There are a hundred little things that I love about the developing personalities of my kids. Among the top ranked is how wonderfully polite and encouraging they can be. It thrills any mom to hear her offspring remember to say 'please' and 'thank you' and 'yes ma'am' or 'yes sir'. It makes us feel as though all the exasperating moments when they say 'yeah' are worth it. (I hate hearing yeah from my children's mouths!)
Thomas is a great encourager. He often tosses out a 'congratulations' or a 'you did it all by yourself' to me or Joshua for any number of things. Opening a door, dressing ourselves, picking up something that is to heavy or awkward for him, eating our meals, you name it. With Elizabeth in the house now, this has brought on a whole new meaning. We often praise her for opening her eyes, making any kind of sweet noise, one of those smiles (the ones that might not really be a smile at all, but gas pains as some folks say), eating well, burping. You know, the multitude of things that babies do.
I was puttering around the kitchen as the kids s-l-o-w-l-y finished up their lunch. I have to admit, I wasn't really paying much attention to them until I heard a loud belch...and then another...and another. I was hearing this, but not comprehending it, the way mom's sometimes do. When everything clicked into place, I was about to remind my lovely children to say excuse me, if they had to burp out loud like that. Then, I clued into what was really going on. My sweet, wonderful, polite children were belching on command! Then, the child who created this rude noise was being praised by the other. 'Good Job, Sawuh Gwace! You did it!' 'Yay, Nomas!' (clap, clap, clap)
Just as Joshua and I have been (and still are) praising little Elizabeth for her gaseous releases, so were Thomas and Sarah Grace. I laughed myself silly when I realized what was going on. It was entirely to cute to chide them for. Besides, there is plenty of time to learn table manners.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
On My Own
The baby is here, the helpers have all come and gone, and this week, I was on my own with my three little children. The sky is still up, the sun still peeks out between the rain showers of the week, gravity still works in the same way. There were no major changes in the world as we know it, unless, of course, you are me.
Monday, I had a stomach virus, so I was NO GOOD. And the powers that be deemed that to be the day to spread chemicals all over the cotton field behind our neighborhood. The same cotton field I love in August, my Southern Snow, if you will, brought me nothing but disgust. As the tractor made the rounds dropping it's nasty junk on the ground, I told my children they had to stay inside. Did I mention I did not feel all that great?
Tuesday, I felt much better. And, it rained. So here we are...day two of being cooped up indoors. It was kind of a long day, if ya know what I mean.
Wednesday, I honestly do not remember. Seriously. Gone. Abyss. But I know I did make spaghetti and rolls and we had a picnic on the back porch.
Thursday, I had to get OUT of the house. Out, out, out. Anywhere. So, we picked up Thomas's baby (a CareBear that makes life easier at sleep times) and blanket (also a sleep time aid) from a friend who was kind enough to taxi them from Memum's house to Huntsville. Then, we went to have a short visit with friends. Then home for lunch and nap time. Forget lunch. The kids were asleep by the time we got home, and unwilling to wake up for nourishment. Then, after they woke up, I fished a pen out of the toilet (so as not to repeat a Fanning Fiasco) while the kids refrigerator shopped. While they had to do the clean up on that themselves, I had to neaten a bit when they were done. This doesn't sound like much, but let's not forget Elizabeth and her nursing habits (she like to eat), diaper changing times, snack time, and then Joshua came home. Dinner was not a happening thing. We went out for dinner. To Chick-Fil-A. Not the one closest to us, either. The one waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay on out South Parkway. We drove thirty minutes to get there. I needed out. Again!
Friday. The 'week' as we call it, is over. I have survived. I went to the preschool this morning to do a bit of work there and to visit with folks and introduce Elizabeth to them. Joshua took the day off and stayed home with Thomas and Sarah Grace. He had to leave about 1:30 this afternoon and is gone for the day. The kids are napped, and we are making dinner.
The sky did not fall. The sun still peeks out from between the clouds (between rain showers). Gravity still has the same effect. Time marches on. No big deal. Nothing has changed to alter the state of the universe. Unless you are me. Learning to handle three under three on my own. By the grace of God, I can look back on the week and call it successful. I enjoyed my kids. I got some house cleaning done. I managed to actually cook (one night, but we had lots of leftovers from yummy meals others had made for us). And, my sanity is still there, as much as it ever was, anyway!
