Better Late Than Never

Less than a week shy of your seventh month birthday and your nursery is FINALLY complete!! We have been anxiously awaiting (for months now!) the completion of your window seat and valance. Well, this week it was finally finished. We spent Saturday putting the finishing touches on your room and prepared it for your use - it was the night, you were both going to sleep in your big boy cribs.

Bedtime has been our easiest routine (thanks in part to the NICU), so I anticipated a seamless and easy transition.

Ha!

This may have been the most difficult night in my short parenting career. Around 4:30 your daddy left for a night out with his dad for Father's Day. And from that moment on, we just weren't too happy and cried pretty constant from 4:45 - 7 (few breaks for some giggling / playtime, couple five minute catnaps, 5 minutes of peace listening to the fountain - interrupted by insane spit-up / hysteria, but overall, lots of unhappy babies in this house). I'm gonna blame it on the peaches (new fruit!).

 

Around 7:00 I tackled, no, I successfully tackled, bath-time on my own. We were all giggles, splashing, and loving life again - hallelujah! But as quickly as the giggles started, that's how fast they faded. Once out of the tub, Ryan, I could not move fast enough to get you dressed to keep you from rolling over!

Bedtime routine (medicine, clean diapers, jammies, bedtime story / singing, and then nursing) usually takes place in our room. Since we were making the switch to your room, I decided to move the whole routine next door. I figured if we were doing the same things we always do just in a different room, it would surely \make for a super smooth transition. And again, I say, "Ha!"

Book #1: I'll Love You Forever. One of my favorites, but have not yet read to you because I knew I would be a boohooing goofball. Yep, four pages in I believe, and I was tearing up!

So for book two we changed gears to read Let's Go to the Zoo. We are heading to the zoo for the first time in a couple weeks, so I thought we would start preparing. Well, page one and the sound of the seal did you in Wiley. You were hysterical with Mommy's animal sounds and kicked the book all the way to the floor. So, that was the end of that book! (And great foreshadowing of things to come!)

Finally, on to nursing. You boys typically nurse for about twenty minutes come bedtime, get nice and sleepy, "hop" into bed, do a little sweet cooing and talk yourselves to sleep. Easy-peasy.

Nope. The second you hit your cribs you knew, "Nope, this isn't right Mommy. Get me outta here!!" And you let me know it!

Ryan, right now you are our better sleeper. You give us great cues to tell us when you're sleepy (even during the day), we plop you into your rock n play, and you are out almost instantly. Nope. Not tonight. And Wiley, you still like your snuggles and hate when I leave you during the day - at night, you do great too. Yep. Not tonight.

For the next hour or so it was a terrible battle between screams, pathetic little whimpers, and the sounds of you almost falling asleep until....repeat and start over! Ryan, you were on this vicious cycle for only about twenty minutes. Wiley, I would come in, talk to you, soothe you, but the second I started walking away, your whimpers started.

At one point, I just sat on my bed and cried, listening to your sad little sobs! Terrible. It was just terrible.

Finally, I couldn't take it. It was now 9:45 and Wiley you were still awake! So, out of your crib you came. I decided to nurse you again. We went back to my room and you nursed for another 15 minutes. I was going to just give up and put you back in your rock n play for tonight. But after 15 of nursing, you were sleepy-eyed and smiley again. I decided to give it just one more shot. Into your bedroom we went. I whispered my nightly good night phrase and kisses and put you down.

And guess what?? YOU DID IT!!

And now, here it is, Sunday morning, and you're both still sleeping in your own cribs! (couple wake-up calls throughout the night, with some quick 5/10 minute nursing sessions, but no fussing after, and right back to sleep on your own). Way to go boys!

 

You are so proud of yourselves...and we are too!!

Bunches of Blessings

This was a weekend we had been looking forward to since we had found out you were born - it was your blessing weekend and what a jam packed weekend of blessings it was!

Friday was spent first at the doctor's office, followed by an evening at Paka and Zsu Zsu's house, spending time with the Maddox family in from Florida (just for your special day!). You two boys were pretty puny from your shots, but fortunately did not run fevers this time.

