11 months of Judah

We are one short month away from celebrating a one year old! How did we get here? We feel so blessed and are continually experiencing more and more joy with this little boy. It's been awhile so let's get into it:

Food: Judah is 11 months old and weighs about 20 pounds. He's still super skinny and tall for his age, but he is starting to get an awesome baby Buddha-belly because of his deep love for food.

(Stealing Natania's banana bread)

He started off slowly with food, but once he got into it, he really got into it. Until a few weeks ago I have made all of his food. Fun and healthy things frozen into cubes. We'd get a few out for each meal and he just loved it. Two weeks ago we were in North Carolina for a week for a women clergy conference (Brett and Judah came with me because I'm still nursing Judah). Since we flew we had no opportunity to make his food or bring it with us so we fed Judah from our plates along with a few store bought items during the week.

To say he loved it is putting it mildly. That boy ate...and ate...and ate. He tried so many new things. We jumped from trying new things slowly/every few days and being cautious about allergies and choking hazards to all of a sudden eating everything and many new things a day and things with spices and things that were mixed...oh man, he was loving life.

So then we come home and I have all these great cubed things...which he now won't eat. *Sigh* So now we cook for him at every meal. He loves eating, I mean he LOVES it. He can't get enough, he's never full. He always wants more and we just eventually cut him off. Tonight for instance...he had a rice wafer, 5 oz. of mashed carrots and corn, 4 oz. of banana and plum, some of my soup, some of Brett's soup, 2 oz. of shredded chicken, some cut up red pepper and 5 oz of yogurt and applesauce mixed. His meal times take forever...sometimes 45 minutes! But it's so much fun, this kid loves food.

Favorite foods: Red pepper and green beans


Communication: This little boy has always been a pretty happy one, but he is increasingly happy and loves life. He laughs all the time, he smiles and grins. He giggles (mostly at daddy, I'm not nearly as funny). He has joy that inspires me. He loves life, it's so great.

However, he is also discovering the oh-so-human manipulation tactics. If we take something from him or if he doesn't get what he wants he will throw himself to the ground or go limp and lean back away from us. I'm sure when he's 13 we won't think so, but right now his temper tantrums are the cutest! He's an adorable little pouter. It's so hard not to give in when he does this.

Judah is starting to communicate really well. He was doing some baby sign language but now he's given that up in lieu of words. He babbles constantly...we are aware of four words for sure: more, dad, mom and uh-oh. It's so great to know what he's saying to us!

* "More" was his first and only word for a long while (said mostly in the context of food - of course). When he started saying more it was "mum-mum" along with his sign language for more. We were very aware that he was saying "more" and not "mom." A blow to my ego, but there it is. Now it actually sounds like more.
* "Dada" - oh, he knows who daddy is. Daddy is the funniest guy in the world and the best playmate. * "Mama/Mom" - there is a distinct difference between more and mom now. A side note about this one: I usually put Judah to bed, the other night I was at a meeting and so Brett put him to bed instead. Judah would ask "mama?" and Brett told him I wasn't there right now and Judah cried and then would ask for me again. This is both heartbreaking and also heartwarming for me.
* "Uh-oh" just this week he learned "uh-oh." He uses it both for when things fall and for anything he doesn't like. Yesterday Brett put him in the car and he yelled "uh-oh" at Brett for awhile. He says it at 2:30 in the morning when he wakes up and wants out of the crib. We've also learned that it can be a warning, he'll say "uh-oh" and then throw his food/cup/toy on the floor and then point at it. It's adorable.

Along with words he also waves, hugs and kisses us (love this!),  points at things (where's mommy? he'll point at me) and shakes head no (Judah, do you want to nap? he shakes head and grins).

Motor Skills: Judah is developing and moving along as I suppose is normal. He loves to dance, he's standing on his own completely sturdy now.

He climbs on anything he can and he's even started taking a few steps! He still loves the bath and splashes around and plays on his belly and swims his toys around the tub. He enjoys daddy's Motiv boxes and bags and loves to climb in them, drag them around and flip them over.

He absolutely loves to explore; he wants to get in things and on things and under things. He wants to open every door and drawer and cupboard. He wants to fit into small spaces and get onto high spaces. He moves and explores constantly.

He's such a busy little bee. It's so much fun to see him grow and learn. It's also a little bit terrifying, so many things could happen! I'm sure this terror just continues to grow as a parent when kids get more and more independent.

I know this was a long one, thanks for reading...like I always say (because it's absolutely true) this little boy is such a great source of joy. We feel so blessed to be his parents and thank God for him every single day.

