Our new look

I thought I would post what our living room looks like now that we got our new rocker. I love it! It is so much more comfortable to feed Elijah. No more hunching over. Plus it's nice to be able to put my feet up. Aahhh!









Here's a picture of just the chair...and a new inhabitant of it!

I love RED stickers!

You gotta love Target. You can get so much stuff there. What I love even more is seeing the little red stickers on the products that I use. You know..the sticker that says CLEARANCE. Today my trunk was full of these items. It all started when I went to buy cat food and some diapers. I noticed that there weren't any size 2 Pampers. I thought maybe they were in the seasonal area still b/c they were the last time I bought them. Praise the Lord not only were they there but they were 30% off! A $27.99 box was now $19.58 PLUS I had coupons! I'm no dummy. I bought 5 boxes (2 different sizes for this little weed of mine). Not only did they have diapers on clearance but Palmolive, Kleenex, Special K bars, Listerine, Sun Chips, Gardettos....the list can go on. I literally filled my cart overflowing, bought the stuff, put it in my trunk and went back to get 2 of the boxes of diapers. I got a few baby bibs and a blanket too..Carters brand...cute little bear in a pirate suit $4.50 instead of $8. I added it all up...saved $85. All stuff that I use and can put in the cupboard until we need it. What a great buy day!

Measuring as a five month old

It may sound crazy but I have this book that one of the gals from work gave me that tells you about your baby week by week for the first year and from the get go Elijah's size put him at what they would say a "normal" baby was at 3 weeks. Well, we haven't got his "official" measurements yet but I'm guessing that he's at the "18 weeks" stage in the book. My friend Julia and I got together briefly today to compare sizes between Elijah and her son, Wyatt who's 6 months old on Thursday. Of course Elijah is smaller...but not by much! Especially considering there's 4 months difference!

Here are some photos to give you an idea. Elijah was not cooperating very well and decided that he was going to put up a fuss during the photo shoot so the pictures aren't perfect...but you get the idea.
I thought Wyatt was cute here. It looks like he's saying "It's okay. Don't cry. I'll be your friend!"

I thought I'd add another picture too. He just loves to suck on his hands now. Isn't he so cute!

Changes in our Home

Yes, the past week has brought a few changes in our house. For one, we are now a two cat family again. I broke down and took Macy to animal control. I felt bad doing it...especially with her meowing the whole way there but I have to say that my life has been a lot easier...and cleaner. As of 30 minutes ago all of my floors are clean. We cleaned the carpets on Saturday and I just finished scrubbing the kitchen floor. I did the bathrooms and laundry room Friday. Yeah! Also we went to Babies R Us and bought our rocker, ottoman, and a little baby chair for Elijah. I am now able to rock him when I feed him or if he is fussy. I love it. Jake was a little disappointed b/c it didn't fit right in front of the TV like he had hoped. He wanted a "gaming" chair. I am pleased with the way it turned out though. I will have to take some pictures to show it off. In any event I now feel like our house is back to some type of normalcy and the cats are back to their normal fighting, chasing, and totally crazy selves.

6 weeks difference

Yesterday I went to the dentist for my regular cleaning. I took Mom with me so that we could go to lunch with some girls from work afterwards (I thought it worked out well with gas prices so high!). Anyways. We met Christy, Kim and her beautiful daughter, Delaney, and Lori and her brand new sweetie pie, Maden, at Olive Garden. I just couldn't believe how tiny he was..or how much hair! He's a week old..6 weeks between him and Elijah. He made such little noises! Elijah was never as little as him! There was almost a 2 pound birth weight difference. It was funny to hear Lori say that most newborn clothes didn't fit him. That wasn't a problem here! We're in size 2 diapers and 6 month clothes! He took an 8 oz bottle yesterday at 4:30 and an hour later he was wanting to nurse! What a piggy! He must have known Mommy needed sleep (REALLY BAD HEADACHE!) and so he slept SEVEN hours! I actually woke up a little before him b/c I was getting uncomfortable and debated using my BRAND NEW electric pump ..no more manual labor for me...yeah! He woke up about 15 minutes after me though so it all worked out. He's been having a problem with a stuffy nose in the middle of the night though so he woke up a couple hours later. I used some saline spray and then I just put him on my chest to sleep elevated and on his belly and he did better. He's found that his hands work well to suck on so I often wake up to the sound of that. Last evening it was his thumb! None of that! I was a thumb sucker until I was 8 and don't want a repeat with him! He is rather cute when he does it though.

I forgot to mention my good buy the other day. I was debating buying my mobile b/c it was $40 and I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend that much. I found it on clearance at Target for $25! I also got him a toy with a mirror and a rattle...both on clearance too! I was very excited because he's starting to like to play and watch the mobile on his swing. He's growing up so fast!

