Richard Joseph

Last week was a very big week for Baby Richard. On Wednesday, July 7, he rolled over for the first time. He rolled back to front, which I think means he is highly intelligent. ...Except for the fact that he tends to get high-centered and can't get back on his back, which makes him angry. Very, very angry. Then, on Thursday, he laughed! I know you will agree with me when I say: there is nothing in the world like the sound of your child's laugh. My favorite part? He has such a masculine laugh! Where Shirley used to giggle, Richard literally guffaws.

Richard absolutely loves his sister. When she is in his eyeline (which often isn't very long!), he coos and babbles to her. He finds her completely mesmerizing. When I see his love for her, I feel like my heart might literally burst out of my chest.

He is a very focused nurser. Remember how Shirley used to play games with me while she nursed? Richard will have none of that. I think it's safe to say that he is a boob man, through and through.

Richard could take or leave his pacifier, but if he has something to snuggle--a blanket, cloth diaper, or taggy blanket--he is soothed and content. He LOVES being held, and loves to be held as tight and compact as possible while being rocked to sleep. When I sing to him, he looks me right in the eye. When he smiles, he smiles with his whole body! His arms flail, his legs kick and he rolls his head back and forth to show his pleasure.

A couple weeks ago, he discovered his fingers, which are ALWAYS in his mouth. He also has discovered that he can touch and feel things with his fingers. He doesn't have a lot of control, but when he tries to touch my face, I can't help but fight the tears of happiness. When Daddy nibbles Richard's tummy, he grabs Daddy's ears as if to say, "Stop it! Don't stop! Stop it!"

My sweet boy is growing so fast--we couldn't be more proud. (Can you tell?)

We are publically dedicating Richard Joseph to God at the 10:30 service at church this weekend. We would be truly honored if you wanted to join us for the very special service.

Here is Mr. Richard showing off one of his many skills: rolling over and screaming his head off!

Richard Joseph's First Bottle

Here is a video clip of Richard Joseph's first bottle. I say on the video that it's April 20, but it's actually April 21, which makes him three weeks and TWO days old. If anybody's counting.

Let the record show that I HATE this milestone. And that it was necessary to offer him a bottle on this day because I was so sick with the flu that I was too dehydrated to nurse. Praise the Lord I had started pumping and freezing breastmilk about a week before. Thankfully, things are getting back to normal now.

Richard didn't LOVE his bottle, but he didn't hate it, either. One more step to a couple hours of freedom for mommy!

Pump in Style.

"Whatsthis??"

Her first Games

I should have written this post months ago, but I didn't think any of you would believe me.

Soon after SJ started laughing in July, I realized that she was playing a game with me. When we sit down to nurse, she eats her fill, and then "pretends" to latch on, and then lets go and looks at me with a huge grin on her face. Then I say, "OH! You tricked me!" And she laughs and laughs. And she does it over and over until one of us gets bored. It's the sweetest thing. And clever, no? She's seriously been doing this since she was about three months old.

She also made up another game about three weeks ago. She thinks it is so funny when her fingers find their way into OUR mouths. She laughs as I "cookie monster" her fingers, and she pulls them out, and then sneakily reaches back for my mouth.

I love a baby with a sense of humor.

The above photo is from a couple of weeks ago, wearing an outfit that my mom saved from when I was a baby. She looks so pretty in blue!

Pump it Up!

I've had to "pump" much more often than usual this week due to the rigors of VBS. Since SJ has been in the nursery, it has been necessary to have at least six ounces available for the superfantastic, AWESOME nursery workers. So...I've been pumping. A lot.
But here's the thing: I hate my breast pump.
I hate pumping.
It is the most unpleasant, uncomfortable experience I can imagine.
And it's embarrassing.
AND if I'm not home alone when I pump, I get to hear things like, "Your left one's a slacker," or "Go for six!"

Well Baby

Shirley Jean had her four-month Well Baby check up yesterday. I had the BEST validation EVER when I learned that she weighs 15lbs, 6oz! That's the 85th percentile! Made this mama feel great.

She had five, yes FIVE vaccinations, however and feels pretty lousy today, which she keeps reminding me.

Here she is, showing off her rolling over skills (and her rolls) on the doctor's table.

Best news of the day? We discovered that our pediatritian is a Christian. Isn't that wonderful?!

What do YOU think?

Alarm Clock

If I pop the pacifier back in the baby's mouth, I can snooze for about ten more minutes. I've never had an alarm clock get more and more furious with me every time I snooze, though... Come to think of it, I've also never had an alarm clock urinate all over itself either.

Bear Trap Phenomenon

I once had someone describe breastfeeding to me as, "It's like putting your breast in a bear trap for an hour, then getting an hour break, knowing all the while that in an hour, you have to put your breast back in a bear trap for an hour."
It's not quite that bad, but...still. And it IS getting better.
You know what helps, though?

Things like this:



And this: