ECB 3 Months

Zeke, you fit in here as if you have always been here. You are as content a baby as I have ever known and quick to smile at everyone. You have stopped screaming after bathtime, which has been nice. You love bath time itself, but not the getting out and getting dressed part.

Your good sleeping streak has come to an end. We are trying you in the crib, thinking that the bassinet may no longer be comfortable. It feels silly to think that, but sleep deprivation makes you think lots of funny things. 

You are stronger every day. You can bear weight on your legs and are able to lift your head on your belly. You have finally come into a schedule during the day. You are taking 4 naps a day, 1 every 2 hours, and only for 45-60 minutes. We leave a blanket in your crib and swaddle you with it every time. Sometimes we are able to lay you down awake, and sometimes not. I haven't figured out that sweet spot.

Your brothers still dote on you regularly, but it's harder for them to hold you, as you no longer want to be cradled, but want to sit up and see out. Asher has figured out that he can carry you, which is terrifying, but he does a good job. We have had to ask him to NOT get you out of your crib.

Our days are full and we don't leave the house much anymore. We have switched to a convertable car seat since it's difficult for me to carry the infant one. At your 2 month doctor's appointment you were just under 15 pounds. Taking all 4 of you out by myself is still a bit overwhelming to me and has only happened when your dad has been traveling. Plus, you seem to greatly dislike cold air, sucking in, gasping, or even seemingly choking on it if you encounter it. I'm hoping that doesn't last long as the bigger boys love to ski and I would take you outside more if we could.

You turned 3 months the day before Christmas and we spent your first one in Detroit. The car ride up was esay, the car ride back was a little hairy, but went smoothly after you went to sleep. I am thankful that time in the car with you has become much less stressful!

I am able to handle the sleep loss a bit easier with each child and your dad is such a great help. Without him, we wouldn't be able to do this at all. 

ECB 1 Month

Ezekiel, this has been the fastest month of my life. We woke yesterday (Monday) and I was surprised by the date. There were times in the first couple of weeks of your life that I felt time had slowed, but now that we are back into our "normal" rhythm, time is truly going at breakneck speed.

You came like your other brothers, on the weekend and at night. You have grown right before our eyes and are no longer that little tiny newborn. You are over 12 pounds and are long enough to be stretching out those 3 month pajamas.

You seem to be very laid back, but only with mommy. You seem to know if anyone else has you and aren't very happy about it. We know that will change, so I am trying to soak it in. You do not sleep during the day unless you are held. I have gotten the Tula out to try to get out of the rocking chair for the sake of the rest of the household. I could in fact sit and rock you all day, as long as someone would bring me some sustenance!

You are so incredibly loved! Micah especially loves to hold you, but all 3 fight for your attention and smiles and touch, even a month later.

We think you look like my dad (Grandpa Ankrom) and Micah in the eyes, but wonder if you resemble your Great-Granma Frances in the mouth and chin. Your eyes are still dark blue, the slight brown I thought I saw in the first few days seem to have disappeared. You have a cowlick almost in the center of your hairline, I hope you can figure that out! The 2 toned birthmark on your back was a surprise when you were born, and I am now sad it will have to be removed one day.

We are so thankful you are here and it feels like you have been with us the entire time. We are so in love.

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.

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.

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!

Breastfeeding: A Modern Day Miracle

Today at lunch, Asher asked me if I had to eat quickly so that I could start making milk (he was talking about "Judah's milk" or breastfeeding). I informed him that actually, my body makes milk without me even thinking about it.

"Can you feel it?" he asked.

"No" I replied "not when I'm making it".

God has formed my body (from 2 cells, can you believe it??) so that I can feed my child everything it needs, from one substance, that I don't have to even think about. I just eat, drink, and nurse my child. That is it. I don't even know how much my child is eating, did you know that? I have no idea how much milk my child is eating at any given feeding, on any given day. The only thing I know is that he poops, pees, and is growing. That little baby and my body somehow have this silent communication that creates different milks, different amounts, at different times, it's all crazytown.

