Listen

This is something I truly believe. 

In all of our little one's hearts, everything is important, exciting, scary, funny, etc.

I always want to make sure I genuinely listen to & hear what my boys are saying.

Yes, I am their parent, but I also want to be their confidant.

Maybe not necessarily their "best friend", but someone they always feel they can confide in, without ridicule, without making them feel inferior.

I want them to know that no matter what, they can come to me, good or bad.

I want to know what's going on in their lives so when I do see them making not-so-good decisions, I can hopefully lead them to make better choices.

I want to teach them that even when they think no one is watching them, that God sees everything they do and say so that maybe, just maybe they will choose the right thing to do even when I'm not there to guide them in the right direction.

I always felt like I could go to my parents about anything.

Sure, when I was a teenager and thought I knew everything, I made lots of mistakes,

but because of the open relationship I had with

my parents and the guidance they had

given me when I was younger, I always found my way back to doing the right thing. 

Even as a young adult, I still made my share of mistakes, but once again because of

 always being able to talk with my parents,

I confided in them and they helped guide me home. 

Now, as a parent myself, I want to have the same kind relationship with my boys that I was able to have with my mama & daddy.

I was/am blessed with parents, although my daddy is in Heaven now, 

who listened to everything I had to say,

and I pray to be a blessing in each of my son's lives and that

they always know that they can talk to me

and I will honestly listen with love and

do my best to give them the best advice so that

they may grow into great, humble, productive, God-fearing men full of integrity. 

Of course, this is only one of so many things I pray to achieve

in my journey as their mama. ;)

5 Months Of Sweetness

Gentry Slade,

My goodness! Time has passed so quickly. The holidays are among us and you will be celebrating your first Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm so proud to have you as a part of us.

As of yesterday, you are now 5 months old.  You are so alert and bright-eyed. I love our little "conversations". You love to mumble and coo.  I'm sure you understand what you are trying to say, whether we do or not.  No matter, it's so cute, especially with all of your facial expressions that go along with it.

You are certainly my big boy.  You are wearing 3-6 month clothes.  Some of your clothes are 6-9 month, though, depending on where I buy them.  We've moved you up to size 3 diapers.  The size 2 were just too snug on you to me.  Plus, the size 3 just make it through the night better. ;)

I'm not exactly sure how much you weigh.  I would guess around 17-18 lbs.  You don't seem to be much heavier than you were at your 4 month appointment when you were 16 lbs. 10.5 ozs.  I'll have to get your daddy to step up on the scales with you so we can find out for sure.

You continue to grow taller.  That's why I've had to get you some 6-9 month clothes.  Your little chubby legs are long and if I put you in 3-6 month pants, they're almost too short.  I can't have my cute baby wearing "high waters" now, can I? ;)

You still have wonderful sleeping habits.  You usually go to sleep between 8-8:30 and we wake you up by 7 to get you ready for daycare.  You still stir sometimes during the night for a little bit of a bottle, but never fully awake and go immediately back to dreaming once you've had some formula.

Something new for you this month is that you've started cereal and vegetables.  You are still learning to be spoon fed.  It's very strange to you.  Of course, like all babies, you still want to push the food back out with your tongue.  You'll get there, though.  You eat 1-2 Tbsp. of rice cereal for lunch and 1/4-1/2 of a jar of vegetables for supper.  You've tried sweet potatoes and green beans so far and seemed to have liked both.  Next up is carrots.  That was always Jubal's favorite.  We'll see if y'all have that in common soon.

You still take 4 ozs. of formula at a time and drink 5-6 bottles throughout the day.  I give you 6 ozs. at bedtime so you don't wake up for more, although like I said before, you still stir around for a little bit of a bottle during the night.  You don't take a paci, so that's fine.

You've really started enjoying the bouncer.  We can sit you in it and you're content for a good 30 minutes just bouncing away.  You definitely prefer it over the exersaucer.

You still haven't started rolling over.  It could be that we don't put you in the floor much due to your big brother wanting to jump over you.  You also HATE to be on your tummy, even with your Boppy.  We've got to start working on this issue, though.  Your pediatrician will not be happy if you're not rolling over front to back and back to front before your 6 month appointment.  I've been lazy when it comes to this. Mommy fail.

You are an awesome baby, Gentry.  I was so afraid that since Jubal was such a great baby that you may not be.  Everyone kept telling me that I had to have one sleepless, cranky baby.  Praise God I didn't.  Both of you are equally as awesome as the other.  The Lord blessed me with two wonderful, healthy, happy baby boys and I couldn't ever thank Him enough.  You are my baby.  THE baby.  There will never be another.  I hope you always know how much you are loved, my sweet boy.  My heart could burst I feel so much love for you.  Our family is complete because of you.


I love you so very much,
Mama