Wednesday, June 20, 2012

moments to hold on to

Most days, I walk around with my phone in my hand. Often times, it's so I don't miss a moment to take a picture of Everett or a text from Aaron. But the problem is that it often just distracts me. I was laying in bed last night and felt convicted that it's too much, just like I was convicted back in January. I'm often mindlessly checking my email or instagram for the 15th time that day instead of watching Everett play with his cars. So, today I left my phone upstairs on my nightstand. I wanted to be present with him - to pay attention to the little things he was doing and saying and not worry if I caught it on camera. I didn't want to have that as an excuse to keep my phone around to distract me. There were moments that I wanted to capture but instead, I just enjoyed them. It made me think of that verse soon after Jesus was born and Mary's reaction to what the shepherds were saying. I don't think I fully understood it until this morning when I read the message version.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. (Luke 2:19)


I've found that some days I'm missing these opportunities to hold on to, to treasure up, and to cherish. I'm missing them because I'm too busy trying to capture them for others. I'm missing them because I'm distracted by my phone. I'm missing them because I'm tired and pregnant. The thing is though--- I should be missing these moments less. 

Don't get me wrong- I won't stop taking pictures or trying to document little moments throughout the day. But I don't ever want to look back after Everett is grown and see that I missed the chance to live in the moment with him, to say yes instead of hold on let me get this picture first. To ruin the moment when he puts his little hand on my shoulder watching tv or says (c)'mon mommy and reaches out his hand. So I'm going to try harder. I'm realizing that those moments don't have to be shared with everyone. That it's okay to save them for me. That it's okay to treasure them and not let anyone else have them. Because in 20 years, other people won't care about the little things that Everett and I did that one summer, but I will. And I want to remember those moments that pictures didn't capture. I want the memories of time spent with my son where I gave him my presence and all of it.

Everett - Here's to many more days like today. I love you and these moments endlessly.


Monday, June 18, 2012

lucky kiddo. amazing daddy

Yesterday was Fathers day. We were in Pittsburgh and spent half of it driving home. I didn't have any special meal planned and I had given Aaron his cards on Friday since we'd be out of town. I have a big special present for him in July, but nothing to give him yesterday. He didn't complain or pout. Instead, he helped me take care of Everett all day, drove us all the way home, and unloaded the car when we got here. That's the kind of man he is --- always willing to help, self-less, and full of love for his family.




I love watching him be a dad --- chasing Everett around the house and playing ball with him. changing diapers and making Everett laugh while he does it. putting him to bed every night and praying with him. being strong and manly and still willing to kiss boo-boos and hug and comfort Everett when he's hurting.




I can't say it enough- my husband is one amazing dad. It is a blessing to be his wife, to share life with him, and to have a family together.






Husband --- I am incredibly blessed by the husband and father that you are. Our children are and will be blessed because of the way you love and pour into them. Happy Fathers Day!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

26 week bumpdate

I feel like I've finally really popped. Aaron noticed and so has my night time try-to-get-comfortable ritual. It's like I went from feeling not really very pregnant to feeling really pregnant all in one week. I notice it when I try to get out of bed in the middle of the night and how heavy I feel walking on my feet first thing in the morning. Not to mention the scale... boo. When Everett sits in my lap to read a book he keeps trying to push back and make more room for himself on my lap. I'm not sure what he's going to do when only my knees are left to sit on. My clothes all still fit fine, but I'm in mostly maternity. I wore a regular tank top around the house yesterday and my belly may or may not have been peaking out the bottom. I don't normally get cravings, but the last two weeks I've been obsessing about ice cream. It's a problem. Again, scale, and boo. Okay it's not awful, but I've gained 15 pounds so far and still have 14 weeks to go. It could definitely be better, then again I could definitely not eat ice cream every day.

Wednesday I got another peek at my little one. Aaron's cousin Renee is an ultrasound tech and some of her students needed pregnancy models. Insert elated mama here. Renee was still in school when I was pregnant with Everett and she took tons of Everett pictures for me. This time around was harder. Because we aren't finding out gender, I didn't want to be scanned too many times. A person can only have so much self control and I've got barely any to begin with. Seriously. Maggie (the student) was very good about letting me know when "the parts" were going to show up on the screen. Let's just say, this time it was definitely harder not to want to just turn to the screen and look. I made it through, barely, without holding Renee hostage and asking what I was having. I'm still banking on it being a pretty awesome moment when this little bean makes it's arrival. Speaking of, according to Everett we are still having a "baby sister." He reaffirms that every time I ask. I'm still thinking it's a boy and so does Aaron. We'll see. Here's a few"woah there's her belly" pics and some sweet profiles. Yeay baby! Only 14 ish weeks to go!









Monday, June 4, 2012

fun at the fair

strawberry shortcake. stroller rides. daddy's shoulders. rock wall. our small group. terrible traffic. Aaron's first carnival prize. Nemo fish. teacup ride. cotton candy. fireworks. first time at the fair.

best ride at the fair

Everett's rock climbing skills

Corey and Aaron with the sweet prize.
loves fireworks, cotton candy, and teacups like his mama

Corey won Everett a "Nemo" fish. Sadly, he didn't' make it through the night. Thankfully, Everett didn't know that.


It was a perfect start to our summer and adventures!