happy boy

My little man is growing so fast that I can hardly believe it.

He's already 5 months old! Yikes ... that's almost 1/2 a year.

Little P,

I know I say this in every letter I write you ... but I love you more and more all of the time.

I really mean it. I love watching you grow, learn, and explore. You're no longer into your once beloved mat or your swing, you've moved onto bigger and better things ... your bouncer. You love to grab all of the toys on this thing, and you really love all of the noises that it makes. You're getting a lot stronger and you can roll from your belly to your back. You can move from your back to your side, but you haven't figured out how to get all the way over. However, I know that you're not too far from being able to roll both ways. In the past month, you've learned how to grab things on your own. I can put your toys out in front of you and you can grab them ... and of course everything goes right into your mouth once you get it. You're favorite thing to do it grab your blue elephant and very hungry caterpillar toys that hang from your car seat. They're velcroed onto the handle, and you love to pull them off and play with them. You always love to be moving. You love to kick your legs and fly around the house like an airplane (of course you can't really fly, but Daddy zooms you around like a little plane). You kick your legs so much that you've really become a pain to dress. I put one leg in your pants, and before I can get back in you've kicked the other one out. You smile and love this game, but I do not love it quite as much as you. You also move all around in your crib at night. I'll find you turned side-ways and holding onto the rails of your crib. Although you like to move around a lot, you still love to sleep in my arms. You take almost all of your naps in your crib (you take 2-3 naps right now), but there are still times when you fall asleep in my arms and I can't bring myself to put you down so I just hold you. You're also eating all kinds of new food. I've been making you all kinds of food, and I'm determined to help you from becoming a picky eater. So far you've tried peas, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, bananas, avocado,  spinach, carrots, pumpkin, clementines, and parsnips. Sometimes you'll willingly eat whatever I give you, but other times you cry and spit it back out. So far your favorite thing is bananas and avocado mixed. Your least favorite is probably butternut squash. You've been sick on and off with several colds, and you get a real bad cough when you're sick. It breaks my heart. I think that you catch them from daycare. Sometimes when you're sick I wish I could stay home with you everyday, but I also know that you will do well interacting with all of the other kids and learning to trust other adults. I love you so much Parker. I love going to get you from your crib with you wake up. You always smile so big when you first wake up. You daddy makes fun of me because I always look into your crib and say (in a surprised voice) - "oh there's a little man in there. He's kind of cute too." I don't know why I say that ... I guess it's just something that has stuck. I guess I'm always still a little amazed that you're out of my belly and in the world. I am so thankful that God gave you to your Daddy and I. We thank God for you every night and pray that you will never know a day that you do not love the God who created you.

following

Happy Thursday Bloggers!
I feel like I have been able to blog more frequently this week & I love that.

I want to share with you all a blog that I've been following for a long time now.
Some of you may already follow Life in Grace, but for those of you who do not ...


I can promise that you will be enriched by Edie's thoughts on life, design, and Jesus Christ.

I am constantly challenged to grow more in my knowledge of the Word through her writings.


Just to fill you all in ...
Almost one year ago Edie's entire home burned.
She shared a gorgeous lake house with her family, and it was heartbreaking to read her honest words as she made meaning of her life after the fire.


They literally lost everything in the fire.

Over the past year,Edie and her family have been working to rebuild their lives, and a new home with the same lakefront view.

Edie is currently doing a 31 day series on "rebuilding your house and heart."

I have been following everyday and I love it.

Her honestly and insight is challenging to me.

And her house is absolutely breath taking.

If you're needing some design inspiration, then look no further.

Also, you should watch her video from last week. It shows a lot of the close up details of the home. Ah - mazing.

And just because, I thought I would share her kitchen from their home that was destroyed. 

Whenever I dream about renovating our kitchen ... I continuously go back to this image.

I love everything about it. Seriously everything. I don't think there is one thing that I do not love.

 

Enjoy :)

not sure which image is sweeter

baby food and thoughts on working / staying home

Happy Monday Bloggers! 

Sweet little P is napping right now, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to check in. 

There's not a lot new going on here ... we're mostly trying to enjoy the wonderful Fall temperatures.

This past weekend we were able to spend a lot of time outside ... and I'm really thankful for that. We participated in the Buddy Walk, attended a surprise sweet 16 (where there was guitars, singing, and bonfires), and ate a lot of bar-b-q in the great outdoors.

