A Momma's Love

You don't really know and understand a mother's love until you yourself become a mother. Sometimes I feel sorry for men, because they will never fully understand this love. Not that a father's love isn't authentic or anything, it's just that the love bond between mother and child is outrageous, something I could only dream about until I can now experience, thank you Lord! Everyday is a wonder. I am so thankful everyday to have my little boy. I have always wanted a large family and I know Levi will be a great big brother, it's just hard for me right now to picture what it will be like to extend my love to other children. Again, this is something I think you can only understand through experience. I am ready to have more children, but I'm not ready for it to not be just "levi and me" anymore! When I think of that, I realize how awesome it will be to hold my little newborn while watching Levi play and learn new things. That's the happy thought, the scary thought goes like this; I realize how crazy it will be to hold my screaming newborn while chasing Levi playing and grabbing new things!

A dear friend pointed out to me today that I received the "mother" gene. I revealed to her my dream of having lots of children. We joked about what she would think when I'm pregnant with my fourth - lol - little did she know I dream of having 5! However, with that being said, I MUST say that we are taking it ONE child at a time! Please don't hold me to 5!! It's just a dream!

I can remember knowing my whole life that I wanted to be a mom. There was never a moment in my life that I did not want to be a mom. I don't think that thought ever crossed my mind. Sure I got scared of the idea when I heard other people's kids screaming, throwing tantrums, and crying. I also dreaded the thought of me gaining weight that I couldn't lose and being "tied down" with kids all the time! I guess I'm glad that I waited until I was a little bit older to have children, but no matter what the "down-side" is to having kids, I know it will all be worth it. And in my opinion you don't even have to wait to the "end" to find that to be true. I see it in Levi's eyes every time I go to pick him up.

My first Mother's Day was really just like any other day. It was sweet that many people wished me a happy day and I received very sweet cards. It's just that it felt so normal to me to be a mom. The moment I became a mother on November 29th, it's like I was finally connected to something my heart had longed for since I could remember. Because of my relationship with God, I have not felt for a long time that I had something "missing" in life, but I have always felt this motherly energy inside of me that needed to go out of me somewhere (Scott can vouch for this! He's been a target of this energy for a long time!). The moment I became a mother, that energy was immediately synchronized. I could feel its movement, it's powerful energy. It felt very awesome, very real, and very lovely. I made sure to thank God more often on Mother's day and may have had a more heartfelt thank you, but all in all, it was just like any other day. It felt right. It felt normal. I love just about every moment of being a mom and I can't wait to be a mom forever.

Here's what's new with us!

Levi is now 5 months old! He is finally rolling over front to back and back to front. However, it is only in his crib when he is sleeping! Nonetheless, we are very proud of him! And speaking of sleeping in his crib, Levi now sleeps 11.5 hours straight through the night! I am loving it!!


Levi has turned into such a ham. He loves to smile and flirt with everyone, especially the ladies. That boy has some charm and he is very much entertained by older women! Anyone with white hair and glasses with a big smile will make him giggle and smile.



I'm not sure if I've mentioned that he is eating cereal. He was taking it in a bottle to help with his reflux, but now he's eating cereal with a spoon once a day in preparation for solid foods next month. It took him a while, but he has been practicing and is getting much better!



I am looking forward to my first "real" mother's day this year! I'm anxious to see what Scott has up his sleeve. He's usually good with surprises, but having Levi in my arms is the best mother's day gift I could ever ask for. Recently, a very good friend of mine went into pre-term labor and very sadly her twins did not survive at 16 weeks. It has made me realize the true gift that I have. I pray for peace, hope, comfort, and healing for my dear friend.

A Parent's Promise

Sunday, April 20, 2008 Scott and I dedicated our son, Levi, to the Lord. It was a wonderful day for us and for our family. Along with many other children and proud parents from our church, we all pledged to raise our children to know and love Jesus Christ.

Here is our pledge that we all stated together:

We, Scott and Becky McInerny, the parents of Levi McInerny, do hereby promise that we will: Provide a safe home where Jesus Christ is loved, served, and worshipped

Teach my child the unchanging truths found in the Word of God

Pray passionately and persistently for my child for years to come

Lead my child to a place of decision for accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and do all that I can to equip my child to be a stronger, bolder, more faithful follower of Christ than I ever hope to be.

Wow, what an amazing promise! I love the words and challenge that was given to us. I know that the best way to teach Levi about Jesus is to live by example. I never want to be hypocritical. I always want to do my best in living out this pledge. I invite you, my friends and family, to keep us accountable to our promise!!

All day on Sunday, we kept saying that it was Levi's special day and it was all about him. Which it was and it usually is, so it wasn't much different from a normal day! :) However, I truly felt that the day was designed for Scott and me. I am very serious about this promise and it is my strongest desire to live by example so that Levi would know Christ as his Savior. I pray that I will witness him growing up in the Lord to be a warrior for God's kingdom. I anticipate seeing the plans that God has for him and his future. I pray and hope that I can guide him and teach him as his parent. So, as much as the day was for our little Levi, I felt a huge responsibility (and honor) to make this special promise to my little blessing.

