Hollon Elizabeth Bush

My sister, Emma, had her precious daughter on Tuesday, August 26. I was so sad that I couldn't be there on the day she was born, and couldn't wait to get my hands on her today! She is the most beautiful little thing ever. She gave me baby fever...JUST KIDDING, but she really is just perfect!

If you read Emma's blog, you know that this journey hasn't been a walk in the park. (If you want to catch up, you can read here and here!) It is a journey that I do not understand directly, but my sister amazed me the entire way.

1. She never gave up hope.
2. She never lost her faith in God and that He was listening to every prayer and holding all those tears.
3. She maintained a great sense of humor and overall attitude.
4. She remained grateful for the blessings she had.
5. She reached out to others going through the same struggle.
6. She didn't absolutely hate me when I got pregnant twice during this time frame. 

I couldn't help but stare at Hollon's tiny face and think, "This is it. This is God's faithfulness. He heard our prayers. He answered them in His perfect timing."

God is so good! 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

Isaiah 40:31

Oh, Peepers came with me to meet his little cousin. Proud Nana with her youngest two grandkids. Gaines looks like he could eat Hollon for dinner. I think he wanted to.

Whoops.

Did not mean to go so long without posting. Things have been hectic, crazy, and with school starting and Brooks traveling much of September, I don't see things slowing down!

We had a wonderful beach trip. They boys might not have been too crazy about the sandy beach, but they were great during dinners out! So we returned to Atlanta still pale and fat.

I should have more thoughts, words, and pictures, but eh. Next posts will be introducing my NIECE! and Woody's first day of 2K preschool pictures (tear.)

I should be...

...on my way to the beach with my husband and two sleeping babies. Instead, I am home, with no husband, but thankfully two sleeping babies. I still don't get why the oversell flights. I was really trying to have a good attitude about it, so I called my momma for encouragement.

She preceded to tell me a very sad story. It did not make me feel better, but in a twisted way, it made me laugh that she thought it would. I love you, Momma!

I am going to hit you with some fun random updates/stories/happenings/pictures around the Patches so I don't call a certain airline and yell at them.

• At Target one day, I ran over my foot with my down buggy. I yelled, "Oh, Toodles!" We obviously watch too much Mickey Mouse.

• Woody starts two day a week K-2 soon. This makes me happy/sad.

• Woody and Gaines have been playing catch. Woody takes the ball and throws it as hard as he can at Gaines (usually at his head), Gaines cries, Woody laughs. This is how you play catch right?

• Not impressed with his outfit for church

• Most nights, I am on my own for dinner. Brooks and I eat together at 7-7:30, so I feed the boys around 5:30. Exhausting, I know!

•  But in all reality, Peepers gets so excited when he sees cereal!

• And as you can see, 6 month clothes are too small!

• We are making improvements on behaving in restaurants. We go early (like at 5:30), after Gaines has had some cereal. Mexican restaurants are our favorites. Woody likes chip (emphasis on the single form of "chip") and salsa.

•  At night, we let Cheeky Woody take one or two toys to bed with him. I don't know if this is the best habit, but it makes him excited for bed. Most nights, he chooses a train or car, but one night, he insisted on bringing his (too big) Yo Gabba Gabba PJ pants. We don't watch the show, so I don't get his selection, but it sure made me laugh!

• In our family room, we have four variety of chairs for the boys (a bouncy seat, a plastic Cars booster seat, an exersaucer, and a Bumbo.) We did have five, but I gave Sister her swing back for her Baby Girl. I would like to relocate these to a playroom. In moments of desperation, I have applied for two reality shows that might foot some of the bill.

• After, seeing this picture from my friend, Lisa, I decided to be content with our no playroom house because I do not miss this from my old job/income

• Peepers has frogs on his feet..

•  And frogs on his head!

 

Night Night!

Gaines- Five Months

 

