For God so loved the World...

Unlike millions of homes this Christmas, Santa did not come to our home with a bag of goodies. We did not set out milk and cookies or sprinkle reindeer food on the front lawn. No tracking Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve or looking for Rudolph's nose in the sky. All of these things are perfectly fine... but I can't get past the feeling that this is the only thing parents care about when it comes to telling their children about something so unbelievably special and encouraging them to believe in something. Not many parents emphasize the true meaning of Christmas. 

Jesus was not born on Christmas. He IS Christmas. 
He came not so that we could have a great tradition and story to tell, but to make a way for Man to be redeemed from his sins, and to be saved from eternity in Hell.

The birth of the Messiah was prophesied in the Bible hundreds of years before Jesus' birth. It was prophesied in Isaiah I believe that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. And again in Micah it was prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. And we know, that both of these things took place. The whole world changed on that night...but unfortunately not everyone has taken advantage of that sacred sacrifice that God made for us...and He made it because He loved us that much!

Simeon

There's a baby in a manger,
and you just won't believe.
The angels have been singing,
the shepherds came to see.
A star is brightly shining,
it has everyone amazed.
It shines down on a little boy.
lying in the hay.

Simeon can you believe this story,
Could this be deliverance for our souls.
Has El-Shaddi come down to dwell among us,
To keep his promise in your days of old.
Do you believe that He's the One,
You know, I heard they named Him Jesus, Simeon.

I recall that special promise, that you would never die.
Until you saw the true messiah, and beheld Him with your eyes.
My brother you've been faithful in the service of the Lord,
You know Simeon it could be the fulfillment of God's word

Simeon can you believe this story,
Could this be deliverance for our souls.
Has El-Shaddi come down to dwell among us,
To keep his promise in your days of old.
Do you believe that He's the One,
You know I heard they named Him Jesus, Simeon.

Can you believe his story, Simeon?

I believe He's the One...

The promise to Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Messiah is an incredible act of Grace toward Simeon. God knew he wanted to see the coming of the Messiah and God was faithful in fulfilling His promise. Isn't He always? Faithful and True.

It was so great to get to act out a small piece of history. I love to imagine the real Simeon and watch Him bless the King and smother Him in tears and kisses. God formed the hands and feet that would be nailed to a cross for the sins of the world. God gave up something I never could...

I'm starting a family tradition where we lay the Bible out next to the tree instead of milk and cookies. And we read the birth of the Savior instead of "T'was the night before Christmas" and we'll have a gift for Jesus every year. We will celebrate the joy of the promise of a mansion awaiting us and a King that is coming again for us! 


Santa is alright, and he's a sweet thing to teach children about giving...but nothing tops the gift of the Savior. I'll let my children enjoy the "spirit" of Santa and will not hinder any imaginations of a sweet place where elves make toys and sing songs and drink hot chocolate...but they will know first and foremost that Christmas was the beginning of a sacrifice and that Heaven is a real place unlike the North Pole. I want to teach them what this special time of year, really means!

Born to Die

Shepherds gaze in wonder
While angel voices sing
This night of nights has come
And brought the world the long-awaited King

The earth is filled with gladness
And yet the heavens weep
For heaven's eyes can see
He was born to die for me

Jesus
Baby Jesus
Is that a tear in your eye
Jesus
Baby Jesus
You must know you were born to die

It must have broken God's heart
For the future He could see
Yet He formed His hands and feet
Knowing one day they'd be nailed to a tree

So all the world could know it
A gift came from above
For God so loved the world
That He gave His only Son

6 Weeks and Baby Wise!

Wesley is 6 weeks old- this Friday he will be 7 weeks old. So, markedly he has made some changes and progress along the way. For instance, he is sleeping about 5 hours at night now in between feedings, which allows me to get some much needed rest. His Zantac has now gotten into his system and seems to be helping a lot with the reflux issues and he isn't crying as much. We still give him gas drops about every feeding and before bed to ensure he doesn't wake from a sound nap/sleep cycle with piercing pain. Sometimes this happens anyway. 

We are also taking this week to start Wesley's routine. The Baby Whisperer books as well as my beloved Baby Wise books have taught me more than I ever thought you'd need to know on establishing sleep/wake routines for newborns and babies. When I nannied for a family in college I learned and put to good use this technique, not even knowing what I was doing. The children's mother gave me exact orders on what to and to call her if something wasn't right or I had questions. I gotta tell ya, when I saw "naps at 1:00" I was dreading 1:00. Every kid I ever knew hated naps and screamed their way through them. So I was NOT a believer that kids could like naps. So, when 1:00 rolled around I said, "Ok, time for naps." Expecting that shrill screaming tantrum to begin. "Ok." Libby says and grabs her dolly Bria. "Ok" follows Lucy grabbing her doll Saphra.  

