Liam Lately

Whoa, talk about an unintentional leave of absence!!!

I've been so busy living, I've forgotten to document the memories like I would have liked, so here are a few, random pics of the youngest Martin being all adorable.


I really want to make a post about the food storage challenge I gave myself and how successful it was, so that's my next blogging goal!






He loves the exersaucer that has gone through all three kids, sometimes excitedly rocking it all crazy like!
And then he loves the little parts for munching....like Seth's samurai sword in the background he got at the last ear appointment he had for being good?

Sporting the business look. Isn't he handsome?!

Literally, he's such a doll sometimes. ;) It was almost too hard to pick him out from the other dolls Nana has.

But in the end, he needs his rest just like the best of us. He just looks so darn cute accomplishing it!

He's already 8 months old with 6 teeth and an obvious healthy appetite. Lately he starts to dance when he hears music by rocking his shoulders and arms back and forth as he bops his head in time with the tunes.

I haven't been able to successfully capture it yet, but continue to get the biggest kick out of my little boy.

Liam's Big Brother

Seth is always eager to help me with Liam, thriving on the desire to be a big helper since he's the oldest. Sometimes it's a little....overwhelming to have him constantly offer help, especially when it involves cooking or holding wiggly Liam for a period of time. He loves to do it, but we've learned I'm not the only messy cook in the family and Seth's big muscles are no match for Liam's chub.

He loves his role, though, and he has been such a helper while I'm tied up taking care of Eliza, making dinner, straightening up, etc... He gives Liam extra loves and attention, even if Liam is cool at hanging on his own.

He's also the typical big brother for Eliza; whacking at her, stealing her food under the guise that she's sharing, and all around making her the toughest monkey around!

She doesn't really need that much help, though. She's definitely the fearless one in the family, and as much a Daddy's girl as ever! In fact, that's the only way we could get her to stay still long enough to get this picture of her yesterday morning.

I took pics of the brotherly love goin' on after we all woke up for the day, and Eliza wanted her picture too. She just kept bouncing around, so Daddy got in on the fun, too.

Needless to say, Liam loves his big brother. He's still figuring out Eliza since she always seems to be plotting, but he's definitely loved all around!

And Now There's a 3 in Front

Thanks Dori for your birthday post!

In the past I've always heard of 30 being one of the toughest ages to admit reaching. Being in the 20s age bracket is glamourous; it's when we're establishing our course in life while looking the best one will probably ever look.

I never feared turning 30. I still feel like I could pull off looking in my mid-20s, so physically it's never been an issue. It wasn't until my brother Nathan's university graduation (in which he graduated Magna Cum Laude) did I begin to feel the years.

I saw how different the university I received my bachelor's looked, and only then did it occur to me that it's been over 6 1/2 years since I graduated. I saw some old professors literally look older than I remembered, and kept thinking in my mind how young the graduates looked.

It was then that I first used the word "old" when describing myself. I felt like I should have more that I should've accomplished by now. I should have life figured out better than I do.

I let these toxic thoughts seep into my mentality for a few days, feeling more and more sorry for myself that I haven't done enough. Now that my day of birth is here and I'm officially thirty years old, I'm realizing how much I've been able to accomplish just in this year alone, let alone the years after college!

I was one of five organizers for the International Babywearing Conference, about to pop!

I have so many new friends and viewpoints on life after this experience, and as stressful as it was to be a part of it so heavy with child, I am eternally grateful for all the good that came from this momentous event.

I got to reconnect this year with a few of my old roommates from my Sophomore year (my most favorite year in college, in which I'll post more at a later date, but I digress).

We're all moms, facing life's challenges in nearly the same way, despite looking 10 years older from when these pictures were taken.


But we learned how to have fun together which has continued into motherhood!

Speaking of which, I can safely say that the greatest event this year was the birth of my third child, Liam.

So many events in my life have led up to being the mother I want to be. It's a continual desire, and I eagerly look forward to future events that will continue to shape who I am.

I've truly found joy in motherhood.

Ultimately my life is measured by what kind of a mother I am for my children; a lady for my little lady,
Teaching her how act like a lady so that only gentlemen will be around her.

It's the toughest experience I've ever ventured into...

But also the most rewarding.

For my boys, teaching them t0 treat others with respect is a constant desire.

I have been taught that unconditional love is more fulfilling than a bank account full of money (though the latter definitely wouldn't hurt!)

My children are forever a part of me, and that is truly divine gift.

I'm only getting started on all the fun parenthood brings!

From graduations to international conferences to weddings, the last year while in my 20s has definitely set precedence for what may come now that I'm in my 30s.

Some Milestones for Liam

Liam's had a few milestones recently:

Tooth #1 appeared a few weeks ago, followed by the discovery of tooth #2 on Monday. Which would also explain why he was Mr. Grumpy pants and constantly wanted to nurse.

Because of the latter, I thought he was ready for cereal, so we tried that out this week as well:

Uh...we're still working on it, but I have to admit, I was getting such a big kick out of his facial expressions while trying the cereal that I kept spooning bits into his mouth just to see his reaction. I know, I know, I won't be put on the Best Parenting list anytime soon, but I sure enjoyed myself!

And lastly, my baby is getting chubbier and chubbier, which makes me happy. (Sorry about the picture resolution. He's so squirmy it was hard to get clear pics of my boy) He's also on the verge of sitting up by himself, but I'm not trying to encourage that milestone for a little bit longer. Soon he'll be getting ideas of crawling, and then walking....I need my baby to stay chubby a bit longer before those milestones come!

