Thursday, September 30, 2010
Watch out, folks! He's on the move!!!
He did it!!! Our little Jett Jett crawled today! Just one day short of turning 8 months old! It is more of a scoot than an actual crawl- but he is getting to where he needs to go- & that's what matters! I am so excited for this milestone in his life- & a tad terrified too!!! DaddyBoy is in the process of editing the video, so once that's done, we will post the footage (it is too cute to miss)!! Stay tuned :)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Growing Pains
I never remember having those dreaded "growing pains" you hear about people going through during their childhood & adolescent years. I do remember one of the biggest growth spurts I had was the summer before my freshman year of high school. I don't know exactly how many inches it was, but I remember it was enough to make my teachers & peers gasp at the difference when I returned to school after summer break! But oddly enough, I never felt any dicomfort or pain from it. I grew to be a pretty decent height (5' 7'') that summer, & it didn't hurt a bit! That worked out nicely if you ask me! Now, you may be wondering, why in the world I am rambling on about growth spurts, high school, & "growing pains"- & here is why. Recently, I have been going through a little "growth spurt" (if you will) & let me tell ya...these growing pains hurt!!!
I am going to be completely real & transparent here (which is soooo not easy for me to do...but it's part of the whole growing experience, so here goes)...
Rewind to 9 months ago- I was just about to welcome into the world our brand new baby! I had made all of the preparations- I had read all of the pregnancy/newborn books, I had the perfect nursery designed, the closet stuffed full of the most adorable clothes, about a months worth of dinners prepared & frozen in the deep freezer, the house cleaned, scrubbed, & sanitized from top to bottom, my bags packed & by the door, a list of people to call once the baby was born....the list goes on & on. I had not forgotten one detail! I was ready to be the PERFECT mom! All I needed was the baby! If you aren't getting the picture yet, let me just tell you a couple of things about myself. I am a perfectionist by nature- total type A personality. I paint a picture in my head of the way things are going to be, & that is exactly how I expect them to turn out! And when things don't go as expected??? Watch out. My world falls apart.
Let me just tell you that after having my sweet, precious, & perfect little baby boy, my world fell apart. Not what you expected? Yah, me neither. I was madly in love with this new little miracle, & had never experienced a love like the one I felt for him. But there were so many other things I was experiencing at the same time that were brand new to me as well, & I hadn't planned for any of it! All of a sudden, everything in my life as I knew it was new- my marriage was different, my friendships were different, I was different. I didn't recognize myself anymore. I didn't have use of my right leg for weeks after coming home from the hospital (due to nerve damage), & I couldn't even carry my own baby from room to room. The confidence I once had in my ability to be a mother was completely gone. Looking back, I can see that I had slipped into terrible postpartum depression. Ummm, none of that was in my plan. The plan was to be a perfect mom, perfect wife, perfect friend, keep a spotless house, take care of all the grocery shopping & finances, have a home cooked dinner on the table every evening, make lots of new mommy friends, go to play groups...so much for my plan. I wasn't living up to any of the things I had envisioned for my new life. It was hard to even get a shower each day! Eventually, things started to get better. My leg started to heal, I started getting out of the house to do the grocery shopping, I joined a few playgroups, I started talking to my friends about what I was going through, & things were okay. But just okay. I was still having a hard time with where my life was at. I absolutely loved being a mom, but a part of me still grieved the loss of my life as I knew it before I had a baby- I didn't know what to make of all these new dynamics in my life. I didn't know where I fit anymore...
Then, sitting in church 3 Sundays ago, it clicked. A real "Ah-Ha" moment. Here's what I heard:
Revelation 21:5
"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new."
