A Mother: A Blessed Soul

Mother and Son

Hi there. It's a pony tail kind of day, or week for that matter. I've been busy with a design project, which has included many daytime phone calls, a site visit with 3 kids in tow, and many daytime hours in front of my computer. Sorry kids. I don't like being this distracted. I have battled being short with you, and reaching with all my might for patience and intentional time with you. A friend sent me this blog post about a mom who was overworked and yelled at her kids, and I cried. I notice when I am stressed with other things, I am much less patient with you. 

The week took a turn for the better thanks to two really wonderful times at church. They are doing Summer Institutes...classes that range from study of the bible, to African culture, to running club, to dancing. Michael and I are doing a study on 1 John lead by our pastor. It was so so refreshing to open the bible and study. It had been way too long. 

The other class I went to this morning was for Mothers. It was good for my soul. I sat down in the class, and Jessi, our teacher started speaking to us with her words of wisdom and I teared up. Motherhood, what a cherished and challenging job. She started our time by asking...who got others dressed besides yourselves, and fed others, and changed another's diaper this morning...she asked who helped someone in crisis. Most of us had our hands up most of the time. She noted Philippians 2:5-7 and pointed out that Jesus emptied himself. That is what mother's do. Emptying self all day, often into the night for the sake of their family.  In order to give, we must receive. Receive help from God. Jesus was able to empty himself because he was constantly with God.

She then had us share our birth and adoption and fertility stories in small groups. After that she shared more scripture and said that the bible is full of references to Mother's, she noted how God is like a Mother. Then she gave us a half hour to be by ourselves and reflect, journal, pray, walk, or whatever we pleased. It was such a wonderful morning. 

I, the Lord, made you, Kristyn.
I will help you.
Do not fear, Kristyn, whom I have chosen. 
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring. 
And they will spring up among the grass.

Tegegne will say, "I am the Lords"
And Hensley will call on the name of Jacob;
And Fields will write on his hand, "Belonging to the Lord..."

Rephrased these things and reflected from Isaiah 44:1-5. 

More photos of you, my beloved children, with your Mother...

Tegegne, I love laughing with you.

A new mother holding you tight.

Brand New Baby Fields with his Peaceful Mother.  

Hensley, you love to eat, just like your Mother.

I spy Baby Fields!

 

My 2nd Day as a New Mother

We were so worried about you, Baby Tegegne! (Well, you were 2 and 4 months, but seemed closer to 18 months.)

Brand new Baby Hensley and Tired Laboring Mother

Motherhood, an exhausting and beautiful and life giving journey. 

Love you children,

Your Mother

Kids: Get the Giggles

Tegegne, 5
Hensley, almost 2.5

Tegegne and Hensley, 
You two were having so much fun with a spray bottle tonight. Hens, we don't hear that good belly laugh often and it was awesome! Of course, as most things caught on video...this went on for at least 10 minutes before we decided we should video it. I love it when you kids get the giggles. Laughter makes the world go round.  

Love you so much,

Mom

Conversations: With Hensley

Hi Hensley,

We've been conversing for a while now, but more recently your sentences are getting longer. It's so neat to see you thinking it through. You'll start a sentence, pause, and then add another word or two.

Here are some of our recent conversations...

H: (During lunch today)Th-t looks good...or nasty!...I'm excited to eat th-t....More cheese? Yeah? Yeah? You like it? Yours good?

H: Shhh, "Gun-yea's" sleeping... (he's actually at school, but you were pretending he was hiding in the closet)
H: Mommy, I found a bug. Come! (I follow you to your bed, and you point out the smallest little fleck of wood.) 
M:Oh, that's not a bug, that's just wood.
H:It's jus wood, Mommy. Dat's jus wood, not a bug.

(I handed you your tooth brush this morning...)
H: Dat mine?
M: You got it, Sista!
H: I not sister, I Hens-ee, I Hens-ee Mommy! You Mommy, I Hens-ee!

H: Das Daddy, Das Hens-ee. (Pointing to Maisy the Mouse as "Daddy", who happened to be sitting on the potty, and you were Maisy's little friend, who was also sitting on a smaller potty.

Speaking of potty. We're out of disposable diapers (which you wear because Fields uses the cloth now.) This morning I told you we're out of diapers and you'd have to use the potty. Going well so far with no accidents and 4x in your potty. Yay! You and Fieldsy are on nap #2 and I best get back to work. 

