update(s).

The thought of sitting down to catch up on documenting what has been the craziest summer of my life has felt so overwhelming for so long, that I have been tempted to forget about it altogether and move on to what I'm sure will be an even busier Fall!

BUT, this blog has pretty much taken the place of a journal for me and the events, celebrations, and memories this summer have been too sweet to skip. Even though I've missed TWO month updates for Liam and there's no way I'll be able to remember details like I have for the other posts, and there were so many funny, embarrassing, and sweet moments that have happened during wedding season - I'm going to have to go ahead and give myself some grace in these areas or I would spend 3 hours staring at the computer screen trying to remember everything...or anything.

So, here we go. Hopefully.

-Liam 6 and 7 month update (and 8 month after tomorrow...great)
-Caroline and Laney showers
-Laney's Bachelorette weekend
-Caitlin's wedding weekend
-Wright family beach week
-House update
-Caroline's wedding weekend
-Laney's wedding weekend

Stay tuned!

:: night night ::

Over the past 6 months my prayer life has changed drastically. I'm learning to beg, to plead, and to praise...authentically. I have to confess, I used to pray (and still do) with little urgency and little need because I trust myself too much. I feel in control far too often. Not so the past six months - I have very much felt the opposite. Fathering a child leaves me feeling out of control most days. When I consider the weight of responsibilities I carry as his father, I have but one choice - pray. Pray earnestly and often with expectancy and deep dependence.

I have always been a morning person - my mind is sharpest, my energy highest, and my prayers most focused. Ever since Liam entered the world I have become a night person. Okay, that's a lie...more like an early evening person. My new favorite time of day is the moment before I put Liam down in his crib to go "night-night".

Unfortunately, during the work week I don't get to see him very often. So, Elkie allows me the privilege of putting him to sleep every night. I LOVE IT! Every night is a little different - some nights he fights sleep, some nights he cries and other nights he cuddles close and falls to sleep quickly. One thing that is always the same though, I pray for him. I don't pray because it is the spiritual thing to do or because it makes me feel good about myself. I pray over him because I don't have a choice. I am helpless to care for him on my own. My prayers for him come from a deep need and a deep dependence. As I hold him, rock him, and comfort him, prayers flow. His eyes get heavy and begin to close, mine well with tears as I pray for his heart, his affections, and his fight against temptation. I pray many things - that he would sleep well, that he would love his wife well, that he would be broken for the poor and the oppressed and on and on. It is an amazing gift that God is using "night-night" to draw me close. Fatherhood is teaching me to pray.

- 4th of july fail -

Ben and I officially FAILED at 4th of July this year.

You would think that since the 4th has always been one of my favorite holidays, I would have at least attempted to participate in the festivities, dress Liam in a cute outfit, pull him in a wagon during the annual parade, or watch the fireworks...nope. 

The truth is, our family needed a break. A real relaxing, sit in the sun, listen to music, take naps, eat anything you want kind of break. Luckily, my parents, Caroline, Uncle Rod and Aunt Chris were on the same page - so thats exactly what we did. 

Apparently, picking up a camera was also to much for me - so thank you, Caroline for documenting! 

 Liam, I promise we will give you a REAL 4th of July next year!

a family that hikes together, stays together

This past weekend started out as a trip to celebrate our 3rd anniversary, but turned into an even better family affair. We went to Brevard and got to spend the weekend with the whole Wright family! 

Ben and I got to have Saturday morning to ourselves and went into Asheville for a couples massage and lunch, but a crying baby refusing his bottle quickly ended our relaxing date! The day was redeemed though with our favorite family past time...a hike in the forest :) 

Dear Liam :: 5 Months

I am very very behind on this month's update so we will see how much I can remember about your 5th month! We didn't have a doctors appointment, but you are finally chunking up a little bit as you can tell from your little rolls in the picture above! 

Overall, I have loved this month! Your little personality is starting to come out more and more. We love guessing who you are going to be like and watching as you become a little person. 

:: Feeding :: 

Still nursing every 3 hours on both sides and loving every minute. 

The biggest change has been adding in solids! To start off, we tried oatmeal cereal. We did about 1 tablespoon of cereal mixed with 2 ounces of breast milk at night about an hour before bath time. We set you up in your bumbo and bib and were so excited to see how you would react to a spoon and something other than milk. I think you got maybe 1 teaspoon of actual cereal but the process was hilarious and took forever because of the picture taking, the phone call to Lindsay to make sure I was doing this right, and the challenge of keeping your head off the tray..?? You were REALLY enthusiastic about eating so you kept dive bombing for the spoon :) 

I wanted to try cereal for about a week to get you used to using a spoon and the consistency of food getting thicker, but after night 1 you were pretty much over cereal. We were really confused because of your enthusiasm the first time, but after a few more nights of trying, we gave up pretty quick. We took a break for a few days and then decided to try plain yogurt. This has worked MUCH better and you are fine with eating it plain or with some cereal mixed in. We are relieved that we're finally having success with solids and are excited to introduce you to the good stuff in the next few days! 

:: Sleeping ::

This month you were all over the place traveling like a maniac, so sleeping was a little unpredictable. You still don't love the pack n play, which is unfortunate for the summertime because we're going to the beach and mountains and family and friends houses so often. There were lots of nights in your pack n play where you would sleep just like you do in your crib from 8:30pm to about 5 or 6am, but there were lots of nights where you would wake up MULTIPLE times throughout the night. It is so hard to break this habit or teach you how to sleep in your pack n play when we are traveling because we have to be considerate of other people and feed you immediately so you'll stop crying. Luckily, you adjust back to normal when we get home and after 1 night of making you cry in your crib when you expect to be fed like you had been on vacation, you will go back to sleeping through the night! 

You are still taking 3 naps a day and sleeping about 45 minutes to an hour (if I'm lucky). Next month we are going to have to stretch these naps out somehow! 

:: Fun Things :: 

-This month you have kept me busy for sure...around the end of this month you started moving like crazy, leaping out of your swing, rolling over multiple times in a row, moving all over your changing pad etc. Grandma keeps comparing you to your Uncle Joe and you better chill out! I don't think I would survive a little Joe! 

-You are a talker! Sometimes it sounds like you are saying "da da" or "ma ma" or "night night" but I might just be trying to hear those things :) Not sure when it actually counts...also your little laugh is getting better and better! 

 

-You LOVE the dogs. Anytime they are in the room, you twist to see them and stick out your hands for them to give you kisses. It seems like you love Riley the most...no idea how that's possible.

-Instead of attaching the car seat, we've started putting you directly into the stroller like a big boy! You love it and its so nice not having to lug that car seat in and out as much anymore! 

-You are still a mama's boy to the max. 

-You are super observant and have started noticing your little friends and wanting to hold their hands and touch their faces. 

-You have started tucking your knees under you when you play on your belly but no signs of being able to crawl for real yet! We're still working on sitting up by yourself, you are getting the hang of sitting with your hands out in front of you for support, but still need some help.

A Bittersweet Goodbye

During the past few months I feel like I was given a glimpse into Ben's life before I knew him. Having Austin in Raleigh, I was able to see first hand the kind of relationship they had always shared not only as brothers, but as best friends. 

Obviously the entire time I've been in the picture, Ben and Austin have been close - but living in the same place for the first time since high school, spending every day together working for the same company, and playing golf on the weekends, I began to understand the relationship/friendship/bromance their family had always described. The sweetest part about understanding Ben and Austin's relationship has been being able to share in it myself. 

Austin always stayed with us randomly, but for the past month he lived in our guest room and became the fourth member of our family before moving back to Concord. Throughout his time here, Austin went from being my brother in law to one of my best friends. We discovered that Chai Tea has a calming affect that brings out the "real talk" in us, we shared a common interest in trashy reality TV, we developed an intense addiction to Chick-fil-a cookies n cream milkshakes, and most importantly we found that we are both quality time people. 

personal trainer kicking my butt 

To send Austin off, we decided to make a Raleigh Bucket List for his last week in town. We managed to cross every one of them off and Ben and I were both able to spend some good one on one time with him before he left. 

Pedicure Date! 

Twins

We ended the weekend with our tradition - Tribeca Sundays at Tribeca Tavern where we ate dinner with the Wright family and Austin was able to order his favorite chicken fingers in the world one last time :) 

I am so thankful for the time Austin spent with us in our home. I know that God orchestrated our living together to cultivate a special relationship between Austin, Ben, and I that would not have happened otherwise. 

We love you Austin!

Celebrating Graham and Laney

This weekend, Ben and I got to host a couples shower along with Ben and Kara Smith for Laney and Graham. It was their first shower so we were excited to be able to help them kick off celebrations for their upcoming September wedding! 

Despite having to change outfits 3 times because of spills and broken zippers, a crying baby needing to nap, and 100 degree heat during an outdoor shower - I think things went pretty well :). Ben and I could never have pulled it off by ourselves. Thanks to Kara and Ben and Robert and Ann, I think the shower turned out to be a beautiful backyard celebration! 

After eating, mingling, and playing some cornhole - Kara and I lead an engagement version of the newlywed game.

A few examples of things we learned:
Laney is the better driver
They both knew they were in love during Graham's summer internship at Windy Gap
Laney is always on her phone and Graham has smelly feet
They both want to live in Asheville one day
When asked who is the better kisser, they both said themselves ;)

Graham and Laney were great sports and in the end, Laney took home the grand prize - $5 thanks to big Rob!

Next up, opening presents!
 

They were so appreciative and great at showing off their gifts...and other things:

My co-host rocking the ribbon bouquet project

And her husband :)

The bride and some of her bridesmaids: 

Lady hostesses and the bride to be:

 Hosts with the happy couple!

 Excited parents :)

Graham and Laney, it was such a fun day celebrating you two. I hope you both know how much you are loved!