Jordy Liz Blogs

Where God is in the storms.

2013-05-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

Growing up in Texas, I'm fully aware of the devastation tornadoes can bring. We had tornado drills in school where we gathered desks and hid underneath them. We had a plan in place at home to go into the central-most room in the house with no windows, usually a bathroom or hall closet.

One Saturday when I was younger, the school carnival was taking place on a stormy day. While we were all gathered in the school gymnasium, a tornado struck down, hopping down the street I lived on. We came home to debris in the yard, but my friend down the street came home to a home destroyed by a black funnel of wind. A random touchdown that changed an otherwise normal Saturday.

As I watch the coverage of Oklahoma, I choke back tears which come easier these days since being pregnant and becoming a mom. I look at the neighborhoods completely flattened into shreds of wood and mangled cars and scattered belongings. I cant help but think, Where would you even begin?

How could you possibly rebuild?

The devastation seems overwhelming. A school building crumbled on top of children and teachers while rescuers dig for survivors as parents hang onto slivers of hope. Home after home of families who put everything they had into four walls, destroyed in just minutes. A highway full of cars crashed into one another as they were just trying to get to a safe place.

Where do the survivors go?

I can barely keep it together as they interview survivors who are barely keeping it together. With only the clothes on their back, they come out of shelters to skies turned blue and dig through piles of scrap. Everything they hold dear is in piles that look like those you'd find in a junkyard.

Where was God?

It's easy for people to look up to the dark sky and wonder where He was. To wonder what He was doing when the mile-wide funnel of wind was ripping through a neighborhood, just like we wondered when a shooter entered an elementary school armed with destruction and two bombers roamed through the streets of Boston and an explosion devastated a small town in Texas.

Where was God?

He was hurting just like He hurts when a single tear falls from our eyes. He was hurting when the children He created turned against one another and He hurt when the earth He formed turned on His creation. He was with the children trapped under their school's walls and their parents as they couldn't get answers fast enough. He was with the man listening to storm coverage on the radio who got under cover in the nick of time. He was with each rescuer as they listened to their inner voice - His voice - to lead them to survivors.

And He's there today as His beloved come out of hiding to see what little they have left. He's with each of us as we hurt for those who hurt, because that's His love coming through us to others.

God's with us. God's in us. Through every storm, every raindrop, every hurt.

Praying for you, Oklahoma.

Week Nineteen: 21 graces.

2013-05-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Having my own row on the flight to Texas with Liam.

Swinging into a cool breeze.

Middle of the night thunderstorms.

A solo pedicure.

Being home in Texas.

Strangers waving at strangers.

A stranger helping me with a bottle.

Seeing my baby brother graduate college.

Being blessed and showered with clothes for both me and Liam from my mom and aunt.

A safe flight back.

Liam sleeping the entire flight home.

A helpful seatmate.

A good two-month well visit for Liam.

Mother's Day texts and cards.

Being greeted with Starbucks at the airport.

Impromptu help from my mother-in-law.

Liam on good behavior and all smiles at the doctor's office.

Nonstop baby smiles in the morning.

Seeing my sweet friend, Rachel, after two long years.

An afternoon iced coffee pick-me-up.

Shaded parking.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Dear Liam, You are two months old.

2013-05-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Liam,
You are two months old. In one way, it feels like it's been forever since we met you. In another, it feels like it is going by way too fast. I'm sure it will be like that for a while.
You grew leaps and bounds this last month and your personality is starting to peek out. At five weeks, we introduced the playmat because you are so alert. You love playing on the mat, watching the lights and grabbing at the hanging toys.
You also started smiling right around four to five weeks. Your smiles are now intentional and contagious. I remember one night when your dad took over night shifts, I came in your room for the first time in the morning. I came by your crib and you looked up and smiled so big. It melted me.
Speaking of, we moved you to your big crib right around seven weeks. You adjusted well and have been sleeping in seven hour stretches ever since. You usually go to bed around eight in the evening, wake up once between two and four in the morning, and then wake up for the day around seven. It's been an amazing difference for us all!
You're a long and lean boy. At your two-month appointment, you measured 24 1/4 inches (97th percentile) and 12 pounds 2 1/2 ounces (46th percentile). You were officially in 3 month size clothes by five weeks and have even started busting into a few 6 month size clothes. I can barely keep up with your length and don't even know what size clothes to buy anymore. It's getting hard to predict just how much you'll grow each month.
You love the mornings, looking over my shoulder, and finally being swaddled. We love watching you grow and change day to day.
Keep smiling.
Love you, Mama
Past letters: One month

The sorority of motherhood.

2013-05-12T19:15:00.001-07:00

Today was my first official Mother's Day as a mother. Last May, I didn't expect to be a mother this May. I thought that maybe I'd be pregnant. And here I am with a two-month-old.

I love how life works in its own way.

I spent my first Mother's Day in Texas with my family. My brother graduated college, the last of the siblings to do so. This trip was planned well before Liam was born; it was just a matter of booking the flight. So last Wednesday, I flew with a two-month-old. (More on that later.)