WHAT? YOU'RE KIDDING ME!?! YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SCREAM? WOW!

It wasn't until I was expecting Charlie that she let me in on her little secret. Or should I say, the Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. "This was my baby bible" she told me. And then she handed me "On Becoming Baby Wise" and she said, "I kept this with me wherever I went." I read them in no time flat and when I had Charlie I did exactly what the book said. 

When it came to feedings, I used the PDF (Parent Directed Feeding) method and it worked like a well oiled machine- I knew exactly what his cries meant because I had a "sechedule". I knew if he should or shouldn't be hungry. I knew when he was tired. I knew when he had gas or just wanted to be cuddled. I felt very empowered because I knew him!

When it came to sleep, he slept in his crib. He went down awake and learned very soon to put himself to sleep. No rocking him to sleep every single time by me. No nursing him to sleep. No way. I rocked him while I fed him, burped him, changed him, and kissed him goodnight. Back to bed. During the day, he would cry for 10 minutes at nap time. Burning off energy and learning to put himself to bed. I'd go in and calm him down, hug and swing him. Then back to bed. It typically took 3 times of me going in his room and laying him back down for about a month before he got the idea that he should just give up and go to sleep. Now, he's almost 20 months old and I have had the pleasure of a kid who naps no problem every single day! 3 naps a day in the early months, then 2 naps and now 1 nap a day. *when they wake up crying, they're not done napping. Leave them in there for about 10 minutes, they'll fall back to sleep. When they wake up happy, they've had enough.

There are 4 phases in a baby's first year. They are:

Phase 1: Stabilization, birth through week 8

Phase 2: Extended Night, weeks 9 through 15

Phase 3: Extended Day, weeks 16 through 24

Phase 4: Extended Routine, weeks 24 through 52

Wesley seems to be having a bit more difficulty with the sleep routines because of frequent waking caused by trapped gas. We never used gas drops with Charlie and he actually never made me use one burp cloth either. He drooled and that was it. Wesley has me going to burp cloths night and day, I constantly am wearing spit up on my shoulders and hair and the poor guy just aches...it is getting better, but that's one main reason I have waited until now to start this routine. And the adding fact that because of this I have been very sleep deprived and am trying to catch back up on what I've lost. It's getting there! So I try and stay positive and keep the routine as consistent as I can. The great thing about routines and not schedules is they are flexible. And we all need flexibility and plus it teaches the kids how to go with the flow.

The one thing I love about the Baby Wise books is they tell you that the baby is a member of your family, not the center of it. They are welcomed in and belong with you. Everything does not revolve around the baby. This is so true- and once another one comes into the family they really begin to see that everyone in the family matters, not just them.  Mommy and Daddy need each other first and then the kids...sounds a little backward from what we're all taught by every psychologist out there- but Mom and Dad were there before anyone else, and if you want to remain being there when the kids leave the home, you best keep it that way the whole time through. I love hearing my husband tell me he misses me, and when we get to spend time together it is usually long over due, but feels so wonderful- for a change I get to be cuddled!! Then I am rejuvenated to go it again with the boys! :)

I am just glad that I am almost through the Stabilization phase and almost on to the Extended Night phase- this means more sleep! :)

The routine is as this: (in case you were curious)

Early Morning: Feeding and diaper change. Waketime: rock/sing to baby, swing, bouncy seat etc. Nap.

Midmorning: Feeding and diaper change. Waketime: run errands, visit the neighbors, take a walk etc. Nap.

Afternoon: Feeding and diaper change. Waketime: bathe the baby, infant seat near window (or Christmas tree) play music etc. Nap.

Midafternoon: Feeding and diaper change. Waketime: sing songs, read a story, put baby down for tummy time on colorful blanket etc. Nap. 

Late Afternoon: Feeding and diaper change. Waketime: family time. Nap.

Early Evening: Feeding and diaper change. Waketime: possible. Bed time.

Late Evening: Feeding and diaper change then back to bed.

Middle of the Night: Feeding and diaper change then back to bed.

During Phase 2 this middle of the night feeding will be dropped off and there will be 5-7 feedings during the day.

So that's it. The Baby Whisperer calls this the E.A.S.Y. system. Eat, Activity, Sleep and time for You. Once you get hooked on the EASY system, you never go back! I do love the Baby Wise book, I also have Birthing Wise, but I'd like to get Baby Wise II. There's a whole series from Toddler Wise, Potty Wise (which you better believe I will be getting) it deals with timing, education and motivation, Preschool Wise, Child Wise, PreTeen Wise and Teen Wise. Granted, I may not need every single one of these books, I think the library will do just fine for that. But Potty wise is one book I think I will be going to time and time again!

Well, I do have a thousand things to do before Charlie wakes up and none of which involves a nap today, so sad for me. But, this is the name of the game: The Endless Party!

