Life These Days

I'm sitting here at the table trying to imagine what it's going to be like in a few short months. Not only will we have Eli, who is currently barking at our poor dog hiding out on the couch, but we will also have a newborn to keep us busy. Oh, but I'm so excited for the madness to begin!

Riley is safe on the back of the couch

Eli has been so good (this far), I can only hope Baby #2 takes after him. Eli is pretty independent when it comes to playing and keeping himself occupied, which makes me think it won't be such a hard transition for us when a new baby enters the picture. Hopefully Eli won't get too jealous, and I hope even more that we can make enough "just Eli time" so he won't feel neglected at all. It's the only thing really worrying me. How will Eli handle this change?

You can't see it, but he loved sledding!

Today's church sermon was on the sins of anxiety, fear and worry. Boy, was that just what I needed. I was reminded how important it is to place all my trust in God, weather it be for my family, health, finances, jobs, relationships, or raising my children. Lately, I've read a lot of blogs from parents who have tragically lost young children to various illnesses and diseases. It absolutely breaks my heart. I cannot imagine losing someone so close to me, let alone my child. I have been worrying constantly, thinking what would I do if that was me? Am I strong enough to handle something like that? Am I doing everything right? Am I doing everything in my power to make sure my family is safe? It's then that I know I desperately need to turn to God.

The truth is, it's not up to me. It's all about God and trusting Him in every situation, trusting that His Will be done. He loves us and cares for us more than we could ever understand, providing for us in every situation. All we have to do is trust Him and His plan for our lives and accept His grace. I've found a great sense of calm and peace through prayer and knowing no matter what happens, when everything seems to be out of my control, God is in control. Oh, the freeing feeling of peace from prayer.

Speaking of peace... and quiet. Well, there hasn't been much of it around here as Eli thinks it's his job to fill every bit of silence with his babbling and ranting. But I LOVE it! It's so cute. He's also started "cheesing out" with a big grin, wrinkled nose, and squinty eyes when he gets excited, which is a lot. I love that he's such a happy kid, it makes my heart happy. I think he takes after his daddy.

Adam has been great with Eli. He's been teaching Eli all about play, and since Adam has mastered that skill, he's just the guy for it. Adam pretty much gave up video games when we had Eli. Actually, I've never known him to play all that many video games since we've been together... but I've heard stories that Adam was addicted to them in college. I'm thankful he's turned that addiction to other things, much more meaningful, positive things. We have decided Eli's video gaming will be heavily limited. I can't wait to teach Eli how to play basketball (Adam says that one's up to me ;) and ride 4-wheelers, and Adam is excited for baseball, snowboarding, golf, wakeboarding, football, hockey, volleyball, softball, pool, darts, ping pong, tennis, and so on. I have a feeling my competitive edge could be a problem... but luckily Adam and I balance each other out quite well. Oh, I can't wait! On a side note, if our children want only to (...gulp...) be cheerleaders, play chess, and compete in spelling bees, that's okay, too. As long as they're happy :)

Adam "horsing around" with Eva and Avery

Play. That's a BIG reason I'm so thankful another boy is on the way. That and the fact that they will only be 16 months apart. Some of my best high school memories involve my sister and I playing on the same basketball, volleyball, softball, and track teams. It was a blast! I hope Eli and Baby #2 will be best friends. I know they will fight at times, but I want it to be a "throw a punch, hug it out, and get over it" kind of thing. I get so excited thinking about it, I can't wait to see the interactions between them (and their daddy!). 

Well, Eli just brought me his book and his blanket, so that means it's snuggle and story time. Did I mention how much I love this kid? He's the best!

love him!

Eli update

Well, it's been a long time since I've blogged, so I thought I better post an Eli update!

I have a ONE year old! It's crazy how fast this past year has gone. I can't believe how much our lives have changed, and I sure wouldn't trade it for anything! I love waking up to Eli's babbling every morning and rocking with him before bed. He makes us SO happy, and we laugh a lot because of him. He is learning so quickly, new words, new skills, and new ways of letting us know what he wants. He amazes us every day, and we love him so much!

we celebrated Eli's First Birthday with our families - it was so much fun!

