Mommyworld: Role of a Lifetime

I have a funny feeling there will be a lot of Mommyworld posts over time. It's such a huge element of life and heart and soul once the journey starts. From the second you know that little person exists so small he's barely detectible - your heart is never the same. I remember the morning I took the pregnancy test around 5:45am in the morning. The second I saw those two bright pink lines I started doing a silent squealing dance all around the dark house. Your life changes in a split second in the most glorious/staggering way.

I have wanted to be a mom since - well since I was little little little. When I went to the grocery store with my mom I would bring my baby doll and grab a hand basket at the store and treat it like my baby carrier. But - may I say - there are these moments in mommyworld that take your breath away by the overwhelming responsibility of being a first time mom. These moments when you truly have no idea what to do or how to help. Moments that have you really really really praying for grace and wisdom and maybe a teeny tiny break from the relentless routine.

A mom who's blog I follow recently shared some thoughts on this role of being mommy. Her statement spoke to me so much that I printed it off and taped it to my refrigerator! It brings my thoughts back into perspective.

Here's what Megan said:

"We've chosen this life of changing diapers, watching your waistline expand to accommodate a growing nugget, and being on the never ending rotation of meals and baths. Because the truth is we've been entrusted with royalty, every parent has been. We've got babies to raise up so that when their little feet hit the ground, the enemy's heart trembles with fear."

YES! This makes every effort, every overwhelming and exhausted moment so very worth it. I love the thought of the enemy trembling in fear over Mr. Liam Spencer's feet on the ground. What an honor.

This role of a lifetime is better than I could have ever imagined - including the tough moments. Can't believe he's our's to love till we feel like we're going to explode. Thankful for reminder that this job is more important than just about anything I will ever do.

Movie Reviews: I Don't Know How She Does It and Good Deeds

Hola! Thursday night blogging instead of sleeping = lovely. So I have always enjoyed watching a movie at home or going to see a movie at the theater. Buuuuut since becoming parents - watching a movie feels more decadent. Kinda wild even. LOL!

So - a few weekends ago we were over the top crazy wild parents and saw TWO MOVIES. Shocker. On Friday night I we rented 'I Don't Know How She Does It.'

I didn't know what to expect and in fact, my expectations were low going into it. But I was so pleasantly surprised! It was fun, honest, cute, and relatable for any workin' mama. Now, keep in mind, I don't consider myself a critic of movies. I can thoroughly enjoy an absolutely predictable story with the best of them! So perhaps it would be considered predictable. But, the story took a little different turn than I anticipated and Sarah Jessica Parker was really fun. And - as a workin mama - I found myself saying "YES! That IS how it is!!!!" It was hopeful and I just liked it. Redbox it!

The next night we upped the ante to a whole nutha level sista. We went out to see a movie. Oh yeah. We ate popcorn and I snuck in my big coke in my big purse like the days before Mr. Liam :). We saw Good Deeds.

I also recommend this one! Honest admission: this was my first Tyler Perry movie to see. Sad! I have always heard good things about his work but just haven't seen his movies. I'd definitely say I am a fan after this. There's just something different about the story he tells and it's refreshing. Thandie Netwon played the lead opposite Tyler and she was on the verge of over-dramatized in most scenes....but I still enjoyed it and her. The story broke your heart in some ways, made you laugh, and connected me to the characters. I think it's out of the theaters now...so make it a RedBox yes when you need a little wildness in your life. :)

I can't imagine that your life could possibly be wilder than mine lol. In fact, maybe this post will inspire you to get a little more wild. You're welcome. Hmmmmm maybe I need to start planning my movie plans for this weekend!

Are you going to see Hunger Games? I think I need to read the first book - and then I'll go....which means I will likely be RedBoxing the first movie!!!!

Love y'all,
Abi

Seven Month Salutations!

Seven month pictures....this was the sole shot that gave me a sweet smile:

The rest of them looked like this:

All of the sudden - no more baby boy. Or maybe it's just no more little baby boy. Now William Justice is a big boy baby! Seeing that precious face every day sometimes you don't see the maturing until you take a picture and say - 'Wait! Is that what you look like now??' That face is so sweet.

I must say - so far it looks like he may have gotten my hair. Or at least maybe. LOL! Let's just say - it has body. And it continues to grow from the middle top of his head so little man rocks a mohawk fairly often.


Categorical update:

Sleep: Well! I would say we are still in that transition phase but there has been a few great steps he's tried out. We have now done a few four hour cycles between feedings during the day. Great! I am not really pushing it - still believing that he'll get there when he gets there. So - mostly Liam is awake an hour and a half and then naps an hour and a half. Two - three naps a day. He goes to sleep around 7:30pm and wakes up around 6:15am. Ahem. This mama continues to pray and problem-solve on that wake time. It's hard to get yourself going personally before you get baby up if that get up time is 6:15 in the morning. Merciful! But I continue to be thankful that he's sleeping through the night. He wakes up occasionally and is hungry but not very often.

(Mr. Spencer and his cousin Mr. Huntsinger. Ohhhhh the noise they will make and the fun they will have!)