We drove up to the small Texas town of Nacogdoches on Saturday along with the rest of the graduating class's families. The parking lot was packed and we made our way up to the coliseum with a baby in tow. As we neared the entrance, we got separated and I ended up alone with Liam. I needed to use the restroom and he needed to be changed and so there I stood in line to the women's restroom. Except there was one of me. And I had a baby in my arms.

I think it's a right of passage into motherhood when you successfully use the restroom while holding a baby. Just saying.

When we walked out, I had officially lost my family. Liam was hungry and the ceremony hadn't started yet, so I dropped my diaper bag in front of me, stood back near the exit doors and juggled a crying baby while fishing out a bottle from the side pocket. As I struggled with trying to mix the formula into the prefilled bottle, a sweet woman walked up to me.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

Normally, I'd say, "Nope! I got it!" That's just how I am. I refuse help. But the day I became a mother, I screamed for help from the start. I'll take any help I can get. Because I realized that when you have another human being to raise and care for, one can't get enough help.

"Yes," I said. And I kept juggling both the baby and the bottle.

"Can I shake the bottle for you?" she said. And it's like she read my mind. She just knew what I needed. I nodded and said please and she mixed the bottle for me.

"How old is he?" she asked, and I told her he was just eight weeks old. "Mine is, too," and she handed me the bottle and walked away.

On Saturday, I got my first real glimpse into the sorority of motherhood. Mothers helping mothers. Women getting women. Shaking bottles that need to be shaken and grabbing burp cloths dropped in the midst of juggling. We don't have to ask or beg. We just have to nod and say yes, I'd love a helping hand if just for a minute.

I am blessed to be in that special sorority this Mother's Day. I didn't expect it, and I sure don't deserve it, but Liam gave me the ticket in.

To all you mothers, and especially my own...

Happy Mother's Day.

Week Eighteen: 21 graces.

2013-05-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Getting an unexpected refund.

A fresh haircut.

Alone time to wander the mall.

Cooler weather.

Liam loving the playmat.

Being in Texas - home.

A safe flight.

A flight that isn't full so I could have my own row and the carseat.

Helpful flight attendants.

Liam sleeping seven hours straight.

A mid-afternoon latte.

Time with my mom and aunt.

Tex-mex.

Morning smiles from Liam.

Helping hands from family.

Finding a daycare that fits.

Hearing God's voice through coincidental circumstances and others' voices.

Being treated to clothes for myself...

...and Liam.

Seeing Liam's developments each day.

Spotting a blue jay.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

A few of my favorite baby things.

2013-05-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

When we registered for our new baby, it was pretty overwhelming. There were so many items to choose from and so many options for each of those items. What did we need? How were we supposed to know if it was the best choice? I sought out the advice from friends, registered, and was blessed with many great things for Liam.
After almost two months of trying them all out, here are my favorites (and what I consider must-haves). I've included the links to Target, Babies R Us, BuyBuyBaby and Amazon so you can easily add them to your registry if you see something you like!

Fisher-Price Bouncer

I use this bouncer daily. We keep it downstairs in the living room and it's a great spot to put the baby in when they need to go down for a short nap or you just need a place to put them so you can have your hands free for a minute. It's light, portable and never missed a day of work for the first month of our baby's life.
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon

Graco Click Connect 40 Carseat and FastAction Fold Sport Click Connect Stroller

This carseat and stroller are the newest duo in Graco's line. The carseat goes up to 40 pounds or two years, and since our six-week old is already at 12 pounds, I'm sure we'll hit its limit well before he's two. It will save us from having to buy a bigger carseat right away compared to the 30 and 35 pound options.
I can't say enough about this stroller. When we were shopping around, we wanted a stroller that could do it all: go on walks, run errands, travel easily and grow with our baby. We didn't want to have to buy multiple strollers for different functions. The stroller is extremely light and I can unfold it with one hand. Likewise, I can fold it up and throw it in the trunk with one hand (and I'm not strong). The carseat easily clicks into the stroller making it quick to go in and out of stores on a day of errands. Once he's big enough to sit up, there's a comfy spot waiting for him. The stroller actually fits all of Graco's Click Connect carseats in case you go for a different carseat option.
Carseat: Only sold at Babies R Us | Stroller: Only sold at Babies R Us

Tommie Tippee Bottles

We started out using different bottles, but our baby was having major spit-up issues. We were transitioning him from nursing to bottles and he was sucking down the bottles a little too fast. I called a lactation specialist and she recommended these bottles. I love the shape of them; even as a tiny baby, he can hold onto the sides. The nipple is slow-flow so we can manage how much he takes in a time. And they're too cute!
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby (not sold) | Amazon

aden + anais Swaddle Blankets

These blankets have become a staple in our home and our kid doesn't even like swaddling. Living in a very hot climate, I love how lightweight these blankets are. They are also quite large which is great for laying out on the floor or bundling them up. I often use them to cover up his carseat if I am out running errands. If I could do it all over again, I would only register for these kind of blankets. I would suggest getting at least two packs (eight total) as they are targets for spit-up and wet diapers!
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon

WubbaNub Pacifier

I didn't even know about these until I received two of them at my baby shower. I love them. The stuffed animal at the end (and there are many animals to choose from) keeps the pacifier in the baby's mouth a little better than if the pacifier was just flying solo. They can also hold onto the animal which is pretty cute. For parents, it makes the pacifier much easier to find and we are often yelling out, "Where's his elephant?"
Target (not sold) | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon

The First Year Newborn-to-Toddler Tub

This is a basic tub, but that's what makes it great. It comes with a newborn sling which our son grew out of at about five weeks (or 11 pounds). He can easily sit up in it now due to the grooves at the bottom. It's lightweight, fairly inexpensive and fits on top of counters or in the bathtub.
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby (similar) | Amazon

Brica Backseat Mirror

I love being able to check on what the baby's doing through my rearview mirror. I can see if he's asleep (as he often falls asleep as soon as he gets in his carseat) or if he's crying, I can see what may be the culprit. Now that he's more alert, he stares at the little baby in the mirror, too!
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon

Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack

You've got to dry your bottles somehow, so why not make it cute? This sits on top of our counter and is much prettier than a dish towel. You can also purchase "branches" and "flowers" to add to it which are great for drying nipples and bottle accessories. This size fits a maximum of eight bottles. If I was doing it all over again, I would get the "lawn" size which is bigger.
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby (only sold in white) | Amazon

Cloud B Sleep Sheep

I also didn't register for this, but received it as a gift. This sheep now lives wherever our baby sleeps. When we go to put him down, we turn the sheep on and its relaxing noises lull him to sleep. We might not have survived the first three weeks without it!
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby (similar) | Amazon

Summer Infant Video Monitor

I love being able to check on what the baby's doing without stealthily creeping into his room. This video monitor is portable so we can bring it all over the house depending on what we're doing while he's asleep. It also has a nightlight feature I've grown to love: I can turn on the nightlight attached to the camera before I go into his room which means I don't have to turn on a bright lamp or overhead light.
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon

Changing Pad Liners

We purchased a precious changing pad cover only to realize how often we had to wash it. A friend bought these liners for us and they make changing so much easier! If the mess doesn't all stay in the diaper, you just throw the liner in the laundry basket and get a new one without having to take the entire changing pad cover on and off each time.
Target | Babies R Us | BuyBuyBaby | Amazon
(These are all based off of my own personal opinion.)
What are your must-have baby items?

Week Seventeen: 21 graces.

2013-05-03T10:58:00.001-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

A baby who sleeps through errands.

Getting out on a Saturday as a family.

Donating our unused items to Goodwill.

Decluttering.

Having our first dinner date alone since baby.

My mother-in-law being willing to watch Liam.

Making to do lists.

Crossing things off to do lists.

Liam's smiles when he recognizes us.

Falling into more of a routine.

Enjoying a much-needed girls' night.

Photographs.

Air conditioning.

Dark chocolate.

Messages in Dove chocolate hearts.

Friends who take photos of Liam for fun.

Feeling like Liam is truly loved by our circle of friends.

Getting back to Bible Study - all three of us.

Continued visitors.

Hand-me-downs for Liam.

A lunch full of blessings with my co-worker.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Week Sixteen: 21 graces.

2013-04-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Liam's longer stretches of sleep every now and then.

Warm - but not too warm - weather.

My sister-in-law watching Liam for a good portion of the day.

Grocery shopping for the first time in six weeks.

Our home almost completely unpacked.

Hanging decor on the walls to make it feel like home.

Taking an inaugural walk in the stroller.

Using a car ride to console the baby.

Having my mom to talk to while driving with a crying baby.

Watching Liam become more and more alert.

Liam's love of baths.

A nice man, seeing me with a stroller and shopping bags, offering to help me out to my car.

Liam's happy demeanor in the morning.

Surprising my husband with a mid-morning coffee.

Getting a large refund on a medical bill just as other medical bills are coming in.

Being completely healed according to my six-week check-up.

Alone time.

That moment when you figure out the baby's different cries.

Cake pops.

Long naps for Liam which created long stretches of productivity for me.

Starbucks iced tea.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Before I forget, new mama.

2013-04-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

Chris and I are among the first of our friends to enter into the world of parenting. Luckily, several of my girlfriends are also having babies this year and I am secretly excited that other women my age will be jumping into this adventure with me.

I read this article the other day about how new moms often forget how foggy those first few weeks with a baby are. Moms who have been-there-done-that forget what it's like to be a brand new mom. I have already found myself forgetting, though I know it was a trying time. And I am not saying we are completely out of it. We are still sleep-deprived (and I'm sure we will be until he graduates college) and we are still learning something new every day. But we've hit a point where we are actually starting to enjoy it.

The thing is, I don't want to forget. I don't want to forget the hard nights, the long days or the snide conversations between two exhausted parents. Just like I don't want to forget the moments when we finally figured it out - whatever it was at the moment - and the sweet moments captured between mother and son, or father and son, or those two exhausted parents. I don't want to forget because it is all a part of the journey.

