Look What Caden Did....If you dare!

Today for the first time, Caden pooped in the potty! I couldn't be more proud! The event occurred in the afternoon as I heard him making poop grunts and stopped him to change his diaper...but there was no poop in the diaper so we got out his little potty and waited. After several false alarms and he finally did it...sort of. Actually, his little butt slipped off the chair at the last minute and he misfired onto the floor, but I picked it up and put it in the potty before he knew. And the celebrations began! Mommy started dancing and clapping and he got candy, which apparently confused him because he threw the first tic-tac into the potty with the poop. But we worked out the details, took some pictures and video and called it a day!

By the way, I know this is a ridiculous and disgusting post. BUT, once you've been wiping little kid poop and changing diapers for 2 years get back to me and let me know if you aren't pumped as well! Happy pooping Caden and may the next ones make it all the way in the bowl!

Some Thoughts

Here's some mommy thoughts I keep having that I want to remember...
1. I've figured out that God does give you all the additional love you need for your 2nd child...what He doesn't always give however are an additional 24 hours in each day to fit in your extra work. My favorite example of this is often putting Caden to sleep for nap and frequently I walk out of his room to hear Caleb's waking up in the next room. Its like somehow they are playing tag and I'm always it!

2. The other night I gave both boys a bath together and they laughed at each other for the first time for a while. It was so precious!

3. I have totally taken for granted how easy it is to put a 2 year old to bed. We read books, turn on his music, say a prayer, get our mandatory plastic balls (Caden prefers sports equipment to a teddy bear, he is such a boy), and I lay him down with a kiss. On my favorite nights I even hear his sweet voice say, "bye" as I shut his door. Putting a 3 month old to bed, on the other hand, involves standing up and rocking in just the right position with his pacifier. Then, when he is asleep, not drifting, thats to soon, but really asleep, I tiptoe to our room make sure the cats aren't there to meow, get his blankets all set with my one free hand and gently oh so carefully lay him down so that he stays in the same position as when I was holding him. Then I pause over his bassinet for a minute to make sure he's still asleep, sometimes some additional rocking of the bassinet is required. Then, ever so slowly I have to tiptoe out of the room. And when all of that is said and done, he usually sleeps for about 10 minutes and then we do it all again, once or twice till he's down for good...which is on average 3 hours at bedtime. Ahhh, the things we get amnesia about once we're ready for more!

4. I love the way that Caden squints his eyes shut when I carry him to the house from the car if he's fallen asleep. Its like he's focusing all his efforts on not waking up (for which I am thankful)

5. I realized yesterday how funny it was that somehow Caden talking to me in his own toddler language actually seems like real words, and when I respond back with my oh yeahs, and ummhums, it feels just as if I was talking in plain English.

6. I love that when I put Caden in "timeout" and make him sit in the corner, he spends the whole time (1-2 minutes) grunting and trying to stand up as if I glued his bottom to the floor. I can't believe that I wield so much authority on anyone, 2 or not!

And here's a bonus, non kid related thought. I'm studying Abraham in my Bible study right now and we were talking about how Abraham died before he was able to see all of God's promise to him come true about living in the "promised land" and his descendants, etc. We make a big deal about Abraham's faith in God, which is awesome, but I was thinking about how in a way, all of us who believe God exists and believe the Bible is truth and believe Jesus lived, and died for us and is truly God's Son have a similar faith. We're most likely going to live our lives and die before we see Him with our own eyes. Most of us probably won't talk to angels in our living rooms or get phone calls affirming our faith. I'm not saying there isn't a ton of worldly evidence to support Christian faith, its just that really everyone has to wait to, well, I guess we have to wait till we die to experience God in that way. So maybe in today's culture, which largely doesn't in my opinion support true belief in the God of the Bible, those of us who do believe are a lot more like Abraham than we think! I guess I'll just have to wait and see!

Welcome Back

Caleb at Thanksgiving!
Caden being cute!

Family Thanksgiving Picture from Deer Camp in West Texas



Caleb's First Christmas

Family Christmas Photo


I would like to welcome myself back to my own blog. Somehow amidst holiday madness I've fallen terribly behind on updating this thing and the more important things that go by the more I give up...but I'll try to start again. Mainly, I just don't have the free time to sit down and work on this thing. Caleb is usually up at night once Caden is in bed, but tonight he went to sleep early. Here's a few recent pics.


Oh yeah, and in case you are curious, he hasn't slept in his bassinet in weeks. We sleep together every night and honestly I'm ok with that. Here's a picture of him sleeping on the sofa a few mornings ago...Things will get back to normal too soon and I'll miss snuggling him!

Bassinet Boot Camp

Ok, I am a big believer in doing what works with a baby and not worrying about much. So, after spending an entire year up with Caden at nighttime I learned a few things. Number one-babies sleep much better and much longer cuddled up next to mommy and not in their beds. Caleb never had the opportunity to explore this truth because the only place he has ever slept is right next to me anyway. So here's the problem- I am tired...ok, that's generally a mommy problem anyway, but Caleb is a loud sleeper (he grunts and makes all kinds of cute noises) and he is a squirmer. Plus, our queen size bed was not built for me, Collin, Caleb, and an occasional cat or two.
Anyway, I've declared this weekend bassinet boot camp. I am determined to try and get Caleb to sleep for longer than 10 minutes in his bassinet. I know whats in store is about 100 times of putting him in and picking him back up to get him to sleep again, but I'm up for it. Some might suggest attempting to let him cry, but I think he's still too little for that in my mommy book. Anyway, I'm going to blog as an accountability to follow through so here we go....sweet dreams little Caleb!

PS- I am trying to get him to sleep in it for his nap right now and he's woken up 3 times already...oh brother...

Prayers for My Boys

I recently received this email forward and these verses to pray for your kids and loved them! I've been looking for something to put around the house to remind us to pray and these are perfect...
1. When they wake up: "Let the morning bring (child's name) word of your unfailing love, for she has put her trust in You. Show (her/him) the way (she/he) should go, for to you (he/she) lifts up her soul." (Adapted from Psalm 143:8)

2. When they are getting dressed: "Therefore, as God's chosen child, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Lord, help (him/her) bear with others and forgive whatever grievances (he/she) has against others. Help (him/her) forgive as the Lord forgave (him/her). And over all these virtues, help (him/her) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Adapted from Colossians 3:12-14)

3. While they are eating: "Teach (child's name) the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Teach (him/her) that (he/she) can do everything through him who gives (him/her) strength." (Adapted from Philippians 4:12-13)

4. When they go out of the house: "(Name of child), do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Adapted from Romans 12:2)

5. While they are taking a bath: Lord, give (name of child) clean hands and a pure heart, and let (him/her) not lift (his/her) soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let (him/her) receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God (his/her) Savior. Let (him/her) be part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When they are going to bed: "The Lord Your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, be will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

7. While they are sleeping: "I pray that (name of child) will do everything without complaining or arguing, so that he/she may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which he/she shines like a star in the universe as he/she holds out the word of life-in order that he/she may boast on the day of Christ that he/she did not run or labor for nothing." (Adapted from Ephesians 2:14-16)