A Month of Focusing on God

In July, Brad was reading the book of Daniel in his Bible.  He read about how Daniel refused to eat the king's food and actually was healthier than the other men (read it in Daniel 1).  He felt convicted and remembered hearing about the Daniel Fast.  He thought about it for a few days and really felt like that was something he needed to do.  So, for the month of August he fasted.  Basically, he couldn't eat any processed food.  Which can be really hard to do!  Some people thought he was crazy and they were worried about how radical it seems, but the truth is it's actually a very healthy diet--it's eating the way we really all should be eating.  However, Brad wasn't doing it for dietary purposes.  He was doing it for spiritual purposes, the nutritional benefits were just an added bonus!

He really enjoyed the fast and loved eating new foods and learning how good food can be without any artificial sweeteners or preservatives. 

Then, during the month of September I just kept feeling convicted about my personal spiritual life.  I just felt off focus.  Sure, I was going to a Bible study and attending church.  But my life just wasn't focused.  I knew that I wasn't doing what I should.  I knew that I was being lazy and not making God a priority in my life.  Brad and I talked about it several times and we both agreed that something needed to change.

Ideas started to come to us.  We could do a media fast.  Join a small group together.  De-clutter our house (it's amazing how a cluttered house leaks into other areas of your life).  So many good ideas we didn't know where to start!  As we talked about it more and more, I knew that I wanted to do the Daniel Fast as well.  So, we decided to make a month of it!

The month of October we are going to re-focus our lives.  We are hoping to put God first and make him a part of everything that we do.  The way we'll be doing this is by making 30 little changes this month.  I'm hoping to blog about each change and how things are going.

Our first change is the Daniel Fast.  We're kicking the month off with the Fast in order to help us focus.  The purpose of the Fast is to rely on God and his provisions.  It's a great reminder to pray throughout the day, too, so we thought it would be a great way to kick off the month.

Stop by this month to find out how things are going with us, and don't be afraid to ask if you see us.  We are really excited for all that God has in store for us this month!

4 months

I can't believe my little baby is 4 months old already!  He's definitely not a newborn anymore!  He's awake a lot more during the day now and he's more interested in what is going on around him.  He is always so entertained by his big brother and is perfectly happy just tagging along.  Not a lot happened as far as milestones this month, but it was a very busy month for us!

* Judah had his first overnight trip.  We went to Key Lime Cove with Boompa and Oma.  It was a Father's Day present for Daddy and Boompa.  Judah didn't really get to enjoy the water, but he did hang out with Oma poolside quite a bit--and amazingly he slept a lot, too!

* Judah spent a lot of time with his cousins this month--on both sides.  He went to the Children's Museum and Jump Zone with Kylie, Abbie, and Lilie.  And he went to another Children's Museum with Elanor and Joey (and Daddy's cousins Gavin and Carter who were in town).

* We had a picnic at the Children's Garden.  It was a beautiful day and Judah was perfectly content just hanging out.

*We had a special family day at Morton Arboretum.  I wore Judah most of the time and he did great just hanging out, he even fell asleep for a while.  We loved it so much that we ended up buying a membership.

*We went to Blackberry Farm with Miss Mina and Ian.  Judah got to go on a train ride and a tractor ride.  It was a little warm, but he did great!

*We had a couple playdates with kids his age.  They still don't interact much with each other, but it's neat to know he'll have friends to play with as he grows up.

*Judah discovered his toes this month.  He's constantly grabbing them and examining them or bringing them to his mouth.  Micah loves helping him eat his toes--he even shows him how to do it sometimes.

*Judah's coordination is improving quite a bit.  He now grabs the rings on his bouncy seat and tries to grab the toys on his play gym.

*He's still not a fan of tummy time, but if Micah is there with him anything is better!

*Judah went to his first parade.  Manhattan had a labor day parade and Judah sat through the entire thing.

*Judah has his first cold.  It's  being passed around the family currently.  He has some congestion and a cough.  I think his throat is bothering him, too, because he hasn't been eating a lot lately.  But that just means more snuggles for Mommy. :)

Hanging out at Key Lime Cove.

Chilling at the park.

Brothers.

Cousins.

All the cousins ready for bed.

Hanging out with Boompa at Key Lime Cove.

Chillin'

It Ain't Like in the Movies!

I was watching a TV show the other day and the woman was giving birth.  After having two children of my own, I can safely say labor is nothing like what they portray on TV!

On this particular show, the woman was sweaty and her hair was soaking wet--as if she had just gotten out of the shower.  And she had her three closest friends in the room with her (just happened to be two women and a man--her husband was deployed).  They were just standing around her, telling her she was doing great and keep pushing.  She sat up a little, screamed for a second and the doctor pulled out this beautiful (somewhat large) baby that looked slightly damp.

Yeah.  If only.  Let me tell you, yes, labor is hard work.  You will probably sweat.  A lot.  But you most definitely will not look like you just won a wet T-shirt contest.  If your hair is dripping with sweat, it will not look nice.  It will be tangled with knots that will take you days to undo.  And your friends in the room with you?  You'll probably kick them out because the sound of their voices is too annoying.  They think they're encouraging you, but really they're just making you angrier and angrier.  And ask Brad, when I was watching this episode, I kept yelling at the girl, "Drop your chin!  You can't push like that!"  It's a lot more work than they make it seem.  And when that baby comes out, he is all slimey and yucky.  Seriously.  Only a mom would want to hold something like that.

But oh man.  When you do hold that little ball of slime and mucus it's just amazing.  You fall in love instantly.  You suddenly realize that the world is so much bigger than you ever thought before.  And your heart is more full than it has ever been.  It's like the whole world stops because of this little baby that you are holding.  And you don't even remember how bad labor was.

Until you see it portrayed completely wrong on TV.

World Breastfeeding Week

Last week was world breastfeeding week.  I'm part of a local online attachment parenting group.  Two weeks ago women from the group volunteered to have pictures taken of them breastfeeding in different places in and around Chicago.  The pictures were to be used in promotional material for a breastfeeding seminar.  I volunteered to have my picture taken.

Some people might be wondering why I would do this.  Yes, I'm an advocate of breastfeeding.  I believe that it is the best thing for both baby and mom and that a woman should be able to breastfeed her baby wherever and whenever she wants.  Women should not feel ashamed of breastfeeding.  They should be encouraged in their breastfeeding journey.  New moms, especially, need to be educated about breastfeeding.  If you choose not to breastfeed, that's fine.  It's your choice and we all need to learn to accept whatever method a mom chooses to feed her child.  But as for me, I choose to breastfeed and I love it.

3 months

I cannot believe my baby boy is 3 months old already!  I seriously can't imagine our lives before him.  It's as if he's always been part of our family.  For the most part, Judah is a very content, chill baby.  But he does have a bit of a temper.  He can go from 0 to 60 in no time flat.  If he wants something, he wants it NOW.  But he's usually fine just chilling.  He loves sitting in his bouncy seat and talking to the animals (seriously, those guys are hilarious!).  He loves his big brother, too, and always smiles when he's around.  This month, Judah has discovered his hands--they are always in his mouth!  I think we might have a thumb-sucker on our hands here, but I'm trying to encourage the pacifier.  Here's what else Judah has been up to this month:

*At his doctor's appointment, Judah weighed 14lbs. 9oz.  And he was 24in. long.  Healthy little boy!

*We went to the DuPage Children's Museum with Grammie

*Judah met some of Daddy's family from Oregon

*Judah went on his first trip to Grand Rapids.  One of Mommy's college roommates from Canada was in town so all us roommates got together with our kids.  It was great getting to see everyone again, and there was lots of kids for Judah (and Micah!) to play with.

*Judah went swimming for the first time at Palos Pool.  I wore him in my water sling the whole time--he did great!

*Judah's first VBS!  Once again, I taught Bible stories for Vacation Bible School.  Judah came with me.  He spent some time in the nursery and some time teaching the kids with me.  He was great the whole time.

*Auntie Heather was Judah's first baby sitter.  She watched him while Mommy and Micah went shopping.  She said he slept almost the entire time, which disappointed his cousins a bit.

*Judah had another baby sitter--Grammie!  She watched him while Mommy and Daddy went on their first date since he was born.  He was very good for Grammie and Mommy and Daddy were glad for some time just the two of them!

