Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is on a road trip and made a stop here in Nashville. So, looking to entertain myself, I took baby Jrew and went. It was on display at the Nashville Public Library downtown, which by the way is absolutely gorgeous. You must visit the library when you visit Nashville. It isn't your ordinary library and includes displays of art, historical displays, an entire wing devoted to Nashville history, and a small coffee shop.

The DOI, as they abbreviated today, was not too exciting except that it is 200 years old! So, we were shuffled in through a long line which eventually led to a small theatre with a huge flat screen. We were to watch a video in order to earn the right to see the DOI. I decided to sit in the back row near the door for 2 reasons: 1) I could make a quick escape if Jrew started crying and 2) There was a handicap accessible row where I could park his stroller right beside my chair.

After a very informative video about the DOI, I quickly stood up to move towards the door. I turned Jrew's stroller around and pushed it into the back aisle. A lady who was approaching my direction with her little toddler in an umbrella stroller, saw me and decided to try and "squeeze" past me, so as to be first or at least closer to the front of the line. At first I was a bit frustrated with her pushiness, but as soon as she had made the move, she got stuck on something and couldn't get her stroller to move. She kept forcing the stroller and kept staying stuck. Everyone was piling up behind her and I just looked at them and smiled. She finally said, "You go." to which I said "Thank you" and moved along to take my place in line. LOL

Nevertheless, we (I) had a great time, and I gathered some posters to take back to my 5th grade students. (Yes, I am teaching and will return November 3 - more about that later). Here is a pic of the DOI and a few other pics from my mobile phone over the last few weeks. :)

This is one of my favorite pictures. 

He has really started smiling a lot more when he's awake!!!

Pictureless and Sorry

I am pictureless and sorry. Please forgive me Christy. But you all know what Jrew looks like - right? LOL I'll post a few more pics in a day or two. Nevertheless, I wanted to update you all.

This post is incorrectly titled and should be titled "Chicken Mama" b/c that's what I am. A chicken-mama (and a spit-mama). Thomas and I took Jrew on Thursday to the ENT. They decided to do a "frenotomy" where they clip the frenulum under the tongue. The doc said they would numb it with some "stuff" and Jrew wouldn't feel it at all. However, he might cry while they're holding him. I was squeamish at the thought. The nurse, who actually said Jrew might scream, suggested I wait in the lobby and offered the same invitation to Thomas. Thomas, trying to show how strong he is to Jrew, decided to stay. I, however, retreated and was comforted by a cold can of coke offered/suggested by the secretary. It was an agonizing twenty minute wait. I guess they had to gather the supplies and all. 

While waiting, a male patient who was leaving said to me "Your kid is popular back there. The nurses are fighting over who's going to hold him next." So, now all eyes are on me. How old is your child? What's he getting done? Awwww. Blah, blah, blah.

A nurse reappears with my baby boy in tote, but only to let me know they're still waiting on the doctor and she's just "comforting" Jrew. 

Finally... the nurse announces that I can return to my family. I entered the room expecting Thomas to be holding Jrew, but found the nurse holding him tightly while Thomas looked a bit sad. She immediately defended "I didn't let your husband have him yet, I just wanted to hold him. He cried the whole time I held his head and stopped crying immediately after I let go of him."

She did give in and let me have him back - while Thomas exclaimed I must hand him over so that Jrew "won't associate my voice with bad memories." So, daddy and baby cuddled for awhile as we waited on the doctor to dismiss us to take him home.

END RESULT: Jrew is eating extremely well and we hope he is gaining weight even faster than before. He used to never spit up and now he spits up after almost every meal. According to the secretary at the ENT, "he'll be eatin' like a little pig now". 

We're happy and blessed. Jrew is doing great and I'm still a chicken mama. I guess I gotta' get tough sooner or later... uhm....   I'll pick later.

6 Weeks and Counting

We had Jrew's 6 week check up today and have some wonderful news to share! He actually turned 6 weeks old on Friday and we went to church (me and him) for the first time since he was born! People were literally meeting us at the door in anticipation. Jrew was like a superstar and I was like his... chauffeur. :) So, here are the highlights from today's appointment.

1. Here is the scoop on Jrew's weight - 9 pounds even!!!!!! Wooohooo!  Just three weeks ago Jrew was still only 7 pounds 9 ounces. So, I was certain he would only be somewhere between 8 and 9 pounds. 

2. Jrew is in the 50th percentile for weight and height. Wonderful news since I was worried he would be much too small for his age.

3. Jrew has to go see an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist because he has something called a tongue-tie. We have known this since he was 3 days old when a lactation specialists found this as a possible culprit to the breastfeeding problems. Nevertheless, after many tough weeks, the doctor has referred us to someone who is very well known in the ENT world and will probably "snip" it. The GOOD news is that it won't hurt Jrew at all and will heal in about a week.

4. Jrew had his first vaccinations today. Well, sorta. He had his first TB vaccine while in the hospital and I wasn't in the room for that one. So, he had two more today. I was nervous he would cry a lot so I stuck Thomas with the responsibility and I hid in the hallway. LOL But Jrew was a tough little guy and only whimpered a little. However, it has made for a yucky day for him. He just doesn't feel well and has lingered between fussy and sleepy all day. Bless his little heart. Needless to say, he's getting lots of snuggle time with mommy!

