My Boys (Dad, Malachi, and "Z")

Daniel (Dad) has been working lots of hours to make up for the large sum that I am missing out on right now. It makes him very tired. I hate that he is so tired, but I am thankful for the jobs. He is still having to work his pastor "job" (really ministry). My head just spins thinking about all he has to do on top of being a great father. I'm so blessed to have a wonderful man of God as my husband.

Malachi still loves his little brother. He is a true toddler, though. He doesn't understand that he can't step on his little brother or other rough things, but he still listens well and loves to "hep" put diapers in the trash and other things like putting clothes in the dryer and emptying the dishwasher.

When "Z" is on the floor, Malachi has to be there sitting with him or laying with him.

Today Ezekiel was actually awake and not crying for quite some time. This is the first time this has happened in the afternoon ever. I guess he's starting to be awake a little more.

Too cute and AWAKE!

I'm still on maternity leave and will return on April 16th. Thanks to our spring break, I will get over 7 weeks off to be with my boys. I am feeling pretty good, not 100%, but better than I have felt in a long time. I am over my "cabin fever" and feeling good about being a mom of 2 at home. I have been making small trips occasionally and taking a day a week to go to a friend's house who is a "SAHM" of a 1 year old. I actually miss my work and students a little but not enough to go back until its time.

Dear Ezekiel,

You are one month and two days old today. Yesterday at your appointment you weighed in at 9 lbs. 12 oz. Wow! The doctor says you must be taking in at least 28 oz. of milk a day in order to have gained over a pound in two weeks. You are up to 21 and a half inches. That's a gain of 1/2 an inch from birth. You are growing so quickly. You still don't sleep long periods of time at night, but we are starting to figure out a schedule/system, and it is making things easier on me.


You don't smile a lot yet, and you sleep A LOT! It seems like you are awake for about a total of 4 hours a day (not counting the time that you eat). Most of the time you eat and go back to sleep. The past few mornings you have been waking up about 7:30 or 8. That is when you will eat and be awake for awhile. It makes it hard for your Daddy to get out the door that way. He very rarely sees you awake. You also cry a lot. I don't remember your brother crying that much, but it's ok. You need a little more structure in your day, but are pretty good about going with the flow as long as you have a full stomach.


You seem to really like your big brother, Malachi, and he absolutely adores you. When I lay you on the blanket on the floor, he will lay there with you. He wants to put the blanket on you when you are sleeping in the swing. You do pretty well at sleeping through all the noise that he makes when he plays. I hope that means that you will be able to sleep through any noise just like Malachi can now. The first night at the hospital, you came in our room at about 3am. What did you do? You cried. The only way I could get you to not cry was to nurse. That's ok, though, because you latched on so quickly and helped my milk come in sooner. It was a long night. When your big brother came into the room to see us the next morning, you immediately calmed down and cried less from that point on. I hope and pray that you and Malachi will be close friends. When you get mobile, I know he'll be glad to show you the ropes.

I love you so much Ezekiel Luke. I can't wait to see more of your personality and all the wonderful things that God has in store for your life. I'm so glad that you are here. I have really enjoyed being home with you and your big brother.

-Mommy

Things I Love About NOT Being Pregnant

• I can lay comfortably in any position in the bed (especially on my stomach).
• I can hug my husband and not be a mile away from him.
• I can bend over easily and not be a chore to get back up again.
• I am definitely lighter.
• My post-pregnancy pants are actually a size too big, since I didn't gain as much weight this time.
• My stomach is shrinking not growing.
• I can wear more than one pair of pants and two shirts.
• I can walk and run again.
• I can lift things without feeling like I am going to throw out my back.
• I can get the baby out of the bed and cuddle my husband or have more room to myself.

(taken at 39 weeks)

Fun with Hamburger and Friends

Monday night Daniel grilled hamburgers. Malachi enjoyed being outside on the porch with his Daddy. He also enjoyed eating hamburger (without the bun!). I was shocked and amazed. This is coming from the kid who will rarely eat meat, and it needs to be on a bun when eating meat. Wow! He's also been trying and eating a few new foods. Maybe, just maybe, we are coming out of the picky toddler stage. Let's hope!

If you look closely you can see he was having a little too much fun on the dirty porch (hence the black on his nose and hands).


Today we had a little "playdate" with Kyla. It was so nice to sit, relax, and watch the children play. Malachi had lots of fun playing with her toys and sharing his cheerios. Below, he's being a good big "brother" to Kyla. He's so nurturing. Thanks for the time Lesli! We'll do it again soon.

"Hep!"

The past three days I have taken my two boys and one girl (Kiev) out for a walk since the weather has been in the 70's and 80's. After walking about 3/4 of a mile pushing the limousine (double stroller), Malachi is ready to play outside with Kiev. Well, Grandpa came home early today to mow the grass and do some yard work, since it supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow. Malachi hung outside with Kiev, throwing her ball at her and giving her sticks.

