Our Movin' Groovin' Baby Boy

I know it has been a while since I've posted anything. This is largely because Denver has kept me especially busy lately. He's been going through LOTS of changes. Allow me to prove it to you...

He can sit up on his own

He has started "eating" real food... and when I say eating, of course I mean putting food in his mouth and then spitting it out again.

And perhaps most exciting, but also most exhausting... he can CRAWL! This video was taken last week when he was first learning to crawl. Now he's a pro. :)

Last but not least, a bonus photo for you all... St. Patrick's Day 2010 and St. Patrick's Day 2011. The times they are a changin'...

Stylish Blogger

Woo hoo! A friend of mine gave me an "award." I use the quotes because it's one of those things that bloggers pass around as a way to sort of pat ourselves on the back. But it's still fun!

I got the "Stylish Blogger" award from my friend Lindsay. Thank you Lindsay! You can read about her sweet family here. Her daughter's name is Harper Story... one of the greatest girl names I've ever heard.

Now that I've received this award, here are the rules:

1. thank and link back to the person who awarded you

2. share 7 things about yourself

3. pass award on to bloggers you think are fantastic

4. contact those bloggers and tell them about the award

So... seven things about myself? Hmmm....

1. I love cheese. Like, a lot. However, I am eating very little dairy because it upsets Denver's stomach. I must love him a lot.

2. My husband and I met in Guatemala. That's right. We were both living in Ft. Worth and going to the same church. We both went to TCU. But God had to bring us all the way to Guatemala to meet and fall in love. Here we are dancing in Antigua, Guatemala. I already had a pretty big crush. :)

3. I am working on being "healthier" in my food choices. In college, I lived on Kraft mac & cheese. Now, I try to actually eat vegetables. My current favorite? Roasted brussel sprouts. Seriously.

4. Have you ever heard of people saying that pregnancy changes their taste in food? Example: my mom used to love shrimp. After being pregnant, she couldn't stand the sight of it. Well, ever since being pregnant with Denver, I have begun to love breakfast sausage. I see these commercials for IHOP and Denny's, and my mouth just waters. The thought of this food used to GROSS ME OUT. But not anymore! Pregnancy is weird.

5. I start each day by making a cup of coffee (usually Dunkin' Donuts), with a little sugar, and a little goat milk. Yes, I use goat milk instead of creamer. It is easier to digest, and easier on Denver's tummy.

6. I love our church, Hope Works. I am always encouraged and challenged by my friends at church. Austin and I have been members for over two years now, and it has made a radical difference in our lives. If you are not a member at a church, I encourage you to not just church "shop" or attend different churches every weekend, but to really plant your roots somewhere. You will be so glad you did. I promise.

7. I have the greatest family in the world. Really.

Now it's my turn to pass this award on. Here are a few blogs that I consider to be particularly stylish...

1. Erin at Prairie Fairytales

2. Jen at The Arizona Russums

3. Grace at sincerely, grace

4. Jess at my beatles babies

5. Megan at Baby Baird

6. Kirbie at Kirbie Goes to Hollywood

7. Katelin at Katelin Leaves New York City

The Heart of the Home

Another day another dirty diaper.

Sometimes I find myself thinking...

"I have a college degree. I studied, wrote papers, and my parents paid a great deal of money for my education. I taught for two years, and now here I am. My days are filled with vacuuming dog hair, changing diapers, cleaning up spit-up, and trying to get creative with cooking meals for cheap. How did I get here?"

I am currently reading Carolyn McCulley's book Radical Womanhood. She brought up a fascinating point that I had never realized before. Our American culture in 2011 seems to place a higher value on the public sphere than on the home. Since when is the home not worthy of a college educated woman running it? Since when is that a "waste" of my time and money?

McCulley writes, "The heart of the home is found in the relationships nurtured there and the comfort offered to one another--comfort we have first received from God, the Father of compassion, and then share with one another (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Home is no lesser sphere...'Just a housewife' is a phrase our culture uses to undermine the importance of the private sphere. Though the marketplace does not value the home beyond what goods can be purchased for it, the ministry to be found there is of immense worth to the Lord. The stability of family relationships, the care of elderly or disabled family members, the discipling and training of children, the warm reception of guests, the making of a lifetime of memories, the daily modeling of biblical instruction, the fresh nourishment in an age of processed foods that contribute to our general ill health, the joy of a Christ-centered marriage--all of these things have long-lasting, if not eternal effects. "

How encouraging! I'm glad I have a college education. I don't believe that choosing to stay home now is "wasting" that money. Now I get to be an educated and empowered woman working from my home, loving and serving my family and community, even it it never makes me a dime.

a typical dinner scene at the Hines home

Happy Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

to a guy who is....

lovable...

huggable...

kissable...

squeezable...

wonderful.

To my husband... Austin Robert Hines.

Here he is folks... let's hope Denver grows up to be half this cute.

Laughter

Yes, this is 45 seconds of my son and I laughing.

Yes, I snort a few times.

I don't really expect you to watch this unless you are a grandparent or a doting aunt.

Enjoy!

Seasons

About a year ago, when I was still newly pregnant with Denver, I remember thinking, "I can't wait until I get a baby bump. Then everyone will know I'm pregnant, and I'll feel justified for having all these crummy feelings." A few short months later, I got what I asked for:

At about that time, I thought, "I can't wait until this baby is born. My feet and back ache, my belly itches, and I'd like to enjoy a glass of wine over dinner with my husband."

Then Denver was born.

I had a beautiful son, and I quickly began to think, "I can't wait until this child sleeps through the night. I can't wait until my body gets used to breastfeeeding...this hurts! I can't wait until my body recovers from birth so that I can exercise again."

Well, I got all those wishes.

And now I admit that I'm thinking, "I can't wait until Denver gets through this spit-up phase... I am constantly covered in spit-up. I can't wait until he's old enough to take a sippy-cup, because he WON'T take a bottle, so I give him EVERY feeding, which greatly limits my freedom."

Then I hear a quiet voice whisper, "Caitlin, cherish these moments. You won't always be covered in spit-up. You won't always nurse your son every time he's hungry. This is a season, just like pregnancy was a season, just like having a newborn was a season."

So tonight, when Denver starts crying for his mommy to hold him (because he has gotten quite picky about who is holding him past 8pm), I will choose to cherish that time with my son. I will choose joy in this season because I know that this is just a short season, and before I know it, my sweet boy will be in another season that brings its own challenges, but also its own tender moments. Like this one...

and this one...

Professor Grubbly-Plank

Yes, that's his newest nickname. And yes, he's still adorable.

What up gangsta?

reading the Bible

Bath time!

all clean