And Emory look-a like-a his...

Daddy?

Mama?

We just can't figure out who he resembles.  Opinions?  Either way, we think Emory is pretty daggum cute!

There's a strong possibility that he looks a LOT like my dad. 

Poppy (circa 1960)

Wobble Head

Since we were essentially trapped in the house this weekend, we tried to make the best of it.  All of our laundry is done.  (Fear not, with a stomach bug in the house more is sure to be produced.)  I scrubbed our floors on my hands and knees.  All the carpets have been shampooed.  Rugs taken out and washed.  Toys took a spin in the washing machine.  You know, all the fun stuff.  ;-)

Phillip was playing with Emory while I was folding some laundry yesterday.  I'm so glad I finally caught this on video.  Normally, when I grab for my camera Emory stops doing the head wobble.  It's so funny though!


You can't deny the cuteness.  Even when he's sick, Emory knows how to make us smile!

Mini-Vacation = EPIC FAIL

We had scheduled our first sans-baby mini-vacay for our anniversary at the beginning of this past December.  Well, when that time rolled around I just couldn't do it.  I couldn't leave.  I have no idea why.  Emory was 7.5 months old.  He was going to be at our house with his Grammie the whole time.  COULD NOT DO IT.

The resort was really nice and allowed us to change dates.  I've been wanting to visit The Homestead for a long time.  I was so excited about spending a day going to Monticello, playing in the snow, etc.  This time we were going to take Emory with us, so I was positive our problems were gone.  WRONG!

Wednesday afternoon Emory started getting a little stuffy and fussy.  By Friday morning the stuffiness was gone, but THE FUSSY WAS HERE TO STAY!  Phillip and I started talking Friday night (because I still wasn't packed despite having started on Tuesday).  I just couldn't do it.  Something about having Emory here, at home, felt better...safer.  What's wrong with me?  Any place outside of this little house feels like a threatening and incredibly intimidating environment for me to take my baby.

Phillip, fortunately, laughed it off.  Sadly, I was not so amused.  We had paid in full, so we lost the money...and the MUCH needed time away.  We needed to get out this weekend.

Instead we were stuck here with a baby that is a far cry from the one we are accustomed to being around.  Emory is going on Day 5 of this:



Today, we awoke to a baby in the midst of a full blown stomach virus.  I am assuming it came from me because my school has been LOADED with this thing.  Everyone has it.  I didn't think it was possible for Emory to get it because no one in our house had been sick, but alas I was wrong.  :-(

The good news is that the fussy it totally gone.  The pediatrician said that all of the fussing was a precursor to the virus kicking in. We're left with a super cuddly, super pukey baby.  I guess it's a good thing we stayed home after all!

Little Linebacker (9 month stats)

Playing with Poppy's childhood football helmet (circa the 1960s).  :-)

A mother's intuition is a strange thing.  Trusting your instincts when every doctor and many friends/family members don't agree with your decisions is no simple task.  The doctor required a 7 month weigh in to keep an eye on Emory's progress (or lack thereof) in the pudge department.  As you well know, that didn't go so well.

We took him to a pediatric gastroenterologist that requested we take ridiculous measures in feeding Emory.  After a week of misery, we abandoned ship and talked about our options.  I told Phillip that I was completely uncomfortable with the directions we'd be given.  He agreed.  From that point forward, we fed Emory the way we thought was best.  The only thing we didn't change was adding rice to EVERYTHING (as it will weigh down the bottle and food...gravity is our friend).

Emory has always been a long baby.  Currently, he's measuring almost 29.5 inches (90th percentile) in length and his head circumference is in the 75th percentile.  However, here's a rundown on Emory's progress in the weight gain department:
4 months - 14 lbs 11 oz (10th percentile)
6 months - 14 lbs 12 oz (<5th percentile)
7 months - 15 lbs 6 oz (<5th percentile)
8 months - 17 lbs 12 oz (5th percentile)
Now, if you factor those numbers in with his height (which has always been around the 95th percentile) he's not even registering on the charts.  Until...

.....................DRUM ROLL PLEASE..............................

9 months - 21 lbs 0.25 oz (60th percentile)

Holy mackerel!  I was beyond elated.  We switched doctors, so the new pediatrician had an incredibly hard time believing he was ever teeny tiny.  He looked at him, told me the good news, and said he's well on his way to becoming a little linebacker.  Hallelujah!  Thank you Jesus!  (Not to the linebacker part, but the gaining part.)

I was so happy I probably could have cried.  For the first time, I feel like I can breathe a little.  I've been so scared that he'll get sick and lose too much weight.  Now, he's as healthy as an ox!  Our perfect, drooling, chubby, little ox!

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and support.  You have no idea how much it means to us!

Emory's 9 Months Old!

Guess what?  We got to spend Emory's 9 month day as a family because it was MLK Jr. Day!  We had fun doing a whole lot of nothing.  Since Phillip and I work at two different times, we aren't home (while Emory's up and going) as a family very often.  We played and lounged.  I have to say, we all seemed to be pretty content!

