Memoirs of a Moorings

Brotherly Love

"There's no other love like the love for a brother.  There's no other love like the love from a brother."  ~Astrid Alauda

Prior to the birth of the baby, I was seriously worried about Rhyan feeling jealous because I would be tending to the baby so much. However, all my fears have been eased. Big brother loves his new baby brother. If he so much as makes a peep, Rhyan is right there begging to kiss him. Let's just hope all this love continues once our new little one is able to get into big brother's toys!

One Thousand Gifts-New Life

121. Looking at this precious little baby's face every day.

122. Sweet baby's breath

123. Little baby coos

124. My new baby intently studying my face...

125. And turning to the sound of my voice

126. The warmth of him falling asleep on my chest

127. The softness in my husband's eyes as he looks at his new son

128. Big brother kisses on the baby's forehead, cheek, head.....anywhere.....everywhere....all the time!

129. A bottle of expressed breast milk in the fridge...

130. So this tired mommy can get a few extra hours of sleep while daddy takes the 2am shift

131. The Dunstan baby language DVD in the mail from a dear friend

132. Understanding what the baby needs!

134. Baby smiles during a deep sleep

135. A ringing doorbell with flower deliveries and other gifts.

Introducing....

Shyane-Austin
born Wed., 12/12/07
9:41pm
6 lbs., 14 oz.
18 1/2 inches

He came four days early. And He's beautiful!

After dealing with sporadic contractions most of Wednesday, we finally headed to the hospital at around 6pm after the pain started to get unbearable. I arrived only to hear that I was only dilated 1 1/2 centimeters. UNBELIEVABLE. An hour later they told me I was going to have to walk. I knew I couldn't do it...but I tried. An hour later and about 2 minutes of walking and feeling like the baby was going to come at any minute, I told my husband to call in the nurse. She examines me and tells me I'm fully dilated and about to deliver the baby.

"What about the drugs?" I asked in the midst of the pain.
Since the baby was at the door, there was no time for drugs. I was going to have to push him out cold turkey. They wheeled me frantically to the delivery room and I knew he was coming quick. Five pushes and 10 minutes later. He was born.

I think I'm going to change the name of this blog to the Superwoman Chronicles!

Somebody absolutely adores their little brother. All he wants to do is kiss him and look at him. I love that.

The Countdown Continues

“I'm not interested in being Wonder Woman in the delivery room. Give me drugs.” ~ Madonna

I would post a picture......of our crowded garage, but I don't want to embarrass myself. (Plus, I don't even have the energy to go get the camera.) Asked dear hubby to pull out the bassinette and car seat in preparation for the baby. Of course, they are no where to be found. YIKES! Let's hope tonight is a more successful night.

Took a trip to Target earlier today to pick up some last minute items. Oh me, oh my.....I had to lay down after that 45-minute trek. And then I look in my bags for the disinfecting wipes and Windex I bought, only to discover that they were not there. The cashier loaded my basket for me so I assumed everything was there. I was going to head back out to get my items, but I'll have to count it as a $4 loss because every time I get up to walk I get shooting pains from I can only assume is the baby's head way down in my pelvic area. I'll find out tomorrow just what's going on.

Tonight for bedtime reading the soon-to-be big brother picked out the two books that talk about my pregnancy and what to expect when the baby comes home. I was shocked because we haven't read those books in months. I walked into the room and there he was waiting with them in his lap. He is anticipating the baby as well.

Been spending most of the evening trying to get a few things done between this aching back and these Braxton Hicks contractions--they are getting stronger every day. Just hoping this baby doesn't come before my mother gets in town on Friday!

One Thousand Gift List: Everyday blessings

101. A song that sums up my heart's sentiments exactly.

102. The whisper light flipping of gold-edged Bible pages.

103. The warm pitter patter of the morning's shower of my weary back.

104. Tiny baby clothes-folded and put away, waiting to be worn.

105. An online list to keep me organized.

107. Gentle reminders via email to be a more generous wife.

108. Waking without an alarm clock.

109. Winter sunlight pouring over the laptop, spilling onto the table and warming my fingers.

110. A gray sky and cold air that's making it feel a lot like Christmas.

110. Itsy bitsy knees and elbows rolling under my tight belly--reminding me I'm not alone and that another little boy will be here very soon.

111. Packages left on the front porch so I don't have to wobble through crowded stores.

112. A full pantry.

113. Little teeth marks on apple slices left over from breakfast.

114. A little one who fell asleep in his big boy bunk bed last night...

115. ..and didn't creep into mommy and daddy's bed until 3:30am.

116. Remote controlled radios for easy listening.

117. A radio broadcast with an important admonition to raise compassionate & courageous kids instead of kids who are simply nice.

118. Finishing a major work project today.

119. A brand new composition book from See Jane Work in the mail today.

120. A son who can now open the refrigerator himself and get his own Capri Sun.

9 Months and Counting

"Being pregnant and giving birth are like crossing a narrow bridge. People can accompany you to the bridge. They can greet you on the other side. But you walk that bridge alone." ~African proverb

If I bend over far enough, I can see the fresh, new pedicure I got today! Yes, that is my big 9-month belly in the way.

Feeling a mixture of fear and anticipation. Fear because I've been through labor and delivery before so I know what to expect. Anticipation because we are going to have a new baby to love and nurture. Exciting times.

It was a baby day today. Doctor appointment where I found out I'm 1 measly centimeter dilated. That's actually a good thing because I've got some loose ends to tie up for work before this baby comes. Then this afternoon, I took the Labor and Delivery tour since we will be delivering this baby at a different hospital.

It was obvious that I was touring with a group of first-time moms. There were a few husbands there scribbling down notes furiously, a few moms with tons of questions and some who just looked downright scared. I had to chuckle because I remember being just like that more than four years ago.

A week and a half to go!

Grannie's Sugar Cookies

"You can say this for ready-mixes - the next generation isn't going to have any trouble making pies exactly like mother used to make."  ~Earl Wilson

If there was one thing I loved about growing up, it was my grandmother's sugar cookies. And especially during Christmas time. She would add sprinkles and make them into lovely little Christmas shapes. Lately, I've been craving them big time. So I called her over the weekend and asked for the recipe. Of course, she didn't have to go look anything up in her recipe book. She had it all memorized. I followed her recipe to the letter. They weren't horrible, but they didn't quite measure up. Hers were always slightly crispy on the top and bottom. I made mine too round. So I'm on a mission to find a cookie cutter like hers. And I'm not giving up until they taste just like hers! There was one little kid who found those cookies irresistible!