Collin spent some time with Max, David, ad Harper this past ewekend. He wasn’t really in a good mood though for his playdates, as he was coming down with a cold and ear infection. David, Max, and Collin are all currently under the weather. Surprise surprise! Collin is 12.5 weeks here, Max is 16 weeks, and Harper is 6.5 weeks.

Here are some funny pictures of the grumpy babies.

Max is trying to find an escape route...

 

Harper is trying to escape too! Why is everyone running from Collin? Does he have a messy diaper?!?!?!?

 

I certainly hope it's Collin's toy Harper is admiring...

 

Mr. Aaron holding his little girl. Aaron is 1,562 weeks in this picture.

I’ve been a little down today and yesterday. I’ve been thinking a lot about the world that Collin was born into and it just makes me so very sad. People these days are so very wicked and there are many ills of society to fear. Even amongst Christians, it is sad to say, the world has definitely wormed its way in. I worry that no matter what we teach Collin, the powers of the world will be too strong for him. I was praying as I was rocking him today that he would not be swayed by the things of this world. Actually, I prayed he wouldn’t even be interested in the culture around him, but that he would have eyes only for the Lord. I have no idea how to teach him these things. I know so many people that have brought their kids up to know and fear the Lord, but that their kids have turned. Who is to say that if Aaron and I do everything right, that Collin will follow Him? And how in the world do I bring up a young man who knows Jesus and loves Him in a world like this? I feel so overwhelmed and a little helpless. I do know that Collin has to have his faith grounded in the Word, or he will have nothing to stand on. I pray to God that even as a young boy, he will want to memorize the Word and hide it in his heart. I truly believe that verse that says “hide thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” It is only with the Lord’s words written on our hearts and soul can we resist the powers of the world around us. I pray Collin will be a man of the Word. Oh, how I long to teach him these things, but I fear I do not know how.

Holy smokes! My kid is 3 months old now! He turned 12 weeks old yesterday- I can scarcely believe it! Here are some new pics and updates on what Collin is up to in his “old age”. Collin wanted to narrate,  so here we go!

I continue to love my tummy time and I am getting better at it. I can even grab some of toys now. Sometimes though I get so excited I swing them around and wack myself in the face and then I don’t love tummy time anymore.

Mommy’s friend Megan sent me a really cool tool: the O-ball. I think that is what it is called. It is supposed to help me learn to hold onto things. I’m pretty good at it already and knew immediately how to put it to my mouth so I could lick it. Sometimes Bailey licks it too, but my mom always washes it.

The ball is really easy to learn to grab onto. Sometimes my mom thinks I am really smart and advanced when I’m holding it, but really my fingers are caught and I don’t know how to let go yet.

I still love my bathtime. Now I can sorta sit up in my bathtub though. Daddy lets me sit in the warm water and kick my legs around a lot. I like splashing him and peeing in the water.

On Fridays, Mrs. Sallie and Max and Mommy and I always have a play date. We went to the mall a few weeks ago. Max and I just had to chill in our strollers while Mrs. Sallie and mommy looked at a bazillion scarfs. This Friday we are going to go to Mrs. Jenn’s house for lunch and Max and I are going to fight for Baby Harper’s attention. I hope I get that chick!

I bet Harper would like these pictures of me in my shades. I know, I look hot!

I’ve been going on more walks now that I have stopped screaming when in my seat. It’s pretty cold though at night (for NC anyways) so mom bundles me up pretty good. I love wearing my long johns.

 

 

 

My mom’s friend Leslie gave me this really warm coat thing. My limbs are too short to fit right now, but it’s so warm and cuddly anyways. One time I slid way down into it and it was covering my head when my mom was carrying me. She didn’t even notice until I started to cry!

Sometimes my mom lets me chill in my Bumbo. I’m able to sit by myself in it now cause I’m a strong boy and I’ve got serious head holding skills. I tire in it pretty easy though because even though my head is shrimpy, it’s pretty heavy. I think I’ve got a really good brain in there.

When my dad was 1 month, he got his pictures made in the outfit you see below. My Nana saved it for all those years, and gave it to me! Here are some pictures of me in the same outfit. I’m finally out of all my newborn clothes and wearing 3 months clothes now. I’m getting big!

My daddy always makes me smile at him.

One of my favorite things still is my Magic Table. That’s what mom and dad calls it. Any time you lay me on changing table, I just love it. I start smiling and cooing immediately. Sometimes my mom just lets me hang out there while she folds my clothes. It’s such a great place. My mom thought I just like being there naked, but really, I just like laying there and looking at all the pictures on my walls.

Look at my leg rolls!

Sometimes in the morning my mom lays me on her bed and she puts my playlist on the IPOD. She sings to me and I love to watch her as she sings. I’m getting pretty good at singing as well. Well, I think it sounds like singing, but my mom must not because she always laughs and smiles when I sing. Sometimes I think my mom gets annoyed by my music because she says she dreams silly songs at night like “The B-I-B-L_E” and “10 little monkeys jumping on the bed”. I just love that song.

I’ve been dying to wear some jeans and I finally got to wear my first pair. I love to kick my legs in those things!

I’ve started really loving to look at my mom and get held by her. Don’t get me wrong- I love everyone, but my mom is my favorite since she always feeds me. And she hangs out a lot with me during the day.

I’ve starting sleeping through the night. Well, I’ve been doing it for about 2-3 weeks now. My mom is such a better mood and I feel better too when I am well rested. I miss seeing my mom at 1 am, 3 am, and 5 am, but she is always there when I do get up.

Well, I have to go take a nap now. All this spelling has me worn out. Thanks for reading about me. I’ll close with one of my mom’s favorite pics of me.

