Hibernator

Startin' 'Em Young

Lily loves to help in the kitchen.  She can't reach the drawers to assist me with unloading the dishwasher so the other day I put the silverware tray down to her level and let her go to town.  Why did I not think of this eons ago?!  I know there will come a day when she doesn't think chores are fun.  But until then.....

No Paparazzi Please!

Static City

We Need All the Help We Can Get!

So if there's one thing I've learned about being a parent, it's that I'm in desperate need of Jesus's help every moment of every day to carry out my role.  Paul Tripp has been laying down some sweet wisdom through his years and I've recently read a couple of his articles.

This one:  http://www.paultripp.com/articles/posts/parenting-the-joyful-impossibility

And this one: http://www.paultripp.com/articles/posts/parenting-its-never-an-interruption

"It hit me, that if I were ever to be the tool of transforming grace in the lives of my children, I needed to be rescued daily, not from them, but from me! That's why Jesus came, so that I would have every resource that I need to be what he’s chosen me to be and do what he’s called me to do. In his life, death and resurrection I’d already been given all that I needed to be his tool of rescuing, forgiving and transforming grace."

Brother & Sister

It's so fun to see these two grow fond of each other!  Lily doesn't even have to say or do anything and Silas will smile non-stop for her.  Watching them together is definitely my favorite thing these days.

Beautiful Chaos

I've finally come to terms with the fact that our home has been, for the past 7 weeks, and will continue for awhile to be, well...chaotic.  I am SO thankful for the wiser, older moms in my life that speak truth into the not-so-pretty areas that I so desperately need truth spoken into.  Things like....it's ok that your house never feels "picked up" for more than an hour at a time....don't wish the time away, they will be grown up and leaving for college before you can even believe it....give grace to your toddler...and on and on.  And to be quite honest, I've been in a bit of a spiritual funk since Silas has been born.  My time in the Word has been so spotty and as a result, my attitude has not reflected the Spirit that resides inside of me.  Thanks be to God who offers new mercies every single morning (Lamentions 3:23).  Because of Christ, I know that all of these things are given to me as gifts - the changing of diapers, the pile of dirty dishes and dirty laundry and dirty everything, the 2 year old tantrums that expose my daughter's need for a Savior again and again & give me eyes to see what we need to work on, the dog whimpering to go outside making me weary at yet another voice needing my attention.  They are all gifts.  Gifts that are currently adding to my beautiful chaos.

This morning's daybrightener on my daily flip calendar was an echo to this theme and I absolutely love it:

"Whether it is the unexpected emergencies that throw our lives for a loop or the chaotic beauty we invite in to turn our house upside down, our home usually feels slightly bent, occasionally stained, somewhat disorganized - yet we are blessed by all the chaos...life, puppies, family, connections and living our God-given dreams.  The chaos means we are living a full and meaningful life." ~ Melissa Michaels

Bye-Bye Bath Time Blues

Silas hasn't been a big fan of bathtime, so I decided to do what we did with Lily.  Hop in there with him!  And it made all the difference.  He loved being held in the warm water and watching big sister splash around.

Growing Up Before My Eyes

The other day, my friend Jenny offered to take Lily for the day so I could enjoy a day with just the baby.  So thankful for her!  Lily wanted to take some stuffed animals for naptime so she put them in her new backpack to bring with her.  Oh my word, I can't believe how big she looked!  It was like she was ready to head out the door for preschool.  I'm glad there's still a couple years left for my soul to prepare for that. :)

Toddler Swaddle

Justin is so good at swaddling.  Lily requested it the other night since Silas has been getting swaddled when he sleeps.  She can't escape.  Genius!

The Charmer

I just can't get enough of these grins!

He Better Get Used To This

Every time I turn around, Lily has Silas surrounded by her stuffed animals.  It makes me laugh every time!

Winter Princess

Happy 2013!

We celebrated New Years Eve with friends, although it was short-lived.  After only being there for about 30 minutes, Lily burned her hand on the fireplace while dancing around playing Rock Band.  The car ride home from there was not pleasant.  So, we ended the night by watching Cinderella and distracting her with all kinds of sweets to take her mind off the pain!  The next day, she was as good as new though and we hosted our connection group for New Year's Day.

Playing Rock Band 

 

Easton rockin' out

 Will she take after me?

 It's all fun & games until someone gets hurt.  

Poor Lils holding an ice pack while Easton looks rather concerned.

 Happy as a clam the next day with her buddy!

 "My First New Year"

 Silas chillin' with Allie

 A ladies man already!  

All Smiles

We were amazed when Silas started smiling and cooing at only 3 weeks old.  The first couple of times I thought it was a fluke...not "real" smiles.  Lily didn't start smiling until 6 weeks old, which I think is fairly common.  Well this boy must be easily amused! :)  And sure enough, he started doing it every day.  We took lots of cute photos but then I realized I really should be capturing it on video to get the full effect.  Here's a video of him at 1 month old:

Buddies

My friend Erin brought her 3 kids over earlier this week for a playdate.  Their youngest son was born 3 weeks before Silas.  Here's a photo of our baby boys side by side.  They had matching carseats and matching blankets (big props to Methodist hospital for sending us home with such a nice gift).  I'm so thankful they'll be little buddies!

It's like looking at mini versions of their daddies sitting there. :)

Comparison

Here are photos of both kids at 1 month old.  See any resemblance?

One Month Old

One month ago today, Silas entered the scene.  

He's been such a source of joy in our lives!

I Love My Job

Christmas 2012

Picture highlights of this Christmas!

 Lily and her cousin Reece

 Our new family of four at Christmas :)

 Justin's side of the family

 Grandma Niki with her grandkids

 Lily loves hangin' with cousin Ali

 Great Grandma Karen having a good laugh with our sweet girl

 This is pretty much how Lily carried around my Mom's dog the entire night.

 My aunt Vicky with Silas

 Papa Jim

 "GaGa" 

 She was most fascinated with the free umbrella Justin had picked up when he bought me a CD.  

Go figure.

And last but definitely not least....the whole reason we're even here to celebrate these joyous times with family.  Jesus Christ.  Happy Birthday to our Savior!