Teething, Sleeping, Bathing and other Ing's

So we have finally arrived to another stage of teething. Caroline already has her two bottom teeth which we found on Christmas morning, and is now about to cut her top two teeth. (I am sure she is going to be the cutest thing ever with her four little teeth). But teething is a long drawn out process that I am ready to be done with!

With teething comes: a small fever, little cough, less long sleep (naps and nights), runny poop and the lovely but always present drool fest 2011. I have been using Infants Tylenol when needed and Baby Oragel to help my sweetness with the pain. But this morning at 4am while she awoke in pain, all I could do was hold her and rock her hoping that my love would help to ease the uncomfortableness. Even though I hate to to loose sleep or hear her cry, there is something sweet about rocking her that early in the morning. But either way, I am ready for these teeth to make their grand entrance :)

Sleeping in our household has become a endeavor for sure. As most of you know, Caroline is co-sleeping with us. Both Chris and I don't mind her being in the bed with us, but I am realizing that I have created somewhat of an issue. I put her down in her bassinet every night in the hopes that she might stay there the rest of the evening. She is asleep when I put her down, but lately has been waking up soon after. I have let her cry it out for a little while, but I haven't gone longer than 30 minutes. It doesn't seem to help and we end up getting her out and rocking her back to sleep, and eventually she winds up back in the bed with us where she sleeps pretty soundly the rest of the night.


Although I realize that this is not ideal, I have some of the best moments of my life when I lay down with my sweet little girl in my arms and my sweet husband holding both of us. Life doesn't seem to get much better, and my heart is practically bursting with fullness. The other morning as Caroline was going down for her nap, tears poured out of my eyes with gratefulness for the precious love that I have for her and for my family. Sometimes life just is perfect!

Bathing on the other hand is fun times in the Campbell household. Caroline loves her bath time and we eat up the laughter and play time with her. It begins with the derobing process. We pull her shirt off until it is tight around her head. We then stand her up and turn her toward the mirror so that she can see herself in the mirror. (The shirt becomes a make-shift chef hat and is so cute!)

 She laughs, we laugh and all of us make babbling noises in unison. Once she gets in the bath it gets even better. She kicks, laughs, plays with her toys and takes the big cup we use to act like she is drinking from it, or proceeds to douse her self with water.

As I look at my daughter I am overcome with the masterpiece that God made in her. It reminds me often of Psalm 139.
 ¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
I love that He is so much a part of my life with Caroline and Chris. And He is the maker of all ThING's! 

Anyways... just wanted to update you on what's happening our sweetness and let you in to our day to day lives.

Singing His praises,
Lindsey

A Birthday Blessing

So I took some time off from blogging to celebrate my birthday. I turned 30 last Wednesday. To be honest I never thought that I would be so nervous about this birthday. I had always looked forward to turning 30, but for the couple weeks leading up to it, I had this growing anxiety in my chest. So stupid. I mean it's just a birthday.

But some very sweet friends of mine gave me such an incredible birthday gift that I have to share. I have three life friends that are incredible, wise and precious in my life. We meet every other week for about 2 hours (sometime it's more like 3) to just talk about life and God. I have learned so much from these women, and they are a huge part of my life.

Anyways, for my birthday they planned a special night for me. We all left the kids at home with their daddies and went to dinner at the Chop House. We just relaxed and had a great meal and great conversation. It was nice to be out together with out a timeline. We were hoping to grab coffee and Sweet CC's afterwards, but  they were closed. :( Anyways, it was time to get back to the house and enjoy the special gift they had planned for me.

After making some coffee, we headed out to my back porch to enjoy the beautiful weather outside. After a little more discussion (we women can talk) they presented me with a sweet "Birthday blessing". Each one had come up with a blessing to speak over me for the upcoming year. And as each one took their turn, I realized that it wasn't just them speaking over me...but the very truths that God has been trying to tell me lately. Everything from me being a good mother for Caroline and a sweet wife to my husband, but to characteristics that I felt I had lost since becoming a mother; such as a leader and a active part in God's plan. As they spoke over me, I asked that these things would go to the marrow of my bone and that I would live them out in my 30's.

