I can't believe that ...

A little over a month ago...



My baby was walking holding our hands...



Along the Battery in Charleston, South Carolina...



But now...



He's a pro.

Here's your moose ...

Hey, Peyton,







Benjamin heard you were looking for a moose; He found one!

*This post is obviously dedicated to my {new irl} friend, Peyton. He's been looking for his "moose". :)

And I'm obviously avoiding the subject of 'Birthday Party', but there will be a detailed post "soon", I promise! (When is soon? - hehe)

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Why I Blog

Every time I sit down and write, I like to think about why I blog before I actually write something. I like to think about what sort of message I want to put out, how I want to convey myself to the rest of the world. I don't act "fake", but I always want to make sure anything I say is said with a loving, Christian attitude. There have been times I would sit down having read or heard something and just want to fly off the handle. But I don't write to get back at someone, or to prove a point. And I have to remind myself this every single time. I sometimes have a hard time with jumping the gun, so this is necessary!

I blog to help people and to encourage people. I like to edify others as the Bible commands, and hopefully to bring others to Christ. This is very important to me, so the way I write and what I write should be thought about. And I've got to tell you, if I had finished and published all those posts that I had been ready to write and post, this blog would have such a different atmosphere and I doubt I'd have made so many friends by it! If all I did was come on here to vent, I don't see how I could be as encouraging as I strive to be in my daily life. I want to be a good example to others.

I blog to help myself, too. I'm a young wife, and a young mother. There are a lot of times when I just don't think I know what I'm doing. Blogging is another way for me to connect with other mothers who have been where I am and where I'm going. I appreciate all the encouragement I get from you all! Being a mother is tough. Being a preacher's wife is tough enough - you get scrutinized more than "regular" Christians (although preachers and preacher's wives are just the same as any other Christian, or should be!). Mothers, though, are also scrutinized more than "regular" wives. Our children are looked at everywhere we go. Our houses are looked at because somehow in between feeding mouths and wiping bottoms and pouring juice and doctor visits and baths, we're supposed to also be super cleaners with every little thing put away. Don't you just love it when you meet that person who says "You know? It doesn't matter." - that person is your new best friend! I love connecting to moms here who totally get what I'm going through or dealing with!

I also blog because my son is growing up too fast. I like to be able to access my memories and see what Ben was doing when. I hope I can keep this up long enough to blog about our future children, whenever they may come along. All in the good Lord's timing.

These are just a few things I remind myself when I sit down to write. I ask myself a few questions:

1. Why am I writing this?
2. Is what I am writing edifying to others, or harmful?
3. Do my words bring glory to God?
4. Would I care if God were following my blog, or would I be embarrassed to know he read it? *And I know God knows our very thoughts and knows everything we ever say or do, but this is a good reminder to keep me in check*
5. Am I portraying a Christ-like attitude?
6. Will I regret this when I go back and read it later?

7. Why are there fruit loops all over my floor?

That last one isn't one that I ask myself every time I blog. But the question did just come across my mind, so you know what's going on over here. And that's my cue! My little man in moose jammies is so cute this morning and oh dear. He just tripped with a mini box of fruit loops and they are all over the floor again...

A "Cute as a Button" Birthday Party

Operation Birthday Party = Success. These are the highlights. I am exhausted, so details will come later!

Preparations

Tonight I was going to do a 'heavier' post, but decided I am much too tired to do something like that. I'm going to relax a little bit while I can. Tomorrow afternoon is Benjamin's birthday party and Hubby and I have been working hard to get everything set up. And we're not done yet! I am just thankful that our families are coming early tomorrow to help us with the finishing touches.

A big thank you to my husband, who has been more than helpful these last few days! I love you!!

So, today we cleaned. Mariah came over and we had fun with her. She danced for us while listening to some fun music, which was so adorable. I love it when babies dance. Are we all just born with that natural rhythm, or what? I think I've lost mine, though. Don't ask me to demonstrate, just take my word for it.

Benjamin had some fun with wrapping paper, and I baked cupcakes and cookies for the party. I just have to decorate the cupcakes and put the finishing touches on my button cookies, and we'll be set! Hey, I may even share the recipes with you sometime (if they turn out good... so if you don't see it, they weren't worth mentioning again!).

Now here's a question for you: Do you think there is a good reason for Benjamin to keep this weapon-looking object in his car?



He looks like he's about to get someone, doesn't he?!

A Comment About Comments

EDIT: Hooray, your comments are back!

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If you've noticed that your comments have vanished, never fear! I am installing a Disqus commenting system to see how that works for me, as it is the only kind I can get to work on my 365-blog. I figured I'd try it over here. Anyway, I'm in the process of importing comments to Disqus. So it is coming (hopefully)!

Just wanted to let you know! And also, I really appreciate every comment that you guys leave for me. I may not always get back to you, but I want you to know that I read all of them and really appreciate them!

That's all for now! I should get a post up sometime later tonight unless I get too busy with Benjamin's birthday party stuff. His party is tomorrow at 2! Whew!

One more milestone.

Today was Benjamin's 1 Year Checkup. Everything went well and the doctor said he was perfect (as she usually does!). He weighed in at 21#2oz, and is 29inches tall. He is in his 25th percentile in both weight and height. He's started to slow down in growth but the doctor said it was normal. He's started keeping the weight off by practicing his new hobby: walking! If only that worked as well for me! Actually, I'm sure it would if I'd make time to do it!

Anyway, I realized today what has been slowly happening for some time now. I guess I've been in denial thus far but after this doctor visit, it's plain to see... Benjamin has been slowly weening himself. We're down to 1-2 feedings per day. Usually that is at bedtime and if he wakes up at night and just can't calm himself. I'm glad that he is growing up and becoming a big boy... but this has just been a special bond that we've had his whole life. I feel like I'm losing a part of me with this. But then I don't want those sorts of things to define who I am and my relationship with my baby.

I guess we're all just growing and changing.

For all you mommies who wake up in the middle of the night to feed your baby, or have to find ways and places to do it during the day - cherish it. Because it's going to end some day and you'll miss it.

We bought some whole milk for Benjamin this afternoon. The doctor said he can have some in a cup during the day.

This is indeed a milestone.

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Oh, I just found out that my cousin is going to have a baby boy! Now to find out what her sister is having! I'm excited!