Baby N: 6 Months

How could this have happened?! You are now 6 months old! We blinked and the first half of your first year of life is gone.

Weight: 18lbs  1/2oz

Height:  26 3/4in

Clothes:6-6/9 months

Eat: 7-8oz every 3-4 hours. You continue to enjoy trying new foods. We've moved you into eating various combinations of fruits and veggies and you seem to like everything so far. You occasionally snub peas but that's okay. You're sister was never a big fan either.

Sleep: It's been a little crazy but you are now sleeping in your own room. You and your sister are currently sharing but it is our hope that the two of you will have your own rooms in the near future. You are sleeping from 7pm until about 4am. You still tend to wake up once during the night, sometimes to eat, sometimes not, but readily go back to sleep with little fuss. These night time waking moments are slowly becoming fewer. You roll over to sleep on your tummy, and while I'd prefer you on your back, you are quite happy to stay that way.

Play: You are constantly on the go. You are always moving! Sometimes you are bouncing. Other times you are scooting yourself across your play mat. Your big sister is still your best friend and I love to watch the two of you interact. The bond between the two of you is one that I hope continues to grow. You grab things with no problem and have been seen switching things from hand to hand. You love your toes and grab your feet any chance you can get. You've also started really getting into bath time. You've discovered that you can splash with your feet and it gives you the biggest thrill. Your laughter is contagious and your smile is so big! You truly light up our lives.

Odds and Ends: You are now rolling from back to tummy. I'm certain you can do the other if only you'd try but you seem pretty content for now. 

There is definitely no leaving you even slightly unattended on any surface. One hand is on your little body at all times. You are also sitting up much better. You are still quite wobbly but you are getting stronger everyday.

You are SUPER ticklish!

You celebrated your first Christmas with family and friends. We loved watching you become delighted with all the sights and sounds around the house.

New Year's Eve was just like any other night. You were in bed by 7pm. You did ring in the New Year by waking up for a midnight feeding.

This year is going to be amazing, if for nothing else because it has you and your sister in it.

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With Love at Christmas

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

From our family to yours,

Merry Christmas! 

No More Silent Nights

Christmas Eve Morning...

2:40am   G wakes up and comes into our room. She has developed an unpleasant cough that woke her up, so naturally she wants mommy (and Daddy was at work).

2:45am   Administer cough medicine and lay her down beside me (praying she doesn't wake up the baby.)

3:00 am   I hear N stir but he doesn't wake.

3:05am-3:35am   Intermittent coughing spells and more silent prayers that baby stays sleeping.

3:40 am N wakes up

3:45-4:10 am   N is fed. He gets gagged on nasal drainage and throws up most of what he just ate...all over me, himself, the rocking chair and floor.

4:15-4:40am. Get the baby, myself, and all other milk covered items cleaned up.

4:45-5:00 am. I take G back to her room, change her and then rock her for a few minutes before laying her back in her own bed.

5:05-6:00 am  I lay in bed, listening to the sweet sounds coming from my son's bed. I relax to the sound of the rain pouring down outside my window. I reflect on the days when I would still be asleep at this point. I go in and out of restless slumber.

6:05am  N wakes up. I take him downstairs, change him and feed him by the light of our Christmas tree. 

In that moment, despite how tired I feel, I am reminded that this is life. This is my sweet, unpredictable, exceptionally beautiful, chaotic, spit-up covered life and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The baby lays peacefully, lightly sleeping in my arms. 

6:50am  G wakes up...crying for Mommy.

via

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Get Some Rest

I ran across this printable while I was perusing Pinterest for some Christmas brunch recipes.

I had to just stop and let the words of this verse soak in. How long had it been since I went to be truly alone with God? Sure, I've had my devotion time, but even that tends to be interrupted by little hands and feet. How long? How long since I had allowed the presence of God to surround me, to fill me and restore my weary soul?

From the looks of my tired spirit and mending body, I'm well aware that it has been far to long. My physical body is in serious need of some TLC and I have multiple doctor's visits to prove it. My weary soul and heart are craving peace. It's no wonder that I've had a hard time savoring the Christmas season this year.

I decided today that it has to end. The broken pieces of me need restoration and now is the perfect time. The Christmas season is filled with joy, family and a sense of hope that only seems to come this time of year. The birth and ultimate death and resurrection of our Savior provides a stronghold for the hope we have. I have not been clinging tightly to the right things. I've been letting worry and anxiety take the forefront. I've been letting stress chip away at my health. I am not honoring the debt that my Savior paid. He came so that I would live life abundantly, not mediocre.

I claim this verse through this season. I WILL make time to get away and just be with the Lord. I WILL make time to soak up precious moments with my family. I WILL NOT let anxiety and stress control my thoughts and actions. I will come to Him. I will find rest. I will offer to Him the broken pieces and work through His restoration process.

For in ALL things, He is good.

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Christmas Traditions

I LOVE the Christmas season. 

My husband and I would be content having the house decorated and looking festive most of the year. With this beautiful season comes cold weather (yeah, still waiting on that), amazing food and extra time with family and friends. To top it off, we have special family Christmas traditions that we always look forward to.

Trimming the Tree

Our tree is an after Christmas sale (and I mean dirt cheap) but from a distance, and once it's decorated, you can hardly tell. We always put the tree up on Black Friday. Since I do most of my shopping online theses days, it opens up lots of time to enjoy decorating. 

Ornaments

Each ornament that goes on our tree is special and represents some part of our lives. We also have a traditional ornament that we get for one another each year. For my husband, he gets his annual fire truck, I get the latest in the Puppy Love series, and G gets her fairy. Our ornament series all come from Hallmark (no compensation for the plug) and it's tricky when buying for the other person not to scope out your own. We always want it to be a surprise. My husband was in charge of selecting the series we would start for our son. I can't wait to see what he chose!

Stockings

I have been longing for coordinating stockings that would stand the test of time. In the past I've used Santa sacks that I made from festive material. This year, thanks to an awesome half off sale and a 20% off coupon, our family now has coordinating stockings and I could not be happier. Our stockings are opened Christmas Eve, along with the ornaments.

Baking

There is always baking. Everything from cookies to pies to Cornish hens. Something is always being made to enjoy this time of year.

My mom has started a tradition of making cookies with G in their matching aprons and although she won't get to be here this year, we'll pick up on the tradition again next year.

Elf on a Shelf

We love our daughter's imagination. She cracks us up. To add to the fun, we've thrown in the Elf. G named her Princess and looks for her every morning. 

The Christmas Story

One of my favorite traditions is reading the Christmas story. On Christmas Eve we begin the scripture and end right before Jesus' birth. On Christmas morning we finish the story and have a family prayer. This year, G has been very excited about the coming of Jesus' birthday. Melts my heart.

The story of His birth, His Life and Resurrection are the premise of our Christmas celerations. He is the reason for the season and His sacrifice was truly the best gift ever given.

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It's a Boy...

This time last year was super exciting. We were eagerly awaiting the time that we would share the news of our second pregnancy with our families. We knew we'd do it at Christmas and we chose just how we'd make it an extra special surprise for everyone.

A couple months later we got the news that we were having a boy!

I remember hearing those words and watching my husband literally come out of his seat with excitement. I was thrilled at what this meant for us, but a little anxious as I had been a "girl mom" for the last year and a half. It was a journey I was ready to take and I could not wait to add him to our little family.

Over this last week I've been struck with some pretty strong emotions as I reflect, not only on these things, but on advent and the birth of our Savior. I've always been drawn to Mary's story and this year was no exception. However this year, I saw things a little differently.

I imagine Mary. She was a modest, humble girl whose life and faith had found her favor with God. I cannot imagine Mary's whirlwind of emotions as an angel of the Lord explained the coming events. She would become pregnant by the way of a miraculous conception. She would give birth to a son, the Son of God and He would be called Jesus.

When we found out we were expecting, we were elated. We couldn't wait to share the news with family and friends because we knew we would be met with love and congratulatory remarks. However, as you read through Mary's story, she and Joseph were less likely to be met with open arms. They were yet to be married and they could not explain how or why this miracle was laid upon them. I cannot conceive the weight upon their shoulders.

Mary, along with her husband, eventually experienced this world altering birth. However, in those quiet moments after His arrival, I see them just as any other couple. I see a proud father in awe of the tiny fingers that wrap around his pinky. I imagine Mary, holding her baby boy closely to her chest, breathing him in as he settles down to the sound of her familiar heartbeat. I think back to those sweet, silent moments with my own son.

These thoughts have been touching my heart especially tenderly this year. Mary knew from the time of Jesus' conception that He would become the greatest sacrifice and gift that this world has ever known. She would become the mother who would have to watch her son suffer and die on a cross for those who would hate Him. I look into the face of my son and I cannot imagine living with that reality.

I do not know what the Lord has in store for our son. I do not know where the Lord will take him or the lives he will impact. I do, however, know that my son has purpose and promise and that I daily strive to raise him to know and love the Lord.

Mary most certainly faced the same emotions as all mothers. I feel we would have a lot of things in common. Most importantly, we want our children to be raised to know the love of our Savior, to do good for others and to make a difference. So while our responses and lives may vary, our worlds changed forever on the day we heard, "it's a boy!"

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Baby N: 5 Months

There are two things I can't wrap my brain around. First off, we are now in the month of December, which means you will soon be celebrating your first Christmas. Secondly, you are now 5 months old. My mind is blown.

Weight: 16 lbs give or take

Height:  26 inches

Clothes:3-6/6 months across the board.

Eat: 7oz every 3-4 hours. You've begun eating solid foods. So far you seem to like sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, prunes and peaches. You do not like bananas...I was really surprised!

Sleep: You are making progress. Most nights you are sleeping from 7:00p.m. to 3:00a.m. The 8 hours you are sleeping are nice, but we cannot make it to bed at 7. This makes it a little tough some nights. The bright side is that over the last week, you've slept from 7:00p.m. to about 5:00a.m. We really hope you will do this more often so that you can make your way into your new room that you'll share with your sister.

Play: You can't be stopped these days. You love being in your exersaucer. You are still not a fan of tummy time but will tolerate it if your sister is willing to lay and play with you. You easily grab toys and love to watch lights.

Odds and Ends: You still haven't rolled over yet, but it's coming. I'm sure. You have however started making some efforts towards crawling. You put weight on your arms and use your legs to help you frog scoot across your mat.

You celebrated your first Thanksgiving with friends and family.

Time is going much too quickly. We love you to pieces and look forward to celebrating your first Christmas this month!

Your ornament from last year...and now this year you're here!

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