Ten on Tuesday-Bring You Up to Speed

1. We are now living in Wisconsin and have been here for almost a month! We are loving it.
2. Justus is now 16 months!

3. Klayton is getting ready to celebrate his 5th birthday and is in pre-K!

4. I am 28 weeks pregnant! And I "get" to do my glucose test on Friday.

5. We are excited to meet this little guy in December.

6. Klayton has lost 2 teeth while Justus is getting 2 new teeth.
7. Thursday my hubs will celebrate his 36th birthday. Upward swing to 40-he's getting old.
8. A little laugh for this Tuesday, courtesy of Klayton! My mom had a deer in her garden that she told Klayton about. He told her that he needs to get his gun (don't worry he doesn't have a real one) and come shoot. She asked him, "why? are you going to eat it?" His reply, "I don't like deer meat-I like people meat!"
9. God gave those little children to you, Mama-to you. No one else can mother them like you can. You may have your work cut out for you, but you're the one cut out to accomplish it.
10. Have a Happy Tuesday and I am promising to be back this week!

Justus-11 Months

Justus, you are 11 months!

One month away from being ONE...

YOU:
*Wear 9 month and 12 month clothes.
*Wear size 3 diapers.
*Weigh in at 18.4 lbs. Yes, I did have to include the ounces and not round it down or up!
*Are working on finger foods.
*Still not keen on veggies, you will eat them mixed with fruit.
*Scoot around on your bottom.
*Still no interest in crawling, though you are getting restless.
*Hate tummy time...I think this will be a life long hate.
*Love being outside.
*You have a short quick scream of sorts to get our attention.
*Love to use your hands.
*Clap.
*Wave.
*Found out you get to be a big brother. Wow.
*Love bath time.
*Know how to go backwards in your walker.
*Have 3 bottom teeth and evidence of 2 that could be on their way on top.
*Mama's boy all the way.
*Love apple/blueberry and cherry/blueberry.
*Sleeping through the night except for an occasional rough teething night.
*Have a fascination with peoples faces.
*Love to dance, or shake yourself up and down its so cute.
*Have decided that you are not to fond of naps anymore unless they are in mommy's hands. This has been a rough battle.

Oh, My Justus,
Last year I was so anxious for your arrival and now I am so sad as we approach your birthday. The time has just flown by. You are not so tiny anymore, you are my chunk! Thank you for being my boy. Thank you for always wanting me. Even on the days that I am like you need to just let Daddy or someone else deal with you so I can get things done, I am secretly deep down smiling that you only have eyes for me. I am going to enjoy these last days of baby life and I am going to look excitedly to more milestones with you. I love you and I am so glad that you are my guy!
Love, Mama

Egg Hunt

A couple weeks ago we had received an advertisement about the largest egg hunt happening in our area. I just knew Klayton would have a blast! Not knowing what to expect we arrived 20 minutes early and already were standing behind at least 200 people!

Kids were let into the park area and hunted for 5 empty eggs a piece and could redeem them for a bag of candy. At first I thought how odd; but it was the best way and most fair way to do it because there were big and little kids all looking at the same time.

Klayton was able to go through the park three different times and came home with a bucket load of candy! Sugar high anyone?

We ended the day with Justus getting in on some of the action. These are the days that he is mainly just along for the ride...his day will come we promise him!

Lunch Date

Klayton and I seem to have been hitting heads with one another lately. It is discouraging as he tries to push the limits with me. We have had many "teaching moments" and it makes me so sad.

I decided that maybe we just needed some one on one time. So, Klayton and I went on a lunch date to McDonald's! Originally, he wanted Burger King and then we pulled up and he realized there was no play land! Thankfully, he noticed the McDonald's across the street and that is where we spent the next 2 hours! He had a blast and while yes there was no long conversations and bonding moments, it was good for us! After lunch we did an errand and ended our afternoon with our favorite soft pretzels from a place called Ben's Pretzels, in Wal-Mart of all places! My favorite part was him WANTING to hold my hand! Thankful for little boys and even for the moments of testing!

