Being a Mom

Being a mom is the best thing ever. EVER. I just can't believe how much I love my munchkins. Having small children is exhausting, time consuming and completely self-sacrificing. It is also the most worthwhile, rewarding, fun, meaningful, incredible thing I've even had the privilege to be a part of. Kallie and Judah are such complete joys, I just can't get over it:) Here are a few things that I just am crazy for in my kids:

Kallie

-is super affectionate, loves to give hugs and kisses and shower us with 'I love you's
-is a complete and utter goofball. I thought all kids were this silly, but through different experiences and other parents' comments, I'm really starting to see that this goofiness is a big part of her personality, which is unique to her.
-is so independent. I'm always so proud of how well behaved Kallie is and how well she does on her own. I can trust her to do so many things on her own, and it is really awesome to see her develop those skills.
-is a genius:) Ok, so that may be a biased mama's opinion, but she definitely is a smart little cookie:) She has a memory like a steel trap, and right now she's really focused on learning her letters. It's summer and she's 3, so I'm not really jumping all over it, but from the relaxed conversations about letters that we have, she knows about 10 of them, can write about 5 and loves to explore what words start with which letters.

Judah
-is the happiest baby there has ever been:) And this is no bias---ask anyone who's spent time with him. My sweet boy constantly giggles and laughs, shrieks with joy and smiles, just because. He can be by himself in a room, with no toys (good mom, huh?:) and just be giggling:)
-is a snuggle bug. Almost every who picks him up gets a nice little snuggle---he buries his face in your neck, wraps is arm around your shoulder, and just rests there:)
-is friendly. He has never, ever made strange, and he's 7 1/2 months now. Kallie started making strange at 6 months, and he just never has. He loves people, and is his happiest when he has someone to 'talk' with:)
-has found his voice. He completely shrieks and babbles SO loudly, it's pretty funny. He's been really silent until now, so it's a shock to hear him so vocal!
-is busy! He is at a stage where if anything is within arms reach, he's grabbing/pushing/pulling/eating it:)

This post is mostly for me...I don't want to forget this stuff, so thanks for bearing with me:) One of my favourite things about being a mom, is getting to spend time with other moms and see how much we adore our kids:) I think it's so special that God created us with this amazing love for our children, that no one else is capable of feeling for them:)

Our Little Peanut...

is allergic to peanuts:(

About 6 weeks ago, Kallie put her peanut butter sandwich on Judah's forehead (gotta love 3 year olds:) and he got three big welts in about 2 minutes. The next day, he got some pb on his cheek from the daycare kids, and his face and neck were covered in welts in about 2 minutes again. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach, an overwhelming sadness, as I came to my own conclusion.

We were referred to a pediatritian and had allergy testing done. Result? Judah has a 'very significant allergy to peanuts'. This means that he's most likely anaphalactic and although 20% of children can outgrow a peanut allergy, the more severe the allergy, the less likely that is. Since birth Judah has had extremely senstive skin and eczema. He frequently breaks out in rashes and although it's been really great having him start solids, b/c of how sensitive he is and knowing he has 1definite allergy, it's also been very stressful.

Right now all we can do is control Judah's environment...we can't have him around any peanut products, and people cannot eat or touch peanut products and then handle/kiss him. We need to start making the drastic changes to completely de-peanut our house (meaning every product that 'may contain peanuts' or were made 'in a plant that contains peanuts' is gonzo). This includes things you'd never think of, like Bath and Body Works products and other household items. I'm so overwhelmed by it. For the most part I push it to the back of my mind, but every now and then, I let my mind jump ahead a few years, to the worry, the responsibility, and to Judah's experience...and it makes me cry. And panic.

I'm very aware that in the big picture, when I know people who have lost children and who can't have children, this is no big deal. I'm thankful, so so thankful for my beautiful boy. But right now, this is our big deal. And it feels tough.

My Six Month Old

Ok, I don't want to blog anymore. At all. But I know I really should. I don't want to forget all of this. And I find when I'm putting something off, the best way to get over it...is to just do it. SO, here goes.

