A TSP OF THOUGHTS

Capturing Our Joy

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Mon, 04 May 2015 20:17:00 +0000

Wow...it's been a long time, huh? Honestly, every time I sit down to write on this little space of mine, I get distracted and end up doing something else entirely. So alas, I'm making the time!

It's been a fun few months for me as I've taken on my new hobby of photography. Rian got me a great book about photography for my birthday and I've really enjoyed reading through it during Hannah's naps (ha! Mom life :). At first I started off making my family endure all of my "photo shoots," but then I somehow convinced some sweet friends to be my guinea pigs. And then before I knew it, I was taking some really fun family photos!

I'm so grateful for Rian who has encouraged me and pushed me to keep at it. I'm also SO thankful to these sweet friends who put so much faith in me! It's a great feeling to have friends believe in you and even call you talented :) For now, I'm just doing it for fun and enjoying capturing our special moments of joy!

Here are some of my favorites from the past couple of months:

I have along overdue Hannah update, too. But the nap time is almost over and it's time to resume life! Until next time :)

Lately.

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 18:51:00 +0000

We've had a busy start to 2015, and it's been great. Hannah is thriving! At her 15 month visit Hannah clocked in at the 85th percentile for weight and 75th for height. We've got a healthy and strong girl on our hands!

More than anything, I've just enjoyed watching Hannah take it all in. She's a sponge at this age and it's been a privilege to follow her along.

I read an excerpt from a book the other day about how childhood is just so fleeting. As a mother, you strive for their happiness. Of course you want them to be healthy and strong. But today? Today, I will pray for inexplicable joy.

Reflection and Resolution: 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 19:24:00 +0000

In keeping with my blog tradition, I'm running through my annual reflection and resolution. Oh boy, 2014 really brought on the good times, didn't it? If you're shaking your head in disagreement, then to that I say "I'm sorry. I understand. And I hope 2015 is much better for you." I promise I can relate, seeing as how 2012 was one of the hardest years of my life. See HERE.

We had a great Christmas in Las Vegas with my family. Granted we all got super sick with a stomach virus (yes, that would be the SECOND Christmas in a row for me...), we were still thankful to be together as a family. But as we were driving home, Rian and I had a great conversation about our favorite moments of 2014 and our hopes for 2015. It's fun to look ahead. There's something special about January and the possibility to start fresh and renew.

I will always remember in 2014 that I:

- Started off the year with a nice visit from my Dad and Mary to meet our little Hannah. (January)
- Went on our epic Texas vacation for Becca's wedding in Houston! We also got to stop in Waco for a fun visit and rounded off the trip with an awesome stay with my mom and John. (March)
- Celebrated Hannah's first Easter with Rian's parents at our wonderful church. (April)
- Took Hannah on her first beach trip to Rockaway Beach. (July)
- Left Hannah for the first time for my girls' beach weekend. (August)
- Started the River Bible Study at church. We are studying the Life of David and it's been an incredible journey. (September)
- Participated in the SPROUTS ministry at church for the second year. (October)
- Celebrated Hannah Joy's FIRST birthday! (October)
- Took Hannah on her first Trick-Or-Treating adventure. She was the sweetest bumblebee you ever did see :) (October)
- Enjoyed a fun-filled Thanksgiving week with my mom and John here in Portland. (November)
- Welcomed three new babies into our lives! Lainey (September), Adeline (December) and Asher (December)
- Celebrated the holiday season with about 38485 million Christmas events. And loved every single one. (December)
- Successfully completed a four day road trip to Las Vegas to visit the Parker family for Christmas. (December)

In 2015, I will resolute to:

- Volunteer more at church.
- Get Hannah plugged into a preschool for when she turns two.
- Remain diligent with our finances and budget.
- Continue to invest in friendships- they sustain me!
- Live more simply (i.e. getting by with less, spending less on ourselves, de-cluttering).
- Continue to Skype with my mom :)
- Read to Hannah at least once every day. It's easy to just let her play with books, but then I forget to actually read them to her...
- Serve my home with a happy heart. I so often get grumbly with my day-to-day tasks, but serving my family with gratitude is the same as serving the Lord. And I believe that it makes Him happy to see me serve with a gracious heart.
- Invest time, effort and love on my THREE friends who are engaged and getting married in 2015 (early 2016)!

Previous reflections and resolutions:
2010
2011
2013

Christmas 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 00:37:00 +0000

Joy to the world! The Lord is come

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven, and heaven and nature sing!

Hannah's Dedication

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 00:26:00 +0000

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

On December 7th we dedicated our Hannah Joy to our church and to the Lord. We were (and frankly, still are) in awe of how many friends and family came out to support Hannah on her special day.

We have been blessed with a church home we love and we are so grateful that Hannah will be raised in the loving arms of not just her Savior, but also River West.

Thank you again to everyone who attended (special shout out to Andy & Rebecca for serving in childcare that morning and Whitney & Stephen who were unfortunately sick). To those that couldn't make it but prayed for us, thank you. We felt your prayers and your love.

Hannah's Verse

Making Some Room on the Couch

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 04:38:00 +0000

“Perhaps we don't like what we see: our hips, our loss of hair, our shoe size, our dimples, our knuckles too big, our eating habits, our disposition. We have disclosed these things in secret, likes and dislikes, behind doors with locks, our lonely rooms, our messy desks, our empty hearts, our sudden bursts of energy, our sudden bouts of depression. Don’t worry. Put away your mirrors and your beauty magazines and your books on tape. There is someone right here who knows you more than you do, who is making room on the couch, who is fixing a meal, who is putting on your favorite record, who is listening intently to what you have to say, who is standing there with you, face to face, hand to hand, eye to eye, mouth to mouth. There is no space left uncovered. This is where you belong.”-- Sufjan Stevens

I'm so thankful for you, Rian.

