'Tis the Season!

Well we just got back from our trip home. It was SO wonderful to see everyone and to be with Matt and Lauren for ten days. It was a rough start since Lauren and I came down with a stomach bug and we ended up leaving a day later than expected. It just blows my mind how I have been more sick this year with getting the flu and a stomach virus than I have been with all my years of teaching/being around all of those sick students. Maybe my immune system took a vacation or something- goodness!

So the week before we left was a very, very busy one. We had something going on each day. Monday we had some great out-of-town guests come in. My friend Christine and her two daughters stayed over night while they were passing through. She's a friend from my church back home and I hadn't seen her since Matt and my wedding six years back. You know you have a good friend when it feels like it was just yesterday that you saw each other last. I had a great time visiting and catching up with her.

They left Tuesday morning and then Lauren and I headed to library time and then on a play-date with Caitlyn and Esther. We went over their house and had lunch, played, and then took a walk around their neighborhood. I so enjoy the friendship we've formed. Time with Caitlyn and Esther is something I look forward to weekly.

Then Tuesday night I was suppose to head to Bunko, but I was starting to feel yucky. That is also when Lauren's poops started to not look so good. So I didn't end up going and we just stayed in and laid low. Wednesday Lauren was a little fussy but other than that we seemed to be just fine. I made four pies for church and we got stuff done around the house and had even dropped by church to play with Jason for a bit. Then Thursday came and Lauren wasn't doing good at all. This of course was to be the busiest day of them all. I had to fold bulletins at church, Matt and I were to get haircuts, and then I was helping serve dinner and clean up at church. But Lauren wasn't eating much or drinking. She had two more nasty diapers and fell asleep on me early for her afternoon nap- not a typical behavior for her. I started to get worried so I called the doctor.

Oh- sort-of off topic, I was so annoyed by the doctor's office. My pediatrician has two office locations. One is five minutes from my house and one is twenty. I prefer to take Lauren to the one closer if I'm taking her alone. The further location is close to Matt's work so if it is a scheduled appointment that he wants to be there for, I usually make my appointments there. On this day though, I would have preferred the five minute drive so I called there. I left a message for the nurse and didn't hear back so after 15 minutes I called again but this time just tried to make an appointment. The operator said they didn't have any appointments so I should try to get one at the further location and she 'patched' me through to their nurse. Again I left a message. Finally the first nurse called me back, but told me I should take Lauren to "KidMed" or the emergency room. I was like- "What?!?" She was ill yes, but not so ill that I felt the need to take her there. I called Matt and was unsure of what to do. Before I made any decisions though, the second location called and their nurse told me to bring her into the office. I was baffled how I described the same sick kid and got two different responses. I quickly put two-and-two together and realized the first lady didn't have any appointments so she was so easy to send me else where.

So back to the story. I took Lauren to the doctor and she sent me home saying it was a virus- which is what I figured she would say. After getting home there was no way I was going to make it to my hair appointment- Matt thankfully did. Once he got home I had to go straight to church. I help serve dinner (including my four pumpkin pies, which I was happy were a hit). I started feeling yucky just about time to clean up. I was so grateful for the angles, know to us as Morgan, Connor, and Kevin, stayed to help. Another lady, Brenda, and I were signed up and it took us almost two hours with our unexpected youth helpers. I couldn't have imagined how long it would have taken without them. By the time I left there I felt horrible. I just wanted to die. I had the worst back cramps and felt sick to my stomach. I crawled into bed and sweet hubby that he is, Matt took my temp and sure enough I had a fever. Friday I wasn't able to watch Noah- we didn't want to pass our germs on. Matt stayed home from work to help out with Lauren. I was a mess, and little did I know the worse was still to come.

I still had stuff to do. I hadn't started laundry so I could pack. I really needed my hair cut, so I had rescheduled it for Friday- not knowing that I going to get sick. I had to fold bulletins and return them to church and I still needed to stop at the store and pick up a prescription for Lauren. Thankfully with Matt home this day was a lot smoother than I had imagined. I was able to do bulletins, drop them, get my hair cut and get her prescription in the span of two hours. Again I came home a crawled into bed. I'm so thankful as I look back that Lauren was over her yuck by the time I came down with it. I'm sure that is how it usually goes.

We were suppose to leave Saturday morning to head home, and by Friday night I think both Matt and I knew there was no way this was going to happen. I attempted to help out and packed my clothes and Lauren's clothes- but that was a lost cause. Saturday morning I wake up sicker than ever. I couldn't be to far from the bathroom and I was just down for the count. Any pipe dreams that we had of leaving were thrown out the window. I was so bummed, but there was no way we were ready to leave let alone, drive in a car for upwards of ten hours.

Matt used that day to continue packing and taking care of Lauren, while I used that day to lay in bed and try to get better. Ready or not we were going to leave on Sunday. Usually we try and get out of the house as early as possible in order to get to someones house with time to visit before bed. Sunday we just aimed to leave, and I think we got out of the house around 8:30. All in all, it wasn't horrible, but it sure wasn't the best timing for a stomach bug, but then again when is a good time? I'll have to post again soon with our adventures back home. Funny how I never meant this to be a two part post, but it's time to get dinner on and this has been long enough.

"So [the shepherds] hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:16-19

Top Ten Things that rock because I'm home

TOP TEN LIST:
THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BEING HOME...

10. The sleep schedule
9. Being my own boss
8. Talking with my sister and mom more
7. Enjoying my time with hubby in the morning, and not feeling rushed
6. Having time to pray and do Bible study and not feeling like it's just one more thing on my list
5. The quiet- one baby makes a lot less noise than 25 children, that's for sure
4. Having time to get stuff done: shopping, cleaning, phone calls, cooking, etc.
3. The lack of stress is heaven sent!
2. Having the time to make "Homemade" meals for my family to enjoy
1. Watching my baby girl grow up day by day

"And the times, they are a changing..."

The sun is showing itself less and less and the cool autumn air is making us bundle up more and more- oh how I love this time of year! Halloween has come and gone and now my brain is singing a Christmas tone (I'm as bad as the retail stores, I know) "...it's the most wonderful time of the year - ding, dong, ding, dong...!!!

So what's been doing on in our house (I apologize for the scatteredness of this post). Well Halloween was a ball. Lauren dressed up as a cute cat. She and Noah got to stroll around Noah's neighborhood looking all cute and sweet. We were afraid that she wouldn't want the "hat" part of the costume on her head but she didn't give it any mind with all the other things going on around her. It was such a fun night!

Taking a ride around the neighborhood to show off the babies!

The cuties cat and duck ever!

Lauren has also gotten her first cold. Yucky boogers have taken up residence and it was interesting to see how she reacted to this. At first she didn't want anything to do with the saline spray and tissues but once she was so stuffed up she couldn't breath right she would just lay there and look so thankful for the same saline spray and tissues she would make a huge fuss about using. She has been a trooper and it's on it's last legs now and for that we're all grateful.

I've run my 8K! It was a lot of fun and I'm so thankful for Heather (my running buddy) who kept me going. Throughout the training we only ran together once- the Saturday before the race, but it was like we were meant to run together. Everyone I've ever run with before has been too fast, but not Heather- she was my "Goldie Locks," she was just right. I usually run with my iPod going and stay focused on my own thoughts- but the day of the race I forgot my iPod (heavenly intervention I believe) and we just ran and talked. She is a slow, steady runner and it was perfect for me. We ran all 4.96 miles and it was wonderful! The first mile felt like it was forever and then each mile there after seemed to go by faster and faster. We sprinted across the finish line and were so energized and proud of our accomplishment.

Mommy's best fan! Matt and Lauren came to cheer us on even though it was a cold and frigid morning.

