the present moment // sweet silence

Thinking about// Naptime and how sweet it is being to me today! Both boys have been napping, simultaneously, for 45 minutes! I just finished sneaking in a 30 minute workout which makes me happy! I'm really trying to shed a little weight and get some tone on this mama-body of mine. Nothing major. Just enough to feel a bit more comfy in my own clothes!

It's crazy to think of all the changes my body has gone through these past three years. I've stretched in ways I never knew possible and have found some squishy like I never knew could be. At the end of the day, it's all incredibly amazing. To think that my two baby boys grew and formed in my womb. But, also at the end of the day, I'd like for my womb to be home to more new life (God-willingly). Leaving me with the desire to do what I can to make it as cozy a home as possible. 

So, with that, onward with whatever workouts I can squeeze in during my days filled with my life.

Reading// OK. I know I said last week I was going to start The Hobbit, but now I'm feeling a bit torn. You see, a few months ago I downloaded the Anne of Green Gables series to my Kindle. Fast-forward to last week when I went to check-out The Hobbit, and found myself opening up Anne of Green Gables. I was swept away into all the loveliness that words can conjure! So, for now, I'm saying I'm reading Anne of Green Gables and may still take up The Hobbit, because that's just how I do sometimes. 

Watching// My husband and I have these little after-bedtime-dates watching different TV series. We've watched 24, Dexter, Game of Thrones, and now we're in a strange limbo trying to find a good series we can enjoy together. We thought we'd give The Leftovers (new HBO series) a try but I am pretty over it. I think right now we've only continued watching it because we want to finish it, but gee-whiz it's incredibly pointless! I know it's a new series and they may be trying to establish some groundwork/introductions, but it has my head spinning and spinning for some...any direction as to where this all may be going. I know that there may be some artistic value that I am majorly missing, but if it's this exhausting to find it, I'm okay with saying I'm done. Or at least, done enough I am not interested in watching a second season of it.

Any suggestions for good series out there? I'm anxiously awaiting Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones! But, am all ears for anything in the meantime.

Listening to// Sweet sweet silence.

Thankful for// The sweet silence, a workout, a good night's rest, friends, family, life, love, Christ, the saints, moments, naptime, and the fact that I'm going to Edel this weekend. 

Speaking of Edel, it's all still pretty surreal. It hasn't hit me that I'm actually attending. My husband completely had me convinced that this was a no-go this year only to surprise me in April with tickets. I have a slew of different emotions that run through me when I think about the weekend. But, the what I most experience is gratitude. Gratitude for my husband for going above and beyond to love me in this way and for all that will help make this weekend incredibly special (family and all the wonderful women that are putting it on and attending!).

This little heart of mine has lots to be thankful for. Times are good. 

Remembering// To close, I'll share a sweet photo of Linus who fell asleep on me this past Saturday during Family Movie Night. We're all ready for this boys teeth to cut through and let him/us rest! So, this is me trying to find the sweetness in the sleepiness.

Linking up with Jenna.

Weekends with Chesterton: Daybreak

Source: Unfortunately I cannot find the source on my Facebook feed anymore, nor the web.

Back for some Chesterton love! I found this circulating on Facebook and decided that I would love to own this mug. This is a great mug. One, that I would love to drink coffee out of on the daily.

I've never been much of a morning person. Ever. But, this words from Chesterton speak volumes to me. I do love the crispness and golden glory of mornings. They are fresh. Crisp. Gold. Sweet. And, all things new and lovely.

But, my bed has it's bit of glory characteristics as well! It's soft. Crisp (when sheets are new and fresh). Cozy. Comfy. A tranquility and warmth that invites us to linger and rest.

In the end, I do feel daybreak wins. I used to work at a coffee shop while in college. I took the morning shifts intentionally. I wanted to be forced out of bed. I wanted to greet all the fun morning people with their cup o' joe and to see the day break. I would be setting up the coffee shop for customers inside and out and would always make sure I would catch the sun coming up. It was one of my favorite times.

I wish I could have that same persistence on little sleep with my little ones and their tendency to invite me to their after-hour parties. The middle of the night parties that interrupt my sweet and precious sleep.

Linus has been doing pretty well these past few weeks, with some definite hiccups that involve at least two teeth trying to make their debut. While, Bigfoot has been struggling with sleep regression that involves us staying with him till he fully drifts to dreamland to our voice singing Hail Mary, Gentle Woman, "Haay May-wee, Mama...Hayy May-we..."

