Our Nest of Three

What's that Smell?

I have found myself asking that question quite often in the last month. It's three o'clock in the morning and I am rocking the baby back to sleep, I start to nod off myself, when I am suddenly jerked back into consciousness by an odor that I can't quite identify in my sleepy state. It causes me to ask the question "What's that smell?" I quickly go down the checklist. "Ok, is it me?" I mumble as I struggle to recall the last time I was able to shower. Next, I put my hand to my shoulder to check for any moisture that could have come spewing out of my sweet angels mouth. "Nope not that!" So as not to wake the baby (whom I just spent the last hour soothing back to sleep) I slowly start to lift him up to take a sniff of his bottom. I get a whiff of the offending smell before I even have to get any closer. I look down and Micah has the most angelic little smile on his face. Even though they say that when babies smile in their sleep it is just a reflex, I am convinced that this smile was one of a person amused with himself and the reaction he was able to extract from his Momma.

Now those of you who know Brandon know what a clean freak he is! A few evenings ago Brandon experienced his own "what's that smell?" moment. I was drifting off to sleep (which is usually how I spend every spare minute these days) when I heard a familiar little spewing sound coming from Micah. Followed by a deep sigh from his Daddy as he patiently began cleaning up and changing the outfit he had just put on him not a minute before. After Micah was all cleaned up and settled back down in his bassinet I heard Brandon rustling around the room gathering his things to take a shower, since Micah's dinner partially ended up on the side of his head and had soaked through his shirt. Then I heard him stop and mutter to himself "Who am I kidding? I don't care that much!" and he crawled into bed instead. A month ago you would have seen Brandon running for the shower if another person's bodily function had ended up anywhere close to him, but these days sleep wins out : )

Micah is now a 1 month old and despite the "smelly" situation he brings us much joy and we continue to be amazed at how God could trust us with something so precious.

"I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well."-Psalm 139:14

We had newborn pictures taken of Micah in his nursery and he looked so cute I couldn't help put snap a few myself.

Speaking of smells, the house is starting to smell less of old carpet and years worth of dirt and grime and more like fresh paint and new wood. Despite our move in date being pushed back several times we really are in the final stretch and could be moved in as soon as two weeks from now. The whole house has been painted and just a few touch ups here and there are needed. The vanities, light fixtures, and tile are all done in the bathrooms just waiting to install the toilets. The kitchen is completely demoed, and cabinets and countertops have been ordered. At this point we are planning on moving into the house without the kitchen being completed because we are still 4 weeks out from the cabinets being in and then a few weeks after that for the countertops. The floors and appliances will be ready to go this week so we will just make due until the rest of the kitchen comes in. The flooring, new doors, and most of the trim have been installed throughout the house. The basement is in need of carpet but it will be probably be added to the list of projects that we will wait to complete until after we move in. This past week we started moving furniture out of our storage unit into the house. Yesterday the weather was beautiful here in Kansas City, so we invited our families over to the house for a Sunday evening BBQ. It was wonderful to have both sides of the family over for a time of fellowship and to view the house. We could honestly not have been able to do this without the help of our families over the last couple months. They have done everything from giving us a place to live while we wait for the house to be done, to watching our dog Maya, to sacrificing countless hours of their own time to helping us with projects around the house. God only gives you what you can handle and when you feel like you can't handle anymore He created families to help carry you the rest of the way. Seriously, if you want to find out the limit to your patience, nerves, and time remodel a house at the same time that you have your first child. On his days off Brandon will go over to the house and work all day and when he comes home late in the evening he will realize he hasn't eaten all day. Or I will be holding the baby, doing laundry, and brushing my teeth all at the same time (and yes the real life image of this is just as amusing as the visual you have in your head) because I know that if I don't do multiple things at once it won't get done . Although we are looking forward to the day, hopefully very soon, when our lives will slow down a bit we are grateful for the journey.

Let me leave you with some photo updates of the house. Thanks for your continued prayers.

Andrea