Blake Louis: ONE YEAR!

 Blake Louis Breitenstein, you are officially one year old!!! 

The morning of your birthday, daddy and I woke up remembering this same day one year ago as we prepared to check in the hospital and meet our brand new baby boy.  What a difference a year makes. We could never have known then how much joy you would bring into our lives.  We could have never comprehended the love that exists between a parent and a child.  I hope you have spent every single moment of this year feeling that.  We simply adore you, little boy, and this year has been the very best of our lives.

Here's what you've been up to:

·      You are 24.5 pounds and 31 inches long—big boy!  You’re still in the upper 90% for height and the lower 90% for weight. 

·      You are not such a great eater.  You still love bananas, but you refuse to try anything new and often all I can get you to eat in a day are bananas, yogurt, crackers, and maybe some toast.  Other foods you’ll sometimes eat include apples, pears (you love pears from Grandma and Grandpa’s backyard) and grilled cheese!  We try to get you to eat all kinds of other foods—I always make you a mini plate of whatever we’re eating—but so far, no luck.  You used to love avocados, but recently have been refusing them.  That was the ONLY vegetable I could get you to eat!!!  I’m thinking of buying some pureed baby food veggies to see if you’ll take those…you are such a texture kid, just like your mama!

·      You are saying ‘dada/daddy’ now, ‘look’ and ‘this’.  There are some other words we think you might be saying, but it’s hard to be sure.  You’ve said ‘dog’, ‘out’, and ‘up’ a few times…but not consistently.  I’m still waiting for you to say mama!!

·      You are WALKING!  This actually started at 13 months.  You took your first steps in Grandma and Grandpa’s backyard, going from Grandma to me.  After that, you would take about five steps on your own but usually wanted someone to hold your hand.  At first it was both hands, and then you went to one hand…and just tonight you walked down the street on our family walk all by yourself!  So proud of you baby boy :)

·      You are so funny.  You love to talk to us!  You squeal and scream and laugh at yourself and daddy and me.  You’re always busy saying something, and I just love having conversations with you.  I can’t wait for you to start saying even more words!

·      You’ve started having some separation anxiety in the nursery at church, and I’ve also noticed you’ve been a pretty big mama’s boy lately.  You don’t like it when I can’t hold you or play with you, and you do not like it when I have to make dinner and you can’t be right there with me.  I know it won’t last forever, and I’m not gonna lie….I sure do love how much you love me <3 span="span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  I love you right back, baby boy.

·      You still take two naps a day—one in the morning for about an hour, and one in the afternoon for about 1.5 hours.  You usually do so well with your naps!

·      I went back to work part-time last month teaching kindergarten, and you have been spending your mornings with Grandma!  You love your Grandma, and hate it when I go to pick you up.  You two have so much fun together, and I love seeing how much you love being with your grandparents.

·      Words you understand include: block, ball, outside, up, truck, daddy, mommy, grandma, grandpa…and more I’m sure I’m forgetting.  I think you are so smart when I tell you to go get your truck and you head right over and bring one back to me!

·      You have started to get your groove on—my little dancer boy!  You stand at your little activity table and ‘play’ the piano while you wiggle those hips and bob up and down!  Already taking after your daddy ;)

·      You hate diaper changes.  Hate them.  You scream and I’m pretty sure you think the world is ending.  Hopefully that’s a phase….or we can just potty train early! ;)

·      Since the last time I wrote, we found out that you’re going to be a big brother!  Your little brother or sister will be arriving in March, and we are so excited for you two to meet!  

·      You, my sweet baby boy, have learned the art of tantrum throwing.  You throw yourself on the floor and put your head on the ground while crying your little heart out.  There is just no consoling you.  I guess this is a preview of what is to come at age 2 (...truth be told....I think it's pretty darn cute and funny when you get so mad!)

Little man, you are a charmer.  You've charmed daddy and I with your silly and

sweet personality, and everyone who comes into contact with you instantly falls in

love.  My prayer, today and everyday, is that God will use your sweet heart to do

great things for His kingdom.  You are our little warrior, and just so precious in 

every single way.  I know that in the year ahead we'll see you grow and change far

beyond what we can even comprehend now, and I look forward to each of those

moments with such sweet anticipation.  It is my great honor to be your mama.  I've

never been given a greater blessing.  

Happy FIRST birthday, little love!  

Always and forever,

Your Mama

Blake Louis: 9 Months

Well Mr. B, you are officially 9 months old!

Here's what you've been up to:

* You are starting to get more mobile!  Not crawling yet, but you can spin around in a circle while on your belly and you are a pro at scooting backwards.  You aren't pulling that round belly off the floor yet, just using your arms to pull/push/turn yourself around in circles.  I think you're still not quite sure how to work those legs.  But you're getting closer every day!  In fact, just this afternoon I took a video of you sitting on your little bum reaching and stretching and almost getting up on all fours.  So incredibly close.  You want to so badly. 

* You have started to pull up on some things!  You like to try and pull up on the baby gate in the playroom, and you also try to pull up at your activity tables.  You've tried pulling up in your crib a couple times when we sat you in there to play, but since you can't get into a seated position by yourself, daddy and I haven't lowered your crib mattress yet.  That will probably come soon. You'll usually pull up to your knees and then get frustrated because you don't know how to finish it....but just today, you pulled all the way up on your baby gate and thought you were SUCH a big boy! 

* You looove to splash in water!  We've had some great weather lately and you and I have spent many afternoons on the back patio relaxing in your baby pool.  And you will just splash to your little heart's content!  It's so fun to watch you!  You'll splash and splash and then stop, look at me, GRIN, and get going again!  This also carries over to the bathtub.  You love the water!

