I feel that it would be remiss not to mention just how blessed we were in 2012. We have just been through a season of life where you kinda want to pinch yourself and say, "Is this for real?" The kind where you expect the sky to fall in on you at any moment and someone to laugh and say, "Just kidding!" In the past year, we have settled in to our new home and city, found out that we were expecting another baby, then the exciting news that we would get to experience all things boy, Justin was named the 4th Region Girl's Coach of the Year, his basketball team won the Regional Basketball Tournament for the first time in school history AND attained the most wins in school history, I got a new job in the same school district as Justin, and we welcomed baby Canaan in to our family. We don't take any of those things for granted and are so unbelievably grateful for God's blessings and his faithfulness. We know that every year won't be as exciting as the past, but knowing the One from whom all blessings flow will get us through days that aren't quite as celebratory, too.
At school, Hadley's class talked about New Year's Resolutions. Apparently she thinks Justin's car is very dirty, which is hysterical. And I'm looking forward to that special help she wants to give me ;)
One night, in early January, we got together with two of my dear girlfriends, Kay and Robin, and their families. Robin and Kay are sisters and were both bridesmaids in our wedding. They, and their families, are precious to me. Hadley, Tanner, and Carson enjoyed their pizza. Briley was probably getting another breadstick...she's addicted to them. We played Headbanz and laughed until our sides hurt. It was so nice to get together with sweet friends. It's rare for us to have a free night, on weekends during basketball season, when we aren't either playing a game or scouting another team.
The very next Saturday brought us back to Robin, Todd, and Carson's house for an unbelievably exciting gender reveal party. When Robin and Todd built their house, a couple of years ago, Robin painted one of the walls in Carson's playroom with chalkboard paint. So before the cutting of the cake, we all had to go downstairs and vote for what we thought she was having.
We were thrilled beyond words when Robin cut in to a strawberry cake! No one needs a little girl like Robin does. We can't wait to meet this precious little pink bundle of joy in early summer.
On the 13th of January, Canaan turned 4 months old. I can't believe he's already 4 months old. We started him on Enfamil's Infant formula. He was taking the Newborn formula, which was for 0-3 months. He has transitioned over to the other just wonderfully. His daycare teachers think he's going to be a clown because he just smiles and laughs at everything. I know I frequently mention how happy he is, but it's just the truth. He loves to lay and play on his playmat. We can't believe how much more active he is than Hadley was at that same age. His legs and arms are so strong. He has had RSV this month, already. Oh me...Hadley stayed with a private sitter until the age of 2. Her first antibiotic came at 10 months. Canaan has had 2 antibiotics and RSV by 4 months of age and started in daycare at 7 weeks. Can ya tell a difference? I can't beat myself up about these things, though. Canaan is also a major jibber jabberer. He coos and makes the sweetest noises in the whole wide world. It's very sing-song, the way he carries on.
He also started on rice cereal this month, which has helped him seem more content. It has also enabled us to cut out that 5th bottle at night. Now he takes 4, 7-ounce bottles and sleeps all night. Now, I say that "lightly." There are still plenty of nights that he cries out or makes those precious baby noises that aren't as "precious" in the middle of the night, if you know what I mean. He is already teething and just doesn't seem to be as content of a sleeper as Hadley was. It also hasn't helped that he has just been sicklier than she ever was. But...Justin and I are getting to sleep earlier now, which I cannot put in to words how much happier that makes me. Getting up at 5:45 to go to school is pretty tough, and the earlier we can get to bed, the better!
Headed to church in our horsey outfits.
We live in gyms right now, that's for sure. I love that Hadley will just go sit and visit with random people in the stands. Canaan gets held by Granna mostly, but lots of different people, too. In the past week, I took Hadley to the doctor to get an antibiotic for a cold. When I got the prescription filled, the pharmacist asked, "Is this the Hadley from the ballgames?" I had no clue who the man was asking about my child, but he did know Hadley.
Hadley's newest thing has been "to do the radio with Daddy." After each game, Justin has to do radio. We watch Hadley like a hawk, making sure she doesn't say a word. I can only imagine what she might say on the radio! She hasn't failed us yet and sits super quiet, hanging on Daddy's every word.
The last highlight of my January has been building a fire at night. Any night that we don't have a ballgame, and Justin gets home from practice at a decent hour, we build a fire. It is so relaxing, and I love it. I love to hear the crackle of the wood. This picture is pure joy to me, too, since I stay super cold in the winter. Well, January so far has been busy, eventful, and full of family. Never a dull moment around here, for sure!
He has become so much more active this month, which has been exciting to watch. Yes, I have a baby who can sit up all by himself! I loved watching him between this 5th and 6th month as he tried so hard to sit up and would just lean to one side, eventually falling over. For a little while, I went through the whole, "what if he never figures out how to do this?" Stop worrying, Mama. It's amazing how much stronger their little back muscles get every single day.
A few other fun facts about Canaan at six months are: we haven't found a veggie or fruit this child doesn't like, teething symptoms have been around for 3 solid months and still no tooth, bedtime is at 7:30, he loves bathtime, he thinks his sissy is beyond hysterical, and he smiles all the time. Canaan, you have blessed my life in the past 6 months more than I ever thought imaginable. We love you, sweet boy!