Monday, I had a stomach virus, so I was NO GOOD. And the powers that be deemed that to be the day to spread chemicals all over the cotton field behind our neighborhood. The same cotton field I love in August, my Southern Snow, if you will, brought me nothing but disgust. As the tractor made the rounds dropping it's nasty junk on the ground, I told my children they had to stay inside. Did I mention I did not feel all that great?
Tuesday, I felt much better. And, it rained. So here we are...day two of being cooped up indoors. It was kind of a long day, if ya know what I mean.
Wednesday, I honestly do not remember. Seriously. Gone. Abyss. But I know I did make spaghetti and rolls and we had a picnic on the back porch.
Thursday, I had to get OUT of the house. Out, out, out. Anywhere. So, we picked up Thomas's baby (a CareBear that makes life easier at sleep times) and blanket (also a sleep time aid) from a friend who was kind enough to taxi them from Memum's house to Huntsville. Then, we went to have a short visit with friends. Then home for lunch and nap time. Forget lunch. The kids were asleep by the time we got home, and unwilling to wake up for nourishment. Then, after they woke up, I fished a pen out of the toilet (so as not to repeat a Fanning Fiasco) while the kids refrigerator shopped. While they had to do the clean up on that themselves, I had to neaten a bit when they were done. This doesn't sound like much, but let's not forget Elizabeth and her nursing habits (she like to eat), diaper changing times, snack time, and then Joshua came home. Dinner was not a happening thing. We went out for dinner. To Chick-Fil-A. Not the one closest to us, either. The one waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay on out South Parkway. We drove thirty minutes to get there. I needed out. Again!
Friday. The 'week' as we call it, is over. I have survived. I went to the preschool this morning to do a bit of work there and to visit with folks and introduce Elizabeth to them. Joshua took the day off and stayed home with Thomas and Sarah Grace. He had to leave about 1:30 this afternoon and is gone for the day. The kids are napped, and we are making dinner.
The sky did not fall. The sun still peeks out from between the clouds (between rain showers). Gravity still has the same effect. Time marches on. No big deal. Nothing has changed to alter the state of the universe. Unless you are me. Learning to handle three under three on my own. By the grace of God, I can look back on the week and call it successful. I enjoyed my kids. I got some house cleaning done. I managed to actually cook (one night, but we had lots of leftovers from yummy meals others had made for us). And, my sanity is still there, as much as it ever was, anyway!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Weekending
Elizabeth Hope2 Weeks
It was a quiet weekend at the Freeman home. Thomas went off to Scottsboro to hang out with my parents and camp out some more. Joshua and Sarah Grace headed out to Cullman to get some things done there. Which left me and Baby Elizabeth. To sleep in. And we did.
Good thing, too. Since she didn't bother with the sleeping bit Friday night...
On brighter notes...Joshua and Sarah Grace came in Saturday night, bringing with them a real grill! Oh, happy day. When Joshua and I first got married, we lived in an apartment with no room for a grill (plus, it was against the rules to grill anywhere but in the 2 square feet on grounds they had set up for it at this particular complex...). So, we made do with a tiny little camping grill. Really, about one foot by one foot. Tough stuff when you invite folks over to grill...
Sarah Grace and Elizabeth.Sunday night, the girls got the giggles and allowed us to take pictures of them. Aren't they adorable? We sure did miss their brother, Thomas, though I am sure he was to busy camping to think about us all that much. *grin* Fun stuff for a two year old. I do have a super sweet picture of him taking good care of Elizabeth, however. Thought I would share.
Thomas caring for Elizabeth.And that, dear friends, is all the brain power I have for now. Not the most literary competent post I have written, but at least the pictures are cute!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Gentleman
I have to brag on my little man, Thomas. He is such an awesome brother to his two sisters. For the most part, he takes his roll as protector pretty seriously. He holds the doors for Sarah Grace, or opens them when she has managed to shut herself in a room. He remembers that ladies should be first, in everything from who is served first to who gets to have their diaper changed first. He helps Sarah Grace reach things (even the off limits things!) and opens the fridge so she can peruse the contents.
