Half of a Year

 Beckett Lucas Field,

You are 6 months old...already half of a year old.  You are growing and changing so quickly, and sometimes I feel like I cannot keep up.  Because I've been here before, I want to soak up every single moment of your sweet six month old self.  I want to memorize every detail about you, what you look like, how you are right at this exact moment. I love staring at your sweet hands while you eat and your precious face as you fall asleep in my arms.  Something about the six month mark makes me much more reflective and makes me want to really live in and embrace my time with you while you are still a baby.  I am constantly in awe of you and your sweetness, and I adore being your momma.

At six months, you are much more aware of everything that is going on around you.  It's amazing how, in such a short span of time, you become interested in your surroundings, and you want to be part of everything.  You don't want to miss a beat, which can make nursing interesting sometimes.  Your favorite people to watch are your sister and your daddy.  If either one of them is in the room, your eyes on are them.  I can tell by your eyes and little movements that you want them to notice you so badly! Whenever they lock eyes with you, you will bust out in a huge grin.  Love, love, love.  You also can grab onto anything you want, and you reach out those little hands with purpose.  You are really loving toys these days too.  Your favorite is probably Sophie, the teething giraffe.   I am so thankful that you are healthy and learning all about your world every day.

You had your very first taste of solid food this month!  Just a couple days before you turned six months old, we gave you your first bite of rice cereal, and you ate it up.  You are such a pleasant little soul, even with food.  You also tried some avocado, and even though you kept opening your sweet little mouth like you wanted more, you gagged with every bite.  So, we moved on to sweet potatoes, and you loved those.  You are still nursing 5 times each day, and although you eat well, you are beginning to be much more distracted.  So, I have to be more strategic about when and where you eat.

You sat up unsupported for the first time this month, but you are still pretty wobbly.  Sometimes you can stay upright for several minutes and other times only for a few seconds.  It is pretty crazy to see you sitting up all by yourself.  You are getting so much closer to crawling, and I can't help but to cheer you on.  You roll around like a pro, but you are beginning to get a little frustrated that you can't move as easily as you would like to.  I am certain that crawling is just around the corner.

You made your first trip on an airplane and your first trip out of state this month.  We went to Littleton, Colorado for Clint and Hailey's wedding, and you traveled like an angel baby.  You slept through most of the flights and were really pleasant otherwise.  While we were in Colorado, you got to see your first snowfall.  For being born in the hottest summer on record, you saw quite the snow...26 inches!  You weren't phased by the cold or the cold, wet snow falling on your little face, and your pink cheeked, red nosed little face was just the cutest thing ever.

One week before you turned six months old, we decided to sleep train you.  We were both more than ready, and you handled it like a champ.  The first night, you cried for 25 minutes, but since then, you hardly make a peep while you fall asleep.  Mostly, you sleep all night without fussing at all.  It's been so wonderful.  You go to bed around 7:00pm and are up for the day around 6:30-7:00am.  You are so sweet and happy when you wake up.  I wish I could say that naps were going as well, but my sweet boy, you are a pretty awful napper.  You nap mostly 3 times each day.  If you nap in your crib, they usually last between 30-45 minutes.  I know it will get better!

You are still the most smiley, happy little boy.  You grin when we look at you, and it melts my heart.  You also have this amazing belly laugh that you give your daddy and sister sometimes, and I am so in love with it.  It is the sweetest sound ever.  You also make this hilarious pterodactyl noise sometimes, and I think you like it a lot because you really get going with it.  You are becoming more vocal, not just when you are happy either.  You have realized that you can also let us know when you are frustrated or want more attention, and I love seeing your little personality come out, even in little whines.

I could go on and on about all the new discoveries you are making and how sweet you are.  I cannot imagine loving you anymore than I already do, but every day I think I love you more.  I am so thankful that you are my son, and I pray daily for wisdom about raising you to be a Godly man.  You are blessed to have a wonderful daddy as an example to you.  The Lord created one you, Beckett, and I love watching the ways that you are uniquely you.  I know the next six months of your little life will fly by, and my prayer is that we will have many moments filled with joy and love in those times.  You are my ray of sunshine, baby boy.  Happy half birthday, little love.

I love you, to the moon and back!
Your Momma

Let It Snow!

Last Thursday, Chris, Beckett, and I flew to Denver for the wedding of a longtime friend of ours. I grew up with Clint (from 5th grade on), and Chris and Clint became great friends in college. I love seeing the way the Lord brings people together in marriage. It is really such a gift!

So we headed out early Thursday morning, and by the time we woke up in Littleton on Friday, the snow was covering the ground, and there was no sign of it letting up. It was so beautiful! I love the way freshly fallen snow looks and how it almost sparkles in the sun. Isn't God so creative?!? So, of course, we had to take advantage of getting pictures with our sweet baby boy with the very first snow of his life.





