The Braithwaits

This weekend one of my best friends in the world, Stephanie, came in town with her husband Ryan and their 2 kids, Hannah and Bennett. It was SO much fun to spend time with them! The only problem was that it made me wish even more that they lived closer. Michael and I got a taste of what it will be like to have 3 kids some day...crazy fun:) All 4 of us parents needed a margarita by the end of the evening!

Stephanie talked me into putting Caleb into his jumparoo for the first time, and of course he loved it! I love how he is extremely focused on the green plastic frog. I think he wanted to eat it! He is growing so fast and learning so much every day...I wish you all could see how cute his smile is. He's curious about the camera and gets a serious look on his face every time I pull it out!

Just Some Talking

New Tricks

Seriously, can you get any cuter? Michael took this picture yesterday on his day with Caleb. They get to spend every Wednesday together while I work at the pediatrician's office. Michael makes him laugh all day. He loves his daddy!

Caleb has upgraded from his bassinet to his awesome new crib. I really think he loves it! We're smart new parents and put the crib together while he was taking a nap. We're also really excited new parents because we got him up from his nap to see if he liked his new bed:) He rolled and squealed and kicked to his heart's content. Here he is enjoying all the space:

And finally, on to the big news-- Last week I was sitting on the floor with Caleb who was lying on his back, I looked away for a second, and when I looked back, he was on his tummy! So I was there for the first time he rolled over, I just didn't actually see it. We've had plenty of chances to see it since then though...he's already an old pro! He rolls over and then grunts and squeals until we put him back on his back...he hasn't figured out how to do it himself yet, but I'm sure that will come any day now. 

Fourth of July

Today was a strange 4th of July. It was a good day, a really good day actually. It just didn't feel like the 4th of July. It was probably the first 4th of July in my whole life absent of fireworks and cheesy patriotic music. At first I was excited to take Caleb to see his first fireworks display, but the more I thought about it, the less appealing it sounded to keep him up, pile him in the car, and drag him to who knows where to hear loud noises that he probably wouldn't enjoy anyway. Instead we went over to my friend Annie's house and cooked out and had some of her signature margaritas while Caleb snoozed in their bedroom. In fact, it was the latest we've stayed out probably since Caleb was born! Even without the fireworks and star-spangled banner, it was a wonderful 4th of July. Maybe next year Caleb will be able to appreciate it all more anyway! Here's a picture of how he enjoyed his Independence Day this year. This is his favorite sleeping position...I can always tell that he's really sleepy when he goes into this position as soon as I lay him down.

Just For Fun

Here's me and Caleb just being silly...well, I guess me being silly and him being serious:) He doesn't know it yet, but he's very photogenic!

Through Rain and Sunny Weather

Well, I've officially had this blog for a couple of months now. However, every time I sit down to post something I get the feeling that I used to get in college right before I had to write a paper...the pit in my stomach that led so many times to procrastination. Getting started is the hardest part! So I'm doing it. I'm getting over the hardest part and just jumping into the blogging world. 

Yesterday was Caleb's baptism. Even though Michael and I have witnessed many baptisms, we agreed that it is TOTALLY different when it is your own child receiving the blessings of God's promises literally poured out on his head. To see Caleb just look up at Jay telling him that Christ died for him melted our hearts in thanksgiving for what God has done and what he will do in Caleb's life. Dedicating our child to God and claiming God's promises for his life was more overwhelming and powerful in that moment than I expected it to be. As I realized the weight of what we were doing, I could not hold back my tears. It is amazing to realize that no matter how much I love Caleb, God loves him way more. 

As a mother, sometimes I get struck with a wave of anxiety about what it means to completely give my son to the Lord. What if he calls Caleb to dangerous places to serve him, what if he brings Caleb into difficult relationships to show his grace, what if Caleb doesn't make the decisions that I would hope for? However, yesterday I was reminded again that those worries should have no place in my heart. God has a much bigger and better plan going on, and giving Caleb to be a part of that plan is more than exciting. 

So I don't plan on writing this much on every post, but Caleb's baptism seemed like an appropriate start to a blog which I hope will show God's faithfulness to our family through good times and difficult ones...thus the title, through rain and sunny weather.