First tooth!

Peter cut his first tooth on July 16, 2011. :)

(Please excuse the marshmallow cream on his face.)

What have we done?

Sean and I have been attending a new church, and it's different than any other place I've been to. (Read: nothing like Elkin Valley Baptist) This isn't a bad thing; I actually think it's good because I can't compare the two places. The preacher is very topical, and I leave every Sunday really thinking about what I've heard.

Anyway, today we sang a song which I think says a lot. It's called "What have we done?" and the lyrics follow:

Oh my soul, oh my Jesus
Judas sold you for thirty, I'd have done it for less
Oh my soul, oh my Savior
Peter denied you three times, I have denied you more

As the nails went in, I was standing right there
As you breathed your last, I shook my head and I cried

Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son

Oh my soul, oh my Jesus
Judas sold you for thirty, I'd have done it for less
Oh my soul, oh my Savior
Peter denied you three times, I have denied you more

And the blood ran down, I was standing right there
And the water pored, I shook my head and I cried

Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son

As the nails went in, I was standing right there
As you breathed your last, I shook my head and I cried

Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son

By the end, I found myself changing the words. Oh my God, What have I done? I have destroyed Your Son. I'm just as guilty of not standing up as the people who were there, as guilty as Judas and Peter. That's a hard thought to face. Just because we live in a different time, we aren't any less accountable. How often do things happen that give us a chance to stand up for what we believe in? How often do we blatantly choose to ignore our faith in the name of fun? How often do we sin and choose to keep sinning? Isn't that just slapping God in the face?

It's hard, because we live in a world where it's easy to deny, harder to proclaim. But yet, we (I) can't deny with our (my) actions and proclaim with our (my) words. People see that hypocrisy. What kind of witness is that?

Just some thoughts to think about. I really want to strive to be a true follower, and not one in word only. I encourage you (whomever is reading this) to do the same!

Wordless Wednesday

Inagural Run for Wine VA Half Marathon

On June 4, 2011, I had the opportunity to participate in a half marathon with a group of women I love. My training was essentially non existent, but I wasn't about to sacrifice my entry fee or the experience of my first half. I walked. Well, I did run the downhills. But mainly walked.

Short story: I finished. 3:38.

Long story: I walked with my good friend Noel. We got to the start line, and things were delayed! The race started a good 25-30 minutes late, which pretty much sucked. We got started, and things were going well. Noel didn't tell me that she was hurting, but she pushed on. First mile, right on pace. Second and third miles, still going strong. Fourth mile, Noel made me laugh and I almost peed myself (thanks, Peter). Yay for portajohns! I was afraid I would be using the side of the road, and it was full of poison ivy. Mile five--great. Still feeling good. I'm officially further than my longest distance. Great. I can do this! Mile six. Uphill. A big uphill. Like the ones on campus but longer. And then a dirt road. But it's not really dirt; it's pavement with rocks on it. Ouch. By now, my toes feel funny and my knees hurt. Don't complain. Noel is hurting. I must stay strong! Mile eight...kids at the crossroads give us high-fives. Awesome. Mile nine--big house. One of the guys on the course refers to it as Tara from "Gone with the Wind." Fair statement...it was big and gorgeous. Mile 10, and I'm ready to be done. I'm hungry and my knees hurt. Mile 11, and I know I've got this. This is like a day at the mall. Power-walking the mall, but still. I'm going to finish. Noel and I part ways. She needs to run more to ease her legs up some. Fair enough. I start walking with random people on the route and talk to them. Mile 12 is crap. I bonk. I go through the cemetery along the route, and seriously consider stopping to sit on a tombstone. Who puts a hill in a cemetery anyway??? And then, the finish. Even worse...the last stretch is uphill. I hear people saying the finish line is at that silo over there (points). That silo is way off in the distance. And then, I reach the driveway of the vineyard. I see mom and Peter. He's asleep. Then I see Noel at the finish, and she's holding cups of water! Hallelujah, water! I pause for a picture with the two random ladies I finished with, and then cross the line. I did it! Ouch! I'm thirsty. Someone give me water. Thanks, Mom, for freezing some so it's cold. I strip out of my shirt and sports bras (I had on a cheapo nursing bra too). Ahh...relief!

What will I do differently next time? I'll train. I'll eat a bit more before hand. I'll drink more electrolyte drinks. Will I have more fun? Not likely. It was a weekend with a bunch of friends, my mom, and my baby. It'll be hard to top that.

Go Cupcake Chasers! :)

My baby's gone mobile!

A week before he turned 9 months, Peter took his first hesitant "crawl." Now, he's a pro!

Smartipants

Smartipants aren't your typical pocket diaper. They have a "sleeve" sown into the inside of the diaper that's open on both ends. The insert goes in, and then doesn't have to be pulled out when used. It agitates out in the wash!

As Peter gets bigger, I like these diapers more. I wasn't able to get a good fit around his thighs until they chunked up some. Now, though, they fit well. I do feel like they sag a little on him, but it's not bad. They still work under just about any pants.

And now, pictures. I'm not getting better at these; he's getting harder to work with!

Rumparooz

Rumparooz (or RaR in the cloth diaper world) are a great diaper. They definitely fit small, though, so they may not be the best bet for someone who has large babies, and especially large toddlers. It has four rise settings and Peter is already on the third, but he still has plenty of room in the waist.

I have the snap version, and I've been very happy with it. I also love all the prints and colors this diaper comes in. We have the robots print, and platinum. At some point, I plan to pick up a couple more prints. It's so hard to find good boyish prints in diapers, and RaRs definitely have them!

For a pocket diaper, this is great! It has a fleece inside, and inner gussets! This means that it holds even the runniest of messes inside...always a plus. The only negative is that the opening isn't at the top of the back, but rather just inside the back of the diaper. Due to this, it can occasionally result in digging through poop to get out the insert. Wash your hands well after!

Speaking of inserts...this diaper comes with two--a contour and a regular. The contour snaps onto the regular for added absorbency. It can be used separately for small babies or those who aren't heavy wetters. Peter can still make do with just the contour, though I need to switch to the regular, just for better coverage within the diaper.