* Daddy and I got you a wagon a few weeks ago and you love it so much!  Often, instead of the stroller, I'll take you for long afternoon walks in the wagon.  You think you are such a big boy riding in that thing!  You will often drop your toys of out the wagon as we walk and you get a big kick out of me having to stop and pick them up.  This might be your all time favorite game.

* We tried you in a swing at the park for the first time this month, on my birthday!  You thought it was pretty neat :)  You have the most adorable little smile, and you scrunched up your nose and squealed as we pushed you on the baby swing. 

* A few weeks ago, we took our first family vacation.  We flew to California for your Great Grandma Ollison's 90th birthday party!  All your California family had the best time getting to meet you!  You were a charmer.  You met your third cousin Paige, who is just three weeks older than you, and almost all of your second cousins on Grandma Dal Ponte's side!  We went to the Santa Ana Zoo, which is known for its monkeys.  There are at least 50 monkeys on the grounds of the zoo at all times!  We saw some pretty crazy monkeys!  We also saw an anteater, which I was personally quite fascinated by :) This trip was full of so many 'firsts' that I'm going to make a mini-list!
     1. Your first time on a plane!  You did amazing.  Didn't cry at all!  Since we haven't had much luck with you and bottles, we decided to feed you baby food during take-off and landing to make sure you were actively swallowing.  Worked perfectly!  Once we were in the air, you played a little, made faces at mom and dad for a little while, and then fell fast asleep until landing.  Perfect gentleman!  You did this both ways.
    2.   First time sleeping away from home (well, except for at Grandma and Grandpa's house).  We brought along your PeaPod, and you slept so well!  We had an amazing hotel room, and we just set up the PeaPod in the closet in our room (I know, that sounds crazy, but the closet was roomy and the perfect size!)
     3.  First time in the pool!  You loved the pool!  Such a little water baby!  We bought a little baby flotation ring for you and brought it with us to use, and boy did you ever love it!  You kicked your little legs and tried to eat the float (haha!)
     4. First time being really 'off' schedule.  We kept you out late (waaay past your bedtime), missed naps, got you up early, fed you at weird times and in weird places...and you know what?  You did amazing!  You were such a trooper.  Didn't cry at all.  We were so proud of you!!
     5.  First time on a carousel and a train!  You really liked the carousel ride...until you didn't.  You were done with it, which was bad timing since we couldn't exactly jump off a moving carousel.  After that, we went over and took the little train around the park!  You had lots of fun riding the train, roaring at the animals and scrunching up your cute little nose!


* You love to throw your toys.  It's one of your favorite games.  I'll set you down with a bucket of toys and you'll take each one out, study it in your hands, maybe shake it a little....and then chuck it across the room.  Before I know it, all of your toys are emptied out of the toy tub and are scattered all around you.  You think this is great.  Fantastic, really.

* You're still taking two naps a day, which range anywhere from 1-2 hours.  I can always make them longer by going in and rocking you once you've woken up on your own.  I love this time with you, even if it drastically reduces my productivity during your nap time :)

* You're no longer sleeping through the night....siiiiigh.  You routinely wake up at least one or two times a night, and usually need to be rocked back to sleep at least once.  You don't eat during the night, that's not allowed and you wouldn't want to anyway, you're just not sleeping a solid 10 hours anymore.  Daddy and I decided we wouldn't try the cry it out method with you, we just don't feel like it's right for our family, so when you cry one of us always answers.  I'm sure this is just a season, so for now, I'll just soak up my midnight snuggle sessions. 

* You love to feed yourself.  I pretty much let you try anything.  Some new things you've tried include pasta, soft granola bars, cheerios, and grilled cheese sandwiches.  Your favorite foods seem to be Baby MumMums, avocado, pears, Gerber puffs (you love these) and bananas.  You are not such a big fan of pasta (maybe a texture thing?), and you haven't really been interested in oatmeal lately.  We tried steel cut and it did not go over well. I think we're really moving away from baby food purees and into the land of real food!

* Speaking of eating, you are so funny when you do.  You make a 'mmmmm' sound every single time you put a bite of something into your mouth.  So adorable! 

* You talk all the time.  Not really words yet, but you are always talking.  One of your favorite things to do is ball up your little fists and literally yell at daddy and I.  If we yell back, you get SO excited, and you'll do it again.  So cute.  You also say "bla" pretty regularly, and 'da' less often.   We have really been working on saying "mama"...I'm pretty sure it will be your first word ;);)

* One of your not so fun first this month was your first trip to the ER.  You'd had a cold for weeks that just wouldn't quit, and after an afternoon of screaming/uncontrollable crying/lethargy/non-eating or drinking....daddy and I listened to our instincts and knew we needed to get you help.  We took you to the ER, and they gave you a chest xray and ran some tests to find out that you had pneumonia and a double ear infection.  My poor baby :(  Even feeling so crummy, you were the sweetest little boy in the world.  You barely fussed and just spent our time in the ER snuggled up close to mommy, taking in everything around you without a peep.  I could tell you felt horrible, though, and it broke my heart.  Daddy and I kept telling you over and over how we wished we could have done it all for you.  We're only a day out from that visit, but already you are feeling so much better!  You are on antibiotics and pain medication, and we will follow up with your regular doctor in a couple weeks to get you an all clear bill of health.

*  Lately, you've started turning the pages in books and pulling down the flaps on the pages!  We have a book called Peekaboo Forest, which you love, and you always pull down the flaps and I yell "peekaboo!" as you uncover the animal.  You think it's so fun!

