17 Months

On April 3rd, Brady hit the 17th month mark.  I feel that the last 4 weeks have really been filled with developmental changes and tremendous growth.  This little guy is so sweet and loving, it reminds us regularly how truly blessed we are that God brought him into our lives.

His vocabulary is expanding and has added, "all done", "up stairs", "basketball", "baseball", "down", and "no" to his everyday vernacular.  The word no is starting to pop up much more frequently but has not been out of control quite yet.  He knows what he wants and will attempt to show or tell you what that may be.

The toddler tantrums still remain here and there, however, Dave and I have started to discipline more now that he is older and understands.  I have been taking part in a study in the MOMS group I am in, and we are currently reading, Shepherding A Child's Heart, which has greatly shaped how and when we deal with those tantrums and rebellious moments.  I recommend this book to everyone.  It is one that can and needs to be read over and over and your child grows.  More information on the book can be found here.

Most of our days are filled with fun, and he LOVES the outdoors.  We recently bought a tee ball set and a lawn mower and he loves to play with them.  He readily gives hugs and kisses and kindly in a southern twang says "bye-bye" and blows kisses whenever we leave anywhere.  His favorite foods right now are edamame, avocado and chicken nuggets.

I love every moment that we share with him, and I am exciting to see him grow with the Lord.

17 month stats: 16 teeth and I would guess around 23 pounds.

16 Months

This past month has been an emotional one for us, however, continuing to watch our little guy grow and change has made it all the while.  A friend recently told me that the 16-20 month time was "golden" and I would have to agree.  It is amazing to watch a child truly learn and pick up on new things each and every day.  Yes, we still have our meltdowns, but they are a little more infrequent, and most stem from the fact that he wants to go outside, (non-stop----c'mon Spring get here!) play with the iPad, or watch Mickey Mouse.

He loves to stack things, and move bottles, plates, bowls and cups all around the house.  He seems to prefer to play with these things right now instead of his toys.  His favorite thing is to be outside, and I am looking forward for the weather to warm up, so that we can spend hours outside.  He is picking up on our routines as well, and he will get a bag, put it on his arm and wave "bye bye" and give kisses to us, like he is leaving for work, just like his Daddy does.  It is pretty sweet, but it makes you realize those eyes and ears are watching your every move.

His vocabulary is continuing to grow.  It is still saying mostly babble, but the babble is much more frequent.  He can still say, "Mama, Dada, Belle-Belle, on, uh-oh, and bye-bye", and has added "duck, papa (sometimes),  balloon, and last night with the phone in his hand he made a sound that sounded like hello".  He still signs "food, milk, more, please, thank you, and all done". He can point to most body parts (head, hair, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, tummy, hands, and feet), and can recite animal sounds when asked, (a lion, monkey, dog, cat, duck, chicken, and a sheep).

He went through a stage where he did not want us to read any books to him, but the last few weeks, he has been bringing us books and his favorite are books that have any type of lift-the-flap or that has something that he can point out (like the balloon in Goodnight Moon or the bear in I Love You All The Time).

He is still a great eater, loves most fruits and a few vegetables.  Some of his favorites are chicken, avocado, edamame, broccoli, oranges, grapes, and strawberries.  He is finally drinking milk from a cup pretty well, and some days he will guzzle it down non-stop and some days he would rather have water.  We still pretty much limit him to those 2 things.  His favorite snacks are PB crackers, Cheerios, Goldfish, and yogurt covered raisins.

He is such a blessing.  Look at those eyes, how can you resist?

16 month stats:  22 lbs 8 oz, 33 inches long.  14 teeth and 1 on the way!

Trials and True Joy

Time continues to fly by and this past month has seemed like a whirlwind and an eternity at the same time.  In the middle of January we were excited to find out that there would be another Goble baby on the way, so these last few weeks were filled with joyful anticipation.