I almost forgot to add a thank you to the girls for meeting me for lunch. It made me feel good to be able to spend some time out of the house and enjoy some friendly company! Thanks a bunch!

Cat Update

I don't know what to do about Macy. She still has diarrhea and doesn't always go in the litter box. I called the vet and told them that the medicine that they gave us didn't work and they said to bring her in for a $30 recheck. My thought is that it won't really be $30 b/c they'll want to do something or the medicine will cost $25 like the stuff they gave me that didn't work. It's hard b/c she is a nice cat and Jake likes her...it's just hard to pet her b/c she's always pooping on you or herself. I feel bad about taking her to animal control (seeing as the shelters are a. full and b. not taking sick animals) b/c I don't want her to be put to sleep if she's not adopted. On the other hand she is cute and still young so maybe someone would take her home and give her the care that she needs. Such decisions! What do you all think? I should put up a poll.

Here she is being curious.

Here she is being sweet and sleeping.

Here's what I often find in the morning. Some of the "spots" are food...some poop. We have since put newspapers down on the floor and in the sink but this am I found poop on the toilet seat and in the bathtub. In addition, this is what she often does in other various places in the house.

In addition, her and Millard often fight. It usually begins b/c she wants to chase Millard's tail. Also, Millard really likes boxes...Macy decided she does too. Here's Millard in a too tiny for his fat cat self box. He won this battle I guess.

Busy Weekend

Last week I became fed up with all of the stuff that was piling up for a yard sale. It was just too much with the whole poop fiasco. I told Jake it was going..the yard sale would be Saturday and he had to run it. Nice of me, huh? Thankfully Jake's Mom came and helped us set up Friday and helped run it Saturday. It was amazing how many people came! It seemed like someone was always pulling up to see what we had. We ended up selling a lot! The rest went to Salvation Army. Then Jake and Mom cleaned the garage! I have a clean garage! Yeah! Now if only I can get the house like that. Sigh.

Sunday we went to church and received a great blessing from the Inman family. They have six children...12-26years old. They were here from Kentucky b/c their oldest was getting married up north. They sang and played their instruments, testified, and preached and boy was it good. We were very sad that they couldn't come back for the night service b/c we would have loved to have spent more time with them. They were a real encouragement to me. I am still having a very hard time with getting depressed. I often find myself staring off into space or wringing my hands b/c I just don't know what to do and just feel like bursting into tears at any moment. One of the sons in the family wrote this song that just brought me to tears and made me realize that I just need to keep praying that God will take these feelings from me. Jesus is my rock and He can get me through this storm. When I was a teenager I was depressed a lot and once I met Him those feelings were taken away b/c I had the joy of the Lord. Just b/c I have some crazy hormones doesn't mean I should have my joy taken away..it's just a trial I am going through now. I honestly think it will help me to be a better nurse when I go back to work. I never really thought about what the mom's may be going through emotionally/mentally until now. I at least can hold Elijah tight and love on him. Many of them cannot b/c their baby is too sick. In any event the Lord only gives us what we are able to handle...everything! "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" Phil. 4:13. I should know this verse well...it's framed and sitting in my kitchen!
Well, I better go.

Of course I had to add a picture of my sweetie pie!

Can I say I'm sick of feline bodily fluids?

I am a little fed up with feline bodily fluids. I already have to deal with baby drool, spit up and poop with Elijah (not to mention dealing when I go back to work). What do I mean? Well, we came home from church yesterday to find droplets of poop EVERYWHERE! I couldn't take off my shoes for fear of stepping on poop. It really aggravates me b/c I just want to be able to clean my carpets and get my house clean so I can enjoy my remaining 4 weeks of maternity leave. Every time I think off the filth of my house I get an overwhelming feeling of dread and despair. I don't even want to begin to clean it for fear she will do it again, but it needs to be cleaned somewhat each time she does it. To top it all off, Millard has been having problems with hairballs and of course, this morning while I was feeding Elijah he proceeded to puke on my comforter...which I can't clean until I take to a laundromat b/c I STILL don't have a washer and a top loader will not hold it b/c it is king size. Not only did he puke on the comforter but he then puked on the floor...then my shoes! Yes, my shoes. Jake hadn't left for work yet so he cleaned it for me...but still. What gives?

Hi Grandma

I told you I would have some pics so here they are!

Jake took some great ones of Elijah. As you can see, he is starting to hold his head up. The Boppy really helps with that...until he starts leaning.