I think...

I'M BACK!
Who has missed hearing about these cuties?

I really do enjoy blogging...really I do! Life has been crazy busy and I am making an effort to come back and update my life in blog land. I will be back dating some posts in the weeks ahead. I have 3 monthly updates to do on Justus-seriously, he is already suffering from the 2nd child syndrome. Not as many blog updates, pictures...I think we took a picture of absolutely everything with Klayton-first diaper change...okay-not everything; but Justus is probably going to think that someday.
But, I am back and I hope you have stuck around to share in our life!

Justus, Ten Months

Justus, you are 10 MONTHS!

YOU:
*Wear size 3 diapers.
*Weigh in at 19 lbs.
*Wear clothes anywhere from 6-12 months.
*Have a tooth and two more on the way.
*Dropped your morning nap.
*Introduced Puffs.
*Love your ice cream.
*Love your bath time, especially when you get to take it with brother.
*Leave no doubts in anyones mind that you are a Mama's boy.
*Have settled into a nice bedtime routine, baby food, nursed, diaper change, pjs, bedtime prayers and a kiss goodnight puts you to sleep within 5 minutes.
*Sleep through the night for me.
*Still a bum, I say that with love. But you are just content to sit and observe.
*Traveled to Colorado and Pennsylvania for the first time.
*You are not fond of chicken and rice.
*Have a fascination with peoples eyes, noses and mouths.
*Do not like feeling forgotten or left in a room alone.
*You love your brother; but we can already tell that he annoys you at times.
*Hate being on your tummy still.
*Enjoy being read to.
*Like to smile.
*Have excellent gripping and grabbing skills.

Thanks be to God for letting me be your Mama and I am loving all the smiles and snuggles! I can't believe in just 2 months we will be celebrating your first birthday. Time is passing too quickly for this Mama's heart!

First Field Trip

Klayton has been waiting and waiting for the chance to ride the school bus! And FINALLY the opportunity came as his class went to visit the library!
Parents were invited to attend; but I am still unsure how he would behave with me around. So, I met up with his class at the library for story time.

And some silly songs!

Followed with art time in the children's section.

But, my most favorite part of the field trip was watching him line up to ride the bus back to school. My heart was just SO happy knowing that his "little dream" had come true.

School days will soon be passed and I am thankful that I can look back at these moments with fondness.

Happy Birthday Jesus

I love Christmas for SO many reasons; but the ultimate reason we want to teach our boys to love Christmas is for the celebration of Jesus! So, 3 years running we have continued our tradition of making a birthday cake for Jesus! Happy Birthday Jesus!

"Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday dear Jesus,

Happy Birthday to You!"

Justus-7 Months

Justus, you are 7 months!

YOU:

*Weigh in at 18 lbs, which puts you in the 50th percentile.
*Stand, or should I say lay at 27 inches in length-also the 50th percentile.
*Your head is 46 centimeters...its a little big!
*Wear 3-6 month clothes.
*In size 2 diapers.
*Eat one jar of baby food before bed. People think its strange that I don't give you baby food at any other time in the day; but you were waking up a gazillion times in the night to be fed and this helps you only to wake up once or twice! I can handle that better.
*Green baby foods are not your favorite.
*Have been introduced to some fruits and so far banana has not been a favorite.
*Dropped one of your feeds in the evening.
*Have continued to become more contented as a baby.
*Still my chatterbox.
*Love to reach and grab for things.
*If watching the iPad you like to try and grab the characters or people that appear on the screen.
*Already a typical boy if there is a sport on television you will keep your eyes glued to the screen.
*Sit for longer periods of time.
*Still hate tummy time.
*Like to hold Mama's finger when sleeping.
*Like to touch peoples faces, especially to grab their lips.
*Hate getting your nose cleaned out.
*Love to smile.
*Brother is still the only one to consistently get you to laugh.
*Everything goes in your mouth!
*I say this daily; but seriously you have got to be working on a tooth.
*You itch your head and it is so cute.
*Are still rocking the side burns!
*Love to be snuggled.
*Are very much a Mama's boy!