{By the way, it's really hard to keep your eyes open when snow is falling on your eyelids. And, even without the sun out, it is super bright!}

Of course, people in Texas would be extremely ill-equipped to deal with 2 feet (yes, TWO FEET) of snow, but those people that reside in Colorado don't even think twice about keeping their plans. It was slightly crazy to me! I am used to things shutting down over a dusting of snow! This is what Clint's backyard looked like on Saturday morning, wedding day!


How beautiful is that! I seriously think it was the perfect backdrop for a Colorado wedding. It was definitely really cold, but we managed to stay inside for most of the three and a half days we were there.

The wedding was gorgeous and such a sweet ceremony. The reception was lots of fun, too. I am so happy for Clint and Hailey, and I am excited to see the ways the Lord uses them to bring His kingdom here to the earth.

I have only like 2 pictures from the wedding. I'm so bad about bringing my camera with the intention of taking lots of pictures, and somehow I come away with almost none. I will just blame it on the fact that I am trying to be in the moment with the people around me :)

Here are my handsome boys before the wedding. 2 of the 3 loves of my life.


And the three of us...


We definitely missed Micah. She stayed with my parents, had a total blast, and hardly missed us. As much as I would've loved to bring her along, I cherish the times with just my little man. Sweet memories!

Big Day

Yesterday was a big day for the Field kiddos. Lots of new things happened around here, and it was a pretty fun day.

First, Micah got her very first haircut. I stuck it out with the mullet for quite a while, but we just decided it was time to trim up the back a little to make the fact that the sides don't grow quite so fast less noticeable. It was hard to part with the precious curls that formed as her hair got longer and longer in the back...especially for her daddy. But it's really not a drastic change, but I like it. And, Micah did awesome! My hairstylist cut it, and I love her. She is so wonderful, and Micah was a pretty big fan too. She sat still in her daddy's lap and enjoyed holding a comb, or two :)
On our way to get her first big girl haircut


In the chair with a puppy cape...she liked "combing" the puppies' hair!









Before


After


Love it!

Yesterday was also a big day for Beckett! He tried his first bite of big boy food. We gave him some rice cereal, and he was definitely a fan. I shouldn't be surprised considering he pretty much rolls with the flow and loves almost anything. He's such a sweet boy. Here are pictures of his first taste...











Just for kicks, here was Micah's first reaction to cereal...


And Beckett's...


Beckett also sat up unsupported for the first time yesterday! He's still pretty wobbly, but I cannot believe he's big enough to sit up. Where has the time gone?!?


Told you we had a big day! We are loving living life with our two sweet kiddos!

Playing The Days Away

Just a few pictures for you today. We have been filling our days with lots of play time lately. From trying to ride a new tricycle to play dough to lots of dress up time to walks in our sunglasses to collect acorns to learning to love the exersaucer.






















I sure do love staying home with my babies. They make life lots of fun.

Life

Does anyone else ever feel so busy and overwhelmed, and then you look around and realize that this is just how life is? I feel like that's where I am right now. I have been waiting for life to slow down and return to "normal" for more than a month now, and what I am finally realizing is that I need to take a deep breath and accept that this is just our new normal. We are busy, and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. I believe that the Lord is using this season to remind me that I need to be content with where I am, where my family is. That is definitely a struggle of mine.

So, here's a little of our busy-ness over the past month or so.
-Chris organized and directed the inaugural BCS Marathon + Half Marathon on December 11, and it was an unbelievable success. We ate, breathed, and slept marathon for a long time in this house, but we ultimately raised $72,000 for Mercy Project and another local non-profit...praise God! It was a crazy time.
-The day after Christmas, Micah climbed out of the pack and play for the first time. This was followed a couple of days later by her climbing out of her crib. So, we figured it was time for the big girl bed. Let's just say this transition has been no piece of cake. We have been tired. She has been tired. But I think we are finally settling in.
-Chris and I celebrated 7 fantastic and blessed years of marriage with a little overnight stay-cation. My parents kept both kids, and we had an amazing time! Great conversation, a movie, delicious food, being with my love, and sleeping ALL night long! Amazing!
-Chris went to Ghana for a week at the beginning of the month. We have hired a Ghanian to work for Mercy Project, and we have visited with some prospective villages to begin more economic development projects. God is doing great things. We are trying to wait well but are deeply hoping that 2012 brings our first group of rescued kids. Cannot wait for that day.
-Beckett got his first cold. So sad. I hate having sick kiddos. We got extra cuddle time, especially in the night. He has now lost his ability to sleep well at night, and we are waking up between 3-6 times each night. It is the flavor of the month...you never know what it's going to be. It is getting better though.

So, there you have it. Just some of what has been occupying our time, and that doesn't include the ordinary day to day stuff that comes with running your own non-profit and keeping up with a busy 2 year old and a 5 month old. Oh, and I decided I want to makeover my living room without buying hardly anything. I'm excited for a change, but I have no idea when or how I'm going to make it happen. But, I will make it happen.

