Ingenue Mom

Continuing with the scripture memory that I talked about previously, I have been really loving how much it impacts me on a daily basis. Just memorizing a scripture causes me to be thinking about it regularly throughout the day because I repeat it to myself so that I can memorize it. 2 Corinthians 12:9, being about God's grace in my weaknesses, has been particularly helpful because I feel like I am constantly reminded of my weaknesses. Repeating the verse to myself helps me remember His promises. So I thought maybe I could utilize this strategy with Isis. We've been having trouble lately with her having outbursts of frustration or anger. She's 3 1/2 and she is fiercely independent, which I really believe is a wonderful thing. I am excited to see how this grows in her personality. I think she will be a very confident teenager and adult - at least that is my prayer if we can help her to develop healthy boundaries.  Lately, we've been really trying to focus with...

First of all, let me tell you, there are lots of things my family is working on. There are lots of things my family doesn't do well. There will always be something that I can find to improve on, but lately I've been feeling the need to just sit back and appreciate the things that we have done well. To celebrate and emphasize the positive as I continue to seek to improve. My family does well at serving each other. I think every family tends to emphasize some aspect of life, discipline or behavior. Every family has their language they use with each other, whether spoken or unspoken. For us, it's service. My husband is the pillar of this in our family. I truly am blessed by his serving heart with me and my girls. He is actively serving us in love the whole day. He just tends to find whatever way he can to do things for us to demonstrate his love. No one would question the love he has for his family because if you walk into our home, you'll watch him demonstrate it...

Dear Isis,  Mommy made a mistake today. A bad parenting choice. One that made you and mommy both very upset. And although we had a conversation about it and I explained why I was wrong, I don't think you fully understood. But what I hope that you do understand is that I am honest and open with you about my mistakes. I recognize them. I own them. I confess them. I ask forgiveness for them. Maybe not right away, but thankfully we serve an amazing, loving and forgiving God who is also very able to guide us in wisdom to our bad choices so that we can seek change. He doesn't let me go very long before He points out my bad choices. I am thankful for that. I wish I could tell you that I will always be the perfect example to look to for life choices. But the truth is that some of my life choices will be more of an example of what not to do. I will not hide those choices from you and one day we will discuss the choices, both good and bad, in my past. I pray that it helps you disc...

Today was a little rough. With newborns, I feel like your whole life revolves around eating, sleeping and pooping, and if one of those goes wrong one day, things feel a little out of control. But with my new decision to focus on the things I am loving at this point, I decided to sit down and focus.    First of all, I made a list of things I'm loving right now... I'm loving when Lux snuggles her face as close into my neck as it can get and then lets out this little sigh. I'm loving when Isis asks to hold her sister and then tells me, "mom, she's really special." I'm loving the me-time I get on good nap days! I'm loving the fact that Lux sleeps really well at night. (We've had 2 different 5+ hour stretches this week!) I'm loving the moments when Lew and I look at each other and just laugh or smile or shrug because we're sharing this experience and although we get tired and frustrated, we do it together.   Then, I spe...

It's so crazy to me how different it has been going from 1 child to 2. The transition from 0 to 1 for us was really rough. If you read back through some of my posts from when Isis was first born, you'll find that it was incredibly emotionally draining. I didn't know how to deal with the emotions, the hormones, the lack of sleep and the fears. It took me at least 2 months to really work through some of that and probably the first 6 months before I felt like I was really back to myself again. This time, it has been completely different. I think part of it is knowing what to expect. It's also helpful when your labor is a total of 4-6 hours rather than 21. I didn't start Lux's life with a huge sleep deficit just from labor. It's also different because I have lots of tools in my belt to figure out how to adjust to Lux's needs and personality. I know what I tried with Isis and I have been able to try those things with Lux and find what works. It was a l...