It was as if the Lord was speaking directly to me saying, "New is good, Holly. This change, this "new" in your life that you keep resisting; it's from me. And it is a good thing. It brings new opportunities, new friendships, deeper relationships, a new you. New is very good." Oh. Oops. I guess all this time I had never looked at it that way. I am so thankful for a Savior who knows exactly where I'm at, & meets me there. It is all because of Him that I can say I am honestly embracing this "new" in my life, & the view from this spot is a whole lot better! I am realizing that it's okay that I'm not perfect. It's okay that my house isn't spotless. It's okay that I'm not able to complete every little detail on my to-do list, & that there are some days that I don't ever leave the house(or my jammies for that matter). It's okay to share with others that I have struggles in my life, & that I need support to get through them. It's okay to let my guard down & just be me, to set aside expectations on myself & on my relationships. All in all, I am learning that if things don't go as planned- it's okay. I'm finding that real life happens in the messes, the chaos, the spontaneity, the unplanned- & to be real honest, life is more fun that way!
Growing pains are tough- there's no getting around that. But growing pains get you closer to the person you were meant to be--inch by inch. I'm sure I will face many more "growing pains" up ahead. It is my hope that next time, in the midst of those pains, I can reflect back to this time & what God has shown me through this particular little growth spurt. Maybe I'll come out on the other side, a NEW, improved me!
I am going to be completely real & transparent here (which is soooo not easy for me to do...but it's part of the whole growing experience, so here goes)...
Rewind to 9 months ago- I was just about to welcome into the world our brand new baby! I had made all of the preparations- I had read all of the pregnancy/newborn books, I had the perfect nursery designed, the closet stuffed full of the most adorable clothes, about a months worth of dinners prepared & frozen in the deep freezer, the house cleaned, scrubbed, & sanitized from top to bottom, my bags packed & by the door, a list of people to call once the baby was born....the list goes on & on. I had not forgotten one detail! I was ready to be the PERFECT mom! All I needed was the baby! If you aren't getting the picture yet, let me just tell you a couple of things about myself. I am a perfectionist by nature- total type A personality. I paint a picture in my head of the way things are going to be, & that is exactly how I expect them to turn out! And when things don't go as expected??? Watch out. My world falls apart.
Let me just tell you that after having my sweet, precious, & perfect little baby boy, my world fell apart. Not what you expected? Yah, me neither. I was madly in love with this new little miracle, & had never experienced a love like the one I felt for him. But there were so many other things I was experiencing at the same time that were brand new to me as well, & I hadn't planned for any of it! All of a sudden, everything in my life as I knew it was new- my marriage was different, my friendships were different, I was different. I didn't recognize myself anymore. I didn't have use of my right leg for weeks after coming home from the hospital (due to nerve damage), & I couldn't even carry my own baby from room to room. The confidence I once had in my ability to be a mother was completely gone. Looking back, I can see that I had slipped into terrible postpartum depression. Ummm, none of that was in my plan. The plan was to be a perfect mom, perfect wife, perfect friend, keep a spotless house, take care of all the grocery shopping & finances, have a home cooked dinner on the table every evening, make lots of new mommy friends, go to play groups...so much for my plan. I wasn't living up to any of the things I had envisioned for my new life. It was hard to even get a shower each day! Eventually, things started to get better. My leg started to heal, I started getting out of the house to do the grocery shopping, I joined a few playgroups, I started talking to my friends about what I was going through, & things were okay. But just okay. I was still having a hard time with where my life was at. I absolutely loved being a mom, but a part of me still grieved the loss of my life as I knew it before I had a baby- I didn't know what to make of all these new dynamics in my life. I didn't know where I fit anymore...
Then, sitting in church 3 Sundays ago, it clicked. A real "Ah-Ha" moment. Here's what I heard:
Revelation 21:5
"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new."
It was as if the Lord was speaking directly to me saying, "New is good, Holly. This change, this "new" in your life that you keep resisting; it's from me. And it is a good thing. It brings new opportunities, new friendships, deeper relationships, a new you. New is very good." Oh. Oops. I guess all this time I had never looked at it that way. I am so thankful for a Savior who knows exactly where I'm at, & meets me there. It is all because of Him that I can say I am honestly embracing this "new" in my life, & the view from this spot is a whole lot better! I am realizing that it's okay that I'm not perfect. It's okay that my house isn't spotless. It's okay that I'm not able to complete every little detail on my to-do list, & that there are some days that I don't ever leave the house(or my jammies for that matter). It's okay to share with others that I have struggles in my life, & that I need support to get through them. It's okay to let my guard down & just be me, to set aside expectations on myself & on my relationships. All in all, I am learning that if things don't go as planned- it's okay. I'm finding that real life happens in the messes, the chaos, the spontaneity, the unplanned- & to be real honest, life is more fun that way!