My Guy,
I have noticed that you just keeping getting happier and all around more good natured and relaxed! I just love you and the way you snuggle in. Sometimes after I feed you I prop you on my shoulder and you immediately drop your head to sleep! It is so adorable. You always look so peaceful and kissable that I have to take a moment to kiss those cheeks! You definitely are working the baby rolls and I don't think its possible to be any more cuter and then I wake up the next day and discover you are even more cuter than the day before! As I type this I can see that I won't have to boost your ego any more today! I just love you more than words will ever tell!

Love, Mama

Justus-1/2 Year Old

Justus you are 6 months old!

YOU:
*Weigh in at 18 lbs!
*Wear size 2 diapers.
*Wear 3-6 month and 6 month clothes.
*Like to snuggle.
*Drool like crazy, there has to be a tooth coming...there has to be, right?
*Discovered your tongue.
*Love to play with your toes.
*Tried cereal for the first time and it didn't work very well. But, will be trying again.
*Started pushing the upper half of your body up with your hands.
*Chatterbox.
*Like to grab things. And this includes pulling Mother's hair!
*While relaxing you now cross your legs at the ankles-its so cute!
*Brother is the one who makes you laugh the most.
*Love being outside.
*Like to look AT everything.
*Don't like to be alone.
*Still nursing like a champ and I think the pounds prove that you like your food!
*Everything goes in your mouth.
*If we sit you up you can remain seated for several seconds.
*Have become a happy baby!
*Still hating tummy time.
*Waiting for you to lose the night time feeding...

My Little Politician,
Yes, I have officially given you a nickname that is sticking! I took you with us to vote for the senate and governor where everyone would ooh and aw over you! Then ask your name, "Justus; but not spelled like the store or the Justice of the Peace...someday he is going to be on the ballot-Justus for all!" Then from that day on, I started calling you 'My Little Politician' or my 'Chunky Politician'. Now that I think about it, I think you became a happier baby when I gave you a nickname that was all your own? Okay, I know that is not the case; but you have been SO happy and we are all loving it! I love how your smile makes your gorgeous big blue eyes sparkle! You are just SO cute and SO loved! Thank you for letting me bestow all those kisses upon your forehead and for crying every time I leave to go do my laundry-its nice to know that you notice when I am gone and that you need me! Love you more than yesterday!
Love You,
Mama

Justus-5 Months

Justus you are 5 months old!

This month:
*You discovered your toes!
*Roll from belly to back.
*Like to take your morning nap on your belly.
*Very much a chatterbox.
*Laughs A LOT at big brother.
*Love to sit in your Bumbo!
*Still drooling...seriously, is there a tooth in there somewhere?
*Have decided that you no longer like to take a bottle.
*Wear 3-6 month clothes, sometimes 6 month.
*Size 2 diapers.
*It may be a coincidence; but every time baseball is on tv it gets your full attention..you seem to like it.
*Like being outside.
*Have quite the grip.
*Good at grabbing things.
*Have discovered your carseat toys and enjoy playing with them.
*Do not like the sound of a vacuum.
*Like to play and chew your keys!

Dear Justus,
To be honest, I have backdated this post on the blog. As you can see in the pictures above you were not happy. I really wanted to retake the pictures and get some happy shots! But, then I realized and accepted that this is reality, this is what life seems to be like most days. Maybe it is teeth? I can see little bumps on your bottom gums...two in fact. I am pretty sure that a day will come where I will laugh at the above pictures and smile as I miss these days. So, today I am choosing to cherish even the tears...the many, many tears because if there were no tears there would not be a YOU!

Love,
Mama

Klayton is 4

Klayton you are FOUR years old!

