Packing, Packing, Packing...Oh, and A Date!

Although it looks all clean and calm in the background, let me assure you, it is NOT! Káel has a new forest of cardboard boxes to explore and crawl over while we pack up our yellow cottage dream land. There is stuff everywhere!  It has been interestingly easy for me to work around little boy's naps though. ;) The stress level is a little high at times. Our tv's are officially off the walls which means Baby Einstein is available only on our computers and the entire upstairs is ready to be loaded in a moving truck. My brain feels so scattered at times. Oh, and our fridge is on day 6 of being totally dead. Our landlord gave us a mini freezer that we have been using. It kinda feels like we are camping.

I feel like my brain is running a million miles an hour! I'm planning an amazing baby shower for a dear friend that will take place the weekend after we move into our new casa.  Then, Forest boy has his first b.day and I haven't even gotten a chance to do any real organizing of my thoughts for that. It will all come together. I have a tendency to put more on my plate than I can eat. I want to do SO many things and a lot of times it ends up biting me in the booty. We are SO excited to be moving into our new little bungalow though! Oh.my.goodness! I keep telling myself, one more week Jess, then you can nest and decorate and go on walks in the pretty neighborhood. My heart gets so excited just thinking about it! Eeeee!

Today I'm babysitting little miss Anthem again which I enjoy so much. While the kids play, I'm going to try and squeeze in a few boxes here and there. Then, tonight my handsome man and I have a long overdue date night. Even though logically it doesn't make sense to let up in our moving venture less than a week before we move, or spend the extra money...it does make sense in the heart department. It's so important for Sam and I to have grown-up time with each other, away from the diapers and bottles,  without thinking about Forest boy's next meal or all the other wonderful details of being a parent. Being our little boy's mom and dad is the best thing ever, but to keep that the best thing ever, we need to keep our hearts full of each other.  Date night is like a treat to that part of us. We even went to Buffalo Exchange yesterday and swapped some of our threads for a new dress for me and some new duds for Sam, to make it extra fun and special.  Well, little missy and my little adventurer are getting into something "amazing," I better go check on them. :)

I took a 5 min break yesterday and spray painted these once brown wooden  frames that go to the cross-stich pictures my great-great grandma made. :) They have always gone in the hallways of my families homes and now, they will go in our new little hallway! Who says you can't whip out the spray paint can in the middle of moving chaos? It gave me a creative boost I greatly needed. ;)

Sam and I knocked Káel's room out yesterday.

Have a fabulous Thursday! I hope you find a heart full of things to love and enjoy today.

Jess

Hard To Say Goodbye

Yesterday, one of my dearest friends moved very far away. I've mentioned Kristina several times here on the blog and shared how much I love her. Let me tell you something about this girl.  She is the kind of friend that always reminds me of who I was, am and want to be, no mater how I feel or see myself in the moment. We get each other's hearts so well, it's crazy! (I will NOT cry...sigh.) She's been a voice of encouragement for me and a sparkle of sunshine.  She was one of the very first friends that I made when I first moved to the Carolinas, right after Sam and I got married. The first time I ever hung out with a group of married gals, as a married lady myself, she was there. We were pregnant together, her little girl was Forest boy's first playmate and I just love the living daylights out of the girl!

Sunday night, I got to hang out with Kristina and her sweet little darlin', Adoration, the night before they hit the road.  I so was  happy that I was able to spend the last evening with them.  I brought Kael with me, so he and his little buddy could enjoy each other again before they left. THE coolest thing happened while we were watching the kiddos play; Adoration took her first steps! I love that little girl like she's my own blood,  so it was a very epic moment.

The whole evening I had to tell myself that she was really leaving. It just didn't and still doesn't seem real. We talked as our babies played, and we reflected on sweet memories we had shared together.  We found ourselves tearing up. It was the sweetest kiss of a moment to my heart!  As we said goodbye, another gush of waterworks were flowing, pretty freely, while I loaded little boy in the car...actually, I was kind of sobbing. It was a sweet moment.