Dear Isis, You are changing and growing so much lately! In the last few months, you have grown 3+ inches and you've grown even more than that if I measured attitude and personality in inches and pounds! You are so like me and your daddy. Independent, feisty, opinionated, but also sweet, sensitive and caring. You are apprehensive at first around new people, choosing to sit back and wait before joining in on the fun. This is more me than your dad. You're developing such a little attitude about things. You have opinions now on what thing you wear and what things you want to do. You are becoming more and more independent as each day goes on. We recently had to let you cry again at night because we had let you get into a routine over the holidays (due to all our life changes) of crying at night and us coming in to comfort you. When it got up to about 4-6 times a night, we decided we needed to do something. We let you cry without coming in one night. It only took one night thi...

2011 has been quite a year for my family. I slacked a little in the blogging, but mainly because there was so much going on! I love the New Year because it always makes me want to take time to look back & reflect on a year passed & then to look forward to possibility for the next year. January Isis turned 1 and we celebrated with a birthday party ! I reflected on what it meant to me to be a mother and what I was learning from the experience . We also put our townhouse up for sale in January!   February I found out in February that a bunch of my friends were pregnant ! Isis took her first steps ! I got a little frustrated that things had not yet regulated after having Isis. And I shared 10 of my Favorite Things ! March Isis dropped to 1 nap a day ! I shared some of her favorite books and some of her technology milestones at 14 months. I also shared why I think my choice to be a teacher was great for me as a mom and also great to my future stu...

(In a non-tantrum moment) We've reached that stage. Tantrum stage. What a hot mess. She's wonderful at the babysitter. The babysitter always comments on how laid-back and calm Isis is. She's wonderful around other people. If she's entertained or playing, she's just a perfect angel. But get her at home, with mom & dad, when something happens that she doesn't like or doesn't want, this crazy little monster erupts from my child. She'll scream & cry & throw herself back on the floor! She hits things or one of us. She pitches an absolute fit!  I've been talking to people & reading about ways to handle this. We have chosen the "no" and ignore route. I say "no fussing" really firm and ask her to "use her words." Sometimes she just needs help and she knows how to say "help." Sometimes she wants something, so I tell her the word and try to get her to do the sign language for "pl...

Have you seen the new Lysol wipes commercial where the mom comes home to dad & baby in a completely wrecked kitchen? Dad has a look on his face like he's so thankful she's finally home. He doesn't seem capable of dealing with the stress and chaos of watching a baby alone. How many commercials or tv shows have you seen portraying the same thing? Some dumb, incompetent dad who can't seem to figure out how to put his shoes on the right feet, let alone watch or parent a child on their own. Or what about the children's books who don't even bother to mention the dad? I think it's a shame. Sure there are dads who aren't quite ready for the responsibility of parenting or there are absentee fathers, but I would argue that there are moms in those situations too. I just think it's time we applaud those dads who do step up, those dads who get it right. Lewis can probably tell you about as much as I can about scheduling and routines, breastfeeding and natur...

I have been blessed to have a wonderful friend who has two daughters, ages 4 and 6. I've been watching her parent for the last 6 years. When we finally decided we were ready to get pregnant and have a child of our own, I'd already  had years of time to really think about the type of parent I wanted to be. While a lot of the specifics of parenting and the look of your day to day can change because of the diverse needs of your children, there is one thing that always has stayed the same for me. That thing is the idea that it is important to parent on purpose.  I never wanted to be someone who just took each difficulty or each night or each act of discipline as a fly by the seat of your pants kind of thing. I absolutely think it has been so important for me to take time to enjoy Isis where she is at each moment, to savor those little idiosyncrasies of raising a baby. I've cuddled, I've loved, I've held, I've allowed some cry-it-out, I've fed, I've weaned, ...

