Did yesterday feel like a Saturday to anyone else??? These holidays throw me off, and I kinda forgot it was Tuesday until we were climbing into bed last night and Danny asked me what I'd planned for the blog. Ummm... about that...

It was a rather uneventful week for us--no travels or big events or out-of-town visitors, and very few pictures (quite random ones at that). But, keeping the TWJ spirit alive, I give you a peek into our very ordinary and unedited week...

Grocery shopping with the cutest little peanut in my cart...

When we couldn't find a babysitter, our last minute "date night" became "family date night." We failed to get a family picture, but here's our third wheel. Quite the fashionista.

Hanging out at the park...

Back-porch-chillin' with Mom...

Hammock time with Dad...

Cheesin' it up with "uncles" Andy and Brian...

And there you have it, folks. See ya next week!

TWJ 15 - (Belated) Mother's Day

What did we ever do without this one in our lives???

Baby Jane is now 3 1/2 months old. She is more & more responsive these days, with her squinty-eyed smiles and a squeak that resembles a cross between a dolphin and a mouse. She also discovered her hands this week, staring cross-eyed and mesmerized as she brought them close to her face. Oh to know what was going on inside that mind of hers!

When she's upset, Sweet Jane tries very hard to hold it together and kindly sticks out her lip to warn us that something's wrong... the only trouble is that she looks so cute when she's pouting that we're tempted to pull out the camera instead of fix the problem. Sorry, Jane...

Last week, we visited my family in Indiana where, between birthdays and Mother's Day and baby dedications and baptisms, nearly everyone was celebrated in some form or another.

Grandma Jan gave Jane a fancy new headband. Now we're just working on some muscles to go with it. I present you... Jane the Riveter.

Jane met the last of her Lehman uncles and cousins and got lots of love from all around. She is so, so blessed.

We tried so hard for the perfect cousins' pic, which is getting more and more complicated now that there are eight.

It was so special for me to spend my first Mother's Day with my own mom. Forever grateful for her loving example and continuing support as I begin my own journey of motherhood.

And Jane even remembered to make me a card. She wrote some very kind words and drew a picture of our family on the inside, with really big muscles on her dad. Hmm... I don't suppose she had any help?? ;)

A Happy Mother's Day indeed.

Tuesday with Jane - 14 weeks

This Tuesday, Jane is too busy having fun with her cousin Bennett to bother with blog posts... we'll catch ya next week!

Tuesday with Jane - 3 months

Big week for our little family! Baby turned 3 months, Mama turned 30 years...

...and we all enjoyed a relaxing weekend at the beach with the Seiberts.

Jane took her first dip in the ocean...

chilled out in the sand with Uncle Brian...

and got lots of snuggle time from everyone.

This girl is certainly not hurting for attention...

Ahh, what a life. Thank you, Seiberts, for such a great weekend!

TWJ 12 - Jane meets Val!

This weekend, "Aunt Val" came to visit. Jane, you are privileged to have so many wonderful people who love you already.

Val and I first met just over a decade ago (what?!) as college roommates in Chicago-- little babies in a big city, we grew up together those three years in Houghton 607. After graduation, we backpacked Italy and France, she visited me in India, and we celebrated with one another as each of us entered the glorious adventure of marriage. So, it was so meaningful for me to share this new season of life-- this "Jane Adventure"-- with her now too.

Thanks for sharing your weekend with us, Val. Your faithful friendship is such a gift-- in every season of life. You listen and love and bring out the best "Amanda" in me, and I am so very blessed to have you in my life.

(Side note: Val and her husband Jon are both incredible musicians, and Jon just released a new album last week. You should definitely check it out here.)

In other Jane news, she recently learned how to blow bubbles and stick out her tongue like a lizard. She has also moved on from "#1 Baby" but is now practicing a new cheerleading move that we call "The Pike." It's a great ab workout.

She is also a very clever escape artist. Every night we swaddle her tightly, and every morning she manages to bust out of it somehow. There's the one-arm "Statue of Liberty," the two-arm "Flex," the "Don't-Look-At-Me-I'm-Sleeping," and most impressive, the "Foot Loose"...

I guess the girl just likes to be free.

TWJ 11 - Hold Loosely, Hold Tightly

Our little Janie Bear is growing up so quickly! She is now sleeping through the night, cooing like Ducky the dinosaur from The Land Before Time, and her crazy hair is almost lying flat. Almost. She is also screaming at new decibels... so, there's that...

Jane really is such a gift to us-- a reality that has struck me deeply these past few weeks.

My sister recently told me about a good friend of hers who's due date was the same week as mine.

Her baby girl was born two weeks early. My baby girl came two weeks late.

Her baby girl had an incurable genetic disorder. My baby girl was completely healthy. 

Her baby girl died in her arms at just 10 weeks. My 10-week old baby girl fussed and spit up down my shirt, but she's here. And could there be a sweeter sound to that mama's ears than to hear her baby fuss again?

My sister said that when the father of that family prayed over his dying baby girl, he was not bitter or angry, but thankful. Thankful for 10 precious weeks with his daughter. Thankful for every smile, every snuggle, every nap on his chest.

After hearing about this, Danny and I were moved to tears. What if this was our baby girl and not theirs? Later that night, Danny prayed that God would help us to "hold loosely, but hold tightly." That phrase has repeated over and over again in my head.

Hold loosely. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Each day is an undeserved gift. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Hold your baby, your spouse, your family, your loved ones, your life loosely.

But at the same time, hold tightly. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Each day is an undeserved gift. Savor every smile, every snuggle, every nap on your chest. Hold your baby, your spouse, your family, your loved ones tightly.

Today-- this 11th Tuesday with Jane-- is an undeserved gift, and I am so, so thankful.

Tuesday with Jane - 10 weeks

This week, Jane met two more cousins, Quinton & Connor. They were sooo sweet with her and took her on all sorts of adventures...

like a waterfall hike...

her first baseball game...

...and even a journey to outer space. Quite a week! :)

Jane also got lots of love from her Aunt Kim, who taught us "How to Put a Baby to Sleep in 40 Seconds." Game-changer, folks.

Wehby family- what a great week! Thanks for spending your spring break with us. We love you guys and are so thankful to have you in our lives!