Happy 29th Birthday Mommy!!!

We love you!!! Thanks for being an awesome mommy! Here is a little gift for you!

Take Your Daughter to Work Day

Last Friday, Lydia got to visit Daddy at work, the newly named-changed Reinhardt University! Apparently this was a very fertile year for the faculty and staff of Reinhardt, so they decided to get all these new babies (and their parents) together for a brunch and photo shoot.

As you may imagine, that many babies in one room at 930 am...well, not everyone is gonna smile for the picture. Nevertheless, the group shot turned out just fine (notice our little gal not looking at the camera...along with almost all of the other babies).

After brunch, Lydia toured the campus visiting all Daddy's friends and co-workers. She was quite a hit (of course) and loved spending time with her very favorite Reinhardt alum...Daddy.

Lydia & Co.

As a Stock Household blog reader you probably already agree, Lydia is a very popular gal, even at the age of just 7 months. Each week Lydia and Mommy have the opportunity to play with/babysit several of Lydia's pals around the area. Each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning little Addyson comes over to our house. She is 3 months younger than Lydia. They have so much fun playing together (mostly watching each other chew on toys...although Lydia's starting to want everything Addyson holds). Their favorite time is just facing each other and "talking".

On Thursday afternoon we go to our friends' house to watch this sweet pea and her brothers who come home from school at 4:00. "H" (3 years old) and Lydia entertain each

other and laugh together. "H"'s favorite Lydia adventures include watching Lydia eat (she helps feed her), dancing together (wearing out Mommy in the process) and performing puppet shows for the eager audience (usually ends up in a giant pile of stuffed animals). She recently started calling her by her nickname "Lyd" since she's convinced she knows Lydia well enough to be on a one syllable basis!

Fridays are the most dangerous (in Brian's opinion) for our little girl. David (almost 2 years old) basically says "Lydia" all day long and goes in for hugs and kisses (which she does not object to) at leisure. Protective Daddy is ready to sit down with this boy for a long talk! :) Lydia likes watching him run around the room and takes advantage of his cool "exersaucer".

All in all, Lydia and I have a great week playing and seeing her interact with kids at various stages. I think she enjoys them all and they don't seem to mind their weekly visits from Lydia.

Photo Shoot #439 (approximately)

"Excuse me, Miss Stock."

"Yes, we are ready for your photo shoot."

"Yes, more like this. Great!"

"NO! Please don't grab the camera!"

"Hey, where did this guy come from? Is he with another agency?"

"Yes, I love this angle. Very nice."

"And I see we're done."

Shepherding A Child's Heart (Part 4)

Here is the next installment of "The Shepherding A Child's Heart" series. In this video, Dr. Tripp teaches parents how to give kids an understanding of themselves which is deep, thorough, and biblical. Simply, we learn how to help kids understand their heart, "the wellspring of life" (Prov. 4:23). This lecture will help parents go against teaching behaviorism and moralism.

What do the Stocks do on a Friday night?

Last Friday, as Lydia was fast asleep in her farm-themed crib, daddy and mommy had some fun! Yes, we had an in-home date packed with looking at pictures and EAR-WAX candles. They say that the ear is a self-cleaning organ. Q-tips aren't really the best as they shove most of the wax down into the ear canal. So, every once in a while, we use ear wax candles for a good clean and a good laugh.

Mandy started. The flame is lite and the wax is coming out!

Now, its Brian's turn. There is nothing like a quick nap and an ear-wax job!

The results are in and they are... gross!

changes of motherhood

Everyone told me becoming a mom would change things, everything. Brian and I prepared for what we could: we got all the "equipment" from the pack n' play to the boppy, bumbo, and bottles; I read some "wifely" books to remind myself of the human relationship that should come first (aka the one to my incredible husband, Mr. Stock); I even figured out (theoretically at least) a schedule that included me-time (reading, working out, gardening, etc).

Over seven months later, I guess I'm still seeing the tip of the iceberg. I am a stay-at-home-mom. So, yes, I "gave up" my career. But, since I lost my job before Lydia was even born it's not that big of a deal. Plus, I always looked forward to being home with the Stock babies!

I gave up some social time, which as an extrovert is still really hard to do. I soon learned though, that babies are quite portable and you sure get to talk to more people in the grocery store when you have a cute baby girl with you!

Currently, I'm giving up lots of stuff at church. I haven't sat through a service in 9 Sundays (yes, I'm counting). I can't sing up front anymore. We have stopped volunteering with the Youth Group at night (basically I was just rocking a sleepy baby the whole time anyways). This week, I also found out that I won't be able to lead a small group as I have for the past few years...a lot of circumstances play in here, but mostly (again) revolving around that cute little baby girl.

