Showing posts with label Children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Children. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Scripture Memorization
I know. I haven't blogged in a while, and I probably won't again after this post. We'll see. But, I wanted to get this video to my family in the easiest way, so I thought I would include it in a post about scripture memorization.

Let's start with a confession. I'm not very good at memorizing scripture. Oh, I've tried. Before my son was born, I got through the first chapter of Colossians. And then my son was born. I probably wouldn't remember half the chapter if I were to say it today. I've always been good at memorizing for the test.... and then promptly forgetting. Having a bad memory is good for my marriage, but not great when it comes to hiding God's word in my heart.

I have come to realize that the scripture that I know by heart today, I have either memorized as a child, sung in a song, or I have read it and heard it so many times that it has naturally sunk in to this dense brain of mine. I have to "absorb" God's word, not just treat it like a checklist to tick off.

On that note, we have started a method of scripture memorization with our children that is working for us (so far). Before each family meal (morning and evening), we recite our memory portion outloud together. At first the kids just listened and soon they were able to join us. Adding actions has helped them (and us) as well. We did the same portion all through the month of January, but when February came, we thought we should continue on with it to make sure they REALLY know it. I was amazed when we realized that my 2 1/2 year old could (more or less) say it all herself.

Hear, O Israel
the Lord, our God,
the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your mind
and with all your strength.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:29-31


It's not just about memorization, either. We desire our kids to be changed God's words. To weigh and measure their experiences and choices against TRUTH. As the kids have learned these words, we have been able to have conversations that bring God's standards to them personally. "Are you loving your sister as yourself, or are you loving yourself more?" When my son shoveled a path through the snow for me, he was noticeably pleased when I pointed out that by serving me in this way, he was loving God with all his strength.

One of my prayers for my children in this day and age of relativism is that they will be able to discern right from wrong, truth from lies. God's word is the measuring line. May they hide God's word in their hearts so that they might not sin against Him. And, goodness knows... their mama needs this desperately herself.

2:35 PM | Category: , , | 2 comments

Friday, June 17, 2011

To My Daughter, on Your 2nd Birthday
Dear Mei Li,

As I sit here anticipating the arrival of your little brother any day now, I often think back to when you were born, right here, on this very bed. You have grasped our hearts with your little hand from day one. I'm thankful that you are my second child. I have felt much more prepared to work with your determination having had practice on your brother. You sure have given us a challenges this year (like 45-minute battles of the will over a miniscule bite of vegetables). But, in the process, we have both learned important lessons, and I hope and pray that God will help us to channel that determination into a life that serves the Lord.

I love your spunkiness. You are not reckless, but you tackle challenges head on. Anything your older brother does, you follow not far behind despite your much smaller stature. It's hard to believe you are only turning two because so often you act beyond your age.

I have loved watching your personality develop and seeing the busy, daredevil girl tempered by a tender and loving spirit. I have loved the little kisses and tight neck-squeezes that you give. You are quick to say 'sorry' (although, at times, equally quick to hurt your brother just so that you get to say 'sorry').

Some of your many accomplishments this year have included sitting for long periods of time to "draw" or "color", singing lines from a couple songs, already having many successes at going potty in the toilet, climbing up AND down the bunk bed, and being able to communicate nearly every need or desire quite clearly. It is hard for me to imagine how much more this next year will bring, but I look forward to seeing it.

You are our little sunshine, and sometimes our little thundercloud. For you, like your brothers, our greatest prayer is that you learn to love and live for the One who delights in you even more than your parents do.

I love you. Happy Birthday!
Mama

7:38 AM | Category: | 0 comments

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

To My Son, on Your 4th Birthday
Dear De Sheng,

I'm writing this a letter early this year because your little brother is going to join us any day now. I didn't want to forget to tell you how special this year has been for me as I watched my 3-year old grow.

You have grown physically. You are much taller, stronger, faster than before. You have mastered the tricycle and almost all the play equipment at the playground. It is fun to watch you rise to new challenges, like scaling steep hills and wading in cold streams. I think you are going to be my explorer and adventurer. I have not been the only one to be impressed by how long you persevere until you master a new skill. This is a wonderful quality that you have.

You have grown in head-knowledge, soaking it up like a sponge. I have loved watching you color, then draw and now how eager you are to write. It has been great fun to work on "school" and be creative together. You often ask really good questions and show a great curiousity about the world around you.

