Fall is Here!

ok, so admittedly, this post has nothing to do with Corban's little adventures. But I couldn't help myself- Fall is here! Even if we relapse into an indian summer, we've had a day or two of beautiful clear sunshine with cool breezes. Nights are getting chillier (in comparison to 105, anything is chillier!) There's something about this season that makes me smile and want to curl up with tea on the couch all day.

I was reflecting this morning on God's provision and how ABDUNDANTLY He's provided for our needs. Perhaps it's the anticipation of Thanksgiving and Christmas that makes it special, but this season reminds me so much of God's grace and mercy. I woke up thanking Him that though times are lean and paychecks aren't what we're used to, He's shown Himself faithful. Despite my temptation to get caught up in the things I would like or really really want, my Abba has begun that refreshing of my spirit, a 'change in the wind' just like this wonderful season. I have asked to have a heart like His and He has been slowly, in the heat of summer, changing my heart to see the abundance and 'haves', rather than the 'have-nots.'

"Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:23-26

San Diego

Hello Daddy-

I was such a good boy in San Diego this week! I had a blast with my cousin Tembie and my Aunt Angie :)

We went to the beach AGAIN- only this time the waves weren't so wild. Mommy felt better about me playing in the water, but I got bored.

So I started playing in the sand and ended up with a sand unibrow!

Beach Day!!!

There are no words. NO words. My son is a maniac for water. It's just that simple. We visited gorgeous Zuma beach today and he was unbelievable. He RAN past the other screaming toddlers, took a face plant right into the sand, then continued to crawl into the breakers. Did I remind you that this kid is only a year old????? a YEAR, people!!!! He went STRAIGHT into the BREAKING WAVES!!!! :D I couldn't be more proud....... or more scared! haha..... I see surfing lessons in our future....

Although I missed getting to take pictures of my soaking-wet-from-head-to-toe son actually playing in the water (I was occupied trying to keep him alive- seriously), but I did get a couple of shots after he spent an hour jumping and yelling and splashing.

So as if the water wasn't enough, Corban decided that eating the sand was a delightful activity!! I don't think I've ever laughed so much in one outing with him. :)

He actually dipped a banana in the sand, chewed and swallowed it with batting an eye!!

All in all, a great way to spend our day!

When Daddy's Away....

Corban and I are fending for ourselves this week, so we're keeping him updated with pictures via blog. Needless to say, we miss him already!

I always have trouble sleeping when he's not here, and with the baby on the way, insomnia's a bit worse this time around.

But Corban is still bright-eyed and bushy tailed!

Wow oh Wow

After a month (or more) with a busted computer, I've finally got my link to the world back!

so Let's do a bit of catching up....

Corban's a walkin' bablin' machine! He gets into more mischief than I can list, but we'll go through some of his finest moments:

1) Emptying Mommy's purse... particularly the wallet

2) Learning to eat with a Spoon...

3) Biting toes, just like a puppy!

and of course, unrolling all the toilet paper!

We went to the park and my through and through "boy" tackled the big-kids' playground with no fear!

And what's a day at the park without a turn on the swings?

Oh, Sweet Mystery!

My-o-my, how time flies!! Corban is 8 months old and a whole bundle of delicious delight. Seriously. I never thought I could love someone so much! And he's HI-larious!! We just laugh all day...he's pound-for-pound the funniest guy I know!

I thought I'd so a slightly longer blog today in honor of my favorite age so far.

We've done several "firsts" including sunscreen, swings at the park, big bathtubs and standing!!!

Also, thanks to my buddy and fellow mom, Bri, I've had a blast practicing my photography skills. For you photogs out there- salute to Manual!! haha....

So here we go:

Our new routine of big bathtubs!! We have lots of naked baby shots, but figured I'd leave those for his future wife. Instead, here he is enjoying a mid-bath snack:

We went walking with Bri and Cam... our first outing for sunscreen!!! Gotta love that hat.

And just for fun, baby Cam :D

This night, Bean was teething and the only comfort after HOURS of screaming was sleeping on Daddy's chest. *sigh*
ah, my boys...

And he's standing (with a little help)

oh yeah, I'm one bad baby

And Finally- the first park swing!!

