We're back

Last night I slept a full 8 hours and woke up in my own bed after 4 nights away in Indianapolis. I can't tell you those 4 nights away were easy...in fact...they were some of the hardest parent-nights we've had since those sleepless nights in the hospital. Being at the Influence Conference was too much for the enemy. He attacked, attacked, attacked and we fell victim. But you know what, we came out on the other side feeling alive, healed, refreshed, and fulfilled. I need a few days to process, pray, and soak in all the goodness my heart experienced at the conference and I can't wait to share my experience with you.
Our sweet, awesome sleeping boy went through a growth spurt during the conference (thus wanted to eat, eat, eat and not sleep, sleep, sleep) and I ended up with an awful case of mastitis our last night/day. Friends... God heals! (blog post to come)

Today we are back home (Ford did amazing on our flights) and catching up on laundry and life and this afternoon my grandparents come to stay with us for a few days. Ford will meet his namesake.... I cannot wait.
Taste and see that the Lord is good -Psalm 34:8

Mr Personality

I've been keeping my nice camera out in the living room to try to take more pictures with it instead of only with my phone so here are a few shots of Mr. Ford in the past week. This kid has so many cute facial expressions and is SO animated with his eyebrows and mouth. 
Ford is so sweet and talkative in the mornings, I shot this video with my phone after feeding him this morning. Such a cutie!

Ford gets his wings tonight... taking his very first plane ride to Indianapolis! Say a pray for us...our flight happens to be during his lovely witching hour :)
Catch ya next week!

Because He loved us first

We love because he first loved us. -1 John 4:19
Ford had the treat of meeting his gramma and grampa great last week who drove in from Kansas City, MO to spend a few days getting to know him. It was so nice to have extra sets of hands wanting to hold, cuddle, feed, and change Ford so mama could actually get some stuff done! It was such a beautiful weekend weather wise which just puts everyone in a good mood. 

On their last night here, my gramma said to me with tears in her eyes that she loves our Ford so much and it is because of the love of Jesus. Isn't that the full truth of parenthood? Being a mother, 6 weeks under my belt, has given me only the tiniest glimpse of the way He loves us. Not a day goes by where I don't get a little frustrated or discouraged during Ford's witching hour or when he cannot be consoled but not a second goes by that I am not in love with that little boy so much that my heart could burst. And the love our Father shows us is a million times greater. The discouragement we bring on Him isn't in the form of a whiny half hour in the evenings, it is lying, cheating, idolatry, sin. And not a second goes by that we aren't covered by His perfect grace.

I know I will never be able to love Ford as much as the Lord loves him but what an awesome example and goal to be set before me. To show Ford grace when he disobeys, to be compassionate as he grows and shares his dreams with me, and to love him unconditionally no matter the path his life takes. If I love Ford this much, I can't even begin to fathom the way my God feels about me. 

For this is what The Lord says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." -Isaiah 66:12-13

Jon and I have the wonderful ability to love our sweet son because of the cross and the intimate, loving relationship our Creator longs to have with us. It is our ultimate job and duty in life to show him that love and cover him in the same grace Christ gives us. Being a child of God is the highest privilege and honor that we can ever hold. We are given new life and great hope. I look at Ford's big blue eyes and can't believe God chose me to be his mother.  What a gift.

Hart family update

I haven't done a life update lately so I figured I'd fill you in on our exciting life! Haha. Between nursing, changing diapers, taking walks, and occasional naps, things have been pretty calm around our house. We finally feel like we have our head above water and are starting to figure out what Ford likes, doesn't like, etc. He likes eating... doesn't like napping! There have been days where we have been go, go, go... errands, playdates, church... but then many days where I don't leave the house and I wouldn't change it for the world. Earlier this week Jon asked me if I still loved my new "job" and without skipping a beat, I said yes! Man oh man does motherhood change you and humble you. At times feelings of defeat cloud my heart but then I am redeemed when I get a 2 hour nap from my little guy in the ergo and I have a chance to vacuum, mop, and clean all the bathrooms (true story... I was so darn excited #momlife). The crazy thing about motherhood is that no day brings the same thing. Luckily Ford has been consistent at night and I have been getting lots of rest but each day we wake up not knowing what is in store for us, and that is the beautiful, exciting, frightening thing about being a mommy. 
This week Ford's gramma and grampa great are in town loving on him and being such a help for me! I look at the way we love our baby boy and it rocks my world knowing that so many people love him just as much. This little guy just has no idea.
Guy day with papa and uncle James