You have also grown as a big brother - learning to share with your sister, protect her and teach her right from wrong. You still have much to learn about this, but I am thankful that God chose you to be the oldest in our family. I see your care for other small children and I am happy to know that our new baby will join a family with a brother who will love him and look out for him.

You have also grown spiritually. It has meant so much to me to celebrate Christmas and Easter this year with you as you grapple with these stories and their meanings, really for the first time. You have asked great questions and I hope and pray that it won't be many years before you are able to grasp the significance of Christ's life and death.

So, now we are drawing to the end of your third year and suddenly, I'm going to be mom to a 4-year-old! I'm sad... sad to say good-bye to my 3-year old, but also excited to see what year 4 will hold for both of us. We have a special relationship, my son. I know that God uses both of us in each other's lives to draw us unto Himself. I pray that year 4 will be a year of drawing even closer to the One who loves us unfathomably, both mother and son.

I love you. Happy Birthday!
Mama

8:36 AM | Category: | 0 comments

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Behold, A Son!
Every birth experience, like every child is so different and unique.

I love being able to read back on my previous birthing experience and remember God's goodness. I forget so many little details, so it is wonderful to have it recorded down. Here I am, holding my third child, with a third, unique story to tell.

Unlike my first two which were born the day before and the day of their due dates, this little guy decided he liked it inside mommy best of all. My mom had arrived, the midwife thought it could happen any minute, we did lots and lots of walking, but he wasn't convinced. I had planned a homebirth again, but instead found myself at 9:00 AM, Monday, June 6th headed to the hospital for an induction after being 12 days "overdue". While I was happy to take this route because my mom only had one week left, I was emotional and a bit nervous the day before. It was such a blessing to talk to several women at church who had been through induction before and realize that here in the UK they try to keep things as natural and un-medicated as possible.

Sure enough at 10:30 that morning, after being monitored and assessed, the midwife recommended the first, most natural stage of induction - a pessary. This is a "pill" placed on the cervix that releases a hormone to cause it to soften and dilate, hopefully bringing on contractions. If that didn't work in 24 hours, then the next stage would be to break my waters.

Right away, however, the pessary did its job. My husband and I walked around the BIG hospital one time and monitored my contractions starting at 4-5 minutes apart and ending up around 2-3 minutes apart. It was nearly lunch time, so I lay down briefly before we got into the lunch line. While we were standing and waiting for our food, a long, strong, double-over and pant contraction hit. As soon as I was able, we headed back to my bed. Another one hit and after it finally passed, I sent my husband after the midwife. It felt like things wouldn't be much longer and I was pretty sure I should be heading to the delivery room. The midwife came in and felt my tummy to assess the strength of the contractions and the time between. Of course she sat there for what felt like ages and I only had one contraction. They encouraged me to walk around some more and they would assess me again after a little while. I knew I was not going to get out of that bed! This baby was not far off. Another contraction hit. I felt desperate to be in the delivery room, free of my clothes and ready to push. I sent dear husband after the midwife again to ask for an internal assessment of the situation. Sure enough, I was at 7 cm and she said I could move to the delivery room. Thank you!!

They wheeled me down the hall, to a room that had just experienced another birth which they were quickly trying to clean up for me. At this point, I had turned inward to deal with the pain of the contractions which were long and hard. I wasn't overly aware of what was going on around me except that there is a lot more hustle and bustle, banging and clattering in a hospital. I was missing my quiet, homebirth experience. However, it was a huge relief to be in the delivery bed and let my body start bearing down with the contractions. Finally the only people in the room were my husband, the midwife and a student nurse. It didn't take long. The midwife could see my waters bulging, so she asked if she could break them with the next contraction. I said, Yes, please!!, but the baby didn't let her get that far. Suddenly, another contraction came on and my body totally took over, pushing mightily. The waters broke everywhere and baby was heading out. The midwife was saying, "Take it easy. Go slowly. Pant." "I was saying, "I'm tearing, I'm tearing!" "No you're not. You are fine." Another push, maybe two, and there were the head... shoulders... baby! We were all a bit shocked. I had expected at least another 30 minutes with waters breaking, head descending, the 'ring of fire', etc... Yet, there I was, at 1: 42 PM, less than an hour from entering the room, already holding a crying little, blue baby. We were all looking at each other saying, "That was fast!" I could hardly believe that it was over. I had my baby! I sat holding him to me for a while before we thought to confirm the gender. Yup, most definitely a boy!



