Dear Luke, 5 months

Dear Luke,

This month has been... rough. 

To begin with, you had your 4 month check- up with the doctor in which she poked you 5 times and gave you one oral vaccination.  You were brave and I cried longer than you did.  FYI- this is just one of the many things I'll do that you'll find embarrassing.

You started teething this month.  You put absolutely everything in your mouth, you drool buckets, you are clingy, and you no longer sleep through the night.  I think we all need a big nap *sigh* after that sentence.  For at least a week straight you've woken up every 40 minutes screaming your head off.  We have given you Tylenol, but it hasn't seemed to help too much. Only this past week have you seemed to come back to your old content self (still no teeth).

Another trick you got down this month is rolling over.  You started rolling over last month, but this month you really got the hang of it.  You still only roll from tummy to back, but I know you'll have both ways conquered soon enough.  In these photos you are showing off your mid-roll/break dance/keeping toy in mouth move.   You so tricky.

You have mastered the mysterious art of pooping out of your diaper.  There have been more up-the-back incidents this month than I can count.  My favorite and most disgusting episode was when you were in your exersaucer.  When you...  went...   It was SO loud!  You gave me a silly grin to let me know-" it's a big one mom".  I checked your back because the force in which it came made me believe there was no way your diaper held it all in.  Much to my surprise there was nothing there, so I let you continue to play for a few more minutes.  When I took you out to change your diaper it wasn't until I saw you grab your feet that I realized-  It was all down your leg, completely covering both socks, and now on your hand.  GROOOOSS!!!!  After I cleaned you up and bathed you I checked the exersaucer and saw the puddle-o-poo you left at the bottom.  Luke, I feel the need to clue you in on something you may not know- That. Is. Nasty.

This month you have taught me something new about God's love.  I have never known the incredible love a parent has for their child until I had you.  I know God loves us infinitely more than I love you but, here is the amazing part of that- I can't even imagine it.  I love you that much and God loves you that much more.  Which leaves me to ponder what God must feel about me, about you, about all of his children.  "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Can you understand this kind of love?  I am learning more about it all the time.  Being your mom truly gives me a new perspective on God's love for you and for me.  And it's pretty amazing.  Just another reason why you make life so cool.

Love,

Mom

{ThAnKfuL}

For a God who draws me closer to Himself and reminds me that in my weakness He is strong.

For a husband who makes me laugh and loves me so well.

For baby Luke.  Every time I look at him, think about him, talk about him a BIG smile comes to my face.

For my family.  I get to move closer to my family.  How cool is that?

For health.  I am so THANKFUL for the health we are experiencing right now.

For our first home.  We are leaving it now and I am THANKFUL for the time we got to spend here and the wonderful memories I will take with me.

For a car that works.  If you ever had a car that didn't work then you know how THANKFUL you would be for a car that does.

For the opportunity to work for Hospice of West Alabama.  I have never enjoyed a job so much in my entire life.  I will miss it so much and I am incredibly THANKFUL for my time there.

For warm white chicken chili in the crock pot.

For my cozy old sweatpants, hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, and Luke's hoodie with bear ears :).

What are you THANKFUL for today?

How to sell a House... anyone?

Well, this weekend we had 3 people come and look at our house.  This might seem like a small number to most, but it was a grand improvement from the ZERO we had last weekend.  Selling a house is some stressful stuff fo reals.  You know why?  I'll tell you why....
1. You always have to make it look like it's the most immaculate place ever in which no one lives.   Except we do live in it and there is always crap everywhere.  I have a baby and a husband both of which do not pick up after themselves.  Ok that was out of line, I just called my baby out on the internet.  I apologize.
2. Every Saturday we begin the long drawn out process of deep clean (in which my husband helps tremendously:).  I am still shocked at how much there is to do at the end of every week and I am equally as shocked at how clean our house can be after said deep clean.
3. Trying to decipher whether or not the people walking through our house are actually serious buyers or just curious passerby's.  Today after one of the "passerby's" finished the tour she said, "I LOVE your house!  It is decorated so nicely! You did a great job staging it."  Ooo.. she got me with that last comment.  Was she trying to say, I watch HGTV too and I know your tricks? *sigh*  I even baked fresh chocolate chip cookies (which she ate).  I am trying everything people.  Well, keep us in your prayers as we continue this house selling journey.  We hope it will be a smooth and short experience. :0)

Recently I'm...

