We won!

I follow a blog for mothers who gave birth in January of this year. Each week there is a photo contest. This past week was baby with favorite toy. I entered my photo and won 1st. Yeah!! The prize, this little sign for the week.

Wordless Wednesday

Nicknames?

I've never been big on nicknames. I'm not exactly sure why though. I figure if a parent wanted their child to be called Joe, they should have just named him Joe instead of Joseph. Kind of strange of me, I know. I'm a little odd that way. The only thing that I call Patrick, besides his name, is "sweetpea". I'm just a little curious now, did/do you call your children anything besides their name or a name based nickname?

5 Question Friday

1. Do you and your spouse go to bed at the same time?
Sometimes, but usually I'm in bed about an hour or two before Michael now that he is back on day shift. The past four months, I was getting up when he was going to bed, darn night shift.

2. A question for the ladies...What kind of facial hair do you like on your man?
Goatee or nothing. I'm not a fan of the whole beard or just a mustache.

3. What's the worst vacation you've ever taken?
I don't remember when or where we were going, but I remember the car breaking down and having to stay at a KOA campground without my dad. We were surrounded by loud, drunk bikers. I was a little nervous and didn't sleep well. If I remember right on the way home my dad got a speeding ticket in a work zone, double the fine.

4. What's the first-ever blog you followed?
My language teacher in Macedonia, Sonja. I would practice reading in Macedonian and then talk about what I read during my lessons sometimes.

5. Do you enjoy amusement parks?
I love amusement parks. The bigger and faster the better. I also love the food you can't get other places, funnel cakes and caramel apples. YUMM!

4 Months Old

Patrick is now 4 months old and learning new things each day. Just a few days before turning 4 months, Patrick learned to roll over. He has been doing this ever since, often getting stuck on his belly resulting in fussing and crying until Mama comes to the rescue. I'm amazed at how fast he can roll over now.

He is also sleeping through the night. I usually put him to bed around 8 and he will wake up about 30-45 mins later wanting to nurse. After this last feeding he will sleep from 9ish to 6ish. I love being able to go the bed and not worry about having to get up in a few hour to feed Patrick.

Next week, we go see Dr. Jones and find out how he's doing. This also means more shots. :(

One Year Ago

It was one year ago today that I got two good things. My nephew, Jonathan, was born in the morning and we found out that I was pregnant with Patrick that evening. Michael and I went to visit my sister, her husband, and my new nephew in the hospital in Madison. I had told Michael I thought I might be pregnant on the way down to see them. I was thinking of waiting until the next day to test and find out for sure, but Michael didn't want to wait. We spent about a hour with Sarah, Mike, and Jonathan and then stopped to do a few errands. We got home that night around 6 and I took a pregnancy test. It came back positive almost right away. We were both excited and a little surprised. Now a year later, Patrick is rolling over and Jonathan is learning to walk. Only eight months apart; it will be fun to see them together as they get older.

Five Question Friday

1. Tube socks, calf socks, crew, ankle, none?
Crew or ankle. I don't like things to constrict my calfs.

2. Was your childs (children's) name a mutual decision or was it a debate?
Pretty mutual. We made a list of names we liked and then chose from the list.

3. What is your favorite type of weather?
Warm, 75-80ish, and breezy. I love the feel of the wind in my hair.

4. If left to your own devices, what time would you wake up every day?
Usually close to 8 or 9. After that I feel like I'm wasting daylight.

5. Have you bought your cemetery plots yet?
No way. I'm to young to die! :) I haven't even thought about if I want to be buried or cremated.

Dedication

Exodus says that all first-born males are to be dedicated to Him (Exodus 13). Therefore, when Jesus was just a baby, 1-2 months, his parent took him to the temple in Jerusalem to be dedicated to God. It was at this time that Simeon prophesied over him and Anna bless him and his parents. While not Jewish, we also dedicate our children to God.

We dedicate our children to God as a sign that our children were give to us by God and we will raise our children with the knowledge of Him. Patrick's dedication also serves as a dedication of Michael and I to godly parenting. We are committing our-selves to the task of raising Patrick and giving him the knowledge of Christ not just in our words, but more importantly in our actions. Children learn more by the example they see that what they are told. Finally, it is also a time to thank God for the new life He has given.

Patrick was dedicated today, Mother's Day, at our church in Beaver Dam. While no one prophesied over Patrick, he and us were prayed for and in a way blesses. Both of our family was able to join us for the day. We took up two rows of seats. Afterwards we went out to lunch and then back to the apartment to sit and chat.

Grass and Us

It's such a nice day outside that Patrick and I went to play on the grass for a while. I've taken him outside, but normally he is in his carseat or bouncy seat. He's never been on grass before so I wasn't sure how he would do. He did not like being on his back. I think this was because of the sun shinning in his eyes. I placed him near some dandelions so he had something to look at. While on his back he reached out, grabbed a dandelion, and pulled the flower off (not on purpose). He didn't even look at the flower. Patrick liked being on his stomach the best.

Five Question Friday

1. Have you ever had roommates?
Yes, while in college I had 5 roommates, all of whom were good friends, and also while working in Macedonia. I've always had good experiences with my roommates.

2. How many names do you/your children have? (i.e. Prince Charming William Phillip Arthur Louis John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schmidt)
Just three counting last name.

3. Did you watch the Royal Wedding?
Yes, my sister and I watched it together on Saturday. Thank goodness for DVR.

4. What is the messiest room in your house?
Living room. There is baby stuff all over.

5. What is your ideal mothers day?
Haven't really thought of it since this is my first. I'm thinking sleeping until 6:30, flowers, church, and eating out.

Wordless Wednesday