In Response To: "Having Babies {In An Opposite World}

I came across this post today and just had to share.  Take a look at this mother's response to young pregnancies.

When I first found out I was pregnant, I was in shock.  I had been on birth control, so I was not expecting it at all.  

I had always knew I would be a mother one day, the Lord willing.  

But I had my plans.  I was going to finish school, travel a bit, own a house and then we would start our family.

God has his plans.  Plans far greater than mine- and thank goodness for that.

I remember when I found out, though I was in shock I was also excited and scared out of my mind. 

So many thoughts went through my head in such a short period of time. 

I was terrified to tell family and friends as I wasn't sure how they would take it.

I remember going to school and getting those stares day after day.  

Even though we had been married for a year before we got pregnant, 

I felt like I was in high school still as other students stopped and looked at my baby bump. 

Though we haven't followed the norm of finishing school before starting our family,

I wouldn't wish it any other way. 

Yes, it will be hard in the first few years,
our finances will be tight,
we won't be able to travel the world for quite a while,
and we can no longer live our lives for just ourselves.  

But I love the fact that I will be young and able to play with my daughter as she grows up.
I love that we will have more time with her.
And I am so very thankful for this beautiful girl God has blessed us with.  

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from Him. ~ Psalm 127:3

God loves his children, they are gifts from Him. 

So why is it so often when young couples get pregnant early others make comments 

about age, wealth, and whether or not the pregnancy was planned. 

It's okay to be scared, but just remember how great a gift you have been given.  

No matter what age you are.  

My Beautiful Baby Girl

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Lesson 2.2- The Danger of Being a Bad Example

I've been going through these slowly but try to take a look back at the other parts of this parenting study:)

Ezekiel 20:15-26

Vs 18-" I warned their children not to follow in their parent's footsteps..."

Proverbs 22:5-6 

"Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;

He who guards himself will be far from them.  

Train up a child in the way he should go, 

Even when he is old and he will not depart from it."

We are to guard ourselves from the "thorns and snares".  

So as far as parenting goes, how do we know if something is a thorn? 

Here are some quick questions to ask yourself:

• Is the example I'm setting something I would want my child doing? 
• Am I hiding this habit of mine from my child? 
• Am I setting a Biblical example?

Obviously there are more, but as parents it is our jobs to raise our children for the Lord.  

He has given us this wonderful responsibility, but more often than not we stray from our duties to set good examples. 

That's part of being human though. 

Let God use you in the way He intended, 

and show your child the way to the Lord through your example.  

One of the awesome truths of parenting though is sometimes our children help us work on our downfalls. 

I have learned so much more patience since having Peyton.  

I have had to become more of a gentle person since having my daughter, and I'm positive as she grows she will only help me shape more of myself.  

Just Like Mommy and Daddy

Remember when I wrote about what Peyton may look like while I was pregnant?  (if not check it out here)

Well this week I got looking at baby pictures of Wes and I and I loved seeing the similarities between our pictures and some of Peyton's pictures.

Here are some of them:

This Is Me- Brianna

Remember the  "This is Me" Guest Blog Series?  Here is a wonderful post from a fellow blogger Brianna about how motherhood has changed her.  (If you get time check out her blog - you won't regret it:) )  

[My name is Brianna and I blog at Tea with Bri. I love spending time with Jesus, my family…and blogging in spare moments.]

I’ve always dreamed of being a mom. I used to line up all my dolls and read to them. I had one doll that I named Michael, and I carried him everywhere, pretending he was my little baby. As an only child, I wished I had a younger brother or sister to take care of. I’d see other children walking their siblings to school, checking in on them during recess, or rough housing with them at home and I would long to be in their shoes. I have always been fascinated by the way siblings interact, and the relationships they have with one another. I loved children, I just never had much of an opportunity to be around them.

Penelope Rose

In May 2012 my opportunity arrived. I gave birth to a beautiful little girl, and suddenly I was in the role of a life-time. I had never held a baby before. I remember holding her for the first time, so tentatively and so nervous. I was a mother, but I didn’t feel like one. It was all so surreal. I had never been around a newborn, and suddenly I was responsible for one.

Those early days were a blur. Some moments I felt completely confident, like I was the greatest mother in the world. Then something would happen, like low milk production, or a critical comment, and all my resolve would disappear.

Somehow, an entire year has nearly passed, and I still can’t believe I’m a Mom some does. But here I am, with this beautiful curly blonde-haired beauty. A little girl with a smile that melts my heart and a laugh that gets me every time. An extroverted and fun-loving child who loves to explore new places and is at ease in almost any situation.

Before I became a mother I looked at child-rearing from a selfish and child-like perspective. I wanted a child to complete me. I wanted a child to need me. I wanted a child to make me look accomplished and responsible. I wanted a child for companionship and fun.

Now, I realize that having a child means loving, disciplining, and serving a little human-being with their own wants, desires, and ambitions. Motherhood has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with the little soul that God has entrusted with me. Each day I pray that I raise my child in godliness. A child that understands truth and longs to serve others.

Motherhood is nothing like I dreamed of it, because my dreams. But my dreams were flat and boring. The reality of motherhood is that as hard as it is, it is doubly rewarding. I have loved this year, watching my daughter grow to become a little toddler with a spunky personality. I can’t wait to see what else God has in store for our little family…because really, he’s been in charge all along. 

Check my blog out at Tea with Bri to find out more about our family's adventures!

Month 3

Likes:
- Walks
- Funny Faces and Noises
- Yo Gabba Gabba
- Her fists... does she ever like those!


Dislikes:
-naps.  Peyton tends to do little 15 minute catnaps all day but is good at night so I'm not complaining
- Diaper changes... she hates being naked- alot
- Getting in the car seat- though once she is in she usually is pretty good


Big Steps:
-Laughs! They are so cute but she will only laugh about something for a minute or so before you have to find something else funny to her
- Lifting her head- she's getting strong!


Funny Quotes:
- I was with my friend and Wes came in and I said to Peyton "Look it's Daddy" and she was cranky and just looked at him and started bawling
- I was playing with Peyton after I thought she had all her burps and spit-ups out.  Lucky me got a face full of spit-up.... good thing I closed my mouth!
- While at Volleyball at church, Wes and I were playing with her and heard her first laugh- so cool we both got to see it the first time !

Our Beautiful Girl!

Yep... that's right shes doing the "Blue Steel" look!