Saturday, September 12, 2015

What to do when you don't have enough food.

The Bible tells us so many times what a blessing children are. 

Our society tells us the opposite, that they need to fit into our lives and that we can just dispose of them if the timing just isn't convenient.

In our home I have been humbled by how much I continue to learn from these little souls. How little that I actually know. I'm seeing why Jesus tells us to be like these little children.

An example I don't want to forget: Asher and I had an opportunity to serve recently. His attitude and joy in the situation were amazing to watch and was a reminder to me of my daily attitude. 

Afterwards though, in conversation I asked him what it would feel like to not have enough food to eat or enough money to buy it.

This is what he said:

"If there wasn't enough food at the grocery store, it would feel like I was starving. I would just find someone with a lot of food and ask them to share."

Someone with a lot of food. Isn't that all of us? 

His solution was so simple and so obvious that it made me stop and think, "oh!".  To him, it made no sense why someone wouldn't share if they had a lot. It didn't occur to him that someone might say "no", or "get a job". 

This is why I love little kids, because they have such a pure heart and are so honest. They don't tangle anything else into the problem. They have extra food, so they give it to others. 

Thank you, God, for teaching us though these children.

Friday, July 24, 2015

JAB 11 Months

There are several women we know who are pregnant and due in August and September. Watching their bellies grow, we just can't believe that was us a year ago. For some reason, it feels like you were in my belly years ago.

You are a mover Judah, still cruising, still standing, and now you have mastered the steps on your own. You go where you want to, when you want to. The bathroom is the only place I have to corral you, especially when anyone else is using the bath or shower. You LOVE the water.

You are taking 1 or 2 naps a day and have been sleeping through the night again this week. God gives us a break every so often. Daddy gets up with you, but you SCREAM until he brings you in to nurse. A habit we are too tired to break. :)

You are content to play by yourself. You often do want to play with your brothers, but they yell "Baby Monster" and they are starting to get increaingly frustrated when you try to get into their little play scenarios. They have learned to move to higher ground when doing puzzles, or lining up cars, or playing games. Those boys love you to pieces though. They look out for you, want to greet you when they hear you from your room, and they make sure you have enough to at for meals.

Speaking of meals, you seem to love table food. You have cut way back in your nursing. I thought you were going to wean yourself completely there for a couple of days. We are pretty much down to sleepy times, but even then, you will go to sleep for others. Your favorites are still blueberries, but you also love watermelon, sweet potatoes, and most meats suprisingly, especially salmon, the favorite of all 3 of you.

People constantly comment how happy and content you are. You can be a bit fussier at home, but you really are a content little boy. I often "worry" that you don't get as many pictures taken of you being the third, but we are busy enjoying the time with you instead. We love you little man!

10 months JAB

Life is flying with 3 littles.

Faster than I can keep up. I'm learning to stay home when we can, and to say NO to what we can, which helps to slow everything down.

Judah, you are blond! The blue eyes, we weren't so shocked at that, but I keep waiting for that hair to darken. It just keeps getting lighter! I thought I saw it growing in lighter, so I gave you a haircut, and yep. Blond.

You are such a sweet baby. Daddy and I went on a 4 day trip to Seattle, and you turned 9 months old while we were gone, and since that time you don't want to leave my side. You give hugs everytime I get you from your crib and we love your open-mouthed kisses.

You are standing on furniture, standing on your own for several seconds at a time, and crusing everywhere you can. We are in constant awe of how BUSY you are and how much you love putting EVERYTHING YOU CAN FIND into your mouth.

I just saw a blog post yesterday of an artist who photographed 63 items she removed from her child's mouth. These pictures were taken over months, I could do that in a day.

You love baths, blueberries, and climbing up and down the stairs. You love standing at the front door, nursing to sleep, and you apparently love the taste of mulch. You love your brothers, being on our big bed, and standing on your toes to play the piano.

We cannot imagine this world without you, Judah.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

JAB 5 Months

You just keep growing! I think your little cheeks are fillin out again, so I am gearing up for another gowth spurt. I cannot fathom how fast little humans grow at this stage of life, it is miraculous, really.

