Micah camera dump

For the Auntie's and Great Auntie's!!!

Micah, day one (8/26/13)

Micah, day three (8/29/13)

9/5/2013

9/20/2013

9/24/2013

9/24/2013

10/12/2013

10/22/2013

10/22/2013

10/22/2013

10/23/2013

10/29/2013

12/3/2013

Birthday Bash

This year, we decided to hang out as a family and take advantage of some of the birthday goodies that restaurants offer! 

Did you know...

Denny's offers a free Grand Slam meal on your big day?
Firehouse Subs offers a free sub?

We ended up taking advantage of both of these deals and then spending the day in Charleston.  I had a lot of fun with my boys!!

After a fun adventure, two of our close friends, Jon and Nicole Abercrombie, came over to bring me pie and cupcakes!

Denny's

#sisterweek

A couple of weeks ago, my sister, Becky, called me to see if I wanted to go on a sister trip.

OF COURSE!!!

Becky found a house on VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) that was about 5 hours away from Naples, FL, Rome, GA, and Charleston, SC perfect for "Sister Week".  House was booked, bags were packed, and I was ready to go!  Eli gave Micah a pep talk about being the only man on the trip and out the door we went.

The morning of the trip, Mari ended up taking Olivia to the doctor where she found out that she had the croup and a sinus infection - contagious for three days.  Needless to say, she couldn't go.  So I headed down the road towards Jacksonville, Florida where I was planning on stopping to see my in-laws.  Traveling with an 8-week old is a lot like traveling with a 5-week old.  They have to stop to eat and get diaper changes...still!  So I won't go into too many details here, but it did take about 6 hours to get to Jacksonville (normally right under 4 hours).  I was creative in choosing locations to stop - a gas station, McDonald's (hello wifi), and a rest stop - and everything worked out just fine.  I learned from the Tennessee trip about time estimate with a little baby, and made adjustments as needed!

It was so good to finally make it into Jacksonville, and even better when I rang the doorbell and mom peeked out the window and saw the baby!!  It was so special for us to be able to stop there because her birthday was the next day.  I also got to surprise Dad and Grandma! After a few hours there, I headed west towards the very small town of Fort White, about 30 miles from Gainesville.

The house we stayed in was situated on the Itchetucknee River, a river that flows from a spring that is a constant 72 degrees year round.  We stayed up late, slept in, enjoyed the dock where we watched the water flow, hiked at the Itchetucknee State Park, and jumped in the 72 degree water!  It was amazing!

We found a little restaurant there called "Charlie's Rib Shack".  Now this is not a place any of us would ever pick unless my BIL, Corey, was with us, but we decided to go for it.  We ended up going twice!  The people in this place were so loving and kind.  I loved watching the townsfolk come in and out of the place - black, white, asian, hunters, fisherman, bikers, etc. - just with a smile and so cordial.  It was like a tiny glimpse of what heaven may be like! I would go back to this place in a heartbeat.  In fact, I hope to go back again between Labor Day and Memorial Day when there is tubing down the river.  Apparently it's a pretty big deal in the town and people come from all over to tube.  They even have shuttles that run everyday.

The week went by so fast, but like every time I travel without my husband, I can't wait to get home to see him!  So it makes leaving a little easier!!

Looking forward to spending time with ALL of my sisters and brother too at the next event... not sure when that will be, but I'm hoping it's soon!

The babies had the best seat!

Absolutely gorgeous Florida State Park

View of the blue springs

Micah and I in front of the Ichetucknee River

Sweet boy!

Becky, Rachel, and I after jumping in the springs

The babies while we were swimming

#sisterweek

Traveling with a 5 week old

Last weekend, Eli, Micah, and I loaded up the car for our first road trip to Crossville,  Tennessee. Sounds like a pretty good plan, huh?  Well it was until about an hour into the six and a half hour trip.

Last Christmas,  we went to spend a week in Jacksonville,  Florida with Eli's family as we have been doing every year since we met. This time, we added a road trip to Rome, Georgia the day after Christmas. One month pregnant and MANY hours on the road, I decided then that I no longer liked car rides lasting more than four hours.

