gotta start somewhere

I haven't been this out of shape or in need of losing weight in ... I think forever. I used to climb 14,000-foot mountains! And now a half-hour walk leaves me winded and sore for two days. But you gotta start somewhere, right? So I'm trying not to be discouraged, and think of being able to walk 35 minutes next time as progress ... however slow it might be. Next time I decide to be pregnant, I'm going to try and do a teensy bit more exercise, just so I'm not so miserably far behind after the baby comes. Just wait, I'll reach my goal two days before I find out I'm pregnant again. I just want to be able to enjoy the hard work of getting into shape a little longer than that ...

On another note ... my cousin Molly had her baby yesterday! That's two down, two to go for the extended Lindley family in 2009. After my cousin Joy has her baby (due Christmas day) the Lindleys will have produced six babies in 16 months (Madeleine, Sophia, Josephine, Vienna, baby boy Elwood, and baby Domingo). And who knows who will announce another pregnancy before year's end! Family reunions are going to start getting loud (well, loudER).

John and Molly Swanson on the 4th of July. Their baby girl was born last night at 10:00 (July 25). Her name is Vienna Joyce Swanson. Please pray for them, as Vienna is spending the first 48 hours of her life in the NICU, and Molly can't nurse or even hold her until they release her. Everything should be fine then, but UNTIL then, its killing John and Molly not to have her with them.

the used to's

I used to have goals including hiking tall mountains, reading classic literature and knitting sweaters for everyone I know. Now I have goals like taking a shower and getting a nap. I used to cook dinner every night, and tried to come up with something creative at least once a week. Now dinner is a means to an end and we eat more hot dogs and macaroni and cheese than anyone should. I used to have a fairly nice summer wardrobe in somewhat nice sizes (having lost 25 pounds last year) and now my summer wardrobe consists of about three things I can wear in sizes I'd rather not admit to. I used to take my time eating dinner, using both hands willy nilly. Now I eat most meals either one-handed or as fast as I can without choking. I used to complain when my 9-hour night's sleep was interrupted by an early alarm clock, and now I do a little dance of joy when I get four hours of sleep together.

I used to think life with my husband and my dog was pretty happy and complete. And it was. And yet daily I am learning how much more happy and complete eight pounds of baby can make a family. I used to wonder how I'd ever handle lack of sleep, and now I know: love for a child can make you rise to any occasion.

Nothing could have prepared me for the changes in my life a child would bring. I used to worry about that ... but now I don't. I'll always think back on the "used to's" with fondness, but not with any desire to go return there.

God's provision

Managing our rapidly dwindling income has become a full-time job for both Caleb and I. In April Caleb's income was cut in half. The end of May saw my last full paycheck before going on maternity leave. And at the end of June Caleb was officially laid off and we got the last paycheck we could count on. We are now both wards of the state as I collect State Disability and Caleb collects Unemployment. With each decrease in our income we've gone back to the budget and the bills and worked what magic we could to make ends meet each month. So far we haven't had to pull too much from our savings, and that alone has been a huge blessing.

One of the up sides of instability in your finances is a chance to watch God provide in ways we used to provide for ourselves. It is amazing how he takes care of us in ways big and small ... when we just let him. For a while now I've needed to list some of the things that God has provided ...

A crib for Josie, which we were able to paint white, exactly what we wanted
A changing table
A shelf unit for the nursery
Josie's curtains, crib bumper and rocking chair cushions (all hand-made by my MIL)
Josie's entire wardrobe
A breast pump, including the accessories and bottles (at least through October)
A coupon good for a meal for two at California Pizza Kitchen
A pair of pants for $5.31 (originally $89 at Ann Taylor Loft ... I HAD to brag about that one)
Meals for a full six weeks after Josie was born
Enough cash for my birthday to help with a transition wardrobe (between maternity and pre-pregnancy clothes)
Caleb gets at least one new contact a week from someone who knows he's looking for work

And its more than just stuff ... we've also been cared for in many non-material ways, not the least of which is the amount of help we've had with the baby from friends and family. Yesterday my cousin came over and helped me reorganize the pantry, bake cookies and vacuum the carpet. And both my mom and MIL have been hugely helpful in ways from cooking and cleaning to helping watch the baby and decorate her room.

Its easy to start panicking when I think too much about our finances and bills ... which is why its so important to take stock of how much I don't have to worry. God is good, he is the Great Provider. I look forward to the things I have yet to count that will continue to show how much he cares.

a san diego excursion

On a bit of a whim, Caleb and I decided to join a small contingent of family members in San Diego for a day of food and fellowship, both in and out of the pool. It was a lovely day out of the house, a good time with family, and offered some great photo opportunities (as seen below).

