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.