Choose to be Pro-Family

In response to the announcement of the Duggar's 20th child,

I have some thoughts about living a life of controversy.

Do not be surprised if the world hates you.

1 John 3: 13

That's a big verse to digest, but one I think I need to be reminded of on a daily basis. The root of Christianity is love. God is seen in love, his goodness leads people to repentance. But when you are doing the right thing, turning the other cheek, laying your life down for your friends, people are going to notice. In my life, either people join you or leave you because it makes them feel convicted about the choices they are making in their life. I'm not judging or correcting, just loving but sometimes the world isn't ready to embrace God's love. More often than I would like to admit, this discourages me and pulls me in the opposite direction because I want to be accepted. It's hard to stand against the current, but God calls us to greatness and sometimes that looks very different than the world's.

People don't need relational love, they need revolutionary love!

I have a soap box I could mount about the controversy of this family having a 20th child, so I will try to make this brief. Basically, it boils down to their convictions. I applaud them for following God's will over the world's and I pray that my life model's their strength in Christ.

I don't know how I feel about 20 children but I do know that they are training up an army for Christ! They support their family without the help of the government and make their marriage a priority so their children grow up with a mom and dad who love each other.

To birth one child, let alone 20 is something to be documented. I can't imagine doing that, nor do I want to but she needs to recognized, not criticized for this feet. If more families in America prioritized their family the way the Duggar's do, there would be a lot more good in the world. I pray that this baby blesses them and the world.

Let's chose to be Pro-family today! To sit and eat a meal at the dinner table. To hold your husband's hand and thank him for working so hard. To tell your wife she looks amazing! To turn off the electronics and play in the leaves. Time is short and in a blink your family can change forever. Teach your children to love, serve, give. Fight for your family every day.

All for His Glory!

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalm 127:3

Tales of Motherhood and updates :)

Hello Bloggy World!

Unfortunately, blogging has not made my to-do list in a little while, we here is a quick update about the Life of the Baumann's followed by a very amusing sleep deprivation story!

• Anderson is 4 month's old and amazes me every day. Wow do I love that kid! He is picking up his head like a turtle and it cracks me up. He is also very wiggly and is now a two handed hold- he can turn his head to look at things and does so a lot!
• We have started the teething process and it's slow and tiring. Poor little guy, he doesn't seem to be in pain, but he wakes up a lot at night, eats his hands off, drools has a stuffy nose and puts everything in his mouth. We have found some relief from the fussiness with the Baltic Amber necklace as well as some organic tablets that seem to take the edge off.
• He is a thumb sucker and it's pretty darn cute. No wonder people like pacifiers so much. He would never take one, but as soon as he found his thumb it soothes him right away.
• Mike is back at the gym and loving it! His work load has ease up a little bit and the MI territory is no longer his so his overnight trips are less too! Yay!! We love having him home and Anderson just can't get enough of his daddy.
• I am busy planning new mommy groups, organizing Guest Services for Venue Church, entertaining many out of town guests and really enjoying being a mom. I love rainy days where we can stay home, lay in our pj's and play. I told Mike "i think I want a football team!" :) My purpose as a mother brings me so much joy right now.

So on to my awesome story (Mandy thought it was blog worthy, you can decided):

My brother need me to watch my nephew Brady while his normal sitter went to take a mid-term. No prob, I can be at your house at 10am. So yesterday morning, while Anderson was taking his mid-morning nap, I diligently prepared his diaper bag, got myself ready, made my lunch and was ready to scoop him up when he woke up. He ended up sleeping til 9:20, of coarse need to eat, change and I finally got us both in the car at 9:45. I still was going to make it on time, but I really wanted to leave by 9:40 so I didn't have to rush. I put the car in reverse and CRASH! I'm thinking, did Mike leave something behind my car? I get out, and it dawns on me that I didn't let the garage door go up all the way before I back out. My car had bent the last panel of the door out of the track. I started freaking out because I couldn't get my car out of the garage with the door down like that. Picture me, pull the door as hard as I can out of the garage- it didn't budge. So I called Mike, started crying the ugly cry and then it dawned on me that I wasn't going to make it to my brother's at all. So long story short, she ended up dropping Brady off at my house on her way to school (why didn't we do this in the first place) and $100 later our garage door works. Mike had to glue on the top fin to the back of the car, but other than that it's good too. I can laugh about it now, but the ugly cry came out with a vengeance. Surprisingly, it felt good and once Brady got here we had a great time playing.

