The Stevenson Ohana

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Baby Blessing Day

June 18, 2017

Father's Day was extra special because my family was visiting Tokyo and we held Luke's baby blessing at church. It will neat seeing Riley give such a tender blessing to Luke during our church service. Moments before the blessing Luke was getting red and spit out his binky and we worried he would be upset the whole time. But he didn't end up crying at all, just stared up curious at his daddy and the other men that helped participate. Wided eyed and awake.

I am grateful for a wonderful husband who tries so hard to be a good man and dad. Nothing is more attractive than watching him hold and pray over our son. He blessed Luke to be able to see the good in people and reach out to them; to be a light to those people that need it and one with courage to live the standards of the Gospel and find joy in them and share it with others. He also prayed for him to know that he is loved by his earthly and heavenly family and so many around him.

He is seriously so loved! It is hard living far away and not being able to physically share this special day with everyone, But we do feel so grateful for our friends and family, both here and away and all the support and love we have received in welcoming this little boy into our home 6 weeks ago.

Saturday, June 17, 2017

I'M SO GLAD WHEN DADDY COMES HOME!

IM SO GLAD WHEN DADDY WAKES UP.

GLAD AS I CAN BE.
CLAP MY HANDS AND SHOUT FOR JOY!

It is the FIRST official "Father's Day" at the Stevenson's Home! We are so grateful for Riley. He works so dang hard to provide and takes such good care of me & Luke.

We love you!

He is still sleeping right now. . . we would wake you up to breakfast in bed, but you hate breakfast and would much rather sleep-in and not force feed yourself breakfast food.

So instead we will wait. . .

THEN WE WILL CLIMB UPON HIS KNEE.

PUT MY ARMS AROUND HIS NECK, HUG HIM TIGHT LIKE THIS, PAT HIS CHEEKS, THEN GIVE HIM WHAT?

A GREAT BIG KISS!!!

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

These are the Days + Baby Pics!

Journal Entry: 6/2/2017

"Luke is whimpering and about to cry out again. He's been getting into the habit of just wanting held and talked too. I set him down for a minute to catch up on dishes or journal or do something and the moment I set him down he starts crying. Then I pick him up and he instantly stops and then I set him down a few minutes later and the process continues over. The day is almost over and I'm still half ready.

A part of me wonders if I should let him cry it out for awhile, another thinks he's too young and just needs held and loved. A part of me is frustrated and just wants to claim some time for myself to get ready or go for a run and recharge. I'm not sure what is right or how to manage time very well yet...

Another part of me is happy. Grateful he likes being in my arms. A part of me can't help but smile that at the exact moment I pick him up and he stops crying and the fact he is so content just being in my arms. A part of me needs to be holding him too.

As I rock him in my arms and hold and talk to him, I think this time is fleeting.

A friend of mine with four little kids has a quote framed in her kitchen that says: "These are the Days!" A reminder that time is short and these moments are precious and just live in the now.

I know one day he won't want held and picked up and talked too and will likely prefer silence and not having so much affection. But right now 'these are the days' and I'll keep holding you tight and kissing those cubby cheeks!"

Also, some very precious baby pictures from my favorite, most talented friend: Amy Ai. Thanks for making my apartment look pottery barn and myself not sleep deprived.

Friday, June 2, 2017

One Month

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Meltdown

The novelty of becoming a mom is wearing down. Exhaustion is setting in and hormones. We had our first public meltdowns yesterday and parenting disaster at the grocery store. I decided to go get some food for the week because our fridge is pretty dang empty.

Luke was in his carrier fast asleep and I had almost gotten everything we needed and then he woke up starving and screaming and I realized I missed his feeding time and there was no place to feed him, a cart full of groceries and he was completely unsoothable. We were making a scene and I couldnt wait in line with him yelling that way. So we ditched the cart in the middle of the store and left the store and he cried the whole entire walk home and I joined in too.

We literally had nothing to make for dinner and no hands or energy to cook even if we did. Riley came home from a long day at work with a chaotic house and no food. So he ended up ordering up some dominos and he took Luke and I cleaned up a little and things turned out.

The feelings of failure and guilt were real. I felt bad for forgetting to feed him, for the messy house and empty fridge, and when I finally get time to be with Riley and watch a show or just talk about day I can't keep my eyes open. I feel like not a very good mom or wife.

This week in church in the Young Womens we are all memorizing a scripture and one of the girls shared Psalm 30:5:

"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning"

I liked when she shared it and decided to memorize that one too... but didn't realize how new meaning and value would come this week. We literally have experienced angry weeping boy by night... but joy has come in the morning.

Currently, Luke is sprawled out in quite contentment staring around and we are listening to some great soft baby music to make us smarter. I just wanted to write because I know meltdowns and trials are ahead, but there is always a new day and moments of joy and bliss too. (Also, I know this meltdown is super small and nothing in reality, especially compared to moms with more than one child.. they are probably like "just wait, you are so naive"... But there are moments of joy still right Sanetta?!!"

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Sweet Dreams

Sleeping baby, quite happiness, plain and good. Sitting on our new square carpet rug listening to the rain outside and clicking away trying to capture every single expression and wondering what sweet, careless dreams are going on behind those closed eyes.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Sunday Feels

I love this one! We held his hand the whole time in the NICU and now our beds are right next door and we looked over and his hand was outstretched towards us.

Luke has been home now just over one week. I have developed a constant rock and find myself swaying back and forth even when not holding him. The late night feedings and the earliest mornings of my life haven't been the overwhelming struggle I imagined, but have been small sacred moments with my boy full of purpose.

Becoming a mom has showed me my own personal strength and power (beyond my own). Also, the capacity we have as humans to love and bigger glimpse of the love our Heavenly Father has for us.

Every day since having Luke, I have felt immense gratitude to the women, leaders, sisters, aunts and friends of mine who have taught me what it means to be a mom. I have such a stronger love for my own mom and gratitude even though we are so far away. I cant wait to see her in June and give her the biggest hug! <3

We love our little Luke and so grateful for my little buddy to explore this crazy city of Tokyo together and life.