Balancing Life

I'm still trying to get a handle on balancing life with two little boys. I'm only 3 months into it - so still very much a rookie, but I really want to love my family WELL, you know? I want my home to be a haven for Kev when he comes home from work and school. I want my friends to know that they can drop by at any moment and they will be welcomed with a hug, some tea, and a yummy snack. I want them to leave my place feeling loved and refreshed. I want to give the Lord the firstfruits of my day and be constantly and continuously falling deeper in love with Him so that I view life from His eyes, and not my own. AND I want to spend individual quality time with both of my little boys doing what THEY love to do.

For Kaden this means when Jesse is down for his naps, rather than running around like a crazy woman trying to catch up on dishes and laundry, I need to get us both a fun snack and sit and read for a half hour. Or maybe it means going outside in the blazing heat after taking time to sunscreen and bug dope him all over and catch bugs and worms in our backyard. For Jesse it means I give lots of snuggles and touches - ESPECIALLY when he's fussy and savor this time even when he's a wreck rather than wish it away, complain about my aching back, or stress about my half finished supper plans!

It means fully embracing life where I am at right now and letting everything else fall by the wayside for a season. It doesn't matter if I perpetually have bugs roaming my apartment because Kaden can't resist peaking in. It doesn't matter if my home doesn't meet up with my usual expectations of cleanliness and orderliness. It doesn't matter if I don't get showered and make-up on until noon. And it doesn't really matter if my do-list doesn't get done for months on end. It's okay. Relationships are what matter. Everything else is just details......

Progress is Being Made!

Our little guy may just be evening out. I'm still not holding my breath, but a week from now is Jesse's three month mark - right about the same time that Kaden started relaxing a little, too. We shall see. He goes down for the night without a hitch and sleeps through until about 6:30 a.m. He is beginning to soothe himself to sleep better for naps - still decent bouts of crying - but nothing in comparison to what he was doing. And he is having longer and longer moments of pleasantness periodically throughout the day, as well! :0) Good times! The naps are still wicked short, so that's the next thing I really want to start working on with him. Any suggestions?

Today was a really great day. Kev didn't start class today like he thought he did, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous, so we just packed up and went to a local State Park for the day. We all played in the river, Kev and Kaden caught a bass, Jesse slept in his swing some, and Kaden and I caught crayfish, minnows, and about twenty-five toads - no joke - it was crazy! Kaden missed his nap and fell asleep at 5:00 on our drive home, so we just popped him right into bed for the night! Jesse is now down, as well, so Kev and I are going to crash on the couch and watch a movie. I'm off!

Baby Steps

I feel like a tiny bit of progress is being made where Jesse is concerned. He continues to be quite the horrible napper and quite the professional at screaming......but, he is starting to have longer moments of happiness and contentment, as well! Jesse is starting to like his swing more, and I can leave his sight for awhile and have him still stay relatively happy. As he is becoming more aware of his surroundings, I think that he is being entertained a little bit longer at a time. The "diet" is going pretty well. He doesn't seem to be noticing too much that Mommy has been cutting his feedings in half. At times, I think it makes him grumpier - but really no more than he ever has been! He's also going down for the night around 7:30 and only wakes up once in the night - often going between 6 and 8 hour stretches. So, these are mini victories - helpful in keeping the big picture in perspective. On the other hand, I think that I'm starting to have some serious back issues due to the long periods of carrying this not-so-little guy....either that or I'm just getting old. Probably both. Ah well - it's all good!

The Homeward Stretch

Next week marks the beginning of hubby's final year here at PBU. My, how the time has flown - and it really has been quite the fun ride! Earlier this summer, we were the only couple left in our apartment complex, but now the rooms are quickly filling up once again. There is only one other couple besides us who are from the group that initially moved in. So, for this last year, there will only be two families with children. All the rest will be newlyweds and senior students. I kinda' feel bad for the newlyweds who will be living above and below us with our fussy baby, and all. Hey, it'll be good birth control if nothing else! :0)

Yup, the complex was kinda' quiet this summer. It was good for the early days of Jesse's birth, but now I'm liking the busy commotion, the crazy greetings from kids who've missed each other, and all of the U-hauls that are bringing new couples in. It makes the place come alive again!

