New.

 Friends,

It has been entirely too long since I have last blogged!  Hank was a mere three months old, and now we are pushing six (and my goodness hopefully teeth)!  Time sure flies these days, and I am soaking in every moment with my precious half-year old little boy.  I am beginning to realize how truly I now feel the words that "babies don't keep."

There have been several reasons for this, and for awhile, I actually thought I was going to shut the blog down.  Something in me felt weird all of a sudden posting so much information on my little boy...and in a way, I felt like I was bragging about him.  Like I was saying, "Come on over and see how amazing my life is!"  I truly don't think that when I read other people's blogs, but if I was being completely honest about it when I searched my own heart, I know that is at least partly true.  I admittedly sometimes want to paint a picture for anyone reading that we have some kind of perfect life.  I want people to tell me how cute my baby is.  Duh. Who doesn't want that?  But I also needed to have self-check to make sure that my heart was in the right place.

Christmas 2013. Those cheeks.

Instead of shutting down, I feel like God is calling me to take this blog in a new direction this year.  After I had Hank, so many of my friends also had babies.  And one of my biggest joys was when a friend would text or call me with a question or just to vent about something related to pregnancy or motherhood.  I feel like one of the greatest ways that I can serve other moms is just to be an encouragement to them.  I don't have all (or really any) great answers, but I love helping other mamas feel encouraged and confident and hopeful in their new roles.  I always felt like a million dollars after talking through things with my other mama friends (thank you to the amazing friends who saw me through those first few months and quitting breastfeeding and going back to work).  That is something that I would love to give back.  Life is not perfect - motherhood is messy over here.  I am learning that as I encourage others, I am realizing the need to offer myself a lot of grace as well.

Loves of my life.

So, I won't be doing as many updates on Hank's progress and growth (I am trying to remember to email him my special letters and things I want him to know), I am going to be writing this blog mainly about motherhood - funny stories, lessons I've learned, and personal stories that might be an encouragement to others.  I am also currently trying to lose weight and have been following the Weight Watchers plan (for the millionth time), so I will be posting recipes and little progress updates on that along the way.  There will still be family pictures and life updates occasionally, but what I really feel that God is leading me to is a spot where I can simply be myself and hopefully encourage others who might be walking through the same journey.  Oh, and I will also still be doing some Stella and Dot sample sales because this is really the best way for me to get that out!

Thanks so much for listening, and my next post will be very soon.  It will most likely be about quitting breastfeeding, which is the area where I still personally need the most encouragement and grace, despite it being three months since we stopped.  Love you all!

Becky

PS - Duh, there are Hank pics in here because I just can't help it. :)  Don't feel obligated to tell me he's cute just because I said that!

Life Updates

Life has been busy lately - so wonderfully busy!  I have loved (almost) every second of staying home with my little boy, and I can't believe I am only two weeks away from heading back to work!  We have such a happy, healthy, and sweet little man, and I am beyond thankful for our current stage of life.

 I love this little face that he makes.  He is going to be a sneaky little guy!

I have lots of things to update the blog on...here are some a few life updates, most of which I will post about with more details soon!

• I just started Weight Watchers again, and I am LOVING the new Points Plus system.  Veggies have always been zero points, but now fruits are too!  This was amazing news to me - and a guarantee that I will not go hungry while on this diet (which is always a certain way to fail on a diet).  I have been trying lots of new recipes and will post some ideas soon.  I am also going to try to post my weekly meal plans to a certain extent, just in case anyone else wants to follow along!  I also started Couch to 5K, and my goal is to run the Rock and Roll half marathon again in March.  That should be plenty of time to train, but we'll see!

A before shot - I have a long way to go, but I am trying!

•  I officially stopped breastfeeding this weekend.  This has been one of the hardest struggles I have ever had (seriously, I am so thankful for my life since this is one of the hardest things I have gone through).  I am going to write about my experiences in hopes of encouraging others who might be going through something similar.  I have never known this kind of guilt, shame, and despair before - and I have had to rely so much on the Lord through this struggle. 

• I have been busy with a great season in my Stella and Dot business.  I love this little part time job!  I will be posting a huge sample sale soon to make room for my new inventory.   Here is an official Stella and Dot update, for those that may not get my newsletter (please let me know if you'd like to be added to the monthly email list): http://mad.ly/b64024

  

  What would I do without these two?

• Hank is seriously growing up - he has changed so much this month - not just in the way he looks, but how interactive he is becoming.  He's also a bit moodier than we're used to, but still such a sweet boy.  I can't wait to get him all dressed up for his first Halloween, and I can't believe we are going to be taking his three month pics next week!

• We got to take our first little trip with Hank to San Antonio and Austin - he did so great on the road and even got to make his first trip to Buc-ee's!  His second trip is coming up this weekend - we can't wait to meet our friends in Houston! 

•  I am going back to work in two weeks - I hope to post about my transition after I get the hang of it.  I am nervous as all get out, but I am determined that this is what God is calling our family to do right now.

Our first time back at church - the nursery wore him out!

 

OK - I really hope to get to post much more soon!  Thanks for reading!

a great gift idea

Recently, my mom and I discovered what we think is the perfect hostess gift.  Actually, it is a great gift for any occasion, and has really been my "go-to" lately for different events.  I just wanted to pass this little gem along in case anyone out there was looking for a great gift for a great price.

These notecards are from Papyrus.  You can get these in any pattern and color that you choose - and the best part is, they print them right then and there for you! You can do a monogram, first and last name, or anything you really want to say.  And the best part is, they are only $20 for 20 cards!

My favorites are the chalkboard card and the brand new one for this month - it is so cute and colorful!  I can't find it on the website, but if you go by a Papyrus store (there is one in Northpark Mall), you can see the card of the month on display, plus many others.  If you don't like the ones that they displayed, they will do the same design in any color for you.

I ordered Hank these cards for his thank you notes (that he has conveniently asked me to write and I am WAY behind). Sorry the pic is not great quality.

Anyway, I think these cards are perfect for hostesses, new babies, weddings or showers, housewarming, or just because.  $20 for 20 cards is a steal for such a great gift!

Happy Shopping!

Hank at 2 months

 Your chunky thighs are to die for!

My Sweet Hank,

You have had such a great month!  Now that we are out of the true newborn stage, we've really hit a sweet spot.  You are really the best baby - so happy and easy - and I am so proud of you!

You have grown a ton over the last month.  Today, we went in for your two month check-up and you were 13 pounds even, at the 70th percentile, and your length was 23 3/4 inches long at the 80th percentile.  Your head circumference was 75th percentile, so you are right on track in every measurement and we were so proud of you!  You are officially wearing 3-6 month clothes (except pants and shorts are still 3 month size).  You are such a good sleeper - I am incredibly happy with you in this department.  Three times this week you slept 8 hours straight!!  But, even when you wake up around 2 or 3 am, you just eat and go right back to sleep - truly knowing what is day and what is night.  I love you for this!!

 

You are happiest when your dad is playing with you.  It is so funny to see your face light up with the biggest smile ever when Dad tickles you or plays peek-a-boo.  It is easy to see how much you love him, and he is definitely the best at getting you to smile.  He even gets a good chuckle out of you sometimes, and that is the most wonderful sound in the world to us.

 I know you love me too, Hankster.  When someone else is holding you, but you hear my voice in the room, you always turn to look my way.  You are so comforted when I pick you up in the middle of the night to feed you, and it is my biggest joy when you literally hug my neck when I'm holding you. You are really starting to "talk" to me in response when I am talking to you, and I just love it!

Your favorite place to be lately is your swing.  One day when I put you in there awake, I left the room and came back to find you laughing at yourself in the mirror.  I don't know what tickled you so much, but ever since then, you are always looking up at that mirror and smiling.  You love the swing awake and you love it asleep.  We are VERY thankful for that swing - mom gets to take showers and get ready on a much more consistent basis now.

 This crooked smile just slays me every time, Hankster.  You have so many funny facial expressions - you make everyone laugh with your judgmental looks.  One day at the grocery store, a lady thought you didn't like her because you were looking at her like she was crazy!  I call it your "Whatchu talkin' 'bout Willis" face.  And that is a reference that you will never even know of in your lifetime, but oh well!

You also still love to lay down on the changing table.  You do most of your laughing in that spot.  Right now, you think it is hilarious when I take off your clothes or diaper to change you.  We just sit and play there all the time because it makes you so happy.

 The things you love right now: Daddy, the swing and the mirror above it, the changing table, being swaddled in the miracle blanket, staring at your best friend the fan, peek-a-boo, and your mobile (and any soft music playing).

The things you don't so much love right now: loud, sudden noises (like Mom's sneezes or Nala barking), the nose sucker, dirty diapers, being hungry (no one does), getting shots (yowzers you can get loud), and when you go awhile without being held.

We are so in LOVE with you, little man.  We pray big things for you every day, but most importantly that you grow up to know Jesus.  Thank you for being the best thing that ever happened to your daddy and me (besides each other).

Love, Mom

5 smiles

It's been a great week in our house!  We switched over to the miracle blanket, per a friend's advice, and haven't slept less than 6 hours straight at night since!  Wednesday night, Hank slept a full 8 hours before waking up.  I feel like a new person from these few nights of better sleep - it's been a fun week!  Here are some other highlights from our week...

1. Hank got his ear molds and tape off for good this week!  No more plastic surgeon visits or sponge baths for this guy.  I was very happy to put this phase behind us - though, I will say it did go by fast. I took this selfie at the doctor's office since Aaron was out of town (I send him lots of pictures when he's gone) and I was super excited.

 

2. Catherine, one of my best friends from high school came in town from California with her little boy Amos.  I got to meet him when he was six weeks old, and she got to meet Hank when he was six weeks old!  These two were so cute together, and I can't believe how much Amos had grown.  We also got to go to JG's with Steph and it was really fun for us all to hang out with our sons.  Plus, I needed a trip to that skinny mirror.  It is truly the best mirror in Dallas.  Ok - that was random, but if you are having an off day, just go check it out.

3. I've been doing a little online shopping lately, trying to stock up a bit for when I go back to work and can't wear stretchy maternity pants.  Boo!  Anyway, there is this great blog Pinterest Told Me To that I have discovered recently.  The writer lives in the DFW area and basically finds outfits she loves on Pinterest and recreates them.  She gives great tips and the heads up on sales.  I have gotten a few of her "must have items" that were on mega sale at Nordstrom this week - her must have shirt by Pleione and this Kut from the Kloth white denim jacket.  Love both - super comfy and great for work!

 

4. Hank had a small sip and see this weekend and it had a cute bow tie "little man" theme.  He looked adorable in this Janie and Jack outfit, and we got a good family picture in!   It was a blast, and I will blog more about the insanely cute details of the party next week.

 

 5. Finally, saving the best for last, FOOTBALL season started!!  This is such an awesome time of year with football beginning and baseball still going on.  Hank looked adorable in his new football hat from Aunt Jordan and Uncle Brian, and was excited to hear me sing "The Eyes of Texas" to him over and over.  Hook em Horns!