He loves little Elizabeth, too. He likes to hold her and help feed her. He croons sweet words to her if she is upset, pats her gently on the head if he passes her sitting in her bouncer, and kisses her often, saying I love you, Sweet Pea. He is also heard frequently commenting on how pretty one or both of his sisters are.
This morning, he asked to pray for his sisters, so we did. And he ended the prayer with help me to obey and be sweet to Sawuh Gwace and Ewizabeff. I wiped my not so dry eyes, praised God for the sweet spirit that He is instilling into my wonderful son, and said Amen.
Lest you think that everything is sunshine and peaches around here, Thomas promptly shoved Sarah Grace off the couch this morning. We still have far to go in our quest for making a gentleman out of him, but as my pastor says, it's progress, not perfection.
He loves little Elizabeth, too. He likes to hold her and help feed her. He croons sweet words to her if she is upset, pats her gently on the head if he passes her sitting in her bouncer, and kisses her often, saying I love you, Sweet Pea. He is also heard frequently commenting on how pretty one or both of his sisters are.
This morning, he asked to pray for his sisters, so we did. And he ended the prayer with help me to obey and be sweet to Sawuh Gwace and Ewizabeff. I wiped my not so dry eyes, praised God for the sweet spirit that He is instilling into my wonderful son, and said Amen.
Lest you think that everything is sunshine and peaches around here, Thomas promptly shoved Sarah Grace off the couch this morning. We still have far to go in our quest for making a gentleman out of him, but as my pastor says, it's progress, not perfection.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Reprogramming
Time is passing us very quickly right now. I float from one day to the next and look back and realize that little Elizabeth has been home with us for just over a week now. I praise God that we did not have to go back to the hospital with her! All three of our kids have been more highly jaundiced than the 'safe' numbers, and with Thomas and Sarah Grace both, we went home only to turn around and go back to the hospital for a few days while our babies laid in their personal 'tanning' beds. Elizabeth broke the mold. She managed to get by with just an at home bili-bed. Here she is in her straight jacket:
Our days are beginning to fall into a routine again. Beginning. I use that word tentatively. I still have 24/7 help, but I am moving around more and more and taking back control of my home. It has definitely been on the short end of the stick the past several weeks. My energy, such as it was, was focused on survival. With two toddlers in our midst, it is a game that took all my brains. But, things are beginning to have some semblance of order again. At the very least, I am catching up. =)
Thomas and Sarah Grace are showing signs of softening towards their new sister. They mostly ignored her for several days. Then they would ask about her or check on her if she was crying. Now we are to the point where they ask to kiss her and see her and hold her. They will tell her they love her, and I am glad that the transition went smoothly! I honestly expected more chaos.
I would say peace and harmony reign, but, well, it doesn't. However, I am throughly content with relative peace and abounding love. We have soem mountains to cross yet, as Thomas and Sarah Grace re-accustom themselves to an assertive Mommy again. All said, I am a very happy lady and rejoicing in the daily blessings of life.
Our Babies
Not long before Elizabeth was born, Joshua and I were wondering what she would look like. The answer, we noticed after her arrival, was simply this: She looks just like one of our babies!!!
Thomas - 8 days
Sarah Grace - 9 days
Elizabeth - 8 days
Thomas - 8 days
Sarah Grace - 9 days
Elizabeth - 8 daysWednesday, April 11, 2007
These Days...
We are all home and learning to adjust to the new family structure. Elizabeth Hope is camping out in a bili-bed, as her bilirubin count is still a tad high. Chalk up another carrot kid for Joshua and I! Though we have learned several interesting facts that could likely be the cause of our 3-0 count on jaundiced infants. Blood types factor in, a possible genetic liver disorder that only surfaces as infant jaundice. And here I was stressing that my kids just weren't getting enough to eat during those first few days. But no, Elizabeth, though not gaining, is holding her own. So, anyway, she spends her days and nights tanning and I spend mine catching cat naps in between her every two hour feedings, which Sarah Grace has stepped in to help with a little.
Thomas and Sarah Grace are loving the 24/7 attention from Granny (Joshua's mom). They have been busy, busy, busy. Coloring, playing outside, watching videos, eating anything they can wheedle their way into, helping to clean up, and other assorted things. Yesterday, they decided to just crawl in the toy box with the toys rather than strew them all over the place. Fine by me. Less for them to clean up later!