Then, when Grandpa was done and Grammy came home, he wanted to "hep" (help). He helped push the lawnmower (while it was off), carry crape myrtle branches to the road, and push the edger around (while off). He had so much fun. He wanted to make sure that everyone was watching him "hep." Ezekiel rolled over to his side while we were walking and stayed comfy there for at least an hour. He was content being outside in the shade, sleeping.


Malachi was also stoked when Grammy came home. He was playing with his car which is not much bigger than hers. I think he just really wants to ride since its more his size and its the only car that he hasn't ridden in. Look out world!

Dear Malachi,

You have amazed me at how many words you have added to your vocabulary in the past week. There is no way to describe how neat it is to see you articulate different emotions. I can actually sort of carry on a conversation with you. How cool! You say things like "help, keys, ball, up, down, hot, dad, eye, nose, shoes, bowl" and many more. You try to say things that you can't yet. And if you know you can't say anything, its just "da!" with a big smile.

When you went to the doctor two weeks ago for your upper respiratory infection, you weighed 27 lbs. You are wearing 24 mo. and 2T shirts. You still mostly need 18 mo. pants, but you are getting ready to move up in pants, too. You still are wearing your favorite spiderman shoes. You love to look at other shoes. We bought you a hat to wear when your brother came home. You love to say, "hat," and wear it around the house and outside.

You love your little brother. You love to be near him and hate to hear him cry. It hurts you when he cries. You are more used to his cries than you used to be, but I can tell that it still pains you. Anytime I put the blanket on the floor for Ezekiel to lay on, you automatically lay down on the floor next to him. You will often point out his eyes, nose, and head. You also love to hold him. When I place in on your lap, you put your arms underneath him and just giggle. When I pull him away, you whine to have him back. You have also started tickling him. You basically pinch his clothes and make a "tick, tick" sound. It is quite precious.

Before your brother was born, I could tell that you were becoming a little boy, but lately you have really matured and shocked me at how much of a big boy you can be. So far, Malachi, you have handled all these changes really well and love your growing family. I hope that the love continues and you know that we love you just as much as we did before, if not more. You are a precious gift from God. Thank you for bringing such joy into our lives.

2 week check-up

Ezekiel had his 2 week check-up today.

He was 8lb. 6 oz., 20 in. with a head circumference of 35 cm.

He had gotten down to 7 lb. 8.5 oz before leaving the hospital and was 7 lb. 10 oz. at his 5 day check-up. He is gaining weight fabulously! I knew he would be. The boy can eat!

At this time...

2 weeks ago I only had one son.
2 weeks ago I was having some major contractions and knew that I would have a second son soon.
1 week ago I had a very sick toddler whom I missed very much.
1 week ago life was very crazy.

It's getting better!

Feeling Better

Lots of pictures are posted below!!! Scroll down!

Malachi is feeling better. Yesterday, he played all morning and evening with his Nana and Grammy. You could see in his face how sick he was, but he just kept going. He napped and slept really well and has been taking the three medicines the doctor prescribed Wednesday. His fever was up most of the day as well.

Today, his fever is gone and is almost back to normal. His nose is dripping much less. He is still extremely tired and was ready to go down early again for a nap with now fussing. I hope this is the end, and no one else will get it.

Ezekiel is showing no symptoms. In fact, last night he slept four hours straight, allowing me to get 3 and a half hours of sleep straight. Praise the Lord! Daniel also let Ezekiel and I sleep in a little. I think I got a combination of 8 hours of sleep last night, and, boy, do I feel like I have more energy. I still don't feel up to standing or walking a lot, though. I haven't been past the mailbox since Monday afternoon and am starting to go stir crazy. Thankfully, everyone is doing well. Praise the Lord!

I'd like to give a shout-out of thanks to the boys' Nana and Aunt Miranda for helping me in the mornings the past few days. Daniel has needed to work. What a blessing to have family close by!

My Boys (All 3 of Them)

"Mommy, I really like my little brother!"
(Malachi - 19 1/2 mo. & Ezekiel - approx. 10 hours old)

The wonderful daytime nurse (Sue) let Malachi borrow a dinosaur puzzle to keep him occupied.

On the way home from the hospital

On Sunday (Feb. 25) Daddy and Malachi went out to BJ's to do some grocery shopping. Malachi is sporting the new hat that we bought him to help ease the stress of having a little brother at home. Boy, was Malachi ready to go and get out of the house. He had no problem leaving Mommy behind.

Brothers (the first time Malachi "held" Ezekiel)

Who's the cheeseball?
(Malachi - 19 1/2 mo. & Ezekiel - 6 days old)

Who loves to read even when he's sick? My precious eldest son!

Finally..........pictures!!!

You are finally here! Welcome to the world, Ezekiel Luke!

After several minutes, you finally began to cry and breathe.

Our first picture together

Under the lights

Back in our room, Daddy changes your first diaper

Your favorite place to be (besides in someone's arms) --- your bouncy seat

Serious cuteness

Taken today (at 9 days old) --- Wow! You sure are growing fast!