Growing pains are tough- there's no getting around that. But growing pains get you closer to the person you were meant to be--inch by inch. I'm sure I will face many more "growing pains" up ahead. It is my hope that next time, in the midst of those pains, I can reflect back to this time & what God has shown me through this particular little growth spurt. Maybe I'll come out on the other side, a NEW, improved me!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday Funday!
Shoo Wee!!! What a whirlwind of a weekend! It was nonstop fun- & precisely what weekends should be made of!
Having fun checking out the pumpkins!!
Takin' everything in at the River Market!
Having fun!
New friends :)
Saturday (after soccer), Jared, Jett, & myself headed to the River Market. It was a cool day, so we thought it would be fun to walk around & enjoy the nice weather! The market was spinning with comotion, & Jett loved watching every bit of it! We walked all around the market, had a quick lunch (Jett stole a couple bites of my fries), bought some home-made pumpkin bread & pitas, then headed home before the rain storm blew in! Jared & I are looking forward to taking Jett back to the River Market again & again; for him to get to experience such a neat part of Kansas City as he grows up!
I spent Saturday evening with a bunch of my girlfriends- we laughed, cried, shared our hearts, & stayed up wayyyyyy too late! It was a blast, & I can't wait until we do it again! Jared stayed home with the little Jett man & took care of him. I am so thankful for a husband who encourages me to go & do things for myself & to have my time with the girls--it is much needed & I am finding that a little "me time" helps to me to be a better wife & mother!
Today we took a little jaunt up north to spend the day with our good friend Courtney & her precious little family! Jared & I went to Pitt State with Courtney--in fact, she is the one who introduced Jared & I, & played the little "matchmaker"! I am so glad she did-- I owe her BIG!!! Courtney & Donnie have 2 adorable little girls, & their youngest was born only 10 days after Jett was born! We were really excited to get our kiddos together! Jett showed off like you wouldn't believe, & while I'm not sure little Miss Avery was impressed, it sure did crack us up!
It was a really, really great day! It was fun to reminisce about our old college days, & also fun to see where our lives have taken us since college! Real, true friendships that stand the test of time are few & far between, & I sure am thankful for the ones I have in my life!
It was a super fun, action packed weekend, & even though I am exhausted, I can't go to bed just yet--the season premier of Brothers & Sisters is recording & it is calling my name! See ya!
Having fun checking out the pumpkins!!Takin' everything in at the River Market!Having fun!New friends :)Friday, September 24, 2010
FABULOUS Friday!!
Happy Friday!! It sure has been a happy Friday for us! The day started out with lots of laughs, when I went in to get my little Cutie Boy out of his crib this morning, & this is what I found!
We've got a stripper on our hands, folks! We both just cracked up! The more I laughed at him, the more he laughed with me! Gosh, there is NOTHING better in the world than waking up to that little face!It was THE most gorgeous day today! Fall weather is comin' & I am oh so excited!! My bff Stacy, & her little boy came over & spent the morning with us. We played at our house for a bit, went & grabbed a coffee, & headed to the park. The boys had a blast at the park! Jude (Stacy's little guy) LOVED the slides! He just about jumped out of his carseat when he spotted them as we were driving up to the park- so cute! Jett stuck to his all time favorite- the swings! I pulled him out once to see if he wanted to try the slides, & he immediately cried & reached for the swing. So...back to swinging we went! The boys had the best time, & Stacy & I enjoyed chatting with eachother & other moms we met there!
Stacy & Jude came back to our house for some lunch & more playtime! We all had such a nice time together! I am so blessed to have such a precious friend. I call her my "once in a lifetime friend" because I know there will never be another friendship in my life that is like the one we share. She is so much more like a sister to me, than just a friend! I know that so many people will never have a friendship like ours , & I don't take it for granted- not one bit! We don't always agree- but we do agree that our friendship is one that we will always fight for! I love her dearly, & am thankful that God allowed our paths to cross!
