Not Fair

Is it wrong that I'm jealous of my child's eyelashes?

Dear Winter,

I am breaking up with you.

It's not me, it's you.

You make me miserable.

I think it's time I start seeing other seasons...

How do I put this, we've been together too long...

...and I just like Spring better.

Love, Thomas

p.s. I hope we can still be friends.

BIRTHDAY PICTURES!

Go check out Thomas's birthday pictures!

www.laurabaileyphotography.com

click on "proofing" and the password is "thomas"

First Year Must Haves

I hear all the time about how "They didn't have that when our babies were little". So for the sake of documentation these are the things that have been essential for us this last year.

Sleeping Wedge

Thomas slept on this every night until he just couldn't fit in it any longer, which was around 6 months.  Who knows, maybe it contributed to his early sleeping patterns.  I wouldn't chance it, put your baby on one of these! 

Maclauren Stroller

This is such a great stroller for getting around shopping, site seeing, etc. Its light weight, easy to manuever, and easy to get open and closed. We use this stroller just about everyday.

BOB stroller

This is great for bumpy roads or strolling on gravel.  Its bulky and very heavy for everyday use, but its wonderful for smooth rides on jogs.

Baby Bjorn

Once we got the hang of this contraption, it was a lifesaver. Kept Thomas close to momma when she needed her hands free, like working Saturday morning basketball games at church.

Overnight Diapers

Thomas started sleeping through the night around 3-4 months. Thank goodness, because I was never good with coping on little sleep.  Regular diapers just would not hold up and until we found these he would wake up soaked. I'm sure that made for some uncomfortable sleep.  It was super hard  to find them in the smaller size 3 so allot of times we had to use the size 4 which worked just fine. THANK YOU PAMPERS!

Little Giraffe Blanket
We were given one of these at a shower and have LOVED it. It goes with us just about everywhere.

Similac Sensitive

We started formula around 3 months. Thomas had some issues with the regular formula, but the sensitive was perfect! 

Boon Frog Pod

I love this frog because it kept Thomas's bathroom neater and his toys would dry out in between his baths.

Spout Cover

I was a nervous wreck with Thomas playing around the tub spout. This was really just a peace of mind thing for me.

Hooded Towels

They just simply make life easier.

Vicks Humidifier

He has used this from the day he came home from the hospital. We love it for the "white noise" and its help with congestion.

Aquaphor

This was a life saver in the winter months. Thomas developed a little chapped patch around his mouth from his paci. Aquaphor worked like magic to clear it up and then keep it from happening again.  I've used it allot recently for his super dry legs.  I keep a travel size of this in the diaper bag.

Our Shoes
We have most definitly gotten our $10 out of these. They are very easy  to get on and hard for Thomas to take off.  We've worn them so much a little friend from church asked me if Thomas had anymore shoes (so funny).  The ones pictured are by Bobux and run about $30.   Bobux has a line called Ministar that is sold at Target and are about $10.  I picked ours up at Target in Prattville; ours are identical to these.  I've been looking for some in the bigger size.  For some crazy reason the Target line has discontinued the football pattern (arrrr).

   Johnson's Baby Oil

I have never been a fan of baby oil. I always thought it was greasy, and messy. Boy, I completely underestimated the power of a little baby oil. I found out with Thomas that I LOVE BABY OIL! Its been wonderful for his dry skin and in the beginning we had some serious cradle cap. Baby oil cleared up cradle cap quickly.  I have put a dab of it in Thomas's bath in the dry winter months. And even now I'll smear just a tad on his cheeks at bedtime.

Video Monitor

Because Thomas slept in this room almost from the get-go, we could NOT have done without a video monitor.

THE Glider
I have always had terrible motion sickness. I can't even sit in a rocker without getting nauseus.  So I ordered this. I've loved it. Why in the world I went with a light taupe , nearly white, color (The one pictured is just the stock photo from the company's website.) I'll never know; The things you learn once you become a mom.  Surprisingly, we've managed to keep it clean this long and I consider that a success.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST
The Cameras
I made this little investment when we were expecting Thomas. Although it doesn't fit in the diaper bag well, and I'm not exactly proficient on all its features, we have used it to pieces. Let's just say its been there for thousands and thousands and thousands of "Kodak moments".

 And this stays within reach. Mom and Dad gave us this for Christmas before Thomas arrived.  I have thoroughly loved having it.

I didn't list an excersaucer, a boppy, the bumbo seat, or Baby Einstein videos; Those are all the things that I thought we MUST have, but didn't up never really using that much.

Still no new pictures, so you get this. This was from our trip to St. Louis last fall. Brian and I were celebrating our 5th year wedding anniversary.

LEGACY?

I'm still without a computer, so I'm saving the birthday recap- I'm not currently able to upload pictures.

Thomas and I attended a funeral yesterday. It was the mother of a great friend and mentor of mine. She was 89 years old and 7 days away from celebrating her 70th wedding anniversary. Her name was Sarah Elizabeth "Precious" Bond. "Precious" was what everyone, including my friend -her daughter- called her. I remember the first time I heard someone speak of her thinking it very odd that she was referred to as "Precious". I asked my friend what her legal name was and she told me, "Sarah Elizabeth, but she has been called "Precious" her entire life". It was a name that her father gave her as a baby and it just stuck.
In the past few years Precious had developed dementia. Unfortunately, when I was introduced to her the dementia kept us from getting to know one another.  But in the celebration of her life I was given loads to think about.

Her funeral was held at our church. The sanctuary was filled to standing room only. It was filled with dear friends who spoke of ways she had been a blessing to them.
Our minister told of how she was devoted to serve others; Her Lord, her husband, her children, our church family, our community.  He gave a scripture reading from Proverbs 31: 10-31

 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

As I sat in the pew, I compared myself to this scripture and felt deeply convicted. 

Brian started a men's bible study back in the Fall entitled "Quiet Strength" by Tony Dungy. Last night was the last night of the study.  After we put Thomas to sleep we were talking about our day and the classes we had gone to that night. It goes without saying that God's timing is perfect, but sometimes God's timing really knocks my socks off.  Brian started "Purpose Driven Life" about a week ago only because I had accidentally placed it and a few other books on his night stand when I was cleaning out a drawer.  In the beginning of that book Rick Warren writes about how God has a plan and a purpose for every day of our lives. After what he had been reading, a conversation I had with a friend on Sunday about how we want our children to see us, and Precious's funeral it was perfect timing for us to discuss the topic his class had last night. LEGACY.

Here are some thoughts on the legacy I want to leave:

I want to be a nurturing, loving, attentive mother who more than anything taught my children about the Lord.  I want them to know that the things of this world will pass, but the work we do for the Lord will last forever. I want them to see me read the bible and hear me recite scripture.  My Memaw read the bible everyday. Her bible sat on her dining room table and was written in, pages folded, and used to pieces. When I leave this world, I want to be able to give my children a bible like that.  I want to serve Brian the way God calls us to serve our husband. I want to have lifted him up and been an encourager.  I want our children to have seen us show affection to one another.  I want them to hear the words "I love you" often.  That was something I grew up hearing multiple times a day and now I see why it's so important.  God calls us to love one another.  I want to serve others and be generous with the things given to me. 

What kind of legacy do you want to leave? Kelly? Anna? Heather? Nancy?

Thomas's First Valentine's Day

Over the Valentine weekend Brian and I slipped away to Memphis. Thomas stayed with his Mommaw and Pappaw for the night.

Brian and I went to dinner with our great friends Burt and Jeri Chandler.

 Folks Folly was delicious, my favorite part was dessert. 

Then Brian and I went to see Jersey Boys at The Orpheum. It was fantastic!

Sunday morning we ran a few errands in Memphis and headed home to our sweet boy....

 ..who was spoiled by his grandparents. They took him to dinner Saturday night and then had Aunt Jennifer and Kaitlyn over. Thomas played with Aunt Jen and Kaitlyn in his firetruck ball pit.  That is his most favorite toy.  Sunday morning he went to church and stayed in the sanctuary during the service. Mommaw says he was on his very best behavior and didn't make a peep.  

Thomas did recieve a few Valentine's Day treats....

When we got home Thomas took a very long nap with his Daddy.

 Our little Valentine was sweet as sugar.

Snow- Take 2

I've got a TON of catching up to do. I will be soon be inhereting Brian's old work computer, so maybe my blog post frequency will pick up.

On February 7th Thomas and I sat at dinner. As Thomas enjoyed a few before dinner cheerios, this started coming down just outside those french doors beside him....

Sonny was so happy.

Thomas enjoyed lasagna that night. Long gone are the days when we are staying clean during meals.

After dinner I took this photo from our kitchen window.

The next morning things looked like this...

That morning Brian didn't leave as early as he usually does and I took this picture of him and Thomas. I love it.

Brian left and Thomas and I played in his room.

Have I mentioned how busy he is these days?

And outside his window the sky was beautiful.