March

6 Months

September - March can seem like a really long time and yet a really fast time. I remember when I was a teacher and September - March seemed REALLY long especially at the beginning of a new school year in September AND during those long winter months of January and February. But I also remember how fast it went by and once March arrive looking back and thinking where did the time go.

And so that feeling continues in my life with the arrival of my 1st baby on September 3rd. It seems like just yesterday I was waking up on September 3rd with contractions and sitting with my sister waiting for my husband to get home to take me to the hospital for the arrival of our baby. And it seems like just yesterday I was hold a week old baby in the rocking chair while he slept in my arms. AND YET it feels like I have had this little baby boy with me forever and don't even remember what it was like without him. I can't imagine him never being here.

Now I hold a 6 month old in my arms (doubled in size) and am loving every moment of it because I realize that although it may seem like forever until he is able to walk, talk, run, go to school, get married..........IT IS GOING TO GO FAST! So I am treasuring EVERY moment that I get to spend with him - even when I am tired and cranky, unshowered or showered, busy or free. I want to be a part of every moment with my little boy and enjoy the days, months and years.

Thank you God for giving me this wonderful boy and thank you Troy (daddy) for the opportunity to be able to stay home with him on a daily basis and take care of him:)

Feeding a baby

Several days ago I got to feed my baby solid foods for the first time. How much fun! After several weeks of turning to find Tian staring at me while I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner - and then noticing him trying to reach out and grab what mommy was eating - and realizing he was sitting up in his high chair really well - I decided it was time to try some solid food. And the choice - BANANA!

How precious to see him open his mouth wide and reach for the spoon on that first spoonful. And after the initial "poopy" face of uncertainity came the big smile after mommy assured that it was YUMMY! Then he couldn't get enough banana.

So I continue to be excited to see how he continues to eat and does with new food. Just today he tried a little avacado and success again.

Being a mommy is the most exciting and fun-filled job!

Tian talking

February

January

Let it Snow!

4 months

I never really thought in 4 months I could experience so much in my life. That is until Tian Elliot arrived. I feel like I can't even begin to express the emotions, thoughts, and joys I have experienced over the last 4 months however in order not to forget some of them I

liked to share the best way I can some I remember.

I remember the late, late nights of months 1 and 2 when I would sit in the rocking chair staring down at my beautiful baby and thinking things like - how am I ever going to discipline this little bundle of joy, how can I make time go slower so I can keep these baby moments, why can't his relatives (grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins) live closer so we could spend more precious moments together, and hoping God would grant me many days ahead with this little boy. And I remember realizing the responsibility that lay in my hands of teaching this little boy about his heavenly father. These were emotional moments and I loved every minute of those late night, quiet, peaceful, (when I was totally exhausted) moments.

I continue to think about all those things now and then in the quiet moments I still hold my little boy in my arms but those moments are a little rarer since now I usually have a squirmy bundle of energy in my arms. Over the last month my little boy who was compleltly helpless in those first months and spent most days in my arms now is wanting to do things on his own. Squirm out of mommy's arms so he can lay on his belly and try to move around, or sit in his bouncy seat to play with toys, or even more recent try and sit up by himself. I am missing those moments of peaceful newborn but am filled with joy when I get to see this little bundle of energy giggle back at Mommy when I tickle his belly or chew on Mommy's check after I give him a big slobbery kiss on his chubby cheeks.

Already I think I have begun to realize that every moment I have with this little boy is going to be precious. From those first hours I finally got to see him after carrying him around for 9months - to the days when he won't want Mommy to kiss those chubby cheeks - to the days when he will hopefully have his own little ones cheeks to kiss. All I know is that it is something miraculous and awesome to have a child of your own and even more awesome to know that it was a gift from God above. Not something that I have done or achieved but only given to me and my husband by God. And what a perfect and wonderful gift! I am looking forward to not what next month brings but for what every new day God brings into my life through this little one:)

I thank God for truly showing me a little bit more of himself and "heaven" through this little boy Tian.