Winter is turning to Spring here in Indy. It's happening quite early this year. We've already worn shorts a few times. Last year it didn't warm up until June, literally.
I always enjoy spring. When I was little it was because my birthday is in May. And it meant school was coming to a close for the Summer. I still enjoy it for those reasons but now it means a lot more. It's amazing to see all the new life budding forth. To see the flowers start to bloom and the birds start to sing. A couple years ago we had a robin's nest in our backyard and when the mommy and daddy bird were out hunting we would sneak a peak at those little blue eggs. I would hold Gracie up to see them and even at that young age she saw that those eggs were new life. Babies just waiting for their spin on this earth.
This Earth. Gracie must be learning about Earth at preschool because right now she can identify a picture of the Earth and she knows we live on it. She still asks where Earth is and where on this Earth we live. Questions I can answer but that cause a glazed expression to cross her face. And then the other day she asked this one, "Where is God on this Earth?" I responded, "He's everywhere." She asks, "Is he in all our tummies?" She knows Jesus lives in our hearts and that Evan was in mommy's tummy. I guess she's just trying to figure the God thing out. But hey, aren't we all?
Before Gracie could speak I started asking her a very simple question, "Who made Gracie?" And I would answer, "God made Gracie!" It was very exciting for her then and very exciting for me the first time she answered with a simple, "God." I don't always have the answers to her questions. I'm sure she will stump me over and over again. I do know who made her though and I will spend my life trying to teach her that she has purpose. That God made her to love Him. That He offers us hope because He loves us. That's what I see in Spring. New life given by the God that offers new life to us everyday, literally.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Four Months
Our little man is four months old today. He is a bundle of joy. A very big bundle of joy.
Evan is a sweet boy. These four months have flown by and we are finally starting to live within a predictable routine again. He is eating on a schedule and sleeping well (when he's not sick or on antibiotics). I am starting to feel somewhat normal again though his nap schedule keeps me living as a hermit most of the time. We get out and about after his 10:30ish feeding and are back home for his 1:30ish feeding. Then the glorious hour from 2:30 to 3:30 when both kids are napping (or enjoying quiet time sans mommy) arrives.
He is a very happy baby. He coos a lot and kicks a lot. He loves anything to do with his sister. She entertains him by just being in his line of site. He is starting to grab for his toys and bring them to his mouth. He is constantly sucking on his hands and has even found his thumb to suck on now and then. He is starting to sit in his bumbo and because of that he can sit with the family at the table during meal time. We just got the exersaucer out of storage yesterday and he is a pro! When we first put Gracie in it we had to put books underneath so she could reach the ground but this little man is already tall enough for it!
We go in for our official four month well check next week and then we will start him on cereal. We're hoping to go visit family next month to show off all his new skills and cuteness. That will mean a plane ride with two kids in tow. Pray for us. Raising kids sure is an adventure.
Evan is a sweet boy. These four months have flown by and we are finally starting to live within a predictable routine again. He is eating on a schedule and sleeping well (when he's not sick or on antibiotics). I am starting to feel somewhat normal again though his nap schedule keeps me living as a hermit most of the time. We get out and about after his 10:30ish feeding and are back home for his 1:30ish feeding. Then the glorious hour from 2:30 to 3:30 when both kids are napping (or enjoying quiet time sans mommy) arrives.
He is a very happy baby. He coos a lot and kicks a lot. He loves anything to do with his sister. She entertains him by just being in his line of site. He is starting to grab for his toys and bring them to his mouth. He is constantly sucking on his hands and has even found his thumb to suck on now and then. He is starting to sit in his bumbo and because of that he can sit with the family at the table during meal time. We just got the exersaucer out of storage yesterday and he is a pro! When we first put Gracie in it we had to put books underneath so she could reach the ground but this little man is already tall enough for it!
We go in for our official four month well check next week and then we will start him on cereal. We're hoping to go visit family next month to show off all his new skills and cuteness. That will mean a plane ride with two kids in tow. Pray for us. Raising kids sure is an adventure.
Monday, March 5, 2012
The Best Big Sister
Towards the end of my pregnancy I started to think about how life was going to change for my little girl. We always planned to have multiple kids. Matt and I both have one sibling and I can't imagine life without a brother to share it with. That didn't make it any easier to think about how my little girl's world was going to be altered. She was no longer going to be the only one who needed my lap to sit in, my hand to hold or my attention to claim. I knew it was going to be good for her. It's a real world lesson in sharing and humbling yourself to allow others to be more than you (a very biblical principal, see Luke 14:7-11). She was going to have to give up her "place of honor" for a little man she didn't even know yet. I worried what her reaction would be and how I would have room enough in my lap (read: my heart) for two little ones.
I can tell you that there is room enough. My heart is twice as big now because I have twice as much love. I love these two kids equally and want, so much, to be the best mom for both of them. I will not always be able to provide them with equal time as their needs change and our lives adapt to new routines but they will always have equal love.
I must brag on my baby girl here and say that she has done a wonderful job of making herself lower so that Evan can have the front row seat for a time. Don't get me wrong, she's not perfect and she is three after all. But she has shown great love to her baby brother. She is constantly going to get toys for him to "play" with and a pacifier in case he cries. She always lets us know when he needs something. I even overhear her telling him that she loves him occasionally. Those words are music to a mother's ears. She has acted out against her father and myself because she wants more hugs and more one on one time but through it all she has not taken that out on her little brother. When I was pregnant many friends told me that Gracie would be so much bigger the instant I held Evan in my arms. Not only does she look bigger to me now; she acts bigger too.
They really do grow up too fast. Evan is one lucky little guy to have such a great big sister. I hope they grow up to be friends.
Note to Gracie:
I know you are having to sacrifice a lot of mommy and daddy time now to your little brother. I know you need more hugs and kisses and I am trying very hard to provide that for you. I am so proud of how you are growing up. I am so proud of how much you love your little brother. You will be good friends one day. You will laugh and share memories together and that will make me smile. :)
I can tell you that there is room enough. My heart is twice as big now because I have twice as much love. I love these two kids equally and want, so much, to be the best mom for both of them. I will not always be able to provide them with equal time as their needs change and our lives adapt to new routines but they will always have equal love.
I must brag on my baby girl here and say that she has done a wonderful job of making herself lower so that Evan can have the front row seat for a time. Don't get me wrong, she's not perfect and she is three after all. But she has shown great love to her baby brother. She is constantly going to get toys for him to "play" with and a pacifier in case he cries. She always lets us know when he needs something. I even overhear her telling him that she loves him occasionally. Those words are music to a mother's ears. She has acted out against her father and myself because she wants more hugs and more one on one time but through it all she has not taken that out on her little brother. When I was pregnant many friends told me that Gracie would be so much bigger the instant I held Evan in my arms. Not only does she look bigger to me now; she acts bigger too.
They really do grow up too fast. Evan is one lucky little guy to have such a great big sister. I hope they grow up to be friends.
Note to Gracie:
I know you are having to sacrifice a lot of mommy and daddy time now to your little brother. I know you need more hugs and kisses and I am trying very hard to provide that for you. I am so proud of how you are growing up. I am so proud of how much you love your little brother. You will be good friends one day. You will laugh and share memories together and that will make me smile. :)
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