Praying that I can find the daybreak glory in staying with my toddler during this phase (please say it's a phase!). I know his sweet self won't always want me next to his bed singing to him into the night. And, I know my sweet Linus won't always want to snuggle with me nor nurse all the days of his life. Praying for grace to enjoy their little sweetness and their need for mama. This time is short. And, I love them. All of them. So, praying for the grace to meet them where they are as I know my God does on the daily with me.

Linking up with Sarah for Weekends with Chesterton.

{7in7} 7QT: Lo siento

--- 1 ---

Okay, I got nothing. The week has been loooong, and I haven't had enough chocolate or ice-cream to compensate the length. Honestly, thinking back I am amazed that I have managed to put up five posts. Not because I can't ramble or click publish, but because my mush brain really is having trouble recalling it. So, these quick-takes will not only be quick, but they will be mushy-brained random.

My apologies!

--- 2 ---

Ha. After typing the last quick take I really got nothing. Gee-whiz! I'm trying to search my brain in hopes that something will flow but I'm struggling. So, we'll just skip this quick-take and try again.

--- 3 ---

...

...I know! How about a gratitude recap?

I'm still so very thankful for our new home! And, I know I'll be even more excited once we are actually moved in. For now, though, I'm just thankful we have a house to move in to. We're homeowners! That aren't living in the home we own... Haha.

As much as I dislike moving, I'm so happy we are moving in to a home that will be our home for years to come. I'm also thankful that we don't have to rush to move in. After getting hit with mastitis and being on antibiotics for 10 days (yuck!)!! I'm glad that we can take our time to pack, to unpack, and to make our new home, home-y. 

--- 4 ---

Speaking of gratitude, I spoke to Sister Kathleen (You know, Special K, the sweetest, most Christ-like spiritual director I had the privilege to meet with regularly while I lived in Houston.). I always love talking to her but this time just broke my heart. Since last year she has been having some health issues that took a turn for the worse in January. Ultimately she said her back is slowly breaking and even with some PT, she is still very immobile.

I know how much she loved her independence and walking from place to place so I can't imagine how trying this has been for her. I also know that she typically tries to keep a strong front, but the weakness I heard in her voice made me cry. You can tell her strength is failing her. 

So, if you all wouldn't mind, please pray for sweet Sister. Read more about her here and here. 

--- 5 ---

Okay, back to the blah. Still struggling. I have no flow right now. No flow of thoughts. Nothing coherent. It's been a long and busy week that has me physically weary. And, usually if I'm physically tired my brain decides to sleep without me. Any others out there get the same way? No? Yes? Maybe? 

Either way, my apologies!

--- 6 ---

In fact, I need to make up for the majority of this post. If you've read up to this point, God bless you! If not, I definitely don't blame you! But, as an apology I'll share something with you that always makes me laugh. If ever in need for a giggle, this photo is what does it for me. Every. Time.

Before I get to the photo, I'll just ask if you all have kiddos that actually play with the abundance of toys they have in their room or play room? I know mine don't. They tend to find anything and everything that is non-toy and play with it until they get caught or I give up. I'm talking about spoons that they ate a meal with, cups that they are drinking, trash cans, my glasses, piles of clothes that I have folded, laundry bins, cabinets, candle holders, boxes, diapers, vicks tub, socks, the wall, the floor, carpet fuzzies, random leaf that blew in while the door was open, shoes....oh, I could go on with the non-toys that consume the interest of my boys. It amazes me. We have a room full of toys. Toy bins with toys in it. Toys that they seemed to be excited about when they first received it only to forget that it even exists within days. Even with prompting! 

--- 7 ---

Well friends, this photo right here is a gem that I stumbled upon. I connected with it so much that I imagined myself as Russell Crowe standing there. Same pose. Same face. Same words. This is me. Multiple times a day. Everyday.

Maybe I should invest in the sword. Surely the boys would play with that one, right? Or maybe a sword would be asking for too many boy fights that would inevitably result in injury or a need for mama to help keep the peace?

Nah. No more toys. Amazon boxes and random leafs forever. And ever. Amen.

***

Thanks for hanging in there on probably the most blahhhh (minus the requested prayers for Sister!) quick-takes ever. ever. ever.

For more fun and entertaining Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

7QT: One image sums it all up for me

--- 1 ---

via

This one image pretty much sums it up for me. I'll just add some quick takes that will hopefully remind me to eventually  jot down more about our present life journey.

