June 10th, 2007

On Sunday, we were blessed to baptize Jason during our beach service. It was such a special day, and he was so good! I wish I had pictures to go with this blog entry, but I don't yet! I'll be sure to share them when I do though I'm sorry in advance if this is long, I just want to make sure I put this day in writing
First of all, the weather. It was overcast, but not raining, with a slight chill in the air. (It was 8am on the beach!) Jason was so good through the whole service, he sat on my lap on a blanket and just took everything in. Scott did not preach today, so he had one of our youth (17 y/o Junior in HS) lead the service. She was amazing. She talked about the meaning of baptism, and how we are all accountable for raising those that are baptized to encourage and teach and pray for them. She talked about how she was brought up in the church and how they are her family as well as her immediate family. It was really amazing. She had all of us in tears. She has and is such a gift.
Then it was time for the baptism. We all walked down to the ocean's edge where we went through the litany. We had our Lay leaders ask us, the congregation and Jason's sponsors the questions. Then Scott took Jason a few steps into the ocean and baptized him. We do not submerge for those mommies that are reading this right now! He just scooped some water and placed it on his head. Scott was so honored to be able to baptize his son. And really, how much better can it be to be able to baptize your son in one of God's most beautiful creations, the ocean.
After the baptism, Scott Jason and I went to the steps where everyone would be leaving so they could greet us. As the congregation was singing the last song, everyone was looking towards the ocean, a most beautiful sight was there. Dolphins! They were swimming by about 5 miles offshore! It was amazing.
Jason was such a ham, and smiled at everyone. In fact, during the baptism ceremony, my friend Mandi was taking pictures, Jason saw her and actually posed for her! He is very well trained apparently. After the service, we all went back to the house and had A LOT of food. Jason was good, but around 10am, he finally had enough and went down for a nap until 12:30!
It was a beautiful day, and I'm so thanful and blessed to have this wonderful little boy in my life.

Before I was a mom...

Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

I'm not sure who acutally wrote this, but it was a mom , for sure...

catching up

For the three of you that read this blog, my sincere apologies for not updating more often! It's busy these days with a super active 8 month old!! And seriously, 8 months!! Unbelievable! It seems that along with 8 months comes some serious independence. First, we decided that he can hold his own bottle. With no prompting from mommy, he just grabbed on to the bottle and that was that. And then, on Monday, he finally figured out 1st gear, and can move forward on his knees! Unfortunately, mommy and daddy were not here to witness it, but rather, grandma was. But he was more than willing to show off for us! And so now begins moving all things out of crawling height! The other interesting thing he has started doing is exploring his crib at night and nap time. It used to be that we would lay him down, and he would be pretty much in the same position that we left him in. Now, he's ALL over the crib! Vertical, horizontal, on his belly, on his side... every which way but the way we left him! He is incredibly adorable though when he's in the crazy positions. We've been having regular play dates, encounters, whatever, with Miss Eleanor and Greta. It's more that the mommies are chatting and pushing strollers while our little ones sleep or check out the world. That's all there is.... check out www.flicker.com/photos/karenbostwick for more cuteness that is Jason!

Teething

The title says it all. That is the world we have entered. We were so excited to finally feel his first tooth poke through his gums on the bottom a couple weeks ago. He was mildly, and I stress mildly, upset by the whole process, really not giving us any problems at all. Then, this weekend happened. Apparently, there is a tooth on the top that is fighting its way through the gumline. And by fighting, I mean making my poor little one miserable. Saturday was a cry fest. The only time he didn't cry was at Babies R Us, and I think that's b/c he knew that we were shopping for him! Seriously though, tears all day. In fact, I think he may have cried so much, that he unclogged the tear duct that has been blocked since birth!! I know it's part of life, and a rite of passage in a sense, but it just seems so cruel. He's such a good baby with little fussiness, so I know that this was a very tough weekend for him.

Now for Babies R Us. First of all, the store is wonderful and terrible at the same time. Anyone that has walked through the doors of this store knows what I'm talking about. Such great things for babies, so easy to break the bank. Our main purpose of this trip was to buy the big boy car seat for Scott's car (the one for mommy's car is on the way here!). Why must there be so many choices. Not just different brands, but different models withing the brands! Thankfully I had done some research, so it helped narrow down the choices (Evenflo Titan, if anyone is dying to know!) So, we get the car seat and the other non-necessary items that we just had to have and head over to the check-out. Now, I've heard stories about people giving out free, unwanted advice at grocery and other stores. I've never gotten it before, until of course, Saturday. If you have read the first paragraph of this blog, I explained the frustration that has been teething in our house. One thing I did not mention was that the binky seems to soothe him more than usual, I guess he is able to bite on it or something. Teething rings and such do not work for him. Anyway, we're in line at the check out and the person ringing us up says to my son in the sing-songy voice that all adults use when talking to a 7 month old "You're a big boy, you don't need that thing in your mouth"! Really? Would you like to come home and take care of my baby who is teething and crying over every little thing that happens. And by crying, I mean sobbing, snotty, tearful crying. I mean crying while eating (usually his favorite thing in the whole world to do) which then turns into pureed chicken and green beans being raspberried all over him, his high chair and me. And for some reason, I felt the need to defend his binky-ness to this complete stranger!!

Apparently I was much more angrier about this than I realized! I'm over it now, and my son is sleeping peacefully, and for the first time this weekend, is not sleeping in a Tylenol haze.

PS... thanks to Mandi for taking such great pictures of Jason! Visit Serendipity Studios at www.photobymandi.com

This time (11:00 pm, EST), 7 months ago, I was being wheeled down the hallway of Brick Hospital's Maternity floor to the OR for a slightly unscheduled turn of events. Apparently my bundle of joy had the same navigational sense that his mommy has: none!! Who knew that 41 minutes later I would hear music to my ears, "It's a boy!" that my life would at that moment, change forever. It was a good day. And really, they've been all good days since (with a few minor exceptions that had to do a lot with raging hormones!!). He is a joy, and so much fun. He is beginning to crawl (backwards) and is trying to pull himself up to a standing position. He has figured out how to scoot on his butt to go forward, and has less and less "face plants". He is eating solids 3 times a day, and has his first tooth. He's become quite anxious when he's in a room by himself, and looks to mommy and daddy when someone strange is talking to him. It's all good stuff, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I don't really know if anyone actually reads this blog, or if you do that you even care... but I have come to realize that writing this stuff out helps me to appreciate the joy that comes from the everyday-ness of being a parent. I hope that someone enjoys this blog, but even if you don't, it warms my heart to get to have this experience to write about. Love to all...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Doesn't this picture just say it all? I promise Greta's dad they are not on a date, but really, aren't they just adorable? This was at lunch on Tuesday... they both fell asleep during their respective short car rides to the restaurant, and stayed this way until their mommies were just about done eating! They woke each other up, and then played with the opposite mommy for a while!! So much fun. Again, not a date.

Life in Bay Head is pretty much the same as always. Jason is a joy as always, although he is getting quite mobile lately. He is crawling backwards, and can turn himself around. Although he gets a little frustrated because he goes for the toy in front of him, and can only move backwards! OK, so mommy gets a laugh, but he does NOT find it funny! The newest thing this week is attempting to pull himself up. Again, we will need to lower the crib matress as he is starting try to pull himself up with the railing. It's all happening so fast!

Well, this weekend Scott and I will finally be able to go on a real date! Mandi and Keiser will be watching Jason on Friday night while we go to dinner a movie. We haven't been to the movies since 2 weeks before Jason arrived. And, if you know anything about Scott and I, that is a REALLY long time to not go to the movies! On Saturday, I will have to work in PA at our Asian New Year Party for Adoptions From the Heart. Then on Sunday, Scott and I are off duty at St. Paul's and will worship at a church in Old Bridge. Later that day, Jason will go with his Linwood grandparents overnight while Scott and I attend a concert with another couple from the church. Good weekend. Can't wait!

I hope everyone had a wonderful St. Valentine's Day. Love to you all!

where do the days go?

This blogger thing is a lot harder to keep up than I thought! Here, another week has passed and I haven't hardly updated at all! This was a crazy little week... I'm a little sad that tomorrow already starts a new work week!

Jason is awesome as always, although his alter ego moved in this week, and along with that comes crying, whining, and screeches for unknown reasons. I sincerely hope it's teething, I'd hate to think he'd just scream for no reason! But we all have off weeks, and he's starting to come back around. We met the newest addition to Central Church in PPB last week. Baby Greta was adorable, and tiny, and asleep the whole time we were there. So as to not make her daddy mad, we will not refer to her as Jason's future girlfriend anymore, and just say that we are looking forward to many more play "meetings". Jason had a good time with all her toys that she hasn't quite figured out how to use yet! And mommy had a good time holding a newborn again!! Almost gets me thinking it's time for #2. But not yet! Just need to get a year under our belts at this parenting thing before we can think about #2!!

On Saturday, Jason attended his first McDonald's birthday party. It was a scene to behold. It was Bubba's 3rd birthday, and all the kids from his class were there. Yes, there were about 30 three-year-olds in a very tight space!!! (plus parents and other siblings!) And then Spider-Man showed up to Bubba's awe! Jason had his picture taken with Spidey, and didn't seem to mind at all!

On Greta's daddy's blog, in one of his first posts, he discussed how that now he was a dad, the Playland at McDonald's kind of skeeved him out with all the germs and nastiness that is the playland. Although Jason did not go on the playland toys, just being in the midst of the madness that was all around us, I wanted to go home and sanitize both of us!! I guess it's all part of this parenting thing, and how much more aware of germs you become. I sincerely hope this gets easier to deal with!!

Have a great week everyone!