They also had their first pool time yesterday afternoon. Sans the water. Nevermind that they have a swing set with a big slide and a Little Tyke small slide...they needed the pool slide. The pool has been turned upside down, floating around our yard all winter long (it refused to stay tied down in one spot, finicky thing) and occasionally jumping the fence to visit the grass on the other side. The kids have delighted in thumping on the top of it, stashing toys or themselves under it, and lounging on it. Yesterday, I sat at the window and laughingly cheered them on as they attempted, and finally succeeded in flipping the thing over. It is filthy on the inside, and I was ever so grateful they were in play clothes. Then, they contented themselves for quite some time. When Joshua got home from work, the kids invited him into the pool with them. Cute stuff, eh?
Joshua is working three jobs these days. His paying job, so to speak takes up his time from 8-5, then he takes on my job as errand runner during his lunch breaks or on his way home from work, or sometimes even after the kids are in bed, he winds up making a quick jog over to Wal Mart. Then there is his other job. You know...the Husband/Daddy gig? Bless the poor man, he is a real trooper. I am ever so thankful for what a sweetheart he is.
This week, we have the added bonus of having Granny here. She is keeping my kids occupied, my laundry done, my food cooked, my kitchen clean (with Joshua's help) and my sanity in tact. Everyone should be as fortunate as I am to have such a wonderful 'other mother'. I know Papa Joe is missing her...hopefully he won't waste away to nothing this week! I have heard tale that he knows how to cook, though, so I am encouraged.
All in all, we are good, just a bit sleep deprived. But then what home with an infant isn't?? We are thrilled to have Elizabeth here to hold in our arms and shower her with love and excited to see the little lady she will become. Excited too, about the journey she has to get there!
Thomas and Sarah Grace are loving the 24/7 attention from Granny (Joshua's mom). They have been busy, busy, busy. Coloring, playing outside, watching videos, eating anything they can wheedle their way into, helping to clean up, and other assorted things. Yesterday, they decided to just crawl in the toy box with the toys rather than strew them all over the place. Fine by me. Less for them to clean up later!
They also had their first pool time yesterday afternoon. Sans the water. Nevermind that they have a swing set with a big slide and a Little Tyke small slide...they needed the pool slide. The pool has been turned upside down, floating around our yard all winter long (it refused to stay tied down in one spot, finicky thing) and occasionally jumping the fence to visit the grass on the other side. The kids have delighted in thumping on the top of it, stashing toys or themselves under it, and lounging on it. Yesterday, I sat at the window and laughingly cheered them on as they attempted, and finally succeeded in flipping the thing over. It is filthy on the inside, and I was ever so grateful they were in play clothes. Then, they contented themselves for quite some time. When Joshua got home from work, the kids invited him into the pool with them. Cute stuff, eh?
Joshua is working three jobs these days. His paying job, so to speak takes up his time from 8-5, then he takes on my job as errand runner during his lunch breaks or on his way home from work, or sometimes even after the kids are in bed, he winds up making a quick jog over to Wal Mart. Then there is his other job. You know...the Husband/Daddy gig? Bless the poor man, he is a real trooper. I am ever so thankful for what a sweetheart he is.
This week, we have the added bonus of having Granny here. She is keeping my kids occupied, my laundry done, my food cooked, my kitchen clean (with Joshua's help) and my sanity in tact. Everyone should be as fortunate as I am to have such a wonderful 'other mother'. I know Papa Joe is missing her...hopefully he won't waste away to nothing this week! I have heard tale that he knows how to cook, though, so I am encouraged.
All in all, we are good, just a bit sleep deprived. But then what home with an infant isn't?? We are thrilled to have Elizabeth here to hold in our arms and shower her with love and excited to see the little lady she will become. Excited too, about the journey she has to get there!
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Another First
Elizabeth Hope in her first family picture. See how excited Thomas and Sarah Grace are to meet their new baby sister?
Friday, April 06, 2007
It's a Girl!