Emory is a huge fan of bare feet.  He has mastered the art of kicking his little feet as fast as he can until he gets any and all shoes off.

We have to head to the doctor for a weight check, but judging by the tummy and the cheeks I'd say he's chunking up!

He works hard at this baby thing.  No rest for the weary.

Drool, drool, and more drool.  No teeth, but plenty of drool.

 

The head tilt kills me.  He does it at the oddest times (especially when he's eating).

Ms. Miriam gave him a Chicco 4 in 1 Ride On Car when we were down for Christmas.  Holy delight!  He loves this thing.  We put him on it and he doesn't stop bouncing and scooting all over the place until we pick him back up. 

Be still, my heart.

He can seriously study some toys now.  He will also get mad if the toy doesn't cooperate. 

Shocked baby!

Lastly, he has started making this face to huff and puff really fast.  Again, this is a favorite during mealtime. 

Can I just say that this age is SO fun.  We love it!  It seems like every day there is something new that Emory is learning.  We are currently working on a little sign language.  Emory will hang onto the couch now and stand for a few minutes.  He'll occasionally bring himself to standing without holding on if he's seated on my lap.  He is pretty good about reading (aka: eating) books also.  He loves his sweet potatoes and bananas (see previous post), but he's the best at smuggling peas post-dinner because they are usually plastered to his derriere. 

We are so incredibly in love with this little guy!  I don't think either of us ever realize how much of a blessing Emory would be to our lives.  Ahhh, definitely our little piece of heaven!

Nighttime Fun with Daddy

Seldom does Phillip have the opportunity to be home for our bedtime routine, so we took advantage of this long weekend.  Emory loves his daddy!  Can't you tell? (I was sneaky and caught them playing after bath time instead of winding down.)

Over the last month, Emory has picked up this head tilt.  It's pretty funny.  He will switch from side to side for a few minutes and then decide he's bored. 

We hope you all had a great MLK weekend!

Emory's Self-Imposed Sweet Potato Famine

SOS!  Precious Em loves him some sweet taters!  I like that they are very healthy AND he's more than willing to eat them.  I'm one of those tricky moms.  You know the types: we sneak in healthy stuff like avocados and spinach into the blend.  He'll eat ANYTHING as long as it's mixed up with sweet potatoes (bananas are a close second). 

Don't be deceived by that sweet little smile!

The problem with this is that we are trying to segway into real finger foods (green peas, beans, steamed carrots, bananas, eggs, toast, etc.).  Emory will take any of the aforementioned foods...as long as they are pureed and come with a TON of whole wheat cereal or oatmeal mixed in (reflux solution).

We are having ZERO luck with this finger food deal.  Everything has to be mixed with sweet potatoes in order to be acceptable to our dear son's palate.  Sheesh!  The Irish would slap him (although, I know some of them would have been happy to receive anything other than an Idaho spud ;-P).  I keep plenty of sweet potatoes on hand, and spend quite a bit of time with our Baby Bullet blending them after they have baked.  However, at some point I'd like to enjoy life outside of my kitchen!

Suggestions anyone?  I need to get his little guy to eat, but it needs to be with his hands and SOMETHING other than sweet potatoes.  Help help help!

New Year's Resolutions

I hate New Year's resolutions!  Just thought I should lay that out there.  With that being said, I decided that instead of slapping a bunch of rules up to taunt me for the next few months (until I ultimately give up), that I would make a list of goals to live by.

1. Become a better me!  You see the picture above?  It's me in my element.  Crazy husband. Check.  Precious baby.  Check check.  Sense of humor to boot.  Check check check.  Emory has changed our lives in so many wonderful ways.  He was the catalyst to a better me.  I simply do not have time to worry about a lot of the minor things I previously spent a whole lot of time hung up on.  When something doesn't go the way I plan, I shrug, laugh, and try again next time.

Now, that's not to say that I don't have my days.  I do!  There are days that I literally almost lose it.  I have put Emory in his crib (post-reflux issues), scrubbed a floor or couch or dog (whomever or whatever the subsequent victim may have been), all the while bawling my eyes out.  It's exhausting.  Phillip doesn't get home until 1:30 AM.  I have no one to share the responsibility with.  He works 10+ hour days, so he has enough to worry about.  Instead of crying next time, I hope I can put Emory on the floor with me.  Maybe give him his own scrubbing brush!  :-)

• Volunteer more for causes that are near to my heart.
• Open my home to others.  I already host Bible study once every other week, but I need to welcome friends into our home and not fret over whether the baby will puke on them or if the dogs are barking a little too much.  
• Read more.  I love reading, but having Emory has taken this hobby to an all-time low.  
• Take time for me.  Even if it's just a bubble bath at 1 AM, it's better than vacuuming until 2 AM.  Or a quick pedicure can do wonders for the soul!  Even a hot cup of tea or coffee is enough of a cause for pause.