We Go Well Together

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 03:27:00 +0000

Today I took a walk around my neighborhood and soaked in the last bits of fall. Between wind storms and occasional rain, the glorious leaves have all but disappeared.

It was a great season (as it always is), and it reminded me of one of the biggest truths in my life: we go well together. Sorry Rian, this love note isn't to you. It's to the one who has actually been with me longer. Who held my hand during my first rainy season and showed me how beautiful a daily sprinkle can really be. To the one who introduced me to all four seasons. To the one who showed me how good a craft beer can be and that organic food doesn't have to be pompous. This letter is to the one who said "I'm worth it. Take that leap of faith. Come to me!"

And seven years ago I did just that. And seven years later I am still enamored.

Here's to you OREGON. I am so utterly and completely in love with you.

Glorious Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:14:00 +0000

I wait all year for these three months: September, October and November. I love the changing of seasons. I love the cool mornings of September that eventually turn into cool days of October. I even love the cold nights of November.

Some people love the sunshine and warm days. I love the drizzle and overcast skies. I love jackets and flannel sheets. I moved to Portland knowing the majority of my days would be gloomy. But I thrive off of gloomy. When the skies are dark, my spirit is bright. Some people don't understand this. But that's OK- I don't really understand the love for hot summer days. To each his own, right?

So now that we have embarked on my favorite season, I've been sure to fill our calendar with as many special activities as possible.

First up, a visit to the Pumpkin Patch.

Next up:
- Harvest Festival at our church
- Trick or Treating a the library
- Pumpkin carving at home
- Trick or Treating FO REALZ in the neighborhood with BFF Callie (and the red wagon, of course.)

Hannah Joy Turns One!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 04:32:00 +0000

We had such a fun time celebrating Hannah's first birthday with friends and family. I'd love to tell you all about it, but I really think the beautiful pictures that our dear friend Annie took tell the story much better than I could:)

Thank you so much to everyone who came out and helped us celebrate Hannah Joy's first year!

Hannah Joy: 12 Months

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 04:18:00 +0000

Hannah Joy is ONE! What an incredible, life-altering year this has been for all of us. No doubt our lives are so much fuller now. We've been through so many ups and downs this past year- but in the end all I really see is JOY. Joyful memories, joyful family and friends, joyful moments together as a family. Thank you to everyone that has loved us and supported us on this crazy journey. We love you and we are grateful for you!

And now, for my last monthly update!

At 12 months, Hannah...

- Walks everywhere! And she does it quite well :) She's an independent kid- walking herself into nursery at the church, walking away from her parents when they are holding her hands and even walking OVER the dogs at home.

- Attends nursery 2-3 times a week now. On Tuesdays she's with the babies while I am at The River Bible Study, every other Thursday she is with the 1s during Sprouts and every Sunday she's with the 1s for church! All of these activities take place at our church and I am SO grateful for a safe and loving environment that I trust for Hannah. So depending on the week, she's either in nursery for four or six hours. This is a HUGE blessing for us- especially as a SAHM. I think it's important for Hannah to be exposed to other children and a variety of caregivers.

- Always gets "As" from her nursery teachers! I'm sure this sounds super braggy, but she really does get so much praise every time I go to pick her up. She's just genuinely happy 99% of the time and thankfully hasn't exhibited any separation anxiety when I drop her off.

- Though speaking of the 99% of the time happiness...she has started a new habit of mini-tantrums. This technically started AFTER her birthday, but I still feel the need to post it here for full disclosure ;) She's definitely NOT a perfect baby! haha

- Is starting to drop to one nap a day. It's been a tough transition- so here's to hoping it gets easier.

- Still pretty much hates finger foods. If it's pureed, she'll eat it. If not, good luck :( Since she weighed in at 22.5 lbs (84th percentile!) at her one year appointment, our pediatrician brushed off my concerns about her eating woes. She advised me to simply continue to put food on her tray every meal and let her go from there. So that is what we will continue to do. (And yes, I still struggle with the fact that she's a picky eater...but that's something I need to work on.)

- Has grown out of 12 month clothes and only fits in 18 month now. Yikes! Where did my little baby go?

- Now drinks whole cows milk. Our breastfeeding journey has officially ended! I'm so proud and grateful that we made it a full year. It was an incredibly positive experience for us and I'm immensely thankful that it went so smoothly.

- Enjoyed her first Oktoberfest in her traditional Dutch wear :)

- Plays hide-and-seek by herself in her tent :) And it's adorable!

- LOVES her friends! She's at the age now where she can really interact and enjoy their company. It's such a blessing to have fun friends in our lives!

- Has six teeth and is working on her seventh! It's been a bit of a tough time with number seven...so lots of cuddles have been going on over here!

Some favorite pictures of Hannah at 12 months:

Hannah Joy: 11 Months

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 15:00:00 +0000

I think it's safe to say that this past month has been BY FAR the busiest month we've had since having Hannah. And while we've enjoyed the fun weekends, we will certainly have no regrets when the summer comes to a close- and I'm looking forward to that :)

At 11 months, Hannah...

