It truly is amazing... The most amazing thing I can think of at this stage in my life is two things. Andrew gurgling a laugh and the sound of silence. (If silence is a lack of noise, is it really a sound?)
I feel like we have a kid that is "bi-polar". He is either extremely happy or just down right working his lungs for the Mo-Tab choir. The moments he is in a great mood and laughing and smiling make all the hassle worthwhile. Today, I think I had Andrew laughing for the first time in his life. I was laying down on my back and put him on top of me with him standing. I pretended that he was crushing me and made some strange noises. He sure seemed to enjoy that immensely.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
The Stats at Two Months
Andrew had his two month appointment on Wednesday... We were not excited about it very much at all. So many horror stories about all the bad experiences people have had with their children. We had envisioned a whaling baby Andrew for a day and a night and a day.
Andrew's doctor had told us to get some children's Tylenol to ease some of the discomfort, which we did. Andrew really seemed to enjoy the taste of it and downed the dose we gave before going. Being a little tired and fussy, he was not happy to be in his car seat.
Once we arrived, he started to fall asleep which was nice, but he was woken up for all the torturous tests they perform on babies. His weight was 11lbs 3 oz which put him in the 40th percentile for weight. Height was 23 inches and 70th percentile for height. His head was 16.5 inches and the 85th percentile. He seems destined to be a basketball player or some sort of genius with all that noggin space.
There never really was much of a fuss when he received his immunity shots. He cried out a little at each shot, but didn't wail and gnash his teeth, erm I mean gums... Georgette fed him right afterwards too, so that helped. I was quite suprised at how well it went for him. His legs were a little sore the next day, but we moved them and he started moving them on his own.
This is the time when all the work and effort that Georgette and I did is starting to see some payoff. He is smiling more and more each day and also is attempting to laugh now. There is nothing in this world that makes your heart melt than to see your child smile up at you and attempt to laugh. It sure eases all the times when he screams his head off for hours and there seems to be nothing you can do to ease his discomfort, or whatever is causing him to cry.
The doctor said that Andrew is really healthy and there's nothing really to be concerned about. Which his a huge relief to both of us. Gabe, Aaron and Amber's baby, is a whopping 13.5 pounds and 5 days younger. Xander is a little over 12 pounds and has doubled his weight since birth. We both thought that there was something going on with Georgette's milk supply or that she just wasn't feeding him enough. Turns out that he is healthy, albeit a little skinny for now. I can see why with all the wiggling around he does. It's as if he wants to run a marathon now. He can stand up on his own two legs apart from a little issue called balance. He can whip his head around like it's nobody's buisness and even hold it up too!
Some of the funniest things he's done thus far is his snorting while he cries. His serious starvation mode feeding where he gulps so loudly. He will also wiggle and squirm so much, he deprives himself of the food he wants most and then starts to cry like it was a vicious trick to pry him from his food. You can also put a binky in his mouth while he is going nuclear and he will suck on it and make some of the funniest sounds while he is sucking. I've tried to capture it with the camera, but it's to no avail. It's like trying to capture footage of bigfoot or something.
Anyway, being married is something altogether new and challenging, but nothing like having a child. You take a little being that has no experience at life with a body, take away communication except for crying. Which crying seems to wreak havoc in the heartstrings of their parents at the thought of it's discomfort, pain, hunger or whatever ails the child and the many attempts to sooth whatever is causing the crying go unsuccessful.
After time though, you start to pick up on the little cues that prevent the absolute meltdowns known thus far and makes for a much smoother ride. Then there are those moments of reprise, where the child is asleep and the only noise you hear is the popcorn as you sit and type on a computer, or the silence apart from the turn of a piece of paper as you read a book, or whatever is done while the wee one is alseep. You pause whatever you are doing to look down at a peaceful face and relaxed body of one of the most beautiful things to ever look upon as sleep consumes such a little body. Every once in a while there is a smile, a twitch or a lurch, but just as fast as it came, it's gone in the little dreams that babies dream.
I wonder if sleep is a way for our Father in Heaven to have a little reprise from his spirit children living a mortal existance. If there is some other reason, it is beyond me and my finite understanding. I often relfect on the comparison that I make with Georgette and I being mortal parents to a loving Heavenly Father and the lessons I've learned in life. The goals and desires I have for Andrew to experience in life and the happieness I desire for him. I ache at the heartache that seems to be so inescapable in this moment of existence. The troubles and choices that will cause him grief. I look forward to the enthusiasm that little children have and wonder where I lost mine.
