Lizzy Lately

Elizabeth is seven months old today. Recently I took part in a free online photography course offered by Motherly and Chatbooks specifically geared towards moms wanting to capture and edit beautiful images of their children. I loved the course and got very inspired to step up my photo game but it got me thinking about how great I was at doing monthly photoshoots with Luke and how I haven't been as diligent about doing the same with Elizabeth. I got hit with a little mom guilt for a minute, about not keeping everything even. I got over that guilt and decided to pick up here and do what I can because thats what we moms do.

Elizabeth, you are interacting with us so much these days, laughing and taking part in conversations with your squeaks.

Your voice is very loud when you want it to be.

You love eating, I think you have my appetite.

You can pull your brothers hair.

You are happy sitting on the floor playing with some toys.

You like to watch Paw Patrol with Luke.

You are so happy and excited in the morning.

Your tongue is always poking out of your big open mouth smile.

You have one bottom tooth poking through.

Your dad calls you Chickaletta sometimes.

I call you Lizzy Loo or Lizzy Girl.

You nap twice a day.

You still love to snuggle and be held.

You are a strong willed soul but also very soft, I love your mix of extremes.

You are wonderful.

Love mom & dad.

If you liked this post you may also like Luke's seven month post here.

These photos were snapped and edited with the tips I learned from the Motherly & Chatbooks photo course. You can still take advantage of the free course until the end of May, by simply checking out the Motherly website. Motherly is a beautiful community about everything motherhood.

Luke Lately

Luke, you are free as a bird and sometimes reserved. You like to be with the people you know and when you are in new situations you like to stand back and observe before you decide if you want to join in the fun.

You remind me not care so much about what others think and that as long as I am not hurting anyone, I should do what feels good, like dancing to the music in a store. 

You are talking more and more everyday and your dad and I love communicating with you.

Your happy and fun to be around. 

You recently got a little table and chairs and now you don't want to sit in your highchair to eat. 

You will eat ketchup with a spoon if we let you, ketchup is currently your favourite food.

You also love milk and cheese.

You love to play with things that require fine motor skills like putting chalk or crayons back in their box.

You love music and you love to dance.

When you are in bed at night, dad and I look at pictures of you from that day and talk about all the awesome things you did. 

You are very smart and we love you to the moon and back.

xoxo

Mom

A Family Legacy

Psalm 112:2 Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

It has taken me a few days to settle my mind enough to write this post as my thoughts have been circling around my family and how I might put my thoughts into words that will make sense. Blogging and sharing on social media isn't for everyone but for me it is therapeutic. I have found comfort in reading so many posts from other people all over the world, who have had similar experiences to myself, and because they shared their story, I didn't feel alone. I also think its pretty cool that one day, generations beyond my own will be able to read my blog and know more about their roots. On with the story.

Last week my Grandma Brown passed away, I left her funeral with a sense of peace and pride for the woman I called Grandma. John called her wife, many called her friend, some called her sister and a lot called her mom, above all of these titles she was a woman of God. A woman with an unshakable faith that has left a legacy for so many to take pride in.

In the bible their are many stories about family lineage and the family legacy that ancestors leave for their descendants. One of which is that the descendants of the faithful will be blessed. I believe that my Grandma Brown has left our family with the legacy of faith. Because of her faith in the Lord we have been given a clear example (our blessing) of Gods abundant blessings in ones life, who chooses to body follow God.

Her life was not perfect nor easy at times but she would tell you that through it all God was with her and He blessed her, even in those trying times. There are a few pivotal moments in my Grandma's adult life that will forever define her faith in my mind. One of which I would like to share; When I was one, my grandpa suffered a head injury changing him for the rest of his life. The man my grandma married was not who he use to be and against the recommendations of medical staff, she brought him home to live with her instead of having him cared for in a brain injury facility. She had no experience caring for someone in his condition and had no certainty as to how far he would recover but her dedication to marriage and strength in the Lord allowed her to care, love and nurture her marriage for 17 more years with my grandpa.

Her legacy of faith in The Lord is something she worked at everyday and something that I intend on carrying on. Knowing God is the greatest gift anyone can give because through Him we can do all things.

Prayer: Lord, make my faithful, bold, graceful, obedient and joyful like my Grandma Brown and help me to carry on her beautiful legacy so generations to come will know You! Thank You for her legacy!

I am grateful.

Luke - 10 Months

This month was our first time being apart overnight. I definitely experienced some anxiety as I packed my bag to leave town but you did just fine. I don't think you missed us one bit because you were having so much fun with Granny Brown.

Your intelligence amazes me each day, I keep thinking I need to work harder to challenge you.

You love to play with balls. I may have said this in a previous post because they have been your favourite toy for awhile now.

You learned to clap.

You are excellent at waving. You wave at your toy dirt bike in the morning and it makes your dad super happy.

You still like to go to bed pretty early.

You love to play in your water table.

You LOVE your dad.

You like to crawl around under the table and push the chairs and high chair around the kitchen.

I didn't know a lot of things until I met you, I am excited for this adventure to continue.

xoxo
Your mom

Luke - 9 Months

Its summer! I have a feeling this is going to be the best summer ever.

Luke,

I love seeing your little chubby feet and toes.

I love your little body in just a diaper.

I love the smell of sunscreen all over you.

I love how you look kinda sweaty when you wake up from your naps.

Summertime you, is my favourite you so far.

You are crawling and pulling yourself up on everything.

You are now at the point in your crawling phase, where I think you are starting to get frustrated again because your ready for the next thing, walking.

You learn something new everyday.

You give kisses, oh man, I just wanna kiss you all day! Your kisses are open mouth kisses like a baby bird and its just the best thing ever.

You like adventures and being outside.

You also like quiet time and you really like to sleep in your own bed.

You are particular and laid back at the same time.

You like food but you change your mind about what you like, from meal to meal.

You had a big face plant this month and cut your lip with your tooth. You cried pretty hard but when I take you to the window to look outside, it always helps you to calm down.

You have been to the beach and tasted sand, something tells me you will eat a lot of that this summer.

Things keep getting better and better, don't ever stop or slow down, I promise, I can keep up.

Love your mom.
xoxo

I Am 30

Today I am 30, Wahoo! Its an exciting day, I am here with my health, family and cake, what more can a girl ask for.

Honestly though, I really am excited to be 30 and to be growing older. Everyday I like myself a little more and learn something new about myself and worry less about what the world around me thinks of me.

When I was in my early 20's I was filled with self doubt. I did a lot of learning in those years but I would never want to repeat them, no thanks. I am all about moving forward these days and only looking back to learn from those previous mistakes.

My life is a pretty awesome journey and I have a feeling its only going to keep getting more awesome, which means I need to grow and get older. So don't bother feeling sorry for me for getting one year older and reaching this milestone birthday because I couldn't be more excited about it.

In honour of my birthday week, I am eating dessert every night!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Luke - 4 Months Old

Happy Four Month Birthday Luke!  Here are some awesome moments from the last month.

This month you had your first real giggle. Charlie was running around on the floor being a little crazy because he hadn't been walked for a few days and you thought it was so funny.  Your dad and I were both there to see it.

Your getting better at tummy time.  

You met Santa and you loved him!

You were officially sick this month for the first time with a bad cold and fever.  I was a little scared at first but your happy demeanour through it all, let me know that you would be just fine.

You enjoyed your first Christmas and were officially spoiled with love and gifts.

You love chewing on your hands right now, I am not sure if you are teething quite yet but I think this phase is on its way.

We call you Lukey, I don't think I have mentioned that yet.  It was very natural for this to be your nick name.  Everyone calls you Lukey as soon as they meet you, even the people who don't know that  is what your family and friends call you.

A few mornings ago you woke up chatting and just didn't stop making noise.  I think you get your chattiness from me and your dad, we are not quiet people so why would we expect you to be.

Keep the good times rolling little man.

Love your mom,
xoxo