- No longer nurses. The week before I went away on my weekend trip with friends, Hannah was becoming increasingly fussy with nursing. It was a struggle each time and she repeatedly let me know that she was annoyed. I would then end up pumping and giving her a bottle. But I didn't think much of it since she was also getting some teeth and has 99% of the time been a great nurser. Fast forward to the week after my trip, Hannah REFUSED nursing all out. Again, I figured this was a combination of teething and because she was getting bottles all weekend with Daddy and just got used to it. Well, the final straw was the next weekend when we were in Klamath Falls. At this point my supply was already going down quite a bit since I was pumping so much more than nursing. We arrive in Klamath without any of our freezer stash and Hannah goes on an all out nursing strike. So I pump what I can and we bite the bullet and buy our first can of formula. We then begin the process of pumping exclusively and supplementing when we have to.

SO IN CONCLUSION (this is so long)- Hannah now only takes a bottle. Am I sad? A little bit. Was it hard to start supplementing with formula? You betcha. Is pumping a total pain? YES. But I'm grateful that at this rate we will still make it to the one year mark for breastfeeding. While I wish I had known that the last time she nursed was actually the LAST time, all in all this has been positive for all of us. Formula is a wonderful gift and Hannah is thriving with her bottles of formula/breastmilk. Our journey continues! At least until the next month :)

{Look what happens now! Rian can put Hannah to bed!}

- Hannah got her top two teeth! They popped through at the same time when we were in Klamath Falls. Now the other two flanking the top ones are coming in as well. As predicted, teeth are all coming in at once. Thankfully, other than the nursing strike, she's been doing really well.

- Had a really fun visit to Klamath to celebrate Opa's birthday and spend time with friends.

- Celebrated BFF Callie's first birthday! And Bryann's 30th ;)

- Helped us host Wine and Dine at our home. This worked out so well because once it was time for Hannah to go to bed, everyone just relocated to the back porch. Thankful for a pleasant summer evening and the friends that shared it with us!

- Went to her first Fall Pick-Up Picnic at Stoller (our wine club membership). It was fantastic! They had a mariachi band, taco bar, tastings, helicopter rides (no, we passed on that one) and a beautiful chunk of land with plenty of trees for a lovely picnic.

- Had a fun visit with Uncle Daniel and Aunt Jessica. We went to the zoo and even got to experience our first trip to Benihana to celebrate Uncle Dan's 30th!

- Went on her first swing! Thanks to Logan and Emily for a super fun day at the park.

- Enjoyed a Labor Day "Staycation" at home which included indoor swimming and a trip to the vineyards.

- And last but certainly not least...TOOK HER FIRST STEPS!!!! This was so exciting! Hannah has been showing signs that she's interested in walking for a while now. She's been getting sturdier with her standing and occasionally leaning as though she'll walk. Then on the 1st while she was pushing her walker, she simply stopped and walked right toward Rian. We didn't get it on video, but I guess that really just means that we were both present and in the moment. I'm forever grateful that both Rian and I got to see it happen together. What a special milestone!

Some favorite pictures at 11 months:

Hannah Joy: 10 Months

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 15:00:00 +0000

What a fun month we've had! After the month of sickness (i.e. June), we were finally able to get outside more and truly enjoy the Portland summer these past four weeks. Every day brings a new adventure for us and Hannah is taking it all in stride. As the months start to pile up, Hannah's personality is really shining through and we are continually grateful for her joyous spirit and interactive nature.

At 10 months, Hannah...

- Has learned how to clap! She's quite proud of herself when she does it, too. But she will get upset if she looks at you while clapping and you aren't clapping.

- Got her second tooth! It's right next to her front one. This is exciting since she's now still only up to two teeth. Ha!

- Visited her great aunts, uncles and cousins in Washington. We were so grateful to Rian's family for coming in from all over Washington to spend the day with us at Aunt Dawn's home in Chehalis.

- Celebrated her first 4th of July with friends here in Tigard. We walked down to the high school football field for the fireworks but ended up leaving about an hour before they started. I mean...it was realllly past bedtime ;) But we learned that A) Hannah sleeps through fireworks pretty well and B) We can see the fireworks from our front yard! Perhaps next year we'll do a block party :)

- Took her first dip in the pool! My mom got her this adorable inflatable pool that we used on the 4th. It was nice and hot outside, so she really enjoyed the swim.

- Had her first trip to the beach! We rented Kristi's family beach house in Rockaway Beach the last weekend in July and had the BEST time. The weather was perfect. The house was so great for all of us (including the dogs). And Hannah flippin' LOVES the beach. She got so frustrated when we picked her up off the sand! I'm so grateful that our trip went so well and that we were able as a family to have a successful mini-vacation.

- Went on numerous visits to the zoo! First we went with dear friends Rebecca & Kaylee, next with our buddy Logan and his awesome Nanny Emily, and then Rian and Bryann took Hannah and Callie while the mommies were away at Girls Weekend :) We are so thankful to Rian's parents for our family zoo membership. We've already gotten such great use out of it.

- Rode in her first limo while touring the Stoller Vineyard. We've only been members since May, but we've already been SO many times. We are so happy with our wine club membership to Stoller and look forward to many more baby-friendly events. (Which is awesome because they are ALL baby friendly.)

- Celebrated Clara's first birthday! Can't believe the first B-52 is already a TODDLER. Crazy how quick it's all going by.

