HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINCOLN MANNING!

Today this turkey celebrated his 1st birthday!

He had a great day!

We goofed off.

Had cinnamon rolls for brekkie.

Visited friends.

Went out to Thai for dinner.

Met the sweetest Santa ever.

Finger paints!

Lit sparklers in the house and about set off the fire alarm.

Ate cupcakes.

Cut off his 5" rat tail.

This one was bittersweet for me.

 And completely conked out.

It's so hard to believe that last year THIS happened.

What a blessing! 

He brings so much joy wherever he goes. 

Happy birthday, baby boy.

xo

Advent, Day 1

I took the bus home on the first day of Advent. In fact, I made the bus driver mad because I chased the bus. I was late to it, and he was impatient, but he let me on anyway.

As soon as I sat down, I was aware of the humanity around me. Me, late and hurried. Others, grateful to get out of the freezing temperature. The older man up front, confused, talking to himself. Hope. Loneliness. I think I felt all of it within me too.

I was looking forward to getting home to my family. But for that moment, I was just one of them, nobody special, in need of a bigger reason than myself.

This is my favorite Christmas-time song. I played it as I rode home, and let the story bring me to tears again. It's so predictable, every time I hear it. The drone of the bus hid my emotions, and I just sat there, so aware of Advent, and the coming of Christ to humanity. I prayed that I would not miss him this season, and that my imperfect life could possibly point to him.

Then tonight, I was readying Ann Voskamp's words on Advent..

"It is possible for you to miss it. To brush past it, to rush through it, to not see how it comes for you up over the edges of everything, quiet and unassuming and miraculous - how every page of the Word has been writing it, reaching for you, coming for you. And you could wake on Christmas only to grasp that you never took the whole of the Gift, the wide expanse of grace. So now we pause. Still. Ponder. Hush. Wait. Each day of Advent, He gives you the gift of time, so you have time to be still and wait."

Last year at this time, I was 9 months pregnant, waiting. I clearly remember that feeling of wonder. My baby boy was about to arrive. When would he come? Late? Early? I was so aware of every little change, every zinger of pain, every kick. I was taking it all in.

A few hours before he came, I had a conversation with a friend that was monumental. I didn't feel like I was ready to have him. And she called, somehow knowing I would need to talk. Thank God for friends who point the way. After tears and prayers, I hung up, and laid down to rest, at peace. At midnight, he decided it was time. And in my heart, I knew it was time.

All that led up to that moment was the waiting. And then suddenly, he was here. Less than three hours later, my world was changed. It was a gift to me that my son was born at this time of year, because I can't help but think of that story when I think of Advent.

For all of us, I pray for the grace to take it all in. To not take anything for granted. To experience life, unhidden, unhurried.

Happy Advent, from me to you.
Adventure isn't missing!

 

Baby down!!!!

I took those series of pictures during Linc's first time standing by holding onto his crib edge. He toppled down, and my friend Jim turned it into a much more dramatic ordeal. :) Thanks Jim!

In the end, it all turned out happy.

xoxo!

Ummmm.

Enjoy this summer blockbuster. xo!

My life these days.

Adventure isn't missing at all.

Joseph

I can't stop listening to these Portland singing sisters.

We found ourselves together in an old house in a small town called High Hope.
We didn't mind the quaking.
Through me a tremble rose and I thought I might tear, but I hope.
We gathered in the same room, but as the house shook and the ghosts looked in we moved.
Through the ceiling I screamed at you.
I said "These bonds are wearing thin. Can you get us through?"

- Wind, song 2 on Native. Dreamer. Kin.
(my favorite song of theirs)

Check 'em out on Noisetrade.
Thanks Kate, for sending their music my way.

It looks like naptime, but it's not.

I sure love being a mama to this little guy...

...even when 2 minutes later he's crying to be held and doesn't actually sleep for another hour.

Future/Past

I was happy to learn John Mark McMillan came out with a new song, out front of a new album. I really like it. (Personally, I'm not a fan of watching people stand around singing other peoples songs - something about it feels weird, like I'm spying on them. So I like the song for what it is, but not so much the video.)

Thanks for the heads up, Netty.

For unto us a child is born.

On December 13th, I had a baby.


day 1

How do you put into words walking on the moon? Or summiting Everest? Or falling hopelessly in love? I'm not sure how to describe something so terrifying and exhilarating, so I'll start with the facts.

I'd been dilated 4cm the last few weeks of my pregnancy and my midwives said he was definitely coming early, and when he comes it will be quick.

Right on both guesses.

My contractions started around midnight on Friday the 13th. A short rush woke me up and I knew we'd be meeting our son soon. I was so ready to meet him! My state of mind was focused on getting through the contractions as they sped up. Around 1:30am my water broke at our apartment. My body instantly went into push mode. You could also call it Beast Mode - I'm sure our neighbors thought something very, very bad was happening if they heard me. This baby wanted to come out and I was sure if we didn't leave for the hospital RIGHT THEN I was going to have this baby on our bathroom floor.

From the start Jeff was amazing, helping me work through the contractions, reminding me to breathe, and somehow was able to get me into the car and to the hospital.

We made it to Evergreen by 2:10am. Let's just say I always pictured myself with a little more dignity than I had going on that night. I stepped into the lobby and I was immediately on my hands and knees, bearing down. You couldn't have paid me a million bucks to stop - this kid was ready to meet the world.

My incredible midwife Heather met us there and wheeled me down the hallway, got me in my room just in time, where I could start really pushing. Not surprisingly I was 10cm dilated. I pushed with all my might for about 30 minutes. I have to say this...I loved the pushing part. I love consciously working hard with my baby and my body to get him out.

At 2:51am he was born. 21" long, 7lbs, 5oz! Jeff caught him and put him on my chest. And my heart has never been the same.

day 3

And now my boy is almost two months old. I can't tell you how much I love him, because words don't ever suffice for something like this.

day 49

I am so, so grateful that his arrival was short and smooth. My heart breaks for my friends who have numerous complications and are left having to focus on the pain and healing, when they should have the joy of focusing on their new baby. But everyone has their own unique experience, and there really is no comparison. I'm just so grateful for ours. For some reason our little Lincoln came into the world this specific way. He came with so much insistence and peace at the same time. I like that about him. I also like that he was born at Christmas time. I like that he smiles when his dad laughs. I like that he is really social and aware. I like that he slept for 5 hours straight last night.

I'm also really grateful for our community of friends and family who have been so excited about his arrival, and really supportive of us. So many amazing gifts have been given, meals were brought, offers were given to babysit and care for him when we need a break, and everyone just loves him so much. We couldn't be richer. Lincoln has no idea how many people love him.

It's such a privilege to be a mother. It's slowly changing me in ways I didn't know it would. And so I pray for my family and my children and my house.

"Let those that are united to me in tender ties

be precious in thy sight and devoted to thy glory.

Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion,

instruction, discipline, example,

that my house may be a nursery for heaven,

my church the garden of the Lord,

enriched with trees of righteousness of thy planting, for thy glory..."

- The Valley of Vision, puritan prayers



Adventure isn't missing.