The "experts" have been trying to recreate breast milk for decades, and they still don't have a perfect match. It will grow a child, which is awesome for so many, but I'm talking about the chemical composition, all of the tiny little ingredients. All this scientific research, and study, and experiment, and still not the same substance.

That's when it hit me what a miracle God has placed in my life on a daily, no, hourly basis. I have been breastfeeding now for 31 months of the last 4.5 years and it's just now occurred to me that I have become completely "numb" to a modern day miracle.

Isn't that what we do? Isn't that what the Israelites did (over, and over, and over...) Don't we get so excited about some major healing, or answered prayers, or some freak accident, or even hear the voice of God (or you know, follow a pillar of smoke/fire around?) and then a day, week, year later forget? Do we even see the everyday miracles surrounding us?

I don't.

What a reminder today.

Modern day miracles, all around me, in my everyday.

JAB Months 1 & 2

Judah-Bug, as we all call him, is one content and easy baby.

Judah, you:

Had a pretty bad case of jaundice day two of life. I took you to the ped, who stated you were actually orange. I couldn't get to the blood lab until the next day, and by then these mommy eyes could tell that you looked a tiny bit better and you started pooping regularly. You never had your blood drawn and you cleared up rather quickly.

Very good with your nights and days. I think we only had one "uh-oh" night (your brother Micah had his switched for a time) which meant you were the first of my babies I ever woke during the day to feed. You got right back on track.

You switched from your bassinet to the crib shoved up against our bed around 6 weeks which you seem to love, you had just headed back to waking every two hours. I knew you weren't very comfortable in that thing. You are back to every 3-4 hours.

There was a period of a couple days when I could tell I had been keeping you too busy. You were losing it at 6 pm and screaming for about an hour. I put you in the Tula and paced in the field behind our house until you fell asleep. Itook the next week to make no plans and let you nap. That solved the problem.

You still don't nap well out and about, and the best days for you are at home. Did I actually have a homebody for a baby??

Which may be why God has changed my heart in that  department, I feel much more inclined to try to stay put! We walk Asher to and from preschool 3 days a week, and sometimes that even seems too much.

You gave your first quick smiles at 4 weeks and have been smiling big since 6. It tickles your brothers to get a smile from you. Daddy loves it to get one when he gets home or goes to get you out of bed. You love to communicate with us with your tongue as well. Daddy claims you laugh, but I don't hear it. You are cooing and gurgling a lot now and the boys love it when you make that loud sucking noise.

Naps are short for you and are just now settling into 4 a day. None longer than 40 minutes though. We need to work on that, but I'm not sure how!

You have such a calm, peaceful spirit. We love to hold you and cuddle. You are our little "chubby cheeks" or "Judah Bug" and we just can't imagine our lives, or family, without you!

JAB - Birth Story

This, our 3rd pregnancy, has always been different. I'm sure it's because I was already chasing two small children. I was more tired and for longer, a bit more nauseous, bigger faster, more emotional (is that possible?!?), and didn't actually feel good until the 3rd trimester. We were convinced we were having a girl. We even had a girls name picked!

So, obviously, we were shocked at 33 weeks in the hospital with abdominal pain to see that she was in fact, a he! I was in pain and freaked out, but I busted out laughing. I think it took Brad a few days to let go of the idea of a girl. Not because we were hoping for one, but he had gotten used to the idea, and sometimes it's hard for him to switch those gears. Girls have always frightened both of us. I have 5 sisters, and, you know, I am a girl. I was a handful.

Judah has always and forever been breech. We have known since somewhere in the 20's weeks. Asher was turned at 28 weeks by our midwife (MW). She tried at three different appointments to manually turn Judah, once while I was inverted on an ironing board. I went to two different chiropractors, used essential oils, tried handstands, etc. the child was not interested in turning. We didn't make a big announcement because we knew the concern it would bring. We prayed about it for months and we were given a peace about it and our midwife was at peace with it, and that's all we needed. We knew it would be an automatic c-section at our OB, or anywhere for that matter. For the record, our MW has attended over 1200 births, approximately 40 of those being breech.

