Canaan's Baby Dedication

I can't believe I am finally having the time to blog the little guys dedication from TWO whole months ago! This motherhood thing keeps ya BUSY-in the best possible way ever!

 

We had such a great day celebrating with our friends and family.

To David and I dedicating Canaan was important to us, not only as his parents but for our church. We believe that dedicating him to the church in this way showed our church family that they are just as important in the spiritual upbringing of our son. Most importantly, to us, as his father and mother we have recognized from day 1 of his life IN THE WOMB that he was never ours but always the Lords. This is a very humbling thing to experience as parents because you do SO MUCH to protect and love and guide and raise your child all the while knowing he is HIS.

We, Canaan, David and myself,  are so blessed that Canaan's Uncle Aaron is also a pastor and was able to perform the dedication for him along with his Auntie Amanda. We are so grateful that we get to raise our children together and most importantly to get to raise them up to be great arrows. 

Psalm 127:4
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.

Canaan's Welcome the the World theme dedication luncheon.

You are so loved sweet boy.

What an incredible BLESSING you are to all who know you! From the moment we found out we were expecting we haven't stopped dreaming of all of the GREAT THINGS God has in store for you. CANAAN JUDE, today and every day of your life we commit to raising you in a home that is marked by TRUE GREATNESS, A PASSIONATE LOVE FOR JESUS CHRIST that demonstrates itself in an unquenchable love and concern for others. We pray that you would grow up with a desire to personally know Jesus and that you would serve people with the same love Jesus showed us by dying for our sins on the cross. As your middle name designated-our prayer also is that you praise the Lord above all-in every season. We also pray that you would come to fully understand the truly amazing grace that our heavenly Father has given those who know Him and that you would grow up to be a man that is full of GRACE AND TRUTH, who seeks justice, loves mercy, and walks humbly with God. Canaan-We are confident of God's great plan for your life and so grateful to be able to call ourselves your mommy and daddy. With much love and humility, Mommy and Daddy.

What I did on my way to vote this morning.

I cried on our way to vote this morning. Cried for our future, cried for my son's future, cried for those hanging their hope in a candidate instead of Jesus. Took my little one with us before dropping him off at his Glamma's for the day and before myself ad his dad went to work, mostly because I want to instill in him the great privilege we have as American's to exercise our right to vote. No at 4 months old he cannot vote, but I couldn't vote either when I was much younger but I remember vividly going with my parents, entering behind a curtain with them and my father letting me pull the lever when he was finished. I never knew who he voted for but I do remember how important I thought he was, because lets face it, it is IMPORTANT! I don't think I could look any member of our military in the eye and tell them "I didn't vote." I'd even be so bold to say that if we don't vote, we are saying they are not important. I believe history will be made today in some way or another, I want my son to know he was apart, hopefully for the good of our country. I want my son to know that he is important, that his voice is important and his parents voted for many reasons but one being for him. We as parents have vowed to always always vote and we will always take him and teach him of the great privilege so that one day he will get to make his own choices.

Jalepeno Mac

We LOVE comfort food, and is there any better comfort food than mac & cheese?!

Ingredients

1lb. elbow macaroni
2c. sharp cheddar cheese
2lb. mild cheddar cheese
1/4c. butter
milk to desired consistency
Snyder of Berlin Hot & Spicy Jalapeño potato chips

Cook macaroni, drain, and return to pot.
Add in cheeses and butter stir until melted to avoid burning.
Pour in milk until desired consistency.
Serve and top with crushed potato chips.

THREE.

We had our three month visit with Dr. Tony on Wednesday, and I was so anxious to get the stats on this little-big guy!

Canaan at THREE months

Weight: 11 pounds 11.5 ounces

Birth: 6 lbs 9 oz

Growing like a little weed and his double chin is totally showing for it!  I could nibble his cheeks all day long, and he totally lets me without a peep of objection.

This sweet one is filing out his 0-3 month clothes and still wearing size 1 diapers.

whats new..

We are all smiles!  Last month we were still learning the ins and outs of 'being a happy boy', but this month he has completely mastered his baby grins.  He smiles in response to anyone saying hello and talking to him in a sweet voice.  He especially loves looking and 'chatting' with us after bath time.  He has taken special interest into Ronin and Fitzgerald this month watching them move around from a distance.  He also has started to respond to actions he likes/enjoys.  Anytime daddy makes silly noises to him he starts doing arm movements and 'exercises' with his legs (mainly the bicycle movements).  He smiles so big when we say "mama" or "dada." Daddy swears he has even said "dada" ;) silly daddy! 

LOVES

his swing - he naps in the swing at least once a day.  I am thankful for this love because it makes it easy to get things done around the house  when he will sit contently in the swing // his hanging toys on his baby piano play mat. // his wubby. // bath time // he also loves to be outside. // music is his favorite, I try to make it to Sunday morning band practice so he can listen to the guys play music because he loves it.

HATES

his carseat - BUT it is getting better and not every car trip is a meltdown.  I can see the light at the end of this tunnel // being alone - he is the most social baby on the planet, but he likes to be the observer, he prefers mommy and daddy mostly.

E A T 

Even though this little one is only in the 4.5 percentile for his weight our doctor is pleased with his weight gain consistently, two pounds every month! He showed a steady straight line on the chart which is exactly what they want to see! Canaan remains on a pretty consistent schedule.  He sleeps and eats and plays around the same time every day, the switch up to having my mom watch him 2 days has been a little bit of an adjustment because he isn't napping like he does when he is home.   3-4 hours is normal, eating 5 to 7 times every day.  The usual 'scheduled' feedings: 6am-7am every morning when he wakes and then 10-11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm-9pm before going down for the night. Two days a week for two feedings he gets bottles and then just about once on other days since my work schedule isn't too crazy just yet we have been able to ease into the change which has been great. 

  

 P L A Y / D E V E L O P M E N T

Canaan has gotten SO good at tummy time!  He will hold his head up and tolerate tummy time for longer than about a minute these days.  He will actually lay on his tummy for about 10-15 minutes before he's totally over it. Eye contact and focus has been another huge change this month.  He seems to be very aware of his surroundings and intently observes and takes in what he sees.  He follows whatever has his attention with his eyes and then proceeds to move his head to seek his interest after it has gotten out of his line of sight. He now watches me and if he isn't in a familiar place will cry until he locks eyes with me again. Canaan can roll over at random from tummy to back, it sin't consistent but it happens, he tries so hard and gets so mad.  

Other developments..

He's basically stuffing his entire fist in his mouth.  I am pretty sure we are at the early stages of teething.  He chews and chews on the bink if you hold it in for him and pulls it out wincing in what seems like pain.. DROOL.  Often he will pull off from nursing and stick his hand straight in his mouth. I am not totally convinced that he will pop a tooth anytime soon. 

-Blowing spit bubbles and playing with his tongue!  Did you know that spit bubbles is a developmental milestone?  I didn't either until I read it on my Wonder Weeks app.  He blows spit bubbles ALL the time - especially when we are playing and talking to each other and because I know its a dev. milestone, I'm so proud, haha! Canaan totally tries to mimic us when we move our mouths real slow when we talk to him, craaazzzzy.  

-He gets SO excited when he observes something he likes.  He flaps his arms and his eyes get about as big as quarters. Its probably among my favorite moments of the day.  I want 47 more babies just so that I can see that excitement for the rest of my life.

-He bats at the hanging toys and will even shake his toys that make noise for short periods of time.  We are still working on holding the toys, but he has gotten really good at it!  

S L E E P

This boy is an awesome sleeper. I'm also not sure why this is thee NO.1 question I get!?!?! The "How does he sleep "question is a little nerve-wracking, it's almost like they want me to respond with "awful." He takes 1 long nap during the day - usually about 3 hours in the morning and then an 1-1.5 nap in the early evening around 3-4pm.  He sleeps from 8:30pm to about 3:30am(he eats and goes right back to sleep) Most likely we will be moving him to his own room in the next month.  I'm not ready to move him out, and I don't think his daddy is either.  I still wake at night on my own to check on him and its easy to just reach over and rub his head and belly.  I love having him close.

CANAAN

You my little mister are the absolute LIGHT of our world.  I couldn't imagine not having you in our lives, and I know the rest of our family can agree.  You are in your fourteenth week of life, and the last 14 weeks have been such a joy.. even when your mama feels like she's chasing her tail most of the day just to keep up with you and life in general.  You are one of the happiest babies I've ever met and how lucky am I to be your mama.  I love sitting and snuggling your sweet cheeks over and over and you don't seem to mind at all.  You are the most social little bit on the planet.  As long as someone is in front of you lending an ear to your babbles, you are as happy as a clam.  You always love to be right in the middle of everything and when you start to fuss because there isn't anyone in your eye's view.. I come back quickly to reassure you that no one left and call you 'moody judeee'.  You respond with a gummy grin as big and wide as you can. I tell you a million times a day that you are SO HANDSOME and you just smile back at me in agreement.  You are so playful and will pop off right in the middle of a meal and just study my face until I smile at you and you grin in return and go back to nursing.  

We play this game a couple times a day..your personality is pretty infectious and I look forward to the little games with you.

All smiles.  All the time.

You are so ticklish, especially under your chin! Your daddy will blow raspberries on your belly and you will squirm and smile with your eyes.. you haven't quiet figured out the relationship between the tickles and the laughing but its so close.  But in no time I know your daddy will have you giggling.  Speaking of giggles.. you giggled for the first time this month and Oh.My.Word. I just about died, after begging you to do it again.  I was doing whatever it took to get a little belly laugh out of you..and I'm sure I sounded so silly- but I wanted to hear you laugh over and over again! It brought tears to my eyes to hear that kind of happiness out of you, sweet boy.  I've heard that giggle twice but I cannot wait to hear it again!  You are a mover and a shaker- bouncing your little bootie around as you kick your legs about.  You've found your hands and have them in your mouth 99% of the time.   You are getting so vocal and will screech with excitement over bath time .  My favorite time with you has to be a toss up between your baby naps on my chest and the sweet little conversations we have in between.  You make all kinds of noises and the newest is the squealing and squeeks when you are excited.  I cannot get enough of you.  Even at 3 in the morning, you still make my heart go flip-flop as I study your sweet baby eyelashes and fair baby skin.  I could trace your baby nose and chubby cheeks all night.  So proud of you this month, big boy.

Your mama loves you with all her heart.  

three month photo dump