Here are a few pics from our FABULOUS Friday with friends :)
Jude insisted on playing with toys in Jett's crib! It cracked us up!
Jett with his "Aunt" Stacy! He loves her!Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Weekend Flashback!
Happy Wednesday everyone! Before it escapes me (& while the little Jett man takes his afternoon nap), I want to share what we did last weekend!
Our church soccer league started up again this past Saturday, & like every other year since the league began, Jared is coaching a team! (I even coached a 5 yr old all girls team one year if you can believe that!! ) It is such an awesome image to drive over that hill on Adams Dairy Parkway, & see those fields just bursting with energy! Kids galore- families galore- friends galore!!! It is an amazing ministry, & so much fun to be a part of! Jared leaves super duper early on Saturdays to go up & line the fields, get the equipment out, & prepare for the day. He has mentioned over & over (even before Jett was born) how he cannot wait until he can have our son up at those fields on Saturday mornings! So....Jett & I thought we'd pay Daddyboy a little visit & surprise him! When we walked up to Jared's field, you would have thought that Jett & I were celebrities! We were greeted by 12 girls & boys running up to us yelling, "Is this Jett?!?!" I found it to be pretty sweet that Jared had already talked about Jett to his team. Jared was absolutely ELATED that we were there!! He was just beaming to have his son there with him! He even took Jett out on the sidelines to "help" him coach! Even though Jett melted down pretty soon after showing up, & was in desperate need of a nap, it was a very precious moment (& worth every bit of sweat trucking that stroller, baby, & bag). I am so glad we took the time to make that memory! We will be visiting Daddyboy lots more up at the fields on Saturday mornings...I mean, we've gotta start early if we are going to make a pro soccer player out of our son! ;)
On Sunday afternoon, we decided to head up to the Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival. To be honest, it was pretty lame. I am used to my annual small town celebration in Fort Scott called Good Ol' Days, & was expecting this Fall Fun Fest to be fairly similar. Let's just say, I have a whole new respect for Good Ol' Days. Anyways...we did decide to go ahead & make the most of it. We started out by checking out the "Dog Docks" area (which was the only cool thing about this festival). This was a competition that consisted of dogs running, jumping, & splashing into a really long pool- I think there were different categories, like distance, retrieving, etc. It was pretty neat! There were dogs everywhere- big dogs, medium dogs, little tiny dogs- but there was one dog in particular that caught Jett's attention- a sweet, adorable yellow lab standing nearby. Over all the barking that was going on, I heard a little giggle. I looked down to see Jett & this dog staring at eachother, & Jett giggling & smiling up a storm at this sweet dog! It was soooo adorable, & of course at that point, I got camera crazy!! The owners of the dog were sweet enough to let their "baby" get close to our baby & have a moment. It made my heart smile, & I wondered to myself as we walked away, if perhaps maybe someday a yellow lab may be in our future...
We took a stroll down the main strip to check out the rest of the Festival, grabbed a couple famous "Timothy Lutheran" burgers that we had heard were nothing short of amazing, & headed home. We enjoyed our burgers at home (which I must say, were AMAZING!), & we decided that even though the Fall Fun Fest wasn't ALL that we had imagined, it was still worth it!
It was such a fun weekend! Jett is at the age where it is easier to get out of the house & do things! He loves looking at everything & taking this big ol' world in, & we enjoy seeing him soak it all up! Our October is chocked full of so many fun things, & we can't wait to see them from our little Jett Jett's perspective! I never dreamed having a family of my own would be this much fun!