Love,

Mommy

Our Children: Joy

Dear Children,

You are true joy to Daddy and I. Fields, you'll be scooting around the house soon. Your rocking and squealing are so cute. Tegegne and Hensley, last night we had the front and back doors open letting the rainy breeze freshen up the house. You two ran from front to back over and over with much laughter. Later we sat on the front porch for 2 hours. We were so peaceful and content. It was the calm before the storm.

We love you.

Mommy

Palm Sunday: A Ride On a Donkey

Dear Children,

Good day. It's Palm Sunday tomorrow.  A wonderful woman with our children's ministry at church made the coolest Easter Story Characters (paper dolls that stand, small symbols, a chronological scene foldout, etc, etc,  wowza) It's pretty great how they encourage us (and equip) us as parents to help you (kids) be involved in the stories of the bible and play them out. Tonight we shared in the narrative starting with Jesus trip on the donkey to Jerusalem. 

We are excited to go to church in the morning and get actual palm branches to wave. (If we can get to church...we're kinda getting snowed in.) Telling the stories of Jesus, reading them, and acting them out....hope to continue to do all of this as a family...and do it more. It is always neat to learn something from you guys...to hear you, Tegegne, spout out fine details that you picked up from Miss Mimi's story time. Thankful for the wonderful people that share the life of Jesus with our children. 

I also added a few Easter egg ideas I liked. Nothing beats the intricate scenes that Grandma Ileen paints on eggs. I'll try to get some photos, since we're headed home over spring break. Her's are beautiful.

Mom

Happy Birthday: You're Two

Well Hensley, you really enjoyed your 2nd birthday party. We had pulled pork sliders with crinkle chips, pickled beets, strawberry spinach salad and iced tea. Daddy made you a strawberry baby bunny cake, since Bunny is your go-to comfort lovey. Besides us, your guests were Nana & Grandpa Jones, Grandpa Ben and Grandma Debby, Taryn, Micah and Hazel, and our neighbor friends Jon, Hilary, Jaylen and Livia. 

You got the coolest Fisher Price A-Frame house from Uncle Eric and Aunt Erica (3rd to last photo). Plus a bath time baby, new Zara outfit and coat, coloring book, and a memory game. 

Tegegne and Dad went to a 3D movie last night, since today was all about you. Sweet, thoughtful Daddy. 

Love,

Mom

Dear Hensley: You're Two Today!

Happy Birthday Hensley Ruth! You are two years old today. Two years ago we had no idea what was in store when we met your tiny 7 lb 11 oz newborn baby self. Now you are about 25 pounds and have more personality than we can handle! 

Your first complex sentence was, "Daddy, I like your g-asses (glasses)!" 
You are a real jabber box, but you're most used phrases are sending important messages to your big brother and partner in crime. Those are "Stop It!" and "Be Quiet!" and "No THANK you." Along with "Come get me!" and before bed it's "God b-ess you." and "I love you." Besides words it's giggles or squeals or whining. You two are very close. Sharing a room has been so fun, but Tegegne has recently been lobbying to move his bed to Fields's room. (Hate to break it to ya buddy, but that baby dude still cries at night. Ain't much quieter in there.)

On the days that Tegegne is in school, you are attached to my hip. You hang out with me on the counter while we bake, you often take a good morning nap, and we play with Baby Fields and sometimes Baby Hazel. You like soothing Fields with the same phrases I use. It's so cute to catch you in a motherly moment... "Mommy's comin', mommy's comin" while you pat him gently..."Shhhh, shhhh, shhhh...it's okay." Then there are your not-so-motherly moments where you take his pacifier, trying to somersault over him, or try to hold him when I'm not looking (in which case you are trying to be helpful but he's nearly your size, kid.) 

Tonight we will surprise you with a cute little cake, candles, and a balloon after dinner. Your big party is Saturday with our extended family and a few friends. We are so excited to celebrate you, sweet sweet Hensley! Thanks for hamming it up round here.

Love,

Mommy

P.S. I must say, I really love it that I had a daughter. I mean my boys are wonderful too, but you and I...well, we both love shoes. (Enough said, right?) And hats and candles and chocolate and singing.  Even though I get so annoyed when you loose my earrings while getting into my jewelry...I secretly love it. I love it that I'll pass down my favorite necklace to you. You are becoming a little girl before my eyes and I am imagining you in high school. I know there will be times you won't wanna hang out with your dear 'ol ma, but I'll cherish the times you do. 