--- 2 ---

Updates for month 9 and 10 for sweet little Linus are forever overdue. It lingers in my mind. It's there.  A little something reminding me to write it, but I just. can't. do. it. Perhaps it's denial. Perhaps it's the craziness that is our life right now. But, I'm betting it's a combo of both. Regardless, I fully intend on writing his updates! With pictures of his sweet face!

--- 3 ---

Speaking of the little man. Something has been going on. Something that has managed to turn our home upside down. The typically sweet face with the big smile has been clawing at his gums, arching his back, and shedding some mad tears to the point of going hoarse mostly at night and during naps. For the most part if he's awake and distracted he is fine and dandy + drool and chewing on his little chubby fingers. But come night time, it is a new level of heartache and horrible that I have ever encountered. 

At first we were thinking it was reflux. Went to the doctor, did some blood work and describing of the behaviors, and decided this is high on the list of BINGO. Start medicine and see no major difference in the craziness, leads me to think it still may be possible, just need the right med, but something else is going on.

My first son, for the most part, teethed pretty gracefully. But, seeing how Linus has been clawing at his gums, leads me to believe that I haven't seen teething yet! My poor baby feels this pain like none other and it. is. awful. I have had little to no sleep all week and am hanging on by a thread.

But there was some light today! Because of a tidbit of essential oil wisdom I found via a comment Efficient Momma made on Call Her Happy's blog, Linus took to his naptime beautifully. Just like old times! He snuggled, nursed, fell asleep, and went down. It was amazing because he has not done this for most of this week. Nap times and bed times have been twined with tears and struggle. So, a drop of lavender essential oil into a bit of his non-scented baby lotion, rubbed on his little toesies went a long way today! Thank you, Jenna and Rachel!!!

So, with all that, prayers appreciated for the little one and for our little family. That we may have the grace to endure our present with His Strength. Because, let's be honest, I'm a crazy person when it comes to not getting sleep.

--- 4 ---

Ah, sleep. Dear sleep. I miss you.

--- 5 ---

And, supposedly Christmas is next week. Ha. Remember that Christmas tree we were supposed to go out and get? Yup. This did not happen. Pretty sure this will be the first Christmas of my life that I will not have a Christmas tree in the place that I am residing. Sadness. But, life has been taking us for a loop that we are just barely holding on to. When you take a ton of sleep out of the equation (and I mean a ton), everything just seems to start spinning.

On the spinning note, we're supposed to start our Christmas travels tomorrow. Or rather, we were supposed to get our butt into travel gear this evening, but seeing how evenings are the absolute hardest on Linus we thought we'd wait and give tomorrow morning a go.

St. Christopher, Please pray for us.

--- 6 ---

Which means I need to pack. A weeks' worth of life. Oh packing, when will we ever get along?...

--- 7 ---

But, at least there's a light at the end of my sleepy tunnel filled with His Beautiful and Perfect Birth, spending time with family and loved ones, and potentially a new home (if it be His Will that we proceed on this current gem we found).

Prayers for a beautiful and merry Christmas!

&

For more uplifting and joy-filled Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Precious little light

Sweet little Linus, you are wonderful. You are full of energy. You are strong and determined. You are filled with love for your big brother. For your Dad. And, for me. I see it in your eyes, little one. I feel it in your snuggles. I know it in your laughter and smiles and it is so very sweet.

You have been eating solids this past month and do so like a champ. You've had: avocado, zucchini (green and yellow), sweet potato, banana, peaches, carrots, apple, pear, peas, green beans, toast, rice crackers, puffs, rice, and oatmeal. You seem to enjoy all the different foods I present you and the ones that you are either A) bored with or B) not interested in, you just toss aside to the floor for Lily to snack on. Honestly, I think you just like feeding Lily. 

Speaking of Lily, you really like her. You will crawl after her from one end of the apartment to the other. She makes you laugh. You think she's pretty funny. You like grabbing her hair and looking at her face. When she barks, you squeal. When you see her come close to you, you smile. Your sweet, sweet smile.

A smile that goes on for days. You have the sweetest dimples that aren't as indented only because you have filled in a little. But, they are still there. The dimples, that when coupled with your mostly gummy smile, is absolutely infectious and can turn a crummy attitude, bright-side up real quick.

A sweet gummy smile that you share every time your brother and I go into get you once you've waken from nap time. You light up when I walk in the room and smile even bigger when your  brother walks in. You smile in the mornings when you wake which makes waking up a little easier on this sleepy-mama. You are napping twice a day for a good 3-4 hours and sleeping (with 2-4 night nursings, which I'm mostly able to now sleep through since we're bed sharing) from 8:30 PM till about 7:30/8:30 AM most nights. The teeth that have presented in your sweet gummy smile mentioned earlier have everything to do with the whole most nights part.