We waited about 20 minutes for the placenta to show up. Meanwhile, baby took to nursing like a champ. I ended up needing only 3 superficial stitches. Then the equally long part of the experience started.... the paperwork. Daddy was able to bond with his son while I took a shower. Then he took off to get Oma and the older siblings. I enjoyed a quiet time alone with my second son - praying for him and feeling the love swell.



This baby is proving to be the easiest one on me yet (physically). I have been amazed at how quickly I have been able to get up and going compared to the other two. I see God answering my prayers because with my mom leaving soon, I need to be able to get up and going. Having my mom gone will probably be a much harder adjustment for the kids than welcoming a new baby home. They are fascinated by their little brother and are doing great at being gentle and helpful.

5 years of marriage and here we are, a family of 5!

Dear Ruben Petrus,

Just as I write letters to your siblings on their birthdays, so I wanted to write to you for your BIRTH day. You have been loved and eagerly anticipated far before you made your appearance. All of us have been excited to meet our newest family member - and you definitely tested our patience. But, you are here now and you are perfect.

We chose the name Ruben because we liked it and Petrus to name you after Petrus Berakati in Taliabo. He was like a brother to me and, therefore, an uncle to you. He loved the Lord, loved his people and served them as an evangelist for the sake of the gospel until his tragic death.

We got a very thoughtful card from Prof. and Mrs. D after your birth. He took some time to talk about the meaning of your name. Reuben - "Behold, a son" - was the firstborn and leader among his brothers. He stood up to them to save Joseph's life. Petrus - or Peter - likewise, was a passionate man and a leader - the rock on whom the church was built. These words meant a lot to me because while I sat alone with you in the hospital room a few days before, I prayed for you. I prayed first and foremost that you would be a follower.... a passionate follower of Christ. And, I prayed that you would become a leader - one who leads others to their Maker and Savior. One who stands firm in his convictions against the tide of godlessness and points others to Truth. May God give your father and I wisdom and strength to parent you towards these two desires we have for you. God bless you, my son. We are so glad you are with us and we look forward to knowing you more as you grow this year.

Love,
your Mama


1:55 PM | Category: , | 2 comments

Friday, June 18, 2010

To My Daughter
Dear Mei Li,

Can my baby really be a year old already? It's gone by far too fast. This year you've grown from a helpless, dependent infant to a little girl who is pushing older kids around to get up the slide. It is amazing what changes can take place in a year's time.

I always refer to you as my perfect baby. It's possible that there are easier babies out there, but I fell in love with you from day one and that feeling hasn't changed. I have loved watching your personality unfold. You were quick to smile, but slow to laugh. Slow to roll, but quick to sit.... then stand... then walk.... then run. Everyone was amazed to see such a petite, little girl toddling around the room at nine months. To this day, your mother and strangers alike are often surprised by the abilities you have for your age.

You are my go-getter. You see what you want and go for it. Just the other day, I stood back and watched you try to climb up on a chair at the table. You had done it once before, but this time you were struggling and screaming in frustration because you knew it was possible. Sure enough... you figured it out and that evening you repeatedly climbed up to the table until you had the technique down-pat. You've fallen down the stairs twice already, but that doesn't stop you from going up and down, up and down.

I also call you my "Nature Girl". From the time you started to express yourself, you made it clear that you wanted to be outside. Many were the times you started crying when we brought you into the house. I finally gave up in trying to keep the dirt out of your mouth. You must have sampled a portion from every section of the garden. You are also always aware of any bugs or birds in the vicinity and chase them down if they allow you.

Yet, despite your one-year-old ambitions, you are still willing to cuddle. You love getting hugs and I often find you backing up to plop down on my lap. You get great pleasure from trying to run away and then getting caught and tickled. You especially love your daddy, making it clear that you NEED to be held by him and then getting a self-satisfied look when he complies.

We can't imagine life without you. You bring us so much joy - just as your middle name has proved. While I ache to shield you from the pain and evils of this world and hold you tight to myself, I know I can't. You are God's and we entrust you to Him. I pray that you will learn to find your ultimate JOY in your Creator. Happy birthday, my little one.

