Picking Up and Cutting Back

I just got off of my wood floors which I scrubbed by hand. My reward to myself...blog! ...at least until the baby wakes up from his afternoon nap.

The past few months have been a whirlwind! Visits from friends and family and other varied activities have made the summer go by quickly, which I am so thankful for. Everyone says, "Enjoy every minute! It goes by so fast." Well, I have been enjoying every minute, but I've also been enjoying the fact that it is going by fast. With each new milestone, Jasper is becoming more independent and I'm feeling more like me and more capable of meeting his needs as well as my own needs and the needs of the home. 

Jasper has been growing bigger and becoming more and more fun. We like to have dance parties in our living room after dinner and play together as a family in Jasper's room before night-night time. He started pulling himself up and walking with assistance relatively early, but wasn't crawling. The pediatrician had no issues with it, so neither did we. Then on his nine month birthday (2 days after Adam's family reunion), Jasper began to crawl and cruise around and get into trouble. Not really trouble, but he's learning what is and isn't acceptable to play with and pull on. He tests me by crawling to something he shouldn't touch, looking at me, and then laughing while he reaches for it. As cute as I find him, I resist my urges to laugh and smile. Reinforcing his naughtiness would only haunt me later.

Adam finished his MBA which has been so wonderful for our family time together! Bless him - he always read his books and articles on his lunch break so he could focus on the family when he was home, but for an MBA, an hour at lunch isn't always enough time to get the work done. We're glad to have Daddy back! Jasper is loving play time with Daddy. He even gives Daddy some cuddle time at night which is usually reserved for Mommy during nursing session, but I'm happy to share that most delightful gift of cuddles.

Jasper is eating like a champ! He loves his fruits and veggies and chicken. I make various combos for him and so far he's eaten just about everything. Of course with that, our food bill is climbing. Nonetheless, we are maintaining a strict budget! With large goals just three years or less away, we are making sure that we are tight with our money now so we can reach those goals on time! Some of you might do better than this, but our budget is $112.50/week for groceries. Before you say, "that's not bad..." remember we live in California and this amount includes diapers, wipes, and household items like cleaners and toilet paper. So far, we're making it, but I'm trying to be smart about it. For instance, I knew oatmeal would put me over my budget this week, so I'm deferring to next week and hoping there is a sale at a nearby market. Sometimes I get irritated with some friends on Facebook that post, "Look at all the stuff I got by couponing! Only $5.48 for everything! You should too!" Well, sorry friend, but no. I don't eat Doritos and Hi-C and Twizzlers and Pop Tarts. So, you spent $5.48 and "saved $37" but from my viewpoint, I spent $0.00 on that crap and saved $5.48 more than you did. Tell me how to pay only $5.48 for kale, spinach, butternut squash, sweet potato, organic chicken, tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries, peaches and other things I actually eat to keep myself and my family healthy. 

At first, I thought preparing healthy meals for a giant husband and an infant would be super difficult, but I'm having fun and putting together some pretty great meals. Fortunately, I have a husband who is encouraging me and is willing to eat a simple salad on days I get too busy to be creative. 

In closing, this year has been full of clear examples of how the Lord blesses our family. As a direct result of tithing, we've seen how when some unexpected cost arises, there is suddenly money coming in that was also unexpected. We've been able to maintain a steady course toward maintaining our goals. There is still work to be done, but in the meantime, meager living is a blessing. We are exercising self-control, diligence, and patience in hopes of eventually attaining complete self-reliance.   

Here are some pictures from the year so far for your viewing pleasure...