So, this is it for us! Only one more year for Kev, and as of tonight I am done! Done! Done! The next big thing? Well, besides continuing to figure out the "being-Mommy-to-two" thing, I'm going to be getting trained in the Clarion Consulting ministry (like Kev was) at the end of September. We'll see what adventures spring from this undertaking!

Jesse Update.....

Jesse had his two month check-up last week. Just wanted to give you all a brief update on what's going on with him and us. Currently he weighs almost 18 pounds - this is the size of a typical six month old! He has gained just about a pound a week since birth! The pediatrician is not worried YET, but she says that his weight is not only off the charts, but it is now "skyrocketing." Soooo, our little guy truly is on a diet now! She said that every once in awhile she'll see this happen with a nursing baby - it's more common with formula fed babies, but it does happen. Very weird - Kaden has never had a chubby bone on his body and he nursed much more than Jesse does. Interesting.

So now, not only do I have to be really strict with the times of his feedings, I also have to cut them in half! She wants to see if this rapid weight gain is due to my milk before he has his blood tested for diabetes, metabolic issues, or whatever. We're not really worried, but it's just made it that much more fun with an already fussy baby!

And for our further enjoyment, not only does Jesse continue to be a wretched napper and a fairly crabby baby - he also gets to have his meals cut in half which makes for an even CRABBIER baby. Mommy's had a few VERY overwhelming days. Many days of perpetual crying and screaming. (Jesse....not me. :0) I'm doing okay. I know that this too, shall pass, so I'm trying to keep perspective. Although some days are REEEEEEALY long. I owe many friends and family members phone calls, but lately it's a little hard to carry on conversations amidst the hollering! It's okay, though. I'm still really trying to savor this season of babyhood. Soon enough, he'll be a little boy running all around.

On a bright note - Friday is my very last class where my very last paper is due and then I am officially GRAJITATED! That will be one thing that I can get off my plate, so I'm looking forward to that. So, this afternoon after I give Jesse his supper, I'm headed to Panera for a good five hours to work on my paper, do some devos, and have some yummy food all by my lonesome. That's only two hours away......not that I'm counting the minutes or anything! :0)

Happy Birthday to Me!

And Jesse, too! He's ten weeks old today!
Me - well, I've hit the big 3-0! Crazy!!!

When we went home to Maine we realized that several of our old youth group kids got married this summer! That tells me I'm getting old. Ah well.

To celebrate this grand day, Daddy and Kaden made me a yummy breakfast this morning, and then they each presented me with some lovely cards. Kaden drew some great pictures in his, and Kev presented me with some cold hard cash. My fave! Me thinks I'm going to save up for something big.....maybe a new bike!

Then, we all went to Olive Garden for lunch, and my gift from Jesse was a beautiful long nap throughout the ENTIRE meal! I actually ate everything with two hands AND while it was still hot! That's the greatest birthday gift ever!

Back Home and Deranged!!!

Well, we've arrived back at "Filthy-delphia" the city of brotherly "Shove"....home sweet home. No, just kidding. It's good to get back to our cozy little apartment. It's been a crazy few days, though. It took us about 12 hours to get back. We literally dropped all of our stuff inside, Kev took the rental car back to the agency, and I ran to class.

When I got back at 10:00, the house still looked like a cyclone had swept through it, and Kev and Jesse were crashed out in bed together. I guess Jesse cried the entire time I was in class. Good times for all......Poor boys. So, I came in and gave him some snuggles, fed him, put him in his crib, and then I attacked the place until midnight. It was totally overwhelming me!

Then, Saturday evening and all day Sunday I felt wicked sick. Still not sure what it was, but I had horrible chills (and it's 90 degrees), then I would get all sweaty, and I had a pounding headache. So, Jesse and I skipped church and then when Kev came home, I had a mini breakdown so he watched the boys for me while I slept for four hours straight! Feeling much better now. :0) I think I was getting a little burnt out perhaps. Nothing that a four hour nap couldn't solve!!!