10 days ago we were scheduled for our 8 week ultrasound.  At 8 weeks and 4 days, I was looking forward to this visit, hoping to share the good news with the grandparents in the days following.     When the doctor walked in and sat down, she told us that she wished she had good news to share.  My 8 week ultrasound was looking more like 6 weeks, and although she wanted us to come back in a week to be sure, she wanted to prepare us that we may have lost the baby.  It was hard for me to hear because there were no signs, no pain, and no bleeding. 

Last week was a blur to me.  Filled with so many emotions and tears.  It is amazing how at even such a early stage, it can be so heartbreaking to lose a baby.  So we waited and wondered.  I prayed at every moment that I could, that maybe there would be chance that this little life would continue to grow, however, at the same time, I was preparing my heart and my mind that we may have already lost it.  

Thursday we went back to the doctor for our follow up ultrasound, and although we were somewhat prepared, it was still difficult hearing that you lost your baby.  We decided on the D&E procedure which took place this past Friday, and I am now healing from the physical and emotional loss.  

I am not sure why I feel so hesitant to talk or write about this subject.  Especially since I have found comfort in many online forums and mother sites that talked about miscarriage.  1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage  but you seldom hear about them. I have had many friends dear to me that have gone through similar and even more difficult losses but it still seems like it is a thing that many keep to themselves.  Maybe it is because it is an emotional time that you share intimately with your spouse and loved ones.  I however, have felt comfort in reading many other women's stories and finding peace with what I am dealing with.  One of my closest friends lost her baby at 19 weeks and found out the exact same time as I did.  As sad as it was, I felt that the Lord had us going through this together to find some comfort in one another.  

The day after our first ultrasound, I was sitting in my MOMS group and one of the speakers quoted  a verse from James that truly stuck in my mind these last 10 days.  

James 1:2-12

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. ¹⁰ But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

It is difficult to find hope and joy in light of such sadness, but trusting the Lord and his divine plan has pulled me through this past week. It has opened my eyes even more to the joys that I experience through my loving husband and sweet son.  As I was awakened at 3 am last week, I rocked my little boy back to sleep and thanking the Lord for even that moment with him in the middle of the night.  

I have realized that my time right now is to focus on growing my faith, and loving my husband and son with all of my heart.  These next few months will be a focus on finding strength, motivation, love, and joy in all that I do.  I am reminded through this verse and through this time that perseverance through trials with the Lord by your side will give you strength and true joy.  

15 Months

Almost a week ago we hit the 15 month mark.  Time surely is flying by.  It is an interesting stage because in some instances, he seems so grown up and more toddler-like, and then at other times, I am reminded that he is still my little baby.

He continues to change daily and learn new things.  His vocabulary is expanding somewhat.  There is still mostly jibber jabber however he says "mama", "dada", "Belle-Belle", "bye-bye", "on" and a few other variations of other words.  He is a sweet little boy, loves to blow kisses, and give them, and he waves to everyone, whether it is out at the grocery store or out to dinner.  He is constantly saying hello to everyone.  However, the toddler tantrums are in full swing in our home.  If Brady does not get what he wants, he will make it known that he wants it.  We do not give in to his fits, however he still makes sure to try to get what he wants!

He is now running all over the house, down the street, and chasing after the dogs.  When he goes, he is gone, swinging one arm as fast as he can.  He likes to walk up the stairs like a "big boy" taking it step by step with a little help from mom and dad.  His favorite foods are pancakes, bananas (at times), avocado, edamame, grapes, and of course Chick-fil-a chicken nuggets.  He has a pretty good palate and will eat most of what we eat, as long as you can get him to taste it first.

We are finally a bottle and pacifier free home!  We dropped the pacifier at 6 months and we got rid of the final evening bottle about 3 weeks ago.  He has done great and now puts himself to sleep at night.  He no longer lets me read him a story and rock him for a bit.  Once we go to his room, he points to the light and his music and he goes to bed.  It has been nice, but it is bittersweet at the same time.

We are having fun here.  Days are exhausting at times when we don't get enough sleep or are not in a good mood, but then I look at evenings like tonight, when I took my little guy out to dinner, ate cooked apples together, and danced around the hallway to the radio.  These are the days that make it all worth it!