*  We've been working on giving high fives!  I'm not sure you totally get it yet, but you'll put your hand against mine, so I'm calling that good :)

* At your 9 month check-up, you weighed in at just over 22 pounds and measured at 29 inches long.  You're wearing size 4 diapers!

+ You have SEVEN teeth!  Four on top and three on the bottom.  A fourth bottom tooth is just starting to poke through!

+ You are wearing 18 month clothes 

I really can't even believe that I need to start planning your first birthday party.  It's even harder for me to believe that we've now hit the point where you've been outside of me for as long as you were inside of me.  I was just thinking today how it was eighteen months ago that we first found out about you.  Where did all of that time go?  As your mommy, I feel so blessed to have literally spent every single day of the last eighteen months with you.  I was the one who got to feel you move and kick and hiccup inside of me.  You have been a part of me all that time, physically at first, and now the most treasured and vital part of my heart.  God chose us for one another, little one.  Every season with you has been miraculous. 

 I love you little boy.  So much more than I could ever say.

Love,
Your mama

Blake Louis: Eight Months

Well Silly Bean, you are EIGHT months old today!  I'm pretty sure I'll turn around, and tomorrow you'll be heading out the door to college.  Time flies.

Here's what you've been up to last month:

+ After waiting for what seemed like foooorever for you to roll over, you finally did it at about 6.5 months (more on that here).  You'd just roll off your belly anytime we tried a little tummy time.  Back then, you weren't really rolling back to belly, just doing these riiidiculous back bends until you could squirm to/reach for whatever it was you wanted.  Well, that's all changed now.  Just recently, you've started rolling back to belly and belly to back with purpose.  I wouldn't say you use it as a form of transportation (you are still our non-mobile little man) but you're a crazy little squirmier in your crib at night.  We put you down on your back, but you might end up on your tummy, turned 360 degrees around, with one foot hanging out through the slats.  So funny.  You are definitely a side/tummy sleeper and really want nothing to do with sleeping on your back anymore. 

+ You have FIVE, count 'em F-I-V-E, teeth!  Still just two on the bottom, but two new teeth poked through on top!  One of your front teeth, and your second 'canine' (which we've since decided is actually your bilateral incisor...aka the two next to your front teeth)

+ Daddy and I think you are really working on crawling.  You've stopped immediately rolling off your tummy when we put you down and will instead squirm around like you're trying to get somewhere.  You haven't figured how the propulsion yet on your own, but if I hold you heels and let you push off on me, you'll use your arms to pull yourself across the floor. 

+ Along those same lines, sometimes you'll let me put you up on all fours and then you'll rock back and forth.  Sometimes you will have none of it and collapse onto your tummy as though I have just done you a huge injustice. 

+ You are such a content little boy.  You are happy to sit and play by yourself while I work around the house.  I'll just put a tub of toys in front of you and you'll pull them out of the tub as you want them.  You loooove to reach and stretch for your toys, but where you used to lose your balance and face plant, you now do not.  You are so good at sitting and balancing.  I can count on one hand the number of times you've toppled over in the last month...usually it's when you're looking behind you at something and can't quite catch yourself in time. 

+ You love to stand!  You can stand by yourself for about 10 seconds, but when you start to fall you fall like a tree.  You don't even attempt to put out your hands to catch yourself or bend at the waist to fall into a seated position.  So funny. 

+ You stand at play at your activity table or against the couch, but you aren't cruising yet.  I think you really really want to be mobile, but you just can't quite figure out how it all works.  We'll get there!

+ You have developed this funny little habit of 'roaring' at people we pass by in the store.  If daddy or I are holding you, you'll throw your body across ours or whip your head around so you can see a passerby and will then proceed to literally roar at them.  You have also taken to doing this to the little boys who like to play outside our house on the street.  I find it absolutely hiiilarious.

+ You're a self-feeder!  You figured out how to get those tiny bits of food into your mouth using your pincer grab, and now you are literally unstoppable.  You've had toast, broccoli, carrots, bananas, pancakes....little bits of whatever daddy or I have....basically whatever you can get your hands on.  You love food. 

+  Along those same lines, you've started becoming quite insistent with your food.  If we aren't quite fast enough, you'll slam your hand down on your high chair tray letting us know you mean business.

+  You've been saying 'da' and 'ma' and, most recently, what sounds like 'bla'....clearly, you are trying to say your own name! :)

+ You are the sweetest little boy on the planet.  Your smile lights up a room and your giggle is the most precious thing I have ever heard.  Daddy and I discovered that you're ticklish on the sides of your back, and will just squeal and squirm when we tickle you there. 

+ Lately, because you're teething, I've been rocking you to sleep at night and for some naps.  This is such a sweet time in my day.  Yesterday, I was rocking you and singing with my head back and eyes closed, when all of a sudden I felt a tiny hand reach up a grab my nose....followed by an adorable little giggle.  You thought you were so funny, and we sat and laughed at each other instead of getting you to sleep.  Worth it.

+ This past month, you took your first trip to the zoo for daddy's birthday and LOVED it!  You were fascinated by all the animals, and you also got to sit on grass for the first time and get your hands dirty.  Such a boy!

+  You also had your first sleepover with grandma and grandpa this month.  You did so well!  Daddy and I had a date night planned that we knew would run late, and since grandma and grandpa were babysitting at their house and had already put you down in the crib there, we decided to let you keep sleeping.  The first of many, I'm sure!

