One Fish, Two Fish, A 1st Birthday Wish

Truth: 1st birthdays get WAY OUT OF HAND.

Truth: 1st birthday parties are more for the mommy

Truth: Jackson is BEYOND blessed and loved.

We celebrated Jackson's 1st birthday Dr. Seuss style. It was fun and fairly inexpensive thanks to our families, our church family and friends that helped.

Birthday Stats (mostly for my memory)
-it was outside
-it was hot
-there were 50+ friends and family who came
-we ate burgers, potato salad, fruit
-Jackson did not eat as much cake as I expected
-we used 30 little goldfish for centerpieces (the heat caused casualties)
-Jackson got an equal amount of toys and clothes
-2 hours is the perfect length for a 1st birthday
-we opened gifts after the guests left which was great
-we could not have done it all without the help of our families and friends

 

 1st Birthday success!! Happy Birthday Son.  I could physically burst with joy over who you are!

 

 

Some Catch Up - 12 months of success

Like stated in my last post....I am inconsistent.  I may start to to catch up....no promises though.  I have found I had more time to write when "The Boss" was not as mobile and took multiple naps a day.  We are down to only 1 nap a day, which is the saddest thing for a SAHM.  I felt like having a funeral for my free time and wearing black for a week in protest.  Neither of which would change Jackson's mind about his naps.  SAD.  Pity party over.  Back to the post. 

WE MADE IT TO 1 YEAR OLD

12 things I have learned in the first 12 months of Jackson's life. 

1) Mommies get to sleep again.....eventually......until the next phase decides to disrupt it....again.

2) Nothing goes 'according to plan' or how the book says it will or how other kids do it.  They change everything just as you are finally getting used to it.

3) I am a toddler mommy

4) Jackson is by far the best thing I have ever done

5) New mommies put way too much pressure on themselves

6) Jesus is the only way I could ever be a successful mommy

7) Feeding a toddler is often as hard as feeding a non-latching newborn

8) Time-outs often start sooner than expected

9) When Jackson falls, he learns to do it differently next time. Falling is good

10) My children will be older kids longer than they are younger kids so all hard stuff in the beginning isn't so bad

11) Shots are easier when they are newborns

12) Mommies and Daddies need to be on the same team/page to ensure success

**Bonus Lesson** In the first 12 months I have eaten a lot of crow (humble pie) are you tracking with me.  Being a mommy is HARD!

Never say Never

Somewhere between 5 months and now, 7.5 months, this mommy was able to finish a few books, a few movies with my husband and Season 1 of a TV series.  Its a miracle.....wait, no, its just what happens when your baby gets older!  Truth be told, I thought days like this were gone forever....

~ cue weird dream-like music as we travel back to a not so distant memory ~

When Jackson was about 5 or 6 weeks old, my man and I rented 'The Chronicles of Narnia - Voyage of the Dawn Treader' thinking we would enjoy our son's nap time with a movie....WRONG!!! He was awake within the first 20 minutes of us starting it and screaming by the middle of it.  It took us a full day and a half to finish watching it and I stood, bouncing that baby for the rest of it.  After that fiasco, we decided to cancel Netflix because and I quote myself 'we will never quietly watch a movie snuggled up on the couch again'.

Guess what new mommies of the world, those days are NOT gone.  They are just on hold for a bit.  I am here to report that, while it is you may not renew your subscription to Netflix, you will be a patron of a RedBox near you!  And if you like to read, nap times become more routine in these months so you will enjoy a good book again. 

If you are looking for some I recommend a 2 part series written by Francine Rivers.  It is about legacy and now that I am a mom it resonated with me in a deep way.  I want my legacy to include a whole lot of Jesus.  I want to maintain a close walk with Him so that my children see His goodness.  I want to thank my mom for giving me the best life her and my dad could.  I want to thank them for teaching me by example.  I am so thankful to know that He can change our destiny if we respond to His calling.  I can't wait for to see where He will lead the generations, our legacy, after Jarrod and I.

First Book

Second Book

I also loved loved love The Hunger Games Trilogy.  Do not be fooled by its popularity for those of you who do not like to be 'bandwagon' readers.  It is worth EVERY page.

