(Un)bound and Determined
I can’t believe my baby is walking!
Crybaby
Yeah, I’m talking about myself. I’m just sad now every time I lay eyes on Shepherd. He’s our fourth child and will be a year old in a few weeks. He is…. way…. too… big! I’m trying everything to keep him as tiny as I can! I know I’m spoiling him that way. He’s still drinking out of a bottle and eating all of my baby purees! Goodness.
I do feel like just shedding the tears, though, when I think of him getting so big. I was online today reading some funny baby quotes. I’ve shared some of these on my blog in the past, but if you don’t mind humoring a crybaby, here you go!
Spread the diaper in the position of the diamond with you at bat. Then fold second base down to home and set the baby on the pitcher’s mound. Put first base and third together, bring up home plate and pin the three together. Of course, in case of rain, you gotta call the game and start all over again. ~Jimmy Piersal, on how to diaper a baby, 1968
Funny? I think it is. I’ve certainly experienced a rain delay (well, without the pins, of course)!
And then, I’m sure you’ve seen these image files floating around online from the book Safe Baby Handling Tips by Scott and Kelly Sopp:
(“Introducing Baby to Pets” is my favorite.)
I told my sister a few weeks ago that this phase of babytalk is so short-lived, and I’m trying to cherish every minute of it before it’s “poof” and gone. He’s really talking up a storm now. Apparently, though, not as much as this girly (maybe his future wife?) –
I think we should put her and Shepherd in the back seat of my van and see what happens, don’t you?
Shepherd’s First iChat
Shepherd
loves you!
I can’t help but think of what I posted when Meredith was a few months old and how Shepherd is so similar to Steven and Meredith at this age! I don’t have a picture like this of Lydia at 2-3 months sitting up (the only ones are of her riding, nursing, crying, or sleeping), but isn’t this neat?!
And here they are today- just for fun! (minus Shepherd, who was napping)!!
Hands Full, Heart Overflowing
We’ve been home for a week now together as a family, and we are really enjoying Shepherd. I haven’t been online in several days (which is why you’re only seeing my auto-posted theological long essays rolling out!); nonetheless it has been really great for me to rest, spend time with God, and just focus on being Mommy.
Shepherd is getting so big (well, bigger)! God has given me so much grace and peace at home with the kids, and our time has been so sweet when Eric comes home. We haven’t spent much time outside in the last several days, but it has been so hot that I don’t feel like we are missing much. He enjoyed his first bath yesterday in the Tummy Tub, swimming around and floating in the bubbles. Meredith wanted to get in with him so badly, and I had to convince her that she would have more fun in the big bathtub where there was more room! She melted down anyway. 
All of our children have enjoyed the Tummy Tub; posting Shepherd’s picture in it reminds me of the earliest photos I posted on my blog! Memories…
I have several friends who have been sending Shepherd some sweet handmade gifts. Since they have online stores, you know I’m going to start raving and plugging! Heather, a close friend from church, makes adorable baby blankets and accessories. It was so funny; a few days before Shepherd was born I ordered the small “groovy guitar” minky blanket for him, and Heather emailed me with “Aw! I was going to make that anyway for Shepherd! Now I’ll have to make something else!” So she came to visit after his birth with a onesie and burp cloth to match. I love them! Heather’s stuff is so fun and well made. As if he wasn’t decked out enough, last week a couple at church sent home the large groovy guitar blanket for Shepherd, and Eric chuckled, “Who do you think they ordered this from?!” So we are completely stocked with Heather’s groovy guitar line now!
My friend Kristie (blog here) also has an online store called Kute Knits selling her adorable knit baby items. I love it when Kristie makes something for our family because she is a dear friend, and I can totally picture her smiling in her chair, knitting every stitch with love. Her blankets and hats are top quality, and she uses the softest yarn! Shepherd is so cute in the hat and blanket Kristie made for him, don’t you think? Thanks, Kristie!
Another friend, Kate, knitted (or crocheted?) a beautiful, warm blanket for Shepherd. She hasn’t had the chance to see him snuggle up in it since she is in Europe right now, but it is so adorable. Since Shepherd loves to be warm and swaddled, this blanket is so perfect for the swing, bed, and car! I love the blues, too, since they are my high school colors! I know it will be a favorite. Kate doesn’t have a store yet, but she is going to sell some of her knits through Palmetto Handmade.
Behind Kate’s blanket is the soft, white blanket my grandmother made for Shepherd before he was born. He can be seen wrapped up in it several times per day! She has made all of the great-grandkids these heirloom blankets, and Shepherd’s is so snuggly and comfortable. I doubt my grandma will open an online store, but maybe I can talk her into it!
Well, I guess that’s it for Shepherd’s Fashion Show. I am cherishing these newborn days. I thank God that Shepherd is such a calm baby who doesn’t fuss much. I guess He knew how much we would need this with baby #4! Of course my theory is fat babies are happier babies. Ha! (Yes, I am calling him fat with no qualms; I was a fat baby, too, with lots and lots of sweet chubby rolls. I was so fat that my father said they always ordered 5X7 and larger photos because I didn’t fit into the wallet size!) Mean! Mean! (haha)
Oh, speaking of chubbiness, hats off to my sister-in-law Amanda who won the “Verse Purse” for guessing the closest for Shepherd’s Birth Game! — update: I just reread this sentence and realize how silly it sounds! I didn’t mean my sister-in-law is chubby – just the birth weight! haha!
Welcome Shepherd
We have our early memories of Shepherd’s arrival now in a video slideshow! You can watch by clicking the slideshow image below, which will take you over to YouTube where the movie is located.
Note: the slideshow begins in low / standard quality by default. To see a clearer version click on “view in high quality” below the slideshow.
We hope you enjoy these precious memories with us…
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