing on a tree branch in the backyard. I had witnessed first hand the calming effects of a swing and needed the option at my house, thankfully I had just bought one at a consignment sale. All it needed was some new rope and a master plan on threading the new rope through and tossing it over the 15 foot high branch. With 100 feet of rope, a little "discussion", doubtful looks, almost breaking a bike helmet, some cutting, tying a weight to one end and tossing it over a tree branch, a lot of me sticking my tongue out while concentrating really hard, a tree pruner on a 6 foot stick,some scotch tape, tweezers, a nap, some playing fetch, and a blow torch..we have a pretty wobbly but safe (we think) airplane swing in the back yard. (To be continued...)

  To end the night, Ryan made breakfast for dinner, Brody took a bath..and I LOVE bath time, it's seriously one of my favorite parts of the day, a little relaxing, TV watching, and reading, lights out came at a reasonable time, and I closed my eyes thinking..these are the days I hope I remember. We didn't spend any money, or eat anything amazing, or do anything spectacular,I wasn't wearing my favorite clothes and I didn't even shower until 7:30 pm. But it was a perfect day.

(pictures to follow)

The Mommy Wars

There is something that has been bothering me a lot lately. I'm guilty of it and it really disgusts me so I am on a mission to change. There have been a million blog posts/books/notes/etc. written about this topic, but the advantage of having a blog is to get your thoughts and feelings out so that your husband doesn't have to listen to you talk about it yet again. As a mom, some of your biggest cheerleaders, and sadly, biggest naysayers are...other moms. We can be brutal to one another and it needs to stop. So I am starting with myself..I don't want to do it anymore, because I don't want people to do it about me, so please everyone encourage me and stop me from judging other moms. I want to apologize for saying something negative about you and questioning your choices..if you are a mom I have probably judged you..even if you're my friend..even if you're one of my best friends and I am really sorry!

Here are some of the topics that I have heard moms "discussing" about other mothers..and sometimes I heard it really well because it was me saying it.

• At what stage in life people choose to have children
• What they are going to name their child/children, and how it will be spelled
• If they are going to deliver naturally or get an epidural
• Breastfeeding/Formula 
• Stay at home mom/working mom
• Vaccines/Delayed/None
• Preschool/No preschool
• How much TV kids watch
• Clothes that mothers put on their kids
• The nursery decor
• When parents choose to take their baby out in public or to church for the first time
• Who and how long someone stays to help with the new baby
• Spanking/some spanking/no spanking
• The words parents use for all sorts of things..from the pacifier to using the bathroom
• How close people choose to have children
• How many children people want
• Public/Private school
• Extracurricular activities
• Bed times
• What people feed their kids
• Which seat parents choose to install the car seat in their car
• Pediatricians 
• Tummy sleeping/bumpers
• Baby sleeping the parents room/putting baby straight into the crib
• If parents choose to go on a trip without their young kids
• When to cut a child's hair

Pretty much anything could be added to this list but as I typed it I thought..wow most of these are extremely personal decisions! Different things work for different people, our tastes are all different and all kids are different! 

Do I have an opinion on pretty much every topic there is when it comes to parenting...sure! And I will gladly share it with you if you want to know, but I am striving to do that out of love and without judgement. 

One things I have learned form some of my best mommy friends is that even when they have a totally different opinion than me, they have made that choice out of love for their child or because they just don't think its a big deal! 

Our awesome preacher..Bill Watkins touched on children's behavior during church last night and as always..he had one sentence that just stuck with me. "If you wouldn't say it to them, don't say it about them." So unless its something that I feel is worth taking to my friend and encouraging her or trying to help her/warn her/ understand her..I don't need to say it to someone else. 

Mommy friends-join me, help me, encourage me PLEASE! I need your help to be better and I think that its hard enough to make all the right choices without someone talking about you behind your back. I'm going to do some things that you wouldn't do or that you think are weird..but unless you think it is going to hurt my family spiritually..try to let it go and I will show you the same courtesy.