Another one of God's crazy lessons about control, stress and balance- I'm working on it but I may have to park in the driveway for a few more weeks! :)

Three Month Update

Dear Anderson,

Holy Cow!! You're three months old today! I can not believe how fast time seems to have gone by. You are changing so much. Here are some highlights of your life right now:

• You are sleeping 7+ hours a night right now. Your normally routine gets your in bed by 8, you seem to wake up around 3:30am and then your ready for your day by about 7ish. Mama likes this!
• You love eating your hands. You don't seem to like anything artificial, such as a pacifier or bottle, you know the real thing and you won't take any substitutes!
• You had an amazing visit with some great friends from Raleigh- the Mulli's! You and Ethan did so great and you really laid on your charm. I was very proud.

• You have an opinion. You get pretty upset when mama "makes" you take a nap or stops you from eating- sometime you don't have an "off" switch. I pray one day you'll channel all that great passion for something good!
• You get bored. I am already trying to find new things to stimulate you during the day. By about 10am, you are ready for a change of scenery. You are very curious and love to be around people. I love your energy, never lose your zest for life!
• Your smile is infectious! You make me laugh and fall in love with you more every day by that big toothless grin!
• You love your dad. Your eyes light up when daddy gets home. He knows how to sooth you so well, you almost always fall asleep on his shoulder. Seeing my boys so in love is another heaven on earth moment for me.
• We are cloth diapering full-time and loving it. I can't imagine putting a disposable on you again. We have completed our stash and need to post some super cute pictures of your little cow bum!
• Breastfeeding is going great. Almost too great, you put up quite a battle on the bottle. We are working on this so mommy and daddy can go to Cousin Mal's wedding at the end of October.
• Despite many opinions, we went with the "cry it out" method at about 8 weeks and you have mastered the art of falling asleep on your own. You just lay in your crib, play for a little while and then drift peacefully to sleep. You are such a little independent boy!

You are already a world changer. I am so honored to be your mom and to care for you every day. This is the best job I've ever had! Daddy and I were just saying how normal life feels now (whatever normal is :) but meaning we can't remember life without you. I love you so much! I praise God for you and give him all the glory for your amazing 13 weeks of life!

Love,

Your Mom

Lessons in Motherhood- two months

Dear Anderson,

You are two months old today and I can hardly believe how much you've grown. You are growing more long and lean, barely getting your big feet in your 3 month sleepers. You have become quite the little charmer, waking up every day around 6:30am with a big smile and lots to say!

Here are some things that you love:

• Playing on your floor mat- sometime you do this for 30+ minutes
• Getting kisses from Lucy
• Splashing in the bathtub
• Being outside- we take a walk every day!
• Being around people- you loved all the sites at the fair and you love watching the kiddos at church
• Eating- you get a big smile on your face right before you chow down :)

Here are some things that you're not crazy about:

• Riding in the car- pretty much just sitting in your car seat
• Going to bed
• Getting out of the bath- someone already has quite an opinion about what he wants

You are a born leader, already knowing what you want. We have to work on your patience, but I struggle with that too! You love to hear music and we sing all the time. You also discovered your voice and enjoy yelling at the t.v. People are saying that you're going to be a preacher because of the set of lungs you have.

I have not only been learning all about you and your ever changing self, I have learned quite a few things about myself. I really enjoy being your mom. I love having you need me and being the only one that knows what your little cries mean. Some people say you have colic because night time seems to be hard, whether or not this is true, it makes me feel like a bad mom. I know that colic is not my fault but it's hard to admit that not everything about your child is perfect. I wish that I could understand what you need or what's bothering you during these times. I guess it's God's way of making me understand that I still need him too and I don't have all the answers. Daddy and I love you so much and can't wait to learn more about who you will be tomorrow. We praise God for your life and for the little boy that you are. You are a world changer! Don't ever forget that your purpose is beyond what you can imagine and your life is already changing others.

