Our crazy life makes as much sense as a dog "barkin at a knot"

Our crazy life makes as much sense as a dog "barkin at a knot"

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Brag Blog

So I really try not to be that mom...you know that mom. The mom who's kid is totally, absolutely, without a doubt, undeniably, super, amazing, awesome, terrifically, wonderful....and everyone has to know it. Ya know? However, I get to brag just this once ;)

Raith is doing great (incredible, fantastic, you choose)! He had his four month well check yesterday. He is weighing in at 14 lbs, 5 ounces - 50th percentile. Measuring in at 26 and a half inches long - 90th percentile. Roy says that tall people have the advantage in wrestling, its called leverage. That being said, he is right on schedule with developmental milestones as well. Rolling over, pulling his hands to his face, raising his chin when he's holding his head up, and the list goes on. And yesterday he was pushing his hands up and his legs at the same time, however he toppled over very quickly.

We have even been given the green light on food and juices! I was so excited for this. Last night we only gave him a bottle of apple juice, which he chugged. But this morning, we gave him some cereal and squash. His faces were priceless! He sat in his little bumbo wearing only a diaper and a bib, and tried to figure out what the heck I was putting in his mouth. We only got about five spoonfuls in, but I figure that's not too shabby for his first time with it. At lunch today, he was a lot more excited about it and got quite a bit more eaten. So proud of my little monkey man. It's going to be so much fun figuring out what he likes and dislikes.

Okay I'm done....I promise I will limit myself to a brag blog only a few times. It's nice to be able to be a proud little momma, but more importantly, to have a happy healthy little boy. I'm very blessed to have my little family.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Whew!

It has been incredibly busy at our house. Raith has been teething already, no tooth cut through, but he sure does gnaw at everything and you can see the little toothies trying to come out. His hand-eye coordination wasn't so impressive. It was rather entertaining to watch him try to put his teething toys in his mouth, but he is getting the hang of it now. He changed into our happy-go-lucky baby to a screaming night mare. It definitely took some adjusting to.

Raith is now almost four months old. He has found his found his feet, they are his favorite teething toy at the moment. His socks are always wet and drooly. As of last week, he is now able to roll over. He can now turn from back to front and visa versa. And yes, he has already rolled off the couch. It only takes once for momma to learn though! Last night while I was taking a test online, Raith and Roy were having an intense conversation. I have never heard Raith laugh so much before. It was hard to want to finish my test and oh so tempting to join in on the fun, however, I finished and got a decent grade.

School is going rather well. It was a busy first few weeks, but now there is a pattern and easier to manage my schedule. Raith is a great study buddy, however every time I sit down to take a test (always timed) he decides he needs some attention. He's learning to be patient and learning how to play on his own, which is amazing for mommy (and her grades too!)

This weekend we are heading up the mountain! Yup, Roy and I are going skiing along with Josh and Amber. I am super excited. Nana is even coming to baby sit which means real grown up time! However I'm also feeling nervous. Last time I went skiing was in middle school and it ended with me taking out a Dad and his two sons at the bottom of the mountain. Very embarrassing! So my fingers are crossed that this time will be more successful. Roy has never been so I guess we will get to learn together. And best of all, I finally have somewhere to wear my super cute ski cap (pictures to come)!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

New Semester

Monday morning yet another semester of school begins. I'm to the point now that I feel like I can take on the challenge and conquer (all of my classes this time).

Last semester, I endured the final trimester of my pregnancy, a major surgery to bring my little man into the world, and a full class schedule, and ended up with one A, two B's, and unfortunately- one D. However, I am thrilled that as a first time mom, I did that well. It was a tough decision on if I should take the semester or not since I knew that I would deliver half way through. Looking back I'm glad that I did. Would it not have been for one AWFUL professor, I know that I would have passed all my courses with flying colors.

This semester I am again taking on a full-time schedule. I feel so much more prepared than I did last time. Already I am more organized. I took over the desk and turned it into my study corner. In semesters past, I would just plug my laptop in anywhere, throw my book on the floor, and just make do. This time around, I have decided that I need to be more organized to stay on top of my studies and not receive another bad grade...I am a better student than that! Now I have a nice organized set up and I am very excited. To the point that I am almost excited to start homework. Note that I said almost!