You know, it's funny how it can hit you like a brick in the face, when you realize that there’s gonna be a big empty spot, when someone you really care about is going to be gone. Although, Kristina isn't gone, she's just out exploring with her family, out by the ocean for a while. Right? ;)

We are already planning future vacations down to the beach land of Florida, where they are moving.  And of course we will still have our annual adventure trip with our community of girl friends. A few hundred miles aren’t going to stop THAT from happening! I've also been picturing all the fun and amazing new stories that Kristina and her family will get to experience, as they settle into their new home and life on the beach. That's kept my heart so happy and away from a sad place. We've all been telling her that she HAS to blog extra pictures so we can stay updated. You guys can follow her journey HERE.

I'm gonna miss you Kristina, like nobody's business!  Thank you for being an inspiration of trueness and hope for my heart. I love being your friend. Happy travels and joyful adventures. I can't wait to hear all about it.

This Weekend

You guys, it's official! We got the house!!!! Aaaaaaaah! We are SO excited! I've dreamed of living in a little 1950's bungalow for a while now and I'm beyond excited to finally get to nest in one! We have HUGE trees, the biggest deck I've ever seen, a mega big yard with a creek behind our fence! On my new back porch it feels like I'm in the magical woods, for reals! Birds like crazy, lots of shade and we have a tree in our new front yard for a tree swing for the Forest boy! We move in in just over a week and my heart has butterflies! We will be a hop, skip and a jump away from SO many of my favorite spots in Charlotte, which will be so nice, especially since gas has gotten so expensive, plus lots of our friends are close by. 

Today is another full day, let me tell ya! Cleaning, packing, then this afternoon a couple of gals are coming over to talk cloth diapering (Lorean, my cloth diaper guru is leading the discussion.) Then tonight, me and my boys get to watch one of my favorite little girls, Micah.  Saturday is a big event, more than worthy of a mention. You guys, 4-5 families, all friends of ours are joining forces to have a HUGE garage sale. I don't think you can even grasp how much stuff there will be. To top it off, we will have live jazz/bluegrass music provided by 2 of the husbands. Yes, live music. I'm so excited! Hopefully we will sell all of our extra stuff that we have no desire to move and have a grand time! I'll be sure and take pics and do a post on the day. :)  Did I mention that we have gotten ALL of our top quality packing boxes for free from a nice family off of craigs list? Yep, most of them have lids and handles, it's been such a blessing. Well, I'm off to my check list for the day with Over the Rhine playing throughout the house. Have the loveliest of Fridays and a restful weekend! 

his new favorite adventure and free entertainment...the box caves. 

A Day with Anthem

Yesterday, I got to babysit my friend Lindsay's beautiful little girl, Anthem. Some of you guys might remember me posting some pics of her sweet little self before. We spent the day playing with Káel's cars and finding some old lace which we made headbands and jewelry out of. (Once the Forest was asleep of course, he would have none of that.) ;) I had so much fun with her. She took a major liking to our piano, and she would sing with me as I "La la la-ed" throughout the house. It was pretty much preciousness. Of course Káel needed to show her everything, especially how to play the keys... I had a smile on my face all day.  (I've come to the conclusion that I need a little girl in my life.)

wanna start an indie folk band? yeah, lets.

this might be one of my favorite pictures i've ever taken. blurry or not, i love it. i kept laughing as they kept playing and looking back to make sure i was watching.

Packing for Our Bungalow

Yesterday was a day full of packing, yummy leftovers and some hopefully exciting news about our potentially new little 1950's bungalow! Ah, I really hope this house works out. It's in a neighborhood we fell in love with and it's just perfect. I'll give you guys more details as soon as it's officially sealed and done. Which...should be today!? Ah!  Here are a couple pics from our day yesterday. I've almost finished boxing up little Forest boy's room and he is always eager to "help" me as you can see below. ;) Our home is slowly turning into a village of brown boxes. 

It's been a real stretching time with us having to move in the middle of Sam still looking for work and so many changes all around us. But, like one of my dear friends told me, lean into this stretching time like you lean into a yoga position. :) The Lord is faithful to us and little windows are starting to open up, letting more and more sunshine of promise in. As Sam and I were getting ready for bed last night, he smiled the biggest smile, sighed and burst out "I love my little family." It was a perfect, simple moment full of sweetness. No matter what is going on, simple, crazy, real love drenches my life. 

a yummy lunch of avocado, tomato and lentils

sam and i heated up some amazing leftovers of his famous quesadillas from last night's dinner with our friend jordan. (who was also one of the midwives who helped deliver káel.) 

FINALLY!

