(Sniff) Ahhhhhhh.....

I don't know what it was, but yesterday's sudden warm temps and the smell of spring in the air did wonders for my psyche. :oP

Natalia had a 24 hr. stomach thing on Thursday (YUCK, but thankfully it was short-lived), Adam hit a growth spurt early in the week and was eating every 2 hours again, and we've all had a serious case of cabin fever!

Needless to say, I was so thankful for the glimpse of Spring, though it too was short-lived. I just needed the reminder, know what I mean? That, coupled with reaching a milestone last night--Adam went 6 hours, then 4, which meant I was only up at 2 and 6am--put a bit more spring back in my step this morning. I actually felt refreshed!

Throughout this last week though, when I was still in the thick of it, I found this. It comes from a post by Carolyn Mahaney on the Girl Talk blog, and after personalizing it and making it mine, I hung it on my refrigerator.

Here is my version--maybe it'll speak to you too.

Most of my days look pretty much the same.
I get out of bed each morning so I can do everything I did the day before.

I wash the dishes so they can be dirtied again.
I wash and iron the clothes so they can be worn and wrinkled again.
I pick up toys so they can be played with and scattered again.
I mop the floors so they can gather crumbs again.
I cook meals so that I can go to the grocery store again.
I make beds so they can be slept in again.
I wipe noses so they can run again.
I bathe little bodies so they can get dirty again.
I pick up Cheerios from the floor so that they can be spilled again.

Some days I wonder, if I do all I do, only to have it undone, am I really doing anything?

Then I realize that the mundane, repetitive nature of my days is actually full of significant, enduring work. By the grace of God, a home is being built, a family is being knit together, and souls (mine included) are being shaped for eternity.
God sees my laboring—especially what is considered insignificant—and He is pleased when I give it my best attention and effort.

God's transforming grace, which impacts my soul (and doesn't hinge on how I feel), does infinitely more than the scent of Spring on my psyche. Amen? :o)

From The Mouth Of Babes

We typically sit in the same area each Sunday at church, and in front of our friends the Kane family.

Yesterday, Natalia was enjoying Sherry's lap when the offering basket was being passed. So, Sherry quickly searching her purse for some coins for Natalia to drop in, lamented that she was only able to find one or two. Natalia was quick to say, "No, that's enough."

HA! Whether she's heard the parable of the widow giving her last coins, or she wished to ease Sherry's distress, I'm not sure. It made us laugh though.


And, in typical Natalia fashion, every Sunday that I attempt to take her picture (since she looks so stinkin' cute all dressed up) she avoids me like the plague. Yesterday I succeeded though and thought you'd all enjoy seeing how our sweetpea has grown.

What A Big Boy!

I added Adam's 2 month picture to my earlier post with his stats, but here are a few others from this week. It's amazing how different he looks from week to week!

L-O-V-E

I have a wonderful husband, I must say. This past weekend was just another example of that. For those of you who get to interact with Pete on a regular basis, you will quickly observe that he loves to serve others. And I am on the receiving end of it most of the time. :o)

Now he won't mention it, and if you commend him, he'll probably shrug it off and say it's no big deal, but I beg to differ. It IS a big deal! And it is such a tangible expression of love that I have really come to appreciate.

Those of you who know me, may recognize that my "love language" is words. Written, spoken, it does not matter. But I love LOVE expressed through words. That being said, my husband's love language is, (can you guess?) acts of service. And you know how most of us tend to love our spouses in the way we most appreciate being loved ourselves? Sometimes minimizing the fact that they are loving us in other ways?

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Well, with this past Saturday being Valentine's Day, he covered all his bases. :o) (Even if some things were facilitated by others.)

On Friday he took some time off to be at home with the kids and I, and had me schedule a 1/2 hour back massage. (I'd been having alot of back pain--the toll of pregnancy, delivery and caring for a newborn having taken it's toll.) It was wonderful!
(Anyone who wants a very reasonably priced massage by a Christian lady in her home, let me know and I'll pass along the info! And I mean it's reasonable!)

Saturday he took Natalia with him to his Mom's house for awhile so I could have some down time with Adam. Again, it was wonderful!

Sunday after church I had a headache (it had been an especially rough night of feedings), so he gave Adam a bottle and entertained Natalia (who wasn't napping) so that I could catch some Z's. Won-der-ful.