Judah is 6 months already! I can't believe it, I really don't feel like that much time has gone by or that he could possibly be that old! Here are 10 bits of info about my adorable baby boy:

1. Judah is the happiest, calmest, smiliest, giggliest baby in the world! I've never encountered a baby like him:) He has a smile for anyone who will make eye contact with him, and the number one question we get when out in public is, 'Is he always this happy?!?' And the answer is YES! Unless he's way past a meal time or hours past when he should have slept, he's happy. Even when he's overtired, he's happy:) He is such a joy, and I just can't get enough of his little belly laugh, which I get to hear at least 20 time a day:)

2. He's huge:) He's in 12-18 month clothing, and weighs over 20 lbs! I think he's going to be built like his daddy...

3. Judah is a decent sleeper. He's way better than Kallie ever was, but he's still up at least once a night (sometimes 2-3 times) which someone just reminded me isn't actually all that great for 6 months;) It's ok though, he's been exclusively breastfed up until this week, so I think that solids will help him sleep through the night. I mean really, he's the size of a 1 year old:) He needs more food!

4. Judah is not vaccinated. This isn't really a 'Judah' fact, but it's something I want to record. We vaccinated Kallie on the regular schedule, but have decided to wait until after a year to vaccinate Judah. It's been a different experience not having a dr's appt. every 2 months.

5. He has extremely sensitive skin. He has rashes that come and go, as well as eczema. We have to be very careful about what touches his skin.

6. He's almost sitting up on his own. I think it might still be awhile before we can let him sit without us close by to catch him, but he's getting there;)

7. He loves being on his tummy. Anytime I put him on his back, he almost immediately flips to his belly, and this includes sleeping. It freaks me out a bit---ever since he learned to roll, he's never slept on his back. I don't really know what to do, I can't get him to stop, so for now I'm just checking on him lots:)

8. He loves Kallie more than anyone else! He is completely fascinated with her and just can't get enough. Every time I get him out of his crib, I can barely get him to look at me b/c he's searching for her. As soon as he hears her voice, his eyes light up and he starts to squirm with excitement:)

9. Judah loves playing with toys. He can grab everything, and loves to explore with his hands. He also loves taking his soother in and out of his mouth.

10. He's half snuggle bug, and half mr. independent. If he ever fusses, you just have to put him down and he'll be content. But when he's sleepy, he wants nothing more than to nuzzle right in, and has been known to wrap his little arms around the neck of whoever is holding him and rest his head on their shoulder:)

So there you go, a post finished! Of course, sans pictures, but I've decided that FB gets all of my pics, so occasionally I'll add some here, but if we wait for pictures, it'll be a lot longer before a post happens!;)

Getting back into it...

So, it's been awhile, and when it's been awhile, I always feel really overwhelmed with everything I haven't been blogging about and don't know where to start. SO, I thought I'd start with me:) I found this on another blog, and thought I'd give it a try. It was fun, and maybe, just maybe, will get me blogging again (see things I fear for the real reason I need to get doing this!!!)

I am...
a follower of Christ
a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend
very happy with my life
working on becoming a person I didn't think I could be
athletic
learning to be patient

I love...
God
my husband
my children
my friends
chocolate chips:)
Starbucks frappucinos:)

I don't like...
housework
ignorance
insecurity
narcissism
listening to my babies (or any babies, really) cry:(

I am looking forward to...
having more babies:)
two trips this year to see family and friends
seeing my children as adults, being a part of their lives and loving on my grandbabies:)
heaven
being at a healthy weight again

I wish...
losing weight were easier;)
I was more creative in some way
more people cared about issues in our world that need our action to make a change

I hope...
when my children look back, amongst all my flaws they will truly see who I was/am as a mom, and be happy that I'm their mama:)
Lyndon and I get to be great-grandparents


I fear...
losing my children
not doing with my life what I am called to
not documenting our lives well enough, and the memories being lost
what others think of me

I pray...
My children will choose to be followers of Christ
I will get to be with all of my family one day in Heaven
Lyndon and I are building a family and home that glorify God
I am the mom I need to be to help my children become who God created them to be
I show love to each person I meet

3 months? WHAT?!?!?

ok, it's no secret that I am horribly inconsistent when it comes to blogging. In fact, are there any of you actually reading this right now? I doubt it. Anyways, as bad as I am...I had no idea it had been 3 months! Honestly, I can't really say where these last 3 months have gone in any aspect of my life, they have raced by without me noticing. I'd really like to start blogging more, like I said, I want to document everything...so, for those of you who still sporadically check, thanks for doing so, and hopefully there'll be something new and fun to read soon:)!

