He needs your prayers so desperately

A little boy named Stellan turned 5 months old yesterday. Instead of having a fun day at home hearing his older siblings play and his mommy and daddy singing happy 5 month birthday to him, he was in the hospital for the 8th day with very serious heart trouble. There is a link to the right with a picture of this beautiful little boy. Please take a moment, click on his momma's blog, read about how he is doing and most importantly, pray for this beautiful child. Then, go hug your babies, nephews, nieces, grandchildren.

My New Favorite Things!

Thanks to my dear friend Val we have a wonderfully calm little punkin again in the evenings. For the past few weeks G-Man has just been so uncomfortable and sad at nite...not anymore. The last 2 nites we have given him just 1 teaspoon of Gripe Water and I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have a baby who is not in pain or discomfort! It makes my heart so sad when he is not happy. Fortunately, we have one more weapon in our arsenal now! Thank you so much Auntie Val! And the best part is that it's all natural, and free of parabens, alcohol, fillers, yeast, artificial flavors & colors, yeast, wheat, dairy & starch. The active ingredients are sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), ginger & fennel. I feel good about giving this to G-Man and it's available at Walgreens so it's easy to find!

The teaspoon thingy was in a baby first aid kit from Crystal and it rocks! The teaspoon measures in teaspoons and in milliliters and (this is the best part) it has a stopper on the top! You can load it up with medicine and it covers itself. Too neat!

G-man meets Great Grandma!

Yesterday we had a delish brunch with my in laws and then the whole family, K, G-Man, Monster Dog and I, all went to the nursing home to visit K's Grandma. She is 101 years old and is a dear! It was the first time she got to meet little G-man and she was instantly in love!!! Grandma could not wait for me to get G-mans jacket off and get him into her arms. It was so precious seeing him in her arms! Of course, I made sure to get a 4 generation picture too. Usually Monster dog is the star of the day when we visit, I think he was pretty stunned to be second fiddle there too.

For the love of a child

I am blessed, of that there is no doubt. It makes it especially difficult to hear about families who have lost a child now that I have one of my own. There is one family near us who lost their little girl in November. If you live in the Twin Cities area, please consider signing up for a fundraiser walk in her honor this May 16. Ella died from a rare form of pediatric brain cancer called DIPG. All funds raised are going to research this terrible cancer that claims so many young lives. To read Ella's story click here. To find out all the details of the family fun walk in Ella's honor click here. Our family is doing this walk and we would love to see you there!

"We're bored!"

I don't think the furballs are impressed with G-Man yet. In fact, I think they'd vote him out of the house if they could. I keep telling the Big Yellow Monster that he will completely fall in love when G-Man starts eating food and sitting in a highchair! ChewToy will probably never care much for him, but what do you expect from a silly cat? Now, someone needs to go pay attention to these poor, neglected, ignored pets.

He's so beautiful!

I just wanted to post some pics 'cuz I am crazy in love! I can't believe that he is already 8 weeks old today!!

My healthy boy!

We had our 8 week well baby check up today. G-Man is doing great! When we had our first appointment, G-Man was in the 3rd percentile for length and weight, now he is in the 25%! He was 6# at birth and is now 10#, 11 oz. He is growing so well and is so healthy, I am just thrilled.

I am sooo in love!

"just because I love you"

K surprised me the other day with a "just because I love you" present. I used to tease him daily about his pocket knives. Yes, knives. There is one for work, one for dress pants (it has to be lighter so it doesn't ruin the drape of the slacks), one for camping and outdoor stuff (with all the little extra tools on it) and then there are the back up knives. Why would a person need a knife, much less all of those??!?!? I had to eat my words when he gave me a knife 5 years ago for Christmas. I feel lost when it's not tucked on the pocket of my jeans or, when I am dressed up, in my purse. I use it all the time! Opening boxes, prying things, as a screwdriver...

I was tickled when he brought these home to me! A new pink knife and a small LED flashlight! I love it. They are the perfect size for the diaper bag. A mom never knows when she'll need a knife! Thank you honey! I love you and I love my "just because" present!

Our first walk!

I have pretty much been holed up in our home and not left a whole lot since January 21. Amazingly, I have not had cabin fever in the least! Winter in Minnesota can get down right cold and yukky so not leaving the house for almost 2 months has been ok with me, especially since I have been mesmerized by my son! Yesterday however, the weather cooperated and is starting to act like spring! K, G-Man and I celebrated by heading outside and going for our first walk! We received the stroller as a gift from my employer and it was put to great use! I really like it, it's not too big, it handles well and most importantly has great safety features and is stable. Unfortunately, we have to convince G-Man that it's a good thing! I'll be at it again today, since the temps are supposed to hit the low 60s!

Another dietary challenge

So, it was a good thing several months ago that I found out I had that fibroid tumor on my uterus. I learned a whole new way to eat (read, healthier!), and more importantly, I learned that I *do* have self control despite hearing chocolate and ooey-gooey treats calling my name.

I have been having GI issues for 4 or 5 years. I even went thru a colonoscopy 2 years ago and all sorts of testing to find out what was wrong. Unfortunately, everything just came back with slightly elevated white blood cell counts. But no one was able to tell me why. My body was fighting something, but no one could tell me what. I have been afraid of what that could do to my body in the long run. What is going to wear out or age or get diseased because of years of high white cell counts?

Now, poor little G-Man is having issues with my breastmilk. So, at the recommendation of my chiropractor and friend Val, I had some food sensitivity testing done. The stuff I am eating isn't enough to cause hives or an anaphalactic reaction, but my body doesn't like it. This is going to be a big new challenge for me....check out the stuff I need to stop eating:

• dairy


• eggs


• yeast


• all sugar derived from sugar cane


• honey

Ya, that's it. :-) I am determined to be healthy and feel healthy and also to give the best nutrition to my son so it's back to the dining room table for 9 weeks of menu planning and grocery list making. After 9 weeks we re-evaluate my health and G-Man's to see if eliminating these things makes enough of a difference.

K was a sweetheart and within an hour of getting home and hearing about the test results he already found a cookbook on Amazon for me! Isn't he the best?! I am a lucky woman! This one is also in my shopping cart. Wish me luck!

How much do I love him?

That's a loaded question. Before I got pregnant with G-Man I was so happy. K and I were (and still are) about as perfect as a couple could be. Or as my sister put it, "You guys make me throw up a little in my mouth" after watching us holding hands and kissing. When we drive somewhere we hold hands the whole time. At night we fall asleep holding each other. K calls me "Princess" and I rarely use his name, it's usually "Love" or "Hon." Life before baby was complete...or so I thought. From the day G-Man was born I have been falling more and more in love. He fills a hole in my life, in my heart and in my soul that I didn't even know was there. How could there have been a void this large that I didn't even see? I am crazy in love!!!! I do cherish our late nite/early morning nursing time and the wonderful quiet moments we have together...the milk drunk sleepy face and smiles...oh it is a true blessing and miracle! I am continually amazed at how deeply in love I am with this little gorgeous baby. I am even more amazed at how beautiful my life is. I certainly don't deserve this...which means I am certainly blessed!

A Glamour-Mom I am not!

Ya, the fresh outta the shower look! I think it's all the rage for new mommas! K and I read to little G-man every day. Yesterday was the first time that G-Man really seemed engaged in the book and was following it with his eyes. It was exciting to see him focus on the pages and then my heart leapt when he popped his little thumb in his mouth and seemed to just settle in to me and enjoy being read to. Ahhh, this is truly the life!