International Babywearing Week!

This week is International Babywearing Week! I realized as I went to write this post that I don't have very many pictures at all of me wearing my babies! The pictures I have of Isaac and Grace, especially, aren't the greatest at all. I definately wore them more then the number of pictures I have. I think the lack of pictures is because I am usually the one taking them!

Anyway... I have really enjoyed the times I've gotten to wear my babies and each baby I have worn a little more often. With Isaac I was still under the mentality that he needed to be put down as much as possible and learn that he could be okay without being in someones arms. It also didn't help that the sling I had wasn't right for me (to small, wrong style) so I wasn't comfortable wearing him.




You can see that my arm is actually INSIDE the sling holding him because I just couldn't get it/him right in the sling. It was terrible! With Grace I bought an amazing sling! What a difference it made to have a sling that was "right". It was nice to be able to have her snuggled in when we were out and about and the stroller wasn't practical. I even managed to learn how to nurse her in the sling walking around. I felt like I had so much more freedom!



Even daddy likes to babywear! :)



I still use the same sling with Ruth now..but I am definately using it more then I did with Grace. I wear Ruth not just when we are out, but also around the house. She is a lot fussier (lots of belly issues) during the day then Isaac and Grace were so she ends up being in our arms while we try and comfort her. The sling has been great when I am needing to get things done.


I love having her close to me and snuggled in. I get so many comments when I am out, about how cute she is all snuggled in on me and so many people commenting on how they love my sling. I am looking forward to trying out some other babywearing "gear" sometime...though it's hard to think about spending so much money on something I'm not sure is going to work for me. I am so glad I found a sling that was comfortable and fits me well so that I can have my babies close to me whenever I want. I'm a baby wearer and I love it!!! :)

2 months already...

wow! She's 2 months old! I think the weeks have gone by so much faster because we were anticipating Isaac starting Kindergarten. Ruth is so smiley and is by far my best sleeper. She only get up twice a night to nurse and will go 3-4 hour stretches. She is growing wonderfully too.. after all of our concern a month ago. She is now 11lbs 14oz (Isaac was 11lbs 12oz and Grace was 11lbs 3oz) and 23 1/2 inches long. We are all enjoying her smiles and coos...trying not to rush her to get bigger too soon! :)

One Year Ago...

A year ago tonight my heart was breaking. A year ago I was trying to make sense of something I couldn't believe was happening. A year ago I miscarried our precious baby. I was just 6 weeks along...but the baby was already ours, already loved. A year ago I traveled back and forth to many doctor appointments over the course of a week. EVERY time I was in the car one song would be playing on the radio... I Will Not Be Moved, by Natalie Grant. I had loved this song for a long time...but it took on a whole new meaning a year ago.

I have been a wayward child,
I have acted out,
I have questioned sovereignty,
and had my share of doubts,
And though sometimes,
my prayers feel like their bouncing off the sky,
the hand that holds won't let me go,
and is the reason why
I will stumble, I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But I will not be moved
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved
Bitterness has plagued my heart, many times before,
My life has been a broken glass, and I have kept the score,
of all my shattered dreams, and though it seemed,
that I was far too gone, my brokenness helped me to see,
it's grace I'm standing on.
I will stumble, I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But I will not be moved
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved
And chaos in my life,
has been a badge I've worn,
and though I have been torn,
I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But I will not be moved
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved

I can't tell you the number of tears I shed and the conversations I had with God during those car rides...but God was and has been so faithful to me. He brought me through one of the deepest valleys I have ever been in. And now as I sit here I know how blessed I truely am. I know the hurt and heartache of losing a little one. I also know the joy and blessing of another little one. Ruthie will be 2 months old tomorrow. Wow... God is good.

Kindergarten...Ready or Not....

....Here he comes!

Isaac's first day of Kindergarten was actually a half day. We started out with a chocolate chip pancake breakfast, with school bus "sprinkles" for decoration.

Then, Isaac wanted pictures to take with him so he could look at them if he was missing us. So, we had a little photo shoot...

For lunch I made school bus shaped sandwiches...

...which were a big hit :)

We gave them an early lunch and they ate it so quick. They went out to wait for the bus before noon.

We waited and waited...mostly very patiently. Isaac asked Francis what time it was about every 5 minutes. He was just so excited!

Finally just before 1pm we saw the bus heading up the street. This was the start of Gracie's realization that her brother was really going.

The bus is here...

No fear at all about getting on and heading off without us...

Poor Gracie... she wasn't sad that she couldn't go with him, in the sense that he was doing something she couldn't. Her heart was broken because her best buddy was leaving and he wouldn't be around as much anymore.

I was doing pretty good until she started sobbing and saying how much she was going to miss him. Then I shed a few tears of my own...

We came inside and the girls watched Backyardigans together...

And then Grace and I worked together to make crayon cookies for Isaac when he got home.

Grace and I went to pick Isaac up at school at the end of the day. He was the line leader. :)

Here he is in the room waiting for us to come and get him.

Leaving the school...Gracie has her buddy back.

Enjoying our cookies after a great 1st day!

The first day wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I struggled through the next few days. It's getting easier..though there are times I just want my buddy home with me. I'll definately be looking forward to all of his breaks and getting to have extra time with him! :)

Kindergarten Eve

This Boy..........

I can't believe this boy...my baby boy is starting Kindergarten tomorrow. In just over 12 hours I will walk him to the road..put him on a bus..and watch him ride away to a place he's been and a teacher he's met just once. I feel like I am giving him to a complete stranger. I knew this was going to be hard... I just never knew how hard it would be. Tomorrow he will only be gone a couple of hours as they only go in the afternoon...but those hours will be long. He's my little buddy and not having him here with me during the day is going to be a big change.

This Boy.......

He loves his little sisters and they love him. He is Grace's best friend and favorite playmate. Grace has been going around saying how much she is going to miss him when he is in school. Isaac keeps wanting to make sure someone will play with her when he is gone. He is making sure she knows that he will get her up from her nap when he gets home from school. He is always watching out for her...always taking care of her...always being her friend.

This Boy.......

Fell in love with another girl in July. He has a new sister to take care of...a new sister that adores him already...a new sister that saves her biggest and best smiles for him. He loves to hold her and give her kisses. If he can't see her in her usual places he is quick to ask where she is and makes sure she is okay. He was so proud of himself the day she snuggled in and fell asleep on him. She maybe little...but she will be missing her big brother just like the rest of us.

This Boy.........

ventures off tomorrow on a grand adventure and he can't wait. He is excited and ready to go. Now I just have to let him go..............