Momma's boys

Okay, I still need to put up other photos, but Jamie took this last night, and I love how sweet Matthew was being. It's the first time since the hospital he hasn't screamed at the idea of holding Mark. He was so sweet... He found Mark's eyes and nose and ears and it was so cute. I love being a MOM!

Cute feet

There is just something about baby toes and baby feet... and baby socks!!! My mother in law, Sandy, visited this week. I'll post some pictures from her visit also, but I wanted to show the cute feet pictures too. The top one is part of the sleeper. The bottom one is actually socks that look like shoes. So cute!!

My Men

front carrier

This first picture is from last night. He had is hands kind of half up while sleeping "no more pictures mom, no more."

These are from just now. We put him the carrier just so neither of us would be actually holding him. Mark is fine if he's in your arms or the swing (some) but does not like to be put down. Jamie held him standing and rocking the entire evening so far, so I thought I'd give him a break, but I still wanted my hands free. This rocks! He's here in my lap, in the carrier currently and I have both hands still. YES

Mark update

Just wanted to say that he's doing wonderfully! We had another check up this morning and the doctor is very pleased. There has been no lingering effects of the fever and nothing to persuade us that Mark isn't as healthy as can be. He's gaining weight like a champ-- now a pound and 7 ounces past birth weight. We don't have to go back again until he is one month old, which will come quickly, as it is in two weeks!

In Mommy news: Mark is amazing. He's so content and calm it even baffled the good doctor today. He was rolling Mark's hips, a test that I remember Matthew wailing while happening, and Mark just laid perfectly still sucking on his hand, making baby noises. The doctor actually asked me, "he does cry, right?" haha! Yah, he does cry... but not very often. I remember the hours and hours we'd rock and bounce and sway and swing and pray that Matthew would stop crying. Mark is just content. (Thank you Jesus)! Doc said not to be alarmed if around 6-7 weeks Mark gets a "crying stage" as he grows.

I can't believe he's over two weeks old already. I really can't. I remember with Matthew just crying my eyes out right along with him, and with Mark that just hasn't been the case. Life hasn't been roses since he's been born, but it hasn't been awful either. I've had a couple friends tell me the same was true with their second. That life just kinda keeps going, the second kiddo just slid right in. Now Matthew's world has been rudely disturbed, but I for sure am glad I'm not a "first time mom" again. I'm so glad you only go through the insane amount of "what if's" once in that area of life. I know that it's okay if he sleeps 4 hours. I know that it's okay if he falls asleep while eating. I know that it's okay if he cries for an extended period of time, he's not going to die from crying. I know my heart will break a thousand times though, while the baby cries, but my heart will keep on beating. I'm so glad I don't have to wonder "is he getting enough?" "should I pump and measure" "should I weigh him daily" "is this working" "is that working" "is he okay" "is he okay now?" "what about now"??? HA! When I go back and read my journalling and delusional thoughts from Matthew's early days and first few weeks... I laugh at myself. My poor sad state of mind back then. How do our husbands stay with us while we're dealing with the "first time mom" syndrome of that kind of CRAZY?! Whew!

two weeks old

So at two weeks old today, we've been very busy. This has been our agenda today:

Not a bad day so far, huh? hehe

Kris and Brian's visit

Just some snap shots from the past week. Enjoy

Bath time!

Here's a few pictures from Mark's first bath time on Friday night. Though we couldn't submerge him in a real bath yet, we washed his hair and got him real angry! We had a neat assembly line going: I was holding Mark, Kris was sprinkling the water (she said she felt like she was Christening him) and Mom was soaping him.

**More pictures to come from Kris' visit--they all left this morning**

RINGS!

I tried on my rings a couple days ago and they still wouldn't fit, they did fit my pinky but snugly... however, they went on today! I'm so excited I could just burst. I can't remember exactly when my rings went back on after Matthew was born but I know for sure it wasn't within the first two weeks. Yippppppie!

Reflections

After reading some other friends' blogs, I realized I posted my New Years thoughts, but I didn't take time and think back and reflect on what 2008 brought. So before I get too carried away with '09, I thought I'd think back and remember '08 ...

January was spent in MO for me. I spent time in KC and in STL visiting family and friends and waiting for my dearest friend's sweet baby girl to arrive. I was actually with her in the labor room when she pushed out her daughter. I'll never forget that moment for my whole life. I was present and witnessed life being born, such a blessing.

February was a roller coaster. We found out we were pregnant and lost that baby. In fact, I went to the hospital on Feb 29th, so that date will forever be printed on my memories. Every leap year instead of rejoicing with the extra day in the month, I'm sure it will be a hard one to tackle.

March was rough to say the least. I was mourning the loss of a tiny child I'll never know and still trying to be a mommy to my firstborn. My sister came at the end of the month and we did have a good visit over her spring break.

In April I found myself neck deep in the world of weight watchers. I was doing a "step challenge" and walking and working out often, trying to work off my grief.

In May, (early May) we were shocked to find out I was pregnant again. This wasn't planned and I was in complete disbelief. ... to think in April I was running the stairs and pregnant all the while makes me tired now to think about it. haha May also brought me back to St. Louis for a concert. The St. Louis Children's Chorus held an alumni anniversary Gala Concert. It was amazing. I also had a chance to finally fully close a door that needed closure.

In June we went to Orlando with Jamie's family. 10 adults and 3 kiddos in a two bedroom condo!! (were we nuts!?) It was a lot of fun. Also in June my big boy turned 2~ I can't believe it, a full grown toddler we have now on our hands.

July took Jamie to the mountains for his annual camping trip and me back to Missouri once again. I spent a week in St. Louis with my folks and then a few days in KC with Nic's family. I can't believe her big boy turned 3! It was the first time I was present on his birthday!

August sent Jamie and me on a weekend get-a-way without Matthew. We went to Helen, GA and left Matthew with Jamie's parents. It was so nice to find ourselves again as husband and wife and not mommy and daddy. And Helen is just beautiful.

September brought us back to St. Louis just for a long weekend. My best guy friend from High School got married. I was so honored to sing during his ceremony, which was just gorgeous! I'm so happy for him and his new bride. This would be my last trip of the year, still pregnant and soon unable to travel.

October brought my annual Relay for Life walk to find a CURE for CANCER. I was hugely pregnant and made it most of the night... starting at 7pm and ending at 7am, I left around 5am. I didn't walk the whole time, but I put in several hours on that track. I pray that we WILL find a CURE some day!

November kept me GA bound, but I didn't mind it. My mom came for a long visit before Thanksgiving and I loved having her here. Jamie's brother's family came up for Thanksgiving weekend and it was nice to have them up as well, it had been way too long.

December of course is always CRAZY! Being the children's choir director at church, I had to get through our Christmas production! And it was wonderful. I was so blessed with all of my kiddos in it. December also brought us a very special gift... my second born, another son!


Well that's my 2008 broken down month by month. It's neat to go back and see what the year had brought and given...