Big Day at Our House

Today was a big day in our house. Our oldest son started his first full day of school today. He is excited for this new step in his life. Yesterday he only went for a few hours. It was so neat to see him so big and starting big school. But there was a part inside of me that ached to see him starting this next chapter. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. With the arrival of our newest child I have been thinking of the day we brought his brother home from the hospital. How small, fragile and innocent he was. Now he's going to school...meeting new friends and learning new things.

We also took the baby to the doctor for his first check up today. He has gained weight and continues to thrive. He's so small and fragile. I'm enjoying every minute of him...yes, and even trying to enjoy the early morning/late night feedings. I know how quick the time goes and I don't want to take a second of it for granted.

Wow what a big and wonderful day in our house.

Room in My Heart

Bringing Jonah home has been a wonderful and kinda scary thing. Will we remember what to do? How did we do this before? How will things go?

There were many questions in my mind as to the adjustment of one child to two would go. So far, it's been exciting to get Jonah home and continue to watch him grow. I read that many second time parents have questions like this when they bring their newborn home. One big question is will I be able to love this little guy as much as our first. I didn't really struggle with that because of the fact that I had felt so lucky to have this little life growing inside of me.

I began to think of what happens to our hearts when a new person, especially a child, comes into our lives. It seems like our hearts grow a size bigger each and every time that a new person comes into our lives that we care about.

Sometimes I have wondered how God has love for so many of us, who are his creation. God is ultimately our parent and is totally responsible for our creation. Perhaps our love as parents for our children or our love for those who are close to us is modeled after the love that God has for each of us. God's heart must continue to grow a size bigger each and every time a new person comes into the world. How cool is that?!

That's how the love of a parent for a child goes and grows. Thank you God, for continuing to teach me more and more about your love every day.

Welcome to the World

Friday, at 8:39 am, Jonah Dean came into the world literally kicking and screaming. He weighed 8 pounds 8 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. We are so blessed to have two beautiful boys in our family.



We stayed in the hospital until early this afternoon when we brought him home. It is so wonderful to have a new baby at home again. I'd forgotten what it's like. In some ways it's scary because I want to make sure we do everything right for this little guy who's totally dependent upon us. We have been so richly blessed and trusted by God to take care of this little person.

Jake's a proud big brother. He's going to pre-school to share pictures of his new little brother along with "It's a Boy" suckers. He's looking forward to sharing stories with Jonah and teaching him all kinds of neat stuff.

Thank you all for your thoughts, well wishes and prayers...we really appreciate them!!

OK...Here We Go

Well it's the night before D-day. I'm nervous and anxious and trying not to think of everything that will happen to me and my body tomorrow. I can't believe that the time is really here that we'll really be holding this little guy who's been pummeling my body for some time. Please remember us in your prayers as we prepare for this new chapter in our lives and the first chapter in this little guy's life.

Where Did the Time Go?

We have three more days until the newest addition to our family arrives. I can't believe how fast the time has gone lately. We go to the doctor for one last time tomorrow just to be sure everything is set for this newest arrival to our family.

God has graciously blessed our family throughout these past several years...and I'm so thankful that God has continued to bless us with this new little guy.

We'll keep you posted.

Belly Bumps

As many of you know we have just over 2 weeks before the newest addition to our family is to arrive. We have been trying to get Jake to bond with him before he's born. We keep telling Jake that his little brother will recognize his voice and most likely smile at him first, which really makes Jake smile.

Jake has, off and on, been fascinated by the moving around in my belly. Sometimes he just stares as an arm or leg goes brushing past. At other times he says, "That's just weird mommy."

Last night was the coolest. I'm sitting in the recliner trying to cool off and relax and Jake wants to sit on my lap. He comes up by me then slides back down half on the floor half on me so that his head is on my belly. He begins to talk to my belly, "Hi little baby...it's me....Hi baby." To which this little guy begins to hit and/or kick. Jake began to giggle..."he's kicking me in the head mommy."

We keep doing this for a while, he talks and the baby kicks, "he's kicking me in the head, daddy." Jakes eyes just twinkled as he "played" with his baby brother. I so look forward to the time when they can really play and laugh.

Getting Tired of the Heat

I can't believe how hot it has been this past month plus. We were watching the news tonight and I told Jim I hadn't seen heat this bad since the year we met...back in '95. That year a friend of mine and I went to visit a friend from college who lived in Chicago. It was sweltering...many people got sick and even died from the intense heat.

That summer was also the summer I got heat exhaustion...which I have not fully gotten over. I am really sensitive to the heat. Being nine months pregnant doesn't help a whole lot either. My feet are beginning to look like they belong to Fred Flintstone...and the air conditioners at home and work don't really feel like they're working any more.

Hopefully we'll get relief this weekend. Until then I'm pounding water, popsicles, staying inside and keeping my feet up.

I can't wait til fall and winter!