So, this post is a little shout out to the Fly Lady and also for me to remember in 10 years what helped me get my act together with my home! Brett and I have always been the "clean once a week" type family. With just the two of us, things didn't get too bad in a week's time. Throughout the week, we would do the minor details and then do our major clean before company came or on Sunday. The first 2 years we were married, we even made a deal. He would go grocery shopping and I would clean up our tiny apartment. Each Sunday, we said "go!": he ran out the door for Walmart and I began cleaning with a fury! I was always almost done by the time he got back! Cleaning up after and washing clothes for two adults is no big deal (I see this now). :)
Well. . . things hit the fan when I got pregnant! For those first 14 weeks or so, I didn't feel like doing much of anything! So. . . that left Brett to pick up all the duties :) I think it overwhelmed him a bit since he was still in seminary full time and working 2 different jobs. I could already see that when little one got here, I would need to hire a full time house cleaning person who would cook all my meals! Ha!
When I was out for maternity leave, I discovered the Fly Lady. It is a "group" you can belong to that will send you email reminders, encouragement, etc. about setting up routines that will help your house "clean itself". (you still do the work, though) I LOVE having this system and our house is cleaner and more organized than it has ever been! It even helps me to not feel overwhelmed since I've gone back to work. I can't do all the things that I did when I was home for maternity leave, but it helps us have clothes to wear, dishes to cook from, and a peaceful place to play with Jacob (which is important when little J goes through multiple outfits a day!) It's so funny how something that used to stress me out so much has now become a way for me to bless my family! I'm so thankful for finding the Fly Lady right when I needed it most!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thanksgiving with the Roberts/Thompsons/Thrashers!
Thanksgiving day @ 2pm we headed over to Mimi & Papa Stan's to celebrate the holiday with the Thompsons/Roberts/Thrashers. Jacob was super tired when we got there, but it didn't take much to talk Papa Stan into taking a nap with him. We caught them both snoozing :)
Jacob is getting so alert and is just starting to stay awake for 1.5 hours-2 hours before needing a nap. It really caught us off guard when he did it at first! He loves to "stand" now with some assistance.
Cousin Alli wanted some good snuggle time. ..
and Aunt Kathy wanted a hug too!
It was Thanksgiving night before I realized that we hadn't had a family shot yet! Aunt Kathy took it for us!
Jacob all dressed up to go take a four month picture.
Uncle "Tan" (as Emily affectionately calls him) was having fun with his niece and nephew.
Visiting Papa Stan at work.
Daddy's twin! I think they look so much alike in this pic!
Tummy time with Mommy :)
Mimi and Papa Stan are getting one last smile on the morning we leave.
All the cousins, aunts & uncles eating the meal.
Whole family shot of our growing bunch! It was such a fun holiday, complete with a nertz competition :)
Jacob's 4th Month
During Jacob's fourth month, he REALLY started developing and showing his own little personality! He is super sweet, laid back, and into everything! Now that his little head is steady when sitting up, this month he INSISTS on sitting straight up! No more laying back for Jacob :) Unless he is being fed, he does a little abdominal crunch to make sure he is sitting up and seeing the world. He smiles all the time now and squeals with delight when playing with Mama & Daddy!
Our happiest boy!
Propped up on the fouton. He is wearing 6 month clothes now and is filling them out! At his four month appointment, he was 27 3/4 inches long (she said he was basically 28 inches). He weighed 18lbs. and 8 oz. By the time mid-December rolled around, he was in 6-9 month clothes and starting to wear 9 month. So much for the summer 12 month overalls that we already had for him :)
This is the super cute bear outfit that Lisa and Randy Whitley got for him.
Happiest when I'm playing with daddy :)
Reading nursery rhymes with mama.
This month he started holding my face when I feed him. It is so cute and just melts my heart! By five months, he is touching my face and running his hands thorough (and pulling) my hair.
Our sleepy one
Chillin' with daddy before church in the PJs Mr. Riggan gave us.
Love my bouncy seat!
Jacob's favorite toy in all the world was unveiled the day he turned 4 months old. The Thompsons bought his exersaucer for him for our shower in June. Jacob loves it so much! Although this month he is really only interested in the chameleon, the alligator and the monkeys, during his fifth month he found everything on the exersaucer. What a wonderful playland for little one!
Finally. . . I can push up on my arms! After weeks of building strength, this month Jacob pushed his little torso off his tummy time mat! Way to go! Crawling is coming to a living room near you!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Thanksgiving with the Sanders!
Each year, our Thanksgiving holidays start off at Brett's parents house. Papa and Nana were so excited to see us walk in the door with Jacob this Thanksgiving! Jacob just loves them so much and could stay in their arms all day! We celebrate with the Sanders on Wednesday and Thursday until about 2pm. Then, we head over to the Mimi & Papa Stan's house for the rest of Thursday and Friday. Our visit was short but so fun!
Jacob was so tired and decided to cry for Raelyn and Rachel until. .. .
he got to take a nap with Uncle Clint! I couldn't tell who enjoyed it more!
Jacob loooovvveesss his Nana and is all smiles around her!
Daddy gets a hug!
Jacob is getting loved on by Granny Martha at our big Thanksgiving meal. It was such a good time with family!
Mommy goes back to work
On November the 10th, my maternity leave was over. Jacob was over 13 weeks old and I had to go to work one day that week. I was very apprehensive about returning to work and so sad about leaving my sweet baby. The biggest blessing was that Steph was going to be able to keep him while I worked until the Thanksgiving break. Emily LOVED having Jacob there and Jacob would just watch her run around and play all day long! Luckily, Jacob was sleeping through the night by the time that I went back to work, so I was pretty well rested each day. I missed him sooooo much that first week. . . I wasn't sure how Brett was going to live with me! Now, (January) Brett's schedule is such that he can keep him during the day and then I take over at 3pm as he goes out to class or works at the church. Jacob LOVES getting to spend such quality time with his daddy. They are BEST friends!
I am soooooo excited to see Jacob when I get home from work! We read books, play with cups, feed a bottle, take walks, and just enjoy being together! This is me reading one of my favorite books, "I Love You Through and Through."
As you can see, Jacob was very happy at Aunt Stephanie's. This is a picture that she took on her sofa.I was so thankful that Steph was able to take such great care of him while Brett and I worked and went to class. I think Emmy is the most sad that they aren't together now. She did such a great job taking care of "Baycup."
My Birthday Weekend
I celebrated my 27th birthday with all the family here in North Carolina. Mom, Dad, Steph, Stanley, Bert, Emily, Renea, Brett, and Jacob were all in attendance! Renea was in for the weekend (which was like a b-day present) and mom, dad, and Stanley came up for the weekend as well. Brett cooked out for my b-day meal and we all hung out at our house. We couldn't resist getting a cousins shot in the recliner while we could get them to sit still. :)
Emmy Jean with the bows in her hair! She thought it was so funny that uncle Brett did that!
Papa Stan was taking a nap with Jacob and Emily wanted in on the naptime! She said "up please" and crawled right up!
Emmy helping me give Jacob a bath.
Proud grandparents!
Emmy came to help me get my hair cut for my birthday.
Sweet boy likes to bounce on the ball!
Nea showing Jbaby some love.
Our happiest boy!
Happy Birthday to me!
Napping with mama :)
It was such a wonderful birthday and such a blessing to have all that family in town! It was even more of a blessing to have sweet Jacob with us this year!
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