So you are now mostly gummy because you now have your two bottom teeth. Those little pearly bandits that have stolen our sleep. Aside from the discomfort they give you (which I hate when you feel any pain!), they are pretty cute. Parts of me feel like you are still my little 3 or 4 month old baby boy because you only have two teeth right now (and because time seems to disappear when the sleeping is little). I know babies get teeth at different rates, but your big brother had a good 6 teeth (maybe more) by this time. So based on experience, it's hard to remember that you, my little sweet, are not my itty-bitty baby anymore.

Although, when I snuggle you up to nurse, all I see is my itty-bitty baby. Nursing is going so well! We had so many trouble the first 3-4 months (with big brother, nursing troubles subsided around month 3). Our troubles were different. Not only did we deal with thrush in the first two months (like with big brother), but mama's body decided to couple that trouble with an overactive let down which put us a couple months out till we really figured out how it was all going to work for us. All I know now is that those challenging months seem so far away. You nurse beautifully and sweetly and all things your personality. You bat at my hair and gently touch my face while looking into my eyes while my body nourishes your sweet self. You also turn into quite the acrobat and observer wanting to know and see everything going on near and far. I look forward to our time together and am so incredibly blessed by our nursing relationship. Even the acrobatic side that you and your growing self have been keen on as of late.

Yes, you have grown, Linus! And, not only are you longer and heavier, but you are crawling. Not just army-crawling, either. You're the real deal on all fours! You have been crawling all over the place this month. You are fast, quick, and speedy! You like crawling/climbing over things, especially your big brother and Dada. And, not only are you crawling, but you are pulling up to prop yourself on your knees. The last day of your seventh month you decided this would be a good idea. Are you really 8 months already?!

You're a big 8 months who loves to hang out in our maya sling. You do great at Mass sharing smiles and sweet eyes to those around. You also try and sneak in a hair-grab at your brother or Dada. Their heads seem to be much more fun than mine and I am quite alright with that. You also randomly decide that squealing and squawking along with prayer during Mass are how things should be. So, every once in awhile we do the little walk up the aisle and then come right back to enjoy the gift of Mass more up-close. During evening family prayer time you love to sit sweetly with your Dada. This makes my heart happy.

You make my heart happy little one. I can't imagine our little family without you. God was so good to share your precious little light with us. We love you. We love you so much. We love how you love us and are constantly teaching us how to love better and more like Him. You are good, sweet boy. And, we are grateful.

Happy 8 Months, sweet Linus!

i love you with all that i am,

mama

Little Pearly Sleep Bandits

A little over a week ago we had a tooth sighting!

Tooth numero dos has made his appearance since then too.

We've been busy...

:)

3-2-1: Love

3 things you would rather be doing right now
:: Reading. I'd love to have some nice coffee shop reading with some old classic jazz playing in the background with a delicious cup o' joe in my hand.
:: Would love for the rain to hit our area again so that we could just go outside and get soaked. Walk around. Dance around. And just let the water hit.
:: I would also love for that rain to come back and get in an awesome nap wrapped in a cozy blanket. 

2 people you would like to meet in heaven (and God is a given – we all get to meet Him!)
:: I want to see my grandparents again. I miss them.
:: Our Lady

1 thing you would like to be known for
:: I would love to be known for my love of our Lord and Lady. If I could just figure out how to best love them I know that love would pour fourth onto my family, friends, loved ones, and all who I met - sharing with them nothing but His Goodness, Joy, and Love. (Totally failing at this more often than not as of late.)

Head over to Cristina's at Filling my Prayer Closet to see more 3-2-1 fun. :)  And, thank you Jenny at Suscipio, for this sweet and simple link-up for my sleepy-mom brain!

This Sweet Face

This sweet face is 7 months (and counting)! Lots of new and fun things this month. Linus' personality just keeps on keeping on!

Your smile still melts the hearts of many. Thank you for sharing, sweet boy!

You are getting up on all fours and rocking.

You also love to chat.

You still are not the best of travelers, but did better this time around than you have on previous trips.

You roll ev-ery-where!

You've been army-crawling backwards and are on the cusp of moving forward.

You've been a major droolby-bot. I'm thinking you'll be cutting teeth in a matter of days.

You adore your Dada and brother. You go to them and always keep your eye on them ready to play.

You went to the beach and were pretty chill. Mama shared about our fun times here, here, here, here and here.

Spent lots of time with Nana and Papa Ram and briefly got to see Papa Wooley and Nonna.

You met the family on Papa Wooley's side!

You also got to see your great-grandma's!

You met Special K!

You seem to enjoy your sleep routine much more lately. As soon as I start singing The Servant Song you nuzzle into me and ease your way to your sleepy place. It's sweet.

You are at that age where you go to everyone and are just as happy as can be. Your big brother never experienced a clingy stage with mama, I'm praying you'll go down that route too. So far so fun! If you do get the need to be close to mama, we won't blame you. She is pretty sweet.

You are as ticklish as can be.

You are a master-nurser. 2-5 minutes and you are good to go! Still nursing through the night but we're getting better at getting some sleep now that we are co-sleeping.

For the most part, I'm pretty sure you wake during the night because you just love spending time with me and rather I'd spend time with you than with my friend sleep. Typically, you sleep in your pack-n-play from 9-11:30/12, nurse, then are back in your pack-n-play or in bed with me till the morn nursing anywhere from 1-3 times throughout. We're making progress. Slowly but surely.

On the bright side, you wake up as happy as can be every morning, which is such a gift (Mama needs to take note!).

Sweet Linus, I love you more and more each day. Even though I feel sleep-deprived a good majority of the time, you sure help my fuzzy brain snap out of it with your gloriously happy face and contagiously wonderful baby giggle.

Thank you for loving us in your little baby way. And, thank you Lord for sharing such a sweet and perfect life with little me.

Theme Thursday: Sleepless in the Mommyhood FAIL!

Remember the boy that decided he wanted sleep and I - two friends who have gotten along for so many years - to break up? Yes, the same sleep I consider to be a kindred spirit. My go-to friend for when I just need to rest, chill, hang, love, be happy, etc etc etc.

Well, the boy (also known as Linus around the blog-hood), is at it again. Yes, sleep and I are still trying to work things out during the night. That hasn't changed. Our relationship is touchy at best. And, during the day we don't even bother to hash out things via naps. We just don't have that luxury at the moment. So, Linus thought he'd venture a different route to further distance my friend and I.

See, Linus decided recently that it's high-time to conquer a mobility baby milestone. He is a wanderer during the day and night. The boy is army-crawling EVERYWHERE! And friends, as much as I am thrilled for my son and his milestone (I really am!), I completely underestimated how good he is at it! Let me explain.

I drink coffee. Everyday. Coffee and I are still friends. Very good ones, in fact. So, when I put my coffee down on the rug for 2-stinking-seconds, I did not think that the little one would high-tail it to the mug in 0.0 seconds! By arriving at the scene, an honest half-second after those little hands grabbed the mug, some of the yummy goodness had already spilled onto the rug and onto the attacker (A little aggressive of a word, I know. But it is what it is. He attacked the mug.).

At first, I thought, no biggie. Just a little wipe down for the little man, and a towel to soak up part of my morning-afternoon buddy (Because, let's be honest, no one has time to finish a cup o' joe at one sitting with littles around. Or at least, non-morning people such as me, don't.). But then I saw Linus thoroughly enjoying his right hand. The same hand that still smelled like coffee. Oye!

So questions have been circling my mind. Questions such as:

Will he be awake all night for the next week because caffeine was absorbed through his skin?

How much coffee is too much for a 7 month old?

Did he really get anything from sucking on the fist that had a few glob-drops of coffee?

He seemed pretty stinking HAPPY after sucking on his fist - does this mean that I've created a baby coffee addict?

If a babies' first taste, aside from breastmilk and rug fuzzies, is coffee will he never eat real food ever ever ever because coffee is so amazing????

I know. I know. I'm being a little over-reactive (right?). I'm just a little sensitive. You know, the whole sleep deprived thing and all.

So aside from my internal/blogternal freak-out, I'm really hoping this doesn't affect the little guy. We are starting solids this weekend! Naturally, something like this (which probably isn't a big deal, but is in my sleep-deprived brain) would happen the week before he is about to embark on his awesome taste journey!

At the very least, the little guy is incredibly cute! And, his coffee-smelling-fist which he sucked on more than I would have liked provided for some pretty awesome laughs, giggles, and smiles. I'm just praying that God give me the grace to graciously wake-up for my coffee-liking, teething, non-sleeping, sweet baby boy. That said, I'm calling this a little (depending on how the night goes, we may upgrade to major) Mommyhood FAIL! Teething, non-sleeping, sweet baby boys do not need to be within 10 feet of any mug of joe. Ever. Ever. Ever.