Dear Children: Remembering Every Last Drop

Dear Children,

You'll all be big eventually, right? Are you going to grow up? I mean, it's fine if you choose not to. You're dad and I will be thirty in a month. Maybe we should hit pause on life. Okay, never mind. Keep growing, and we will too. But let's not miss out on a single moment together. 

Will you remember your childhood...our back yard bon fires, cranking out the homemade pasta noodles, dancing in the kitchen?  Will you share stories together, these memories with your children? Of course you won't remember it all. My prayer is that you'll at least remember this. "Our parents cared for us, and wanted the very best for us. Our childhood was sweet, and adventurous, and full of love." 

Your dad and I will grow old too. In order to not forget...here's what I'd say about today...
Fields, you turned over! It's January 19th. You are 4 months old and 5 days and you figured out that you can push your momentum to one side and turn over onto your stomach. A true life skill, and we saw you do it for the first time! What will it be next, baby boy?

Hensley, tonight at our bon fire you said, "Sing, sing!" You love to sing and sway your little body. You are charming us with your facial expressions and are a true ham. Your personality is really coming out and it's been seriously fun to watch.

Tegegne you chimed in responding Hensley's request around the bon fire with this dear song..."I will draw a ring around the moon. I will draw a line from star to star. I will sing a pennies worth of song, just to tell you how in love we are." Earlier today you swept the floor (so well!), soothed Fields with kind words and his pacifier, and you and I had this joke going about a king and a dinosaur and my King Jesus. 

And Michael. I loved laughing with you tonight. Over how I fluff my bangs all the time. You always catch me doing it and were teasing me. I was so embarrassed. We couldn't quit laughing. Giggling like children, really. Thanks for that. 

If only we could remember every last drop of sweetness. I'll go to sleep with gratitude...

(Ha! Or I'll write a few more blog posts, because I don't have a lot of time in the day to do this sorta thing.) 

Mom

Family Function: And Fur Coats

Dear Tegegne,

Hi cutie bug. Do you like your lines? You've gotten several complements on them and I must say I'm getting much better at your haircuts. Especially since you get way impatient and I only have 3-5 minutes (Unless dad is home. Then you'll sit for like 20 minutes.) You loved time at Big Sky and were in your snow suit half of the time.  I'd like to chime in with Olivia's mom or Skippy Jon Jones mother and say, You wear me out, but I love you. I just started singing to you during your bedtime routine and last night it was the sweetest. (Because you played with my hair while I sang.) Thanks for being such a patient big brother to Hensley. Dad and I love watching you two goof off together.

Hens,

We matched on Christmas eve. I promise I won't make you do this in middle school, but I've gotta admit I loved wearing our red dresses and fur coats together. Besides the family (and eating all day long), your bunny and thumb are your favorite things in the world.

Michael,

Thanks for a wonderful two weeks together. I wish you didn't have to go back today. We've had a great time watching HGTV + Modern Family, dreaming up what house we should buy next (because we've been watching too much HGTV and want to do more projects!) hosting parties, laughing at the kids, enjoying Baby Fields chubbiness and new sounds, etc, etc. I love our new night stands you made me. Thanks for being such a present man of the house. There is much joy in the family when we are all together.

Love,

Mom

Jonesing: For a Holiday + Thanksgiving Recipes

Hi there. We are so looking forward to this Thanksgiving weekend.  Then we'll trudge through to next weekend when our house will be on the Pendleton Heights Holiday Homes Tour. After that we will really kick back and enjoy Christmas break. A break, a holiday, some true relaxation is just what we need. I've had this severe sinus toothache that makes my teeth throb. Today I warned and then apologized several times to the children for my impatience. Phew. When mama is throbbin' ain't no body better get on her nerves. Michael came home with some antibiotics from the doc. Sweet relief, please come my way before I dig to the back of the medicine cabinet for my codeine pills from surgery. 

Hensley, you had a tummy bug that seems to be clearing up, but the laundry aftermath is still going. Poor girl. You've been acting normal this whole time. It's odd, but we're glad it totally didn't wipe you out. 

