2010...Thank you Jesus for a Great Year

Thank you Jesus for this: 

This year has been all sorts of transitioning. Transitioning to being a mommy, staying at home, moving to San Diego and then working from home to be with my little man. When I think of this year, 1 Corinthians 9:15 comes to mind: "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" I could not be more thankful for a God who loves us so much He sent his precious baby boy to the Cross for our sins. He loves us so much and is the ultimate provider of all things. I am so thankful for my friends and family and the blessings of love and community we get to experience, even with moving. I am so thankful for an awesome, sweet, passionate husband and the gift of having a sweet baby boy with him. I am so thankful for Ryan and the smiles, cuddles, giggles, and the fun that we have watching this little man grow. I am so thankful for motherhood, and for God knowing the desires of my heart, and blessing me with such a great life, and also for the times of growing that He takes us through. What a great year. Excited about all that the Lord has in store for 2011!

Of course we need an update on Ryan!

Oh my sweet boy! I cannot get enough of him, and everyday just seems to be getting more and more fun with him. He is constantly making us laugh with his silliness and is becoming mommy's little love bug. He is 10.5 months now, and I am in the thought process of planning his 1st birthday...can't believe it!

Ryan is on the move...he is a fast crawler and is constantly going! He loves to go towards cords, Layla's food, our phones, and the lights on the Christmas tree....so we are chasing him!! :) We have baby proofed to the max, so the cords are like the ones for our laptops and the fan. :) And most of the pictures I try to take of him are of him on the move. I love it though...I was nervous about having a 'mobile' baby...but its so fun to watch him play and explore. :) He loves to pull the dvd's out, climb on chairs and chew on some spatulas....so much for all the toys we have bought him. :)
 Here's his favorite jungle gym: the kitchen table :)

He has also become quite vocal. I love his little voice. He says ball very well and says 'uba' for his bear that 's named Umbrella. It's really cute. He also signs all done, more and knows what I mean when I saw 'nurse.'

He decided about a month ago that he was done with baby food...so its all finger foods! Some of his favorites are bananas, sweet potatoes, cheese, rice, avocado and black beans. :)

He also loves loves loves books! He says "buh" for book. After his afternoon nap is one of my favorite times of the day: we sit and cuddle and read books together. We have been reading Christmas books and all about baby Jesus...such a gift to share Jesus with our son! I love that he loves to cuddle with me, I treasure those moments.

Mommy hood is the best thing ever and I am so thankful that God has blessed us with such a sweet boy.

What I've been up to....

Well hello there blogging world. It's been a while...I feel like our lives have been a whirlwind these past couple months. Since I have started working, there isn't as much time for the 'me' time where I can spend blogging. But, such is life. It makes the times where I can sit and write all the more sweeter.

An update on what I've been up to:

I am now a working mommy! It was actually quite crazy how everything fell together. Since we have moved down here and Jason hasn't been working, things have been quite tight, and there was a time where we weren't really sure how we would pay the next months rent. I have never felt more unsettled and out of control in my life. So, we started looking for something. Jason is not technically 'allowed' to work, but he was able to get the school to allow him to work at least 10 hours as a a teachers assistant in a local elementary school. And I was tutoring a couple hours of week. Still, it wasn't enough...I mean we live in San Diego where the price of living is about 20 thousand times everywhere else. :)

So I found this online charter school and called to find out more information. The Principal then called me back (which surprised me-Principal's never call back!), and he said that they didn't have any openings, but to send a resume anyways. So I did, and then about two weeks later I get a call about a position opening up. Before I knew it, I was interviewing before a panel, then with the superintendant and before I really even knew what the job was, I was hired. It was a crazy time, and I really didn't want to go back to full-time work. But, this job allows me to stay at home while I teach, has full benefits and pays more than what I was making when I was in the classroom....and I can work in my pjs! :)

But it has been a crazy transition...to be honest....life has been hard. I have kicked and screamed about going back to work. I miss my care free days spent just being with my sweet boy. I miss being able to be involved in MOPS and bible study. I miss being able to take Ryan out during the day, explore and allow his schedule to shape my day. I miss having the energy to serve my husband and do all of the housework myself.

But...God is using this job to provide for my family while Jason is preparing for our future. God is showing me what it means to allow His plans rule my life and not whine when things don't go my way. But believe me...it's hard. I have whined a lot, and my poor, sweet husband has to put up with me. There are days where I want to quit, but then there are days when I am sitting on the floor playing with Ryan and also teaching math and I could not be more thankful that God has allowed me to at least be at home for this time when I need to work. For the situation that we are in, God has truly blessed us. Also, since Jason in only in class a few hours a day, he helps watch Ryan when he is home.

