Thursday, June 21, 2012

6 weeks ish



If I had written this a couple days ago, the information would have been totally different. Such is the life of a 6 week old. Over the weekend he was acting all grown up, sleeping for a longer chunk in the evenings, getting through the days with minimal fussing. After last week, the week of constant feedings and fussings, I thought for sure he had hit his 6 week growth spurt and we were being introduced to the *next* version of Jake. 

But alas, the 4-5 hour chunk of sleep in the early evening has stayed and the fussing returned. I heard someone say that the only thing consistent about an infant is change. Jake = that. 

What *has* remained consistent? He's a morning baby, he gets that from his dad. 7 times out of 10 his changing pad is magic and he will erupt into smiles within moments of being laid down. The brown ceiling fan in the kitchen is his favorite and the shower running holds him captive for at least 15 minutes. Seriously - who would have thought to ask for that? Dave discovered another great, Jake, swaddled, in the bouncy chair, on top of the counter right above the dishwasher. The sound of water, the steam, oh, the venetian blinds on the window to look at...Jake's OTG list is simple.  Oh, have I mentioned *red Jake*? When he get's especially angry he turns red and one of us watches too much Friends. In the last 2 days he has decided his paci's are the devil. The face he makes, I will try to photograph, it's amazingly dramatic, *if* he tries it - suck, suck, pfooudt - mama can you catch it?

I am enjoying these days and being Jake's mama. Last week the change in my life felt spotlighted once again. I will remember my third mother's day (I was prego with Sammy in 2010 so I count that as my first - be what it may) as the day I tried to get out of the house with my 6 day old baby but with his eating schedule it was a fail. Life revolved (and still revolves) around Jake's needs. Last week, I was reminded this and - confession - I was saddened by it. It was my friend's birthday and she was getting a bunch of ladies together for a celebratory dinner. I don't see this set of friends very often so I try to make the gatherings a priority. Jake was having a week (much like this week actually) and wanted to eat every couple hours and fuss in between. I couldn't get away. At the same time, Dave was making plans to be out or away 3 out of 5 week nights. I pouted. I got over it. It's one of the craziest transitions that you can't really prepare for. One moment you can go where ever you want, the next, BAM! you have to plan and multiply the previous time and effort by about 56.

It's worth it, I'm getting used to it, I'm just sayin'. Also - New Orleans has a *serious* lack of drive thru coffee shops. We're at zero. Jake goes all *red Jake* in the car these days so a 20 minute drive to get coffee in a drive thru isn't an option and I guess my need for good frou frou coffee doesn't out weigh the process of get the baby out, take the baby in, hope he isn't screaming?? This would be a classic "first" "world" "problem". Excessive quotes to highlight the ridiculousness of this paragraph...yeesh. 

So that's an update at 6 weeks. Ish. I still have goals of posting about his room and a bunch of other stuff that has happened in the last 6 weeks. SMH - we'll see. 


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

wish i had 2 wigglers



On Sunday we received these wonderful wall hangings from Brenna, one of Sammy's photographers. I know her from church and she is having her first baby in July. She said she never got Sammy a gift so when she ordered one for Jake she knew she had to order one for Sammy too. Love them and love the attention to detail (purposefully Sammy green).

I already took a picture of "Sammy" with his. We've been busy in the mornings and Jake has not been too obliging in the afternoons.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day


Father's Day 2012

daddy's boys


with Sammy 10.7.10
   

with Jake 05.7.12

Daddy's Boy 
by Patsy Gaut

My little eyes are watching,
My ears are listening too.
They take in everything
That you say and do.

My little hands are eager
To do the things you do.
I'm hoping and I'm dreaming
I'll grow up just like you.

I am just a little guy
Who knows that you are wise
You'll teach me what I need
For someone just my size.

I'm a bright eyed little fellow
Who is watching what you do
And I'm waiting for the day
I'll be grown up just like you.



Thursday, June 14, 2012

from ann voskamp today




That at the first, at the beginning of everyone that ever was, there is this braving of the pain and no one tells you that this is the way it will always be now– because love is always worth the pain. Just ask any mother — love is a willingness to suffer.


read the rest here a holy experience.



This is the work of a mother — this strange and peculiar joy in letting go of self to make the joy of another large.


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

babies don't keep




    Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth,
    Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
    Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
    Sew on a button and make up a bed.
    Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
    She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
    Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
    (Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).


    Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
    (Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
    The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
    And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo


    But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
    Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
    (Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).


    The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
    For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
    So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
    I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

    -by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton