Jen Russum

Talitha Joy {four months}

Talitha Joy {four months}

Growing // Talitha finally went to her well check at 4 months and 2 weeks of age. I had to push her appointment back because of our move. She is weighing in at 17 pounds, 5 ounces, and she's 26 inches long. She is getting so big that it hurts my back to carry her around. She is a bit stronger and more agile that Z was at this age, so she can hold herself up a little bit, but my body is still achin' by the end of each day. Eating // We are in that fabulous time of life where Talitha nurses really consistently five times a day. She's not on a super strict schedule, but I would say she eats roughly at 7:30/8, 10:30/11, 1:30/2, 5:00ish, and 8/8:30. We won't start solids for a couple more months, so eating right now is easy as can be. Wearing // Sweet T has broken into her 9 month clothes and I'm already eyeing the 12 months pajamas because she's so tall. I've been frantically trying to use up all her size 2 diapers this week. We are turning into blow-out city over here because her chubby buns and thighs don't leave room for much else in her diapers... I just ordered her first box of size 3 diapers, and I'm hoping this will solve the explosion problem. Doing // Rolling over stomach-to-back and has gotten close to flipping back-to-stomach as well. Now sits in the Lion Heart seat and spins her toy. Gnaws on everything, especially her own clothing and dad's fingers. Has also started putting her feet in her mouth. Loving // Baths, the stroller, having her neck cleaned {she laughs like crazy}, her pacifier, and she's actually starting to like napping in her crib Loathing // She doesn't loathe strangers, but she is more leery of them than Z ever was. If men pick her up, she sometimes cries. She is starting to hate her nursing cover, which always makes life more interesting... Milestones // Talitha has been a champ this month. We've taken multiple road trips to and from California, and she has nursed and napped in the car more times than I can count, but she is handling the transition really well. She officially moved from a swaddle to a sleep sack and she is doing much better taking consistent/longer naps at home. I can almost always get Z and T to nap at the same time around 2pm and that's the biggest milestone in the world if you ask me! ... Read more

The One Who Calms the Storm

The One Who Calms the Storm

Our life these days is very much like a small fishing boat being tossed back and forth on the waves of the sea. We have the tiniest semblance of security (a boat made of wood and nails) in the form of two jobs and a lease on a house in a nice, safe neighborhood, but everywhere we look, waves are crashing and we have no idea where we are headed. We have been living in our house for a week and half, and it is utterly empty. We each have a suitcase of clothes and a few toiletries. Micah and I have been sleeping on a borrowed air mattress, and the girls are in Pack 'n' Plays. We eat off of paper plates, and we have a small supply of groceries in our mini fridge. We tried to make macaroni and cheese one night at home, to avoid eating out yet again, and realized after the noodles were cooked that we had no strainer and no butter to mix with the cheese. I thought you couldn't mess up Kraft mac and cheese, but it turns out... you can. Micah is in a new position that he's really excited about, but he is experiencing all the stress of a new job, meeting new co-workers, and building his business from the ground up. I am teaching online, finishing my dissertation, and applying to REAL professor jobs for next year {the goal I've been working toward for the past five years of my life}. I was telling Micah earlier today that I love this phase of life... I am working toward my dream career, I love our kids, I feel like have a decent amount of balance with home/family/friends/health, but I'm sure when this season is over and I'll look back on the time of life when I had two kids under two, was writing a dissertation, teaching, and moving to a new state, I will take the deepest breath and say "How did I get through that?!" I don't know why I'm writing all this, except that I want to remember the sheer chaos that is our life right now. After a few years of relative calm, the boat is rocking and we aren't sure which shore we'll land on. We don't know if California is forever or for just a few years. I don't know where I'll end up career-wise. We don't know if we should keep renting here or buy a house soon. But I will say that God is faithful. Every time I'm tempted to be fearful, He reminds me of His goodness. He is in control. He has already given us so many opportunities here... being invited to a neighbor's house for dinner, a play date with an Instagram friend, so many church invites that it will take us until Christmas to pick a congregation. He doesn't owe us signs and confirmation that we are in His will and that everything is going to be alright, but when we look around we see His favor and His guidance everywhere we look. So the boat is out on the sea. The waves are crashing. The wind is howling. But our God made the sea. He steers the ship. His Son is the anchor. And as sure as the sun rises in the east, I'm certain we'll make it to shore. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.  | I Chronicles 20:12 | ... Read more

Dear Talitha {four months}

Dear Talitha {four months}

Dear Talitha, I think we gave you the right name, because you are truly a little girl who arises with joy each day. Every morning I hear your little, sweet noises as you start to wake up. You never cry or whine, but just make little grunts that almost sound like baby giggles. When I pop my head over the side of your crib to pick you up, you smile up at me like you just can't wait to spend the day together... and I feel the same way about spending my day with you. We didn't know we would be moving to a new state when you were just four months old. We didn't know you would live in a pack 'n' play for weeks on end, and that every morning I would dig your clothes and diapers out of a suitcase or that you would travel thousands of miles in the car in your first few months on earth. But God knew. He knew what our life would be like right now, and he blessed us with the most gentle, content baby to shower grace upon us in this transition. Your dad and I fall more in love with you every day. We would love you no matter what, of course, but your sweetness has us extra enamored. You are such a source of joy for us, and I pray you bring joy to others all of your days! Love, Mama ... Read more