Looks like someone was having a little too much fun at the wedding rehearsal dinner at the pastor's house last weekend...

I promise it's only an empty root beer bottle. =)
A special thanks to the groom's aunt for capturing this for us.

Robby's Stats

I know it's been a long time since I've posted one of these updates, but we went in for a WIC recertification tonight, so I finally got to find out how Robby was really doing. I'm happy to report that our Robster weighs 22lbs., 12oz. (55th percentile), is 30 1/4in. tall, and is very, very healthy! Robby's checks have also changed - he'll be getting REAL milk, juice, cereal, beans, and cheese. And, in October, WIC will start offering fruits and vegetables, tortillas, and bread - things we could definitely use the help with. Unfortunately, we just BARELY qualified for WIC this time. $350 more and we would have been over. God is faithful and will continue to provide, I'm sure - one way or another. Now that Robby is off of formula, I'm not as worried. If we were still facing the outrageous cost of formula, I'd be slightly more concerned.

Also, I've noticed lately that our little man is incredibly mechanical. He'll sit for long periods of time just putting an object in a box, closing the lid, opening the lid, taking the object out, and repeating over and over. He also loves opening and closing cupboards over and over again. I'm amazed by him. He's really smart for such a little guy. He understands so much more than I expect him to. I hope he's healthy and normal and this isn't the start of OCD or something.

We are so very blessed by God's good grace! Praise God for His many blessings!

Awesome Choir

I got a kick out of this choir that a friend posted a video of. They are amazing!

Don't Forget to Laugh

Amen!

A Letter to My Son

My Dearest Robert,

Celebrating your first birthday has been bittersweet for your father and I. As blessed and excited as we are to watch you grow, we are sad that this year has gone by already.

You have come so far from the tiny little baby we brought home from the hospital. I barely remember just how tiny you were, but the photos always remind me. I reminisce often, but to see you playing and laughing fills my heart with pure joy. Once weak and helpless, you are now strong and full of life. Only by God's loving Grace, of course, and not because of anything we have done. He grew you and raised you up to be the adventurous, active toddler you are now. To watch you grow, learn, and develop tops my list of thanksgiving. When I pray to the Lord, I thank Him daily for you, for I am so very blessed to be your mother. Of all the women on Earth, He chose me to be your mom - how fortunate I am! I couldn't of asked for a better son. You fill my days with laughter and joy and it has been an honor and blessing to raise you thus far. We have so much to look forward to.

I try to remember what it was like before you. I only remember it being sad and empty. We prayed and prayed that the Lord would bless us with a child, but it didn't happen for a long time. God had closed my womb, waiting for the perfect moment for you to come to us. Oh, what a happy day that was! Much rejoicing was heard from our house! Each day I would thank God to finally have you and with each kick and squirm I wanted to fall to my knees and cry for joy. It wasn't enough, though - I couldn't wait to hold you in my arms! And then, the day finally came. Although it was a struggle and we thought we were going to lose you, you were here and I could hold you and kiss you and sing to you all I pleased! What a blessed day!

So, my dear one, my prayer for you on your first birthday is that you continue to grow strong and healthy, both in body and in spirit. I pray someday for your salvation and to be a Godly man, husband, and father. I pray that God gives your father and I the strength, wisdom, and guidance to raise you and to be good examples of what Christian parents are like. I am thankful that the Lord saved your father and I so that we could raise you on a strong foundation in hopes that you'll someday hear His calling as we did. I am so thankful that you are our son!

We love you and are so very proud of you!

Love,
Mama

First Few Steps

I caught a little bit of video of Robby slowly falling (aka walking). It's not much, but it's definitely a start!

He's very eager. He kept diving off the ottoman without caring if I was ready to catch him, yet!

The Birth of a Blog

Robby's not the only one celebrating a birthday this month...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRONICLES OF THE FIRST-TIME MOM!!!That's right. This mama has been bloggin' for a whole year, now!
And to make today even more special, this is my 200th post!

Biblical Motherhood

I stumbled across this and thought it was interesting. It's an article by Dr. Pastor John MacArthur - a name that bears much respect in our household. His article, "The Profile of a Godly Mother", talks about what motherhood was, what motherhood is today, and what biblical motherhood should look like. I definitely recommend reading it.

"The Profile of a Godly Mother"

Car Seat Controversy

Parents are paranoid about anything and everything, it seems. I post a simple video of my son in his new car seat on YouTube and all of a sudden I'm a terrible mother for not rear-facing him. I was told by three different moms, who I'm sure meant well, I'm sure, that I should keep him rear-facing in his new car seat as long as I can - one even suggested until he was four or five years old!! I was told I was putting him in risk because he was facing forward, although I'm following Idaho law and making sure that my child is confortable and safe. Many rattled off a bunch of outrageous statistics for survival, so I explained (even though I shouldn't have to) that he grew out of his infant seat so we really needed him in his new seat and that our new seat won't fit in our car because it's too big. One of the moms jumped all over that by lecturing me that parents in Sweden have to keep their kids rear-facing until they're five and the size of my car is no excuse because they have smaller cars than us. What??? Who cares what they do in Sweden??? Long story short, I ended up deleting all the comments and disabling the the comment feature on my video before it got worse.

