Henry's Christmas Shirt

Becoming one of THOSE moms...

Before I had Henry (ah, how much I took for granted), I would make these really stupid and undeserved judgments on others. Honestly, I still do this and I ask God for help in that area everyday. I was especially harsh when it came to judging moms. I laugh when I remember a conversation I had with Katy, pre-baby - we once witnessed a pregnant woman eating her weight in mashed potatos at a buffet. I said that I would NEVER let myself do that...the baby is only like the size of a acorn! HA! What a hypocrite! Travis can attest to the fact that I WAS that lady at the New Moon Chinese buffet in Chattanooga, on at least 5 different occasions!

Moms who can't take the time to dress their babies. What else could you possibly have to do all day, staying at home?? We all know you just sit on the couch, watch your stories and eat bonbons. HA!! What a hypocrite (except that I don't eat bonbons). Henry has definitely been caught out in public in his pajamas and bed-hair. Who really cares? Obviously not me.

I also did not think that it was ok for parents to give there children those free cookies at Ingles. Pure sugar - they don't need that! HA! What a hypocrite! When Henry and I pulled up at the store today, he said, in his little adorable voice, "TOOKIE". WHAT!? My son can LOOK at the outside of Ingles and know that he is getting a cookie.

When did I become one of those moms?... One of those moms who doesn't care what other people think. One who knows that the value of her son will surely not be measured by the clothes that he wears or how he looks, but by the Godly man that he will become. A mom who labors 24 hours a day and gets no pay. Yes, my son gets a cookie...he also gets broccoli and carrots. And pregnant women can do whatever they want - they are playing host to God's miracle.

Hello! My name is Lindsay and I am one of THOSE moms.

Oatmeal

I start every day off with a bowl of hot oatmeal - complete with egg whites, cinnamon, and flaxseeds. I love to eat this steaming hot..Henry is another story. Every SINGLE morning, he comes over to me as soon as I sit down and begs for some oatmeal. No, I say, it's too hot. He still doesn't get it. So, I give him a spoonful while blowing on it and saying "it's hot". He eats it and cries. Then he wants MORE. What is wrong with this sadistic child!?!

I Confess...

Today was a rare treat that I seldom allow myself: We stayed in jammies ALL day long. I usually make myself go go go..but today, Henry needed to rest and it took very little to talk me into it. Tomorrow, I'll take my 6 mile walk, clean the house, laundry and lift weights at the gym. Tomorrow will be a regular day but today, today was for laying around.

We did go to Walmart (in our pj's), which I kinda felt bad about, especially when the checkout clerk asked if I was having a rough day. Geez, didn't think I looked THAT bad. As moms, we don't always do what is "expected" of us; we take shortcuts whenever we can, will do practically anything for a few more minutes of sleep, and we might not even eat all of our recommended vegetables in a day (or week). I felt the need to air out some of my less than stellar parenting moments - thus, the confession thread.

I CONFESS:

• that I almost always opt for foods that Henry can't make a mess with, even if they are boring and really have little nutritional value (i.e. Teddy Grahams).
• that I love it that Travis gets up with the baby in the morning and I get to sleep in - even on the weekends when I know that Travis could use the extra sleep more than I could.
• that last week, I INTENTIONALLY chose sleep over going to my doctor's appointment. Luckily, I was able to reschedule.
• that I HATE dressing Henry (or any baby). Most mothers like this, right?!? I can't stand it and have no interest in putting outfits together, thus, pj's to Walmart.
• that sometimes it's just easier to nurse Henry than to make a meal for him. (Although, one could argue that I am "making a meal" for him).
• that a couple of times, Travis and I have acted like we were going to the gym and gotten a babysitter, but instead, stayed home and held each other on the couch in silence.

I'm sure there are more, but I'd rather let Travis play with my hair right now. What do YOU confess?

Uh-Oh

Henry has discovered the trash can!! He has always played in the recycling, toting cans and paperboard around the house, but today I found him in the trash! I looked into the can and found 2 pairs of socks, some nose strips and a bandanna!?!? Now I'm wondering what all Henry has "thrown out" before...no wonder Travis has socks with no match!

