I'm presently re-reading Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott. The book is in journal form, recounting the first year of her son's life. It's hilarious, especially for me as a new mother. She has such a fantastic way of putting things into perspective. Here's an excerpt I read today and loved. It's so true!
A man from church showed up at our front door, smiling and waving to me and Sam, and I went to let him in. He is a white man named Gordon, fiftyish, married to our associate pastor, and after exchanging pleasantries he said, "Margaret and I wanted to do something for you and the baby. So what I want to ask is, What if a fairy appeared on your doorstep and said that he or she would do any favor for you at all, anything you wanted around the house that you felt too exhausted to do by yourself and too ashamed to ask anyone else to help you with?"
"I can't even say," I said. "It's too horrible."
But he finally convinced me to tell him, and I said it would be to clean the bathroom, and he ended up spending an hour scrubbing the bathtub and toilet and sink with Ajax and lots of hot water. I sat on the couch while he worked, watching TV, feeling vaugely guilty and nursing Sam to sleep. But it made me feel sure of Christ again, of that kind of love. This, a man scrubbing a new mother's bathtub, is what Jesus means to me. As Bill Rankin, my priest friend, once said, spare me the earnest Christians.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Monday, July 24, 2006
Welcome, Caeden!
My friend Holly had a sweet little boy on Friday afternoon. She was almost two weeks late and was in labor for a very long time. We're so glad he's finally here!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Four months
My dear Jackson,
You are four months old today. And to celebrate, we went to the doctor! You weigh 20 pounds, 11 ounces, and you are 27 1/2 inches long. Holy moly! Dr. O'Brien says that you are very proportionate--just a big baby. But your head circumference is totally average. :) You had to get a few more shots today too. You hardly cried, though. What a trouper! The doctor also says that they don't get concerned about spitting up unless babies aren't gaining weight or aren't happy. No problem with either of those, so we'll just deal with your spit up for as long as it lasts. Which hopefully isn't too much longer....
We are having a very fun summer. Since you don't like going for walks in the stroller, we got a baby carrier, and you like that so much better. In fact, you usually fall asleep before the walk is done! We have also gone swimming in Brant and Nicole's pool a few times. You weren't sure about it at first, but now you think it is so fun. You just kick like crazy. It's a bummer that they are moving to a house without a pool in a few weeks!
You are smiling, laughing, and cooing even more now. The thing that makes you laugh the hardest is when dogs bark. Go figure! Particularly Rich and Corinne's dogs. When they get going, you just can't contain yourself! It is the most delightful sound. We will surely get that on video camera before long. You also really enjoy being on your tummy. Your legs get moving as if you are just going to take off! You haven't yet, though. And I have a feeling when you learn to move around, there will be no stopping you!
Sleeping has gotten much better. You had a couple weeks where you were completely sleeping through the night. The last week or so, you've gotten up around 1:00 in the morning. Not sure why! But last night you slept all night again. So keep that up. I'm a much happier mom when I've had a full night's sleep! You are still content with just being nursed, so we won't start solid foods quite yet. Maybe more like 6 months. We'll see. I can't wait to see your face the first time you try something new. :)
You continue to bless us beyong belief. Your dad and I are so amazed at how much joy you bring us without even trying! We are so excited for our future with you and can't wait to see what the months ahead will bring. God bless you, little one!
Love,
Mom
You are four months old today. And to celebrate, we went to the doctor! You weigh 20 pounds, 11 ounces, and you are 27 1/2 inches long. Holy moly! Dr. O'Brien says that you are very proportionate--just a big baby. But your head circumference is totally average. :) You had to get a few more shots today too. You hardly cried, though. What a trouper! The doctor also says that they don't get concerned about spitting up unless babies aren't gaining weight or aren't happy. No problem with either of those, so we'll just deal with your spit up for as long as it lasts. Which hopefully isn't too much longer....
We are having a very fun summer. Since you don't like going for walks in the stroller, we got a baby carrier, and you like that so much better. In fact, you usually fall asleep before the walk is done! We have also gone swimming in Brant and Nicole's pool a few times. You weren't sure about it at first, but now you think it is so fun. You just kick like crazy. It's a bummer that they are moving to a house without a pool in a few weeks!
You are smiling, laughing, and cooing even more now. The thing that makes you laugh the hardest is when dogs bark. Go figure! Particularly Rich and Corinne's dogs. When they get going, you just can't contain yourself! It is the most delightful sound. We will surely get that on video camera before long. You also really enjoy being on your tummy. Your legs get moving as if you are just going to take off! You haven't yet, though. And I have a feeling when you learn to move around, there will be no stopping you!
Sleeping has gotten much better. You had a couple weeks where you were completely sleeping through the night. The last week or so, you've gotten up around 1:00 in the morning. Not sure why! But last night you slept all night again. So keep that up. I'm a much happier mom when I've had a full night's sleep! You are still content with just being nursed, so we won't start solid foods quite yet. Maybe more like 6 months. We'll see. I can't wait to see your face the first time you try something new. :)
You continue to bless us beyong belief. Your dad and I are so amazed at how much joy you bring us without even trying! We are so excited for our future with you and can't wait to see what the months ahead will bring. God bless you, little one!
Love,
Mom
Almost four months....
Here are some new pictures of my big boy! We have his four-month well baby appointment tomorrow. Can't wait to see how much he weighs! Shots on the other hand I could do without. :)
Fast asleep in dreamland. What a sweet boy!
Looks like he's talking to us. Can't wait for that day!
We got home from shopping and I put him in the swing so I could put groceries away and make myself some lunch. This is what I came back to. Just couldn't keep those eyes open!
Tummy time! I swear, he'll be crawling anyday now.
Teething, teething, teething. He is in a constant state of drool. :)
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Why I think my dad is awesome
So my dad turned 51 yesterday. And being the adventurous guy that he is, he decided that he wanted to bike a "century" today (100 miles at once). So he planned to bike until he reached 51 miles and then turn around, for a grand total of 102 miles (two miles for every year he's been alive). And he did it! He's amazing. I would have been calling for a ride home at about mile 17. Here's a picture of my dad with my mom and Jack (old picture!). I know, he doesn't look a day over 38, right? :)
Love you, Dad!
Love you, Dad!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Getting sleep
Well, this book, Sleeping Through the Night, is awesome. We decided to start the "program" on Thursday night. The first night he cried for a half hour and then slept for seven hours. Friday night he cried for 10 minutes and then slept for seven hours again. Tonight he only cried for five minutes! He's also taking more naps during the day. Life is good. Sleep is good. Baby is good. :)
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