Mother's Day 2013

It is still so surreal that I am Mama to this sweet baby girl! I look at her and see the goodness of our God and the reality of my life verse, Ephesians 3:20! He is truly able to do exceeding abundantly above all I could ever ask or think!

Although we did not go through the painful struggle of infertility as many do, I spent many of my single years longing to be a wife and mama. For as long as I can remember I've wanted to be a mom.

I LOVED teaching. The 8 years I spent in the classroom are so precious to me! Teaching struggling readers and children with ADHD, Aspergers, and other challenges was amazing. I was blessed to teach at a wonderful school with co workers (and a supervisor) that were some of my best friends, a principal who was behind his teachers 100% and students who became "mine" (If you teach, you probably understand why I refer to them as mine!) I absolutely loved what I did, but would often daydream of staying at home with my own babies!

I know that most of my desire to be a mama came from watching my own Mama! She always stayed home with us growing up and though she had a successful home business we were her first priority. She packed hundreds of lunches (and brought them to school when they were forgotten on the kitchen counter ;) ) She stayed up late helping with projects and walked around the mall for hours while I searched for the perfect outfit. She was an amazing decorator way before Pinterest or even HGTV became popular. She painted clouds on my baby blue bedroom walls without a blog tutorial to follow and when I tired of them she handpainted a pink and white striped accent wall to match my shabby chic theme! She made our house a home, but even more than that she taught us about Jesus by serving her family so faithfully! She was our church pianist, made the bulletin and taught Sunday School, but made sure we saw Jesus lived out everyday of the week not just on Sunday! She not only taught my sister and me how to sing harmony, but the importance of praising Him with our lives not just with our song!

I don't ever want to take the gift of motherhood and the privilege it is to stay home for granted. My sweet hubby works so hard so that I can be here with Londyn Grace! It is truly my dream job. It has been more challenging, yet more rewarding than I ever imagined! There have been so many days when I've wondered if I'm doing it right. Times when the dishes were piled in the sink, the laundry baskets were overflowing, my itty bitty baby was nursing constantly and I would sit overwhelmed by how much work being a mom is. There is no time clock, no punching in or punching out, but it is an amazing calling that requires all of me at all times. A calling I can only fulfill with the help of the Lord! I'm still very new and inexperienced and have SO much to learn, but I'm so grateful for answered prayers and the blessing of serving Jesus by serving my family! (I know many of you work outside the home, too, so you are pulling double duty! You are AMAZING and I don't know how you find the energy to do it all!)

For my first Mother's Day, Londyn Grace picked out a gorgeous necklace from Zales and the sweetest card! I think she may have had a little help from her Daddy! After church, Daniel took a picture of me and my Lovey Lou! It will be neat to see how much she grows from one Mother's Day to the next. We had dinner at the EuroGrill, a yummy restaurant in town. I ordered barbeque ribs! When we got home, Daddy rocked LG to sleep and skipped his afternoon nap so I could take one! It was wonderful! {Thanks, Babe!}

my heart. my love. my daughter. my londyn grace.

Since Daniel is a pastor, we have a lot of responsibilities at church on Sundays which make traveling for Sunday holidays nearly impossible. It was hard not being with my Mama, but FaceTime is such an awesome invention! We were able to "visit" for a few minutes! I mailed her new Vera Bradley purse and several prints from Londyn Grace's six month shoot earlier in the week so she got her present in time!

We ended the day with our evening service and then Daniel's family arrived for a visit! We were able to give his mom her gift in person and spend time with her on Monday!

It was so special to celebrate my first Mother's Day as a mama to my Little Goose! I am so glad I get to keep her!

Seven Months...

entertaining her audience
 (mimi, pop pop, auntie m, and lyssa!)

Lovey Lou, you are seven months old! This means you are closer to being one than you are to being a newborn! Ahhh! I'll try not to think about that!

At seven months old, Londyn Grace is weighing in at 14 pounds 8 ounces and measuring around 27 inches long! She is still a peanut, but her little thighs are getting chunky and her feet now touch the bottom of her exersaucer! She used to be able to curl up next to Mama while nursing and her feet would press into my belly now she  has to bend her  legs because she is so long! She has officially outgrown most of her 3-6 month clothes. She wears mostly 6 month dresses and 6 month pjs! She's even moved up to 6 month skirts!  I spent some time this month packing away things that don't fit her anymore and found it to be quite hard! Why do babies grow so fast?!

The past months was full of firsts for Sweet Pea! She had her first taste of solids on April 4th! Daddy made her sweet potato purée and she loved it! We've only tried a few things since we want to make sure she's still getting her main nutrients from Mama's milk, but she also likes carrots and apples! She was NOT a fan of avocado! She is doing a lot of snack nursing but is still eating every three hours most days.

She went to the playground for the first time and really liked the swings! (I blogged about it here!)

She rolled from her back to her belly for the first time (but hasn't done it since!) I was changing her diaper, and she wanted the wipes container so she rolled over to get it!

She had her first fall that resulted in a bloody nose and a terrified mama! I was sitting on the floor, she was sitting on my lap when she fell forward into a pile of wooden puzzles. She cried hard but only for a few minutes! I think it hurt me more than it hurt her.

She saw her first play at Sight & Sound Theatre. She sat so well watching the actors and live animals in Noah! She also visited Carlo's Bakery (from TLCs Cake Boss) for the first time! She didn't have a cupcake but we assured her that ours tasted pretty yummy! :)

gorgeous girl

On our walk last night, Londyn Grace waved for the first time! It is so precious!

She is also saying "Ma. Ma. Ma." over and over again! I know she doesn't know what it means, but I sure do love the sound! She's working on "Dada" too!

We have really established a napping schedule that works well for us and if she stays on it, she is such a smily happy girl! She takes three naps a day,  mid morning, afternoon and another in the early evening! We are also able to put her down for naps (after rocking) and she is staying asleep! (this is a pretty big deal since she was needing to be held to stay asleep for any length of time!)

For the last two nights, sweet Londyn girl hasn't wanted to nurse to sleep. Instead she prefers Mama to stand with her, bouncing and singing. She "sings" along with her eyes closed until all of her extra energy is gone and she drifts off. I lay her in her crib and she sleeps in her room for the first half of the night. (From 10:00 until she stirs usually around 1 or 2) Then she nurses and stays with Mama and Daddy for the rest of the night. She is still a fan of sleeping until around 9 each morning which is fine with me! On Sundays, I usually have to wake her in order to be ready for church on time!

Since the weather has warmed up, we've been taking walks! It has been so nice to get out in the sunshine! She loves sitting in the grass!

She loves looking at books and is still putting everything into her mouth. She likes to chew on empty water bottles and anything she can get ahold of! We are working hard trying to teach her not to touch glasses, remotes, cell phones, etc!

She has also started chewing/sucking her thumb!

We've had lots of drool, but still no sign of a tooth!

our world

She has been sitting like a champ since the beginning of the month and can now get from a seated position to her belly on her own! Once she gets there though she gets frustrated because she is definitely not mobile yet! I'm okay with that! I'm not ready for a crawler!

She is still very very attached to me, but does okay with others as long as I'm not in her line of sight!

She's also making a new "Ah ah" sound when she wants someone or something! She is reaching out for what she wants!

It seems like she is learning something new everyday and I'm so blessed to be able to be home with her! My lifelong dream of being a stay at home mom is reality and more wonderful than I ever imagined it would be! Londyn Grace loves seeing Daddy when he comes home for lunch! Her face lights up when he walks in!

She is our world and we are so glad we get to keep her!! The last seven months have been the best of our lives and we can't wait for the month to come!

Packing for PERU

No, not me! But my friend Katherine along with her hubby and sweet little boy have spent the last year and a half raising support for their first term as missionaries to the country of Peru!

The Lord has blessed them with many supporting churches and they have purchased their one way tickets planning to leave the US on June 10th! As they have done throughout the deputation process, they are trusting God with the final expenses moving entails!

