"da-da"

We had a WONDERFUL weekend enjoying Darryl being home! He slept lots, played lots with the babies, and helped me lots. We are so blessed! On Friday I worked with Caleb ALL day to say "da-da", of course we have been working on it for months...but I kept showing him pictures of Darryl and asking "who's that?" So when Darryl got home...SURPRISEEEEEE "da-da" came out of Caleb's mouth along with a big grin from both boys! Happy Day!

So to celebrate here are 5 fun facts about our "man-child/man-cub"

1. He likes to sleep with TWO, not one, but TWO pacis.
2. Caleb loves to love on his little brother
3. He loves to wave at everyTHING/one
4. He has never met a stranger, and has quite a personality...a happy one
5. He is sooo loud and busy...you have no idea!

Finances

So as many people know...we are living on a small budget. Last month we started doing cash only, (because we admire my sister and brother-in-law for doing it so well)! So I just have to brag that we completed the month successfully! We only used our debit card or checks to pay set bills...phones, mortgage etc. Our budget was set on a conservative figure of what Darryl will be making as a 1st year resident/what we have now. Granted last month we were blessed immensely with friends and family buying groceries, making meals, giving us diapers etc...so we will see how this month goes! Here's to saving money!

On another note...this is what I've been waking up to each morning...LOVE

Good Enough

I am daily reminded how inadequate I am as mother...I lose my patience with Jonah at night feedings when he refuses to fall back asleep instead of embracing that time with just him, no Caleb interruptions, I lose my patience with Caleb when he refuses to listen to or me or when he is showing his new found skill--temper tantrums, I let Caleb watch tv -- simply because I am so tired...the list goes on...
BUT - THANK GOD - God does not require or expect perfection...just "good enough." So what do I feel is what God requires of me to be "good enough"?

"Simple"...2 things...

1. Seek Wisdom
"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." -Prov 14:1
What does this mean to me? Constantly, throughout the day, I must turn to God for wisdom and guidance - and HE will provide me with the grace necessary to mother well.

2. Love my kiddos
Jesus replied "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. -Matt 22:37-40
"his love expressed through me will cover many parenting mistakes."

So while "good enough" sounds like settling at first...it really isn't. I must acknowledge, and let my kids know that I am not God, and will never be -- all-sufficient, all-knowing, ever-present -- to them.
God has not called me to be perfect. So if I do what is "good enough" for him, its "good enough" for me.

Blessings,
M

Photos from Jonah's baptism by Matthew:
sorry for the small photos...couldnt get photobucket to work...

LOVING having our cousin back!

Caleb compassionately being Liam's paci

Children

“Children are the most important possession parents are entrusted with”

"Being a father or a mother is not simply a matter of bringing children into the world. The capacity for generation, which is a share in the creative power of God, is meant to have a continuation. Parents are called to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the development of their children into men and women who will be authentic Christians.
The parents are the first persons responsible for the education of their children, in human as well as in spiritual matters. They should be conscious of the extent of their responsibility. To fulfill it, they need prudence, understanding, a capacity to love and a concern for giving good example."

Thats a lot of pressure if you ask me!!

5 Fun Facts:

1. I love to sew! You should check out my etsy site...I am having a sale! enter coupon code 30off for 30% off http://www.etsy.com/shop/madelineblalock?ref=ss_profile

2. Caleb is still taking 2 1.5-2hr naps a day -- WOHOO

3. I *hate* having dirty floors...but it has become a way of life with little ones

4. I love it when my hubby puts his arm around me...especially at mass for some reason

5. Jonah loves to be cuddled = happy mom!

Blessings, M

Enjoy these photos taking by my amazing bro-in-law!

New Baby!