- Went on dozens of walks. Since I was finally feeling well enough to get back into our walking routine, Hannah and I were able to log in a total of 26 miles for the month of July. I love our walks together and I'm proud of that number! Whether it's with friends (we've been able to walk with some sweet friends from church) or walking by myself (I love jamming to some SP), it's been a positive thing that we do on a routine basis. Plus, we live in a beautiful city with some great views.

- And lastly, this month Hannah spent her first-ever night away from me. Actually, two nights! Months ago Kristi organized a girls' weekend getaway at the beach house. Initially I figured it wouldn't be possible for me to go. I was (and still am) breastfeeding, so I didn't think I'd be able to leave her for an entire weekend. But as our freezer stash started to pile up and with lots of prompting from Rian, I finally agreed to go. And I am SO thankful that I did! It was an awesome weekend with my friends and a great break from my daily grind. Rian did amazingly well alone and I'm now more confident about leaving her in the future. Of course I missed her and pumping wasn't particularly fun, but the break was much-needed and so very good for the soul.

Phew! See what I mean? July was a busy and fun month!

Some more pictures of Hannah at 10 months:

Hannah Joy: 9 Months

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 18:00:00 +0000

A bit of a preamble here...
This was a tough month for me personally. While Hannah continued to thrive and hit milestones, I was only healthy for nine (yes, nine!) total days in June. I was hit hard twice by two completely different sicknesses. Each time I was out for about a week and a half. It was heartbreaking and extremely frustrating to be so ill and unable to just be myself. Rian and I had multiple conversations as to how I could better take care of myself. I already eat well and exercise every day, but something just wasn't adding up. So we decided that Rian will now start helping me with night shifts for Hannah. It will mean more pumping for me during the day (since Rian will have to thaw a bottle for her at night), but the trade off is SO VERY worth it. Bottom line: I'm not getting enough sleep and it's wearing me down and leaving me susceptible to every nasty bug that I come in contact with. I'm thankful for this change and I know it will be a great thing for not just me but also my family :)

At nine months, Hannah...

- Can pull herself into a sitting position AND standing position! Though both of these new skills have been making bedtime a bit tricky...but she's super proud of herself and basically wants to practice standing all day long.

- Went on her first trip to the zoo! We had so much fun celebrating Father's Day as a family at the Oregon Zoo. Rian's parents generously gifted us a zoo membership, so we look forward to going many more times.

- Has started finger foods. It was a struggle for a while there to get her to actually pick up food and eat it. But thanks to some tasty puffs and yogurt melts, I think she's finally getting the hang of self-feeding.

- Still enjoys chasing the dogs around the house. Typically her favorite place to be is wherever the boys are.

- Got a remodeled playroom! Rian and I are quite proud of this room. It went from being overcrowded and unsafe to baby-friendly and roomy! It was fun to have a vision for a room for Hannah and then see it come to life. We hope this is a space she can learn, play and grow in for a very long time.

- Constantly babbles. Favorite "words" are baba, dada, blah blah blah. And yes, I swoon over her every time she says them. #firsttimemom

- Started Skyping with my mom. It's been so fun for Hannah to get to see my mom more and more this way. Thank God for technology and our ability to be close even when we are physically so far apart.

- Celebrated the gender reveals of two new Portland babies! Friends Annie & Aaron are having another baby GIRL and friends Paul & Rachel are having a baby BOY! This was such an exciting time for us and our wonderful group of friends. It's been fun "explaining" to Hannah that she will have two new friends in December. I can't wait to watch all these babies grow up together. What a blessing it is to have such a close-knit community.

- Proudly supported Holland in the World Cup! As we've mentioned dozens of times, we are a proud Dutch-American family. It's been fun to cheer on Holland and the U.S. But now that the U.S. is out, we have all of our efforts focused on Team Oranje! Thanks to our family in Holland for sending this adorable shirt for Hannah. And yes, she wears it for every game :)

- Got her first tooth! We were really starting to wonder if we'd hit 12 months before we ever saw one! But right at the beginning of the month a little tooth popped up front and center on the bottom row. It's super cute and we love making her smile extra big just so we can sneak a peek of it.

- Had a fun visit with Oma and Opa. We went to the vineyards and hit up the Tigard Festival of Balloons. It's always a fun weekend when the grandparents are in town to play with us and spoil us! :)

Some favorite pictures of Hannah at 9 months:

{Baby jail with Callie}

Hannah Joy: 8 Months

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 16:29:00 +0000

Just like everyone has said to me, it really does just keep getting better and better. I have really loved this stage that Hannah has been in. She is so interactive and really seems to be present with us more than ever before. It's a joy to watch her explore and develop new skills and I am continually thankful for her easy-going and jovial nature.

At 8 months, Hannah...

- Is officially crawling! I feel like we didn't spend too much time just sitting up. Hannah wants to MOVE! Which of course means massive child-proofing around our home now. But hey, it's so much fun to see her exploring the world around her.

- Can hold her own water cups. This is an exciting milestone when you're 8 months old ;)

- Joined us on multiple trips to the Dundee/Dayton vineyards. We're teaching her early about the importance of good wine :)

- Got her first two colds. I can actually trace them back to the two specific occasions when she got them, too. The first cold was at the beginning of May when we attended our first Gymboree music class and the second was after our first visit to the church nursery. Ha! There's definitely a connection there. But it's OK, she needs to get exposed to these little colds to build up her immunity. Since she isn't in daycare, it's also good for her to be exposed to other children more and more.

- Speaking of church, Hannah had her first visit to the church nursery! This was a huge milestone for both of us. For most this may not seem like a big deal at all, but it was the first time we've left her with anyone other than grandparents or close friends. Rian and I had talked about doing it for a while, but never felt like it was exactly the right time. Finally, after countless sermons spent in the community room, we felt like we were ready to worship in the sanctuary and let Hannah play without having to be shushed or pacified. It worked out SO well and we are SO thankful for the loving staff at our church. I was sad to not have her in my arms during service, but truly loved being able to sit and focus through the whole service with Rian. When I went to pick up Hannah she was so smiley and happy! Total win-win.

- Loves going on walks to Cook Park. It's about a 3 mile walk round trip and we both love the exercise and sunshine. Hannah especially enjoys when I pack the picnic blanket and crawls all around under the beautiful trees. I try to go about four times a week.

- Moved into 9 month clothes. While some of the 6 month clothes still fit, the majority of what she wears now is 9 months. She's simply getting too long!

- Started a "mommy mommy mommy" phase. She gets in moods where she pretty much ONLY wants me. No one can console her. (see below) She doesn't really scream or cry hard, but just gets angry enough for me to intervene. But we are working on separation and handing her off to as many friends (and Daddy!) as possible. Also, I think the nursery time at church is helpful for this.

- Jumped up to the 52nd percentile for weight! We had a doctor's appointment to check on her cold and they did a weight check. A whopping 18 pounds! We are so happy to see her thriving.

- Learned how to wave :)

- Suffered through a bit of a sleep regression. This was not nearly as bad as it was at four months, but she started waking about 2-3 times a night (which is pretty brutal for me since I'm still breastfeeding). Everything we've been told is that this is very common as babies start to learn new skills (i.e. crawling) and also become more aware of object permanence (where did mommy go after she fed me?). Thankfully, this seems to have passed. *crossing our fingers*

Some favorite pictures of Hannah at 8 months:

Thoughts on Pregnancy/Postpartum Weight

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Wed, 21 May 2014 18:34:00 +0000

I was one of those lucky women during pregnancy that gained virtually no weight. Yes, my belly expanded, but the number on the scale barely rose. When I went into labor I was approximately 18 pounds heavier than the day I found out I was pregnant.

Now, I can take some credit for this. I was extremely careful about what I ate and I walked a lot (when I had the energy). But it also helped that I craved super healthy foods like avocados, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt and pineapple and during my first trimester anything that was even remotely sweet made me run the other way.

So yes, I can take credit for that. But as any mother will tell you, there is so much that is out of your control. I can toot my own horn for my low weight gain, but so much of that was dumb luck. The way I carried Hannah, the foods I craved, her overall size, how I retained fluids, etc. was pre-determined from the get-go. Please always remember to extend grace to those mamas that struggled with a lot of weight gain during pregnancy. So much of it is not only out of their control, but often exactly what they needed for their pregnancy. Which is why I still cringe when I hear people remarking on mothers and their subsequent weight gain/weight loss. I mean honestly...what do they know?

And why do I care so much? Because after I had Hannah is when my weight struggles surfaced. I was a ravenous breastfeeding mama who literally ate everything in sight. The same sweets that made me cringe in the beginning were basically calling my name morning, noon and night. I struggled for those first three months to find a balance between filling myself up, but not on total crap. All the healthy foods that I chowed down on for 9 months were now completely unappealing compared to pumpkin muffins, ice cream and grilled cheese sandwiches. And if it was easy to grab and eat, it was the perfect food. Because let's face it, breastfeeding those first couple of months is freaking HARD and when you have the appetite of a professional football player, food is food. So, please always remember to extend grace to those mamas that struggled with weight gain AFTER they have their baby.

My point of all of this? I guess I've just been thinking lately about what I want to teach Hannah about this time of my life. I'm happy to say that I've now got my weight back under control- lots of walking, healthy eating (for the most part-ha!) and portion control. But I don't have any regrets about those first few months. And I want my daughter to know that. I want any woman that is struggling with any sort of weight issue surrounding pregnancy and motherhood to know that. I was able to carry my baby girl for 9+ months and then supply her with her sole source of nutrition. And because of that, I'm extending myself grace.

And I really do love this body of mine.

Thoughts on Mother's Day: 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Thu, 08 May 2014 19:15:00 +0000

I make dinner for my family every evening. There are a few (very rare) occasions when we eat out, but it's safe to say that 95% of our dinners take place in our dining room. Thankfully, I really enjoy cooking for my little family. I do not, however, enjoy the clean up. And if you do the math, that's a lot of dinners and a lot of clean up.

After dinner, Rian takes Hannah up for a bath and I clean up. It's a routine we started a while ago and it just stuck. Every time the food on our plates begins to magically disappear, I know the dreaded dish washing is around the corner. And can I just say that it's amazing how a meal that took so long to prepare can be devoured and over so quickly? sigh

So while I'm downstairs lamenting the end of our meal, I often hear Rian and Hannah getting ready for bath time. I hear giggling and splashing. I hear stories being read and squeals of a baby that loves to be in the water. And I long to be there. Because you know what? Even though I am with Hannah all the time, I truly hate the silence that fills the room when she leaves. My heart longs to be near hers.

There are long days in our home. Days when being a mother is hard. Exhausting. Demanding. Genuinely frustrating. But no matter the day, once Hannah is unsnapped from that high chair seat and carried upstairs, it's as though the life of the home has shifted and the downstairs becomes so very quiet. And in that brief moment of transition, I feel an emptiness. I feel a sadness for the silence and forget why I was ever craving it.