Sunday evening our Care Group had a special Couples' Dinner. We took the kids, since there was childcare provided, and had a great time. Delicious food, lots of laughter, silly stories, and... wonderful words shared by all of the husbands about their wives. Our Care Group leader had asked each of the guys to come prepared with something to say, and I felt so honored (as I believe all of the ladies did) by the sincerity and thought that the men put into it. We ended the evening with a rather rambuncious "homemade" version of the Newlywed Game. It's been awhile since I laughed so much that my cheek muscles hurt.

...Good times. :o)

Like Father, Like Son

Adam had his 2 mos. check-up today...and I know I've said it before, but this boy is GROWIN'!

He is now 24 inches long (90th percentile) and weighs 11.7 lbs. (50th). That translates to 3 inches and 4.2 lbs.!

He's one long, lean, little eatin' machine!
:o)

See Ya In A Year...

Oh how I love to hear those words from the pediatric cardiologist!

Natalia had her yearly check-up this morning and I'm so thankful my Mom was with me once again. I needed an extra pair of hands to feed Adam a bottle during the 2 hour appointment AND because since last year's visit Natalia has become Miss Independent. That translates to "if I don't want you to touch me or tell me what to do I'll make this difficult for ya!"

We started with the usual blood pressure cuff, weight and height measurements before going to another room for the EKG. Even though I'd been talking to her since yesterday about how the nurse would put stickers on her arms, legs, and belly and how it wouldn't hurt, she just DID NOT like it one bit! A few elephant tears and as many distractions as I could come up with later, she was done and on to the next room for her ECHO cardiogram.

This one wasn't so bad as there was a flat screen mounted on the wall opposite the technician and Sesame Street was on to help distract her from the gooey stuff on her belly and the scanning wand...oh, and the nurses had given her a candy bracelet. (You remember those? The ones you bite the candy off the stretchy string?)

Then we were in another room and talking with Nurse Julie while she listened to Natalia's heart and asked some questions. The doctor came in after a bit and by that point Natalia had turned on the charm and decided the doctor's office wasn't such a scary place afterall! (It only took an hour and a half to get to that point! HA)

All in all, Natalia's heart looks great. We'll continue to go back once a year, and when she's 7 or 8 they'll also test her on a treadmill to check her function but they don't anticipate any limitations even then. The arterial switch surgery she had at birth was done well they said.

Thank you Lord for a good report and for a healthy growing girl!
:o)

If You're Tired of Kid Pics, You'll Have To Look Elsewhere...

...cuz that's pretty much all I have to blog about these days. :o)

Here's Adam's 6 week old snapshot...he's doing well at holding up his head and has found his fists to suck on.



Then there's the fun outfits he got for Christmas that I've gradually been able to try on him. Isn't this sweater outfit the cutest? I love the cheesy grin!



And it's been fun to see him respond to Natalia when she talks and fusses over him. A doting older sister...

Krazy Kiddo

The other day I put Natalia's hair into two French braids (snacking on her animal crackers and watching Thomas definately helped her sit still) and when she woke up from her nap this was the result. She had also added the baby hairband she had found somewhere. Now doesn't that look take you back?! :oP

Her kinked locks reminded me of my 4th grade school picture! Gotta' love those hairstyles from the 80's! To think that I actually owned a crimping iron!

Tuesday Tidbits

Not much is happening here aside from the everyday stuff...it's the season of life we're in right now. Most days we're staying at home where it's warm, dry and predictable. I am starting to look forward to the warmer temps of springtime so we can be outside and take walks, but for now I'm thankful for the excuse to hibernate. It's nice not having too much to do except nurse, play with Natalia, enjoy our baby boy, and quiet evenings as a family.

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Natalia continues to mimic my every move...it's alittle scary sometimes. It's not uncommon to find her changing her baby doll's diaper. (There's a 1 wipe limit though.) Check out the lifted leg on that baby! HA HA

And every time I merely open a kitchen cabinet door she's right there beside me wanting to lend her expertice. Today we made chocolate chip scones. YUM. If you want the super simple recipe go here. I just substituted the same amount of chips for raisins.

And Adam is a baby constantly in motion except when he's sleeping. He's smiling more frequently, cooing some, and holding that head up high. I'm guessing he's close to 10 lbs. now at 6 weeks old. The boy likes to eat! :o)

Can't you see alittle Pete in him now? :o)

I think he's the cutest little man ever and can't stop kissing his cheeks!