My due date was the 16th and we had a great morning date followed by a family day of just us four. It ended in my favorite pizza - Besta Fasta - which I just found the receipt to, can I put that in the baby book? That was the night of the Blueberry Festival fireworks which you can see from our backyard. We had planned to let the boys stay up to watch them but I was so tired by 8 o'clock I threw in the towel. I felt so guilty, but these kiddos will not sleep up, up late or not. It turned out for the best anyway!

I woke up at 1230 to wetness. I thought I had possibly peed myself, went to the bathroom, laid back down, and hey!, more fluid. That made it clear my water had broke. I texted my MW and mom and decided to go back to sleep. Brad and I had discussed not wanting to birth in the middle of the night again, and again, I thought I could tell my body what to do. It complied for a while until 4 when I awoke. I remember thinking I couldn't put it off much longer and laid there waiting for contractions to start, which they did at 430.

At this point they were coming every 5 min and I let everyone know that this was the day and asked my MW to come now as Micah arrived exactly 2 hours from waking up with strong contractions. I did not want to be alone for a breech birth. I started timing them while Brad worked on getting everything prepared. The MW's daughter showed up first, followed by the MW, my MIL, then my mom. At that point they were already every 2 min, obvious contractions, but not horrible.

My MW took the time to check me, I told her not to say that I was less than 6 cm, and that's exactly what I was. I knew by the way I was feeling kicks that he was a footling breech (feet first as opposed to butt first) and her internal check confirmed it, she could feel a little foot barely being held back by my cervix. She let me know that I may feel the foot come down as I became complete. We prayed. The next contraction Judah started kicking me in the cervix while I was contracting. That, my friends,
 was not pleasant. I let Judah know he wasn't going to do that or we weren't going to make it, and he graciously complied. That was enough to send me to the tub.

I labored in the tub fairly easily. I was no longer timing the contractions. They were strong, but I was conversing in between them. We woke the boys to send them to a wonderful friends house at about 615 in the morning. Bless her. I had a small lull in contractions, just enough to give them both kisses. They were a bit confused by all the people and that I was just chilling in the bathtub, but after a quick discussion, they were back to being excited.

I labored some more when a contraction hit and I felt a small *pop* and I could tell that both his little feet were now in the birth canal. I looked straight over to my MW and she laughed at my wide eyes.
She could tell exactly what had happened.  After trying some internal checks and looking at the timing of my last labors, we knew I was probably complete, but it's hard to tell when there are legs coming out...

I decided to move back to our room to see if I could push. This time around I didn't experience transition like I did with my first two, and I never get an intense urge to push, so I just put a little pressure on him and out popped both feet! It was easy and exciting so I decided to start pushing. This was at 7:01. It was hard. It felt like I couldn't move him. I had kept invisioning  him just kind of slithering out, but there wasn't any slippery stuff in real life, and he almost felt like he was sticking to me. My MW kept reassuring me, she was calm, even when I would start getting frustrated. I pushed for probably 40 more minutes and at one point I remember thinking, "oh my goodness, I think I am getting too OLD to do this anymore!".

At this point the MW suggested I flip over and hang on to my hubby's legs. That was all it took. As soon as I flipped belly up, he was on his way out, there was nothing I could do about it. He came out up to his chest quickly, and I had to push the rest of him out. We had the whole floor covered and there he was, a little blue (normal!) and breathing, but shallow. My MW leaned down to give him a little helper breath, and after the second little puff his eyes flew open, and he reached up and got two handfuls of her hair! That's when I knew all was well in the world. He was laid on my chest in bed and I could tell why he felt like he was sticking to me, he was still covered in sticky vernix!

He was healthy and happy, and although more exhausted than I have ever been in my life, I was actually not sore at all. He nursed, we bathed, and got right back into bed. In fact, I don't think I left the bed for the rest of the day. We had two boy names that we never decided on. I gave daddy the job of deciding, and he didn't actually have a name until he returned home with the big boys. Micah still preferred Abraham, but Judah Ankrom Beer was the winner. Ankrom, for those of you that don't know, is my maiden name.

This was the first baby I got to go into labor on my own, without stripping my membranes or even checking my progress prior to. He came a day after he was due and even though I thought he would be small, he was only an ounce lighter than Micah. We have all adjusted well and now I can't imagine saying "no" to him. I am so glad the God changed our hearts to welcome a third baby. I can see now how people end up with lots of kids, because, how do you say no to a life?

You can tell that things are a bit busier here since this took 2 months to finish, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

Pictures will have to come when Hubby can help me with iPad vs computer. I am technologically illiterate. I'm too busy raising babies. :)

Pomegranates.

Have you ever heard it said that if something is said to you twice, it's God talking? I really don't think that's at all how the saying goes, but I think you get the picture.

Well, apparently God has me on a pomegranate mission.

Instead of boring you with the details of my pomegranate infused last two weeks I will just tell you this. I love pomegranate, I found out the both boys love it, and then I found out I have been peeling it all wrong.

You do know that we have entered pomegranate season, right? You can thank me later for this life-changing video. Or you can just mail me some pomegranates.

Thanks to a certain Domka for posting this to FB to begin with. Maybe I owe HER a pomegranate.

Lately. (Part 1 of ??)

Hi there. Yep, the sleep is still quasi-abundant at the Beer household. Every time I stop to think about the sleep going on here I get this picture in my head of the cartoon "light shining down from heaven scene" and a chorus of "AAAAaaaa" rings in my head.

Dramatic? I'm allowed to be.

This may or may not be from my April 2013 folder...

Biggest news? We moved. 15 minutes closer to my husband's work which brings his commute down to 45 minutes on a good traffic day. Which, if you have ever lived in Columbus then you know how often that occurs on 270. Side note: seriously, get over. There are like 10 lanes on that freeway. Get. Over.

The Old House

We went from an 1930 fixer-upper to a 1960 only-need-some-paint-and-as-we-found-out-later-new-carpet dream. Seriously, why is it easier to clean this house? I mean, it's bigger, as in, we don't know what to DO with all of the space (who am I kidding, we are figuring it out), but just easier to clean and put things away.

Favorite parts? TWO sinks in one of the TWO bathrooms (no more pushing each other off the step stool while brushing teeth - and the boys are getting along better too). The laundry ROOM. The PLAYROOM. Yep, finished basement is now a play room. What's that? You don't see any toys in the living room? Boom!

Dramatic? I'm still allowed to be.

So, that's it for now. I still am using nap time to unpack, clean, paint, or maybe, take a nap myself. Especially since I have some short nappers here. Hey, beggars can't be choosers!

Easter 2013. I'm a little behind.

Sleep! Glorious sleep!

Hi there.

It's been a while.

I'm happy to be here again, it's been on my mind a lot. Mostly the mom guilt. If I don't write things down here, then they really aren't being written down.

Sorry mom.

I finally put my foot down and my non-sleeper (Micah) is finally sleeping. Pay no attention that he just turned 18 months-old this past week.

So, you get to enjoy my gramatically incorrect ramblings again, and I get to lessen the mom-guilt.

Winning!

9 & 10 Months - MBB

I'm sorry to skip a month Little Man. You and your brother have not been sleeping well for a long while now. You both have been sick twice and a little more needy than you normally are, so blogging has taken a backseat. I sometimes get a little frustrated that no matter the time I set my alarm you will both beat that time, and it's been difficult to get up before 6. Very difficult.

Despite the lack of sleep you are such a fun, happy baby. You have a little ornery streak and love to entertain people and yourself. You will be happy immediately upon waking and only get cranky right before you want to go to sleep. 

You are now very efficient (read:FAST!) at crawling and you will pull yourself up on everything and creep around the furniture. You seem content with that for now and I don't think you will try walking soon. Foolishly I am hoping in the next month however so that you can play outside better with Asher this summer.

You still love the Tickle the Tiger book as evidenced by it's torn binding. You still have no interest in letting me read them to you but you love to turn pages. You still love your green ball and like to throw it and retrieve it. Your favorite toys are a couple of polka dot spatulas and a couple of wooden spoons which we get some funny comments about out in public. You will stir things around in bowls or containers at home.

You have mastered going up the stairs but are just figuring out how to get back down. You can get down the first two steps on the landing but only if you are still facing up as you haven't figured out how to turn around to come back down yet.

You just keep growing and growing and growing little one! I try to soak in as much of you as I can while it's still left! We love you oh so much!

8 Months - MBB

You turned 8 months old 3 days after Christmas. You are a big boy who has figured out how to crawl! We love to watch you get around the house because you seem to find such joy in your new independence. You kind of smile and giggle to yourself as you explore your surroundings. People like to make comments as to how much harder my job will now be but your dad and I both agree that things get easier once our babies become mobile. You would get really mad when a toy you were playing with would get out of your reach and you would get so upset when your brother had something you couldn’t go explore. You can also go from lying to sitting. You are much happier now as you can get to things yourself.

Your love for that independence seems to be showing itself more and more lately. You are happy to play by yourself for longer stretches. You love to open and close the doors and play with the utensils and dishes of the play kitchen. You make little car noises as you push them back and forth on the floor. The kitchen table and its chairs seem to be your favorite new discovery and hideout and a small green ball is our favorite playtime thing together. I put it in your lap, you grunt and throw it! 

You also show your independence in the food department. You don’t want to eat much off of a spoon but instead prefer things that you can pick up and put into your own mouth. You also have no interest in baby food but want whatever we are eating as a family.

We have been trying to introduce books, and your favorite is “Have You Ever Tickled A Tiger?”, but you don’t like to sit and listen. After we read each page you close the book to look at the cover. It’s as if you are making sure that it is still there. Another favorite game is to pull out all of the books you can manage out of the book basket which we find pretty entertaining. 

You are a busy little guy and we are grateful for that. We love having you as a part of the family Micah!

7 Months - MBB

Micah, my little happy baby, you can finally sit up on your own, enough that I can walk away without worry and enough that your brother won’t knock you over easily when he races past you. You say “Bye Bye!” (sounds like "dye dye") and wave your arm and think it’s funny to do so.

Your favorite person is still Asher. It almost hurts my heart to see how much you adore him, only because most times the feeling is not reciprocated because you are after his toys. However, you are not afraid to yell at Asher if he takes away a toy you are playing with. You get so mad and yell and I think it’s hilarious. It stops your big brother in his tracks and he usually returns the item, if not he will find you a “baby toy” to replace it with. 

Speaking of baby toys, you don’t care much for them. You see your brother’s big boy toys and think they look lovely! For now, it’s easier to keep them away because you have stopped rolling where you want to go and just kind of stretch toward the object. You are getting your knees under you sometimes, but no movement yet. 

Bath time has become a riot. Much of the time bath time is now shared. If Asher sees you in the tub he races to join and you splash like there is no tomorrow. I mean, there is water EVERYWHERE when you are finished. You don’t mind water in your eyes and you and Asher go to town in the bathtub. You don’t mind if he splashed your face even though we don’t like it much and try to keep the intensity under control. You don’t help much in that arena though.

Bed time for you is 7:30 and you will sleep until 6:30-7:30, with many breaks at night. That’s something we are going to have to remedy soon… You still will nap twice per day but you aren’t on much of a schedule for the first one. 

I love your kisses, giggles, and hugs. You are such a blessing to our family. I know I have said this over and over again, but I have learned in this world that there are never to many opportunities to say “I love you”.

A Difficult Year - A Joyful Heart

2012 has been a crazy year for me and my family. Things have been so full-speed that I felt completely out of control at times and overwhelmed.