Josie has nothing to look at but her oh-so-bright future, full of nothing but potential (with Dad looking on with pride, and a little amusement).

Her future's so bright, she has to wear shades.

She had a really good time partying with the family

Cousin Madeleine, showing Josie how to hold up her head and walk at the same time.

She even ponders greatness in her sleep.

Josie finished the day regaling the Kaiser family with funny stories

a new swing

On Wednesday, July 8th, my office threw us a 'welcome Josie' party. We felt so honored, and Josie was welcomed with open arms by all. We were also given the gift of a swing, which has turned out to be our newest most necessary possession. See the video at the bottom of this post for a visual of why. Thanks to everyone at Kemp Financial Management and Newcastle Financial Advisors for the great blessing of the party and the gift!

Caleb, Josie and I, with her new swing (boss Tim in the background)

Enjoying lunch from Lascari's. Mmmmm ....

My boss Tim, helping Josie get the rest of her lunch.

And here's Josie thoroughly enjoying her new swing. I love how she sleeps with her hands up like that ... like she's warding off anyone who might dare disturb her.

the nursery

It has taken me a long time to finally photograph the finished baby's room ... and here it is! As always, there's still a few things yet to finish, but its mostly done. And Josie loves it! If it feels like we're only showing half the room, its because we are. The other half is Caleb's office. I also haven't taken pictures of the bathroom yet ... but I'll get to it. Its pretty cute too. :)

Josie asleep in her crib. The crib was given to us and we painted it white. It came out great! The bumper was made by my mother-in-law and gives Josie lots of colors to look at.

Josie only takes naps here for now, but she seems to enjoy her crib!

Josephine Lois Weston's initials ... a gift from her Aunt Amy and Aunt Rachel.

This pillow was handmade by my mom using cross stitch work done by my grandma Lois, after whom Josie is named. It even says "stitched by Lois 1986" at the bottom. This is one of the room's most special items. I can't wait to tell Josie stories about her great-grandmother.

No little girl's room is complete without colored circle rugs! Also, note the pads on the rocking chair ... also handmade by my mother-in-law. The rocking chair itself belonged to Caleb's grandmother, and fits me perfectly. The shelf unit next to it was found by my mother-in-law and refinished by her as well. She also embellished the curtains ... which are hard to photograph because they're backlit during the day and the lighting is bad at night ... I'll work on that. But they are awesome, and Josie already enjoys staring at them while I burp her after she eats.

The finished room. The paint job was done a few months back. The green stripes under the chair rail took us several nights to finish, as we had to mark the straight lines, paint inside them, wait for it to dry, and redo. But it was worth it! I love how the paint job turned out.

And that's Josie's room. There's a wall shelf I didn't photograph because the decor on and around it isn't finished yet, and as I mentioned, I still need to photograph the bathroom. But those will come ... one day. :)

a few of jo's famous faces

(This is me playing with Photoshop, which I'm just learning)

one month old

Josephine is one month old today. In honor of the momentous occasion, we had a photo shoot! These are a few of the better shots ... the others we'll save for embarrassing her in front of future boyfriends (if the mohawk in these pictures doesn't do it).

sleeping like a baby ...

At just four weeks old, what my daughter does best these days is sleep. And who doesn't love to watch a baby sleep? So I thought I'd share ...

Asleep in the Pack N Play

Asleep on Grandpa's shoulder

Asleep in Daddy's arms ... in her too-cute polka-dotted nightgown



Asleep in Mama's arms at the 4th of July church picnic

Asleep with Daddy while he plays video games
(he's a multitasker after all!)

Waking up from being asleep ... very serious business

feels like a Saturday

I realize I only alluded to this in my last post, but yesterday was indeed Caleb's last day of work. He worked at MDA for nearly ten years, and the company was good to him over the years. But the economy is what it is, and now, just like that, its over. And so, with Caleb home today, it feels a bit like the weekend already. Looks like our whole summer might feel like one long weekend ....

That means that today begins a new chapter in the lives of the Weston family. Currently we are both wards of the state: I'm on state disability, Caleb's on unemployment. And as for what this new chapter will hold ... only time will tell, and only God knows. The fortunate thing is that God is good, his love and care for us is steadfast, and we firmly trust that the near future is in His most capable hands.

While we search for more income and navigate our current state of uncertainty, I'm actually really looking forward to the coming weeks. It'll be fun to have Caleb at home. We can go to the museum on a Wednesday, eat breakfast together at 9 a.m., not worry about having to be up early the next morning or at work on a Monday. Even while we try not to panic too much about finances and finding work, we're excited about spending some time together as a family this summer.

That being said, please be praying along with us for Caleb's job search ... that he would find something amazing, and that we would continue to trust wholly in God's goodness.