just a thought...

you know i was thinking the other day about the cost difference between nursing a baby & formula. ok you might be thinking breast milk is free as i did once, but wait just a minute. Between eating a little more while nursing (doesn't cost that much i know), the lanolin, the nursing pads (i use lily pads btw which are WONDERFUL but cost about $23.00ish), buying a pump (thankfully someone gave me one as a baby gift), the mommy milk storage bags (someone also gave me 300 of them so i haven't had to buy any yet) and all the time you put into feeding & pumping, i just wonder what the cost difference really is. I love nursing don't get me wrong! there is this bond between you and your baby that is indescribable, and i wouldn't change a minute of it, BUT i can't help but think would formula be easier? i plan on nursing as long as possible (my goal is a year so that he can go straight to whole milk). just curious about your thoughts...if you have any.

mae

motherhood & beyond...

I think i am slowly, let me say that again SLOWLY learning this mom thing & somewhat getting it together as of late. I have done a lot of babysitting over the years and thought i knew what i was doing. ha ha. what did i know. i knew how to take care of a baby for a limited time and then i would give him or her back to the parents. it's totally different when it is your own. i have finally figured out how to store up milk to free up some of my time (aka...i can get out of the house and don't have to basically set my watch to get home in an hour or so). i know i still have so much to learn, but i do feel like i am getting it together better.

Have i told you I LOVE being a mommy! It is a WONDERFUL thing to just hold, kiss, & squeeze your baby. God is so good and i feel undeserving of this precious little boy.

My gorgeous sister became a Mrs. this weekend. OH and can i just say the wedding & reception was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Her reception was at the neatest art gallery. (i am secretly jealous i didn't have ours there :)). Now Bradford & Leslie are enjoying themselves in Bermuda for a week.

Daniel, Eli, & I will be heading to Chicago in two weeks. we will be seeing our possible condo, visiting friends we have up there, & just hanging out in one of the coolest cities!

We can't believe our move from the South to the North is in a little over 2 months! Yikes i have a lot of packing. We are REALLY looking forward to what the Lord has in store :)

Eli was 7 weeks yesterday! He has become so much fun (not that he wasn't before but you know what i mean..i hope) He is smiling so much and cooing...oh cooing i LOVE it! i seriously could stare at him all day. i think i am a little obsessed!

And last i wanted to say that i will be working harder at keeping this thing updated. Life has been a bit crazy, but i want to keep all you folks informed as we begin this new chapter in our lives.

mae

wedding

My sister is getting MARRIED next Saturday & I couldn't be any happier!! More pictures to come but here is the most recent one of my mom, sister, and myself at her shower last weekend. (geez...my mom & sister look so much a like and it really shows in this picture. no one knows who i look like.)

mae

what's new?

life has been really busy lately (well with a newborn and all) so the lack of my posts. i hope to get better at this as we continue to adjust to this new life with our precious Eli.

Speaking of Eli...this past wednesday he was officially 1 month old! Where has the time gone? What a joyous month it has been. I honestly can't remember what life was like without him. He is growing like a weed (to quote my brother). i also can't believe how much he has changed since the first days here. He has begun to focus on us more, and this past friday while daniel and i were playing with him...he SMILED. Like a REAL smile. not just a "i have gas" smile. Daniel would make a funny face or noise and he would smile over and over. What a fun moment for both daniel & myself.

We go back to the doctor in a little over a week for his 6 week check-up to see just how much he has grown. We took a picture of him at 1 month, but haven't loaded the pictures on the computer yet. will do that soon because i know all my 5 readers are eager to see him :)

I never knew it would be so hard to even get a shower in each day. Some days (ok brace yourself) I go without a shower...i know that is gross but hey it is reality. Eli had a growth spurt around 3ish weeks, so he was wanting to eat even more than normal! i just couldn't find time to do anything, but i think we are out of that for now.

I am back to my normal exercise routine which feels great i might add! I am about 6 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight. I am back in my clothes, but everything is different!! I'm hoping with hard work, my body will return to what it was before...we shall see!

Daniel is working so hard to provide for our little family and for that i am grateful! not only that but he is also trying to freshin up on his Greek. He is constantly flipping through those cards memorizing words.

God continues to provide for us in ways we couldn't even imagine. Daniel & I have been praying for where we would live once we move to chicago. a few weeks back i was searching for places to live and came across a place that was very appealing. It's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo at a great price. Well we have talked to the owner's, and it is ours if we want it! WOW...such a relief.

God has also brought to us 3 more monthly supporters. This journey of getting to France has been HARD...really HARD, but God continues to show us His faithfulness. Thank you to all those who have been praying for us! We look forward to serving the Lord one day in France.

Well if you are still reading this, i need to apologize for the randomness. i will post new pictures once we load them but for now i will leave you with some that are from my iphone. they aren't the best quality but they will do for now :)

peace

mae