So, to my pregnant girlfriends out there and to the future me who will most likely do this all over again, I want to remember some things before I forget.

Before I forget, the first two weeks are the hardest. I heard this over and over when I was pregnant, but I had no idea what it would actually entail. You are healing physically. You are all over the place emotionally. Your spouse isn't your first priority anymore and you're not sure what to do with him. You are now responsible for a human life and no one gave you an instruction manual. And you're getting used to little to no sleep.

But something miraculous happens on day fourteen. It gets kind of better. Your body has figured out that it has to function on two-hour increments of sleep at a time. You and your spouse have figured out a rhythm with one another. And you are actually starting to figure out the baby.

On our first night home from the hospital, we couldn't get Liam to sleep. We fed him, changed him, rocked him, swaddled him, and tried getting him to sleep in the bassinet. He was inconsolable. And we had no idea what to do next.

In our birth classes and at the hospital, everyone talked about swaddling. And then we get a baby who hates swaddling. The bassinet had been sitting in our room for over a month waiting for the baby, and now the baby couldn't stand the bassinet. We were up until four in the morning that first night trying to make our baby go to sleep. The only reason it was only until four was because my mom walked in, took Liam, and told us to go to sleep. We looked at each other and climbed into bed.

Eventually, we learned he slept best in the swing. For the first three weeks of his life, he slept in the swing next to my bed. Because it worked. That's the thing: you do what works. Sometimes that means the bassinet gets pushed to the side for a few weeks and sometimes that means you drag a swing into the room at three in the morning. "Just get the swing!" was yelled across the house when the bassinet, bouncer and my arms weren't cutting it. I hope I don't forget what my husband looked like trying to get a swing through our bedroom door that was twice as wide as the door frame.

And I always want to remember that time I found myself in the formula aisle of Walgreens at three in the morning after having a meltdown in my bedroom because I just realized I couldn't keep up with my son's appetite through the physical pain. "How's your night going?" the cashier asked us as we stood there in our pajamas and a newborn in a carseat watching twenty-somethings pass by after a night out on the town. "New baby," we said, and we left it at that. Formula wasn't the plan; nursing was the plan. I had nursing covers, a breast pump, and all of the bells and whistles for nursing. But I couldn't do it. Physically and mentally, I couldn't do it.

I want to remember that moment because it was a moment I had to free myself from a lot of guilt. I felt guilty for costing us money we weren't planning on spending and not giving my son what was only natural. I felt like I had failed both as a mother and a wife. The one thing I had promised to do, I couldn't do.

I soon realized that what was best for me was best for my son. The morning I sat in the glider for three hours trying to appease Liam's never-ending appetite before I even had a chance to use the restroom or get a bite to eat on the very day Chris went back to work was telling of the fact I wasn't taking care of myself. So I just sat there and cried. And if Mama ain't okay, nobody's going to be okay.

I want to remember the first time my husband told me to get out of the house by myself on day ten to go sit in Starbucks for an hour. Nobody knew I had a baby at home. Nobody needed me to feed them or hold them. And I felt like myself for the first time in too many days. On the flip side, there was the night I grabbed my keys without saying a word and got into the car to drive aimlessly around the neighborhood because I just needed to be by myself, without a baby or husband, if only for ten minutes. I learned just how badly I need time to myself to recharge. (I now make it a weekly thing.)

So, before I forget, the first two weeks are the hardest.

Give yourself some slack. Let the dishes pile up. Stay in your pajamas. Tell people, "Now isn't a good time." Let go of the guilt. Cry if you feel like crying. And don't try to justify the crying. Get in the car and drive around the neighborhood - by yourself.

And know that one day, believe it or not, the two weeks are up.

It's going to be okay, new mama.

The hospital bag: what to pack (and not pack) for delivery day.

2013-04-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

Since my doctor was determined Liam would come well before 38 weeks, my hospital bag was packed at 36 weeks. And it sat in his nursery for another month.

But looking back, I'd advise to go ahead and pack it that early anyway. It gave me time to add and take away, and it left me feeling a lot less anxious just in case the day came earlier than expected.

As we sat in the hospital, I thought about the things I'm glad we packed, what we didn't really need, and things to remember for next time. I also thought about several of my girlfriends who are currently pregnant and what I'd tell them.

Baby book

When your baby gets their first bath, they also get their footprints done. If you have your baby book handy, the nurse will gladly stamp your baby's foot directly in the book.

Our own pillows

The hospital pillows weren't very comfortable and having my own pillow helped me sleep a little better (if you can sleep at all with a brand new baby right next to you). My husband brought his own pillow, too, which was good since he ended up having to sleep on the bench that the hospital tries to pull off as a bed.

File folder

It seemed like someone was walking in every hour handing us paperwork and having us sign something. It was helpful to have a file folder to shove all the papers in and have in one place once we got back home. I suggest the kind that snap shut so you don't lose anything important.