Heather and I post race!

And now we're preparing to head "home for the holidays" (yes another Christmas carol running through my head). We're heading up this Saturday and staying through next Sunday. I've set it up to drive home the Monday after Thanksgiving so we don't have to worry about the crazy holiday traffic coming or going. I can't wait to be with family and celebrate Lauren turning one year. We're having a party at Matt's parents home and both of our families will be in attendance- all the aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas, and a handful of special guests too. We're at my mom's house for Thanksgiving and I'm looking forward to Lauren and Finn playing together. The last time they saw each other Finn was just days old, so this time will be quite different (we hope).

Lots to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! "Come, let us sing the joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care." Psalm 95:1-7

Snuggles and Cuddles

I've been getting sad these days as I watch my baby grow into a toddler, as I nurse less and less, and as she flourishes more and more without my aid. Sad for what has past and yet happy for what is yet to come.

There is so much to be thankful for. I find myself in prayer more and more as I just give thanks back to our Loving Lord for our little girl!

As Lauren approaches 1 year we are slowly but surely weening her from nursing and introducing whole milk into her meal time. I'm sad to watch this time come to an end, but in some ways I'm glad to call my body my own. It's been her home, source of comfort, and her means of nourishment for the past 21 months- and I know you might roll your eyes at me as I say that I think she's a bit sad to loose it too. Well you're wondering how I know this, and to be quite honest I might be reaching here, but these are my feelings/findings so let it be.

Once Lauren became mobile she has been less and less of a snuggle bug. This made me heartbroken because I'm having to let her go more and more as she pushed with both arms to get down and be 'free'. But I've always relied on my nursing time to get my snuggles in. Well now that time has been less and less. Lately though she has awoken from some naps in distress (I know this by the cry). I go up to see what's going on and I pick her up to comfort her and whisper that "mommy's here, it's okay" and then we snuggle in the glider. Some times, when I'm lucky, she lays in my arms for a minute and tosses and turns her head only to fall asleep. All she wanted was mommy and it's in this moment my heart is beaming with delight. It is such a special time for me. It has been a long time since she has slept in my arms and I never want it to end because in the back of my head I wonder if this will be the last time she does this. Is this just one more thing I have to give up for her to grow up.

I'm so proud of my big girl and all the things she can do, and I can't believe how much she's grown. So thanks be to God for the wonderful gift be bestowed upon Matt and I. We pray daily that we do Him justice in raising her!

Lauren Shea, 1 Year

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant..." Luke 1:46-48

Ripping off a Band-Aid

Tonight I was faced with how I deal with change. How I deal with good-byes. And I'm realizing that after a life time of change and good-byes (or what can sometimes feel like a life time) that I like to "Rip the Band-Aid" right off.

I've gone through a lot of transition over the years. In my adult life I can think of a handful of changes, which includes, but is not limited to: going to college, transferring colleges, breaking up with long term boyfriends, moving from one parents house to the other and back again, moving four states away from home, getting a job, getting married, changing jobs, moving into my first house, changing a job location, losing two pregnancies, changing job locations again, having a baby, leaving my job...just to name a few. And tonight, I just added another.

Tonight I went to a meeting that discussed my youth pastor's transition to leave our church. I have been working with him and the youth at my church for the past two years and have grown so much in my faith because of this ministry. So, the thought of him leaving is yet another transition I will have deal with.

So...what have I learned from all the transition listed above? Well- that good-bye is only as hard as you make it. That we can't truly rely on this world and what it has in it. We can trust what God has blessed us with in that moment- so that is where we need to live- relatively speaking.

Sometimes I feel like I've become hardened and other times I think I've become wise- lol. I find that when I go home for a visit, if I'm just focused on the fact that I'm going to have to leave then I just get sad. I don't want to be sad when I'm home, I want to enjoy the time I have with my family to the fullest. I want to know that the moments I have with them are making memories that I will enjoy reminiscing about. When it's time to go, that's when I cry. In the moment when I have to leave and the band-aid is being ripped of, that's when I cry. Otherwise- I would have memories filled with tears instead of smiles. I would have memories filled with sadness instead of joy.