May I have the pleasure of introducing to you our beautiful new daughter, Elizabeth? She arrived this morning at 7:59am. She was 7 lbs, 9 oz, and 20 inches long! The doctors have checked out Mommy and baby girl, and they are both doing great. And so, without further ado...
Welcome to the family, precious one.
Welcome to the family, precious one.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Drum Roll....
Welp, we are headed out to the hospital to hopefully have a baby! We covet your prayers!!!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
In Retrospect
My parents were absolute gems this past weekend. They took Thomas for the entire weekend to give me a much needed break from two kids. Thomas had a great time. He went camping, sort of, played in the dirt, went to Wal-Mart (ask him...this is a treat), watched boats, played with other kids, helped dig in the flower gardens, and got to stay up late. I know there is more, but those seem to be the highlights.
Sarah Grace was an only child this weekend. She usually loves to have an evening with Joshua or me one on one, but it seemed daunting to her that her 'Nomas' was gone for so long. She was a tad clingier than the norm for these days, but a bundle of joy, no less. She sleeps later than Thomas, so that was a wonderful treat. And when she does wake up, she can occupy herself in her room for quite a while before she feels the urge to come tromping into our room.
We missed our Thomas, though. All of us. It is always nice to have a change of pace, but it is even nicer to get all the little cubs back in the den. We played lots this evening. I found a sit and spin (one without the need for batteries to make noise or light up!) that Sarah enjoys standing on, but Thomas got the hang of right away. He even made room for his sister and let her spin with him, sweet brother that he is. They romped around in the yard together, and Thomas insisted on taking Sarah Grace on a wagon ride. Then, since we bypassed it this afternoon, we went to QDoba for dinner.
Qdoba is becoming a Sunday afternoon Freeman ritual. The kids are only so so when it comes to eating the food (chicken quesadillas and chips) but they get terribly excited at the prospect of going to QDoba. Joshua and I like the food, and if the kids don't eat much, well, kids plates are free on Sunday!
After dinner, we trooped home and played until 9:00 when we finally said it was bedtime. No arguments from our Sarah Grace, who was running around in her brother's shoes and rubbing her tired eyes. Thomas resisted a tad, but after singing Pop Goes the Weasel and saying prayers, he was out pretty quickly.
We did find time for a belly shot or two. Laura, I know you requested one, and I am so sorry it is so long in coming. I keep saying to wait until I feel pretty. Let me tell you, this late in the game, I just don't have a lot of pretty feelings. Two weeks from today, folks! We are so ready to meet this new person the Lord is adding to our family!
Sarah Grace was an only child this weekend. She usually loves to have an evening with Joshua or me one on one, but it seemed daunting to her that her 'Nomas' was gone for so long. She was a tad clingier than the norm for these days, but a bundle of joy, no less. She sleeps later than Thomas, so that was a wonderful treat. And when she does wake up, she can occupy herself in her room for quite a while before she feels the urge to come tromping into our room.
We missed our Thomas, though. All of us. It is always nice to have a change of pace, but it is even nicer to get all the little cubs back in the den. We played lots this evening. I found a sit and spin (one without the need for batteries to make noise or light up!) that Sarah enjoys standing on, but Thomas got the hang of right away. He even made room for his sister and let her spin with him, sweet brother that he is. They romped around in the yard together, and Thomas insisted on taking Sarah Grace on a wagon ride. Then, since we bypassed it this afternoon, we went to QDoba for dinner.
Qdoba is becoming a Sunday afternoon Freeman ritual. The kids are only so so when it comes to eating the food (chicken quesadillas and chips) but they get terribly excited at the prospect of going to QDoba. Joshua and I like the food, and if the kids don't eat much, well, kids plates are free on Sunday!
After dinner, we trooped home and played until 9:00 when we finally said it was bedtime. No arguments from our Sarah Grace, who was running around in her brother's shoes and rubbing her tired eyes. Thomas resisted a tad, but after singing Pop Goes the Weasel and saying prayers, he was out pretty quickly.
We did find time for a belly shot or two. Laura, I know you requested one, and I am so sorry it is so long in coming. I keep saying to wait until I feel pretty. Let me tell you, this late in the game, I just don't have a lot of pretty feelings. Two weeks from today, folks! We are so ready to meet this new person the Lord is adding to our family!
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