Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Covenant Leadership Class

Daniel and I were honored when our pastor, Hays, invited us to do a leadership class and it started tonight.  It's a 10 week study called Leadership from the Heart every Wednesday night.  There are only about 7 people so it should be a more intimate and conversational setting.  We're both really excited to get started and look forward to what God places on our hearts through this study.  I'm eager to see how God will show us our individual gifts that we can share with our church family through leading and serving in the upcoming year.  While we were in the class, where oh where was Hampton??  That's right.  Hampton stayed in the nursery for the FIRST time ever.  It was the first time he had ever stayed with someone other than an immediate family member.  Even if it was for only an hour, I was still a little sad and not so sure how I was going to hold up, but I must say, I was pretty proud of myself.  Although, I did keep my phone out on silent on the table (juuust in case).  ;)  I was so excited to go get him when it was over.  I can't really imagine how it's going to be when it has to be for a whole day!!  When we got down there to get him he was laying on a playmat playing and the 2 sweet ladies in there said he did GREAT and he was just precious the whole time!!!  Ahhhh...sigh of relief.  However, I didn't really expect any different from my little guy.  He. is. awesome.   I know this is the first of thousands of times where I will be so proud of him.  It's the best feeling to experience, I do know that! 

I LOVE this munchkin!!!

Proud daddy! :)


Thursday, August 18, 2011

A lot of "firsts" for August

So far, August 2011 has been a time for a lot of "firsts". 

Let's not forget, as seen on my previous post, Hampton attended his first wedding on August 6.


I met Michelle for lunch at Mama Goldbergs last Thursday.  She also has a new addition, Addison, who was a month old that day.  It was Hampton's first time to eat at Mama G's as well as his first lunch date.  We all enjoyed it and we already have a 2nd date planned for next week! :)


Obviously, it wore them both out! ;) 


For the first time in 6 years, I did not get a classroom ready for a new year.  It was a very. weird. feeling. to say the least.  I felt almost like I was "skipping" school or something.  I know that probably sounds weird to some of you, but it is something I always looked forward to as a teacher.   I hated to see summer go for so many reasons, but deep down in the gut of my stomach I always had this "kid in a candy store" feeling when it got time to start getting ready for a new year.  A giddy kind of feeling.  An anxious kind of feeling.  I didn't get to feel that this August and it was truthfully bittersweet.  I am officially a stay at home mom with Hampton (for this year anyways!) and am absolutely loving every minute.  I know some of you are hating me by this point in my post and I understand if you forgo to stop reading now, but I'm not here to brag about not having to work by any means, just merely expressing my feelings.  I will also be the first to admit I do understand how fortunate and blessed I am to be able to do that.  I am so undeserving and I thank God every day numerous times for my families many blessings.  Lately, Hampton and I have been being VERY lazy and he doesn't seem to mind one single bit which I'm loving because I know he won't be like that for long.  Last week we gave Hampton a small blanket that is half blanket and half monkey really just to see what he would do with him, if anything at all at such a small age.  Boy, were we wrong.  He has been literally obsessed with this cuddly thing every second since.  It has come to be quite the entertainment in our household.  Sad, I know.  It has been so fun to watch him cuddle with him and love on him.  He even sleeps with the thing (just like we needed 1 more thing in the middle of our queen size bed!).  He gets these death grips on him and will NOT let go.  Seriously.  At 2 months.  Who woulda thunk it??  I dang sure wouldn't have. He loves for him to be ANYWHERE he is.  In his swing, car seat, bouncy seat.  It's crazy.  Ok. Enough about this monkey, but I will leave you with one funny story from today.  So, I started thinking, just how much does this kid really know about this monkey?!  Is he just holding him because we give him to him?  Of course, I decide to experiment and do a little test.  I put Hampton in his swing and lay monkey up on the arm of the swing to the left of him.  Not in his lap.  Not even touching his lap.  I went and washed 4 bottles in the kitchen and came back to check on him.  I swear on my life this is what I witnessed.  No joke.  Call me crazy lady if you want, but this mama about died while sprinting to get a camera.


And the even funnier thing was the look on his face.  It's like he's saying, "what?  I didn't do anything."  I couldn't stop laughing.  I think it's safe to say, monkey is here to stay. :)

My other sweet little man, Hughes, started back to school this past Monday.  He is officially a First Grader at Houston Academy.  With Dana and my mom being in Nashville with Miss Lucy still, friends and family have been helping Brad out with Hughes.  So, Wednesday was my day to pick him up from school for the first time since he became a first grader.  I was SO excited!  I looooove picking him up and spending time with him.  As I sat in the car rider line I thought back on his life and how fast it has flown by and how he has grown into such a loving, smart, precious little boy.  If you have nieces and nephews you know what I'm talking about when I say there is a deep, deep love that I feel for this child.  He makes me so incredibly happy and literally lights up my day when I see him.  Tears began to fill  my eyes when I spotted him sitting their anxiously waiting for me to get there.  That little neck was stretched as far as it could stretch looking for my car in the line.  As soon as they called his name, he jumped up and was grinning from ear to ear, waving frantically as he walked towards my car.  He now has a "big boy" bookbag and uniforms to wear.  I'm not sure what it was that got to me the most, but he looked like he was in fifth grade and so grown up.  It made me SO sad for the fact that our little Hughes is growing up.  And then I laughed at myself as I thought...oh dear.  Here I am crying over Hughes being in first grade.  HOW will I do this with my own?  They will have to sedate me and Daniel will just have to video tape to show me one day."  hahaha  I don't even like to think about it.  Once he hopped in the car, I had tried my best to compose myself, so his nosey rosey little self wouldn't ask why I was crying as soon as he got in.  We headed down the road and about a short 2 minute conversation and 5 miles down the road later, he somehow had scored a trip to his favorite, Chuckee Cheese.  Anything to make this boy happy!  Something else I'm not going to be so good at and have to work on for the future...saying NO.  I'm sure it will be different with my own though (I sure hope so for the sake of our checking account!).  It was also Hampton's first time ever to go.  He was asleep when we arrived, but once he woke up he was A-mazed at all of the colorful, bright lights. 


Proud little first grader :)

"Um, where am I, mom?!?"

At our church this week they had what they call Mission Blitz Week where they have numerous projects that you can choose from to serve at in our community.  Since joining Covenant, Daniel and I have been looking forward for ways to get more involved with our church.  This was the perfect opportunity.  So, tonight we helped serve dinner for the first time at Mama Tina's Soup Kitchen.  Talking about an eye opener.  As heartbreaking as it was, it was such a humbling experience and I'm so thankful we had the opportunity to reach some of God's people through something as simple as serving them food.  We had a great time and will definitely be doing it again. 

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Goin' to the chapel...

This weekend Daniel and I had the privilege of sharing a very sweet friend's special day.  Amy Vandelune and Brent Howell had a beautiful church wedding at Covenant United Methodist.  Amy looked stunning (which I didn't think she would look anything other than) and I got to see and catch up with some friends I never see anymore which is always a plus!  Also, it was Hampton's very first wedding! :)

Me with the gorgeous bride


One of my favorite guys ever!


The whole day was perfect.  Beautiful ceremony, delicious food, great entertainment, and fun times seeing old friends.  Thanks Amy and Brent for inviting us to partake on your special day and Congatulations again!  I pray you have many, many years of happiness together and may God richly bless your marriage!  Love you!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

2 months already???

Oh. my. goodness.  Where does time go?  Hampton was 2 months old yesterday.  How can it be?  These last 2 months have been the most amazing 2 months of my life.  He has brought SO much joy to our lives and family I can't imagine our life before him.  He is so incredibly sweet and the BEST baby.  I know, I know I'm a little biased, but I'm for real.  He has been the best baby for us.  In fact, I tell people he is so good that our next child will probably be quite the little hellian. ;)  Anyways, we're NOT going there right now or anytime soon for that matter.  We are enjoying our precious blessing God has given us and trying to soak up every moment possible with him. 
Unfortanately, turning 2 months old = 2 month check up = 3 SHOTS! :(

Waiting on Dr. Williams
Not surprisingly though, he did great!  He even did a little better than mommy.  He hardly even cried when she pricked him and was completely fine when Daniel picked him up.  It made me so sad and daddy was a trooper and was right in on the action helping hold his hands down for the nurse.  Thank goodness for Daniel in times like those.  This emotional mommy can't handle it!
These are his stats as of now:

weight:  12 lbs. 8 oz. - 50th percentile (funny thing, he weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz. at birth!)

Height:  23 3/4 inches long - 61st percentile

Head:  40 1/2 cm.

He wasn't even really fussy and had no fever all day.  I still gave him a little Triaminic to rest peacefully during the day and night though. 

Resting at home with his little boo boo's on his legs :(
So far...

He eats great for us.  He already takes 6 oz.!  Hence, weighing in at 12 lbs.  The boy don't miss anything. ;)
He LOVES to watch t.v.
He loves to cuddle.
He loves to sleep in between Daniel and I and won't have it any other way.  I know, might regret that one a little later.
He doesn't mind bath time.
He has just began smiling in the last couple of weeks.  It is the most heart melting thing ever.
He loves his bouncey seat and swing.  We usually interchange the two to swap things up a bit.
He is a very chill baby.  He hardly EVER cries and when he does, it means he has a dirty diaper, hungry, or his reflux is bothering him.
He has found his fingers and hands. 
He loves to look at the world around him and when he does I can literally see his little brain turning.
He sleeps like a champ (day or night)
He has just started sleeping about 6-6 1/2 hours during the night and the first time he did this was our first night in Nashville for Lucy's surgery (July 27).  I thought it was because of the 7-8 hour ride we had just taken, but nope.  He has done it ever since (until I just jinxed it I'm sure!)
He likes to be outside.
He stretches for literally about 5 minutes or so after waking up
He knows how to poke out his bottom lip when he's sad or upset.  It about touches his chin. Don't worry, we got video of this.
He LOVES Hughes!  Watching him, listening to him, everything.  Again, melts my heart.
He has been to 2 states since he was born already...Florida and Tennessee (quiet the little traveler!)




All in all, Dr. Williams said he was extremely pleased with what he saw and that he was a "perfect" baby boy!  Joy to a mother's ears. :) 
However, I do have a small prayer request.  Unfortanately, he does have acid reflux and he is on 2 doses of zantac a day for it.  The Dr. said it was like heartburn for adults.  He spits up A LOT and you can tell when it is burning or bothering him.  Bless his heart.  It is pitiful.  He's not as bad now than he used to be before the zantac, but it's still not taken it away completely.  Dr. said it should go away in time and he doesn't won't to start rice cereal in his bottle until he is 4 months.  Not by my request, but hey, I'm not the Dr. right?!  So, in the meantime, please say a prayer for him and his issues with this.  I pray that God will take away the uncomfortableness of it and he will not be in such distress with it.  Thank you! 

A little morning t.v. :)

On the way home from Nashville

Bath time!




Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Lucy's 3rd (and hopefully LAST) surgery

Brooke, Hampton, and I went to Nashville last Wednesday, July 27 for Lucy's open heart surgery and arrived back home yesterday.  For those of you who do not know, my precious niece, Lucy was born Sept. 14, 2009 with a heart condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.  Since then, she has had 3 successful open heart surgeries at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.  She had her first at 3 days old, second at 3 months old, and now her third (and hopefully last) at 22 months old.  You can read about what it is here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002096/
You can read all about her journey on Caringbride here:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lucydean
She is such a little trooper and I know God has such BIG plans for her little life.  I am so thankful to God that he was with her and all staff involved in each and every surgery.  She is the sweetest little girl and loves "Hantn" (Hampton) I think more than I do!! :)  Her surgery was July 28 and her recovery started on July 29.  The average recovery time is 7-10 days depending on how well she does.  Hopefully, Dana, Brad, and her will be back home in no time.  A HUGE thank you to all of the thoughts, concerns, texts, and most of all PRAYERS over the last several days.  God heard each one and I am so grateful to Him.  Praise God whom all blessings flow!  I will leave you with a few pics of sweet Lucy through the past few days.
First time seeing her after her surgery

Big brother, Hughes, had to get an educational lesson
on what she had gone through before being able to see her

Proud big brother! :)

 Papa talking to her

Sweet girl :)

Letting Aunt Brooke brush her hair

With the Dora doll I got her (she loves Dora!)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:6-7

“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”  Mark 10:27