So I guess this is all to say...this is what motherhood is to me. Being around your child all day, every day, and still aching to hear every splash and giggle. Racing through the dishes so you can climb the stairs and catch a few more smiles and laughs before she nods off for the night. It's a never-ending desire to love.

Thank God for the privilege of motherhood.

Hannah Joy: 7 Months

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Sat, 03 May 2014 22:18:00 +0000

We have had such a fun month of milestones and growth. We've enjoyed an unseasonably warm April, which meant lots of fun activities outside. Hannah is generally a happy baby and we are so grateful for her cheery disposition. It's hard to believe our baby girl is seven months old!

At seven months, Hannah...

- Is sitting up on her own! This was something we've been really looking forward to. I can put her down now and she is finally strong and sturdy enough to sit up. She's enjoying playing so much more now that she's reached this milestone.

- Can move around pretty well. She's not crawling yet, but she scoots herself back with ease. The time has come for constant monitoring :)

- Had to have her crib dropped to the lower setting. Because of this:

- Enjoys eating lots of new foods. We've been fortunate when it comes to eating. Hannah likes everything she tries. Breast milk is still her main source of nutrition, but the new foods have been a fun addition for her. And on that note, I'm still very thankful that she breastfeeds like a champ.

- Got her last round of shots until her 12 month appt. (This is nice since our 9 month appt will be a bit easier!)

- Spends a lot of her time petting her puppies. It's the cutest thing ever.

- Had her first visit to the Tulip Festival. Her Dutch family was pleased :)

- Attended her first birthday party for her sweet friend Lily at the Portland Children's Museum.

- Celebrated her first Easter with her Oma and Opa Schlyper.

- Attended her first Gymboree class! We have started once a month music classes and they have been so much fun.

- Can now sit up in a high chair at restaurants. This opens up a whole new world to us!

- Experienced her first picnic at the Rose Gardens.

Some favorites from seven months:

Thoughts on Being a SAHM

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Thu, 01 May 2014 16:44:00 +0000

Since it's been seven months now, I figured it's time I put ~~pen~~ keyboard to ~~paper~~ screen about my thoughts on being a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom).

Like most new experiences, relationships and jobs, it took a lot of adjustment in the beginning. Since I graduated in 2007, I always held my identity in my work. I enjoyed the office environment, completing tasks, having tangible goals, interacting with co-workers and being held accountable for my work. Mainly because I was (typically) quite proud of my work. My last job gave me immense satisfaction and I frequently came home feeling accomplished and happy.

At first, I thought being a full-time mom was NOTHING like this. And after months of comparing, I started to see this from a different perspective. My office environment is what I make it; it can be my home (on days that we struggle to nap, aren't feeling well, etc. and just can't get it together to leave the house), but it can also be time at our church, the park, friends' homes, the mall, Gymboree and even the backyard.

To stay sane, I assign myself certain tasks each day of the week. Yes, they are different from my previous tasks, but tasks they are nonetheless. I have given myself more grace when it comes to goals. For example, last week my goal was to play with Hannah uninterrupted for 30 straight minutes (a struggle when you're a busy body and want to multi-task), introduce Hannah to two new foods and pump four days (our freezer stash is abysmal). Yes, these goals may be laughable to some. But they are very real goals of my job and I find that setting them helps me to achieve them.

Interacting with my co-worker can sometimes be a strain. She can sometimes kick me while I'm changing her, scream during Sprouts and force us to leave early, be unreasonably fussy and have giant, monster poops that she proceeds to roll around in on her changing table. But, I can't think of a better person to "work" with every day than my daughter. For all the times we struggle, there are far more that we enjoy.

But above all, being accountable for my work is by far the most important. I have never once (even in the early days) underestimated my responsibility and value of my work. I am raising a human being. I am accountable for not just her basic needs every day, but also her emotional well-being and stability. It is my job to raise a girl that knows she is safe and loved. Like all parents (working away from home or at home), this is a mighty responsibility. I feel lucky to be trusted with it.

So yes, the specifics of my day have changed dramatically, but the same principles still apply. At least that's how I see it.

So, seven months into my new gig I'm happy to report that I am loving my new job. I am thankful that I have this opportunity. This was a decision Rian and I both wanted. And while we saved and saved and saved for this time of our lives, clearly it wasn't just our savings that enabled this lifestyle change. Rian is the hardest working man I know and I'm proud of what he does. I'm thankful that I have accepted this change in family dynamic quicker than I thought I would. I am thankful that I find joy and satisfaction in my day-to-day life. This job isn't for everyone- I totally understand that. I'm just thankful that it ended up being for me.

Easter 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 16:41:00 +0000

"A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act."

We had a truly joyous Easter! Rian's parents came in town and we enjoyed some beautiful spring weather. This Easter I am particularly thankful for our baby girl (of course!) and a church home that we love.

Play Pals

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 18:42:00 +0000

Oh how sweet it is to finally be at the age where we can play with friends. And look who is SITTING ALL ON HER OWN! My baby is growing up so fast.

{Please ignore my really white leg in the background.}

{Hannah is still a little wobbly. ha!}

Hannah Joy: 6 Months

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 15:47:00 +0000

We made it! We did it! We are finally there! That magical 6 month mark! I've been told over and over again that it gets so much better once you hit this major milestone. Babies are stronger, less fragile and more interactive. And for us, this has absolutely been the truth. It's been a lot of work to get here, but every bit has been so very worth it. What a ride it's been to get to our half birthday :)

At 6 months, Hannah...

