Today I recieved some terrible news. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are losing their third child. Kasey is about four months pregnant, and just found out that her baby "isn't going to make it." I'm not sure of the exact details yet, but would like to ask for prayers for them. I can't imagine the pain of losing your little one that far in, and I know they need His strength right now. Their other children are pretty young, too, so I'm not sure how they're going to take the loss. Please lift them all up in this time of mourning.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Day 111- Three weeks old
A haiku in honor of Jade's three week birthday:
Eyes of midnight blue
Staring into mine, small smile
Plays on tiny lips
What a fast three weeks it's been! Jade is doing so well. At her doctor's appointment last Thursday she weighed 8lb 13 oz., which is a weight gain of over a pound from when she left the hospital. She's so healthy and pink, and she's even sleeping two whole hours in a row for every three during the night. (yeah, that's actually an improvement for her. Jeremy thinks I'm getting a bit sleep-deprived, but I don't feel too bad. And I've got a new friend, Sam, the polka-dotted octopus. He talks to me, and sometimes sings. What's that Sam? Ha ha ha! You slay me!)
Anyway, I am so thankful to have this perfect little one, and that she has already fit in so well into our family. To think, only three years ago we thought we would always be a compact family of four. Now look at us! Six! And who knows if we're even done!
Christmas is now exactly one week away. I'm trying really hard not to freak out about that. After all, I love this holiday season. I need to continuously remind myself that all the little extras are just that, extras. If some of them don't get done this year, oh well. Much better to be nice mommy who doesn't get everything done then stressed out mommy who does. So if some of you don't get a card from us this year, well, um, sorry about that. Just read this:
As you can see, this form will work for many years to come, so if we ever forget to send you a card again, please return to this page and re-read. And have a happy holiday!!!
Eyes of midnight blue
Staring into mine, small smile
Plays on tiny lips
What a fast three weeks it's been! Jade is doing so well. At her doctor's appointment last Thursday she weighed 8lb 13 oz., which is a weight gain of over a pound from when she left the hospital. She's so healthy and pink, and she's even sleeping two whole hours in a row for every three during the night. (yeah, that's actually an improvement for her. Jeremy thinks I'm getting a bit sleep-deprived, but I don't feel too bad. And I've got a new friend, Sam, the polka-dotted octopus. He talks to me, and sometimes sings. What's that Sam? Ha ha ha! You slay me!)
Anyway, I am so thankful to have this perfect little one, and that she has already fit in so well into our family. To think, only three years ago we thought we would always be a compact family of four. Now look at us! Six! And who knows if we're even done!
Christmas is now exactly one week away. I'm trying really hard not to freak out about that. After all, I love this holiday season. I need to continuously remind myself that all the little extras are just that, extras. If some of them don't get done this year, oh well. Much better to be nice mommy who doesn't get everything done then stressed out mommy who does. So if some of you don't get a card from us this year, well, um, sorry about that. Just read this:
Merry Christmas, (insert your family's name here)!
We have had quite a busy (insert year). Our new baby (insert latest addition) is doing well! We hope you're all having a great holiday (down/up) there in (insert your state of residence). Love and Kisses to everyone! Love, Jess, Jeremy, Jacob, Joshua, Julia, Jade (add on any additional children we've had)
We have had quite a busy (insert year). Our new baby (insert latest addition) is doing well! We hope you're all having a great holiday (down/up) there in (insert your state of residence). Love and Kisses to everyone! Love, Jess, Jeremy, Jacob, Joshua, Julia, Jade (add on any additional children we've had)
As you can see, this form will work for many years to come, so if we ever forget to send you a card again, please return to this page and re-read. And have a happy holiday!!!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Day 110
Ok, I'm still here...kinda busy....rather difficult to excuse the lack of housework if I blog...so this is about all you'll get for a while....Sorry!....Love you all....By the way, it totally SUCKS that the annoying twerp won survivor last night. This season was an almost complete waste of time for me. I say almost because I at least enjoyed the phone conversations with my Dad and the couch time with my boys. Still, I hope we never have another season like this one. Alright, must return to the list of things to get done today....
Friday, December 7, 2007
Day 100- Wow, 100 is, like, a big number.
Well, I have now been blogging for 100 days. Ok, to be honest, I've probably only actually blogged on about two thirds of those days, but still, time flies!
