So life is starting to settle into some semblance of normalcy. A routine is starting to come together. Even in the midst of chaos, I'm starting to feel more at peace about having two kids. I don't panic when I have to take both of them out by myself. I can manage lunch dates and stroller rides and nap time without falling apart. So, thank you, Jesus, for that. It's amazing how every child is so unique... Brooke wanted to nurse herself to sleep. Even when she was done eating, she would "pacify" herself for hours if I would let her. Chloe finishes eating and pops off. And it took me several weeks to figure out that she wants to be rocked to sleep. Brooke HATED rocking even as a newborn. She preferred bouncing or any other form of movement. So anyway, the glider is now in the living room and is being utilized for what feels like hours every day. And mommy loves the cuddle time with my little girl. :)

I think one reason life seems easier now is that I had to deal with Brooke having shots, teething, and getting a sore throat... all in the span of two weeks. I couldn't figure out what happened to my normally happy little girl! She would wail for no reason and throw tantrums (the loud, high-pitched screaming, throw herself on the ground kind!) for every little thing that didn't go her way. It drove me crazy and made me feel so sad for her all at the same time! Poor Matt... I'm fairly sure he WANTED to spend 10 hours working every day... but work has been slow, and thus, he was forced to spend most of the day at home with Miss Drama Queen. Fortunately, his work seems to have picked up and Brooke seems to be all better. So life is good.

A couple nights ago, I woke up to Brooke wailing in her crib. It was 4:45am. So I went to check on her and found that she had somehow thrown her "blankie" overboard. She absolutely can NOT sleep without that ratty blanket. So I found Brooke on her hands and knees, staring through the slats of the crib, and sobbing while trying to reach her blankie. How sad is that?

This week, God is teaching me to be content no matter what the circumstance. My kids, my husband, my friends, my looks... none of these things can satisfy. I can only find contentment in my relationship with my Father. So cliche... we hear it all the time. But so true. If I look to Matt  for my fulfillment, I will be disappointed (not that he's not a great husband but he can't be my everything). If I determine my satisfaction by how much weight I lose in a week, then I will be disappointed (sometimes I want to throw my scale out the window in disgust). But God will never let me down. He's love, He's joy, He's peace... everything I need in this life. I'm not promised a perfect life; just a perfect God. So, yeah... life is good. :)

My firstborn is awake and playing patiently in her crib. Nap time was less than an hour and a half, but I will be content anyway (and will enforce an early bedtime). So I'm off to read My Cuddly Puppy for the ten thousandth time... and enjoy my Sunday of rest. Hope everyone reading this is enjoying their Sunday as well.

When Matt and I were engaged, we started reading through the Bible in a year together. We both were consistently having a "quiet time" separately; we just started reading the same passage each day. We actually have the list on the refrigerator. This keeps us accountable ("have you read your Bible today?") and also gives us the opportunity to discuss what God is teaching us. It's amazing how two people can read the same passage and hear something completely different!

Anyway, we've been reading through the Old Testament and something that keeps standing out to me is how often God mentions judgment due to not observing the Sabbath. Really, who DOES observe the Sabbath in this century? It's almost like the forgotten commandment. Yes, we go to church on Sunday morning (and maybe Sunday night), but the rest of the day is spent catching up on whatever didn't get done Saturday. Grocery shopping, yard work, dishes, laundry... the list goes on and on. And I don't really feel "guilty" about it; I don't really think about it at all. Maybe because I'm too busy to think about it. Matt and I discussed it last week; are we missing out on a blessing because we have too much to do to spend more time with God and family on Sunday? I mean, as much as God talks about it, it must be somewhat important to Him. Of course, He doesn't want us to be legalistic about it (as is mentioned many times in the New Testament). But because He tells us not to take it too far in the New Testament, does that mean we are supposed to ignore it all together? So Matt and I are taking it easy today. Instead of rushing to start a load of laundry, I'm spending some time blogging instead (something I enjoy but rarely have time for anymore). Not that we aren't doing any work... just not running around like crazy, trying to get everything done before Monday. And, yes, I know the Sabbath was initially Saturday. That's not the point... Christians after the Resurrection started observing on Sunday in respect of what Christ did for us. Other than this, any thoughts about how you guys spend Sunday? Anyone else feel convicted to slow down on Sundays and reflect on God and family? Just curious.

Soooo... pregnancy weight loss attempt #2. With Brooke, I gained 43 lb and lost it in 4 months. Two months after losing the weight, I became pregnant again (sigh... ) So with Chloe, I managed to pack on 49 lb. Yes, I admit it. I ate too many bags of chocolate chips and stopped at Sonic for one too many root beer floats (I craved those for some reason). So anyway, here I am 5 weeks out, and still in maternity pants. SOOOO frustrating. I've lost 26 lb; 23 lb to go. Matt likes to help motivate me; he bribes me with money. So if I lose the weight by Thanksgiving, he's giving me money for a new wardrobe. I'm sticking to a 2000 calorie diet (because I'm nursing, I get to eat more calories than most dieters), and I've started jogging again. I was too exhausted to even think about working out with this pregnancy, so I'm completely out of shape. Yesterday, I jogged/walked a mile and felt like puking. My goal is to run the jingle bell 5k this December. Yeah, I've got a long way to go. It feels so good to not be pregnant though. I feel energetic. I'm free of pain. Ohhhhh... it's so joyous to have my baby on the OUTSIDE now. I'd very much like to NOT get pregnant for a little while (ya hear that, God? No baby in 2012, please! :) ) 

Chloe is not the angel baby I first thought, but she is a wonderful night sleeper. She goes to bed around 10 or 11 (and she actually sleeps in her pack and play, NOT in her bouncy seat or car seat or swing!), wakes up around 3:30 to eat and then again around 7:30. Yes, I am blessed. Especially after Brooke who had her days and nights mixed up and would be up for 5 hours crying in the middle of the night. SOOOO nice. During the day, Chloe is a dream if she is being held. She just prefers not to be put down. Ever. Spoiled? Okay, maybe a little. I like to call her (affectionately, of course) my cranky old lady baby. She sleeps a lot. But when she's awake she's grumpy and temperamental and insistent on having her own way. But then she smiles at me, and I melt, and I give her whatever she wants anyway. You can't spoil a newborn, right? Yeah right. :)

So, I'm off to paint my toenails, I think. Happy Sabbath, Everyone!