Wednesday in our World

Here are some of things going on in our (or James'!) world these days:


James has been asking for a trumpet for months now, and I really wanted to get him one for his birthday but they were either too babyish or too expensive advanced for a three year old! We were at Walmart the other night and happened to run across this one in the Easter section. It was perfect - fully functioning but also only a $2 investment. We both squealed in delight when we found it, and I knew I couldn't wait until Easter to give it to him. When he climbs on a "stage" with any instrument, it is always a good sign that he loves it! And now that he has finally acquired a trumpet for his instrument collection, he is asking for a tuba...oh my! I think there is lots of music in our future with this one, and I love that. :)

I haven't been taking pictures of all of them, but we have been doing lots of Easter/Lent activities to help prepare James (and our hearts too!) for Easter! One day we painted an egg with watercolors that opens on the side by attaching a brad to reveal a little chick inside (all credit to Pinterest!). I talked to him about new life in Jesus as we painted.

We just had James' three year old well checkup this week. He is doing pretty well with potty training, but we are planning to go a little more full-force now that some other factors in our life are more normal (holidays/birthdays are over, morning sickness is over, car searching is over, etc.) I don't really consider myself to be a laid back person, but at the same time, I didn't see any point in forcing James in this area before he was ready and stressing us both out. I definitely think he is ready to take the plunge now, and it will be nice if we can get him pretty potty trained before baby Jude arrives. The doctor suggested this idea for potty rewards, and we thought it was amazing - hang Hot Wheels cars up high in the bathroom as motivation to stay dry and use the potty all day long. We are starting today complete with Thomas the Tank Engine underwear. If he has lots of success today, he will get to choose one of the Hot Wheels cars to take down and add to his collection. Luckily, Stephen has tons of Hot Wheels in the attic from when he was a little boy. James asked last night when Stephen was rummaging through the attic for the cars, "That's the Hot Wheels store!?!" Pretty funny!

James asked to watch Diego inside his bucket of stuffed animals one day while I was getting dinner ready. This picture looks a little ET-esque, but I thought it was really cute. To me this picture is truly worth a thousand words (about what our life is like at the moment..!)

On Boys, Tears, and Pregnancy Hormones...

My pregnancy hormones are working full-force these days. I've always been emotional, but lately it is just hard to hold back to the tears when I read (or hear) something particularly sentimental, especially when it comes to raising little boys. I wanted to share a couple of these sweet things for moms (and moms of boys) that I've run across the last few days.

My mother-in-law had the opportunity to hear Karen Kingsbury, one of my favorite Christian authors, speak recently. Karen Kingsbury has also written a children's book that features a mother and son that is written to encourage mothers to not only embrace our children's "firsts" but each moment we're given with them because we don't know when the "last" of these moments/stages will come: the last bottle, last nap, last bath, last little league game, etc. I had skimmed this book before, but I've never read it while I was pregnant with a little boy while holding another little boy in my lap that is growing and changing much faster than I'd like! Well, my mother-in-law gave this to Stephen and I for Valentines Day and not only did I cry all the way through it but probably for 20 minutes straight afterwards. I was a mess. It's such a sweet book that I'd highly recommend. But be forewarned, it is quite a tearjerker!

And then last night in the car, a song came on Christian radio that was basically a father's exhortation to his growing son. Stephen tried to turn it off, but I forced him (nicely) to turn it back on and promised to hold myself together better than I had a few days ago. The song is "You'll Find Your Way" by Andrew Peterson and is based off of Jeremiah 6:16: "Thus says the Lord, 'Stand by the roads and look; ask for the ancient paths, and walk in them, and you will find rest for your souls.'" It's all about the inevitability of our children growing up and going forward in a dark world where they will at some point experience pain that we simply can't always protect them from, and it's an exhortation to remember the "old roads" of their youth. He explains the story behind the song so much better than I ever could here, and It's definitely the prayer of my heart for James and Jude as well.