I cannot imagine how much love and longsuffering our Father in Heaven has for His children. I think of all the rash decisions I've made, all the poor choices I've made in my life and the consequences that coincide with them. I marvel that He still loves me dearly. Enough to send His beloved Son down to pay the price by my ignorance, pride, and emotional choices that seperate myself from Him and cause grief.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Here are some pictures of Andrew.
But they're cousins! Almost identical cousins! They sort of walk alike and talk alike... and sometimes even... hmmm perhaps this song isn't the right thing for them.
Evidently we need to enroll Andrew in anger management. He seems to be punching his cousin out at such a young age...
Poor Gabe...
Andrew enthralled by the ceiling fan.
Don't hate me because I'm extremely good looking!
Andrew's doctor had told us to get some children's Tylenol to ease some of the discomfort, which we did. Andrew really seemed to enjoy the taste of it and downed the dose we gave before going. Being a little tired and fussy, he was not happy to be in his car seat.
Once we arrived, he started to fall asleep which was nice, but he was woken up for all the torturous tests they perform on babies. His weight was 11lbs 3 oz which put him in the 40th percentile for weight. Height was 23 inches and 70th percentile for height. His head was 16.5 inches and the 85th percentile. He seems destined to be a basketball player or some sort of genius with all that noggin space.
There never really was much of a fuss when he received his immunity shots. He cried out a little at each shot, but didn't wail and gnash his teeth, erm I mean gums... Georgette fed him right afterwards too, so that helped. I was quite suprised at how well it went for him. His legs were a little sore the next day, but we moved them and he started moving them on his own.
This is the time when all the work and effort that Georgette and I did is starting to see some payoff. He is smiling more and more each day and also is attempting to laugh now. There is nothing in this world that makes your heart melt than to see your child smile up at you and attempt to laugh. It sure eases all the times when he screams his head off for hours and there seems to be nothing you can do to ease his discomfort, or whatever is causing him to cry.
The doctor said that Andrew is really healthy and there's nothing really to be concerned about. Which his a huge relief to both of us. Gabe, Aaron and Amber's baby, is a whopping 13.5 pounds and 5 days younger. Xander is a little over 12 pounds and has doubled his weight since birth. We both thought that there was something going on with Georgette's milk supply or that she just wasn't feeding him enough. Turns out that he is healthy, albeit a little skinny for now. I can see why with all the wiggling around he does. It's as if he wants to run a marathon now. He can stand up on his own two legs apart from a little issue called balance. He can whip his head around like it's nobody's buisness and even hold it up too!
Some of the funniest things he's done thus far is his snorting while he cries. His serious starvation mode feeding where he gulps so loudly. He will also wiggle and squirm so much, he deprives himself of the food he wants most and then starts to cry like it was a vicious trick to pry him from his food. You can also put a binky in his mouth while he is going nuclear and he will suck on it and make some of the funniest sounds while he is sucking. I've tried to capture it with the camera, but it's to no avail. It's like trying to capture footage of bigfoot or something.
Anyway, being married is something altogether new and challenging, but nothing like having a child. You take a little being that has no experience at life with a body, take away communication except for crying. Which crying seems to wreak havoc in the heartstrings of their parents at the thought of it's discomfort, pain, hunger or whatever ails the child and the many attempts to sooth whatever is causing the crying go unsuccessful.
After time though, you start to pick up on the little cues that prevent the absolute meltdowns known thus far and makes for a much smoother ride. Then there are those moments of reprise, where the child is asleep and the only noise you hear is the popcorn as you sit and type on a computer, or the silence apart from the turn of a piece of paper as you read a book, or whatever is done while the wee one is alseep. You pause whatever you are doing to look down at a peaceful face and relaxed body of one of the most beautiful things to ever look upon as sleep consumes such a little body. Every once in a while there is a smile, a twitch or a lurch, but just as fast as it came, it's gone in the little dreams that babies dream.
I wonder if sleep is a way for our Father in Heaven to have a little reprise from his spirit children living a mortal existance. If there is some other reason, it is beyond me and my finite understanding. I often relfect on the comparison that I make with Georgette and I being mortal parents to a loving Heavenly Father and the lessons I've learned in life. The goals and desires I have for Andrew to experience in life and the happieness I desire for him. I ache at the heartache that seems to be so inescapable in this moment of existence. The troubles and choices that will cause him grief. I look forward to the enthusiasm that little children have and wonder where I lost mine.