Four generations! Granny, Grom, Mom and Levi

We also had a fantastic visit from Grandma Rauch and Aunt Pam! Levi loves his Great Grandma and Great Aunt Pam! He was talking up a storm and being his charming self, as usual! Thanks for coming to visit us! :)

Here is Levi with his Great Grandma Rauch

And with his Great Aunt Pam!

And lastly, with Grandma!

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

Levi and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful day and go for a walk! And we invited our two furry friends, Buster and Megan, to come along with us! Poor old Megan is up in years and can't manage to walk a mile around the block, so she got to ride V.I.P!



We enjoyed the walk! It was a tiny bit chilly, but totally worth getting out and being in the sunshine! I'm looking forward to more walks in the neighborhood! Levi enjoyed, as you can see!

My Little Big Boy!

We went to the doctor on Monday for Levi's four month appointment. Everything went well and he had his second round of shots. I think he's taking them alot better this time around. My little boy is growing like a weed and I wasn't shocked when she told me he is 27" long! He's in the 95th percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight. He weighed 14lbs 9.5oz! So he's long and lean like his daddy! I can't believe that he's almost outgrown his carseat already! It is only made for babies who are 30" and smaller. I hope he takes another 8 months to grow 3 more inches!!

Levi is really a fun-loving little boy! He's quite laid back and has his quiet moments, but he also LOVES to smile, laugh, talk, and squeal. He still doesn't enjoy tummy time and I am a bad mommy and don't make him do it as long as I should! He really only gets about 2 minutes each day of tummy time. Last week, however, he managed to roll from his belly to his back. He did that 3 times right after another, but hasn't done it again since then. I just can't believe how fast he's growing!! He loves to stand on my lap and when he does I always say to him that he's gonna walk right out of here and go to college! That's my little big boy! :)

A few days ago, I was "tagged" by Katy to blog about 7 things that people may not know about me. Just like everyone else said, this will be hard for me to do! But I'll give it a whirl. I'll warn you though, I'm kinda boring!

1) I have twin brothers. They are 7 years older than me and are fraternal. They both live near by and have families of their own.

2) I am a saltaholic! I love salty foods and I don't like salty foods to be sweet. For example, I don't really like baked beans to be sweet, I don't like sweet corn, honey roasted peanuts, pineapple on ham, etc. Now, the only sweet/salty food I do love is chocolate covered pretzels and I'm convinced it's because I love chocolate. I'd eat almost anything with chocolate on it!

3) I have a bit of a problem with reality TV. I LOVE IT! And I love it so much that I sometimes become obsessed and can't stop talking about it. A few years back there was a show called Paradise Hotel. It was not a show that I am proud to say that I watched, but I was absolutely HOOKED! And when the show was over, I found myself thinking about it and talking about it all night! Another example, I am a huge fan of Friends. I watched it so often that I felt like Rachel, Pheobe, and Monica were my best friends.

4) I was a bit of a trouble maker in school. Well, my biggest problem was talking. I was a talker. I loved talking to my neighbor. I remember ALWAYS having my name on the board in elementary school and there were many days I wasnt' allowed to play at recess. As I got older and got an attitude, my mouth got me in alot of trouble!

5) I can't snorkle. I hyperventilate.

6) One day in college I forgot to finish putting on my makeup. I put on all my foundation and that was it. I was walking with a friend and we were half way to our building and I realized it. I felt AWFUL! I couldn't believe I did that! So not only did I not have my face on, I looked like I was sick because my skin was all one color!!!

7) I want to skydive sooooo badly!! It's on my list of things to do before I die. My brother does it for a living and hopefully one day he and I can jump out of a plane together!! It will be soo much fun!!

Easter

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter! We sure did! We spent lots of time with family and enjoyed every minute of it....or just about anyways!! We have learned that Levi is the type of baby that needs his naps!! Otherwise, he is a very cranky baby!! We experienced that first hand on Saturday and made sure that Levi got his naps on Sunday and it was a much better day!

The handsome little boy wore a cute little sailor outfit that Grom got for him. He looked so darling in it! I just loved it! Daddy, on the other hand, didn't think it was so great for his little boy. Oh well! (Next time Daddy, you can dress him!) As for Easter egg hunting and Easter baskets, he's still a little young of course, but that didn't stop the grandma's from spoiling him!! He got a book and a few fun toys!!

Here is the best picture I could get of his full outfit -- just after a very important nap!

Levi with Grandpa at church!

I normally don't get to rock Levi to sleep or hold him while he's sleeping, but on Saturday I did because it was the only way to get him to sleep. Boy was he fighting me!! That boy sure is stubborn! I guess when his mommy and daddy are both pretty stubborn he is sure to be stubborn. At least he gets it honestly, right?

And see?! A good nap = a happy baby!

Sleep is DEFINITELY important to this boy!

A special Easter day with Grom and Grandpa! Levi got to wear Grandpa's headphones!

Everyday is a fun day with Levi, but with special holidays he makes it much sweeter!