Love,

Mama

The Adjustment Bureau

Mike and I watched this movie a few nights ago. I would recommend it. It kept me on my toes and I thought it was a really good, unique story. Without spoiling it, there is this bureau that's main job is to make small adjustments in your life to "keep you on track". They help you live the best, most full-fulling life. I have a few thoughts about this....

First, my life has seen it's share of adjustments in the last year. From Mike's job offer, to finding out we were expecting, to moving 600 miles away from our awesome life, living with my parents, buying a house and having a baby... no wonder I feel a little nuts! :) Through all of these adjustments, both good and bad, I have had to make a choice. I could either sit by (life doesn't stop) and have a pity party for my situation or I could look at the adjustment as an opportunity for something better. I honestly have to say that I have lived out both reactions.

Motherhood is hard. People say that but you don't believe it until you are living it. It's also amazing, but some days you want to call in sick and you can't. You're it! (Esp. if you are breastfeeding- which we are) Life with a newborn is an adjustment. You can't just pick up and head out for hours at a time. Spontaneous trips anywhere seem like monumental tasks that just aren't worth it. The house (and dog) take a back burner to life and you feel lucky if you get some mascara on by 3pm. You also have this little human and you get to hold and kiss for hours. Every day they grow, become more alert, you find it hard to believe that you are contributing to this life. Your purpose grows bigger! It truly is the biggest adjustment but most rewarding one of my life.

The other thought I had about the movie was.... isn't it just like God? Without spoiling the ending, free will has power. Even with a little nudge, we can still decide which way we will go. But isn't God's plan of action for our life something that will only benefit us? He is so good. I am constantly reminded right now of that verse in Matthew where Jesus says, "if you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" God is constantly making adjustments in my life to challenge me, teach me, love me and prosper me. My prayer is that I remember to stay open to his adjustments and receive them with love and thankfulness instead of pity and bitterness.

Anyone else out there just go though an adjustment?

Supernatural Motherhood

With a week under my belt, I have to admit that the postpartum phase of pregnancy has proven to be difficult. Between recovery on my body, being anemic, breastfeeding and lack of sleep I feel worn out! Last night was especially hard and had all of us in tears (he was gassy and didn't end up falling asleep until 4am) As I woke up this morning, feeling the emotional pains of no sleep, I was forced to turn my focus upward. And it dawned on my in the shower, that motherhood thrives on the supernatural. It's impossible to do this alone.

In just a few days, Mike will be returning to work and it will be just me and Anderson. It's easy to start to feel fearful about what lies ahead and the days that seem to stretch on forever, but I need to remember that I'm not doing this alone.

Col 3:23-24 says ''Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving".

I'm sure there have been instances in your life where you thought the work you were doing was not being noticed. Your boss or superior wasn't around and the though crossed your mind, "why am I doing this?" This verse reminds me that even when know one is watching or noticing my efforts, Jesus is so proud of me. He wants to pour out his blessings on me for the good works I am doing for my son. Anderson can't say thank you, but I know that Jesus is.

In Nehemiah 8 it says "the JOY of the Lord is my STRENGTH". I remember how much joy I receive from the sacrifice Jesus made for me, before I even knew him. He has filled my life with abundance, with grace and mercy and I praise God that he is with me. He renews my strength and I am reminded that I am fulfilling a huge purpose. One that was designed just for me. He has given me his grace so that I can wake up every morning full of peace.

If you are in your season of parenthood, I encourage you to draw closer to the Ultimate Father for your strength. He is faithful!