Things to take note of from this year:

*Go to preschool now. Four days a week and you love it.
*Love Curious George.
*You describe things you 'like' with, "I love it!"
*Favorite drink, lemonade.
*Favorite food, spaghetti and tacos.
*Know how to roller skate.
*Enjoy riding your bike.
*Know all about the 4 letter word, G-O-L-F!
*Speech has finally flourished since starting preschool and speech therapy. I am super impressed and grateful.
*Fully potty trained.
*Take SHOWERS!
*Became a big brother.
*Enjoy playing Hide and Seek; but to be honest, you are not very good at the hiding part!
*Like to help people.
*Are very expressive.
*Like playing in the dirt with your shovel and rake.
*Love to paint and cook.
*Enjoy fixing things with your tools.
*Favorite color, blue.
*Favorite number, 2.
*Love to play any sport that simply involves a ball.
*Being outside is your favorite place to be.
*Love to give kisses and hugs.
*Still just as stubborn as ever.
*Love to wear shorts, it is hard to find you in anything but your shorts.
*Have developed quite the imagination.
*Very much a daddy's boy.
*Like to mow the lawn.
*Still a little fish in the water. You took 12 weeks of lessons and did wonderful.

Unforgettable moments:

*How you like to pray with Pops in his office before church service. And there has been many random moments where you will come and get me or daddy to pray with you. I believe you will be a prayer warrior for many people in the years to come.
*A couple weeks ago when we were flipping through the photo album and you randomly said, "There's Barb" and "There's Lori!" Yep, those are your GRANDMA's and how you know their first names is a little crazy to daddy and I!
*The amount of kisses you bestow upon brother are in a ridiculous abundance.
*I had to run to the doctor one time after brother was born. Grandma and Pops said I might come out with a baby sister and you cried, "No sister!"
*On Mother's Day you picked out a balloon for me and let me keep it just long enough for pictures! You toted that balloon around for the month following.
*How when you see a train you tell us to race it.
*Whenever you see a freshly made bed you want to get under the covers.
*When we ask you to say your last name, Barnhardt you say, "Heart, heart!"
*You are always trading Daddy's drink for your own!
*Your shorts, they are always on or in your lunchbox/backpack...they are almost like a security blanket of sorts!
*How you pack your tools in any place they will fit if you are told that your toolbox is not allowed to come along.

Oh Mister,
I love you so much more than I can even describe. You are a little boy now-no longer a baby. The days are slowly fleeting of your dependence on me as you now dress yourself and even help yourself to your own drinks from the fridge. A few weeks ago you asked me to snuggle with you and I didn't let you ask me twice!
Tonight I write this and the time is approaching 7 p.m. and at this point 4 years ago I still had 45 minutes to go before your arrival. In so many ways I can still feel those first moments. I can still hear the first words of the people around me as you were born. I kept hearing, "He is SO precious!" The moment I first held you left me in awe and unbelief that you were mine and that I actually carried you! Breathtaking moments.
I am SO thankful for the day you were born and for every day since. I love how your heart is so tender and compassionate. I love how you love to serve others. I love even the cute faces you make when you are being naughty-though those faces don't get you out of trouble! And yes I have caught on to how you want to give me a kiss right before you get in trouble...you are such a stinker! Your personality is really shining through!
Happy 4th Birthday-I can't wait to see how you blossom this year!

Love, Mama

Ten on Tuesday-Moments with Klayton

1. "I am king!" We hear this often lately...whether Klayton has climbed to the tallest part of a jungle gym or simply accomplished something. His ego does NOT need to be stroked!
2. "Catch it with hand!" After watching an episode of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse where I believe Goofy or Mickey caught a fly with their bare hands...it is now expected that Daddy, Mommy or Grandma and Grandpa can do this as well.
3. "Klayton gone. Paint Klayton on picture." Klayton is really fascinated with Joseph and I's wedding picture and that he is not in it. He has come up with a solution to paint himself into the picture...I suggested that maybe I replace it with a family picture someday!
4. While at Wal-Mart a few weeks back an older woman began unloading her shopping cart behind us and my little gentleman without being asked or told to began helping her. I was SO proud.
5. "Road broke the wheel!"