 Some of Eli's favorites include...

favorite food - green beans, peas, carrots, yogurt, peaches, bananas, apricots, corn puffs, noodles, pancakes, fruit granola bars, chicken, ham, and anything we are eating (he's not picky)

favorite "toys" - remote controls, phones (yes, he knows how to turn them on), the dog dishes, magnets on the dish washer, my purse, books, tractors, his mini basketball and hoop, diapers, the toilet paper roll, hangers, shoes

favorite words - mom, dad, bye-bye, ni-night, bottle, puppy, bath, tractor, diaper, woof, duck, dunk, ball

favorite things to do - take a bath, snuggle with his blankets (he can't go anywhere without them), eat, watch Riley and try to catch her, pound on the windows, read books, watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (he loves the opening song and the hot dog song at the end), play with/pester his cousins, watch the dryer, unroll the toilet paper, play in Riley's water dish, go for walks

our favorite things about Eli - his smile (he is ALWAYS smiling), his giggles, the way he lays down anywhere to snuggle with his blankets, how he loves to cuddle, how he repeats us, how he plays independently and reads books to himself, how content he is, how we can go shopping without any trouble, his love for food, how he sleeps through the night and takes two good naps most days, his love for the outdoors, his love for water, his chubby cheeks, the way he gets shy, how he loves to play and giggle and smile with us, we love everything about him!

growth - still in size 5 diapers and size 18 and 24 month clothes, and he currently has 8 teeth

Eli is growing up so fast, and it's bittersweet. I love watching him grow and learn new things, but it makes me sad to see it happening so fast. Pretty soon he will be a big brother, but I'm okay with Eli staying my little baby forever :) 

Elijah Adam

Age - 8.5 months

Weight - getting heavy (hasn't been weighed recently)

Favorite activities - chasing Riley in his walker, bath time, reading books, rolling around the room

Favorite foods - peas, green beans, bananas, jello and cool whip

Sleep schedule - goes to bed between 8 and 9 pm and sleeps until about 7 am, takes two 1.5 to 2 hour naps every day

Favorite toys - a stuffed football with a rattle in it, books, anything that makes noise

Chews on - sleeves and thumb and pointer finger, blankets

Size - 5 diaper, 18-24 month clothes

Favorite thing to wear - nothing

New - increasing his vocabulary (he makes the cutest sounds!)

Mom's favorite moments - hearing Eli talking to himself in his crib in the morning and cuddling in the rocking chair before bed

Dad's favorite moments - playing playing playing!

Biggest fear - vacuum cleaners

Teeth - just the two bottom front teeth he's had for a couple of months now

Best friend (outside of family) - our friend's three-year-old daughter, Jersey

Favorite outing - visiting Dad at work and going to the zoo

Favorite place to be - Mom or Dad's arms

Sweet Baby Eli

Dear Eli,

I love you more than you will ever know. I pray you feel my endless love every moment of each and every day. You are  the biggest blessing in my life, and I thank God for giving you to me and allowing me to be your Mom. Eli, you may never know just how important you are to me, but I promise to try to show you as often as I can. I've never known a love so deep existed until I held you in my arms, and I cherish every moment get to spend with you. Words can't even begin to describe my feelings for you, my dear. I love you with everything I have and all I am.

Love,

Mom

Daily Reminders

I am going to start by saying I love my job as a Labor and Delivery nurse. Not everything about it, but most things. Like any job, there are good days as well as not so good days, but luckily there are way more great days. Every time I go to work, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have such an amazing family of my own.

Last night was no exception. After coaching a first time mother (and her family) through labor, I got to experience something awesome. I witnessed my patient's mother praying with her daughter during the final minutes of labor. The patient was laboring naturally, so to see the calming effect of prayer during such an intense moment was amazing. What a great example of the importance of prayer during times of trial.

Before transporting my patient to her postpartum room after delivery, her family gathered around her and her newborn child, and they sang. It was the most beautiful rendition of The Lord's Prayer that I have ever heard followed by a heartfelt prayer by the patient's mother. She prayed for her new grandbaby, giving thanks for a healthy babe, for her daughter who showed such strength through the day, for her son-in-law who showed his love and support for his family, and she prayed for me. She thanked God for sending me to be with and help them during this time. I was so honored, I cried. It was awesome.

It's times like these I am reminded of God's blessings all around me. About the good people in the world. About people who try to change the world for the better. About people who raise children and teach them to walk in the ways of the Lord, loving endlessly and trusting in God and His promises.

Every night I pray Adam and I are the parents God wants us to be. I give thanks that God has allowed us to raise His child. My biggest fear is failing as a parent, and to me that means raising a child who does not fully believe that Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior. I pray God consumes every bit of Eli, that His love fills Eli, that Eli studies and believes God's words, trusting in His promises. I pray the people in Eli's life support, encourage, even challenge Eli's faith, and I pray Eli show's them God's love, selflessly and humbly leading by example. I pray Eli knows God as his Father. That although Adam and I may fail him at times, his Father never will.

http://www.habeeb.com/fathers.love.letter/fathers.love.letter.english.html

5 1/2 months of being a MOMMY!

Once again, it's been far too long since my last post. I would apologize for my absence, but that would be crazy! I've been having way too much fun being a mom to little Eli, and I think that is a great excuse to not be blogging. Besides, I've been keeping up with his baby book, and that's about as much creative me time as I have these days. Here's a quick(ish) update on what's been going on around here:


I can't believe I've been a mom for 5 1/2 months already! Mommyhood has been treating me very well. I should say, ELI has been treating me very well. He is such a good baby. I don't know what we ever did to deserve such a blessing, but I'm SO thankful God has entrusted us with such a precious gift. I can't explain the feelings of pure joy and endless love I have for my son. All I can say is that it is definitely, without a doubt, a God thing.

 

Adam has been wonderful with Eli. It is the coolest thing to watch them interact with one another. It's an unbreakable bond between this father and son, and it melts my heart every day. I love seeing how excited Adam gets when Eli does new things, and I love seeing Eli's face light up when he sees Daddy or hears Daddy's voice. It's to the point where I tell Adam not to talk when I am rocking Eli to sleep at night because Eli can't take his eyes off his Papa when he's talking. Together, they are the biggest goofballs I know. Adam has always been able to make me laugh more than anyone else can, and I think Eli has gotten that gift from his Daddy. It brings pure joy to my heart :)

 

  

 

 

I have been back to work part-time (2 days per week) on Labor and Delivery since May. Work has been a blessing in itself. I love getting to spend time with my coworkers while helping bring new life into the world. Don't get me wrong, I miss Eli very much while I'm at work, but knowing he is at home with Daddy brings much relief. I work mostly overnights which is great because Eli sleeps at home with Adam while I am at work, and we take a nap together when I get home, so we don't need daycare :) I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband and a job I absolutely love. But enough about me, on to the important stuff!
 

Eli has been growing and changing so fast. Not a day goes by that I don't see some change in him, whether it be making new sounds or taking interest in new toys or activities. Eli is a happy-go-lucky little guy (taking after his Dad and Papa) who rarely cries and smiles non-stop. Eli loves to talk and make all sorts of crazy sounds; my favorites include a high pitched girly squeal when he's really excited and, of course, his many giggles. Eli loves to stand while holding onto our fingers, and he prefers standing to sitting. He has even started taking steps. Eli really enjoys his nightly bath time, especially when he gets to suck on a (clean) wet wash cloth while splashing and soaking his Mama. Eli's favorite toys to play with are crinkle books and blankets, musical toys and instruments, easy to hold balls, teething rings and rattles, and the various objects attached to his bouncer and play mats. He enjoys being read to and likes to turn the book pages. His favorite book (okay, MY favorite book) is "There's a Rumble in the Jungle" by Giles Andreas. Eli is such a smart little boy, and we love to watch him explore and learn about the world around him. He keeps us busy, but we enjoy him so much. I have always been a go, go, go kind of person, and I believe it has made for an easier transition into the life of a working mother. I often wonder what I did with all of my free time before Elijah came along! I must have been so bored!

Here's what a typical day at our house looks like:

7:00 am - Eli wakes Adam and I up by talking and babbling in his crib.
7:00 to 9:30 am - After changing and feeding Eli, we put blankets, books and toys down and play on the floor in Eli's room.
9:30 - 11:30 am - Eli and I take a nap together.
11:30 - 12:00 am - It's baby food time! Eli is a VERY good eater!
12:00 to 3:30 pm - Play time! If it's extremely hot outside (like it has been A LOT lately) I take Eli to the mall and walk laps while window browsing. We like to stop by Adam's work and eat lunch with him. If it's nice out, we walk/jog the neighborhood or the bike trails nearby.
3:30 - 5:00 pm - Eli takes nap #2 while I clean the house, do laundry, prepair food, take a bath...
5:00 - 7:00 pm - Round 2 of baby food and more play and reading time.
7:00 - 7:30 pm - Bath time!
7:30 pm - Milk and snuggles in the rocker for little Eli.
Between 8:00 and 9:00 pm - We read a short story from Eli's hard page Bible storybook, say prayers, give goodnight kisses, and Eli falls asleep. He usually sleeps 10 to 11 hours straight every night. I can't even remember the last time he woke up in the middle of the night.
9:00 pm - Adam/Karin time. Enough said... ;)

Of course there are days in which our schedule looks a little different. For example, we enjoy our volleyball, softball, and golf leagues, we spend a lot of time with our families, and we like to get together with friends. I think Adam and I are pretty active people and enjoy getting out with Eli as much as we can.


Lately, we have enjoyed some travel and vacation time. We have been to Forest Lake, MN, to visit Adam's family a couple of times over the past month and a half, and we spend a lot of time with my family in Iowa.