I just love my 5 month old!

Liam Just Keeps Growing!

I wanted to throw him into a few posts, but I just had to show off how adorabley chubby and wonderful my baby is.



The only nickname we really call him is Handsome...

Or Grumpy! The Force was strong with this one...

Until he decided he had enough of the Yoda ears and wanted to be fed! (Don't you love that he looks the part in this picture?!)

Liam has such a sweet disposition, and is definitely a Momma's Boy. It takes him awhile to warm up to someone, but once he does, he's loyal to the end.

He also cut his first tooth Sunday, November 14th!

I have to admit, it was a bit hard for me to discover it; with Seth, it was such an exciting milestone to reach. Eliza was an awful teether so we just wanted them all to come and get it over with, but with Liam, it's bittersweet. My baby is no longer a newborn now that he's getting the chompers! He may be our last, so I'm really clinging to keep him as much my baby as possible for as long as I can...which I guess he could use later on in life as an excuse for things! ;)

Making Faces

Deep in thought as Liam contemplates how to save (or rule) the world.

Looking a bit like a beardless gnome, this was the clearest I could get the picture. He was SO squirmy!


Trying to decide if he still wants to eat or go to sleep.

Booby drunk (couldn't think of a more edited way to say it!)

Looking a bit like he just got away with something...or had gas.

Pucker up, sweetheart!

Tee, hee!

And.....Cut!

That's a wrap, people.

Why I've Missed My Bed

Sitting in the ER on a bum-numbing chair while putting oxygen on Liam and IV's pumped antibiotics into him.

Watching the little man sleep peacefully and thinking of doing the same until machines start beeping to let us know fluids are running low or heartrates can't be read (how do you tell a newborn to not kick his feet, even while sleeping?!)

Man, I wish I could sleep that comfortably in the hospital!

This was my "bed." A vinyl recliner that only reclined partway and had the most uncomfortable frame imaginable. And it was located right next to the IV pole that would beep every few minutes. What's REM, right?!

It was all worth it though as I looked into this cute face and continually saw him improve.

I half-joked with the nurses on the pediatric unit (which I mentioned in the previous post) that I hope I never have to see them again.

Unfortunately, I do. I left my cell phone charger in the room. Sigh.

Another Hospital Visit

Liam had meningitis.

He had flushed cheeks and felt feverish, but something seemed "off" so after a general doctor's visit, we went to the ER with a temperature of 101.4.

Urine, blood, and spinal tap tests were taken (NEVER want to go through that again, even if he never remembers any of it!) which sent us to the pediatric unit of the hospital.

Fortunately it was caught early enough that we were only there for a few days. I thanked the staff for doing such a great job, but told them I hope I never have to see them again.

First Official Surgery in the Family

Seth has always had problems with his ears, so it's always been a matter of when not if tubes would be used on him.

We still tried other routes before surgery, but after seeing an ear specialist on Monday, it was decided that simple surgery in putting tubes in Seth's ears are the best thing to do.

I talked with Seth about it the night before while putting him to bed, and he wasn't too worried. Sweet! I thought. Maybe this will be like going to the dentist. He loves going there!



Unfortunately, his groove was thrown off from the beginning because we had to wake him up to make it to the hospital by 7:00 in the morning (no easy task as I'm still adjusting to three kiddies four and under!).


It takes him awhile to wake up, and it's best for everyone if he does it on his own and is given plenty of space. Well, his groove was further thrown off because he didn't get his morning glass of milk and cereal since he needed to fast for at least seven hours prior to surgery. How do you explain that to a toddler?


He wasn't worried about the surgery; he wanted his milk and cereal and let everyone know how uncool it was to deny him, but as soon as we got there the kid-friendly nursing staff was awesome.



Disney Channel was turned on and a warm blanket with jets on it was placed around him. He had his bunny with him as well, but they also gave him a few more stuffed toys to keep him company.


Liam also kept Seth company while he watched cartoons. Life was starting to be good again!
Surrounded by stuffed toys and a supportive little brother always makes things better.

I'm also a firm believer in the power of bribery, so we enticed him with chocolate milk and froot loop cereal after his surgery.

He perked right up and the grumpy, frowning face quickly turned upside down into a smile as he contentedly watched cartoons while the procedure was explained to me and I filled out some consent forms.

Well, a few minutes after he was taken into surgery, it was done, he came back, and with the exception of a bit of pain in one of his ears (the severely infected one), he was ready for that chocolate milk and cereal.

Life was awesome once again as he got to watch cartoons again and he felt pretty important having his food tray placed in front of him. They even got me some breakfast as well, so everyone was happy.

After about an hour of observation, it was time to leave day surgery. Seth couldn't understand why we couldn't bring the sweet jet blanket home as well as the stuffed toys, so he collapsed over top of it for a minute to see if that would work. It didn't, but WAS slightly amusing.

I'm going to have to find a similar pattern to make a blanket for him now!

So how do you think the first member of the family handled surgery?! When I asked him, he stated, "Good. Wanna see my strong muscles?!"

You know it, Dude.

Some Random Cuteness

Yum, Yum! A full belly makes for one tired little boy!

B--I--G Stretch!

Waking up with the sun

Liam has his Daddy's lips, but for once, he looks more like me and my side of the family then like his older siblings who take after their daddy.