How do I deal with all this? Well, in the big scheme of things I'm not giving up much. Lydia is actually a really good baby. Plus, less money, time and convenience is not so bad when compared to lots of others' situations. And of course, she's worth it right?

And here's the problem. The solution to my pity party is an equation that doesn't make sense. I am willing to not complain or go through these little inconveniences because the sacrifice is worth it. Here's the equation:

Lydia (being a stay-at-home-mom, good wife, etc) > everything else that changed.

Of course Lydia is worth it. She is greater than missed opportunities. But if I continue to serve or sacrifice because it makes sense mathematically, I am not serving to the glory of God. I'm constantly bargaining with God: "Ok, I'll do this one thing for you, but it better be worth it. I better get a good relationship, an obedient child, recognition, etc out of this!"

Service (and living!) to the glory of God is saying "yes, Lord" when we can't see that it's worth it, when we are commanded to serve, when we are given a role or a gift to be a faithful steward of. I admit I have been failing at this as I serve my family and church.

Yep, motherhood does mean a lot of changes. I hope most of those are in me for the glory of our God.

Lydia: Seven Months

Seven months! Lydia is growing and learning so many new things. She is truly a joy to be with, making us smile and laugh...and act quite silly in public sometimes.

No official measurements this month since we won't return to the doctor until October. We can just guess her weight is around 16 pounds, although Brian tried to weigh her on the produce scale at Walmart this weekend.

New skills include rolling over (see the EPIC video Daddy made of this historic event). She now rolls to her belly to sleep and often when she is playing. Rolling back over is a little rough and she usually cries to be flipped when she tires of tummy-time. She is attempting to crawl, but is still figuring it all out.

She can ALMOST sit up. We barricade her with pillows and make sure she doesn't face-plant (too much). Brian likes to put her in "training" for a few minutes a day. He is convinced she will earn the "I can sit up" sticker within the week.

Teeth (well, one so far) have also started to appear. After months of drooling and chewing on anything she can get her hands on, we finally see a little tooth peeking out on the bottom gum. Thanks to Nana for the "Bonjella" (British "orajel") imported just for Lydia since my mom swears it's better than the American version.

She has also started solid food this month. We are feeding her at least two meals a day but haven't worked into any consistent schedule. She has enjoyed a varied menu of vegetables, fruit, yogurt and oatmeal. We are making our own baby food and having fun experimenting with different entrees (squash, peas, and oatmeal anyone?). Diapers are also much different with the introduction of solids (read: lots of fiber!). This is where the cloth-diaper-decision gets serious. Thankfully, before making that decision I discovered a little gem called "diaper liners", flushable liners for when your kiddo starts solids. It saves me from the whole rinse-and-dunk in the toilet technique. I know, you may be thinking this is cheating or really not cost-effective. I can get 100 liners for about $7 and only use them when I think she is going to well, need them. Brian and I agree...they are worth it!

And speaking of worth it, this whole baby-thing...the diapers, feeding, wiping off faces, bathing, changing, rocking, carrying, kissing...it's definitely worth it. What an absolute joy to spend all this time with our adorable daughter created in the image of our wondrous God. It's been an amazing 7 months.

Shepherding A Child's Heart (Part 3)

Here is the third installment of Dr. Ted Tripp's "Shepherding a Child's Heart" Parenting Conference Video. In this video, Dr. Tripp teaches us a proper understanding of authority. "Authority" is not a popular word in our culture. In fact, since the Fall, we all have a nature spurring any type of authority whether it is from God or other people. We long to be "autonomous", a law unto ourselves, believing the lie from Satan that we could be gods. This path only leads to pride and/or despair and it ends in enslavement and loneliness. The Gospel lays out the different path. Only when we submit ourselves to Christ and trust in His person and work, then we can live free the way we were created (See John 8:31-34). We find ourselves here loved, cared for, and free living before God and others in community. Enjoy...

What a face!

Here are a few new pictures of our precious little face. We love all the expressions!

You looking at me? Lydia vs. Avocado

"Welp."

Already taking after her daddy!

Lydia vs. Squash

Hanging out and loving it!

Shepherding A Child's Heart (Part 2)

Giving Kids a Vision for God's Glory

Here is the next installment of the excellent series by Ted Tripp on Biblical Parenting. In this video, Dr. Tripp expounds on living for the glory of God. It could be called a modern day exposition on question one of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, "What is the chief end of man? Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." As he is explaining living for the glory of God, Tripp applies it to parenting your children. This is a "big picture" lesson: