Busy Weekend

I used to look forward to crashing at my house on the weekends. Now that I am housebound during the week (this is easier with a baby and saves money!), I find myself itching to go places on the weekends. Thankfully I have plenty to keep me busy at home, though. I feel sorry for Jacob because he is busy all week, then I want him to do things with me on weekends. But I think we manage to have fun.

This past Saturday we went to Morningside Nature Center for the Farm and Forest Festival. Josiah slept through most of it, of course, but Jacob and I watched them shear sheep (which looked much easier than my experience drawing blood from them and trimming their feet in vet school), toured old buildings, and checked out the vendors. It made for a nice afternoon. Later we went to dinner with several friends from church. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this group of people. They are a great support system and are fun to hang out with.

Josiah made his first visit to the nursery at church on Sunday. He slept through that, too. While there, we got some special news from Julie and Brian…congrats guys! Will it be a girl this time??? After church, my mom and I went to the Pioneer Days Festival in High Springs. It was hot and a bit of a let down, but mom bought some things and it was nice to get out. Jacob surprised me by cleaning the house and doing laundry while I was gone. Then he grilled us hamburgers for dinner. What a great guy I have!

Here are some recent pictures:

Post-bathtime bonding with daddy - gazing into his eyes contented with his beloved pacifier.

Look at him hold that head up!

I keep trying to catch a smile on camera, but as soon as I pick it up the smile leaves and a look of confusion replaces it. This is the best I have so far.

Waiting for the sheep shearing to start at Morningside Nature Center. Doesn't he look excited?

...and the sheep shearing.

Five Things That Surprised Me About Parenting An Infant

How his sweet smile (a new skill) can stop me in my tracks, brighten my mood no matter how foul, and bring a smile to my face and heart.

How noisy his poops are. Apparently breastfed babies are notorious for this, but it blew both Jacob and I away.

How many strangers would touch my belly AFTER he was born! One even squeezed my biceps since I was carrying him.

That my husband would insist on being the one to change diapers and burp Josiah when he is home.

That EVERYWHERE we go we would be the center of attention. No more blending into the crowd. (Mix this with all the belly-touching and I’m mortified!)

First Easter and Other Things

Josiah didn’t hunt eggs on his first Easter, but he did get meet lots of family he hadn’t met yet. Unfortunately I’m still getting used to this parenting thing and so I didn’t remember to get lots of pictures of the day, but here are a few taken with family.

By the end of the day, it was clear that Josiah was sick for the first time. Thankfully it wasn’t bad and was probably due to either allergies or “milk congestion”, according to the nurse. I’m hoping for milk congestion and that he is allergy-free. Anyway, he is mostly over it now.

This Sunday afternoon we went to the Spring Festival on Main Street in Alachua. It was Josiah’s first community activity and it made for a nice afternoon. At church Sunday night, we learned more about Steve Saint and his ministry at i-tec. This ministry equips indigenous people groups around the world to take care of basic medical, dental, and vision problems. Most recently, they have begun to teach engine repair since many of these people rely on boat motors for travel and generators for electricity, yet they have no idea how to care for them. This is the part Jacob is interested in. Traditional mission groups go in, take care of the people’s current problems, and then leave without teaching them how to care for things themselves. This group equips and encourages them to spread the knowledge further and in doing so, spread God’s word. This multiplies the effect of the original group. This is a really cool ministry and is like no other I have ever heard of. For further info, go to http://www.itecusa.org/.

Josiah is content in Deda's arms. (Abby's grandfather)

Relaxing with Gram. (Abby's Grandmother)

Gettin' some lovin' from Aunt Denise.
I love this picture! Cousins Savannah and Audrey on the old swing that I played on as a kid (still do sometimes). It hangs from a cable on a huge live oak at my grandparent's and can go in any direction - very fun!
Dandy (Jacob's Grandfather) thinks Josiah got his hairline, but I think Josiah will continue to grow more hair while Dandy loses it!

Soakin' up the sun with Nana (Jacob's Grandmother).

Cousin Mikayla meets Josiah in their Granny's arms (Jacob's mom).

Cause for Celebration

Today is Josiah’s one month birthday and my 28th! We are celebrating by eating, sleeping, and changing diapers all day long. If all goes well, we may go to Stonewood for dinner tonight to use a gift certificate that we intended to use the night I went into labor…obviously our plans changed. This morning I happened to be nursing Josiah at 3:33am, the time that I was born, and thought it was ironic to be celebrating with drinks (milk, of course) for one. I woke up later to a birthday card from Josiah in his bassinet!

One big cause for celebration is that Saturday Josiah was given his first bottle by his Daddy. He only played with it the first time, but he sucked it right down during the second feeding. He’s a pro now, but only gets it once a day. This new found skill will give us a bit more freedom, including dinner tonight while he stays with Grandma.

Jacob is so proud because Josiah can already roll over from his tummy to his back. He's done it 5 times. I tell Jacob that he's not doing it purposely and it is uncoordinated movements that cause it, but it doesn't matter to to him! Here's more random pictures:

Here is a picture of his first bottle experience.

Grandma gave him this outfit to wear to church for the first time.

He FINALLY fit in it and he's been to church 3 times.
Here is the camo Daddy bought him. He's even cute in camo!

He Stole My Heart

The last four weeks have flown by! Josiah is already becoming his own little person. Sometimes I am just so impressed and amazed when I look at him. First of all, I think he is so beautiful (of course I’m biased). But when I think of all he represents in our life, I am overwhelmed. I’m not much of a crier, especially about joyful things, but I’ll admit I’ve shed a tear or two just looking at him. It breaks my heart to think I will not be able to protect him from so many things in life. I already can’t cure his upset stomach and I already dislike the first girl that breaks his heart. It was much easier when he was inside me all comfy and protected, but now he is exposed to the hardships of life. Thankfully he’ll have many good times, too. Life is good and he is proof of that.

I can’t believe Josiah is four weeks old today. The first two weeks we were on such a high that this parenting thing was a piece of cake (compared to our expectations, that is). We have an easy baby, so that helped things significantly. During week 3 we began to feel the strain. Round the clock feedings every three hours were stealing our sleep and things began to run together. I’d wake up at night to nurse him, think I had already done it and ask Jacob to burp him and put him down. Jacob had to convince me several times in my zombie state that I hadn’t fed him and I was thinking of the feeding 3 hours ago. Good thing babies cry till they get what they want! While this is kinda funny, it did scare me that I could be so crazy. It’s amazing what they can live through! This past week has been a week of adaptation as we slowly get used to things and are not as tired.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the last few weeks.

He was so peacful. Nevermind that I'm using a burp cloth as a blanket.

He actually played with this toy from Aunt Patricia for awhile. He spent most of the time trying to catch its nose to suck on.

My angel in his bassinet for a nap.

First bath. So glad to be free from that umbilical stump! He loves bathtime.

A visit from Uncle Caleb. He had just come from the dentist and was numb, so he wouldn't smile at the camera. Caleb is a sucker for a baby!

A visit from cousin Savannah who LOVES Josiah. She thinks he's hers.

This is how I found Jacob and Josiah after a fussy morning. I think Josiah got his way.

Content after a meal. Isn't he sweet?