MLP (Maternity Leave Project) 1

I have the JOY of being home with Owen for 12 weeks. I was thinking... it is nice to have some goals in the day. Back when I was in the hospital there was a white board and each morning the nurse would come in and ask me what my goals were for the day. My goals consisted of rest, shower, and even silly things like meet the Spice Girls. The point was, it was good to have some type of goals. So, I decided to set a Maternity Leave Goal...

12 Projects in 12 Weeks

Project One:

I recently read an article in Parents Magazine about how to create avid readers. One of the steps was having books out, available, and seen. So when I saw this DIY book rack on Pintrest I knew I just had to try it! (http://pennycarnival.typepad.com/penny_carnival/2009/02/tutorial-hanging-book-display.html) The fabric used is an old shower curtain and the hardware cost me a total of $27.00. It was a fun project that only took me an hour. Funny thing is that my sewing machine is broken so I used heavy duty stitch witchery. That stuff can hold up an elephant!

Overall, Project One was a huge success!

A special thanks to Papa Wojcik for helping me hang my display!

Peek-A-Boo Toe

I groaned and got up to do the 2 am feeding. It was time to change the little mans diaper. I plopped his sleepy half-full body down to unsnap him. He wiggled and whimpered with realizing that he would soon feel the cool air. I looked down to unsnap him... and there it was... a cute little escapee toe!

This toe reminded me that my son is so cute, that we will only be in this stage for so long, and I need to enjoy even the small things!

Thank you God for using a cute little toe to remind me to enjoy my current season.

May God bless the escapee toe ALWAYS!

Owens First Christmas

Our house is usually very busy during the Christmas season. This year, as you can imagine, was much crazier than the norm. It was our first Christmas as parents. We had more than the average amount of visitors with the arrival of baby Owen. It was a wonderful Christmas and I could not have asked for a more perfect Christmas gift.

"Every good and perfect gift comes from above." 

-James 1:17

This Christmas has made me realize some things about the characteristics of Jesus, God, and even Mary. First of all, now that I have a son, I realize just how difficult it must have been for God to send His only Son to earth. God knew what Jesus would have to endure here on earth, that must have been painful as a Father. I could not even think to send Owen out into such a life for the sins of others. Jesus was sent to this earth to die for our sins. God must love us in a MASSIVE way to do this for us. The way I love Owen, has made me realize how much God loves me!

Christmas also reminds me of that silent night. (P.S. Silent Night was the first song I sang to Owen.) The image of Mary and Joesph in the manger with Jesus. Well, now that I know what labor is truly like and what having a newborn in your life is like, it makes me wowed by Mary and her character. The fact that Mary delivered Jesus in such a place. I remember the pain of labor and I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to endure such a pain when she did not "ask" for it. God knew what he was doing when he chose such a woman to deliver His Son.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

-Luke 2:10 - 12

Lastly,  thinking of silent night has also made me very thankful. Thankful to have great medical staff and services. When Owen was born I tore 3 times. I received over 100 stitches. If I had the same delivery during Jesus' time chances are that I would have bled to death. Again, I am so thankful and blessed to have medical advances during my time. 

So this Christmas was a Christmas full of gifts, blessings, and thankfulness! I enjoy thinking that next Christmas we will have a little man jumping around, breaking ornaments, and tasting our Christmas dinner!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Cristmas!

There is something special about a child's first Christmas! (And I am not talking about his special outfit!) We had a great Christmas morning. Owen of course did not really know what was going on. I enjoyed looking at my Christmas tree and thinking... next year he will be ripping ornaments off and dancing to the Christmas music. I think he is the best Christmas gift a mommy could ever ask for.

So Little!

Psalms 127:3-5  

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,  

the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior 

are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver 

with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Owen truly is such a reward. We are so thankful for our gift! Thank you God for blessing us with this sweet little boy. I cherish every moment with him!

Owens 1st Smile

Okay so this picture is not of Owen's first smile but it is with the person he saved his first smile for. How precious and cherished, a babies FIRST REAL SMILE! And Owen decided he would give this precious gift to his Grandpa Wojcik! Owen loves his Grandpa Wojcik and to show it he gave him a hammy smile. His face lights up with that gummy smile. So precious. So, Grandpa Wojcik- I am beyond jealous that you got the first smile! I hope you know how special you are!

Owen's 2nd Smile was for Daddy! Then he gladly gave his 3rd, and 4th, and 5th, and so on to EVERYONE ELSE! Finally, about a week later he decided to smile for mommy! I cried with joy! I guess he just wanted to "save the best for last."

1 Month Old

Owen is one month! I can not believe how fast time flies! He does not smile on his own yet, only gas gives him a smirk. Which I think is so funny! He is about to have his first Christmas! He has started to realize that he has hands. He will gaze at them and wonder what they are. It is incredible that this little baby has been with us for a whole month. It only feels like a week.

You know you're a mommy when...

You know you're a mommy when you find yourself wishing for multiple arms.

You know you're a mommy when you pick boogies out of your sons nose.

You know you're a mommy when spit up always adorns your clothes.

You know you're a mommy when you jump in the shower at 3am because that was your only chance.

You know you're a mommy when you rock your baby to sleep and he farts in your hands.

You know you're a mommy when you type your blog with one hand.

You know you're a mommy when a rainbow of pee flies by your face. (Baby boy!)

You know you're a mommy when you have to heat up your coffee three times before actually drinking it.

I am sure this list will keep going and going. All I know is that I would not change my life for anything! Look at that sweet baby boy asleep in my lap! Precious! I am so blessed!

As We Go About Our Day

(From: Words to live by... Jill Savage)

As we go about our day my husband is amazing at reminding me about the small things about sharing a life together. He is constantly brushing my shoulder as he walks by with a loving smile on his face. He takes the opportunity to kiss me at stop lights. He is wonderful at reminding me that we are a team. 

I am grateful that God chose Mike to be united with me! I can only pray that I make him feel loved in the same way that he does for me. I pray that we never stop doing the little things listed above.

Eyes wide open...

When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking

When you thought I wasn’t looking , I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I would always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take time and effort to save other marriages and families, and realized that marriage is important for the family.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe.

When you thought i wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but its all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be good and productive person when I grow up.

~Mary Rita Schilke Korzan

There is such a sense of responsibility with being a mom. I remember the first week of bringing Owen home everyone in the house got sick. Mike had a horrible stomach flu, one sister had a double ear infection and a sinus infection, both my mom and other sister had colds... I would lay in my bed at night and hear cough cough cough and my heart would stop beating with each sound. I worried that my sweet baby would get sick. At some point I just broke down in tears worried that my house was a germ infested slop. I had such a sense of responsibility to keep Owen healthy and safe. I could not control the germs.

But I must remember that God has us in the palm of his hand. My help comes from the Lord! I pray that God continues to guide me in being a mommy. I pray that I may be an example of Christ to Owen, when he is looking... and when he is not looking.

Introducing...

Owen Michael Wojcik

Born Thursday, November 17th 2011

at 6:23 pm

8 Pounds 14 Ounces

20 Inches