Let Him Eat Cake

New Blog!

My new "old" friend, Bekah Wilkins Lail and her husband, Zac, have a blog! Bekah and I were friends in Middle and High School and have recently been spending some great time together on our long walks. Her new blog is a refreshing tale of how God can truly give you the desires of your heart!

Happy Birthday Henry Cole!!

Henry and I are up and getting ready for church. I'm sitting here eating my oatmeal and egg whites, while Henry is pulling books off the shelf. Just a few minutes ago, I had to clean up all of the tupperware scattered about the kitchen - a morning ritual that Henry thinks is funny. He comes to me and offers me a drink of water from my Camelbak, then takes one himself.

It is AMAZING how much he has changed and grown over the last year. Henry was born at 12:43pm after a scary delivery (the birth story is in one of our older posts). He came out with those sweet little dimples and stole my heart, partly because he looks JUST LIKE his father. The first few months were, well..HELL! I definitely questioned whether we would even have more children. Travis and I became PRAYING PARENTS - we prayed around the clock and reallyrecommitted our lives to Christ. Around 3-4 months, God's grace was shown and things got better. Henry started sleeping through the night and I embraced breastfeeding. Now, every day seems to be an improvement, as we are now so much more mobile and flexible. We have our routine down and I know what to expect from him.

At one year old, Henry is a joy. He smiles all the time and laughs at everything. He isn't very vocal but he knows what he wants and will let you know. He is walking pretty well now and is into everything. His favorite "forbidden" thing to do is to try to sneak into the bathroom and play in the toilet water (we now keep the door closed at all times). Henry still nurses 7-8 times a day, which I love because it is OUR time together. He also eats whatever he can get his hands on. Some of his favorites are spaghetti, prunes, watermelon and green beans. He loves reading his books and playing peek-a-boo. Ma-ma, da-da, and dog are his go-too words.

I look at him and praise God for the blessing that He gave us. God has been ever faithful through this new journey and has been the stronghold when we needed Him. Children truly are miracles and I'm so happy because of the light that Henry brings into our home.

Happy Birthday Henry Cole! Mama loves you!

Latest Video

I'd like to call this first steps but I didn't have the camera ready so I guess this is second steps. This was last night at the Kristian Stanfil/Charlie Hall event at the new Smoky Mountain Performing Arts Center.

This morning just to be sure he didn't forget in his sleep.

27 Years

Well, it's official - I've been given 27 years on this earth so far. Not alot of time to some, but to others, more than they were ever given. I've learned some things over these past few years, most of my knowledge not coming from my education but from life. Without a doubt, the biggest, most life-changing lesson learned has been to live for God. Making daily decisions that put you one step closer to Him. Choosing to cast aside the expectations that the WORLD has of you, and living a life that would bring honor to His name.

For me, that means being a helpmate to my husband and a full-time stay-at-home mommy to Henry. The WORLD would have me think that I should be working in my "field", going for promotions and amassing gobs and gobs of stuff. It makes me sad to think that if I had not met Travis, my life would be centered around those beliefs. But, alas, God had a plan, and a man for me.

The life that God wants me to lead is one of service and selflessness. A life that might not hold anything more than what I have right now. And that would be far more than I have ever deserved. Blessings upon blessings have been poured out to my family and I, all by someone who asks nothing in return. I pray that I might use my next few years to live my life in a way that is acceptable unto His eyes. To show God that I do cherish His gifts and that I'm living for Him. That is all that I can ask of myself, to give His all!

Maybe the best picture I've taken - Travis

Gross/Tantilizing Website!

Oh man! I've wasted almost an hour looking at the pictures of food on this website and it's making me crazy hungry!! One that I might make for Travis and Henry is the Meatloaf Cake with Mashed Potato frosting. Yummo!

Here you go!!!

Beach Pictures!!!

One more day, promise

till pictures are up. Sorry! Apparently now that we're parents, we're allowed to blame things on our children, so it's all Henry's fault.

