Just got back from a 2 day conference in Irvine, CA at Mariners church called the Resurgence, which you can check out at http://www.theresurgence.com. 8 speakers in 2 days was pretty intense, but loved every minute of them all. Each speaker had different points that I walked away from. As for Hayden, well she did fabulously! Les and Vonda were able to help when she was getting a little restless so I could sit and pay attention. I was able to nurse in a room with audio so I didn’t have to miss too much. I also got to meet a few moms and chat with them in the nursing room, which was an added bonus and it was nice to know I wasn’t the only crazy one to bring a baby to a conference. She was a champ in the car both ways, only having to stop twice on a 5 + hour car trip. She is just one content, happy baby who easily adapts to whatever conditions. So thankful for her!
Not only did she survive 4 days down South, but over the weekend we spent 3 days up in the mountains for a women’s retreat. We traveled up with two other babies and didn’t have to stop once. We then roomed with one of the moms and her daughter Eisley who was born at the end of July. Amazingly, they were all on the same schedule, going to sleep around 10 and waking up around 7. They slept better than we did, you quickly realize what the baby monitor doesn’t pick up when they are back in the same room as you. The second night we learned our lesson and slept with a fan on and both slept pretty well. Even though it was a lot of work, I’m glad I did it, sometimes you just have to go through the motions and learn what you can and can’t do. Learning there isn’t much you can’t do with a baby :).
While I’m learning that physically I can do a lot with Hayden, I’m also learning that there are somethings that I need to say no to, even if I can do them. Last Thursday I resigned from teaching this Spring at the Junior College. Although it is a great opportunity and would look great on my resume, I can’t fully be an effective Wife, Mother, College leader and Designer as well as adding Teacher to the list. I’ve felt anxiety from the moment I said “Yes” and has taken me this past year to finally put my pride aside and be okay with setting aside , what was a desire at the time and concentrate on my new desires to be a Godly Wife and Mother before anything else and I’m fortunate to be able to stay at home and do those things. I made the phone call last week and feel the weight of the world has been lifted, not only did I go through with it but the outcome was so much more than I expected. I thought for sure I’d burn a bridge and was okay with that happening, but they accepted my desires with such grace and then took it a step further to let me know that I was still hired and could be used whenever I felt ready to teach, whether it was a one day class for adults who need continuing education units in Design or teaching a semester in the future. Thankful for Gods endless grace.
While Hayden is growing each month I’m also growing each month. As cheesy as it sounds, I’ve gained a new perspective on my life. I’m learing that there are things in my life that I need to change before she realizes that I need to change them. One of the many things that I learned from the conference this week was from Craig Groechel. As parents we need to be careful not to strive for A’s in Alegebra for our children, but we need to strive in building them as followers of Jesus Christ. I need to strive in my relationship with Christ so that I can be the best reflection of Jesus I can be to her. If she becomes strong in her faith with Christ everything else is just bonus. I’m excited to grow and develop for my benefit as well as hers.
I just realized this post has been more about me than Hayden so here is the latest. She is giggling and smiling all the time now. She especially likes giggling for Grammi Judith. Last week mom stopped by and started to play with her and teh giggles just started to pour out. I have to admit I was a little jealous, but has since been repeating. Each morning we go to get her in her crib we are welcomed with smiles and wiggles of excitement. She’s pooping less, which is also extremely awesome. The gdiapers, cloth diapers that we have been using, seem to be working well and really thankful ‘cause we are saving a little each month. She still feeds every 3 hours with an exception to one 4 hour stretch , which brings us down to five feedings now ranging from around 7:30am to 8:30pm. She has a lot of “awake” time these days with fewer naps which is bitter sweet ‘cause although I get more time with her, I don’t get too much done around the house. We go on a lot of long walks each morning, which seems to be good for both of us, ‘cause they put her to sleep and I get some fresh air. Also very exciting is that she has started to take her bottle again so I have some of my freedom back to go to choir on Thursdays and sing on Sundays, which really rejevunates me. 
She now has a new cousin that she has finally been able to meet. Everett Dwayne Soderlund is the new addition, who we all got to meet last week and then again for a little last week on the way back from the conference. Hayden was so alert this past time and just stared so intently at Everett. Matt and have been given the title Uncle and Aunt by some of our close friends kids, but it definetly has more meaning with Everett. Both of us were pleasantly surprised after meeting and holding Everett. Even though he is only 3 months younger I have already missed snuggling a newborn. I could see myself having many more although I may have to work on Matthew as our numbers in children differ. Hoping my desired number will become OUR desired number of children 🙂
Whew, that was a long post, a lot has happened in the past few weeks so hopefully I didn’t bore you to death. Hayden has her 4 month appointment on Monday so I will keep you posted on her new stats. Could use your prayers, especially, as she gets her next round of vaccines. Love you all.
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A song sung by my favorite artist, Christy Nockels, which has meant a lot to me the last few months and describes the process I’ve been going through. Love, love, love this!!!!
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Its been 2 months since I’ve posted, so sorry. Now that the holidays are over I’m hoping to get back in to a routine, whatever that is. Mid November didn’t seem to bring too many changes with Hayden, I didn’t really feel like she was doing anything new and wasn’t getting any bigger as her 3-6 month clothes seemed to still hang on her. We had her 6 month appointment and the beginning of December with a new doctor and voiced my concerns, especially since we had just started solids and we noticed excessive spit up and she seemed to be a little more fussy. She just didn’t seem to be herself. The pediatrician said it sounded like Reflux, which could be treated by always keeping her elevated, even when she sleeps. So, for the past month she has been sleeping in her swing or car seat and we change her on her back. The pediatrician also recommended we start feeding her 3 times and day to help weigh down the milk. This has seemed to help but we still have a spit up problem, not as excessive, but cloth bibs have become apart of her daily wardrobe 🙂 Laundry is never, ever, ever ending. I didn’t think she would have enough dirty clothes to make up a full load, but I was wrong. My day consists of wearing sweats because I have to change at least once during the day and don’t want to stain my regular clothes. Fun times. Today we go to see if she has being gaining any weight, as last time she hadn’t gained any.
Hayden Joss 