I don't know what I was thinking committing to this trip, except for we were going to see a good friend of Eli's get married!  Low on funds (hello, Dave Ramsey and stay-at-home mom pay) and lack of airport in Crossville, I was left with no choice but to drive! And that we did!

Micah doesn't mind being in the car seat as long as we are moving. I think he already has a sense of direction because if we are stopped, for traffic or even at a light, he starts to cry.  So after about an hour or so, baby boy decides he wants to eat. I rode in the back and was able to pump a bottle for him. We stopped at a rest stop and his daddy fed him while I walked around and went to the bathroom. Great first stop, but a couple hours later we had to do it again. This time I gave up on the pumping and we found a quaint little church on the side of the road to stop and handle business. Multiply this times 4 or 5 and a six and a half hour trip will easily turn into ten or eleven.

Needless to say,  we made it to the small town of Crossville. The family had reserved a couple of lodges on the 4H park in town. The camp was an extension of the University of Tennessee and absolutely gorgeous. The wedding was held in a little gazebo overlooking a pond there on site, as was the reception. Eli was one of the groomsmen which worked out well because Micah and I arrived as the guys were walking down the isle. Micah decided he wanted to take forever to eat and just as we were walking out, I noticed milk had gotten on my dress. After a quick change, we headed over and stood in the shade in the back!  The sun was hot but in the shade you could feel a beautiful mountain breeze.

The ride back was like the ride there but worse. We didn't leave Tennessee until about 4 (our time - we crossed into the next time zone) and got home close to 2 in the morning. Late night driving along with feedings at shady gas stations made for a long ride! I was so glad to see exit 205B and pull into our gated community, I mean campus. Thankfully,  Eli drove the last 30 minutes and whipped us through security.

Lesson learned:  Plan for longer travel time and get more sleep before driving.  I have trouble staying still so being at home a lot isn't an option! 

The 4H park

Beautiful front porch 

Here Is the quaint little church we found. Great place to feed  the baby!

Micah dressed for the wedding

Jamie and Becky!

Eli's GPS

A month in the nest

Have you ever heard people say, "It goes by so fast" or "enjoy every moment"?  Well I am sitting here finding myself believing those sayings are absolutely the truth.  Our son, Micah is one month old.  In fact, he is one month, plus a few days.  Here is a photo recap of one of the most awesome months at the Byrd's Nest!!!

This picture was taken on Tuesday (9/25) on our way out of Pop Pop's house in Annapolis and heading home.

I finally got to meet my sweet niece, Isabel.  This is Becky and Corey's second daughter.  These two little monkeys are 20 days apart.

Olivia and Ella Mae love to play with the babies, but they don't understand why they won't play back.  They also love to shove pacifiers into the babies mouths.

Isabel and Micah loved being next to each other. 

Kisses from Olivia!

Uncle Dave was holding Micah at the table during my cousin Jennifer's wedding reception.  Eli, Micah, Mari, Olivia, Rachel, Becky, Ella, and Isabel all went to Maryland to see Jenn marry her sweetheart, Scott!

 

This was Micah's very first picture at Charleston Birth Place after he was born.  We had such an incredible experience there.  I will write about the birth in another blog since so many people have been asking about the water birth!

Micah's just hours old and home at our apartment.  His first visitors were my parents, Olivia, Ben and Mari.  Eli's parents came two days later to meet him!

Micah loves to take walks in the stroller around the pond at CSU (or anywhere for that matter)!

A few months ago, I hit the most amazing sale on plane tickets.  So glad I booked them because we were able to go to the wedding and Micah was able to meet family for the first time!  He did so good on the plane.  He slept the entire way there... even through security.  They way home was a different story... He cried through the entire process until we got on the plane.  Then we was quiet for the ride.  Finally he fell asleep just as we were landing.  His cousin, Olivia, was on that same schedule, minus the crying in through security and while we were waiting.

We went to Quiet Waters Park while we were in Annapolis and took a hike through the woods.  Yes, we have matching "Birds" shirts!

Eli and Ella swinging at Quiet Waters.

Micah loves to take a bath.  He loves the time he spends with his daddy and loves feeling the water.  Truly a water baby!!!!

Micah was only a couple weeks old in this picture.  He is such a peanut.

I saved the best for last.  This month, Eli was ordained by the Southern Baptist Convention and Summit Church to be a minister.  I am so proud of him and his obedience to the Lord's calling.  He is such a great leader of our home and I am excited to see where the Lord will lead our family!!

xoxo

For some reason, this last picture went to the bottom.  All of my sisters and the babies... including baby boy Eckert who will arrive on February 4, 2014 (ok, so that is my prediction).

Six things I have learned since August 26th

In no particular order, here are six things I have learned since Micah Zane has been in my life.

1.  Sleep when the baby sleeps.  We've all heard it.  Everyone says it.  So do it.  I learned this very quickly.  You see, I am very concerned about keeping the house clean and when the baby sleeps, I want to get things done... NOT!!!!

The first few nights were very tough.  A baby that thinks night time is party time (OK, where does he get that from) is hard on parents who like to sleep at night!  The nights when we slept while Micah was sleeping during the day were much more manageable than those where we didn't sleep.

2.  Eat when the baby sleeps. I realized a few days ago that the only time I can eat is when he is asleep.  Mostly because when he is awake, he is usually eating which forces me to relax, stretch out on the baby rocking chair  bed and feed him.  So, when he sleeps I get to eat too... or sleep.  Sleep usually wins.

3. I have fallen even more in love with my husband.  If you haven't read his blog, you should.  CLICK ME TO READ!!!!He is my earthly source of strength, my rock, my protector, my best friend, my diaper changing partner at 4:00 a.m., my baby daddy, my encouragement, etc.  I could keep going!!!!  

As soon as the contractions began, he would write down the time and hold me through the surge.  He called the midwife.  He counted my inhales and exhales as we managed through the discomforts!!  I could not have done it without him.  He was an integral part during the pregnancy, during labor, and now as a father.

4.  Micah has made me understand more about God's love for me, for us.  One night morning when Micah was inconsolable, Eli and I loaded the baby in the car seat, clicked it in the stroller and went for a walk.  That didn't work, so we jumped in the car and drove all around campus.  He still cried.  Nothing was working.  I felt helpless and just cried.  Eli and I were exhausted.  I was frustrated, but still loved our baby just the same as when he sleeps or is being an "angel".

Is that how God feels when I am off track, not listening to His sweet voice, His calming techniques, his car rides and walks at 2:00 a.m.?  Frustrated, but still in love with me?  YES. In fact it is.  When I wonder away or get caught up in something, God is still there loving me.

5.  People love us the baby.  We have been staying in pretty much all day since he has been born.  Except for a visit to the pediatrician and a follow up at Charleston Birth Place, we don't venture out during the day (see number 6 below).  Many people have texted/called to come see our little bundle of joy, but I have to say no or post pone it.  If he is crying or feeding, it is hard to have people come through. So when he is up and alert or sleeping in my arms, I love to get a text from someone who says their on campus and can stop by... perfect timing.  We have had people drop off food (BLESSING) and my mom would even come by just to do the dishes or grab our laundry.  We are so thankful and everyone is so understandable.  And yes, I am still nervous about letting people hold him.  Too protective I guess.

Eli is officially back to work Friday at 5:00 p.m. for his weekend duty and then will resume a normal schedule from there.  It has been great having him here and still being able to get a few things done on campus as needed.

6.  It now takes an undetermined amount of time to get out the door.  Living on CSU's campus is great.  We are close to everything.  When we had our prenatal appointments, I would call Eli about 5 minutes before the appointment to see where he was on campus and then pick him up.  Out the door we were and ON TIME.  Those days are over.  I remember growing up and being so annoyed when we were late for something.  I feel like I went through a stage of being late, later on in life, but since then I have grown to realize that is disrespectful and doesn't honor the other person's time.  So... I have learned that at least an hour before we have to be somewhere is when we need to start getting ready.  I'm hoping that as Micah grows, that window of time will not.

The past few days we have been able to get out of the house and see some sort of outside life.  It's never before 5:00 p.m. though!!!  We are hoping that the weather will cooperate and not be too hot for our little man to see his first college football game on Saturday. 

Final Thoughts...
As I am laying in bed typing (I feel like the scene from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where the entire family is in bed all the time), my husband is sleeping and my baby is too.  I realize God has changed our lives and it is for HIS GLORY and I am thankful that I am being used by HIM.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  Now for some sleep.

Xoxo,

pt byrd

God's timing is perfect

I realized tonight that I have now been in Charleston for 5 years as of this month. Time sure does fly when you're having fun! Since I have been in Charleston, I have finished my degree in elementary education, taught third grade for two years, and more recently, married my best friend and expecting our first baby any day now!

I am reminded tonight of God's timing. It is so much better than ours! Our baby was "due" on August 18th. What is a due date anyway?!!?

So as you wait for baby Micah to arrive, know that Eli and I are too!! He will be here in God's PERFECT time and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Take a journey back to my old blog to some examples of God's timing!

http://juliekelle.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

xoxo,

pt byrd

distractions

As Eli and I prepare to move to North Carolina in the coming months for Eli to attend seminary, we are realizing just how much of a faith journey this is going to be.  Before we were married, we both agreed that we wanted me to stay at home with our babies.  Now that one is on the way, reality has set in!  How will we make ends meet?  Where will my husband work when we move?  Will we have enough money to live each month?  All of these are questions I find myself asking...myself.  When I catch my thoughts drifting in that direction, I quickly ask THE ONE who is sending us on this journey.  He is sending us and by faith we are going.  As my pastor says quite often - FAITH OVERRIDES LOGIC.

I felt the desire to get rid of distractions and unnecessary things while Eli was in Ethiopia a couple of months ago.  During one of our phone conversations, he was talking about the people there and the last thing he said before we were disconnected was that we need to get rid of distractions.  That got me thinking about the number two item I can't leave home without...iPhone (number one of course is my chapstick).  How can I justify a $160 a month phone bill for pure convenience?  I couldn't do it.  I talked to Eli about selling our phones and using the money to break our contract with Verizon.  We could get a prepaid monthly phone or switch to another carrier without the expensive monthly bill.  To my surprise, he was for it!  So I did some research and found that our contracts were actually up and we could leave Verizon with no problem.  We listed our phones on eBay, and got on an AT&T plan for less than half of the monthly bill with Verizon.  I couldn't be happier with cutting the cost and the $15 phones that you don't have to worry about are great too! 

Now, you may wonder what life is like without a "smart" phone.  Sometimes you may have to ask someone else to use theirs in case of an emergency (thanks Kadie) at Office Max; sometimes you will be made fun of because your phone doesn't take pictures, and sometimes you may have to stop off at a McDonald's or somewhere for WiFi service on your tablet.  I'm ok with that!

Our precious baby boy will be here sometime in the next 7 weeks.  WOAH!!!  We celebrated our one year anniversary in North Myrtle Beach over Father's Day weekend and then went to Jacksonville, Florida to spend time with Eli's family.  God has blessed us tremendously and I pray that we will be good stewards of His resources that He has so generously provided.

Off to church and then on to the beach. 

xoxo,

pt byrd

It's been some time...

...since I have sat down and put my thoughts together. As I begin writing, I have a two entries in my notebook that I jotted down and want to share (even though I haven't posted since January, I have thought about keeping track and taking notes):

December 14, 2012
 

Today many miles away from Charleston, South Carolina, over 27 people are dead - more than 20 of them were children. Precious kindergarteners. In class. Someone came in and shot them along with their teacher.  I don't know all of the details because I get so angry watching any of the coverage. First of all, why are they interviewing children? Why did this happen? So many other questions run through my mind. One thing remains true and gives me peace and comfort; God is in control, God gives me this sense of peace beyond all understanding and this wasn't a surprise to Him. 