Jade is doing really well. She suddenly seems more fragile to me, though. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but for some reason she just seems more like a newborn now than she did when she first came home. Maybe it's an increase in anxiety as I grow closer to her. I'm not sure. All I know is that yesterday I found myself studying her intently and saying things to Jeremy like "Do you think her eyes are dilating differently?" and "Do you think her color is the same, because she looks paler to me." He responded with his typical mixture of feigned concern, reassurance that all looks fine to him, and subsequent rolling of his eyes when my back was turned. I'm pretty sure I heard some mumbling that sounded a bit like "crazy woman", too. Still, one should never completely dismiss the hunches and worries of a mom. While most of my concerns may be warrantless, every once in a while something is actually wrong. For example, Joshua gets a cough every winter, but last time he did, I just had a feeling it was something more, and I had the doctor look at him. Sure enough, pneumonia. And Julia simply does not tell us when she is hurting, but sometimes I can just tell that she isn't herself, and, yes, she ends up having a raging ear infection. I do think Jade is most likely completely fine, though. I'm just starting to worry more about her, which is probably a good sign of bonding. Be forewarned, oh ye who have not had children yet. When you do, you will worry about everything. And it never stops. Never.
Today Joshua is at a Homeschooler Christmas Co-op being held at our church. A bunch of homeschoolers decided to give the co-op thing a try, and for four weeks they are getting together on Friday mornings to teach the kids about music, science, literature, crafts, etc. all having to do with Christmas. This is Josh's second week, and last week he absolutely loved it. If we could do this all year round, I would totally do so. It really fulfills his desire to be with other kids in a safe, Christian environment. Of course, I am kind of cheating on this one, since technically all the moms are supposed to volunteer and help out. Since Jade was just born, I got a free pass this time, and my friend Laura is taking care of Josh there. She is a real blessing to me. So next time would require much greater effort on my part, and I might not be so keen on it after that. Still, for now, I have to say that I am just loving it, and so is Josh, who literally looks forward to Friday all week long.
Oh, this just in....
THE OTHERS ARE COMING
Yes, once again we are being blessed by the presence of Jeremy's folks, who come for the obligatory visit after each baby is born. With Julia, I can safely say it took every single ounce of willpower not to snatch my precious baby girl back out of that witc...um, woman's clutches, when she came to visit after her birth. She was my first daughter, after all, and such a pure and pristine treasure that I was afraid she would be muddied by the mal-content spirit of those people. I think I'll be a little better about Jade, but I'm not sure. I haven't let myself think about it too much, to be honest. It's probably healthier not to dwell on unpleasantries that can't be avoided, like taxes, and death, and visits from the in-laws.
As further proof that I do have reason to feel this way toward them, I offer up this evidence to the court: Jeremy's hospital phone call informing them of Jade's birth was instantly turned into a lecture by his mother on how he doesn't call often enough. Huh? What? Was that really the appropriate time to air that grievance? And of course, he was also lambasted for not instantly calling his brother, the same brother, you may recall, who never called Jeremy to let him know that they are having another baby. No, he still hasn't called us with that news. I'm guessing he never will. But of course that is also somehow Jeremy's fault. Apparently ours is the only phone that works properly, so calling is always our responsibility. Anyway....
So, this weekend should be about as fun as...well, I can't say going to the dentist, because I have a really great dentist who I would not want to insult...um (looking around for inspiration)...ah, as slowly flattening one's hand in a vice. Yeah.
Well, must be off now. TTFN!
Jade is doing really well. She suddenly seems more fragile to me, though. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but for some reason she just seems more like a newborn now than she did when she first came home. Maybe it's an increase in anxiety as I grow closer to her. I'm not sure. All I know is that yesterday I found myself studying her intently and saying things to Jeremy like "Do you think her eyes are dilating differently?" and "Do you think her color is the same, because she looks paler to me." He responded with his typical mixture of feigned concern, reassurance that all looks fine to him, and subsequent rolling of his eyes when my back was turned. I'm pretty sure I heard some mumbling that sounded a bit like "crazy woman", too. Still, one should never completely dismiss the hunches and worries of a mom. While most of my concerns may be warrantless, every once in a while something is actually wrong. For example, Joshua gets a cough every winter, but last time he did, I just had a feeling it was something more, and I had the doctor look at him. Sure enough, pneumonia. And Julia simply does not tell us when she is hurting, but sometimes I can just tell that she isn't herself, and, yes, she ends up having a raging ear infection. I do think Jade is most likely completely fine, though. I'm just starting to worry more about her, which is probably a good sign of bonding. Be forewarned, oh ye who have not had children yet. When you do, you will worry about everything. And it never stops. Never.