"Life as we know it will never be the same"- as if change is a bad thing! Some look at it merely as survival. I like to think of it as leaving a legacy in my name. I'd be remiss if I never told a new mom that life for the first 6 weeks will be difficult, a small dose of newborn reality straight from the recovery room on the 9th floor- and she'll know it right away- but I don't see harping on the negative a very "blessed" thing to do. The fact that we can bare healthy children is a miracle. 

It keeps me humble. It keeps me thankful. It keeps me happy.

A Legacy of Friendship and Some Fun Times

This really is two blogs in one.

The other day we had a great, old friend stop by for a visit. He came to visit Wesley John. His name is John Whitaker. We used to go to church with John and his lovely wife Betty, who passed away in 2002. John wears cowboys hats and never forgets to smile- about something. He's a great friend, Christian, father and grandfather. He's a man who has a kind heart and wisdom and patience I hope to have one day. I remember when Betty died, someone gave him a huge teddy bear. He seat belted it in the passenger seat and drove it around in his convertible. I guess having that seat empty after all those years who be kinda weird feeling. He'd walk in to church with a smile and a handshake and tell you the latest of what was going on at White Castle's. All old men sit for breakfast at White Castle's, it's White Castle University. John with another old, dear friend of mine, Gene, call themselves a bunch of Professors- solving the problems of the world! Ha! I'd love to sit with them for a morning and take in all they have to say and listen to their stories. These fellas are pretty wise and FUNNY! They got more one liners than the best comedian out there, all without using one derogatory word.

Here are a few pictures of John holding Wesley.

John had a grandson named Wesley who passed away at age 33 or 34 from cancer. It was unfortunate and I know the family took it very hard, especially his wife and son. I got the chance to meet him and get to know him a little before he died. So naming him Wesley was something John could connect with and I hope he realizes just how much we love him and his family. Wesley is also a family name on Jeff's side, a name that goes way back. And to tell the honest truth, I really didn't like the name the entire time I was pregnant and shortly after Wesley's birth. I went with the name purely because that was what Jeff really wanted. He wouldn't even compromise with Caleb for a middle name because it was 2 syllables. So, John being one of my favorite names for a boy was the one I chose. I would have preferred Jonathan, but like I said, I only was allowed 1 syllable! (Just waiting my turn to name a child that I'm the one laboring to bring into the world!) And the name has grown on me since I have a face to put it to. I think it suits him, although I still can't help seeing that he looks like a Johnny. Anyway, it could have been a worse name, like the girl name Jeff just thinks is so adorable, Delores. Nope. Not happening. Not ever.


So that's the story behind Wesley's great name. An even greater friend. I couldn't think of a better person to name him after. I do have, however, the pressure of feeling like the next boy needs to have a name ending in "y" to fit in with the other 2. If we have a girl next (I know, thinking way far ahead) I like Audrey, so that fits...


Anyway, last night after dinner we decided to visit our other friend Paul Young's, funeral home where he has a live nativity display ever year at Christmastime. Here are a few photo's from that!

one of my favorite photos

 Ok, we don't look great, but Charlie does!

The reason for the season!!!


Wesley stayed locked in the van. It was too cold for him to get out. Speaking of cold, how about this snow?! I love it! Hope it snows till Christmas! Well, that probably wouldn't be the best thing for those who have to work outside the home...but a white Christmas sure would be awesome! 


Well, I am going to hang out now with the boys...and Pandora just began to play The Christmas Song by Nat king Cole...ahhh...
Wish I had that open fire Nat!
:o)

Wesley's 1 Month Well Check visit and Dill Pickles

Well, we just got back from Wesley's 1 month Well Check visit. He's doing all the developmental things, like raising his nose off the floor/table, following me with his eyes, looking at our faces, and making cooing/gurgling noises! He has rolled over once, too! He's very alert. Unfortunately, and I knew this going in, he has the same reflux issue that Charlie had. He will be taking Baby Zantac for at least 3 months. Charlie was on it for 6, and I think Wesley will be as well.

Wesley- now this blew my mind- weighs 9lbs and 2 oz!!!!!! I thought he didn't weigh more than 7 1/2lbs! Boy was I shocked! He doesn't feel that heavy! Charlie weighed 10 14oz at his 1 month check up, but he was also born on time and weighed more at birth. So factoring in those two things, I think if Wesley had been born on time he and Charlie would be neck and neck. I do suspect, however, that Wesley will be taller than Charlie. Wesley was 21 1/4" long today, and Charlie was 23" at his 1 month. Like I said, they're pretty much the same right now. Wesley's arms are way longer than Charlie's. But Charlie's feet are much bigger than Wesley's. So, who knows? I'm just doing some comparisons.

