High School Reunion

What a great Monday we had today.

Nolan and I ventured to the gym early at about 8AM where I tried out a new class (Ballet Body Fusion - it was kinda weird, and only hard-ish.)  I wanted to go and get back home before Nolan's AM nap because one of my besties from high school days was coming over for lunch!  

Tiffany, her husband Derek and their 11-month-old son Hudson live here in Phoenix where Derek works for Amazon.  I have sooo many memories with Tiff, and I have always said that one of my favorite things about her is that even if we go a long time without seeing each other or calling, when we do it's like nothing has changed.  And today was exactly that.  We put our heads together and figured out that we probably last saw each other in March 2007 -- over 6 years ago -- but when she walked through my front door today, I legit felt like we just hung out last week.  Except now we both have different last names and baby boys on our hips.  :)

I don't know why exactly, but conversation with Tiff is always current and easy.  We don't get stuck talking strictly about the past - which I think would be easy to do when reuniting with high school friends.  We know and remember each others' families well enough to ask questions, look for updates, and truly care about the answers.  

I guess what I'm trying to say is that after three weeks of absorbing "newness" at every turn, it was wonderfully refreshing and comforting to spend time with a familiar and already-beloved friend.  And having our boys so close in age is an added bonus.  I could watch those two all day.

Thank you, Tiff, for your friendship -- something of exceptional value to me now.  You are a gem, and I am SO HAPPY that you live here!

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We all had lunch, and then it was pool time!

Hudson loves the water as much as Nolan does.

Such a big and busy boy.  Having Hudson over showed me two things: 1) I better be triple enjoying this sitting-and-not-moving phase.  And 2) I have a lot of baby-proofing to do!  

Nolan was fast asleep for afternoon nap by this point, and Hudson was toddling all around the yard. He wobbles to and fro, but actually does a pretty good job of staying on his feet.  I loved watching him -- so funny!

Thanks again, friend, for coming over and for brightening our day.  

Looking forward to spending a lot more time together.

Weary

"Come to Me, all who are weary ... and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

As I mentioned, we've been having awful (terribleawfulnogoodverybad) nights for about 3 weeks. I've been about at my wits' end, having tried everything -- nurse him / don't nurse him, cry it out / comfort quick and early, pick him up / leave him lay, diaper change / let it ride, Tylenol / gas drops, big bouncing / little bouncing, big rocking / no rocking, pat / don't pat, sing / silence. It's enough to make a mama bonkers.  And frustrated.  And kind of ugly inside.  I know in my head that these days will end and sleep will improve but it can be hard to remember that at midnight - and 2 - and 4:30 - and 6.... night after night after night. And with Mikel coming home (understandably!) exhausted after each day on a new job, it bodes poorly for us both to be spent.

So last night a thought occurred to me -- I realized that the one thing I really haven't done in earnest is pray for our nights. And the verse from Matthew came to mind...  And so, at 7pm once he was asleep, I knelt down by his crib with my hand on his back and asked for rest.  And if not rest, then divine strength and patience and mercies. I also prayed for my Council and each of their kids. And also for each member of our families. It was a sweet few minutes of silence.

Then I removed my hand and left the room, holding my breath as I clicked the door closed.

Then lo and behold, not by coincidence I'm sure -- guess who slept all the way till 5:15???  And then back down till 7???

Glory be.  Behold the power of prayer.

I'm not sure we're cured - and I AM sure we have many more long nights in our future - but this morning I'm refreshed and thankful that God hears.  I'm also humbled that it took 3 weeks to think of employing true and honest prayer on something so troubling to me. When will I learn to be more faithful in the small things? Thank You, Father, for your grace and thank You for sleep!

Dr. Dad

Mikel had his first day on the job last Monday (7/15), and we are so proud of him!  A lot of hard work led up to this day.

Thank you, Mikel, for working hard, striving for excellence and being dedicated to providing for our family.  We appreciate you and enjoy any chance to brag on you.  You are a blessing to us and to your patients.  We love you!  Way to go!!

7 (.5) months

We arrived into Phoenix on Nolan's 7 month "birthday", and between the craziness of unpacking and then him feeling puny for over a week (read: nobody slept), our 7 month pic is actually closer to 7.5 - se la vie.  I tell myself the next kid's pics will probably all be late, so now and then isn't bad.