It was a little chilly in Lexington this weekend, but today the weather is absolutely perfect. I'm thinking about running a couple errands after P wakes up, and maybe even sneaking in a trip to the arboretum. 

Have I mentioned that I love my days off with him?

I love that I'm the one that gets to teach him things, cuddle with him, and watch him grow. I am also thankful for the wonderful childcare that we have on the days when I do have to work. 

 My heart is still torn about whether or not I could stay at home everyday. Right now working part-time is the perfect balance for our family, but when I look into the future I'm not sure how my career and motherhood will collide. 

Currently, staying at home full-time isn't an option since Eric is in graduate school.

However, I still wonder ... how do women make the decision to stay at home or work ...

I can see if you hate your job wanting to stay at home, but what if you actually enjoy and feel called to your job?

How do you make the choice between being called to your work and being called at home?
 
I'm sure it has to be a difficult decision for some. I would love to hear from anyone out there who enjoyed, or even felt called to their job - but decided to stay at home.

I know all of this is planning way to far in the future, but I can't help my mind from wondering ... what will it be like when Eric is finished with school ... when I have the option ... will I continue to work?

My mind also wonders how people do it ... financially I mean. I understand how wives of doctors or lawyers stay at home, but I wonder the average family does it. I'm especially curious about families who are in full-time ministry (since that's what Eric is currently doing). How do you make the sacrifices? Where do you make the cuts? What is "enough" to live on? 

As with other things in life, I know that I must wait on the Lord's timing ... and enjoy where we are for right now.

Anyways, I didn't plan on writing everything above ... it just kind of came out.  

What I did plan on sharing was my new adventures in the world of making homemade baby food. 

I've been having a lot of fun researching and whipping up some homemade treats for my little man. 

The only problem is ... he doesn't seem to view this as treats. 

He's been a little stinker when it comes to trying new things. He's so hit or miss. 

I can feed him one thing one day and he'll eat it great, and then the next time I try he seals his lips and cry.

The next thing in parenting that is unpredictable ... 

I should predict that things are going to be unpredictable by now!!

I'm not sure if it's my timing or if he's truly not a fan of my cooking :)
Or maybe he's just adjusting to eating solids.

Please email me  or comment if you have any tips on introducing solids ... I'd love to hear any of your "tricks." 

 Here are a few snapshots from my new hobby:

Bake

Liquify

Freeze

Bag

Just in case you're curious ...

I did the math and it would've cost me approx. $14.00 to buy this much organic jarred baby food ... and this butternut squash only cost $2!!!

Crazy savings, huh?

tummy time

 

Parker is slowly warming up to the idea of tummy time. He used to SCREAM after about 2 seconds on his tummy, but now he can last for almost 20 minutes! 

He's also rolled from belly to back a couple of times ... once was with the help of Stella ... she gave him a little nudge with her nose!

Sometimes he still gets a little lazy, and lies his head down like this ...

and another one just for fun of little P eating his cereal 

Yes, he's eating his cereal in his car seat. 

Don't judge :)

My little man is growing up so fast, but honestly I love watching him change and learn new things. 

I'm so proud of you little P!

Also, I'm interested in suggestions for toys to help stimulate him. Any suggestions?

completely random

A few random things

1. I came in from work today and Parker and Eric were asleep on the couch. It was adorable. I couldn't believe how long Parker looked. He seriously looked like a little boy.

2. We've moved past the world of swaddling and graduated to the Aden and Anais sleep sack.

3. Things at work have been stressful and uncertain. A lot of changes are taking place. I love working with children and families. I do not want that to change. I also love being part-time and having the opportunity to spends lots of time with my little man. I am trying to cling to God's history of faithfulness. He never fails us.

4. I want to do something more creative with my life. I'm not sure what that would look like. 

Maybe more jewelry stuff ... maybe a pop up shop ... maybe decorating a room in my house.

5. I have decided to stop pumping (since about 3 weeks I've pumped 100% of the time and given Parker the breast milk). We're weeding out possible allergies and I finally came to the decision that switching to formula was best for our family. I'm throwing all self-imposed guilt to the wind. 

6. Does anyone else find that guilt tries to creep into a lot of areas of motherhood.

7. I love my little man more than I could have ever dreamed.

8. I am so excited to watch the premier of Up All Night.

9. I am even more excited for Eric and I to getaway next weekend for my bestie Shannon's wedding. She is going to be the most beautiful bride. I can't wait to see her all dolled up.

10. I can't wait to wear a pretty dress to the wedding.

11. I can't wait to wear Fall clothes. Especially boots.

12. I have a new addiction to lattes. Eric and I have been making them at home and it's AMAZING.

13. When I was driving to work today, I kept thinking about how much motherhood involves sharing your body. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are such amazing and self-sacrificing experiences. It is so good to go through these sanctifying experiences. God made women with such amazing purposes. 

14. We've started a bedtime routine. It's so much fun. I think it is really good for little man. It goes a little something like bottle, change diaper, put on pjs and sleep sack, read goodnight moon, sing a short worship song, prayers (usually for a full nights sleep:), turn on sound machine, and lots of kisses on his forehead ... close the door and hope that I don't see his precious face again until 8:00am.

15. Eric started graduate school this month. I am so proud of him. He is going to make a wonderful school counselor one. He will make lasting impact in the life of students ... I am sure of it. 

16. Motherhood is such a continuous transition. Babies, or children for this matter are always changing. Therefore, parents always need to be changing. I have found myself experiencing a lot of unexpected anxiety about this. I like things to be orderly and in my control. I am making daily attempts to surrender my anxieties and fears to Christ. Why do I worry about one thing, when before I know it, it will pass and there will be another thing to worry about. I want to live in the moment and remember that -this too shall pass-.

Shannon is getting married soooooo soon

I'm in a rut of being about one month behind on the things I want to blog. 

But ... better late than never - right?

One of my besties Shannon is getting married in 

LESS THAN ONE MONTH

craziness ...

I am so so so so excited to adventure to South Carolina to watch her marry her love, Andy.

I'm excited to wear a pretty dress, sleepover with girls, hang out with all of our friends, see friends from out of town, and spend time baby free time with my husband.

It's going to be a good weekend. 

Anyways, I thought I better share pictures from her shower / bachelorette weekend before her wedding day is here!

all pictures were taken by jenna 
you can visit her blog here

Parker is almost four months

So I guess now is as good of a time as any to share his three month pictures...

My little peanut,

I love you so much. It's amazing how my love for you continues to grow. You bring so much joy to your daddy and I's life. I love how much you smile. I love when you recognize my voice and instantly give me your gummy smile. I love it when we "talk" back and forth. You've got a lot to say and you love hearing the new noises you can make. You love sitting on your bumbo, but your daddy says it looks like you're on a roller coaster because your head wobbles a little. One thing that you do not love is tummy time. You get mad at me each time that I make you lay on your tummy, but I only want to make sure you grow to be big and strong. You still love to be swaddled up like a little burrito. Each morning though, I find you with your arms busted out. You love kicking your legs. You kick your legs with so much force, but you don't move anywhere. You still love your play mat, and you're getting much more coordinated at hitting the little animals. 

You've been drooling more lately, and you're obsessed with putting your hands in your mouth. Really you like to put anything in your mouth ... your hands, blankets, sofi book, and paci. Oh ... you LOVE your paci. Sometimes you'll suck on it so hard that it leaves a print around your mouth. Your paci is a lifesaver for your daddy and I. We don't know what we would do without it. I can tell that your eyes are changing and focusing more clearly. When I read to you, I can tell that you're really looking at the pictures. We need together almost everyday. You also listen to your Coldplay lullabies everyday. 

I cherish my days off with you. We're lazy and spend lots of time smiling at each other :) 

When you're at home, you're so much better at your naps. This makes me very happy, bc  I love to be lazy and nap when you do. You're still learning how to nap at school, but you're getting the hang of it. All of your teachers adore you. They say that you have a fan club at school. You also love your changing pad. I don't get it, but I'm glad that you like it. Everything you're on your changing pad, you smile, coo, and kick your legs. Sometimes it's hard for me to get your diaper on because you kick so much.

One thing that you and I haven't loved from this month is how sick you've been. You've had a really bad cough and congestion all month. You've been to the dr. several times now and we're still trying to figure out how to make you better. You've be given an antibiotic, and now we're giving you a round of steroids and breathing treatments. I hate filling your body with so much medicine, but more than anything I want you to get better. You've been waking yourself up a lot at night from your coughing fits. It breaks my heart. I want so badly for you to be healthy.

