Our Schedule

Disclaimer: this post is not an advice column...not at all.  This is purely for fun.

5:45 am.  yep.  He's up.  Why is he up you ask?  Well I'll tell you it has something to do with the sun being up.  He is an early bird...just like, well, me.  Although rising with the sun is carrying it a bit too far son.  I let Casey babble until 6 unless he's really yelling, which he does sometimes.  There's no need for everyone to be up this early.

6 am-ish I turn on Disney Jr. and he watches for a while but mostly he plays.  I am on the couch resting, watching.  Many days he wants to sit in my lap for a certain show he likes, and I like too I guess, it's not the worst.

7:30 am I make breakfast for him.  Usually it's scrambled eggs, and a sippy-cup of milk.  Unless my kitchen is messy and I go for a quick meal of oatmeal and milk of course. After this he plays.

8:15 As some children are just getting up mine is taking his first nap.  I usually take this time to catch up on my reality tv.  (Bravo's calling my name)  Or I read blogs check out the "Home Decor" section on pinterest.  My hubby is usually not awake yet, because he doesn't work till late morning, so it's a little me time.

9:45 Casey wakes up.  My husband is awake by this time and always goes in to get him saying "Good Morning!" As if the day was just beginning... nope.  Then Casey and I go for a walk.  We have a park near us so I turn on some Pandora on my iphone and we get to it.

10:50 we finish our walk and I get Casey's lunch ready.  And usually he'll play/watch sesame street at 11.  Meals are always different and a challenge at this point.  I'm trying to get him to eat different things so I'll do cheese and shredded chicken with apple sauce.  Or I try PB&J which he doesn't like too much.  I don't know it's hard.  I know I have to keep things he likes out of eye shot because he won't eat anything else if he know something he likes is coming.

Noon Unless we're out and about, which sometimes we are depending on my husband schedule, (which is very flexible), Casey takes a nap at this time.  I know it sounds crazy but that's the way he likes it.

1:00 pm He's up again.  This is the hardest time of the day because it's a matter of keeping him going until 5 pm.  So At first he plays and I always try and move his toys in and out and all around.  For example, I can block off our living room so I try to keep rotating toys out, like if he has lost interest in something I take it and put it in his room.  Then I just set up some things I know he likes to play with, and things he hasn't seen in a while.  It buys me time.  It's so hot here, going out at this time isn't really an option, also we live in an apartment, so we don't have a yard anyways.  I will turn on music while I'm doing something and put him in his eating chair to watch me.  I give him something he hasn't seen in a while to keep him busy.  We read, we build, we roll, he climbs.  We wear each other out. There is also a little snack in here too.  Goldfish, cheerios, raisins, or apple sauce.

5 pm aw the magic hour.  I like 5 pm.  I get Casey's dinner ready.  It's always different.  Roasted carrots, or beans, or scrambled eggs.  Always something accompanied by fruit.  And then I get him ready for bed.  All the sudden it sounds great right, because hopefully by this time you've forgotten about the 5:45 am wake up call.  So I don't give Casey a bath every night because he started to hate them a couple months ago (sad) so like tonight I just got him in a new diaper and jams.  Wrestle him to brush his teeth, get his blankie and gather some books to read with him on the couch.  After that I put him down.  I hold him and sing to him till he goes to sleep...I try to have him down around 6 pm.  Sometimes it's sooner, like today because we did not go out so his nap was at noon instead of like 1 or 2.  If he takes a later nap I adjust a little bit, but usually he goes down before 6:30pm. 

6pm  This is when I feel good about waking up early, because I have some me time before my hubby gets home from work, and once he does there's dinner and time with him.  Nice.  Phew.

I'm getting the feeling that...

I'm getting the feeling that I will forever have this "I don't know what in the world I'm doing," feeling being a parent.  Uh-oh, it doesn't go away.  When Casey was first born everything was new...and I was so inexperienced every day was a new thing, a new challenge, phase of development etc.  I think I felt that someday it'll get better, I'm going to figure this whole thing out.  But as quickly as you've got a groove going something changes.

Today, for example...I'm learning how smart he is.  I said "we've gotta change your diaper," and Casey quickly grabs his changing mat and his wipes and brings them to me.  What?! That's awesome. But he now hates the car again.  He's so stinking strong he kept dodging the straps as I'm trying to get his situated.  And then now he's refusing food, I don't think eating only scrambled eggs and gold fish cuts it. Also today he was relentlessly trying to get into the trash can, something I know he knows not to do (I know he's doing it when he's quiet).  All things change at once, and we have a whole new ball game. And it's going to be like this forever, maybe the phases won't move as quickly as I do now, but I can see myself when he's 16 just doing what I do now, praying and trying my best to do what is right.

 

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Casey boy you are one year old! I can't believe how fast the time has gone...and what a joy you have brought into my life!  I love you more than words can express so that's why I kiss you so much! Here is what I know about you so far...

Dear little boy, you are so sweet and cute!  Everyone likes to compliment your good looks!  Somehow you've realized your handsome qualities and have become a little flirt with the ladies...and you don't discriminate based on age either.  You really like to share and be involved with others.  You are very social and very busy.  You like to go to bed early and get up early just like your mama, you are very determined like your daddy.  You eat everything and love to hide things where ever you can to find them later.  You learned to walk at 11 months.  You adapt to change well...so far you've been very flexible.  You're only cranky when your tired or your mouth hurts.  You love to climb all  over me...and you're still learning how to be gentle, which puts a damper on how close you can get to the ladies right now bud.  You love Muppets and farm animals.  You dislike having your diaper changed, baths, and brushing your teeth...you're all boy!  You hardly ever wear shoes...although this is more my decision than yours at this point (because if I could get away with being bear foot all the time I would)

We love you so much!  Every night after you've gone to bed your daddy and I sneek in your room to watch you sleep because we miss you!  We're so thankful to God for you sweet precious boy of ours!  I pray that God will help us be good and wise parents and that you'll continue to be happy and learn to seek after God's heart!

Oh How Time Flys

 Somebody tell me how does this...

 Become this in a few short months?

My precious baby boy is turning one next week.  I've been busy tying up loose ends preparing for his party and procrastinating cleaning my house by shopping and making lists.  Tonight my husband and I sorted through his month pictures to pick which ones we wanted to print out for his first year banner.  It was so much fun seeing all the subtle changes that lead him to be the bustling busy almost toddler he is today.  It goes so fast...I've been trying to remind myself this week to keep it in perspective...telling myself "I am a mother raising a son to be a man, a good man, a God centered man."  That's my goal and my desire.  Getting to experience him in baby form is just one big blessing from my gracious Heavenly Father!     

I am....not...

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Recently a younger friend and I were corresponding back and forth, and she brought up that she feels like she's dealing with insecurities, and she feels like she's the only one who deals with being insecure.  I said no way! ALL WOMEN ARE INSECURE! And that she probably feels like she's the only one because we women are all trying to convince everyone else that they've "got it all together." Why?  Good Golly why are we like that? 

I know that I am guilty of this. Perhaps it's the reason I try on 15 different outfits before church on Sunday.  Or scramble to clean up if I have a visitor, just dropping something by.  "Oh yes my house always looks like this..." No.  Why does it feel so good to lead someone into perceiving you a certain way?  Being a mom is like living in a constant state of being exposed for what you really are...an imperfect person with an imperfect baby.  There's a freedom in it, but it also can open a huge can of new insecurities. 

Here's the truth.  My closet is still full of clothes all over, laundry I still need to do.  I hardly shower. On the mornings I feel gross enough to shower I walk around saying "I hate shower morning."  Besides making meals, I have no hobbies, no projects, no extra anything.  I wake up I watch my son, play with him, make his meals, walk with him, let him climb all over me, and basically wear me out until 6:30pm till he's down.  Then I make dinner and veg with my husband.  Yesterday I tried to cut ribbon for a decoration for his first birthday party during Casey's snack and it was not easy.  I thought "this is why I don't do anything...I literally have no energy."  I know it won't always be like this.  He'll be more independent someday, I'll have more energy someday. But not today.  Today I will sit on the couch and enjoy the fact that I showered yesterday, and try not to worry too much about the fact that Casey woke up at 5 am this morning and what it's going to do to our schedule.    

Dinners

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Sometimes dinner can be the last thing you want to do after a long day talking care of the house and baby.  But I think I've finally hit my stride with 2 simple ways to prepare foods.  the first thing that helps me is my crock pot.  I use it to cook my chicken, usually I put two  frozen chicken breasts in with about a cup of water and one pack of Italian dressing seasoning. It cooks on high for 4 to 6 hours (I've also cooked it on low for 8).  Then I take out the chicken and shred it up with a fork, and store it in the fridge.

I use this chicken for loads of things.  I use it for chicken pasta with spinach, broccoli chicken casserole, green salads, chicken salad pitas.  Cooking the chicken this way makes it really versatile...and you can give it to your baby as finger food too! Easy!