Love, "Mama"

1:51 PM | Category: | 1 comments

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

To My Son
Dear De Sheng,

Today you turn 3 years old. What an incredible privilege it has been to be your mother for these past three years. Both of us have done a considerable amount of growing, side by side. It's not easy to be a first child with Daddy and Mommy trying figure out parenting on you, but you have been forgiving despite our many mistakes.

It hardly seems a year ago that you were blowing out 2 candles on a bus cake. It's fun to think back on the accomplishments of this year. You've gone from saying a few favorite words to having in-depth conversations with me. I love that you are able to explain yourself more. Just a couple days ago you were asking me to tell you about "Nesia" again. I couldn't figure out what you meant until you explained, "Nesia... you were a little girl playing in the rain." Ah! "INDONESIA!" You've also learned to use the toilet with very little help. You've welcomed a sister into your life and you've had to learn how to share not only your toys, but your parents as well. You've learned a lot about friendships this year as you've gained both 'big' and 'little' friends. I could go on and on about how you've been singing, climbing all over the playground equipment, learning your alphabet and how to write an 'H', how you drew your first smiley face on the window, learned to pedal your tricycle, helped me to plant seeds and pick our first strawberries.

You are such a joy to me. As I often say, "You make me laugh," and it's true. Both in the intentional teasing that you do and in the mistakes made when you try to say big words... both give me joy. When I asked you what kind of cake you wanted for your birthday ("Chocolate?"), you told me you wanted "delicious cake." Later you clarified that "delicious" was "good for our bodies."

I love your smile, and especially your laugh. I love your enthusiasm and your willingness to help. I love your inquisitiveness and your attention to detail. I like that you see animals in the clouds and cars in your bread crusts. I love hearing you sing, watching you dance and especially seeing you care for your little sister. I'm so thankful I get to spend my days with you.

Sure, we have struggles and bad days, but life is a journey. I pray that above all you will be on the path to knowing God and submitting your life to Him. May He give you the discernment to recognize right from wrong and the strength to chose the way that honors Him.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday week, my son. I am looking forward to this next year with you.

Love, "Mama"

10:37 AM | Category: | 0 comments

Sunday, May 16, 2010

"Everyday I Love You, Mama"
Ah... the words that put life back in perspective. I remember after my son was born wondering how long it would be before I would hear that "I love you, Mama" come spontaneously from my child. It was wonderful the first time, and it has been wonderful every time since.

What a privilege it is to get those hugs from grubby hands and kisses from sticky lips. What a treasure to be able to pause and hold my son closely as he declares his love. What joy it gives him to see the happiness on his mother's face. As Mary did, I want to store up these moments in my heart to remember on those days when my boy is either unwilling or unable to wrap his arms around his mom and proclaim, "Everyday I love you, Mama."

8:49 PM | Category: , | 2 comments

Monday, May 10, 2010

These Are the Days
Motherhood is hard. Yes, yes... there are great rewards in motherhood - intrinsic and extrinsic - that cause us to choose this path again and again, but there days when just getting out of bed one more time seems impossible. Some days when I'm up to my elbows in poop, snot, tears and tantrums, it is easy to wish it away... or at least wish it fast-forwarded. I was reminded about this post a couple of days ago when I was coming out of the store with my two little ones. In front of me was an elderly woman in a wheelchair who was being pushed by another woman. It struck me that some day that could very well be me. Some day I may be relying on other people to take me shopping where I will see someone else's small children running around. When that day comes, I can only imagine that I will miss THOSE DAYS. The days of small children. The days of discovery and innocence. The days of teaching and training. The days of silly jokes and giggles. The days of being the only comforter my child wants. The days of wide-eyed wonder. The days of being able to open my arms and see my kids come flying for a hug. These days will not last forever and some day I'm going to miss them. I hope that I will live today in such a way that despite missing "those days" I will have no regrets. I hope that I will embrace life - my children - NOW so as not to look back in sorrow upon lost years. The days might seem long, but the years will fly by and there is no turning back. May each of us build memories today that will bring smiles tomorrow.

THIS is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

1:45 PM | Category: , | 4 comments

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Jobs that 2-3 Year Olds Can Do
I thought I would make a list of ways 2-3 year olds can genuinely help around the house. I'll probably forget someday what my little ones could do at what ages, so this will be fun to look back on. Some of the jobs might need parental involvement and some of them might lean more towards age 3 since that's where my son is leaning. They might not all make the house neater, cleaner or more efficient, but they are good ways to start getting little ones involved.

  • Putting shoes where they belong after taking them off
  • Putting toys away
  • Putting books on shelves
  • Blowing out candles
  • Watering plants (in the yard)
  • Pairing up socks
  • Carrying *small* piles of folded clothes to appropriate rooms
  • Rinsing dishes (at least not the sharp/breakable ones)
  • Sorting clean silverware back into the drawer
  • Unloading the washing machine
  • Emptying, cleaning and refilling the fridge
  • Washing windows
  • Vacuuming (depending on your vacuum cleaner)
  • Taking his/her plate and other light dishes to the counter after meals
  • Stirring any baking ingredients
  • Rolling and cutting biscuits, cookies, etc...
  • Wiping up spills
  • Putting trash in the trash can
  • Pushing furniture around for sweeping/mopping
  • Dusting
  • Putting mom-designated items into the shopping cart
  • Setting the table (sorta)
  • Planting seeds
  • Bringing groceries in and taking them out of bags

Don't misunderstand. My little 2-3/4 year old does not always WANT to do these things. Sometimes it takes coaxing and other times it is done with pleasure. Either way, it is important for them to learn that things don't just magically get done by themselves. We work together to keep our house functioning smoothly.

What other ways can little ones help?

6:47 AM | Category: | 1 comments

Friday, March 19, 2010

My 9-Month Old
It's hard to believe Little Miss Mei Li is really 9 months old already.

* She loves being chased and tickled.
* She hates having her diaper changed (because she wants to crawl away and get chased and tickled)
* She loves the plants in the living room.
* She hates it when her brother gets in her space or makes her feel unstable.
* She is 22 pounds.
* She loves broccoli and most of her vegetables.
* She's not overly excited about many fruits.
* She desperately wants free reign to explore the great outdoors.
* She loves taking a bath and has discovered the joys of splashing.
* She's into shoes - for their flavor, not their fashion (notice her smudged nose).

* She's recently gotten a kick out of letting go and standing alone, and she is ever so close to taking some steps.
* She has gone from being a wonderful sleeper to waking up twice a night demanding to be fed (we're working on that one).
* She's waving, shrieking, belly laughing, but not trying to talk yet.
* She loves her daddy and tries all means of grunting and straining to get picked up by him.
* She's a speed crawler and likes to chase down the broom (or the dirt being swept by the broom).
* She's been wearing 9-mo clothing for a couple of months already.
* She has gray eyes with brown in the center and they don't appear to be changing anymore.
* She is a fairly contented little girl, but gives me moments of wondering how strong-willed she might end up being.

We sure love this little girl.


1:54 PM | Category: , | 1 comments

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Wild About Books.... Yes, I Am!
I wanted to share two children's books that we have come to love recently. There are not too many books that I enjoy reading over and over (and over) again to my children, but these have been around for a while and are definitely in the category of excellent books for children.

Wild About Books by Judy Sierra is about a librarian who accidently drives her Book Mobile into the zoo. "In a flash, every beast in the zoo was stampeding to learn all about this new something called reading." Molly, the librarian, finds books to suit each animal's tastes and needs, then teaches them the proper way to handle books. The love of reading leads the animals to write their own books and eventually build their own "Zoobrary." So,

When you visit the zoo now, you surely won't mind
If the animals seem just a bit hard to find -
They are snug in their niches, their nests and their nooks,
Going wild, simply wild, about wonderful books.

Tiddler by Julia Donaldson is another favorite. While Julia has written many wonderful children's books including The Gruffalo, I thoroughly enjoyed this story about a little fish who likes to tell tall tales. Tiddler is always late to school, and he always has an elaborate story as an excuse. One day, however, he runs into real trouble and finds himself far from home. He's lost and afraid until he hears a familiar story. By following it back from one sea creature to another, he is able to re-trace his way home again. This book is an excellent read-aloud with its lilting rhythm and the opportunity to use many different voices in the text.

What have been your favorite children's picture books?