Birth Story :)

It all started at 3:45am on Friday morning, June 24th. I was laying there in bed, not really sleeping, semi-talking to God about how we need to have this child soon! Then all of a sudden, I felt this little rush of water down-under. So I jumped up to the bathroom and discovered my water had broke. Thankful I didn't leave a lake in the bed with my quick reflexes. So Mike and I woke up, had some breakfast and called my midwife. She told us to sit tight until my contractions got more intense, closer together or I just didn't feel comfortable being at home. So we started timing things.

Here's Mike with his I-pod and Contraction counter, a very prepared coach!

We went for a walk, took showers and by about 8am decided that things were about 4 minutes apart and intensifying. So we headed to the hospital to get admitted and to start getting some

antibiotics since I tested positive for carrying Strep B. (They like to have a few doses of

antibiotics in you before he is born)

We got admitted quickly and headed up to the maternity ward where we found out that we could birth in the Holistic Room! I was so excited to have that prayer answered, it's like the luxury suite of birthing rooms!

Once we got situated and checked out, I appeared to be between 3 and 4 cent. dilated. So we started walking, resting and laboring. The contractions were lower than I thought they would be and intensifying very quickly. They told us to keep moving, roll around on the birth ball (hated

that), go sit on the toilet (this really helped because the middle was hollow so it took the pressure off my bum). They need me to be 5-6 cent. dilated to get into the water. We did this til 4pm. At that point, I had to get checked. I just knew that all those contractions had moved things along and I was right! I was a 6!! Praise God, fill up that tub!

As soon as I got into the tub it was like an instant epidural. They kept the water at about 100 degrees, so it's really warm and my body instantly relaxed. I could still feel the contractions, but in between I could float and relax. It was amazing! They monitor the babies heart rate under the water every 15 minutes or

so. At 6pm, we were having a hard time getting a good listen at his heart beat, so they needed me to get out of the water. (Since the water was like a drug, this was not pleasant! ) Once out of the water, my midwife discovered that I was not fully complete, about a 9. So to speed things along, she moved my cervix with her hand to open everything up. This was the worse part because she had to do this during a contraction. But she told me that it would make everything move every quickly- and she was right. Everything turned out fine and I was able to get back into the tub.

At this point, I felt like pushing. I slowly began to bear down with the contractions and it felt so good! The neatest part was my midwife just let me labor in my time, coaching me, letting me monitor how far down the head was and finally being able to feel his little hair head! I started to crown and his head slowly made his way out with each contraction. I was stretching beautifully

and the water took a lot of the burning away. Finally his little head popped right out, what a relieving feeling! I was motivated, get this baby out! As I kept pushing, I just couldn't get this little shoulders out and that's when Colleen discovered his left hand was bent up. So with a little wiggling, she finally manged to pull his shoulders out and up he came!

His little, wet, slimy body was on my chest and he was wide awake! They did a little suction and patting on his back to get him to open his lungs and then he was calm, just gazing into my eyes. After a few minutes, Mike cut the cord and the nurse took him to the warmer to check his weight and such.

I delivered the placenta in the water and then they wanted me to get out of the water. As I stood up, the blood started pouring out. I didn't know if this was normal or not, but they quickly got me onto the bed. They had a hard time getting my uterus to contract and it took them about an hour to finally stop the bleeding. This was a minor complication, that left me a few points away from getting a blood transfusion. I also ended up getting a stage 3 tear due to this little arm pointing the wrong way. After about an hour and a half of them working on me, I was cleaned up and the grandparents came in to meet Anderson. The blood loss left me extremely anemic, so my recovery has left me really tired and a little dizzy at times, but every day I feel stronger. And my tear has been easy to manage with very minimal pain.

It was such a beautiful experience.

It was everything we prayed for and declared from the beginning. God gave me such a strong sense of peace and strength. I never thought "I can't do this", He ordained each hour with his grace. Mike was an amazing coach (even though I didn't want anyone to touch me) and support for me. He picked Anderson right up and has been smitten with him ever sense. I am so thankful for the amazing nurses and my midwife. They let me have the birth experience that we imagined and were so wonderful to our family (who was listening right outside the door the whole time). God was faithful and to Him be all the Glory!