It has been so easy to just take on my role as "mom", that I have forgotten that I am Lindsey also. The woman who loves the Word of God above all else. The woman who wants to make a difference here on this earth. The woman who loves to be social, and spend time with those closest to her.  The woman who loves to read and write. The woman who loves to dance, laugh and enjoy life to it's fullest. It's so easy to just do each day the same as the day before. But I am not the same, and I am better for it.

This new decade of my life, I want to embrace all that I am. The new, the old, and all that God has gifted me with. I am so thankful for the sweet Birthday Blessing that I was given by these sweet friends of mine. They finally copied their statements on a frame for me to keep and look at often.  Now I just need to get a picture of the 4 of us and we will be set!

Here's to being 30 and all that the Lord has planned for me!
Lindsey

Shopping Saturday: All things Vintage

I am a sucker for anything vintage...and when it comes to all things baby, vintage is the way to go.
I found this great baby site The Baby Gardner and let me tell you, it's TOO MUCH! LOVE IT!
 I love this plate and cup set!

And what about these shoes for a little boy?

And this little short onesie... come on!

And I love these little girl shoes...

Anyways... I love this shop! It's great for gift items and stuff for your own little one. I just love something that is out of the ordinary! Also, I love her blog! Check it out at http://thebabygardner.com/blog/ she has great ideas for vintage birthday parties!

This hat is a must!

Anyways... that's it for today!

Happy Shopping!

Lindsey

Isolation Motherhood

This was a blog that I never wanted to write. A blog about the hardest part of being a stay at home mom, Isolation. It really is an ugly word, and I wish that it wasn't apart of my vocabulary today, but I feel it as real as I feel my heart beating.
I am not sure when it started or how it came to be so prevalent in my life but the reality of it has hit me like a ton of bricks. I am not sure if it's my outgoing personality or need for all things busy, but I am realizing that my lack of companionship at this present time constitutes blogging it out.
So here it goes... My name is Lindsey and I am an Isolator.
When things get tough, when things get time consuming, when things get overwhelming... I isolate. I pull into the garage and shut the door immediately. I stay in my PJ's all day. I don't text or call anyone...even my husband. I watch too much TV. My house gets messy and I stop blogging. I don't do anything about  any of these things. I don't like this about myself and I hope that writing about it will help me change.
I love being at home with Caroline. It is the best change I ever made when we decided for me to stay home. But it does get lonely. I am so used to being around people all the time, I mean come on, I worked at the YMCA. But sometimes a whole week will go by with the only human interaction I get is with my husband and daughter (and maybe the occasional store clerk). I want to get out and do something with other moms... it would be good for both Caroline and me if I did. But as of today, I never have.
So on this St. Patrick's day I am feeling festive and happy. So I am deciding that I need to put myself out there again. I need to find a mom's group that meets at least once a week. I need to do play dates with other stay at home moms. I need to get up and for crying out loud, GET DRESSED and DO SOMETHING! It's so easy to do the opposite, but it doesn't help anyone if I do. So if I put it out to you all, I have to do it... (right?)
So there you go. Isolation I am giving you a swift kick in the butt. Anyone want to go for a play date soon?
Oh and here is my sweetness on St. Patty's day! Love her hair bow!

Hopeful,
Lindsey

Caroline is 6 months old! A review in pictures :)

My sweet Caroline is 6 months old today. I can't believe how time flies! I could tell you how much my life has changed since she came into our lives, but I think the better way to do that is to show you in pictures.

September 15th, 2010 at 9:10pm, Caroline Leigh Campbell made her entrance into the world!

She was a whopping 7 lbs 9oz and the most precious thing you have ever seen.

Daddy and mommy both were beside themselves.

she was a sleeping beauty.

first family photo

all snug as a bug in a rug.

Just a wee little thing 1month old.

First Halloween

Her 1st Thanksgiving with cousing Sarah Kate. 2 months old

Christmas was just around the corner...3 months old

Love these eyes...sometimes I feel like they see straight through me. 3 months old

Winter at Nana's: 4 months old

Just a seet little thing

I can roll over and sit up: 5 months old

I love my mega on Valentines Day

I love my Great Grand-dad on V-Day too!

sleeping: 5 months

Eating 5 1/2 months old

Pretty as Pie...6 months old

There is nothing like being a mother to this sweet Caroline... can't wait for the next 6 months!

