Milestones

I've been wanting to post this all week, but haven't had the chance. So, this past weekend while we were in Memphis, Jude started smiling. And I don't mean those smiles where they are sleeping and it's just a reflex or whatever. I'm talking about the fully awake smiles that happen when we're either talking to him or smiling at him. It seriously is the best thing ever. Yesterday, I went into his room to get him from his nap and he was totally awake, just looking around. Well, I said something to him (I can't remember what it was) and he looked over and smiled real big as if to say "hey mommy, have you come to get me?" It was so sweet!! He totally knows who we are now and talks a lot of sweet baby talk. I tell you, watching them grow is so amazing. I love it! It definitely gets better as they get older! You think it can't get any better and then it does. He's also started making these really funny faces. I've captured a few on the camera.

I know I'm cute...

That wasn't me that just tooted...I can't figure you out, crazy woman...
Jude loves his gammy...
And my favorite, I was actually able to capture this. It's hard because he only smiles when we smile at him first! So, getting him to smile just for the camera is a little difficult.

Happy Birthday Shawn Richard Tillman!

So, this weekend my sweet little nephew was born! Of course I can't go without sharing the whole story.

Last Thursday night was just like any other night. I was sleeping, trying to get a few zzzs in before my kid woke up and kept me up all night long. My mom and sister were set to come visit the next day because it had been awhile since I'd seen them. I wake up at 10:45pm to Ross saying "I thought you might want to take this call..." It was my mom calling to tell me that my sister was in the hospital, she had been hurting really bad that evening and thought she was in labor. I had told my sister to let me know when she was on her way to the hospital, so I could be on my way, since I have a bit of a drive to Memphis. Well, I didn't want to get in the car and drive all that way (at midnight, no less) unless she was being admitted. I called Jamie and asked him if she was really in labor. He said yes, that she was 4cm dilated! So, of course I start running around crazy trying to pack a bag, pack Jude's bag, feed him, pack up the car, and all of this is 11:30 at night! It was raining in Memphis, and I was nervous to make the drive that late by myself, but I made the decision to go right then because I didn't want to miss it. By that time, she was 8cm dilated and it sounded like she was about to have him. I thought I was going to miss it! Thankfully, I got there in time, with an hour to spare. I even got the privilege of being in the room and being the videographer for the event. :) Shawn Tillman was born around 2:30am, April 11. He weighed 8lbs, 2oz and was 20 1/4 in. long. It was such a happy time! We didn't get back to my parent's house until 4am and I was exhausted the next day, but it was worth it. Ross joined us Friday night and we spent the weekend in Memphis with our families. Mostly, I got to spend time with my sister and her new precious baby. He is incredibly sweet, and sooo adorable. Want to see?


I miss them so much already.

And I tell you, there is nothing like seeing a new daddy with his child. Jamie has been so helpful and so protective over Shawn, it's really cute. It reminds me of Ross with Jude. Jessie was such a big help, too! She is totally smitten with her new baby brother.

I am so overjoyed that me and my sister can go through this together, it's really such a neat experience.

Oh, and Jude was so glad to meet his new cousin! We laid them on the bed next to one another and Jude looked sooo big compared to Shawn! It was so funny! Of course, you can't really tell in this pic...

I was so thankful and blessed to be a part of such a wonderful event. I can't wait for more fun times to come!

Lessons at 3am

Ok, I'm writing this at 3am for 2 reasons. I bet you can guess number 1. ---Because my kid won't sleep for the second night in a row, and reason number 2 is because it is fresh on my mind and I wanted to share.

In my daily quiet time, I have been praying for opportunities for spiritual growth and maturity and I think I am learning the first lesson....

If anyone that's reading this has had kids, you know how difficult it is when your child won't stop crying and won't go to sleep, therefore you get no sleep and you think you might go insane. It is a hard thing to do! When this happens at our house, most of the time (and I have to be honest here) I lose control and I have a meltdown around this time, 3am, and it's not pretty. I get mad at God and blame Him and I think why is this happening to me, doesn't God know I need sleep?? It's really not fair, why won't my kid just go to sleep? And of course, I thought that tonight as Jude is screaming his head off, no closer to sleep than I am. Then I started thinking that when people ask me how I'm doing, I tell them I'm truly joyful. And it's true. I am truly joyful. BUT, I realized that I am telling them this when things are going well. Of course I'm joyful when things are going well, who isn't? Anyone can be happy when things are fine and dandy. Then I remembered James 1:2-3 that says "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." I've heard this passage many times. It's a difficult passage to read, much less follow. And I usually read over it thinking that I'll try it when the time comes, but I very rarely ever do. What I was missing in this situation was that God wants me to be joyful in my trials, too, when things are rough, not just when things are going well and easy. He wants me to be joyful when Jude is crying for hours and hours and neither of us are getting any sleep, just like I am to be joyful in the good times, too. This is all a test of faith.
After all this went through my head, I started thinking about people I know, many at our church, who are going through serious trials--trials much worse than mine--and they are joyful and praising God for His goodness, in the midst of the bad. Why shouldn't I be doing the same thing? Just kind of puts things in perspective, ya know?

With having said all this, I want to say that I am learning to be have the same joy when things are bad as when they are good.

I think Jude is asleep now, so therefore I will be heading to bed myself. Thank goodness.

Updates

Here are some recent pictures I've taken of us. Hope you enjoy!



This is Jude's ninja outfit.

Hiiiiiiyahhh!
This picture was so funny because I had Jude sleeping on my chest and then Rukus, our kitty, came up and got in my lap. You can't really see her because she's black, but she's there. Please pay no attention to the clothes in the background...
Also, a video for your viewing pleasure...