This picture is the "Hi Grandma and Grandpa! I can't wait to meet you!!!" look. Can you see, he's waving! He gets excited sometimes and his hands and feet just get a movin'. Sometimes he even laughs. He's so cute! I have a few more but I'm going to wait 'til next time to post them. Anticipation...I know I'm horrible! Just kidding!

I think we will be keeping Macy. I took her to the vet today and HOPEFULLY we will get her diarrhea and pooping all over under control with the medicine we got. She really is a cute kitten and loves to be loved on. She just purrs and purrs. We had to take her to the vet b/c none of the shelters would take a sick cat/kitten. I can't really see giving a kitten away that we've spent money on and Jake likes. We'll just see how it goes I guess.

6 weeks flies by

It's hard to believe how time flies! I can't believe that it's been 7 weeks since Jake and I were sitting on the couch wishing Elijah would come that day (Jake's b-day). It's been a few days over 6 weeks since he was born. What an amazing day that was! Unfortunately my mind is not quite in it's best state and I still find myself feeling a bit like Eeyore. It rained yesterday and I found that a bit fitting with my mood. Days that I have things to do make me feel a little better..looking forward to getting out I guess. Then the day comes and I find that Elijah's schedule gets messed up..in turn messing up mine as well not to mention exhausting me. Too much to carry and getting up to early to get ready not to mention the whole feeding thing I guess. This morning was saddening to realize that all of his bigger size booties no longer fit. He is on his last bunch of 1-2 diapers and will be in regular size 2 when the bunch is out. And..sigh..his 3 month clothes are slowly being boxed up. He's 13 pounds and 23.5 inches! I am trying to look up on things like his incredible smile and infectious laugh. I am looking forward to traveling to Michigan...okay not the actual travel part as it will be Elijah and I braving the airport by our lonesome on the way there..but I can't wait for our family and friends to meet him. I'm a little afraid of my response to coming home though as I always get a little down after trips and I will have a double whammy of having to go back to work that week. I'm afraid it may push me over the edge so I would definitely appreciate prayer. I don't have any pictures this time but hopefully next time. 'Til the next post!

My Typical Day

Elijah here. I thought I would tell you about a typical day at my house. I wake up sometime between 7 and 8 and my Mommy feeds me. She seems tired. I'm not sure why. I only woke up every 3 hours. I was sleeping 5-6 for a few days but I just missed my Mommy time so I decided to start waking up a little more frequently. Mommy doesn't mind. I mean, hey, I'm a cutie pie at 2am, right? Back to my day. Mommy decides if I need a bath or not. Today was bath day. I like my bath and smile...except when she brings out that camera. Come on Mom...can't a guy get some privacy?

After my bath my Mommy gives me a massage with some lotion that makes me feel soft and smooth and then dresses me. Then she brushes my hair..oh..that feels good. She usually tells me I'm her handsome little boy. Of course I am.

Now I'm ready for the day. Now I get to play in my bouncer while Mommy gets ready. I like it okay but a guy only wants to sit for so long. Come on Mom, I want to play! I'm pretty insistent so she reads me a book or plays with some of my toys. Sometimes I go in my swing for awhile so she can eat. Then we get to do some stuff around the house and check up on those crazy kitties of mine. We found Macy in a plastic bag today.

I'm a growing boy so by this time I'm getting hungry. Mommy feeds me again and then I get pretty sleepy. I usually go to sleep in my snugli. I like to be close to Mommy. What can I say? I'm a cuddle bug like my Daddy. Today she put me in my Moses basket because she had some sewing to do. What? Sewing? How can that be more important than holding moi? I had to protest a little to let her know I wasn't very happy with my sleeping arrangements. That took a lot of energy though so I guess I ended up falling asleep.


I'm starting to wake up a little. I'm gonna be hungry again Mommy so you better be ready! No more computer time! Then maybe we can play again before you have to make dinner. Then Daddy gets home! YEAH! Daddy's funny. I like to smile and laugh for him. I smile more for him than I do Mommy. I cuddle more with Mommy so it's only fair I play and smile more for Daddy, right?

So Serious

Elijah is changing so much every day. He smiles and is starting to talk to us. Okay, not literally, but by cooing and waving his arms and kicking his feet. He also likes his baths. Of course when I told this to Jake he had to get a picture...but little monkey wouldn't cooperate with a smile. Instead he decided to give his most common face..his so serious face. Jake and I swear he's going to be a genius. He's just so inquisitive. In any event we still got a few good pictures. I wish you all could have seen him the other day with his Tigger. He just kept staring at it on the changing table so I started giving him kisses with it and singing the Tigger song. He just kept smiling away. I think instead of a Bear-Bear or Bugsly he's going to carry a Tigger. I guess only time will tell.