So tonight I'm going to focus on the special times to come, before Jason leaves. I'm going to remind myself to live in each moment, which God has blessed me with. I'm going to make memories that I will look back on and smile. I'm going to keep in prayer for what God has planned for me. I'm going to be thankful that He placed Jason in my life when he did, because if there is one thing I know for sure- is that Jason is one of God's angels and I'm lucky enough to have any time with him, even if it feels like it wasn't enough.

PS. The Bible/God back up my "wise" thoughts, read on...

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

"As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower in the field." Psalm 103:15

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Nap Time Tears

I had a thought today as I put Lauren down for nap. My thought was that we are such babies!

Each day I put Lauren down roughly at the same time for nap. Most days she is sooooo ready for sleep and down time, and yet most days she cries and carries on in her crib for a bit and then finally gives in to "sleep, sleep."

Don't we do that with God. As much as we might NEED something don't we often whine and fuss about it?

I'm not perfect, but I often know what's best for Lauren. I'm not putting her down for nap just because, she needs it.

What in my life do I need, that God is trying to give me and I'm fussing and carrying on over???

Anyway, these are my thoughts.

Car Seat, Smar Seat

Car seats. They are a lot of things: important, necessary, expensive, confusing, and the topic of conversation in our household these days. As sad and scary as it is to say, Lauren is approaching the one year mark (I winced as I typed that). One of the milestones that comes with this achievement is the green light to allow a child to be forward facing in the car. Subsequently she will be able to leave the warm snuggles of her infant car seat and move on to her big girl car seat.

When we were registering for gifts it was very easy to pick out the first car seat. They are often called baby carriers but are more technically known as infant car carriers. It was easy because it was obvious. This next phase of child safety seats, not so much.

From the research I've done there are two options we can use for this next stage, a convertible car seat or a convertible booster seat. The convertible car seat can be used instead of an infant car carrier but lacked the convenience of allowing the baby to stay in the seat outside of the car. Which, I assume, is why most people by the carriers. Baby is asleep- no mind- just take the seat out and leave baby sleeping!

Now, the convertible car seat sports a five point harness to be used at all times. Where a convertible booster the five point harness to begin with but it can be removed and the seat can still be used with the car's seat belt. Also convertible car seats can be used in the rear facing and forward facing positions, while a convertible booster can only be forward facing. With a convertible, you will subsequently need to purchase a separate booster seat once your child has sized out of the car seat (taking into account the height and weight). The plain booster seats are a lot cheaper.

So the dilemma, do you purchase a convertible car seat or a convertible booster seat? Part of me thinks that the convertible booster would win out. Lauren doesn't need to be rear facing and this seat would last longer (we wouldn't need to buy any more). But there are not many of these available on the market and they don't seem as protective on the sides. Plus, even though she's a year, the recommendation are they be rear facing for two years (not that I want her to be, but the convertible would be able to do this).

So the conclusion...we are going to purchase a convertible seat for my car. Which Lauren rides in 95% of the time. We feel this one is the safer route since she is still so small and it offers more protection on the side. Plus, in my car Lauren rides right behind the driver and will need more side protection in case of an accident. Then we are going to get a convertible booster for Matt's car. She can be forward facing in the middle seat, which still offers great protection. She isn't in his car often so this car seat will be a better move financially too. This way won't have to purchase two more car seats in the future- just one booster seat for my car once she out grows the convertible car seat.

So in Lauren's life time we will be able to only purchase four car seats- why better than the six I had originally envisioned. Baby number two will be cheaper still, since we'll be able to reuse the infant car seat we bought for Lauren! Goodness- this was my research and findings. And of course many, many discussions with Matt about it. Now onto baby proofing... :-)