project 365 {week 6}

mid-week randoms

I can't believe it's already Wednesday and that February is almost over! Before I know it summer will be here (and this is one mama that's not opposed to the warmer days)!

But I am really looking forward to the next few months. Although I'm not too excited about Easter in March, it is one of my most favorite holidays. We'll also be celebrating Jaxon's FIRST birthday in just SIX WEEKS!!!! Eeeeek! I still can't get over the fact that he's almost one! I've started planning his party and I'm really excited about it! Just a fun filled day celebrating him with our family.

Speaking of Jaxon's party, I've started working on a few things like this DIY cupcake stand that I saw courtesy of Sarah. She has such amazing ideas and affordable ones too!

I'm not sure if y'all have seen these adorable Monogrammed JellyCat Bunnies, but thanks to the wonderful AP, both my boys will be getting one of these in the Easter baskets.  And if you are looking for some great Easter basket ideas for the kiddos, check out Leah's AWESOME post on unique ideas for filling those baskets. There are some great ideas I'll be using for B & J. 

This little munchkin is all over the place these days. I sent this to Clay earlier today and right after I hit send he had crawled over the ledge. He's so much more adventurous than Bryson was at this age. 

And my word who new four people could accumulate so much laundry!?! And this doesn't even include what's in the washer and dryer. Guess I know what I'll be doing during nap time ;) 

Hope y'all are having a wonderful Wednesday! 

jaxon {10 months}

jaxon you were 10 months on February 9th!

oh baby boy I don't even know where to begin! you have changed SO much this month. you are growing up WAY. TOO. FAST!!! I have been cherishing every moment with you because I know very soon we'll be celebrating your 1st birthday.

you have definitely hit the "stranger danger" phase. and it's gotten a little difficult leaving you in the nursery on Sundays, but when we go back to pick you up your always in a great mood. Several of the women have complemented on what a happy and sweet baby you are.

I'm having a hard time finding clothes for you, especially pants. You are so long and skinny, it's difficult finding ones that are long enough but will fit around your tiny waist.

you have a hard time understanding that you can't run around just yet with Bryson. you get so excited when y'all are together, but many times you will get frustrated that you are not able to do some of the things he does. don't rush it!!!

you have yet to turn down anything we put in front of your food wise. You LOVE to eat! If I had to guess, it might be your love language when you get older. Ha!

you love being in your walker and chasing your brother around the house. you also love being in the kitchen when I'm in there. you are always right behind me in what your daddy calls your "big unit!"

when I go into your room in the mornings you always have the bumper pad pulled down looking through the rails to greet me. with a grin on your face.

you LOVE cheerios! sometimes I wonder if you're going to turn into one as much as you eat them. Ha!

it's still hard to tell if you are getting any teeth. I haven't seen any as of yet, but I have a feeling you'll be getting some very soon.

you are still sleeping through the night, which I am thankful for every day! I have been so blessed!!!

you are all over the place crawling every where. you have tried several times to get on all fours, but I think you are just comfortable crawling around like an army solider.

you are a very content baby. whether you are in your walker or playing with some toys on the floor, you never seem to mind playing by yourself.

jaxon, you truly are one of the happiest babies I know! you have blessed me so much ~ i love you to the moon and back ~ mama

project 365 {week 5}

what's on my mind

 

I had a blog post all written out for today, but last night I came across Becky's post for a on your heart, on your mind link up and thought "hey I need to do this!" There's been a few things going on that's been on my mind for a while and who knows, maybe another mother might be able to share her advice with me.

Several weeks ago Clay and I were talking to Bryson about his friends. He's never been one to share very much about his day when I go and pick him up from school. He will talk about one little girl in his MDO (they've known each other for over two years and have grown up together at school). But I've noticed when I've seen him in his Sunday School class that he's usually playing by himself. I've never given it too much thought and I don't know if that's bad on my part as a mother.  

A couple of Sunday's ago Clay and Bryson had a conversation on the way home from church about his day. Clay had asked B if he played with any of the other kids while he was there and he told him he didn't. Clay asked why and Bryson didn't say very much about it. That afternoon while the boys had gone down for their naps Clay brought up their conversation with me and I decided I would try and talk with him later that evening. 

So when it came time to put the boys to bed I went in Bryson's room and we said our prayers and read a book (our normal routine). I asked him if he had played with any of the other kids at church that day and he told me no. I talked with him about some of the boys in his MDO and if he played with them and again he told me no. In the back of my mind I was wondering if maybe he is like me and is shy when it comes to being around new people. Maybe he's not going to be one of those people who feels comfortable going up to someone he doesn't know and introducing himself. And you know what, if that's his personality I'm just fine with that! I'm not going to change who he is. I don't what to change who he is. But, I felt like I did need to encourage him that it was okay to go up to other boys and girls and ask to play with them.

Bryson's reply to me "momma, what if they don't like me?" It took everything I had not to burst out in tears. He's too young to make these kind of statements. He's just a little boy! In that moment I was overwhelmed at what he's going to go through later on in life. The disappointments, the heartbreaks, etc. And as his mother I want to protect him from all of those hurts, but I also know in the back of my mind that it is in those moments he will become stronger. 

After our conversation I decided that I would start praying out loud over Bryson before I left his room. I have always gone in and prayed over him after he falls asleep, but I just felt like the Lord was telling me that Bryson needed to hear my prayers for him. I want him to know my concerns and hopes for him. 

I'm not sure I handled this particular situation the right way. To be honest I'm not sure there was a right or wrong way. But what I do know is that this situation has taught me how important it is to pray for my children. I'm not always going to be able to protect them from the disappointments life will bring, but I can make sure that I cover my boys in prayer and that they know I'm praying for them not matter what's going on in their lives.

Valentine's Day 2013

Our Valentine's day was pretty low key this year. I had to work the night before and the night of so Clay and I had planned to celebrate next weekend. It seems like here recently I've had to work every holiday which kinda' stinks, but that's the territory that comes with working at a hospital. And I wouldn't trade my job for anything in the world. :)

That afternoon I went and picked the boys up from Clay's grandparents house. When we got home I told Bryson to go and look in his room. I had set up their gifts in their rooms. 

He was SO excited when he saw his Valentine present. He immediately opened up the mailbox first. I had put some bubbles, box of crayons and his favorite, honey roasted cashews in it. I think he was more excited over the cashews than anything else. Ha! Once he looked over all his stuff he told me "I love all my Valentine's presents! Thank you momma for my gifts!" It just warmed my little heart to hear him say that! He's at such a sweet age right now where he is just so polite and always saying "Thank you!"

I know Jaxon could care less about his gifts right now, but he got a little teething ring in his mailbox. Bless his heart he has been so miserable over the last few weeks. Between the fevers, diarrhea, late nights, and anything else you can think of I'm about to pull my hair out. He has always been such a happy baby and to watch him be so unhappy makes me sad. Just yesterday AP wrote a post on the amber teething necklace and after reading it I might have to try it out. I'm at my whits end! I'm desperate and am willing to try anything at this point.

Clay didn't want to exchange gifts since we are planning on celebrating next weekend, so this baby letting me hold him was the perfect Valentine's Day gift!

I've never been that big on Valentine's Day. But I have to say with a house full of boys my heart just exploded with love this year (I know that probably sounds incredibly cheesy).

i love you through and through....

"i love you through and through...

 i love your top side. i love your bottom side. i love your inside and outside. i love your happy side, your sad side, your silly side, your mad side.

i love your fingers and toes, your ears and nose. i love your hair and eyes, your giggles and cries.

i love you running and walking

silent and talking

i love you through and through... yesterday, today and tomorrow too."

I Love You Through and Through by: Bernadette Rossetti Shustak

project 365 {week 4}