Back to the grind...

I'm enjoying my last weekend before heading back to work on Monday. I thank God that He's guided and provided for Justin and I financially to be just going back part time. And I am also tremendously thankful for my supportive boss and co-workers who are allowing this opportunity.

Before starting a family I never thought I'd want to be a stay-at-home mom. I've always loved working and interacting with people. Paychecks are nice and really never thought financially Justin and I would be in a place to consider it. My feelings drastically changed after our struggle with our first pregnancy loss. Through the complete sadness of what had been taken away from us, God showed me how important family is and how quickly time goes by. He showed me that money isn't everything and that ultimately I needed to trust in Him to provide.

Over the past two years, Justin and I have worked very hard on our budgeting practices. In less than two years we have paid off 2 cars and student loans and are now growing our savings. It hasn't been easy, but being able to take 12 weeks off work and then to go back part time has made it all worth it. The time that I've been able to devote to my darling Eloise has meant more to me than I ever could have imagined. And to top it off, we won't need any daycare! Justin and I have worked out our schedules to just swap baby duties. And Eloise's great-gran will get to see and play with Eloise one morning a week. I couldn't feel more blessed!

I would highly encourage any parent-to-be out there to really consider your situation. 1) Mothers, if at all possible, take full advantage of 12 weeks of maternity leave. If you haven't been a mother yet, you will not believe the changes your baby will go through in that short amount of time. I will be completely honest and say, the first 6 or so weeks of being a (nursing) mom were completely overwhelming and I'll admit, I was pretty much set that one child was enough. I can't imagine if I would have had to go back to work full time after that 6 weeks! But with Eloise now 11 weeks old, I can look back on the past 5 weeks and even today and see how far we have come together (sleep helps both of us) and to be so thankful that I've been able watch it all happen.

2) If there is any possible way for mom or dad to go back part time (or not at all!), consider it! The moments (or days) that I or Justin get stressed or frustrated or exhausted (or all of the above) I have to remind us that this is only a short time in our life. Someday in the not so distant future, we'll think to ourselves, "Gosh, remember when Eloise liked to cuddle? Or be rocked to sleep? Or heaven forbid, remember when she wore those cute diapers?" Parenting is a sacrifice, don't get me wrong, but I like to think of it so much more as an opportunity. An opportunity to raise, support, and love this child like no other. Our lives are but a blink. Love and family are so worth investing in while we are here.

I'm proud to know that sure, maybe there's no room in the budget for something shiny, but I'll never look back on this time and wish I did it differently. We are so happy. Blessed, and happy.

Oh, and here's some new pictures of Eloise. I'm sure there'd be some upset followers (and Grandmas!) out there if I didn't include these. : )

Pajama time with Daddy.

Tired baby.

My little ducky.

Sweet little toes.

Bubbles are her new talent.

Playtime!

Hangin with Papa Allen.

Hanging around with Grandma.

Cuddles with Gran.

Sweet time with Great Gran and Great-Great Aunt Marti.

Family Portraits

Family Portraits. 5.1.2011

Reflection - for my husband...

We were challenged with quite the questions at church this past weekend. Here is my response, I now pass along that challenge to you my friends.

Imagine that this will be the last day of your spouse's/good friend's life. Tomorrow they will be gone and you will be alone. What will you miss most when they are gone? The things you wold miss are the things you actually appreciate about them. Tell them now, before it's too late. 


To my wonderful husband, just thinking of this brings tears to my eyes. Yet I see the importance of realizing what you mean to me and how I should be reminded to let you know that more often. If you would be gone tomorrow, today I would tell you over and over how much I love you. How thankful I am for God's plan that brought our paths together. We both know I had a rough path getting to you, but your kind and forgiving heart welcomed me into your life. Praise God!

Though saying goodbye to you so early would be the hardest thing I think I could ever endure, I would thank you for 8 wonderful years of you being in my life.
I would thank you for opening my eyes and challenging myself in what I believed. I would thank you for your support during my struggles - with school, with losing weight, with forgiving myself, with losing my job. You've been there for me through tough times.

But oh so many good times I would thank you for. Our trips to Chicago and Kansas City. The week in Minnesota with your family. Leading worship with you has been the most amazing experience. I would thank you for being such a wonderful father to Eloise. She loves you so much and would miss you so, so much.

I would miss your humor. Good thing I've learned to make my own puns after all these years. Every one would remind me of you. I would miss your passion. For music, for soccer, even your passion for video games. I would miss your hugs and kisses. I would miss falling asleep mid-conversation and realizing in the morning that we didn't even say goodnight the night before. I would miss our Saturday grocery store adventures. I would miss cooking with you. I would miss watching Fringe and Glee and Celebrity Apprentice with you. I would miss you making waffles on the weekends. I would miss the way you look at Eloise. The way you say her name to get her to turn her head to you with a big smile. The way she'll make you smile right back, sometimes with a tear in your eye.

So much more I know I would miss. I'm glad that chances are good that you'll be here tomorrow and the next day. I never take you for granted. I thank God everyday that you and Eloise are my family. You are loved.

2 months!

I know, I've been slackin on the blog posts. We've been busy around here!

Justin was out of town for work for a week so Eloise and I made the trek to Homer to visit Grandma and Grandpa. Aunt Jessica and cousin London flew in from Atlanta to see Eloise, too. We had such a great time, but were ready to get home to see Daddy.

It seems every day the past couple weeks has brought something new. Eloise is growing so fast and learning so much everyday! I swear it seems every morning I go in to get her from her crib, she's a little heavier. There is nothing in the world I would trade for the gigantic smile on that baby's face I see every morning. She is so happy!

She is turning into quite the talker. She loves being talked to and sung to. A new sound comes out of that cute mouth every day!

Daddy and I went out on our first date since Eloise has come into our lives. We are so blessed to have so much family right here in Lincoln. Grammy Amy loved to babysit.

One of the biggest changes we are seeing in Eloise is her growing independence. It seemed within a day, she went from wanting to be held around the clock (including nap time...) to wanting to be put down. She loves to stretch out and just gaze at her surroundings. She's enjoying her activity mat more as well as her swing and bouncer. Just when I thought she would never like her car seat, she made it the whole 2 hour trip back to Lincoln - asleep! This girl never slept in her car seat! I thought all babies did that! Running errands has become much less stressful! Also, as you can see I'm writing this blog as Eloise is sound asleep for her nap. Not in my arms! As much as I LOVE cuddling, it was getting really hard to get anything done with her wanting to be held all the time. Oh, have times changed!

Another huge change over the past week is that Eloise has been sleeping 8-9 hours a night! I feel like a new woman! I must say, with breastfeeding, it is annoying that I still have to get up and pump, but that's my only complaint.

Ok, enough gabbing. Here are some new pictures. Some of them are from a couple weeks ago. She already looks different! She is 2 months old today!

Lifting her head up good during tummy time.

Play time!

Snug as a bug in her wrap.

Snuggles with Daddy.

Zonked out!

Making breakfast with Mommy in her wrap.

Chillin' with Grandma.

Eloise with Aunt Jessica.

Smelling the lilacs.

Look at me in my cute dress!

Discovering the outdoors with Daddy.

Chubbs.

Can't believe she's already 2 months!

Smile.