The long awaited milestone has finally arrived.........Liam's first tooth! He's been teething for several months now and has been in obvious discomfort for the last few weeks, but now we can all breath a big sigh of relief - well, at least until the next one comes in - because on November 2nd his bottom tooth poked through. Yay! Nana and Pop-pop (my parents) were here visiting the week before and we thought we could see it under his gums, then sure enough, the day after they left.........pop! The lonely little tooth appeared!

7 Months!!

Crawling + Standing = Crashing

Yep, you guessed it- the injuries have begun! Liam started crawling about a month ago (at 6 months) and before we even got used to that....he was already on to standing and now even holding on to things and attempting to walk. (His crib is his favorite place to practice his new skill of standing - especially when he's supposed to be sleeping!) Last Friday he had his first real injury, smacking the edge of the entertainment center and getting a pretty good gash above his eye. Though it was traumatizing for all of us (it bled a lot and we weren't sure if he was going to need medical attention), we were so thankful that he didn't injure the eye itself and that he didn't need stitches. And actually, it is healing up quite nicely! It definitely didn't slow him down a bit though! He now has several bruises on his forehead from various other smaller crashes....Oh dear! (I recently saw an advertisement in a parenting magazing for a padded baby helmet....not a bad idea, eh?)

Six Months....

Six months going on 1 year…. that’s what “Gramma” says about her grandson, and I think it’s true! At almost six months, Liam has decided that he can pretty much accomplish anything he sets his mind to. I’m surprised each day with his new discoveries and accomplishments...For example, any day now his rocking and lunging will turn into a crawl that I know I’ll barely be able to keep up with & I’m sure by the time I get used to that he’ll already be on to walking and running! Sometimes I’d like to push the pause button on life and keep Liam the sweet tiny little baby he is at this very moment…dependent on Mommy and Daddy for everything. However, I’m forced to face the reality that every day Liam seems less like a baby and more like an independent little boy. After almost 6 months...He’s embracing “real” food like it’s always been part of his menu (avocados, sweet potatoes and bananas being among his favorites)….he “runs,” joining Drew and I on our several-times-a-week 3-mile run (riding along in his jogging stroller and actually enjoying it!)…. he sits all by himself, plays peek-a-boo, rolls from one room to the next and even finds ways to get himself into a little mischief once and a while.

Looking back, I’m amazed at how God has not only been developing and growing Liam, but also doing the same in me! I’m not sure exactly how I made the transformation from "Lauren" into "Mommy,” but I know that from the moment I met my beautiful baby boy in the hospital, my priorities have never been the same. If I’m being honest with myself, life as a mommy hasn’t all been like I thought it would be- some better, some worse, and a some I’ve just been to sleep deprived to remember, but the truth is….I consider myself richly blessed. Being a parent has brought me more joy than I ever anticipated...more love than I ever thought possible...and more “what if’s” than I’ve ever had to worry about before. I’m so thankful that I can take all my cares and worries and lay them at the feet of my Saviour knowing that He’s got everything under control. Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Yes. I confess….since my promotion into Mommy-hood, I’ve initiated far fewer emails & phone calls than I had intended, posted much less on this blog than I had envisioned, spent many less hours cleaning my house than I had hoped and ordered take-out more times than I’d like to admit. BUT....what I have done is spent 180 days as a new person….a “Mommy” to the most wonderful little boy anyone could ever ask for.

Long over-due!

Wow...this post is long over due! Since my last post Liam has been growing by leaps and bounds! He's rolling over like crazy, attempting to scoot, sitting up, picking up his pacifier and putting in his mouth all by himself, and as of a few days ago...eating "real" food! He is "Mr. Personality" and loves to play, laugh and be on the go all the time (who needs naps, right?!) He seems a lot older than a week shy of 5 months.....

A few weeks ago, Liam and I flew to NY to visit my family for the weekend. I was a little nervous about getting through the airports & surviving the plane rides since it was just me and him, but he did great! Not only did we get to enjoy a few days at Nana & Pop-pop's (my Mom and Dad's) house..... Liam also got to meet a lot of my Dad's extended family for the first time!

Life in the Fast Lane..

It has been a while since I last gave a "real" update....so here's what has been going on in our lives....

~I went back to work on June 4th and though it's been almost a month...I still have a hard time leaving my little guy in the morning. :-( However, I am back just 4 days a week on most weeks, so that is a definite plus! Liam is in good hands though, so I don't have to worry - He's with Grandma 2-3 days a week and Daddy 2 days a week!

~Drew is busier than ever trying to balance being a full time worship leader, part-time stay at home Daddy and part-time sound and lighting "engineer".

~Liam is growing like a weed! He even seems to get bigger while I'm at work during the day! :-) He turned 3-months this past Sunday and celebrated it by figuring out how to roll over! He has put this new skill to use during nap time....when he doesn't want to nap, he can just roll over and play instead! I know when the "I-don't-want-to-take-a-nap-whimpers" turn to giggles and happy squeals, that our mischevious little guy is up to something! :-)

~As for our health....I've been battling mastitis, but am on my second round of antibiotics now and am hoping that will get rid of it for good! Pray for God's healing in my body. I've been trying to rest as much as I can (which isn't always a lot when I'm working and have a 3-month old!), and it seems to be paying off as I feel a little better today.....but the real test will be when my antibiotics run out! As for Liam, he seems to be feeling much better now that I'm on a no-dairy/ no milk-protein (whey & casein) diet. Drew and I are somewhat relieved since it seems like we may finally have some answers as to why Liam hasn't been feeling well! The new diet for me is definitely a challenge, but it is worth it to have Liam happy and healthy!

All in all....God has been so good to us and we are enjoying Liam so much! Life seems to be going so fast we can hardly keep up, but we know we are in God's hands and are just along for the ride anyways.....

playtime!

Going Home...

It was hard to say good-bye......but eventually we had to.....

More Pictures from Vacation

NC Vacation

The day before Memorial Day we went to the Outer Banks, NC and vacationed for week! We met my parents, and brother & sister-in-law (along with their 2-1/2 kids) there and stayed in an awsome house right on the ocean that my parents rented. It was such a great time! Great-Nana even came from the nursing home and stayed at the beach house with us! We had great weather and just a really wonderful week spending time with my family! While we were there Liam got to meet his Aunt Robyn, Uncle Nathan, cousin Alexis, cousin Jonathan, Great Nana and several other exteded family members for the first time! He also LOVED the ocean, so we spent a lot of time walking on the beach or even just sitting on our porch so we could watch & hear the waves. It was very hard to leave (...especially when it was only in the 50's in WI the day flew home!) Drew and I were a little nervous about the flights there and back with Liam, but he did great and slept on 3 out of our 4 flights and just quietly played and sat on Momma's lap on the 4th, so we were thrilled! Our NC vacation has become a tradition with my family, so we are already looking forward to next year!

Dedication

Liam was dedicated on May 10, 2009

at RiverValley Church, Oshkosh, WI.

Our Commitment: Drew and I (along with our church family) commited to raise Liam up into a knowledge of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. We promised before the whole church to teach and exemplify the love of God. Though we will not be perfect parents, we will be the best example we can for our son. Our prayer is that by personal faith, Liam will come to know and love Jesus Christ and accept Him as his personal Saviour (Romans 10:9-10).

I'm Walking!!

On most of the nice days we've had, Liam has been enjoying some fun walks around the nighborhood with Mom and Dad!

"Growing Like a Weed"

Liam had his 2 week check-up today! He's gained 2lbs and grown an inch in 2 weeks....so he's up to 9lbs 8oz and 22"! The Dr. said he's gaining weight at a much faster than "normal" rate...but that is good! He's in the 90th percentile for his height, so we're thinking he's just growing into those big hands and feet of his! Though we're suspecting he might have some acid reflux going on, we are very thankful for a strong and healthy baby boy!

Liam's First Week Home!

It's hard for me to believe that Liam is already 12 days old! Time has been flying by since the moment he joined our family! We are all adjusting well, though tired and exhausted at times. He's a great baby and we are loving every moment of being new parents. There have been several sleepless nights, that can be frustrating at times...but as soon as we start to get frustrated....it all disappears when we look into his big blue eyes and are reminded of what a precious and indescribable gift from God he truly is. So, we are learning to cherish every moment...even the sleepless nights! As far as Liam goes...he is eating well (he gained 1 lb 8oz in 1 WEEK!!) and seems to be loving his new life outside Mommy's tummy. He's not a big fan of baths just yet, however, he likes snuggling in his elephant towel afterwards! His favorite activities right now are sleeping, eating, and bouncing on our large exercise ball!

A "Designer" Nursery :)

My ever-so-busy mom was so sweet to take the time and energy to design and make Liam's bedding & curtain for his nursery! She did such a great job and I love how it looks in his room. Liam likes it too!.....he loves to just sit stare at all the polka dots! :) Thanks, Nana, for all your hard work! You are amazing!

Liam Andrew is here!

7lbs 8oz and 21" long....our sweet little blessing arrived March 28th at 9:38 pm! We are tired, but loving every moment of our new life with Liam!

Due Day!!

It's DUE DAY! :) I tried telling Liam that today is supposed to be his birthday & that there's a party out here waiting for him, but as of yet....he hasn't shown up. :) I've had some contractions here and there, but nothing consistent that I can time yet. Drew and I are still hoping that today might be "the day", but if not....we'll just have to continue to practice patience (something I'm sure we're going to need a LOT of being parents, right?!). We know that Liam will arrive in God's timing...we're just praying that it is soon so my parents can enjoy some time with him before they go back to NY!

Speaking of parents...My mom arrived last Tuesday & has been a huge help already! I so appreciate her helping with laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping and even sewing a bumper, curtain and crib skirt for Liam's room! Aren't Moms GREAT? She is such a blessing! We're also looking forward to my Dad arriving! He'll be getting here in a week or so to spend a few days here before the two of them head back home. Pray for safe traveling!

Date Night!

Drew and I had the awesome opportunity to go to see Revive, Brandon Heath & Third Day in concert (as well as meet them before hand) in Green Bay the other weekend! It was a wonderful unexpected surprise...and it just happened to be on my birthday! A couple in our church had the tickets and were not able to go, so they offered them to us! We had a great time and really enjoyed the concert. (Liam did too....I don't think he knew what to think of all the loud music! He was very active during the whole concert, so we're thinking he was dancing!) :-)

37 weeks!

Tomorrow marks the end of my 37th week, which means that Liam is now "full term"! Though I know he may not come for several more weeks, it is still exciting to know that he really could arrive any time now!

This past weekend Liam's nursery started to finally come together! I pulled a "Nelson" and worked for a whole day unpacking, assembling, and organizing the nursery (with Drew's help)! I was completely exhausted (which doesn't take much these days)....but was so glad to get it done. God provided a great deal on a dresser/changer which was a huge blessing! I can stop stressing now and just relax a little bit since the nursery is no longer just a random room w/ a crib in it. It is now "Liam's room"! :)

A new venture!

Well....this is the first of hopefully many posts! Drew and I are just a few short weeks away (Lord willing!) from welcoming our new little guy, Liam, into the world! I have really enjoyed keeping up with other people this way, so I thought it would be a good time to start a blog of my own. Hopefully, this will be a great way for Drew, Liam and I to keep up with friends and family...especially those who aren't close by. Stay tuned........there's more to come! :-)