Simple Spring Mantle

One of the things I absolutely love about this house is the fireplace mantle. After living in two apartments before we came here, it's great having such a fun place to decorate as the seasons change. This year, after taking down my Valentine's decor, I decided to spruce things up with a few Spring-y accessories. 

My typical decorations are all green. But for Spring, I swapped out my darkest green vase on the right side for the cute white pitcher with green flowers that I found at TJ Maxx. I also intentionally picked a white candle to leave up instead of my other favorite Woodwick scent (which happens to be green). 

After my mom pointed out that flowers in the front would be fun, I pulled these three glass vases out of my closet. I was hoping to get a few artificial daisies to put in them, but Walmart didn't have any and I didn't want to pay more at a craft store. The sticks in the green vase on the left are always there, but Abel and I made cute little tissue paper buds to glue on them after finding a tutorial on Pinterest.

The Spring mantle isn't the only new decor going on in the living room. The other is actually much more noticeable. Did you see it in the first picture? Here it is if you missed it:

After a few vinyl Bible verses were applied at the church, Reed and I were inspired to order our own. I think it looks great, and we're very pleased.

Have you made any changes  (big or small) to a room in your home recently?

Tandem Nursing

I recently discovered this twist on the international breastfeeding symbol.

Yup. That about sums it up.

Micah's First Sunday in Church

 Two Sundays ago we were planning on going to church for the first time since Micah was born. I was really looking forward to sharing our little bundle with friends! But our plans changed Saturday night when Abel threw up as I tucked him into bed. Thankfully he was sick just that once and never spiked a fever. So this past Sunday, we made the trek across the parking lot to join Redeeming Grace for worship. I'm so thankful to be part of this family away from family that makes Lynchburg feel like home.

With my three favorite guys <3

 Hugs from Miles, stares from Abel

 Buddies!

 I wish I was facing the camera in this one!

Lazy Morning, Thankful Mama

Today, Reed didn't have to go into work until 12:30. When Abel woke up, we invited him into our warm bed for some snuggle time. Baby Micah joined us not too long after, still wrapped up in his swaddling blanket and eager for his breakfast. After moving to the living room, Reed brewed us all tea (well, not Micah) as he and I took turns eating while taking care of our boys. Due to the exhausting night spent with the baby who loves to sleep on his mama, I fell asleep on the couch while watching my boys (again, not Micah) wrestle on the floor. While I slept, Reed moved some laundry inside for me, and threw another load in the washer. I woke up off and on to Abel climbing on me, playing with my hair and rubbing my cheek. I could hear the sound of the dishes clanking as Reed emptied and reloaded the dishwasher, then washed the dishes in the sink.  Reed woke me just before he jumped in the shower, offering to hurry so he could watch the boys while I showered and dressed before he went off to work. When he left, Abel made sure Daddy hugged and kissed all three of us. Now I sit in a quiet house. Abel and I enjoyed lunch together, and he is now sleeping soundly in his room. Micah is nestled sweetly in his swing, and I have the pleasure of watching him sleep while I type. I know that in a few hours my phone will ring, as it does every day, with Reed letting me know he is off of work and offering to bring me home a Starbucks treat. This evening, our dinner will be arriving right after Reed does. Many of my friends from church have pitched together to ensure I don't have to worry about dinner for these first few weeks after Micah's birth.

After sharing a few words about my morning with a dear friend, she said to me, "You are very blessed, Toni."

Why is it so easy to miss the gifts and pleasures of everyday that God has given us? And even when we remember the gifts, why is it even easier to forget to thank the Giver of these good gifts? Lord, fill me with awareness and gratitude! 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

Micah's Birth Story

Reed and I welcomed Micah Anthony into our family on February 16, as scheduled. Due to my complicated medical history, we planned a repeat Cesarean section for the day I turned 39 weeks pregnant. There were a few times that my regular contractions tried to convince me we might not make it to the 16th, but I was monitored so closely during my third trimester at my four appointments a week that I knew my doctor wouldn't let things progress too much. 

My mom came to town the night before the surgery to keep Abel for us and to help out for a few days after I came home. I am so thankful she did! Abel and I had never been apart for more then a few hours (and usually I left him with his Daddy) so I was pretty anxious about leaving him. Thankfully, he knows and adores my mom, and has slowly been growing a little less clingy to Mama. I'm happy to say he did great with her!

 Right before we left for the hospital

My surgery was scheduled to 2:45, so Reed and I had to be at the hospital at 12:45. After we were checked in, we were told that it was a very busy day on the Labor and Delivery floor, and that my surgery would be bumped back. My doctor had begun the c/s scheduled before me later than planned, and when he finished with that mom, he had to deliver three babies whose moms were ready to push and were waiting on the doc! By the time those three were born, a fourth was ready and waiting. A nurse told us that they actually had to call a few women who had elective inductions that day to tell them not to bother coming in - that's how few beds there were!

 The hours passed by while we waited for the doc to become available. I was so hungry because I wasn't allowed to eat or drink after midnight. Sometime before the surgery, the anesthesiologist came in and explained that some lab work I'd had done that week suggested I might need to have general anesthesia again, instead of the planned for spinal block. He apologized for delaying the surgery further by calling for repeat lab work.

This was a very emotional last second complication for me. While I have come to accept that God was glorified by both Reed and I missing Abel's birth, I still struggle with wishing his delivery hadn't been so dangerous. This threat of general anesthesia was a very loud reminder of my pregnancy-long desire to submit my will to God's in the outcome of this pregnancy and delivery.  I tried to assure Reed that I truly was okay with that option if need be, and that I knew that God was in complete control. Reed obviously was aware of my spiritual struggles, and I wanted to assure him that as long as we came home with baby I was willing to do whatever I needed to get him there.

