Easily Distracted

In the same way that my sweet baby boy can be easily distracted by something as simple as a rattle, I find my heart and mind easily distracted by the things of this world. Lately I've been asking myself these kinds of questions....What are you really living for? Do you realize that your life is a vapor..here for a little while and then gone? What are you doing of eternal value?
I'm a stay at home mom and constantly needing to remind myself that this world is ultimately not my home! I was created by God and for God. Sooo, through the mundane daily things how can I be making much of my Savior Jesus? He died so that I may live! What does that look like in our home? Well, I would love to say that it causes me to have a content spirit and deep joy even in something as disgusting as changing a diaper or cleaning the toilet. To serve my sweet husband expecting nothing in return or honoring and respecting him with my every word and attitude unconditionally. I would love to say that it means I spend my time looking for ways to bless others and make them comfortable rather than considering myself as more important. But I have to confess that I fall very short of what God has called me to be...as a wife, mother, and friend. I find my thoughts very self-focused, my heart judgmental and arrogant, and my actions more hurtful than helpful. Praise be to God that He uses weak sinful people like me! God's Word says that when we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I have been trying to live up to Gods standards all on my own and have been failing miserably. He has given me the Holy Spirit so that I can turn from these selfish sinful ways and walk in holiness by His grace. Oh how I pray that my life would be marked by prayer and that I would meditate on God's Word day and night! We truly are dependent on Him for all things.

Lets see...what has been going on in our lives... Laedin has found his voice! It is so great watching him discover all the different sounds that he can make. My favorite is his belly laugh :) We have thankfully moved into our two bedroom apartment sooner than we had expected to. Laedin loves having his own room and we do too! My older sister Karen has had her twin boys (who weren't due until July) Alexander died in utero and the Lord is currently preserving Brandon's precious life in the NICU. It is so hard to see loved ones go through such difficulty but I trust that God can use even the most painful trials for good. I mean, I think of how He sent His only Son to die a terrible death so that we can have our sins forgiven! His ways are not our ways- they are much higher and wiser. My parents are moving to Arizona - Wow. Hard to believe but its true. Ryan still works funky hours and weird shifts at two different hospitals. He is registered to start school the beginning of June. Crazy! Not sure if I'm ready for it but I know the Lord will sustain us!
No pictures for now. Sorry!

Spring is here!

I am loving the change in seasons and the warmer weather! Baby Laedin is THREE months old!! People say it goes by fast and let me tell you ...it is definitely the truth! It's crazy how big he is getting! I am so thankful that I am able to stay at home with him. I didn't know I could have so much fun with a baby. Haha.
Laedin is staying awake more during the day and still sleeping through the night. He's been laughing a lot more and figuring out how to hold things and play with his hands. He likes to stand up when on your lap and he's gotten a lot more cuddly too - he likes to hold on to me like a koala bear. Laedin finds the dumbest things interesting and its adorable. Like, he will stare at the corner of the couch and crack up or at the lights in the ceiling. He's a goofy kid. He's very observant and I can tell he's learning so much every day.
While our son has been doubling in size we've been keeping pretty busy. Our good friends Mark and Anna Gronnote were letting us live with them for a few months before moving to Boston. Well, our plans have changed. We decided to stay in Louisville until Ryan finishes nursing school (which he starts this fall). About a month ago we moved into a 1 bedroom apartment (with the plan to move into the first available 2 bedroom in the same complex ...probably in June). While we've been getting settled in to our new place we've also made a couple trips - Ryan, Laedin and I visited the Cormier side of the family for 5 days and the following weekend Laedin and I visited my family in Michigan. It was so great to spend time with them - and hard to live so far away. Laedin loved all of the attention he got :)
I've been so bad about taking pictures but here are some!

sitting in his swing

chillin on papa

he loves kisses

just like mom....can sleep anywhere

playing with nana

airplane

snoozing with mama

showing off that dimple

tummy time

Six Weeks Already!!