Notepad and pen

I knew I wanted to capture the progress through delivery, so Chris made sure to write it down on a notepad for me. If you think you'll remember all of the little details on your own, you won't. Since he wrote it down, I was able to capture Liam's birth story.

Makeup wipes

The last thing I wanted to do after delivery was get out of bed to wash my face. Makeup wipes let me stay in bed and helped me feel a little more clean and refreshed each day.

Snacks

We brought snacks for both the nurses and us. The nurses really appreciated the gesture since most of them are on twelve hour shifts. In fact, our delivery nurse was with us from check-in until birth so I know she didn't get much to eat! It was also nice for Chris to have something to snack on while I was in labor and needed him by my side, and for me to have options after delivery.

Special baby blanket

The hospital had someone on staff come around and take newborn photographs. I had packed a special blanket and was able to use this in the picture. They typically lay the babies down on your hospital bed, so it's nice to have something besides the sheet in the photograph.

Toiletry bag

I packed a toiletry bag ahead of time with travel-sized items for both me and Chris: shampoo, conditioner, soap, loofahs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, contact solution, deodorant and makeup wipes. The morning I went into labor, all I had to grab was my glasses and I was good to go. It was helpful not to have to scramble to make sure we didn't forget anything.

Magazines

This one's for my husband. Once I received the epidural, we were calm, relaxed and waiting around for a few hours before delivery. He mentioned he would have liked something mindless to read in the meantime while I was resting.

Water bottles

During labor, I didn't want Chris to leave my side. He was thirsty and had to resort to a tiny paper cup filled with tap water from the delivery room sink. After delivery, I was parched. Having water bottles handy would have been beneficial to us both!

Soft snacks

My appetite was shot right after delivery. Nothing sounded good. Snacks such as jello, pudding, and apple sauce would have been nice to have on hand since they are much easier to stomach than snacks such as crackers or pretzels (which we had plenty of).

A million changes of clothes

I tend to overpack, and this time was no different. Two changes of clothes is plenty: one for right after delivery once you get your first shower and one for the day you head home.

Boppy pillow

I brought a boppy pillow to help with nursing, but I ended up finding it easier to use several hospital pillows.

Baby clothes

I brought several outfits and blankets for Liam to wear after he was born. The hospital ended up providing great shirts that made it easy to check him and change his diaper. They also had plenty of blankets which could get dirty and go into their laundry. He ended up just wearing one outfit on the day we went home and using one blanket in the car (which was the same blanket he used in the photographs).

That's what I would keep, toss, and remember for next time. Do you have anything to add to this list?

Week Fifteen: 21 graces.

2013-04-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

My mother-in-law cleaning our two places to take one more thing off our plate.

Being able to camp out at my sister-in-law's house while the movers were in and out of our house.

Babies in just diapers.

My mother-in-law coming over at night to give us a chance to unpack a few boxes.

Having a new place to decorate.

Tulips.

Friends who show up to help us move.

My sister-in-law walking into the house at just the right time to relive me from a crying baby.

Taking advantage of a content baby to take a quick shower.

A cable guy who goes the extra mile.

A cool spring breeze.

Unpacking and completing the kitchen.

Liam "passing" at his one-month appointment.

Chris now being closer to his office to come home for lunch.

Going to Target by myself.

A brand new welcome mat.

Having time to myself at Starbucks to write for the first time in two weeks.

Exceptional customer service.

Making a huge dent in the unpacking process.

Taking advantage of prepared freezer meals.

Getting to get out and shop thanks to a napping baby.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Makeshift beds and unpacked boxes.

2013-04-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

We moved this last weekend. Chris owns a place in another part of town and has been renting it out to tenants. The tenants gave us notice, and wanting to save money and not be tied down to a lease, we decided to move into it ourselves.

We knew we were moving as of mid-February and we knew our baby was due mid-March, so when we said we would move mid-April, it seemed reasonable.

Except we didn't know how tired we would be. Or how unpredictable a newborn's schedule can be. Or just how much packing there would be. Or how moving is a much bigger deal than we claimed it to be.

But we did it.

I packed during the day as soon as Liam would shut his eyes up until he opened them. Sometimes this would be ten minutes, and sometimes it would be two hours. And sometimes I would fall asleep with him and just go on a packing strike. When Chris arrived home in the evenings, he would take a load of items to the new place, and we repeated this cycle every day last week.

On Saturday, we decided to hire movers to move all of the big furniture. Since I was on baby duty, I wasn't much help with the actual moving. The movers said they would arrive between 8 and 10 in the morning. We were up at 6, Liam was fed and changed, and I was ready to head over to my sister-in-law's house where we would hang out until the movers had moved everything over to the new place.

And then 9:30 came and he had to eat again. And be changed again. And he was on his second onesie for the day. By 11, they still hadn't arrived and we repeated the cycle. Finally, they showed up at noon and Liam had gone through two bottles, five diapers and four onesies while waiting. Our furniture was moved over and we began to get settled.

We're in the new place now and surrounded by piles of stuff. We had to get creative as we were in between homes finding empty, quiet places for Liam to nap or going without sheets for a couple of nights because of the energy it took to make the bed. I unpack when Liam is sleeping and like last week, some days I just go on strike out of pure exhaustion or not even knowing where to begin.

