Mother's Day

I know that this is technically my second Mother's Day...but it's so different.  Last year I was still newly pregnant and not even feeling my little baby move yet.  It didn't feel real.  I had no idea what to expect.  I did not feel yet like a mother. 

Then our little baby grew, he kicked, he squirmed, he poked....he filled my belly.  He was born.  It was intense, painful, wonderful and beautiful...I felt like a mother.  Holding my little baby was so surreal.  I cannot explain the overwhelming love and wonder in my Creator. 

Motherhood is different.   I feel as though I am doing what I was created to do, I love it!  It is hard, it is tiring, it is overwhelming at times.... but the holding, the cuddling, the nursing all give me a tingle of purpose.  This is what I'm supposed to be doing. 

With every day that passes my little baby grows and will continue to grow and challenge me in being his mother.  We will hopefully have more children...which will stretch me more as a mother.  But He who has brought me this far will sustain me.  He will give me strength.  He will guide and direct my paths.  And I'm not alone, I have a wonderful husband sharing this journey!  I am so thankful to first be a wife, then a mother. 

I know that I have such little experience in the "mom" department in the grand scheme of life.  This has given me such a new perspective and respect for my own mom.  My little Graham is still in arms.  He still loves to be held, for me to nurse him, for me to smile at him and always be near him.  The day will come when he wants "down".  He wants to run free...and with my approval.  While I look forward to seeing him grow up, I do not wish it too quickly!  God has, in His sovereignty, given Matt and me this little child of His for a time...and we are to raise him in the nurture of the Spirit.  We pray that we get to see him grow up serving his Lord and claim the Spirit for himself.  But not  yet....he is still my baby.

Thank you momma for your example of faith, for your love, for your little nudges as I grew up.  For your support as I entered into the "mom club".  I still seek your approval....as I'm sure I always will.  I know that the journey of motherhood is not easy, it is not quick.  And I am so blessed to have an example still before me. 

On this my second Mother's Day I am thankful.  But I also pray that I have many more of these....many more days to examine my heart.  May the path of my mothering be one full of faith and joy in my Savior! 

"Rejoice in the Lord always.

Again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Phil. 4:4-7

7 months

daddy love

babies x 7

I feel so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by a group of strong Christian new mommies these days.  On a semi *daily* basis I bet I call one if not six of them.  When one baby has a bad night or is being cranky we can always encourage each other since the babies range from 9 months down.  I know as I transitioned into mom-ville I had no idea what to expect - I thought I did, but oohhh was I short sighted.  These other women (I rarely use that word because I think it makes us sound old) are like my life line now.  There is only so much my dear Matt can handle when it comes to all of the *thousands* of things that run, race through my head all day.  These other mommies usually can relate!  Plus, while we catch up or ask what is usually not a silly question about the color of our baby's spit up and what not, the babies can all play (or cry) together!  

This last week was the first baby party post winter cold season.  It was sooo good to see everyone and how much the babies have all changed!  There are some mommy and baby pairs that are missing from this picture (but as soon as school is out they'll be joining us!).  But how amazing to get 7 babies all awake and happy at the same time.... wow.

The babies are oldest to youngest from left to right. *hardest picture ever.

Blaise (9m), Meredith (8 1/2m), Parker (8m), Graham (7m), Austin (7m), Will (6 1/2m), and Nora (5weeks).

Sooooo cute!

she's never very far

Mable is always close...just out of his reach.

The blur in Graham's hand is an apple wedge.  He loves to gum on them these days!

can't get enough...

 

food and conversation

Before I forget...I want to document what Graham is saying and eating.  I had wanted to write this post a couple of weeks ago but I forgot.  So this is his 6 1/2 month update...

Early words:  He is saying tons of consonants all the time and babbling like a magpie.  He says his D's, B's, G's, Y's, L's and W's....usually with a super serious face as if he has something important to tell us.  We joke that he's going to just start asking us to move him around (since he's just starting to roll and not totally solid in the sitting up department).  "Mom and dad, will you sit me up over there?  I just fell flat on my face."

Early tastes:  We're introducing solids very slowly.  Graham just had his first taste of food after turning 6 months.  We haven't and don't plan to do cereal but just keep nursing as his main source of nutrients.  He has tasted butternut squash twice, sweet potatoes twice, avocado once, and banana a few times.  Food isn't so much a hit.  He usually eats like 3 bites before starting to literally spit it out projectile style.  The other night I gave him a fresh carrot stick to gum on during dinner.  Anything I give him usually ends up on the floor...but not this carrot.  This kept his attention for like 20 straight minutes!  It was so funny to watch him licking and sucking on that carrot.  Now we give it to him when we eat to keep him quiet, haha!