Saturday, December 29, 2012

It's the Most Wondeful Time of the Year

A few snapshots of our household during this Christmas season.


These snapshots helped me to slow down. To bask in this season and to pay attention to the details in our lives.  The details that we see every day and tend to overlook. During this time of year, we can easily get swept away with everything that we think needs to be completed.  All the perfect decorating, finding the perfect gifts, the perfect wrapping of said gifts.  It can all be so overwhelming, especially to a new mom. 
At times I felt like I was the most disorganized person.  I didn’t get all my decorations out. Holiday baking failed to happen.  I was lucky to even purchase gifts, let alone wrap them in pretty packages. But you know what, our family had a little blessing to celebrate.
Christmas is not about how many gifts we receive.  It’s about so much more…the heartfelt giving, the family traditions, the moments that we experience, the birth of one little baby boy. Having a child has caused me to look at Christmas in a new light.  How do I want to share this wondrous season with Mason?
I want him to know about a little baby born in a manager. I want him to know about the spirit of giving. I want him to experience the comfort of family traditions. This is what Christmas is all about and sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in all the receiving, the hustle and bustle of trying to be everywhere at one time, or trying to please everyone.     
While completing some shopping before Christmas I overhead a woman discussing her plans for next year. She was tired of having to put up all the decorations herself, of having to buy all these gifts for people. Next year, she was putting up a tiny tree and heading on vacation. She was not going to mess with anything. Now, there’s nothing wrong with taking a vacation during this time of year, but I felt disheartened to hear what Christmas had become to her…a hassle. I’m afraid this is what happens to many people.
For our family, I do not want that to happen. I do not want Christmas to become a hassle. I want the Christmas season to be filled with joy and excitement. I want to be intentional with our attitudes, so Mason can see what Christmas should truly be about.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

My heart


This is one of my favorite pictures with Mason. I can't exactly remember when I took this, but it was during my maternity leave. I just want to hold him forever, cuddled up close to my heart, especially after the tragedy that occurred this past Friday.  As we go about our daily routines, preparing for Christmas, families are grieving, trying to understand how they could possibly keep going. Babies were lost that day.  They were just babies.  A parent's nightmare.  And my heart aches for them.

It rained on Friday evening, tears from heaven. Crying over the violence, but those babies were welcomed with loving open arms. 

It's still hard to fathom though.

Mason James : 4 months


Mason, you have reached your 4th month and we continue to be amazed with your development.  Each day brings a new experience and we love every minute of it. Your personality is starting to shine through and it has been amazing getting to learn who you are, Mason, even at this early age.  

  







You are such a content little guy.  Laidback, just taking in all of your surroundings.  You have no problem with anybody holding you and have enjoyed getting to know all of your extended family. 






You do tend to save your discussions for when you are around those closest to you.  And then you really express yourself, sometimes quite loudly.  It's fun hearing you find your voice.  Your Daddy and I have even been able to make you laugh, really laugh, and that has to be one of the greatest sounds ever.  Just melts our heart every time. 







We were able to bring home an early Christmas gift from your Granny and Pawpaw.  The jumparoo.  You can spend a fair amount of time playing, slobbering over all the toys, grabbing toys, you have even figured out the concept of jumping which causes the music to play. You get so excited!



You have rolled over from your stomach to your back twice. That was only after you reached a certain point of frustration about being on your stomach and then you grunted and gradually threw your body over.  You can really prop yourself upon your arms though while on your stomach.  We'll keeping working on the whole rolling over concept.   


For a few nights, our little sleeper was no where to be found, but he's back.  Whew!  Mommy and Daddy are happy about that.  It's hard on us when you cry, especially when alligator tears are involved.  I think you were going through a growth spurt.  Otherwise, you are a great sleeper, sleeping through the night or just getting up once during the night.  No complaints from us with that! 








You are a drooling machine these days.  It seems like I can't wash bibs fast enough! And the culprit...a tooth.  You are definitely growing teeth. You constantly chew on on your hands and everything goes straight into your mouth. I can even see the top part of the tooth in your gum.  We're just waiting until it cuts through. 




You had your checkup this week.  Your stats are: 13 lbs. 14 oz. 27 in.  You definitely take after your Uncle Robby.  Long and lean!  Speaking of Uncle Robby...you like to hang out with him and I just know that when you get older, you're really going to enjoy your time with him.


Mason, joyful is one word I would use to describe you. You bring such joy to our lives and just look at the world with such awe and wonder.  You study it, which, in turn, makes us slow down and take note. The simplest gesture or noise will make you grin and sometimes even laugh. Other times you just look around and stare with those big blue eyes. Focusing and checking things out, not missing a thing. Thank you for being you, for coming into our lives and showing us another way to love. You are beyond special to us and I just want you to always know that.


Monday, December 3, 2012

One Year Ago

Bright and early on the morning of December 2nd, 2011, I took a test. One of the most important tests of my life.  Little did I realize how my life would completely change with the results.

Just one word. Pregnant. 

For the past 9 months, I waited and wanted to see those lines and now they were before me. I was shocked.  I couldn't believe that a little one had started growing within me. It was surreal.  I took two other tests and sure enough each one showed positive.   

Oh, how life has changed. Amazing, how I am a mom now.  A title that I had always desired. Even though at first it was intimidating and still is at times. I just knew I wanted to experience motherhood.

And what a ride it has been so far and we are just in the beginning of our story.




Missing



Missing: Peaceful sleeping baby.
(See picture above)

If anyone has seen this serene face with not a care in the world, please, please return...for the sake of his tired parents.