Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

Wordless Wednesday

"Daddy, I'm going to eat your face." - Charlie

You are my I Love You!

We received this book at my baby shower and I still can't read it without crying but, it is a beautiful poem. I thought I would share since our baby boy will be FIVE MONTHS OLD on Monday!

You are my I love you

by Maryann K Cusimano

I am your parent, you are my child

I am your quiet place, you are my wild

I am your calm face, you are my giggle

I am your wait, you are my wiggle

I am your dinner you are my chocolate cake

I am your bedtime, you are my wide awake

I am your favorite book, you are my new lines

I am your nightlight, you are my sunshine

I am your lullaby, you are my peek-a-boo

I am your kiss goodnight, you are my I love you

7 Quick Takes

1- Yesterday, my great aunt at 96 years old went to be with our Lord. She is the last sibling in my grandfather's family and the last of that entire generation to return Home.

2- It must be incredible to be almost a century old. However, it must also be extremely sad to be the last of your friends to be living.

3- We really need to see family more often than at weddings and funerals. You should see the people you love while they are alive.

4- Family is important. This is one of the lessons I would like to teach Charlie.

5- I would love to see Charlie grow up and call his uncles just to chat. It would be wonderful for him to have a close relationship with my three brothers.

via

6- This makes me think that we need to have a family picture taken. We have several pictures of the three of us but it would be nice to have a professional portrait done.

7- The ladies over at Fine Linen and Purple will be hosting a link up titled: What I Wore Sunday. You are asked to link up your going to church outfit on Sunday night! I'm psyched to get some new church outfit ideas! I hope you'll link up too!

Why I love nights and weekends

I'm a stay at home mom and love spending time with my little guy during the day. However, I have begun to LOVE nights and weekends because the hubby is home. We've always had an equal partnership. This means we both handle our finances, our chores, and now our child. We don't have clearly defined jobs in our marriage but, I think it works because we both have a sense of what needs to be done.

The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone.
I will make a suitable partner for him."

-Genesis 2:18

I often think back to our PreCana classes, in particular when we were discussing the FOCCUS questionnaire. I found this questionnaire interesting because we scored exceptionally high. I was super proud of our perfect score in problem solving! I kind of feel like our team approach to all things marriage and family works because of our problem solving abilities.

On weekdays (and soon some weekends) when the hubby is at work, I feel like I am missing one of my arms or part of my brain. Some might say that's because I'm with an infant all day who babbles nonsense but, I honestly think it is because my partner, my equal, is not there with me. Two brains are absolutely better than one and. Four arms are absolutely better than two, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER!

God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.

In just two short years of marriage and four short months of being a parent, we are an inseparable team. The priest who presided over our wedding Mass spoke to us about how we should have a competition regarding who could love the other more not a competition as to who is more "right" or more "productive". He was absolutely right. Each day, the hubby and I do very different things. However, our goal is to do what is best for our family each and every day.

As I am writing this, I am reminded that while we are inseparable team that works together like a well oiled machine we do have disagreements. But, we do not allow these disagreements to break apart the team because we know that we both want what is best for our family. Of course, there are days when we go to bed angry because when you are tired isn't the best time to hash out something that requires careful thought and consideration for your partner. Just because you may go to bed angry doesn't mean that your spouse doesn't love you, in our house it mean that you love each other enough not to hurt the other by saying things that you don't mean because you are exhausted.

Having an infant, whose sleep schedule is sporadic at best, has definitely changed our relationship however, we are learning how to make our marriage stronger as a result.

Linking to: MercyINK and Cornerstone Confessions

Ten Things I'm Grateful For Thursday

A blogger friend of mine, Sarah, has set up a weekly link up for things you are grateful for:

1. My beautiful son who makes everyday worth living.

2. My loving, patient, and considerate husband - namely because I've been very sleep deprived and therefore not so nice to be around.

3. My supportive parents who couldn't be more generous

4. My in laws who will be coming up from MD for one day to spend it with Charlie

5. The ability to stay home with Charlie because of #s 2, 3, 4

6. My father's health - although fragile be is home with us instead of in the hospital

7. Medical professionals who are working tirelessly to try to encourage my father to take care of himself and his medical needs

8. The public library - they provide endless hours of free, wholesome entertainment for my family and employment for my mother

9. Generous, caring friends who give up their time off to visit with us and love on Charlie

10. The women of #CathSorority because without them I would be in the loony bin this week.

Mr. Bobbily Head

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

Mr. Bobbily Head

I love you

how could any

baby be so good

and so alert

and so sensitive

and so beautiful

Mr. Bobbily Head

Thank you so much

for being born

~Susan Polis Schutz

July 4, 1975

We took our little one to a local park yesterday. It was a lot of fun. As you can see, we took lots of pictures. The hubby found the above poem in a book called "Someone Else to Love." It reminds us so much of our little guy, especially when he tries so hard to hold his head up on his own. He enjoys his trips outdoors. Hopefully the weather holds up and we can get in a few more adventures before summer's end.

Cloth Diapering: Day 1

Today is the first official day of cloth diapering.

Stash: We have 8 flip covers, 4 bumkins covers, 1 govia cover, 2 bumgenius 4.0, 12 infant prefolds, 18 flip stay dry inserts.