So, life has been busy. The hardest part is learning how to teach through a computer and also teaching 4 grades is quite a challenge. But, the longer I do it, the more I am learning and am feeling like I am getting in the groove. So, blog posts won't be as often....but I praise the Lord for how He has provided and knows my heart is to be a mom, and how I can be at home during this season of life even though I am working. We serve a good God.

My big boy!

 We are due for another Ryan update... At 9.5 months, tt seems that everyday he is growing with leaps and bounds. It's so crazy how different the second 6 months of his life have been compared to his first six months, and it blows my mind that he is close to 1 year...need to start planning his part-ay! :) He is just booming with personality now and doing new things everyday. I feel like he has just become a new little guy this past week.

First of all...he started crawling (there's a video on my facebook if you're interested)!! That is just crazy to me. There was a point where I thought that he just wouldn't crawl, and he might go straight to walking, but he is on the move. And he mostly gets going for the computer, Jason's phone, and Layla's food dish-trying to figure out a new place for that one. :)

Also, he cut one of his top teeth, and it looks like he is cutting two others as well. Maybe they will just all come at once and we can get this teething thing over with...he has become a 'screamer' since these teeth have been poking his head....which has been interesting with my new job as a teacher for a virtual academy. :) I love it when the kids say; "I can't hear you Mrs. Ekk, because your baby is loud..." I feel so bad when he is in pain...but he gets extra clingy, which I am ok with, because I try to cherish every snuggly moment I can get with him. :)

Another 'new'....he has gone the longest that he has ever gone with a straight sleep through the night...two nights  he went 7 hours, and then one night he went 10!!! I actually kept waking up to see if he was ok. The next night wasn't as great (those darn teeth), but I am fine with it...it's amazing how my body adjusts. :)

Also....one of the funniest things....he has figured out how to pull himself up on his crib, just stands and looks around. So, when I put him down, he will pull himself up and if I come in to check on him, he looks at me, cracks up and falls down...he thinks its hilarious! He is so funny right now...laughs all the time! He also has grown a love for a teddy bear named, "Umbrella" that was Jason's teddy bear when he was a baby-so cute!

We are convinced that he can say, "ball" (another video that is on my facebook) :) and I think that he says, "mama" for me. :) Watching him grow is the best gift in the world and we praise God for our little baby whose turning into a little boy. :)

The joys of parenthood

Some of the little joys of everyday life:

Getting to read to my little boy every day after nap time...love these moments (doesn't he look so big on my lap?)-how does that happen?? 

He just loves to sit and play with the cupboard door while I get his bath ready....I love watching him explore and have fun! 

Feeling like I'm the luckiest mommy alive,

Alicha :) 

Our little Monkey

Ryan had his first Halloween. I have to say he was super cute! I loved his cozy little costume...makes him even more huggable! 

Jason  very proud of our little Ryan pumpkin...with two little teeth :)

We went to a church carnival...a little overwhelming for our little monkey, but he did great! 

melts my heart!  

Because of Him, 

Alicha :)

Enjoying the life that God has given us! :)

So, as many of you know, I am going to be starting a full time job soon. It's pretty cool because it is a job that I will be able to do at home while caring for my little man. Since we are in a time of our life where God is providing through me working, I really couldn't have asked for a better situation. Of course, I don't want to work...who does?!? :P But, with Jason in law school and not working full time, it means me using the degree that I went to school for 5 years for. :) God pretty much placed this job in my lap. There is no other way that it happened....it was quite unreal. I am going to be working for Rainbow Advanced Institute; a virtual charter school out of Rainbow, Ca. I will be teaching 1-3 grade through an online classroom. Now, I have been a little nervous about how it is going to work out with teaching and taking care of Ryan, but I was able to talk to the other teachers at an inservice that we had and almost all of them have little ones at home, and they said it is manageable. Of course, it won't be as easy as life is now where all my attention is given to Ryan during the day, but at lease I will not have to leave him for hours while I go to work. Praise the Lord that I will continue to be able to nurse him, play with him, and just care for him throughout the day while working. Anyways, since that will be starting up soon, I have been trying to just soak in every free moment I have when I am able to just be with Ryan while Jason is at school or work.

So, today was absolutely beautiful outside. So I grabbed a blanket and some of Ryan's books, and we just enjoyed the beautiful outdoors (we have a fantastic view from our backyard).

 Ryan loves to be outside, it's fun to watch him watch the leaves blow, the birds fly and also the planes!

We read some fun books together...he likes to chew on the books while I read them! :)

And Ryan also sampled dirt for the first time today. I was trying to stop him, but then realized he's a boy, and that God made dirt, dirt don't hurt...so I let him! :)

And of course, Layla was right there with us enjoying the sunshine

Loving the moments of time that God is giving us! Life is good! 

