My BABY is ONE!!

Today was Maya's first birthday! It was a bittersweet day because I'm pretty sure she is my last baby. Knowing that she is my last is exciting in some ways (getting closer to being a diaper free home!), but it's also mixed with a bit of sadness knowing that I'll never get to feel tiny feet kicking inside my tummy, or have another tiny newborn curled up in a ball, sleeping on my chest all night long. I'll really miss those things ...probably forever. Just saying that out loud makes me cry!!

I was one of those "weird" women that loved being pregnant. I LOVED carrying my children & getting to feel them kicking and rolling around inside me. I actually liked how I looked while I was pregnant (OK, maybe not the third trimester puffiness, and the extra/extra wide feet). I absolutely adored my very large, very round, pregnant belly!

I journaled my way through each pregnancy (yes, even my third), documenting each new "first", and charting everything from my expanding belly, to my expanding butt!! I spent each night parked on the sofa with my hand on my belly, feeling the kids squirm all around inside of me. I think those will always be sweet, sweet, memories to me :-).

Here is a look back...ONE YEAR ago today!

Little Miss Maya Lynnette entered the world at 5:13 a.m.!
*She was by far my fastest (1 hour 15 minutes) labor, and easiest delivery. I was so thrilled to have accomplished my THIRD med-free delivery! I felt amazing after she was born! It's funny how "experience" really changes everything when it comes to having babies. I felt very confident going into my delivery & I remember being so proud of my veteran hubby who also felt at ease in the delivery room. He and I were quite the team that day!






Do you think I could be more excited?


She weighed in @ 7lbs 12 oz & 19 inches long.



Snug as a bug...


Nursing Maya that first night. (Just in case you were wondering....we are still nursing at one year. Yay, for me!)

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*Overall I feel very blessed to be the mom of three beautiful children. Each one of my kids is so special to me in three very different ways. I love that God chose to give me such interesting , fun, and unique personalities for my children. I feel like my kids stretch me to my limits (in a good way), because they are always challenging me to do more, know more, and be more. My life really is all about them right now, but that's OK!

I don't think many moms hear that...but I think they need to!! It's really OK if you are pouring yourself into your little children. Sure, you don't get enough sleep right now, or even get to shower every day, but this time is SO short...spend it wisely! I want my kids to remember the "fun" me, the "happy" me, & the only way they are going to have those memories is if I give up a little of "me" from time to time.

The one HUGE thing my third baby has taught me is to "let go". If I had one word of advice for new moms out there it would be to "let go" more often. "Let go"... of some of the "book knowledge" you have and listen to your gut more often. Hold that baby when it cries, scoot over and let your toddler climb into bed with you in the middle of the night, eat a cookie for breakfast, go to the park when it's sunny (even if all the chores don't get done because of it!). "Let go"...of your schedule from time to time & listen to what your children want and need from you. Be open to learning their unique communication styles (no two children are alike...). "Let go"...of wanting your "former" life back. Your children really are a blessing from the Lord, even if they do "rob" you of your sleep & steal away your vanity. Don't be jealous of the sleep you "used to" get or the body you "once" had...celebrate that you have been forever changed by the blessing of children. Take comfort in this bit of wisdom I once received from a veteran mom..."When things get rough, & you find yourself at the end of your rope, know that...this too shall pass". It really will!

If I had one thing I was really passionate about it would be my children...and I'm not ashamed to admit that. Jon and I have made TREMENDOUS sacrifices so that I could stay at home with the kids & I would do it all over again if I had to. I could have a bigger home, a newer car, a big savings account, and nice clothes if I were working right now, but being here...in my home...with my kids...is what has changed me for the better. I'm eternally grateful for the past five years, and all that I've been able to learn from my children. I hope, and pray, that God will continue to make a way for me to stay with them for a few more years to come, because this has been the most rewarding journey of my entire life (sacrifices and all).




"It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't."
-Barbara Kingsolver

"Alex, I'll take USB cables for $100"

And the question is:
"Where does my USB cable disappear to all of the time?"

The Answer:
"Where is...Maya's crib?"

THAT'S CORRECT!


OK, so we are no strangers to all sorts of "cables" around our house. With a husband that works on computers by day, and plays guitar by night, well, we've got A LOT of random cables floating around our house. But, the fact that my children now fashion them as scarves, necklaces, earrings, super-hero capes, and now security blankets has me a bit concerned.