We have had so many ER visits, sicknessess, and doctor visits that for the first time in my life I am now the proud owner of medical bills. We have had stitches, broken bones, allergic reactions, and lots and lots of albuterol.

I have missed all but one of my parents, siblings and friends birthdays. Even my husband has yet to actually receive his gift, and while I actually managed to get him a card, he opened it a month after the fact.

I was hospitalized for postpartum depression over the Labor Day weekend spending 4 days away from my children. If that wasn't bad enough, I caused us to miss the last vacation to Torch Lake with my in-laws before my father-in-law passed.

My last remaining grandparent, my grandmother, passed as well as my very young father-in-law.

This year has definitely been the hardest of my life. This past week has been the most difficult.

Yet, I am sitting here, past my bedtime, with a joyful, thankful heart.

I am not listing my woes fishing for sympathies, a pat-on-the-back, or encouragement. I want to look back on these times and remember.

Jesus has been good to me this year.

As is often the case, difficulties in life are the ways God brings us all the more closer to Him. I have never felt more alive in Christ, more able to hear His voice, more clearly seen His awesome hand than now. I have been drawn so tightly into the arms of Jesus that sometimes I feel like my heart is going to burst from that embrace. I have prayed for and heard the answer for God to change my heart, change my thought pattern, let HIM be seen through me.

Our God is an awesome God. Did you know that? My eyes have been opened.

I have been reading the daily thankful posts on Facebook for the month of November and I have been compiling a mental list of my own. I was excited to be able to share them when a meeting I had scheduled included a chance to share my top ten for the year. I ended up having to miss that  meeting (not the first I've missed this year!). I thought instead I would jot them down here. 

1. I am thankful for those medical bills - they tell me that my husband has a job and that I do indeed have health insurance when so many others have none at all.

2. I am thankful for postpartum depression - it has allowed me to relate to so many other women dealing with the same issues. It has allowed me to be open with my situation which has begun dialogue that many are afraid to talk about. It has answered the question of if we should have more children and lifted a heavy weight off of my shoulders.

3. I am thankful for a weekend in the psych ward -I started relationships with others that I would not have outside of the hospital. I learned that people I would have judged before are in no way different than myself.

4. I am thankful for sickness - it has caused me not to take for granted each and every healthy day we have had.

5. I am thankful for cancer - it has opened my husband's eyes to the enormous importance of early detection. And yes, a prostate exam is actually pretty easy. Tell the men in your life to get them!

6. I am thankful for death - it has healed strained relationships, brought family closer together, and opened up avenues to say "I love you" to people it was difficult to say it to before.

7. I am thankful for only 1 income - it has taught me how to be a good steward of what God has so graciously given us. Having to stick to a strict budget has made us so much more responsible than before. It has also allowed me to realize that we are not of this world and made me look closely at what our culture tells us is important, and what actually IS important.

8. I am thankful for hardships - it has allowed me to accept and even ASK for help. Letting God use others to answer my prayers and let it bless them in the process.

9. I am thankful for marital trials - our trials have made it possible to help others in the encountering the same issues. At the time they seemed insurmountable, but we have been amazed to see God using them now.

10. I am thankful for the most difficult year of my life - God has placed people in my life that he knew I needed now. He has spoken though these people, offered comfort, wisdom, and friendships. He has opened avenues for me to encourage others in their walk with Christ. It has humbled me, brought me to my knees to beg God to change my heart and thought process (and He is working daily in those areas!), and allowed me to be totally dependent on the strength of Jesus. It has taught me the power of prayer on my own, with my children, and with my husband. It has made me a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.

There is still a month left of this turbulent year, and God only knows what the future years holds. Yet my heart has never been more filled with joy. 

6 Months - MBB

Micah! We are half way to your first birthday ALREADY!

I have never had six months of my life fly by so quickly. So quickly in fact that I did not record your fifth month.

You are still our happy little boy. Happy and BIG! At your six month checkup you were 29 inches tall (99%) and 19 pounds 2 ounces (86%) you are outgrowing some of your 12 month clothes and moving on to 18 month clothes. Like I said, big!

Micah an his friend Adelaide

You still nurse primarily and aren't much of a fan of any solid food besides bananas. I tried avocado, nectarines, apples, and even a cheerio. Nana finally gave you some rice cereal last weekend and THAT is what you were apparently holding out for. You are a huge fan. So now you eat bananas AND rice cereal. A varied diet indeed! I'm holding out hope that you will still come around to the avocados...

You have been sick a lot again, but it's the wheezing we are having trouble with. Even in between colds the last 7 weeks we can't rid you of the wheezing. We started steroids this last week, but they still aren't doing much. Hopefully some warm air over the weekend will do the trick.

You also have 4 teeth coming in this week. All 4 on top bring you to 6 teeth all together. You still aren't drooling but you won't let us touch your gums today. Teething tablets seem to be your friend! That and cold, wet washcloths. You LOVE them. So happy that something helps. You finally slept better last night too, so they must be feeling a bit better.

You are sitting up pretty well, but I can't leave you by yourself, you are having the most trouble falling over to the side. You roll where you want to go and your favorite toys are whatever your brother is playing with at the time. You seem to know that we are trying to pacify you with a baby toy and are never too happy about that.

 You love Billy the dog, but you really are a momma's boy and you adore Asher. When daddy comes in the door after work you grin and grin at him. You usually have a smile for everyone and we hear how much you look like your daddy all the time. You are such a joy to us and to others. We love you!

4 Months - MBB

Hi there. It's been a while. That however is a whole different post.

Micah, my dear, next week you will be 5 months already! So let's catch up on month 4.

You popped your two bottom teeth through the week before you turned 4 months with as little drooling as I think was possible. I thought I was seeing some swelling but I just didn't believe it without seeing drool! You proved me wrong. You were deceptively pleasant about it too, until they actually broke through. Still, you were our (mostly) happy little Micah.

You smile at everyone, especially your brother, but not much laughter yet. Daddy or Asher are the best at getting giggles. You are still laid back, happy, and a go-along-with-everything kind of baby.

You can roll back to front and I've only seen front to back a couple of times, once I think your brother helped you over so I'm not sold on that milestone yet. You get mad on your belly so I don't push too much "tummy time", you can send me those counseling bills later... :)

You have found your feet and the dog, Billy, but you aren't too sure what to make of the latter. Your favorite person is Asher which makes my heart just melt. You never cry when you wake up. Morning, noon, or night you just talk and coo. You smile at anyone who walks in the door to come take you out of your crib.

You have THE softest cheeks that I just love to touch and kiss. Your daddy says the same thing. You are looooong and still wearing 12-18 month clothing. The clothes that were handed down to you from Asher, he was wearing when he was walking. Your hair is growing in and looks like I took you to get a buzz cut. In the sun I still see red. Your eyes look blue one day, hazel, green, or even brown the next. Mine change from day to day so we wonder if that's what yours will do too.

After getting mad at me at dinner we tried some mashed up banana with you. You loved it and I couldn't get it to you fast enough. We have tried avocado, nectarines, and apples without success. I can't give you too much else until 6 months, so for now banana it is.

The banana did NOT help you sleep any better, but we can't have everything now can we?

Micah, I am so thankful you are such a happy, laid-back boy and hope that I am giving you everything you need since sometimes I think it's hard to tell by your temperament. I am so thankful that you are here to be a brother to Asher and that he is here to be a brother to you. You were hand-picked by God for this family and we can't imagine it without you, or those so soft cheeks. We love watching you grow and are trying to keep our eyes wide open because it is all happening so fast.

  And lastly, it has been decided, both by us, and in a way for us, that we won't be having that third child we had talked about. I hope you are happy to be a "youngest" child and never a "middle". We don't think you will mind too much! We love you.