A friend of theirs has offered to do a Thirty One fundraiser to help with moving expenses which include shipping a container full of their belongings to Peru. If you're not familiar with Thirty One it is a Christian company that sells cute totes, lots of fun organizational bins and a ton of other adorable things most of which can be monogrammed! The special for May is for every $31 you spend, you can get ANY of their thermals, including the brand new ones that came out today for HALF OFF. You can also have your purchases delivered directly to your door for an extra $4 shipping! 

So click here to shop (then click my parties on the left side of the screen and select Compton fundraiser) and bless a family headed to serve Jesus in Lima, Peru! You can also like Impact Peru's Facebook page and find the information there regarding the fundraiser! 

Thank you in advance for your help in getting the Gospel to the people of Peru!

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14

You are so beautiful...

to me!

can't you see?

You're everything I've hoped for!

Everything I dreamed!

You are so beautiful to me!

Just a Swingin'

hey, pretty lady!

We’ve had a busy, but wonderful Monday!

Mondays are Daddy’s day off since he is busy at the church on Saturdays so we love our time together! We did some cleaning this morning then we went for a walk, mailed a letter at the post office and had lunch at a sandwich shop in town. We hurried home just in time to head to Dr. Schlachter’s office for Londyn Grace’s six month well check!

In the doctor’s words, she “got an A+!” He was pleased with her growth and said that she is doing great! She gained two pounds (still a peanut at around 14 pounds), grew an inch and half in length (26 inches) and her noggin grew another inch as well (this explains why some of our favorite headbands are getting a little snug) since her last appointment. Thank You, Lord, for a healthy, growing baby!

I was reminded again of how much I love our sweet pediatrician! I know the Lord picked him especially for this anxious first time Mama! He is a real life Doc Baker from Little House on the Prairie! His laid back, caring and gentle nature is such a blessing!

swinging for the first time

After some grocery shopping, we decided to check out the playground just down the street from our house! 

I know we'll be spending lots of time there once the weather warms up for good! It has walking paths (so I can get some much needed exercise!) and lots of fun equipment for littles!

Londyn Grace loved swinging for the first time, and Mama loved snapping pictures of this milestone while Daddy pushed her. Daddy also showed her the slide and how to ride the horsey! 

daddy and his girl

pretty baby

weeeee!!!

push me higher,  Daddy!

I may or may not have gotten a little teary eyed while watching her enjoy herself! She is seeming so big to be these days now that she's sitting independently! I can't handle this growing up stuff! :) 

                              

                           ride a little horsey, up and down!

so much fun!

not too sure about the slide
 

It was a bit chilly so we didn't stay long, but she seemed to enjoy it! Daddy made us breakfast food for dinner when we got home, waffles, eggs, and canadian bacon! So yummy! 

I'm so thankful for our little family and for the precious gift that life is! The tragedy in Boston grieves my heart, and I pray that it will only make us realize our need for Jesus in a greater way. 

I have so much to blog including Easter, pictures of her first taste of solids, etc., etc. I hope to do that sometime this week, but should probably tackle the laundry first! :) 

Side note: Blogger is frustrating. I worked with picture placement way too long and it's still not cooperating! Ugh!

Six Months!!!

Happy half birthday, Londyn Grace!

Our teeny tiny newborn is six months old! She has grown so much this past month! Her little thighs are getting chunkier and she's even getting a little belly, but she is still long and lean weighing in at just 13 pounds 4 ounces and measuring 26 inches long! She is wearing mostly 3-6 month clothing, but can still wear her 3 month skirts since she has a small waist.

We did it! We've been nursing for six months!! After the challenges of the first 3-4 months, things have gotten so much easier! She is now eating every three hours and is only taking about 20 minutes at the most to eat. Most days she's finished in just 10-15 which seems so strange after months of hour long nursing sessions! I am so grateful for Daniel's support because without it I would have given up in those early days.  He knew how important it was to me and has been so patient and understanding when it came to the time and energy exclusive nursing has taken. I love the opportunities  nursing has given me to just sit and hold my baby girl! I cherish the moments when she wraps her little fingers around mine and looks up at me so content and satisfied! I am looking forward to the next six months and planning to continuing nursing until her first birthday! We've worked too hard to stop now!

Her major developmental milestones for the month include finding her feet and sitting unassisted!! Just within the past few days she has been sitting alone for longer periods of time! She can also pull herself to a seated position using just our fingers for leverage! She has yet to roll back to belly, so I'm starting to wonder if she's going to skip it all together?! She has started to grasp objects using both hands and is now playing with the toys on her exersaucer as opposed to just looking at them.

This month she has become even more vocal. She still has moments where she will talk" and "talk" and others where she hardly makes a sound! It all depends on her mood, I guess! When she is tired, she is will crack up laughing at just about anything!

She spent most of this month teething something fierce, but that tooth has yet to make its appearance! Hyland's teething tablets have been a lifesaver! 

Along with her feet, our sweet baby girl has also found her sassy side! If she doesn't want to sit in her carseat she will stiffen up and fuss! So we are working on that! She often gets frustrated when she can't get a toy in her mouth just so.

Things are much better napping wise! Londyn Grace is taking 3-4 naps a day fairly consistently! Her morning nap is usually only a half hour while her afternoon typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour. She usually takes an evening nap as well. She is still a super light sleeper so she has to really be in a deep sleep if a nap is going to last for any length of time. We have graduated from nursing to sleep for naps though! We now walk and bounce! After a little fussing, she usually drifts off pretty quickly!

This month, Londyn girl has slept about 3-4 hours  in her crib in her own room several times! After her 1:30 feeding, I have been keeping her in our room, but will probably make the full transition soon.

Her favorite toys include the rattle Uncle Ben gave her for Christmas, Sophie the giraffe and most recently a teether bead bracelet that was in her Easter basket.

Londyn Grace loves to be held and is starting to reach for Mama when she wants me! (Be still my heart!) She is very attached to me, but her Daddy can make her smile like no one else! She doesn't like to be left alone and will start to cry if we leave the room.

Overall, she is a happy smiley girl! She is so quick to smile and lights up a room when she does! A lady at church calls her the Princess of First Baptist because everyone is always gathering around her before and after every service!

This month, we celebrated Londyn Grace's first Easter (blog post coming soon) and her great great grandmother's 93rd birthday! She also went along for our church teen activity and had a great time watching them bowl! 

Every month, I am amazed at how much more I fall in love with this little girl. The Lord has blessed us beyond measure!

Lovey Lou,

You are half a year old! What did we ever do without you? You bring us so much joy! After the adjustments and learning of your first few months, I think we are finally figuring each other out and getting used to being a family of three! 
Having you has changed us for the better and only strengthened Mama and Daddy's love for each other and for the Lord!
 Having you has made time seem to fly even faster than before! Wasn't it just yesterday that you were wearing preemie clothes? As I type this (with one hand!) you are napping in my arms. The house is messy and there are dishes in the sink, but I'm okay with that because you will only be little once!We are so looking forward to all you will do in the month ahead! We love you, Sweet Pea!
LOVE,
 Daddy & Mama

If you haven't yet be sure to check out her six month portraits here!

Pretty as a Picture..{Six Month Portraits}

Londyn Grace had her six month portraits taken yesterday by our sweet and talented friend, Miss Lindsey! (Lindsey also took our maternity photos which you can see here!)

I am dying over how precious they are and will cherish these images for years to come! LG did so well and never fussed at all! Since we live in the North East, it has been bitter and cold pretty chilly for most of Londyn's six months so she has never really been outside unless she was covered in her carseat, but yesterday was a beautiful spring day! We were able to do the shoot outside and watching her react to the sunlight and breeze for the first time was so adorable!

We have several more poses that she is her wearing a sweet smocked dress in that I will share with her six month post tomorrow! (How is she half a year old already?!!!!)