I used to think that the first month with a new baby would be the hardest time (for me) in my children's early development. I'm starting to think that this idea was wrong because, you see, we have officially entered what most label as "the terrible twos". I'm not sure I like that phrase because it's not terrible, it's just terribly hard. Although I may be frustrated and teary because of the new challenges my toddler is presenting, I also would not wish any other stage of development on him. We are experiencing this new phase just like every other parent before us. But, still... I don't think I ever understood how hard it would be until now!

Most of our challenges began a week or so after we introduced Judah to his big boy bed. He slept in it wonderfully for the first few days. Then, without any warning, he was all "I'm going to get out of this bed for no other reason than that I CAN." Needless to say, he has not been impressed with our insistence that he stay in bed when we put him down. Then it becomes a battle of who will give up first. Hooo boy, do I ever have to pray for grace to handle these situations. It's not really that productive to start screaming and crying and flailing right back at my screaming and crying and flailing toddler, is it? Now that he can decide (in theory) when he goes to bed, he's convinced he can decide on other important things, i.e. when he has snack, how many bowls of cheerios he consumes, what surfaces are suitable for colouring on, etc. 

Along with this new attitude Judah's been developing has come a bit of a language explosion. He's stringing words together now... but not in sentence (or even mini-sentence) form. Example:

        Up? Pants? Bus? Coffee? Uuuuuuuuup? 

        Or, my favourite, "Sheep? Puppy-horsey-cow? 

It's nice that he's trying harder to communicate, but it can also lead to even more frustration when I can't understand what he's saying. He's all "I'm telling you exactly what I want!" and I'm all "But I don't know what you're saying!" Cue tears. And other tantrum-y manifestations.

Like right now. He was on my lap a moment ago, trying to press buttons, whining because I won't let him drink my coffee. So I put him down. Now he is kind of in a tizzy because he's not exactly where he wants to be at this moment in time. How about a compromise? I say to him, "Judah, if you come up here, no pressing buttons." He replies with "No buns." And now he's sitting happily on my lap, playing with a toy while I type this. Which is what he was refusing to do before. Le sigh. 

Every day I am discovering anew how desperately I need to cling to Christ. The worshipful Psalms have been of great comfort to me. They help to get me out of the fog of the present circumstances and focus my mind on Him who holds all things in His hands. Worshiping God in the midst of turmoil (although I am very aware that this "turmoil" is nothing like that which those being persecuted for their faith experience) allows me to look at my screaming toddler with love rather than indignation. I need Christ. I need His blood to cover my sins. I need grace to face the day, every day.

I knew I would learn things while being a mother, but I think I underestimated just how eternally valuable these things would be.

little bundle

wordless wednesday

my hand soap soapbox

If you're like me, washing your hands is something you do 1,766,049 times a day (change baby #1. Wash hands. Change baby #2. Wash hands. Go to washroom. Wash hands. Repeat.). If you're like me, it's kind of important to you to have a wonderful smelling soap to make the task seem less... redundant. If you're like me, buying pricey soaps is something you feel kind of guilty doing. 

Well! Have I got the solution for you! The next time you are at Bath and Body Works, or hear that bottle of Method calling your name from the shelf, consider buying two bottles of your favourite scent: one foaming soap version, and one liquid soap version (if you already have a foaming dispenser of any kind, you can just purchase the latter). Take time to thoroughly enjoy your foaming soap while it lasts, and weep not when it's all gone. Simply pour one tablespoon of the liquid soap into the empty foaming dispenser and fill it up with warm-ish water. You will be pleasantly surprised to find out that it's exactly the same thing. Kinda silly, when you realize that you paid the same price for the foam soap as you did for the liquid soap. But, hey! At least you get to enjoy that Vanilla Bean Noel for ages to come - for a fraction of the price!

Just thought I'd share this simple little thing that has made my day a little happier than it was before. 

undeniably, remarkably, supernaturally blessed

Sorry for the silence. It’s just been one of those weeks…

• the camera has been dead for days and I haven’t charged it
• at one point I was certain that Judah had Chicken Pox (don’t ask)
• Benjamin learned to screech whenever he wants attention. No more little lamb cry.
• we discovered that Benjamin is too long in the torso for his car seat (especial with winter bundling and a cloth diaper) which contributed to the world’s most shrill screaming fit right before we left for church yesterday
• Judah has perfected the art of tantrum-ing. His appetite that was lost from his early week sickness is most definitely back. With a vengeance. If you don’t give me food now I will throwmyselfdownandscreamscreamscreamandscreamsomemore!
• He has also severely grated Mommy’s nerves with the never-ending whining that just gets higher and higher in pitch the longer she doesn’t acquiesce to his request. Cahyoooor? Cahyooooooooor? Cahyoooooooooooooor?!? (aka “colour”)

But it’s also been one of those strangely blessed weeks…

• Judah took to sleeping in his big boy bed remarkably well. We didn’t really try to accustom him to it. We just plopped him in, said good night, and that was that. He now knows how to get out of it, which hasn’t been too troublesome yet. It’s just strange to hear little feet running down the hall of their own accord in the early hours of the morning.
• As a result of the Screaming Fit To End All Screaming Fits yesterday, we stopped in at the local Walmart to peruse the car seats. We discovered a poorly distinguished sale for a 3-in-1 suitable for 5-80 pounds for… wait for it… $70 off! We feel extremely blessed to have been able to purchase something of a higher quality than we can usually afford.
• The snow we received on Friday is still here and is expected to whiten the ground until March. This pleases me, for, unlike many people I know, I love winter.
• Pastor Glenn’s sermon yesterday cut me to the quick. I had the most unbelievably selfish morning. I don’t think I’ve ever been so rotten. When Glenn got up there and started speaking about Jesus as revealed in the book of Revelation, I immediately knew that, had not my own sinful nature been exposed that morning, the ground of my heart would not have been prepared to receive that message. For the first time in… well, I can’t remember when, I did not want to leave that sanctuary. It was like Jesus was there, standing among us.

I am constantly looking for some perfected formula for my day-to-day life, and it can never be found in my own efforts. I wish it didn’t always take me so long to realize that I can come before the throne of Grace and ask for the strength I lack from the One who lacks nothing. I have a remarkable Saviour, a perfect and Holy God.

the big boy bed chronicles, v.1

Yesterday one of Joey's aunts dropped off a big boy bed for Judah. We set it up, somehow squeezing it into his tiny room along with his crib. He thought it was pretty cool, but more as a thing to occasionally climb onto and launch teddy bears from than a thing to sleep in. Today we went to town to purchase some necessary twin sheets and a comforter. We put very little thought into the pattern we chose, but when we got home it was discovered that Judah LOVED it. Oh, the giggles from that boy! He danced with glee as I made the bed and talked about just how cool his big boy bed was. When it was time for him to be tucked in, he ran to his crib, waiting to be picked up and placed in it for the night. I said, "Judah, which bed do you really want to sleep in?" and pointed to his crib, then to the new bed. He thought for a moment, laughed out loud, then ran to the bed. I figured it wouldn't hurt to try, so I tucked him in just like normal. 

That, my friends, was an hour ago. There has been nary a peep from that room since I closed the door. Perhaps his late-ish bedtime helped. Perhaps he forgot that he can actually climb out of bed. Whatever the case, this right here is one proud mama.

handmade for Christmas

I'm attempting to make as many things as I can for my boys for Christmas. This little mousey is for Benjamin (but don't tell him!). I must admit that it doesn't look quite like the picture in the pattern, But! It is unique and nostalgic and woolly - and it rattles! I think one arm is longer than the other. The ears don't sit straight. But it's perfect. Just how I wanted it.

Care to make this little friend for someone special? Click the picture for the link!

Have a good day, friends.