Whew...that was a long break.

So the last couple of months have been somewhat of a blur. I have been back and forth to St. Louis a couple of times. Once for Easter and then to see my sister Jessa who was in town from California. It was so great to be with my family! Beth drove up from Nashville so the entire crew was there. Stephen drove down with me for the weekend and then took the train home on Sunday so that I could stay longer...he has been so amazing about letting me be in St. Louis for longer periods of time : )
We had lots of sister time and it was so refreshing to be together. Taft loved getting to spend special time with his Aunts!

Here are some other fun pictures from the weekend. I realized I need to get more family photos. We didn't take any of Stephen, Taft and I...Oh well...next time.

The sisters and mom

Auntie B with Taft

Grammy and Taft in Forest Park. We went for a nice walk one day. Can't wait to take Taft to the Zoo next time.

Grandpa T with Taft

Auntie J

Buddy Love

Today I went over to my friend Jerusalem's house to visit her and her son Eli. Taft and Eli are 3 months apart and I am thinking they are going to be best buds. It was so fun to watch them "play" together. I love how Taft won't stop watching Eli's hand...I am sure he is trying to suck on it! Sorry about the upside down video...not so sure what happened. Thanks Jerusalem and Eli for a great afternoon!!!

3 months and catching up!

Wow! I have been so lame about updating my blog...I promise I will get better : ) Right now T is sleeping so I thought I would put out a double post...watch out! Anyway, just wanted to get his 3 month picture out there. I can't believe that he is 3 months!
I would say that this last month has been the hardest for me but more on that later along with a special visist from Grammie!
My little boy is growing up...

First Road Trip

A couple weeks ago Stephen and I took our first road trip to St. Louis with Taft! I was a little nervouse about being in the car for 5 hours but Taft did a great job for being stuck in a car seat most of the time. We had a few melt downs and had to stop for awhile to walk around but all in all it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be : )
It was wonderful to be in STL and see family and friends! Of course my parents were excited to see Taft since the last time they saw him was when he was born. My mom set up her sewing room for Taft and of course made it feel cozy and special for him

It was so nice to have the extra help and to just be home for the weekend. Also, Taft got to meet Grandma ReRe which was really special. I am so thankful that she got to see her great grandson and hear that he was named after her husband. It was a special moment.

Time with Grandpa

Grandma ReRe

4 generations

Taft also got to meet his cousin Ben and Annie and Uncle. I also got to introduce him to my sweet friend Erin who brought her kids over for a visit...I wish we would have gotten a picture!

Cousin Ben (can't wait to meet the other cousins!)

Uncle

I am looking forward to more trips down to STL in the future!!



You say goodbye, I say hello

On Monday, February 14th I drove to my job as Outreach and Sports Ministries Assistant for the last time.

Monday was the end of my 6 week short term disibility leave and Stephen and I had decided that my newjob would be a stay at home mom! It was so weird to see such a clear end to one stage of my life and a clearbeginning of the new stage. I feel like that can be rare thing in life as sometimes our stages of live blend together.

I can't say that I won't miss that job because I will. I loved that job! But I also can't say that I would give up this new one. I love it too...of course it has its moments but the old job had its moments as well.
Working at Christ Community Church was such a big part of my life. I met a lot of close friends there, was challenged and developed by people there and learned a lot about church ministry and myself by working there.

Courtney and I

Erin, me and Courtney

Me, Ang and Court

My amazing small group

It was weird to clean out my desk and say goodbye but I am glad that its not a forever goodbye. We will still be a part of this church and I am looking forward to having more of a clear definition between work and worship.

So hello motherhood! I am ready to jump in and do my best.

No naps, No sleep not a nice mommy

Yesterday was by far one of the hardest days yet. Just when you think you are getting the hang of this whole "being a mom" thing you are humbled and realize your still getting to know each other. Taft decided that yesterday he would not take naps...none. If I did lay him down he would just scream and cry or just sit there wide awake. I know its ok to let them cry and I know its ok for him to just sit there. But all that not naping during the day made for a fussy very sleepy little man at night. Lets just say at one point I needed to leave the room, take a deep breath and remind myself how much I love this little person...does that make me a bad mom? I felt like one yesterday.

Right now he is sleeping while I am enjoying a nice warm cup of coffee. Here is to another day! I can do this!

Snow Day

Last week we got hit with a crazy snow storm. We got over 24 inch of snow and it was beautiful and amazing. I have never seen that much snow in my life! Stephen was off of work for the day so we spent our time in front of the fire, having dinner with friends and also ventured out for a walk. 

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