And here is the song. Another tearjerker, that I'll likely listen to a few more times and find myself crying all over again. :)

23 Weeks!

This pregnancy is moving right along. We are at 23 weeks already! Here is a little update at 23 weeks. :)

How far along are you? 23 weeks

Total Weight Gain? Steadily gaining - I think Jude and I both had quite a growth spurt the last few weeks. I haven't changed anything as far as exercise or diet-wise, so I guess my body is just doing what it needs to do. I had a little freak-out at the doctor about it, but she just laughs at me so that makes me feel better. :)

How big is the baby? The baby weighs as much as a large mango (just over a pound) and more than 11 inches long.

Maternity Clothes? A mix of maternity and regular clothes.

Sleep? Sleeping good at night, but I'm just not able to sleep late anymore (even when James is still asleep). Maybe it's preparation for what's ahead?!? I don't know. I do enjoy those quiet moments by myself in the morning just sipping coffee and preparing for the day though! 

Best moment this week? At our doctor's appointment this week we had another ultrasound to check specifically on the cyst on Jude's brain, and I am so thankful to report that the cyst has resolved completely. We are praising God for removing it! 

Movement? Lots of movement! He also seems to move a lot when James is sitting on my lap. James likes to feel his brother "kick" him, but then will say "now, I'm going to kick him." We've had to explain that's not the way it works...ha! 

Food Cravings/Aversions? No overwhelming cravings, but I still just usually want "real" food. I definitely am eating things that I wouldn't normally desire to eat when I'm not pregnant, i.e. fried eggs with our breakfast supper last night (had to google how to make them because we have never had fried eggs in six years of marriage!) and Cheeto (as the breading) Chicken Fingers are on the menu this week (both things I would normally not ever want!). I've also decided my candy of choice with this baby is flavored tootsie rolls. My candy of choice with James was sour patch kids. :)

Morning Sickness? No morning sickness. I'm feeling great, exercising regularly (blood pressure is great again!), and having lots of energy. The only thing that is remotely bothering me at this point is a varicose vein that I also had in my pregnancy with James that is very painful. Trying to ice my leg and prop it up when I can - but that's hard to do when you are the mother of a busy preschooler! 

Gender? A boy! (The ultrasound tech confirmed yesterday that he is for sure a he! She also commented that he looks like a "carbon copy" of James!) Jude Brooks Johnson!

What I'm looking forward to: Excited about working towards getting the boys' room ready in the near future, and just get everything setup and ready for a newborn again. It was fun to get old baby clothes out of this attic this week and remember all the things that James wore and just how tiny he was in the beginning! 

Much bigger belly at 23 weeks than I did with this sweet fella beside me. :)

Interview/Update with James at 3 years old!

I found this little customizable interview while browsing the internet, and so I decided to do James' three year update this time by asking him questions about his current interests. His answers are really pretty accurate for the most part. I also printed out a copy to put in his baby book (trying to get his caught up in a hurry before I have another little baby book to start filling up in a few months!) 

I hope you enjoy this little update on James at three years old:

And a few other facts on James at Age 3:

Sleeping: James has been sleeping through the night pretty well now for the past few months (I knew the day would come on it's own - and it has!) He also takes a nap most days in the afternoon for an hour or two but sometimes skips his naps and seems to be making the transition slowly toward giving it up altogether. I'd say he sleeps about 11-12 hours total between naps and nighttime sleep.

Eating: James eats better than ever now. Some of his favorites include: fruit of all kinds (except oranges), pasta (alfredo, lasagna, spaghetti), pizza, peanut butter and jelly, cheese quesadillas, lunch meat turkey, chicken salad (from Zoe's!), chicken nuggets, corn on the cob, broccoli "trees", vegetable ("Rocket") soup, cereal, cinnamon toast, bagels, cookies, and ice cream.

Interests: Transportation, Animals (especially sea animals!), and Music/Instruments

Personality: still extremely strong-willed and very persistent, curious, smart, witty, very much a first child as far as knowing all the rules and telling everyone what the rules are (a little bossy phase going on) but sometimes breaking them himself, compassionate and sweet, still reserved but also very easily warms up and engages others these days (he especially enjoys playing with older children, I think)

Wearing: Pretty much 3T (sometimes 2T pants), size 5 diapers (for now), size 9 shoes (but buying in size 10 for the coming season)

Growth: At a doctor's visit at 35 months he was weighed and measured at 38 inches (71%) and 30 pounds, 4 ounces (11%). We don't go for his 3 year checkup for several more weeks, so I will try to remember and update this then if any changes significantly.

Milestones: knows his ABC's and a lot of letter sounds (asks often what letter certain words start with), counting very well, loves reading and memorizing books to "read" to us (has an uncanny memory for many things!), working on potty training now that the holidays/birthday have passed (he is having many successes with that), is very good at memorizing logos for restaurants or other products (just good at making connections), very musical and can identify classical songs from his Little Einstein's CD and name/remember what episode the song is from, and is extremely verbal and witty. I have a list of funny one-liners that he's said recently coming soon...stay tuned!

Love this picture of James and my Dad from the party - going to have to get this to him soon! :)

Our Minivan, Scooter

I wanted to take time to record the story on the blog of how our family came to own our new minivan that James has affectionately named "Scooter," because I just wanted to take the opportunity to praise God for his protection and provision in the whole situation. I will try to hit the high points and not draw it out with too many details, but even in the details God's hand was so evident to us.

The night of the National Championship I had successfully gotten James in bed very early for him, made football-watching food, and planned to celebrate Stephen's first sale at his new job by watching the big game just the two of us. A few minutes into our conversation, on Stephen's way home from work, I heard the impact of a collision over the phone and knew that it wasn't good. Stephen got on the phone to tell me that he had been in a wreck but that he was okay. I was able to get in touch with his parents, and his Dad was able to meet him at the scene to help him change a tire that was completed shredded and followed him back toward our house to make sure he didn't have a problem making it home. (Looking at the car later and hearing the input of people that know a lot more about cars than I do, I don't know how he was able to drive the car home that night.) We didn't watch the National Championship game that night - it was over by the time that he made it home. And after immediately thanking the Lord for his protection over Stephen, my mind went into logistics mode. I started to think about how this would impact us financially, and I struggled with feeling like this couldn't have come at a worse time. The question "Why?" came easily to my mind...self-pity creeped in easily, like an old (bad!) friend, about yet another setback. And then I quickly pushed those thoughts aside and just prayed that the Lord would help me to see this situation through His eyes.

Of course, it's so easy to list negatives: James and I were without a car and stuck at home for a month for about 12 hours a day, inconvenience, the car being declared a "total loss" yet insurance not giving us what the car was truly worth, etc. But there were so many positives too: the fact that the impact was on the opposite side of the car as Stephen and him being totally unharmed (had James and I been in the car that night the situation could have been a whole lot worse), seeing how the Lord ministers to his children through his people (neighbors reaching out to us to offer tarps to cover the broken windows, another neighbor that works on cars going out of his way to offer advice and the willingness to fix the car if he could have, friends bringing a meal, etc.), and the opportunity to watch and wait with anticipation for how the Lord would bring about good from a bad situation. A few days into this situation, I told Stephen "I don't know what the outcome of this situation is going to be, but I know the ending of this story is going to be a testimony to the goodness of God." I truly believed that (because I have seen the Lord prove that to us over and over these last few months in incredible ways!) And it was.

When we finally got the insurance check a month later, we headed to the Honda dealership on Stephen's off day from work to go look at used, comparable cars. We didn't have a car payment before, and we didn't want to take one on now either. We started in the most-used section of the dealership thinking that maybe we could purchase a car and still save a significant portion of the check as well. After almost not making it back to the dealership on a test-drive (James kept saying "This road sure is bumpy! ha!), we decided it would be best to move up to the middle-of-the-road section. But the sales manager informed us that there really wasn't anything in our price range in that section - that those cars just get snatched up quickly. I was so discouraged. They started talking to us about comparable cars (to what we had) that would require a "small" car payment, and it was looking like things were not going to go the way that we had hoped and prayed. We briefly explained our situation and adamance in not wanting to spend any more than what we had previously stated, and then the sales manager went into his office for a while and then came back and told us he actually had a Honda van that had been traded in the day before that wasn't even in the system yet. He said that he planned to list it for quite a bit more, but since it had been on the lot less than 24 hours that he was willing to "make it work" if we were interested.

Stephen went to get the car seat for the test-drive while James and I climbed inside. While Stephen was gone, James and I found a penny...and then lots more pennies in the van. Right then I knew it was "ours." Pennies are significant to us (I promise I really am southern Baptist so stick with me!) and are a reminder of a special time in Stephen's life when God provided in a big way. So, now, whenever we see a penny when we're out and about, we take the opportunity to thank God for being our Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. Stephen came back to the van and I gave him a hand full of pennies, and his smile said it all. The van ran great, was the same year and around the same mileage as our old car, and pending the inspection being satisfactory we put forth the money (with some to spare!) to buy the van (and a van just so happens to be my "dream car," seriously! I would have been happy with whatever the Lord provided, but I always dreamed of being a Mama and driving a minivan full of babies! And we are well on our way with Jude arriving in June).

We also learned on the test-drive that the sales manager is actually a pastor that's in a season of his life that God does not have him in the pulpit currently but is waiting and praying for that open door. Imagine his surprise to learn that he was selling a car to another salesman-for-just-a-season (in a different industry) who is also praying a very similar prayer! The pastor/sales manager shared with us his testimony of salvation, deliverance from drug addiction, and call to ministry. We talked about the beauty of forgiveness and grace. I could not hold back the tears. A divine appointment! God so clearly provided this van for us through the softening of this sales manager's heart (he told us he would hardly make a profit on this deal but just felt lead to help us) that we otherwise could not have afforded. There is no such thing as mere coincidence, and I thank God for His providence. It's really not about connections or "who you know" in this world (even if it seems that way!) - it's really just all about knowing Him!

We found out that the van was ready to be picked up on James' birthday. What a third birthday present! He thinks that we bought it for him as a birthday present. He also thinks that our car transformed into Scooter - I'm pregnant and hormonal and naturally sappy and emotional anyway (I cried like a baby when I watched the car thad held so many memories being towed away) so I think that it's sweet that he believes our car just transformed into this van with room for "lots more babies"! I guess, in a way, our car did transform into Scooter. God provided something that we no longer had, transforming our situation - and that's the beauty of childlike faith! The sales manager, Eric, walked us out to the car as we were leaving. He commented several times that we were really getting a "great deal for our money!" And then he said, "You're going to be okay" which could have seemed like an unusual response, maybe even to him. He had no idea the significance of those few simple words. I simply replied, "Yes, we are going to be okay"(and in faith, my heart was saying, We are going to be okay...in everything) What has seemed like so much loss the last two years has also resulted in so much gain. And what once felt like the "end" is really just the beginning.

Jehovah Jireh - the Lord will provide!

Celebrating February 5th!

Stephen's off day from work happened to coincide with James actual birthday, so we were thankful to be able to celebrate James' official birthday together as a family of three (I recognize that we won't have tons more "just the three of us" moments and definitely not another birthday celebration before Jude makes his debut!). We asked James what he'd like to do on his birthday, and he requested the McWane Center (his very favorite place in the world, I think!) where we purchased a family membership with his birthday money last year and have used so many times this year! It was a rainy day so it turned out to be the perfect choice (fun fact: it has truly rained every single year on February 5th since the day he was born.) He really "gets" his birthday this year and we just had the best day! When we were leaving the McWane Center I picked him up and he hugged me and said "Mama, you'll always be my friend." That's all the affirmation that a Mama needs in the world to know that her little one felt special on his birthday. Here is a little recap of the day in pictures:

We started out the day with chocolate chip pancakes!

The McWane Center has a new exhibit called Animal Grossology. It was extremely educational (and factual) but it does feature all the gross things about animals from burping, to pooping, to blood-sucking insects and more. We were not acting extremely mature (and were being so silly), but it honestly was a fun thing to do with "my boys" for James' birthday. We just laughed and laughed until our stomachs hurt. 

Sliding out of an eel's belly!

I think this was a tapeworm... I know, I know... (but it was educational! right??!)

Stephen smelling a skunk's spray. This was after he came and found me and asked me to smell this smell (without the answer revealed) along with fox's urine. I about threw up - not the nicest thing to do to your pregnant wife!

This was a fun little game called burp-a-baby where you shoot ping pong balls representing baby frogs to keep them from predators. James loved this game!

James wanted me to slide out of an eel's stomach too!

Match the animal to the poop game with the view finder...I seriously am not making this stuff up!

Pumping up a leech with "blood"... (Nana, are you still reading this post?!?)

James' reaction to "it's your birthday right now!" We set an alarm for 4:27 (EST). 

Dressed like Clifford and playing drums in the Clifford Exhibit. 

Taking a short nap (with Popcorn Douglas the stingray) on the way to Izzo's Illegal Burrito for his birthday dinner. 

Opening up his gift from Mama and Daddy at home - a Little Einstein's playset that we found on eBay. It's definitely not the most expensive or "wow" present we've ever gotten him for his birthday as far as size/price but he absolutely adores it. It's priceless to him! 

Closing out the day singing "Happy Birthday" one more time with a cookie cake!

We also picked up our new-to-us van the night of James' 3rd Birthday (they were waiting on a part to service it at the dealership for about a week!). He was so excited about picking up "Scooter" and believes that our car transformed into the van (just like Rocket on Little Einstein's). He also thinks that we bought him this van for his birthday. Daddy said that won't likely happen again until his 16th Birthday. More details on God providing a van for us on the blog soon... :)

"You Don't Want to Miss This!" (A Letter to James at 3 years old)

“Mama, you don’t want to miss this!” is the phrase that rings through the house these days, as our now three-year-old little boy races Hot Wheels through a “loopty loop” or composes musical masterpieces on the recorder. Whatever you are doing or creating (or even when you are very knowingly getting into mischief!), you are sure to announce to Mama and Daddy with great pride “Hey Guys, You don’t want to miss this!” It’s a phrase that is so fitting as I reflect on the last three years as your Mama.

When I was 37 weeks pregnant with you and so naïve about everything that was ahead of me in this journey of motherhood, your Daddy and I were shocked to discover that the doctors anticipated your arrival within hours -- days at most. You had your grandparents on pins and needles with suitcases packed waiting for your arrival, church members stopping by our house to visit thinking that you had already been born, and Mama and Daddy waiting with great anticipation believing that every passing day was the one that we would meet you. You hung in there for a few more weeks, and even your labor, that was anticipated to be brief, was much longer than we had expected. And then you arrived on February 5, 2010 at 4:27 PM, right on time, making your grand entrance into this world. Your hearty cry announcing to all those that were waiting for you, “You don’t want to miss this!” And they didn’t.

The overwhelming love that I felt for you the first second that I saw you brought a flood of emotions - tears of joy that I could not contain. You were so tiny and perfect. You were everything and more that I had always dreamed about. And I knew instantly that I would spend every minute that God so graciously granted me on this earth making sure that I didn’t miss a single, important moment with you. 

Our early days with you were filled with just soaking you in and learning to adapt our expectations to the course that you were very clearly setting for us. You didn’t do anything by the book and soon enough I learned to just toss them all to the side. When you seemed to sleep way less, seemed to demand to be nursed and held way more, and seemed to just do things completely different than “other babies” I prayed and prayed for wisdom and strength. And God granted them to me. I often felt like I would not survive those early days of exhaustion and sleeplessness, and now looking back on them they are the days that I treasure most, recognizing now that I would be a totally different mother if you hadn’t been “first” and shown me a way that has brought so much joy. I know that I will be a much better mother to Jude and any other children that God chooses to bless us with because of you, and I can’t thank you enough for that.