Today Joshua is at a Homeschooler Christmas Co-op being held at our church. A bunch of homeschoolers decided to give the co-op thing a try, and for four weeks they are getting together on Friday mornings to teach the kids about music, science, literature, crafts, etc. all having to do with Christmas. This is Josh's second week, and last week he absolutely loved it. If we could do this all year round, I would totally do so. It really fulfills his desire to be with other kids in a safe, Christian environment. Of course, I am kind of cheating on this one, since technically all the moms are supposed to volunteer and help out. Since Jade was just born, I got a free pass this time, and my friend Laura is taking care of Josh there. She is a real blessing to me. So next time would require much greater effort on my part, and I might not be so keen on it after that. Still, for now, I have to say that I am just loving it, and so is Josh, who literally looks forward to Friday all week long.
Oh, this just in....
THE OTHERS ARE COMING
Yes, once again we are being blessed by the presence of Jeremy's folks, who come for the obligatory visit after each baby is born. With Julia, I can safely say it took every single ounce of willpower not to snatch my precious baby girl back out of that witc...um, woman's clutches, when she came to visit after her birth. She was my first daughter, after all, and such a pure and pristine treasure that I was afraid she would be muddied by the mal-content spirit of those people. I think I'll be a little better about Jade, but I'm not sure. I haven't let myself think about it too much, to be honest. It's probably healthier not to dwell on unpleasantries that can't be avoided, like taxes, and death, and visits from the in-laws.
As further proof that I do have reason to feel this way toward them, I offer up this evidence to the court: Jeremy's hospital phone call informing them of Jade's birth was instantly turned into a lecture by his mother on how he doesn't call often enough. Huh? What? Was that really the appropriate time to air that grievance? And of course, he was also lambasted for not instantly calling his brother, the same brother, you may recall, who never called Jeremy to let him know that they are having another baby. No, he still hasn't called us with that news. I'm guessing he never will. But of course that is also somehow Jeremy's fault. Apparently ours is the only phone that works properly, so calling is always our responsibility. Anyway....
So, this weekend should be about as fun as...well, I can't say going to the dentist, because I have a really great dentist who I would not want to insult...um (looking around for inspiration)...ah, as slowly flattening one's hand in a vice. Yeah.
Well, must be off now. TTFN!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Day 97- (although I'm posting this so late that it may come up as day 98) 1 week old!
Jade is one week old! Happy Birthday baby girl! We love you!!!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Day 96
Hello all! I don't have a lot of time today, but I will come back and regale you all with the full story of my labor and delivery etc. soon, I promise. For now, I just want to check in and say that I'm still here, I'm surviving the first day home alone with the three kiddos, and I am still super thankful and excited to have My little Jadey lady home. Let me tell you, one of the best parts is that I am no longer waddling!!!! I can walk up and down stairs with ease, get off the couch without groaning, and roll over in bed onto my stomach!!! Such freedom! I don't know what to do with myself! And Julia actually has a real lap to sit in! It's amazing what a difference expelling an eight pound baby from your body can make!
It's funny, because I think everyone was a bit surprised by how up and about I was at the hospital, but, seriously, that was the best I had felt in like two months. It's just so nice to have my body back. Don't get me wrong, I loved being pregnant for the first, say, thirty weeks or so, but the end is like the last five miles of a marathon. Yes, you know the finish line is closer than ever, but physically, it is grueling. But then it's done! Yay! And this sweet little one, with the softest sweetest smelling head in the world, is what I have to show for all my hard work. That is much better than any running trophy, believe me!
Anyway, it is now time to create a butterfly display with Joshua, so I must close for now. Thanks for your prayers and cares!!
It's funny, because I think everyone was a bit surprised by how up and about I was at the hospital, but, seriously, that was the best I had felt in like two months. It's just so nice to have my body back. Don't get me wrong, I loved being pregnant for the first, say, thirty weeks or so, but the end is like the last five miles of a marathon. Yes, you know the finish line is closer than ever, but physically, it is grueling. But then it's done! Yay! And this sweet little one, with the softest sweetest smelling head in the world, is what I have to show for all my hard work. That is much better than any running trophy, believe me!
Anyway, it is now time to create a butterfly display with Joshua, so I must close for now. Thanks for your prayers and cares!!
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