Tegegne, you love school. Some days spent at home, like today, get really long, especially when I don't give you ideas of what to do. We will be glad to have dad around. He's finished sanding, mudding, and painting, so he's all ours! You had a Thanksgiving Feast at school yesterday and did a little program on the stage. You shouted out, "The Mayflower," when Mrs. Donna asked the name of the Pilgrims boat. We love your preschool. Your teacher has become a good friend of yours, since this is your third year with her!

Fields, you slept all night. Yay!  I put you to bed at 6:30, woke you at 11pm for a late night feeding (I'll usually do this right before I go to bed, normally between 9 and 10.), then you slept until 6:30am. Following that you took a long morning nap. Love you little sleeper!

We are hosting Thanksgiving and are in charge of the turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, rolls, and cranberry sauce. Yum. Michael will do the turkey again via Cooks Illustrated Herbed Turkey. I'll do Ina Gardners' sweet potatoes and this year I'm going to try Pioneer Woman's stuffing.  The rolls will be from our Artisan Bread book and the cranberry sauce will go in the crock pot. 

Cooks Illustrated Herbed Turkey - From this book
Ina Garten's Sweet Potatoes
Pioneer Woman's Stuffing
Artisan Rolls - From this book
Heather's Cranberry Sauce: Crockpot

With lovin' from our oven,

Kristyn

(photo.)

A Little Treat: Pumpkin + Cinnamon

I hope to make these little delicious treats this afternoon. Will you send my kids a telegram to tell them to be good while I'm baking? Or maybe I'll get real patient and let them help. Either way, Hensley, you'll cry a little (a lot maybe) because when I mention food you are looking for the immediate result and you circle the kitchen island chanting the food of your preference. You're 20 months and I love you at this age, but when I'm in the kitchen and you're crying I long for the day that you can successfully crack the eggs. 

Happy fall and food of pumpkinny goodness.

(Recipe and photo from Glory at Glorious Treats.)

Pumpkin Doughnut Hole Muffins

Pumpkin, cinnamon and sugar make a delicious combo in these cute mini muffins.

Yield: 24 mini muffins

ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/3 cup oil (vegetable, olive, etc)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup milk

For the coating-
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

directions:

Preheat oven to 350*F.
Spray a mini muffin pan generously with cooking spray.

Pull out two large bowls.
In one bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and spices.

In another bowl, whisk the oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin and milk. Mix until smooth and well combined.

Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix until just combined (do not over mix).

Divide the batter evenly among the 24 muffin cups (using a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop).

Bake 10-12 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

While the muffins bake, prepare the final coating.

Melt butter in one bowl and combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in another bowl.

Remove muffins from oven and cool for 2 minutes, or until just cool enough to handle. Dip each muffin in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar to coat. You will likely not use all of the butter, or cinnamon/sugar but this amount makes them easy to dip.

Trick: Or Treat

Hey Sweet Little Dino and Super Hero Spiderman (and Sleeping Lumberjack Baby Fields)! We had a good Halloween, huh? Our neighborhood goes all out and we love it. The big pretty houses are decorated, the homeowners dress up, there are bounce houses, and a train ride! Isn't that dog dressed as a cheetah awesome? We had lots of fun with our pink owl buddies, Jay and Liv, trick or treating. As for all of that candy, you get to pick a piece a day at 3:00 snack, but I don't know where all those suckers and not-nice-to-your-teeth candy went. 

Love, 

Mom

Dear Hensley: Thanks!

Hey Cutie! Thanks! (Thanks and Jesus are two words that you say adorably well.) Thanks for our breakfast date this morning. One large banana granola pancake, one egg, and one cup of coffee at a booth in Fairway's First Watch made for a good time with you. Fields sat in his car seat in the booth with us and didn't make a peep!)


I love this video of you at 19 months (2 days ago) which represents a bit of our days together when Tegegne is at school. 

P.S. Sorry people keep mistaking you as a boy lately. If you're not in pink clothing, people just assume. And you are a green dino for Halloween (but maybe a fairy with wings as well because your dad got a costume from a school parent too!), and your winter coat is brown, etc, etc. 

The Many: Hairstyles of FBJ

Fieldsy, 

Your hair. Your hair is soft, and plentiful, and stylish! You are 3 weeks old today. One month will be here soon! Instead of letting the time fly by we are trying to cherish these early days.

Your dad writes, "It was cool last night. He (you) was getting all restless, and I got a little nervous thinking that he was going to explode. Then I remembered that you said he was settling in...about 5 minutes later he was sleeping...good work Krissy." 

Your dear 'ol dad, has been awake with you some at night, just choosing to hang out because you are wide awake. It is neat to get to know you, especially while feeling relaxed since we've done this baby thing before. I've remembered dear Mrs. Druckerman's suggestions of "The Pause" and after doing Babywise with Hensley, we've gotten you into a good eat/wake/sleep routine. 

I love your sweet baby sounds and the way you hold your little mouth in the shape of an "o" and look around. 

***

Tegegne,

You were in a movie today, which made a little money for your savings! You played the grandson, and held hands with a grandpa while walking through a park. An easy scene with no talking, but you were a natural!

***

Hensley,

Love you funny girl. You're so goofy. The way you dance around waving your arms. How loudly you say each word, and repeat the last word you hear. You love shoes. And eating. Definitely your mother's daughter.

And since I read this post, I'll be getting in a few more photos with you kids.

Love,

Mom 

Hello From: The Place With Mauve Walls

Hi kids! So I put you down for your nap today, then took a little trip to the hospital. Really thought your brother was going to make an appearance today. The doc gave me this sheet of paper that said if this this and this happen call me. Well this and this (many close contractions + lots of bleeding) happened and I called but didn't get a hold of him. At that point I had to discern that it seemed to be an emergency, called dad, and got to the hospital. Looks like Fields is not coming today, but he and I are being monitored. Still having the this and this stated above, but not enough to do a c-section. Their goal is to keep baby brother inside for another week or two. 

As you can see above, I'm not in a lot of pain, just thought I'd give you a laugh! It is nice and quite here, with the sound of Fields really active heartbeat. 

Love you guys. Tegegne, hope your first day of school is super fun tomorrow. Can't wait to hear about it. Grandma and Ababayeh (and earlier Taryn and Micah) are helping me out lots, but I miss and love you both.

I'll be here overnight and will let you know when I learn more. Mmmmm, can't wait to find out my dinner options!

Love,
Mom

Hensley Ruth: 17 Months + Potty Training

Dear Hensley,

You are actually 16 months and 4 weeks, which I do want to make note of for information's sake.  I'd heard of this woman (Julie Fellom) who wrote a book about potty training your toddler between 15 and 28 months.  Then I read several other sources that had similar information. I have a few friends that did something along these lines with their young daughters. As we both know, you are less and less interested in being in a dirty or wet diaper (usually cloth) these days, you've become quite interested in watching the rest of the family go potty, you sometimes let me know when you were going, etc. We also both know that your baby brother is on his way, we have one set of cloth diapers, and I'm becoming more and more pregnant by the day, so I thought we may as well try out Fellom's potty training tips and see what you think!

You spent all of yesterday and today with no "bubby" (diaper) or clothes...just naked as a jay bird (minus nap/sleep time). When you woke up Friday morning, we waved "bye-bye" to the "bubbys" and had a removal ceremony. After that we either hung out by the potty upstairs or downstairs with lots of special drinks, salty snacks, fruits, special reward candy, towels on the floor and a few toys and books. Oh, and most importantly a dolly that peed and got rewarded and did the potty dance. (Several sources I read suggested the doll that actually wets herself, but I just poured a little juice in when doll went pee.) We used a little timer that went off every 15 minutes, which is when I encouraged you to sit on the potty and give it a try. You sat on the potty a ton. You peed on the floor/towels a ton. You only peed in the potty twice because I caught you going and you continued to go when I sat you down. 

Then tonight you pooped in the thing. I was so surprised and happy. We celebrated big time and your potty dance and facial expression was so awesome! You were really proud. 

It's been a great two days with you, and you have loved the special mommy-and-me-non-stop-floor-time. I'm thinking that you're not quite ready to be diaper-free 100%, because you always seemed caught off guard when you did start going and never actually told me...you just said "Uh-oh" or "No-no" right after you went! We will continue to sit you on the potty and try to go cold-turkey again in a few months. 

Thanks for being willing to learn, Hens. I'm proud of you and love you so much.

XOXO,

Mommy 

This is your expression.  

You look so big here!

We fare-welled the boys and you cried so hard!

You love these two so much!

Today we gave "big girl" underwear a try. Notice the blue ones flying through the air!

You wanted them all on at once. So you wore two pair and your dolls wore the rest.