New Blog

Well, I've been blogging on Blogger for some time now, actually a couple years, but I just realized that I never shared on here that I have a new blog!

If you'd like to read about what I've been up to, my new blog can be found at http://ceaselesspraises.blogspot.com!  See you there! :)

Finally Updating! :)

I'm so glad that warmer weather is finally here!  Today it's in the 70's here, and all week has been just gorgeous- sunny and in the 60's!  I've been able to get out and go for walks with Zachary, and take him to the little camp playground to ride in the baby swing- it's so much fun!  This weekend we went for a family getaway to Erie (exotic location, right?), but really, it was wonderful.  We relaxed in our hotel room and took Zachary to the pool for a 'swim'.  He would only get his legs wet, though, without crying, because the water was a little too cold for him.  Here's a picture of him in some adorable little swimming trunks anyway.

Camp has been going well- we had our spring quilter's quirk a couple of weeks ago, and we have our hobby weekend coming up in 2 weeks, so I've been busy with those retreats!  This weekend we have a small group of about 40 coming, and next weekend is a work weekend!  We are super-busy getting ready for the summer, too- registrations are starting to come in! 

On the home front, I have been just enjoying every minute of being a mama.  Zachary is growing like a weed, and doing all kinds of new things every day- he can roll over from back to front & front to back now, so he's always squirming, and trying to get somewhere!  He's a pretty happy little guy- always smiling, and laughing at Joel and I.  His acid reflux was really bothering him for a while, keeping him from eating and sleeping well, but the dr. put him on a new medication, and now he's eating better & sleeping through the night most of the time!!!! YAY!!  He goes to bed around 9 or 9:30 at night, and gets up between 6:30 and 7:30 in the morning!  Sleep is a wonderful thing.  Really, it is.  Alright, well, in the interest of keeping you all up to date, and 'giving the people what they really want', here are some more pictures- enjoy! 

This is Zachary on Easter Sunday, all dressed up and ready to go to church.  The shoes lasted about ten minutes once we got there.  He hates shoes and kicks them off at the first opportunity.

Here he is in his highchair this morning- waiting for me to get his cereal ready.  Cute little feet under the tray! :)

Here he's sitting propped up on the couch like a big person!

The greatest smile EVER.

Another cute smile.  I had him in a shorts outfit today because it's so warm.  And his little pudgy legs and arms are just SO stinkin' cute.

Where Have I Been?

Okay, it's been almost 3 months since I posted on here!  So where have I been?  Well, first of all, I've been over on facebook- if you don't have one, you should- it's great for getting in touch with people from camp/college/high school/etc. and it's so easy to share pictures & videos and everything!  Other than that...

I've been walking up and down the house, bouncing and singing and rocking to help Zachary calm down.

I've been standing by Zachary's crib with my hand on his tummy, helping him get over his gas spells.

I've been sitting on the living room floor, watching my son learn to smile, laugh, grab toys, roll over, and just generally wrap his mommy around his little finger.

I've been sleeping...a little.

I've been boxing up Zachary's newborn and 0-3 month clothes as he outgrows them, part of me glad to be past this stage, and part of me wishing he could stay tiny forever.

I've been working in the camp office almost every day, and even in the kitchen some.

I've been at the pediatrician's office several times...for routine checkups, shots (I cried more than he did, I think), and one diagnosis of acid reflux.

I've been taking pictures and videos of my happy boy whenever I can.

I've been changing diapers...I really don't mind it, though, because Zachary is usually in such a good mood- he loves the one-on-one attention at changing time!

I've been reading stories, poems & board books to my little mister, something I've always looked forward to.

I've been on my knees, praying for my hubby & baby.

I've been looking forward to all the amazing things God is going to do in our family.

And I've been doing so much more, too!  Being a mom is fun, but totally all-consuming!  I definitely feel like Zachary is my life now, and I'm fine with that! :)  He is growing so quickly, and pretty soon he'll be out of this baby stage forever, so I'm trying to cherish every day-and night! (I'm going to make myself cry!)  He is already 1/4 of a year old!  Joel is doing a great job being a daddy, and such a great partner to me!  I'm definitely looking forward to Zachary sleeping through the night, though.  I definitely won't regret when he grows out of that night feeding!

So, where have you been??? 

True Love

Most of you have probably heard the news by now, but here it is: Zachary Wayne Hart was born on Wednesday, December 5th, at 7:22 pm.  He weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces; and was 20 1/2 inches long.  He is perfectly healthy, and we are just enjoying him so much!  Of course, he keeps us up at night, but that's his job, and he's pretty good at it. :)  He will be a week old tonight, and I can already see him changing!  I cried yesterday because he already looks different, more filled out than when he was born.  My labor was long and painful...and not what I expected in the least, but it's over, and I'm recovering very well, and, yes, I'm already willing to do it all again for another baby...in a few years... :)

I have always loved kids, and I've been waiting my whole life to be a mommy, so I knew I would love it.  I also knew that Joel was looking forward to being a daddy, and that he would do a great job at it.  But what I didn't expect was how completely adorable he would be as he held and interacted with Zachary, and how patient and sweet he would be with me during even these rough, sleepless first few days, and I never expected the experience of watching him be a daddy to make me totally fall head over heels in love with him all over again, and add a whole new dimension to our relationship.  So in the midst of new parenting challenges and joys, here is an ode to the Hubby & Daddy of the year.

True Love is...

-letting your wife hold your hands during 22 hours of labor and hardly complaining when they lose circulation because she's squeezing them so hard.

-changing all of the baby's diapers the whole time you're in the hospital

-going out to get your wife milkshakes and iced coffee in the middle of the night

-getting up for every feeding for a week just to help out with some feeding difficulties

-trying your best to figure out how to dress the baby in the riduculously complicated (but cute) outfits his mother picks out for him...all those snaps!!!

-letting your wife sit in the backseat with the baby so you both know he's okay, even though it means she doesn't get to sit up front with you.

-spending plenty of time each day just relaxing with your wife and admiring your son together, even though there are lots of other things you need to do.

-spending an entire afternoon driving around town looking for some baby supplies that will make your wife's life easier.

Joel, in the last week, you've become an expert in diapers, onesies, swaddling, feeding, and burping, to mention just a few things.  You have always been an amazing husband, and I am so blessed to have you by my side and watch you as you fulfill the role of daddy in such sweet ways that I never could've imagined.  I love you, and I'm so thankful for you and little Z.

Overdue

Well, in case you're wondering... YES, it is my due date today.   NO, we do not have a baby yet.  Please don't ask.  I am officially overdue.  Somehow I had sort of convinced myself that since little Jr. was measuring big, he would be early...but in fact, he is just big.  Or else he's just too comfortable.  I've been walking and trying every 'natural labor-inducing remedy' I can find on the internet...but no baby yet! 

We saw the doctor today, and she scheduled an ultrasound for Friday, and if the baby looks okay on the ultrasound, she will let me go home and keep waiting...and if there's no baby by next Monday night, December 10th, she will be inducing me.  SO...at the VERY latest, Jr. should be here in the next week! :)  Joel is doing a great job being patient, keeping me stocked up with ice cream, and keeping my attitude positive while we WAIT!

We have had some gorgeous snow here today and yesterday...I love the snow...the way it looks, going out walking in it...I'm sure I won't love it as much by March, but for now, it is beautiful!  Hope everyone else is enjoying your winter! :)  Hopefully we'll have some news here soon!!!