6. "Mommy, you cute!" Yep, he knows how to melt my heart!
7. After finding out we were not having tacos for dinner. "Mommy store get tacos with coins!" He refers to all money as coins and is pretty demanding about the food he eats! He also makes his own tacos now-seriously he is so independent.
8. He now recognizes McDonalds and shouts for it! I think every kid at some point in their life becomes excited about Happy Meals! When we go there he will ask for a Coke.
9. I may be repeating myself on this one; but a few weeks ago we went to lunch at Red Robin. The waitress came for our drink order and without prompting Klayton ordered his own drink and food! He said, "milk, burger and cheese!" As he ordered each item he pointed to it in the menu.
10. "I fix it!" and "I help!" are two phrases that my Mister utters often! I am literally on the sidelines watching this boy going from believing he can do anything and not being afraid of anything to learning, "I scared."

Be still my heart.

Justus-3 Months

Justus, you are 3 months old! Um, how is this already possible?!

YOU:

*Weigh 11 lbs 12 oz as of two weeks ago.
*23 3/4 inches long.
*Wear size 1 Pampers diapers. We switched from Huggies because they were leaving awful red marks on you and well there was also the unpleasantness of constant leaking.
*Wear 0-3 and 3 month clothing best!
*Super active and therefore it was quite difficult to get pictures taken of you.
*Love to chat and will "reply" back when spoken to.
*Still an awesome nurser and does great at taking a bottle for daddy as well.
*Brought out the swing this week and you are loving that!
*Love to face outward and see whats going on.
*Have become more of a contented baby and others agree.
*Very alert.
*Still hating tummy time.
*Enjoys being snuggled for bedtime.
*Waking still once a night for a feeding; but I can't complain because its getting better.
*Enjoy walks in the stroller.
*Also enjoy being in your baby wrap.
*Smiles are seen often.
*Whenever you hear mommy or daddy's voice you look for it!
*Are a restless napper.

Oh Justus,
I love you more than words could ever express. Everyday it seems I love you more than before and I am loving every smile! You smile often and we are always looking for ways to make you smile-it doesn't take much effort!
I promise that I will always keep your best interest in mind. It is not about me, when I think about choices for the future they involve you and your best interest. I don't take you for granted or my "job" as Mommy for granted. I promise to seek God's continual wisdom for you and your brother.
Do you know how much your big brother loves you? Hardly an hour goes by without a kiss from him to you. I love it! I know those kisses won't last forever, so I encourage it now and pray that brotherly love grows strong and remains strong as the years go on.
These moments, these days I hope they remain etched in my mind and heart so I can bring them back to memory whenever I want.
I love you Chunky Monkey!

With All my Heart,
Mommy

Wordless Wednesday

Humbling. Humbled.

A little boy is the only thing God can use to make a "Man".

That quote right there hits close to home for me.

When Klayton was two weeks old we took him to a wedding. Sitting there in the pew watching two people pledge their lives to one another, I was slapped in the face with the realization that I am raising someone's husband!

Humbling. Humbled.

I am sitting here next to a screaming baby and watching my three year old rough house with his daddy. I don't really want to envision their wedding day because that means I will be "losing" them to another woman and frankly right now I like being the only "woman" in their lives! I wonder what "she" will be like...what is she doing now? And, I think-she better like me!

I often think that no one will ever be good enough for my boys. However, if God has someone chosen for them then there is someone good enough if they follow God's will. It is my responsibility to raise that man God chose for her and for some reason God already believes I can accomplish that task-if He didn't I wouldn't have been given these two little boys.

Humbling. Humbled.

That little boy that randomly wants to pray with Mama needs to not be turned away. Every time I kneel with him its teaching him to become a man of prayer that his wife will turn to when she needs someone to pray for her, it will be teaching him to already be praying for her and to have that open relationship with God.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

I'm a Mama that makes lots of mistakes raising boys in a world where no one wants to own up to their mistakes. A world where people no longer apologize and ask for forgiveness. I can't change the world; but I don't have to add to the pride of the world. When I do wrong by my boys-I apologize and ask for their forgiveness-no excuses. I pray that by my example they will become men that can admit their wrongs and in turn become men of integrity and truth.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matthew 18:15

Humbling. Humbled.

