Thankful for SO much!

I have not been updating my Facebook status each day with what I am thankful for. Not because I don't think it's a great idea, but because I didn't catch on until a few days after the 1st and so I never caught up and joined in on the fun. So here is my list..I love lists by the way!

• Being a Christian-there is A LOT of bad in this world and its really hard to wrap your head around WHY? Especially on some of the really tough issues..but as a Christian..we know that this isn't it..we have a goal to press on towards and all that happens on this Earth are merely bumps, hills, or MOUNTAINS...really tall, scary, cold, dark, pretty much tortuous mountains..to overcome until we get to go to heaven. 
• I've only had to walk over a few hills at this point in my life..I am SO blessed. But those of you who are climbing mountains..I see your strength and it's helping me train.
• My husband is my favorite person-this covers all things to do with how great he is for about a bajillion reasons..seriously..he's everything God knew I needed/wanted/
• I have a healthy child
• I have a warm/dry house today
• I have a lot of great friends who encourage me in all the areas of life that I need encouragement and they're just a lot of fun!
• We have a great and reliable vehicle that we feel proud of and think we got a good deal on..it's a kia sorento if you need any car advice
• I am part of a loving and caring family of God-Crieve Hall Church of Christ is a great place to call home..if you're looking for a church :)
• Brody has 4 grandparents who ADORE him 
• I can't say this enough..but I am so thankful that I get to stay at home with my baby!!!
• Stroller Strides..thanks Andrea (again) you sure whipped me into shape today
• That sweet little cry I just heard from B's room and the smile I'm gonna get when I go see him...which is where this list ends..for now

An "Everyday to do" List

I pretty much think I have the perfect life. I am beyond blessed to be able to stay at home with my sweet Brody and I will never be able to thank God and Ryan enough for that. Most of my days are pretty fun and even though a few months ago I never thought I would do anything but feed/change/hold/repeat, I am pretty productive most days. Because I am such an expert (psych) I want to share a list of things I think you should do everyday..as a mommy, if applicable, or just as a woman, if applicable, or just as a person...if applicable. :)

(In no order of importance...)

•  Play with your baby in just his/her diaper
•  Drink a cup of cofee out of a mug that makes you happy (if you don't like coffee drink some tea, coke, milk..whatever you do like). I have a tinkerbell mug that Ryan gave me before we were married and a Texas mug that a dear friend (Micah Mitchell) gave us when we went to Texas to be in her wedding. And now my Christmas mugs are out!
• Kiss your husband and tell him you love him
• Make your bed-quickest way to make it look like you've done SOMETHING
• Shower-yes, this is a decision us moms make sometimes..it's not a given that we will bathe each day
• Fix your hair and/or put on make up-(especially if the previous doesn't happen..no one will be able to tell)
• Read something/learn something-I love reading articles online or in magazines or just playing on Pinterest and learning how to do something
• Read/watch something fun-I love fiction books and I love tv...I should really read more than I watch TV but I just finished The Hunger Games, and I have kind of been in "book mourning" which happens to me when I finish an awesome series too quickly and then its over.
• Get moving-if you don't exercise hard core, go on a stroll, clean your floors, organize your closet, chase your baby, do something to get the blood pumping
• Call your mom or dad, or sister or brother
• Talk to a friend in some way-best way is face to face, but if you can't, call them, email them, text them...etc.
• Talk to God many times a day and pray for your child and what they will become one day
• Spend some time outdoors! 
• Drink a lot of water
• Do one extra thing, something not on your "must do" but "would be nice if I did" list
• Read to your child
• Tell your husband he's a good daddy
• sing out loud

And once a week you should:

• Eat at Chick Fil A
• Go to Starbucks
• Fix something new for dinner
• shower while your husband is watching your baby so that you don't rush
• Go to the grocery store

Things sure change!

To say that having a baby changes things is the understatement of the century. My life is very different than it used to be. Some people don't like change...but I am LOVING this change.

Things I do less:

• Sleep (DUH!) But I know this is a short season in my life. Nothing makes you feel like a mom of a little baby like being sleep deprived. I mean, I am definitely a member of the mommy club.
• Eat-Like this morning I fixed my breakfast and then Brody decided he was still hungry so my oatmeal got cold and he had a full belly. Sometimes I realize its 2:00 and I think..I haven't eaten lunch and didn't really eat breakfast.
• Shop (Good for our bank account)-Brody mainly likes to be worn..in a baby carrier when I am grocery shopping so this doesn't transfer well to clothes shopping. The time I was at the mall with just Brody trying on clothes I put them all on over my clothes in the middle of the store and bought 3 shirts that are kinda too big. 
• Talk on the phone while driving (Which is also good!). Brody has not always been a fan of his car seat so he is usually screaming when I am in the car. 
• Care what people think about me or getting stuff-I'm simply just too busy to compare my life to others..and since I love my life, I think I'd come out on top. :)
• Judge people, especially other moms-I don't know your baby and what works best for him/her and you don't know mine!
• Sit through a worship service-we are doing better, but sometimes it's just not possible. I think it's good that we show up and try our best though! We may get up and come in a lot, but we are trying to teach Brody something.