4 month update

Oh my, sorry it's been so long since I have written, it's been a busy few weeks and Brett's been gone some.

A few weeks ago our family came by for Milo's dedication. Ash and Jennie came early with Milo, who is Judah's cousin and is 8 months old. They had such a fun time together, it's so fun to have boys that will be the same age through the years. They shared their toys, took some pictures together and got to know each other better. While they were here cousin Milo crawled for the first time! It was so great to have been able to experience that with the New's!
 

Judah is now four months old! My goodness, how fast life is going. He is 15lbs 7oz., about 50th percentile for his age, and he is 99th percentile of height! He's so tall he's already wearing 6-9 month sleepers although his waist is so small he can still wear newborn pants (although they're way too short).

He's just such a delightful baby, he really is so pleasant. He smiles and laughs all the time. He loves mommy and daddy and is responding well to both of us. He will look for us when he hears one of us talking (which is frustrating when Brett talks and he's nursing). He is trying new sounds, one of which is a high pitched screech (that's delightful :/), but it's fun. He's responding to us and talking to us all the time. He also likes the baby in the mirror, but sometimes he gets upset when he sees mommy holding that other baby.

Judah has started playing in the bath - kicking and punching at the water. He loves to watch it splash. He is so happy in the tub, he doesn't even mind it when we wash his face! Our Judah Bug also loves his new saucer play station (thanks Fields') and his jumper (thanks Kaiser's). He's learning and exploring all the time, he's able to grab stuff on purpose and with both hands. He is starting to enjoy having us read to him (he used to cry and cry when I would try).

A few not so great things:

I had the horrific experience of "my-baby-rolled-off-the-couch" this week. I can't begin to tell you how horrible I feel, oh man. I set him on the couch (which he had been doing well) to lay out his play mat and heard a thunk. I turned around and he was looking at me...so betrayed. Then he starting wailing - like WAILING. Well of course I started sobbing as well. I was convinced I had hurt him beyond repair. I called the doctor's emergency line and after a few questions they determined he was fine but I should keep an eye on him. He didn't even get a bump, but I felt like crap.

Our poor little Judah had his first cold this week too. He was so pathetic and sad, it was hard to watch him just be sick. His little nose was all stuffy. But we did all the things you're supposed to and he's better now.

Every day is something new and it's really delightful. We just love being parents.

Our happy bug

Status: 12 weeks old, 13lbs 7 oz, 25.5 inches.

The doctor told us Judah is right at 50th percentile in weight and 99th percentile in height. We could have probably guessed about that because we've noticed at home that if his outfits fit his body they are way too short and if they fit his length he's swimming in them. He's a tall boy.

Last week Brett and I were talking and Brett was holding Judah. Brett and I started laughing and Judah laughed in response to us. He loves to smile and laugh and does it all the time. He's a happy little guy. He responds really well to both of us. He talks back to me all the time when I talk, we have long conversations. He loves to sit in Brett's lap and they play on his play mat.

Judah is discovering his hands and feet (by putting them in his mouth) and learning how to roll. He loves baths and his play mat. His best friend is zebra and Judah tells him everything.

Since his first week we've called him "Judah Bug." Sometimes now it's just "bug," which is a cute nickname for now but he probably won't like it later! We feel so blessed to have this little guy. We are figuring out how to work with him with us, it's a matter of taking turns and working at odd hours (and when the baby is sleeping). We already can't imagine life without him. We're in love. 

Monumental: Had a Baby!

We welcomed Judah Mitchell Spangler into the world on May 27, 2014 at 8:13pm. 

Judah was 5 days early, but right on time for us. We are delighted to be parents, although it is still a bit surreal to say that we have a kid! 

His name: We wanted to have an Old Testament name, we had a long list that we pared down over the months and finally got down to two names: Levi and Judah. As we got closer and closer to his due date we both separately decided that Judah was the name. Judah means "praised." His middle name is in honor of my Uncle Mitch - an amazing man who has been a huge part of our life. 

His weight: He was born at 8lb 2oz, a little smaller than estimated, proof that sonograms aren't perfect (thank goodness!). I was so concerned about having a monster baby and he's the cutest little thing! And of course, he lost weight as all babies do, but is back up to birth weight this week.

His demeanor: He is a funny little guy who is always looking either terrified or skeptical, this is highly amusing to us. He's also always impossibly cute. He seems to be a pretty content little guy: he likes the outdoors, rocking in his swing and staring out the window.  He sometimes enjoys it when you sing to him, and of course he like eating ;)   

Our little man is an amazing gift from God. We wanted him so badly and tried for so long and we are so delighted to have had this opportunity/experience to get pregnant and to be pregnant...and now we look forward to the experience of being a family. Brett and I love being a couple and the life that we have...please continue to pray for us as we figure out life that is totally different now, and awesome in a different way.  We love this little guy more than we can explain and are delighted to now be a family of three. 

Want to keep up with Judah and our family? Stay tuned right here! 

Monumental: Having a Baby!



Moments in life that are monumental:

2) Having a baby

Brett and I have been married now for over 8 years.  We love being married, every year is better than the last.  It has been hard at times, but even in the hard times I'd rather be with him.  We love our life! 

A few years ago we decided we were finally ready to expand our family.  There have been so many hiccups along the way...I won't go into detail... but for the last few years we hoped and prayed and tried.

Within this last year we had finally gotten to the point that we said, "we're ok if it's just us." We really do love our life.  But we decided that we should find out what was going on.  Why couldn't I get pregnant? At the end of the summer I made an appointment for myself. 

Shortly after I'd made the appointment we began to see signs. Three weeks after our anniversary, while we were on our anniversary trip, we began to suspect that I might be pregnant. We took a test: yes! We went to our family doctor: yes!! He moved up our appointment with the gynecologist: yes!!! We were expecting!

It's hard to explain the rush of emotions that overwhelmed us in that week...and since then.  It's hard to explain how hard it's been to keep this from everyone.  I am now 14 weeks pregnant, we are expecting baby Spangler in June 2014 and could not be more excited. 

To keep up with baby, momma and daddy come here!





Thankful Thursday #20

Today is my 33rd birthday, a time to celebrate and a time to be thankful for another year of life.  Today I am thankful for:

1) That life is good

2) That I have been married for over seven years and it keeps getting better and that I keep learning new fun things about my best friend.  I love you, Brett.

3) My family - all of the weird, loving, fun people in it

Psalm 136: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!

Anniversary

This week I celebrate 6 years of marriage to Brett. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and such a great marriage. It's true that we have disagreements, we sometimes bicker and there are times when we have to make it work (as Tim Gunn would say). But I wouldn't change a thing.

My husband is my best friend, my supporter, my sounding board...he keeps me calm when I need it, he hugs me when I cry, he pushes me to be my best and makes me laugh when I'm cranky. He is generous, kind, funny and smart. He loves me more than I could ever explain and I love him that much too.

This is the song he played when we got engaged, and it was our first dance:

Father's Day

When I was a kid I loved Father's Day, then for a lot of years I hated Father's Day. Now I am back to a place where I can celebrate. There are many men in my life who are special and deserve honor on this day and I want to take the time to let them know (they will come in order or how long I have known them so that no-one gets hurt):

My Uncle Mitch:

Grandpa Fraley: My brother, Ashleigh:
My step-dad, Bob:

My brother-in-law, David: My father-in-law, Jack:

This list is by no means exhaustive of the men who have influenced my life, but it is the group of family that have served in that Dad role at one time or another. If you are a man and are a part of my life, I thank you.

In honor of my Dad, Richard Andrew New:

Thankful Thursday 11

It seems appropriate that today on my anniversary I would be thankful for my husband:

1) I am thankful for four years of marriage.

2) I am blessed to be married to not only a wonderful man but one who is my best friend, my lover and my biggest supporter.

3) I am thankful that I'm married to someone I enjoy spending time with.

4) I am thankful for better and worse, richer and poorer, for good times and bad, health and sickness, and for every other thing.

Thank you God for my husband. I have been truly blessed.

For Good

I wish there were more time for people. I get busy with work and life and TV and so many other things that don't matter that much. I want to remember that life is about the relationships that we have and the people we get to love and that love us.

I love the people I love so deeply, and sometimes I lament that some people are in our lives only for a small period of time. I think that as we travel through life we are given people for a season. Some people stay with us our whole life, or many seasons: your family, a few close friends. Others are there only for one season: floormates at college, a professor or collegue.

Unfortunately the short periods of time do not make it any easier to let go. Though I understand that life works this way, I hate it every time it happens. At times you can see the end coming, other times it is sudden. So I just wanted to let you all know, each person who has touched my life, whether in a small way or greatly, thank you and because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

From "Wicked":

The Love of God

When in despair, it helps to sing the hymns, this is "The Love of God" by Frederick Lehman:

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.


Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.