Mama's Little Messy Boy

     Noah ate cereal for the first time today and let me just say...what a messy boy!  It was absolutely hilarious to watch...I'm so thankful I decided to take pictures! :-)  He had more on himself than he did in his tummy...at least he seemed to like the taste of it!  We started hiim on rice and we're going to try that for a few weeks and see how he does with it. Then, I think we will move on to barley and maybe then on to the cereal with fruit in it!  I just LOVE watching him grow....*smile*  We were worried that it would upset his stomach with him only being a little over 3 months old, but on the box it says assisted sitter...and that's what he is. Infact, he is at the point he can almost sit up on his own, so we thought he was ready. Also, another way they said you could tell if babies are ready to eat solids is if they reach for the food in your plate..and Noah is constantly grabbing food off of mine, haha!  :-)  But anyways, I'm just thankful it went over so well.
     While I was at WalMart this morning I was so happy because my friend Kristy got to meet Noah for the first time. It was nice seeing her again because my goodness, it's been months...at least half a year I guess!  But, that's another babysitter added to the list, lol! :-) 
     I am excited for the weekend because tomorrow we are going to the Strawberry Festival...I am SOOOO craving a strawberry shortcake...yummy!  And who knows, I might just pig out and get a strawberry shake, too!  We're meeting up with our friends Anna and Allen, and Alisha and Josh...and their cute little baby girl Aria!  :-)  It should be a lot of fun...and hopefully it won't rain, even though it's calling for afternoon showers! Well, gotta get off of here now, becaues I've got a TON of laundry to do before hubby gets off of work. *sighs*

Faithful and Praising God

     I posted a few days ago about something the Lord had layed on Caleb and my heart. The Lord has finally led us to a decision and we have talked with our Pastor about it so I am finally able to write about it here. We have been praying about this decision for months and although it hasn't been an easy one to make we are both thankful it has FINALLY been made. We have decided to step down as members of our church. This in NO way means that we will not still be visiting there, as we will as often as the Lord allows. We do not know where the Lord is leading us to be yet, but we are faithful that He will provide us with that answer soon. We have done tons of research and feel that being members of a church is not a necessity in being a Christian. We are not members of one building of believers but members of the Church of Christ...therefore, if we choose to go to church with my parents...we are still fellowshipping with other believers. If we go to church with my husband's parents...we are still fellowshipping with other believers. We know that the Lord is leading us to a specific place...maybe not even in Virginia, but until then, we will continue to place our trust in Him. Pray for us...this has been SO hard!  We are having trouble listening to the Lord with this decision He has made for us. Pray that God will lead us to where HE wants us to be...and not where WE want us to be...or where family, friends, previous church members, want us to be. I've been a wreck for months now and it has taken endless amounts of faith in God to follow through with His plan!  But, with each step we take...it brings us one step closer to our Savior!  And this makes us so happy!

UPDATE

     ONLY ONE PINK LINE!!!! So thankful I'm not pregnant right now!  I'm really looking forward to having a flat tummy soon...and losing more weight of course!  AND, I want to devote more time to Noah Bug before introducing another little one to take some of my attention away from him!  Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Teething?!?!

     Yeah, Noah is teething already. They haven't started to come through the gums yet or anything but you can see that the teeth are just under the gums. *sighs*  Let me just say, this is my LEAST favorite milestone so far. I feel like the Lord has handed us a completely different child, lol. My sweet little angel baby is no more, lol...I feel so bad for our baby Noah. The Dr. told me not to start him on baby orajel yet, which is awful because I don't really know what else to do. I've been giving him Tylenol and letting him chew on pretty much whatever he wants, but it doesn't really seem to be helping. I'm totally clueless in this department and I had a little mini Mommy breakdown earlier today. He cries and I cry right along with him...poor thing. It's terrible being a parent and seeing your child in pain and feeling like there is nothing you can do to help him. The only thing that really seems to help more than anything is giving him a bath...and I have NO clue why that is working, unless it's just because it calms him down. But anyways, if anyone has any ideas on how to conquer this and soothe baby's gums, let me know! :-)  I'm always up for new ideas.
     Well, I guess I better get off of here now. Noah is starting to wake up from his nap and I can tell I am going to have a long day ahead of me!

Electronically Challenged???