Things I do more:

• Make up weird songs and nicknames-I just went and got Brody up from a nap and called him "Pumpkin Pooty" 
• Exercise-I joined STROLLER STRIDES (the best idea ever) and it makes me get out and have a great workout, be with friends, and enjoy the outdoors. We didn't have a very good gym before Brody was born. 
• Make friends- it is so easy to make friends with other mommies..I love talking to other moms or moms to be.
• Feel content-what more could I really ask for? 
• Tell other moms they are doing a good job. It's nice to hear!
• Worry-is he breathing? is it too cold out here? is he eating enough? did that hurt him when he just face planted on the floor? how many ounces should I make this bottle? 
• I am sure there are a million more things..but one thing I do more often is forget things..so that's all.

God's gifts to us

As I was at Stroller Strides and then driving home today I was nearly overwhelmed by this gorgeous day! The leaves are incredible, there are so many bright colors and it doesn't hurt anything that the weather is PERFECT. I wanted to pull over and take a picture of every tree I saw. I'm not sure why I ever chose anything other than Autumn as my favorite season.

The day was so nice that I (once again) went to the Chick Fil A drive through and then just sat in a parking lot with the windows down and ate while Brody slept. While I was having this little "mommy time out" I got to thinking..God did not have to give us such a beautiful place to live. While I do not think that our only purpose here on earth is to be happy..I know God gave us many things to enjoy and  they show that He knows us so well.

• He gave us seasons because we get bored with having the same old thing all the time. And there is something so special about each season..they serve a purpose and we get to enjoy them. I LOVE seeing the beauty that God created for us. That is one reason I enjoy being outdoors so much. 
• God gave us music and singing because it brings out emotions in us and helps us express ourselves...yes we sing praises to God, but how much do we love music and singing? My favorite times are when I am among other Christians and we just SING..I love singing nights and the Big Singing at Crieve Hall, and in college..Clayton Chapel singings or just campus devos...gives me chills to think about the singing in Heaven. And God gave many people (not me) the talent to sing and play music for us to enjoy. 
• And God gave us a laugh and a smile to express happiness...one of my favorite sounds in the world is Brody's laugh. It tells me he is happy and feeling good. What a gift to hear that sound and to be able to laugh myself..I love laughing. 

These little gifts are my favorite things to do with Brody..enjoy the outdoors and God's creation, sing to him, and laugh with him. 

Happy Halloween!

Okay, I'm not the first mom to say this but..I enjoyed Holidays before I had a baby..but now..they are SO much fun! Maybe it's because I get to dress Brody in cut outfits, or see him look at decorations, or I just have an excuse to do fun things with him. But I think it is mainly because EVERYTHING I do means so much more to me now than ever before. I LOVE my little family.

This has been a great and busy month for us:
Ryan started a new job and is doing so great at it. He is still studying for the CPA and trying to spend as much time with us as he can. He is a great provider, husband, daddy, and friend. Thanks Ryan, we love you!

First day of work!

Brody had his 4 month check up at the beginning of the month. After that visit we quit swaddling cold turkey and have been letting Brody learn to put himself to sleep a little bit. He has done great! We can lay him down for a nap or bed and he will cry a few minutes and then fall asleep. And, even though I was skeptical..he is not mad at me when he wakes up. We have NOT however started solid foods..I'm just not ready QUITE yet. And we are NOT sleeping through the night. :( Any advice is welcome.

We went to Henderson for a visit and Brody got to play on the land. He rode a 4 wheeler and just rolled around on a blanket. And this was the first time we've had to bundle Brody up. He was born when it was hot outside and now I have to make sure he is warm enough and make sure no one gives me those looks or says..I think he's too cold.

My Birthday!! I am 26 years old now! My sweet husband arranged a great night with friends to see WICKED (amazing!) while my parents kept Brody and then spent my birthday with me the next day. We had a lot of fun and I am so thankful to everyone who made it special! And then his other grandparents got to keep him when we went to celebrate Courtney's birthday..which was the best meal of the month at Maggianos!

I've been able to see some friends I don't see a lot. Emma came over and made me some yummy, healthy pancakes and the best bacon I've ever eaten! And we got to see our long lost friend Will and Sarah, they stayed with us this past weekend and Brody LOVED seeing them.