We, for the first time ever, used Frisch's coupons for free kids meals! You know the ones! The ones we used to get as kids around Halloween and Christmas! I looked forward to using those as a kid, like I got my own special menu to pick my favorite food! Charlie ate very well, too! He got a kids burger with an extra side of pickles, fries and chocolate milk. I got a Jr big boy and salad bar and of course fed him tomatoes!! His first favorite! He ate peaches, too! I felt like this was great! Watching him hold his own little burger and eat craisens and tomatoes and peaches made me feel like he was getting lots of vitamins! It made me also wonder what Wesley will like! I couldn't believe it the other day when Charlie pointed to the jar of pickle chips for hamburgers in the fridge for a "snack". He ate what I put in the bowl and asked for more! So I gave him about 8 more slices and he ate all of those, too! I guess he gets that from me! The highlight of my summers off of school would be to take a dollar or two and go to the corner store and buy a 25c Hug juice, a 50c dill pickle, and the rest was spent on penny candy of my choice! LOL! Looking back, I bet I made that old lady so aggravated! I would take at least 15 minutes to decide what candy I wanted her to put in that little brown paper bag! Then we'd go over to my old Elementary School and play on the swings and eat our candy and pickles! It was about a mile or 2 from home so we always rode our bikes! Sadly, that corner store doesn't exist anymore and I wonder if one day the school won't either.

Well I have got to quit blogging and get my order of pictures in to the lab, get ready to go to the grocery- Kroger has a mega event where you get 4x the points on gift cards!! So we'll be getting gas with the fuel points we already have racked up and add to the ones for December! And then we have some dear friends coming this evening to visit Wesley and bring a quilt she made him!! In the past week I have gotten a crocheted blanket for Wesley and a beautifully knitted one from Jeff's supervisor's wife! Makes me want to learn to knit! And then we promised Charlie we will put all the ornaments on the tree tonight! :)
~Okay, so long!

After Thanksgiving and Before Christmas!

Well here we are in the middle of two of the best holidays on the calendar!

Here is Wesley taking a look at big brother Charlie. 

And here Charlie is looking quite cute, as usual!

Wesley's first Thanksgiving!
He slept through most of it! I think this was the first year I didn't get a nap after the turkey. Unless you call a 10 minute broken snooze while feeding Wesley, a nap!

Now for my rant about our Christmas card this year!
I spent so much time that I didn't have making a card and gifts that turned out to be four times as expensive as they should have been. I'm not looking to get something for free, but gee whiz if you say something is 19 cents by golly it should be 19 cents and if you say premium fleece blankets are $20 then by all means, they should be $20!!! So I went with Shutterfly instead! I found this card and thought it was really cute and hey, I got free shipping- so I feel like I got a deal, even though they were 44 cents each, not like the 19 cents I originally planned on spending. But oh well, it's only Christmas once a year! Jeff and I have been so tired. He has a much harder time coping with the lack of sleep he gets. I try to take it all in stride. Kids are not puppies. You have kids, you have responsibility, even when you're tired. They cry. The pee on you. They don't sleep when you need them to. It's a job! But you have to find some happy lying around the house because one day it will all be gone, and you'll look back and say, "when did I ever enjoy my family?" I dunno, maybe I'm just a glass is always half full kinda person. But I just don't see the sense it belly aching about things that are supposed to be blessings. There's no joy in that! Well, Wesley is going to need to eat really soon. Hopefully I can get him to take a bottle. He only seems to want to nurse all of a sudden. Which is a bad deal for all those bags a breast milk in my freezer! And besides, I really do need to get some rest...tomorrow will be here soon and there's a tree that needs to be put up! I can't wait to get to do that with Jeff and watch Charlie's eyes light up! I hope he doesn't want to pull all the ornaments off the tree...But if he does, that will at least give me something to blog about!

Hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving and get to spend some wonderful time with your family!! And I hope we get some much needed sleep! I'm looking forward to not going anywhere or doing a thing for a whole month!!

:o)

Rainy, Winter-y (ish) Days...

I caught Charlie lying on the floor with his legs underneath the kitchen table, Lambchops' tail in his mouth, as usual, and looking out the blinds at the rain!

It was a nice break to my hectic day. Which is still hectic! Lots to do so I gotta go. Just wanted to post this!

This is after I called his name! :o)

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Wesley's 1 Month and Other Randomness...

From the hospital until today things have been moving right along, just as they should be!

Wesley is the newest adorable addition to the Moore family and we couldn't be more pleased to snuggle him up! Last night, however, there wasn't much snuggling going on, but crying and bouncing and trying to figure out what is wrong. Wesley is becoming a very burp-y little guy. He has frequent tummy aches. He was up until midnight last night crying. I have found that he likes to sleep on his belly. Something I've been afraid of since Charlie was born, but you know, if that's the way he must sleep in order to not be in pain, then I guess I'll just have to get over it. He is lifting his head of very well, so I guess if he needs to move around he is quite capable. Still, it's unnerving!