You're such a sweetie. Even though you're sick, you still laugh and smile all of the time. A lot of times you'll even get distracted from taking your bottle because you're smiling so much. Every night your daddy and I pray for you before you go to bed. Every night I pray that God would take away your cough, but more importantly, I pray that the Holy Spirit would fill your room and comfort you, that you would grow to know the Lord at a young age, and that you would never know a day when you didn't love Jesus. Yes, that's my one hope for you Parker - that you would grow up to never know a day that you didn't love Jesus ...

because He loves you so much.

And so does your daddy and I.

I came home from work the other day

and Eric was taking pictures of little man lounging in our bed.

He's just so precious that I had to share

Happy Friday

HAPPY FRIDAY!

So thankful that it is the weekend.

It's been a dragging week at work ... plus we've got a sick puppy and sick little man in the house

So this weekend is going to be low key as E and I nurse Parker and Stella back to health.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to blog a little too.

I really want to share his 3 month pictures with you guys.

Until next time ...

enjoy your weekend :)

loving life in my bumbo

I'll be back soon with a re-cap on month three.

For now I'm going to lay on the couch and REST.

It's been a long week ... little man has been sick with a summer cold ... and up a lot coughing during the night ... it's pitiful...
and poor Stella is also not feeling well. 

Be back soon.

the many faces of Parker

Parker, 

You're growing up way too fast.

Way too fast. 

Please slow down and cuddle with me forever.

Thanks,

Your Mom

wide eyed little boy and other random things

For some reason I like this picture. 

Parker has always been such a wide-eyed little man ... taking in everything around him.

I've been single parenting it for the past couple days ... and it's not an easy task ... to say the least.

I always have respected single mothers ... but now I have a whole new respect.

I feel like I should serve and babysit for a single mother sometime ... because seriously when you're doing the parenting thing alone you have no time to yourself.

Parker has been great. He's such a fun little man. Smiling all the time ... especially in the mornings. I'm not a morning person, but mornings have become my favorite time with him.

He's also sleeping like a champ! He's been sleeping 10-11 hrs every night almost the past month. I am so so thankful. It's a strange new feeling to know that when I put him down at night, he's going to sleep until after the sun comes up :)

In other news ... work has been crazy busy for me lately. 

Since returning from leave, I've jumped right in and have begun working with several families. 

I feel refreshed lately. I do miss Parker each day I'm at work, but when I'm driving home, I often think about how much I love my job. I've been daydreaming lately of what it would be like to work in or start a private practice someday.

I know I haven't talked about home stuff much on here lately ... I've been a little consumed with feeding schedules, changing diapers, tummy time, naps, reading children's books, listening to Coldplay lullabies, and getting sleep at night.

But ... my mind has been full of thoughts about things I want to do to our house.

I blame it on Pinterest. I'm obsessed ... and the iPhone app makes my obsession even worse. 

I'm dying to build a deck. We have a major mud problem in our backyard - it's a combination of two crazy golden's, way too much shade, and poor care on our part. 

I deck would help tremendously. 

Other things I'd like to do:

make a collage wall in our hall

paint our living room and hall 

put in new countertops, backsplash, sink, faucet, lighting ... pretty much everything but floors and cabinets

tear out the nasty/weird shelves in our den and move our tv against the wall so we'll have space for another chair

Buy storage units at IKEA and put them in place of the useless armoire in our living room

I told you ... so many ideas floating around.

The deck will definitely be number one ... I think we're going to build it around October when it cools down a little. 

Inspiration for the deck

Next might be purchasing the storage units from IKEA. Eric wouldn't really consider this a "project" so I could probably convince him to do it. Eric despises projects. He'll probably get mad just reading my writing about projects :)

I pretty much want to copy this picture...

Ok, so I said that the deck would be number one ... but I lied. 

I think the collage wall will be because I already have a lot of the frames and pictures ready. I've been saving up for awhile now. I'm really excited to finally hang some of the pictures. I think it will help personalize our home. 

Anyways, sorry for the totally random post. 

Happy Friday night and enjoy your weekend!

I will definitely enjoy my time off with Parker and am really excited for Eric to come home :)

summertime at the park