5. Here are a few pics from tonight. Just so you have something to look at. :



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Adventures with Mommy

First of all, I promise the following story is not exaggerated by any means and is in fact a true retelling of the events that occurred. In addition, I am being very chatty and this is a very long post, so decide if you have time to read it before you start. LOL

I decided to make my first trip out with Jrew all by myself today. I actually had a plan and was excited about our endeavors. Yesterday, I was able to sneak out alone and purchase a few things from Marshalls. However, upon examination of my receipt last night, I realized I had been charged too much for one of my items. I made a plan to return to the store today to get my money back and thought we might stop by the park since the weather was nice. 

THE PLAN: Baby eats at 3 and it's 1:30 with my friend just having left from visiting with me and Jrew. So, here is the order of events: 

1) Leave now and drive to Marshalls which is a few miles down the road.

2) Get money back and drive right back home in time for Jrew to eat at 3:00.

3) Once Jrew is happy and full, go to local park which is near our neighborhood for a short stroll.

4) Return home with happy baby and happy mamma.

ACTUAL EVENTS:

1) Pack Jrew into carseat to leave. Immediately upon the snap of the carseat belts, Jrew decides to make a "poopy" diaper.

2) Return to baby room to change diaper and pack Jrew up all over again.

3) Leave for store, driving very carefully and watching for every stop sign, train crossing, etc...

4) Get almost to store when important lady returns important phone call about Jrew's tongue-tie situation (another story for another day). Ask the lady to please allow me to return the call when I'm parked. The lady says she will call me back in 5 minutes since her phone number will not ring back.

5) Arrive to store shortly and wait in car for the lady to return phone call since I don't want to be one of those people who talk on the cell phone while trying to buy/return something at a store.

6) After 10 minutes, realize it is now 2:35 and eating time is getting too close for comfort. 

7) Decide to bite the bullet and take baby inside the store. But wait - the shopping cart for Marshalls is way too small for baby's carseat and the back door on driver side is broken and will not open. WHAT!!!

8) Decide to take baby inside in stroller. Use other side to get Jrew - Pack baby Jrew up in stroller and "stroll" right into the store.

9) Get in line and wait for forever because there is only one cashier working the counter until another employee finally opens up another register.

10) Still waiting for slow cashiers, notice the cashier lady on #3 is picking her nose while she is checking someone out. Notice that she turns her head to really get that sucker out since apparently it was really bugging her.

11) Laugh with man standing in line behind her and jokingly say "I hope you get her." Advise him to tear off his price tags and give them to the cashier for checking out.

12) Realize that it is now your turn and Cashier #3 is waiting on you. :)

13) Gross... okay, show price tags, receipt, explain... get money back... okay let's get out of here.

14) It is now almost 3:00 - make sure Jrew has a pacifier and get him loaded back up. 

15) Driving home, realize the car is immediate need of gas (0 miles to empty) while Jrew decides to start screaming with hunger.

16) Get gas - comfort screaming baby with pacifier - get home - and feed baby!

17) Story not over folks - sorry - so then I packed Jrew up in carseat to take our short trip to the park remember.

18) Immediately upon snapping the straps in the carseat around Jrew's shoulders, Jrew decides to poop again. BUT this time, he REALLY made a diaper. UGH.

19) Change Jrew's diaper AND yes, his clothes too. 

20) Pack him back up and take him to the beautiful park in the beautiful weather God has blessed us with today.

21) Return home by 5:30 so Jrew is happy and mommy is in time for next feeding.

Here are pictures of our trip to the park. Enjoy!

As you can see below, Jrew really enjoyed the park. 

I think it was his favorite part of the day!

Confessions from a New Mom

So, I put Jrew on the changing table a few days ago (about to change a diaper) and did my usual kisses on the neck and tummy. As I leaned over him, I noticed a spot on his face. And so that's when it happened... 

I became a "Spit-Mama". 

Okay. I've said it. I couldn't help it. I didn't even think about what I was doing. I just had to see if that spot was removable or if he had scratched himself. Seriously, I froze in realization and therefore proclaimed that I would fight the urge to do that ever again. How could I become a "spit-mama"? And even more, what if I did that when he is older? He would surely loathe me dropping him off at school I'm sure. And as I pondered this post, I realized that Sarah Palin's little daughter doesn't have a chance - she's only six and she's destined to be a spit-mama - as seen here in this video.

So there it is, the first confession of a new mom and BTW - In case you still don't know what I mean, well - ask your mama.

1 Month Old

Jrew turned 1 month old on Monday!!!! We celebrated with cheers, a birthday song, and lots of kisses! It has been amazing how much can happen in one month. Jrew is absolutely the delight of our lives.


In addition to turning one month old, Jrew has been a busy little social bug, meeting many new people. The following pic is of Jrew meeting a dear sweet friend of ours, Pastor Darrel Coulter. It was so wonderful to see him and we are looking forward to Jrew meeting his wife and daughters very soon!


Jrew is starting to focus more on objects, people, and things around him. Here he is looking at some of his little toys/mobile today. He didn't focus on the toys for long - sleep is an all too powerful calling. LOL


Happy 1-Month Old Birthday Jrew!!!!!!

Making Music with Daddy

imoWe have some awesome friends who have given Jrew a few of his first musical instruments. Thanks Gianina and Jacob for the Maraca's and thanks Sarin and Rebecca for the "mini" Djembe! Here are a few pics of Jrew with his music making tools. There are two videos I would like to share and one of them is too large to upload here, so as much as I hate hearing my own voice on video, there is a link to a video of him making music with daddy and below there is a video of him taking his first lesson on the Djembe! Sweet memories!!!