His cute little smile is somewhat captured here. I haven't quite got a great picture of a full ear-to-ear grin- but wait- it's coming! I really can't wait for him to giggle and play with his big brother! The two of them will have some good times!! I'm sure that Charlie will show him just how to make Mommy pull her hair out, but hey, I'd rather be bald with children running around than to have a head full of great hair and be childless! 

Wesley's 1 month photo. I love it. His little shoes that are still a little too big. His baby onesie and those adorable jeans!! He's sitting up like such a little man. I wish he would have looked at my lens, though. What a cute little guy! Can't wait to see this hanging on my wall!

Charlie loves to hold his little brother. I'm not sure if he gets it, or if he knows what he's doing. Sometimes he sits on him. Sometimes he kisses him. So I don't know what Charlie's thought are. He likes him, he just doesn't understand that Wesley is little and can't move out of his way.  Wesley's arms outstretched in this photo make me think of the book, "Guess How Much I Love You". A book I don't have in my library yet but want to someday. Is this picture not awesome? I have 2 babies now!! I am a Mother of 2 boys!!! :o)

Okay, best for last!!! This is got in an 8x10 for my family room wall, a 4x6 for a new frame I got that is a big black frame with white designs and writing that says "all because two people fell in love". That will go on my dresser in my bedroom! LOVE it! It looked good in color but will go better as a BW photo in a black and white frame. 

 

Well, I still have A LOT of house cleaning to get done plus Wesley's 1st bath and a shower for me. We're meeting Daddy at LaRosa's tonight for all you can eat spaghetti!! Charlie is sitting having a snack right now making himself fart and laughing...geesh! :o) It is kinda funny, though! 

I probably will not get to go to the Thanksgiving Eve service at church tomorrow night. That bums me out but Jeff and I have some things we need to get done that evening. Hope you all have a wonderful time! The candle lit services are always such a blessing!!!

 

Also, the Sunday after Christmas there is a surprise at church and Wesley and I get to be a part of it! I won't say what it is exactly in case it isn't supposed to be known, but I am SO EXCITED about it!!!!

3 Kinds of Lonely

Last night I experienced something...a feeling I haven't had in a long, long time. Loneliness. I have not been lonely since probably, I don't know, 2003 or something like that. Whenever it was Jeff worked a LOT and I was home a LOT with not many friends to hang out with. I remember driving home from a 10 hour day of babysitting only to pass Jeff on the road leaving the house to go to work. We were lucky that day to have seen each other and been able to wave a "goodbye-hello" combo wave. That was lonely. And that was how I felt last night.

Jeff gone to work and the 2 boys down for the count...I have way too much to do to sit and sulk about how I feel alone. But I did feel just that. Alone....all by my lonesome self...

And last night, well really it was 1:00 this morning, but still, middle of the night- I finally put it into words. There are three kinds of lonely...

The first kind is when you're single and you don't have that "special" someone in your life yet. You long for that perfect someone to spend time with and bond with. It can also be combined with no friends, or friends that are too busy to hang out with you when you're feeling lonely...so that kinda doubles the pain..."Hmmmph." You slump on the couch. (Sigh). "Why can't there be anything to do? Or someone to do it with?" You ask the air. That's one kind of lonely. I think everyone has experienced this kind at some point in their life.

The second kind of lonely is the kind I experienced in my above sentence about me and Jeff passing each other on the road. Missing your spouse. Boy, this is a tough one!! Jeff has traveled a few times without me in the past 8 years and it is so hard to go to and empty bed. This kind of lonely also applies to the widows/widowers.  When I think of my friends who have lost their spouses, I am just glad that mine is at work; and I pray right then that God protects him and brings him home to me. Even just sitting on the couch knowing Jeff is gone is hard. Going to bed without him is even harder. No one is there to keep me warm. I count down the night shift days of this crazy schedule of his and set my sights on the days that he'll be home! :) At least he's not in another country like my friend's fiance. She misses him terribly...

The third kind of lonely, is a new one to me. I think I experienced this kind for the first time last night...or was it Monday night? I had no boys. I have had Charlie now for 19 months and never felt this way. But when I put both of my boys to bed on Monday I had no one. Not Jeff. Not Charlie. Not Wesley. No one. Wow. That was a weird feeling. Most women would have been so glad to have had peace and quiet, and I'm sure I'll be there soon- but it was just too quiet...to alone sounding. I tried to sleep on the couch but ended up calling my mom to talk to her. That seemed to ease the time and I didn't think so much about being alone.

I just mostly miss Jeff and I think that because I am tired that, things that normally would not affect me this way, are affecting me. Does that make sense? It's like this, things that normally wouldn't bother me are bothering me because I don't have the rest I need in order to think clearly. My last blog had a lot of misspelled words in it and that's a huge pet peeve of mine, but I was too tired to catch them.

Well, the boys are in bed now. I should go and get as much of that needed sleep I complained about missing! 

Three kinds of lonely. One kind of tired.

Oh gee whiz, now I sound like a CLR commercial! You know the one..."three kinds of dirty, one kind of clean"... I knew I couldn't have thought up a cool ending like that on my own... :o)

Good night, sleep tight! 

Must Things Change?

Well, after watching old videos of Charlie this morning I have come to realize that I have forgotten how my little round faced boy used to look, crawl, and sound! Things you think you'll never forget in a lifetime are distant memories until you're reminded of them.  ((Sigh)) It's so hard to see them grow up, to change, to morph into this person who can "do" it all on his own; who someday won't need his Mommy to lift him up out of crib after naps...but I console my heart by telling myself that no matter what he will still always need his Mama. I hope! 

In the event that things must change, we are out on the hunt for some sort of container to hold all of Charlie's toys. We're teaching him, over and over and over countless (and I do mean countless!) times to put his toys away when he's through with them. It is actually working, to our credit. Repetition is where its at! So, we'll see what we come up with. Nothing fancy or expensive, but something that will do the job! 

Wesley is fitting right in with our family. He sleeps a lot and is now starting to eat 3-4oz! I have found it very useful to nurse him at night and bottle feed him with all that I have stored us during the day. At night I don't have to wait around while a bottle heats up and then pump after that, then wash all the pump pieces and put it in a bag and stuff it in the freezer. This way, I'm done within 20 minutes and can go back to my warm bed! Ah! :) I must say, because I am a little proud and a lot surprised, I just went through my 100th Lansinoh bag yesterday! 100 bags!!! That's insane for only having a baby that is 3 weeks old! Ok, enough said about me and my (ahem) milk.

On to much sweeter things to talk about, Wesley is such a great little boy. I tell ya, it isn't fair that I have 2 great babies! Now, Charlie is definitely a handful, but I chalk it up to the fact that 1. he's a boy and 2. he's 19 months old. If he wasn't a handful there would probably be something wrong with him! But it also makes for great adventures and story telling. You couldn't think up some of the things I have gone through with Charlie. Luckily, knock on wood, he has NOT played with his poop- as some kids I know have. I'll say it again, knock on wood!! 


Well, we're off to do some shopping- right after I change 1 very stinky diaper and 1 really wet, tiny one! :) Oh the life of a parent- wouldn't trade it for all the money on Wall Street!

Wesley's Due Date

Well, today was the official due date for Wesley! 

~Here's a look at him today, at 18 days old~

 

 

 

To think something so precious only takes nine months to create and I get to love him for a hundred years! Some mom's say "When he/she's 18 I'm done!"but I say, "Not me! I get to be a Mommy for a hundred years! I'll leave my legacy with him! My children and grandchildren will know me~ who I was as a person, a Mommy, a GrandMommy and, hopefully, as a friend!

I look forward to a life lived as one using all the talents God has given me. That's why my picture above says "I would hope at the end of my life I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'" so that in the end I can obtain the prize- like the Bible says, "All who run the race run all, but only one wins the prize". I want to run well not only to obtain the prize God has for me in Heaven, but because I want to be all that He created me to be.

And part of that is raising my boys to know who God made them to be! These little jewels that were created by God himself! My little miracle babies that God entrusted to me!! I get to love them, kiss them, hug them and live life with them! I hope to teach them so much!!

The song "Let them be little" has been my heart's song since April 9th, 2009 when Charlie came into our lives. This song will ring in my heart forever!!! I don't care if it's the day they are getting married- the face I will only see is the ones above...those innocent eyes...hmmm...thoughts that are too hard to think right now!

Well, I am going to sign off and go spend some much needed family time with my boys!!! 
All 3 of them! 

Here's to living: health, home, and a happy family!
Who says you can't have it all?
:o)

2 Weeks!

My second little boy shouldn't even be here and yet he's 2 weeks old already! It seems like a dream, he just came so fast. At the moment he is sleeping in his bouncy seat, full with 3oz of my milk and with a fresh diaper.

Jeff and I had a little shopping day today! We bared the wind and cold temps to get out and do things as a new family of 4! We went to Florence to get a quick bite to eat and shop! We shopped for a friends wedding gift at Kohl's and a stop at Target to get some more Lansinoh breast milk bags. I'm already out of 50! I have 38 bags of frozen milk in the freezer- and it's only been 2 weeks! :) So I bought 50 more! The boy's Pediatrician said some women wouldn't sympathize with me as some don't produce as much milk as easily. The second time around is always easier, he said. I would agree.

