Mommyhood

Mommyhood is....

When going to the grocery store is an accomplishment

When taking a shower is done in shifts

When pee and poop comes up in most conversation

When you fall asleep though most movies

When laundry goes from 2 loads to 4 loads

When going to church is quite a big outing

stained shirts and smelling like sour milk

not being able to answer the phone much

constantly planning and scheduling around feedings

snapping baby outfits 2 or 3 times before getting it snapped correctly

cleaning the house with a little one around your neck

starving for adult conversation


Mommyhood is.....

lots and lots of cuddle time and kisses

smelling that sweet little head

enjoying those cues and smiles

having a little one fall asleep on my chest

so hard but so worth it

One Month Old

I can't believe my baby is one month old today. Time flies. Things are getting so much better. I'm learning a lot and Tobin is learning a lot. I'm learning to chill out and Tobin is learning how to relieve that gas so he's not as cranky. :) We still both have a lot to learn. I catch myself just staring at Tobin during the day. He has more expression now and even smiles(and no it's not gas or a dream).We love our baby boy and look forward to many more months with him.

Tobin Isaiah, Motherhood

Wow!!!!!! Our little/big fella has finally arrived into this big and crazy world. Tobin Isaiah Phillips was born on Nov. 20th(daddy's birthday). I was induced the morning of the 20th and Tobin popped out later that night. The labor wasn't that bad-because of the good drugs I had. I was going to be brave but decided the process was going way too slow and boy am I glad I chose to have the drugs. Tobin was 9lb 2oz and 21 1/2 in long. YIKES!!!!!

The last couple of weeks have come with an amazing amount of emotions. No one could have prepared me for all of this and all that I'm feeling. I have learned how selfish I am and have been greatly humbled. I love our little guy so much but he's sooooo much work and sacrifice. I miss my sleep, my alone time with my husband, having time to fix dinner, getting out and about..... We named our son Tobin Isaiah because we loved the meaning of it. Tobin-God is Good, Isaiah-God is our salvation. Those are good reminders for me right now. God is so very Good. We are so blessed with our new little gift. I just need to remember this when I'm up at 3am and Tobin is screaming. draft

November 11th came and went

We're still waiting! The little guy was supposed to be here by November 11th but he was a no show. We had a Dr. apt on Tuesday and she said she was going to let me go another week. She scheduled enducement for the 19th. Please pray that this little guy comes before then. Get really close to the screen, put your hand on my belly(go ahead it's ok) and start praying. We want this baby to come on God's timing not on man's timing. The nursery is all ready it's just missing the baby.

Baby Shower

My brides maids gave me the best baby shower. They really know how to throw a great party. The food was not only yummy but picture perfect.A great friend of mine gave a devotion, straight from the heart. The room was full of beautiful, wise ladies and Rob and I were blessed with sooooooooo many baby gifts. Our little guy is going to be styling and more than comfortable. What a great day. Thanks friends.

Two Years

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WOW!!!!! It's been two years since the big wedding day. It's hard to believe. I think Rob and I would both say it was one big year of learning experiences for us. It was a tough year but I would never want to be married to someone else. God has blessed me with an amazing husband. It's kind of ironic-neither one of us are wearing our wedding rings. Rob had to have his ring cut off last week because of an injury and mine isn't fitting because of my sausage fingers. Although there are no rings on our hands the commitment is thicker and stronger than it's ever been.

I Want to be LIGHT

"God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, LORD Jesus." -Jim Elliot
Yesterday our pastor told of the story of "The Tower of Babel".He talked about our idols of comfort, approval, control and power and how those idols can sabatage what we are building and our mission. In order to know what our mission is we must ask ourselves "What am I building?" and "What am I building it for?"
Our pastor then told us about this old church here in St. Louis(not too far from our house) that burned down in 2001. The congregation of this church has abandoned this building and moved out west. Some artists have come in to rescue the building and restore the light in such a dark place.
We must be that light. We must not allow these fires or idols to get in the way of what God is building. We must not allow these fires or idols to sabatage God's mission. May our light burn for God in this dark place. May we be consumed with passion and not be afraid or hide from that mission. May we not give up and abandon our mission. May we shine like we've never shined before.

34 weeks

It's hard to believe our due date is right around the corner. I guess it's not so hard to believe when you look at this picture. Things are going great. I'm feeling good and loving being pregnant. My dad is loving giving me a hard time. :)

willby a boy or willby a girl-what do you think?

