rest | photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/tribalicious/194137374/
It’s time for a break… a short one at least.
Let’s turn off our all our digital connections (email, Twitter, Facebook and more) this weekend and really spend some time with our friends and families.
Take a break from all the noise and rest.
That’s what I’ll be doing anyways. Starting tonight (Wednesday) at midnight, I plan on disconnecting for the long weekend and don’t plan on returning to the online world until at least Sunday evening.
Friday’s podcast is posted and scheduled (it’s a good one) and otherwise, if anyone needs me you know how to reach me via phone.
Along with spending time with my family, I’m hoping to do some good reading, continue working on the #nanodrawmo project and perhaps get some Frisbee golf or geocaching in.
Getting inked by Steven at Suffer City in Dallas | Photo by Laurie Blundell
It’s been a busy few months! (Or so it’s seemed.)
It seems like one or all of us are constantly going in one direction or another — and that’s just chasing our two crawling boys around the house — not including the other errands and events Laurie and I have had recently.
But perhaps the biggest (recent) news in my world is the new ink I had done on Friday night.
It’s something I’ve been wanting to do since my last tattoo (circa 2003) but I just hadn’t decided on a design or made the jump to drop the money on another one. (Single guys take note – getting married and having twin boys makes that even harder.)
But as a gift to me — knowing I’ve been itching for one for some time — Laurie, offered to give me a new tattoo for Father’s Day this year. She suggested it would be a special way to remember my very first Father’s Day. She was right.
It came as a bit of surprise, so I had to really start thinking seriously about a new tat design — right away.
Initially I had wanted a Sacred Heart of Jesus with the words Love Wins wrapped around it but I wasn’t 100% certain. I also toyed around with a winged heart and a few other ideas before finally settling on an extra bold font that seemed fitting for such a bold idea.
Along with the message “Love Wins.” I included two very important dates in my life – April 28, 2007 (the date I married my beautiful wife) and October 21, 2010 (the day our boys were born).
So after I finally settled on a design, Laurie and I headed to the tattoo shop Friday night while my parents watched our boys — unaware of what we were doing ;-).
And in the end — I’m really pleased with how it turned out.
Love Wins Tattoo | Photos by Laurie and Jonathan Blundell
While thinking about the final design, I told my friend Frank sometime Friday that it’s often hard to really believe that Love Wins.
Because if you believe it — you’ve got to live it. And if you live it, that means there are going to be times you have to give up your wishes, your wants, your will and give of yourself more than you ever imagined possible.
And we all know it’s so much easier to be a jerk to others than to lay down our life for them.
But I still believe it. I still believe it’s the only thing that has ever won and it’s still the only thing that ever will win.
What do you think? Have an example of when Love Won in your life? Share it in the comment section below.
It’s been a while since I’ve given a brief update on all things personal — so here we go….
1. The boys are almost six months old! Crazy! They’ll reach six months in just a few days — April 21.
2. They’re both getting bigger and stronger each and every day. Ian’s been sitting up by himself a little longer than Hayden but I sat and played with both of them for probably 15 minutes tonight while they sat up and played with a ball and we only had one or two fall-overs from the two of them. We’re expecting Hayden to weigh in around 19 to 20 pounds for their six month check-up on Friday.
3. The spit-up attacks continue! We were told the five to six month mark is usually the peak of their spit-up attacks and as they learn to sit up and strengthen their muscles it should begin to decrease — we hope so. Laurie and I have both had 2-3 shirt/outfit days recently. In fact we change our clothes more often than we change theirs. For some reason most of the spit-up ends up on their bibs or on us.
4. They’re so much fun! They’re laughing at so much. In fact, Ian just entertained us for 5-10 minutes while he sat and laughed at the dog chewing her bone and Hayden just loves big raspberries blown on his belly. Of course they have their moments when they irritate us, because we have 100 things to do and they can’t stand to be left alone and only want to be held… but in reality — can we really complain about that? All our boys want is for us to hold them? Can’t be that bad…
5. The boys are in the midst of their 2nd week with their DOC Bands now and are doing great. They don’t seem to mind their bands at all. They sleep fine with them on and are now starting to wear the bands 23 hours a day. It’s amazing that we already see a difference in the shape of their heads — especially Hayden. At times it feels like we’re looking at a totally different boy.
The boys napping with their DOC Bands | Photo by Jonathan Blundell
5. Laurie just joined me in the Over-30-Club. While we still try and maintain that she’s still only 25, she did officially turn 30 on Saturday (sorry babe). But, perhaps lucky for her, she used to say, “two kids before 30” and it looks like she did just that. 🙂
6. As a follow-up to last Friday’s post, for Laurie’s birthday and our anniversary (4 years coming up next week!) I bought her an iPad. Somehow in talking myself out of buying one, I ended up peaking her interest more and more. So when the original gift I ordered didn’t arrive before Saturday, I told her we could combine the two gifts for an iPad. I think she’s enjoying it… just a little. (although I don’t think she’s ready to give her Mac Book Pro for it ;-))
7. My Fool Month of Purging Meat from my diet is going quite well. I’m actually surprised by how easy it’s been to avoid meat. I’ve passed up steak at least two or three times, burgers several times and Chick-fil-A sandwiches. Overall I don’t feel as lethargic or “bleh” after eating a full meal and I think I’m starting to see a bit more energy overall – but I’m not certain its from purging the meat or just sleeping better. Will I go vegetarian after April? Probably not – at least not 24-7, but it has proven that it’s completely doable and reminded me that I probably need to add a lot more plants to my diet regardless.
I think that about wraps it up. That’s most of what’s going on in my world.
Corey from Simple Marriage and Mandi from Life…Your Way have brought together a super sweet e-book package for those interested in simplifying your family (and your life).
When purchased separately, these ebooks are worth over $450, but for four days only, you can purchase the entire collection for just $47.
Corey’s become a great friend over the last few months as we’ve chatted both online and off-line about a variety of great things. I love his heart and posture and I’m proud to help promote his work (You can listen to his story over at the something beautiful podcast).
But as I mentioned above, there’s a catch… This collection is only available from 2 p.m. on March 21st to 2 p.m. on March 24th March 25th. There will be no late sales offered.
We caught IDiddy in an unusually happy mood yesterday afternoon before his 1 p.m. feeding.
Had to catch it on video and share…
He’s a great baby (they both are), but you can tell his reflux and feeding issues really affect him. He’s calm, quiet and loves to smile, except for during his flareups.
To combat his issues…
We have him on two doses of Zantac (1 mL each dose).
Two doses of Prevacid Solutabs (7.5 mL each dose).
He’s eating Elecare (a lactose free, amino-acid based, hypo-allergenic, expensive formula) with each feeding.
We’re adding a tablespoon of rice cereal to each 5 oz. bottle.