Anyway, back to shopping! We also hit the Christmas Tree Store in Florence- we got a sparkly red bow for the front door, a new monogrammed front door mat, Christmas wrap, a Christmas table cloth, a huge brown fleece blanket and some cookies and chocolate covered peanuts! It was a neat place to go in and look around!

Then we stopped at the Airport to watch the airplanes land and take off! Charlie loved it! I got to sit and feed Wesley in private while Jeff and Charlie ate caramel/coffee cookies and admired the huge airplanes and runway lights. It was cute watching Charlie wave bye bye to the airplanes! :o) After feeding and changing diapers we decided to go shop some more at the Gap outlet- and shop we did! I got sleepers, hats, gloves, shoes, shirts and sweaters for both my boys! It was one of those times I walked out of the store with a bag full of clothes and none of them were for me. Actually, since I've had Charlie, that's happened a lot! But I don't mind! I feel like there will be a time that I can go out and buy something for myself. It's ok if it's not right now.

So then, we decided to come back home. We got to see the crown thing on the Great American building on the way back into the city. It was really cool looking!! We're tired! We had a nice time and I'm so ready to relax and go to bed and wake up and start another day!!

I'm looking forward to sleeping in, thanks to Jeff, because he gets up with the boys since I'm up all night with Wesley. Jeff has a really, really hard time of getting back to sleep once he's awake, thanks to night shifts and his body just not knowing how to get back to sleep since he's up all different hours- so I get up and collapse back in the bed and get up again 3 hours later! Actually Wesley let me sleep 4 hours in a row last night. Doesn't sound like much, but I know once he sleeps through the night I'll get so much sleep I won't even realize how sleep deprived I am right now! Haha! Jeff says, "I have no idea how you're awake right now- I'm dragging!" and I just reply, "You just do it..." It's one of those strong mom things- Motherhood- Bring it on!!

Well, it's late. Charlie's in the bed and I should turn in, too. Don't forget, this weekend is Daylight Savings Time!! That means Moms- we get another hour! Woohoo!!!!! :o) G'night ya'll!!!

Trunk or Treat!

TRUNK-OR-TREAT!

Every year our church hosts Trunk-or-Treat where kids from the neighborhood and church members can safely take their kids around for candy! We also have hot dogs, popcorn and drinks in case all that walking makes you hungry! :)

Last year Charlie was a frog- my sister in law let me borrow his costume. The first time he saw himself in the mirror he looked for a while and then suddenly broke out in a smile when he realized he was the frog! See photo below:

 This photo is vertical in my album, don't ask me why it keeps uploading horizontal! Bummer!

This year Charlie wore the costume that Jeff's mom made for Jeff when he was a boy! A leopard outfit! I used brown eyebrow pencil for his nose and whiskers and he really liked the outfit! It was cold this year but he made it around the parking lot one whole time before hiding out in the van with a DVD playing! Here's a few pictures of Charlie Thursday night but I couldn't upload the picture of Jeff in the same outfit. Another bummer!

Cell phone upload, sorry it's blurry!

 

Outside the house before we left!

 Waving to the neighbors!

Charlie at Mommy's spot getting candy! At first he didn't know what was going on, but towards the end he went right up and got candy himself! 

We would have taken more pictures but it was very busy and it got dark quickly! I couldn't help but come out of the house for this night because it's my only chance to let Charlie wear the same costume as his Daddy. Next Halloween Wesley will be too small to wear it. So it was nice to see all the kids and their outfits! We had a nice time!!! And we got some great pieces of candy, as well!!! 

:O)

Happy Halloween to all!

Welcome to the World Wesley!

Welcome Wesley!

It's hard to believe that yesterday would have been the start of my 38th week of pregnancy and another picture would soon be added to my Pregnancy Round 2 page and on Facebook...but NOPE! Wesley John would have none of that! 

THE STORY:
Charlie had cried at 12:30am Friday morning. I got up to check on him, he was cold and lost his blankets. So I covered him up and went back to my room. Upon lying down I started having some uncomfortable pains and just brushed them off as Braxton Hicks; however, a half hour later, tossing and turning to relieve the pain to no avail, I stood up and thought, "What if this is labor? They're not going away when I change positions...well, I'll just time them for an hour." 

At 2:o0am, still having contractions every 2-3 minutes apart, I thought, "Ok, well it still might be just Braxton Hicks so maybe I should wait for another half hour and see..." Meanwhile, Jeff is working night shift and I am trying to rationalize what is going on while also not wanting to alarm him and praying for wisdom as to what to do! So I timed the contractions for another half hour: still 2-3 minutes apart. I grab the phone to call the Dr...I need someone to tell me what to do, what's going on...

