May is over!!

Five months ago, I was blessed with the sweetest little baby who has grown up sooo much over the last month.

So what can the little man do now?
- Roll over
- Military crawl (belly on the ground)
- Hold toys and put them in his mouth
- Tolerate cereal a bit
- Suck on his two middle fingers

Okay, that doesn't sound like a lot, but really to a baby he has grown up!

Simon loves to look around. He does not want to be rocked. He would rather be laid down where he will roll over onto his tummy, stuff two fingers in his mouth, then go to sleep.

His stats - at his 4 month well visit (when he was 4 1/2 months) - 14 lb 14 oz!!

I love my sweet Simon!!!

And what about big brother Luke?

Well, he graduated from preschool!

And he had tonsillitis (again).

And I think he really loves Simon, but sometimes, he's a bit rougher with the baby than he should be. Working on that.

And he weighs 30 lbs wet, with clothes, and shoes... Working on that too.

4 months out of my tummy

Baby Simon is 4 months old today. Four months since he left my tummy kicking and ventured out into the world. Four months of sleepless nights and crying and poopy diapers and just wanting to be held when Mommy is cooking, cleaning, etc. Four months of blessings from a smile first thing in the morning to holding on to Mommy's clothing for dear life. Four months I would not trade for anything else. So what is my little man doing now besides drooling and smiling? He likes to be upright so he can see what's going on. And that includes standing on me. He likes to sleep in the bed beside Mommy and big brother. He turns his head when he hears us shaking up his bottle. He turns his head to watch TV. I think he is about 15 lbs now but we'll have his official weight soon. He is taking about 6 ounces most feedings, and usually does not require an overnight bottle - to my delight. He is curious about the cat. His big brother Luke adores him. Life is great!!!

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...