FC is 6 Months Old....And Couting!

As I mentioned earlier, the month of October has flown by. We have made two trips to Huntsville, John and I are busy at work (not complaining - job security is a great thing to have!), and FC is changing so quickly. I can't believe she'll be seven months old in just a couple of weeks. Ugh...slow down baby girl!! I figured a pictures would best describe this past month for us.

Playtime with our family in Huntsville

Our little music makers...

Pap looked like he needed some help. FC was happy to oblige.

Cousins at play...we're so excited to hear that we'll have a new little cousin sometime late May!!

FC is growing too fast! 6 Months Old and Counting...

 

Trying to figure out this crawling thing.



True classic literature here.

 

 

Looking Like Fall Here!

 



Murphy sunbathing.

Annie hunting.

 



Trying to escape. Or eat a leaf.

Watching the puppies chase stuff.

Funny. I saw that same face a dinner last night.

 

There were plenty of smiles, but this is about the best I could do. Her smile is camera shy!

A Beautiful Mess

October flew by so fast I feel like I missed it all together! This time of year is truly one of my favorites...the cooler mornings, fall colors, and probably most of all: running season! It has also given way to a new season in my life; one that is difficult to describe.  A "beautiful mess" might best sum it up. The mess is totally self-created - I am becoming increasingly aware how sinfully vain and prideful I've become and how little I've acknowledged God's control in my life. Over the years I have attempted, with little success, to "handle" life. Well, throwing a husband and child into the mix and my "handled" life has become so messy that I am sometimes so completely overwhelemed that I'm nearly impossible to live with. My failed attempts to deal with my internal conflicts and external responsiblities have such a toxic effect on the ones I care about most. Someone once told me that I, as wife and mother, have the power to set the tone for my household. And I think it's true. My bad attitude was negatively affecting all of us. My husband had the courage and love for me to call me and my attitude "out". I'm so thankful for his raw honesty. We, together, have prayed God back into His rightful place of control in our lives. It is taking a concious effort each day...to recognize escalating frustration and call for help from God, my husband, or a friend. I can't do this on my own...and thankfully I don't have to! I am learning a hard lesson in humility. I can not be perfect. God is going to make my mess beautiful....just wait and see! It is OK that my house is not as clean as it used to be. It is OK that my body is still fluffy. It is OK that I am still behind at work. It is OK that once again we're late. It is OK because God said so! I'm so thankful that I don't have to clean up this mess by myself!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV

My Happy Baby...

This post was going to be about home improvement in the Lindgren household, but I was happily side-tracked by FC last night...she met a major milestone and is now rolling all over the place! Home improvement can wait until another day!

We chose sweet FC's name because it had a special "ring" to it for both John and I  - quite a feat given that I work with children every day and have certain personality traits and experiences tied to many names. We also wanted a name with special meaning; one that FC could be proud of. Her namesake, St. Felicity, was an incredible woman of faith who died for what she believed in.  Felicity also means "happy". We thought it was a perfect fit for our little peanut. We couldn't wait to hold our happy baby! But, as all you parents out there know...first-time parenting is such an unpredictable journey! Newborns cry...alot. Colicky newborns cry even more...much, much more. We struggled with not being able to soothe our baby and rarely seeing those adorable baby smiles and grins. I kept wondering...."When are we going to get to see happy?". It was, after all, what her name meant! There were days when I literally prayed FC and I through the day. Thankfully, there were many wise women put in my life to offer encouragement and hope...that one day SOON I'd get my "happy". Well - I am thrilled to announce that we are THERE . Most days are just absolute joy...the fussing that we see now has a real purpose and can be soothed...and giggles, laughing, and cooing are the norm. I can't wait to squeeze my happy baby every morning when she wakes and is happily cooing in her crib. I can't wait to hit the door after work to squeeze in some silly play time before we all head to bed. She is such a fun baby and we are just blown away by how much our lives have changed for the better. We are truly blessed...and YES, I'd do it ALL over again!

My first trio of pictures were taken on a "typical" Monday...I'm usually trying to wrap up a little paperwork before Tuesday and knock out the food prep and cooking for our week. FC is the coolest side-kick ever!!

Nana is one of our FAVORITE people around here...she rescued FC from daycare this past Thursday and spent two days playing with FC and mommy. SO fun!!

 



A beautiful picture taken Saturday morning in Marietta's square.

FC sporting her owl hat...I just couldn't resist!

And, as you guessed it, Daddy-time! Much to mommy's disdain, it appears that FC enjoys video game playing too. Her and Daddy were just so darn cute playing together that I couldn't be mad!

 

Now finally after much anticpation, FC is rolling...and rolling...and rolling. She gets the biggest kick out of it. Take a look!