It's hard to believe that my little Laedin is already 1 1/2 Months old! Holy. Cow. There aren't words to describe the pure joy I've experienced by being a mother. God is so kind to give us this sweet gift! And it is such a good reminder everyday of our dependence on God for life and breath and everything.

I am so thankful for how easy the transition into parenthood has been - I'm not gonna lie, our baby is kinda abnormally good. He sleeps at night, eats really well, and when he is awake is happy and alert. It's so cool that God knit Laedin together in my womb and is growing him more each day. What an awesome Creator we have!!

I am LOVING getting to know my baby Laedin!! He mostly likes to sleep.....

in my lap...

with mommy and daddy....

in the car....

all day on Christmas....

at the pediatricians...

as a burrito...

with his hand down his pants....

The Start of Something New - Laedin's Birth Story

Our baby boy is here!!

It all started Saturday evening. I was bouncing on my workout ball as we were watching tv. This is because I was four days overdue and wanting to have this baby naturally - with no induction. I noticed something was different - It felt almost like a very faint stomach ache. It would come and go and I didn't really think anything of it but at the same time felt like maybe labor was right around the corner...... Soooo Ryan and I cleaned up, finished laundry, and packed our hospital bags (just in case!). We ran some errands and as we were walking around the store every once in a while I felt like I was having period cramps. Nothing painful though. I was so unsure of what I was feeling and definitely didn't think they were contractions! We got some dinner and headed home. We hungout with Mark and Anna...played some wii and a game of monopoly. Throughout the game I had a piece of paper next to me and anytime I felt something happening I would write down the time. The contractions were 2-4 minutes apart. Still not painful but more uncomfortable than when we were at the store. I was not into the game at all. Just trying to figure out what was going on with my body. So I quit. I went into the bedroom to rest. It was about midnight. Ryan joined me and put on relaxing music and dim lights. At this point the contractions were noticeably stronger - whenever I would have one I would squeeze Ryans hand and close my eyes while he read bible verses to me to help focus my mind.  We called the doctor to let her know how close the contractions were and she told us to time them for another hour and if they continued like they were to go to the hospital. About an hour later I kept shaking like I was cold (but it was not cold...I guess it was from my hormones being crazy) and the contractions continued to get stronger so we headed to the hospital. We arrived around 2:30am and I was 4cm dialated. Ryan started playing the music we had brought (so helpful!! they were old and new hymns), the triage nurse was asking me medical history questions, and my contractions were more frequent. Our awesome nurse Joey came in - she was everything we could've wanted in a nurse and more! She was so supportive of us going all natural and wanted to stick to our birth plan. Right away she helped me relax through my contractions and was super nice! About an hour after being at the hosptial I started feeling a ton of pressure in my belly - so she checked me again and I was 7cm dialated! I was still feeling great- couldn't believe I was that far along. In between contractions Ryan would feed me ice and give me chapstick. Sometimes I was so relaxed that I fell asleep. I enjoyed laboring so much. We would randomly slow dance and sing the doxology and pray. It was just what I needed. Around 5am I was 9cm and feeling so much pressure- the last part of my cervix was not moving out of the way so I couldn't push just yet. The contractions were intense and I am so thankful to the Lord for sustaining me and the baby and that Ryan and Joey were helping me relax so much! It seemed nothing was really progressing until my Doctor came in. She said she wanted to get my bladder completely empty to give the baby room to move down (so she did an in-and-out catheder). 30 seconds later he started to crown and I was ready to start pushing! It  felt great being proactive. I was so exhausted at this point but every time I needed to push I got a burst of energy. At 7:38am our baby Laedin was born!! 8lbs 15.9oz 21inches long!! He was delivered right to my belly. Ryan and I were both in shock. It was so surreal and amazing looking at our baby boy for the first time! Definitely one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

The Lord was so kind to us in all of this and answered many prayers - we do not deserve His sweet goodness towards us. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! Here are some pictures.....

right before I started pushing

ryan crashed right when we got to our recovery room

i love having my baby boy in my arms!

ready to go home from the hospital!

proud parents

laedin loves his daddy