lame

I feel terrible for slacking so much on this blog.



It's seriously been over a month. Future children to whom I write this blog for. I am sorry. Zoey, I am sorry that I have been a slacker. But, to be fair, it has been a whirlwind of a last month.

Christmas came! It was wonderful! My brother and his wife came and their sweet baby girl, Juniper. I loved every minute of it. It's hard growing up, through. Especially when you grow in different directions and no matter how badly you want to get back to that place, you just can't. I miss childhood and probably always will, but I'm learning to accept that people and things change.

Somewhere in all the busyness of life my Zoeybird crawls like a wild woman and her and Jack have found their rhythm and friendship and she doesn't mind his smothering hugs as long as she can grab his binky when he first wakes up. Typically after nap I set Zoey in Jack's bed and he loves a good cuddle. She only lasts a little bit, but the first thing she reaches for is his pacifer. (Which we're trying to let go of. But change is hard.) Jack is talking up a storm, pretending and tonight he informed me that "I love my buddies, mom." He's a true people person and is learning the art of empathy and taking turns. It's no easy task. For any of us, I imagine.



If Jack is up before Zoey he loves to rock her in her chair and we sing "Rock-a-by-Zoey" She loves it.

Zoey is standing, but not walking. She's always smiling, always curious, always wanting a little hug or a tickle. She's still not sleeping really well, but i am trying to begin the process of weaning her. I love nursing, but i think she's ready for milk and real food. She loves to eat and unlike her dear brother, will try anything I put in front of her. Her current favorites are turkey, avacado, string cheese, any sort of bread or noodle. She doesn't love sharp chedder cheese, but that's okay. I'm still nervous that she's going

John's book came out. It was/is exciting and brings me so much joy to see him excited about it too. It has meant busy weekends and long days and he's technically working two jobs somedays. I'm a woman of routine so this is kind of throwing me off, but truly by God's grace, I'm surprised at how much peace He's given me and true love for John and really wanting him to live in these moments because it will pass and life will return to it's consistency (the way I like it) and he'll have another idea pounding in his head and then we'll be off again...

Zoey's birthday was wonderful. It was small, just my parent's, brother and his fam, and a couple little friends from church who she sees in the nursery. It was pretty cute.

Jack and his pal Ellie. They've been friends since they were itty-bitty.

 And Ellie's sister Carly and Zoey. Also close in age and also too cute together.

 Zoey's other little friend Brooke. So cute.

My mom giving Zoey her present.

This girl loveees her food.

A little party spread.

 My sweet Zoeybird,

When I think of you my heart swells with love. You have changed me, little one, since I met you one year ago. Your very nature is sweet and so innocent. Your cry is soft and only used when you really want to be heard. You're favorite phrase to say is "Yeah!" In a high pitched tone. I've found myself saying that to you a lot whenever you smile or giggle. I love that you say that. That you say it when you look at babydoll or see a baby or see a picture of a baby. You love people's faces and when we have friends over you are so much happier than when it's just boring old me. I love that about you. I love your sass when I take something away or your refusal to eat baby food. I love your little lip tremble when someone tells you no and how hurt your feelings get. I love your go-with-the flow nature and that besides getting up at night, you are incredibly flexible. I love your tiny features and hair that falls into your face. I love when you sit on your little bum and hold your arms up to me to let me know you're ready to be picked up. Birdie, you are a dream come true. You are great for your brother, and I can already see will be a great ali for him. Please don't grow up too fast. I keep praying that we will be friends when you're older and I know it might not happen naturally, but I want you to know that I will try and try to be a good mama and friend to you. For I truly believe they go hand in hand. I am so glad we had you, I'm so thankful Jesus used you to heal our wounded hearts and to teach us true dependency on Him. I'm so glad we named you Zoey and every time I say your name I'm so happy we chose it. I love your little shoulder cuddle, the way you hum along when we sing to you and the way you talk to yourself at 4am for an hour.

I LOVE you, Zoey. Just the way you are.

Love,
Mama

playing catch up

I do take pictures, even if I don't always post them. 

I love fall and this year it was particularly beautiful. the weather has been very mild this year and the fall was cool, but not too cold, and simply breathtaking with changing colors.

jack and i made cookies one morning while zoey napped and it was so fun. he's really a fun companion.

there are just no words for how much i love this picture. he's like a grown boy in this one!

and now back to a little boy.

 we often play a face game where we say different emotions and then make the face that goes along with them. this is our mad face.

happy face        mad face        sad face        tired face           

He's a fun little guy.

and Zoey's a fun little girl too. 

We decorated the tree in November (we typically do) and it was so fun.

christmas

I was on a roll there for a little bit.

Oh well. Sorry to my kids in the future that I am not consistent on this thing. Check out my instagram pictures though, I'm updating those daily. 

Christmas is one week away. One week! Each Christmas that I have been married to John has been a different experience. This one is no exception. On Sunday, an op-ed that he wrote for the New York Times was published . It was such a journey and so exciting to watch him live out his dream since High school. I am so impressed with his skill and gifting and can't wait to see how the Lord is going to continue using him as times goes on. I'm so thankful for his friendship and love and partnership. I will never know how he balances it all, but he does. And so well. 

Zoeybird a movin' and a scootin'. Everywhere. We got our first snow this last weekend and she loved looking at it through the window. She's such a fun little girl and full of so much life. She doesn't enjoy long, leisurely naps and just said farewell to her morning nap. (!!) That's hard for me. I love naptime. It's one of the highlights of my days. I'm sure she'll re-visit the 'ol morning snooze, but for now she goes down when Jack does and wakes up around the time he does. Which is totally fine with me. She recently found a babydoll in the nursery and fell in love. She talks to it and gets so giddy when she sees it. She loves seeing Jack and if I ever ask her "where's Jack?" she looks around and just starts giggling. She is still nursing, but loves food. Not necessarily baby food, but she loves food. I'm so thankful for her; her sweet nature and the little buddy that she is. I can't wait to watch her grow and develop and keep up with her big brother. I love seeing her and Jack together and they're really beginning to enjoy each other. They love to cuddle after naps and giggle up a storm in bed together. Jack especially loves to cuddle, but Zoey hasn't quite found a love for it just yet. 




Jackboy is talking up a storm. He loves to sing and is just beginning to pretend with his cars (a favorite pastime of mine. Pretending, not necessarily with cars. ;) He's active and adventurous and loves learning new songs and quoting his favorite movies. He loves to read books or "car-zines" with his daddy. Oh, and he loves his daddy. Today he cried for him for about 25 minutes before his nap. He cried at the window where John's car normally is and wailed about how he wanted his daddy and his daddy is his best friend. They are so cute together and Jack is such a mini-version of John. Next Sunday, Jack is singing in his first ever Christmas program at church. For all of three songs, but STILL. This is a big deal. An even bigger deal that he will stand there for those three songs (please, Lord!) He loves his friends, playdates, cars, Mickey Mouse, Mater the Tow Truck and Frosty the Snowman. He has so much love in his little heart and is constantly making us laugh. 

 



I can't believe how fast this year has gone, I can't believe that one year ago I was huge and pregnant and about to birth my second babe. I can't believe that in the last year I somehow (by God's grace and thank you Weight Watchers) lost a total of 56 pounds. I can't believe how fast Zoey has grown and how much joy she brings to my heart. I can't believe that John's book is about to be released and the changes that have happened at our home church. I am so thankful for change and growth and God's grace and patience. I'm thankful for the past and memories and childhood. I'm so excited for 2013 and for whatever Jesus has in store. I just hope I can keep up and savor those moments with the kiddos that are going so quickly.