2010 was a huge year for my family! The whole year was truly about Isis. I woke up 9am New Years Day with my first real contraction, so she was the first thing I thought about in 2010 and I'm sure she will also be the last thing I think about this year. It's also the year I graduated college. It's the year Lewis and I both were stretched to the limits of our love, patience, understanding, humility and perseverance. I can say with all honesty that this was one of the best years of my life. I never knew I would hurt so bad, be so scared, cry so much, but ultimately love so deeply. The struggles have been incredibly challenging, but they have also been what have produced in me an honesty and sincerity about who I am and who I want to be. I am confident in my role as a mom and I'm proud of myself and my family for how far we have come! What wonderful memories I will carry with me now from 2010! It was also the first year that I really took blogging seriously and made some ...

Notice the yummy papaya from Whole Foods in her mouth & then the Cocoa Puffs in the background. We definitely find ourselves somewhere in the middle... I'll admit that I've just recently heard the term " crunchy ." According to Urban Dictionary , the term refers to anyone who has "adjusted or altered their lifestyle for environmental reasons." It is a derivative of the word " granola ," which I actually have used before to describe things. A crunchy mama would then, in my mind, just be any mom who chooses to follow more environmentally conscious efforts with their children.  According to Urban Dictionary , and I guess many others, " crunchy mama " refers to a mom who "supports homebirth, breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, gentle discipline, etc. One who questions established medical authority; tends to be vegetarian and/or prepare all-organic foods." Well, I consider myself to be fairly environmenta...

 You know life has changed when... you whip your boobs out more often in a week than you did on your honeymoon. Head over to The Mommyhood Memos to add your own!!

You know your life has changed when you take a picture of your baby's poop diaper just so you can show your husband what he missed. Write your own Mommyhood Memo & link up on Adriel's page!!

Becoming a mom has changed several things about me - in a good way, I think. I find myself much more willing to really think about who I am, who I want to be & who I should be. I've taken some steps to become a better person, a better wife, a better daughter, sister, friend and in particular a better mom. I've been going to counseling. I don't think I've mentioned that on my blog before. There are just some things in my life that need to be worked through with a counselor. She's a Christian & she is really wonderful & has been abundantly helpful. I hope to show Isis & any future children that counseling or therapy is nothing to be scared of. I mean, goodness, who hasn't had a time in their life when they could have benefited from a professional working through some tough stuff with them? Life is hard. Well, despite the fact that I had a wonderful time today with my friend Courtney who has been in Europe for the past 5 weeks, today was really har...

I have found myself so full of fear at times since knowing Isis was even a possibility. While trying to get pregnant, I was scared that I wouldn't be fertile. During early pregnancy, I was scared of a miscarriage. During later pregnancy, I was scared of something being wrong. During labor, I was scared of a c-section. When she was a newborn, I was scared of SIDS. Now that she's 5 months old, I'm scared of her choking on something or of me falling down the stairs while I'm carrying her or any multitude of things that could hurt her! When a little life is your responsibility, I feel like the fears can just be overwhelming at times! I was reading on Mixed Mama Project & Erin was talking about her fears during pregnancy & they sounded so similar to mine ! Melissa at Dear Baby also talked about some of her fears during the early days with Everly & it hit home to me as well. Last night, I found myself lying in bed, unable to fall asleep because I was scared of...

On other blogs I read or on Twitter or just in general searches on BabyCenter message boards or other online forums, I'm constantly seeing arguments related to different decisions or styles of parenting. I find it so frustrating. Even I have received criticism on my different decisions. When do we just let it all go and encourage moms & dads to take care of their kids & make decisions based on what is best for their families? Breastfeeding vs. Bottle Feeding? I'm in favor of FEEDING your babies. There are many proven benefits to breastfeeding, but there are many reasons why breastfeeding may not work for someone. Stay at home vs. Working moms? I'm in favor of WORKING HARD to provide the best possible life for your children - at home or in a workplace. Both stay-at-home moms & moms who work outside the home are working moms. It is tough staying home with your kids & it is tough keeping a job during the day & coming home to a house with kids. In both situa...