To my son... on your 1st birthday

      To my second born, on your 1st birthday... How are you 1 already? I remember finding out that I was pregnant with you, and feeling overwhelmed. How can I be pregnant again? I barely had this mom things figured out, how was I supposed to add a second child? But God knew exactly what he was doing. Labor and delivery went very well, and figuring out life with you was pretty simple. You were my easy baby. Your brother had a hard time realizing he wasn't an only child anymore, but that didn't last long before he absolutely adored you... and now he can't stay away from you. ;-)

     Ezra, you are our ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. You were/are always full of smiles. Ezra, even though you are only a baby, now getting to that toddler stage, you've taught us so much. You are so content with only a few toys in front of you. You play by yourself so well, and then come to mama for snuggled, which I absolutely love!!! 

     You are my snuggle bug. I can always count on your snuggles during the day, and I don't want that to ever end, but I know it will one day, so I treasure each time I get that. I've enjoyed watching you grow and learn new things in the last year. Your first smile, your first laugh, your first steps... I've enjoyed each of these. 

     I was so excited when you learned how to crawl, because I knew that meant you'd be content a little longer, and if you ever needed me, you could/can always crawl to me, snuggle for a bit, and then go back off to play. Happy Birthday my son from your mama, who loves you dearly! I can't wait to see what God has in store for you this next year of your life. Love you! <3 

   

It's Been A While...

     It's been a while since I posted anything on blogs. Truth is, it's been a good break. I needed it. Figuring out how to be a mom, and to still keep up with everything else has had its challenging moments. So, what's the update? Our little baby boy is 3 1/2 months old now! James has been smiling since he was 6 weeks old! He loves to be outside, just sitting on our porch sitting with me on our swing. He can roll over from his back to his side now, and he loves to chew on things... whether that be fingers, blankets, arms. ;) James LOVES being held! He also gets upset when you leave him in a room by himself for too long.
     Being a mom is amazing, and rewarding, and also challenging at times. At this moment, I'm typing with one hand, and holding my little boy on my lap with the other. ;) I've been slowly writing a post on my blog. I usually get as far as writing a paragraph when something comes up, and my duty as a mom needs attention. So, this posts I've been writing for a couple weeks, little by little, and updating as needed.
     James started to laugh for the first time this last week. And oh, it filled my heart! My husband and I were reminiscing last week about how far we've come. How we met, courted, got engaged, married, and now have a baby! A baby who used to sleep and cry all the time, and now he smiles, he's found his thumb, is laughing, and loves brightly colored things. James loves to be outside, so whenever he's fussy and he just woke up, I just take him out there for a bit.
     So, that's the update that I have. Life with our little guy is full. Being a momma full time is challenging, and wonderful at the same time. I've been learning all sorts of new things about our little boy.  During the challenging moments, my husband is so patient with me, and is always encouraging me and reminding me of Gods blessings that He's given to us, and how every day is a gift that we need to thank Him for.

He's going to be a thumb sucker. ;)

He loves to stick out his tongue now!

Those Cheeks!!!

Not sure what this face was for... I think he was blowing bubbles...

He loves tummy time now! :)

What have ya'll been up to this summer? I'd love to hear about it! Leave a comment below...

James Birth Story

     Tuesday, May 31st. It started out like any other “normal” day (as normal as it gets for a pregnant mama!). Because of my high blood pressure the last couple weeks, I had been told to take it easy and was basically on bed rest.

     On this particular night - a Tuesday, our official “date night” since the start of our marriage - Josh and I decided to see a movie at the local theater. We knew that once baby James had arrived, trips to the theater would be rare for a little while.       I had a bit of cramping during the movie but didn’t pay much attention to it. On the way home, the cramps began to come more often; every 10 minutes or so.

     Around 12:45 we decided to head for bed. No sooner had we turned off the light and snuggled up in bed than my cramps worsened to the point that I couldn’t sleep.

     It was about 1:00 in the morning when I told Josh, “I wonder if I’m in labor.” I texted my midwife Hannah and asked her if the pain I was experiencing was normal. She assured me that it was, told me that it was likely I’d be having the baby within the next 24-48 hours, and encouraged me to get some sleep.

     By 1:15, the contractions were so close together - about 5 minutes apart - that I couldn’t get any rest. By 1:30 they were about 4 minutes a part, and we called Hannah. Josh finished setting up the birth pool, as this was to be a water birth.

     Hannah arrived at our house around 2:15 to find my poor husband attempting to fill the birth pool with hot water without using the hose we had bought for the purpose (the adapter we now realized was necessary to connect the hose to the faucet had sadly gone unpurchased). Boiling water on the stove was not going to cut it given how close together my contractions were becoming, and Hannah decided it was more important to have enough water in the pool than to have perfect-temperature water. Thus began the bucket brigade from bathroom sink to poolside.