Lesson learned.

Hop on over for Theme Thursday at Clan Donaldson. The theme is text. There is text on the cuties onesie and coffee. This is his coffee smile.

Thanks for stopping by!

7QT: Words of Rest for a Sleepy Mama

Sweet Linus decided that he wanted my friend, sleep, and I to really break off our friendship last night. It all started with him being pretty fussy to go down for the night and got totally out of hand with a cry party from midnight till 4:30AM - respectively. I joined in on the cry party around 4AM as I thought it only right to not let my little guy party alone in the middle of the night.

I'm sure I don't have to fully explain how exhausted and defeated I'm feeling today, so I won't. But, I will share these 7 scriptures that are encouraging me to keep a little perspective, as well as, helping me feel His sweet Love whispers give me the strength I desperately need.

--- 1 ---

I lie down and I fall asleep,

and I will wake up for the Lord sustains me.

Psalm 3:6

--- 2 ---

And now your servant says, 'May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is like an angel of God in discerning good and evil. May the LORD your God be with you.'

2 Samual 14:17

--- 3 ---

About Benjamin he said: "Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.

Deuteronomy 33:12

--- 4 ---

But you have given my heart more joy

than they have when grain and wine abound.

In peace I will lie down and fall asleep,

for you alone, LORD, make me secure.

Psalm 4:8-9

--- 5 ---

When you lie down, you will not be afraid,

when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.

Proverbs 3:24

--- 6 ---

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am meek and humble of heart;

and you will find rest for yourselves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.

Matthew 11: 28-30

--- 7 ---

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

Psalm 116:7

How do you get through the most difficult/sleepless days?


Thank you to this and this site for the Words my soul and little heart needed. For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

5 Months of Sweetness

You are sweet.

You are rough.

You are strong.

Rolling around like a champ.

You have a laugh that warms the heart of many.

Your smile is infectious and incredibly amazing.

You get excited and it is so great.

Not the best sleeper (still waking 3-4 times a night).

But you are absolutely adorable during awake time.

Much better nurser.

Love your family.

Dimples for miles.

Loathe traveling more than anyone on the face of the planet.

A natural-born little Linus.

Dislike wearing clothing.

Love when we take off said clothing.

Enjoy bath time and biting on bath letters.

Love being held.

Big fan of the moby and becoming more of a fan of our sling.

Grab at everything.

Getting ready for solids.

A little investigator constantly exploring our little abode and your brother's face.

Growing daily.

Constantly babbling.

Went to San Antonio for the first time to visit family.

Pretty sure you have been saying Ma-ma-ma-ma, with the intention of getting my attention.

You have become a talented jumper thanks to your jumperoo time.

Celebrated your brothers 2nd birthday and had a blast.

Sweet Linus, thank you for being you.

