Thankful

Wednesday, November 28, 12

How can I possibly remember every single one of these moments when my daughter changes daily? It seems like just yesterday that she started grabbing toys and now, 2 weeks later, she is holding on and shaking them and bringing them to her mouth.  She lays in her crib after waking from a nap and happily blows raspberries and “talks” to herself (or her imaginary friends…or is it the vent?).  She kicks her legs when playing like there is no tomorrow.  No wonder she used to startle me so much when she was still in my belly.  Those kicks have some force. 

Maddie just went through another wonder week growth spurt last week, which was very apparent by her refusal to sleep through the night.  We have been so fortunate that she has slept so well from very early on that I forgot how difficult it was to get up in the middle of the night for a 2:00AM feeding.  She kept this up for about a week but last night slept, well, like a baby!  ;-) She went down at 10:00, woke at 11:30 and, after Phil rocked her to sleep, she slept through until 7:30 in the morning and then took a 2 hour nap after eating in the morning.  Now we are playing on the floor in her gym and she is just as sweet and happy as can be.  I hope that she reverts back to her good sleep schedule again and that last week really was a developmental milestone causing her to be out of her usual routine.

This is the life!

Let’s see. Updates in the life of a Jones.  Well, last week was Thanksgiving, of course, and we had a wonderful time seeing all of our family members (minus a few who decided to celebrate in California). We saw Vanessa and Steve for the first time since they got engaged (YAY!!!) and Jay’s parents came up to celebrate with us, too.  I don’t remember how long it’s been since I have seen them, so it was great to spend some time and to eat their oh-so-amazingly-delicious food.  Wow. Those two can cook and I mean it! We also saw my side of the family on the following Sunday and had another amazing meal. Phil and I are truly spoiled. My dad makes, hands down, the best stuffing in the world! I can’t wait until Maddie is old enough to try it. 

Beautiful Aunt Vanessa and Mads

Phil and I also went shopping and bought new leather furniture for the living room this past weekend and we LOVE them! We are excited to have people over, now, as we think the new living room setup is more conducive for entertaining.  We are just waiting on the chair and the rug and then the room will be complete. 

Spiritually, this past week I have seen the Lord really answer a lot of my prayers.  They may seem like silly little things, but sometimes the Lord shows up in little ways and we just have to watch for them.  God is also growing me through this furniture-experience, too, and teaching me to be patient and kind and to trust in Him when things don’t go exactly as planned.  He is so good and us Joneses are truly blessed!

Post-baby weight report: I am officially one pound away from hitting my post-marathon weight! I’ve been sticking to my workout routine (except during the week when I had an awful cold that took my voice from me for three days) and the breastfeeding is helping out with the drop, too.  I also am seeing the vertical line on my belly starting to fade (finally!) and my stretch marks are minimal and no longer very dark: very happy for that. Do I see a bikini in my future??? Well….I don’t know that I would go that far.  Haha.

Oh, little precious Madelynn: you have brought me so much joy.  I am watching her play again right now and I am just overflowing with love! Children truly are a blessing from God. Psalm 127:3 -- very true. 

Precious baby and Mommy with my hair freshly cut (10 inches donated to charity!)