Also on this day, the wildest thing happen. We found out that we will be expecting a child of our own!! I cried. I laughed. I prayed. We prayed. We prayed that this precious child would lead numerous people to Christ. We prayed for finances. We prayed for health.

Excited about the journey. Praying for those families in Connecticut who lost their precious babies.  Praying for our baby. 

January 4, 2013

Today is the first of many posts like this. I just know how God works. I know how faithful and merciful He is. We went to the doctor to see about this cold I have been fighting since Monday. We spent time with my CRNP, Mrs. Lynn, who was more excited than I was! Her enthusiasm made me feel so joyous and actually better for once. I have been so sick for the past four weeks that it has been hard to be thrilled about the baby! To back track, we went to Mrs. Lynn on November 3^rd to talk about getting off my medication and letting God be in control of the perfect time! So when we came in a little more than two months later, she was so encouraging and happy!

After confirming the inevitable (I can’t take anything for this cold and just need to wait it out), we went to check out. I was prepared to pay the $35 co-pay. The receptionist said that I actually had a credit on my account. I was blown away. I have always paid my co-pay at the time of service and also paid the balance that is sent to me after the Medi-Share discount. 

My point is, this was CLEARLY the work of our Almighty God. I pray and beg that the Lord continues to show up in this way. We knew this baby is from the Lord and we know that He will provide every need.

....Aaaaand now to more recent news!!! 

Over the past year (maybe I'm exaggerating, but it feels like it), my car has been doing this thing where it won't start - yet everything leading up to the engine starting works - radio, lights, car unlocks, etc.  After a few hours and sometimes a few days of being parked at different places, it decides to start!  It's very frustrating because it now is considered (in my book) unreliable.  Well our sweet baby will be here in August and Eli's truck isn't meant for infant car seats in the back, so I knew we had to figure out what was going on with the not so trusty Equinox.  Of course this story wouldn't start out without mentioning a tow (or two).  We first had it towed from my sisters in Park Circle to Firestone where I go for regular maintenance.  I proceeded to enjoy the beach with my friend Tam and expected to get a call later that day.  They finally called and said it was the ignition switch and the part would be in the next day.  They told me the price and said they would call when finished.  Fast forward a few hours.  Another call from Firestone starts out by saying, "how would you like four new tires?"  Yes. Please.  They had damaged two of the tires and agreed to replace all four for free.  He will provide every need.
The next day they called and apologized.  The ignition switch was not the issue and that I would have to take it to the dealership to see exactly what the problem was.  I get there to sign the paper work and see the $800+ at a zero balance and felt beyond blessed.  He will provide every need.So, tow number two sent us to the Chevy dealership where two days later they said that it was loose wiring and we just had to pay for labor to solve the issue.  Loose wires and new tires, emergency fund (thanks, Dave Ramsey) to the rescue, we are back in business baby!!!  This was CLEARLY the work of our Almighty God.

Did I say baby???  Update on that as well.

Some of you know Eli and  I wanted to wait to find out if our baby was a boy or a girl on the day of the birth.  Well, I caved in during the ultra sound and found out we are having a BOY!!!!!! We are real excited and things are going well with the pregnancy.  After being sick --- cold, stomach bug, etc. --- for a few weeks, I have been feeling great.  As of today, we are 30 weeks along. 

Things are going well.  God is good and so faithful.  My last day of teaching was on May 24th.  I cleaned out my classroom and handed in the keys.  It was a great two years and I am now thankful for the time I will be able to spend being a wife and mom.  Eli and I still feel called to move to Wake Forest, NC at the end of this year for Eli to work on his masters of divinity at Southeastern Seminary.   

I have spent the last few months off facebook and trying to be more intentional with keeping our church fb account up to date, as well as not spending mindless time "surfing" fb!!  I have been active on twitter, so all you twitter fans follow me @julielbyrd !!

As I close out this blog, I hang on to HIS promises and encourage you to do the same.  Hebrews 13:5 tells us to be content and that He will never leave you nor forsake you.  

 

I think this was at 20 weeks?  I can't remember now!!

 

This was five weeks ago.

 

 

xoxo,

pt byrd