Changes

Over the past four and a half years of mommy hood, I have gotten used to changes and transitions. The first year of having a baby is full of transitions; transition from three naps to two, up all night to (hopefully) sleeping through the night. They begin on a diet of breast milk or formula and then you introduce solid food and your routine is totally different. Once you get used to doing something one way, their needs change. Things are constantly changing and I'd like to think that I've done a pretty good job of rolling with it over the years. 

We have a pretty big change on the horizon and to me it's bigger and harder to process than adding another kiddo to the mix. My sweet little Addy Grace will be going to Kindgarten in the fall. She is thrilled but her momma is an emotional mess about it and thinking that maybe I'm really not that great with change. 

I've known it was coming for four years now and I've actually been excited about it. I mean, can't you just picture her in her "1st Day of Kindergarten" photo? She's going to be the cutest little student. She's so excited and I'm excited for her. But I'm also a little sad and I can't really tell you why.

Perhaps those silly hormones are still to blame (I gave birth less than three months ago after all) or maybe its events that have taken place over the past couple of months. Whatever it is, this momma is having a hard time. 

The most stressful part about Addy going to Kindergarten is that Matt and I have to make a decision about where she will go. Praise the Lord that we have several really great choices. Whether we choose classical, a family school, a private or public school, I am sure she will do just fine. But making that decision is really really hard! It's probably our biggest decision to make as parents yet and I kind of wish we had another four years to just put it off.

But alas, all children must grow up sometime and Addy must go to school. And eventually she will be followed by Remi and then Britton and my heart might just break a little each time. Thankfully these changes come in phases and not all at once.

Praise the Lord that He is sovereign and He is trustworthy with the lives of my children. And I will continue to learn to trust Him more and more. 

Filled With Joy

"The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

Matt kept asking me this morning and last night if I had a good Mother's Day. I had a great day and a great weekend being spoiled by my sweet little family. I kept reading these words written on our chalkboard and thinking how true it is.

How could I not have a good Mother's Day? 

I love being this little lady's Momma and I feel so privileged to get to do it all over again with Baby #2.

  

The Lord has done many many great things in my life and I am filled with joy.

Excited for the Challenge

Do you ever start out on a project, maybe for school or work, that you know will be challenging but that you are also excited about, because you know it will strengthen and stretch you? That's kind of how I feel about parenting and raising a child. 

I know that child rearing isn't always snuggles and kisses. Things with Addy are pretty easy for us right now, we only have one child to tend to and for the most part, she is pretty well behaved. I realize that things will get harder and as parents, we'll face many challenges but I am so excited and I feel so honored to have the responsibility of raising Addy. 

The part I am looking forward to the most is teaching her and telling her about my savior; about her savior. I want to raise her in an environment, in a home, where Christ is the center. I want to raise a child who grows up to love the Lord and although I know it won't be easy, I know that through Christ, it is definitely possible.

I'm going to mess up. I'll make mistakes, in fact I already have. Last night, she almost went to bed without a diaper on under here PJ's. But, God is mighty to save. Thank goodness it's not all up to me!

I am writing this now, not to brag about my confidence in child rearing, because I definitely have my times of doubt, but as a reminder to myself. A year from now when we are entering into the "Terrible Two's" and it seems that she won't listen to anything I say and even 10 years from now when she enters the awkward years of puberty, I want to remember that being a Mom and a parent is a privilege and an honor and something I was once very excited about.

This is my prayer for my child:

 "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and earth derives it's name. I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his spirit in you inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love may have power, together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to this love that surpasses all knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." 
Ephesians 3:14-19

Lunch with Addy

My New Year's resolution this year was to slow down and stop trying to pack a million things into one day. So far, I am proud to say, that I've kept it up and I've actually been enjoying my days more. It's funny how you can feel more fulfilled at the end of the day when you do less. 

In slowing down I've been able to give more attention to Addy. We've started having lunch together this week and I can't speak for her, but I think it's super fun. 

Addy has never been a big eater. She's small for her age and we've tried several things to fatten her up. Recently, we've been giving her bottles with more kilo calories which she guzzles down but I think that's caused her not to be interested in other foods. I think. Or it could be teething, or my bad cooking, or just a plain ol' bad attitude. Who knows really.

So, I've been experimenting with finger foods. She mostly just plays with the pasta, apples and pinto beans I've made for her BUT I have noticed that she eats better when I sit down and eat my food in front of her. To see her eat anything makes this momma so happy! 

We've had to make some adjustments in our schedule to accommodate our joined lunch. She's a slow eater but that's OK because I don't have anywhere to be and I look forward to lunch with Addy.

Maybe She's Teething?

Our sweet little girl hasn't been so sweet lately. In fact, she's been a bit of a brat and super clingy. This sweet face has been MIA which makes me think that.....maybe she's teething?

Whenever Addy is acting extra fussy or has a bad night, we usually blame it on teething but since she only has two teeth, I think we've been wrong a few times.

Over the Christmas weekend, I was positive that she was getting her first top tooth. I saw it and felt it and thought for sure it was the reason for her sluggish, grumpy behavior. Well, it's been three weeks and that little tooth has just disappeared.

Teething is such a mystery to me. But I guess most things are when they are this little and not able to communicate. 

Today the grumpiness is back but there is still no sign of the tooth. I've enjoyed the extra snuggle time but I'm hoping that little guy makes his appearance soon. I want my sweet little girl back.

I Resolve...

I'm not much for New Year's resolutions but I decided to make one this year. It's not one of the typical resolutions like work out more or read more books. Instead, I want to do less. 

In 2012, I am going to slow down.

In preparation for Christmas, on top of all the fun holiday activities, I made 9 hats and 3 aprons. I loved giving handmade gifts and really enjoyed making everyone of them. But I was busy and always doing something.

I view staying home as a privilege. I always said that if I got the opportunity to be a full time Mom, I wanted to have something to show for it. So since I stopped working, I've been running around doing chores as quickly as possible so that during nap time I could make a hat and sew a dress and read a book and learn how to cook. It's amazing what I think I can fit into those 1-2 hour time spans. 

The problem with trying to fit so much into one day is that you get sloppy and the little one, who is the reason I stay home, gets neglected. She doesn't go unfed and her physical needs are always met but she doesn't get as much of my attention as she deserves.

 (source)

I want to have something to show for my time spent at home and I'm learning that that might not always be the best homemade outfits or the prettiest home, but maybe a child who grows up to love the Lord and a husband who loves to come home to his girls.

So what have you resolved to do this year? Do any of you Moms have trouble balancing ubber productivity and pure laziness?