Never a dull moment at the Fieldhouse. But, in the midst of the chaos and busyness, we are well-fed, healthy, happy, and in love with one another and the Lord. And, at the end of the day, that's all that matters.

Five Months

Beckett,

Oh little mister, you are too precious for words. I seriously don't know how it would be possible for you to get any sweeter, but somehow you just keep managing to make it happen. You have me wrapped around your little finger, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I know I say this every month, but time is just flying by. I can hardly believe that you are already five months old, but it has been such an amazing five months of knowing and loving you, my sweet boy. I could not be more thankful to be your mommy and to experience life with you as you grow, learn, and discover. I am blessed.


I love watching as your little personality continues to develop and come out. You are as sweet and happy as we predicted you would be. You are almost always content to be wherever someone has put you {bouncy seat, playmat, blanket} and just watch what is going on around you. If we look your way, you will flash us the most precious gummy grin. You make me stop in my tracks and melt my heart multiple times a day with that smile. I pray that you always have a content, joyful spirit. Your favorite place to be is in our arms, and I love to snuggle you, my little cuddle bug.


You discovered how to roll both directions, tummy to back and back to tummy. So you are now on the move. You crack me up because once you get going, you are unstoppable! You are totally fine with tummy time too and are becoming really good at it. You are trying to figure out how to make yourself move and can get those feet kicking trying to will yourself forward. You have managed to scoot a couple of times, but your specialty is spinning in circles :) It is okay if it takes you a little while to learn to crawl. I don't mind carrying you :)


This month you also learned to love your feet! It is just the sweetest thing. Anytime you are on your back, you want those little feet in your hands and really want them in your mouth. This makes changing your diaper a little more difficult! Almost every time I come to get you from a nap, you are holding your toes and flash me a sweet smile. Little love. You are also fascinated by toys now and will follow them with your eyes and always try so hard to get your hands on them. It is so fun to watch the discovery process. You absolutely love your voice, and so do we. Once you get going, you are hard to stop! You will talk and talk and then smile so big when we look at you. You also found a new scream, but you don't use it when you are upset, just when you are hanging out. It's pretty hilarious...for now :)


Sleeping has not been your strong suit this month. You were doing so great and were only waking up once a night to eat, but all of a sudden, you decided you wanted mommy's company more. As much as I love you and seeing you at all hours of the day and night, I also love my sleep. Your naps haven't been so great either, so I am thinking sleep training may be in your near future. You got your first cold this month, so maybe that is the culprit. I know we will all be happier when we are better rested. But, you are worth it!


You absolutely adore your big sister and are always smiling at her and laughing when she talks and sings to you. I love that you two will always be so close in age, and I pray that you will love one another deeply and be great sources of joy and encouragement for each other. I hope she always brings a smile to your face and is someone you will look up to. I hope you will grow to be someone she can look up to as well.


We love you so much, precious Beckett. You bring so much to our family, and we could not be more thankful for you. Everywhere we go, people comment about how sweet and happy you are, and we are so grateful for the constant reminders of how blessed we are by you. Your daddy and I pray for you always. We dream and wonder who you will become, and we hope that the Lord dominates your life. I pray that you are a dreamer like your daddy and will confidently pursue the Lord's calling in your life, just like he has. You have such an amazing example of a man who is following Jesus, and I am so thankful for that. You are a miracle and a dream come true, sweet boy. Happy five months, Beckett Lucas.


I love you, to the moon and back.
Your Mommy

Living With Purpose In 2011

I honestly have mixed feelings about New Year's Resolutions. I like them because I really love the idea of getting a fresh start and getting priorities in order. I like that it makes me focus on what I want to do better or how I can be better. What I really don't like is that I never keep them. Not only do I not stick with them for a whole year, but I am doing amazingly well if I even keep them for the month of January. It's sad but so, so true.
I like to make goals for myself, but I generally do better with short term goals. I tend to get overwhelmed by the long term. {thankfully, I married a man who balances me very well!}

I have come up with a few short term goals for myself that I will share later, but I was inspired by fellow bloggers and a radio station to choose a word that I want to live by in 2012. I feel like one word really simplifies things, and it will help me not to get bogged down by failing at keeping my resolutions. However, coming up with one word was definitely a bit difficult. I prayed about it, thought about it, and I finally settled on this: PURPOSE.
I want 2012 to be a year of purpose for me in many aspects. I want my days to be purposeful. I want my time with my children to be full of purpose and not just obligation or because it's "my job." I want to use my time purposefully and intentionally. I am good at wasting time, but I want to be better at making sure that the things I spend my time doing have a purpose. I want to be purposeful as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.
I also want to live into the Lord's purpose for my life and my family's life. It's easy to go about my daily life without giving it a thought as to what the Lord intends for me. I really want to commit to doing better about living intentionally for the Lord.
So, there it is. I want to live with purpose in 2012. Blessings to all of you as you start fresh this year.