+ You're drinking three bottles a day, for a total of about 20 ounces of formula.  Yep, we're done with the breastmilk.  We've had some trials with getting you to drink bottles...you're kind of a drama queen about it and will flat-out refuse some days....but I think we finally found our groove (and I say that having just put you down for the night without a bedtime bottle, which you refused to drink...oy).  You also eat 6 ounces of baby food 3x a day, in addition to finger foods.   

+ You are so inquisitive.  You'll take a toy in your hands and turn them around and around in your hands, examining them from every angle.  I love to watch you learn that way.  So amazing. 

Little man, earlier this month I was rocking you to sleep in your room, softly singing Jesus Loves Me as I looked down into your face that was relaxed in peaceful sleep.  I snuggled you close and bent my head down low until I could smell the soft scent that is so wholly you, and as my nose brushed your forehead you stirred slightly and nestled your head deeper into the crook of my shoulder.  It was at that very moment that I realized I had just sung the line of the song that says 'Jesus loves me, this I know'...but all of a sudden, this time, those words caught in my throat and hot tears welled in the corners of my eyes.  In that moment, I was struck with the realization that I wasn't singing the song to you anymore, and instead, I was singing it with the realization that it was for me.  Jesus loves me, this I know....because He gave me you.  I spent the next few moments in quiet, grateful, prayer as I stared into your precious face and thanked God for the love He has showered on me through the gift of you.  You are all the best parts of your daddy and I, the little boy we prayed for and love more than anything on this earth. 

It's been another incredible month, precious boy.  Thank you for the memories....I'll cherish them my whole life through.  

Love,
Your Mama

A Man After God's Heart: Deuteronomy 4:29

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search after Him with all your heart and all your soul.

Deuteronomy 4:29

Buds, this one is important, because it's easily overlooked.  Sometimes, in our humanity, it can be easy to fall into a sense of complacency when it comes to an active relationship with the Father.  Things are going good, life is rolling along smoothly....those are the times when it's easiest to forget your absolute need and dependency on your Savior.   But I want to challenge you to really take this verse to heart; if you seek Him, you will find Him.  Just like any other relationship you'll have, an investment of time and attention is necessary so that it can grow.  You can't truly know someone who you haven't spent time with.  And, when you love someone, you make the choice to invest in them.  Because you love them, and you desire to know them intimately.  So invest in your Savior.  It's the most important investment you will ever make.  The implications are eternal.  Don't become complacent.  My prayer is that you will live each day with intention, seeking to know and grow in the love of the Father so that your life may be a living testimony to the love you have come to know. 

If you seek Him, you will find Him.

Love you so much little one.  I am more proud of you than I could ever say.

Love,

Your Mama

A Man After God's Heart: 2

(If you missed it, I posted here about my decision to post these verses weekly for Blake.)

Be strong and courageous!  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9  

Buddy, daddy and I pray this for you every single day.  You were made to be courageous, to stand strong and go boldly in the direction God leads.  There will be times in your life with it's not easy, when you're afraid and unsure, and in those moments I want you to remember two very important things:

1. You are never alone. Not ever.  You are a son of The King, and His love will reach you wherever you are.  Rely on that, feel it with every fiber of your being, and in it find the courage to be the man you were created to be.

2. Your daddy and I love you more than life.  More than life.  For as long as we live, daddy and I will be there.  We will forever be your number one fans.  We will walk beside you, encouraging you to dream big and walk boldly, because we already know how special you are.  You are our miracle, the little one we waited a long time for, because God knew the exact moment he needed to bring you into the world.  You were created with such purpose.   

God has big plans for you, little one, and daddy and I pray that you will forever have the courage of your convictions.  We can't wait to see all that you will do and become, and we can't wait to see how God will use our precious little boy to further His kingdom.

I love you B, and I couldn't be more proud to be your mama.  

Blake Louis: Seven months

(Note: This update will also be posted on our family blog, where I'll include lots of pictures from the past month!  The password is my maiden name)

Well buddy, you are SEVEN months old tomorrow!  I'm not sure what happened to the last month, but nonetheless here we are.  Let's see what you've been up to: 

• You love to watch us eat.  You open your mouth as we put food in our mouth, and you fuss and reach for whatever it is we've got.  
• We started you on some table foods in the last month.  You've had graham cracker, pieces of banana and avocado, and puffs.  You can also now use a sippy cup--the straw or sipper kind.  
• You refuse to self-feed and would rather us hold the sippy cup than have to do it yourself.  You throw a little fit when I won't hold the cup for you...but after a few minutes (when you realize I'm not paying attention to your little tirade) you'll reach out and get it yourself.  Stubborn little man.  Taking after mommy already!
• You're sitting in high chairs now when we go out to eat, and you love it!  You think you are such a big boy.
• Lately you've gotten a lot more bold when standing against furniture.  You'll let go for a few seconds and just stand all by yourself, then put one hand lazily back on whatever it is you're up against and just grin at us like you see that?
• You're trying so hard to cruise on furniture.  You'll lean for toys and take a tiny step to the side, but not quite a big enough one...and then you'll fall to the side, usually landing in a seated position.  Then you'll look up at whatever it was you were standing against, and reach your arms up trying to figure out how to pull yourself back up.  
• You had your church dedication this past month.  Very, very special.
• You've been sitting up since 5 1/2 months, but it's gotten really routine over the past month.  I'll just plop you down somewhere and you'll sit and play there to your little heart's content.  You've started lunging for toys and face-planting, which tells me crawling is getting closer and closer by the day.
• YOU ARE FINALLY ROLLING.  Holy cow, it finally happened!  Now you will not stay on your tummy to save your life.  As soon as I put you down, you roll right on over to your back.  You don't roll to get anywhere with intention, but you'll roll tummy to back and back to tummy if you feel so inclined.
• You got another tooth this month!  You now have a grand total of three; the middle two on the bottom and your newest....a canine tooth on the top right!  You're my little vampire now, with nothin' but a canine hanging out up there on top.  It bugged you a whole lot when it was just starting to poke through (poor baby, those canines are SHARP!) but after a couple days it seemed to have come down enough to quit being so painful. 
• As far as words go, you babble A LOT, and we've been able to decipher 'mama' a couple times.  You don't say it with meaning, but you repeat it over and over when you're mad.  Ha!  You also say 'da' and 'ma'.
• You love to have squealing matches with us!  You'll make a high pitched squeal, then I will, and then you'll copy!  We go back and forth and you give me the biggest grins!
• You love all of your toys, and have started to really enjoy your stacking rings and blocks.  You don't stack them, but you love to chew on them and throw them across the room. 
• You also love your Step'n Play Piano and your activity table.  Of course, you're still in love with jumping in the jumperoo so that is still getting a lot of attention.
• You give hugs and kisses! So sweet.  You'll just reach up and wrap your little arms around our necks and then lean your little head on our shoulders.  Grandpa seems to be your favorite person to kiss...without fail every time you see him you'll give him a big open-mouthed baby kiss on the cheek.  I think Grandpa is pretty thrilled to be the only recipient of those sweet Blake kisses!
• You are the happiest, smiliest baby ever.  When you're really happy, you'll scrunch up your nose and giggle and squeal the cutest laugh I have ever heard.  Sometimes you even snort...and I think that is the sweetest.
• You reach for us!  When we say 'up' you'll reach your arms up and get SO happy as we pick you up.  I love that so much.  I guess we could also call this your first sign, since raising your arms is the sign for up.  We've also been working on signing 'more' and 'all done'....but you don't reciprocate those yet. 
• This month daddy and I have both just commented on how much more aware you are.  Of everything.  
• You are such a flirt.  You'll reward strangers who talk to you with the biggest smiles and coos.  You don't mind who holds you, but you are always watching to make sure daddy and I don't wander too far away. Our little charmer!  
• You are still sleeping well and we seem to have finally hit our groove again with your naps!  They aren't nearly as sporadic or short as they were for the past few months.  

I know I say this every month...but I can't believe you are seven months old!  We are now on the downward slide to your first birthday.

I hope someday when you read these that you can feel the love behind every word.  That is by far my greatest desire in capturing all these milestones.  For you.  The time goes by so fast, and I know that someday I'm going to blink and you'll be walking out our front door for college.  These moments, these moments, are so precious to us simply because you are in them.  I know that you'll never remember these times as a family of three, but I still want you to know them.  Because this is your story.  And because you've made this chapter in my life story, and all the ones to come, an absolute page-turner. 

I can't wait to see what come next.     

We love you, Blake Louis.  More than tongue can tell!  (that's what your Grandma always told me...and I think it sums it up perfectly :))

A Man After God's Heart

I posted here a little bit about Blake's dedication, which happened last Sunday at my home church.  I shared in my original post that the dedication was our opportunity, as Blake's parents, to publicly proclaim our desire and intention to raise this little boy in accordance to God's laws.  Moreover, to raise this little one with full knowledge that He is a gift bestowed upon us by the grace of the Father, as He has entrusted us with His precious child. 

That's a tremendous responsibility, and I take it very seriously. 

That Sunday, standing in front of the congregation, we made a promise before God to raise this child up in the way he should go.  And I want to be very intentional about that.  I want to be intentional in the things I do and say, prayerfully intervening on my son's behalf and striving daily for my walk to mirror the walk I want to portray to my son. Because I know that he'll be watching, and it will only be through the grace of God that my life will be used to mold his. 

So, in light of all that, I've decided to start something new on this blog.  Someday I'm going to take all of the entries from this blog and turn them into a book for my precious son.  Because this is his story.  I want him to be able to read my words and know, in this moment and in this time, that his daddy and I are madly in love with him, and more importantly, that we are purposefully and intentionally raising him up to know his Savior.   It's the best gift we can give him, and we want to do it well.  Raising a son is a special privilege and honor, because someday Blake will grow up and use his life and his relationship with God to lead a family of his own.   

And so I've decided to start sharing a Bible verse a week, each one depicting a characteristic of a godly life.  These are for my son.  These are the life lessons I want to impart to him, because they aren't truly mine at all....they're His. 

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You received without paying; give without pay.

Matthew 10:8

Blake, this is so important for you to remember.  It is by the grace of the Father alone than you have received the most precious of all gifts: eternal life.  This gift was given to you, and all humanity, for free.  There's nothing you can do to earn it, and in our humanity we are simply unworthy of the blessing. And yet, none of that matters.  Your Heavenly Father loves you so much that He chose to pay the price for your sins.  He died so that He could know you, and so that you could know Him.  That's pretty incredible, and I hope you take the time to marinate on the magnitude of that love.  You'll never know anything else like it.  

I chose this verse in Matthew for you because I want you to always remember to use your life as an extension of the grace you have received.  Live it out loud.  Not for earthly rewards, not for accolades or admiration, but out of love for the Father.  Give because you have also received.  Do everything you do not for the glory of you, but for the glory of God.  And always remember, this earth is not your home.  Your reward will forever be in Heaven....your eternal home.  

I love you, and I'm proud of you.

Life Lessons for my Son

My precious son,

In this life, there are so many things I want for you.  You are literally brand new.  Your life is just beginning and filled with God-given promise. I look at you and daydream of the man you'll become, and my heart soars as I anticipate all the many moments I can't wait for you to experience...and for daddy and I to experience right along with you.  

