Bear at 5.5 months

Wow. I cannot believe how fast babies grow. It's unbelievable! Cai Bear (our nickname for our son) is 5.5 months now. Just look at him at 10 days old compared to a week ago. We are so thankful to God for this gift of him and of raising him. I mean, look at those little chicken legs...not so anymore! He is outgrowing 9 mos clothes everyday now. I look forward to the doctors visit in a few weeks to see how much my arms are lifting.

These days Bear is into everything. He is trying desperately to crawl and can now army scoot forward on his belly. It's comical as he grunts and groans his way through it trying to grab something desirable in front of him (usually a tag on one of his stuffed animals: puma & dino). This past week must have been a developmental boost since he is learning something new everyday. Spitting, new noises, sticking his tongue out, gaining more balance on sitting up, and now the scoot. He is exhausted long before nap and bed times and our window is small these days. 

He is in daycare for half-days each day during the week as we are in classes for CRU. We are nearing the 2 week mark and he is going just fine. The caregivers are great and they love him. No matter how his day is going, he always seems to smile through it and not complain. I'm so proud of who God has made him to be already.

We are finally on a good rhthym, which says a lot for a first year family. We've gotten into grooves before, but I think Bear is finally old enough to be consistent (I say that, and it will change tomorrow...such is life in the first year, huh?!). I remind myself everyday of the blessing that each season brings, and that those hard ones WILL fade into better ones. Bear is sleeping through the night still, and his naps are in a good groove even at daycare. The women have worked tirelessly to get all of their little ones to nap. Impressive. One of his leaders described him perfectly when talking about naps at daycare, "We are learning all of the kid's kryptonite and Bear's: People." Our kid is so social. He just loves people, and acknowledges and smiles at everyone who walks in a room. You'd think he is like me when you hear it, but really he is his daddy. He is attentive and kind, very focused and aware, and socially present. But he also does really well alone and doesn't complain much. You can definitely see me come out in him as he pitches a fit when a toy is taken. Yup, drama. His eyebrows are constantly on the move and he is a flirt through and through. 

He just got over his first bout with a fever and virus. Stuffy nose and cough in the summer time is no fun on a kid but he rode it out like a champ. 

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This summer is proving a challenge with us a family in all areas. We are wholly exhausted from the past 3 years of constant movement and change. We didn't expect another move (up to Fort Collins for classes + staff conference) to bring a chance for renewal. I, Kayla, am having a hard time dealing with my anxiety and the reality of the past few years coming down hard on me. Austin is taking a full load of classes and trying to stop and hear from God about space, growth, and healing our family needs. God has been faithful and near, but it sure feels hard right now as we are in an honest space. 

Two verses come to mind as I share this, a reminder for all of us of who God is. We have been memorizing these as a family. I challenge you to do the same in yours. 

Psalm 103: 8-14

⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
⁹ He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
¹⁰ He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
¹³ As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
¹⁴ For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 18:30-31

³⁰ This God—his way is perfect;
    the word of the Lord proves true;
    he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

³¹ For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?—