The USB cable just so happens to be Maya's favorite as of late. Every. Single. Time. I go to download pictures off of my camera I have to go hunt down the last remaining USB cable (she shorted out the first one by sucking on the end of it all the time-LOL!)& it seems like I always find it in Maya's possession. How this one made it into her crib.....oh, I can only guess that it had some "help" making it in there. What? Do you really think I let her take it to bed?? (McKenna likes to deliver "toys" to Maya when she is in her crib & I often find things that are not really "toys" in Maya's crib). How this baby is ever going to make it to her 5th birthday is still a question I can't answer....God save her, because I'm sure doing a horrible job :-0!
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On another note....


"Hi there"


Just looking out the window...


"Now, I wonder how I can't get this thing off of here..."

Just for a change.

I thought I would post a few of my favorite artsy/fartsy pics. I got my digital camera (yes, it's MINE!) back in March & I still have not read the users manual (who does that anyway?) so I'm just figuring things out as I go. I took these pictures some time ago and have never figured out what I want to do with them...

You would think this was my baby...

...from the amount of pictures I'm taking of this little guy-LOL! Here are a few more "Z Baby" pics.


Hmmm, I'm not sure I know what to think about this whole "outside the womb" thing.



The "baby paparazzi" just won't leave me alone. I'm really getting tired of that dumb flash in my face all the time!


Snug as a bug....


"Z baby" chillin' after a big meal :-)


Yes, those are the most kissable cheeks ever!


"Mom, I think this paci thing is bigger than my whole face!"


Zion with one of his favorite Aunties ;-)

If you NEED more Zion pics....

Check out his personal blog!

*Yes, this one day old has his own blog already! OK, OK....his mommy and daddy are posting on his behalf right now. He's a little worn out from all the breastfeeding to do much posting right now-LOL!

http://thezionfile.blogspot.com

I'm an Auntie again!

Little Zion Michael pulled a fast one on us and decided to arrive a few days ahead of his scheduled c-section date. I called Tricia around 9:00 a.m. today and she said she thought she was having contractions....but she wasn't sure???? I asked her where she was feeling them and she said "That's the thing...I'm only feeling them in my back!" To which I said "you are going into labor, Sis!". I think it took her a few minutes for that to register because she was still planning on having this little guy on Thursday....not TODAY! So, Tricia didn't get to have her day of relaxation like she thought she was going to get, but she did get something pretty special.....

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Mommy and Daddy getting their first good look at little Zion.



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The Stats:
Weight: 7lbs 14oz
Length: 19 inches
Hair: Dark, dark brown/Black & LOTS of it!
Cheeks: Extra round and super kissable!

*Praise GOD! Zion was born completely healthy! All of the fluid was gone from his lungs and he didn't have to spend any time in the NICU. All of his tests came back completely clear!!
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Congrats Tricia and Jeremy! I'm beyond excited for you guys! Zion, your Auntie Amber loves you SOOOO much!!!

*Stay tuned for more Zion pictures soon :-)

More Gallery Show Pics...

What's in the bag?



Hmm, is this a dress or a shirt? All I know is I could NEVER afford it!

My favorite color of roses.
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*THIS has been my long time favorite piece of Jeremy's. So, Jeremy, if that buyer doesn't come through....let's talk-LOL! My dining room has been saving a space on that GIANT empty wall for a piece like this :-)! It's beautiful!

Psst-It's $3200 for anyone who really is interested. I'm going to be so jealous of the real buyer one of these days.
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"Mommy Tricia"... after a loooong night!



We are Earle girls-therefore we SWELL!
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SOLD!

Jeremy's Gallery Show.

Some of you may know that my Brother-In-Law is quite a talented artist. Those of you that didn't know...do now!

Jeremy had his first gallery show this past Friday. It was at "Pidgeon" in downtown KC. I'm really proud of him! He was part of the "First Friday's" event downtown, where all the local art galleries and shops display local artists work.


Just a few of the pieces. It was hard to get a clear shot because the place was packed! The middle piece was one of my favorites!
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I like this one too. Wish I would have turned my flash off....


Me and Tricia.

Trish and Jer!

Fun to the 4th!

The "3 Little Whites" on the 4th!

*Yes, this was the best out of the 150 poses we took...sad but true. Man, I love our digital camera!
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Anna and Maya.

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McKenna having a GREAT time in the back of "Unkie D's" car!