i love you,

mama

(This post is almost a month late. 6 month update is just around the corner.)

~~~

(Also, linking up with Iris at Country Girl's Daybook a day late and for the first time. I'm finding so many fun link-ups and loving it! Click on the link below to see some other sweet and simple posts!)

7 Quick Takes Friday: Two link-ups in one week!

--- 1 ---

Who am ?! Well, definitely not a linker-upper. That is, until this week! I'm very new to link-ups, but I'm so glad I'm doing it because I have wanted to get more involved in the amazing blogging community that is out there. It's exciting to be able to become more apart of a network of amazing women that are beautiful and inspiring. So, YAY ME, for taking some steps to join the awesomeness and hopefully make some new friends along the way.

--- 2 ---

I need sleep. Sleep and I have always been amazing friends. That is, up until I had my first son. But, he kind of eased me in to things. He was a great sleeper. He was regularly sleeping 7 to 9 hours by 4 months. And, we exclusively breastfed! So, even though that was a tough time, it was manageable. Now, fast forward to sweet child numero dos, and we have a completely different story. I've convinced myself the little guy does not want me and sleep to continue our friendship.

Like I said before, sleep and I were always great friends, then firstborn happened. Our friendship was rocky, but we got through it. Now that second born is here, our friendship has been squashed. I still have hope that some day we will reconcile, but I just have to come to terms that it will not be any time soon.

God give me the grace to learn to function better as a mama zombie and all will be well in this household. Till then, I miss my dear friend.

--- 3 ---

I drink coffee. To help with the pain of losing my friendship with sleep. This helps. Mostly. But, it can be tricky since we are also exclusively nursing and I just don't know sometimes if it is that one cup of coffee that is giving my child fussy sleep. So, my limit is one. Maybe one and half if I accidentally pour a little more on those really sleepless nights. Or maybe, more like two cups? But that's it!

--- 4 ---

I really enjoy coffee. It's always been such a sweet time for me. Drinking a cup is just so relaxing. It's happy. It's delicious and all things homey. Drinking a cup over some girl chat with dear friends is also a favorite.

But, when a gnat decides they are going to crash my precious cup of coffee, I stare at the mean thing and wonder how could it possibly try and ruin my sweet time that I enjoy so much. Gnat's are rude, but the one that just landed in my cup of coffee (literally just moments ago) just took rude to a whole new level that I am not okay with.

--- 5 ---

Both boys are sleeping right now. Which is giving me time to write these really quick, quick takes. God bless them for giving me a few moments to just ramble and drink my cup of coffee (I took the gnat out and am still drinking it. Call me gross, but after last night coffee is more of a necessity, and I am in no shape to make another pot.)

Fingers crossed I can sneak in a shower once I finish up with these quick takes. My in-laws are coming to stay with us tonight and I'd rather them not see me in the I-haven't-showered-today (or maybe even yesterday either) mode.

--- 6 ---

Speaking of my in-laws, they are coming in town for an awesome event. We are baptizing sweet Linus, who needs to learn to sleep better at night! My precious baby will be joining our amazing Faith in such a beautiful way tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited! Who knows, maybe all the graces from the baptism will help our sweet sleep more peacefully?

But really, when we baptized Bigfoot, I cried because it was so exciting! So real, beautiful, and all things wonderful! Thank you Lord for the beautiful journey of faith our little Linus is about to embark on and for Your amazing embrace!

--- 7 ---

So, not only do I need to shower but I also have a list of to-do's I need to get done before tomorrow at 3 pm. I know I can do it. I just pray I can do so with a lot less of the crazy and a lot more of the joyfully/gracefully.

Mary, Mother of our precious Lord, be a mother to me now. Amen!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

It's a good blur

Apparently I forgot to think about the fact that my toddler would be cutting his 2-year molars before I got pregnant with Eli, who is currently struggling to cut his first two bottom teeth at the ripe old age of 4 months. Oye, overlapping major teeth cutting is rough! To say that I am sleep deprived is an understatement. Not to say we would have done anything different. Aside from mentally prepare myself for the double dose of no sleep. Who knows.

My sweet 4 month old hasn't been the best sleeper, as we have definitely had our bumps along the way in the nursing department (a topic I have yet to post on but really should and soon). So, to say that I'm going on 4 months of no sleep sounds pretty accurate to me. Or, at least my no-sleep-warped-way-of-thinking agrees. But, in all honesty, I don't remember the last time I was able to have more than 4 hours of sleep (in a row), much less 7 or 8. And, on that note, I just don't remember much at all. My days are blurred. My weeks are blurred. Lots of stuff is blurred, especially in the middle of the night. 

But, after writing the previous paragraphs, I have to point out that all the blurry stuff is pretty sweet. My foggy brain is filled with Joseph's sweet kisses, hugs, his ever expanding vocabulary, ABC's and 123's, his toddler ability to run and "jump", his constant learning and exploring, him being the sweetest big brother, playing pick-a-boo with Eli, his wonderful laughter, and tons of smiles. My toddler has been a champ. He doesn't whine very much and is very kind, even with his 2-year molars making him uncomfortable. He's thoughtful and filled with so much goodness. It's a good blur.