The next thing I've been into is roasting veggies.  This is too easy and so good!  All you do is take baby carrots, zucchini, onions, small white or red potatoes, anything you have in your fridge.  Cut up what you need to and place in a foil lined pyrex baking pan.  Then pour over some olive oil, salt and pepper, and some Italian dry seasoning, and mix all together with your hands and pat flat.  Turn your oven to 350 degrees and leave in for 40 to an hour.  They get caramelized and delicious. Another great idea is to put either chicken or turkey in the center and put some chopped lemons on top and all around and bake with the veggies for and hour or so.  Simple!

I've been really enjoying spinach lately...I have plans to make spinach and fruit morning smoothies! So hopefully I can share that soon.  I never thought I'd be any sort of a meal planner because I'm not a planner but I do want to provide healthy and tasty meals for my hard working hubs and these are things that my little guy can enjoy too once he has more teeth!

Five Thursday Thoughts

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1) Cookies do count as breakfast.

2) Why oh why are onesie snap buttons so unbelievably hard to button sometimes? I swear it feels like the loooongest moments of my day are snapping those buttons!

3) This is how much I HATE doing laundry...I have spent the past 2 days cleaning every other part of my house avoiding the walk in closet where all our clothes are now currently stuffed.  I even cleaned the base boards?! That's how much I hate laundry.  My husband caught on...because I kept walking him around showing him "look at all I've done!" So he couldn't bring up the laundry right?! Cause I've been busy...!  Anyways he knew that's what I was doing, but him being one who also hates doing laundry he can't really say anything.  Ha!

4) My baby is learning to walk.  He walked across the room the other day and has been trying and falling and just being plan cute working on being a big boy.  Adore!

5) I had to take a shower today... it's been a while, I won't say how long but possibly the last time was a holiday...er don't judge me, it's not like it was Christmas or anything.  I also hate showering.  Not the showering part, but the having to dry and style my hair part. Why does having a baby suddenly make a lot of things you used to enjoy such a terrible chore now?  Too busy I guess.  

Little boys

I recently read a great article on what little boys need from their moms.  I just loved all the suggestions and clarity.  I felt relief to know that all boys have tons of energy.  It can be hard as a woman to understand their need to constantly be on the move.  Some days are just exhausting for me because, at the time, I seem to be his favorite jungle gym.  But I love it! This past weekend was so much fun because I can see my sisters little boy Jax (who is a year older than Casey) and Casey becoming little buddies.  My sister and I are throwing a joint-birthday party because their birthdays are a week apart and I took pictures of them for our invitations.  Oh my goodness I loved watching them interact...they are getting to like each other more and more. It's absolutely precious to me, and I am thankful that they have each other to wrestle and be a boy with. 

Every child is not my child, and yet...

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The other day I saw something I've seen before.  I was standing in line at Target, I was alone with my little guy in the cart...just waiting.  All I really do as I wait is people watch and talk to the baby and try and keep his hands full with something other than something I want to buy (or don't want to buy for that matter.)  And I hear this woman yelling "Don't touch that!"  She was paying for her items at the check out but she was yelling so loudly at her son who was probably 4 or 5 things not to do.  I just watched (like everyone else) and kissed my son on the forehead..."God please don't ever let that be me."

Being the shy person that I am I would never say anything to the woman, I know she was overwhelmed.  It doesn't excuse humiliating for son, or herself.   But I wanted to hug her little boy.  I never payed all that much attention to kids before I had one.  I would still be shocked by what that woman did but my motherly response to comfort her son first probably wouldn't have been so strong. My second thought was "maybe she needs some medication..." but that's a different post for a different day.

My son is still small but I know the time is swiftly approaching when I will be training him in right and wrong.  I don't ever want to be as that woman was with my son.  I want to hold the rule of "say 10 positive things for every one correction."  This is so critical.  I want him to be confident and secure in himself.  I want him to love himself and know that I love and respect him too.  On our daily walk I pray and pray for wisdom to be a good mother and to train him to grow and remain in the Lord. 

God, please be with all the overwhelmed mother's out there today.  Help them to realize that what they do and say has a great effect on their children. Amen

My favortie thing to do

My favorite thing to do is watch my son eat.  He makes the cutest faces...they change moment by moment.  So sweet, love my boy!

"Oh I enjoyed it all right"

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That's right I'll say it...I really enjoyed being pregnant.  I did enjoy it in a "hey there's a miraculous thing happening inside by body" way...but what I want to talk about is EATING.  Oh girl, I ate whatever I wanted when ever I wanted it.  It was bliss.  I am not naturally thin, never have been, never will be.  I have to watch what I eat or work out like crazy.  I've lost weight different ways...working out was not my favorite way.