A bunch of the pics I might have included were used in the post titled Arizona or Bust - but there are still plenty of sweet ones to share!

First -- a few outtakes...

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Nolan,
At 7 months old:

- You're wearing size 3 diapers and size 6-9mo clothes.

- You sit up really well, and it has opened up a new world to you. It is so fun watching you absorb the world around you.

Scootched up to the computer when no one was looking!

Turns out Anna's beautiful quilt feels soft, too.

You were captivated by this balloon!

Think it's high time we packed up the swing (even though you still love it on occasion!).  A sad day indeed - that swing saved us more than a few times.

- I am trying to enjoy this sitting stage because it seems you are getting more and more motivated to crawl -- if you could only figure out the mechanics of it...

Pretty sure I did this move in yoga today.

Standing up is what you really prefer, so the exersaucer is a prime spot.

- You have done this move we call the Wiggle Dance for months, and I finally captured it on film.  I love it!

- You have 5 shiny chompers.

Thanks for the Mum Mums, Grammers!

- The pups are your favorite subjects -- especially Scarlett, which is funny because Khaki is so much more interested in you.  You pull their ears and pinch their skin, and they might let out a little whimper now and then but they don't do a thing to you.  I think they see you as a pretty important member of their "pack".

The ground can be littered with your toys and lovies, but they know exactly which items are theirs and which are yours.  I still can't believe they don't rip up your stuff!

- You love to be in water - whether it's the swimming pool or the bathtub.  Sometimes we put your gear on you to swim in our pool... but usually you just go in the buff except usually for a hat.  And sunblock -- gotta have sunblock!

- You are starting to chatter; mostly you say "da-da-da-da-da" much to your dad's delight.

- You made it all the way to 7 months before getting really sick with anything.  Considering you've been going into childcare at a gym for months, I think that's pretty good.

It was a long week...

An added treat when you're sick: Extra time watching Praise Baby.

- With some TLC and abx, you rebounded back to your usual, smiling self -- and we are thankful.  

We missed this face!

 You have explored lots of baby foods, and you're a fan!  So far, you have tried: peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, bananas, applesauce, blueberries, carrots, peaches, pears, prunes, squash and kale.

I made you a whole haul of homemade baby food.  Which, I should add, is kind of a lot of work.

carrots and kale
Thankfully you don't deduct points for presentation.

Blueberries, bananas, applesauce and kale
Looks disgusting but tastes like a yummy smoothie!

You look so little in your high chair.

- You are starting to develop your own little sense of humor -- snorting, shrieking and blowing raspberries just to be a ham.  You also make really silly faces.

- Your daily routine is changing a bit.  Because it's a zillion degrees by 7:30AM, we try to get outside early almost every morning --- at least for a few minutes.  I think it's one of your favorite times of the day.  I know it is mine!

- You get up between 6 and 7AM and take a short (30ish min) nap around 9.  Next we often head to the gym where you work the childcare ladies over like the charmer you are.  Then it's home in time for your longer (2hr if we're lucky) nap at 12:30 or 1.  We start bath time around 6:20 and you're usually down by 7.
Here lately you've had a tough time staying asleep at night -- the last couple of weeks, you've been waking every 2 or 3 hours just wanting to nurse.  Maybe a growth spurt or maybe a little regression after those ear infections, I don't know... but either way, we're working on it because Mama misses those 10 hour nights like the desert misses the rain, which I now understand because I live here and lemme tell you, it's A LOT.  Sadly I've had to start letting you cry it out a bit more before naps and bedtime.  You aren't much for soothing yourself yet, but you'll learn - and we'll all be better off for it.

Crazy hair and the 1,000-yard stare after some pool time.
This face + eye-scrubbing = textbook sleepy.  I'm glad you're so predictable in this way.

Love these snuggles... even moreso when it's not 2AM!

This pic is blurry, but shows my view of you when I come to get you after naps or in the morning (if you haven't flipped onto your turtle shell).  As soon as you hear the door open, you pop up and peek those sleepy eyes through the rails to see who's coming to greet you.  And you are usually a barrel of smiles once you wake up a little.

- Your hair is still copper penny red.  And I am still in love with it.

Never mind the blue stripe...  I might have marked on you.  Oops!

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Nolan Mikel,

Your dad and I love each other and you so much.

We are forever thankful that you were given to us.  What a priceless gift you are.