Throughout your life, I'm sure there are many lessons daddy and I will try and impart to you.  Some you'll take to heart, and some will be met with an eye roll (it's okay, I did it to my parents too).  But life is too short to not be intentional, so I took some time tonight to write down some of the most important life lessons I want you to hear....from your mama.  

Blake Louis, in this life, I want you to...

+ Laugh so hard you cry.  A lot.

+ Bask in the love of your Heavenly Father so deeply and wholly that you make the choice to accept Him into your heart.   I pray that daddy and I will get to be there with you when you do. We want to be the ones holding your hands in prayer in that eternal moment. 

+ Believe in yourself, and know that we believe in you too.  We will always be right there, in the front row seats of your life, cheering you on and letting you know at every moment how incredibly proud we are of you.  Always.

+ Be a man of integrity.  When others walk away, be the one who chooses to stay.  Be the one who makes the choice to act in love, even when it's easier not to.  Especially then. 


+ Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.  Be strong and courageous. Have the courage of your convictions.

+ Live boldly.   Don't be afraid to fail, because it's part of life, and if you don't know what it feels like to crash and burn....you'll never truly appreciate how it feels to fly.

+ Love deeply.  Daddy and I promise to tell you every single day how much we love you, and I hope you'll do the same for your family.  This life is so short, and no tomorrow is guaranteed.  I pray you will live each day with intention and purpose, showing love with your actions and speaking it out loud every chance you have.

+ Remember that you are who you are because of the people who have come before you.  Be proud of your heritage, of the country of your birth, and of the people who have worked hard and sacrificed much to give you the freedoms you have.  Don't take it for granted.  When you see a service man or woman, who have fought for this country and sacrificed so much....you take the time to stop and thank them. 

+ Be kind.  Seemingly 'ordinary' actions can have a huge impact on someone else.  You may never know how a kind word or thoughtful action can impact another.  Live with the light of Jesus, shining brightly everywhere you go.

+ When someone hurts your feelings, live with the light of Jesus.  Instead of retaliating in anger, show them a different way.   Be the bigger person.  Choose love.

+ When you see injustice, choose to act.  Stand up when others back down.  Remember that each time you have occasion to rescue someone else, you inadvertently rescue yourself.  

+ Practice purity.  Someday, you'll meet and marry the woman God created for you.  Wait for her.  I promise, buddy, she'll be worth it.

+ Set your own moral compass.  Don't allow our society and the world we live in to dictate what you believe.  Draw your own line in the sand.  Always remember that this world is not your home.  Our citizenship is in heaven!  Live with your eyes focused solely and completely on that promise.

+ Spend time getting to know your Heavenly Father.  Just as in any relationship you'll have here on earth, it will need an investment of time to help it grow.  So talk to Him.  Spend time with Him as you study His promises.  Trust me when I tell you that you simply cannot choose a better relationship to invest in.  You'll reap rewards that far surpass your wildest dreams.

+ Choose honesty.  Be generous.  With your time, your heart, and all the blessings that are bestowed upon you in this life.  Remember the One who gave you the blessing, and with every chance you get, pay it forward.

+ Have a firm handshake.  No limp fish.  

+ Someday you'll grow up and have your own family.  Remember that the best thing you can do for your kids is to love their mom.  Model for your own sons how to treat a woman, just as your daddy does for you.

+ Be passionate.  In love, in work, and in everything you choose to invest your time in.

+ Practice gratitude.  Write thank you notes (by hand) and make sure to tell those who profoundly impact your life how much you value the role they have played.  If you let Him, God will put you on a collision course with people who will strengthen and build you up with their friendship.  Seek these people out and hold onto them.  Be grateful and humbled by their love.  And most importantly?  Love them back.

And last but not least....don't you ever forget how much you are loved.  I can't even begin to quantify it in words.

Love,
Your Mama

Six Months

 Well little man, you are officially six months old.  You are exactly halfway to your first birthday!  It’s been, hands down, the most wonderful half year of our lives.  Here’s what you’ve been up to this month:

• You cut two teeth!  Your gummy grin is no more.  At about 5.5 months, your bottom two middle teeth started poking through.  You handled it like a champ, and daddy and I were so proud of you!  We love looking at those two little teeth, even though you hardly ever let us get a peek because you’re too busy running your tongue over and over the newest addition to your mouth.  So cute!  We think you might be getting a few more, but nothing has broken through just yet.
• You weight 19 and a half pounds, and you are 27 inches long.  You’re wearing all 12 and 18 month clothes now.
• You are eating about 9 ounces of baby food (made especially for you by mommy!) a day.  That is in addition to your milk.  So far, you’ve had just about every fruit and veggie I can think to make for you at this age.  On your six month birthday, we gave you mangos!  You loved them.  You also love pears (a LOT), apples and bananas.  You are less enthusiastic with your veggies, but enjoy sweet potatoes and green beans pretty regularly.  So far, you haven’t been too fond of peas (me either..yuck!)
• You can now sit up entirely on your own.  You tip over very rarely, usually backwards, but lately have gotten so much better at being able to catch yourself.  You love to sit on the floor and play with your toys, and I can tell you are SO proud of yourself for being able to sit up like a big boy!  We are pretty proud of you, too.
• Not only can you sit, but you also LOVE to stand!  You pretty much don’t want to do anything else.  When we stand you against the couch or ottoman, Toby and Emma will jump up and get right in your face..and you LOVE it!  You squeal and reach for them and their little tails go crazy.
• If we hold your hands and walk with you, you’ll take steps forward.  It’s the cutest thing, because you’ll look up at us with this big grin, as if you’re saying “hey mom and dad, look what I can do!”
• For a while, you were getting up on your hands and knees and rocking back and forth.  We thought you were about ready to start crawling!  But, after a few face plants (when you found your propulsion but didn’t quite get your hands and feet on board) you’ve now decided you want nothing to do with crawling.  You have actually refused to put any weight on your hands at.all and will fuss/cry if we put you on your tummy.  So, we’ve decided to back off on tummy time and give you some time to recover from the trauma of learning to crawl
• You love Toby and Emma!  This month, you’ve been really interested in petting and touching them.  Toby and Emma think it is the best thing EVER and love it when you pay attention to them.  You also love to laugh at Emma when she tickles you with her wet nose, and were cracking up over at Grandma and Grandpa’s house when Riley (their dog) starting running circles around you.
• You are very vocal.  You squeal and screech and love to pretend you’re an opera singer (going into octaves where no sound comes out).  You are also very vocal when you do NOT want to be doing something (like tummy time) or when we take away something you want.  You’ll throw a total fit, which I find pretty funny.  You stop as soon as somebody picks you up and/or distracts you with something else.  Oh, and you are LOUD.
• In the last month, we took our first family trip to the beach!  You really weren’t sure what to think.  You weren’t a fan of the sand, or the wind, or the sun.  It was a beautiful day though!  Daddy carried you in the hiking backpack, and then we put down a blanket and let you play on the beach.  I can’t wait to take you back when you’re a bit bigger!
• In terms of toys, you’re pretty much into everything we’ve got these days!  You still love your jumperoo, but have also really gotten into your play table and some of your bigger toys that you can sit up and play with.
• We started you on puffs, which has been your first foray into self feeding!  You love the puffs, and can actually pick them up really well, but you get frustrated trying to transfer the puffs from your hand into your mouth.  We’re still practicing.
• You also drink from a sippy cup!  You had a hard time with the traditional kind, but do really well with the cups that have a straw!  You learned to use them right away.  We're working on holding them on your own, because right now I'm usually helping you out quite a bit.
• You love peek-a-boo!  It’s a sure-fire way to get you to smile.  You think this is the most exciting game on the planet, and love it when we play with you!
• My dear, you have found your feet in a big way.  You were aware of them last month, but now you grab your toes and suck on them.  It’s hysterical.
• Your giggle comes so readily now.  I can just look at you and you’ll collapse into the most adorable giggles I have ever heard.  Your smile comes just as easily.  You are just such a happy little boy!
• We graduated you to the big boy bathtub this month!  You no longer lie on your back for bath time, now you sit up in your bath ring!  At first it scared you and you’d cry and cry…but after a couple days you figured out it was pretty fun to sit up like a big boy!  Now, you love it.  You play with your toys and just ignore daddy and I as we wash you
• You want everything that daddy and I have.  You can’t sit on our laps anymore when we eat, because you are constantly reaching for and grabbing our food.  When we go to restaurants, you go for the menu.  When I get a phone call, you try and take the phone off my ear.   When we read to you, you try and reach for the books, and if you can't get them you throw a fit.
• You are fascinated by my hair, but you are so gentle with it.  You twirl it around your fingers and make sweet cooing noises as you play with it.  I think it is so precious.
• You got your first real cold this month, which made me so sad for you.  It didn't last too long, though, and daddy and I just snuggled and spoiled you with extra loves until you were feeling better.
• One of my favorite things you do is how you put your hands on my face when you’re right in front of me.  You’ll put your sweet hands on either side of my face and run your little fingers all over.  You love to squeeze my nose, and you always pause when your palm is over my lips so I can smother it with kisses.  Then you’ll squeal, giggle, and keep right on going.
• Lately, when you’re sitting and playing and I come sit behind you, you’ll turn and reach for me.  Oh baby boy, I love it.  I think it is the most precious thing.  I’ll pull you into my lap and you’ll just snuggle me.  Melts this mama’s heart!!

Daddy and I just cannot believe that you've been here for six whole months.  I look around our house and I see the evidence of you all around--the toys littering the floor every night after you go to sleep, the bottles waiting to be washed by the sink, your (not so) tiny clothes ready to be folded and put away--and it literally takes my breath away to realize, in that instant, that you're ours.  My heart still soars every time I have a chance to call you my son out loud.  My son.  Oh baby, you were so worth the wait.  I could never have known, could never have fathomed, the joy that God would pour into my heart with the gift of you.  We have been given the most precious gift, we have been mightily blessed. You have filled my heart with more love than I ever knew was possible.  Your tiny life has transformed mine, in the very best way possible.

Since the day we found out about you, we claimed Isaiah 40:11 for you:

He will tend to his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the little lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. 

I pray that you will always feel the warmth from that love, that safe feeling of being snuggled up close in the arms of your Father.  Daddy and I pray daily that God will guide us as we work each day to raise you into the man He intended you to be.  We are already so proud of you.  We already know that God will use you in mighty, magnificent ways.  We are so grateful that He chose us to have the front row seats.

You are so loved.  Every single moment of every single day. 

Thank you for a beautiful half year, it's been the best of my entire life.

Five Months

Blake is five months old!  I'm also posting this here, but will add pictures over there on the family blog! Remember, the password is my maiden name.

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My sweet boy, you are FIVE months old!  We’re only one month away from celebrating your half birthday.

This past month has been so fun.  You are giggling, smiling, playing with your voice, and letting your little personality shine!

