Category Archives: growing family

Here we are…

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A few short weeks from delivery of our second little one and my excitement is finally rising. I have been excited but there is something about having child number two that puts family in perspective. My family. No longer are we a small group floating along we will be an even number. As many dependents as adults will reside in this home. It is sobering.

I can’t recall how many days out of the week my twenty something self feels like an adult, a functioning adult, but today is one. I look around at the home I reside in and am overwhelmed with the journey here. So many memories floating back. And it is good. Life is good. God is good.

The early years

The once fun man cave has been turned into a nursery complete with diaper genie. That will send you a wake up alone. Only an adults house has a diaper genie. Only a responsible home keeper thinks of diaper disposal. Where have the days gone?

And with the passing of more time we are closer to separation once again. Duty calls. I am so grateful to have an uplifting partner that knows the power of his words. Everyday a new affirmation of our life together. A new piece of love to keep me plowing on, down this unknown road. He is beautiful in that way.

I see friends struggle with the coming time apart. Spouses that have given their fair share of strength to the role of military wife shaken at the promise of another time apart. I have no words for them only faith. Faith that is growing with every dark thought swept aside and every reassuring word. In all things He is there. In all things He remains faithful.

Our newest addition!

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Five Final Things I Will Take From Nursing

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It has been 13 months that started with a beautiful baby struggling to nurse in the NICU. My Sweets was born with an elevated white blood count and was kept seven long days in the hospital. He thrived on antibiotics and the feedings of newborn formula. I thought my great plans of nursing would never take form due to our rocky start. Once my milk arrived we bonded and he never again wanted anything but Mama milk. Read about our start here.

The nursing relationship is so hard to explain to someone who has never been a part of it. The sweet quiet and hour long cuddling as my body actually creates food for my child. Even now on the occasional chance that he needs comfort to drift to sleep I savor the moments. Never were they easy. Nursing is hard and time consuming but we made it to our goal!

I haven’t feed him from me once today and believe this marks the end of this special amazing relationship we have had. It will evolve into something else but this beginning, this time together has been one of the most defining of my life.

So many things I learned of myself while feeding my son. That I didn’t need that much sleep to survive, that my patience could be ten fold when he needs me…that I would one day cry at this little bit of letting go.

1. It is about quality and quantity. Many hours passed when he just would not let go and needed comfort. Teething hours, sick hours or new home hours and that was fine because I will never get them back. Savor the time, even on the days it becomes unending. It does eventually end.

2. Babies become adults. I like to think the sweet times between Mother and son or Mother and daughter in the beginning will wholly impact their ability to recognize sweet moments in the future. The days my little one nursed away while pressing in my neck freckles and laughing may have tilted his heart toward showing greater love to others.

3. Showing makes more loved. The giggles and laughter of catching his hand as he reached for my nose or the quick end to sobs reminded me of a Mother’s position. Just as God does for us we are to love before being loved. We are to set the standard for all things in that regard. Make it a good lesson.

4. There are only so many babies. We never know how many children we will be blessed with enjoy the ones you have now. Be an in the moment Mom or Dad.

5. Not all lessons in life are pain free. The good Lord knew what he was doing as He created each and every relationship and as I let go a little bit He is gently reminding me of how fleeting life is, how quickly it all goes. Daddy’s deployment day is approaching, the new baby will be arriving and a new season comes. Nothing is permanent and the troubles I had day one are a distant reminder of the person He has shaped me to be.

The Heart of a Mother(‘s Day)

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One of the things I, conveniently, had forgotten about pregnancy was the dreadful insomnia. When My Sweets is sleeping I lay awake unable to sleep, when he is awake I can barely keep my eyes open. This too shall pass but I am just now remembering my previous pregnancy clearly. I have to say that a healthy baby is one of the greatest blessings I have received but it still brings back memories. Memories of sitting through NSTs galore and memorizing magazines on my OBs waiting room wall. I worried so much with baby number one. Do I feel the baby move as much today? Did I sleep on the wrong side last night? Did that have caffeine in it? So much worry.
After it all was said and done I remember taking in my little wrinkly peaches leg folds and yawn creases. I remember the huge relief that this baby was so healthy and here. He was and still is my baby that God has gifted me, entrusted to me. To raise and protect until the end of my days. It is these thoughts that probably have contributed to my insomnia this go around. Not thoughts of worry this time but enormous thoughts of gratitude.
This week has been exhausting and still I lay awake sometimes staring at him. Thanking God for giving me the opportunity of such a great love. Thanking God for loving me that much.

How I Love It

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The weekends when he is home are heaven. Usually they involve a break for Mommy and a long bath. Those little moments stolen away alone to just be…without noise. The moments flowing with kind words of encouragement from my spouse who finally is allowed a day to slow down.
It is in these quiet moments that I find peace in the imperfection of life.
Just as the great Creator accepts us, wholly and in light of our past sins, marriage is built. Someone to accept you and your love. Imperfect and beautiful in all its intention. Someone to pick up your spirits in the light of a utterly boring or depressing week. Grateful to my imperfectly perfect Husband for his love and kindness. When others fail to encourage a partner that is there in love. And I am grateful to God for the gentle reminder of who I should be in this union in return.
Wishing you a love filled weekend break that will encourage and recharge you as well.