12:57 PM | Category: , | 0 comments

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Cheeky Monkey

While preparing dinner a couple of days ago, my son came in and started knocking all his A-B-C magnets off the fridge and onto the floor. I told him he would have to pick them up again and in due time he got to work putting them back. It didn't take too long before he tried to coerce some help:

"Mama! Help!!!" Patting stomach. "Do by myself, tummy owie-owie!!"

Now what mother can resist that kind of logic? Cheeky monkey!

7:30 AM | Category: , | 1 comments

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Second Child Observations
Being a parent of two for a grand total of four weeks now, I decided to write down my impressions as we welcomed a new little one into our home. These were some of my first, and often repeated, thoughts in the past month:


1. In comparison I can't believe how big my firstborn is and how far he's developed physically and mentally in two years.

2. I love having a baby in the house again! - especially since she is so easy.

3. There is far less time to just enjoy and dwell on my second child compared to my first. I miss it.

4. Days are going to seem to go by a whole lot faster this time around.

My mom reminded me that this will probably be one of the busiest stages of my parenting life with a baby needing all that babies do and a second child looking to me for entertainment, training and correction. Most moms say it gets easier once they can start playing together. I look forward to that time, but I'm enjoying now too.
7:41 AM | Category: | 0 comments

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Tummy Tubs - My First Impressions
With a new baby in the house, it was time to put my Tummy Tub to the test. Mei Li's first bath was in the sink and she cried the whole time (probably because there wasn't enough water to keep her warm). Here is a video of her enjoying either her first or second time in the Tummy Tub (I can't remember which).


After several more bathes under our belts, we are learning how to make it work. My impressions?...

Plusses:
In our cold climate, it is really nice to have the baby in enough water to keep her warm (I've added more water since the video). She loves it as well. Again, it is extremely economical in water usage compared to other bathing methods. The rounded bottom makes it comfortable for the baby, and by placing it in the sink, comfortable for mom (or grandma) to do the bathing.

Minuses:
As in most cases with a baby this age, it is awkward to keep her head up until she develops more muscle control. As you can see, washing her lower regions can be difficult though I've found that pulling her up out of the water, turning her face-down and supporting her chest with my arm allows me to get a fairly good clean down there - she isn't keen on this because it's cold out of the water.

Overall, I'm not sold-out enough to say that it is worth the $30-45.00 you would have to spend in the states. I look forward to seeing how my experience changes as Mei Li develops and requires less support.

7:42 AM | Category: , | 1 comments

Saturday, July 4, 2009

A Vision of Motherhood

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is place in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse in to the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into it's soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny,--she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands the sacred and holy trust given to her." -JR Miller

Photo courtesy of allposters.co.uk

9:38 AM | Category: , | 1 comments

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Our Little Miriam
Many people have expressed interest in hearing the birth story of our little Miriam. I will post it here:


First, some background... When my son was born, my water broke in the middle of the night, we went to the hospital and then my contractions starting coming. They gradually built up until I couldn't help but start pushing. They must have judged pretty quickly that my son's head was quite large because after a few moments of pushing, they cut me and out he came. This all took place in a Chinese hospital with a foreign and Chinese doctor partnering together.

That was my experience with giving birth. Fairly straightforward, text-book style. So, at about 10:00 AM, June 17th, when I got really sharp cramps, I didn't assume right away that I was having contractions. In fact, it was all rather strange to me... I would cramp up very painfully anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour or so apart. I honestly wondered if I was experiencing bad constipation due to the iron pills I had been taking. I didn't want to cry "wolf" and I also had a sick little boy on my hands, so we spent most of the day in bed - where I felt better. When my husband came home from work around 2:00 PM, I told him what was going on and after a particularly bad cramp, he encouraged me to touch base with the midwife.

I called the midwife, and she suggested I take a laxative just to rule out the constipation possibility. Poor husband got sent out in the rain to the pharmacy. At 6:00, I was still in denial but starting to hurt pretty badly and the pains were coming more frequently. After going to the bathroom and discovering my mucus plug (if you don't know what that is, you can research), I knew for sure where this was headed. My husband took a moment to pray with me. Then we called the midwife again and I prepared the bed and waited for her. Meanwhile, my dear husband was feeding my son and getting him ready for bed. It was quite a relief to have the midwife show up, but even more of a relief to have my son asleep and my husband's hands to squeeze. My prayers for this pregnancy were that if it happened before my mother arrived (on the 19th), then could it please happen while my son was sleeping and oblivious.