     So I apparently had my settings set so that no one could comment on my blogs...silly me, lol!  I went in and tried to fix it, so if anyone has time...even just to type "hi"  ummm..that would be awesome. That way I will know if the problem has been fixed or not!
    Anyways, not much to write about today. Simply that the Lord is doing a great work in my life (and my family's life). The Lord has layed something on our hearts which we are nervous about...but still praying hard about (and have been for months now). As soon as a decision is made I will discuss it in greater detail. Until then, please pray for us that we will be accepting of God's will!  I am having a really rough time with this, but I know God is going to do great things...if we just keep the faith and trust Him. Even though it's scary...sometimes the hardest part is taking that first leap of faith! But once we take it...great works are able to be done through us! Thanking God for each day and every wonderful blessing! 

"Do Not Forget Small Kindnesses and Do Not Remember Small Faults."

     Life is sometimes really hard...we are faced with difficult situations that are out of our control and the only way that they can be solved is by keeping the faith in our Lord and Savior; which definitely involves a lot of prayer. Only in doing these things (among a few others) will we see miracles happen. This was part of our sermon this morning at church...and it was extremely uplifting. :-)  It reminded me that when we are faced with "troubling situations" that we are not alone. Always there with me is my precious Savior Jesus Christ. Today was a rough day for me...for several reasons, but I'm keeping my chin up and my eyes lifted towards the heavens. God will get me through this...I've just got to gather the right ingredients...faith, love, prayer, and perseverance, and apply them to each situation that comes my way...good or bad. I didn't have much to write today...but this was on my heart and I wanted to share it!  Hope everyone has a blessed week!  And remember, no matter what you are faced with, have faith and the Lord will take care of it!  "Don't worry! Be happy!"

In Order to Live My Life to the Fullest, I Must Give My Worries Up to God

     Well, I'm starting to freak out again...and I know I shouldn't worry but sometimes it's just SO hard. I'm a week late getting my cycle, but this is the first time I've had a cycle on my own in like 3 years (without the pill or being pregnant). I'm hoping I'm just a ltitle bit off schedule and it will show up soon. Everyone keeps telling me I'm pregnant and I need to take a test, but I honestly don't think so. I've read that sometimes after being pregnant or coming off the pill it can take a while for cycles to regulate...at least, I'm hoping that is the case. *sighs* If I'm preggo again, sheesh, I just don't know. It will be in the Lord's perfect plan, but I'm having trouble accepting that as part of my plans. I just keep chanting "keep having faith, trust God...keep having faith, trust God!"  LOL...so, I guess if she doesn't show up by the end of the month, I will be peeing on a stick again! WOW..I'm SO not ready to go through being pregnant again. "trust God, trust God, trust God!!!"  Anyways, that's my little blip of the day.
     Nothing else exciting has really been going on in my everyday life...lots of spit up and drool because Noah has started teething already..and I thought we would have at least another month to wait for that to happen lol. It's kind of cute...he sucks on his little hands constantly and is started to chew one everything, his favorite being my shirt and hair...ewww. :-)   He is such a joy to have around though...the perfect little baby boy. I pray that everyone has a wonderful week.

A Lifetime of Firsts

     So, Noah is FINALLY holding his head up on his own!  This means NO MORE CARRYING THE CARSEAT EVERYWHERE, lol!  :-)  He is 13 pounds now and the carseat is 5, so that's like almost 20 pounds of lugging around, lol. Doesn't sound that heavy until you've had to carry it all over the place constantly. He is also starting to grab and shake toys and he laughed for the first time today! It was like, I had so much love at that moment, I just started crying. Do you ever feel that way??? So happy that it is impossible to keep from bursting into tears?  *sighs*  That's being a mom for you.
     I have opened a new chapter in my life and I am loving it. It really began with the birth of Noah, but so much more has happened. I am no longer a college student, I have made amazing new friends, and the Lord has opened up the possiblity of teaching at a new Christian school that is opening up in Salem! *smile*  I am strengthening my walk with the Lord each day and I finally feel like my life is moving in the right direction. My best friend Becca has been such a positive, uplifting influence on my life. She is such a strong Christian woman and I really believe the Lord brought us together for a reason. We attended their church on Sunday and it was a phenomenal service. The Lord spoke to me through pastor Greg and every fear and worry I have had over the past several months was completely removed. I gave everything up to the Lord FINALLY...I thought I had already done this but I hadn't. It wasn't really until this past week that I realized I was still trying to control my life instead of letting God be in control of it. I constantly worry about Noah but the Lord showed me that I needed to dedicate my son to Him...so I did! My outlook on everything is completely different and although I am still waiting for the Lord to show me what else He has in store for my life, it is up to Him. It is so much easier letting Him have control over me, than trying to run  my own life. Even though I am nervous about where God is leading me and my family, I am open to whatever decisions He has made for us. Please pray for us as we continue to pray for our situation and that we will continue to have strong faith in our Lord and Savior! 