But we did it. We're in the place that will house us until our next adventure as a family of three.

Better Life Bags giveaway!

2013-04-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

I am helping sponsor Songbirds and Buttons this month and we've all pitched in to give away $50 to Better Life Bags.

Make sure to check out the shop and see the variety of bags and fabrics from which to choose. One can never have too many bags!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dear Liam, You are one month old.

2013-04-15T12:21:00.001-07:00

Dear Liam,

You are one month old. I have never felt more purpose, joy, exhaustion, or love than I have in these last four weeks. You have stretched us and taught us more than you'll know.

It's amazing how much you have grown in the last month. Born at eight pounds, you already feel much bigger. Your long, bony legs have become chunkier with rolls and you are even starting to outgrow some of your 0-3 month onesies based solely on how long you are. Your legs are strong and you can straighten them and push off my stomach when you don't want to burp (which is often).

You are so aware of your surroundings and can already keep your neck up as you try to soak in everything in sight. You are constantly looking around at people, lights, and anything that looks vaguely interesting. I love when I catch your eye and get a sly grin from your precious cheeks.

I've learned when you're crying for food or crying just to cry. I've learned what will soothe you to sleep and what will keep you awake and happy. I've learned how to do multiple things with one hand while you occupy the other. You are teaching me new things each day, and while sometimes it's hard and tiring, I love being the one you get to teach.

We moved the weekend you turned one month. While the timing wasn't ideal, I was able to have plenty of one-on-one time with you while your dad did most of the dirty work. We are so glad to be settled now in the home that is the next step to where we want the future of our family to be. It's a temporary home and we're glad you're in it with us.

The thing is, Liam, I like being your mom. I like being the one who knows you the best and the one who was called to protect you. I like being the one you smile at during the day and the one whose neck you nuzzle up to when you're tired at night.

I can't wait to keep watching you grow.

Love you,
Mama

Week Fourteen: 21 graces.

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For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

A post-pregnancy pedicure with my mom.

Reuniting with a glass of wine.

A much-needed coffee date with just my husband while Liam stayed behind with my parents.

Adult conversation.

Quality time with my parents.

Baby baths.

Liam's happy demeanor after a bath.

Feeling productive from packing.

Morning coffee.

The neighbors surprising us with dinner.

A brother-in-law who willingly paints our new place.

Booking a flight to go back home to Texas in May.

Mia becoming more and more protective of Liam.

Liam starting to sleep better at night.

Surprise coffee from my husband.

Pajama pants.

Baby snuggles.

FaceTime with my family.

Continuing to get surprise gifts at my doorstep.

Sharing in friends' pregnancies.

Blooming trees.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Week Thirteen: 21 graces.

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For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Eating out for the first time as a family of three.

The waiter comping our drinks.

A long drive.

Spending Easter with just my husband and son.

Feeling productive by getting a few chores done.

The baby monitor.

My mom coming in town to help out for the week.

Warmer weather.

Getting to sleep in a bit as my mom takes on the early morning shift.

Shopping for little boy clothes.

Packing the first of the boxes for our move.

Iced tea.

An easy-to-use stroller.

One of my best friends having her sweet baby girl just two and a half weeks after Liam was born.

Learning Liam's cues.

Liam starting to recognize me and my voice.

A baby's smell after a warm bath.

A glass of wine after many, many months.

Blooming trees.

Finding reasons to get out of the house.

Getting past the two-week hurdle and enjoying the third week of a newborn.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Three.

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When Liam was ten days old, we had our pictures taken in our home to capture our new normal. I wanted photos that really captured us in our natural element without being too posed or overdone. (It also forced me to blow-dry my hair and put real pants on which hadn't happened in a couple of weeks.)

Here's a peek at our new family of three.

Our new normal.

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We are doing well over here with an almost two-and-a-half-week-old. The first two weeks were just as everyone said they would be: hard. A good, heart-stretching hard that tested us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually - and I think we've come out ahead.

Chris and I have found our new normal as we dance around one another between feedings, diaper changes, naps and chores. It's a new road in our relationship, this parenting gig. We're seeing sides of the other person we've never seen before and learning how to relate on a level that is foreign to both of us.

But even in this foreign time, those moments of I-remember-why-I'm-with-you are scattered throughout the days.

Like when we were leaving the pediatrician's office on the third day home and he asked me what I wanted for lunch. Not feeling well, I started tearing up. "I can't answer that," I said. "I'll drive then," he said. And he drove down the road calling out different restaurants until something sounded appetizing.

Or when I had a breakdown at 3 a.m. last Saturday night because I couldn't keep up with Liam's demand and I sat at the end of the bed in a pile of tears not knowing what to do because shouldn't I be able to feed my own kid? "Walgreens is open," he said as he climbed out of bed, put on a jacket and shoes, and loaded the baby in the car. I followed him in to the aisle with formula.