Daddy cuddles after a bottle

Ford is quite the messy eater so we've started using bibs that happen to be bigger than him... too cute

Some days the only way he will nap is on my chest... and I don't mind one bit

Our little half Aggie half Baylor Bear ready for the Bama game last weekend

Rocking the baby mank

For the most part Ernie ignores Ford but then will go cuddle right next to him at times

Daddy did some shopping for Ford this week #sicembears

The ladies sure do love kissing Ford!

In other Hart family news...

• Ford has a bad case of cradle cap and we are using adult shampoo to try to get rid of it... poor guy
  
• We got down all of our Halloween/fall decor and I am getting antsy to put it up. Our Halloween party will be quite different this year with a little guy 
• 6 days until Influence!
• I have my 6 week postpartum checkup on Tuesday and am anxious to see what my doctor says. I've noticed that the more I get back to normal living (lifting things, bending over, etc) the more my incision bothers me. C section mamas, how long (if ever) did it take for your incision to feel normal?
• I went to Costco yesterday and Ford was due to eat so I grabbed a display camping chair and fed him and the end of an aisle. I am so shocked that more stores/places don't have nursing rooms thse days!
• Ford is a talking machine these days! Cooing and babbling... cutest thing ever! I've managed to get some on video but you know how it is when your baby does something cute, and then stops when you bust out the camera.
• I've started taking daily videos of Ford since he is changing and growing so fast! Major cuteness below

Ford's nursery

I tried my best to write down where we got certain items in his nursery and if something isn't listed, it was most likely made by me, made by a friend, or given to us! 
Color: Colorplace Concentrated Chromium from Wal Mart Crib: Jenny Lind from Wayfair Curtain/ottoman pouf/chair pad fabric: Carousel  Ottoman pouf: Sew Caroline Lamp: Home Goods Rhino head: Z Gallerie Yellow owl: Ross Mirror: TJ Maxx Whale wall art: TJ Maxx Ford emblem: bought at a carshow in town Haboo mini hoop art: Ten Feet off Beale Prints on wall: Livy Love Designs You Are My Sunshine frame: Twigs Florist (owned by my aunt) Bookshelves: made from gutters from Home Depot Ford bench: Damhorst Toys Chevron crib sheet: Target Chevron Ford pillow: Very Jane Changing table dresser: thrifted & painted Wooden dresser: mine from childhood FNH monogram: template here, painted by Jon Wire baskets on changing table: HomeGoods Yellow diaper pail: IKEA

I'd love to meet you...

...at the Influence Conference!
T minus 12 days until our family of 3 heads north to Indianapolis to experience something God has been so kind to put in our lives. I could have never imagined my blog would allow me to travel across the US, be in community with other women, and use it as a platform to further His Kingdom. 
Today I am linking up with the Influence Net Blog for a little pre conference meet and greet....
2 things I will pack in my bag -Non maternity clothing...it's been almost 5 weeks since I had Ford and truth be told I am still wearing maternity pants to protect my incision and house my postpartum bump. I never realized that lots of non maternity clothes aren't nursing friendly but I am excited to bust out outfits that have been collecting dust in my closet for 10 months!
-My cell phone/laptop- I plan on using the conference as a way to unwind and focus my heart on what God has in store for me over the weekend but I will absolutely be documenting everything! As a first timer, I've read so many posts and recaps about how powerful this weekend will be and I don't want to forget anything
2 things I am looking forward to -Hugging my bloggy friends in real life! I have had the pleasure of meeting so many bloggers thanks to work travel before I had my son and it feels surreal that I will finally get to meet some of the women who have made such an influential impact on my life
-Kara-Kae's Mom+Blogger workshop. As a new mommy whose full time job is feeding, changing diapers, and being the COO of our household, I can't wait to learn from one of my favorite veteran mamas on how to calmly balance blogging, family, and life while pursing Jesus. 
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I'd love to know if you are going to the conference and look forward to meeting you! I will be the short brunette next to the beefy man with a faux hawk ... oh and baby with a faux hawk in the Ergo too!

Ford 1 Month

Our first month with the little man...

Where the heck did the last month go?! People don't lie when they say time flies and your babies grow up fast. The first week was a blur, 5 days in the hospital and crazy, exhausting first days at home and I finally feel like we are getting the hang of things. We had incredible help from my mom and sister the first 2 weeks home and have managed to keep Ford alive and fed when the help left ha! We are so in love with this little guy, who knew that within a month your lives could be so turned upside down and hearts so full. I still can't believe I'm a mama (my neighbor told me last week I look like a teenager mom ha!), life is good. 
Weight: 12lbs 6.4oz (done with scale at home)
Height: 22inches
Nicknames: Mr. Ford, Mr. Pee Pee, silly boy, puddin' pie, munchkin, Fordy, Bored Ford (when he gives us those bored yelps), bubba (confusing because we call Ernie bubbas)
Eating: nursing like a champ! Ford eats every 3 hours during the day (sometimes more, sometimes less) and occasionally cluster feeds in the evenings. He wakes up twice in the middle of the night for a solid 30 minutes of feeding and goes right back to bed. I've been pumping twice a day to either save or get milk for a bottle. We aren't doing a bottle everyday but every 2-3 days to make sure he will still take it. During a bottle feeding he will take about 4oz. 
Sleeping: knock on wood Ford has never mixed up days and nights. He is pretty consistent lately with going to bed then doing two 4 hour stretches, a 3 hour stretch then up for the day. Napping is what he is very irregular on. Actually this week has been quite the nightmare with his naps... sigh. He will fall asleep while feeding and I try to transition him and he is up and alert. Monday he was up for 6 hours with only a 30 minute cat nap before he zonked out for 3 hours. We are doing lots of research (Baby Wise and 12 hours by 12 weeks) to get ready to start sleep training and tried our first real naptime yesterday (swaddled, sound machine, put him down awake) and he did good...but wokeup mad after 45 minutes then wanted to sleep on my chest. I think we are going through a growth spurt because he is very clingy/cuddly lately. We also just transitioned from the newborn SwaddlePods to the SwaddleMe velcro blankets that seem to really help him relax and calm down. Ford is still in a bassinet in our room and will most likely stay there until he is sleeping through the night since his room is upstairs. I know it's early but we are more than excited to get him on a schedule.
Diapers: I am pretty sure we are about to transition to size 1 diapers. We used Pampers Swaddlers the first 2 weeks but those seemed to be too small for him so he's been wearing Target brand NB diapers that we really like! I have Pampers, Target brand, and Kirkland brand size 1 diapers so we will see what fits his skinny little legs. He is quite the pee-er/pooper and last weekend we had our first duel projectile pee/poop incident. Thank goodness Jon and I were both home! He's pretty good about getting his diaper changed unless he is really hungry or covered in potty. 
Clothing: Ford wore newborn sized clothing for the first 2.5 weeks but the chunky boy has outgrown them. We are in a funky transition stage because lots of 0-3 month things (especially gowns and jammies) are too big but luckily I did lots of thrifting and the second hand clothing fits better since it's been washed. Certain brands he is already in 3 month outfits (Polo in particular) but he is slowly growing into his wardrobe. 
Social: my alert and playful boy! We are noticing that he is becoming more and more aware of his surroundings, making eye contact, and even starting to track a few things. He loves his playmat and the contrasts of bright colors on walls, shirts, etc. He loves when we sing to him, loves going on walks outside, and I've started reading him some of his board books. We are getting smiles here and there and can't wait for him to start social smiling!
Cori got this video of him on Embry's playmat this week

He is very happy after nursing when he has a belly full of milk

Likes: walks in his stroller, listening to loud music in the car or on Pandora, baby massages, his playmat/light up kitty, swinging in his swing or in daddy's arms, the light/colors/contrast of the TV
Dislikes: when he doesn't get his way :), the initial bathtime routine (but does seem to enjoy it once he's in there)
Mama: still slowly healing from my C section but feeling better everyday. I cringe thinking about what my body went through last month but like I said in my birth story, Ford is so worth it. I've been off of pain meds for about a week and a half and only occasionally feel some stinging around my incision. Since Jon is back to traveling (only 1-2 nights a week) and I am off pain meds, I can drive again and am trying to get out of the house for random errands or get togethers. I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight but still rocking the melting fanny pack/left out too long Jack-o-lantern belly that slowly seems to be getting smaller. Breastfeeding sure is a great workout!! Tears have been shed... tears of happiness, frustration, and awe... I swear I can cry at the drop of a hat! We took Ford to church for the first time a few weeks ago and I cried through the entire 30 minute worship set... I couldn't believe I was at church with my son! 
Daddy: as much as I thought I knew about babies from growing up babysitting, nannying, and having a brother so much younger than me, I am convinced Jon knows more than me and Ford was the first diaper he ever changed! He is a fantastic daddy and very hands on with our little man. I still can't seem to get the diaper changes without pee fiascos down but Jon rocks it. He's slowly getting back into a normal travel schedule like I said above and definitely misses Ford when he is gone!
What we're looking forward to: month 2 will be BIG for Mr. Ford! Within the next month, Ford will meet both sets of my grandparents (coming in from Missouri and Illinois), travel to Indianapolis for the Influence Conference, stay with his first babysitter (my parent's) while daddy and I go see Book of Mormon, and celebrate his cousin Embry's first birthday!

Hittin the road

Our little family of 4 (including Ernie of course) survived our first road trip this week! We woke up bright and early, and by that I mean 4am, on Monday morning and headed north on I-35 to Dallas so daddy could meet with customers and Ford, Ernie, and I could hang out with Aunt Cori and Embry. Since Ford is now my full time job, I have the flexibility of tagging along with Jon on his weekly trips whenever I want. Call us crazy for going away with a 4 week old but it was so nice to get a change of scenery and stay at my sisters house where we were comfortable and had lots of fun and relaxing time together.
Embry was so excited to see her cousin and give him lots and lots of kisses

I've said before that Ford is incredibly alert for a newborn but this week he has probably broken the record for most awake time for a baby. Seriously Monday he fought and fought me on a nap and finally crashed after 6 hours. We hit up some thrift stores (they are the best in Dallas) and are convinced he hates thrifting because he was not a happy boy. It could have very well been over stimulation but man he just continues to surprise me with how long he can stay up! Now that we are home, I hope to work on a better nap schedule for him during the day. He is sleeping great at night so I can't really complain. 
Dad's and their babies got to watch the first MNF together

Ford was really into the TV...so cute

(Notice Ford's old man receding hairline... his hair is falling out like crazy!)
Yesterday we hit up more thrift stores and ran into the Dallas Museum of Art so I could feed my anti-shopper

I fed Ford and Embry had a one man band... she couldn't be any cuter folks!

Ford did great in the car, slept the whole time and we pulled over to feed twice (and pickup fried catfish and chicken and dumplings from Cracker Barrel hehe). In fact most of us slept in the car...

We are back home getting unpacked and situated and celebrating this little man being 1 month old today!

Announcing...

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him."
-1 Samuel 1:27