Eating: Well! This mama has also been a tad slow on introducing solids beyond his oatmeal cereal. I tell you what - working part time and working some hours from home makes me feel like I am running in a million directions most of the time. So - making my own baby food - which I prefer over jarred for the most part - hasn't made it to the top of the to-do list. Until recently! Butternut squash was steamed and that Baby Bullet was put to good use for the first time. I am a fan of the Baby Bullet! And Mr. Spencer was a pretty big fan of butternut squash. :)

(Who doesn't wear their bib backward and take frequent breaks to look at the fan?!)


Activities: He's active alright! Liam embraces physical determination like his life depends on it. These days, it's even a challenge to hold him on my hip because he likes to lean forward like he's leading us. Or twist his whole body to see things from a different angle. Little man is just strong - no doubt about it. Which leads us to sitting and crawling. He's got sitting down pat and the crawling has been a goal of his for the past month and a half - no joke. He started a few crawling steps but most consistently he lunges/scoots himself wherever he wants to be. Including hanging off of the edge of the couch or bed while a parent holds his legs. I think we're going to have a climber on our hands.

(This is his now common position after he crawls for a bit. Just taking a little break before getting back to it.)

Personality: This boy is so fun. SO FUN! He loves to squeal, giggle, babble, growl, and cough (yes). It's nothing for him to stare someone down and then start coughing or laughing until that person looks at him. :) He's loving rough housing with Daddy more and more. Zion burries his face in Liam's tummy and the belly laugh that comes out of that boy makes me laugh and smile and burst.

Fun development: He's started crawling/scooting himself to people he wants to see. But, there's more and more coordinated crawling and less scooting each day. When I come in from work and he's playing, he sees me and starts getting that little body in my direction immediately. Oh be still this mama's heart.

Also random - after he sneezes he laughs. Seriously!

I am loving watching this person unfold. He hasn't met an electronic device that doesn't get him to breathing heavy. He loves the thermostat in the hallway as if it's Mickey Mouse at Disney World.

He's starting to climb us like we are great obstacle courses. We are having more and more fun adventuring out together and life gets sweeter the more I get to know this boy.

Life sure is fun with you Liam Spencer and I am starting to plot that first birthday party in my head already!!

P.S. I think I may start calling him chomper. Today I found his FIFTH tooth.

Oscar Fashion High Notes

I did it last year and I'm back at it this year! The past few weekends have definitely been 'weekend warrior' travel fiestas for the Spencers. So - I haven't actually gotten to watch the show yet. BUT - did I get home at 11:30pm last night and stay up to watch half of the red carpet show on E! before crashing? Yes I sure did! So - I haven't seen the show yet, but I have now seen the dresses (my favorite part anyways).

This year there were a lot of pretties but only five really made me swoon. I of all people am not one to criticize fashion so I'll only highlight the ones that I really loved. For you mental picture people like me: I sit here typing in my unfortunate uniform of black sweat pants and my black hoodie from high school. :)

Here are my top five!


Rose Byrne:

First, I have always loved a good bob. It's probably my favorite way to wear my own hair so I am having a moment with her hairstyle. Second, she just looks so dang cool. Look up her dress from last night because the back is equally devastating. I dream of wearing a backless dress someday :)

Viola Davis:

Ummmm hello. Could she look any better? This shade of green is one of my all time favorite colors. And let's face it - Viola has one fit body! She looks so strong and yet so feminine at the same time and I love that. The detailing on the bottom of the dress is gorgeous.

Michelle Williams:

I love Michelle. I really do. To me - she is a great combination of girlie, edgy, and vintage all wrapped up. The detailing on this dress is so beautiful and let's also acknowledge that big pink lips are a staple in my life. Her hair, plus her lipstick, plus her dress equals love in my book.

Jessica Chastain:

The more I look at it the more I love it. The color of the dress with her skin and hair is gorgeous. And the pattern of the fabric lays so well on her figure. Beautiful.

And now for my hands down winner of the night.....

Stacy Keibler:

I don't even know what to say other than wow. Wow wow wow. The dress is stunning and she looks fabulous. Enough said.

I love seeing all the dresses! I start looking forward to the Oscars in January :) I am sure you may have a few different favorites than mine but that is what is so fun about fashion isn't it? I am finally starting to see some Liam-baby-weight come off and I have to say that seeing those gorgeous dresses did give me an extra oomph of motivation for striving towards that goal. One pound at a time is the motto over here my friends!

Love y'all,
Abi

It's Wednesday

And frankly my to-do list is frightening. Impossible even. There aren't enough hours and there isn't enough energy to cross every last thing off that list between now and then. You know the feeling! But there is such a quietness and peace in my Spirit today that stress almost seems locked out. Only God can be thanked for that and so I relish today.

Do you ever think about this verse? Luke 1:35 "The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.' " That one word - overshadow.

Today that's how I feel. There are multiple reasons to be stressed or even to worry - if I listen to my emotions and take once glance at that list. From human eyes - there is no single reason NOT to be stressed LOL. But - then there's Him. And His shadow. And His wings. Today, I am overshadowed. Today I do a bit at a time. I cuddle that six month old bubby and whisper how much I love him. I have a half-swept kitchen (not even kidding). I negotiate a renewal of a billboard for a client. I listen to the birds sing their song. And my soul sighs.