Bailey has really started to interact more with Collin these days. She always wants to know where he is and what he is doing. When he gets in the car, Bailey runs to his door and looks in at him. And when Collin is crying, Bailey is always right there. She’s ALWAYS gentle and sweet with him.

Collin and Bailey sharing the Boppy

Bailey is a loyal companion. She’s such a mild and meek animal, it’s weird. Around Aaron and I, she has had a lot less attention the past few months, but she still loves us the same and begs for our attention. When we ignore her or can’t get to her right when she wants it, she just sits around and waits for her turn. She’s so loyal. I think she’s a little sad that she doesn’t get loved on as much, but she sure does enjoy it when it is her turn. I feel guilty sometimes because she gets on my last nerve sometimes, but I know she doesn’t know any better. She literally follows me from room to room all day long, right at my heels. It’s kinda cute.

This is how I found Bailey one day this week- lounging on Collin's playmat. I came in the room with Collin so he could lay on it, and this is what we found. Crazy dog.

My little pumpkin

Collin's 1st Boo! (Some of my sweet students bought Collin these Halloween socks and little hat. Thanks girls!)

On Saturday, the Wheel Mobile came to downtown Raleigh and people could come out and try out for the show. I heard about it in the paper and was so excited, so I got Justine Woodworth to go with me. Later I found out that Ellie, my mom, and Granny were headed down there too. Anyways, we got there and during the 2:00 show, Justine got called to the stage to try out! She went up and had to introduce herself and then got a chance to solve a puzzle. She didn’t get her puzzle, but can still get a call back. Basically, you had to just be really animated and show you are an ideal Wheel candidate. Justine was certainly animated (but then again she always is!).

This is the side of the Wheel Mobile bus.

Justine and I waiting to hear our names called.

 

Following the 2:00 show, it started raining and it rained the rest of the time we were down there. The rest of us didn’t get a call at the next show, so we left, soggy and soaking, before the final one. We had fun though and it was so fun to watch Justine compete! Let’s keep our fingers crossed that she gets that call back!

Justine sporting her new Wheel of Fortune hat. She also won a tshirt, fanny pack and lunch box. Lucky girl!

 

Granny, Ellie, and mom: 3 generations of game show lovers

On Monday I turned 30- a new decade! I had a wonderful birthday and none like any other I’ve ever had.. I woke up to my beautiful smiley son who slept through the night. We had a great day together, singing songs and playing. Collin is in such a cute stage right now and I could just sit and gush over him for hours. I love to spend time with him. He smiles and talks around the clock now. I wish I could bottle it up and save it. The best birthday present imaginable is Collin. I am trying to savor every single moment with him. I am 100% content with my little man.

I love my little boy.

Bailey loves to get in our photos.

When Aaron came home, Nana came over to babysit and Aaron and I went out to eat. It was our first real date since Collin has been born. Aaron gave me the most lovely gift- a pair of diamond and peridot earrings. Peridot is Collin’s birthstone. Isn’t that sweet and thoughtful?

My favorite two boys

My smiley boy is so cute sometimes I feel like I could scream. I am pretty sure if the Bumbo company saw these pics of my little one in his Bumbo, they would want to hire him to be a baby Bumbo model. Don’t you just want to reach into these pictures and kiss that sweet face?

This was Collin's first time in the Bumbo.

 

I'm holding his head here. Although he is very strong and can almost hold his head on his own, he gets a little Bobble-head action going on every now and then.

I can’t stand it. My kid is so cute.

Today was a weird day. I knew it was going to be. I still don’t know how I feel about things, but I guess there is no sense in dwelling on the past.

Today I left Collin for the first time almost all day. My mom (Bee) babysat while I took care of some errands and did some work at home. I needed a day, just to think and process and get some things done. I hated being away from Collin all day. When I picked him up at my moms, I wondered if he missed me. I wonder if he noticed I was gone. I didn’t miss his crying   but I did miss his sweet little smile and tiny little head. I sure do love that kid.

What was I thinking about? Well, I went to work this morning and officially resigned. It was harder than I thought it was going to be. Last night I sat down to write my letter of resignation and I realized I didn’t even know what to say. I teared up a little bit when speaking with my principal today, mainly because I was so overwhelmed and I am just praying I am making the right decision. I KNOW I am doing the right thing, but sometimes my fears get a hold of me, and my faith is much too weak. It’s such a weird feeling not working. I got my first job at Chick-fil-A when I was 14, and every since then, I have worked. Sometimes I have even had 2 or 3 jobs, but I have never NOT worked. It’s such a weird feeling. I feel like my safety net is gone. I am used to relying on myself. Now I have to rely on God, and that He will take care of Aaron and I.

Don’t get me wrong- I am definitely working…. just a different kind of work. My work these days includes wiping up spit-up, cleaning pee off the wall by the changing table, rocking a sleepy baby, soothing a crying baby, and cuddling with an adorable baby. And this work is so fulfilling. Everytime he smiles at me, it makes it so worth it.

I just need to remember that God has called me to be a mom and a wife and He will take care of my every need. I may not understand how He is going to do it, but He will. I wish that my faith was stronger. My head knows what the Word says, but sometimes it is hard for my emotions and my heart to get in line with what I know to be true.

We went to church this morning. As I was speaking to someone, I definitely saw them glance down multiple times at my belly/baby bump. Later I was walking to the mother’s nursing room and again, I passed someone who was staring at my baby bump. AHHHHHHH!!!! Yes! My child is 2 months old, and yes I still have a baby bump! And yes! I am 30 years old on Monday and so I will probably never get rid of it!!!!! There is no need to stare! I hate it as much as you all do!