Procrastinating- Packing.  I am refusing to pack. 

Watching- My husband pack.  He seems to be more realistic about the fact that me are moving in T-minus 3 weeks.

Feeling- Sad.  As I write this, my husband is packing up all my baking stuff.  He is forcing me to take an Annie's Eats break and I am already feeling the cold sweats and shakes coming on.

Making- My Christmas list.  As usual, my older sister has posted her amazing Christmas list and demands that everyone have theirs ready by October.  I have failed this year yet again.

Loving- How Luke buries his little head in my arm pit when he is ready to go to sleep... so adorably silly.

Realizing- I no longer care about disgusting things like puke and poop.  The other day Luke was about to vomit all over my sister and I just reached my hand out and caught it all.  

Officially- A mom.  See above statement.

Buying- this and this.  I am so excited for Luke's 1st Christmas.

Wondering- Will I ever get an uninterrupted nights sleep again?  Moms out there, is there any hope?

Working on- A list of what I am thankful for.  Such a good exercise I don't do often enough.  

{Say "Cheese" Cheeseburger!}

What a great night!  We got to hang with "Nanny" and "Paran"(Luke's Godparents) for Luke's 1st Halloween.  As you can see, he was the cutest little burger you'd ever want to eat... and I did want to munch on him. Mom and Dad were the "grill masters" in our tide pride houndstooth aprons. We had a great time hanging out at Nanny and Paran's neighborhood BBQ and then handing out candy to all the adorable trick-or-treaters. Luke's first Halloween = success. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! ~2010

¡buen provecho

Anyone who knows me knows I am a big fan of California Pizza Kitchen.  I haven't tried everything on the menu yet, but I dare them to make something I wouldn't like- that's just how I feel.  I remembered when I tried this and thought to myself-

 "Self, you can make this!"

Well, it has been months since I ate the little goodness on a plate and haven't even attempted to whip it up for myself.  But Hooray for us! Mexican Night made it to the the Hoffman Household!  Fajitas, bell peppers, and......  Yummy yummy yummy in my tummy Guacamole!!!

  CPK version 

Melissa's version- mmm mmm good Guacamole!  

I didn't follow a recipe I just threw everything in a bowl.  When your dealing with ingredients that make up the Guac- you can't go wrong. Try my version if you like... and you will :).

1 large chopped avocado

1/2 of a tomato- chopped

Chop in half a green pepper and use 3/4 of the half  (you follow?)

A couple sprigs cilantro- finely chopped

2/3 cup corn 

2/3 cup black beans

Sea salt- to taste

Garlic Powder- to taste

Onion Powder- to taste ( I prefer this to chopped onions personally, but to each his own)

A couple splashes of Key Lime Juice- I'd like to think it gave it a little somethin' extra.  (it's all I had in the fridge, I'm sure lime juice would be the normal ingredient)

Ramekin or other cute dish for shaping   

¡buen provecho :)

Calling all Dolly Parton Fans!

How can you not love that fun-loving full-chested woman? I mean her character Truvy in Steel Magnolias makes all of us northern-born-folk realize- you don't have a true friend until one of them says to you, "Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize

 it is marchin' across your face" 

 I am highlighting Miss Dolly today because my sister-in-law told me about her program called the Imagination Library.   It's an awesome program that will send you 1 free book a month until your child reaches the age of 5.  Go to the website and find 

out if your community participates. 

Now get to the couch, pop in Steel Magnolias, and do as

 Miss Truvy says...

"Smile!  It increases your face value." 

My ears!

As heard on what was supposed to be a short car ride turned very long car ride.