So, again I find myself writing about things that I am accomplishing that at 6 weeks, I thought I would never do again.  Mommyland is demanding but oh so rewarding.  I am still ME even thought I double as Jackson's mommy too!  It is a beautiful balance that I am learning to master day by day.

5 month old little chubby ghosts

I love looking at Pinterest!! If you read this blog you know I am a novice when it comes to crafting so I do a lot of 'repinning' on Pinterest with the hopes I actually try out the things I pin.  October and November have made me feel abnormally crafty so here you go!!  Having a new baby also has made me want to mark each holiday with some sort of evidence of Jackson's growth. 

First you need a pair of these:

Then I painted a small canvas black and smothered those little feet in some washable white paint and with the help of my mom pressed his feet onto the canvas.  I truly thing this part requires 2 sets of hands.  Babies are unusually strong....sometimes I am SURE Jackson is stronger than me.

I added the eyes by dipping the opposite end of the paint brush in black paint! It made it super easy.  I used orange puff paint to write the greeting

Notice the cup of coffee....I think that should be added to your list of 'supplies'.  I added little ghost heads to the corners because they felt bare.  I don't like empty space.

Then it needs a ribbon to hang it with.  I used some old ribbon I had laying around the house, it happened to have wire boning but any ribbon would do.  I attached it using a hot glue gun.  Don't forget to date the feet prints on the back.

And finally here is the finished product!!! This was fun and I just LOVE his chubby little feet!!

Happy Crafting!

Bloggers Block, Bible Study and a Baby

Its been 12 days since I have blogged. *Sad* There has been so much going on yet I can't seem to get any of it to come out right on here....I have a case of bloggers block.  You can stop now because there is no telling if this post will be anything worth reading.

Almost 2 years ago, the Lord called and allowed me to lead a small group of ladies at my home on Tuesdays nights.  What a wild ride to think He would use me to lead a small group - Glory!  We have done 6 in-depth studies and the Lord has done amazing things with us.  We have been as small as 8 and as large as 21....21 women loving Jesus in my living room, we almost made the walls fall like Jericho during that study!  We have seen prayers answered and many many holy provision.  We are in the midst of Beth Moore's - Believing God study and that is another reason why I have not been on the blog as of late. 

If you have ever done a Beth Moore study you know why something like this could keep me away from the blog.  Studies of this nature require full attention and frankly, I do want to do anything else; it is so good.  This study truly has been a 'fresh explosion of faith'.  I believe we are never in a study by chance.  God knows what each of our seasons call for and He ensures our needs are met - EVERY TIME.  This study has been for my particular season, Praise You Lord.

 And as usual, this guy has been keeping me from the blog.

He is growing at the speed of light.  Look at that face, doesn't it bring so much joy?  He is at the age where interaction is key.  While it is important for him to have independent play time, its crucial for him to learn to interact with people - enter playtime with Mommy.  We have been reading lots....well I have been reading to him and he has been doing this with his books

We started rice cereal and this man loves it!!! I knew he was gonna be an eater! He eats 6 teaspoons of cereal mixed with breast milk a day along with about 30 ounces of milk via the bottle throughout a day. We have kept his normal bottle feedings as of right now because there isn't much nutrients in rice cereal. He is a happy little man!

We also had a our first 'holiday' photo shoot.  This will be the first on many.

My little pumpkin man!! Its ok if you want to squeeze his cheeks, they are so cute!  My mine is already planning his Christmas pictures....I am thinking lots of presents around him...hmmmmm.

Well, that explains my absence from the blog.  Thanks for stickin' around to read it.  I am already thinking of my next post and I don't plan on it being 12 days away.  

'Rome Wasn't Built in a Day'

*Caution...If you are uninterested in a breastfeeding post, you might want to come back another day*

When I wrote this about breastfeeding, I was in the throes of it.  For some, one day the baby and mommy just 'get it' and breastfeeding becomes second nature.  That is not how our tale goes because Jackson was off of this mommy at 5 weeks and we never looked back so I will never know if we just 'would have gotten it'.  That is ok though because what we did worked.  Pumping was the name of our game and I am happy to report that so far my baby has been breast-milk-fed for 5 months.  One of pros of exclusively pumping for so long is that when a baby cries my milk doesn't let down! But turn on something that remotely sounds like the humming of my pump and my milk ducts go wild.  Weird how our bodies do that.  Huh, anyways.....My pumping status also allowed us to stockpile my liquid gold for the months to come so our plan is for Jackson to be breast-milk-fed till at least 7 months (yes, I have that much frozen)....D.A.I.R.Y. 