Moms have enough to stress over as it is, but many choose to stress over ridiculous statistics which soon turns into absolute paranoia. It all starts from conception - don't eat this when you're pregnant! Don't touch this when you're breastfeeding! Don't do that when potty training! If you're one of those moms - stop it. Stop trying to bubble-wrap your children and use that wasted energy to DISCIPLINE your children instead. (Seriously. It would make my trips to the grocery store much more pleasant.) I know I'm still a new mom, but I know there's only so much we can do to protect our kids and then it's in God's Hands. Stop freaking out and use your common sense.

It's a wonder I survived childhood, using nothing more than a pad of foam to sit on, just so I could see over the dashboard of my grandfather's pickup.

**DISCLAIMER: These are random, scary, internet moms that lurk the 'net aiming to harass us newbies - no one that I know personally.

"DUH!!!"

While changing Robby's diaper this morning, he was his usual chatty self, babbling on about baby issues, when all of a sudden he stops and stares at me. Noticing this sudden break in conversation, I also stop. "What's wrong, sweetie?" I ask. In a moment's notice, I get two, chubby fingers shoved at me, six-shooter style, and he yells at the top of his little lungs, in mocking tone, "DUH!!!" and then starts cracking up laughing.

Should I be insulted that my one year old implied that I'm "special"?

More of Robby's Birthday

Here are the videos we took of Robby's party, yesterday:







Also, I completely forgot to show his cupcakes. I'm kind of proud of them, considering it was the first time I had ever made cupcakes!

Robby's Birthday Party

Although it is not his true birthday, we celebrated little man's first birthday early with my family today. We might be doing something for just us on his actual birthday (the 18th), but it probably won't be anything more than just spending the day together.

We had a great time eating, talking, and rejoicing for this wonderful year we've had with Robby. He was received lots of new clothes and only one toy (my grandmother restrained herself, as I requested). We then sang to him and let him have at his very first cupcake, but it wasn't what I expected. I expected him to dive right in, frosting and cake a-flyin', but instead he immediately stripped the cupcake of all it's frosting with one hand and then picked off small bites with the other, taking time to savor each morsel. Very anti-climatic. We then let him splash around in his pool for awhile and then watched a movie. It was a nice, quiet evening.

So, thank you to my family, who were nice enough to provide dinner and to help us celebrate our son. It was exactly what I was hoping for and I think Robby really enjoyed himself - gauging by the conked-out child in the backseat on the way home, I think he had a really good time.

Video to come.

Potty Talk

My day, too, will come, I'm sure.

Summer Reading

I was in a great hunt for some decent, theologically-sound Christian books a couple weeks ago, and I finally found a couple that should keep my thoughts captive and my soul satisfied. I love Amazon.com! After figuring out exactly what I wanted to read, I got on there, found the books for way cheap, and they were here within a week or so! I am quite eager to start reading again and plan on starting John MacArthur's Twelve Extraordinary Women today while Robby naps. I've heard nothing but good things about both of these books, but I can't wait to experience them for myself!

Michael Jackson

The worship of Michael Jackson is making my heart ache. He was only flesh and remains so even now! If only they worshiped their God like they worship their celebrities and golden idols! Can you imagine just how angry the Just and Holy God, the Creator of all, the Father of Heaven and Earth must be when all their love, devotion, worship, and praise that was meant for Him is being directed towards an incredibly sinful man, who lived only for himself and not for Christ?

This guy is kind of goofy, but his message is excellent and spot-on. I have to note, though: We shouldn't just assume Michael went to Hell, even though he lived like it. All we can do is hope and pray he repented and put his trust in the Savior before he died.

Pray for Our Country

"The USA falls so far short, we cannot lift our eyes to heaven for shame. But slapping my country down is not a redemptive response. I pray for my country, that the risen Christ would so pour out his Spirit again that the church will be cleansed and multitudes brought to Christ and our nation renewed. With God, there can be another great beginning."

-Ray Ortlund, Christ is deeper still

Cardboard Tunnel/Fort

Matt's been looking forward to making something for Robby since...well, forever. Finally, we got the perfect boxes to do so!

I'd Just Like to Say...

THANK YOU DAD & KATHY!!!We got our car seat today and it is AWESOME! It even comes with a little cup holder and everything! :) Thanks guys!!! And as an added bonus, Matt's in the process of making Robby a fort out of the huge box it came in (photos coming soon)!

This will probably be the only Eddie Bauer thing Robby will ever see.

Don't Forget to Laugh

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo Recipe

I took this meal to Family Camp to share with another family and it ended up being a hit with other families. Very simple, very tasty! Great with garlic bread and a salad.

Baked Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 16oz. package of rigatoni noodles (or any noodle of your choice)
1 16-32oz package of frozen broccoli (depending on how much you like broccoli)
1-2 jar(s) of alfredo sauce (or 2-4 packets of the dry alfredo sauce; depends on how "saucy" you want it)
shredded mozzarella cheese to taste
grated parmesan cheese to taste

1. Bake chicken in 375 degree oven for 25-35 minutes. Cube when cooled.

2. While baking chicken, cook noodles, broccoli, and sauce according to instructions on the labels.

3. Combine together cubed chicken, noodles, broccoli, and sauce. Pour into greased casserole dish and top with cheeses.

4. Bake uncovered in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until brown and bubbly.