C-bug at 6 months

During the craziness that was our summer, C-bug turned 6-months-old. We just went in for his check-up and he is doing so well. We continue to be amazed at how much bigger he is than KJ was. He is a good 6-8 months ahead of KJ in size at this point, weighing in at nearly 18 pounds. He continues to be so full of personality and rarely does anything 1/2 way. When he rolls over, he rolls across the room. When he laughs, he belly laughs. When he smiles, it covers his whole face. When he talks, he makes sure everyone can hear him. And like I've said before...when he's mad, WATCH OUT! We've recently started adding more foods to his routine and it has made a huge difference in his temperament. He goes longer between meals, takes better naps, and just generally is happier! Poor baby was just hungry.

C-bug still loves his big brother and sweetly tolerates the "affection" that KJ smothers on him. His favorite spot is his bouncy exersaucer, maybe because he is semi-protected there. Here are a few of my favorite recent pictures of my precious 6-month-old!

I love this little guy more and more every day.

ABL

Miss Jonah

The theme of this year's Summer Spectacular was Jonah and the Whale. We certainly LOVE "Miss Patty" and "Miss Mindy" and all the other amazing people who make our children's ministry and nursery absolutely amazing. If you ladies have any doubt that the lessons of the week were fully absorbed by those precious little hearts, just ask KJ about Jonah and the Whale...it is his new favorite story. So much so that there is a precious lady that lives next door to my parents who shall from here forward, thanks to KJ, always be known as "Miss Jonah" (her name is Jo).

On that note, tonight was C-bugs first night in the nursery. For some reason this is always a sentimental milestone for me. He just went during the bible class part, but it still made me feel like he is getting so big. Here he is with our precious "Miss Mindy". Thank you for making this an easy hand-off. I could not imagine a better person to leave him with! (And yes, that is just the kind of mom that I am...I took my camera).

I just wanted to let you ladies know what an impact you had on our summer, our children and our family! We love you!!

ABL

Jesus lives in Nashville

According to KJ, Jesus lives in "Nashville". Nonna and Papa J live in Nashville. Therefore in his little mind all planes, trains, boats, helicopters, and school buses are headed to Nashville. Naturally, where else would Jesus live? One of our new best buddies from the Ruidoso mission trip was trying to teach KJ that Jesus lives in his heart. We'd talk about it over and over during that week. It didn't stick. As we believe that Jesus lives everywhere (including Nashville) we haven't forced the topic yet.

We worked with an amazing group of 9th (going into 10th) grade teens in Nashville and for the week they really did show the heart of Jesus to those we worked with. I could not have been prouder.

Sorry I've been a bit absent from the blogging world. Oh the life of a YM's wife...summer is crazy. There are so many of you that I think about and pray for during the summers because I know what it means for you and your kiddos...Chris and Martha, you have especially been on my mind with your THREE little ones and hubbies so busy! Love you both.

The boys and I went on two of the teen mission trips with RRL this year (insert the "I must be crazy" speech here). We had lots of help from adult sponsors and teens, though, so it really was not as bad as I thought it might be to travel for 10-12 hours with the boys. I will say that I would not necessarily recommend that you spend 6 nights with two small children in a dorm room with community bathrooms unless you have lots of help (like I did). We went to Nashville and Ruidoso and had a blast. I learned a lot through the eyes of my 2-year-old along the way. Some funny (like the fact that Jesus lives in Nashville) and some serious (like the fact that prayers work better than hand sanitizer). I'm going to do a couple more posts of the highlights so stay tuned. I'll end with pictures (in a few days, when RRL can show me where they are).

