For You, Aunt Donna

Here are the pictures dealing with Malachi swimming in his own pool that I spoke of over a month ago.

11 Months Old

Today, Malachi, you are officially 11 months old. You are only 30 days away from being 1 year. Wow! At this time a year ago, Daddy and I were sitting around the house just waiting and praying for you to come. You and Mommy were getting huge (and I mean huge!) . It was HOT. Mommy knew that school would be quickly approaching and that meant less time with you. Mommy doesn't remember a whole lot about the month before your birth except for sitting around the house with her feet propped up, watching TV, and praying that labor would start soon. Mommy only had about 3 shirts that she could wear. Boy, is she glad that you are here now. It has been a whole lot more fun than getting huge and just feeling you move.

Also, you are scooting better than ever. Today you scooted from one side of your room to the other to get toys. Then, you scooted under your crib in order to get to Mommy. You are already good at math. You know that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. I knew that you were smart, but you continue to amaze me. I can't wait to be amazed some more. I have until August 21st to spend time with you and Daddy. I am so stoked! I love you Malachi. Keep being the sweet boy that I know you are.

Naps and Other Things

Naps are becoming more of a regular thing now. When he is with me, he gets 2 naps around the same time of day. He is also eating better now. The past few days he has been eating his baby food as well as downing his bottles. Cheerios are a staple for every meal, too. It is formula, break, Cheerios, then baby food.

He is not "crawling," but he is getting much better at scootting to wherever he needs to go. Pretty soon nothing will be safe. We will be chasing around a little boy who just doesn't want to stop.

He is up to about 19 lbs. now. He actually lost weight the last two months (0nly a few ounces). I stopped pumping as much at school. Therefore he was only eating about 8 oz. for 8 hours while I was gone. We also found out in the process that he is very allergic to milk. I am phasing out breast-feeding. I am finally ready to be done. I wasn't making enough for Malachi since I wasn't pumping as much, and it is just starting to get on my nerves. I successfully breast-fed Malachi for over 9 months. This was my first year teaching and my first child. I feel very successful. I was hoping to make it to 6 months. I think I might be able to breast feed my next child longer, but I will definitely do a few things differently. I am very happy, though, with how things have gone.

If you have any soy formula coupons that would be a big help. Just send them to me. Thanks so much for all your love and support. It has been great to have all the family nearby in spirit.

Naps??? What are they???

I don't know why, but Malachi has decided that naps are no longer for him. The main problem---his body still needs those naps (and so do Moms and Dads). It's not me who needs the nap. Malachi needs to nap in order to be manageable in the evening, afternoon, and morning. Tonight he cried almost non-stop. I had rushed home from work because he was crying for Daniel and wouldn't calm down. Things were going down hill quickly. I hope that this is a quick phase and will quickly disappear when a new tooth breaks through his gums. It's just so hard to deal with a crying child when he barely cries twice in a typical day. Lord, help us to get through this stage of his life gracefully, and please keep me sane during these times of EOG's when my stress level is high and my students' behavior is at an all time low. There are only 11 more days of school until August. We can do this.

At least he's still sleeping through the night!!!

He is also figuring out how to get around. He is scooting on his tummy very well. He can almost get those knees up underneath him and move but not quite yet. He gracefully falls to his back from the sitting position and will play on his back and tummy. He can do just about anything he sets his mind to. As I watch him play, my motherly instinct is to help him reach a toy that is far away. But then I stop. He has got to learn how to do it for himself, and normally he does. He is becoming less and less frustrated when he cannot reach things on the first try. He keeps persevering. Way to go, son! You will always make your Mom proud. Remember that when times get tough (and even when they're easy), God will be there for you just like your Dad and Mom. He's not afraid to let you stumble and fall, but He will always help you back up again. He may catch you before you fall, and often He will carry you through stages in your life. I know that you are a little young for this lesson yet, but just remember the words that we have encouraged you with. I hope that we (your Dad and Mom) will always be a shining example of Christ's love for you. I love you, Malachi.

Big Cousins are the Best!