Saturday morning you went on your first hike! Wiley you were wrapped up and carried by me and Ryan you were carried by Aunt Aubrey. Halfway through the hike the group decided to scale a pretty steep cliff - yikes! So we took our own detour and strolled through the creek.

Saturday night we had a cookout and bonfire at our house for the church. After dessert, we held an impromptu meeting around the patio. It was such a powerful evening, one I will not soon forget.

Sunday morning (and Paka's birthday) was your blessing! We were so excited to finally turn you over to God and ask Him to guide your lives until you are old enough to start your own walk with Him through baptism. It was so special to have our natural and spiritual family there with us (who traveled near and very far) to witness this special day. We are so thankful that God chose to give you to us, so it is with such joy that we give you back to Him and officially ask Him to take control of your lives.

To say it was full and busy weekend would be an understatement. You boys slept in until 8:00 this morning (two hours later than usual) and went right back to bed after eating. You woke again at 11:30 to eat, played for just a bit, and then slept some more until 3:30 and 4:00! It has been a perfectly quiet, lazy day for our family today to "recover" from such a blessed weekend!

Milk and Cereal

After your six month checkup, we were given the okay to start food! So, for the next two weeks, we will be eating cereal once a day. If all goes well (which so far, so good!), we can then begin adding in baby food too. The plan is one meal a day for now, two meals at 7 months, and 3 meals by 8 months! Each new stage is so exciting for us to experience.

Say Amen

I find myself in such a spirit of thankfulness this morning. I woke much earlier than I expected to feed you Ryan, and just couldn't fall back asleep. There's something so nice about a quiet morning alone; it's perfect time for reflecting.

As I was reflecting and thanking God for you our family, a song came on that I hadn't heard. My first reaction was to switch stations, but I'm so glad I didn't. It spoke so perfectly to our journey.

This life is a journey we walk by faith
And there will always be the mountains in our way
But right here in this moment, may our strength be renewed
As we recall what God has done and how we've seen Him move

If there's anybody here who's found Him faithful
Anybody here who knows He's able
Say Amen
If there's anybody here who's seen His power
Anybody here brought through the fire
Say Amen
Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow
Just Say AMEN!

Sometimes through the darkness, it's hard to see
So just be brave and follow where He leads
Greater is the one who's in us, than he who's in the world
So child of God remember, the battle is the Lord's

If there's anybody here who's found Him faithful
Anybody here who knows He's able
Say Amen
If there's anybody here who's seen His power
Anybody here brought through the fire
Say Amen
Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow
Peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow
And seen time and time again
Then just Say AMEN!

Even in the valley of the shadow when you feel alone in the unknown
Just say Amen, Just say Amen
Even when the storms are raging, Stand and know your not forsaken
Just say Amen, Just say Amen

Is there anybody here, Tell me is there anybody here
Come on and Say Amen

If there's anybody here who's seen His power
Anybody here brought through they're
Come on and Say Amen
Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow
Peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow
And seen time and time again
Then just Say AMEN!

So this morning I am shouting, "Amen!" Thank you Lord for your faithfulness. Thank you for your power. Thank you for bringing us through our fire and helping us find joy through our sorrow. Thank you Lord, for comforting us when we were in the middle of our storm and giving us hope for tomorrow. AMEN!

Six Months

 Wiley

• You can now roll from tummy to back, as well as back to tummy! When rolling over from your back, you stick your legs so straight and stiff in the air, prepare yourself, swing your legs down and to the side, tip your shoulders, and go! You immediately realize that you initiated your own tummy time and quickly flip yourself back over!
• You are starting to become more mobile, well, sorta! When playing on your mat, we will lay you facing one direction, after five minutes of scooching and rolling, you will be facing the complete opposite direction. In fact, look how we found you in your bed last night (and no, we did not put you in there like that!)

• You still aren't the world's biggest fan of tummy time, but you also don't scream and fuss through it anymore.
• You have some pretty strong tummy muscles, Little Dude. When laying on our legs, you will often grab onto our hands and try to pull yourself up - you love sitting up and looking around
• You have now taken over the swing. It seemed like the swing was Ryan's domain in the beginning, but you are now a huge fan and love taking afternoon naps rocking away.
• Your giggle seems to be just on the tips of your lips. We have heard you laugh just one or two times. It's funny watching you try, like you just don't quite know how to let loose yet. However, you do squeal all the time when you are happy! Your sweet little eyes just sparkle and melt our hearts when you are truly happy.
• You still love catching a nap on our chests when you can...but people may not think so at first. Just moments before you fall asleep is when you wail and cry the hardest. But just a few short minutes of patting and rocking and you are out!