Many of you have heard me mention my friend Kara on the blog before. She is an amazing, dear and beautiful friend. Well, Kara and her man, Matt, have been on a long journey of adoption this past year. You need to read their story! It's been so gut wrenching on my heart to watch the wait they have gone through. Kara was made to be a mom. She is hands down one of the most amazing girls I've ever known. Her heart is bursting with love and tenderness to pour out on her future baby(s) - it's just crazy. ;)  A couple weeks ago they recieved "the" call. A birth mother had chosen them and their baby was no longer a vague dream but HE was due September 26th and very excited to meet them! Eeeeek! All of us who adore Kara and Matt have been crying, dancing, screaming and crying some more with them in celebration! Can I just add, Kara is going to have the biggest kick-booty baby shower ever! Ah! Go to her blog HERE read the post on when they found out and then read the most recent last few posts.... I promise, you will have a tear in your eye and the biggest smile on your face.

Yay for Baby BOY M.! Sam and I are beyond elated for you guys! We love you and your baby boy! I can't wait to squeeze him!!!  Muuuuuah!

Frozen Broccoli Boy

I recently discovered one of Káel's favorite snacks...raw broccoli! He loves it, especially when I freeze it. He will chew and gnaw on it for the longest time, making it a yummy, teething, snack full of vitamins! Frozen broccoli was my favorite snack (and as weird as it sounds, still is) as a little girl. 

I can't believe he's 10 months old! It's freaking me out how fast time is flying. I'll post more on the wonders of the 9 and 10 month landmark later. :) 

I've missed blogging the last couple of weeks and I know my posts have been scarce. Sorry about that. We have 3 weeks to find a house, pack and move. My brain space is filled up with house hunting and my creative juices have been going into building up stock for my new etsy store (that will hopefully open later this month or early August). Today, Sam and I are going to look at a house in one of my favorite neighborhoods. We'll see how that goes...I'm so hoping that this is the one. If it is, I'll be posting and sharing the excitement with you. 

Have a wonderful Monday! 

Tunes & Such: The Honey Trees

I hope all you beauties had a fabulous 4th of July! We celebrated with a ton of our friends with bbq, treats and fireworks. It was a blast. I have been wanting to do another installment for my "Tunes and Such" feature for a while and I'm glad I'm finally getting around to it! Here is another amazing group, one of my favorite music groups. 

The Honey Trees take you to dreamy, far away places with their lyrics and their melodies have a haunting goodness about them. Becky Lou Filip and Jacob Wick are an amazing duo that will inspire your heart. They released their first EP "Wake the Earth" in February 2009 and are working on a new recording project. I would totally recommend them for your summer playlist. You can download their music on itunes HERE. Watch, listen and enjoy! 

photography: simon filip

Sometimes Sweet: Papa Said

Head on over to one of my favorite blogs Sometimes Sweet and check out Dani's new series, "Papa Said!" Each Sunday she will feature a different dad with their perspective on daddy-hood plus their words of advice. Yesterday Samuel shared a few of his thoughts on parenthood and I shared a few on how amazing I think he is. ;) Dani is one of the sweetest, caring and thoughtful bloggers I have had the joy to meet and call friend. Her little boy Henry is pretty darn cute, so be prepared to be smitten.

 I'm going to go take a walk with sweet boy and do some more house hunting. Have a lovely Monday!

Scariest Night Ever

Night before last was one of the scariest that I've experienced so far in this new chapter in life called, motherhood. Actually it was one of  the scariest thing in my life, I think ever, motherhood or not. 

I had a sinking feeling in my gut as I ran upstairs to check on my Forest boy. Something wasn't right. He'd only been in his crib for 10 min or less, but he'd been acting funny since dinner about 15 min before. He kept coughing, and itching his eyes, he wouldn't finish his food or drink anything. Or was he just sleepy and rubbing his eyes in the dramatic way he always does? I was replaying in my mind anything that was out of the ordinary that might cause his discomfort. Yeah, he was teething but this was different. Oh my gosh! I gave him two of THE smallest bites of my peanut butter sandwich that I was eating while feeding him! I reached for the overhead light in his room, of course the light bulb was blown out. I looked over his crib with only his nightlight to see him tossing pitifully in bed, his face looked strange. I grabbed him and he was coughing and as I rushed downstairs. The fear of this being an allergic reaction to peanuts terrified me. I had friends in school that almost died from this because their throat would swell up and they couldn't breathe. Kael's face was so red and so swollen, there were blotches on his arms and he looked scared.

Sam had run up to grab some dinner at Chick Fil-A, so I was at home alone. I kept going from the living room to the kitchen, back and forth trying to figure out what to do. Where the *bleep* is my iphone!? Should I call 911, should I just run up to the urgent care right around the corner? Should I call Sam? WHERE IS MY PHONE?! This HAD to be from the peanut butter. Within 5 min. of me giving him 2 tastes (which he LOVED) he had started rubbing his eyes really hard, and coughing. He wouldn't drink his water or milk. He wouldn't eat any of his other bits of dinner that he really liked. All of a sudden as I'm thinking this and a million other thoughts in a 20 second time period, Kael projectile vomits like I have NEVER seen him do before, all over the floor, himself and me. Sam came in the back gate and I rushed out to show him Kael. When he saw Kael's face he said, "Oh my God." I told him what I thought  was going on and we ran out the door to take him to the Urgent Care. It seemed unreal. We were told to go to the children's hospital and take him to the emergency room. We chose to drive instead of being taken by ambulance. We were in the car praying, and I kept beating myself up for giving him peanut butter. I looked down at my feet and realized I had forgotten my shoes, nice.  Please God, let my baby be ok. I called my midwife to get her advice and her opinion. She encouraged us to absolutely go to the ER.

walking into the ER at Levine Children's Medical

By the time we got to the ER that was 20 min. away, his face had gone down a ton and I could tell he wasn't scared anymore. It was still swollen but not nearly as much as it had been.  Another 10 min. and he was flirting with the nurses, puffy eyed-face and all. My little trooper. They put us in a room, gave him a big dose of Bendryl, some fluids and waited to make sure he was improving. About 2 hours later he was doing a million times better, the medicine had kicked in and after playing with some toys they gave him, he passed out on me in the rocking chair. After what I told them, they agreed it was a peanut allergy and told us to make an appointment with our pediatrician (which we are doing tomorrow). Everyone was SO nice to us while we were there, it was very comforting. 

We got home, put him to bed, he was out cold, little darlin'. I heated up our now cold Chick Fil-A that had been forgotten and tossed on the table when we left. Sam and I sat there quietly eating and I started to cry. I had been so focused on being strong for my baby and having a clear head so I could think and respond the way  we needed to that, I didn't emotionally process what had just happened. I had felt panic for 5 minutes when I first found him and after that I was in mom mode. I called my mom on the way home and she was googling peanut allergies. She told me some babies don't show serious signs for over an hour. I realized that I could have put him to bed and not realized what was happening. Thank God he showed symptoms that early and I noticed them.  Sam kept telling me to not beat myself up, but it was and is hard not to. I'm just so thankful that he is ok! I found my cell phone smooshed between the couch cushions. I had several texts from friends telling me that they were praying and if we needed them they were there for us. We have the most amazing community surrounding us and when one of us needs prayer or help, it's there before you can even ask. 

swelling had gone down a ton...my poor little sweetie

Well, somehow I missed the memo that peanut butter including any and ALL peanut products should be withheld from your baby until they are at least 1 yr. old. To be on the safe side, you should wait until they are 2 or 3.  We don't have anyone on either side of our family that has a peanut allergy, Kael hasn't had any vaccines, he's not allergic to anything else that we know of. He eats mostly organic food...it's just so bizarre to me. If any of you guys have any insight or knowledge about this sort of thing, I welcome any sources of info or advice. We have to carry what's called an Epi Pen now. One in the diaper bag and one here at home. It's a big shot in case he has another reaction, to make sure he can breathe. It all is and sounds so scary to me. All of this is new territory for me. 

'

notice my socks...compliments of the nurse upon seeing my very dirty barefooted feet. 

waiting to go home. we hadn't brought anything, no bottle, no nothing...thankfully a sweet nurse brought back some toys for him to play with. (they had been cleaned.) 

I started a new hospital fashion trend. Who says these ugly things can't come in style? ;) 

Now you know the reason behind the title of this post. I'm going on a new quest to research this booger of peanut sensitivity. Again, I would love to hear any feedback or experiences you have to share on the subject. Little boy is totally fine now. Yesterday he was a little whoozy and tired but today he's as feisty as ever! We are going to look at a couple of houses today in the ongoing house hunt! Have a lovely week pretties!