8 months.

My little girl is 8 months old.

It doesn't seem possible. I think she's really only supposed to be about 4 months old right now...

Sweet little Emma.
She was my early bird. Tiny little early bird.

5lbs. 6oz.

Not really small compared to many pre-term babies, but I come from a long line of chunks-at-birth.

My dad was almost 11 lbs.

I was 9lbs. 3oz.

Ethan was 8 lbs. 12 oz....

So she was tiny for my family.

But she's growing in to quite the little lady!

She's sitting up so well and loves trying to keep up with her big brother.

She rolls like no one's business.

She has more hair than I honestly know what to do with.

She has two bottom teeth and is currently growing her two top teeth =)

(I'm kind of sad her gummy smile is gone.

That's always such a milestone for me.)

She is one of the loudest babies I've ever been around.

She talks nonstop. (She is a girl, afterall)

But I love her personality.

She's incredibly happy.

And so easy to make smile.

Even easier to make laugh.

(Aren't baby laughs the greatest?)

Oh, and watching my husband interact with his little princess?

*Swoon*

I must say, the growth of a child is so bittersweet.

Don't get me wrong, I love that she's growing and developing.
I just sometimes wince at how fast it's all happening.

Ahem...but I'll get a grip.

Happy 8 months little one.

"The days are long but the years are short"

~Gretchen Rubin

P.S. Happy birthday, Daddy! I love you!!

You're the best.

New Name...Same Blog

Hey ladies!

It's been quite some time since I blogged last; 8 months tomorrow, to be exact. I had started this blog back up after a year and was excited to get back into the swing of things but then, lo and behold, I went into labor 6 weeks early!

After my daughter's one month stay in the NICU, getting re-adjusted to a baby on an apnea monitor (my son went home on one as well, even though he was 5 days late!) a move to a new house and just the everyday nitty gritty, it's taken awhile to start blogging again.

But I'm going to try. Again. For what seems like the millionth time.

In the midst of a teething and increasingly more mobile baby girl and potty training an almost three year old boy, I'm going to try to make it on here fairly consistently and share my thoughts on all things that interest me: Christianity, Marriage, Motherhood, Pro-Life issues, Food, Health and Wellness.....or just random things when I really don't have anything to say but feel I should still post something =)

So, this is the beginning of an old blog with a new name: My Life...as Mommy and Wife.

I hope you ladies will follow along!

Natural Birth?

I'm 34 weeks today.

The last few days I've had some fairly strong braxton hicks. Last night a few of them were actually pretty painful and somewhat regular. I don't remember this with Ethan, although I know each pregnancy is different.

I keep hoping Emma is further along than we think. I wouldn't mind not having to wait until the middle of April to see my little girl!

But all in the Lord's timing.

Anyway...

With Ethan, I had planned on a natural birth--no pain meds.

Yeah...that didn't happen.

The contractions were a million times worse than I ever thought possible.

The epidural eventually wore off (why did I not push that button?) and I ended up feeling everything during the pushing phase.

Ouch.

However....

I'm planning on trying for all-natural this go around as well.

But I do have the epidural on stand-by =)

Here is a beautiful and inspiring video (heavily edited--nothing to worry about) of a drug-free birth. I really enjoy reading this woman's blog and seeing the heart she has for children and motherhood. Please watch if you have the time!

Have you had a drug-free birth or are planning on a drug-free birth?

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory..."

Ephesians 3:20-21

It's Like Shoveling Snow

"Cleaning the house while the kids are still growing is like shoveling snow while it's still snowing."

~Phyllis Diller

Today, I couldn't agree more with that statement. =)

But I love Proverbs 14:4 and how it can relate to children.

(not that our children are animals..hehe)

"Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean..."

If I didn't have Ethan, I wouldn't have had the pillows all strung around and the toys all over the floor.

I let life happen today. And I'm glad I did.

My "manger" certainly wasn't clean...

But I've got the cutest little guy to take care of.

And I'd take him over an empty, spotless house any day.

Bye Bye Broom

I'm so tired of it.

Sweeping.

Mopping.

..and then stepping on a crumb.

I've affectionately named these renegade crumbs, "Houdini Crumbs".

After my last sweeping episode, I decided I was done with the whole broom thing.

I pretty much think they're worthless.

I'm going to jump into the Swiffer world and try that out for awhile.

What do you use to keep your wood floors from "Houdini Crumbs"?

I'd really love to know.

For the sake of my sanity.

Back For Another Birthday!

Ahh...it feels good to be back in the blogging world.

I'm about as consistent as the weather here in Oklahoma when it comes to blogging, so I hope I can keep it up this time!

One of the last times I posted on here, we had just celebrated Ethan's 1st birthday.

Well, a few days ago we celebrated his 2nd!!

Wow. Time flies.

I'll share with you some pictures from the little birthday party we had.

I wanted to keep it really simple.

The theme we chose was "Snowmen". Ethan loooves to watch Frosty the Snowman. However, in the last two weeks or so he's become incredibly attached to Elmo!

So, we had a Snowman themed party where he received mostly Elmo themed gifts! Needless to say, he was a happy little two year old. =)

Silly Birthday Boy =)

See? He really is an Elmo fan.

And yes, Ethan is entirely too close to the TV

I wasn't kidding when I said I kept the party simple.

I decided to make Ethan's cake this year.

I wanted to do something like THIS (but boyish..with letter E's and little snowmen) My cousin's wife made them for their daughter's 3rd bday and I thought they looked awesome!

In the end, I decided to go easy. (Although I was completely stressed out decorating this cake. I have a whole new appreciate for cake decorators)

Eagerly waiting to blow the candle out!

Ethan wanted Daddy to feed him his birthday cake.

(He's currently on a self-feeding strike. Not sure what that's about)

One of the many Elmo gifts of the night!

Bubbles are always a favorite with Ethan!

Saying goodnight to "Papaw"

We kept the party small. Bob's parents, my parents, my siblings and their spouses attended. My best friend and her husband and son also came (they're considered family too =)

...and of course my little nephew was in attendance!

I watch him during the week (it's been great practice for how I'll handle having two children in the home when Emma arrives).

He had been sick, so I hadn't seen him all that week.

So glad he came! Cutie pie.

After all the fun and excitement, Ethan was ready for bed!

I'm so thankful for the generosity and love of our family and friends.

Ethan was blessed with all kinds of neat things!

I have a two year old.

Oh my goodnes.

Remember Me???

Hello, ladies!

It's been a ridiculously long time since I last posted.

I'm here to tell you that I've recently joined forces with a friend I met through the wonderful world of blogging we all enjoy so much!

Please check out our new site: Dirt, Bugs & Mommyhood

I'll be seeing you over there from now on! Stop by, we'd love to have you!