Ryan

• You can now roll from tummy to back, as well as back to tummy! When rolling over from your back, you get yourself positioned curled on your side with your arm across you. You often lay here for awhlie, thinking if this is a good idea or not, and then off you go. You then realize you got yourself into some uninvited tummy time. However, instead of rolling back over, you often yell and throw a fit...until you realize you now know how to end tummy time!
• You are becoming more mobile. When in the mood, you become a little steam roller and just go! I put you on your mat the other day to play with Wiley while I started dinner. I came back to find you were nowhere near your mat and had rolled halfway across the living room! 
• You are a bit moodier when it comes to tummy time, you don't always hate it, but you don't always love it either.
• We couldn't keep you out of the swing, Porkchop. You loved it. Not anymore! You suddenly would much rather be in your bouncer (and being bounced much too hard). 
• You are very animated and have a great little belly laugh. You used to laugh just from being tickled, but now will laugh when we say silly things or make faces at you. Your whole face lights up when you laugh.
• You now prefer napping...snuggled on my chest. That's right, my non-cuddle-bug suddenly can't get enough snuggles with his momma...and I love it!

One year ago today, I anxiously woke up at 5 AM, tiptoed to the bathroom, and took the scariest test of my life. One year ago today, I cried happy tears as I read the word "pregnant." One year ago today, I knew my life was forever changed, but I could have never hoped for it to be this wonderful. You have now been with us for half a year and have changed our lives and our hearts. You are just the sweetest little boys and are so loved by so many people. What a wonderful day to celebrate you!

Answered Prayer

Today started like any other Sunday as we went through our church routine. We got you boys out of the car and everyone was fine. Once inside church, Ryan, you gave us a bit of a scare. Suddenly your cheeks, arms and hands from the elbows down, and a small portion of your legs were very warm and bright red. It seemed like you were having an allergic reaction. I turned to Tracey (a nurse!) and had her take a quick look. "That definitely looks like an allergic reaction. Does he have a rash? Or just the redness? Did you do anything different?" We went through the list - new soaps, new detergents, did I eat any new foods, any changes at all? But nothing was new. We couldn't think what caused this or what we should do to help you. You weren't upset or fussy, but my peace of mind was robbed. There was no way I could sit through church when I didn't know what was wrong, if you were okay, and at what point should I call the doctor (or in my panicking mind, rush you to the hospital!)

So we did the only thing we know to do when we have no control and are in immediate need; we prayed. Paka anointed you before the meeting even began. After "Amen," I opened my eyes hoping to see your white little arms. While they weren't "normal" yet, the red didn't seem quite as high. I watched throughout the meeting as the redness creeped lower and lower down your arms, until it was just red fingers, and finally no redness at all!

I don't know the cause of what appeared to be an allergic reaction, but I do know how it was taken away. Your testimony continues to grow, Ryan! I am so thankful for the peace I was given at church in knowing we had turned it over to God to protect you. I am thankful that the redness disappeared and you were fine. And as always, I am so thankful for both of my little miracles!

Play Ball!

What a wonderful, busy family weekend we've had. Saturday we headed over to give Zsu Zsu her Mother's Day gift - landscape her backyard. You two decided to skip your usual nap - meaning I was very little help in the landscaping department and did a lot of soothing while Daddy, Aunt Bree, and Uncle Kye worked hard. What can I say, landscaping is exhausting!

Sunday afternoon we headed to the ball field to play softball and hangout. You enjoyed watching us play from the inside of the dugout!

But you boys don't like to sleep long when you know there is excitement around you and fun to be had. So, you were soon awake giving us time to experience you first playground - slides and seesaws. Knowing how much you love "flying" and being swung in your car seats, I thought you'd love this too. The pictures beg to differ. 

It is so fun watching you experience all of these firsts and exciting to think of so many more that lie ahead of us! But for now, we sleep!