The Neverending List

When my Mom and Jim visit, they always insist on a list of things to do. This list doesn't include a trip to the Botanical Gardens or a nice night out on the town. It is a list of stuff we need done around the house. This last visit the list was ever growing and most of it was for Jim. Thanks for your great job helping out (as always)! I can't even begin to list all of the tasks he did around the house, but here are some:

Playing with Elias
Cooking with Elias
Cooking dinner almost every night (with some great corn bread recipes to boot)
Fixing the front door lock
Fixing the train track toys
Fixing the Lion toy (which Elias has found a new love for...let's hope it lasts)
Hanging drywall with Matt

Probably the best task was thanks to my friend Joe. Matt and I were trying to come up with a place for Ezra to sleep once we go up to the condo. We only have two bedrooms downstairs and until Ezra gets a bit older, he and Elias sharing a room doesn't seem like it would work out well. Joe thought of the big red whirlpool bathtub we have in the master bathroom. We never use it, so he thought we could convert it to a baby "bedroom".

We mentioned the idea to Jim and he ran with it. The picture above shows the final result better than I can describe it. I can't wait until we head up to Fraser to try it out.

My list already has a few more entries added. When are you guys coming back?

Breastfeeding Sucks (pun intended)

I had figured it was just Elias the first time around. At two-weeks-old he was labeled, "Failure to thrive" because he was so bad at breastfeeding. I ended up pumping and feeding him with a bottle (at least until the next saga occurred).

Turns out I can't blame it all on him. Breastfeeding is really frickin' hard. I'm supposed to sit with good posture (yeah right), get Ezra to latch on properly, hold one breast with one hand, hold him with the other. With my third hand I keep his hands out of the way, and with my fourth I tickle him to keep him awake. See the problem yet? I currently sit hunched over, strip him down to his diaper and count down until 15 minutes has passed. Then I switch to the other side. Sometimes it is 3:00 in the morning. Ugh.

People tell me that I can sleep, read a book or even read to Elias while feeding Ezra. Really? When does that happen? Right now it is all I can do to get Ezra to keep eating for the allotted amount of time. And if he doesn't eat right, it isn't that he will just wake up earlier next time. It can affect my milk supply. If he eats less, then I produce less. It becomes a downward spiral. Talk about pressure.

Right now Ezra doesn't seem too skinny. He isn't the fatty I would like, but I think we are managing. I sure hope he and I both learn a little bit more about breastfeeding. Maybe during the next feeding I'll read him some literature on how to sit properly and good latching technique. I'll have to hold the book with my fifth hand.

Just the Three of Us

Friday was the first day that Matt went to work and it was just Elias, Ezra and myself at home...alone. We ventured out to music class with much success, and even managed a bit of quiet time after lunch. Thankfully, Carissa came over, and we all went to play at the park, bake cookies and read books. This picture exactly captures the fun we had having Carissa visit. Come over any time!

Mommies

It is hard to explain, but there is just something about Moms. Thankfully, my Mom came out for Ezra's birth. It sure doesn't seem like I could have done it without her. She is encouraging, super duper helpful, a shoulder to cry on and someone to laugh with. I know, I know. Everyone thinks their Mom is something special. But you should really get a chance to meet mine some time. Then you would know exactly what I'm talking about.

Presents

All those visitors brings lots and lots of presents. Here is the low down:

Carissa and Noah brought us a wonderful homemade dinner of stuffed shells and rum cake (and we got yummy leftovers). Don't forget the home brew too! They also broght Elias a sticker book, and Ezra "The Thingamabob" book (which Elias loves).

Gina brought us pastries and quiche that was to die for. Plus a fish magnet game for Elias and black and white cards, a bear blankie, foam book (which Elias loves) and leg warmers for Ezra. He hates being cold during diaper changes, so he loves his leg warmers!



The Posts brought us home made macaroni and cheese and a delicious Boston creme pie (how did Brad make that? :) On a separate trip, we got some really good cookies. They also brought some mountain themed gifts: A big stuffed moose for Elias and a baby moose for Ezra. Plus a cute onesie and socks for Ezra once he gets a bit bigger.

Kate brought us some awesome homemade cookies and a cute little footprint/handprint frame (to be completed tomorrow...I hope).

Just because people couldn't make it for a visit doesn't mean they didn't send us some great gifts too:

Chelsea baked her awesome chocolate chip cookies. They are unrepeatable in my kitchen (believe me I have tried).

Aunt Karen knit some wonderful socks for both boys:

Helen and David sent a cute jean jacket and shirt combo. I can't wait until he is big enough to wear it.

Grandpa Don sent a beautiful Laredo pottery piece to add to our collection, a Silver Eagle coin for Ezra and a beautiful quilted bib.

Liang and Aunt Pat sent gift cards. Can't go wrong with a trip to Target.

The Winters and Kiefers sent a gorgeous embroidered towel, washcloth and bib for Ezra.

Linda Patton sent some hand knit hats for Elias. He loves to pick out his new hats to wear outside:

Nancy and Paul sent a box of goodies for Ezra. Clothes (including an adorable red and black checkered vest, some CDs, a bear chew toy and some bath toys.

The Fogles sent a full box of toys for Elias. Raisins (his favorite part of the box), crayons, coloring book, matchbox car and trailer, a CD and some special markers and paper.

Thanks to everyone for their wonderful generosity. Hopefully I will get to the real thank you notes soon!

A First Bath

An unsuspecting Ezra


The truth revealed

Starting Him Off Young

A five-day-old Ezra went to music class with Elias, Mommy, and Grandma and Grandpa. He was a big hit. If he doesn't know all of the songs by the time he is Elias' age, then he just wasn't paying attention. I've done my part.