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My first try at taking pictures of fireworks. Not the easiest thing I've ever done. There is at least 30,959,285,978 weird/funky shots of the fireworks (some of which I rather enjoy), but not too many really clear ones. Must. Read. Camera Manual.

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*I love this time of year!

*Thanks Tom and Karen! We had a wonderful time celebrating the 4th with you guys!

...and this is now!

Chandler just celebrated his THIRD birthday on the 26th of June! I still can't believe my "little" guy (who is actually not so small anymore) is already 3! I'm still trying to learn how to "treasure the little moments", because I know there will always be more "little" moments in raising my children than big ones.

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Channy is my constant reminder of God's deep love for me. I don't think I would have learned how to rely on God's grace and provision in my life so readily had it not been for the miracle of this little boy. God knew that I needed a "Chandler" in my life to teach me some lessons that have be hard to learn on my own.


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One of the most precious things I have had the privilege of experiencing while raising my little brood has been the "mother/son" relationship. It's different than raising the girls. I'm not even sure I know how to put it into words, but it's something special. I will always treasure my little guy because he has, and always will, own a special place in my heart!

That was then...

The day Chandler Isaiah was born was truly a turning point in my life. For the first time I think I knew what it felt like to feel helpless, afraid, and completely dependent on God's timing in my life. I didn't expect to give birth a month early, and nothing was ready. Not the house (the nursery was not done), not the cars (1 tiny corolla for the whole family), not even ME! I was miserable through my entire pregnancy, and spent most of the time either sick or just plain worn out from caring for McKenna. McKenna was only 10 months old when I got pregnant with Chandler and my body never really got to recover from the first baby before I moved on to the next one. To top things off Jonathan got laid off from Sprint a couple of weeks before I found out I was pregnant! Talk about bad timing!!


But, God had a plan...and it was a good one. You see, I'm a planner. I like to know "what's next". I like to put things into nice little "boxes" and tie them up with pretty bows. Everything about McKenna's birth and babyhood was just how I thought it would be. I didn't have a lot of surprises (outside of my record setting 2 hour birth experience) & things were how I thought they should be. I quit working and Jonathan had a pretty good job, so we didn't have a lot of worries.

Then, along came surprise #1...another baby!! What!! I didn't plan that! THEN, surprise #2...no job! I felt this "time of testing" in our lives, and I resisted it with all my strength. Then, the day of Chandler's birth came. It was not when it should be, and things did not go as planned. I was a complete mess! Chandler had some breathing troubles as soon as he was born (you can see how blue he was in the pictures), and spent his first 5 days of life in the NICU...not in my arms. The first night I spent in the hospital without my baby by my side was rough. The second night was worse. But, the third night I broke! My heart broke, my will broke, and I found something that I will never forget...God's grace. He met me right there in the middle of the night, in a pile of tears, and he gave the most incredible peace I've ever known. Things in my life were not going as I had planned, but they were going according to God's plan.

That night was my turning point. I felt this maturing of myself and my faith happen that night. I was finally quiet enough to hear God's still small voice speaking to me. Then, an amazing thing happened...the phone rang at 2:00 a.m.! It was the nurse who was taking care of Chandler in the NICU. She said Chandler had just done pretty well on room air, so I could come hold him for the first time since his birth! I had no longer cried out to God and asked for something, anything, to help me cope & then he placed this in my lap! I RAN down the hall and into the nursery as fast as my feet could carry me. As I sat holding my son I prayed over him & God did something else...something I didn't experience with McKenna, He gave me a "word" for Chandler. Literally a WORD flashed across my mind while I was holding my son. One word. That's it! I knew it was from the Lord because I was not looking for anything at the time...it just came to me. (*I hope no one thinks I'm getting too weird at this point). I'll keep that one word to myself, because I think it was really only for me to know as his mother. It's been a powerful word to me, one that rings in my ears every so often and reminds me of God's plan for my life.
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* So, that was then. That was how the blessing of Chandler Isaiah came to be. I firmly believe in my heart that nothing about how, and when, Chandler entered the picture was a mistake. I certainly didn't plan it, I didn't know how to cope with the circumstances surrounding his arrival, and I didn't expect to receive a "visit" from God either, but God is good! Since that day I can see God's hand in my life more readily, and appreciate that when things are not going my way, they are going according to God's plan...and there I find my peace :-).
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"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."
-Proverbs 16:9