VFamilyCaliVacation

Hello lovelies! 

If any of you follow me on social media (@xxooMrsV) then you know our little family is currently on VACATION! We flew to Northern California on Saturday and we will be here for 2 weeks! 

We are visiting family and places we haven't been in awhile. We are with my sister right now but starting tomorrow we will be traveling and stopping to see different family. Introducing Seth to everyone and having fun! We haven't been here in three long years -- we have missed California! 

I am going to try to blog {more} about all the fun stuff we are doing but make sure to check out my twitter and Instagram to see it too! @xxooMrsV #VFamilyCaliVacation 

Seth did so well on the planes! We had two flights and jumped ahead two hours!!! Seth slept pretty much the entire time. We had a three hour layover in Phoenix, Arizona and that was awful! All Seth wanted to do was crawl and play. After about ten minutes and three tantrums we were those parents and let him crawl on the nasty floor. We wipesd him down (and his toy) before we got back on the plane though. 

My birthday is on Thursday (May 8) but we won't be with my sister so she threw me a birthday dinner. We had chicken Alfredo lasagna and then spaghetti with meatballs. For dessert she made my favorite - tiramisu! Mmm! 

My younger brothers (who are twins) came too! It was such a great time! 

Martin and I went on a hunt for a pack n play and a high chair for Seth on Monday. We did not find one! We went to the town I grew up in and the local coffee shop was open so we HAD to stop and get a vanilla chai. Mmmm! Nowhere has Chais like coffee station. I savored every sip since I don't know when I will get it again! 

We are having a great time and trying to adjust to the time change and all the changes for Seth. It's a lot harder having "vacation" with an infant. But we are excited for more family to meet him and to see more places. 

It's going to be HARD to go back to the Midwest after this trip. 

Vanilla chais, lots of naps, and love. - Mrs. V

From one mom to another

My handsome boy is 8 months old now. 

What an incredible, exhausting, and rewarding journey this has been so far. 

Being a mother is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life so far. 

Meeting my son's basic needs is not even the half of it. 

He is constantly changing and growing. Expanding and exploring. My child is experiencing and persevering. He is finding his limits and noticing his surroundings. What worked last month {to make him sleep, laugh, calm down, stay still, etc...) might not work now or next month. He is andventurerer. 

And somehow, I, as imperfect as I am, am supposed to help him, nurture him, protect him, and cultivate him. 

I am also learning and growing. Expanding and being stretched. Being Pushed to my limits and back again. Doing things I couldn't believe I could do. 

Like ....

Going without sleep. 

Putting his needs above my own. 

Feeling overwhelmed. 

Smiling at small moments. 

Wishing to pause time. 

And at some instances wishing to fast forward (teething, anyone?).

Before I was pregnant I imagined what kind of mother I would be. 

Gracious.

Patient.

Involved. 

I pictured how I would react and how I would raise this little prince. 

I took all those expectations... And threw them out the window! Very early on in my son's life I was being choked by this perception of what motherhood is. 

Now... My prayer daily is that I would parent my amazing son in a way that gives God glory. And I thank Him for new grace. New joy. Every single morning. 

And at times I fail. Sometimes I cry. Certain days I have no idea what I'm doing! Sometimes I fall short. And I know I will again. 

But this is motherhood. 

The small moments. The giggles. The obstacles. The tantrums. The smiles. The moments between NapTime and play time. The new accomplishments and the mundane daily activities. 

We are all growing and learning, mamas. 

So have grace for yourself, sweet friends.

Bath times, teething toys, and love. - Monica

 

Dear Seth

Dear Seth, 

I am still in shock that you are about to be 3 months old! You are now laughing, smiling, and talking. You have discovered your hands and love to grab your daddy's face. You cannot poop, fart, or burp without one of us clapping and smiling. You are already so curious and try to pay attention to everything going on around you. 

You delight us. 

We have tried to implement a nighttime routine with you with bath time, lotion, and nightly prayers. We all sleep a little better after time with The Lord. My hope is that you won't have one memory or going to sleep without our nightly prayers in them. 

Seth, I pray that I can be the mommy you need. My biggest prayer is that The Lord will teach me and guide me along this road as a new mom. I want to LEAD you, son. Not so that you will follow "my religion", or so that you "don't get into trouble". But so that you will know FIRST HAND the power, grace, and love of The Lord. Of all my hopes and dreams for you, that is the most important one to me. 

Even now as you lay next to me and start to drift asleep I pray that Holy Spirit will encounter you. 

You are a mighty man of valor, Seth. 

I love you so much! 

Forever, Mommy

Baby V is here!!!!

Well it has been a crazy few weeks for sure!!! 

My aunt came to town, I went into labor, and baby v was born! 

Yup, Seth Jason is here!!!!! My heart is exploding with love for this boy. 

I had been feeling increasingly uncomfortable - I felt stretched to the max. 

I started feeling some light contractions in the end of July but they were not that painful at all. We picked up my aunt on July 25th and I was more then ready for baby v to come! He had different plans though. The night of Wednesday, July 31 I started having stronger contractions that I could time and I was getting excited!!! I didn't sleep that night - part nerves and part breathing through the pain. Thursday (my due day) we went out of town to go to target and out to lunch. I thought the walking would help really kick start my labor. That night I felt like the contractions were very strong and close enough together to go to the hospital. I was wrong and was sent home since I hadn't progressed enough. Thursday night (when we got home) I felt the worse pain I had ever felt! My poor husband didn't know how to help me... But I am so blessed I have him. He tried to help me breathe through the pain and even drew me a bath (which was the only thing that helped with the pain). Friday at noon I decided to go back to the hospital and this time they kept me (yay!). We were there all day and by 2am Saturday we thought Seth was going to be born. Seth had other plans. 

Seth was posterior (facing the wrong way) and was stuck on my pelvic none. 

At 3:08am on August 3, 2013 Seth Jason was born via c section. He weighed 10 lbs 3 oz and was 22.5 inches long. 

It has been six days and I am falling even more in love every day! Martin has totally bonded with his son and is always in awe of him. 

I am recovering from the c section nicely and although I did lose some blood and needed a small transfusion, I am healing nicely. {praise God} 

Now we are adjusting to life with a newborn and loving every moment! 

Thank you Lord for entrusting Martin and I with the beautiful responsibility of parenting this little boy. I praise you that Seth is fearfully and wonderfully made and that he has hope and a future. You are such a good God and every time I look at this precious face I am once again reminded of your goodness. I pray that I never forget this and that each day I will see the opportunities to love extravagantly and represent You. I am humbled by you, Lord. Once again I thank you! I love you Lord. In Jesus Name Amen! 

Newborn snuggles, sweet husbands, and love. - Monica