- LOVES HER TUMMY! Folks, we definitely have a tummy sleeper. I can barely make it out of her room before she's rolled over onto her tummy in her crib. I still put her to sleep on her back, but then I turn around and poof she's on her tummy.

- Rolls everywhere. Whether she's on her owl blanket, play mat or crib, she is rolling all over the place. Rian and I were watching some the NCAA basketball tournament in the family room and Hannah was on her mat playing. Before we knew it she had rolled almost across the room. Lesson learned: we need to start paying more attention. We have a mobile baby!

- Has started to "blow raspberries." I use quotes because she's horribly and hilariously bad at it. It typically results in her just spitting in my face over and over. But she's super proud of herself when she does it so we always clap and cheer when it's all over :) And the wipe our faces...haha

- Loves to look at herself in the mirror. Before bath time Rian will get her down to just a diaper and let her "stand" on the bathroom counter and just giggle and smile at herself.

- Travels in the Ergo everywhere. I much prefer the Ergo to the stroller and wear her every possible place I can. We didn't even bring the stroller to Texas.

- Speaking of Texas...Hannah had her first visit to my home state! As I posted earlier, we had a wonderful visit with friends and family for 10 days. The weather was beautiful and our travel plans went without a hitch- thank you Lord!

- Flew for the first time! Yes, we were those parents that arrived 2 hours early to each flight. But hey, we were super prepared and it paid off. We had travel sanitizing wipes to clean off our seating area so Hannah could flail about freely. But really, she ended up sleeping for most of the 4 hours flight each way (in the Ergo of course!). When she was awake she was either playing or nursing. No exaggeration, she did so well.

- Slept in her first hotel! We had a pack n' play shipped to our hotel and took it to all of our destinations around Texas. She did great! I was the most nervous about this since I had no idea how she'd sleep in a new environment and a new crib. I don't know how to say this without sounding braggy...but truly she just traveled like a rock star. I think 50% of it was planning ahead and 50% is having an easy going baby :)

- Enjoys new foods. Peas, carrots, apples, bananas...bring it on!

- Breastfeeds like a champ.

- Actually cares about toys now. There's now a genuine interest in her toys. Particular favorites are the seahorse and monkey from Grammy Kim, rings and Sophie the Giraffe.

- Loves her puppies. She's truly aware of their presence and constantly tries to roll to them. Any time they are in the room, her eyes will follow their every move.

Some favorite pictures from this month:
(most pictures were already posted in my Texas update)

Cherry Blossoms

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 17:53:00 +0000

We get it every year. That one glorious weekend in Portland when it seems as though spring has officially arrived. Every Portlander knows that it's only temporary. But however fleeting it may be, it's still an unspoken obligation to get out and enjoy it while you can.

As for me and my family, we spent most of it inside with colds watching the beautiful sun shining through slits in the blinds. My heart ached to step outside and be healed by the fresh, warm air. But my body slumped on the couch surrounded by a sea of tissues.

Then, just when all hope was breezing past us, I got my energy back. Just in time for a Sunday afternoon stroll downtown to soak in the breathtaking cherry blossoms that were perfectly in bloom.

May we never take for granted the beautiful seasons we've been gifted with. And the ability to share them for the first time with our baby girl.

The Great State of Texas

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:00:00 +0000

Our little family had the privilege (woo woo!) of spending 10 days in the great state of Texas at the beginning of March. We were planning to visit this year no matter what, but when we were invited to Becca's wedding in Houston on March 8th it made sense to make the most of our trip and see/do as much as possible.

We started our trip by flying into Houston for the wedding. It was wonderful to be able to see my best friends all in one place again. Becca's entire wedding weekend was incredible. Every little detail reflected a sincere love of all things Texas, each other and the Lord. What a blessing it is to find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. And what a blessing for my family that we got to share in all the joy :)

{Getting some much-needed cuddles after a long day of travel from Auntie Kate}

{March 7th was Becca's rehearsal- which also happened to be my birthday. Lucky me that I got to spend it with 3 of my greatest friends at the best Tex-Mex restaurant!}

{Hangin' out with Auntie Bryn in the hotel. This was right after Bryn came to my room with my bridesmaid dress steam cleaned. Yes, Bryn steamed my super wrinkly dress for me because I had to go to my room and nurse Hannah before we left. My friends= awesome.}

{Friends for 10+ years}

{Hannah got to hang a lot with the bridal party since I needed to nurse her often. I didn't bring my pump to Texas (too much hassle) so she was glued to me most of the trip. Thankfully everyone was SO accommodating! Also note the fantastic Texas-sized bow for the special occasion.}

{With the beautiful bride!}

{With Alan- another wonderful friend of 10+ years :) }

{Love them!}

{Steve, Jayme and Bryn loving on Hannah.}

{My little family at the wedding. We had so much fun!}

On Sunday we left Houston for a day in Waco. I wanted to introduce Hannah to Baylor and of course see Blake. The weather was fantastic and we were able to not only tour Baylor and hang out with Blake, but we were also fortunate enough to see my friend and sorority sister Paige and her sweet family. Paige and I have kept up through Facebook and Instagram since our years at Baylor. Paige has a little girl about a year older than Hannah and she's been an incredible support system to me throughout motherhood, despite our distance.

And Blake? Well it seems as though he's not my best friend anymore. I've been replaced by a 5 month old! ;)

The whole day flew by so quickly. Next time we'll need a much longer visit.

