Five Months

I feel like I live in a whirlwind and the strong winds are just sweeping me through the days. Those days turn into weeks and here I am in the middle of summer wondering if I will ever have both feet on the ground again. I guess that's parenthood, or maybe it's just me.

I do want to post a little about my little Beanie since this is the closest thing to a baby book this poor babe will have. I could write things down for him, but I don't even know where to locate paper in this house anymore unless it's his daily sheets from daycare telling us when he ate and pooped.

5 Months:

-We finally got him to gain some weight-  15 lbs
-He is very close to sitting on his own. He can sit by himself for about 5 minutes but if he gets excited and waves his hands he topples right over.
-He is fascinated with our dogs. He reaches for Lola and giggles when he sees Archer.
-He is already a Mommy's boy. Big time.
-He gave Daddy a  present in his diaper which resulting in him using 30 wipes and shop towels for
     clean-up. I'm not sure why "bath time" didn't cross Daddy's mind but oh well. We both have our ways.
-He is still spitting up like crazy. Some days he does fine and the next day everything is covered in puke.
-He LOVES splashing in the water, his jumparoo, and any toy he can get his hands on.
-He does not like to roll over. He can get 5/6 of the way over from his back to belly and then gives up.
-He picks his pacifier up and puts it in by himself.
-When he's tired he nuzzles in to your neck and chest and sighs. He's such a sweet and happy little boy!

My love/hate with Pinterest

I should really cook for our family more.
What was that recipe I saw on Pinterest?
Oh look what Mary pinned. So cute!
That is the best idea if I had a preteen daughter.
That cat picture is hilarious.
I"ll screenshot that and show Kyle later.
If I was a stay at home mom, I could really plan out our day and do some of these cute educational ideas.
Who am I kidding? I'd be one of those moms that only change out of pajamas to go to the Dr.
I love sweat pants.
Ooh that outfit is cute!
I used to like dressing up. When did I wear heels last? Last year? Two years ago?
Heels are stupid anyway. If you're short, you're short. No need to hide it.
Emailing girls about a girls night right now.....
I wonder what they have been up to.
Ashley has been pinning bathroom ideas. Is she remodeling?
Gosh I'm a horrible friend.
Oh look that dog pin looks like mine.
Man, we need to get our dogs groomed.
I wonder how much fur the baby has eaten so far.
He loves those fur balls.
I wonder what people who don't have dogs do.
What do they snuggle with?
Each other?
I guess I would snuggle with my husband if he was ever home.
I should look up some date nights on Pinterest.
Second shift stinks.
But listen how quiet it is in here without him!
It's so peaceful I can finally get some time to just relax and not think about anything.
Ah this is great.
Wait, why isn't the dryer banging?
Still need to do laundry, vacuuming, dishes....
Ugh, we need a new dishwasher.
Then I can actually cook without worrying about dishes.
Oh yeah, what was that recipe I was looking for again?


**I wrote this post while searching for a recipe and realizing I"d been all over the place in Pinterest. Now seriously, I should really get back and find that recipe!

Backyard Photos Spring 2014

It's our first official backyard photos with Bean (Take 2). We attempted once a few weeks ago but K and Bean were both fussy and there was spit up everywhere. Yuck. So we gave it another shot today, I think they turned out great and bonus...we actually had fun.  Bean loves it outside! 

Here's our sweet little family photo shoot with our 4 month old son.

God's Gift Basket to Moms

I thought I was good at multitasking. Then, I had my son. I've taken multitasking to a new level. However, at the same time, I can't remember what I ate for supper 3 hours ago. It got me thinking how I've changed since becoming a mom and I've decided that it's all part of a gift basket God bestows on women when they hold their baby for the first time.

To: First Time Moms
From: God

-A lifetime of multitasking talent that will always impress those around you. Additional refills given with each child to come.
-Inability to remember your children's names, where you parked your car, or why you walked into the room you are standing in.
-An iffy bladder (at best)
-A love like nothing you've felt before. Giving a small glimmer of the love God has for each of us.
-A fear like nothing you've felt before. Causing a battle of control, in which they only way to win is to give up and let God take over.
-An incredible sense of hearing. (or listening)
-Strength to conquer the dirtiest of messes in the dead of the night with a sense of patience (towards baby at least....patience with your husband? that must be in another basket.) 
- Healing powers to calm down even the fussiest, grumpiest babies and later will evolve to make boo-boos, tummy aches, and bad dreams dissolve.
-An encouraging spirit to love and uplift other mom's and mom's-to-be.

Thank you God, for designing such a perfect plan for me to be able to care for my baby boy, laugh at my mishaps, hope for wonderful days ahead, and share the experience with the great friends and family around me.

Three Months

Guess who is three months?!

Bean....
weighs 12 pounds.
sleeps through the night.
takes a pacifier but really prefers his thumb.
makes a fake cough sound when he is trying to giggle.
loves bath time, riding in the stroller, & looking at toys.
can roll over from belly to back.
has a very sweet, happy personality so far.

Two Months

Mr. Bean is 2 months old! He is starting to develop a little personality. K and I just can't get enough of him. Oh how I wish they would stay tiny & snuggly!

2 Months:

-10 pounds 2 ounces

- cooing and "talking" a lot. Especially when looking at his playmat toys and when mommy sings. 

-shorter naps and has the "7:00 fussies" every night. 

-sleeps swaddled & with a paci. (Although, he usually spits it out and talks or whines himself to sleep. )

-spits up a lot & often.

-smiles a lot!!!

- enjoys taking baths.

-starting to notice & watch his doggies.

Daddy's Favorites:
- cuddle time
- the big smiles I get when I come home
- fist bumps
- staring contests

Love and Grace in Marriage

We are doing a great series at church called "Sex and Freedom"  We were snowed in last week and all the Onelifers joined in our living rooms and watched the sermon online.  (Check it out here. Sex & Freedom Part 3)
In the sermon, our campus pastor spoke about a marriage that leaves a legacy. A legacy that your children and grandchildren can look to. In a world where marriage is thrown about haphazardly and a lasting marriage is not the norm, that is a high calling. A calling that each of us who have taken vows in the sight of God have.
One way he said to do this was giving grace and being selfless in your marriage.

Easier said than done. Especially when the sound of him clearing his throat causes you to roll your eyes and he complains weekly about the hair left in the drain. I know there are so many issues, big issues, hard issues that married couples are facing. I'm not a counselor so I am going to be vague and stick with the small, everyday situations. But be assured, there is no issue that God cannot heal and wants to heal if you let Him.

 I think marriage is a daily commitment. To have a legacy leaving marriage, it's a commitment to show love and grace each day. My friend and I decided we wanted to be more selfless and show more grace in our marriages. The problem was, we don't really know where to start. I decided to brainstorm some simple, practical ways we can do this.
Here goes:

First, I think attitude can go a long way here. Before you are able to act out love, and show love in a selfless way, you need to refocus your attitude away from yourself and to your partner.
Remember when you were dating and you thought about them constantly? I know it's hard, but think back. You hung on their every word and talked for hours. They sneezed and you thought it was cute. In all that lovey dovey fog, you overlook small things. Things like how they were messy or forgetful. Over time that fog lifts and those things become annoying. We forget to be courteous. We stop listening and things get stale.

 Let your attitude start over and begin anew. 

-Give them a compliment. Strive to be kind to them.
-Physical affection. At my house, before ranting about outside issues, we say "I need a hug." After a hug, it I"m usually more relaxed and able to talk out.
-Surprise them with a small gift or their favorite food.
-LISTEN.  LISTEN. LISTEN.
-Encourage their hobbies and take interest in them.
-PRAY for them. Everyday.
-Give them space and solo time to do hobbies or hang with friends.
-Help them with a chore that they don't love to do.
-Forgive them when they do something that you don't agree with.
-Take care of yourself.
-Patience
-Do a date night and have an actual conversation.
-Turn off your phones and distractions.

1 Corinthians 13 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

These verses are used over and over for weddings. To some, they may sound romantic, but when I think of it- they really say "love is hard work" We are not perfect and it is impossible to be perfect. But God's love is patient and keeps no record of wrongs. We cannot do marriage on our own. We need God to guide us, to love us, and show us how to be selfless. From His example we can strive to love our spouse, seeing them as God sees them.

Feel free to brainstorm your own ideas in the comment section.