New Life

I'm still trying to grasp this entire concept of motherhood while adjusting to life back in Montana.  Living at home has been a life saver, truly.  There is nothing like having a baby to make one realize how much they love and appreciate their own mother.  Ma Sky is a saint, a true saint.  It blows my mind that she birthed four babies naturally, breastfed each one for 12 months, stayed at home with us, ran a daycare, and is still a nice person.  Two weeks after arriving, I came down with Mastitis (terrible, horrible, no-good-very-bad infection) and my dear mother practically took over all Cedar duties (with the exception of breast feeding, of course :) ) for nearly a week while I shivered and sweated and moaned my way through my infection. 

I'm only being half-dramatic.  Blech. 

If I had at all forgotten the pain of pregnancy and labor and was considering another baby at some point in my life, Mastitis brought me right back to me senses.  Go ahead and remind me of this in a few years when we begin dreaming up a second little bundle of exhausting perfection.

Anyway, life is indeed very different, but God continues to bless us as Jody is making his way through the process of finding a job very efficiently.  He is working hard and double time with landscaping during the day, interviews, application packets, background investigations, fatherhood and husband-ry.  He rocks, but it has undoubtedly been stressful for all of us.  As for myself, I'm craving consistency and routine, a bedroom for Cedar, my own house with my own dishes and furniture and an overall sense of being settled.  But, that will come, and we'll wait patiently as we are very lucky to have a wonderful home in which to stay while in transition.

It has been so fun getting to spend my summer with my sister, Janelle, and her sweet little dude, Hamilton.  It's funny how much Hamilton and Cedar have changed just the last two months of living in Billings.  So much happens in that first year, and I'm trying to enjoy every moment of Cedar's tiny-ness.  She continues to grow and develop perfectly, although she's still just an itty bitty.  We had a check up this week and she is weighing in at 8lbs 9 oz at 10 weeks old.  In other words, the poor thing is not even on the charts, but her pediatrician assured me that her growth is fine and accordingly with her birth weight.  I think she will just always be a petite little pea.  She smiles, laughs, coos and farts like a mad - making her great entertainment for the entire household.  She naps every few hours during the day and sleeps through the night.  I have been trying to push bedtime earlier and earlier so Jody and I can have some downtime before we put ourselves to bed.  She usually sleeps from 10 or 10:30 to 6 or 7 in the morning.  Last night, we put her down at 9 and she slept until 5:30!  I am a-okay with early mornings and much prefer earlier bedtimes, so I think this is the schedule we will try to shoot for.  Ish.  You know how that goes.

Here are a few photos from June/July.

The Schuyler's came into town and kept us on our toes for a full Saturday.  This picture has everyone, minus Sawyer.  Needless to say, it was somewhat of a zoo with five little boys and one infant.  Good times!

We were again blessed by another beautiful baby shower hosted by my mom and sister...  Just look at those goodies!

Cedar turned 2 months and was quite pleased about it.

I've never been a touchy, snuggly person but my husband is.  Cedar earned a snuggle-gene from Jody and they enjoy many a Saturday morning and bedtime cuddle together.

The responsibility of caring for an infant is...a lot.  In ways, I miss ME.  I don't think I'll ever be the same woman that I was before having a baby, as my mind will forever have a little person occupying it's space at all times, but that's okay.  I love my girl more than words can describe, more than I ever imagined was possible.  I think of my love for my daughter, and try to compare it with the love the Lord has for his children, for me, and it's sobering to imagine how deep and unending his love runs.  Deeper than my brain is capable if understanding.  I will forever praise God for his goodness!