ABL

I be two

Ask KJ how old he is and he will be glad to tell you "I be two" while working hard to try to hold up just the right number of fingers. Our little man turned two almost two weeks ago and while we definitely celebrated (a couple of times), the important day went by unrecognized in the blogging world...sorry, buddy. I'm sure more of the "terrible twos" may be headed our way, but for now I love having a two-year-old (most days). He comes up with the funniest things to say and do and we are always laughing. Yesterday I was taking a rare opportunity to lay in his bed with him while he was going to sleep for his nap. All of a sudden he rolled over, held my face with his two little hands and very urgently declared "i want pancakes...ok, mommy? Pancakes. Ok!" What a funny boy! Another of my recent favorites- We were all 4 in KJ's room one afternoon. RRL and I were talking or something and not completely paying attention to the boys. Suddenly we heard "ride, ride, ride". C-bug was laying on his stomach and KJ had straddled him, was holding on to the back of C's shirt collar and going for a ride. Oh, what a mess.

Here are a few pictures from our recent bday celebrations.

Peanut,

On your second birthday, I want you to know that you are such a joy to your Daddy and me. We love the way you always make us laugh, are ever ready to smother us with hugs and kisses, and how you are quick to apologize when you know you have hurt us. Your baby brother already looks up to you and adores you. It is amazing to see how he watches everything you do and can pick you out in a room. So many others love you, too, friends and family alike. When you walk through the doors at church, more people recognize you than they do your Mommy and Daddy. As your little blond head prances down the halls and you show us "this way, that way" to go to class you leave a trail of smiles. One of my favorite things about your birthday party was how you displayed such pure joy at every single present anyone gave you...each was your very favorite. You seemed to know, already, how to show your gratitude and make the giver feel so appreciated. I am already praying that you will always bring that same sunshine and joy with you wherever you go and that you will never grow too old to use your gifts to make others feel welcomed and loved.

You are learning so much right now. I love that you light up when you count or say your ABC's or spell your name. It cracks us up when you tell us "Mommy name is A____, Daddy name is R____". It is not enough to see a truck, you like to know exactly what kind it is and that makes me smile (and also brush up on my construction trucks knowledge). I love that when we go the park to climb and run and play you come home sweaty, dirty and smelling like a little boy. You tell us all the time that you can do it "by self" as you climb to the tallest slide or eat your favorite foods or brush your own teeth. And indeed there are more and more things that you can do all by yourself now than you could one year ago.

As I think about the year coming between now and your third birthday, I know you have a lot more to learn. We're working on listening and obeying on the "first time". Sharing with friends and especially your baby brother are going to continue to be tough lessons to learn. And who could forget that we've still got potty training ahead of us! Above all, though, I pray you will continue to learn more about our sweet Jesus. I love to hear you tell about Jesus riding on the donkey or to tell me you are ready to go to class to learn about Jesus. I love to hear you pray "Thank you God for this day" and recite the things you are thankful for. It is so special to me to hear you sing "God is so good" and other songs you've learned in chapel. Your sweet voice singing about Jesus nearly brings me to tears. But baby boy there is so much more to know about Him. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me to want to learn more about Him, too. Your Daddy and I can't wait until the day that you accept the Jesus you are learning about as your personal Lord and Savior.

Thank you, KJ, for all you do for our family, for the joy that you are and for the way you make me want to be so much more.

I love you,

Mommy

One of the coolest days ever...

As my brother M (the older of my two brothers) pointed out, May 28th was one of the coolest days EVER for our family. The baby of our family graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in both Civil and Environmental Engineering and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the United States Air Force. How many people can claim that in their list of lifetime accomplishments?




Mr President, meet 2nd Lt DMB.


Whatever your political opinions of George W. may be, you have to admit that standing in the misting cold rain to salute and shake hands with every single one of the 1000+ graduates was pretty amazing of him.





Although we are incredibly proud of his accomplishments at the academy and his commitment to serving our country, our favorite thing about him is his role as Uncle D.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU, DMB!!!!!!

Love,

ABL

How KJ spends his time these days...

