Our sweet Owen is now seven months old and his personality is starting to really shine. He is sweet and happy, super cuddly, a go-getter, a seeker and a finder. I think he is a genius! He has the physical abilities Josiah did at a young age (waving bye bye already, rolling balls back and forth) but has this way of studying, looking at people, and babbling like Maryn did as a baby. He doesn't really look at books with us like the other two did. He attacks them! He attacks all the touchy-feely books and every other kind of book rather aggressively. Even his kisses are pretty aggressive! He pats us on the back aggressively, too. It's adorable. He has said da-da for a while, but has progressed into saying what sounds just like "Hey Dada!" all the time. I think he calls everyone dada.
He loves to wave at me while I'm nursing him, right in front of my face, with a smile so big!
He is very easy to engage. Playing with him and cuddling him is addicting. But he does very well just sitting on the floor and observing or even sitting by himself for a while. I often sneak into his bedroom to grab something and find him just laying there awake, playing with his hands.
He loves bath time, loves his brother and sister, and loves to play with crinkly things and balls. He can always find paper and has, ahem, choked on paper more than once. :) He is a big boy. A whopping 20 pounds, and tall too!
It amazes me that all our children look and act so different. We love you, Owen!
Here's a post about Maryn at 7 months. http://mandilu.blogspot.com/2009/04/cute-little-bully.html
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Great Expectations
Tonight is just one of those nights I need to sit down and write. I remember these nights. They happened long ago when I had time to think and even write down my thoughts. It seems nights like this are rare. But all three children are in bed at 10 pm, for once, and here I am in front of a screen when I should be climbing into bed.
It's safe to say we are all a little shaken by the events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT on Friday. While I was obviously disturbed and upset by what happened there, I, in usual fashion, went on with my days just like all other days. Not really thinking, not really feeling, not really praying about any of it.
Expectations
My expectations of this season were pretty big. Since we found out we were having a baby and that baby would be born in May, I've been looking forward to this Christmas. How fun it will be to have a four year old, a two and a half year old, and a seven month old at Christmas? Perhaps I will remember this Christmas for the rest of my life. Owen's chubby little hands clawing at wrapping paper and delighted smiles at every new toy. Josiah's sweet giggles and frosting-smeared grins. Maryn spontaneously combusting with excitement.
And here we are...in the middle of the Christmas season. So many children were killed. Babies not returned to their mamas that day. And here I am...trying to get things done, getting frustrated with my kids, dragging them around to a million things each day, pumping them with sugar and then trying to have special moments in front of the fire or reading Christmas stories or singing Christmas songs...but then someone poops or bites or hits (for my family, it's usually poop) and everything is not perfect. Reality sets in.
When Jesus came to earth, he came in a way no one expected. He did not overthrow the government like most Jews expected. He fulfilled prophecies which seem so obvious to many of us now, but he was not what a lot of people expected, so they didn't recognize him as Messiah. So many Jewish people did not know he was their King. I read this question in my advent book today: "Have you ever had the experience of being disappointed because your expectations clashed with reality?"
"Have you ever had the experience of being disappointed because your expectations clashed with reality?"
Do you know that this is my life? That I have very clear expectations in my head of almost everything. In some ways, this is a gift. As a teacher especially, it was helpful. I could plan our day and foresee problems or potential downfalls. As a parent, this is not as huge of a gift. Expect the unexpected is what they say, isn't it? Honestly, my expectations are so huge, that this little "gift" has become a huge, whopping sin. I have no idea how I never saw it before. I see it there, right in the middle of my life, like a giant spider with its legs outstretched, reaching every corner of my existence. My expectations. Destroying friendships, messing up all my relationships, my jobs, my days.
This is the same sin as God's own people, the Jews, who were so familiar with all the prophecies and still mostly rejected Jesus as Messiah. It's a big deal.
I think of the sweet older women who plead with young mothers to enjoy this time with my kids. It goes so quickly. Yes, yes I know, but...but...what?
I give up. I can't do anything right. Even when I am trying so, so hard. The answer, CLEARLY, is Jesus. I pray he would remove my fuzzy lenses of expectations and show me reality this Christmas. Maybe reality is something to be embraced, enjoyed and experienced without fear and without reservation. Without a plan and without financial backing. Jesus wasn't what anyone expected. He was so much more, and I know he has a better way for me, too, than the one I've been living.
It's safe to say we are all a little shaken by the events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT on Friday. While I was obviously disturbed and upset by what happened there, I, in usual fashion, went on with my days just like all other days. Not really thinking, not really feeling, not really praying about any of it.
Expectations
My expectations of this season were pretty big. Since we found out we were having a baby and that baby would be born in May, I've been looking forward to this Christmas. How fun it will be to have a four year old, a two and a half year old, and a seven month old at Christmas? Perhaps I will remember this Christmas for the rest of my life. Owen's chubby little hands clawing at wrapping paper and delighted smiles at every new toy. Josiah's sweet giggles and frosting-smeared grins. Maryn spontaneously combusting with excitement.
And here we are...in the middle of the Christmas season. So many children were killed. Babies not returned to their mamas that day. And here I am...trying to get things done, getting frustrated with my kids, dragging them around to a million things each day, pumping them with sugar and then trying to have special moments in front of the fire or reading Christmas stories or singing Christmas songs...but then someone poops or bites or hits (for my family, it's usually poop) and everything is not perfect. Reality sets in.