Friends Make the World Go Round

     So, today is the start of alumni weekend at my alma mater, Roanoke College!  I have been waiting for this event for like, well, since I graduated, lol. AND, I think what I'm most excited about is introducing little Noah to everyone. I am having lunch with my Seminar class on Saturday at Mac and Bobs and even my professor is going to be there. Everyone keeps telling me they can't wait to see him in person, as everyone is keeping updated with pictures on facebook! :-)  We are also meeting up with our friends Robert and Justin (who I haven't seen in a long time) and doing something with them....who knows what else we will end up doing. I think we may be having brunch at the college on Sunday, but we are just playing everything by ear, really...don't want to get too tied down with plans, because it's just way more fun being spontaneous! 
     Today, since the warm weather is back (YAY) I am probably going to take a walk with Rebecca. Who, by the way, is going to have her little one sometime over the next two weeks, so keep her in your prayers! I can't wait for baby Emilie to get here...it will be so nice having a teeny tiny baby to hold again! My Noah is growing like a weed and is already up to 13 lbs...WOW!  Time is going by so quickly, it's unbelievable. I am so thankful I have made a new friend in Becca...it is nice knowing I have that one person I can talk to about anything...a best friend, which up until now, I haven't had for a while. I came upon the perfect quote the other day "“Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day.”  I am going to do my best to make all things meaningful and live life to the fullest! :-)

Stress-Free at the Spa and Relaxation at Riverdance

     Yesterday I FINALLY got to have my Mom's day out with my own mama. We started off our day with lunch at the Olive Garden...SO YUMMY...then headed out to Salon del Sol for spa manis and pedis. I can't tell you how awesome it was having our feet scrubbed for an hour and a half; my toes never looked so pretty. We got to sit in massage chairs while we were letting our feet soak in the carribean sea salts...I feel so physically rejuvenated finally...no stress and just chill about everything, lol. I think a huge part of it has to do with my spirituality, as I have been working on my walk with the Lord even more. My new friend, Becca, has had such an impact on me...I'm sure she doesn't even know. But, seeing her SO on fire for the Lord has just helped me with my own walk with God. It truly helps having friends who will sit down and just talk to you about your faith, your struggles, and give you back good Christian advice on how to handle everything. So, today, I woke up feeling physcially and spiritually uplifted...and to be perfectly honest, I haven't felt that way in quite a while.
     Now, back to yesterday, we finished up with our pedis and went into the next room to get our manicures. Again, I have beautiful nails, lol. I love it. I will be posting pictures on facebook soon...when Noah decides to give me some free time, lol. After we were done at the Spa we drove back to my house where Caleb had dinner cooked and ready for us!  *smiles* I have such a sweetheart for a husband. We ate quickly, gave Noah some snuggles, and headed off to watch the farewell performance of Riverdance. All I can say is, WOW!  It was phenomenal. :-)  I have to admit I have the smallest tinge of jealousy because I would give anything to be able to dance like that, haha. I don't quite see that happening anytime soon.
     On our way back, Mom and I just laughed and laughed...harder than I've laughed in months, actually. It was just so nice to be able to spend an entire day with just my Mom...we don't get many opportunities like that much anymore. It means so much more now that I have a baby of my own..I want to cherish every moment the Lord gives me! Well, I will probably end here for now...gotta get little Noah Bug ready before we head to the grocery store!

