Developmental Milestones

Anyone who has had a baby or takes care of them medically knows about developmental milestones. They are, in short, the things your baby does that shows he or she is growing appropriately.

Like about 6 weeks when you have to go back to work and the baby starts to smile at you.

So Simon is about 3 1/2 months. I was looking forward to his rolling over in the next few weeks, but he brought to my attention a milestone I really have not missed at all. That would be drooling - lots of drooling - on his hands (which are in his mouth), down his clothes, on his burp cloth, and now a beautiful rite of passage for my clothing.

Everyone seems to think "he's teething" but I think he has just found his hands and it seems that a good place for them is in his mouth. And drool is just kind of something he does. A lot...

Then again, if this lovely mess is a sign that my baby is growing well (and too fast I might add) then I'll take it. Just because I love that baby!!

3 months

Wow! My sweet Simon is 3 months old today. He is a big boy compared to my little Luke was just shy of 6 lbs at 3 months of age. Simon weighed 12 lbs at his 2 month visit, so I expect he is close to 13 lbs now. Sometimes, he feels light. Sometimes, he feels like he weighs a ton - especially in that car seat!

I have found I can go out with either Simon or Luke by myself for shopping or groceries. I need the help of another adult with both of them. At first, it was Jeff who went with me. Lately, it has been mostly my mother-in-law. I like the adult company, but sometimes Mr. Luke can go overboard and want so many things.

When I was a kid, I wanted a lot of things, but I don't think I really asked for them. I knew that I had to be patient and wait. For example, I had to wait until my birthday or until I had saved up some money to get things. And eating out, even at Mickey D's was a treat - not a once a week occurrence. And maybe, I realized even as a young child that my parent did not have money on trees. They worked hard for things, and we were considered blessed because we lived in a brick house. Life seemed so much simpler then...

So back to 2012 and how blessed I hope my children are. If only they knew the prayers said on behalf of them...

The Only Thing Constant in Life is Change...

Change is always upon us. Sometimes, it is difficult to experience change. And sometimes it is a wonderful thing. There are events to look forward to - like the birth of a sweet little boy. And then are those changes that are difficult to muddle through and swallow.

So far, it's been a wacky 2012. I had a baby, and now I'm back at work. Good for the budget but miss the little smiling baby. The weather has been mild this winter - good for my heating bill, bad for experiencing snow with the kids. And so many other changes that would be too complicated and possibly boring to mention.

The experts tell us that there are stress levels associated with change, like marriage, moving, and starting school are some are the heavier ones. And I am very happy that I experienced getting married, moving to another town (to be with my new husband) and starting medical school - all within a span of about 6 weeks. And the cool thing is that my Lord carried me through those changes.

As a doctor, I see a lot of stressed people. And they often seek medication to help them. And because I believe there are some benefits to those medications, I will prescribe them.

As a Christian, I also know that "Great is Thy faithfulness" and that stress needs to be turned over to Him who will fulfill His will. And our trials will make us stronger for Him as well. We just need to trust the Lord and not fear what lies ahead. Our future is great.

So change can be a really good thing!!

Baby, Oh, Baby!

So we did not go into labor, and on January 3, 2012 at 7:47 am we welcomed Simon Carl into our family from the womb to the world.

He is a big guy - can't believe he was in my belly. He weighed in at 8 lb 1 oz and was 20 inches long. Came out with a head full of dark hair. (By the way, no heartburn!!!).

We came home from the hospital last Thursday! We were eager to be home - especially to sleep in our own beds. I was eager to see how big brother would do, and Luke has been great!

So we are settling in to a new routine of sorts and enjoying our expanded family.

Here's to 2012!

Happy New Year everyone!

Our family enjoyed a very good Christmas with a happy Luke and a lot of surprises for him. He received enough toys to make my head spin.

We also enjoyed a nice service at church on Christmas celebrating our Lord's birth - complete with the Lord's supper.

The past week has been pretty uneventful - work and waiting on the baby.

And now we are in 2012 and we are still waiting for our little baby's arrival.

So many things to look forward to...

L-O-V-E

Sounds cheesy - but it is really all about love. What you ask? Why Christmas of course.

The presents, the get-togethers, the good food - all of that is done because we love.

And that love started with Jesus' birth, a birth prophesied when Adam and Even failed. A birth that was done with the knowledge that death was coming on a cross - just for you and me.

So enjoy it all. Don't forget about Christmas on December 26th like the rest of the world.

And do something nice for someone else - randomly. Like the idea I had this afternoon while in the drive-thru at McDonald's. I felt God's nudging and obeyed. So what was done? I paid the whopping $12.37 for the meal for the people behind me. I did not know them. And the money won't break me, but maybe, just maybe I showed them God's love.

Merry Christmas!!

Nesting 101

With Luke, I never nested. Too much going on! I was just happy to get my little baby home.

With this one, I have definitely been nesting. I organized the samples and vouchers at the office last week, and now I have 1) finished Christmas shopping 2) packed my hospital bag 3) packed baby's bag 4) washed the baby's clothes 5) set up the pack n play / bassinet 6) organized the baby's clothes, etc 7) cleaned our shower 8) done countless things that have obviously been more OCD than I normally am.

So we are at 36 1/2 weeks. I had an ultrasound on Wednesday and the estimate is 6 lb 5 oz. He's got hair and nails, and apparently, I have some signs that he is making his way lower into my pelvis. And my weight has been good - only gained 13 lbs the whole pregnancy.

I have a C-section scheduled for January 3rd. Until then (or earlier), we wait...