The Big Singing at Crieve Hall..although we aren't in a season of life to be able to stay until they quit late in the night, we had a great time singing praises and being among our church family. Brody was a good boy the whole time we sang.

Trunk or Treat...I have the cutest little Mickey Mouse EVER! I had so much fun seeing all my friends and their kiddos dressed up. Halloween is one of the best times to be a parent. When I was a little girl I loved dressing up my baby dolls all the time..this is so much better than that.

October is one of my favorite months, and this one is probably the best October on record. Brody is 5 months old TODAY and I cannot believe it. Time is flying and things are just getting better and better.

Silly mommy..

Lately, I have been observing some of the things I do to make Brody (or let's face it..me) happy. All baby lovers kind of act ridiculous around babies to make them laugh or smile...but I spend a lot of time alone with my son and things can sometimes get very silly or I will waste a lot of time, or go out of my way, or pretty much do ANYTHING to get my baby to sleep sometimes or just to be happy.

Some of my latest happenings:

• Brody fell asleep in the car at about 11:00 one morning after Stroller Strides, I needed to grocery shop but he needed a nap...I turned my white noise app on my phone, put it in Brody's car seat, went through the Chick Fil A drive through..ate my lunch and sat in the Kroger parking lot for an hour while he slept.
• Yesterday, Brody slept in his room, with the lights out, sound machine one..in his car seat.. for 2 hours
• Brody has a sea horse that plays lullaby music that he likes..yesterday at Stroller Strides it was in his stroller with him on repeat..for an hour..I just kept squeezing it because he was happy. :)
• Also at my workout class..I did squats while feeding him a bottle...anything to keep burning those calories!
• If I say one thing that makes Brody smile I just keep repeating it in all different tunes to make him happy.
• I often drive down the road with my right arm stretched to the back to hold in a paci or feed him a bottle.
• I went to bed with a stomach ache for several nights because I stressed out about Brody being swaddled and rolling over...we have gotten rid of the SwaddleMe..thank you very much.
• Listening to my voice on ANY video of Brody is insane.
• I dryed my hair one day while holding him and put on my make up.
• Once I took him into the grocery store in his car seat..put it down into the big part of the cart (yes, where all my groceries should have gone) and when he got upset..luckily I had my carrier so I strapped him onto me and pushed around an empty car seat and squished my groceries all around it..that is the ONLY day I ever said.."Yes, Please" when they asked if I wanted help out.

Whatever works right? 

Things I've learned from my fave TV shows...

We got cable just after Brody was born. We had not had cable or DVR until that point. I am at home a lot, so I just record a lot of shows and enjoy watching them when I get a break in the day or with Ryan at night. Here are some of the shows I regularly watch.

19 Kids and Counting-It can be just as much fun to watch people who are serving God and following the Bible as it is to watch people who are doing...well...the opposite of that. I LOVE the Duggar family.They.Are.My.Favorite.

The Amazing Race-People are generally terrible at reading ALL of the instructions. When Ryan and I are grandparents..we are going to be adventurous.

The Sing Off-Bruno Mars apparently has like a million hit songs and they sound really good acapella, Ben Folds knows a ton about music, I love dorky college guys.

The Wonder Years-The 70s was a great time for music and clothes. It was really hard to be a teenager. So happy I survived those years. Also..I wish I had a voice over of an older me talking the younger me through some of the rough times. Once again..Kevin Arnold..dorky..love him!

Terra Nova- I need to acquire a few more marketable skills so that if the Earth is unlivable in a few years I will be recruited to go back in time to start a new world. And I'm glad I wasn't one of the people who lived with dinosaurs a few thousand (not millions) of years ago. The universe is young folks! And I'm pretty sure my husband would LOVE to be recruited as "security" for Terra Nova.

Grey's Anatomy-"Post it note" weddings really do mean commitment to some people. Thank you writers of Grey's for giving us a glimpse of making marriage work for once!

Revenge-With a lot of money you can pretty much make anything happen. Do real people really "summer" at the Hamptons? And Daniel Grayson was on Make It or Break It...did you notice that Abigail and Amanda? We didn't talk about that!

Parenthood-Even though I have made it past the "growing up" stages of my life..I'm not done with them. When Brody (and any other kiddos) have a fight with a friend and get their feelings hurt..I will hurt too. When they get made fun of...gonna be mad at that kid....and when they get their heart broken for the first time...and every time after that...mine will break too. This raising an infant thing is the easy part..his happiness is pretty much dependent on me right now and usually, I can trust me. One day though..he is going to be exposed to this big ole world and my sweet Brody will get hurt..and its going to hurt. I pray that we can always create a safe haven in our home to make it a little easier on him.