Beach Trip Recap - Coming soon!

I'm going to post something about the beach when I have pictures from Mom. So just be a little bit patient.

I'm sure you've seen this but I saw it again again and remembered how touching it is. Your cry for the day.

Beach Trip

We leave THIS Saturday for a week of beach time in Destin, FL!!!! Travis and I are giddy about it! We can't wait to walk on the beach and eat lots of seafood. Panama City/Destin holds a special place for me because that is where we vacationed almost every year when I was younger. My family took a few years off and now it seems like we may make it a yearly tradition once again!

We took this same trip last year when I was pregnant and it was so relaxing. Add Henry into the mix (outside of the womb) and I'm guessing this trip will be a little different ;) In order to make the drive down as easy as possible, we plan to leave at 1AM and drive while Henry sleeps. I'm a little apprehensive about that part. Oh, and about him eating sand or hating the sand and wanting nothing to do with it.

Pray that everyone going gets at least some relaxing "vacation" time. I've never had to be responsible for anyone else while at the beach - typically, I wake up, lay out, walk, etc. whenever I want. I've come to terms with the fact that this will be the same week that Henry and I usually have, just in a different place. A beachy place!!! So excited!

Trot Trot Trot my Pony - Travis

There is no one holding the camera it is just an inanimate object sitting ontop of the couch. Yet he knows that's where he's supposed to smile.

Crawling! Eek!

Well, it's official! Henry can now crawl! Like really crawl. At first he started army crawling and dragging one leg - it was really funny to watch and he was pretty slow about getting around. Within a week though, he learned the real crawl.

He is in to EVERYTHING!!! We are definitely going to have to buy some gates. Just when I get to sit down to eat my oatmeal in the morning, he is across the room, trying to play with a cord of some sort. Oh, and he hates to be in his walker now because he can only go around in a circle. People warned us about crawling and I think I should have headed their concerns. This is going to be a long stage for me.

Date Night!!!

Travis and I just got back from our first date night since the baby was born.  We've gone out to eat a few times without him, but tonight was the first time that we've left him for longer than like an hour.  We ate dinner at Chef and His Wife (best burger in town, hands down!) and then went to watch "Up".  Mom and Dad watched him for us and he did so well!!  When we pulled up to pick him up, Mom was walking with him in the yard.  I thought, "Oh great!".  But they were just enjoying the full moon - he smiled the biggest smile when I got out of the car to get him.  

We were celebrating our 4-year anniversary!! Sometimes I can't believe that we've been blessed with 4 years (6 altogether) - we are still so very much in love, definitely still newlyweds.  

Oldies - Travis

I was just looking through the archives and found these pictures of someone I don't recognize.  Who is this?

Preoccupied

I find myself not blogging as much lately.  I think that is due to the fact that I'm addicted to Facebook.  It's so much faster to put a status update and be done.  Except that I waste so much time on there, that I'm sure a simple blog entry would take far less time. 

Life around here is just amazing.  Henry is, of course, the center of our universe.  He is a little over 8 months and is a joy to be around.  He is either very happy or very angry, there is usually no in between.  Luckily, he is only angry when he is hungry or tired and those two things have gotten easier as well.  We were so anxious about when and how we would stop swaddling him and then one day, he just kinda fell asleep by himself.  So the next nap, we said lets see what happens and it went great from there.  We are still going strong nursing and I don't see that stopping anytime soon.  He will not eat most baby food.  I think that's because he's tasted table foods and he just wants to eat what we eat.  Also, he loves feeding himself, so we just cut up really small pieces of what we eat. 

Travis is doing well - now is the slow time at work so most days, I have no idea what he does there :)  They won't start programming for a while so I think he is correcting his old code?  Other than work, he spends his time with me, at the gym, mowing, or at worship team practice.  He is THE best daddy I could ask for Henry.

My days are spent with Henry.  I love staying at home with him.  I can't imagine taking him to daycare and going to work.  His smiles and babbles are for me, no one else.  We have a schedule down - he takes two naps a day and in between we leave the house to walk and run errands.  He is definitely a "Momma's boy".  When he looks at me, it's like I'm the greatest thing he's ever seen.  Who wouldn't love that?!? :)

The summer should be fun.  Katy and Adam have access to a house at the lake, a speed boat and Sea-doos.  Last summer I was pregnant so I couldn't water ski, so I'm definitely trying that this time around.  We also have a beach trip to Destin, FL planned with my family.  I'm a little nervous to see how Henry will do on the 7 hour trip down and how he will sleep in his pack'n'play.  Also, Katy has the whole summer off so we should get to spend some quality time with her.  She may just win the coveted "Henry's Favorite Aunt Award".  Oh and Travis and I will be celebrating 4 years as a married couple on June 4th!!!  He never thought we'd make it this long :)

Henry's First Haircut - Travis

He is used to the motor in the toothbtush so that is there to distract him.   Just stare at the guard on the clippers.  

Some recent pics

Still trying to figure out this swing stuff - Travis

Facebook

This is what my status read for the entire day yesterday. I got such a great response from my friends that I thought I'd share. I also got two emails that encouraged me even further. My life is in God's hands and he is directing me down this path that I didn't think I wanted. Boy, has He changed me!!


Lindsay Mashburn Wright: knows that staying at home is one of the best gifts I can give Henry. I understand that there are circumstances that prevent this sometimes BUT for those of you who want to stay home, just make a budget. yes, you might have to give up your HD tv and shop at thrift stores, but the return is so worth it!!!
11:37am
Sara Mashburn Shope, Misty Ford Gouge and 2 others like this.

Diedre Breeden at 1:17pm April 21
amen sister!

Jennifer Keener at 1:19pm April 21
I sooo desire to be a stay at home mom!

Sarah Richardson Wilkins at 1:36pm April 21
definitely worth it, but so hard sometimes, too!

Sara Mashburn Shope at 1:48pm April 21
Being a stay-at-home mommy IS awesome!! Best job ever :)

Lindsay Mashburn Wright at 4:33pm April 21
yes it is def. hard at times...when anyone who says, "yeah but you get to stay home", like we don't do anything all day, I just want to let them trade places during the screaming and the poop :) Gosh, I love it though. Jennifer, maybe now that your house is rented, you can run the numbers again and make that possible?

Many more faces - Travis

I'm too lazy to comment on them all so you will have to. I will just point out this Thunder Thigh. I wish my arms were that big.

Many more faces - Travis

Many more faces - Travis

Many more faces - Travis

Many more faces - Travis

Many more faces - Travis

Many more faces - Travis

Many more faces - Travis

Ransomed

Right now, it is 10AM on Good Friday. The rain is pouring, thunder sounding and the wind is blowing the rain sideways. Very fitting for today, don't you think? Jesus was on the cross, carrying out His Father's plan. His blood has ransomed me, bought and paid for my salvation. His blood has given me access to the Most Holy Place. Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What did he say? - Travis

Huh? Did anyone catch that?

Andy's Party

Andy got to come home today!!!  So, we threw him a surprise party, complete with cupcakes, balloons and a welcome home banner.  Everyone was over at the Wright's, waiting in the living room.  Jerry carried him in and we all yelled, "Welcome Home."  His smile was huge.  He was a little out of it and didn't even want a cupcake or ice cream (which is very unusual).  His head looks better day by day and he even got to wash his hair tonight.  I'm just glad to have him home and sleeping in his own bed.  Welcome Home Andy!

Andy

So hopefully everyone knows who Andy Wright is, but if you don't, he is a brilliant little boy that Travis' parents adopted from China last August. He had Cranial Vault surgery yesterday in Chapel Hill to adjust a problem with the shape of his head. Please keep him in your prayers and click on "Catherine and Jerry" on the left to see pictures and updates.

Sick - But with my partner

I haven't been this sick for as long as I can remember. Not even when I was first pregnant with Henry, and no, I don't think I'm pregnant :) Wednesday night around 1:30AM, it started! The vomiting! UGH! By the time that Travis had to get ready for work, he decided to stay home and take care of Henry because I couldn't take care of him with my head over the toilet. The whole day was a bust and I just wanted it to be over. Travis did SUCH a good job taking care of Henry - I didn't change one diaper all day and he didn't complain about it. It is so comforting to know that I have someone that I can always count on to help me, who I can rely on no matter what. Travis is just the most amazing father and partner to go through this life with.

This morning I woke up still feeling nauseous but no fever or chills. God will never forsake me.

Moment Captured - Travis

Henry laughing wonderfully in his walker, Lindsay got the camera to try and film this:




Instead she got this:

More - Travis

Anyone recognize that cute little boy?

Who looks like who - Travis

Biggest Loser

Does anyone else watch the Biggest Loser and wish that you hadn't eaten all those chocolate-pb-oatmeal cookies? I'm sure it's just that my body is craving the Vitamin E from the peanut butter..yeah that's it.

SEUSSICAL!! (Copied from Scotti's blog)

March 12, 13, 14 at 7:30pm March 15 at 2:30pm
Fine Arts Center
Every Who who is any Who will be there.

Swing - Travis

If you are savy you can save this file to your phone and it will play much better there. I am going to try to convert it later tonight

TOOTH!!!

I spy a tooth! Well the tip of one. This explains the constant night waking and extreme fussiness. I'm almost relieved because at least there is an explanation. I'll try to get a picture soon. All moms - after you felt the tip of the tooth, how long did it take to fully break through?

Delicious - Travis

Doesn't that look so tasty.

Nightly update - Travis

Morning Routine - Travis

Henry and I are really borring. Every day we go through the exact same steps. When he gets done eating I change his diaper and then set him in the corner of the couch with a toy to play with (with which to play.) Then I go into the kitchen and put my oatmeal into the microwave and start my coffee beans grinding. As a tradition Henry always jumps a little when the grinder start and looks around to see what it is and I walk into the living room to see how big his eyes are. Then I bring my oatmeal and coffee in and sit on the couch with him, and we watch the morning business news.

When I'm done eating, I take him back into his crib as he needs his diaper changed again. Then I put him in his walker(pictured below) and he walks around and around eating trying to eat things untill he gets fussy. Then I pick him up and we quitely/slowly/peacefullly walk him back to his crib and strap him down like he's in a silver chair. He sleeps another hour and a half for a total of almost 3 extra hours of sleep for lindsay. Definently worth it.

WOW

I'm such a nursing fan, but this is taking it just a little too far.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29441879/?GT1=43001

Havin' Fun - Travis

Little Miles McClure

This is my cousin, Miles (Heather and Byron's son), preaching the love of Jesus. So cute - I think he knows what he wants to be when he grows up.

It's a Boy

Zack and Kristine were over here last night and we did the very scientific "hold the wedding ring over the belly" experiment. It went in a circle, so she's having a BOY. Little Zack will be playing with little Travis in July.

Spoiled

I hope that anyone who reads our blog gets a sense of the love that Travis and I share. We have these moments where we are SURE that no one else has ever felt this way about another person. Mushy, I know,but true. God created Travis to be my mate.

I've come to expect a little bit of nothing from Travis on Valentine's Day, its just not his kind of day :). Except for the one year where we both decided to not get anything and he deliberately got me this Taebo set just so he would have a story to tell about the time when he got me something and I didn't get him anything. Anyway, this Valentine's Day I wasn't expecting anything and he blew me away. I got a romantic dinner at the Boiler Room, a handwritten love letter, and - drum roll - a gift certificate for a massage!!!! I am so spoiled. Thank you darling.

Need Suggestions

So tomorrow is Valentine's Day as most of you ladies know (and men, because who are we kidding, we've been dropping hints for the last two weeks). For some reason, Amanda can't wait to get her babysitting hands on our son, so she is watching him. She is under this delusion that he is a good kid...I'm thinking that he will set her straight tomorrow night. Anyway, Travis and I have been wracking our brains, trying to figure out what to do. It's almost like we are forcing ourselves to do something romantic, when really we'd both be perfectly happy to snuggle on the couch. BUT, we don't want to lose face with the Valentine's crowd. Soooo we need suggestions as to what to do with this childless time we have. Post your comments below.