When Jesus came to earth, he came in a way no one expected. He did not overthrow the government like most Jews expected. He fulfilled prophecies which seem so obvious to many of us now, but he was not what a lot of people expected, so they didn't recognize him as Messiah. So many Jewish people did not know he was their King. I read this question in my advent book today: "Have you ever had the experience of being disappointed because your expectations clashed with reality?"
"Have you ever had the experience of being disappointed because your expectations clashed with reality?"
Do you know that this is my life? That I have very clear expectations in my head of almost everything. In some ways, this is a gift. As a teacher especially, it was helpful. I could plan our day and foresee problems or potential downfalls. As a parent, this is not as huge of a gift. Expect the unexpected is what they say, isn't it? Honestly, my expectations are so huge, that this little "gift" has become a huge, whopping sin. I have no idea how I never saw it before. I see it there, right in the middle of my life, like a giant spider with its legs outstretched, reaching every corner of my existence. My expectations. Destroying friendships, messing up all my relationships, my jobs, my days.
This is the same sin as God's own people, the Jews, who were so familiar with all the prophecies and still mostly rejected Jesus as Messiah. It's a big deal.
I think of the sweet older women who plead with young mothers to enjoy this time with my kids. It goes so quickly. Yes, yes I know, but...but...what?
I give up. I can't do anything right. Even when I am trying so, so hard. The answer, CLEARLY, is Jesus. I pray he would remove my fuzzy lenses of expectations and show me reality this Christmas. Maybe reality is something to be embraced, enjoyed and experienced without fear and without reservation. Without a plan and without financial backing. Jesus wasn't what anyone expected. He was so much more, and I know he has a better way for me, too, than the one I've been living.
Friday, December 07, 2012
Surgery
So one of the reasons I haven't posted is because Google says I have to pay more money to load pictures on here. Boo. I think we'll figure something out soon though. I just wanted to jot down a few things here tonight.
We took Josiah to an ENT a few weeks ago and the doctor thought that Josiah's tonsils and allergies were not bad enough to require surgery till he was older. I told the doctor at that appointment I was worried about his sleep because it seems like he stops breathing in his sleep, but the doctor kind of looked at me like I was crazy and said we could record the sound of him sleeping on our phone and bring it in for him to listen. So we did and the doctor agreed he does indeed have some sleep apnea. Also, yesterday at his appointment, his tonsils looked miserable (far worse than our first appointment) and his ears still had fluid in them, so the doctor wants to get his adenoids and tonsils out as soon as possible and possibly put tubes in his ears.
I am feeling so relieved! I have expected and wanted Josiah to have this surgery since he was born. He's always sounded awful to me while he sleeps but our pediatrician and every other doctor that has seen him has said he sounds fine. But he doesn't sound fine at night at all and has always had weird waking up issues, including sleep walking and talking.
But when we got home I opened the folder the ENT office gave us and the pamphlet right inside is titled "Pediatric Surgery," and ugh, those words give me the shivers. Sooooooo instead of just floating through this surgery thing like it's nothing, I am going to try to practice letting myself feel and be emotional, and yet cast all my anxiety on God, because He cares for me, and He cares for our sweet boy Josiah!
I think this surgery is going to mean great changes for him. I think he will sleep a lot better, feel a lot better, be much more active (yay) in some ways but maybe more attentive in some ways, too. He's gone through life feeling tired, I think, and honestly John and I are pretty tired, too!
Here's to a more comfortable life and better sleep. Your prayers are greatly appreciated! We have never gone through anything like this with our kids before! Usually I am the one having surgery and for some strange reason I really prefer it that way.
Maryn is jealous. Of course. :-p
We took Josiah to an ENT a few weeks ago and the doctor thought that Josiah's tonsils and allergies were not bad enough to require surgery till he was older. I told the doctor at that appointment I was worried about his sleep because it seems like he stops breathing in his sleep, but the doctor kind of looked at me like I was crazy and said we could record the sound of him sleeping on our phone and bring it in for him to listen. So we did and the doctor agreed he does indeed have some sleep apnea. Also, yesterday at his appointment, his tonsils looked miserable (far worse than our first appointment) and his ears still had fluid in them, so the doctor wants to get his adenoids and tonsils out as soon as possible and possibly put tubes in his ears.
I am feeling so relieved! I have expected and wanted Josiah to have this surgery since he was born. He's always sounded awful to me while he sleeps but our pediatrician and every other doctor that has seen him has said he sounds fine. But he doesn't sound fine at night at all and has always had weird waking up issues, including sleep walking and talking.
But when we got home I opened the folder the ENT office gave us and the pamphlet right inside is titled "Pediatric Surgery," and ugh, those words give me the shivers. Sooooooo instead of just floating through this surgery thing like it's nothing, I am going to try to practice letting myself feel and be emotional, and yet cast all my anxiety on God, because He cares for me, and He cares for our sweet boy Josiah!
I think this surgery is going to mean great changes for him. I think he will sleep a lot better, feel a lot better, be much more active (yay) in some ways but maybe more attentive in some ways, too. He's gone through life feeling tired, I think, and honestly John and I are pretty tired, too!
Here's to a more comfortable life and better sleep. Your prayers are greatly appreciated! We have never gone through anything like this with our kids before! Usually I am the one having surgery and for some strange reason I really prefer it that way.
Maryn is jealous. Of course. :-p
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
