Baylor - 4 Months

Can I say that I have never loved 4 months old as much as I love it this time around!  Maybe because it's the forth time going through it, maybe it's just you, or maybe I'm just a bit different of a mama this time... but I am in love with this little 4 month old in my arms.

I think I'm loving 4 months right now because you are still little... but you are also big.  Still little enough to fit in my arms, snuggle into my shoulder, or swaddle up and watch you fall asleep.  But, you are big enough for your personality to start to shine, to interact with those around you, and play with your toys.  There have been many moments on this motherhood journey where my heart longs to freeze time... and for some reason, this is one of those seasons. 

I love you sweet boy!  I'm so thankful for your smiles, your giggle, your sweet eyes, and that you are mine!  Here is you at 4 months...

 

You are 16.5 pounds and 26.25 inches long.

You are wearing size 2 diapers (which was LONG overdue) and you are in all 3-6 month clothes

You are eating 4-6 oz every 3-4 hours and you eat about 6 times in 24 hours

You many times scream and throw a fit when we try to burp you in the middle of a feeding.

You are still spitting up a lot... but you're a happy spitter, so we just go with it!

Since you spit up a lot, (and are starting to drool even more) you wear a bib all the time.

You are going to bed between 9 and 10 and wake up around 4 AM to eat then sleep until 7 or 8

We still swaddle you every time you sleep and you are still sleeping in our room in your cradle
You take almost all your naps in your swing

About 90% of the time you scream when we try to put you to sleep.  Stinker!

You usually snuggle your face into the crook of my arm to go to sleep

Sometimes you "sing" yourself to sleep which is the most precious thing ever!

You have the best smile ever and you are starting to laugh and giggle too

You are my only baby who gets the goose bumps when I tickle you (which is on your sides)

You have found your toes and really like them... but they haven't found your mouth yet.

You have rolled over twice

You enjoy tummy time but mostly play on your back in a play gym

You love your monkey toy the best

You have given up on the paci... but your mama hasn't!  :)

You love your play gyms and kick gym the most and the bouncy and swing are OK to you.

You are liking the Ergo carrier more and more

You like to be held up on my shoulder the most and I'm just starting to hold you on my hip

Your new favorite place to play is sitting on our couch with a bobby in front of you and lots of toys around you.

You like the TV and it will calm you down if you are fussy or mad.

Speaking of mad... you have started to use this "fit" cry when you are upset. 

You are grabbing toys and trying to put them in your mouth

Your fingers are in your mouth almost constantly but you have given up on sucking your thumb

You are content, happy, and sweet... and you tend to go with the flow well

You love to be outside!!!!

Your hair is still sticking up a lot, and your cowlick in front makes it look like I style your hair to one side.
I call you Baylor, Bubby, Baylor Boy, and Lovie

You absolutely love your brothers and sister... and we love you so, so much!

  

To all moms...

If you had to describe yourself as a mom...

what would you say?

 

I know for me some of the words towards the top of my list would include...

~Impatient

~Never feel like I'm doing enough

~Don't take enough time to connect some days

~Gets frustrated too easily

~Don't enjoy my children like I should

 

A few months ago I came across this video...

And it not only touched my heart, it spoke volumes to my heart.

 

And through these months,

The thoughts and message of this video has stayed with me...

On days when I'm impatient and feel like a failure...

On days when I don't feel like I'm enough...

On days when I feel like my kids deserve better.

 

Because the truth is...

We are too hard on ourselves as mothers.

We carry a lot of guilt and burdens feeling like we don't live up to the moms we should be...

when in reality...

We are exactly who God wants to raise the children He gave to us.

 

There are no perfect mothers...

only imperfect ones who are God's perfect choice to raise the children He blesses us with.

 

So to all the moms I know...

Remember this.

 

And Remember how much those little ones love you,

and that you have been chosen and equipped by Him to do this job He has called you to...

to be a Mom.

 

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Enjoy! 

(and if you are like me... maybe grab a Kleenex!)  :)

A New Perspective for Moms

April Thanks

Giving thanks in this month of April for...

 

The start of horse lessons for this horse-loving girl.

To see her delight and joy...

and to watch her spend her own money to buy a treat for "her horse", Peach.

for Tummy Time.

 For the chance to be their teacher...

in good days and through hard days...

and to push through these last days of school knowing a break is soon to come!

 For the math equations he leaves all around the house.

 I'm thankful for a clean stack of burp cloths and bibs...

and the fresh smell of baby they bring.