So I dial then number and wait. No call back. So I dial the number again thinking, "they probably don't answer because if it's a big enough deal I'll just call back, if not then I won't call back and the problem solved itself. So what if this isn't a big deal and I'm making it one? Oh well, just call again and see what the Doc has to say...

So immediately the Dr calls me back and asks what's going on. I tell him I'm a little confused because I'm only 37 1/2 weeks pregnant but the contractions are consistent...but they're also not very bad and some times it seems like they might even be subsiding... So he says to wait for 2 hours and if they are still 2-3 minutes apart, lasting for a minute each then just go to the hospital. Ok, so now at least I have an idea of what to do...but feel like a dummy for not knowing what's going on with my own body!

So after about 20 minutes I finally call Jeff at work. His first thought is, "what's wrong with Charlie?!" But no, it's me. "I keep having contractions and I didn't know what to do so I called the Dr and he said to wait 2 more hours...." I filled him in. So he starts asking me questions and I'm saying "I don't know! I'm not sure!" and he replies, "That doesn't help me with anything. You've got to know!"


So we decide to wait another 1/2 hour and talk again at 3am and see if I'm still having contractions. Yep, I was. So we talk again and decide again to talk in another 1/2 hour. 3:30am, still 2-3 minutes a part. Shouldn't they be getting closer together by now? Or at least a little more painful? "Call me back at 4." says Jeff. 


I know all this seems like, "What are you thinking?! It's been almost 4 hours of contractions and you're still not sure?!" But I'm not an over exaggerator and didn't want to hop in the car to the hospital after waking up family members to come watch Charlie and get everything ready for a false alarm...it wasn't that easy being tired and confused to just decide it wasn't false labor...


We chatted again at 4am and I decided that I should go eat in case this was labor. By 4:30 the pains are getting stronger and I decide on my own to get a shower because this is NOT going away...and we should at least go to the hospital to find out if I'm dilated anymore and what exactly is going on.


Jeff calls me back at 4:45 and checks on me. I tell him I'm getting a shower and this is not going away so just leave work and come home. He's home by 5:15 and I called my mom who works night shift to come stay with Charlie but couldn't get a hold of her. I called back for an hour! No answer!! So we called Jeff's sister- no answer. His dad has just had surgery on his shoulder and his mom has been trying to take care of him, the house, and herself with a hurt foot, so we didn't want to bother them, but had no choice. 


THE HOSPITAL:

They came to our rescue at around 6:50am and we left on a sprint to Christ Hospital and checked in at 7:20am. I'm still not in that much pain and am begging God that they let me stay. The nurse take us to triage and after an hour of paper work and contractions still 2 minutes a part, we're staying. I only dilated to 3cm at this point! Thought FOR SURE it was like 7! :)


So- LONG story very short- there was only one complication of bleeding which was "placenta abruptio" in which case they had to break my water. I went from 3cm to 6 in minutes. Then they called the Dr. Up until this point I had no idea who was delivering the baby. The normal Friday Dr, Dr. Sutler, whom I love, was running in the marathon and so who was going to pinch hit for her? Dr. Singh of course, the Doc who delivered Charlie. 


THE LABOR AND DELIVERY:

Well, they called Dr. Singh several times telling him I was going natural, 6cm and was feeling pushy and he needed to hurry. 8cm- "Dr. Singh- you need to get here it will be a matter of time..." I had one contraction that my body just could not take, I felt the baby descend and yelled, "Hey Guys! Guys!" YELL! Jeff says, "oh look there!" and the nurse turns to me, put her hand under Wesley's head- I say, "I can't help it!!!" YELL again and out the nurse grabs his body so he doesn't fall onto the floor. NO DOCTOR!

Dad cuts the cord, I hold Wesley and it was all over. FAST and FURIOUS! :)
It was very painful but there is something to be said of just getting it over with. 
Like I said earlier, we checked in to the hospital at 7:20 and Wesley was born at 11:38am. Just over 3 hours later! 

My whole labor from start to finish was 9 hours and I didn't even have to push! 

That's my kind of labor!!! :)

Now for the big question: Would I do it again? 
Answer: YES! 

After having an epidural and delivering a baby whose forearms feet were cyanotic and whose face was also blue and swollen from being in the birth canal for so long with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, I would absolutely! 

From the time the nurse put her hand on Wesley's head until the rest of him was delivered was 5 seconds! He would have hit the floor if she had not turned when she did!

The labor was intense but I was focused.
The contractions were painful but I rested in between them.
The accomplishment made could only have been made by me.

I can say I had a baby naturally and the adrenaline and endorphins that I had afterward made me feel like I could go for days- and I literally did! It's amazing what our bodies can get through if you keep your mind on breathing and the contraction at hand...

(this was just after delivery)

I LOVE YOU WESLEY!!!