As for Raith, I know that he will be my best study buddy and we've had a "discussion" where I explained to him how important it is for mommy to get her homework done and that he needs to help mommy do so by behaving. He responded with a furrowed brow, tongue sticking out. I'm choosing to interpret this as an "Okay Mom, I promise." All this work is for him, and I know that seeing him will remind me to work hard so that I can make his life better and be a good example for him.

So, fingers crossed, shoulders back, chin held high....I'm ready!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Scarlett Grace

When I found out I was pregnant last April, I looked for support online for women who were going through the same joys that I was. I found a website called Baby Center, and joined their community. I found my birth club, which consists of women from all over the country, and even the world, and we were all expecting our babies in October 2010. Every scare, every milestone, every belly picture...we all went through it together.

Now that October has come and gone, all of our precious little ones are here safe and sound. Now its sharing first smiles, tips on how to sleep through the night, COUNTLESS picture threads, and venting when we feel over whelmed in the life with a newborn baby. We respond to each thread with the best advice we can give, trying to make life for everyone easier. So when one of our mommas brought bad news to us, we all jumped to her aid.

On December 19, Brandi and Chris Wecks were informed that their baby girl, Scarlett Grace, also known as Butterfly, had a brain tumor. Devastated, heartbroken, and with tear-filled eyes, the wonderful mommas of our birth club spread the word like wildfire in order to obtain prayers and good thoughts for little Scarlett. Prayer chains, fundraisers, and RED (for Scarlett, get it?) have erupted every where! Scarlett had her first surgery yesterday and we all waited for updates to hear how the little girl that has broken into our hearts was handling the operation. From morning till night, we all prayed, hoped, and sent good thoughts. Like the feisty fighter she is, she pulled through!

Brandi and Chris have been generous enough to share their story with us and have kept us "in the loop." Their blog "Butterflies" has been an inspiration to not only me, but literally thousands as we all wait for the miracle that one day, Baby Scarlett will be tumor free.

Thank you Wecks Family, for sharing your story with us. Last night as I waited for an update on how the surgery went (my browser refresh button nearly wore out), I rocked Raith, snuggled him closer and thanked God for the fact that he was happy and healthy.

Isn't it amazing that with the aid of the Internet, how a single baby can bring so many people together, to unite us with a common goal? Our Lord is Amazing!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Blessings

As life is passing me by, I realize just how blessed my life really is. Although there is so much more ahead of me, I am enjoying smelling the roses along the way. Rather, the roses in my life. The many positives that God has placed in my heart.

I have an amazing husband, Roy, and we've been married for three and a half years. We share a beautiful baby boy, Raith, born in October. He has become my first smile every morning and my last thought every night. He's healthy and happy and I couldn't ask for anything more. We share a beautiful home. It keeps us warm in the winter, cool in the summer. Through the years, it has become not just a house, but our home. It is where our family is and the most relaxing place to me. We also have two good-for-nothin mutts (though Roy would say they are just mine). Sparta is our doberman, Corona is our schnauzer. They were my children before Raith arrived, and part of the family.

Roy works very hard for me to be able to stay at home with our handsome boy all day. He is currently working in North Dakota, for Unit Drilling, on an oil rig. Roy's job title is "derrick hand." Meaning he's the one to be in the board (the tall part of the rig), pulling pipe. He works with his brother Blake, also known as Moose. They share the same crew and work with some really great guys. I'm glad that he enjoys his work, even if it is so far from home.

I am also going to school to earn my degree in Secondary Education. It took a long time for me to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. I chose to become a teacher to help teenagers get through those horrible years until graduation. Also, so I could be able to have holidays and summers with the kid(s). (We want more babies....someday). I am in my last semester, hopefully, of my Associates degree, then I can transfer to get my Bachelors.

After reflecting on all the amazing gifts of my life, I could not but help to feel fulfilled. I love my little family, and enjoy everyday that we get to spend together. Not once to I regret any decision to get to the point where I am. For all these blessings, I thank God.