Resurrections

I'm resurrecting this blog, I've resurrected a healthier me, and we are celebrating Christ's resurrection! That one is the best.

Happy Easter! "It's not about the bunny, it's about the Lamb." Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week. We take special time to remember the most significant events in history, both globally and personally. Thank you Jesus for your death and resurrection.

I mostly decided to resume blogging to chronicle my health journey over the next year. I think it may help me stay committed. 

Since I last blogged we've added another baby to the family. Josiah, our little caboose. He's 2 and your typically feisty 2 yo boy. I was reading my last post about Caleb from 2017 and now we are basically walking the same road with Josiah. It's cute, but also tries the patience for sure.

We've also recently relocated cross country. We now reside in Wyoming. A big change to be sure.

We still have our one beagle mix, Eby.

But, for now, more on the subject of health. Maybe life updates will come later. 

During quarantine in 2020, the hubs and I changed our way of eating- we began combining keto-ish eating with intermittent fasting. My mother in law told us about it after finding huge success in it herself. The way of eating is called Eat Like a Bear and while there are some materials you can purchase- it can also be done totally free. There are no secrets or supplements. We are one meal a day, high in fiber and moderate in fat and protein, and low in carbs. Mostly salads with a good portion of protein and healthy fats. 

After having my third child I found myself about 20 pounds heavier than when I started having kids, and I wasn't thin even then. I'd managed to lose about 15 pounds in a year just cutting back in general. But I still wanted more. I wanted to finally be out of the overweight/obese category. With Eat Like a Bear I dropped another 10-15 pounds but then my motivation lagged. I've spent about the last year doing the plan off and on, which has resulted in just maintenance. I'm certainly happy to be here instead of where I was. I'd also still like to lose 20 more pounds to get out of the overweight category.

So, I've been (and am still) reading The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung. It's fascinating and enlightening. He is also not selling any fads or supplements. He's also promoting intermittent fasting, extended fasting, and decreasing insulin response Ave cortisol through low carb eating. It's a research based approach.

In the course of trying to find out what plant based sweeteners might be acceptable- I can across an autobiographical article on eliminating all sweeteners. I thought at first this was the approach I was going to take, in addition to my 16/8 eating window and lower carbs. However I found it pretty rough to have my morning hot tea latte without it. So instead I've decided...

To give up desserts for an entire year.

Even keto ones. I'm not buying any more diet soda to keep at the house. I'm reducing the amount of monk fruit I use in my tea.

Y'all, this is a big deal for me. I really love sweets. Like really. Reese's, ice cream, cookies, chocolate milk. Mmmmmm. But it's not something I've been successful in exercising moderation and self control. I'm hoping after a year, I'll no longer have any desire for it. I'm also hoping it makes it easier to reach that 20 lb goal.

Today marks 2 weeks and I'm doing pretty good. I even served cookies to the family and it didn't hurt too badly. 

So, here's to health and breaking food addictions.

Determined to not give Caleb "Second Child Syndrome"

 So after my last post, I realized that sweet, cuddly, mischevious Caleb has only been written about twice since his birth. I can't have him feeling like the forgotten second child when he reads this as an adult!

Caleb is currently 20 months old. He is a very curious little boy! John and I were talking today about how he is more adventurous than Sophia was, and that's quite a lot. He keeps us on our toes. He is CONSTANTLY getting into mischief. Toys are ok, but "forbidden" objects are so much more fun! And if there's a way to make a mess, he will find it!

Growth wise, Caleb is 28 pounds and the height of an average 24-month-old. At his last pediatric appointment, they actually measured his head twice to be sure of its size. His head is so large, they wanted to be on the very cautious side and rule out hydrocephalus, so he got a CT of his brain! Thankfully it was all completely normal (as I knew it would be). It was so neat the "papoose" they wrapped him up in to keep him still. John and I both got to be right by his side and touch him and sing to him, and he was still enough that they didn't have to sedate him. Plus the whole thing takes like less than 5 minutes.

As far as development- he uses 170+ words and learns a new one almost every day. He has a few two-word phrases "All clean, thank you, oh no" and twice has put three words together "I touch it, I see you". He can name almost every object in our house and yard. He can walk of course, run decently, and climb. Oh, can he climb. He uses a spoon, crudely. He does still take a bottle 3 times a day: upon waking, before nap, and before bed. He uses a sippy cup all other times. I've determined that at two he's losing the bottle. I've tried a few times already but he wasn't having it. We have not approached potty training yet. I feel he needs better vocabulary and reasoning skills before we climb that mountain.

I would say so far his personality is sweet overall. He gives hugs, cuddles, and kisses. He needs fewer cuddles as he ages but still is overall more affectionate than Sophia was at this age. He is a charmer. He often tries to charm his way out of discipline. He will try to distract you with "High Five!". Of course, as with most toddlers, he also possesses a decent stubborn streak. Sophia was more of a whiner, but Caleb is a screamer and a thrower. If he doesn't get his way he often throws whatever is in his hand. He also spits! He isn't good at it so it just runs down his chin. But I just have no clue where he got such a habit from! We are trying to break him of that, as I don't feel that's an appropriate response to anger :) But it is also just a little bit funny.

He is very inquisitive about household objects. Our lip balms and deodorant have paid the price for this. He loves to dig in them. He also is obsessed with the dishwasher (Sophia was too). Our fridge and freezer settings change often ;). Sophia wasn't one for writing in places she shouldn't. Caleb on the other hand things chalks and crayons are for eating and scribbling (but not usually on paper). Another similarity to Sophia is that Caleb LOVES to play in the front seats of the car. Each time we have to remove him there's screaming.

For now, there's still some "baby" left in him and I'm soaking it in while I can. We still rock, sometimes he falls asleep in my arms, sometimes he still wants to be held, and of course, he's still in diapers. But the independence that comes with toddlerhood shows up a little more each month. That's just as it should be. It is a joy that's he's developing right on track, but it is bittersweet that the "babyhood" is fading.

I love you, my sweet little angel. You are a welcome addition to our family and I'm so glad God saw fit to put you in our lives.

6 month clothes!

9 month clothes!

12 month clothes!

18 month clothes!

24 month clothes!

Birthday :)

Two months

Three months. So chubby and cuddly.

8 months

Just shy of a year

Standing but not walking

Valentines 2017

Easter 2017, just starting to walk (13 mo)

When big sister accessorizes you

First hair cut, 18 months

Kisses for Papa

Loves ice cream like Mama

What a handsome fella

He loves to swing!

Happy Momma's Boy

His favorite activity. Also- still in 24 month/2T clothes. Growth leveled off :)

A year and a milestone

I cannot believe it's been a whole year. Clearly blogging is no longer my passion. Right now my passion is being a homemaker and cooking, cleaning, and caring consumes most of my day. And then a couple days a week of outside the home work.

I really need to write a catch-up. And to write more about my sweet little boy.

But today I need to document a milestone in Sophia's life.

September 25, 2017, was the first time Sophia asked Jesus into her heart. She didn't tell anyone about it until the next day. Here's how the conversation went:

S- Momma I asked Jesus to come and live in my heart last night!
M- You did? I'm so proud of you! When did you do that? When you were alone in your bed?
S- Yes, a few hours ago
M- What did you say to Jesus?
S- I asked him to forgive my sins and come live in my heart now. Do I get to go the heaven now?
M- Yes
S- Will you be there?
M- Yes, I will
S- Good because I'd be scared to be in heaven without parents. I'd only have fruit to eat without my parents to feed me.
The Earth is boring. I don't want to be on the Earth, I want to be in heaven.
S- Well I'm glad to have you here on the Earth.

All this talk of salvation is thanks to her awesome teacher. I'm sure this is only a small first step on her faith journey. She's only four. But it's exciting nonetheless. I'll be curious to see if she remembers this moment when she is older. I remember the first altar call I responded to. It was after a performance of Heavens Gates and Hells Flames at Bethany World Outreach Center in Baton Rouge. I think my mom asked me to explain what it meant before I went down.

All of Sophia's life I've prayed that she would come to know Jesus in His perfect will and timing. I'm honestly a little unsure if she can really comprehend all that she's asking. But she can comprehend on her level. For me, I asked as a child, but my real, true, never going back, not struggling all the time with sin salvation experience came in my early 20's. And I'd spent my whole life in church! So I guess it makes me a bit skeptical that this will be her true, lasting, meaningful salvation experience. But who am I to know what the Holy Spirit may be doing in her life? So I for certain want to commemorate it.

Since that day Sophia has been talking a lot about Heaven. She says her second VBS this year and her school teacher this year are how she knows all she does. I know that a few weeks ago her teacher offered for those who wanted to pray for salvation. She told me she didn't pray then, but that night she asked Jesus to forgive her (three times) but she didn't ask him into her heart. She is talking about mansions, and how God is preparing them for us even now, and how we will get crowns but they're really to give back to Jesus, and how we may not get tired but if we do we can sleep. And streets of gold. And a surprising amount of accurate biblical truths!

I can also say that I have noticed the past few days that she has been extra obedient. She told me the night she told me about her salvation "I think I'm going to obey for the rest of my life on." There have been more yes/no ma'am's, less complaining, quicker obedience.

So, my sweet girl, I want you to know how it was when you first asked Jesus into your heart, in case someday you don't remember it yourself.