The anesthesiologist came back a while later to tell us that while my labs weren't where he would ideally like, he felt like it would be safe to undergo a spinal block. But he did also tell us that if he had any trouble at all getting it into place, he would not try again or move the needle around (like he would with someone whose labs were totally normal), but he would just put me to sleep.

They came in shortly after to wheel me back; Reed would join me later. I had to say goodbye to him then, with him not knowing if I would be awake or not when he came into the OR.  I was very relieved that the spinal went in smoothly, nearly painlessly, and I didn't have to be put under without him there.

The surgery itself was strange. I was totally awake and aware of everything going on, but obviously couldn't see the surgery because of the sheet they put up, or feel what was going on. Reed was brought in after the incision was made. He told me later that after 30 mins of waiting, he thought they forgot to get him again, like with Abel.  Instead of sitting by my head like a normal husband, Reed stood so he could watch the entire surgery. :) If you're interested, I have a picture he snapped after Micah was born, my uterus outside of my body, being stitched back up. It's pretty graphic, but a neat picture.

Micah Anthony was born at 6:07 PM, weighing 7 lbs, 10 oz.

I got a glimpse of the baby very briefly after they pulled him out, then the nurses took him to the other side of the room to clean him up. Reed was able to bring Micah back to me for a minute before they brought him to the nursery while they sewed me back up.  Reed was required to go with Micah, and couldn't stay for the remainder of the surgery.

 In the nursery, waiting for his Mama!

 Being examined in the nursery

While it's typical at our hospital for c-section moms to recover for 2 hours without their baby before being moved to a normal room, Reed and I weren't okay with that. So as soon as I was in the recovery room, we asked them to please bring us our precious bundle. 

I already have trouble believing that this picture was taken two weeks ago today. Reed and I both feel like Micah has always been a part of our family!

Thank you so much to all of our family and friends who prayed for this baby and my pregnancy from the beginning. God is faithful! 

Sprayground with Friends!

Have you been to Lynchburg's sprayground yet? If you have little ones, it's a really fun (and free!) place to check out when the weather is hot. We've only made it out once, but I already want to go back next summer!

Abel, Chase, and I met my sweet friend Crystal there with her two little ones, Michael and Meghan, for a picnic lunch. Michael is the same baby I had the joy of caring for when he was a newborn, the year before Abel was born.

Michael then, just a few weeks old

Michael now, 2.5 years old

The sprayground is a slab of cement with spraying fountains all over it. There is also a structure in the middle with a dump bucket that spills out when it's full. Abel was apprehensive at first, but Michael, Meghan, and Chase all jumped right in and loved it from the start.

Meghan, enjoying the spray

Meghan with one of the smaller fountains

Taking a break and hiding her face in Mama's skirts

At only about 10 months, she was definitely more fearless than Abel!

The sprayground had been pretty empty, and even more folks left at lunchtime . Since we packed our lunch, we just took a little break to eat. It was hard convincing the kids that they should come over to the blanket. But that was just a sign that they were enjoying it!

Abel at our picnic blanket wearing the awesome swim diaper I bought from my friend Cassy of LoveMuffin Goods. She's wonderful, and I highly recommend her stuff!

After lunch, it was just about empty. Since school was out for the summer, there were some older kids playing in the morning. But after lunchtime, the boys felt free to wander around the sprayground a little more.

Chase pausing for a picture

With my little man. Love him!

Crystal enjoying her kiddos

Fearless Meghan, at it again! She was headed right for that spray :)

Chase and Abel- I'm pretty sure they think they're brothers

That's just one of the fun things we did this summer. I'm so thankful for these precious days with Abel and our sweet friends!

Abel Makes Me Giggle

Abel and I were out shopping recently when I decided to try a few things on in the fitting room. When Abel saw me changing, he began yelling, "Bath! Mama, bath!" I tried explaining to him that I was just trying on a shirt, not taking a bath. So he asked, "Mama, shower?"

At Walmart a few days later, Abel and I were perusing the aisles when I realized I needed to use the bathroom. I told Abel that's where we were headed, and that we'd finish shopping in a bit. As I drove him in the cart through the store he squeaked, "Potty Mama!" over and over.

Maybe I should stop taking him shopping? He's embarrassing, but so funny!

Abel loves to have me snuggle in his bed. If I walk down the hall near our bedrooms he usually asks, "Bed Mama?" and then runs to his bed. He looks at me, pats it, and sits himself down on one side. Then he will look at me again and say, "Other side bed, Mama." When I lay down all curled up on his toddler bed, he begins giving me his blankets , saying "Blankie, Mama" with each one. This morning we did this little routine, and I was all snug in his bed. Then Abel climbed out of bed and asks, "Dada bed?" So I sent him in the other room to get Reed, who then squishes in to join me in Abel's (toddler) bed. We both fell asleep, and woke up periodically to Abel giving us his other lovies: "Mama, woof-woof" and "Dada, baby." He tucked them in with us, then went back to playing in his room. At one point Abel climbed up with us in his bed, but then left us alone to sleep. I think this may be my new favorite game!

If you need a morale boost, come to our house and use the bathroom. When Abel hears the flush, he will run into the bathroom and say, "Yay Mama/Dada! Pee-pee potty!" It makes you feel pretty good about yourself. More recently, he will also congratulate you on using the shower. When the water cuts off, he throws the shower curtain back and claps while shouting, "Yay! Shower!"

He is such a sweet little guy! I am so thankful to witness all of these little moments. I know he won't remember them, but experiencing his precious personality every day is a gift that I will always treasure. Thank you God for these moments!