Life Updates

As many of you know, we have been in a constant state of transition around here.  I'm thankful that my husband and I could both be described as flexible and laid back.  If this wasn't a normal trait for either of us, I think the last 6 months would of been a lot harder than they have been.


Jobs
I moved to a 10 hour a week part time position in my office in January of this year.  This was a big move from working full-time for the last four years in the same office.  May 1st of this year marked my official last day of my part time position.  It was a sad day and honestly, I mostly just felt like I was going on vacation and I would be back.  God had other plans though as I think my stay at home status is going to stick for sometime now.  Rick has been working 2 jobs consistently since February.  He was employed by our local First Student as a sub bus driver for our school district which meant crazy and random hours and early mornings.  Rick has also been working part time at a church since September and recently he started another part time position in which he gets to use his writing skills at a Hillsboro-based company called MyBinding.com.  Since the bus driving just ended Rick is now working the two part time position which makes for a much simpler schedule.  


House and home
We are sad at the decision to move but feel like this is a great opportunity for us.  We are moving to Portland at the end of this month.  We have LOVED Newberg and hope to possibly end up here again in another year but for now we have decided to live with family for a short period of time to try and save up money fast.  We have been on a quest to buy a house and have encountered a few roadblocks and realized it would be another 6 -12 months before we could buy so we are using that time to save save save.  We are extremely thankful to Dodgie who is so graciously taking in a family of 3/almost 4.


Ariy
Ariy is a full on toddler now as he is walking and starting to talk and show more emotions.  We recently got back from a 2 week vacation to visit college friends out east.  Ariy did so well and we had so much fun with old friends and meeting their kiddos.  Ariy has definitely been in a slight depression since returning home and having to go back to playing with just Mommy and Daddy.  As for becoming a big brother, I think he is excited but time will tell.


Baby #2
On Thursday I had my first prenatal appointment which was a bit later than when I went with Ariy.  I am at least 10.5 weeks along if now further.  My midwife did a little wand thing on my belly to see if we could hear a heartbeat but she said at 10 weeks we really shouldn't.  Well that baby was up higher than expected and we heard a heartbeat loud and clear.  Since the dating is not exact, I will have a dating ultrasound this Wednesday which I think is a pretty great Birthday present.  I think we were all a little in shock when I realized I was prego but at this point, we are all excited (and hoping for a girl).  

Ariy's got an announcement

 

A year in pictures (4 month to come)

                                         

                                         

Let me eat my cake.

Yesterday was Ariy's one year birthday and we had a LOT of fun. Highlights to come soon but I'm sure his favorite was when he got his first piece of chocolate cake ever.

 

 

364 days in my new job

Tomorrow marks Ariy's one year birthday. I have been thinking about the post I would like to do about and for him but I also have been thinking about the fact that I have now been a mom for almost 1 year. I am shocked honestly when I say that out loud.

I don't know if I have fully taken on my identity as a mom. I mean, I love Ariy so much and wouldn't change a thing but sometimes when I am away from him or when I go to get him from his nap, I think "wo, he is mine. Forever.". It's hard to wrap your mind around.

I think one misconception I had was that I would feel very different and ignorantly I thought I would be more complete. I had what most have when it comes to getting married; I thought Ariy would make me understand myself more. To the contrary, I have only felt those holes, insecurities and all the baggage I carry behind me become more noticeable than ever. Thankfully, Ariy pushes me to surrender those things and pursue wholeness in hopes of being the best mom I can be. I have started making steps in directions I really needed to take and have noticed so much change already.

I am a messy mom. Or maybe, I am a mom who doesn't mind mess. Ariy has fully entered tornado stage. He moves through the house with an unbelievable skill to make everything end up on the floor, in piles, dirty, and sticky. I am the Mom that mostly ignores it or becomes a twin tornado next to him. Daddy is not sure how he is liking living with two tornados.

I thrive when I am "fed.". Generally speaking, I mean socially fed but also vocationally. I need to build friendships and to get to know people. I have enjoyed pursuing friendships since being a mom. It it does take intentionality. I also notice myself feeling very insecure about how to navigate friendships now being a mom. Sometimes I can't hangout alone. Will they mind having a baby around? When I get the chance to go out on my own, will my other mommy friends want to get out too or would they be offended to know I was going out alone?! I am a better mom and wife when I get my time; whether that's working, going to a coffee shop or hanging out with friends. This is important for me and I am thankful for the family that make this possible.

I'm still every bit me. I am quirky, I love colors, I eat too much junk food but I love health, I love people, I'm deeply insecure but working on it, I enjoy working hard, I am messy, I like to laugh and I love reality singing competitions. This was all true before ariy and still true now. I am beginning to embrace the fact that I get to be my strange self and raise my child. I will love learning about his oddities and embracing the many uniqueness he has.

I love being a mom. I am very blessed. My hope for year 2 is to really embrace the title of mom. Own it. I am a mom and hear me roar or something like that. I also hope to continue to work towards wholeness realizing that I will always be me.

 

 

 

My super spiritual son

Ariy is 9 days away from being 1 years old however, he has already celebrated 2 Easters. Last year we were able come leave the hospital on Saturday afternoon, the day before Easter. I have very fond memories of our time celebrating last year. We had close family over and celebrated by holding a just days old baby. This year, we were able to attend church and have the same family over to celebrate once again. This time Ariy was moving around, enjoying his fans that have been such an important part of his life this past year.

I am really enjoying this phase of life right now. I am enjoying how much Ariy is a sponge and is learning so much every day. I am enjoying my job and new role at work simply allowing me to be support. I am thankful for a new bible study that is growing me one daily basis and thankful for a friend who is just as excited about it as I am. I am optimistic and dreaming big about Lara and my recent business venture. I often feel like Easter comes and goes and despite all my best intentions to meditate and be thankful for the freedom and life Jesus has allowed us to live, I somehow just let it pass by with one short prayer. This year I feel a bit different. I feel like I am starting to understand (again maybe) how to live life to the fullest and Easter was an amazing reminder of who to be thankful for for that gift. There is freedom in Christ.

 

11 months and finally mobile

This last month has been a bit of a whirlwind. We attempted to travel back to Massachusetts and as much as I hoped it to be a grand and full trip it was one of the hardest times we have had. Ariy either suffered from bad anxiety or he caught a virus on the plane ride out. The next day he had his first fever and never really recovered. He was not himself for a good 5 days...lots of tears and a constant need to have mommy right by his side at all times. This meant no sleep for mommy for a good week. He was happy to see daddy when Rick got out but by that time we had caught a cold and all three of us were sick. Needless to say we are glad to be back in Oregon and hope our next trip is a little ore productive. I was very sad that I only saw a very small handful of people and hope Ariy can meet more friends and family next time (or maybe when they come out here).

While we were away ariy seemed to be right on the cusp of learning handful of new things. Since coming home everyday he masters a new skill. It has been a lot of fun to interact and figure out all that he understands.

• Waves hi and bye to people. He is still very social and loves people and kids and dogs.
• Has said words like mama, dada, baba, etc.
• Bounces when you ask what a Kangaroo does.
• Opens his mouth and does his version of a roar when you ask what a lion does.
• Crawls! Finally. He also can get around pretty well nice he is standing and holding onto something.
• He is a climber.
• He has signed his first word.... Can you guess? FOOD
• He knows what bath, nap time, diaper, outside and no means.

He generally is a pretty happy guy who loves to be busy, explore the whole house, go outside, smile and wave at people, and play guitar...yes, he loves guitar.

Like every mom says, I can't believe I will have a one year old next month. Wow!