Christmas Recap

Christmas was...

getting loved on by aunts and uncles,a radio flyer wagon,

a happy baby,

meeting cousins for the very fist time,matching jammies,
silly hats

snowboarding in the street

Not pictured is clearance sale shopping, a date night, sleep deprived parents because a baby who shall remain nameless decided sleeping at grandme and grandpa's house was silly and near constant shoveling due to the ridiculous amount of snow. I noticed this morning that Spokane made the national news because of all the snow they have received.

We are back now and trying to get back into a routine. Jackson got his first cold, which has meant laying low the last couple of days. Thankfully, it doesn't seem to be turning into anything more than a little head cold and he's on the mend.

Happy Happy New Year! We have a babysitter for the very first time and are headed out for a seven course meal with friends. Aaron is a little nervous the food is going to be 'too fancy.' But, I think it's going to be a blast!

Bi-Polar

And like the flip of a switch, my child started sleeping seven hours at night and has been an absolute dream baby the last two days. Friday night he fell asleep in my arms at 8pm and I had a small revelation that the poor kid probably isn't getting enough sleep. Aaron and I worked really hard on Saturday to make sure he was taking plenty of naps and amazingly he has barely fussed in the last two days. I love these little windows of clarity God gives us.

My blog is named after my favorite book, Traveling Mercies by Ann Lamott. The book is about the author's journey to becoming a Christian and all the people who walked along side her. Those quiet moments where God speaks to us, whether it's about helping our kid to take more naps or way bigger things like making a life change or forgiving someone who has hurt us are traveling mercies. It can also be a kind word from a friend, a warm drink that takes the chill away or a small kindness from a stranger, but it's those moments where you feel God's presence in big and small ways.

I feel l ike I experienced a bit of traveling mercies this weekend...everything from my husbnds ecouragement, to seven straight hours of sleep last night to kind words from dear friends on this little blog.

The snow is falling outside, my baby is sleeping and my oven just beeped letting me know it's done pre-heating so I'm off to make my next batch of cookies. I am surrounded in traveling mercies.

I am blessed.

Balance

It's 10am and I am still in my bathrobe. Tumbleweeds of dog hair are swirling at my feet, the Christmas tree needs watering, the laundry changed out and I have freelance work to tackle. My coffee has been reheated at least three times this morning and every time I pass by a mirror, I notice how badly I need to pluck my eyebrows.

Sometimes being a mother is really hard. It's hard to balance taking care of someone else with the rest of life's responsibilities. Don't get me wrong, it's the best thing I've ever done and I wouldn't trade a single second, but sometimes...life just seems out of balance.

***

And...now it's 1:48pm and I still haven't finished this post. The baby is finally napping. Why are 8 week olds such little tyrants? Jack refuses to nap in his crib. He will sleep there all night long, but try and put him down during the day and he completely freaks out. He is now swaddled and sleeping in his swing.

I think I might attempt a shower.

On the horizon are big decisions about working. I have an offer on the table for a part-time position but it means finding some kind of childcare for the baby. I've looked at a few places but haven't found anything I feel comfortable with. On days like today, I'm itching to spend a few hours away from the house, doing something for myself.

I think the truth is, I'm nervous. Nervous to add another responsibility to an already full plate. So, we will see what the new year brings. Hopefully a better attitude on my part and a baby who is a little more willing to sleep!

My Boy

Our Little Cowboy

Aaron dressed Jackson this morning...can you tell?
Please notice he is wearing John Deere cowboy boots!

And because Jack always looks so serious, I thought I would post a picture of his silly side. It's funny, ten minutes ago I was ready to pull my hair out because he was being so fussy, then I look at these pictures and it all melts away. I would endure 100 more hours of fussing for 10 seconds of that smile.

A Six Week Update

This is a bit of a narcissistic post, so feel free to scroll down to the cute pictures of my son, and skip this one all together.

Back in October I had the opportunity to write a post about my thoughts on fitness and health post partum for a new web site called Bodies in Motivation. My post was published this week (scroll down, it's the second post) and it got me thinking about my goals and it made be do a bit of a gut-check (did you catch the alliteration?).

Yesterday was exactly six weeks post-partum. On some accounts I have done very well. My most favorite pair of jeans became wearable this week and the scale says I have about ten pounds still to lose, from the 35 I was facing on the day of delivery. But it's more than just the number on the scale, to me it's a good time to check in on how I'm doing as a woman, a wife and a friend.


Let's do a bit of a comparison...me at 40 weeks:

And today...

It really is amazing the body's ability to heal and transform. Just as it blew me away to watch my body grow and deliver a child, I have been almost equally amazed as it has transformed yet again into another version of myself.

I think as women we need to embrace our bodies and be proud of their capabilities. We have the tremendous gift to create and nourish children that no amount of squishy tummies or jiggly thighs should take away from that awesome accomplishment.

Not to say I don't almost daily give into what the world says I should look like. I have shed a few tears over my silver stretch marks and looked discouragingly into my closet at all the clothes that still don't fit. But, I have to remind myself that it's health that's important not a number on the scale.

I'm documenting my transformation...the physical and the emotional. Because I am committed to health -- physically, emotionally and spiritually for myself and my family. I don't think I can mother effectively nor be the woman I know God wants me to be if I don't take seriously all the pieces that make up my life. I know that the healthier I am, the happier and healthier my family will be.

This is sort of a disjointed post, but I am realizing each day that to be an effective mother, one who is calm and joyful and energetic, I have to pay attention to myself as well.

Anyway...just scroll down the my little elf...

A Little Elf

We have a little elf living at our house. He is watching to see if his parents have been naughty or nice...it looks like more naughty than nice!

Priceless

Cost of full price airline ticket bought on Thanksgiving morning because of airline/credit card mixup -- $1,060

Cost of Jackson's future therapy after Mommy loses it after said ticket was purchased -- too much to put a number to.

Cost of multiple trips to Starbucks to refuel because 5-week-old baby decides sleep is for the weak -- $12

Cost of frantic trip to Target to stock up on travel size everything -- $32

Jackson meeting his uncles for the first time, spending time with family, my son getting loved on by his grandparents -- PRICELESS