4 months and preparing to move

Our sweet Zoe is 4 months old today! It's only now that the early weeks feel like a blur and life feels like it's always been this way. This girl right here -- what a sanctification tool. I've always loved kids for as long as I can remember, but to be honest I've never really had to love them. And by that I mean consider and serve them above and before myself.

I remember while in St. Louis going to a weekend marriage class with Cam and only half listening during the "kids" section. Because really who listens to wisdom about things that don't apply to you yet? (Palm to face) I hope to get better at this -- to learn how to listen aside from my own gain. Any who I remember the couple talking about kids being takers and how they will always be takers. About how as a parent it is your job to give and give and give without expectations of receiving. This is so hard! Our little peapod continually reminds me of how much I really wish the world served me. I even said out loud to Cam this week, " I just want to stop everything and have zero responsibility". 

Honestly it's only now as I stop and reflect a little that I can say thank the Lord for being a Father who teaches through such beautiful means of grace. A God who chooses to teach me through the joys of being a parent. The frustrating cries of a nap ended too soon met with an enormous toothless grin because I enter the room. The annoyance of not comforting herself at a friends met with contentedness once she's a part of the action. The neediness of boredom with toys met by sweet chatting from my girl once I lay down beside her. A night of sleep interrupted by the babe who can't seem to quit ramming her head into her crib slats, met by instant sleep with a simple rub on her head. Though these situations are exhausting and so frustrating at the time, I hope to learn how to stop and treasure these teaching moments. To think outside of myself and remember that Zoe is doing way more than simply taking from me -- she is constantly giving her complete love and trust which alone are things I don't deserve. 

And as the title says, some projects before our move in just over a week!!

New stain on our table

Paint for Zoe's new dresser

The tool that allows me to mindlessly do all these projects

We've never had a hutch before! (Paint still drying)

The last two projects before we move:

Paint this dresser and get new hardware

Paint over these flowers and replace the hardware

A baby shower and Easter

Things around here are gearing up. Cam is studying all day for his ordination exams -- by the way, for a bragging moment, I'm amazed at how much he knows about Jesus and the Bible. He studies all day and most of our "us" time is spend quizzing him and laughing at some of the silly answers that come at the 10 o'clock hour.

Our Zo bird is growing and developing such an intricate personality. (I recognize every parent probably feels this way) She's been good to us -- the Lord's been good to us. She has this sweet sensitive side that I swear picks up on our emotional state. She knows when I'm happy and when I'm sad -- this amazes me. Overall she's pretty content unless she's sleepy -- then she really lets us know.

We took Zoe to her first non-scheduled appointment this week. She woke up at 2,4,6, and finally at 8 for the day and fussed the ENTIRE day. I would have bet money it was an ear infection -- nope. Ears were great... doctor said babies have adjustment issues during milestones -- cue Zoe rolling. 

I've been planning a shower for my sister-in-law for a couple months now (which means I started working on it a week before) I made a few no sew buntings to hang around the house, organized some food, and cleaned the best I could.

This little girl was a HUGE hit with all the relatives. She had more people loving on her than she knew what to do with.

All of the older ladies simultaneously loved these decorations and told me how much lemonade I could have made with all those lemons.

Kelly, Andrew, and their sweet babe were celebrated well into the night when we stood around a table in the beautiful weather eating low country boil.

Thankful to have married into this friend group.

Zoe loved sitting with her Aunt Kelly learning all about animal things. :)

And the classic first Easter picture. I love my little family. I'm thankful to celebrate the risen king and the many blessings I receive because he defeated death. 

3 Months and lots of pictures

When Cam and I got married my sweet friend painted a picture of "The Barn" so guests from our wedding could sign the edges. Cam and I decided then, that we wanted a painting that represents each place we live. Grandma Smith painted this from a lousy picture we gave her. It's amazing and floods me with memories of STL as I look at our first home together. I should note that we only lived in a tiny third story apartment of this house.

And now just a stream of pictures of the Zo-ster from the past couple weeks. Over the past month and really in the last two weeks, Zoe has started to develop a small bit of personality. Though I'm sure this will change and morph as she grows, it's neat to see now! 

She recognizes Cam and me now and looks to us for comfort. I noticed this when I brought her to the Doctor. As soon as our doctor started examining her, Zoe immediately looked around the room to find me. This weekend we had a ton of people in our home and though I'm sure she'll love being the center of attention some day, she looked for her daddy amidst the crowd.

I have a hunch we're going to have a sensitive little girl on our hands -- I can't quite explain it just yet, but time will tell. 

I do know she's growing! This little peanut head (40th percentile) was off the charts for her height! I love the tiny rolls she's accumulating as well.

Her babbling these days cracks me up. She just started this high pitch coo in the mornings when she's the happiest.

So far she's treated her parents well. This is the first week that she's really stealing our sleep. I think/hope it's just a growth spurt! I'm ready for the refreshed feeling after a babe has just slept the whole night through -- it's glorious!

I've enjoyed my time with her so far. Yesterday was the inaugural jog with our jogging stroller. Though it was only about 100 yards because I wasn't wearing the right gear, it made me long for runs as spring approaches. 

I love this quote from the chronicles of Narnia -- as Spring nears and Winter ends. What a beautiful longing...

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”