     When Hannah checked around 2:45 AM, I was 7 cm dilated. Kathy (our other midwife) and Cortnie (“the intern”) showed up around 3:00-3:15. At this point my contractions were every 2-3 minutes apart.

     I had been on my hands and knees for most of the duration of the labor. Josh had tried to get me into a more comfortable position or at least on the bed, but for some reason the floor felt most comfortable. All I wanted was for the pain to be over. I held Josh’s hand and squeezed it every time I had a contraction.

     Kathy and Hannah told me that I could get into the birth pool if I wanted to, and I did. The water felt really nice, but my contractions started to slow down almost immediately; so back out of the pool I went!

     Over the next few hours I took a shower, got back down on my hands and knees, then switched to the birth pool for a bit before repeating the process.

     I’m not sure exactly when I was fully dilated, but they told me afterwards that I had pushed for an hour and a half. We tried a few different locations and positions for the pushing, and we could see the top of James’s head before I’d returned to the pool. In fact, we almost finished labor without using the pool! It was my offhand comment “So much for a water birth!” that prompted Kathy to suggest I slip back in.

     Josh ventured into the birthing pool with me, and I leaned on him, squeezing the folds of his shirt with every contraction.

     Little baby James was born at 10:45 a.m. And I do mean little; he was just an ounce over 6 pounds! At 20 3/4", though, we think he’ll be tall like Daddy. The midwives pushed some air down into his lungs to help him breathe by himself since he had so much fluid.

     My mom flew out from Colorado later that day, and my dad followed 24 hours after. Josh took the week off and was able to work from home the second week.

     Adjusting to mommy-hood has been a challenge, but it’s been great. Having my parents here to help for the first few days made quite a difference. I’m still struggling with nursing, but we’re getting there little by little; and the sleep deprivation, though hard at first, has grown easier to manage.

     James is just about 4 weeks old now; and while we face fresh challenges daily as new parents, by God’s grace we’re getting through them.

     I’m thankful for Josh, a fantastic husband and now father who has been very patient with me while I learn how to be a mom and meet the needs of our 4-week-old.

     Our little guy brings us so much joy, and we wouldn’t trade him for the world. <3

Days Like These

Hello all! As I write blog posts, I've kind of come to a "writer's block" so to speak. I've been super busy with teaching Piano and babysitting lately, and as the fall season hits, I'm thinking my weekly schedule will be a little more organized. ;) 
     If most of you don't know already, I'm officially an Aunt! :) Precious little Norah Jane Narwold was born a couple weeks ago, and everyone is so happy to welcome her into this world! 

Proud mama: Ashley!

 Proud Papa: Jonathan

 My hubby holding his niece! ;)

 Norah Jane Narwold

 
     As I was listening to "Days Like These" the other day by Natalie Grant, I was reminded about all the times I've had with my husband. The moments when Josh decides last minute, to put our wedding song on speaker, takes my hand, and we dance right before bed. The moments when we take a walk, hand in hand, talking about life's many blessings. The moment when I see my husband hold a newborn for the first time, and I'm in awe. Life is full of so many blessing!... some of which I take for granted so often. I'm so thankful for a wonderful, Godly husband, a wonderful Church family, who's brought me in under their wings, and for those days that I wish wouldn't end. I'm thankful for Tuesday Date-Nights with my hubby. I'm thankful for wonderful Godly parents who are continuing to build Christ kingdom. My mom calls days like these, "Eat-em-up-days". :) I'm so thankful for all my friends and family! Thanks be to God for all the many little blessings in life!
     What kinds of blessings are you grateful for? 

Stop And Smell The Rose's

     Sometimes, in life, we get so busy and preoccupied with things, that we forget to slow down and enjoy the little things in life.
     That being said, me planning a wedding, has made me realize, that I don't enjoy the littlest of things sometimes... for instance, my little brother asked me the other day, "Caitlin, can you play a game with me, or read me a book?" I told him no at first, and then he started to get teary-eyed, and said, "No one ever plays anything with me!" While, I knew that what he said wasn't true, at the same time, I couldn't help but ask myself, "How many times have you spent with Elijah, just you and him recently?" It's true, life had been so busy that I somehow, missed playing games and reading to my siblings.
     Many have heard the saying "Stop and Smell the Rose's"... slowing down, and taking a moment to enjoy life's many blessings is something that I don't do as often as I should.
     "Here it what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.."
 ~ Ecclesiastes 5:18~
     I remember taking my siblings for a walk last year during the summer . It had been a day that I just wanted to be back home, and get stuff done at home. I was hurrying, when I realized my siblings weren't following me closely behind anymore. They had stopped to look at a bug on the sidewalk. You can imagine my reaction wasn't pleasant as I had the wrong attitude. When I told them to hurry up, you can imagine the look on their face was of pure disappointment. It was then that I realized that I, myself, needed to slow down. I needed to appreciate the little bug running across the path, and the look my siblings had of pure joy. I needed to appreciate the warm, sunny day, and the blue sky above me. Appreciate the little things, stop and smell the rose's... after all, the rose's aren't there forever, enjoy them while they're in bloom. :)

ARE WE TOO BUSY?