And when he knelt down in front of me one morning when we were fourteen days in and said, "I'm going in to work for a bit. And then when I get home, you're getting out of the house." And he held me to it as I showered, put real clothes on, drove to Starbucks half a mile away, and sat at a table for an hour and a half as I wrote out Liam's birth story, feeling that old sense of normal for the first time in two weeks. I just needed to write. I came home feeling like myself again.

It's becoming hard to remember what our normal used to be but I'm starting to like what it's becoming.

At the end of the day, no matter how many frustrated words we've exchanged or mistakes we've made, it's just the two of us and a sleeping baby. We turn on an episode of Parenthood, grab a couple of cookies for a late night treat and melt into the couch as the day comes to a calming stop. Some nights it's the first time we've sat close enough to one another to hold hands and we soak in the moment as our old normal creeps into the new normal. Some nights find us locked in a long hug, remembering where we started and what it all comes back to...

...us.

Week Twelve: 21 graces.

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For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Moments of an awake, alert baby.

Getting out as a family for the first time (to Babies R Us, nonetheless).

Visits from girlfriends who knew me as single, married and now as a mother.

Baby toes.

Alone time with my husband.

Getting in a quick, needed nap when the baby naps.

Samoas.

A Target run to make me feel a sense of normalcy.

Gift cards to spend on all things baby.

Starting to get Liam on a sleeping and eating schedule.

Support from friends who have been there, done that.

Being kicked out of the house by my husband so that I can get some alone time.

Putting on actual clothes and feeling good about myself.

Rocking Liam to sleep.

Continued generosity from friends and family by way of UPS and FedEx.

Having uninterrupted time to write.

Newborn smiles.

Clean laundry.

Knowing my mom will be here next week to help out.

A husband who is supportive of any decision that puts me in a better place.

Spring.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Liam's story.

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It's been two weeks since Liam came into our lives and it's been a good, life-changing, heart-stretching couple of weeks. I woke up this morning with a baby on my chest, much like the way he came into this world fourteen days ago. This is his story.

My due date of March 11th came and went and my patience went right with it. The doctor had said I wouldn't make it to 38 weeks based on the baby's size and position, but there I was, hugely pregnant and overdue. First-time moms: don't listen to the doctor.

I had my weekly appointment that Wednesday when I was officially 40 weeks and 2 (long) days pregnant. Chris came along with me in case we needed to make any decisions on when the baby would make its entrance. Sure enough, my doctor walked into the room and said she would not let me go to 41 weeks. In that case, I had two options. She could strip my membranes or put me on the induction list. If I didn't have the baby by the following Monday, I'd be marching into the hospital to let them induce me. That's the last thing I wanted.

I walked out of her office that Wednesday afternoon around 4 p.m. I had gone with the first option and while uncomfortable, it was painless. She said labor would most likely start within 24 to 36 hours, so I started waiting. We ordered BBQ for take-out, planted ourselves on the couch and relaxed.

I spent the evening feeling very uncomfortable and cramping. Thinking it was just because of the procedure, I wrote it off and went to bed around 11 p.m. At 1 a.m., I woke up even more uncomfortable. I assumed it was because I was forty weeks pregnant and I moved to the couch. At 5 a.m., I woke up even more uncomfortable and again, assumed it was the couch's fault. I made my way to the guest bedroom to try to get some more sleep.

At 5:45 a.m., I woke up to intense lower back pain. And then again at 5:50. And 5:55. And 6. I started texting Casey who had become my unofficial midwife through the entire pregnancy. While consistent, I wasn't feeling any contractions in the front, so I wasn't convinced it was real. Just to be safe, I woke Chris up and told him what was going on. "Pack your bag just in case. If it keeps up, I'm going to the hospital." I took a shower and made the effort to blow dry my hair. When I got out of the shower, the back pains were still consistent and becoming more painful. As I paced the house around 6:45, I told Chris to plan on going to the hospital if they were worse in fifteen minutes.

At 7 a.m., I was hanging over a dining room chair. It was time.

We took off for the hospital, bags in the trunk and me leaning over a pillow. As soon as my husband parked after searching for what seemed like eternity for the perfect spot, I got out of the car and just started walking. I was still having contractions every five minutes and I knew I had just a few minutes to make it to the door before the next one hit. We made it up the elevator to the second floor. Not thinking, I told them I needed to "check in"; they told me to take a seat. The next contraction hit and found me leaning over one of the waiting room chairs. A nurse looked over and said, "Wait...are you in labor or do you have a scheduled delivery?" Apparently "checking in" was the wrong term.

I was taken back to Triage around 8 a.m., dressed in a gown and hooked up to monitors. I had been 3 centimeters for the previous three weeks, so I was curious if I had progressed at all overnight (now that I knew it wasn't the bed or couch's fault for my discomfort). When they checked me, I had progressed to 4-5 centimeters and my contractions were still 4 to 5 minutes apart. It was still all in my lower back and Chris had been given the dutiful task of applying pressure with each contraction.

They moved me to the Labor and Delivery room by 8:30 a.m. and the contractions were consistently 4 minutes apart. I found relief in standing up and leaning over the bed to take the weight off of my lower back. By 10 a.m., I had progressed to 6-7 centimeters. Things were happening.