I cannot imagine how much love and longsuffering our Father in Heaven has for His children. I think of all the rash decisions I've made, all the poor choices I've made in my life and the consequences that coincide with them. I marvel that He still loves me dearly. Enough to send His beloved Son down to pay the price by my ignorance, pride, and emotional choices that seperate myself from Him and cause grief.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Here are some pictures of Andrew.
But they're cousins! Almost identical cousins! They sort of walk alike and talk alike... and sometimes even... hmmm perhaps this song isn't the right thing for them.
Evidently we need to enroll Andrew in anger management. He seems to be punching his cousin out at such a young age...
Poor Gabe...
Andrew enthralled by the ceiling fan.
Don't hate me because I'm extremely good looking!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Traveling with infants
What an experience it is going on a small day trip with infants. Georgette, Georgenia, Donnetta (Georgette's aunt), Lynn (Donetta's husband), Katelyn (Lynn and Donetta's daughter), Ashley (Jennifer's [who is a cousin of Georgette] daughter) ((are you confused yet?)), Andrew, and I all went on a trip to San Diego on the 17th. It was a good trip but it sure was a test on patience at some points. Georgette, Donetta, Lynn, Georgenia and myself went to the temple to go through an endowment session at the temple there.
It sure was a very beautiful temple, but not quite as big as it looks in pictures. It is also easy to get lost in for your first time. There are hallways within hallways it seems. They all lead to the same place though. There is also an atrium on the outside of the celestial room that is gorgeous! It's on the roof, about the middle and has some amazing flowers. You can also see both spires from there as well.
Georgette and I were the witness couple in the session. It is a remarkable experience to go through a session as the witness couple. I have learned quite a bit in that role.
After the temple session, we went out to eat at a little Mexican restaurant off of Sea World BLVD. It was decent, but not quite what we payed for. The food was a little bland, but the portion sizes were good.
After that, we went to a small beach at the bay just north of the airport. It really wasn't all that great and we found a sign that said, please stay out of the water for 72 hours after runoff. Hmmmmmmmmmm interesting.
I am truly amazed at the number of people that can be found in one location. At that little park/walkway, there were probably several thousand people. The walkway itself was about 6 to 10 feet wide and every 30 or 40 feet or so was at least one person. Joggers were galore, and roller blading was pretty popular as well. I did feel quite claustrophobic with that many people in one area.
Housing and all the terrain was jam packed, and the roads were pretty tiny for the amount of people. I don't think I would ever like to live in California. Far too overcrowded for my blood, at least in San Diego. The drivers were quite a bit more courteous than here in Utah.
We also saw an aircraft carrier sitting in the docks, a Carnival ship sitting in the bay and quite a few other boats. There was a pretty large amount of graffiti over the buildings and signs. Some was very artistic while others were just gang tags.
Going to larger cities like this where I'm not familiar always leaves me in a bit of a panic. I think that if I take one wrong turn, I could wind up in a very dangerous neighborhood or area and with my family, that's not a cool idea. I guess I just feel stressed because I don't know the area and where I can go safely. I wish I could have the car that the president drives around in on his motorcade, or a tank. Yeah, I think a tank would do nicely!
A picture taken after takeoff from SLC.
Another picture shortly after takeoff.
Some clouds taken as we were climbing to our cruising altitude.
A cool looking cloud we saw up in the sky.
Up near the stratosphere.
Our cruising altitude on the way to San Diego.
Some desert mountains. It looks like their is sand for most of the terrain.
More sandy looking mountains in California.
Parts of the mountains near San Diego on the way back down to land.
Guess who?
Georgette and Andrew just outside the San Diego airport.
An aircraft carrier that was docked near the airport.
A steamboat that was docked near the car rental we rented from.
Andrew, who is having so much fun in his car seat as we are in route to the temple. Notice the pleading eyes he has to remove him from so much fun. He is definitely in fun overload there...
Carnival cruise liner near the airport.
The beautiful San Diego Temple. It's not nearly as large as the church pictures of it look. In no way does it deter from it's beauty.
Awwwwwwww, look at the adorable family! Too bad they don't look nearly as adorable as us!
The entrance to the temple.
A closer look at the doors.
The capstone.
A larger picture of the whole temple looking from the southeastern side. Click to enlarge.
San Diego firemen!
The temple taken on route to I5 at the on ramp.
The crew from JetBlue eating at a Mexican restaurant.
The adorable couple once again, and they have a kid with them still. I think they were following us or something...
Grandma and Andrew. Notice Andrew eying the real food for when he gets the chance to eat it.
Lynn and Donetta
Boy am I glad I'm not buying gas at that price... yet...
What up homez, are you dissin my pacifier? This is Andrew displaying his uh, happiness and joy in riding in the car seat for a while. Notice that he is definitely NOT sleepy.
Georgette at the small bay we stopped at to let the kiddies play in the water.
Georgette and I in the warmer water than is found in Oregon.
Picture of looking north across the bay.
Looking out across the bay.
The sun at the bay.
A cool tree that Georgette found. The blossoms were really gorgeous.
A close up of the blossoms.
The clouds over the ocean on takeoff from San Diego.
The sky and wing when we are going near Catalina island. The white are clouds and not water.
The sun as it's setting on the flight home. It really was an amazing golden color. Thank you different air particles and your scattering effect.
It sure was a very beautiful temple, but not quite as big as it looks in pictures. It is also easy to get lost in for your first time. There are hallways within hallways it seems. They all lead to the same place though. There is also an atrium on the outside of the celestial room that is gorgeous! It's on the roof, about the middle and has some amazing flowers. You can also see both spires from there as well.
Georgette and I were the witness couple in the session. It is a remarkable experience to go through a session as the witness couple. I have learned quite a bit in that role.
After the temple session, we went out to eat at a little Mexican restaurant off of Sea World BLVD. It was decent, but not quite what we payed for. The food was a little bland, but the portion sizes were good.
After that, we went to a small beach at the bay just north of the airport. It really wasn't all that great and we found a sign that said, please stay out of the water for 72 hours after runoff. Hmmmmmmmmmm interesting.
I am truly amazed at the number of people that can be found in one location. At that little park/walkway, there were probably several thousand people. The walkway itself was about 6 to 10 feet wide and every 30 or 40 feet or so was at least one person. Joggers were galore, and roller blading was pretty popular as well. I did feel quite claustrophobic with that many people in one area.
Housing and all the terrain was jam packed, and the roads were pretty tiny for the amount of people. I don't think I would ever like to live in California. Far too overcrowded for my blood, at least in San Diego. The drivers were quite a bit more courteous than here in Utah.
We also saw an aircraft carrier sitting in the docks, a Carnival ship sitting in the bay and quite a few other boats. There was a pretty large amount of graffiti over the buildings and signs. Some was very artistic while others were just gang tags.
Going to larger cities like this where I'm not familiar always leaves me in a bit of a panic. I think that if I take one wrong turn, I could wind up in a very dangerous neighborhood or area and with my family, that's not a cool idea. I guess I just feel stressed because I don't know the area and where I can go safely. I wish I could have the car that the president drives around in on his motorcade, or a tank. Yeah, I think a tank would do nicely!
A picture taken after takeoff from SLC.
Another picture shortly after takeoff.
Some clouds taken as we were climbing to our cruising altitude.
A cool looking cloud we saw up in the sky.
Up near the stratosphere.
Our cruising altitude on the way to San Diego.
Some desert mountains. It looks like their is sand for most of the terrain.
More sandy looking mountains in California.
Parts of the mountains near San Diego on the way back down to land.
Guess who?
Georgette and Andrew just outside the San Diego airport.
An aircraft carrier that was docked near the airport.
A steamboat that was docked near the car rental we rented from.
Andrew, who is having so much fun in his car seat as we are in route to the temple. Notice the pleading eyes he has to remove him from so much fun. He is definitely in fun overload there...
Carnival cruise liner near the airport.
The beautiful San Diego Temple. It's not nearly as large as the church pictures of it look. In no way does it deter from it's beauty.
Awwwwwwww, look at the adorable family! Too bad they don't look nearly as adorable as us!
The entrance to the temple.
A closer look at the doors.
The capstone.
A larger picture of the whole temple looking from the southeastern side. Click to enlarge.
San Diego firemen!
The temple taken on route to I5 at the on ramp.
The crew from JetBlue eating at a Mexican restaurant.