Because He is greater. He is true. He loves me. And He truly loves you.

More overshadowing please. More.

Love y'all,
Abi

Parisien Doors

I have loved this post for over a year and a half. I have dreamed of this post since June 2010. We went to Paris in June 2010. My heart still skips a beat at the thought. When I first got to Paris - it had to grow on me. Most new things are like that though. When we left - I was in love.

One of the most beautiful things were the doors. Gorgeous gorgeous doors. They were so stately, feminine, masculine, worn by years of comers and goers.

So - I started taking pictures of the doors that caught my eyes. I can't decide which is my favorite...but do you have one?

'Sacre Blue!'

'Dance Floor'

'Bordeaux'

'Quick Before They Catch Us!'

'LBD'

'Lord and Lady Wentworth'

'Raspberry Cordial'

'Charcoal Morning'

'My Fair Lady' (wrong city I know)

One for me...inspiration to not quit Weight Watchers :)

Six Months of Wonder, Wisdom and the Wriggles

THIS little masterpiece is six months old today. Oh my! I cannot believe it.

Sometimes my heart feels a little sad at how quickly he has grown but mostly I am excited for him. This boy is on the fast track I tell you. Sometimes that is impressive and sometimes that is just plain alarming!

So here's a little categorical update:

Sleep: We have wonderful sleep accomplishments and head-scratchers the same my boy. He has been sleeping through the night since he was seven weeks old and that has been a huge blessing. Around 4.5 months he started waking early in the mornings. Make that an hour early. I have discovered that since I work in the office two days a week it is top priority for me to get him to sleep until 7...otherwise it's an interesting dynamic to put it nicely lol. Soooo that's one of our wonderments right now. Thankfully Liam wakes up happy and it is one of my very favorite things to walk in and say 'Gooooooooooood morning Liam!' and see that huge smile and laugh and he usually starts doing a stationary bounce on all fours. This boy takes on the day with determination! Our naps have been good but we're definitely in the middle of a transition to less daytime sleeping and more waketime. Check with me on that later because I currently feel lost and am praying for a lot a lot a lot of wisdom to help him with the transition. LOL!

Eating:
For the most part, nursing has gone well! We have definitely had bumps here and there but we're still nursing and it's more precious than I could have known it would be. It is simply a crazy miracle to be able to feed a child. Also, it has become his most still and quiet part of the day so I especially cherish that lol!!! Liam got to start cereal two weeks ago. We started with rice cereal which went great until day two :). On day two I mixed in a formula that was in a word - horrible - on Liam's system. So we took a five day break and started again but this time with oatmeal cereal. Although I know the formula was the problem - we will come back to the rice cereal sometime later. Next up - squash! Ooooo la la. lol.

Playing:
Homeboy is on the move! Not quite a crawler but he is working on it ardently. He is pretty much sitting with a few wobbles included. Over the past week he has started laughing a lot. He finds himself to be hilarious mostly! LOL. But mommy and daddy garner a good laugh here and there too. He loves his jumperoo. He still loves his activity mat. And recently - he loves playing in his crib after he gives me every sign he's sleepy. I think he may be plotting just to get some alone time to play before going to sleep :)

Right now - he says da da da da da da da A LOT. I mean, come one! What's wrong with ma ma ma ma ma I ask??? Zion tries to claim he has said his first word and indeed it is Dada. I dispute that LOL.

My favorites:
- The sweet smile and coo right after his tummy is full from nursing. Melt me.
- Morning snuggles on the weekends when Daddy is home. We all snuggle and talk in bed after our first feeding and it's precious.
- Liam is a studier and a learner. He especially loves watching Daddy to see what he is doing and how he is doing it. I'm probably crazy but I think he already wants to be like Daddy.
- The fact that this six month old is fairly convinced he can drink out of a big boy cup - watter bottle - anything. Sippy cup here we come!
- I love that he enjoys people. He smiles for people and doesn't mind being held by people he doesn't know (for the most part!).
- I am amazed by how strong he is physically. I mean, sometimes I can barely hold him from all of the contortions he's working. Rocking him is a joke from time to time. If he's too worked up he'll simply stand on you when you try to rock him - put his hands on your shoulders and rock/surf. I can't help but giggle.
- Finally, I am honored to watch this little man unfold. His personality is a delight, his passion is alive, and his sweetness oozes. Just to think - God had a specific purpose in creating Liam Spencer and we are just along for the ride.

On the horizon: journeying into the world of making organic baby food. Bring it squash, carrots, bananas and such! Bring it.

Thank you God for the honor of being a mama and for Zion who so passionately parents with me. After this one, I wouldn't mind having a tribe of boys. Who knew this would be so precious??

Love y'all,
Abi

P.S. The wisdom referred to in the title is the many many prayers of sincere desperation for God to get down here right this very minute and tell me what to do with little man and how to mama him. I have gotten fairly demanding with my requests lol! He keeps coming through just like He always does. Thank holy goodness!