On a new topic I just had to share what a dork I am. I was excited yesterday because I have been meaning to start buying the Sunday morning paper for the coupons but keep forgetting with the business of the day. Well, yesterday Jake ran in to Walgreens on the way to church and so I got my paper....and it had Proctor and Gamble coupons! Yeah! I always get excited when I get those coupons b/c it's always stuff I like better. Yes, I get off brand things...but I've tried off brand deodorant and some other personal stuff...don't like it. I don't know why but I like Secret and Pampers and all those good things a little bit better. And if I have a coupon...I like it a lot more. Yes, I know...I'm a dork. But I'm a dork who likes to save money on the stuff she likes!

What?

I did not just find you in my plant! Augh! I finally got Kitty and Millard to stay away from my Umbrella Tree and look who I found IN it. I guess at least she wasn't eating it...yet.

Yesterday and today have been spent doing some of those half finished projects I talked about before. I got quite a bit accomplished and am pretty happy about it. I got 2 scrapbooking mags in the mail today and they are calling my name. I am starting to feel a little bit better about myself...I even put makeup on today and I wasn't even going anywhere! I think some scrapbooking would do me some good. I am really looking forward to that baby book! Better go..someones hungry!

So Blessed

I was thinking today how wonderful the Lord is to us. There have been so many things that have happened in this past month that I could look at and get depressed about but really, I am very blessed. It doesn't matter that my washer is broken, I have a kitten that poops all over, my house is a mess and I'm sleep deprived and not feeling my best. Overall I am in good health. I have a wonderful, loving husband that makes me laugh. I have a beautiful baby boy that looks to me for his every need and gazes at me with his baby blues and I just melt. We have a wonderful extended family and friends that are supportive. We have a loving God and a good church to worship Him in...the list is endless. Sometimes it is very hard to think about all of the good we have. When Jake and I were driving home from the hospital with Elijah we both felt so different. We were looking at the world with new eyes. Everything seemed brighter. Our lives had been changed immensely in the past 48 hours and despite the struggles that this time had brought, the birth of our son had given us a new outlook on life. It really is amazing how much love that you have for someone that you don't even really know yet. From the moment I laid eyes on Elijah I had this overwhelming feeling that I can't even describe. It makes me really understand the verses "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man: so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127: 3-5

It is so amazing to think about how much Elijah has grown in the last month. Today he has been smiling and interacting so much more. Jake and I of course think that he is a genius. He is just so inquisitive. I look forward to every day with him. My special guy.

So much has gone on I can't even think of a title!

I guess I will first update you on all that has gone on this weekend. Jake and I actually went out to run some errands, eat dinner and see a movie! Jake's mom was sweet enough to watch Elijah while we did so. I have to admit I had to have a lot of convincing from Jake but it was good for us to do. I was beginning to feel like an ugly cavewoman. We saw Get Smart and really liked it. Unfortunately the good feeling was short lived as I got a migraine that lasted all through Sunday. I've had that blah, icky nauseous feeling and a headache (big surprise since I think it's now a permanent part of my life) ever since. Oh well.

Kitty Update


The kitten is still here. Jake has named it Macy b/c she was emaciated. She seems to have put on some weight and her weepy, crusty eyes look better. Kitty and Millard still dislike her. Kitty is okay with her sometimes but Millard just hisses and growls. It's funny b/c until now I've never heard him do that. What's even funnier is that he is a HUGE, FAT MALE CAT and she is an emaciated, little kitten. HELLO! Get over it, you could kick her tail Millard! Macy has gotten a little more curious and playful now that she feels a little better and so we have been battling her scratching the couch and hiding behind the computer and cords. We have to lock her up in the bathroom at night b/c she will poop all over. Yuck! I have a feeling we will be keeping this kitten b/c Jake is it's mommy...

Elijah Update


What a cutie pie, huh? He's a BIG cutie pie...literally! He went for his one month checkup yesterday (one month already! I can't believe it!) at he's 22 1/2 inches and 11 1/2 pounds! Yikes! It's no wonder his clothes are starting to get tight...again! He's really starting to interact with us. For the first time he actually really liked his bouncy chair and started kicking his feet to get it to move more. He's still a big mama's boy and likes to be held all day. I just love to look into his eyes and stare. He is incredible. I love him so much. I realize now why parents give so much for their kids...they just love them so much. They are a part of them. I can't imagine not having him. He just belongs here.

Well, I guess I will get back to sipping my Vernors and eating my soda crackers. Yes, I'm suffering from one of my favorite illnesses and have been taken back to the lovely days of early pregnancy. It doesn't get any better than this...does it? Come on, someone tell me it will get better...please? Just kidding...have to have a little humor, right?