Another beautiful sunrise is shining,
And casts sparkles among the trees,
The sun rises higher each moment,
Have we taken time, upon our knees?

Do we hurry through, with God, in Prayer....
So we can rush about, this day?
Do we take time....for others, to care?
Or, are we "too busy"....to even Pray?

The way of Life goes so much better,
If we spend time with our Father,
Remember Jesus...and ask for Guidance,
And always Praying, daily, for one another.

How quickly the day comes to an end,
And the sun sinks...in the Western sky,
God Loves us...and walks with us,
And He will be with us...when we die.

Leona I. Miller

The Blessing of Marriage

Earlier today, my siblings and I went to Chipotle, because we all had coupons to use. We sat next to this couple who looked like were getting ready for their wedding plans. A planner was there, talking to them, and it was so sweet! Marriage is a beautiful thing!
I've seen many Marriages and Courtships over the last couple of years, and it's been such a blessing!
In today's day and age though... what does marriage mean. ?
In Fireproof Michael is talking to Caleb, and he says, "The sad part about it is, when most people promise for better or for worse, they really only mean for the better."
Isn't this unfortunately the truth in many marriages...?! We love the good times, but when the bad times come, we don't fight for it. We give up so easily. Marriage is something worth fighting for! I haven't learned from experience. I've never been married, so, no, I'm  not an expert. However, I've had many friends give me words of advice and wisdom over the years. I've seen marriages and courtships fall apart, and I've seen them come together like they never had before. I've seen marriages have a closeness with the Savior, that they didn't have before.
What does the Bible say about marriage?
Ephesians 5:22-33

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,"

Genesis 2:24

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Proverbs 18:22

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."

Hebrews 13:4

"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."

Ephesians 5:25-33

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,"

They're are many more verses about marriage, but I loved these passages.
Marriage is a sacred and honorable thing!
No, I don't know everyone's circumstances. I know of quite a few ladies at our church who's husbands have left them for someone else. If you are married, let God work in you and your husband! If you're a man, let God work in your wife! God can restore your marriage, if you let him!
To the single men and ladies out their, God has your spouse out there somewhere! I know it's not easy to wait, but in the end, it'll be worth it! :)
Enjoy the song below called, "Restore" by Chris August!

Christmas

As Christmas rapidly approaches, I'm reminded once again of Jesus' birth.
Yesterday, I had the privilege to take my sister to a couple Nursing Home's to sing with a group of kids from church. While there, my mom said that one lady started crying because she wanted to give us money for singing.
Apparently, they don't get visited very often.

My dad made a point the other night... he said, "why is it that we visit all the nursing homes at Christmas, but for the rest of the year, no one visit's them
 and sings to the them. Everyone ignored them."

Whether we realize it or not, it's true...isn't it? We seem to always visit the elderly during Christmas, but we ignore them the rest of the year.

This time of year, many of us think about gifts, and getting. "me, me, me." Sometimes we forget about others. We don't think about what Christmas is really about. We don't think about the poor and the needy. For me, I don't always thank God that I have a family. I was reminded of that today, once again. Let me explain...

Today, my little brother, Elijah gave me quite a scare. He told me he was hungry, so I told him that he can have a carrot or a piece of celery. He told me that he would go get a piece of celery. So, as he went into the kitchen, he said, "ow!". The next moment, he came running into my room holding his breath and crying. After finally breathing again, he fainted. (which he has been known to do before) Once I finally got him to calm down, he said that his head hit the corner of the counter. I cuddled him for about 3 minutes before I realized that he was sleeping! I set him on the couch and quickly called my dad. Because my dad is an X-ray tech, he knows all about the body. I told my dad that Elijah might have a slight concussion. My dad asked me to explain his symptoms  and he said to wake Elijah up in 10 minutes and see how he's doing. Thankfully after me waking him up, I asked him a few questions, and he seemed to be fine. Apparently, he might have had a slight concussion, but not enough for worry about.

I started thinking about all the "what if's", and I realized how blessed we were that nothing "serious" had happened to him. So, as you continue on wrapping presents, and getting ready for Christmas, I encourage you to think about others. Not just the elderly, the poor, and the needy, but everyone. And may your Christmas be full of joy as
we celebrate the birth of our Savior! What are ya'll doing for Christmas? Drop me a comment! I'd love to know!

The 11th Anniversary

Today marks the day that my dear little sister, "Grace Elizabeth Baughman" would have had her 11th birthday.

For those of you who don't know the story or don't remember, I'll tell you.
The Beginning...
It was a crisp fall morning from what I remember....
I had just woken up, and my cousin was still sleeping. (my cousins came with my grandparents to visit us...my cousins parents would be coming later the next day)
Since my cousin was still sleeping, and knowing how long she sleeps, I went out to the living room....there I saw my Grandma...crying...with her hands on her head. I didn't think I should interrupt her, so I went back to my room. My cousin had just
woken up, and was rubbing her eyes.
My Grandma walks in the room then, her eyes, swollen from crying. She says, "Caitlin...your mom went to the hospital this morning...Grace died." I held the tears back as it stung me. I had prayed to God for a little sister, and now, I didn't have one! "God...what are you doing???"
I asked inside myself.

Grace Elizabeth Baughman was a still born at 8 months pregnancy. She was sick, and my parents didn't know it. My mom felt something was wrong, and so my dad rushed her to the hospital. My mom got to hold Grace for a few minutes before she
was taken away with one of the nurses.

My mom came home a few days later; eyes swollen from crying so much.
She had carried little Grace for 8 months, and now...she was confused.

The Funeral was that Saturday. Our family and friends flew out to visit us in our distress, and for the funeral. I had worn a light green dress with flowers on it. I was
only 9 years old at the time, and I as well was confused.

As the weeks flew by, my mom and dad still hadn't healed. We had wonderful friends watch us kids, which at the time was Corey,(11) me,(9) Ethan,(6) and Austin. (2)
I was enjoying my time with my friends, and didn't realize what a hard time my
mom was having recovering from this loss.

That Thanksgiving, we were at our usual family reunion, which was in California at the time. We were at my Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Danny's house. We were celebrating my grandma's birthday, which wasn't for another few weeks, but we celebrated it any way. My Grandma opened her card, and tears filled her eyes. She stood up, and gave my parents a hug saying, "Congratulations!!!" I was totally confused...what was in the card? "What did it say?" I asked. My dad said, "Mommies going to have another baby!!!" Wow!!! Unbelievable!!! God had answered my prayer!!!

On June 11th...Joy Elianna Baughman was born, weighing 4 Ibs. and 5 Onces. She had a cleft lip, a hole in the roof of her mouth, and was not breathing...UNTIL...my dad said, "Joy! Joy, stay with us sweety!" And she started breathing. She was in the NICU for a week, and with a few surgeries a few months after she was born...she
was a normal little girl! God had answered my prayer!

So...my mom and dad named "Grace" Grace because God blessed us with her, which is what her name meant...we named "Joy" Joy, because God gave us yet another blessing of Joy!!! "Where Grace abounds, Joy Prevails" is what my mom named her Journal.
Our family went through a long journey, but going through this journey has caused my parents to KNOW that God is SOVEREIGN!!! And Ruler over all!
Tonight, my mom is taking an art class...she cried because, she feels like, even though the pain is still there, that she can finally start over. She can enjoy her life as it passes her by, and going through life she is learning that God is in control, and that
he has a perfect plan for everything!!!

...So, that's the story of my sister, "Grace Elizabeth Baughman"...
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to HIS purpose."
~Romans 8:28~

What is a Daughter of Destiny? ~Caitlin Baughman

Many people in today's culture have forgotten or merely don't know what a Proverbs 31 or Titus 2 woman is, or looks like.
I am blessed to have had and continue to have a wise mother, and grandmother whom have taught me how to be a Daughter of Destiny.
What I mean by a Daughter of Destiny is putting yourself, and your life to have a goal. My parents taught me growing up to put God above anyone or anything, my family next, then friends, and then me.
My Goal: To Glorify God in everything I do.
In Proverbs 31:30, it says, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."...this is my goal.
My dad has a different vision for us girls in the "Baughman" household... To be seekers of the Word of God, Stay at Home Daughters, and Workers of the Home. (Titus 2:5) I thoroughly enjoy being in the home, where I feel protected, and loved. I am content with the life that God has given me. My prayer is that you will find contentment where God has placed you.

Philippians 4:11-13, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need."

I've attached a video below of Laura Story doing the song, "Blessings"...a great reminder of what God allows us to go through to give us strength.