The Mogwai and his adoring fans

It’s been awhile since I last blogged. I’ve been meaning to for several days, but every time I sit down to do it, something else distracts me. So here goes.

Jason is now 2 ½ weeks old and utterly adorable!! We love him so much!! He is a grunty, squeaky, fuzzy baby. Seriously, this kid grunts like none other. He makes such funny noises that Steve calls him “Mogwai” from Gremlins. Hehehe. He’s mostly a very relaxed, calm baby, as long as he’s being held or sleeping on his tummy. Not so much a fan of sleeping on his back, alone, in the bassinet. He gets cuter every single day. He is getting bigger, I can tell and it makes me a little sad. Can’t he just stay my teeny, tiny baby forever? Please?! I just weighed him, and according to the incredibly scientific process of me standing on the scale with and without him, he weighs about 9 ½ lbs. We also call him our little red man because he’s often quite pink! He still loves to have his hands up be his face a lot. And you may not believe me, but this kid is trying very hard to get mobile. He can roll from his back to his side and tries to get onto his tummy. He also tries to crawl and can move himself a little, especially if he has something to push his feet against. I don’t think I have to worry about him waiting until 17 months to walk, like his big sister. ;-) One great thing about Jason is that he seems to have very distinct, but simple needs. He cries when he needs to eat, burp, or be held. That’s pretty much it. I do find that I need to burp him after every feeding, and sometimes during them, otherwise he can get uncomfortable. But he’s quite easy to burp and it settles him down nicely. Nursing has settled into a routine for us and we’re both happy with how it’s going. Holding him seems to be the trickiest to manage and the quickest to elicit an unhappy response, if not fulfilled. It’s a bit more difficult to manage holding a newborn while still getting everything done around the house with a two year old as well, even with two parents at the same time. Sometimes, I need to be doing the dishes while Steve is cleaning up the toys with Jilly, and it’s not easy for either of us to hold him. He does like being in the wrap or sling, so that helps at times. We’re still figuring it all out.

Jilly is doing well. I haven’t seen a huge reaction to the new baby, but little things here and there. We have started making her help clean up her own toys and books (which she loves to throw all over the floor, then step all over them, UGH!) and she absolutely loathes it. It must be pre-programmed in kids to automatically turn into a limp noodle and whine “I can’t do it” when asked to clean up their messes. She’ll just cry and cry and cry as we make her do it. Unfortunately for her, we’re not gonna give up. She has to learn that she either shouldn’t make the mess in the first place, or has to clean it up when she’s done. Honestly, I’m fine with either option, but I will not let her make the huge mess and then leave me to clean it up completely. Steve is even less inclined to accept that. But other than those tantrums, she is great. She talks so much. She is certainly in that mimicking stage and repeats everything we saw. And I mean everything, good and bad. We can mostly understand a lot of the words she says, which is very fun. Jilly also does this thing, where she goes up to whoever is holding Jason and asks them to help her. Whether she wants a drink or someone to play “buckles” with her, it doesn’t matter how many other people are in the room, she will ask the person with the baby. Maybe she thinks they’re the ones in charge or something. Pretty funny, if you ask me.

I am doing fantastic! I hardly have any pain anymore and my body has adjusted to nursing very quickly. I have enough energy, but still have to take it easy a lot. I find I get tired if I’m exerting myself physically; my body’s way of reminding me “Uh, lady, you just had a baby- take it easy on me!” Hehehe. But I’m getting back into the swing of things. And, oh!! The glories of not being pregnant anymore!! It’s wonderful!! It’s lovely to have more clothes to wear (though it’s not like anything looks good, oh well), as well as not have to worry so much about eating constantly for fear of nausea. I can lay on my stomach comfortably and the pulled muscle in my leg has been healing. There’s not nearly as much weight and pressure on my hips and back and for that, I am truly grateful!!! I am settling into being a mother of two, which is still surprising to me. We are pretty lazy during the days. We sleep in late (like 10 or later), I get the kids both changed and dressed, Jilly and I eat breakfast, and then we just hang out until Steve gets home. Sometimes, I’ll do things around the house. Clean up the kitchen, unload the dishwasher (which Jilly helps me with), or do some laundry. But I don’t do tons. Thank heavens Steve understands and still does most of the cooking and cleaning. Steve is adjusting to being back at work. Can’t say he’s happy about it, he’d rather be home with us, but hey, someone’s gotta make the money, and we’re grateful he has a job!

We have been very blessed by so many friends and family members. I don’t think I can appropriately express our gratitude to everyone. We’ve had people bring us meals, loan and give us lots of clothes, offer to baby-sit, and take over work and church responsibilities. My mom has crocheted receiving blankets, burp rags, is knitting a hat, and bought lots of clothes and shoes for this little guy. She is having Jilly spend the night Tuesday night and stay all day Wednesday with her, to make it easier on me. My sister and brother have both come over to hang out with us and are quick to get me something if I need it, or just entertain one of the kids so I can deal with the other one. Let alone everything that my family did for the actual birth! We are incredibly blessed and are grateful everyday for it!!!

Well, there you go. A little update on how we’re all doing. Still no cord for the camera, so no pictures. But I have been taking them, so as soon as we get the cord, you’ll get inundated with tons of pics! :-)