My Little Stud

That's right...I said it. I called my own son a stud. I think that after you take a look at these model pictures, you'll be sure to agree with my assumptions. Yeah, you're right...I may be a bit partial. However, I do think that you will agree that he is cute.

Right before we left for the beach, we decided we'd make one last attempt at sunglasses. The poor boy would sit in the back seat of my car and whine because the sun hurt his eyes. Of course when we attempted to put sunglasses on him, he did what every normal child does and ripped them off. We were pleasantly surprised to see him keep these on. They go everywhere with him. In fact, it doesn't matter if it's sunny or not, indoors or outside. They stay on his face when he desires. And do I argue when he wants to wear them inside to church? Nope! I just smile at the other moms and they give me that knowing look telling me that they, too, understand these weird desires of children.


The more I think about it, the more I long to be young again. Not to go through all of those trials and temptations and awkward moments again. It's so I can simply be myself, not worrying what others will think about me if I choose to wear sunglasses into a public place. Or if I chose to show my excitement for something in a less than quiet way. In fact, I might would do that funky little dance my son does and then jump off any box I could find and yell "yea!" Yeah....to be little again would be so freeing. It's times like this, when I've truly stopped to think about B's development, that I get excited knowing that I'm helping to shape this little boy into the person God wants him to be. How exciting is that?! I pray that he'll always be the boy that doesn't care what others think about him as long as he is doing what God has called him to do. And when he messes up? I'll be there for him to love and encourage him and to wipe off any tears from those precious little cheeks.



I guess you might could say that I'm in love.....with this cute little stud.

100 Prayers God Loves to Hear, 100 Praise Songs

My son seems to really enjoy this book. There are lots of pictures that are bright and he sits completely still while I read this book to him. Mind you, he's 2 so that's a huge accomplishment for any book! He also likes the songs that go with it. He asks me to play it for him whenever we get in the car. The songs are well-written and have biblical messages in them. They coordinate well with the book; however, I haven't had a chance to combine both at the same time. I really like the concept though, and I think it would make a great devotional for older children. In fact, I plan to use this as he gets older for our devotional times.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Big 2!

Dear Precious B,

Is it true that it has really been 2 years since I gave birth to you, my firstborn son? My the time has flown by. I look back over these past 2 years and I barely remember you as a baby. Oh, I remember holding you in my arms, rocking you, and tearing up when I would think of the day when I would no longer be able to snuggle with you or rock and sing you to sleep. I still long to rock you some days, but you just won't sit still long enough unless you're sick. And believe me, despite you not feeling well, I still cherish those days. They remind me of those long nights when I'd rock you and nurse you....just us.

You are such a delight and we are so thankful God gave you to us. You make us laugh most days! Of course, there are plenty of days that you make me cry out of sheer frustration, too. But I know I make you cry out of frustration, as well. You and your sister are honestly the best thing that has ever been given to your Daddy and me.

You are such a determined little boy. You are quite stubborn and will try to fix anything and everything. You are extremely curious and you enjoy being helpful. You are starting to obey so much more, although you still have your tantrums. However, you tend to do most of them in public. One day your Daddy and I will figure out how to deal with that successfully, though. Watch out! You are the world's best big brother. You have yet to be jealous that we brought home a sister to add to your life. You jumped right in and helped change diapers, give paci's, feed bottles, and give hugs and kisses. You run to give her hugs and kisses first thing in the morning and last thing at night. When you go to visit Pop and Mama, I'm told that you ask about your baby many times throughout the day. That thrills me! I can't get enough of watching you interact with her. I love that you teach her sign language (you watch it on the television, then you sign it, and then you run over and grab your sissy's hands and sign it for her). I also love listening to you read with her at night when you both lay in your crib. My heart just melts.

Your daddy and I were talking the other day about how we never knew that we could ever love someone so much as we do you and your sister. No one could EVER replace you. Your determination is going to get you far and your willingness to be helpful is something that brings me joy. Your strong desire to be clean simply humors me! I love sharing the laundry with you, the unloading of the dishwasher, vacuuming, sweeping, etc. It may take more time, but it's definitely more fun with you.

Two years ago today, our lives changed forever. We added the most precious baby boy into our lives at 4:04 p.m. You were such a good baby and dare I say that you are a pretty good toddler? We both have our days where I think we drive each other crazy, but when the day's over, I usually go back into your room and just stare at you and think about how fast the time has gone. You don't look like a baby anymore, that's for sure. You look like a little minature boy. I guess that's what toddlers are! Someone warned me at your first birthday to take lots of pictures of you and to record your laughs before your 2nd birthday. They said that by your 2nd birthday, you'd change so much and would look like a different person. They were correct! I'm so glad that I have those videos of your beautiful laugh recorded both then and now.

We love you, B. You are so precious to us and we look forward to many more birthday celebrations (although they can take their time in coming)!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Newborn:

First Birthday:

Two years:

Why we need swimming lessons

Extra bananas?

Somehow I always manage to not eat my bananas quick enough before they turn brown. I am the type of person who just can't eat it once it turns brown. I don't know why. I know they are perfectly fine, but I just can't eat it once it is all brown. That means I pretty much have 1-2 days to scarf down those things, which never happens. With this said, I am always looking for recipes that use bananas. I came across this one in the Woman's Day magazine and it's pretty good.

Monkey Bars

Calories: 80

Protein: 1g

Fat: 3g

Fiber: 1g

Carbohydrates: 13g

Active: 10 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

1-2/3 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 5 bananas)

3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup milk

2 large eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. each backing soda and cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

1-3/4 cups white whole-wheat flour

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 15 x 10 x 1/2-inch baking pan with nonstick foil (let the foil extend about 2 inches above pan at both ends).

2. Whisk mashed bananas, sugar, oil, milk, eggs, vanilla, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl until mixed thoroughly. Whisk in flour just until blended. Gently stir in 1/2-cup of the mini chocolate chips.

3. Spread batter in prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

4. Holding foil by ends, lift from pan onto a cutting board. Carefully cut lengthwise in 4 strips and then cut each strip in 10; remove foil.

5K

I feel like I need an exercise goal in my life. I have always wanted to do a half-marathon, but I am no where near in the shape to do one. My sister-in-law has become a runner lately and I envy her! I actually kinda like running, but I'm just not good at it. I am not sure how to really build up endurance or how to trick your mind to run through the tiredness and hotness that you feel while you are running. I love the feeling after a good run, though. It's almost just as good as a massage.

With that said, I have decided to start small. I want to train for a 5K. I am in the period where I can't really start running yet, though, so I'm patiently trying to wait. Any tips for someone who is just starting with running and who is wanting to do a 5K? Anyone want to run a measley 5K with me? Any training websites or articles or things that I should DEFINITELY read or adhere to?

Like I said, I know this is a minor thing, but I figure I gotta start somewhere. Why not start at the bottom?!

Our Newest Addition

As many of you know, we had our beautiful baby girl on June 29. She is absolutely beautiful and her big brother B absolutely loves her. We haven't had one bit of jealousy, thank goodness. Our tantrums have even lessened. Amazing! Many of my faithful readers, which amounts to probably one of you (just kidding!), have asked me to share my birth story, so I am copying down what I wrote in my journal for all to read or to skip if you'd like.

Okay, so now comes the fun part to write--Baby M's birth story. There is so much to say about this birth! It was truly an incredible birth and honestly, it was a lot of fun! I can't believe that I actually said those words in relationship to giving birth! In fact, right after I had her, I wanted to do it again! Am I a tad bit crazy?!

So back to the beginning of the story now that I've jumped ahead of myself. As you are well aware of, I had been in the first stages of labor for almost two weeks. On June 28, Daddy T had to go to K-town for work and was staying the night there. He had requested for my mom to come and stay the night with me just in case I went into labor. I kept insisting that I wouldn't need her, but he was adamant. Turns out, it was a good thing she was there! Around 3:00 a.m. the next morning, sharp pains woke me up. They took my breath away and I immediately knew these were the real contractions. However, they were still only 10 minutes apart. I decided that it would feel great to be in the water, so I climbed into our whirlpool tub and turned on the jacuzzi jets to see if it would help. It made me more comfortable, but the pain was still there. I decided to call Daddy T around 4:30 a.m. just to let him know that I thought I was in labor and that he might want to come home. About 5:30 a.m., I used my cell phone to call my mom, who was sleeping in Baby M's room. I asked her if she would bring me some Raisin Bran in the tub because I thought I was in labor. She did--and then fulfilled my request for a second bowl. Once I got out of the tub, she timed my contractions for me and took care of B for me when he woke up.

Daddy T got home about 9:00 a.m. and I begged him to go on a walk with me at the mall (it was hot outside and the mall was air-conditioned!). He said that he didn't want to go to the mall because he thought people would stare at me (and him) when I stopped every 10 minutes and began panting and groaning. (He later said that it was also because he was afraid I'd find something else that Baby M just had to have in her room. I informed him that I was in absolutely NO mood to shop at that time.) Anyway, he said it felt cooler (cool, as in still in the upper 80s) outside and suggested a little walk in the neighborhood--complete with the hills! (Those of you who have been in my area know what kind of hills I'm walking while in labor. It's hard enough when you're not pregnant, even harder when you are pregnant, and just plain hurts when you're in labor!) So that's what we did. When we got back home, the contractions were still strong and 10 minutes apart. I think Daddy T felt bad for me because he asked if I wanted to go to the mall to walk (after I had to have a 2nd shower and redo my hair because I was sweating so much from our first walk). I eagerly said "yes."

Daddy T suggested I bring my bags just in case we didn't come back. We asked Mom if she and B wanted to go with us and eat and go for a walk. She agreed, so we went to eat at Salsaritas. Nothing like eating Raisin Bran, Mexican food, and hot sauce right before you have to push out a baby! (Thankfully, none of those foods had an impact in my delivery, thank goodness!) Anyway, I survived Daddy T's driving--which sent me into a contraction EVERY time he started and stopped. By the time we got to Salsaritas, the contractions were strong enough that I had to pause when they came and really focus on the breathing. They hurt! Daddy T and Mom suggested that I call the doctor to see what she suggested that I do at this point in labor. I didn't want to because I was afraid they would tell me it was nothing or that I wasn't far enough along. I also hate putting people out and causing a problem, so I didn't want to interrupt their lunch break. (This thoughtfulness of mine helped MANY times during labor and after. Even Daddy T benefited from my consideration of the nurses and doctor! They snuck in food, snacks, drinks, pillows, and blankets for him AND tried not to wake him up at night!)

Back to the story...by the end of dinner, I decided to call--mostly to make them both happy and to make them stop telling me to call. But when I called, their phones were down. The one time I needed them to work, they didn't. Daddy T said he could just stop by the doctor's office (which is in the same place as the hospital) and let them check me or tell me what to do.

When I went in, my nurse that normally works with my doctor came to take me back (on her lunch break) and took me to another doctor in the group since mine was off. He was also on his lunch break and turned out to be super nice. He checked me and said that I was in active labor. Yea! He said he was sending me over to the hospital (and I got the last room). I went downstairs to check in and to tell my Mom and B goodbye. That was so hard! B looked so grown up and was holding his cup in one arm and waved by to me and said "bye bye." He got halfway to the door when he turned around and came running back to me. He gave me the biggest hug and kiss and was off to take his nap. I cried, of course! I kept thinking about how our lives were about to change completely--again. And my first baby was no longer a baby. He was a toddler. So many tears were shed downstairs!

We made it upstairs and they checked us in. I had a fabulous labor nurse. She kept my mind off of the pain as much as she could. I labored for about 3 hours when I started to feel heavier contractions. My mom went to get the labor nurse to have her check me since she was worried about me and I couldn't talk to her. She said I was at 8 cm. AS SOON, quite literally, as she took her fingers out, I couldn't stop saying "my butt, my butt!" It hurt so incredibly bad and I didn't want to sit on it. I had to keep lifting myself off of the bed to relieve any pressure. I just wanted my lower part of my body gone! The nurse said that was a sign to check me again and she said I was at 10. It took less than a minute to go those 2 cm.

By the end of my 5 or 6 sets of pushes (much shorter than with B's), we met our baby girl. My doctor was so wonderful and encouraging the whole time and aired on the side of caution after finding out that I had hemorrhaged after B's birth and that I required 2 blood transfusions and surgery. I was a bit nervous that this birth would be like that, but it wasn't. It was the perfect birth that I had wanted. Baby M was born at 5:18 pm on June 29. She weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. She was 21-1/2 inches long and was skinny and looked just like her big brother. Oh! and she had a good set of lungs!

We love our precious kids and are so thankful for our beautiful babies. And yes...they will always be my babies!

Book Review: Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent

I was hesitant to read this book at first because it didn't seem all that interesting. However, after I read the reviews given and how positive people were about it, I decided to give it a chance. I'm so glad that I did. This book is probably one of my top favorites and it's even better that it's a true story. The friendship formed between Ron and Denver was beautiful. I appreciated the truth and honesty that they both shared, even though some of it was a bit painful to read. I admire Deborah, Ron's wife, who took what could have been a relationship-destroyer and showed grace enough to change her marriage into something that pleased God. I loved seeing her relationship with God strengthen enough to change TWO lives...her husband's and Denver's.

I was shocked to learn that a form of slavery had occurred under so many people's noses and that not as many people either didn't know about it or didn't care. I like to think that they didn't know about it. It was great to see the power of God working in a life of someone that most people walk by and don't think twice about. I love that God used this man to do great things for Him. Everyone expects that God uses certain types of people, but He doesn't and this book is a great illustration of that. This is a book that I hope to buy more of and give as presents. It is a great reminder that even serving in something that we think is no big deal is actually a great big deal to God. If we're doing as He has called us to do, then He will definitely shower it with blessings. Trials will come, as evidenced with Deborah, but His grace is sufficient to see us through those as well.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Stay Tuned....

I know, the last thing you wanted to read was a book review when you know we've just welcomed a baby into the world! I promise I'll give full details and pictures...just not yet. I'm still trying to get all the pictures in one place and figure out what to say. So stay tuned...hopefully in the next few days I'll have lots of posts for you!

Book Review: A Girl's Guide to Life by Katie Meier

I found this book very interesting and wish that I had the privilege to have read it when I was going through my teen years. It answered a lot of questions that I had back then. I was glad that she talked about all of the issues teen girls face, from eating disorders to sexuality and guys. She doesn't try to sugar coat things and she uses the real name for various body parts. In the sexuality section, she doesn't give too much information. I thought that she did a good job explaining things without being too vague or giving too much detail. She highlights Scripture throughout the book to show what God's view is on the certain issues, including different religions. I am planning on giving a copy to several girls I know! I think it would be a good way for them to learn about so many things that seem abnormal when you're in the midst of those teen years.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”