With that said, can you tell where this is going......I am in the process of closin' up shop.

Some mommies dread the day they stop breastfeeding which I will NEVER understand because I think I have been dreaming about this day since the moment we started this fiasco.  You know that saying, Rome wasn't build in a day......well, I have two Romes that are not going to stop in a day.  Closing up this shop is going to take at least a couple of weeks.  This, again, is something no one wants to tell you about.  What I don't understand is why something that hurts so bad when it comes has to hurt so bad when it goes.  Can't we get a break??  The answer is in Genesis 3:16 when the Lord is punishing Eve for eating the apple by telling her that her pains in childbearing will increase.  This boob business is a part of childbearing as far as I am concerned.  So until I am done having children me and my boobs will be at odds.

The world wide web offers a variety of different ways that assist in this painful process.  It suggests everything from cabbage leaves, to drinking sage tea, wearing sports bra, to icing them, stopping 'cold turkey', to binding them.....you name it, someone has probably tried it because desperate times calls for desperate measures.  Me, I have chosen simply to gradually stop breastfeeding by decreasing how often and how much I pump.  I may give the cabbage leaves or the tea a go if in a couple of days if things don't let up but we'll see.  I started this process by decreasing my pumps using Jackson feedings as a marker so when he decreased, I decreased.   I went from 8 times a day to 6 times.  Then I decreased to 4 pumps a day even though J was eating 5 times and at that point I was able to sleeping through the night!!  I have stayed at 4 pumps a day for a while now out of fear; full ducts hurt.  This weekend, with the encouragement of my life friend Pam, I dropped another pump.  I am at three pumps a day now.  PTL!

I would think everyone finds this process hard for different reasons but for me the hardest part has been not pumping as much as I know will offer some relief.  Its a small form of torture to know that just 5 more minutes and a few more ounces could be life changing and you can't do it.  To make less, you've got to pump less.  Less is more people.

Best part about closing up shop is that I get to eat things that did not agree with Jackson like beans, garlic, broccoli, COFFEE, ice cream, and cheese.  That is seriously exciting.  Mommies with sensitive babies can 'Amen' to this part!  And can we talk about the time I am about to acquire.  Pumping moms, you know what I am talking about!! Maybe my house will be cleaner or dinner started on time....maybe!

I think it is important to stop when you feel that YOU are ready.  It a place in mommyland that only you can decide.  I am happy my time has come and I am so thankful I am in a good place to stop.  So, in my baby memory bank I am adding breastfeeding to the list of things under the category 'this too shall pass'.  I esteem all you milk makin' mamas!!    

The 'yeses' that matter

We dedicated Jackson to the Lord this past Sunday.  Well, the way I see it, we actually dedicated Jackson BACK to the Lord for it is he that gave him to us in the first place. 

The Pastor asked us.....
Will you raise this child up to love the church.....YES
Will you raise this child up to know God's word....YES
Will you raise this child up to live for God....YES
Will you stay married for this child....YES

We said YES without hesitation.  We stood with family, friends and our church and said YES to God's will for our son.  It was a beautiful moment.  I couldn't help but think about the last time a 'yes' meant this much to me.  My mind went to August 1, 2009.  On our wedding day we each said 'yes' when the Pastor asked us if we'd have each other in marrige, but that yes was said by each of us individually.  On Sunday, we said yes together, in unison, over the matters of our son.  A memory that will be tucked in the sweet places of my heart forever.

Jackson has been entrusted to us but his story has been written by God whom has no boundaries.  There is no one who can dream as big for my son as the God who made him.  I needed to be reminded that Jackson's story is already written and my job is to help sharpen him for all that God has planned for him.  I am ready in a new way to raise Jackson and it is so exciting.