*We all went to the beach.  Judah got to chill out a bit.  I wore him in my water sling again and we took a little walk along the shore.  Afterwards, we did a little shopping at the outlet mall.  Then, headed to Oma's house to watch the Olympics.

College Roommates

          

All of our kids

Chilling out while Micah plays with water and ice.

Sleeping at the splash pad.

Playing at the park. :)

Talking to his friends in the bouncy.

Chilling at the beach.

Going for a walk on the beach.

Try for a girl?

I was at the grocery store today with both boys and the cashier commented on how since I have two boys I not have to "try for a girl."  She went on to talk about how boys may be "easier" when they're teens, but as adults they never call their mom, whereas girls call their mom all the time. 

There are so many things I can say about that conversation.

Yes, I have always wanted to be the mother of girls.  And it was only magnified by the fact that my sister has three daughters.  I dream of tutus, hair bows, and pretty leggings.  I could play with Barbies for hours. 

When we first found out we were having a boy, I was devastated.  I know it sounds terrible, and I felt bad that I felt that way, but I couldn't help it.  I didn't know little boys.  How do you play with cars?  I mean, what can a car do except drive in a circle?  I can't build anything unless you give me a picture to copy.  And I'm not a big fan of getting dirty.  Plus, let's be honest here, boys' clothes are nowhere near as much fun as girls' clothes!  What do boys have--basketball shorts?

It took me a while to get used to the idea of being a mom of a boy.  I've traded in Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty for Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen (who Micah affectionately calls "Ka-cow").  I'm building towers instead of sipping tea.  Instead of skirts and hair bows I'm dressing him in hats and ties (and boy does he look cute!). 

I love being the mom of boys.  We have so much fun together.  Micah has opened up a whole new world to me.  Yes, he keeps me very busy.  Most nights I drop into bed and fall asleep in no time flat.  But I love it.  I love watching him explore at the park and the look of concentration he gets on his face when he's trying to build something.  I love how he blocks everything else out when he's watching his favorite movie.  I love how as soon as you ask him if he wants to go outside he's got his shoes in his hands and is standing by the door, anxiously waiting for you to take him.  And when you get outside, he can't sit still.  He's going from the chalk to the bubble to his car back to the chalk and around again.

I've learned how to be the mom of boys.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  Yes, Brad and I want more children in our future.  And I would still love to have a little girl someday.  But I don't need to "try" for a girl.  If we only ever have boys, that's okay.  I am blessed by my boys and I don't need a girl to feel fulfilled as a mom.  My boys are just perfect.

2 Months

I cannot believe that my baby is already two months old!  He's not a newborn anymore.  He is definitely a big boy.  At his one month check-up (which was actually more like 6 weeks) he weighed 12lbs. 3.5 oz. and he was 23 inches long.  I can't wait to see what he is at his next appointment!

Here are some highlights from Judah's second month of life:
  *Judah went strawberry picking with Oma, Micah, and Mommy
  *He's been to both the Tinley Park and Orland Park pools, but slept through our entire visits there. 
  *He started to smile this month and now he does it all the time!  He really is a smiley boy, especially when Daddy talks to him.
  *Judah is also starting to coo.  It is the most adorable sound.  I forgot how those first little baby coos sound, but I just fall in love with him all over again every time he does it!
  *Like his brother, Judah was diagnosed with silent reflux.  He's taking Zantac for it, but we're still trying to get the right dosage.
  *This past Sunday, Judah was baptized.  He did great, barely even flinched when the water was put on his head.  He slept through most of his party, too.
  *Judah's first major holiday (4th of July) has come and gone.  He really wanted to celebrate so he  made sure to stay awake all day long!  We had a little BBQ at our house and he just loved being around all the people.  He did great at the fireworks, too.  Never cried.
  *Judah loves his big brother.  Micah often tries to climb in the bouncy seat with him and Judah just loves it.  He always smiles when he hears his big brother, too.  I know they're going to be best buds!

Sleeping through a trip to the pool.

A little brotherly love.

Judah's baptism

Smiling for Mommy

Strawberry picking.

He knows to be worried when Micah's holding him!

Hanging out in the bouncy.

Judah's first Fourth of July