Yep! We have a new baby! He is perfect in every way! God blessed us with little Jonah on July 6, at 1157am. Everything went well, we are all home and happy and healthy...well Caleb is starting to get a little jealous...but other than that!
Even though it has not been that long I forgot how little they are, and their sweet little noises, and precious cuddles...mmmm
But I also love Caleb's big boy laughs, little feet running around our house, playing chase, swimming in the pool, and watching him sign to me.
Life is busy! It is quite an adjustment...I am still working on it. What to do with Caleb while I nurse Jonah...so far the "baby jail" is working ok, and he is watching a lot more veggie tales...I feel bad, but don't really have much of choice (unless someone out there has suggestions!!!). I am trying to give Caleb special attention while Jonah is sleeping -- reading lots of books, playing in the backyard, etc...
I enjoyed having my mom here for a week! It was so nice to sleep in (she would watch C), have meals cooked and cleaned for me, and be spoiled in general...moms are so wonderful, and I am pretty sure I have the best! I had a little bit of a break down when she left yesterday, but I know that God will provide!
Courtney, Matthew, and Liam are coming into town this weekend! WOHOO! Plus, Caleb loves his cousin so that will be good for him!



compare that to C's first bath http://theblalocksblessings.blogspot.com/2011/06/babes.html










Blessings,
M
ps- today was Jonah's due date!

Babes...

Well,
We went to see the Dr. this am (who, by the way I LOVE!!! she is just wonderful!). She has scheduled my induction for July 8, 0600...if he doesn't come on his own before then, and as long as my blood pressure continues to cooperate. We will be 39 weeks that day. So say some prayers!

Since Jonah is coming soon I thought I would remind myself, and everyone else...how tiny they really are









Yes, we are excited...nervous, but excited! I would be lying if i said I wasn't worried. Worried about the delivery, worried about the baby, worried about being able to be a good mom to TWO precious blessings, worried about being a good wife too...BUT I have to remind myself that God would not have given us this miracle without the help, support, love, and ability to care for it!

On another note, well maybe not so "other", I just finished reading "The Handbook for Catholic Moms" by Lisa M. Hendey...great read and I will share a few likes:

-She discussed how we often say "look what your son has done" or think "wait until your father gets home". (*side note, the author this book is married to and ER MD, and they were married through residency etc...so I guess I feel some sort of connection here...) Her husband explained to her that his time with his children was so limited and he didn't want to walk in the door and immediately discipline his baby. He wanted to get down on the floor and play, do anything to light up the eyes and smile his precious boy...I have to remember this too! Not that I will be the only "bad guy" but just not to save it all up for Darryl.

-Blessed Mother Teresa "It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters." She reminds us that this is the attitude we need when there is ANOTHER pile of laundry, or dishes, or ANOTHER meal to cook etc...
"We all want to know that we are doing a good job. In a mother's work, however, there are no performance appraisals or merit pay increases. We're in it for the long haul, and its likely that we will not see for many years the end result of all our efforts." So as I do each of these things I try to remember to pray, pray in Thanksgiving that we have a precious family to clothe, that we have mouths to feed and food to feed them, as I am ironing Darryl's work clothes I pray for him, that he will listen to God's call and follow it, that he will have the strength he needs to guide our family and as I am picking up Caleb's toys, or cleaning his high chair AGAIN, I pray that God will keep him safe and hold him in his loving arms, that Caleb will learn to love Christ, and be an example to others, and THROUGHOUT the day, I pray that God will give me strength and grace to do all he has called me to do!

I can't go into everything I learned in this book...just read it!
But I will leave you with a request...please pray for me! I learned many new patron saints from the book pick one (or 2 ;-) of the following who are patron saints of pregnant women, mothers, infants & babies...
*St. Anne (mothers, housewives, pregnant women, women in labor)
*St. Anthony of Padua (pregnant women)
*St. Brigid of Ireland (infants & babies)
*St. Elizabeth (expectant mothers, pregnant women)
*St. Gerard Majella (pregnant women, pro-life movement, unborn children)
*St. Gianna Beretta Molla (pregnant women)

Sorry for the long post!
Blessings,
M

sorry

Sorry about the pics...no time to fix now...caleb is getting ready for bed! check them out on FB! =)