My Sweet Kallie

So, I said I was going to post funny things Kallie said, and haven't been doing a very good job! Tonight, she gave me the chance to record two new ones, so here goes:)

(I posted this one on facebook...too cute to pass up!)
'Mom!' 'What Kallie?' As she held my face in her hands (squishing my cheeks a bit) and stared lovingly into my eyes, 'You have chubby little cheekers just like Judah and me!!!' She thought this was hilarious!

Lyndon was at worship band practice at church tonight, so just Kallie and I got Judah ready for bed. After we put his jammies on, I asked her if she wanted to pray for Judah too tonight. She said yes, so after I finished praying, I then said a short prayer that she repeated one line at a time. After I prayed, 'Lord, please bless Judah as he sleeps tonight' she said it, paused, and then said, 'Ok Jesus? Ok?' . It was so funny, she was making sure He was going to do it;) And then on her own, 'and protect him and keep him safe Jesus. In Jesus' name, AMEN!!' And then as I put him down in the crib, 'mom, can you pray over me now?' Oh, how I love you sweet, sweet girl.

Our boring (but wonderful:) life

I haven't updated in awhile because, well, I don't really have much to update on. Things have been quite laid back, and a tad bit boring around here lately. The kids are both doing great, Kallie is as sweet and funny as ever:) She's had a fun couple of weeks, going swimming with her Oma, having a sleep-over at Oma and Opa's, and we've had a couple of parties (birthday and Valentine's) at daycare. She did have the stomach flu last weekend, but has completely recovered:) Judah is growing, eating, and sleeping like a dream:)! He's already given us a couple of 7 hour stretches, and consistently does 4-5 hour stretches at night. A couple of weeks ago he had his days and nights mixed up, so I started waking him up and nursing him more during the day (upon the advice from my lactation consultant and from my best friend) and it worked like a charm! He doesn't sleep any longer than 2 hours during the day, but when we put him to bed between 7-8 pm, he does his first long stretch for the night. He already puts himself to sleep, which is miraculous to me, b/c things were so much harder with Kallie. I think it's a combination of knowing SO much more about babies and their sleep needs this time around, and him just being a great sleeper! Whatever the reasons, I'm just thankful, b/c with a daycare to run, I'd be losing my mind otherwise! He is an incredibly happy, sweet, bubbly little baby:) He loves cooing, smiling HUGE and giggling:) Sigh, it just makes me so happy I feel like my heart could burst! Kallie loves making Judah smile, and she literally squeals when she makes him laugh, which again, makes my heart feel like it's going to explode:)

Kallie has been having a bit of trouble with her sleep lately, she's been having nightmares:( It's really sad, she wakes up hysterical in the middle of the night. We always bring her into bed with us because we really want her to feel secure and safe. It only happens 1-2 nights a week, but for her to be scared like that, it's a lot! We've been praying over her and about it, but any other suggestions from parents who have had kids with nightmares, would be appreciated! It's pretty cozy in our bed those nights, especially b/c I nurse Judah lying down in our bed...quite the feat cramming all four of us in there:) We co-slept with Kallie for quite awhile (she just moved into her big girl bed in November) and I have to admit, both Lyndon and I enjoy snuggling with her some nights again:)

Things have been slowing down a bit for Lyndon workwise, so we've had a lot more time together as a family, which has been great! I've been feeling a little less overwhelmed lately, and making my 'Six List' every day is REALLY helping me! I get it done every day, and so feel productive every day, but not overwhelmed or out of control! I still have quite a few moments where I look around the house and realize all that needs to be done (and then panic a little bit), but I just talk myself down from there...I have to be able to just not care about some things in order to enjoy life! And making it a priority to have one-on-one time with Kallie every day really helps too, I tend to have a hard time just living in the present...I'm always thinking ten steps ahead about what I need to get done, but when I'm with her, I'm able to just *be* there, because that's the most important thing I could possibly be doing:)

We have a fun month coming up, the first week of March, one of my best friends from college, Kat, is coming to visit us from Calgary! She's staying for a whole week, and I can't wait! And at the end of the month my mom is coming for a visit, and then we're all driving to Winnipeg for Easter. I can't wait to spend time with my family and see my wonderful friends. No one there has met Judah yet, so it'll be fun! AND I get to meet my good friend Kelly's beautiful baby girl, Ava, when we're home! She and Judah are just a bit over a month apart:) Congratulations Kelly and Bryan!!!:)

Hope everyone is doing well, I'm so excited for this weekend, not too much happening, but we're having lots of time together as a family, and I have a couple of playdates lined up too, so it should be fun!!!