Three Months and Two and a Half Years

by youngmarriedmom Posted on March 22, 2013

Yesterday, Jacob was officially two and a half years old. Today, Henry is officially three months old. Big boys. Bigger smiles.

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Jacob picked his first March Madness bracket yesterday. He was surprisingly serious as we moved through the games. A pattern didn’t emerge (except that he favored two schools listed only with initials; I don’t even know what FGCU is), so I have to believe that he was truly considering his options and making decisions. We have a family pool, and the only thing I’m willing to bet on is that Jacob will beat me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAXXDUzMtk4&feature=youtu.be

We are learning more about Henry all the time. He’s starting to smile at us in order to get us to smile back. He coos while he smiles and I think he’s trying to tell us jokes. His digestive system does not like it when I consume dairy (Jacob’s allergies did not present this way at all, so who knows what this means). His core is getting stronger, which means he holds himself up straighter and it’s a lot easier to hold him. My back is grateful. Everyone in the family’s probably grateful, because I’m less pleasant when I’m in pain. He also puts an arm around me when I hold him that way, which is one of the greatest feelings on earth.
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Today I am grateful for my boys, grateful for spring, and grateful for the Easter season that is quickly approaching!

 

(Can you say “matching ties”?)

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Busy, Busy Times and My Favorite Thoughts on the New Pope

by youngmarriedmom Posted on March 20, 2013

Things have been busy in these parts, with John studying for a big exam, me trying to simultaneously finish a novel edit and complete our taxes, Jacob mimicking everything we say, and Henry growing bigger and bigger and bigger.

 

We are exhausted, our backs ache, but man, oh man, is this an exciting season of life.

 

Henry has been sleeping lots today, and Jacob is occupying himself with the baby toys I took out for the little guy today. I just finished a serious spring cleaning session, and the sun is shining through our windows. What wonders a good night of sleep can do. Makes you feel like you can blog again!

 

In other news, and I’m not sure if I mentioned the good news here, I am now officially represented by a literary agent, Alexandra Penfold of Upstart Crow Literary. So that’s kind of mind-blowingly exciting. Start the prayers for the right editor to fall in love with my manuscript right now, please!

 

To close this bit of sunshine-induced rambling—and because my mind is capable of little else today—I wanted to share two of my favorite thoughts on the new pope, from various media outlets.

 

First, an article on CNN.com titled, “Catholics: 5 ways for Francis to move forward” ended with a quote that I just can’t believe they printed:

 

And for Martina Lunardelli in Italy, her message for the new pope was even more succinct: Keep it simple.

“I think that the church needs to go back to a simple message which is to love each other and not care about what religion we are or what we believe in,” she said.
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“I hope he can do this.”
(Emphasis is mine.)

 

If the Church didn’t care about our religion or beliefs, what would it care about?

 

And on a more positive note: Simcha Fisher posted this image and note in her article, “Papamoon!” on NCRegister.com:

 

 

(from Catholicmemes.com)

 

Pope Francis, future patron saint of the socially awkward.  Oh, how we’ve needed you!

 

Love it!

 

Happy Spring!

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Habemus Papum!

by youngmarriedmom Posted on March 14, 2013

What an exciting day yesterday was! Mid-afternoon, I got a text message from John’s dad: “We have a pope!” We went right to the computer, and then the television, to see who it would be.

 

With Jacob by my side and Henry in my arms, we watched and waited and watched and waited. I was so excited, my skin was tingling and I almost cried. After a short while, Henry was only interested in being swaddled and taking a nap on the floor.  Jacob remained interested; somehow he seemed to have a sense of what was going on. Once Henry had his spot on the play mat, Jacob climbed into my lap.

 

“The pope’s comin’ out soon,” he repeated over and over. And now and then, “Jesus is comin’ out soon.” I explained that Jesus wasn’t coming out, the pope was. “The pope works for Jesus,” I told him, then giggled to myself at the oversimplification. Isn’t that how we explain Santa’s elves? This is kind of a different story.

 

Finally, there he was. Francis, our new Holy Father. What a friendly smile he has! Jacob and I prayed the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be with him—with Catholics around the world—and I felt a special sense of awe at this faith that has taken up residence in my heart, that is such an integral part of who I am. Being Catholic is not always easy, but yesterday, it was all worth it. It was an extra blessing to have someone so special, my little boy, to share the moment with.

 

After Pope Francis went back inside, Jacob conveyed a message I must have missed in the broadcast. “The pope says we goin’ to Gramma Wheese’s house.”
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“The pope says we’re going to Grandma Wheese’s house?” I answered.

 

“Yeah. Later,” Jacob said.

 

Clearly he understands that the pope has a certain authority.

 

Yesterday is a day I think—I hope—I will always remember. Yesterday was a day I was reminded that the Church is my home, and one I am grateful to be raising my family in.

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