Callie and Malachi tried to go swimming on Saturday. The water was tooooo cold. So we spent 3 minutes in the pool. We walked back to the house and let the two kids have fun in the tub. Malachi loves to look and play with Callie. Callie loves to show Malachi how to play with his toys. Callie was even talking to Malachi like we talk to babies. In a sweet voice, "Did you get wet, Malachi? Did you? Are you dry now? Are you?" It was just the most precious thing in the world.

Avery didn't go swimming with us this time, but Malachi loved looking and smiling at her. For current pictures of Avery, go to Callie and Avery's site.

Happy First Mother's Day!!!

Lesli and I celebrated our first Mother's Day together at church this past week. We each received a giftcard from Real Family Fellowship. Thank you Malachi for making my first Mother's Day (and every day) very special.

Kyla - 3 months
Malachi - 10 months

First Baseball Game

The Kannapolis Intimidators are a single A minor league team. They are the farm team for the White Sox. Several teachers, their spouses, and children were invited to attend the game along with all-you-can-eat hot dogs and hamburgers. It was a blast! Malachi didn't really watch much of the game, but he enjoyed taking in all the new people and objects around him. He didn't eat any of the ballpark food, but I was prepared with snacks and a bottle for Malachi. We also started out the night with shorts and a t-shirt, and we ended it with long-sleeved shirts and pants. There were lots of people who wanted to hold him, and Malachi was able to "play" with one of the two free Thunder Stix. We didn't stay for the whole game, but we all made it until the beginning of the 8th inning. Here's another first for you kiddo. Who know's what's next?

Dear Malachi,

You are the most precious little boy on the face of the earth. You are growing so quickly. About two weeks ago you started feeding yourself some food. It is so funny. At first, you would scoop your hand down to get the food and at the same time, you would move your head down to the food with your mouth open. Now you are confident enough to do it without moving your head. Sometimes you get the food in between your thumb and finger. Other times you just get the food in your hand and stick almost your whole hand in your mouth. It works for you, though. I am very proud of you. You don't like to pick up messy food like spaghetti, but you can pick up fruit/veggie puffs, cheerios, and pieces of bread. This makes me very happy. It is just one step closer to you being a more independent eater. That means I will have more time to worry about feeding myself instead of feeding you. I still rarely get to eat my food while it is hot, but that's ok. You are very important to me.

Mobility. Now there is a new subject that you just haven't conquered yet. I like this stage of your life. I don't have to worry about you falling down the stairs or getting into something that you should not. If you put you down and walk out of the room briefly, you will still be in the same spot that I left you. Don't worry about getting behind in school or in life or something like that. You are a very smart, capable little man. You will start crawling or walking whenever you are ready. People in the world try to rush these things. You can do it whenever you set your mind to doing it.

You are still sleeping through the night. Again, this makes me very happy. It only took nine and a half months, but you are finally sleeping through the night. I get to sleep 8 hours a night or however much I can get in before 7 am.

The past few weeks we have been having problems with Mommy making enough milk for you. She messed it up a little by starting on regular birth control pill (which she promptly stopped when she realized what had happened). Then, last week I got a stomach virus. All the stored up milk was used. You nursed through most of the virus but did not catch it. Thank goodness. I wouldn't want my worst enemy going through that. Today I stayed home from work to nurse you and try to get my milk supply up and going again. I am also taking Fenugreek which will hopefully help increase my milk, too. You have developed an extreme allergy to formula. Monday was not a fun day for your Great-grandma or me. So, if there is no milk from Mommy you have to drink juice or water. You weren't too fond of that either yesterday.Malachi, I just have so much fun watching you grow and interact with other people. You love to watch what is going on around you. Sleep is not an option if you are in a new place. That's ok. I love that you take it all in. You love to play with your toys and spill them all out of the basket, bucket, or gym. You love playing little games with your Daddy, too. I know that he can't wait until you can go out in the backyard and play ball. I almost bought you some balls today to play with, but we just can't afford it right now. You have enough toys to play with.

Sleep sweetly in your crib each night and each nap. I am totally looking forward to this summer when I get to spend lots of time with you, and maybe even go on a date with your Daddy without you. We'll let you hang with the other family. Keep being sweet and flexible. I can't wait to see you become a true little boy and toddle around.

I love you forever and always.
Mommy

Praise the Lord!

Malachi has made such an easy transition from sleeping in our room to sleeping in his own crib in his own room. I'm glad Mom and Dad have a big house with lots of rooms. Every night since my last post, Malachi has slept through the night. He did wake up this morning around 5am, but I just went in his room and gave him his pacifier. It was on the other side of the crib. He went back to sleep until almost 8am. He is sleeping 12 hours straight at night now. I just want to thank the Lord for an easy transition from our room to his. He cries very little and goes to sleep within minutes. Daniel and I have been truly blessed to have a child who is easy going and easily managed. He is a great sleeper, loves to ride in the car and walk around outside and the mall. He is growing so much each day. I can't wait until I am done with school for the summer and get to spend some much needed time with my son.

He isn't crawling or walking still. He is close to crawling, but he often gets frustrated quickly on his tummy. I am enjoying playing with him. His skills are getting more refined. He still can't really pick up food very well, but he can grab something bigger very easily. When he reaches for a toy, he gets it on the first try and without searching with his hands much. Right now he is sitting beside me on the floor. He just picked up a piece of paper and is playing with it. Now he picked up a second piece of paper and has one in each hand. Maybe I need to warn Grammy about not leaving random papers on the floor. Anything within reach is fair game. I love you Malachi!

Eight Blessed Hours

Malachi went to sleep last night about 8:30 pm. He didn't cry any until 6 am. He got out of bed at 7:30am. He slept for 11 hours straight, in his crib, in the other room. This is only the second time since Malachi's birth that I have gotten the chance to sleep 8 glorious hours straight! Thank you, Jesus! It was a Friday night and Saturday morning. I was able to take full advantage of Malachi's sleep. He has also taken his naps in his crib today. Thankfully, this has been a pretty easy transition from sleeping in our room and bed to his crib.

We Have A Tooth!!!

Malachi officially "cut" his first tooth sometime today. It is only a sharp little thing that can barely be seen, but it can definitely be felt. I am so thankful! Yesterday was a difficult day. He was very fussy, had a fever, and developed a runny nose. Today he was back to his old self---happy and smiley. He played very well today, had barely any runny nose, and had very little fever. Praise the Lord! We finally made it!

He also slept all night in his crib in his room. He woke up a few times crying, but he was able to cry himself back to sleep in a somewhat timely manner. God is good and taking good care of His children!

I also wanted to say "welcome to the world" Mackenzie Grace. She was born 2 weeks ago today. This is the first baby to be born from my college friends (besides my own son, of course). Welcome! I look forward to meeting you soon.

Sleeping...What's That???

Malachi has not been sleeping well lately. Hmm... I wonder why? Oh yeah, he's got a tooth or two trying to push its way through his tender little gums. I know that he has been "teething" for over three months now, but he is finally cutting his first tooth or two. His symptoms and fussiness are getting worse by the day. Today he wouldn't let us rub his gums like we have been doing to see if any teeth are poking through. He would have none of the sort. He only wanted to be held and had a pacifier in his mouth most of the day. It is comforting to him to be able to chew and suck on something soft.

We started the pacifier when he wasn't sleeping for 8 hours at a time at 6 months. I think it really helps his gums feel better. Up until that point, we rarely used a pacifier.

His sleeping habits have been getting worse and worse the past few weeks. There were a couple of nights right before my spring break began and during spring break that Malachi decided that he would be awake for a couple of hours when it was time to sleep. In order to help him sleep better, we would put him in bed with us. I know, I know. We were giving in, but when you are a working mom and need sleep in order to deal with hormone-crazed middle schoolers, you just do what you have to do. I used to think that Malachi was hungry, but when he would just gnaw on me instead of suck, I realized that he could go 8-12 hours without eating. He wasn't hungry. His mouth hurt. I am frustrated and tired, but I know that it will be over soon.

Don't get me wrong. I love this age. He sits and plays so well. He is not mobile yet and is content to sit in one place. He is conscious of a lot of things that he is doing, and his thinking is becoming much more complex. His smile and laugh light up a dark room. I just want these teeth to hurry up and poke through. Then, I can sleep and maybe get rid of his pacifier. I don't care that he might bite me while nursing. I will cross that bridge when I come to it. I want sleep---8 hours of straight, blessed sleep. I have only had that opportunity once in the past nine and a half months. I love you Malachi, but please sleep soon!

Chillin'

This past Saturday we had an outreach/fun day at our church. Malachi just sat back chilling in his stroller and in other people's arms most of the time. We bought him some sunglasses for our vacation trips to the beaches this summer. We wanted him to get used to them. They are not necessarily his favorite, but he is learning to tolerate them.

Five Generations

Good Friday was Malachi's Great-great grandma's 96th birthday. She has recently gone through a lot of challenges in her life, but she has made a lot of progress. Pictured here are five generations of the family.

He Never Stops Growing!

Everyday our little boy looks more mature. He is beginning to hold and pick up things with both his hands instead of just one. He loves to play with remotes, cell phones, and his Fisher Price Roll-a-rounds and Shape sorter. He isn't walking or crawling yet. He is content to just sit and play. He can pull himself up in his crib from the sitting position, and he can pull himself to sitting from laying on his back. He has even started "growling." It is part of the way that he talks. When he is happy, he babbles and makes sounds like an animal growling. It is so cute.Several sleepless nights have been coming our way lately. I don't know why he is not sleeping like he used to, but I do know that I am tired and loosing sleep. One morning last week, Malachi was awake around 6am when I was getting ready for work. Daniel wanted to sleep; therefore, he brought Malachi into the bathroom with me and placed him in the dirty laundry hamper. Malachi actually seemed to like it a lot.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Daniel's birthday was April 9th. Malachi enjoyed playing with the decorations on his Daddy's present.

His First Shiner

Malachi got his first "black eye" about 3 weeks ago. He was playing around with his Grandpa. One of Malachi's favorite things are remotes for TVs. Grandpa was trying to move the remote out of Malachi's hands and accidently hit him in the eye. He didn't get hit very hard, but it was in a tender place. It was completely gone seven days later. His eye actually looked worse a few days before this picture was taken.

Eating and being a helper is important to Mommy

Spaghetti is good for me!!!

I can hold myself up for a little while
when propped up.

Helping Mommy with laundry

(Oh wait, I don't help with laundry yet. I just create it.)

A lot happens in a month and a half (especially with babies)

Malachi loves his bathtime. His favorite toy to play with is a washcloth. He also likes to play with his squirt toys. (The squirt toys are supposed to be for 12+ months, but Malachi really likes them. He is able to grab them pretty easily.)

Laying in bed playing with Daddy and later taking a nap

Malachi's most favorite thing in the world to do?
Play with his Daddy!!!

It's Been Awhile

I know that it has now been over a month since my last post. I am sorry for the delay. Malachi is growing and changing everyday. He usually eats baby food 3x a day. He will have homemade baby fruit for the first and vegetables for the other two meals (accompanied by 2-4 oz. of milk, of course). He also likes to snack on whole wheat bread and fruit/veggie puffs. He can't really pick up food and put it in his mouth often yet, but he has succeeded a few times. On occassion Malachi has eaten spaghetti and a pickle spear.

He came down Saturday evening with a fever and has been battling it ever since. We went to the doctor today to find out everything that I already knew. There were no other symptoms, so it could be teething or a virus. There is really no way to know. I am just praying that I can get some sleep tonight. If I don't get sleep tonight, I will be a walking zombie at school tomorrow. Please pray that he sleeps well tonight and gets over this sickness, whatever it is. I enjoyed staying home today and taking care of my sick little boy, but "money doesn't grow on trees." Or does it???

I will post pictures soon. Thank you for your prayers and support.