My Klayton pretends to work and we always laugh because he wants to work so badly because it appears fun right now and we know that someday he will probably laugh when we tell him that-because lets be honest-work isn't always fun and if we could we would prefer for money to just grow on trees! And, while Klayton doesn't work right now, I am doing my best to encourage a good work ethic because I don't know what God will have for means to provide for his family...being a pastor, working a secular job? I don't know; but when he starts unloading the shopping cart of the random lady at Wal-Mart I will tell him good job! And when he doesn't want to pick up his toys because he doesn't feel like it, I will tell him that we don't always get to do what we feel like and make him keep picking up.

[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:3-5

I love my boys with a love that I never knew existed until I felt those first kicks in my tummy, heard those first cries as I delivered them and held them for the first time. It is a love that somehow keeps getting stronger and it is a love that I don't even know how to explain. Sometimes I tell Justus on his really bad colicky days that its a good thing that I'm his Mama because only a Mama could get through the colic because of her love. If he wasn't my child I wouldn't put up with the colic, I'm pretty sure I would roll my eyes, be thankful that I am not the one having to deal with it and let someone else deal with it. Lets all be honest-colic is rough! When I have a rough day dealing with the colic I often find myself telling my husband, "I love that boy more than life itself..." My little guys need to know that they are loved on the good days, the bad days-there are going to be days in life that it is not "easy" to love. I want them to know that with the right love on those bad days they will some how still have peace with the one they love and they can be long-suffering. I want them to be motivated by love and love how God wants them to love. I want them to know it is okay to say, "I love you" and they should say it. It is manly to say those three little words! I want them to choose to love when it is not convenient for them.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:22

Humbling. Humbled.

So, this often brings me to thought of my future dear daughter in law...I know that I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of lessons that need to be taught and learned between now and the day, "I do!" is said. I haven't even mentioned all the mistakes I will make in raising him or the, "I should have..." moments because frankly I cringe at that. But, by God's grace I am going to do my best in raising the man of my daughter in laws dreams.

Humbling. Humbled.

When her man, my little boy-says "I do" I will step aside and do my best to let her be his number one woman. I will step aside as I remember the days of skinned knees and how only the kiss of Mama could heal those wounds. I will remember the days where it was only Mama that knew how to comfort him and I will miss those days as he will turn to his wife for comfort.

I'm sure there will be days that he will still naturally want to talk to me-his Mama-about things; but I will do my best to point him back to his wife and not meddle into their relationship. Because lets be honest, I will probably always believe that I know whats best for him! Though there will come a day, there will be things that I can't see because I will no longer dwell with him and because of those two factors and many more-then well...I guess the fact that you are to leave and cleave that means my ideas and opinions are just that MINE! It is his responsibility to know what is best and that can only be done if he is listening to God and well I am sure there will be times that he doesn't listen to God and unfortunately it may hurt but I just have to sit back and let him stand before God.

Humbled. Humbling.

Pretty sure what will be the hardest on this Mama's heart is slowly not knowing my boy as well as I do now. There will come a point where my daughter in law will know him better than I do...see right now I think I know my boy better than anyone else and in most areas I do. But, as they grow in marriage I know she will also learn him in a way that I never have and as marriage changes him she will see daily the man that he is and is becoming-I won't be at the sidelines getting those daily glimpses. I'm going to miss that and I will miss him. I can only hope that she won't mind doing the occasional favor for me and giving him a peck on the cheek and a long squeeze!

I already love her for loving my little boy.

I am undeserving.

Humbling. Humbled.

Justus-2 Months

Justus, you are TWO MONTHS!

