Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Little Friends!

Early this month we got together with our Birth Class for a little pizza party baby style- aren't they darling? It was fun talking about how the past couple months had gone for each of us and what are little babes were doing. Rowen's the youngest at 4 weeks here, the oldest (2 1/2 months) & her mommy left before we got a picture taken. :o( We're hoping to get together again next month! Isn't that fun? Check out these pictures: what dorkey first time parents we all are! haha. (We're even lined up in age order- hahaha)

and THIS is Baby Eilee- the sweet little girly I'll be caring for starting in December. Isn't she darling? She's sooo cuddly and adorable and has the softest hair- Rowen and I got to hang out with her and her mommy for a little bit yesterday- and I can't wait for more snuggles! They're going to have lots of fun together as they grow! See what pals they'll be? They're already holding hands! She's (get this) TWO DAYS older than Rowen. That's right, we ended up being "neighbors" in the hospital- just a couple doors down! So funny.
Wow- I didn't notice this in person, but she's really putting Rowen's cheeks to shame! Yummy!

and here is little Mr. Billings! Nicole and Jered welcomed little JJ into the world yesterday morning and he is soooooo handsome. It's going to be fun watching them run around at church together one day! And isn't Nicole beautiful for just having an almost 9 lb baby? Way to go, sister! We are so happy for you guys!!! He is perfect and God is so good!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Look Who's Smilin'!




too unbelievably cute.

FREE PHOTO BOOK!

From Jessica Harris' blog ...THANKS JESS!

"I don't watch Oprah but my mom told me about a show she did yesterday...something about getting organized...anyway, I guess they were cleaning out someone's house and they took all the artwork from the kids, took digital photos and turned it into a coffee table book. Pretty cool idea - I know I need to do SOMETHING with all the artwork we have and I can't stand the thought of getting rid of it! What a great idea, turning it into a book!
So, want a free photo book??? Go to Oprah.com and click on "get your free gift from Snapfish" You MUST log in and get your credit by this Friday and you MUST create and order it by SUNDAY. Quick, but totally free hardcover photo book.
http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081029_tows_messyhouse/7


I just made one and ordered it- so easy- I can't wait to get it!! The shipping is $6.99, but that's a steal of a deal! You have to do it today so hurry up!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Lovin' the Moby

All three of us have decided that the Moby Wrap is a must-have. Rowen is soooo snuggly and warm all wrapped up next to Momma or Daddy- (and we get to have free hands!) During the day, it's a life saver when I have to walk the dog (and bend down to pick up poo...) especially in the rain. I haven't gotten too used to "getting things done" while wearing him yet, though I can if I have to. Shopping is nice also with both hands free and no car seat to tote around or giant stroller to push either. I'm looking forward to trying the other 18 ways to wrap him up- but these two are nice for now!
Facing in- all snuggly in the fetal position, warm and toasty with Daddy. Matt can even zip his coat up around him! (Look out! It's a pregnant man!)



The FAMILY!


Facing out! You can't see them in this *really great* picture- har har- but his little legs can hang out and kick free in this one. He's looking at the lights- as usual.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

First Bottle...

It's not really fun getting no sleep. It's okay- I know it's just a short period of time, and i'm not really wishing it away because I know he's going to grow up way too fast. But a 4 hour stretch of sleep wouldn't hurt! So, since he's nursing SO well, we decided to try out a bottle on Friday so that I can nurse him in the evening and then head straight to bed, and Matt can take care of the next feeding with the bottle while I sleep. Of course, little food-monster, he took all 3 ounces from Daddy without batting an eyelash. (I, on the other hand, (after taking photos) went into the bedroom very sad! Thinking ridiculous thoughts like "he doesn't need me!" and then "of course he does, that stuff does NOT come from the store!") hahaha
It's Tuesday now and we still haven't tried this trick again because my little angel has been feeding 3-4 hours at night instead of 2 for the past couple days. So I've been heading to bed early with the expressed milk ready to go for Matt, and Rowen sleeps the night away so Matt never gets a chance to feed him before heading to bed himself! Oh well :o) At least we know we can! It's amazing how much better I feel sleeping two hours at a time instead of one hour at a time. I guess our bodies just get used to what they can get! I guess God knew what He was doing when He made us "mommies."

p.s. if you were wondering, we're using the Adiri Nurser. It's way cool.

Little Monster


Nanna bought Rowen his first halloween costume. He was a little monster- though he's the sweetest, calmest little monster there ever was!

Monday, November 3, 2008

31 days to pray for my children

This has been a blessing to me the past few weeks of sleepless nights- I got it from a wonderful Mom (of young adults) at my church, and wanted to pass it on to you parents or future parents out there. I taped it up next to the rocker so while I'm up at all hours of the night nursing, I can be praying for my sweet little boy in a specific way instead of thinking "ooh, if I could just be back in bed... grumble grumble..." I like to put his name in there instead of "my children," and continue praying for him for the whole nursing session for whichever day's specific virtue- it's also a nice way to think of songs to sing to him for the day that go along with the verses. The idea of course is that you pray for each virtue on the date that matches the number, then you have one specific thing to be praying for each day of the month. I thought it was really cool.
Hope you enjoy :o)

1 - salvation
"Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory" (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10)

2 - growth in grace
"I pray that they may 'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18)

3 - love
"Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to 'live a life of love,' through the Spirit who dwells in them" (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22)

4 - honesty and integrity
"May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection" (Psalm 25:21)

5 - self control
"Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be 'alert and self-controlled' in all they do" (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

6 - a love for God's Word
"May my children grow to find your Word 'more precious than gold, than much pure gold; [and] sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb'" (Psalm 19:10)

7 - justice
"God, help my children to love justice as you do and to 'act justly' in all they do" (Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8)

8 - mercy
"May my children always 'be merciful, as [their] Father is merciful'" (Luke 6:36)

9 - respect (for self, others, authority)
"Father, grant that my children may 'show proper respect to everyone,' as your Word commands" (1 Peter 2:17a)

10 - strong, Biblical self-esteem
"Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are 'God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus'" (Ephesians 2:10)

11 - faithfulness
"Let love and faithfulness never leave [my children],' but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts" (Proverbs 3:3)

12 - courage
"May my children always 'Be strong and courageous' i their character and in their actions" (Deuteronomy 31:6)

13 - purity
"Create in [them] a pure heart, O God,' and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions" (Psalm 51:10)

14 - kindness
"Lord, may my children 'always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else'" (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

15 - generosity
"Grant that my children may 'be generous and willing to share [and so] lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age'" (1 Timothy 6:18-19)

16 - peace, peaceability
"Father, let my children 'make every effort to do what leads to peace'" (Romans 14:19)

17 - joy
"May my children be filled 'with the joy given by the Holy Spirit'" (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

18 - perseverance
"Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to 'run with perseverance the race marked out for [them]'" (Hebrews 12:1)

19 - humility
"God, please cultivate in my children the ability to 'show true humility toward all'" (Titus 3:2)

20 - compassion
"Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion" (Colossians 3:12)

21 - responsibility
"Grant that my children may learn responsibility, 'for each one should carry his own load'" (Galatians 6:5)

22 - contentment
"Father, teach my children 'the secret of being content in any and every situation... through him who gives [them] strength'" (Philippians 4:12-13)

23 - faith
"I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them" (Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40)

24 - a servant heart
"God, please help my children develop servant hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, 'as to the Lord, and not to men'" (Ephesians 6:7)

25 - hope
"May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13)

26 - the willingness and ability to work hard
"Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work hard at everything they do, 'as working for the Lord, not for men'" (Colossians 3:23)

27 - a passion for God
"Lord, please instill in my children a soul that "followeth hard after thee," a heart that clings passionately to you (Psalm 63:8)

28 - self-discipline
"Father, I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they may acquire 'a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair'" (Proverbs 1:3)

29 - prayerfulness
"Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to 'pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (Ephesians 6:18)

30 - gratitude
"Help my children to live lives that are always 'overflowing with thankfulness,' 'always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Colossians 2:7, Ephesians 5:20)

31 - a heart for missions
"Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples" (Psalm 96:3)

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Rowen's photo shoot: part 2

Well after much anticipation, Rowen's photo shoot pictures are all edited. Thank you Kristy for sharing your talent, all the pictures a beautiful.

Check them out!