 For his growing personality and sweet smiles.

 Giving thanks for late nights with this little one

after the others are in bed. 

Sometimes he even helps daddy work.

 For new plants growing in our office...

knowing sun and warm weather will soon be here to stay. 

To watch him delight in his little brother

and to see how much he really loves him.

 So thankful for a growing and healthy baby...

despite all the spit up!

 For ants...

Even though they totally creeped me out at first,

they have been amazing to watch and have been

a constant reminder to me of God's awesomeness and amazing creation.

 Thankful for saying Yes...

Yes you can make your own snack...

Yes you can drag the table and chairs upstairs...

Yes, I'll join you for snack time and a dance party.

Because moments like these need to be savored and kept in a mama's heart.
And their delight and smiles when mama joined them...

 Giving thanks for his smile and the way he fills my arms every day.

Thankful for... 

Words, sentences, and whatever else is on his mind

written in red and blue letters on my fridge.

 And for spur of the moment family nights...

Watching Frozen together...

Making sculptures out of ice cream...

Making memories I hope they will remember.

 And for camp season...

It can be stressful and feel busy.

It can overload my brain and make me want to cry.

It makes me depend on Him like nothing else...

But it is worth it.

Because He is worthy of my heart, my service, my time...

Thankful for the letters my little guy is wanting to write to all the campers.

Filling them with sweet messages of love and happiness.

Like "Have a good day!" and "I love you!"

So thankful God placed him in this home that is safe and has love....

and praying for the sweet little hearts who are not safe right now

and do not feel loved or wanted.

Thankful I can make a difference for them if even just for one week...  

Just Thankful.

Easter 2014

He is Risen!

He is Able!

All praise and glory to our God!!!

 

 

 

Celebrating Him!

Happy Easter!



Them... at 3 Months

Oh, my heart....

 

Baylor - 3 Months

You... at 3 Months

Weight: 15+ pounds

Weight: 24 inches

 

Eating 4 oz every 3-4 hours.  (sometimes 5 oz at night)

Eating and then staying up 1.5 to 2 hours then napping

Napping randomly throughout the day in the swing

Loves to be swaddled and bounced on the exercise ball every time he goes to sleep

Sleeping well at night.

Going to sleep around 10ish every night, getting up once between 2:30 and 4:30 then sleeping until 7ish.

Has slept through the night once… 10:30ish to 7:00ish!!!

Very sweet personality – content, happy, smiley, loves people, loves to play by himself

Loves his swing

Loves the kick gym and will kick in it for over 30 minutes

Still enjoys his star… but would rather play in the play gym without it.

Not a huge paci fan… will take it for a bit when tired, but that’s about it.

Likes his car seat (which is good because he is in and out of it A LOT)

Loves to be held up on the shoulder or facing out

VERY spitty baby!  It depends on the day, but most of the time he spits up all day long

(see spit up below!  Stinker!)

Has found his hands!!! He loves his hands. 

He is reaching for toys, holding on to some toys and loves to have his hands in his mouth.

He has to have his hand by his mouth or by his face when eating.

Loves to have his left hand up over his nose and eyes when eating.

Wearing Size 1 diapers, but they are getting too small... but we have to finish up the box!

Wearing size 3-6 months clothes… but a few things I have put on him and they are already too small!

Loves to smile and coo at Liam, Ainsley, and Kallan

Loves to have a “conversation” with others

Will put on the best “pouty” face when sad

Only really cries when he’s hungry, tired, or bored

His hair still sticks up in the back which is so cute!

His hair is staring to grow… which is also cute! 

He is a ROCK STAR at tummy time!  He will hold his head up for a long time and play. He is my first baby to every enjoy tummy time… so fun to watch.

Every day I am so thankful for this baby!  I love having a little boy… I love his personality…. I love being his mama!

Some Moments...

Look I'm getting good at tummy time!

(it helps when there's a cute boy to look at!)

 Peek!

Waking up from a nap...

 My outside girl... getting her garden started.

 "I have arms!!!"

 It's a whole new world when they discover they have hands and arms!

 I love everything about this boy...

He is truly a gift from God!

 Potato printing...

of course it's more interesting when your picture

includes fire, explosions, and guys flying everywhere!

 There are still times I think... I have 4 kids!

This was a morning when daddy was traveling and I had

all 4 kids dressed, hair done, fed, and ready to take

Kallan to preschool 20 minutes early!

Whew...

 Him.

 First time discovering his hands...

 Saturday morning snuggles.