On Cloud Nine...
Lindsey

Shopping Saturday: Decorating Rooms for Baby

Hey friends!

Hope that you are enjoying this beautiful Saturday morning! Today's shopping is inspired by all my friends out there who are starting to decorate the nursery for the little one coming. I remember how stressed I was over this because I didn't want your average theme inspired nursery. Every time I stepped into Babies R'Us I was so dissapointed with the selection. Luckily I have a mother who is an excellent sower, and I purchased the fabirc and she sowed!
Finish product is below...

Anyways...there are a couple of great sites out there for those who want something a little different.
So here are some of my favorites.

http://www.modernnursery.com/ has lots of great bedding, furiture, decor and gifts for the less than ordinary baby. I love to go to these sites and just look for ideas. They have such cute stuff like this owl bedding up top! LOVE the owls!

The next one has been a FAVORITE of mine for a while now... so simple, classic and soft. Serena and Lily is AWESOME! http://www.serenaandlily.com/Baby

Anyways... I love shopping for room ideas, so I hope you do too!

Have Fun Shopping!
Lindsey

Generational Parenting

I am going to start this particular blog with a disclosure. Both my parents read my blog and I want to do them the honor and respect that they deserve. So I am going to ask nicely that no one read to far deep into my blog trying to figure out if I am making references to them or my upbringing. I will be very open when it is about them and when it isn't. But this is in no way shape or form about them...it's about all of us as parents.

Several years ago, I had the privilege of traveling with my church family to Guatemala on a medical missions trip. I can't tell you how life changing this trip was for my husband and I. The people of Guatemala are absolutely beautiful inside and out. Each day we were taken to a remote village where we would set up a medical facility where people would come to see a doctor. While they were waiting for the prescriptions to be filled we would witness to them about the Love of God. One particular day, I sat with a lady as she held a child close to her body, completely covered by a blanket. I asked if I could see the child, as she was at the doctors for him and not herself. As she lifted the blanket I could see the child was downs and handicapped. My heart broke for this mom as she explained that her pastor and church believed that it was because of her sins that the child was like this. You could see the shame and desperation in this woman's eyes. She was carrying around the weight of a wound so profound I could barely catch my breath. That's when I began praying...asking and pleading for the Lord to do a miracle for this child and mother. We still server a God that can and will do miracles. But that day, I did not see one. I left feeling disheartened and utterly devastated.

Fast forward to this morning. As Caroline was taking her morning nap, I spent the minutes nestled on my couch with my head in my Bible Study, The Patriarchs by Beth Moore. It is traveling through the lives of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. Today was all about the similarities of Abraham and Issac. As Father and Son the similarities were not only physical in appearance but also in disposition and character. All through Genesis 26 the chapter makes references to how Issac acted like his father and how, unfortunately, he carried out some of the same sins as his father. In the words of Beth "Through parents influence, we not only take on many of their characteristics, but we also take on much of their character, or lack there of it."

The study took me down a path of looking at my own upbringing and what I inherited from my parents, but also what I was going to pass along to my child. And for the longest time I really wanted to pass along nothing of me to her. I mean who I am, in my flesh...is an ugly person. But because of God, I stand confident in the woman He is making me. I do want Caroline to get that part of me, the part that wholeheartedly loves her Savior more than life. And that's the thing that really got me.

We all for the most part have some dysfunction in our families of origin. My parents, though they did the best they could, would admit that they had some fumbles. I have focused on those for the majority of my life. It's easy to remember the bad stuff and forget the good. And as it seems, I also have taken on the some characteristics from them that I swore I never would. And that's when a statement by Beth Moore stabbed me right in the heart....

"Those of us who want badly enough to be free in Christ and filled by His Spirit can-through the mighty power of God- decide which emotional and spiritual characteristics we are willing to maintain as an inheritance. One reason we want to be careful and deliberate about what we agree to inherit is that we too will pass on multiple characteristics and much character. Or lack of it. We don't want to judge our parents lest God and the next generations judge us by the scorecard we kept. " 

I don't know about you, but I don't want my child to judge me when I know that I am doing the best that I can. I also don't want to pass along the junk in my life to her. I want to pass on the good parts of me just like I want to inherit the good parts of my parents. There are good things that I wouldn't let myself accept from them as I was so assured that I wanted to be different.

