Necklace Giveaway

My friend, Greta, is doing a great giveaway on her blog-

you should definitely check it out here!!!!

She is really talented and you'll definitely want one of these necklaces. And she has super cute stuff on her etsy site.

Today's the last day of the giveaway so GO NOW!

My sweet pea

Does anyone else see a resemblance?

MJ and me at 9 and a 1/2 weeks

So Mary Jane started out being okay with taking a bottle.

Now she is not.

Much to my despair. Much to my desire to feel a little freedom.

I've been frustrated and discouraged. I've been referring to Mary Jane (lovingly) as my little leech.

I love the girl. I mean, she's so stinkin' cute and has the sweetest smile. You can't help but smile when she does.

But I've been annoyed.

This morning at church I stepped out to feed her and listen to the sermon in the hallway. My good friend, Greta, sat down with me and asked how things were going and how it went when I left MJ with Jeremy for a few hours last night. I told her how Mary Jane cried and screamed the ENTIRE time except for the two twenty minute intervals in which she just passed out from being tired. (I was gone over 3 hours. My husband is a saint.)

Greta then asked, "Do you think she just wanted you?"

Yes, I think she's right. I started thinking that last night. I feel like it's less about the bottles and more about my little girl needing her mama. She wasn't starving when I got home; she had taken part of a bottle. But when Jeremy handed her to me, she immediately relaxed and fell asleep.

Greta shared her similar experience with her daughter, Ruby. I felt like the Lord was speaking some truth into my heart. I selfishly want my freedom back. But what is it that I really want back? Yes, I know it's okay for me to be tired and not love this BUT, at the same time, I have a little baby girl who wants me and just needs me. And it's probably going to only be for a few fleeting months.

I survived my husband's year long deployment to Iraq. I can handle a few months. Seriously.

By the time I left church, I felt more encouraged. My friend, Terri, reminded me a week or so ago that being a parent is "sacred work". God's entrusted these two little girls to me, to care for and love. And to ENJOY.

And sometimes it feels like the enjoyment part is the hardest part. And it should be the most fun. I don't want to live in "survival mode" EVERY SINGLE DAY. (Sure, I'm going to have those days and moments, of course. I've got two kids under the age of two.)

I really do love being a mom. And I love my girls. I love being home with them, playing with Claire and cuddling Mary Jane. I love seeing them already interact. I love teaching Claire new things and seeing Mary Jane's little personality come out. I love making our house feel like our home.

Anyway, I'm grateful for my friend and that she was willing to spend a few minutes with me today. I needed a heart adjustment even though I didn't realize it. I'm SO BLESSED to have friends with kids.

It really does take a village. Or, in my case, friends and a great church. And daily text messages to my mom and sister. :)

By the way, please take a close look at Mary Jane's crazy hair in this picture!

Sleep training

Top priorities:

For MJ to sleep through the night.

For the girls to nap at the same time.

Girls, y'all are killing me!!!!!

No, I'm not sleep training as MJ's too young still.

Just day dreaming....

Mary Jane is 9 weeks today!

Mary Jane Grace at 8 weeks (last Tuesday):

Our sweet Mary Jane weighed in at 12 lbs, 8oz at the doctor this last week! After much discussion, the doctor (whom we love) put her on some antibiotics. The poor girl has been congested for as long as I remember- I sadly told the doctor that I feel like she's been sick since birth. Since Mary Jane had developed a pretty bad cough, we went with the meds. We were hesitant because it was just congestion- no infections- and she is also showing signs of acid reflux.

The verdict: I'm SO HAPPY we went with the antibiotics!!!! My little girl is actually starting to sleep at night, she's not as congested, and I'm starting to see a little personality come out!

Mary Jane loves her big sister. She watches Claire and smiles at her. They really love each other; it's very sweet. MJ has the sweetest little smile. All of which helps right now since I'm a bit frustrated that she's refusing a bottle right now!!!



***By the way, this picture was taken over a week ago... maybe 2... who knows!!! I'll figure it out later :)

What I have to look forward to

Borrowed from my good friend, Cary.

And in no particular order.

1. My sister visiting this weekend. (hopefully!)
2. My mom and sister coming back to visit in February to celebrate my Mom's 60th birthday!
3. Girls weekend in February
4. Mary Jane sleeping more at night. (she will, right?!? yes, I'm at that stage...)
5. Planning a weekend away for me and the husband in a few months.
6. The warmer months... MJ being a bit bigger... less sickness.... fresh fruit.... going outside...
7. Getting a playset for our backyard.
8. Going back to work.

Buzz?

"Claire, what does a bee say?"

"Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!"

Pictures of the girls to come soon...

More Claire-speak

"muppins"=muffins
"copies"=coffee
"moopies"=smoothie

Those are some of my current favorites.

The girl doesn't stop talking these days!!! It's fun to have conversations with her now.