I have noticed recently that Gabriel is tucking in all his shirts -- including and especially shirts that are not meant for tucking. And he is tucking shirts into pants that were made without the thought that a boy might want to tuck in, say, a sweatshirt. Consequently,  I had to ask him this afternoon why, once again, he was awkwardly tucked:

Me (kindly, of course): Son, why have you been tucking in all your shirts?

Him: Because I want to be a gentleman. *pause* You do like gentlemen, right Mom?

Cute, Color-Coordinated, Kissing Kids
 

My husband, upon seeing me carrying Baby Boy in the sling frequently: “If you want a man between your breasts all day, I'm available.”

Gotta love a man who pursues Proverbs 5:19 zealously.

Sissy called my sister "Aunt Bit" when she was little, but now I think I am the only one that still calls her that. Anyway, my Lil Ditter sent my Baby Girl a gift she loves:

Michael here.


I went to the doctor today. I don't like to be manhandled, but Mama seemed to enjoy it. She was very happy. Apparently, I am growing – from a measly 3lbs 9oz at birth to a whopping 7lbs 9oz at 7 weeks. I also grew 3 inches and am 19 inches long now! Mama did get some not-so-good news, too, but she did not seem too concerned. My belly button sticks out all the time – and Mama is always pushing it in (which kinda gets on my nerves) - but it is just an umbilical hernia and should get better over time. And my eyes always have gooey sleep in them – and Mama is always wiping them with a washcloth and rubbing my eyes (which kinda gets on my nerves) – but they are just blocked tear ducts which should also get better over time. However, in the meantime, it has become painfully obvious that Mama is going to keep up her prodding and rubbing...good thing she gives me yummy milk and loves on me so much! Speaking of, I'm hungry...

As of yesterday, Michael is 7lbs 3.2 oz. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!!!

And here is the heavyweight himself:

Simply, he is doing great! But the poor little tyke got circumcised on my birthday (13^th) and was a little grumpy for a day or two. However, he is a sweet boy again.

Baby Boy has started to be a little more aware between naps, which is really fun, except between the hours of 01:00 and 05:00. He is just so handsome! I just love his eyes.

08Jan2009

I need to weigh him to see how he is doing – but I am kind of on automatic changing his diaper and redressing him. I'll try tonight. He is eating well and a couple of his preemie outfits seem to be getting tighter in the length. 

08Jan2009

Even though he is tiny, he seems long – hopefully another tall boy! Otherwise he and Baby Girl will be our set of hobbit children, especially if he turns out to have curly hair! (That's just me dreaming – it looks straight).

 

And this is for Sara L.:

09Jan2009

Thanks to all who continue to pray for us. We are improving daily!

I was enjoying (as best as you can when you are in pain), my rest from work; however, I received a rude awakening last Saturday when my hubby fell ill with fever, tucked himself into bed with a thermometer, NyQuil and a glass of water, and was not to be seen again until Tuesday when he pulled himself out of bed to go to the doctor (the fever dissipated, then spiked again). The good news is that he is on the mend. But, if I am being honest, I felt robbed of two days of recuperation – and I was running out of the good drugs provided only via prescription. Boo Hoo. Further good news is that once I corrected my attitude, the work necessary for a family of six to live went much more smoothly. And by the grace of God, the pain in the incision began to improve substantially over the weekend, despite the extra work and decrease of sleep.

Sissy enjoying her tea set and service -- she actually makes a very tasty cup of tea!

Baby Boy is apparently enjoying eating and sleeping – praise God. The stats are: Birth Weight, 12/15/08, 3lbs 7.9oz; discharge weight, 12/25/08, 3lbs 13.5oz; 2 week ped. visit, 12/30/08, 4lbs 3oz; Home weigh, 1/4/09, 4lbs 9.6oz; and Home weigh today, 1/9/09, 5lbs 6.4oz. I can hardly believe it!!! I am so pleased and thankful to God for this little man-child's increase! His forehead wrinkles have filled out, so instead of ten, he is down to 4-5 wrinkles when he furrows his brow. Very Cute. Looking less and less like a 90-year old man...

The chirren returned to school this week. Sigh. I miss my Sissy. The Boy only goes in the morn on Wednesday and Thursday, so I do not have great withdrawals from that separation. He is blending sounds and reading some simple words. He is very excited. My baby girl is getting so big – she actually turned 2 on the 29^th (and I have yet to blog about it or officially celebrate it!). She is a crack-up, but I will resist musing on her uniqueness and save her little eccentricities for a post of her very own.

The chirren's teacher has picked up and delivered home safely the chirren everyday. That has been such a huge help. It is still a juggling act for me to try to maintain a reasonable schedule with feeding and tending to the chirren.

28Dec2008

We have received a generous amount of meals, and I cannot emphasize too much how helpful this act of mercy is! It helps tremendously in every other thing I must do, and helps me to do it cheerfully, without being totally exhausted. Another thing that helps to be cheerful: afternoon nap. It is not a pretty picture when I don't at least lie down to rest. I feel like the fact I was so close to death should cause me to resist handily all temptation to grumpiness, irritability, anger, etc. Alas, it has not. I am pitiful. However, I am not hopeless. I continue to ask for forgiveness and pray for grace. As I have heard summarized succinctly, “sanctification is slow and hard.”

One last fun story. Our neighbor, again the one that rushed over to help me on the day Baby was born, is so protective of me! Several evenings ago, some young kids drank too much and were causing a bit of havoc in the neighborhood. It basically culminated outside my neighbor's home. One mother also ended up out there and was being mouthy. My neighbor warned her to be quiet, advising her of my condition and the fact I was getting up to feed the babe frequently during the night. The woman initially heeded the warning, but then began being loud again and added cursing to her repertoire . My sweet, retired, elderly neighbor pointed her finger at that woman and warned her that she had 2 minutes to skedaddle, or she would be calling the police. Now who needs a mom nearby when you have a wonderful neighbor like that?!?

Sissy reading to her babies

I hope everybody enjoyed the Twelve Days of Christmas!

31Dec2008

N'Night!