Back to Work and bucket trucks

We had a fun weekend in Charleston this weekend, Ollie's first trip to see where his Charleston grandparents live. He did really good on the car trip down there. On the way back yesterday we made a side trip to Campobello, S.C. where Bravo Signs purchased it's first bucket van (Ollie wanted to test it out today.) It's pretty cool it lifts up to 40 feet so if you need to ride in any parades, I know a guy who can hook you up.

Well, tomorrow I go back to work for the last 9 days of school. I've really enjoyed being at home for 3 months with master Oliver, but I am actually a little bit excited about going back to close the year up with my second grade friends. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family that will be hanging out with Ollie for these few weeks, I'd love for your prayers for us during this short time of transition. I am glad that I will get to continue my stint as a stay at home mom for the rest of the summer.

The Diaper Challenge/ the update...

* I just wanted to let my readers know that the Target diaper challenge has gone well so far. The only negative I can think of is that they don't have that sweet little baby powder smell that Pampers do, but come to think of it, Ollie hasn't sneezed quite as much since Sunday....hmmm. Thanks for all the comments.


Okay, so we have gone through so many diapers the last 12 weeks. And I guess if that's the only thing we are spending money on, then maybe its alright. So far Ollie's been only a Pampers baby, but I've heard that the Target diapers work just as well during the day. I decided to check it out and see, the Target brand diapers are less than half the price. Moms of blogworld (well and dads if you have an opinion) I want to hear your voice. What is the 411 with generic diapers?? Stay tuned and I'll update you on my challenge, so far so good, and hey 40 diapers for $5.74, I can throw them away if they don't work.

Happy Mother's Day!

Okay, so this is not baby Ollie, but baby Evan who was born this past week in Buffalo, N.Y. weighing in at 14 lbs, 5 oz., umm, that is a big baby. Matt says he looks like one of the round things on Southpark, I can't believe I just put a Southpark reference in my sweet blog, but oh well. The Guiness book of world records said that the largest baby ever born was 23 lbs, back in 1875, my question is how does that happen???

So, its my first mother's day and Ollie gave me two really sweet presents, yesterday he laughed at me, a real laugh, I jumped out of the sailboat and he must have thought it was funny. And last night he slept from 9:30-6:00 am, woo-hoo, that is his personal record so far, I asked Matt if he gave him some tylenol, but he didn't deny or confirm this allegation. Matt gave me some sweet gifts as well and has done a good job of making me feel special today. You know I am so glad I am part of the "mommy club." It is a hard job being a mom, but it really is worth it. Two of my bestest friends joined the club last week. It amazes me how mothers just have an affinity for each other, I mean even if you just talk in the check out line at Target, there's an immediate bond. Amy and Kelly, this is my shout out to you lovely ladies, you are doing great job being mommies...Anna Cate and Maddie are so lucky to have you! Happy Mother's Day to all the moms of the world, enjoy your day!

Walking

"A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet...that's enough." 1 timothy 6:6 - The Message

Matt always says that "Comparison is the thief of all joy." Man, do I struggle with comparing myself to everyone else, am I a good wife, daughter, friend, and now mommy? When I read this verse I love the wording...the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Thats just it, I think it is so hard for my generation to know who we are, we are so distracted by all the stuff, the gear. But as Timothy says we came penniless and will leave without a dime, I pray that I can live with the mindset of appreciating having food on the table and shoes on my feet. I truly desire to walk in the rich simplicity of being myself...a person shaped by Christ.

Living the Dream...

Hi friends, as I write sweet baby Ollie is sound asleep in his cradle swing, man was that a good purchase. Life as a mother continues to bring such joy and peace and you know I didn't think that having a baby could bring peace but it does. We are very fortunate that Ollie has been blessed with the mild, mellow personality that both his mom and dad have. Ollie has a few tricks now that he does, he smiles (it melts your heart,) he laughs, he can hold his blankey in his hand, and the newest trick is sitting up in the Bumbo seat for about two minutes.
We had Ollie's two month check this week and he weighs 13 lbs, 2 oz, which puts him in the 75%, he is 24 1/2 inches long, which means he is probably going to be tall like his daddy, (the 95%tile.) He is a growing boy and Matt and I love being his parents. Being a mommy really is a dream, I really do think that it suits me well.

United Front...

Sorry it has been way too long since my last post. My adventures in mommyhood have been so much fun lately, Ollie is a boy on the go, which is good since his mom likes to venture out. I titled this blog "united front" because Matt and I are truly enjoying being united lately, I said the other day, "Matt, we are a united front and Ollie is our mascot." You know in the beginning like say 7 weeks ago when Ollie was just a few days old, it felt like I didn't even know who Matt was anymore, that was such a scary feeling. Change and increased hormone levels can do weird things with your mind.

We are however truly basking in our "new normal" lives. Matt, is such a great dad and has managed to figure out how to still love me as much as he did before and love our sweet little son. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus made all of this possible. We yearn for the love of Christ so that we can pass it on to others. Our new favorite thing to do is to watch Ollie sleep in his crib at night... he is so peaceful, it can't help but calm and drown out all of our worries of the world. If you are feeling stressed then you need to come over and watch Ollie boy enjoy 7 and 1/2 week old dream land...apparently it is a beautiful thing.

Childlike Faith

"Jesus said, Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matt. 19:14

This is Kathleen from my 2nd grade two years ago. She always had this same smile on her face. People often say we should have faith like a child, pure, innocent and joyful. I'm not sure if Kathleen in her 7 year adventure of life knew of Jesus, but she sure had a childlike faith. Today I want to breathe in Christ's love, like a child, without boundaries or conditions...will you join me?

P.S. (an update on my morning) Ollie had a real bath and did not scream, I deferred my National Board paper for a year, and I have on normal jeans, PRAISE THE LORD!