This he LOVED

I took about a million shots, but thought I'd spare you all. :D

All in all, it's been a memorable, forever-changing, challenging and rewarding 8 months. Here's to EIGHT-teen more years!!!! :)

Dinner and Dancing

Well, not really dancing... more like a game of "Stratego" in keeping Corban out of the kitchen.

My son has decided that the one thing he loves most in the world (his world is very small right now) is the oven. Why? I have no idea. I'm sure the fact that it is most definitely off limits has something to do with his utter fascination. Each time I turn around, he makes a bee-line for the oven, putting his little hand up to it as if to say "Hi there! I would have been here sooner, but my mom keeps pulling me out of the kitchen!"

So tonight while cooking dinner, I decided to blockade the entrance. I mean, it's one thing to touch the oven off-hours, but prime time? No way! I was NOT going to let this little man burn his hand, taken to the ER, get surgery to fix his charred limb and have scars for the rest of his life. (I'm a nurse, I can't help foreseeing the inevitable) :D. But truly, no babies in the kitchen while I'm cooking.
Corban, though, was not deterred. This is a determined lad, folks.
I just thought I should share the progress he made:

Here I come!

And finally....

What mom, did you think you could keep me out?

Oh, my clever Bean.... never a dull moment with you!

Whistle While You Work

Just whistle while you work

Put on that grin and start right in to whistle loud and long

Just hum a merry tune (hm hmhm hmhm hmmmmm)

Just do your best and take a rest and sing yourself a song

When there's too much to do

Don't let it bother you, forget your troubles,

Try to be just like a cheerful chick-a-dee

For some reason, I was singing this song today. How spiritual of me. Ha! You know what, though? It put some pep in my step! Isn't funny how God can speak through anything? Sometimes I feel as though I need to be reciting some liturgy or something to be close to the heart of God, but today it came in the form of a beloved children's song. There I was- drudging to work at the break of day. Leaving Corban at home with Daddy, abandoning my piles of laundry (admittedly NOT the saddest part of the day). As I drove, I just gave the day to the Lord- "Lord, this is Your day. Let me be Your nurse today. Let me have Your heart."

And then I got to the floor

busy busy busy

Martha martha martha

So I'm in the midst, juggling patients and doctors and

missing my boys when this song comes to mind.

And then I start whistling.

I whistle in the med room. I whistle in the linen room. I whistle in the patient's room. And wouldn't you know it? God totally used the whistling to bring joy. He lit my heart with joy and patience. He even helped me brighten the days of my charges... with a little whistle.

Back to Work

So I'm going to work. Yup. I'm an official, got-her-license, card-carrying member of the nursing profession. Which is thrilling. Really. The only obstacle lying between me and utter bliss as I walk to the bank with my first paycheck weighs about 17 pounds, is great with sippy cups but not so great without me.

Corban has started screaming and I mean screaming when I'm not around. He can go about an hour with anyone, including Daddy- just playing and having good times. But then the switch flips. He somehow remembers that I'm not there, that I've abandoned him for better things (like grocery shopping). He becomes inconsolable and simply wears himself out til he falls asleep.

Call me crazy, but that's not my idea of a good time.

I've cried about it- a lot. I wake up at 2am, overwhelmed with this feeling of "I'm abandoning my baby! He's not going to get my stories and songs and kisses!" And it's not just the missing him. I've realized that I'm also upset that I'm not going to control his day. You know what? That's unhealthy!!! I was surprised and convicted by my need to be in control of my son's day.
Talk about a huge problem later on in life.

Over the past week, I've decided to make a point of letting go of that need. Letting go of control. Trusting that God will watch over Corban.... novel idea, right? But truly, in practice such a difficult thing to do! I'm praying that as I learn this early on, Corban and our future children will benefit from a mom who's relaxed enough to be open to new ideas, new activities and be supportive of them. I want to be the mom who acts as a launching point, who raises kids to be great adults. After all, the time will come when I will HAVE to step back, letting them become their own selves and follow the Lord in their own right.

Not to say that I'm giving up. :) Just learning to relax and know that Corban will be ok, even if I'm away for 3 days/week.