Anyhow, here I am 10 months post baby and I don't know how much I weigh because I don't own a scale. (really I see no need to own a product made in the depths of hades) But I know that I am a certain size.  That size is not where I want to be.  So now I am paying the price for enjoying "eating for two."  I've been walking with Casey and it's nice and we enjoy getting out in the fresh air but frankly it does nothing for me in the weight loss department.  So after once again being uncomfortable about my body I made two decisions...

One:  I bought new clothes.  Honestly it became so frustrating to have all my old clothes right there in my closet and try a squeeze myself into them.  So I broke down and bought some new things, because I might as well feel good in what I'm wearing while I'm working on loosing weight.

Two:  This is the worst...I started to run.  I hate it.  I do.  But I've decided I'm walking anyways I need to kick it up a notch if I expect my body to respond.  It totally stinks.  But I have to accept that this is the body I have and I gotta work hard if I want it to change.

What I've learned:  Well next time around I want to do things different.  This is what I think about as I'm running, feeling like I'm gonna die, "Meg remember this next time your pregnant and want to eat whatever you want."  I'm determined to do things differently because I know that I'll pay the price for it later.  So for now I'm working on getting back to a size where I'm happy.

Overwhelming Anxiety, My Story

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Hey everyone! Today I'd like to share a little bit about what has happened to my body since having Casey.  We all know stories about women who experience postpartum depression, or maybe you have for yourself.  In my mind someone with postpartum depression was someone who couldn't get out of bed, had trouble connecting with their baby, very tired, etc.  Well I think instantly after having Casey my hormones hit my body like a ton of bricks.  I would describe it like having really bad PMS all the time.  I didn't have any trouble connecting with my baby and I would describe myself as happy and indeed I felt happy.  But my patience was short with others (mainly my husband) and social interaction was nerve wracking.  I didn't want to go anywhere not because I was fearful of protecting my new baby but because I would think about every possible thing that I needed or situations that could happen. My mind was on over-load.

Anyways I knew this wasn't normal.  I've always been a worry wart but my anxiety was overwhelming me so badly I felt like I was in smooth water swimming along and then all of the sudden I was in a current that I just couldn't keep up with and I felt like I was loosing it.  Still I felt fine with my son...bonded and I was happy to just stay home and be with him.  I just kept thinking "this is going to go away."  Well I knew that it had gotten out of hand when my brother and sister-in-law had invited us over for New Year's Eve.  I didn't want to go...I mean I was anxious about going to my brother's house...two people I am very close to.  We went and it was fine we had a good time but I knew that something was wrong with me and maybe it wasn't going away.

I have a history of depression in my family so I knew to be aware of things going on with myself.  It was hard for me because I never felt sad, I still have a hard time saying that I have postpartum depression...but it's good to know that there are different forms and I struggle with severe anxiety.  Anyways during this time my husband and I moved, Casey still wasn't sleeping very well, my hormones were hitting me hard...I called the doctor.  She put me on a low dose of Paxil.  It took a couple weeks for me to notice a difference but then I started to notice a big difference.  My mind calmed down...we could go out and I would sit in the car thinking "wow, my mind isn't racing about all the what if's." It was really good!  I felt free.

It was hard for me in the beginning to wrap my mind around taking medication.  But I think that God allows medicine for a purpose.  By his grace he has given us medicine to help us, to heal us, and I am thankful.  So this was new for me...all this is new for me...but I feel so much better...I just wanted to share my story.

  

Casey, My boy

Well the last time I posted Casey was only 6 months old...He's almost 11 but not quite.  So the past few months have gone by in a blur.  Casey is eating big boy foods, drinking only from a sippy cup, sleeping through the night (thank goodness!), and crawling super fast.  He's discovered his own communication style...screaming as loud as he can to expresses everything...excitement, frustration, whatever.  So I've been trying to give him words to pair with his feelings.  All in all he's a good little boy and we love him so much! 

Starting Fresh

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Hey everyone! I know it's been months since I've written anything and even longer since I've written faithfully...but now thanks to the help of my super talented Sister-in-law, Steph, and her amazing blog design, (and Casey finally taking consistent naps) I am finally ready to get back into the swing of things!


I've changed my Blog title to "All Things Made New" for various reasons. One is from this verse: 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

¹⁷ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

This verse exemplifies the promise that Our Father is working on us.  Which I feel like is a great thing to remember daily!  But other than that I just feel like "All Things Made New" is just the phrase that came to mind as I was trying to explain what's been going on in my life.  I'm a new mom...I literally didn't get a good night sleep for 8 months...and every little bit of what I am going through is uncharted territory for me.  Even working out what it means to be a wife/mom is new.  New, new new.  There is so much I want to share about what's been going on and I'm excited to jump back into the blogging world. I'm looking forward to sharing more soon!