Reading with Uncle M

Drawing uncle M's hand

Having Uncle M draw his hand

Watching TV with Uncle M

Going night-night with Uncle M

Going to the park with Uncle M
Looking for fish with Uncle M
Do you detect a theme? After 3 years in South America, we are ALL so happy to have Uncle M for a visit. No one is happier than KJ, though. He wants to be by his side at all times and watches everything he does. I'm so thankful that they are getting to spend time together. Not to be left out...C-bug has been getting his share of snuggles too, but for some reason the pictures came out blurry.

side note: Yes, KJ still occasionally wears one (or two) blue gloves for no apparent reason...even when it is 90 degrees outside!

Lots of random thoughts...get comfortable

1) We took both of the boys to the doctor today. It was 2 years for KJ and 4 months for C-bug. To see them you might think we only feed one of our children. KJ is at the very bottom of the charts, height and weight. C-bug is at the top, weighing in at an amazing 16 lbs and is already 26 inches. While we were there, KJ learned a new word...stethoscope. He can say the whole thing, all three syllables. His vocabulary totally amazes me these days (I am slightly biased, though). Here is picture of them from this week (can you tell that C-bug has the sweetest dimple in his left cheek?)...

2) I've taken to calling the baby, "C-bug" (insert his name where the 'C' is). I'm not exactly sure where it came from, but think it evolved from snuggle bug. It really stuck when KJ started calling him by that name and it is ever so sweet when big brother says "Its ok, C-bug, don't cry, baby brother" or "watch this C-bug" or C'mon C-Bug, go to K's room" (as if any day now his baby brother will get up and run with him) or "mommy, where's C-bug go" (KJ always says "where's insert name go?" sort of combining the two questions).

3) I was starting to feel like we were really over the hurdle with our little (or big) C-bug but the last week or so has been a little rough. He is still sleeping great at night but will have major meltdowns at least once a day where nothing will console him. He arches his back to the point that you cannot even hold him. These usually happen in public. I know I shouldn't be, but I can not help but be terribly embarrassed and feel like everyone is staring. Recently we were in Target and having a major scream-a-thon. I finished as quickly as I could and left. As soon as we left, he was fine so we went to another store in the same area. I was oh-so-pleasantly greeted in the second store by someone who recognized us from Target and just HAD to say "Oh, look, its the screaming baby from Target". Thank you very much.

4) On that note, Saturday at church a very nice man asked me how old my baby was. I told him 4-months and he responded "wow" (in a moment of vanity, I thought he was going to say "Wow, you look great for having a 4-month-old) but instead he completed "wow, you look REALLY tired. Have you been up all night?" Thank you, Lord, for that little dose of humility.

5) Speaking of Church, have you read, Screwtape Letters? I'm getting it out to read again because I feel some of the tactics of ugly Wormwood and Screwtape might be at work in my life right now. To be more specific, I am starting to wonder if these little demons wait for me at the door to church trying to ensure that I have a miserable experience each time I show up to worship. More specifically, I feel like every-time we walk through the doors one or the other of my children so drastically consumes my attention or frustrates me that I forget altogether while I am there. I say this slightly tongue-in-cheek, but I do believe in the spiritual battle that goes on for each of our souls and I do believe the devil knows I crave the fueling I get by worshiping my Lord with my husband and by being in our small group bible study (neither of which have happened a single time in entirety since C-bug was born). I'm not really looking for advice here since I think it is somewhat of a personal battle, but I would appreciate your prayers.

6) While I'm on a C.S. Lewis kick, (one of my favorite authors by the way) I thank God everyday for a good friend who recently celebrated her birthday! This quote from C.S. Lewis very clearly defines how we became (and remain) friends. Happy Birthday, Tara.

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one”

We've had so many of those moments over the last couple of years as our oldest boys are 3 weeks apart and amazingly, our youngest boys were also born 3 weeks apart. Really, I might go insane without her encouragement and reminders that in some twisted way, what I'm going through is normal. Here is a picture of our oldest boys. They sure love each other.

Amazingly, I think that is about all for now. I guess if I posted more regularly I would not have to go on these marathon sessions.

ABL