YOU:

*Wear size 1 diapers. I moved you into these a couple weeks ago. I did this simply because I didn't want to buy another package of newborn diapers.
*Starting to literally bust out of newborn clothes.
*I weighed you myself today and it appears you are 10 lbs! Chunky Monkey!
*Still nursing like a champ. Eating every 2-3 hours, just depends on the time of day.
*Wakes once a night for a feeding and promptly falls back asleep. I think you will soon be sleeping through the night!
*Love to "chat".
*A very restless baby.
*We have good days and VERY bad days with the colic. The very bad days makes me question my mothering abilities...
*Love to be held laying in the arms, just as you laid in my tummy.
*Getting much better with your neck control.
*Started doing tummy time and to say you are not a fan is an understatement.
*Are very good at gripping and grabbing!
*Have become very alert and always looking around to check out the sights.
*Perk up when you hear Mommy or Daddy's voice.
*Smile often.
*Very active with your hands and feet.

*Took your first vacation to Wisconsin and Michigan. You meet your Aunt Kayla, Uncle Kenny and Cousin RoseMarie. As well as meeting your Great Grandma and Grandpa Collins and Great Grandma and Grandpa Barnhardt.
*You had an instant bond with Great Grandma Barnhardt. Daddy and I agree that you will always know and love her!

Oh Justus,
You challenge me almost daily. I don't mean this badly; but you are teaching that I don't AlWAYS have the answer for my kiddos. Therefore, I really need to be a Mama of prayer that is continually seeking wisdom on how to raise you. These days, I'm sure in hindsight will be easy in comparison to the years that lie ahead of us.
I am SO grateful for you and that I get to be your Mama. Honestly, I have had days where my heart has been broken because I just didn't feel like we were bonding the way I thought we should. I have been tired. Thankfully, we are figuring each other out and I have realized that some bonds take a little more time than others and thats okay! In the end all that matters is that you and I belong together as Mommy and Son! And, I get to snuggle you close each night and really whenever I want because God has seen fit to let me be your Mommy and I love you always through the tears and smiles.

All My Love,
Mommy

Justus-One Month

Justus, you are one month old TODAY!

Where has the time gone? We finally went and did newborn pictures yesterday; but maybe I should call them one month pictures? All pictures posted today are courtesy of yesterdays photo shoot and next month it will be back to your old mom doing the monthly pictures again!

YOU:

*Weigh 7 lbs. 3 oz.
*Measure at 21 inches long.
*Wear newborn diapers.
*Wear newborn clothes and they are still sometimes too big.
*Nursing like a champ and eat a lot! You are fed every 2 1/2-3 hours throughout the day and at night you wake up twice to be fed.
*Sleep A TON still-as I write this you are yet again asleep!
*When you are awake you are becoming more and more alert.
*Are a crier-especially at night. In the last few days though I can see that we are beginning to get over that hump and for this I am very grateful!
*Do not like having a dirty diaper.
*Love to lay in your boppy.
*Like to suckle and therefore enjoy your pacifier. I discovered this trait before we even left the hospital and quickly introduced the pacifier.
*Are a mover with your hands. When you get mad they move very fast!
*Are working at strengthening your neck muscles. I watch you trying to lift your head and you are slowly getting there. The nurses said your neck would be more wobbly for a bit simply because of laying transverse for so long in my tummy.
*Starting to coo! Love that sweet sound!
*Love making the "O" shape with your little mouth-so cute.

My Little Monster,
I do call you Monster in love of course. You really can be such a sweet baby; but when night comes a whole new personality comes alive! I admit, its frustrating because no one believes your daddy and I when we tell them that the crying is more like screaming and comes on with no warning and no escalation. But, as this month has quickly passed I believe this season of screaming will quickly pass.
Do you know how loved you are? Big brother is constantly kissing your head and leaving proof of chocolate kisses and fruit punch kisses...needless to say I had to clean your head of the proof before pictures were taken yesterday. And I love to snuggle you close and just soak you in and in those moments my love for you overwhelms me, so, I find myself thanking God-once again-with blessing me-once again-with you! I love you and I am already wishing time could slow down just for a bit.

Love,
Mom