 

 

Adam and I have gotten back to participating in summer leagues, running, working out and wakeboarding, and we plan to dust off our snowboards this winter as my family is planning a ski trip to Breckenridge, CO. Is nine months too young to teach a kid to snowboard? ;)

 
I feel so blessed to be living the life of my dreams. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't thank God for all He has done for us. Adam and I have incredible families who love and support us in so many ways, we could never thank them enough. To God be the glory for the great things he has done; for our miracle child, for our wonderful marriage, for fantastic families and true friends, for great jobs, a beautiful home, for our health, forgiveness for our sins, and endless love for one other. My heart is full.

 

 

Elijah Adam

It's been so long since I've blogged, and SO much has changed in my life. It's time for an update!

6 hours before delivery, getting uncomfortable

My water broke on February 13. It was a slow leak which my Doctor tested and confirmed rupture at my 37 week appointment. I was contracting pretty regularly, like I had been since week 31, but these contractions were getting a little stronger. Everything started around 3 pm, and I had a baby by 9:47 pm! It all went pretty fast, and I couldn't have asked for a better labor and delivery! Adam was so awesome, and my nurses, techs, and doctors were wonderful!


Meet Elijah Adam Rosman! A whopping 6 pounds 5 ounces, 19 inches long. He came into this world screaming, but has since become a very laid-back little boy, just like his Daddy!

1 minute old

Elijah Adam Rosman, 6 pounds 5 ounces

snuggling with Eli, a few minutes old

We hadn't told any family or friends when my water broke or was in labor. Adam and I waited until around 11 pm to make the announcement to our families. By that time it was too late for anyone to come visit, but in a selfish way I was glad. That night was the one of the best times of my life. Adam and I just sat holding our baby, talking, sending up prayers of thanks, looking at little Eli, and letting it all soak in. I was so excited that I didn't sleep more than 4 hours the whole time we were in the hospital! Pure joy :) Adam and I are SO blessed.

Adam reading Eli his first Bible story

He is our world. If there is a word to describe a feeling greater than LOVE, we feel that.

Adam changing his first diaper

We get to go home!

3 days old, sunning himself

Eli has been wonderful! He sleeps well, eats well, doesn't cry much, and loves to snuggle like his mom. He is healthy and seems to be right on as far as growth and development goes. He is getting so big! We love him more than words can express, and we and hug and kiss him every chance we get :) Adam got two weeks of paternity leave, and I am so thankful for that. He is the most awesome dad, and it melts my heart to see him and Eli lovin' on each other. Riley has been good with Eli and only sniffs him from time to time.

sleep tight!

2 weeks old

Eli's worried face

Adam is the best daddy EVER

Eli has already been to a few basketball games, enjoyed a lot of March Madness, cheered for Dad at volleyball tournaments, and supported his Aunt Debbie's basketball team at Nationals. We like to go for walks in the mall and outside when the weather is nice. We love to visit family back in Iowa, and we even made a trip up to Forest Lake, MN to visit Nan, Pop, and Uncle Paul.
 

Eli saying "I love you!"

a gift from a dear friend

 I got my stent and multiple kidney stones removed the week after giving birth. Immediate relief. I can't even explain how thankful I was to feel like my old self again (insert sigh of relief and pause for prayer of thanksgiving). I even felt good enough to play in a Saturday volleyball tournament with Adam 2 days later (12 days after delivery). It felt SO good :) I can't thank everyone enough for all of the prayers and support during my pregnancy. I have the best family, friends, and co-workers I could ever ask for. Thank you. It was all more worth it than I'd ever imagined.

volleyball tourney (12 days post post baby, 2 days post surgery)

Eli was baptised on March 25 in front of our family, friends, and Faith congregation. We celebrated at our house after the ceremony with food, games, and gifts. Welcome to salvation, little man :) You've been washed by the blood of the Lamb. Purified. Your dad and I promise to teach you about God, pray with you and for you, and help guide you through this life according to His Will. You are His child, and He is with you always.

proud parents

 

our wonderful families

Jackie sang Find Your Wings for Eli. She is the best!

 I'm heading back to work soon (insert feelings of sadness, nerves, and anxiousness here). BUT! I'm going back part time! That means I will work 2 days a week, and Eli won't have to go to daycare. I'm excited to see my co-workers again, and I have a new respect, appreciation, and understanding for pregnancy and labor and delivery. I believe this whole experience will make me a better nurse to my patients, and I really look forward to helping them. I know it will be hard to leave my little boy, but knowing he is home and in good hands is comforting.

our sleeping beauty

Well, time to go wake Eli so we can play (and so he'll sleep tonight)! Sending out lots of love to everyone from our little family! God bless!