From giving up pacifiers, to sleeping through the night, to finally eating and accepting food, to weaning – each milestone and achievement, each big step you’ve taken has been in your own time and in your way. The way that is uniquely yours and that we’ve come to know and love about you. You waited an entire week to roll over for the first time (when I just knew it would happen any second!) until Daddy got home from taking the youth group to camp so that we could cherish it together, just our little family. Daddy didn’t want to miss it – and you made sure that he didn’t! You change your mind a hundred times a day in simple, daily tasks just to make me giggle (and sometimes to make me scream!) The simplest chore can take forever – because of the way that you insist on taking your time. You point out all the wrong answers in a book first (when you know the right one!), just because you can. You learned to use the potty so quickly (to show us that you do know how) – only to insist that you aren’t really ready to be done with diapers yet. Oh, you are strong and stubborn, little one. You have taught me over and over again that you cannot be rushed - or forced. I have learned in three years that you are strong physically (you could climb out of your crib before you were sleeping through the night!) and in spirit – and I pray that God will help me teach you what it means to be strong in heart and courage and character too! I know your persistence and determination will serve you well in this life.

As I’ve looked to God for direction in each challenge, I have felt Him urging me to gently guide you and felt overwhelming peace in my heart that things will work themselves out in their own time. And they have. And those challenges or phases that I thought would never end…oh, how those are always the ones that I long for the most (even for just one day) after they come to a bittersweet end. I know that I can’t rewind any of the days that I’ve had with you, and (although I’m so far from perfect) I am thankful that I have been present to capture so many wonderful things about your first three years on camera, or in journals, or just in my memory – to savor for a lifetime.

I pray that you will continue to call for me for a long, long time and that I would continue to hear your precious voice echo throughout the house that “Mama, you don’t want to miss this!” As you age and change, the milestones and accomplishments will look different but I vow to you that I will be present and attentive and continue to celebrate each one with you along the way. Because I so desperately “don’t want to miss this!” – whatever the next “this” might be when it comes to you, my sweet boy. I don’t want to miss one single little thing and as long as God continues to grant me time with you on this earth, I will do everything that I can to make sure that I don’t.

Happy Third Birthday, James! I love you forever, and ever, and ever.

Love, Mama 

Before and After the Party (Last Birthday Post!)

Here are a few pictures I was able to get before and after the party on my camera. I'm so glad that James had such a special day and I'm so thankful for (almost) three amazing years with him. Daddy's off day happens to fall on Tuesday, so I'm sure we will do a little more celebrating as a family of three on his actual birthday too!

The food table!

James trying out the rocket the night before the party!

Chocolate Cinnamon Cupcakes. I was really happy with how they turned out (for making them myself), and James loved them. He loved the cupcake toppers we put together just as much! 

James' cupcake was supposed to look like Rocket. He seemed to think it did so that's all that matters! :)

Our family trying out the rocket the before the party. He begged us to all sleep in it the night before, but we settled on just playing in it together. :)

So thankful to be his Mama!

Hot Wheels ramp that goes up with Command Strips - pretty impressive and entertaining for boys of all ages! :)

James with family (after the party)!

James enjoyed visiting with family (some that made a long drive!) after the party and opening his gifts. He received a blue chair from Grandma K, a tool set from Aunt Megan, a fishing pole from Nana and Granddaddy, and a Hot Wheels ramp and Leapfrog game from Nana and Grandpa. He also got lots of great presents from his friends!

We decided to save our gift for James until his actual birthday on Tuesday, and he had so much  playing with everything else that he didn't even ask about it! 

Aunt Megan

Daddy, James, Mama (and Jude!) - Celebrating three years with our sweet boy already!

Grandma K

Granddaddy and Nana

Nana and Grandpa

Daddy!

Mama!

James' 3rd Birthday Party - Candids and Friends

Warning: The next three posts will be picture overload of our little guy's 3rd birthday. I am so glad that my mother-in-law was able to take pictures during the party. She got so many great shots, and it was a huge blessing because I was so busy that I did not get a chance to take any during the party! I'm glad she was able to capture these candid pictures during the party of James with his friends.

He had a great time! He loved the games and activities, the food (which is always huge for me when we had a little boy that barely ate for two years), and cried when his friends had to leave! He didn't want the fun to end. It was a great day, and I'm so glad that so many people made him feel loved and special on his 3rd birthday. We were thankful to have family with us (including all the grandparents!), friends from our small group, and James' buddy from story time along with his family!