Baby Dedication

What a wonderful day it was yesterday for our family.  Our little girl was dedicated!  We were so blessed to have so many people including some members of my family come and join us for the service.  This may sound a little weird but everytime I think of a dedication I picture that seen from the movie Lion King where young Simba is lifted up to the sky - I just picture little Ella being lifted up to Jesus - confirming that she belongs to him!

The dedication is also for us as parents - praying and dedicating our lives as parents to raising her in the church - helping to teach her and show her by our actions what it means to be a follower of Christ.  I pray that we will be great examples of God for her.

The service ended with a celebration meal - lasagna!  It was so nice to just fellowship and celebrate the joy of God's gift to us - Ella Lynn Snyder!!!

A wise man of God once said - never be ashamed to ask people to join with you in praying - especially for you children.  So here it is - would you be willing to pray for our little girl?  It would be a great blessing to us!

Photo Shoots

I just love taking pictures.... it helps that I think my baby is one of the cutest babies I have ever had :).  Anyway - I don't know about other moms out there but it seems to me that every time I have a plan to get pictures it just doesn't fit her schedule - in fact my best pictures are the ones that I am lucky and just catch on a fly.

The other day we were trying to get a picture for our Christmas card and after feeding her in the morning I put her in her pretty plaid dress, put her headband on, her stockings and her shoes - put her on the blanket and alas - she fell asleep.... we tried again when she woke up but she was hungry - then I had somewhere to go.....so daddy was in charge and had to run some errands so he left her in her pretty dress and off they went... finally the we tried again in the early evening - she didn't seem to want to smile.... so I thought if we can get one without her crying it will be a success!  We got one finally and it was awesome - you just have to be willing to roll with it!

So today was her 3 Month pictures.... she just didn't want to smile but oh well - it is still super cute!  Check out our picture from today!  

Mommy/Ella Time

I had my first overnight away from my little girl.  It was a great get away for me to spend with some girlfriends doing some scrapbooking.  So when I returned today all I wanted to do was have Ella time so after feeding her I decided to try on her new snow suit and this is what she looked like..... I know I am biased but she is too cute!  And seems to be a little immobile in her new suit!

2 Month Memory

So yesterday was my vent and confession of my 2 month meltdown, so to help you see that I truly love my new role in life despite my clothes not fitting, despite many late night feedings, despite not getting my thank yous done yet..... I LOVE BEING A MOM!!!

I had no idea how amazing it would be to have a child.  Some days I just sit and stare at her as she sleeps.  How can anyone look at a child and not believe in God - I just don't know.  I have loved watching and getting to know my little one over the past two months, but I must say the past two weeks have been especially wonderful.... she is now smiling and following us with her eyes.  I just love the little faces she makes as her daddy tickles her toes.  It makes my heart overflow with joy as I watch her smile.... even if at times it is just because of gas - a smile is a smile!!!

One of the best pieces of advice that I was once given was don't wish their years away - don't get so caught up in what you are waiting for them to do - to not enjoy what they are learning to do now.  I loved when she was a newborn and she just circled up on my chest and slept in a little ball.  I loved when she started to open her eyes and one second she could focus and the next second it was back to the cross eyed.  I loved when she had her eyes open more than five minutes at a time..... let's just say - there is sometime special about every stage to love... and today I love her smile.  Check out this video of my 2 month memory!

2 Month Meltdown

My closet is full but my options are empty!!!  So on Saturday I ventured into my closet to find something to wear to a special service at our church which I was leading music for.   I wanted to wear something a little nicer than jeans but not super dressy - so I would say it was khaki and nice shirt type of night.  I went into my closet and found a pair of khakis and noticed an array of shirts to choose from (yes I am one of those ladies that when I find a shirt that I like and it fits me and it is on sale - I buy all the colors available)  I put on the pants, though they were tighter than I would have liked - they fit me and I figured I could just cover up my baby pouch with one of my many long sleeve shirts - WRONG!!!  I put on the first shirt..... didn't fit - too short.  Put on the second shirt - didn't fit "my girls" were too big and I looked like a hussy (sorry but there is really no other word to describe how bad I looked in that shirt)  I tried on a third (yeah you may be wondering why I even continued to try them on at this point) and it was too tight.....ARGHHHHH  I yelled from the closet and Joel asked what was wrong - I simply yelled - nothing fits and then as I realized that trully nothing did fit - I began to sob!!!  (Gosh I thought I was over that stage of post pregnancy - I guess not!) 

I finally broke down and just went to my few remaining maternity things that fit me but don't make me look too frumpy - I wasn't pleased with my outfit but it at least covered my top, covered my pouch and wasn't skin tight so I guess it was a success by most people's standards - however it was a rough night for me as I realized - I have a long road to get back to a healthy body weight and closet of clothes that will actually fit me.  I just don't want to have to wear maternity clothes for the rest of my life, but I guess I should just be happy that I have clothing!  Oh the woahs of post pregnancy!  Tomorrow I will post of the joys of post pregnancy so come back and visit as I look at the joy of the journey!

The Hunt Continues (Girl Stuff)

So if you are a man - consider yourself warned - this blog will contain information about girl stuff!

For the last few months of my pregnancy I contemplated getting a few good nursing bras, however I had heeded the warnings that "the girls" will change size when your milk comes in.  So I held off since I knew that buying bras was a large investment.

I did go to Target with hopes of getting a few inexpensive stretchy ones to wear at the hospital - but let's just say - they didn't fit!  Not even the XXL - seriously!  I was shocked - I am sure the size must have been wrong!

So on our trip to Babies R Us - my niece and I looked at Bras (yes they do have Bras there in the Medela nursing department) and I found two that fit but are not the most supportive.

Now two months later I began the hunt for a good nursing bra since my stretchy ones are starting to fall apart (literally)  I went to a Motherhood store and was so thankful to finally find a store that carries nursing bras - they are few and far between and I didn't want to order online since I have no idea what size I would wear.

I was so excited to see that they carried a wide variety of sizes up to a size E (which I never even knew existed)  Well I took a variety of sizes back to try on but too my dismay - NONE FIT!!!!!  Urghhhh - not even an E - seriously - I don't even know what size would be next!  Or what size I would even need.

So back to square one - the woahs of motherhood!  I never knew this would be so hard.  So any suggestions on what size would be next or where to get a nursing bra in plus sizes - I would love that information!!!

Hope this wasn't TMI - but as woman I am guessing I am not the only one who has dealt with this or will deal with it in the future.

I'll be back - Tomorrow

Tomorrow will be my baby's two month birthday and it will also mark my comeback to blogging.  It was great to take some time off, now I am refreshed (as much as you can be with a eight week old) and I am ready to get back into blogging about life with baby and MS and all those other things.  If you are interested in checking out my other blog which focuses mostly on ministry type and random things - you can find it at www.gripofgrace.com - that will also be starting back up tomorrow.  Have a great day!!!