Bailey and Me

Bailey, our seven-year-old chocolate lab, was our “baby” before the boys were born and she is the best puppy in the world! The boys love her and she loves them, so much so she even cries with VW when he is injured or has a meltdown. (Both of them crying is a little much!) I just love the times the three of them have together…

Bailey watching over VW.

Bailey tries calming DG down.

Bailey sleeping with DG.

 

VW cuddling with Bailey.

 VW and Bailey watching Daddy mow the lawn.

VW covering Bailey up with his blankie.

 VW telling Bailey bedtime stories.

VW cuddling in the fort.

VW and Bailey concentrating on the ball,
who do you think will catch it?

Boys with their best friend! Couldn’t get any better than this!

Got Milk?

Even though I have a few more months of the precious bonding and quiet moments (although somewhat “active”) I thoroughly enjoy nursing DG, it has been on my heart lately what an absolutely, amazing thing it is to be able to provide for my child in this way.

I know it is not every mother’s “thing,” but it has just been a miraculous time for me with both boys. It is definitely a commitment, especially as a working mom and scheduling times to pump! And then cleaning and freezing bottles every night! However, I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

Nursing has been such a different experience for me with both boys. With VW (you can still tell by looking at him and his multiple request throughout the day to eat), he was a snacker and although a good eater, never really ate much at each sitting. While DG, latched on minutes after being born and has enjoyed every minute eating since! He already weighs more than half of VW who weighs only 29 pounds!

If you ever saw me nursing DG, you may actually find it quiet comical! He doesn’t stop moving…he kicks his legs, sometimes an arm will fly and hit me in the face, and sometimes, like last night he ate, sat straight up, went back for more, sat up, etc.

With this great “work-out” I am getting, the best part of nursing for this busy mom is the time to actually have to take a break, sit-down, and be still. I will often hold DGs hand and… read; sing “God is so good. God is so good. God is so good. His so good to me.”; pray for both boys and their parents; or just be at peace.

And the final blessing with nursing DG…can you say, got milk? My goodness, I never experienced this with VW. Actually, sometimes pumping with VW were some of my most stressful times as I watched the bottles fill and pray that there would be enough milk for him at daycare the next day. With DG the milk is overflowing. The deep freeze and freezer are full and the milk keeps coming!

One full basket of milk in the deep freeze!

Frozen milk in our extra fridge!

Bottles of milk pumped and ready to freeze!

Thank God for the miracle of nursing my son and providing me with the ability to provide for him and be at peace!

Work Jeans

This fall VW and I had this conversation:

“I have my work pants on, Mom; I want to go to work with you.” (Carpenter pants like Daddy, but with a hole in the knee thanks to cousin NR hand-me-downs).

“Honey, you can’t go to work and Daddy’s at work already.”

“I want to go to work with you.”

“Mommy can’t wear jeans to work.”

“Oh!?”

I think the same thing buddy. VW may not be considering an office job in the future ;-)

Santa, Baby

Bet the Santa that visited your house wasn't this cute…

Peanut

Daddy warmed up VWs boxer briefs by the fireplace after a bath.

VW puts them on and says, “Hmmm…these feel good on my bum and peanut!”

You Be A Turtle

So, we are getting ready to head out of town for Christmas celebrating with the K-side of the family. One more stop and we are on our way. To make things easier Daddy decided to run into the store and Mommy would hang out with the boys.

Just for fun I thought I would document the “conversation” of VWs. So take a breath and enjoy the ride:

“My chapstick is almost gone, you can get me more when this one gone – SMACK!” (smacking his chapstick lips together) “You can push really hard, strong muscles like I did; I know I can do it!” (as he puts the lid on).

“I won’t ask for any more food!” (VW thinks every time you get in the car is a reason to eat).

“We can pretend like a dinosaur or giraffe or T-Rex or turtle or crab or horsey or we can just be a kid! You be a turtle, DG a giraffe, and Daddy a lion!”

“I see Daddy’s hair, now his body!” (looking into the store)

“I so happy to see Grandma again, are you? Is Daddy?”

“My Daddy shoot bunny rabbits, not you. Does he shoot rabbits?” “No, Daddy shoots pheasant.” “Yep, Daddy shoot pheasant, not you.”

“V is for VW” (he yells this every time he sees a V or W)

“There is a train! I told you Mom, we can see from here. I see it! The train is awake! I don’t see the caboose. There are a lot of cars. It go home to sleep! Let watch ‘til Daddy get back, ok Mommy? Daddy, come he was fast a bunny rabbit!”

Now my parents say this is payback. I just smile, never a dull moment!

Can you just imagine the 3-hour drive…sigh!

Handprints

I had to wait to for this post as they were Christmas gifts for Nana and Papa and Grandma and Papa. They turned out so cute and are so very precious!

The handprints of five grandchildren (from the bottom to top): IR (10), EK (8), NR (4), VW (3), and DG (8 months).

Handprints of two grandchildren,
all are VWs except the top is DGs.

I made one for myself too!