From Sexy to Spit Up

     Well, for all those mommies out there, do you sometimes feel like you wish you had your sexy back? Before baby, I spent my days well dressed, took time to do my makeup and hair, and had dinner ready and the house cleaned before the hubby got home. :-)  Now, lol...I spend my hours walking the floor to calm my baby (which is the main exercise I get every day, haha), washing out the drool and spitup from my hair during the time I used to devote to making it pretty...and I'm lucky to have the toys picked up off the floor and dinner in the oven before he walks through the door. And you wanna know the funny part??? I love every single minute of it, lol!  Sure, smelling like formula all day and being peed on (while your 3 month old LAUGHS when he does it) isn't what I would call sexy, BUT....when your little one looks up at you with that big toothless grin...it's all very worth it! *smile*  And then, when your husband walks through the door, gives you a big wet kiss...and STILL tells you that you look hot...that makes it all worth it. Not saying that I feel very attractive covered in spit up stains and looking like I just rolled out of bed, but that's ok. I have a family who loves me regardless of my appearance...or smell! *grin* 
     I am so thankful for this upcoming Wednesday though. I am taking the entire day for ME...this Mommy is going to have a day out for herself. My Mom and I are going to the Spa and getting manicures and pedicures...then heading out for a nice dinner before going to see the broadway show, Riverdance! *sighs*  I know I will miss Noah SOOOO much that day, but I am going to take a day to pamper myself...and enjoy the day with my own Mama!  :-)  Spending time with her means so much more now that I have a baby of my own. I can finally see how much she did for me to ensure I had everything I ever needed or wanted. It takes a lot more effort than I ever gave her credit for. :-)  I love you, Mom and thanks so much for loving me the way you do!  I am so blessed to have you in my life; I can only hope that I will be as good of a Mom to Noah that you have been to me! *hugs* 
     I am also looking forward to getting home that evening as I will smell all fresh and pretty from my day at the Spa...will NOT be wearing clothes covered in stains, and will be able to truly believe my husband when he tells me I look attractive. :-)  Not that I think he's lying...in his eyes, I will always be beautiful...but I don't feel like that much anymore, lol. Stretch marks, belly flab, and 15 pounds away from being the weight I want, does that to me! :-(   I have been trying so hard to be more positive and upbeat about my appearance, but it's pretty hard somedays. I am thankful I have an amazing hubby who makes me feel pretty...but it would be easier if I really viewed myself the way he sees me! *smiles*  I love you for that, Caleb!  But it's not like I think about that all the time...as I am really busy taking care of a newborn!  It's just, I have THOSE moments...like, when I do get a rare moment to myself (ex. rushing to use the bathroom before Noah's mobile stops playing music and he starts wailing because he wants his mommy)...and I will look in the mirror and see those dark circles under my eyes, along with clumps of who knows what matted in my hair, and think to myself, "Gee, somedays I wish I had the time to get dressed up before Caleb gets home!"  But, I never really want to put myself first anymore...I would rather look like crap all day, just so I have the time to play with Noah, read him a book, or give him his bath. I have learned very well to prioritize now that I'm a Mom....and my family definitely comes first. :-)  Maybe being a Mom makes me cuter...and I have had my sexy back all along *grin*...:-) 

92 Degrees in April???

Wow, absolutely LOVING this weather!  :-)  Going for a walk today with Rebecca and little Henry...and going to enjoy every minute of it. Then, later this evening, Rebecca and Sam are watching Noah so Caleb and I can have a date night!  I think we're going to see The Last Song and then maybe out to dinner! :-)  Noah is feeling a little better but still has a pretty bad cough! :-(  I just feel so bad for the little guy. Praying that he gets over it soon!

Coughing and Cuddles

Well, my little one caught his first cold this week! :-(  And of course, what is the first thing that Mommy and Daddy do?  FREAK OUT!  I really honestly tried SO very hard to be calm in front of him...and did a good job considering. The poor guy was running a fever, coughing so hard it was making him throw up everything he ate...just by looking at him you could tell he felt bad. I think I felt worse than he did, though...I started crying because no matter what I did the poor guy just kept coughing and hacking and puking. :-(  So, we made the decision to take him to see Dr. Beazely...who immediately made us feel SO much better. He always does a wonderful job at making us feel like wonderful parents...I just love him to death, lol. He said Noah was absolutely fine and would probably have many more upper respiratory infections/colds over the course of his childhood (and adulthood, of course)...and the only way to keep it from happening was to lock him in a bubble and never let him come out, lol. :-)  I know it sounds silly but to see your child gasping for air, not able to catch his breath, and then coughing so hard he vomits...well, that's just terrifying. I'm sure it was worse this time because it was the first time it has happened...and I pray it doesn't happen very often in the future...it just makes me a nervous wreck. On the good side of things, Doc says he is building up his immune system so hopefully the next time he catches it, he will be able to fight it off easier. Still can't give him any medicine...just saline drops, a couple of ounces of water before each feeding, sucking out his nose boogies...and the most important..LOTS AND LOTS OF MOMMY AND DADDY SNUGGLES! *sighs*  I do wonder if the worry I carry around with me will ever get better...I try SO hard to just give it all up to the Lord, but when it comes to my baby boy, it's just really hard. Noah Bug went to bed nice and early tonight and is sleeping well now...and more good news; when we went for his appointment today the nurse weighed him again, and even with all the getting sick, he has still gained another pound over the past month...so, he is up to 12 lbs 7 oz....and I'm so thankful he is still healthy. Not to mention, we asked the doctor about his sleeping 12 hours every night, and he told us that was extremely unusual for a baby not even 3 months yet...but he is gaining weight perfectly and is healthy in every way, so it's perfectly ok. That made us happy, because I honestly feel like we have the perfect little boy. I mean, even when being SO sick and feeling really bad, he was all smiles today...smiling through the tears! :-)  I just wanted to update everyone on how little man is doing. We appreciate the prayer support...it has helped more than anything. Pray not only for Noah and that he gets over this quickly, but that Caleb and I will be able to give our worries over to the Lord! :-)  Good night and God bless!

