Dad is back!!

Jeremiah has been a bit under the weather this week and hasn't wanted to get too close to Mo. Tonight, they were reunited at last. I think Moses is thrilled!

Mo's new do.

It was time. It needed to be done. Moses had this little growth of hair that was about THREE inches long on the top of his head. I kept combing it over, but, c'mon, he is way too little to have that problem. So, today I cut it. And I have started "styling" Mo's hair in the morning when I put his lotion on. Don't you think he's handsome??

Fingers and toes.

Moses: Well, I'll be. I've got two of these things. And look! They MOVE!!

Mama: So, Mo-man, what flavor is it today??

Mo's new favorite trick.

These days Moses is putting anything and everything over his face. He l-o-v-e-s it. His favorite blue elephant that he sleeps with now ends up right on top of his head. Or his favorite book to read. He likes to pull it over his head and take a snooze. The above picture was taken a couple of days ago. He has quite the spit habit so I always have something handy to wipe his face with. This is what he thought it was for. There he was, playing on the floor next to me, then he got this thing on his head and just laid there, very still... it kinda freaks me out. I'm always checking the baby monitor to see what he has got into next!!

Decisions, decisions.

Well, the decision is made. While nursing school is a good thing, something I have wanted to do for years and years, Jeremiah and I both feel that what is best is for me to spend this time with Moses. The decision to become a nurse was not a financial one, it was purely a desire of my heart. While that is good and valuable, what is best is raising my son. I am blessed that I have the choice. I had decided in my heart a couple of days ago that this is what I felt was right, but until I really talked it out with Jeremiah I was putting off making any final decisions. Knowing that I am making a choice and that I am laying down what I want freely has brought such joy in the day to day routine of being a mom. Feedings, diaper changes, playtime, laundry, sleep training, all of it is really very sweet and very important. I am so blessed that I can spend this time with Moses. This time of being a mom, with children in my home, will pass so quickly. I want to savor every moment. What important work we have before us!! Let's count it ALL joy!!

Still fumbling.

Hello all! Well, I admit that my updates have been a bit dull a lately. There just really isn't a whole lot to say. Moses is growing and as sweet as can be. He naps well, the nights are horrible, and we are exhausted. That may sound a bit dismal, but the attitude around here is rather chipper, actually. We're just figuring things out, and the days are filled with a lot if silly laughter because, for those of you who don't know, I am hilarious. Just ask Moses.
I posted awhile back about nursing school. I heard last week (or the week before??) that I did, in fact, get in. This is fabulous news. The only other time I got into nursing school was a few years ago and it would have cost around $60,000 to complete and I would have had to live on another island than my husband. Obviously that was a no-go. So the prospect of going to nursing school is very exciting. However, the prospect of leaving my sweet son in the care of someone else for 20 hours a week is not so exciting. And may be a deal breaker. I have this sweet boy and I am committed to raising him the best way I know how, and taking him to a daycare center just doesn't fit into my plans. If I could find someone to watch him for me (without breaking the bank) or find a small in home daycare that I felt comfortable with that may just change things.. but so far that hasn't panned out and I'm a bit at a loss.
But daycare isn't the real issue here. If nursing really is the way to go we will find a way to make it work. What the real issue is has more to do with what kind of mom I want to be and how I view these next years raising my child, and eventually, children. A friend sent me a link to a couple of interviews of Dr. Laura by Focus on the Family and they really struck a cord with me. These days of raising my children will pass so quickly, they are but a season, and I don't know if I want to spend two years of them being both a mom and a nursing student. A decision needs to be made and I am hoping that the Lord makes it clear which path to take!

4 Month Check Up.

Can you believe that Moses is already four months old?? FOUR??
For the stats: he weighed in at 15 pounds 5 ounces and almost 25 inches long. His doctor commented on how "round" he is. He is round :) And handsome. He "received" three shots today. It was awful, but thank goodness Jeremiah was there with me!
On a sad note, his doctor is moving to a women's health practice in Durango. I could have cried. I love Ms. Nancy, and seeing how we were both her patients it would seem that I am looking for a new doctor as well.
As far as baby books go, there are a few on the horizon that I would like to read. I am still reading Tracy Hogg's "The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems", and would like to read "Bringing Up Boy's" by James Dobson. Also on my radar are "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Ted Tripp and "Don't Make Me Count to Three" by Ginger Plowman. All come highly recommended!

Time with Dad.

Is this a good dad or what?!

Warning.

This may be the most pathetic thing you have ever seen in blogging land.

This is the face of a wee little guy who did not want to sleep. No nap time for Moses. Nope, he wanted to CRY. Nap time is nap time, but once Mama saw this face I can assure you there were plenty of snuggles.

Sooo true!!

Yes, I am that funny.

Our weekly date.

We survive because we stick together.
Here is Brittany and her birthday cupcakes. Yes I made them. No I'm not proud.

Babies, babies everywhere!

Bella was trying out her big sis skills on Nosis.

I wonder what he's thinking...

Bonnie and Shephered. Awe.

Sassy Bonnie and the kiddos. Lili was interested in the fruit on the table. Bella was keeping a close on her :)

Sometimes date days are a bit nuts, but I wouldn't trade 'em for anything.

Passover Pictures!

This Thursday night we had a lovely Passover Seder. My mother-in-law's Bible study came and we all had such a lovely time. Here are a few pictures, in no particular order.

The Castle's during foot washing. Husbands and wives washed each others feet. What a sweet time.

Elijah's cup.

This is what Moses thinks of Passover.

Everyone bustling around!

My sweet Moses.


I hope everyone has a lovely week celebrating the feast of unleavened bread. May we all be reminded of the sacrifice that took care of the "leaven" in our lives. What a gift.

Gratitude.

Whew, these past weeks have been challenging for this mama! I have been so overwhelmed with, well, not having any clue what I am doing most of the time that it had become somewhat consuming. I am a bit "type A" in some ways and I really like knowing what comes next. However, babies are not books, they are people!! And Moses needs shepherding, not just a great sleep plan.
These past weeks have humbled me and filled my heart with gratitude as well. I am so grateful for Sarah, Meg, Ruth, Stacey and all the other mama's who have prayed for me, scheduled, planned, and brainstormed with me. One of the wonderful things I have discovered about motherhood is that there is always someone ready and willing to help. And I am so very grateful!

Titus 2:3-5 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

What a weekend!

Well, the swaddle is gone! Yay! Moses is so cute all sprawled out in his crib. He sleeps on his back with his hands behind his head. Cutest thing EVER. The pacifier is still around. Hey, you've gotta choose your battles!!
The nights are going much, much better. My little man had grown out of his 3 hour routine and we are transitioning to a four hour routine. He has been much happier - and so have I :) He will sleep from 11 until 5 or 6am and then again until 8am. This may just give me the time I've been needing for a morning gym visit. We shall see about that...
In other news, Jeremiah and I spent the weekend thinking about the home we would like to build. We are considering building in Aztec (as close to the Mirabals as possible :) and have found a plot we would like. We have also found an architect in Farmington with a floor plan we like so we are on to the estimating part of it to see what we can make work! We haven't had our own place in YEARS and just the thought makes me giddy :) I will keep you updated!

The Transition.

No, I'm not talking about the transition that comes much later in life. I am, however, talking about the transition I'm in right now: becoming a mother. Four years ago I was engaged and planning a wedding. A year ago I found out I was pregnant. Three and a half months ago I had my son. That is a lot of change in a short period of time and I haven't even mentioned how many times I have moved in the past few years. However, lately I have really been getting down on myself for not knowing what to do with Moses. It is really hard to enjoy motherhood when I am spending all my time just trying to figure it out. I know all you mom's out there will think "that's just the way it is" when I say this, but I'm going to say it anyway: As soon as I have things figured out , IT CHANGES.
Right now we are in the middle of swaddle & pacifier weaning, extending feeding times to every four hours and trying (begging, really) to get Moses to sleep through the night. All of this has left me exhausted, dealing with another bout of mastitis (boo) and wishing I could undo my decision to become a mom. (Gasp! Did I just write that for the world to see??) I won't even go into how that makes me feel because, what I have learned is, you all understand and many have felt the same way.
Today I found myself on my knees before my maker begging for help as I try to shepherd this little life. I am trying not to wish these days away and attempting to enjoy my son in the stage that he is in. Here are some of the things that I am loving:
Mo's silly face when I tried to feed him cereal. It's still a little to early, but it sure was cute. He looks so concerned!
How fascinating Moses thinks his feet are.

And how vocal Moses is. Jeremiah is singing him "The Moses Song" we made up shortly after he was born. It is silly. And Moses loves it.

So, all in all, this time is hard. I can't really sugar coat it. However, tonight as my sweet, sleepy little boy was laying his head on my shoulder I couldn't help but be thankful as my heart welled up with love for this little person.

I love you, Moses David, and I am so glad you are you.

Moses and his toys.