Slowing Down

I feel like Jasper's progress has slowed down. He was gaining weight so well, rolling over, etc. and then he got hit with RSV and an ear infection. It's been nine days, he's been on meds since last Thursday, but it seems like it's never going to end. Jaz is still sleeping in his own room, but per doctor's orders, is sleeping in his car seat instead of his crib so he can breathe easier. I'm sleeping propped up too due to my own congestion, but I'm barely getting any sleep because Baby is waking every 2-3 hours instead of the every 4-5.5 hours he was doing before. Yesterday he was wide awake by 5am and today by 4:30am. Meanwhile, I feel a little overwhelmed as I've taken on three new projects on top of trying to get my little lovey-dove healthy. Missing theater, I auditioned for a musical revue and landed a lead singing part! I'm super excited to perform, but it has been sooooo long and I'm a little rusty. Also, I'm consulting and doing work for TV Guide Network's red carpet shows again this season. I'm a little bummed I won't be on site for show days, but I'm not ready to leave Jasper for that long yet. Fortunately, I still get to be a part of the show in some capacity. Thirdly, my old preschool asked me to return on Fridays for 45 minutes to teach P.E. to the Kindergarteners. They offered to watch Jaz for that time and I accepted. Each of those activities got me really excited and I definitely want to do all of them, but I just got this feeling that I suddenly took on too much too fast. I know I can do it and I will. I'm sure I'll be glad I did them all and when they're done, I'll probably find something else to beef up my activity schedule. Everything starts in February, so I'm REALLY hoping Jasper fully recovers this week. Adam's busy schedule calms down come February which means I'll have some help.

To a New Year That Promises Many "Firsts"

As a new year begins, I need to express deep gratitude to my Heavenly Father for my many blessings. Although the year started with multiple sicknesses for me, we found out I was pregnant shortly before my grandmother passed away. I was able to say "goodbye" and "I love you" to her just hours before she went. We also lost our cat Peyton.

Each month we grew in anticipation of the arrival of our son and purchased a new home which we moved into while I was five months pregnant. I enjoyed doing CrossFit three days a week up to that point. Soon I got heavier and heavier making each day teaching preschool a little harder and the slow progress of home renovations more frustrating. When the birthing time came though, I was so pleased with our decision to use a midwife. Here is the birth story:

The morning of October 15th, I lost my mucus plug in the early hours, then met a friend at the park before joining her for breakfast. Good thing I got a good meal in me! My appointment was at 2:30 or so and I was told to take it easy. So I did my grocery shopping, pausing only twice for mild contractions, then went home to rest as told. Relaxing on the bed to my Hypnobabies tracks, I monitored contractions with an app on my iPod. Adam called from work at 5:30pm to check in. I told him I was fine and he was going to fax something before heading home to me. As we hung up, I heard a sound like a water balloon popping and gushing. My water broke! I called Adam back immediately and he rushed home to me. 

By the time he got home, my contractions were close enough to head to the birthing center. Adam packed the car quickly but it seemed like forever and we arrived by 7pm. The birthing waves were stronger but still not very bad. I didn't want updates on my progress or lack there of if that was the case because I just wanted to focus on relaxing. I took cues though. When the midwife told me I could get in the tub, I knew I had progressed. Adam was so good & patient & encouraging throughout the whole experience. Eventually the bath felt too warm, though I think I was in there for quite a while. The midwife checked me when I got out and helped me push out some extra tissue before telling me to get in whatever position I was most comfortable. I was most comfortable standing. 

At the foot of the bed I stood; leaning forward on my elbows and resting my head in my hands. With each contraction, I squatted and pushed involuntarily. After each push I prayed to Heavenly Father that He would allow me to have His spirit child with me now. "I'm ready to take him, Father. Please let this be the last push." And at 11:12pm, God's precious little one became my first baby son. Jasper came out like Superman; fist extended above his head. Because of this, I tore pretty badly. The doctor, to help me avoid admittance to the hospital, came to me at the birthing center and sewed me up there. A couple of hours later, Adam and I headed home with our bundle of joy! He weighed 7lbs 15oz and measured 19 inches long. We had the perfect experience.

 
The first week with a newborn was fine...Jasper slept with me and Adam changed every diaper. We had lots of visitors and I stayed in bed recovering. Weeks two and three were really challenging though. Adam went back to work, there were no more visitors, I felt overwhelmed & inadequate, night time nursing had me in tears, and I was still very sore. By week four, everything seemed to settle into place and I felt much better all around. 




 

Jasper was blessed on December 9th.













Now, Jasper is 11 weeks old and progressing wonderfully. (Aside from a little congestion he got from me.) He is gaining weight about as fast as I am losing pregnancy weight! I will not be returning to work full time and Adam is still working two jobs plus his MBA. Basketball season should be over for him mid-February and his masters should be complete in August. In the meantime, we're still getting our home put together and loving on our baby.

Jasper said "goodbye" to 2012 with an unusual five poops in one day and spent the first night of 2013 in his own room in his crib as he has outgrown his bassinet. He also rolled over by himself! The new year is off to a great start and sure to be filled with many "firsts"!!