Shortly after the midwife arrived, my contractions were still fairly spaced out, but long and painful. At one point I told her I was starting to feel the need to push. She then checked my dilation for the first time and we were all rather surprised to discover that it was at about 9 cm. She quickly went to the car for her gear and called the back-up midwife to come. The second midwife showed up and shortly after it was time to start pushing. These midwives were such lovely ladies. Unfortunately, my midwife was off this day, and she was equally disappointed to not be there, but these two women were so encouraging. We were all surprised at how fast it was progressing, and they kept making me feel like it would be just a matter of moments. In reality, it really was quick. The first midwife showed up at about 6:30ish and little Miriam was born at 8:46. It took a bit more work for her to come out than it did with my son because they just let her come naturally. My legs were cramping up, so I moved to my hands and knees. It was amazing because I actually able to watch the baby come and bring her up to me as soon as she was born.

The placenta took another half an hour to show up and then they saw I would need a couple small stitches, but the baby was healthy and well and OUT! We tried nursing pretty quickly and she took to it right away. The midwives then took another couple of hours to do paperwork, clean up, and check both of us a couple of times.

Miriam weighed a decent 7 lbs 12 oz or 3.53 kilos

If there are any men reading this, I just want to say - don't underestimate your role in being next to your wife as she delivers. I find so much comfort and support in having my husband's hands to squeeze. (I should check to see if he has bruises!) I can't imagine going through it without him and I thank God that he was available just as it started to get really hard.

With all the commotion and being unwell, my son had woken up again and so we brought him in to check out his little sister. We had been talking for the past couple of weeks that when the baby came out of mommy's tummy, we would say "Hi, baby!" and we would be so happy. Now whenever he hears the baby cry he will say, "Say 'Hi, baby'!" I praise God for the timing and smoothness of this birth. One of my biggest concerns was how my son would handle this big change, but he was asleep for the majority of it and has taken to his sister very lovingly.


Originally, we chose the name "Miriam Johanna" (pronounced: Yo-ha-na), but each time the midwife checked her heartbeat while I was in labor, she would say, "This is a happy baby. This baby is happy." After she was born, my husband suggested she be called "Miriam Joy" and I loved it. We chose "Miriam" because we liked the name, not because of the meaning: bitterness. But I find it rather fitting that her name has opposite meanings. Life is both - sorrow and joy, ups and downs. What we hope and pray for Miriam is that despite the mountains and valleys of life, she would look to the Heavenly Father as her source of strength and joy. As the song goes, no matter where she walks or what she faces, may she be able to say, "Blessed be Your Name."

Certainly, He has blessed us with this precious gift.

7:04 PM | Category: , , | 3 comments

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Priority Adjustments
I've been reading The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson.  It has been so timely for me as I had been struggling with some of the requirements of motherhood.  I am someone who is task-orientated.  I love schedules, checklists, order and cleanliness - I'm pretty sure each of those is an antonym to "toddler".  (Not that toddlers don't need these things too.  I have seen the importance of each aspect in giving our lives stability and helping us to enjoy each other).  But, I have needed to refresh my priorities.  In some areas I've needed to confess my discontent or frustration to God and regain His perspective.  As long as the years ahead of me seem, in reality, I only have a short time to invest in my children's lives.  Heaven forbid I put my checklists and the desire to get something "accomplished" during the day before meeting my children's needs.  I read this quote today and it was such a good reminder to me of what it is that my children (and husband) need:

My children didn't need me to be on top of all my chores or even to be perfect in taking care of all their needs.  What they needed was for me to be content and patient with life. 

I know that although I don't see the fruits now, I am teaching my child by my example - especially with my attitudes when faced with life's difficulties.  I hope I learn this lesson young so that I can give my children many joy-filled years of sacrifice.  I have seen, too, how my discouragement and discontent can drag down my husband, whereas when I am joyful (though tired or disheveled or running late on dinner), a sense of harmony reigns in our house.  Truly we need God's strength to serve others as we learn to "lay down our lives" as He did for us.