Well, little Meatball is up & ready to play now, so I gotta run! :)
Our church soccer league started up again this past Saturday, & like every other year since the league began, Jared is coaching a team! (I even coached a 5 yr old all girls team one year if you can believe that!! ) It is such an awesome image to drive over that hill on Adams Dairy Parkway, & see those fields just bursting with energy! Kids galore- families galore- friends galore!!! It is an amazing ministry, & so much fun to be a part of! Jared leaves super duper early on Saturdays to go up & line the fields, get the equipment out, & prepare for the day. He has mentioned over & over (even before Jett was born) how he cannot wait until he can have our son up at those fields on Saturday mornings! So....Jett & I thought we'd pay Daddyboy a little visit & surprise him! When we walked up to Jared's field, you would have thought that Jett & I were celebrities! We were greeted by 12 girls & boys running up to us yelling, "Is this Jett?!?!" I found it to be pretty sweet that Jared had already talked about Jett to his team. Jared was absolutely ELATED that we were there!! He was just beaming to have his son there with him! He even took Jett out on the sidelines to "help" him coach! Even though Jett melted down pretty soon after showing up, & was in desperate need of a nap, it was a very precious moment (& worth every bit of sweat trucking that stroller, baby, & bag). I am so glad we took the time to make that memory! We will be visiting Daddyboy lots more up at the fields on Saturday mornings...I mean, we've gotta start early if we are going to make a pro soccer player out of our son! ;)
On Sunday afternoon, we decided to head up to the Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival. To be honest, it was pretty lame. I am used to my annual small town celebration in Fort Scott called Good Ol' Days, & was expecting this Fall Fun Fest to be fairly similar. Let's just say, I have a whole new respect for Good Ol' Days. Anyways...we did decide to go ahead & make the most of it. We started out by checking out the "Dog Docks" area (which was the only cool thing about this festival). This was a competition that consisted of dogs running, jumping, & splashing into a really long pool- I think there were different categories, like distance, retrieving, etc. It was pretty neat! There were dogs everywhere- big dogs, medium dogs, little tiny dogs- but there was one dog in particular that caught Jett's attention- a sweet, adorable yellow lab standing nearby. Over all the barking that was going on, I heard a little giggle. I looked down to see Jett & this dog staring at eachother, & Jett giggling & smiling up a storm at this sweet dog! It was soooo adorable, & of course at that point, I got camera crazy!! The owners of the dog were sweet enough to let their "baby" get close to our baby & have a moment. It made my heart smile, & I wondered to myself as we walked away, if perhaps maybe someday a yellow lab may be in our future...
We took a stroll down the main strip to check out the rest of the Festival, grabbed a couple famous "Timothy Lutheran" burgers that we had heard were nothing short of amazing, & headed home. We enjoyed our burgers at home (which I must say, were AMAZING!), & we decided that even though the Fall Fun Fest wasn't ALL that we had imagined, it was still worth it!
It was such a fun weekend! Jett is at the age where it is easier to get out of the house & do things! He loves looking at everything & taking this big ol' world in, & we enjoy seeing him soak it all up! Our October is chocked full of so many fun things, & we can't wait to see them from our little Jett Jett's perspective! I never dreamed having a family of my own would be this much fun!
Well, little Meatball is up & ready to play now, so I gotta run! :)
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Back in action!!
I know it's been a little while, & I have an excuse- September has not been our month! We have been sick sick & more sick. Jett & I were sharing the same nasty virus for awhile, & then that nasty little virus turned into a nasty big ear infection for the little Jett man. I was so sad when I found out he had an ear infection at the age of 7 months. In a way, I felt like a bit of a failure as a mom. I mean, here I am doing everything in my power to make sure he is the healthiest baby that ever lived- I stay home with him, I pump every 3 hours so that he gets all of those amazing antibodies from breast milk, & where does it get me??? An ear infection?! Ugh! But MY baby was the baby that was NEVER going to get an ear infection!! It was really disheartening news, to say the least. But after a little wallowing, I have come to the realization that I am a mom- perfectly imperfect- & my child is going to get sick every once in awhile. It's okay. Breathe. Welcome to a day in the life of a perfectionist & control freak!
The good news is that we are all feeling MUCH better & life is going on!
BIG BIG news- our little Jett Jett has 2 little bottom teeth!! They happen to be the cutest teeth that I have ever seen in my life! And you won't believe it, but I never even knew he was teething. He never fussed, screamed, or missed a wink of sleep. One day, he pulled my finger up to his mouth, & I shrieked because suddenly there was something sharp in there! That was a Friday (Aug 27th) & by Sunday there were 2 teeth poking through! What a little trooper!