So this morning I spent the time letting go of all the things that I do not want to pass on to Caroline that I inherited.  There were things that I spent time letting go of that I don't want to pass along to Caroline that have nothing to do with my parents. And then I spent time accepting the blessings that my parents have passed along to me, the good things that I haven't let myself see before. I have gotten my dad's logical side. He has a beautiful way of stepping back and seeing the reality of a situation and making a strategic decision based on that reality. He never stays stagnant, he is always moving and challenging himself. I got that from my dad, and I am thankful. I got my mom's passion to overcome. If there ever was a woman that has overcome trial after trial it's her. She may have fallen but she finds a way to get up. It may have been a poor decision but she will learn from her mistake. She is an overcomer...and I got that from her~ and I am thankful.

As I look back on that mother in Guatemala, I don't just think about the little boy she held in her arms as she walked away...I think about the several other children that were following right behind her. In no way shape or form are second generational sins the fault of the first generational sinners, Ezekiel 18 makes sure that we know we are all responsible for our own actions. And that little boy was in no way the way he was because of her. But because of what we learn as children we are prone to choose the same responses as our parents because that's what we know. And those children who were all together healthy on the outside will have a uphill battle to fight to overcome the emotional responses of their mother.

And the same goes for us, we all have a battle to fight. I am fighting not only for me but for Caroline. I am sure I will pass along my share of unhealthy emotional responses, but if I can try to keep it as a carry on and not a full blown suitcase I will stand satisfied at the end of my life.

Mom and Dad...I love you. Thank you for giving me so many great characteristics and teaching me much about good character. I respect you and honor you. A lot of who I am today is because of you guys. I pray that Caroline will receive many of the blessings you passed along to me.

trudging forward,
Lindsey

Caroline Makes Me Laugh

After sitting at the kitchen table tonight with Caroline and Chris while we laughed our heads off...I decided I just wanted to share with you some funny Caroline moments. So I hope you enjoy.

One thing is for sure...Caroline likes to watch TV.

Caroline looks like she is holding on for dear life while we feed her.

She gets awfully messy when daddy feeds her. Some how I can do it with not a drop on her a face. :)

And daddy sure can make us laugh!

I love the fact that in the midst of parenting, these sweet little moments have a way of capturing my heart.

Smiling Big,
Lindsey

Thankful

You know being a mom brings out any woman's hypochondriac symptoms...anytime Caroline sneezes I freak. (LOL) I have made mention to this a couple times but when Caroline was a couple weeks old, she spit up a lot of her food in one sitting. I hysterically cried thinking that Caroline had something seriously wrong with her, and after panicking, a very close mother friend of mine told me to pick up mylicon. I did, Caroline was fine and I calmed down. Fast forward a month or two, Caroline became very sick one night. (A throwing up child does nothing for a mom by the way.) After several calls to the doctors, a freakout session on my husband, holding the baby upright all night and a trip to the Dr.'s in the morning...they told me everything was fine.

I say all this to tell  you that I am more than ever thankful for a healthy child. This morning I had to take her to the eye doctor to check on her eyes. She has clogged tear ducts, and one eye every now and then would cross. Of course our pediatrician told us that it was probably nothing but as a first time mom, I dreaded the worse. And let me give you a bit of advice....never Google your child's symptoms. It will always tell you that your child has the worse case scenario.
Anyways...he referred us to a pediatric eye doctor and so we went this morning. I was super nervous going into it, but prayed for peace and asked for prayer before going from some very dear friends of mine. As we sat in the chair with the Dr. I just knew that everything was going to be fine. And of course it was, Caroline is nothing but a healthy little girl.

As I sat in the waiting room with all these precious little children with glasses I was overwhelmed with gratefulness for a healthy baby girl. No matter what comes our way, I know that she is exactly who God made her to be. I mean why freakout when I know that He made her. Why freakout when I know that He knows what tomorrow will hold for us. It's so easy to get overwhelmed with the "what if's" but the "what if's" don't get you anywhere.