Gaines Facts

•  Weight: No doctor's appointment this month, but I think he is close to 19 lbs. I mean, did you see those thighs?!
• Diaper Size: 3
• Clothes Size: 9 months
• Sleep: So much better! We don't typically have a schedule, but more of a routine: wake-up, eat, awake for 1.5-2 hours, sleep. We have been letting him put himself to sleep (which, yes, requires some tears), and he is sleeping better. He still typically only naps for about 50min-an hour, but he is only waking once (most nights) during the nights. He goes to bed between 6:30 and 7:30pm, wakes around 4:00 to eat, and then gets up for good between 7:00 and 7:30. Some days he takes 3 naps, some days 4. 
• Eat: Yep, every three hours during the day. Oh well, at least he is going longer at night! And we started rice cereal. He loves it! He starts laughing and kicking when he sees the bowl. It is always gobbled down. When we return for a mini vacation, I think I am going to start him on fruits and veggies.
• Gaines has a third tooth! This one is on top. It looks so funny because as of now there is only one up top. 
• Baby Model! He has done some photo shoots for various Kids II products. They are fun to go to, and he is always happy and gives them a big smile.
• Sitting with support. I don't think it will be too long until he can do it on his own.
• I got out the exersaucer, and he seems to like it. Woody has been showing him how to play with all the toys. I am thrilled to have another large, bulky baby-item to trip on in our spacious home. 
• Has learned to reach for toys and shove them in his mouth.
• Such a happy baby, unless he has gas. By the way, he has the smelliest gas ever. Sorry, G.
• Still has dark hair! Sometimes I think it has a reddish tint. I love how it sticks up.
• I know I say it every month, but I love love love this little guy. He is such a blessing to our family. His smile can make any day better! I just cannot imagine my world without him!

School Days

Around the Atlanta area, school is starting. I am not going to lie, it feels a little odd that I am not joining them, as if I am breaking the rules or something. I feel a weird twinge when I see pictures of classrooms on Facebook or a cute lesson plan idea on Pinterest. It is not sadness, but it definitely feels strange.

 I am thinking about my nieces and nephew who are starting school. I seriously lie awake praying that they will make friends and love their teacher. I cannot imagine what a basket case I will be when my boys go to school.

"Helping" with the laundry

And while I am thinking about and praying for all teachers, there is a special type that is on my heart and mind: the momma teacher. Because last year, I was there. Maybe it was hormones (remember, I had just found out I was pregnant again), but it was one of the toughest things I had to do. I had to leave my son all day with someone else, while I taught other children. My little boy, who I had spent the summer with at play dates, swim lessons, walking to the park, and blowing bubbles. I think I cried for the first month. (Again, probably hormones.)

Teacher Mommas are my heroes. You sacrifice your gifts to your profession and family. You are serving and teaching our future. My future...

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;”

 Romans 12:6-7 

Control

Last week, I had a playdate at a park with the MOPS group at our church. I recently joined since becoming a stay-at-home-mom as a way to connect with other mothers in our church. I made sure the boys were dressed perfectly and the diaper bag was stocked with anything and everything we might need (including a bottle.) I even successfully took out the "mall" double stroller out of my trunk and loaded the bigger "park" stroller. I had a few errands to do before we went, which would give Gaines the perfect chance to catch a nap.

Errand one. Find a parking spot, load both boys in the cart, load the item we need to return....store is closed.

 (By the way, these pictures have nothing to do with this post. My mom just quits reading unless she sees her grandsons.)

I drive around Atlanta, Gaines stays wide awake.

We make it to the park, I have to parallel park.

I make awkward conversation with the other moms. Awkward for me because I suddenly hate what I wore to park, am embarrassed by the baby weight hanging around, and wishing I had gotten my roots touched up last time I was home.

Time for Gaines to eat. Get the bottle ready, but of course, Gaines knew that his momma was holding him and her anatomy is much preferred over the bottle. 

During this time, Woody throws a tantrum of all tantrums in the park. Don't ask why, because he didn't even know. Other moms try to intervene, which of course, makes it worse. Wood chips were thrown.

We are causing a scene. I feel the stares. I know they are sympathetic, but can't help but feel they are "look at that lady, she obviously has no control" looks.

I try to make witty remarks while I load my hungry baby and screaming toddler in the stroller, thankful for five-point-harnesses. Quickly nurse Gaines in the privacy of my hot, crowded vehicle, loaded him back in, and pull off....only to realize there is a limb caught under my car....that I could not get out.

So what did I do? Cried. I called Brooks and cried.
"Were the moms mean?"
"No."
"Then what's wrong?"
"....."

What was wrong? It wasn't perfect. I wasn't perfect. I did not have control over the situation.

 It is such a minor incident, but I feel that so many women are facing the same dilemma- We are not in control.

(I lied about the picture correlating with the post. This clearly shows the lack of control I have.)

As I look back on the day, and laugh at how much it upset me, it was also an eye opener. Despite my every effort to make things perfect, I am a very flawed human living in an imperfect world. I am not in control.

(A very imperfect dinner)

Thank the Lord that I am not in control. He is. I am not the perfect parent. He is. He knows the outcome, before I face a problem. He holds it all in His hands. He hears my cries for help and forgives me when I fail to thank Him.

(Toe-Touch with Diaper Rash, for the win!)

So I ask you to pray for me. Prayers that I will have patience with my less than ideal situations. That I will accept and embrace that I am not in control, but my Heavenly Father is. And you know what? I am praying for the same with you! 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11