Our room had a private tub and I took full advantage of soaking in the hot water. I stayed in there for about 45 minutes before I had to be hooked up to monitors - one for the baby's heartbeat and one for my contractions. The hospital required I be monitored for 20 minutes of each hour. Once I got out of the tub and they placed monitors on me, they determined I was dehydrated and hooked me up to an IV. The bed made the pain worse since all of the pressure was on my back. And it meant I could no longer get into the tub. My contractions were now 2 minutes apart and I was unable to find relief being tied to the bed.

They eventually let me stand up and walk around, but it was easier said than done with monitors strapped around my belly, a blood pressure monitor around my right arm and an IV pole hooked up to my left wrist. Each time I leaned over the bed to find relief, the monitors sagged and disconnected. It was a lost cause.

By 12:15, I was 7 centimeters and the contractions seemed less than 2 minutes apart. They lasted a minute or longer, and sometimes were on top of one another. I was getting about 20 seconds of relief between each one and Chris was getting no relief from his massage duty. He hadn't had a break or eaten a thing and my body had become so tense that the baby wasn't getting a break either to make its way down. The pain was shooting into my lower back, through the sides of my hips and down my legs. (They now think the back of the baby's head was pushing down on my lower back.)

Having planned to not have any pain intervention during labor, and having so appreciated a nurse who was more than encouraging, I pulled her into the room and said, "What are my options?"

She sweetly explained what they were, and knowing I physically couldn't handle the back pain any longer (and was contemplating this baby being an only child), I opted for an epidural. As soon as it was administered around 1:15 p.m., the back pain went away within minutes. I was almost completely relieved and the atmosphere of the room immediately changed.

We began to enjoy this having-a-baby thing.

By 2:45 p.m., I had progressed all the way to 9-10 centimeters. At 5 p.m., my bag of waters was still in tact so the nurse went ahead and broke it. She called my doctor to give her an update and my doctor made her way to the hospital. At 5:40 p.m., I was completely dilated and effaced and we were told we'd have a baby in the next hour or so.

My doctor came into the room at 6 p.m. and I began pushing.

At 7:02 p.m., just twelve hours after leaving our house for the last time as a family of two, our sweet baby made his grand entrance. Chris declared him a boy and they placed his shivering body on my chest. I immediately started bawling. When they asked his name, I couldn't get the words out. I felt complete joy and complete relief. Liam Christopher was here and we were all good and healthy and whole. He was a solid 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and 20 1/2 inches.

In the dim light of a hospital delivery room on March 14, 2013, we started our journey as parents.

Week Eleven: 21 graces.

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For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Liam.

Middle of the night cuddles.

Sweet nurses.

Having my mom and sister around for our first two days at home.

Home-cooked meals.

A stocked fridge and pantry.

Afternoon naps (for me).

A clean bill of health at Liam's first check-up.

Liam being back at his birth weight within one week.

Visits from friends.

Having a friend to text back and forth for advice on all things baby.

The smell of a clean baby.

Feeling like my recovery is progressing each day.

Evening moments of quiet on the couch with my husband.

Comfy pajama pants.

Feeling productive by getting minor tasks done.

Monogrammed gifts from family and friends with Liam's name.

Showers.

Being back (and comfortable) in my own bed.

Chick-fil-A sweet tea.

Your encouraging comments on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and this blog.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

Starbucks Giveaway!

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I am helping sponsor Songbirds and Buttons this month and we've all pitched in to give away a Starbucks Gift Card!

Because, who doesn't love themselves some coffee? (In fact, my husband is on his way there right now to grab us some morning fuel. Apparently, babies like to party in the middle of the night.)

Enter using the Rafflecopter below and show all of the contributors some love!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's a...

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...boy!

Liam Christopher
Born March 14, 2013 at 7:02 p.m.
8 pounds 1 ounce | 20 1/2 inches

Week Ten: 21 graces.

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For an introduction to 21 Graces, visit this post. It's never too late to jump on in!

Harmless, pea-sized hail as a weather surprise.

A cheap pizza date.

Making it to see Oz (and being the first ones in the theater).

Going back to bed mid-morning.

Walking the mall with no objective.

A lunch date to mix things up.

An afternoon movie on the couch.

A Saturday night Parenthood marathon.

Sleeping through my internal alarm for once.

Consistent evening walks.

Empty laundry baskets.

Alone time with coffee and blogging.

Having one last night with just the two of us with takeout food and the DVR.

Waking up to contractions.

Caring nurses.

Having a patient and encouraging husband by my side during labor and beyond.

A healthy baby boy.

My mom and sister making it into town just in time.

Endless comments and messages to encourage and congratulate us.

Going into the weekend as a family of three.

New life.

Now it's your turn. Link up below!

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A baby is on the way.

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We're going to meet our sweet baby soon!

If you want an instant introduction, make sure you follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Otherwise, I'll be back here once we are home and settled.

Your prayers are appreciated for our little family.