On Monday morning we took off for the last leg of our trip: Dallas! We had the BEST visit with my mom! We had plenty of time to see and do but also relax and play. Getting around Dallas was like riding a bike. No matter how long I'm away, it all comes right back.

We got to see SO many friends during our visit with my mom.

{Getting to see Katie was the best luck of all. She just happened to be in Dallas on the same weekend for a wedding. She lives in D.C.! We literally caught her hours before she was flying back.}

{Visiting with Lisa and Baby Tyler. This was a particularly special visit since Lisa and I are going through the same phase of life. Just stinks that we live so far apart. But we made the most of the time we had together and I'm thankful that- no matter how brief it was.}

{Cynthia surprised us and came over for dinner with her new husband! So fun.}

{Mallory and Jessica are totally rock star friends. They worked around our schedule and met us during their lunch breaks. I know how hard it is to sneak out for lunch- especially during such busy times in their businesses- which makes it all the more special that we made it happen! Love these friends. Side note- Jessica is my oldest friend. We've known each other for how many years now? 18? Yikes, we're getting old ;) Thanks for sticking by me for so long!}

While we had a blast seeing all of our wonderful friends, it was truly the best to be able to spend time with my mom. She made sure every little detail of our stay was perfect- from cooking my favorite foods to spoiling Hannah with all kinds of toys, we couldn't have had a better time. It was great to spend time with John and my grandparents, too. Just an all around perfect visit. Looking back now, I don't think it could have gone any better.

Goodbyes are always the hardest part. I know it was my decision six years ago to pack up and move my life to the pacific northwest, but it doesn't make it any easier when it's time to leave. But I'm grateful for Rian's vacation time and our ability to fly across the country :) After about three cry fests, Rian promised to return every other year. BOOM. Texas, I'll be seein' you soon :)

5.5 Months

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 17:31:00 +0000

I have so much I'd like to write about: our trip to Texas, being sick for the first time with a baby and the beautiful spring day we had this weekend downtown. But I've got a little girl that has been demanding a lot of mama time lately. And I have one last day of beautiful weather before the rains come in.

So I'm scooping up my baby girl and taking her on a nice long walk before the rest of the week results in indoor activities.

For now, here are some favorites of my Hannah Joy at 5 1/2 months.

Hannah Joy: 5 Months

noreply@blogger.com (Tamara Schlyper) — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 20:31:00 +0000

This has been such a fun month for our little family. Hannah is sleeping so much better and I think we all feel like a more cohesive unit again. For me personally, I think this is the month that I've finally hit my stride. I know every mother and child is so different and unique, but I worried quite a bit that it was taking me too long to feel like I "got" this whole stay at home mom thing. I questioned myself so much in the beginning- why did I leave my awesome job again? Do I have what it takes to do this? Am I patient enough? Strong enough? Good enough?

Self-doubt plagued me in the beginning. But thanks to a lot of Grace, those nagging questions have started to dissipate and I know now more than ever that I made the right decision.

At five months, Hannah...

- Has settled into a routine that (crossing our fingers) continues to work so well! I was dead set in the beginning on not forcing a routine on her. I was so worried about being a slave to nap schedules and bedtimes that we'd never have any flexibility. But she put her foot down and let us know that she truly thrives off of a routine and so we're sticking to it. Thankfully, we're still able to mix things up a bit, but overall she's at her best when we stick to two naps a day and bedtime around 7:30.

- Attended her first SPROUTS group at our church. What an enormous blessing that we get to attend these groups twice a month. It not only gives me a chance to meet other stay at home moms, but the lessons are tailored and specific to this unique time of our lives.

- "Talks" all the time. And it's loud and proud! So much so that I had to go sit in the "Nursing Mother's Room" at church last week because she decided to "talk" during the sermon. Thankfully there's a TV with the sermon on in the room so I still got to join in :)

- Giggles easily.

- Started solids! Our pediatrician encouraged us to start trying "food for fun" this month. Hannah sits in her high chair with us at dinner and has tried rice cereal, sweet potatoes, pears and bananas. The favorite by far was sweet potatoes. Next up we'll be trying apples, carrots and squash.

- Wears all 6 month clothes now. Even the 3-6 month onesies are now getting too short.

- Is getting quite tall! Rian joked that she gets that from the Parker side. Which is probably true since at 5'8" I'm the shortest of my Parker siblings.

- Went on her first trip to Multnomah Falls! (Though it was cold and drizzly so she slept most of the time. Ha!)

- Still loves bath time. Especially now that Rian has started to share with her, book by book, all of Harry Potter. He's says he's prepping her now for when he reads it to her.

- Had her first snow day!

- Started playing with toys and showing interest in rattles, sounds, colors, etc.

- Actually cuddles with me now! This is pretty much what every mama dreams of, but Hannah was just not having it those first few months. She was so squirmy! But now on special occasion she'll curl up and just lie on my stomach and let me rub her back. Pretty much the greatest feeling in the world.

Some favorite pictures from this month:

{Play date with Kaylee}

{Hangin' with Auntie Liz}

{Snow day!}

{Staring contest}

{Thank you Annie for the beautiful photo!}

{Another great shot from Annie: Hannah and Clara playing together}

{Ok let's do this!}

{This was the face we got when Rian woke her up from a nap instead of me. ha!}

{Say what?}

{With Auntie B at Kimber's going away party}

{Before church}

{Milk coma}