7 Quick Takes {no. 38}New Mom edition & a GIVEAWAY!

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Well, friends, it's my first seven quick takes as a new momma. You can count on some updates, some pictures of my sweet boy, and a little giveaway of this print at the end.

Thank you so much for being here as I try to get back into the swing of blogging a bit more regularly. I really miss this community!

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First of all: I am soooo far behind on all my blog reading. What are the best posts you've read lately? What have I missed from you? Fill me in!

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In case you missed it, I shared Peter's birth story on the blog earlier this week. Though it admittedly took me several days and many nap times to finish, I really enjoyed writing it all out to commemorate this most momentous occasion in our lives.

For those of you who read about and are praying for our boy's ASD - thank you. We received good news at his checkup yesterday! The hole is now half the size it was at birth, and the doctor anticipates it may close completely on its own. Either way, he should be able to live a healthy life. So many answered prayers! Please join us in praising God for his goodness and in praying for his heart's complete healing. We appreciate it more than I can say.

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Life as a mom is...well...so hard to put into words. It's truly something that no one can prepare you to experience. All at once it is the hardest thing I've ever done and the most wonderful. Those first few weeks were brutal. Especially the sleep deprivation combined with postpartum hormones combined with the steep learning curve of first-time parenthood. YIKES. Eight weeks in I feel like things are finally starting to even out a little bit. The warm spring weather is a welcome change, too. I find it's always nice to get outside, even just for a bit.

I can hardly believe just how fast Peter is growing and changing. Case in point:

4 days old.

1 month old.

Just shy of 2 months old.

Ahh! It's already going by too quickly. My prayer is that I am able to be really present and savor every second. Goodness, do I love that boy.

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Amidst all the craziness of life as a new mom, I did manage to put together a little celebration for the feast day of one of my favorite saints, St. Gianna Beretta Molla. You may have seen on instagram that we celebrated with an Italian dinner & dessert, which included bruschetta, spaghetti & meatballs, the best cannolis, and gelato. Yum! 

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And speaking of liturgical celebrations - happy Easter! So glad the Easter season is still going strong so I can say that to you all without being completely belated. Peter's first Easter was a special day. We dressed him up in his Sunday best, and he slept like a little angel through the Easter Mass. 

Once we got home from Mass he was ready to eat (as pictured below), and also promptly had a blowout and spit up all over his Easter outfit. At least he waited for us to take some pictures!

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Last, but certainly not least - a little Mother's Day giveaway for you!

I am giving away a "Blessed is she who believed" downloadable printable in the color of your choosing {available in pink, eggplant, crimson or black} from my etsy shop, {with joy calligraphy}. This 8x10" printable would make a lovely gift for the special mother(s) in your life {think: mom, grandma, mother-in-law, godmother, one for you, etc.!}. Download may be printed up to three times. This giveaway is open through the end of Thursday, May 7, 2015 and the winner will be announced and receive their prize on Friday, May 8, 2015. Good luck, dear readers!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking up my takes with many more lovely bloggers! Thanks for hosting us, Kelly.

And thanks again for being here. Wishing you a beautiful May weekend!

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