It is so crazy to me how these little milestones happen over night, literally. One day, no teeth; 2 days later, 2 teeth. Crazy. And speaking of milestones, I believe he is just days away from crawling. He goes round & round in circles, rolls himself to the things he wants to grab, & has just recently found that he can get up on his knees & rock & sort of "catapult" himself forward. I love seeing those little wheels turning in his head as he figures out this world & how to move about in it! It makes my heart smile :)
Lately, he has also learned to shake his head "no". At first, I thought he had just realized he could shake his head from side to side, that he really didn't know that he was saying "no". But one day while feeding him, he pursed his lips together , & shook his head "no" as I put the spoon up to his mouth. Hmmmm....I think he knows more than I think he does!!
We are enjoying our Kindermusik class so very much! The first 2 times, I wasn't so sure about it...Jett would watch everything going on around him, but would never crack a smile, giggle, laugh, nothing. I would dance, sing, act a fool, & nada....he would look at me like I (& the teacher, the other moms, & all of the children) were crazy. I would come home & do the same things we had done in class, & he would throw his head back with laughter. Huh??? I had come to the conclusion that he hated Kindermusik. But then, last Thursday happened!!! Class started & not too far into it, he smiled...then he squealed & talked...then he showed interest in the other babies...then, he rode in a buggy (aka laundry basket) with another little baby boy his age! They held hands, & touched eachothers faces, & had so much fun together, & I melted. Kindermusik is good. Scratch that. Kindermusik is great! We can't wait until next Thursday!!!
Welp, it's late, & though I really want to share our weekend, it will have to wait until tomorrow. It was a great weekend, & it has left me (& Jared, who is passed out in the chair as I type) tuckered out! So Goodnight! Be back tomorrow!
The good news is that we are all feeling MUCH better & life is going on!
BIG BIG news- our little Jett Jett has 2 little bottom teeth!! They happen to be the cutest teeth that I have ever seen in my life! And you won't believe it, but I never even knew he was teething. He never fussed, screamed, or missed a wink of sleep. One day, he pulled my finger up to his mouth, & I shrieked because suddenly there was something sharp in there! That was a Friday (Aug 27th) & by Sunday there were 2 teeth poking through! What a little trooper!
It is so crazy to me how these little milestones happen over night, literally. One day, no teeth; 2 days later, 2 teeth. Crazy. And speaking of milestones, I believe he is just days away from crawling. He goes round & round in circles, rolls himself to the things he wants to grab, & has just recently found that he can get up on his knees & rock & sort of "catapult" himself forward. I love seeing those little wheels turning in his head as he figures out this world & how to move about in it! It makes my heart smile :)
Lately, he has also learned to shake his head "no". At first, I thought he had just realized he could shake his head from side to side, that he really didn't know that he was saying "no". But one day while feeding him, he pursed his lips together , & shook his head "no" as I put the spoon up to his mouth. Hmmmm....I think he knows more than I think he does!!
We are enjoying our Kindermusik class so very much! The first 2 times, I wasn't so sure about it...Jett would watch everything going on around him, but would never crack a smile, giggle, laugh, nothing. I would dance, sing, act a fool, & nada....he would look at me like I (& the teacher, the other moms, & all of the children) were crazy. I would come home & do the same things we had done in class, & he would throw his head back with laughter. Huh??? I had come to the conclusion that he hated Kindermusik. But then, last Thursday happened!!! Class started & not too far into it, he smiled...then he squealed & talked...then he showed interest in the other babies...then, he rode in a buggy (aka laundry basket) with another little baby boy his age! They held hands, & touched eachothers faces, & had so much fun together, & I melted. Kindermusik is good. Scratch that. Kindermusik is great! We can't wait until next Thursday!!!
Welp, it's late, & though I really want to share our weekend, it will have to wait until tomorrow. It was a great weekend, & it has left me (& Jared, who is passed out in the chair as I type) tuckered out! So Goodnight! Be back tomorrow!
Here is a pic DaddyBoy snuck of us while we were sick.
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