In Caroline's room there is two prayers hanging on her wall. One from her father and one from me. Of course Chris being the calm logical one, his prayer contains Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

So why worry? It tells me to not worry but be thankful. Man do I need to practice this as a mother.
Lord forgive me for worrying so much about things that you already have control over. You love Caroline more than I do, (which is a lot) so I know that you will take care of her. And Lord, thank you for letting me be a mom to her. Out of all the babies in the world, you chose me to be her mom. You must have some confidence in me, and my ability to mother her. Thank you for a healthy baby girl and thank you for her sweet eyes. We love you...Amen.

Thankful,
Lindsey

Shopping Saturday!

Let me just tell you...I love ETSY! You can find pretty much anything for babies on there. My most recently found loves are from there.

First let me tell you that I love wall art! Caroline has two things up in her room. Her name and a growth chart...

So when I found this place on Etsy... I really can't wait to have a house with a play room in it so that I can order some of these fabulous designs!

Check out her store on Etsy.... http://www.etsy.com/shop/pinknbluebaby?ref=seller_info

I also love head gear for Caroline, I can't get enough headbands and bows for the sweetness. A friend of mine has a sweet collection. I love this one!

You must check out her site at http://www.etsy.com/shop/sprinklesforsprouts?ref=seller_info! Tell her Lindsey Campbell said hi!

Hope you have fun shopping today!

For now...

Lindsey

Daddy Daze

I can't believe that I haven't posted about him before. Not sure what happened there... but let me start off by saying that he does read my blog, so hello honey. I love you and miss you. That being said, this blog is about you.

When we first became parents I have never seen my husband like that before. He was on cloud nine, and immediately switched into super husband and dad mode. But as most highs go, it was immediately followed by the exhaustion of the first couple months of Caroline's life. Please don't misunderstand...he still was super husband but reality began to sit in. Like I say time and time again, this gig is awesome but hard as all get out!

It was in those months that I would get frustrated with him and became a very negative person because of my exhaustion. I really, in my confused mind, didn't think he cared nor wanted to participate in this parenting thing. You see it seemed like every time I handed him Caroline, he would just sit with her. He wouldn't multi-task like me. If Caroline was in his arms...that's all he did. It made me so mad! (I imagine at this point Chris is sitting at his desk shaking his head in agreement :))

But I realized something last night (incredibly late in the process let me admit) about my husbands relationship with Caroline. I had the privilege of attending a memorial service of sweet friend of mines husband, who suddenly passed away last week. He left her and three children behind, the youngest a 3 year old little girl. As the service was taking place, my thoughts kept drifting towards my sweet husband who was at home with our little girl. And this is what I realized. The way he interacts with her is affecting some of the core beliefs she will have as a girl, adolescent, teenager, young woman, a wife and adult.

You see he is teaching her how she should be treated. He gives her his undivided attention. When she is in his arms, there is no one else in the world. He treats her like a princess.

He tells her things that really matter. Of course he  tells her she is beautiful, but he also tells her she is smart, funny and sweet all the time.

He is showing her protection in it's purest form. He would die for her. He would stand against anyone or anything to keep her safe.

He is showing her what kind of man to look for. One that treats her with respect, and adoration. One that values her above himself.

And most importantly he is helping her to have a beautiful relationship with her heavenly Father. The way that she views her earthly dad will translate into what she thinks about her Heavenly One. He is building and strengthening that relationship right now. I love that!

I have talked to so many first time moms and there is a lot of disappointment there in respect to how their spouses interact with their kids. I think it's because we don't really understand what their role is as a father. Chris is leaving a legacy with Caroline that goes far beyond him holding her on his hip while he does the dishes. Or WANTING to change a diaper verses me asking him too. And too be honest I would rather him do that then anything else. (Chris don't get any ideas...I still need your help :))

So to all you hard working moms out there, love on those dads so they will keep loving enthusiastically on our children. And then to the main dad in my life...
Chris, you are my best friend. You are the best dad I have ever seen. I love that you love Caroline the way you do. She is a better person for having you as a dad. Forgive me for my childish antics... Forgive me for not giving you room to be the dad you know how to be. I respect the fire out of you, and I can't wait to continue growing in this parent role with you. You balance me...and I will be forever grateful for that.

props to the dads out there,
Lindsey