Giving Thanks

Thankfully the colic seems to come and go and is mostly gone.

Usually, this is what we enjoy.

We love Aunt Lilon's cranberry sauce!

...and dressing up for the camera.

Colic?...or maybe it was the sauerkraut...

Last Friday night Derick's parents were visiting and his Mom made yummy nefla--a traditional German dish she learned from his great-grandmother. Of course everything German is better with sauerkraut, so mommy didn't even think twice, that is, until Noah would not feed for the next three hours.

It was a long night.

However, when he repeated the same incessant-crying/not-feeding/no-consolation-in-sight routine on Monday night, and Tuesday night, and Wednesday night, I decided the consult "the book." It said that one in five babies suffers from colic, so it's like winning the lottery--

IN HELL!

Needless to say, I will be calling in for reinforcement in the ensuing months, or just asking for a pardon when I am not exactly my easy-going self. Let's hope he outgrows it fast.

Ian is a good helper...

most of the time.

the Bub and the Brute

Introducing...

"The Brute"

Noah Arthur Graf

October 14, 2010

9lbs. 8oz. (just like his mom)

looks like he's been in a fight...

you should see the other guy!

maybe a smile...or just gas.

the Bub in daddy's "new" truck...

used to be great-grandpa's.

We dressed up for Trunk-or-Treat

a farmer, a pumpkin, a cheetah, and daddy

I know you all have been waiting too long for these and they are few. Despite my best efforts, it seems the second baby really does get the shaft. Grannies are definitely needed the second time around--if not to just take pictures.

a week of anxiety...

so last weeks doctor's appointment went like this...

OB: "Let's measure you. I bet you want to know how big he is? Oh wait, I think we might have a problem..."
Me In My Head: "He's in the wrong position."
OB: "I think he might not be head-down."
MIMH: "Yes, I know since his head is sticking out of my side."
OB: "I think he is transverse. Let's check with an ultrasound."

Shortly after my belly is gooped up with the cold, blue, gel...
OB: "See there is his head sticking out to the side."

Then comes the discussion about External Cephalic Eversions and Cesarean Sections. All the while, I am thinking why do I have such stubborn children, or maybe it's me.

As with Ian, I decided to forgo the eversion at that time, and try to get him to flip on my own. I got in the pool and stood on my head for as long as I could--not long, with a large child pressing into my breathing space. For all that water-logging, I think he actually climbed higher into my chest.

When I went to the doctor this week, I was sure he hadn't moved, or was now fully breech, because a hard roundness was still pushing into my ribs. To my surprise and relief, this is apparently his buttocks--confirmed by ultrasound.

I guess next week we will finally focus on how big this bub actually is...
or he could just come out.

Fall is here, but the weather is still so nice!!

multiplying love

With 3 weeks to go (hopefully less) until we all get to meet this little being who is currently using my ribs as his foot rest, I have a few lasting worries about how Ian will react to this new intruder. I am sure there are to be some growing pains, but in the end, I hope that he will embrace his new place as the big brother and protector, and still understand that his place in my heart has not changed.

These are from last Saturday. We had such great plans, but ended up spending most of the day at the park enjoying the beautiful weather. It was a wonderful day.

My baby is all gone and replaced with a little boy!!

All of a sudden, without me even really realizing it, Ian has become a little boy.

Rough and tumble, opinionated, and super-sensitive if slighted.

A run in with the chickens.

Once he had crawled into the hen house, all bets were off.

That's where you might meet the front end of those chickens and they have beaks!

And soooo helpful...

..

Where did the summer go?

No picts this time, cuz my photo drive may be corrupted. Sorry mom.

Just wanted to post that I am still alive and well for those of you who don't see me on a regular basis.

What a summer!! I finally took my Nursing Boards...the dreaded NCLEX-RN. Only a year and a half after graduation. I do not deny that I am a huge fan of procrastination. This is what has taken up most of my time in the recent weeks. I have been studying my brains out. Well, at least the brains the baby hasn't sucked up. The test was the most awful experience I have been through lately. Yes, I am more looking forward to giving birth, than ever doing that again. I was just sure I failed, but somehow, with plenty of divine intervention, I PASSED!

Of course I have also been taking care of Ian, though not as much as he would have liked, growing his little brother, canning gallons of applesauce, tomatoes, and peaches, and sometimes giving some time to my husband, though not as much as he would have liked. Oh, and occasionally the house got somewhat tidied. Derick is the only reason I made it through these past few weeks. He is the best.

Now I am in full prepare-for-baby mode. Cleaning, sorting, sewing...

Just 5 more weeks!!