Weekend Update

I can't tell you how weekends both re-energize me and exhaust me at the same time.  I am really trying to take in each moment and enjoy time with my family while simultaneously staring the laundry and dishes in the face, as if to say, I will not let the idea of a perfect and clean house get in the way of playing on the floor with my beautiful baby.  I have really been inspired by Kelle Hampton over at Enjoying the Small Things as she documents her days with the two most beautiful girls (other than my two, of course).  We are both step-mothers and mothers just trying to navigate through life, and she simply takes better pictures and writes more elequently than I do.

But back to weekends... I had a wonderful time with my mom this weekend and loved spending time with Jay and Grace.  Little Claire was a trooper at the party Saturday night, and here she is with Aunite Em and Uncle Cliff.  Cliff's mom gave that yellow dress to me 26 years ago and my mom had saved it for Claire- so weet, I know. 

But she had simply had enough when it came time for brunch Sunday morning.  Between being off of our schedule and cutting the first tooth (YES, CAN YOU BELEIVE SHE IS CUTTING A TOOTH? and yes, I was yelling that) she straight up screamed through the entire brunch.  Mom, Jackie, Uncle Cliff and Auntie Em all took turns bouncing and walking with her as far from the other post-church crowd as possible, but would you like to know who was able to calm her down?  A stranger.  You read that right, I allowed a complete stranger to hold my screaming baby and walk around the restaurant, and you know what?  It worked!  She went straight to sleep to his rendition of "Hush Little Baby."  Not sure what it is about a big man's deep voice and cushy chest that settles my girl down, but it worked and I don't care how or why? 

Honey and Auntie Em were freaking out that this man was going to run out the front door with my baby, but I was at my wits end and would have simply sent my half-marathon running brother after him (note to self: write a post about Jay and Grace's awesomeness in running).  And with her still not sleeping through the night, I was sure he would promptly return my angel.

And while I was enduring the wrath of teething, Luke was at church enjoying Catalyst, our men's conference.  I'm not too sure what went on there, as he won't share any details.  But I know what a powerful God we serve, so I'm sure Luke learned a lot.  After dropping Honey off at the airport, Luke and I enjoyed an awesome Palm Sunday service that outlined all of the benefits we received when Christ died.  And then, of course, it's back to work Monday... Hope you had a great weekend too!

The Weekend Ahead

Honey has arrived!  Although late last night, I swooped her from the airport and returned her to my oh-so-messy house (which she is expected to tolerate and not to clean) and in typical mommy fashion, she took over night time duties.  What is it about moms that make us feel whole again?  That makes us feel like we can do this: work, wife, mother, Christian, everything?  I don't know about you, but having my mom close has always made me feel better.  And Claire feels better too- she slept almost six hours for Honey (although she continues to wake every three hours for me)!

And Honey has been so wonderful as to give Jessica the day off and keep Claire today, so the rest of my in-law family is off to South Carolina to visit Kristin and Christian in Columbia, SC or to see my favorite cousin (really, she's Luke's cousin, but I think I talk to her more than he does) get married tonight in Knoxville, TN.  We were so sad not to be able to attend either of these always-entertaining family vacations, but with the time Luke took off when Bella was here and the time I have yet to accumulate at the new job, anything more than a Saturday-Sunday one-night affair is more than we can do.

But we do have big plans for the weekend ahead.  Luke is off to the men's conference at church this weekend, and we are praying that God moves these men in a very special way.  We feel so blessed to be a part of the Highlands family and the wonderful people there.  This Easter marks two years we've been at Highlands, and we are still amazed at the wonderful, life-giving work they do (note to self: write a post about how we found Highlands).

And tomorrow morning, Honey and I will take of for Atlanta for Jackie and David's wedding shower.  For the non-family readers, Jackie's mom, Auntie Em- as I fondly refer to her, is mom's friend from back in her Zeta days who has become like a second mom to me.  And Jackie was awesome enough (among other thigns) to read in my wedding back in 2007 and I will be reading in hers this May (actually on Luke's and my birthday).  We are also going to see my little bro (ok, he's no longer little, but he will always be little to me) and his wonderful fiance, Jay and Grace.  (Another note to self: write a post about Jay and Grace's AMAZING engagement party.)

And bruch at Serpas will follow Sunday morning before I have to get Honey back on a plane to New Orleans (and subsequently cry that I won't see her again until our Fourth of July vacation in the Smokey Mountains).  And then back to church for a Palm Sunday service.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead of you too!

Check Out Some New Additions

No we do not have another bun in the oven (man that would be scary)...  But I am adding some things to the blog.  We now have pages for Pictures and About Us.  I am still working on this stuff, but it is coming when I have time.  Hope you all are loving the new layout! 

Luke's Cruise Pics

Finally getting around to posting these. Here's my wonderful husband on the last trip he'll ever take without me (ok, maybe I'm exxagerating, but for realsies, it will be some time before he leaves me again).

Matt (the groom) and Luke

The Cruise Ship (and I was not a big fan of it being named the Fantasy if you know what I mean)

Now, momma needs a vacation!
::sighs at the fact that new job = no vacation time built up::

Five Months Old

I can't believe Claire is already five months old (yesterday)! She is laughing up a storm and rolling over so much. She has tried rice cereal, peas and pears, but with a sweet tooth straight from our family, the pears are by far her favorite. It's crazy to see her in a high chair already, but so fun too. Sucking on her toes is her new favotire activity, and while I couldn't capture her in the act, here is a glimpse.

Remind me again what sleep feels like?

Oh yeah, It makes me feel like I am a new woman!!! I can't tell you how glad I am that Lukek is home. He busted through the door in Lucy and Ricky fashion, with a good ole' "Honey I'm Home," and I couldn't be more thrilled. As he told me of the gifts he returned with,I have to admit I didn't care. He was my gift. His return to the girls who missed him desperately. That was better than anything (although I do love the giant conch shell, baby- it will go perfectly in our beachfront retirement home- what I can't think about retirement one month into my new job?).


So after five days and four sleepless nights without my other half (and I say "other" here because I used to think I was the better half, but this has shown me that we are truly a team) we spilt the overnight duties on Monday. And thankfully approaching was Tuesday- better known as the night Claire spends with her grandparents. We are so blessed that Luke's parents, Karen and Barry (aka Grandmomma and Grandbarry) love keeping Claire once a week, and that is Tuesday nights. Luke and I can recharge and face Hump-day with a renewed energy.

And the sleep has done us both some good. We were both getting sick, but it looks like some rest was just what the doctor ordered!

I Will Survive...

As long as I know how to love.... No, that's not what I was going to say. I am so easily distracted these days due to complete. lack. of. sleep. Luke has been gone for five days and I am thanking sweet Jesus he is coming home today (Luke, not Jesus). Claire must have known her Daddy was gone because she basically refused to sleep in protest of this fact. Sorry my songs are not as funny and cute as Daddy's but for the love of all that is holy, please sleep.

Last night was filled with non-stop crying (mostly from Claire, but I'll admit I shed a few as well) since she and I are both coming down with a cold. Being a mother has made me realize that I can do things I never thought I could. Operate a motor vehicle on less than four hours sleep? Prepare a bowl of cereal with one hand holding a screaming child? Oh I know that is not SuperWoman credentials, but hey, I am pretty proud of myself.

But I will survive -- If I can just make it through the day at work. Luke has promised to take night time duty with the angel tonight so I can begin to recover. I promise pictures are coming if Luke returns my camera from his little adventure.

Props to the Single Parents

My lovely (and often very helpful) husband is leaving today for a five day cruise for his best friend Matt's bachelor party. If you have heard horror stories about your cousin's neighbor's friend that went on one of these and ended up in a Mexican prison, I don't want to hear it. I need Luke to come home to his girls, safe and sound, and preferably in the aforementioned five days.

But this has given me a new appreciation for single parents. Even the thought of not having Luke to feed her at midnight before he joins me in slumber is making me naseous (sp?). I will now tackle all parenting duties solo. We have our routine so down pact that throwing it off keel is like messing with the alignment of the stars.

But here we go... I'll keep you updated on how I (and little Claire) handle these next few days. So I raise a glass (not really, I'm still at work) and propose a toast to all the single parents out there who have managed to keep it together. You have my highest praise!

Ears are Clear!

I thought this post would never come, but Claire's ears have actually cleared up! Poor baby has had three ear infections in the past four months, so we thought she was destined for tubes, but the peditrician said we could give her one more shot! Anyone who has had to put their baby under anethesia knows hwo relieved we are.

And her kidneys are looking good as well. The urologist thinks they are improving so much that we have gone from an ultrasound every 30 days to every three months! And as much I loved ultrasounds and getting to see her inside my belly, is just about how much she HATES them! And the less I have to see the inside of a doctor's office, the better!

Luke and I are adjusting to my new work schedule pretty well, although he is missing the nights of coming home to a clean house and dinner on the table. I guess I shouldn't have spoiled him so much! We are so looking forward to Bella coming in just two weeks! Claire has moved on from rice cereal to peas, which she doesn't really seem to like. I'll post some pictures of her first eating adventure as soon as I can! We love you all and thank you for your continued prayers!