While Eli is the one struggling the most with his first teeth, he is still doing the best that he can. When he is awake and feeling well, this boy is absolutely adorable! Eli has a smile for miles and dimples that can make your heart melt. He loves to have A-ggiiee conversations with his Dada, Mama, and brother. Eli absolutely lights up when he sees his brother or Dada, which lights up every bit of joy in me. He is constantly exploring everything around him with his sweet eyes. My little one, though being a major contributor to my lack of sleep, has every bit to do with my blur being filled with goodness too.

So, I am here. Foggy-brained and all.

 I had one of those moments today. You know, the ones that hit you ever so often and fill your heart with so much warmth you could cry, laugh, smile, or all of the above? They've been hitting me very often since Eli has been born, I just haven't written about each of them. These moments bring you to such emotion because you are so happy. Or rather, bring me to so much emotion because I am so happy. So happy because these are the moments. So happy that I am here. Here with my boys and wonderful husband. Watching them grow. Learning with them and sharing all that I can with them. These are the times. These are the glorious moments that shine above the rest, reminding me of how I prayed so much for this precious family. The days of sleep deprivation will pass, but so will the days of my 2 year-old Joseph and my 4-month old Eli.

Taking in this toddler's sweetness!

Evidence that the little sweet one can, in fact, sleep!

 So, as much as it is hard to be present and always joyous, rather than grouchy and sleepy, I pray that God give me the grace to do better on such little sleep. Lord knows I need help with it!

Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread. Proverbs 20:13

Mary, Mother of Our Lord, be a Mother to me now. 

1 Month of Sweetness

Sleep Bandits

As of last week, our now 5 month old, has two little special visitors that I have named sleep bandits. These bandits are pearly white, fairly sharp, ready for solids, and came out of no where! Well, kind of out of no where. There were some tell-tale signs to their upcoming heist ( I mean appearance), but I thought that they surely knew that Bigfoot was just getting into some wonderful days of sleep. I mean, really wonderful. We’re talking 7-9 hours on any given night! Even longer on some really special nights. Nap times were getting to be easy with the routine we had set in place. I almost think Bigfoot started to experience some enjoyment during nap times because he knew when he awoke Mama would be standing right there. Almost like a really intense, drawn out game of pick-a-boo.

But, moving past the beautiful nights of sleep and fast forwarding to last week, our sleep bandits hit us and they hit us hard. Now, you would think that these bandits would have made their presence known in the quietest, most gentle/subtle way seeing how Bigfoot has been nothing but good to their landing grounds. The way I see it, Bigfoot’s wonderful sleep not only benefits him, but the little bandits themselves (and, of course, myself) by allowing them good healthy gums ready for all things pearly white. But, as life would have it, these bandits came with a vengeance, and they have stolen sleep. A little too much for my liking. Therefore, I have decided that I need to go into negotiations with these two little bad boys for the sake of our sanity. I’m talking, busting out all possible ammo that a mother can conjure. Things like: teething gel, teething tablets, infant tylenol for the really sore nights, teething toys, and frozen washcloths. Oh yes, you little sleep bandits, I will win for the sake of my son and for our sleepy family.


Don’t get me wrong. I am thrilled at this new milestone that our Bigfoot has hit. I mean, he has gone from our little baby boy to our now baby man ready to chomp on some good steak (well not exactly, but you get where I’m going). Teeth are a big deal. Our Bigfoot had the cutest gummy smile that made my heart melt. And now, this beautiful gummy smile has the two cutest little teeth a Mama could ask for (yes, the bandits are very cute!).

Bigfoot getting ready for some solid food fun :)


Being a first-time Mama, I didn’t know what to expect when these little pearlies decided to show up. And, honestly, I wasn’t anticipating their first heist (because I imagine the other pearly whites will join the Sleep Bandit Gang) until 7 months or so.

But, here we are. Our son is just as adorable as before. The little one is just in need of some pain relief from time to time and that pierces a Mama’s heart like none other. So, I look forward to when the soreness either A) goes away or B) Bigfoot gets used to it and puts his foot down, telling those bandits that they can’t have anymore of his sleep.

And so, after two weeks of random and multiple night wakings, I have decided that the sleep bandits need to figure out a more gentle approach to the future invasions their other little pearly friends have yet to make. I have asked nicely and hope they can meet us halfway.


Signed,

Sleepy Mama


PS I have yet to get the bandits on camera. They really are pretty sneaky and hard to catch! For now, enjoy this fun shot of Bigfoot.

oh sweet baby

Baby Bigfoot has turned over!!! It happened with no warning whatsoever just four days ago! I never knew what to expect when I would see my little man turn over, but it was such a moment! Probably because I was caught off guard and wasn’t expecting it, but I was absolutely elated! I even got teary eyed I was so happy and proud.



*AND* on top of the fun turn over (tummy to back), Bigfoot is consistently sleeping for 6-7 hour stretches! Also, last night, he slept for a whopping *nine* HOURS! I kept waking up between hour six and hour nine wondering if this was really happening lol Needless to say, but I am a huge fan of this new skill and look forward to him getting more sleepy time during the night.


So, on top of all the smiles and baby laughter, our little man has added these two fun new skills to his repertoire.

Love,

Bigfoot’s biggest fan :-)