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Things ARE Returning to Normal

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The husband is back from far away ville (for now). My little ones Birthday party went off without a hitch and our family has since left. The home is turned upside down from unending commotion but we enjoyed ourselves. Now back to real life. After the unending family time with my husband I am sad to return to routine. It is always “feast or famine” when it comes to time together, just like the civilian world I am sure, though our “famines” are quite a bit different.

This past bit we were able to hear the new little one’s heartbeat. It sounded strong! The baby also sounded very active. I could hear him or her swishing about as we listened. Such a blessing to have been able to hear the little one growing inside me. I feel renewed even through this worsening morning sickness and what I fear may be strep throat. Eep!

 

But onto the week ahead and my lingering goals!

I have decided after taking stock of my pantry that I could be making so many of the things I normally purchase. My goals this week will reflect a new sense of wanted domestic goodness.

Home Goals:

1. Go through pantry and outline things to make by hand.

2. Spend 2 hours “freezer cooking”.  My new devotion to weekly meal preparation!

3. Menu plan for the weeks ahead.

4. Have a baking session to replace at least 3 pantry staples with from scratch options.

Family Goals:

5. Start on my husband’s requested blanket

6. Mail Grandparents Birthday pictures

Mothering Goals:

7. Attempt to wean, again.

8. Find a Mommy and Me class locally.

Self Goals:

9. Read “Life on Planet Mom”

10. Make an Ultra Sound appointment!

 

Some More Things…

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Last night was HARD. I was up until 3 am with My Sweets comforting him through my nauseous haze. We sat and rocked in every chair in the house and cuddled until he finally found comfort.  Through it all I remembered back to the days before he was a part of our lives. I remember the loss of our first baby. Being told we could not conceive naturally. Having my beautiful loving sister offer to one day, if we needed her to, carry our child.

So much is taken for granted in the waking hours. When sleep is few and far between I could catch my breath to curse the clock or I could soak in this little blessing. He only found comfort in me last night. No matter what we went through to reach this day it was worth it. I know everyday that passes with him in our life is a gift. I hope to smile in all the bad times for the memories I made last night. Carrying our second blessing while holding our first, I looked around and found myself so grateful for where I am in life.

Never give up in your journey towards what you want. It will come when you are ready to receive it in gratitude.

Weekly Roundout

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This week my whole world has been turned upside down by the way I have been feeling. I am delighted to say my husband and I are…

once more! So overjoyed with this news and so very tired. My normal pick me up caffeine has to be changed so sleeping longer hours these days is the only solution I have found. The days seem to slip by faster and faster now while I lie in my pregnancy coma. On top of this exciting time my dear husband has hit the road. My Sweets and I will be making the best of this Easter just us two. I am also gearing up for family to visit for a week and little one’s first birthday. My hands have been a bit full!

So here are my last goals and my progress I made this week:

1. Try one new recipe. Tried two actually. Pasta with brocolli and chicken sausage that can be found here. I am not too fond of the recipe since it was very bland. I would tweak it and use cubed mozzarella and Italian seasoning. Recipe number two was from (never home) maker for Frozen banana bites. They were yummy but very sweet. I may try with dark chocolate next time.

2. Exercise 30 minutes everyday. With the exception of the weekend I did!

3. Outline our Easter brunch menu.

4. Return to my neglected quilt.

5. Complete menu planning for the upcoming Birthday party!

6. Finish the Money Saving Mom’s Budget audiobook.

7. Update Mommy tummy challenge. See above ;)

8. Begin I Dare You by Joyce Meyer

I did a less than stellar job at these this past week. But as with anything we have to allow ourselves GRACE when need be.

Goals this week:

1. Clean out closet.

2. Organize DVD/video games in their new home.

3. Begin I Dare You by Joyce Meyer

4. Complete party planning.

5. Prepare menu for upcoming week.

6 . Complete freezer cooking session.

7. Compile home cookbook.

8. Create menu board.

9. Donate no longer used toys.

It is a new week and time to hit the ground running! What are your goals?

It Is Approaching

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That dreaded date for many Moms. Or maybe just me. I am not excited for the month come when I say good bye to my cuddly little first born baby and enter into toddlerdom. Don’t get me wrong I am grateful beyond words to have a healthy, happy and joyous little one growing in leaps and bounds everyday. It is not that. It is that with everyday that pass he slides farther from my ability to relate to him and closer into the “maleverse”. Only approaching one year and he actually giggles at his own burps? Oh how I know what the years ahead of me hold. Challenges in relating to his quirky maleness and struggles teaching him how to princely admire the fairer sex.

My husband eagerly bids his time. The days of a lifelong playmate approach. He already smiles coolly as we pass the sporting section at Target. With each shortened nursing session and every wiggle to climb from my lap I am reminded how quickly it goes.

BABIES DON’T KEEP

Mother, oh Mother,

come shake out your cloth,

empty the dustpan,

poison the moth,

hang out the washing

and butter the bread,

sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house

is so shocking?

She’s up in the nursery,

blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little

Boy Blue (lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).

The shopping’s not done

and there’s nothing for stew

and out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo

but I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?

(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing

will wait till tomorrow,

for Children grow up,

as I’ve learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs.

Dust go to sleep.

I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep……

~Author Unknown ~