Definitely Brothers

Jaden's birth announcement pictureBrody's birth announcement picture

Most people think Jaden is a mini Josh, and lately all I hear is how Brody is a mini- me. I think they resemeble each other so much in these pictures they could be twins. So, either Josh and I look alike, or they are just a good blend of both of us. Or maybe people think Brody looks like me because he has brown hair. What do you think?

Jaden is such a Big Boy

Here are a few recent pictures

We have been telling Jaden for months about how he is such a big boy and how cool it is to be a big boy. We've preached about how lucky he is and how much more a big boy can do than a little baby. Of course, we said all of this to help prepare him for Brody's arrival and didn't actually believe that he was really all that big of a boy. Maybe a large baby, but definitely not a big boy. However, we've realized that something has happened over the last few weeks...Jaden has become a BIG BOY! All of a sudden his little baby hands and feet seem gigantic to us! He might as well be as tall as a five year old when he stretches out beside Brody. He doesn't need a booster seat when he sits at the table and he can drink out of a regular cup. (with supervision) He constantly surprises us with all that he knows and to be honest it has been freaking us out a bit. However, after careful consideration, we decided that instead of sitting around wondering how our baby could have gotten so big so fast that it would be much more beneficial to just embrace our little pre-teen. He started soccer tots with Daddy today. I was not there, but was told that they had alot of fun. All I know is he was so tired he crashed in the car on the way home and finally took a good nap, something he has not been doing lately.

A moment for us moms

(I pulled this off of an email, I don't know the people in the story, but I liked it enough to share) I was talking with friends who recently read my devotion about helping my son become a can-do-kid. One said she wanted to raise can-do-kids, but she didn't know where to start. Another shared how she wished she enjoyed being a mom as much as I do.The truth is, I haven't always enjoyed being a mom. I didn't start out as a can-do mom with can-do thoughts and can-do kids. In fact, my son's "I-give-up attitude" that inspired my devotion earlier this month was probably inherited from me. I had stood on the sidelines of motherhood and declared, "I CAN'T" many times.I would get so discouraged.Once my kids became toddlers who would not listen to me and obey like little robots, I panicked. I looked at other moms who seemed to know what they were doing and wondered, "What is wrong with me?" Their children listened when they told them no. Why wouldn't my child keep his hands to himself in the grocery store or the toy aisle? Why didn't someone tell me this would be so hard?I often felt like a failure.I compared how I felt on the inside to how other moms looked like they had it all together on the outside. My feelings of inadequacy and thoughts of insecurity were held up in comparison to moms who dressed their children in matching outfits and adorned themselves with attitudes of grace and wisdom. I wondered how in the world they pulled it off with a smile? I could barely get a shower, get my kids dressed, or get us out the door before lunch!I wanted to quit.One day I came home fr om running errands with two tired, fussy toddlers. I put them down for a nap and searched for pink construction paper so I could write "I QUIT" on it. I was going to hand my "pink slip" to my husband when he came home from work that day. It was just too hard, and I was tired of feeling like I would never measure up as a mom.And that's where I started.I didn't really start being a mom until the day I almost quit. Because that was the day I fell on my knees before God and choked out the words, "I can't do this." And in that place of surrender, it felt like God bent down on His knees before me and spoke to my heart: "You are right, Renee. In your own strength and through your own perspective, you cannot do this. But I am here with you. With my grace, my promises, my mercy, my presence, and my power – all things are possible. I will help you become a great mom."That day reminded me of Psalm 19:35, "You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great."It was a new starting place for me. When I acknowledged that on my own I was a mess, God came to my rescue. He showed me that with His gentleness, grace, wisdom and guidance, I could become the mom He was calling me to be, the mom my kids needed me to be, and the mom I wanted to be!Dear Lord, I need Your shield of victory to protect me from discouragement. I pray that You would extend Your right hand to sustain me; Your grace to strengthen me; and Your wisdom to lead me. Thank You for Jesus, who stooped down to make me great because of Your great love for me. Today, I find a new starting place with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

inaugration of obama

Being a breast-feeding mom stuck at home forced me to watch some of the inguaration today. Jaden goes to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so Brody and I have some quality time together and today we watched Obama. Even though Idid not vote for Obama, I can not help but be inspired by all of the hoopla. I am choosing hope over fear like Obama said during his speech. After all, there are millions and millions of people who are supporting are President, and who feel inspired by him and are ready to make changes. If Obama can ispire people to volunteer, and vote, and change for the better, then maybe he is the right choice for our country.

Weekend with Uncle Kiesch!!

(bowling on the wii, I actually was the winner of the game, but I think they had more fun, or was it just that they had more beer?)

Josh's best friend from Houston came in town on Friday to spend some time with the Bibler boys. We have not been blessed by Kiesch's presence in a while but that all changed this weekend. We all had a great time even though the weekends are now spent taking care of two boys! Not exactly what Kiesch is used to, but always good times! Jaden is already asking what happened to Uncle Kiesch!

Kiesch looks like a natural!!

Brody is 2 weeks old

Brody turned two weeks old on Friday. He is such an easy going and content little baby. He just chills out as his Tazmanian Devil brother swirls all around him. He has the sweetest eyes and will just focus right on you with this questioning gaze. He absolutely loves to be held and almost always stops fussing as soon as you pick him up. He loves to eat and would probably eat constantly if we let him. At his checkup he gained 19 ounces in 11 days. We can already tell he is going to be tough as nails since he rarely even acknowledges his brothers "squeezes", and "kisses". He is by far the loudest baby ever...he snorts, grunts, groans, squeeks, etc. He is already such a big part of our family that it is hard to believe he has only been here a few short weeks. We can't wait to learn more and more about this little bundle of joy!!

Happy Birthday to me

For my 31st birthday I went to Z-Tejas with some of my girlfriends and had 3 (maybe 4) mexican martinis. After 9 months of sobriety, I think it was well deserved. (God Bless the inventor of the breast pump) Don't worry about the babies, I left them with Josh and his mom, so they were well taken care of. My mom and Josh's mom have taken turns helping out, and it has been so nice. It has definitely made this first two weeks of having Brody home much easier. Thank you moms for all of your help. The boys are lucky to have such wonderful grandmas. We love you!

Happy Birthday Josh!

We now have three birthdays to celebrate this time of year. Brody 12/26, Josh 1/3, and me 1/7. If we have a third child we are going to have to aim for a spring or summer birthday. Happy Birthday Honey

And Baby makes Four

First family picture with Brody, taken in our backyard. I know it is January, but the weather makes me think differently. It is 75 degrees outside right now.

Jaden is already taking to the role of big brother. He is trying to hold him and give him hugs and kisses. He also likes to pat him on the head.

Sleeping beauty. Brody is such a sweet and happy baby. Jaden was too. My mom says that I shouldn't be so lucky to get two sweet babies and that the next one is going to be trouble. "The next one"?