My Baby

My youngest son is a mamma's boy. He and I have been inseparable since he was born. Well, in a little more than a week he will be 1. Age 1 is the time when I wean my babies. So we have started to give him sippy cups and he has been eating more table food. Already, I can see him changing. The other day, I was cleaning out my cupboards and I stumbled on baby bottles, milk storage bags, pacifiers, and my pump. It was heart wrenching to throw it all in the trash. To know that unless there was a miracle, I was never going to have another baby.

My husband is ready to move on to the next chapter in our life, but I am not completely ready. Of course I will enjoy all my babies not being so dependent on me as they get older, but I think in some ways I enjoy being needed so much.

The main reason why I started this post was to talk about the baby finally sleeping in his crib. After the baby was born, I got extremely ill and it was hard to move around, so I kept him near me. He slept right next to me. I think that is one reason that he is such a mama's boy. Well, after I got better - it took months, it was hard to get him to sleep away from me. I don't like to leave a baby crying, but it got to the point that it was ridiculous holding him all the time. I had other things to do and he was getting too big. I couldn't leave him on the couch because he would roll off and it wasn't always the quietest of places. He would cry for 45 minutes in his crib and never once go to sleep. After trying a technique that I saw on The Super Nanny, he is finally taking naps in his bed without crying at all and he starts the night in his bed. He only sleeps for a couple of hours - but it is a start.

Just now I left him for his nap and I am so proud of how he laid down and went right to sleep. Before he would have cried and cried. I have been spoiled because my other two children have been good nappers and I felt helpless with this one. This being my third one, shouldn't I be a pro? Obviously not.

By the way - I am starting my One Year Bible on Thursday. Anyone want to do it with me?

I Finished!

I have been trying to read a chronological Bible for about 4 years now - from beginning to end. I would be doing really well, reading a little everyday and then other days - not at all. The thing I discovered about reading the Bible from cover to cover is that it is hard. If you know me very well, you know that I love to read. I can't just read anything, it is something that has to tickle my fancy. And when I get into a book, I can't put it down until I am done. I have been known to read all day and all night just to get a book done. Well, since I have had kids that doesn't happen too much - okay not at all. It is not that I didn't get into reading the Bible, there were times I did. There were other times, however, that I felt that it was too hard to read - my mind was bogged down with all that I was reading. So then I wouldn't read for months, until I finally would get the nerve to start again. Well, today I finished it. I am feeling excited that I finished it, but my heart is still digesting some of what I read in Revelation. That is a heavy book. Whew!

I had meant to finish by the first of January, but that didn't happen. My new goal is to read the Bible in a year. Right Rebecca, it took you 4 years to finish the Chronological Bible - what makes you think you can do it in 1 year. Well, I am seeking your help. I am hoping that you will check up on me and keep me accountable. I have an actual Bible that is set up to read in 1 year. I am going to start in the month of February. It would be even more exciting if you read with me. Think about it.

Sleeping

I can't wait until I can sleep like I use to sleep. You know that kind of sleep that is selfish. That kind of sleep that is all about you. As soon as your head hits the pillow you are asleep and you sleep all night through. Not only that, you can snuggle into your warm covers and enjoy the softness of your bed.

The only reason why I am thinking about those wonderful memories is that I have been suffering with a cold off and on for the last month. I thought that I was better and then a week later I have another cold. It is when I am sick that I want to be comforted and do comforting things like sleeping and taking a hot steamy shower. Well - I am finding out that as a mother of 3 beautiful children that is almost impossible. There were days that I was so miserable that it was a stay-home- from- work kind of miserable and yet I can't because my work is at home and these sweet little munchkins really don't care about the way I am feeling. Especially since they have been suffering from this cold as well, especially the baby. That means that he is needing extra attention.

My husband does help as best as he can, but he has been extra busy this time of year. In fact he was gone all weekend on a retreat with junior highers. I should have been with him on this retreat - which would have been better - having a cold or chaperoning junior highers?

Ephesians 5:14 says, "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

It is important to get your rest and sleep and it is important to have time for yourself. But as I was feeling sorry for myself this verse popped into my head. (This verse isn't really talking about resting sleep, but about waking up from the way some people were living.) In today's culture, a lot is put on selfish needs and wants. I need these kind of clothes, I need to have my nails done, I need these kind of products for my hair, I need to take a 45 minute shower, I need an hour to get ready, I need my sleep otherwise I am grouchy, I need to have Starbucks everyday, etc. These things have not made us better people. These things make us grouchy when we don't get what we want when we want it. Being a youth sponsor, I see kids that are raised that way. What kind of adult "Christians" are they going to be?

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:15-21

Someday I may get that much wanted sleep and when I do I will appreciate it, but until then I choose to be thankful for what I do have and the luxuries that I do enjoy.