Confessions of a New Mother

Sometimes, as a parent, things go just as you plan. Most of the time you just plan for something that's not planned to happen.

First of all, it is true that The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. To me, there is nothing better than getting together with friends or family (or both) and firing up the grill, cutting open a huge juicy watermelon, jumping into your suit for a swim (to cool down), and ending the day with everyone plopped on a hood of a car or some lawn chairs for a ridiculously loud but beautiful display of life-threatening pyrotechnics. My heart fills with patriotism and gratitude that God has blessed us so much! Yes, it is wonderful.

Naturally I had planned for this, Brendan's first 4th, to be brilliant. We made a first swimming pool attempt, which was a few paces off of "relaxing". My little man is probably the most adorable thing to ever grace swimming trunks... which makes any hassle worth it... nonetheless... I might have had my heart set on soaking up a few extra skin-damaging rays.

Our grand finale was going to be Sparks in the Park, but as our day grew to a close I realized that Brendan (having had a cold this week) probably should be home for bed rather than out enjoying the perfectly firework-smoked air well beyond bedtime. This brought great sadness to my anticipating heart.

As I was about to put Brendan into bed my mind slipped back to memories of barbeque's, roman candle wars, loud music (played by Derek in the front yard), and more people than I could count making their way in and out of the pool. God must have decided that I needed a little help, because at that moment I heard it... fireworks outside of our house! Yes, my heart leapt a little as I grabbed our blanket, Brendan, and Jordan and yanked them outside onto the lawn so we could watch. All hope was restored. I didn't care that how small it was, B got to see his first fireworks on his first 4th.

The truth is, every time I watch Brendan's face light up has he experiences something new I forget about all the sacrifices we have to make. Someday it will be our yard that is filled with friends and me who is NOT allowing the roman candle wars (... you knew about that, right mom?).

1000 Words X 18

So they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and since I am so far behind on posting blogs, this will be a picture blog so that I may catch up without spending two hours typing... because the last month has been VERY busy. So enjoy! Our little lamb is growing so fast!

In May we made our way to Destin where we met some of Jordan's family for a little vacation. This is a picture of Brendan's first day on the beach.

Brendan and I on the balcony.

Jordan and Bredan enjoying a little breeze.

Jordan and Jordan

Mama T and Erin

After we returned it was time to finish getting ready for Vacation Bible School- The Boomerang Express, which Jordan and I directed. We had so much fun and the "kidaroos" did too!

Jordan and I looking a little worn out in the middle of the week

Brendan and Daddy

For Father's Day we went to Shreveport where we had a wonderful time celebrating with Tom, Elizabeth, and Mimi A

The Lewis Fam

The Boys

Brendan zonked out for the ride back to Texarkana

On Sunday we went to eat at Smokey Joe's for Father's Day and then some close friends from church invited us over to have cake (for Caleb's birthday). While we were there his mother, Cathy, GAVE us this beautiful dining room set! She had just put a new one in at her house and was looking for a home for this one :)

These are some cupcakes I got to make for a friend for National Knit in Public Day

When I have time I get to attend a knitting club called "The Oooh-la-la Knit Cafe". They recently invited some young girls to learn how to knit, so we made these bags for them and filled them with yarn and such

At church we're starting a new ciriculum called "Jorney with Jesus". I've been working on decorating the Children's Church room and this is one of the large posters I painted for them

This is a random last picture, but I had to share my joy. A while back a man showed up at our door and offered to trim our hedges and mow our lawn. Being the busy parents we are we happily acquiesed to his request. Our house has never looked so good! He made the hedges all the right shapes and there is actually space between them and the house! Yey :)

For the First Time, a Father

Sunday was my First Father's Day. Of all the new experiences I have had these past few years, being a father on Father's Day was the most unusual. It was like having another birthday.

So far, being a good father mostly involves doing the best I can to help my son grow mentally, physically, and spiritually. Whether that means shielding him from "bad" things, considering the long term effects of certain practices, making sure he gets an opportunity to learn new things, or just spending time with him, fatherhood is simply the art of loving in 3 dimensions. The love of a father is one of a friend, of a protector, and of God: it has no limits or conditions, it fights fiercely for its own, and it is completely authentic.

I know that my role as a father will change. I cannot fathom it not taking on some new form as Brendan grows into himself, develops the ability to reason for himself, and accrues his own array of experiences. But I believe that the loving can not change. I think that's what Father's Day is really about - a celebration of each man who answers the call to a lifetime of sacrificial love.

Too Much for One Blog

I have to share this first, because I am so excited! We had Brendan's pictures taken while he and I were visiting Lubbock. They are so amazing! These are a few from the "sneak peak". Denae, my youth pastor's daughter, took them... she is a very gifted photographer!





It has been almost a month since I posted a blog and there's almost too much info to shove into this one... but I'm going to try :)

This Mother's Day was a very special first. I have found more joy in being a mother than I ever thought possible.

The day before Mother's Day I was informally adopted for a mother-daughter tea by my friends Cathy and her daughter-in-law Lindsey. It was a blessing to have a stand-in with my own mother so far away.

Then of course, it was time for my own entry into Mother's Day. Brendan and I enjoyed breakfast in bed (he did the eating, of course); Jordan shocked me with a beautiful sapphire and diamond heart necklace; Tom bought beautiful pink roses, that smelled heavenly, even weeks later; and Papa and Toddy (Alton and Terri) sent me M is for Mom: A Child's Alphabet.

On Tuesday Nana arrived from Lubbock, and we caught up on our belated Mother's Day celebration while Jordan was in Nebraska on a business trip. She got me some beautiful beads for my Pandora charm bracelet. For Nana, B and I designed a customized calendar with pictures of our growing family.

Then Friday, Nana, Brendan, and I flew into Lubbock for a week. One of my best friends Robyn and her daughter Macy were in town to visit as well. For Brendan's seven-month celebration (or at least that was the excuse we used for a party) several more of my friends from high school came over to my parents' house. We had a really good time watching home videos from when we were little, and watching our children play together.

On several occasions, we ladies slipped out after our young ones were tucked in bed for some coffee a la Starbucks. The entire week was very special. I feel like Brendan grew up overnight while we were there. He cut his first tooth, and is now sitting up and rolling over like a champ.

Today we journeyed home. Brendan, now a seasoned traveler, fell asleep as we landed on the runway. By the way - Praise Baby on the DVD player is now a must-have for the Lewis Family on-the-go.

We made it back to Texarkana in the evening, and rescued Jordan from his forced bachelorhood. He spent the entire night showering us both in hugs and kisses. Brendan giggled to see Sasha again. I agree - it's good to be home.

This coming Wednesday we will be flying off into the sunset once again. Destin will be our destination, where we'll be meeting Jordan's parents! We are all excited to be getting away together, as a family :)

Six Months

Brendan has hit the half way mark to one year! We went to his six month well visit last week and I was pretty surprised to hear how much my boy has grown. He is in the 70th percentile at 18.5 pounds and in the 90th percentile at 29 inches! He handled his shots like a champ... far better than his mother handles them. A few tears, a dose or two of Tylenol, and all was well.


I love discovering new things about Brendan. He is always changing and growing, I can hardly keep up. Most of all, he is always observing the world around him. He always has and still is pretty content to sit and study what Sasha (our cat) is doing, watch Jordan as he comes in from work, or just study his own fingers and how they open and close. Sitting up alone is just around the corner. I still have to keep a hand close by lest he topple backwards or to one side after a while. His toes often lore his attention to the floor, so much that he ends up falling forward into his not so beloved tummy position (still not keen on tummy time). Our conversations with one another are becoming less one-sided. He especially likes to talk and giggle at me while he's on the changing table. His giggle is so cute! I melt every time he pushes those cheeks out of the way for a smile.

Brendan went ape for prunes! He also likes sweet potatoes.

We love going on walks

Love This!

Jordan surprised me with the coolest gift!

I had to take a picture to share with all of you:

Just Pictures

Little Bunny

Big Bunny

Huge Bunny! "Me an' dis bunny are mates."

Our first Easter Together
This was last year, I was in mommy's tummy then.