Thursday, September 29, 2011

Saying Prayers

When I was a little girl, my parents would always say my prayers with me at night. Even when I was too sleepy to stay awake, we'd still pray together. It was a comforting part of my daily routine.

Now that I have my own child, I think it is important to start getting into the habit of praying with Christian. Sometimes I think that God can't hear me; that I'm too far gone to pray to Him. Whereas I know that's not true, it doesn't mean it makes any easier for me to pray myself. But having a baby really makes you believe that God is there and that His Son is watching down upon us, too. I never knew what it was to be truly thankful for something until I met my husband and had Christian.

I believe there is a "right way" to pray. Not to say that there is a wrong way, just that there is an appropriate way to talk to God. So when we say prayers with Christian at night, here's what we say...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the nice day. Thank you for helping me listen and share and play and grow. Thank you for Mommy and Daddy.

Please bless Grandma Dennie and Grandma Bonnie, Aunt Laurie and Abuela, and all my brothers and my sister. Please bless all my friends and family. 

Please watch over me while I sleep and help me to have a good day tomorrow. 

I say all of this in the name of Thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

I hope that Christian always knows he can talk to God. I hope he takes refuge in knowing that God's Son died for our sins and that he especially loves children.

The Petite Picasso

Christian is very tactile...(In other words, he likes to touch everything)...and we are supportive of that! (Well, at least I am. Ken isn't too keen on the whole "who cares if you make a mess as long as you're learning and having fun" scene.) So we decided that Christian should paint his first picture!

He was specifically making a picture for three of his favorite ladies: Lily (for her first birthday!), Grandma Dennie and Grandma Bonnie.

Ken and I only took several hundred pictures of him painting...we didn't want to get too carried away.


Party Animal!

Christian went to his first birthday party in September! His BFF, Lily, was celebrating her first birthday and was sweet enough to invite His Majesty.


Fortunately, Christian is super thoughtful...so he decided to paint Lily a picture!
He ended up painting himself as well...and Mommy and his Bumbo and pretty much the entire kitchen...
Christian was highly concerned about looking cool for her party...he wanted to dress to impress! So he picked out his Nautica tracksuit since blue is his best color.
Lily looked so pretty in her cute outfit! Her Mommy even decorated her highchair!
Lily with her Daddy
Christian with Ms.Lauren...he looooooved Ms.Lauren! But he wondered when Ms.Lauren was going to make a friend for him...hmmmm...
Christian even got to see Ms.Elizabeth and her two children!
Ms.Elizabeth and Madelyn, Ms.Lauren, Mommy and Christian, and Ms.Stephanie (Christian and Ken's other favorite Stephanie) and The Birthday Girl, Lily!
Lily was on the move! She was being the hostess with the mostess!
Look how beautiful Lily Bug was for her big day!
Then it was time to play!
Christian loved Lily's toys! Boy, oh boy!

Christian even got to play with Damian...Christian felt like such a big boy!
Lily's Grandma helped get Lily ready for cake...
Christian was really excited about the cake...
Lily wasn't too sure...
After Lily's party, Christian got to see Grandma and Nanny for dinner!
Grandma was so happy to see Christian! She gave him kisses allllllll over!
"No, no, Christian! It's not nice to pinch Nanny! She's not squishy!"

Christian decided to pinch Funny Bunny instead...
Christian just had to have a sip of Grandma's water...he's such a piggy pie!
Mmmmm...green beans!
Daddy told Christian all about hamburgers and how yummy they are...
And then he let him try a pickle. 

 Christian had such a great day! He was so excited to celebrate with Lily and finish the day with his family!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Baby Talk

Everyone knows that when you have a baby, you develop your own lingo of silly sounding words that usually make you think ushy gushy thoughts. And Ken and I are no exception to the rule. As much as we try to talk to Christian like a big boy, the baby talk still manages to pop up in everyday conversation. Here is a look at some of the words we use:

Didee (pronounced: Die-dee): noun: a synonym for diaper: "Oh my goodness! Christian has the big pewpy didee!"

Showee (pronounced: sh-oww-ee): noun: a synonym for shower: "Ohhh, Christian! Do you want to take a showee?!?!?"

Bobbie (pronounced: bob-ee): noun: synonym for bottle: "I made Christian the big bobbie."

Bathy Bath (pronounced: really? do I have to spell it out for you?): noun: a synonym for bath: "Christian wants to take a big boy bathy bath!"

Pewpies (preonounced: pew-pees): noun: a synonym for poo: "Ohhhhh, Christian! Did you make the big pewpies?!?!? Geez oh Pete, son! That is a stinky pewpie!"

Foozies (prounounced: foo-zees): noun: a synonym for food: "Are you ready to eat some foozies?!?!"

Doo-Di-Doos (pronounced: just like it says...): noun: the ticklish spot on Christian's chubby thighs: "Christian, you better watch out or the coyotes are going to get your doo-di-doos!!!!!!!"

Onion (pronounced: the same way you would say onion...): noun: Christian's head: "Mommy's gonna kiss you on your onion!" proper noun: another name for Christian: "Hey, Onion! Whatcha doin'?"

Boogity Boo (pronounced Boog-it-ee Boo): proper noun: another name for Christian: "What's the matter, Boogity Boo?"

As little man gets older, I am sure we will speak like adults (or not...) in order to help his vocabulary. But for now, I am LOVING hearing my very serious hubby say things like, "Christian has the big doo-di-doos!!!!" and "Does Daddy need to change your big pee pee didee????" It's most definitely added a new dimension to our relationship! 

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

6 month Letter From Mommy

My Dear Sweet Christian,

When I think about how you have changed my life, I think about the simple moments that have become part of my daily routine.

I love waking up with you in the morning and seeing your smiling face when you realize it's cuddle time with Mommy.

I love coming home to you knowing that your big toothless grin will be waiting on me.

I love watching you with your Daddy. If I ever doubted the love that God has for His children, all I've to do is what your father with you.

I love all your faces and expressions that make you who you are.

I love holding you close to me and having you wrap your little arms around my neck. Oh my goodness! Your hugs are the very best!

I love nursing you and have you smile up at me as if to say, "Thanks, Mom!" You're welcome, my angel. It's my joy to feed you.

I love bath time! Watching you kick and splash in the water fills my heart with so much joy! And even more than bath time, I love taking a "showee" with you. You are such a fun bath time boy!

I love knowing you. Knowing your moods, your cries, your favorites...it makes every moment meaningful.
In utero
1 day old!
1 month
2 months
3 months
4 months
5 months
6 months

I am so grateful for you, son. You have given me purpose beyond myself.

Your father and I love you so deeply. Thank you for being our son.