So, what do you think? Can you tell? If you look hard in one of the pictures you'll see a little nose and cute little lips. If you look in the bottom, right hand corner you'll see the cutest little foot ever. If you look in the upper left hand corner you'll notice that our little "wilby" is a thumb sucker. If you look really hard you might even see that one of the pictures comes with a little extra "package". Yes, "wilby" will be a boy-a beautiful, healthy boy.

Our little Wilby

This is our little one at 11 weeks. It's taken me forever to get these posted.(I'm at 20 weeks now) OOPS! I figured I should get these posted before we have our next ultra sound-this Monday. :) You can't tell much from these pictures but what you can tell is that it's definately a human and there SO IS A GOD!!!! My favorite picture is the one that looks like "Wilby" is itching it's eyes. I just love that one. The tech had to pretty much jump on my stomach to wake up the tired one. It's just like it's mommy and daddy-loves to sleep. Rob was excited about seeing the baby but was so, very fascinated in the technology of the the whole thing. To think it's just sound waves creating these images. Here's some reality for ya-these pictures are pretty much life size if you can believe that. THERE IS A GOD!!!!!! AMEN.

Trip to England

Rob and I had the privilege to visit his parents, in London, back in May. We had the best time. We saw so many things and had a great time of fellowship with his mom and dad.

This is my proud husband giving a "cheers" at the "Eagle and Child". This was the pub that the inklings(C.S. Lewis and his fellow writers)once found as their meeting place.

I had to be the typical tourist and get a shot of one of the famous, telephone booths.
"Look kids, Big Ben"

This is the amazing Westminster Abby. Rob was like a little kid getting all kinds of shots of the detailed architecture.
The above picture is one of the many chapels in Oxford. I think Oxford was one of my favorite places we visited. I felt like I was in a movie. The gardens were all so beautiful, the architecture grand and it was just plain romantic.

Windsor Castle was an educational experience. We saw the changing of the guard, the breath taking chapel and part of the Queens residence. If you look carefully you can see the flag raised high-the flag meaning that we were in the Queens presence that day.
This picture does not give the English country side justice. We drove out to the country side one day and I felt like I was on the set of "Holiday". There were yellow fields for miles and miles and then we would come to a quaint little village with a few pubs and a church. This pattern kept going and going. I wanted to just stop and soak it all in.

My New Pregnant Hair-cut

Yes, that's right!!! I got a new hair -do and no, I didn't get it cut at "Cuts-Plus". We are 11 weeks along and so excited/nervous.

Birthday Music

So, it was worth turning 34. My thoughtful husband did great this birthday. He presented me with some great music....some of the best music my ears have heard in awhile. If you like fun, quirky music, the "Juno"soundtrack is for you. The movie and the soundtrack make me laugh outloud. If you like meaningful, moody music then the "Once" soundtrack is for you. Beautiful movie, beautiful music. Bravo to my husband and his great, gift giving ability.

Cuteness

I just recently had an opportunity to visit my brother and his family. I had so much fun. I miss them so much. I so wish God had it in His plans to have us closer to each other on the map. I had so much fun playing with my nephews. It was the first time I had seen the 3rd little cutie. They are such well behaved little boys. Their parents have done a great job. I loved playing with the three boys but my favorite part of my trip was the sweet time I had with my brother. I could sit and talk with him for days. I love you brother. It was a great trip.

St. Louis Seasons

I love the St. Louis seasons. There's just something to be said about the midwest and the variety of the seasons. I could do without the summers but other than that no complaints here. Each season feels like a gift from God. God brings me fall to enjoy the array of color on His paint brush. He brings me winter to drink in His Peace while everything is so still and quiet. I can also delight in a couple of snow days here and there. After winter comes bursting forth Spring, where His glory is loud and clear. Our backyard is so full of life in the Srping. Flowers will be everywhere because of our hard working landlord. We can't wait to light up the grill and have friends over. God, I thank you for the seasons and your creativity. God, I thank you for the seasons in the life you've given me. Sometimes I complain about some of those seasons you've given me but all of them are in your great timing. I've grown with every season and am pleasantly surprised when the next season comes along. Each season draws me closer to my maker. Sometimes it's the standing in awe of vast colors of the trees on our street or finding beauty in the diversity of relationships you've given me. Sometimes it's stopping to notice the hush and silence of the snow, blanketed city or just realizing that sometimes you are really talking in those silent times of my life. Sometimes it's marveling in the overpowering aroma coming from the rose bush in the backyard or just stopping and taking time to take in the fragrances of God that are all around me. There is trully a time and reason for all seasons.