You have decided to start rolling, back to front. You don't wait long to roll, sometimes immediately. You haven't tried to roll back, but instead just get a bit perturbed about it. That's ok with me, since I know what happens when you decide to get going.

You put everything you can into your mouth. Asher think it's funny when that includes his fingers.

Micah has become so gentle with you, Asher is big enough he really has always been. Wish I hadn't told him about that soft spot on your head though...

You are truly belly-laughing. It's hilarious, but only your brothers can elicite it from you. Usually you like them to jump around and act crazy, but it's not the same when mommy does it.

You are still napping 3 times a day, but the lengths really vary. Night sleep is great some nights, and not so great others. You still seem congested, but I keep waiting it out. Not sure if anything is going on there...

You have started to grab our cups when we drink, I forgot that fact when I was attempting to drink a smoothie with a lidless straw. That was messy.

This month you also conrtracted RSV from your brothers and spent the last week of your 5th month in the hospital. After a check-up with your brothers, we found your SPO2 was low (sleeping in my arms aftera breathing treatment it wouldn't pop above 89) so we were intstructed to go sraight to the hospital. I couldn't even drop off Asher and Micah. We spent 5 days on oxygen, mainly while you slept. It was a difficult 5 days, but only on the medical side, you did so well, despite being woken up often and not at home.

We are glad to start this month off getting towards healthy. That experience was difficult and eye opening, but made us so thankful for our health.

JAB 4 Months

You are not so little any more!

At your 4 month appointment you have reached 27 inches (99%) and 16 lbs, 6 ounces (75%). It will be interesting to see if your height continues to be off the charts. People continually comment how BIG you look, not at all your age.

I ordered several 9 month pieces, only to find them too short for you in the torso. Add in the cloth diapers, and we are looking for more clothes. You are in mostly 12 month stuff now.

You are starting to belly laugh which we are all mesmorized by. You find your big brothers especially hilarious and they love entertaining you. You are also a bit ticklish.

We had the dreaded 4 month sleep regression, but we know it's temporary.

You have finally decided on 3 naps a day and eat every 3-4. You also have had your first cold and ear infection (!?!). I wonder if I am eating something that you don't agree with, because some dry/excema looking skin has emerged also.

You are still a laid back and happy boy, loved by so many people. We even get comments from many on how content you are, it's been so much fun to have you around.

You have only added to the love in our family. I am so thankful the Lord has let us borrow you here on earth. You are a reminder that children are indeed, such a blessing.

JAB 3 Months

I have a hard time with babies. I do better when I can communicate a bit better with a child. Judah has made me rethink that, just because it's going so fast.

You have started getting up only twice a night. between 12-2 and 4 hours after that. your wake up time varies, but most times I don't think you actually want to be awake. Anyway, its been glorious.

Just when I started to get frustrated with your napping, you switched it up on me. You were taking 4(ish) short naps, none longer than 40 minutes. Then one day you took two short naps, one mornng, one evening, and are taking a loooong afternoon nap. 2-4 hours. you will wake up to nurse, but go right back down.

The boys are still just smitten with you, and the feeling is mutual. Micah is still a bit scary to you, but for good reason: he is still very rough.

We are all somehow still calling you Judah Bug. I'm not sure where that came from, but it's cute to hear your brothers say it.  Asher has been heard telling you that he loves you and will always love you, no matter what, forever and ever. Him and I had a conversation recently and it manifested itself with you. I am so sure he means it. He also calls you chubby cheeks, little brother, and when he gets to you he says, "don't worry, your biggest brother is here".

You like to stand up and are starting to roll towards your side, but no farther. You have gotten your first cold and have been pretty ok with it. You are just surprisingly laid back most of the time.

Lastly, Micah gave you your first bonk on the head. He came out of no where while I was holding you, forehead to forehead. It left a red bump, but to my amazement, you didn't make a sound. You just looked at him in this weird way. I got the distinct impression that you were just informing him that you have logged that infraction and as soon as you can get to him, you will be making up for it. You are the biggest so far of the three boys Judah, it will be interesting to see what that looks like in a few years.

You are a blessing to our family!