Four Months Old!

Happy Mother's Day

The Friday before mother's day,  I had to stay late at work and last minute asked Paul to pick up Matthew from daycare.  I was so upset.  I live for my evenings with Matthew.  I love picking him up, talking with him on the short ride home and then getting home and starting our evening routine.  We sit on the sofa and play with his blocks and lovey, talk about his day, and snuggle.  Since I am at work all day, I let him nurse as much as he likes.  Once Paul gets home, he gets bath time with Daddy and then its time for bed.  Once he gets older, we'll add a book and prayer.  For now, he is usually out just after his bath.  Well, since I didn't leave work until almost 7pm I was quite upset that I probably missed out on my evening time with the Mateo.

I was in for quite the surprise!

When I walked in the house, I was greeted with a chatty Mateo, balloons and flowers and a card from both my boys.

Having a baby has changed every aspect of our lives.  I can barely remember the days before Matthew came along ad I am so thankful for this little man God has given us.

How much can change in a year

Mother's day.

How much can change in one year.

One year ago, I hit rock bottom as I mourned the loss of a biological child.  Mother's day 2011 was very painful.  I spent the day with Paul's family and felt very left out as all of the women were celebrated for their devotion to their children.  I wanted so desperately to be included.  But how could I?  I wasn't a mother.

Then, I received the sweetest note from Paul's little sister wishing me a "Happy Mommy's Day!"  I melted.  I cried.  I yearned to be more than just Reggie and Dex's mommy.  On several occasions I had to excuse myself and just sat in the bathroom and cried.  And cried.  And cried.

Somewhere along the way I came to accept that while I wasn't a mother, someday God would grow our family and we would have a child of our own.  I was lead to this verse from 1 Peter 5:


⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 


His promises are true.  Little did I know the plans God had for our family.  As I was mourning the loss of a biological child sweet baby Matthew was being wonderfully and fearfully made.  How much can change in a year.


As we celebrate mothers tomorrow I remember the many women in my life who don't have children of their own, but are mothers none the less.  Whether her arms ache for a child or she has chosen not to have children, the very nature of women is to nurture the physical, moral, emotional, and spiritual lives of those in her life.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the beautiful women in my life.

Bath Time!

A month or so ago we started our night time routine.  It has been a HUGE success.  Matthew has really taken to it and amazingly he is asleep by 7 or 8 pm every evening.  Part of the night time routine is bath time with Daddy.  Paul LOVES to sing to Matthew and during bath time the song of choice is the rubber ducky song.  Enjoy!

The Spotswood is moving!

Big news at Spotswood!

We are moving!

Over the past few months we decided that we would like to be closer to mom and dad.  Within walking distance closer to mom and dad.

So, to get the ball rolling I contacted my good friend and real estate agent, Pam Nicastro, and the next thing I know we are making and offer on a house just a few doors down from mom and dad.  Yes, Pam is THAT good!

It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath rancher.  With lots of mauve.  Mauve tile.  Mauve carpet.  Mauve walls.  The walls can be painted, but the carpet and tile?  Needless to say I am frantically searching pinterest for fresh design ideas that embrace the mauve without succumbing to powder blue accents that were so popular back in the day.  

Our new house sits on a great lot with lots of grass and trees and sunshine.  Reggie will be in heaven!  Grass and sunshine are his two favorite things, after the beach of course!

There are quite a few living spaces including a 600 sf rec room in addition to the living room AND den.  The kitchen is spacious and has a breakfast nook adjacent to it (this will be Matthew's new hangout for now)

This house has incredible potential.  I have a huge long list of projects.  Master suite addition, front entry redesign, kitchen and living space gut and renovation. But, for now, a fresh coat of paint will have to do.

And yet, each moment spent here at the original Spotswood is bittersweet.  I will miss our front porch, the dogwood tree, my amazing master bathroom, the bright sunshine in the living room, the back deck and patio.  we have had an amazing journey that this old house bore witness to...our courtship, engagement, marriage, first year struggles, the renovation, fertility problems, and most recently the addition of Matthew.

Here are some pics from the house.  Please note that the current owners are still occupying the house.  We hopefully will be able to repaint the entire house prior to moving in.

I knew I liked this place!  The tile says, "When in doubt, add more wine!" Now, those are words to live by!

Galley Kitchen

The party room.  Need I say more?

Here's the mauve guest bath.  Mauve tile, both floor and wall and even a mauve TOILET!

Kitchen

Den with built ins (and yes, that is panelling painted...yep! mauve!)

Back Yard

Front yard

Three Months Old!

3 months old and tax season is finally over!  What great timing!  This little boy is growing like a weed!  Matthew loves trees and going on big adventures with Daddy in the mornings.  He is thrilled that Daddy is going to be around now that filing season is over.  So much so, that I think his excitement has affected his sleep schedule :-)  Thankfully we are down to just one feeding at night, but that means he is awake and alert most of the day.  We still haven't transitioned to the crib, but I am hoping Ms. Marcia's will help with that.  He also loves to talk.  Paul and I are both mesmerized by his coos and ahhhs and we have great conversations.  He tends to like a quite calm atmosphere.  When things get a little roudy, which happens easily with the Lindgrens, he gets pretty upset about it.  I didn't think we were tip toeing around him, but apparently we are!

Welcome Felicity Catherine Lindgren

I have spent the day waiting on sweet baby girl Lindgren.  My second niece.

Now that I have been through my own birth story, it has been so intense to walk with Melinda through hers.  Thankfully, Ashley, her brother's wonderful fiance is on the inside giving me updates and keeping me informed.

As I write, sweet baby girl should be here soon!  Very soon!

And all I can think about is how wonderful it will be for Melinda to finally meet her little girl.  Finally, get to hold her and kiss her and love on her.

That moment was like no other.  Something that was so intellectual, so theoretical finally becomes a reality.  Yes, you KNOW there is a baby in there.  Yes, you KNOW that she is doing just fine.  Yes, you KNOW that life as you know it is forever changed.  Yes, you KNOW you won't get much sleep.  Yes, you KNOW that you love her with a love that knows no bounds.  But until that sweet baby arrives, it is just theoretical.  You don't really know.  Until she arrives.

We love you sweet baby girl and can't wait to meet you!

And I just got the text from Ashley!  Baby girl is here!!!!

6 lbs 9 oz, 18 inches long
Felicity Catherine Lindgren

Daddy's little girl!