LO has been in a flip cover with stay dry inserts since around ten this morning. So far so good. No leaks. No explosions. All is well. I'm not finding cloth diapering anymore difficult than using disposables. We will still use disposables when we go out and when he goes to bed for the night (at least for the time being). I'm too chicken to dive in head first.

Interestingly, the only difficulty I'm running into is where to put the disposable wipes. When using a disposable diaper, I would just put them in the soiled diaper as I used them and throw them out together. Now, without the disposable diaper, I need to find another solution. Clearly this is why many people who cloth diaper use cloth wipes as well because then they all just go into the same bag.

So, far I'm not sure how many diapers I'm going to go through in a day. I've been trying to change him about every 2 hours. (Now, he's throwing me for a loop with this spontaneous nap so, we'll see what happens.) I've planned for approximately 12 diapers a day.

We are going to use the rock n green detergent for the diapers for the time being. Namely because I know it won't ruin the diapers. As time goes on I'll look for more economical detergent. I was just having too much trouble sifting through all of the information out there.

Why am I trying to cloth diaper?

The first reason is it will save money in the long run. The side effect is that we will be making less trash. I don't like the way the natural diapers feel. It is kind of like wrapping him in a paper towel. So, this is better for the environment as well. The diaper covers and pocket diapers are so cute! I love the patterns and colors! (They are much more fun than the disposables.)

Where did I get my information?

FRIENDS! (Yes, I have several friends who CD.)
http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a16235/cloth_diapering
http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html
http://pinstripesandpolkadots.com/diaperrashcreams.htm
http://thecrunchywife.com/2012/06/how-to-cloth-diaper-prefolds.html

Where did I get my cloth diapering supplies?

www.cottonbabies.com
www.nickisdiapers.com
www.diapers.com

7 Quick Takes

-1-

Well, our little man is such a happy camper. He is thrilled with his house guest. He gets up every morning nice and early to get some play time in before Charlie's morning nap. I am amazed at how much Charlie seems to interact and play with his special guest.

-2-

Yesterday, the little guy and I went to Mommy & Me Yoga at one of the local libraries. (Yay for free activities!) The other mommies and I had a great time. Charlie enjoyed watching the other babies and even laughed a few times during the activities. It was nice to be out of the house for awhile. Two other moms invited us to join them for a music class on Monday so, we'll be heading back to the library again next week. It is nice to have some interaction with other parents.

-3-

Blogging has been put on the back burner this week since we have a house guest. I feel like it is more important to spend time with family.

-4-

I miss blogging when I can't get to it each day.

-5-

Charlie has made himself a little schedule. (Clearly, he is my son.) Due to the festivities over the weekend, he got all messed up with his naps and such. At least he seems to be back in the swing of things now...a week later.

-6-

I applied for a part time job this week shelving books at a local library. I haven't decided whether I hope I get it or not but, it would be good to have a little more income so things aren't so strapped.

-7-

This week I am reading:

How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm: And Other Adventures in Parenting (from Argentina to Tanzania and everywhere in between)

So far I'm about halfway through, I am finding it refreshing because I am someone who feels pressured to do "everything right", especially when it comes to Charlie. However, what I am quickly realizing is that, what is right when it comes to Charlie is what makes him happy and healthy. So what if he won't nap in a crib/pac n play/bassinet? If he naps on the couch/my bed/ in the Moby/ in my arms/ in the car/ in the stroller and he is happy, then I am doing a good job.

A Special Saturday for Charlie: Roman Catholic Baptism

Yesterday, our beautiful little boy was baptized during a private Mass. It was absolutely perfect. Charlie was so attentive and couldn't take his eyes off of Fr. Mike. Our little one knew that it was a special day for him. Mike told us that one of the greatest blessings a child could receive was from his/her parents. He encouraged us to trace a cross on Charlie's head each night before bed. Mike asked us to pray with Charlie and for Charlie as a family. (So, we'll still be searching for some family prayer resources!) It is heartwarming to know that Charlie was welcomed into the Catholic church and the Christian community at large with open arms.

One of the things that made the day so special was that my brother was in attendance and was able to serve the Mass, with his friend, for Charlie. My brother is also the little one's Godfather. Charlie is so taken with him. Before Thursday, he had only ever seen him on Skype. Right now, he loves looking at his Godfather and playing with his beard.

A few parents' prayers for their children:
O God the Father of mankind, who hast given unto me these my children, and committed them to my charge to bring them up for Thee, and to prepare them for eternal life: help me with Thy heavenly grace, that I may be able to fulfil this most sacred duty and stewardship. Teach me both what to give and what to withhold; when to reprove and when to forbear; make me to be gentle, yet firm; considerate and watchful; and deliver me equally from the weakness of indulgence, and the excess of severity; and grant that, both by word and example, I may be careful to lead them in the ways of wisdom and true piety, so that at last I may, with them, be admitted to the unspeakable joys of our true home in heaven, in the company of the blessed Angels and Saints. Amen.

O Heavenly Father, I commend my children to Thy care. Be Thou their God and Father; and mercifully supply whatever is lacking in me through frailty or negligence. Strengthen them to overcome the corruptions of the world, whether from within or without; and deliver them from the secret snares of the enemy. Pour Thy grace into their hearts, and strengthen and multiply in them the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit, that they may daily grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; and so, faithfully serving Thee here, may come to rejoice in Thy presence hereafter. Amen.

Here is a list of Parents' Prayers for your Children: