Where does the time go? Everyone says that as you get older time goes by faster, but I think watching your kids grow up is what makes it fly by. This last month I really feel like our little baby has started to become a little boy. When I snap a picture of him, or watch him master a new skill I can't help but picture him as a little baby all snuggled in my arms. I am starting to understand why my mom and dad still see me as there 'little' girl...it is hard and exciting to watch your little one grow up.
This last month I feel like every time I turned around, Blake was learning something new. Whether it is a fine motor skill, or learning a new word, he is always learning something. It has been so amazing to watch him become excited and proud when he masters something for the first time...makes his mom a little proud too. :)
Some of my favorite things he has accomplished this month are:
Using his walking toys, and running all over the place.
Asking to read his Bible each night by pointing and signing, "Please."
He says, "tickle, tickle," and he will tickle with your fingers.
He gives the best hugs and kisses. :)
When we pray he puts his hands together.
When he reads a book and closes it, he signs, "All done."
He says "hot" whenever he sees a fireplace or fire.
He can say "cat," but most animals are all still dogs.
When he picks up any phone, he puts it up to his ear to answer it.
He is a TALKER...all the time. He makes facial expressions and uses his hands while he 'talks.'
He is all about cars, books and stuffed animals...while driving he will tell me where each "car" is.
I love my busy little boy, and am so blessed to get to be his mommy. What an amazing honor to get to watch a tiny baby grow up into a little boy. Amazed at how the time has gone so fast, but so thankful for the time that I have with my sweet Blakers.
Sometimes as moms we fail. It's not that we want to get it wrong, but we do. Parts of today felt like one of those days. I so want to help my sweet little man to learn and grow, but might have pushed it too far...
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You see, Blake doesn't walk yet, and I am pretty sure that it's not that he can't walk, it is that he is just choosing not too. I am totally fine with this, and it really doesn't surprise me all that much considering that's been his personality his entire life. That beings said, I have been providing Blake with ample opportunities to learn and grow his "walking" skills.
Lately I have felt like we were getting closer, and make big strides in moving in a vertical manner. Blake enjoys walking holding onto one finger, and he also enjoys climbing the couch. Brilliantly I thought, "Let's combine the two, and see if he will walk from us to the couch." HE TOOK FOUR STEPS ON HIS OWN TO THE COUCH. My celebration should have stayed there, I should have accepted those amazing four steps and been good, but I wasn't satisfied.
* * *
I scooted back another couple feet, and helped Blake's momentum move forward. Blake's sweet toothy smile went forward, but I failed to calculate the fact that his head balance is still not so great...His sweet excited face rammed into the base of the couch. As if his stunned, silent screams weren't enough, his tiny nose started to bleed. My heart broke as he struggled to breathe through his tears.
I know that I didn't do it to him. I know also that I could not have predicted that would happen, but the guilt had already set in. The thing is, Blake didn't hold a grudge. In fact although I was the one that had set him up to ultimately get hurt, I was the one person that he wanted for comfort. He climbed up in my arms, and let me rock him until his tears and cries stopped.
* * *
As his body relaxed, I realized that sometimes Blake is going to fall and get hurt, but that I will be the one that he turns to as long as I am there to help him pick up the pieces. I also learned that when he is hurting, he isn't the only one that does, I do too. This mommy lesson was one that I wish I didn't have to learn. Poor little Blake now has two lumps on his forehead (from previous accidents) and how a cut and swollen nose...learning new things is hard to do. Thankful that tomorrow is a new day, and that I can get a fresh start.
Considering the fact that my "baby" is now almost 16 months old I thought it might be good to finally get some pictures of his room transformation. I figure that in the next few years it will change into a 'big-boy' room, so I wanted to make sure to document his nursery before anything changes.
* * *
I will admit...looking at the before pictures of his room, both Jason and I questioned why we bought our house in the first place...it needed some work and love that's for sure.
BEFORE
Blake's room was the first room in the house we wanted to make sure we got started on and finished...you can tell by my painting pictures that little Blake was going to be coming soon. :) If you have ever been pregnant and 'nested,' you know that this room might have been enough to send you over the edge. Eventually though we got it all done...not before he arrived though, since someone decided to come three-weeks early.
We literally ended up re-doing everything in the room. From new outlets, floor and window molding, carpet and paint, we worked hard to transform this dingy room into one that our sweet little boy could grow to love.
Painting the Stripes: Step 1: Tape out the correct widths for the stripes. Step 2: Use the original base color (gray) paint, and
paint over the tape side you are going to paint the new color (white). (See this step in the picture) This step
seals the tape line, so that when you remove the tape after painting you have a crisp line with little touch-ups needed.
Amazing time saver! Step 3: Then paint the
white on the other stripes. After it dries, touch up the paint
and carefully peal off the tape.
Building the window-seat was one of our goals for the spot in front of the window. Thankfully Jason's dad was able to help make it happen. I love this special touch to his room.
AFTER
Blake's favorite place in his room...Reading books and snuggling in the rocking chair.
While cleaning the house today a song came on that spoke directly to what I have been thinking about over the past few years. "While I'm Waiting," by John Waller, are lyrics to what my heart has been feeling.
"I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I'm HOPEFUL
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But PATIENTLY, I will wait."
The thing is, we all are waiting for something. Whether it is waiting for a job, marriage, children or a cure for pain, we all wait. So many of
my friends and family are waiting for the Lord to answer their hearts
desire. Prayers that are so selfless, and so in line with what is pure
and good. As people, it is hard to see why these prayers are not answered quicker, or even answered at all. I am starting to learn as I wait for His timing, His plan, that amongst the waiting, I don't have to wait to live for Him.
"I will move ahead, BOLD and CONFIDENT
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race Even while I wait."
The words, bold and confident, are so powerful. When we are wavering, He is strong. When we feel alone, He is there with His arms open. He is waiting for us to come to Him. My confidence does not need to stem from what I feel needs to happen, but rather, spring from what He is and has done in my life.
While I rest in His timing, and His plan, I should not wait then to serve and worship Him. All that surrounds me; my family, friends, home and health are all held together by Him.
His telling me to, "Wait," does not mean that He is silent,
it might just be that He is wanting me to stop and lean on Him.
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