The Many Faces of Henry Part 2 - Travis

Lovely Day

Me oh my! Today was just so lovely! For those who don't live in Franklin, the weather has been pretty cold as of late and it was starting to wear on my nerves. I like to be able to get out and MOVE, freezing cold does not help with that. Today, the high was in the 60's! We were able to take a walk as a family (another awesome thing is that Travis had today off) and we went to the park. Travis also babysat while I went to the gym. Oh and we got his hair cut - I always do it and believe it or not, it is hard to work that in when you have a 5-month old. Oh and that brings us to the fact that yesterday was Henry's 5-month old birthday. His new accomplishment is sitting up all by himself. I feel like this post is all over the board so I'll continue the trend and just post some pictures of Henry.

More Walker - Travis

New Walker - Travis

Nightly update - Travis

See if you can tell which one is more recent.

Rereading - Travis

I didn't make it obvious (or even hint at it). The reason we were able to afford those moccasins is my mother hand made them for Henry.

Recent Gifts - Travis

One of the nice things about being a baby is that people feel like giving you gifts even without a special occasion.

You could not afford these cute little moccasins if you were to try to buy them. They took nearly 15 hours of skilled labor to make. So until we get a cheap Malaysian sweat shop to mass produce them, they are out of your price range.

Amy gave us that blue bouncy chair a while ago and Sherry gave us this walker just this week. The funny thing about this walker, Henry is not yet familiar with the toys on it so he spends most of his efforts getting to the side with the blue chair and reaching for the toys on that which he is familiar with.

hello there

i know i haven't updated in over a week...not really busy, just nothing interesting to note. please keep coming back and i promise i'll update it with something worthwhile in a day or so.

What a big boy!

My big baby boy had his 4 month checkup this morning. He is in the 80th percentile for weight, height and head circumference! I hate to admit it, but I am a little proud that I am the reason that he is so big, that my milk has made him that way (is that bad?).

A couple of highlights from the appointment:

• The doctor did say that by the looks of his gums, he'll be cutting teeth in the next couple of weeks! I'm NOT looking forward to that!
• He cried so hard when he got his shots but smiled a few seconds later at the nurses who gave them to him. Ladies man, just like his daddy.
• Dr. Berger said he is a very strong baby and looks very very healthy.
• He also has a wicked cold right now, complete with coughing, gagging, mucous, and a fever. Ugh. He just smiles through it though. He is over in his swing right now, smiling through his coughing fits.

Nan taught him how to "blow bubbles" last night - Travis

See if you can tell if Henry likes Peas - Travis

It's 2009 - Travis

Still no Flying Cars. Or any of the other wonderful things Hollywood promised we would have.

Wallace Gap

Travis, Camila, and I took Henry for his first hike yesterday. He (and we) loved it! For Travis and I, it was a reunion with nature and a long-time coming. When we lived in Colorado, before all of this baby stuff, we would hike every week, sometimes twice. We logged many many miles, one day we hiked 20 miles total. It was our bonding activity and a wonderful way to reconnect after his long work weeks.

When we moved to Tennessee, our time was consumed with buying the house, being pregnant, and managing his store - we never even attempted a hike. So yesterday was the day. We bundled Henry up and packed the hiking pack (complete with peanut butter - a good source of protein for a nursing mother should we get lost and need to keep Henry alive :)). The weather looked grim and dreary, but it wasn't supposed to rain until later at night. We hiked at least a 1/3 of the way in downpour. Travis, who carried the baby on his chest in a Kelty pack, held an umbrella over him for most of the way. Henry loved every minute of it. He is sure to be an outdoors-man. The hike took right at 3 hours - I nursed the baby right before we left and as soon as we arrived at Camila's house.

My legs have that great kind of soreness that I've been missing. It's been decided - a weekend hike is now a family priority.