Lately...

Lately...

• It's been in the 80's here... in March.  And we just caved and turned on our A.C. last night.  Probably because Jordan got home and Jude was practically naked and I may have looked like I melted into a puddle.  But it's on now.  Ahhh...  
• Baby G2 is taking after his brother.  Moving like a maniac and growing right on schedule.  We're to the part where I can feel those little feet and elbows right through my belly.  SO fun.  But we're also close to the part where I get feet and elbows stuck in my ribs, while also kicking my bladder.  I'm enjoying 2nd trimester... for another two weeks.
• Oh, and the other kiddo... umm... he turns 1 in less than a week.  ONE.  YEAR.  OLD.  'nuff said.  I can't wait for his birthday party with family and friends.  But still.  I have a one year old.
• I'm excited to start this study with my bible study girls this week.  Still probably one of my most favorite points in the week.  A breath of fresh air.
• Jude is learning a ton.  He knows where his ear and foot is.  Even though if you ask him where his nose is, he still points to his ear. :-)  He is also starting to throw lovely tantrums when things don't go his way.  Welcome to toddler-hood.

• I have a super long list of books to read.  Radical is on the top of it.  I'm about 6 chapters in.  I also have the Hunger Games loaded on my Kindle, ready to go.  But I have new-book anxiety.  I'm afraid to start one because it will suck me in and take all my time.  Crazy, right?
• I realized I have not worked full-time in a year.  I took maternity leave a week before Jude was born.  We can just call the theme of this post: I can't believe how fast time flies.
• I'm loving my iPhone.  It's simplified my life more than I expected.  I hardly need to get on the computer anymore (except to blog of course).  Oh, and Instagram.  Love.
• I'm having a hard time switching Jude from the bottle to the sippy.  He's a sipper.  He doesn't guzzle down milk in a sippy at all.  A bottle, yes.  Not so in a sippy.  I'm a little stressed that he isn't getting enough milk (we're down to 1 bottle before bed).  But at the same time I'm kind of in the camp that doesn't think he needs 24oz of milk a day if he is getting nutrition from healthy food.  Right now we're lucky if he drinks 16oz a day.
• I'm having a horrible time picking out a name for baby #2.  I felt settled on a name and then was second guessing... it just didn't feel right.  Like Jude felt so perfect.  I still feel like that name is a front-runner.  But we will see.  I'm always taking suggestions!
• I'm trying to focus on building God's kingdom instead of my own.  In all areas of my life.  My marriage.  My kids.  My home.  What does that mean for me?  Today.

...

Lately...

Lately...

• I have been loving being a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom).  Although, the week I left my job is the same week my parents moved to MI and they have been living with us for the past 5+ weeks!  So I haven't gotten a true taste of SAHM-hood as there have been other people besides Jude to interact with.  But I have loved being a full-time mommy nonetheless.

• On November 1 Jude cut his first tooth!  And number two wasn't too far behind.  We no longer have a toothless gummy little boy.  And those little nubs are SHARP!

•  Jude has been taking more bottles after my concern that he wasn't gaining enough weight.  He only gained 3 lbs between 2 and 6 months of age.  Since starting more bottles he gained 2 lbs in one month!  He weighed in at 17 lbs 6.5 oz last week.  It feels good to have that assurance that I made the right choice!

• Diaper changing is a bit like wrestling an alligator.  And even more difficult using cloth diapers.  I'm thinking we might be done with the prefolds sooner than later and getting more all-in-ones.

• I've been crafting like a mad-woman making little lovelies for a craft show I'm a part of this weekend.  I'm making cute rosette necklaces and some bibs, burp-cloths and things for baby.  We'll see how it goes!  If I make some cash I might do more craft shows around or open at Etsy shop or something.  But I'm doing the craft show with some of my best buds from college - Sharlynn, Holly, and Maggie.  I gotta admit, as much as I love crafting, it is more fun to have an excuse to get together with these ladies every Tuesday night.

• I made a DELICIOUS soup from a recipe I found on pinterest.  Check it out!  Yum yum!!

• I'm helping to lead worship for a Women's event at church this Thursday.  I haven't sung since before Jude was born, so I'm excited, albeit nervous!  It'll be great to use these pipes again and worship the Lord with some awesome women.

• I've been having a hard time making "me time" lately.  I miss reading as much as I used to and feel a bit like I'm going through the motions.  Which is life at times.  I have to remember that there are seasons for everything. 

• Resting in the comfort of a sovereign God.  Knowing that His plans aren't always the same as mine... sometimes they are better.  Sometimes they are challenging.  But He is ALWAYS good.

Dear Jude :: 4 months old

Dear Jude,

This past month with you was so much fun!  I love to see your goofy personality blooming.  You love to talk {in a language only a mama can understand} and SQUEAL and laugh.  It is so fun to hear you in the mornings babbling away... and perhaps seeing how low and high pitched you can squeal. 

Your hands now grab everything in sight... including {especially} mommy and daddy's faces and hair.  They are very effective at getting whatever you want in your mouth.  This includes your feet. ;-)

We stopped swaddling you this past month.  You were breaking out regularly, so we went cold-turkey and you continued to sleep without a hitch!  You are currently sleeping okay.  Your new awareness of the world makes rolling and grabbing your feet and playing with the little mirror on the side of your crib WAY more exciting than sleeping... or eating.  So there was a period where you were waking up at midnight instead of 3am.  That seems to only have lasted a week though.  You still get up 1 or 2 times a night.  Your bedtime is still 7:30 and you get up for the day between 7:30-8am!  Still taking three solid naps a day, too!

You love your jumperoo!  It gets a smile out of you almost every time!  You're still a bit too short so we put a pillow under your feet. :-)  You also love your play mat and love looking outside or just being outside.  We try to take a walk every day after your first nap.  You have started noticing when someone other than mommy or daddy is holding you and you aren't so sure about this yet!  

You rolled over for the first time recently!  Belly-to-back... so now there is no real way to keep you doing tummy time. :-)  But you really don't mind it near as much anymore and will tolerate it for longer periods of time.  Your favorite is still sitting up and standing.  You try to roll over back-to-belly, but haven't quite figured out how to get over that arm!

At your doctors appointment we discovered that you weigh 14lbs 4oz and are 26.5" long!  I was surprised you didn't weigh more, but I knew you were a long skinny guy {like your daddy}.  You are in the 50th percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height!  You are officially in 6 month clothes... and think in the next month we'll have to move up to the 6-9 month clothes.  HOLY MOLY!!!

It continues to be such a joy to be your mama.  I am so glad you are my boy.

Love you Mr.Bubbster,

Mama