Mommy week #1

I just spent a fabulous week with my older sister Jen.  She flew down from Michigan with sweet baby Emily and I drove up from T-town with Luke.  We met in Nashville at our parents house (who so graciously let us hang there) for a week of mommy time.  
Can i just say-
SO.
MUCH.
FUN.
and long over due!  So much awesomeness happened that week!  We ate, played, shopped, cooked, talked, walked, witness a stray hot air balloon nearly miss my car on the landing,

went to an amazing art exhibit only to be totally unprepared, ate some more (worth it), and barely slept. Nothing changed in the sleep department, but at least this time it was due to late night chats and not a screaming babies- well maybe a little of both :).  


Luke and Emily got along great!  We were some-what relieved to see how sweet they were to each other b/c this happened last time they were together. You can see how cute they are in this pic- holding hands and everything.... awwwww! :)  

This will be a yearly event (just so you know Jen) I plan to make happen.  Maybe next year we'll spend our "Mommy week" in Holland... and maybe we'll add another sister by then??? (hint hint) :). 

Jen- you teach me so much about being a mom.  You are a selfless, fun, confident, creative, incredible mommy that I always learn so much from.   Thanks for being a wonderful sister to me and best friend.  I can't wait to see you again for Thanksgiving!

Dear Luke, 4 months

Dear Luke,

This last month has been what I like to call "the magic month".  I call it that because your little personality has just magically appeared, as if almost overnight  You are a non-stop-smiling-machine.  It doesn't even take any ridiculous effort on the part of your dad or I anymore.  Although, unfortunately- we are still ridiculous.... hmmm?  You are just undeniably happy.  We love to show you off.  Strangers and friends alike can share in your contagious smile.  The other night you woke up at 4am.  You weren't crying, but I could hear a lot of rustling going on from the monitor so I got up to check on you.  I found you on your back holding your feet, playing and cooing.  When you saw that I was looking down at you, you gave me this silly grin.  It made me laugh out loud, even at 4 in the morning!  Unfortunately, that laugh I let slip out made you think it was time to be awake and play, thus ensuing another 2 hours of happy awake time.

Just this last week you have seemed to find your voice.  Up until now you have been a rather quiet baby- when you're not crying that is.  You are good at exercising your lungs when you're upset, but really those times are few and far between.  We can almost see the surprise on your face when you let out a big sigh or coo.   It's like you realized you made that noise.  It melts our hearts every time we hear that sweet voice of yours.

This month you've tried out all your toys.  You like your play mat, Bumbo, bouncy, jumper, swing, and exersaucer.  We were surprised at how well you did in all of them.  You are one strong kid!  You can hold your head up so well and you continue to use those chunky legs of yours to stand tall.  You are still too small for most of the things we put you in, but with a little extra padding from blankets you fit alright.  We LOVE to watch you in the jumper.  You look so tiny in there, but you are so good at spinning around and hitting the toys. 

(this picture just makes me laugh!)

This month has also brought a lot of change for our family.  Your dad has accepted a new position in Nashville TN at Fellowship Bible Church.  We are moving.  I can't believe it.  We have been in Tuscaloosa over 3 years and we thought we would be here for quite a bit longer. While there are many exciting things about this move, there are also some very difficult things to say goodbye to here.  This place is very special to your Dad and I.
It's the place where we've been married the longest and have grown as a married couple.
Where we have made wonderful friendships.
Bought and built our first home. 
Where we decided to try and have a baby.
Where we became parents!
Where you were born.
It's the place where we brought you home to the nursery we lovingly prepared for you.

We have been unbelievable blessed in Tuscaloosa.  It has been a beautiful journey with the people here and we are so grateful.  Something I have learned in my short life is that although change can be so hard- it's always good.  It's always good because it forces us to rely on God as we face the unknown.  And that is such a gift because it gives us the opurtunity to increase our faith.  And you know what Luke?  God always proves to be faithful.  Always.

I love you always,
Mom