"In My World, Everyone's a Pony...and they all Eat Rainbows and Poop Butterflies"

     Soooo, I decided to let Noah watch "Horton, Here's a Who!!" And yes, before anyone starts whining at me that I shouldn't let my 3 month old watch TV, I'm his Mommy and feel that it is perfectly ok. I watched TV when I was a baby, as did my brother and my husband, and I think we turned out just fine!  :-)  Just getting that tidbit off my chest as everyone seems to think they need to tell me how to parent...*sighs*  Oh well, lol. Anyways, my title is a quote from the movie...and I was just cracking up...and Caleb, of course, didn't make it any better as he continously kept rewinding it and making me watch it over and over again. And the sad part is, Noah had already went to bed, lol. Sadly, I'm one of those parents who finishes watching their children's animated movies after they have already gone to bed! Silly me!
     Caleb got off of work two hours early today for Good Friday...so that was nice. Anna watched Noah Bug while we went to Toys R Us to get his Easter gifts from the Easter Bunny, lol. :-)  I know he still doesn't quite understand that whole concept yet, but it's still fun! Oh, speaking of that, I took him to have his pictures made with the Easter Bunny the other day...which he HATED!!! He didn't really cry or anything...just whined a bit, lol...and then decided that would be the perfect opportunity to spit up...ALL OVER THE BUNNY!  I cracked up, hoping that the laughter would keep me from crying, which it did, thank the Lord!  :-)  The photographer wasn't as thrilled, as he kept shouting at me "he's spitting up, he's spitting up!" I was like, "Duh..he's a BABY!!!"  But, anyways, that was definitely an experience that I won't forget!  I had my awesome sister in law with me, so that made things a little easier! 
     Noah has this cute thing he does now where he will stare at someone whose attention he wants...and coo and giggle at them until they make eye contact with him. If they don't...his coos and gurgles get increasingly louder, and then he starts kicking his chubby little legs, lol...it is SOOOOO funny!  I love it!  And when they finally do look at him, he gives them the BIGGEST smile ever! It is so precious!  He is almost able to sit up on his own...and already has complete head control, which makes me happy because soon I won't have to cart him around in that dreadful carseat all the time. In another month or two he will be riding around in style on Mommy's hip...that's for sure! I absolutely despise that carseat...the other day I accidentally knocked it into my own leg (yeah, clumsly me) and now I have a huge, ugly bruise!  So much for looking decent in my new shorts, I guess!  Oh well, so goes it!
     Since I am writing about my marriage as well...I have to mention my amazing hubby. :-)  Even though I'm not pregnant anymore, he still gives me a backrub EVERY NIGHT!!! I can't even begin to describe how blessed I am to be married to such an incredible man!  *sighs*  Who knew that after almost 8 years of being together, he can still give me butterflies when he looks at me!  When he cuddles me up close into his arms, looks me in the eyes, WOW...I could just melt! And sometimes do, lol. His job is still going great...and he is advancing quite quickly, as I knew he would. He goes above and beyond at every job he has been at...including the crappy ones. What can I say? He is such a hard worker...does the absolute best he can at everything...I'm so proud of him, for so many things!  He takes care of a wife and son like it's the only thing he has ever wanted to do. Not once does he complain about his day...even when I know he's had a bad one! I can't stop praising God for blessing me with such an amazing friend, lover, father...and so many more qualities that given an eternity, I still wouldn't have the time to name! Caleb, I love you, sweetheart. You are an amazing Daddy to our little one and an incredible husband!  Thanks for being my everything...3 months, 10 days until we have been blissfully wedded for 2 years!  Thanks for the memories, the love, the support, and most of all, for being the spiritual leader for our family!  *hug*
     For everyone else reading that, I promise I'm done with the lovey doveyness now, lol. I just can't help but brag about my family...why not brag? The Lord has blessed me with them, right?  Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend...here's to praising God for sacrificing his Son for my salvation...for which I am so very thankful!