Arizona Trip :)

Last week Ryan and I had the opportunity to go and visit my side of the family in Arizona. We have been able to go about once a year for a few years now, and it is always such a sweet time. Last year Jason and I went when I was 5 months prego for one of my cousin's wedding. I always stay with my Uncle Randy, Aunt Patrice and their kids; Rachel, Hannah and Andrew. I always cherish the time that I have to be involved in their busy and fun lives. I was the flower girl in my Uncle Randy and Aunt Patrice's wedding, and they have always been two of my favorite people in the world. They both love Jesus and display His love through all that they do. I am always so inspired and encouraged by my time with them and love watching them as parents. This year was so fun to be able to introduce Ryan to my family. We were able to have a big family reunion on Sunday where most of my family in Arizona were able to be there. It was great to reconnect and be together. I am so grateful that although I was disconnected for many years, God has allowed me to reconnect and enjoy the gift of family. Here are a few pics from the week:

Ryan had his own high chair that my aunt had borrowed :)

Cousin Rachel lovin on Ryan

Hannah and Aunt Patrice hanging out in the kitchen....where we spent a lot of our time :)

This is their cute dog Fitz...he like veggies...I thought that was pretty funny 

Andrew was great at entertaining Ryan

We were able to watch Andrew's football game for a little bit :) 

This one is at a cute tea place called Gooseberries...it's a special place that my Aunt usually takes me to and we have the same thing every time...I love it!

Cousins! 

My 3 aunts on my mom's side :) 

And...Aunt Patrice letting Ryan slobber all over her remotes...she is so sweet, she let Ryan play with anything and I loved watching her just enjoy Ryan, and of course Ryan loved her too! 

It was a great vacation, we missed Jason though! Hopefully next time he will be able to come too! 

8 life changing months!

Wow! It is so hard to believe that 8 months have already gone by. I was just looking through a photo book that I made of Ryan's first month, and it made me think of all the sweet, precious moments that we have had with him already. I have learned so so so much in these last months and I am amazed at how much things have changed and how I know that I will never be the same (in a good way). Of course, I am still learning every day more and more what it means to be a mom, and how I can serve God and my family and the world in my new role. Going through the experience of being a new mom has been amazing. Of course there have been some hard times....like being ridiculously tired, trying to get my pre-baby body back, and just not knowing what to expect, but the good times that we have had FAR outweigh any of the struggles. I love love love his sweet smiles when I come to get him from his crib, how he laughs at the goofy sounds I make, watching him explore the world and learn new things daily, comforting him when he is upset or teething and just taking joy in the amazing miracle that our God has created.

Some things that I have learned that I want to remember, and although I would say I wished that I had heard before I had him....I don't know if I would've listened :), it takes the experience of having a baby to learn some of these lessons.
      -books are a great resource, but your God-given mother's instinct is best....trusting my intuition has been when I feel the most confident.
      -every baby is different! It's so fun to see what other babies are doing at Ryan's age, but just because he may or may not be doing the same thing doesn't mean anything. Each baby has their own time-table, enjoy the process. :)
      -Yes, life is different. There are some things that will get put on 'hold' for now...but how fun to figure out your new life as a family of three!
       -You will never ever sleep the same again...I'm sure one day I may get to sleep through the night, but not for now....but I get to enjoy the sweet snuggles of my little baby that only last for a short time.
       -I have never understood the love that God has for us more than after I have had Ryan. I love that little boy more than life itself, and I have grown more in love with my husband through having him together, and more in love with the gift of life. God loves us more than any love that we can possess, and it is unconditional...nothing will ever stop Him from loving us, just like nothing will ever stop me from loving Ryan.
        -You need to figure out what works best for your family. It doesn't matter what the books say, or what others do... God will give you the wisdom to do what's best for your situation.

And, now for a time of reminiscing. What a privilege to be Ryan's mom. I cannot be more thankful for such an amazing husband as well to share the joy of parenthood. He has been such a gift of encouragement and love as I am pursuing mommy-hood as my main career right now. I love watching my two boys interact and I know that Jason is the best role-model for Ryan...so excited to watch their relationship grow as time passes. Ok, I'm getting a little off-track....here are some of my favorite pics from these past 8 months:

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months (really...that just sounds crazy!)- He had fun with his oatmeal and prunes :) 

I cannot thank the Lord enough for our little gift. Loving every moment! Definitely good times! 

Because He first loved us, 

Alicha <3

Another first :)

I am amazed at how many firsts Ryan has every week. It's so hard to keep up. But I love watching him grow and develop, it is such a blessing. Today we had a major first: he held himself up on the chair. He was just playing and pulled himself onto his knees and I didn't think that he would get further than that.

 But then I looked over and this is what I saw:

I literally screamed when he actually got up and I think I scared him, but he just looked at me funny and then smiled his sweet smile. It was like, "yeah mom, I'm getting big and this is fun!" So of course I grabbed the camera and had to get documentation for this momentous occasion. :) What a blessing it is to be able to witness these little milestones...life is such a gift!