Here’s what you’ve been up to:

• You are experimenting with your voice like nobody’s business.  You change octaves faster than I can turn around.  You go so high that no sound comes out, and daddy and I will just laugh and laugh at you.  That usually spurs you on, and you’ll keep making your sounds as you have a conversation with us.  I know this won’t last long, so I am savoring this phase. I just think it is the cutest.
• You’ve always been a big fan of the jumperoo, but that’s been taken to a whole new level this past month.  You fly in that thing.  You bounce so hard and so high that I wonder if you’re going to upset your tummy.  You haven’t though, so I guess we’re okay.  You’ve also taken a renewed interest in all the little fun toys on the jumperoo, and I think it’s so amazing to watch you figure out how things work.  You understand that the toys will rattle when you spin them, and you love to turn the little blue elephant so it will make a noise.  I just love watching you learn.
• We take you everywhere, and you are just the best little man.  So well behaved.  You never fuss when we’re out and about.  You just love to look at everything all around you and take it all in.  You’ll sit on my lap and have lunch with a friend, or if not in my lap, you’re also super content to just hang out in your stroller.
• Last week, you sat up by yourself for the very first time!!  We snapped a bunch of picture in those 10 seconds (ha!)  We practice this all the time, and you spend lots of time in your Bumbo (which you love).  You’re getting better every single day!  You’re really great at catching yourself if you fall forward, but you freak out if you start to fall backwards because you can’t quite stop yourself yet.
• You’re still not rolling over.  Baby boy, holy cow.  Five months!  Well, to be fair, you can and do roll from back to tummy…but that’s it.  Once you get to your tummy you just chill.  Sometimes you’ll fuss and stick your little butt up in the air, but mostly you just suck on your fist and hang out.  You’ll prop yourself up on your elbows, but have yet to push up on your hands.  I guess it’s a work in progress.  You have gotten your little legs up underneath you several times, so once you get your hands on board, you’ll be in business!  I’m sure it will happen so soon and then I’ll be chasing you around the house.
• You found your feet!  You don’t suck on them, but you love to grab your thighs and pull your legs up to your chest.  You think it’s especially fun when I kiss your toes and sing you silly songs.  You just giggle and giggle and wave your toes in the air for me to catch.
• You’re great at standing and you LOVE to stand.  You’ve figured out that if you go all stiff-legged on us we can’t make you sit down.  So that’s been fun.  You especially like to do that trick when we’re trying to get you in the carseat.  Little stinker :)
• You’re still napping pretty well during the day, generally from 10-12 and then from 2-3.  Your afternoon nap is more often only 45 minutes, but occasionally will last over an hour.
• We took away your swaddle this month (night time only, still swaddling for naps) and you’ve adjusted pretty well.  It was rough at first, but now you’ve figured it out.  We just put you down in your crib at bedtime, and after about ten minutes we’ll check on you to find you’ve put yourself to sleep.  Such a good little guy.  You’ll fuss a little throughout the night, but you don’t want to get up, so we consider that a big success.  We start our day at 6AM (we wake you up) so we can get daddy to work.
• In the past month, you’ve experienced your first Christmas, your first new year (we’re now in a different calendar year than the one in which you were born!) and your first snow!  We woke up this morning to a few inches!!
• Your giggles are now not just in response to our own.  Instead, if we make a funny face or do something that you think is silly, you’ll laugh at us!  I love it.  Positive reinforcement is always a good thing ;)
• Dude, you’ve got some hair on that head of yours!  You’ve really grown a lot of it over the past month.  It’s coming in absolutely blonde. Funny, because when you were born it was darker.  It’s thickest on the top of your head, but you’re getting some in on the sides too.
• According to our scale, you’re weighing in somewhere between 18.5 and 19 pounds.  You’re done with your 6 month clothes and are now wearing some 9 month, a lot of 12 month, and a few 18 month onesies and tshirts.  Eesh.  Such a big boy!!  You’re also wearing mostly size 3 shoes, although a few size 2 will still fit.
• You babble! I can't believe I almost forgot to mention it.  You say "da" a lot, and will just talk and talk and talk to yourself when we're driving in the car.  You also love to carry on conversations.  You'll say something, then I'll say something, then you'll respond.  And you have the best facial expressions to go along with our little chats.  I can't wait until I can really know what you're thinking.
• You love to kick!  When I change your diaper, you kick your feet like you’re in the middle of a tap dancing session.
• You started eating solids this past month!  Baby boy, I have yet to find a food that you do not scarf down.  You are by no means a messy eater.  You want every last drop of whatever food I’ve got on that spoon.  So far, you’ve had rice cereal, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, peas, green beans, prunes, bananas, and peaches! You love them all.  AND, what I find particularly fascinating, is that you’re still eating the same amount of breastmilk as you were before.  Every 4(ish) hours.  I breastfeed you before offering you solids…which we only do twice a day anyway.  Such a little oinker, and I love it!  Your fat thighs are beyond adorable.

Little man, you are the light of our life.  My favorite times of the day are when you’ll catch my eye and give me that smile.  Your smile that says I love you.  I can see it in your eyes and it melts.my.heart. because I know that you know that I’m your mommy.  I hope that you can see in my eyes how much I love you.  Because I do.  More than I ever thought possible.  I know I say it every month in these posts, and I’ll keep saying it because it is only more true with every passing month: Blake Louis, we love you.  We adore every part of who you are, and we want you to know it every single day of your life.  You are so very loved.  We will always be here for you, loving you and cheering you on.  We're proud of you, little man, and cannot wait to see you grow into the man God made you to be.  Our biggest prayer is that you will always walk closely with Him.  Yes, we love you more than anything in this world, but He....well, He died to know you.  That makes you pretty special.