2. Start and stick to a PCOS diet!  No, I'm not starting a diet for weight.  About six months ago, I had an appointment with my OBGYN.  She asked about our plans for other children.  I told her that prior to discovering my infertility issues, Phillip and I both wanted five kids.  Granted, we realize that's a little crazy and in no way are we willing to go through what we had to go through to get Emory four more times!  However, she stated that she wanted us to try for six months on our own and then come back to her to start treatments again if we weren't able to conceive.

My problem is that I don't want treatments again.  I still have a strong (VERY strong) desire for many more children, but Phillip even said that it just isn't worth all of the sacrifice.  We are so thankful for Emory, AND I WOULD GO THROUGH ALL OF THE HELL I LIVED THROUGH TEN MORE TIMES FOR HIM ALONE!  However, we took a step back and evaluated the cost physically, emotionally, and mentally.  It's incredibly taxing!  I spent 2 years on hormones, fertility drugs, diabetic medication (they assist with PCOS), 9 months with hyperemesis, and 6 months (extremely pregnant) with gallstones that eventually impacted the function of my liver.

I have been trying to steal some extra time to research PCOS and my other condition, adenomyosis.  While there isn't much I can do about the latter, I CAN make some changes and pray they suit my body well.  PCOS diets range from rawism to vegan to Paleo.  Now, with my gallbladder I could barely digest red meats.  Since it's removal, I simply can't do much of anything in the way of meat.  So the Paleo diet is out.  Not to mention it was a little far fetched for me, but I think it would suit Phillip perfectly!  I decided to give up my beloved Diet Dr. Peppers in December.  Granted, I still have an occasional drink, but I'm trying to largely stick to water.  My other goal is to keep my carbohydrate intake to less than 80g a day.  It's times like this that I wish I had a nutritionist walking beside me all day long.  I have started eating more things raw.  I was always a fan of salads, so that's not incredibly hard.

I hope to stick to this for a long while.  If nothing has changed within the next 6 months, I'll consider medical intervention.  I'm just praying this makes the difference that I need.  PCOS is a huge indicator for future Type 2 Diabetes patience.  My dad and grandfather both have it.  Both are actually underweight and very active, so it's not a lifestyle thing for them.  I just hate the idea of being medicated at a later date.  So maybe I can do something now to alter my fate a bit!

3. Make our marriage a priority in my life.  How terrible does that sound?  If I'm being honest, it needs to be said.  Our lives literally revolve around Emory.  I never understood why people with children never found time for one another.  NOW I DO!  No wonder the divorce rate is so high.  When the kids skip off merrily to college, the parents sulk into divorce court because somewhere over the course of the last 18 years they lost sight of one of the most important aspects of their lives.

I don't want to be a statistic.  This past December we were due to go away for our anniversary.  I couldn't do it.  I still can't!  Aside from leaving Emory for an emergency cholecystectomy, I have been with him every day.  I'm pretty sure had they allowed me to bring a five week old into surgery with me, I would have. 

Truth is though, I've totally lost sight of our marriage and what it needs to look like in order to flourish.  It's not fair to Phillip.  It's not fair to me.  If I'm being real honest, it's not fair to Emory either.

                               
4. Revisit our budget.  Several years ago Phillip picked up this book by Dave Ramsey.  It was amazing how much this changed his perception of money!  He was always one of the boys with lots of big, expensive toys.  This book helped immensely!

Obviously, Emory has altered our budget.  My plan was a breastfeed for the first year, thereby saving money on formula.  WRONG!  Since my surgery, the amount of fat in my milk greatly diminished, so formula is now a household staple.  Thank the Lord for friends that send Similac coupons to me.  (It's like Christmas when I open the mailbox!)  Diapers!  Oh heavens at the amount of diapers!  I have determined that we have an awkwardly shaped child.  There are some that work well and others that are a complete bust.  Good news is that we have figured out what works.  Bad news is that it still cost money.  We started a college fund for him when he was two weeks old.  Since then, we've had money automatically drafted from Phillip's weekly checks going into his account. 

We also need to worry more about us.  I'd like to eventually buy land somewhere around here.  I'd like to save up so we don't have to borrow in order to do that.  I'd also like to be able to give to others when they are in need.  I'd love to sponsor a child through Compassion International or World Vision and watch them grow!  I don't want to serve money, but rather to use it in service to others more often.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!

5. Have a more intentional and purposeful prayer life.  That sounds so cliche, but it's true.  I can post as many videos as I want depicting Emory's love for his bedtime prayers, but when it gets to that portion of my day I am more likely to pass out during my prayer than I am to finish it!  I read my devotional every day, but lately I've been wondering what I'm doing to apply it.  The Bible promises that if we pray with intention and faith that the Lord will answer our prayers, He will do just that.  He may not answer them the way we expect/want, but He will answer.

Those are my "resolutions" for this lifetime.  :-)  What are yours?