The adorable couple once again, and they have a kid with them still. I think they were following us or something...
Grandma and Andrew. Notice Andrew eying the real food for when he gets the chance to eat it.
Lynn and Donetta
Boy am I glad I'm not buying gas at that price... yet...
What up homez, are you dissin my pacifier? This is Andrew displaying his uh, happiness and joy in riding in the car seat for a while. Notice that he is definitely NOT sleepy.
Georgette at the small bay we stopped at to let the kiddies play in the water.
Georgette and I in the warmer water than is found in Oregon.
Picture of looking north across the bay.
Looking out across the bay.
The sun at the bay.
A cool tree that Georgette found. The blossoms were really gorgeous.
A close up of the blossoms.
The clouds over the ocean on takeoff from San Diego.
The sky and wing when we are going near Catalina island. The white are clouds and not water.
The sun as it's setting on the flight home. It really was an amazing golden color. Thank you different air particles and your scattering effect.
Friday, July 11, 2008
A Wonderful Day
This last Sunday was an amazing experience and was very scary at the same time. Andrew was given a name and a blessing. Luckily it was the Fourth of July weekend so there were quite a few people out of town for church. That sure made it easier on me when the time came.
He had a total all day meltdown on Saturday which tuckered the little tyke out. Thank goodness he was tired. It made him so much more placid. He didn't fuss or make a sound while blessing him.
It really was a tremendous experience for me and one I hope to remember always. It was one of those moments when the words just flow and you can feel the spirit. It was a simple blessing, but a great one nonetheless.
Here are some pictures of him in his blessing outfit and the dressing process.
Here is Andrew thoroughly loving getting dressed for church. Notice the smile that is so smiling that it's turned upside down.
Here is Andrew with everything but his coat. Notice he's not nearly as excited in this one.
Mom, dad and Andrew after Sacrament.
Andrew and his little tux with mommy.
Gabriel, Andrew, and another of his cousins. Gabriel was born 5 days later than Andrew.
I also felt prompted to go up and bare my testimony during the meeting. I did and it's been years. Mine was simple and was that Christ will return to this earth.
I seriously cannot wait for that day when we can drop all the facades, all the dishonesty, all the heartache from the drama that seems to flood this world, all the heartache from a drunk driving accident, or an accidental killing of a child in a drive by, or any ailment of the body that we suffer now.
I so look forward to the day when locks will only exist to keep children out of things. The day when war will be studied no more. No more guns, no more nuclear bombs, no more missiles, no more weapons. Gaining a body that can glow in the dark... Perhaps learning how to float in the air like Moroni did when he visited Joseph in his cabin. Going hiking or outdoors to enjoy the beauty of nature and being able to approach animals of all kinds. Just think... these are but a few of the temporal things. I cannot even begin to imagine the spiritual events that will take place.
He had a total all day meltdown on Saturday which tuckered the little tyke out. Thank goodness he was tired. It made him so much more placid. He didn't fuss or make a sound while blessing him.
It really was a tremendous experience for me and one I hope to remember always. It was one of those moments when the words just flow and you can feel the spirit. It was a simple blessing, but a great one nonetheless.
Here are some pictures of him in his blessing outfit and the dressing process.
Here is Andrew thoroughly loving getting dressed for church. Notice the smile that is so smiling that it's turned upside down.
Here is Andrew with everything but his coat. Notice he's not nearly as excited in this one.
Mom, dad and Andrew after Sacrament.
Andrew and his little tux with mommy.
Gabriel, Andrew, and another of his cousins. Gabriel was born 5 days later than Andrew.I also felt prompted to go up and bare my testimony during the meeting. I did and it's been years. Mine was simple and was that Christ will return to this earth.
I seriously cannot wait for that day when we can drop all the facades, all the dishonesty, all the heartache from the drama that seems to flood this world, all the heartache from a drunk driving accident, or an accidental killing of a child in a drive by, or any ailment of the body that we suffer now.
I so look forward to the day when locks will only exist to keep children out of things. The day when war will be studied no more. No more guns, no more nuclear bombs, no more missiles, no more weapons. Gaining a body that can glow in the dark... Perhaps learning how to float in the air like Moroni did when he visited Joseph in his cabin. Going hiking or outdoors to enjoy the beauty of nature and being able to approach animals of all kinds. Just think... these are but a few of the temporal things. I cannot even begin to imagine the spiritual events that will take place.
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