On this day I will write this Scripture in his baby book, 2 Corinthians 1:20 says that 'for no matter how many promises God has made, they are YES in Christ.  An so through him, the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God'.

Jackson, all the God has promised in his Word is yours to have in Christ.  May we loose on earth what has been loosed in heaven!! AMEN!

These are the yeses that matter.

Pastor Dan praying over Jackson

Such a special day for our family (4months old)

 

Happy 4 months Son

Dear Jackson,

Son you are 4 months!! Most mommies say 'already' but I say FINALLY!! I love that you are getting older.  I understand you better with each day gained!!  You are one sweet little man and I love spending my days with you.  I have enjoyed getting to know you more over this last month and look forward to the next!

You eat 4.25 ounces during the day and 4.75 right before bed
You are sleeping 10pm-5am and then back down till 9:30 - PTL!
You are better at tummy time and often roll to the right when you no longer want to be on your tummy
You have a temper
You fight sleep and always look like there are toothpicks holding your eye lids up
You know my voice and daddy's
Your face lights up when Dad comes home from work
You still sleep in a Velcro blanket - PTL!
You are in a size 2 diaper
You smile when people sing silly songs to you
You have no problem letting us know when you are done with something
You weigh 15.7 lbs
You are being dedicated to the Lord on Sunday
You bring so much joy to your daddy and me

3 months - Insert New Baby Here

I spent the first 2 months of Jackson's life in sheer survival mode.  In this state of mind I was doing things I said I would NEVER do......just to make it past another day.  "I never liked the taste of crow but baby I ate it" as The Band Perry sings.  I have learned to not make such bold statements about what I will or will not do with regards to a situation that I have never been in.  *mmmmm love me some humble pie*  

I had a million people telling me 'it will get better, I promise' and while it is I appreciated their encouragement, I started to hate that phrase because it felt like NOTHING was getting better.  Words of that nature are unable to be received properly by a new mommy, there is no light at the end of the baby vortex at that point.  I started to struggle with feelings of inadequacy because things were not getting better.....didn't everyone just say things would get better?? Why hadn't that started for me?

Two months brought some relief as Jackson cracked his first smile on purpose.  Its amazing what a little crooked smile on his face did for this mama's heart.  I thought back on the phrase 'it will get better' because at that moment it was a little better.

'I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth' Psalm 121:1-2

We hit the two and a half month mark and it felt like we were on a high speed rail to a happier place.  His play time started lasting longer, his jags of crying started to shorten and he was coo'ing more than crying.  I thought back on the phrase 'it will get better' realizing it was better.

'The God of heaven will give us success' Nehemiah 2:20

This brings me to three months.  I love three months.  Three month old Jackson is nothing like 2 month old Jackson, I have a new baby.  Don't get me wrong, I loved 2 month old Jackson but I actually GET 3 month old J so much more.  His play time is now interactive, he talks with me, smiles in response to me, sits in his Bumbo and loves when I sing (God bless him)!  He is sleeping at night and less gassy.  I think back to the phrase 'it will bet better' and think......'it HAS gotten better'.

'Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask, or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us' Ephesians 3:20

Three months was my magic number.  It was the moment it all came together for me. (well at least for now)  From now on I will be telling my new mommy friends, to wait for three months.
Happy 3 month birthday son - You, me, daddy and Jesus - we did it!

2 years and a 2 month old

We celebrated our 2 year anniversary last week!  Where did the last year go.....oh that's right I was pregnant for most of it therefore I legitimately get to ask 'where did it go' because when you are pregnant you can't remember anything!  I like to call it 'swiss cheese brain' due to the gaping holes in your memory.  WebMD says its not scientifically proven and I say, psssshhhh what do they know anyhow!!! Its real....and I had it.

One thing I did not forget was my anniversary (just all the days surrounding it, HA).  It was too wonderful of a moment and a day, that when I think about it, I get on my knees and say 'who am I Lord that you would bring me this far'. 

A year can bring about a world of change......last year (1yr) we were roaming San Fransisco.....this year (2yr) we were getting a babysitter for our 2 month old and grabbing dinner!! 

Can't wait to see what our 3 year anniversary will bring!  Pour out your blessings Lord!!!