1:43 PM | Category: , , , | 2 comments

Friday, May 8, 2009

Tummy Tubs
One of my friends introduced me to this bathing concept that has been around Europe for a while, but is just reaching America. According to the Tummy Tub web site:

The Tummy Tub is designed to replicate the comfort of the mother’s womb and once in the Tummy Tub, babies naturally adopt the foetal position and instantly feel reassured and relaxed.

It is supposed to be much more economical with water, keep it warmer longer and to help calm tummy-aches and colicky babies. It is made with an anti-skid base and a low center of gravity. Below is their demo video. I watched a couple other videos of young babies quieting when they got in the water and older babies splashing around.




These bath tubs have many positive and negative reviews, but generally from what I was reading, the negative reviews came from people who were mocking the product as a gimmick. Others, who had actually used these tubs, seemed to like them quite a bit, particularly after their baby was a few weeks old. I love the economy of them, but my biggest problem would be the price tag. I have seen three versions offered in the US:


From my limited research, this seemed to be the priciest option ($50+) and didn't have as good of reviews as TummyTub did.











Tummy Tub - This one also runs around $45 dollars (new), but probably can be found for a bit less with researching. For an additional price, it has a stand that the bucket can fit on to make it higher if desired.

You can get these Tummy Tubs for 20 Euros on the German Amazon. I don't know the cost of shipping, and you would probably need some help putting in your order. I couldn't find an "English" option anywhere on their website.





Wash Pod (Prince Lionheart) - This is definitely the cheapest option ($25ish). The reviews were not bad either. A few mothers mentioned that it was hard to bath their baby's lower regions, but other mothers addressed this issue by saying they just lift their babies up a bit or prop them on the edge to do that part of washing. Some also mentioned that they felt like it was more stable in design.




What do I think? Well, for $5, I would buy one in a heart-beat, but at 5-10x that much - I need to be convinced that it is worth it. I wonder if using a bucket wouldn't work just as well. It might not be as stable or comfortable for the baby since that is not its purpose. Some people mentioned concerns about exposing their children to harmful chemicals in regular buckets (though one woman did say she has been washing her children in a trash can for years). I don't think I would worry about that too much since you only use warm, not hot, water for bathing babies (or does that reveal my ignorance about how chemicals leach into water?)

Okay... I had to do some research to answer my question and educate my ignorance. High-Density Polythylene (HDPE) plastic buckets would probably work and be safe for a baby. HDPE is the grade of plastic used for such things as food storage, milk jugs, water bottles, water pipes as well as numerous other products not related to consumption. They are considered environmentally friendly and are stronger, harder and able to withstand higher heat levels then the Low-Density Polythylenes.

I don't know... I'm going to think about it more. I have German in-laws that I could request one from as a baby gift, but I also have a pretty deep kitchen sink that would work too.

What do you think?

9:49 PM | Category: , , | 7 comments

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Helping? Hands
One of my son's favorite things to do is "help" me rinse dishes.  He's allowed to handle all plastics, silverware and unbreakables while I do the glass/ceremic/sharp things.    I believe that children should be an active part of housework as they are able, so I like that he is learning the process of dishwashing - trying to get the bubbles off of the dishes, putting the silverware in the right compartment, etc... It can be both amusing and exasperating. It also requires a lot of disaster control and constant decision making.  Is it okay for him try to drink the rinse water with a spoon?  Should I let him keep trying to pour water in the silverware compartment with his cups when I know it will soon end up all over the floor?  Should a cheese grater be strummed with a fork?  It keeps me on my toes (because if I stood flat-footed, my entire sock would be soaked with spilled water.)

He might need a little more work with the stacking techniques, though I think he did a good job on the cups - efficient, just not productive. 


8:17 PM | Category: , | 1 comments

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Look Who's a Big Boy Now
With a little boy whose getting taller all the time and another baby on the way, it was time to graduate from the crib (or Pack-n-Play in his case).  We were going to have to buy a children's bed, but we found a single bed in the attic that our landlord said we could use.  We set it up yesterday and had a successful first night.  Eventually the comforter cover that is hanging in the window will either cover a comforter or get turned into curtains, but for the time being it is already looking more like a little boy's room.

Here he is... all ready for bed.
(The blanket on the wall was crocheted by his grandmother for his father when he was a baby.)


2:24 PM | Category: , | 2 comments