Momma's New Wheels

Miss Hanna came to visit

We're just not sure if she came to see John or Ethan. Can you tell?

Cousins

Lindsey & Dalton Love Baby Ethan.
Ethan is so blessed with such sweet cousins.

Laughing Out Loud...

IN HIS SLEEP!

Ethan has started to do the cutest, most funny thing- he laughs out loud while sleeping!

I had noticed it a few times over the past couple weeks and thought it was cute, but last night was the best so far.

In the middle of the night, he woke up for his regular feeding time. I fed him, changed his diaper, and snuggled him in the rocker. He had just drifted off to sleep when He started to convulse. I sat there in the dark, trying not to freak out. The seizure-like-convulsions moved up from his belly towards his head. Then his mouth opened and he let out a yelp.

I sat there waiting, trying to figure out what was happening when the convulsion fully erupted into an all out belly laugh.

I pulled him close to the nightlight to see if he was awake, but he was sleeping. The laugh continued for a second or so and left me speechless, and wanting to laugh out loud myself. I kept my laughter restrained and rocked him silently in amazement. After a few minutes, I slipped him back into his bed sound asleep and headed back to bed, shaking my head in disbelief as I went.

I'm just curious what's so funny that it keeps him laughing in his sleep? I also think this is a true testament at how joyous he really is, it just bubbles out of him, even as he sleeps.

I have a new car!

I am so spoiled! Soo Soo Spoiled!!!

Nick got me a new (to us) car for Christmas!

It's a '04 Toyota Avalon.

That's why I have a used Honda Civic for sale.

I wish I had my camera connection cable so I could post pictures- I promise to have it with me the next time I post.

Yeah!!

'98 Honda Civic For Sale

I have a very used Blue '98 Honda Civic LX Sedan for sale.

Any guesses why???

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Ethan is napping after an exciting morning filled with a bunch of fun toys and lots of snuggles from his Denney Family Aunts, Uncles & Grandparents.

I have tons and tons of pictures to post in the next couple days/weeks! I'm so tired right now, I don't have the energy to do it today.

We were out at my parents last night and didn't make it home until after mid-night. I was hoping that all the excitement of the Stohlman Family Christmas would wear him out and help him sleep for a long time. My hopes were in vain- he woke up at 3:30 for his regularly scheduled feeding.

This afternoon, we are off to the Egbers Family Christmas (my mom's side of the family).

We are hoping that this long weekend will allow us to get caught up on sleep and find places for all the fun toys Ethan got!

Love, Hugs & Blessings to all!
Jeannie, Nick & Ethan

Picture Tag

My friend, Joni, tagged me in picture tag!

The object of picture tag:

1. Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer.

2. Select the 4th picture in the folder, insert it into a post.

3. Explain the picture.

4. Tag 4 people to do the same.

5. NO CHEATING (cropping, editing, etc.)

4th folder, 4th picture:

This is a bitter sweet picture. Nick, Ethan, Nick's dad- Rick, Nick's Grandpa- Floyd. Four Generations of Denney Men. All are the firstborn sons.

This was the first time Ethan had met his Great Grandpa Denney. We went to the nursing home where the Great Grandparents lived so we could say goodbye to Nick's Great Grandma. She passed away later that night. Great Grandpa Denney is still alive but has dementia and doesn't remember this visit or that his wife passed away.

Thanks for tagging me, Joni!

I'm tagging: Angela, Danie and... (not many of my regular blog readers are bloggers themselves!) If you read this and are up for the challenge, please post a link in the comments!

What makes a momma happy??

I'm not all gloom & doom, I promise!

After weeks of struggling with milk supply issues (it started with a milk blister nearly a month ago, then was compunded with failure to let-down for several days, then no supply at all!) we are finally back to a comfortable milk supply. One that makes mommy and baby happy!

Prior to the milk blister issue, I could nurse E on one side per feeding, there was always an abundance of milk left over. Remembering which side we had nursed on was imperative to my breast health, otherwise we had clogged ducts- that's how the blister formed! But somehow, we managed to survive.

Then 2 weeks ago, I had difficulty getting my milk to let-down, and ended up loosing my supply nearly completely. After struggling through a weekend, we started to get some milk flowing, but E was still not satisfied with the progress of things. And let-downs were still not as rapid or as strong as they had been.

I started taking a supplement called "More Milk Plus" from Motherlove Company. Today, I finally felt like things are back to "normal". Ethan was laughing during our feeding, and ate until he was content and ended the feeding himself- and there was milk to spare!

I was so happy, I laughed out loud too!

This isn't Chili's...

but I want my baby back!

I look at how much Ethan has grown in the past 3-1/2 months and it makes me tear up. I want my tiny little cuddly baby back.

He is growing and developing so quickly, I am afraid I am going to miss something. I'm afraid to let him out of my sight, for fear I'll look again and find him all grown up.

The past month has found me telling everyone, "please, don't teach him to stand up! He's a baby." I don't want him to be rushed into growing up too soon. I don't want people putting pressure on him to be "crawling by Christmas" and "walking by Easter". I just want him to "be," Be my baby just a bit longer. They think I'm crazy, but he's my baby, and I'm not ready for him to be able to crawl or walk away from me. Not yet.

All day yesterday, while out running errands, he kept trying to pull himself up into a sitting position while in his car seat. At first, I entertained his notions and helped him by allowing him to pull himself up using my fingers. But it backfired on me. Last night, when Nick was holding Ethan, Nick exclaimed for me to "come quick!" I ran into the living room to find my precious son sitting in his daddy's lap, without someone holding him up.

I nearly broke down. With tears in my eyes, I told Nick to stop trying to make him grow up so fast, that he's my baby and I'm not ready for him to be sitting up without assistance. Nick laughed, and then quickly realized I wasn't joking.

After taking some time to come to terms with how quickly my tiny newborn is becoming an infant, I decided it was time to pull out the Exersaucer (affectionately known by our family as "the Neglector"). To my dismay, he enjoyed it, too much.

I now know why some women have babies back-to-back with little time in between. I can also see how people end up with big families. I've entertained thoughts of doing both.

I'm not ready to rush into anything right now, but I just want my tiny little baby back.

Praise God from whom all

Praise God from whom all blessings (and milk!) flow!
We are finally seeing some relief to our nursing issues! Praise the Lord!

Edited to add: It looks like my post requesting prayers went unposted. Over the weekend we started having major nursing issues. First I had major let down issues, the milk just wouldn't come out, then my supply dissapeared. Trying hard not to panic was really all I could manage. Nick helped me get the stuff to make lactation cookies, Ethan and I took a few days off from life and we just focused on nursing, thankfully, it all worked out!!

I have a confession- I

I have a confession- I introduced Ethan to Baby Einstein videos this week. I just caught him talking to the tv and laughing.

A Denney Family Update

... for Aunt Kathy (and all our other blog followers!)

We have been so busy with the holiday season upon us. Like every holiday, we spent Thanksgiving running around. I am hoping that Christmas will be a bit less hectic.

Monday we got to spend most of the day with Ethan's Uncle John. He is in love with his Uncle John. When we were eating lunch, Ethan kept talking to get John's attention. It was so cute, because as soon as John would look Ethan would just break out into a huge grin.

Yesterday, Ethan and I had a wonderful day- we had our first play date! We met up with the other mommies from our childbirthing class! We all have baby boys about 6 weeks apart, Ethan is the youngest. It was great for the boys to check eachother out. It was even better for us mommies to talk and disucss our challenges. It's always nice to know you aren't alone!

As for Ethan, he is such a joy! We celebrate his 3 month birthday today! It is hard to believe how fast these past months have flown by. (Much faster than even the last month of pregnancy!)

His gums are starting to swell with his teeth buds and he seems to drool all the time. He has also starting to be more consistant about grabbing at toys. He even uses his arms to pull my hand towards his mouth when I offer him his pacifier. Last night, he fell asleep touching my mouth and chin. It was too cute!

He has also started acting shy. When we talk to him and he starts flirting, he gets this really cute smile on his face and kinda turns his chin towards his shoulders pretending to be bashful! He also tries to give me kisses. He tries to pucker his lips and when I kiss his cheek, he turns his head and starts sucking on my cheek. I think it's funny and cute, although I am not so sure others would enjoy the "kisses" as much as his mommy does!

The other night at Nick's parents, Ethan sat next to Grandpa in a stroller while we ate dinner. Grandpa jokingly offered Ethan a Cheeto which promptly sent Ethan into a fit of giggles. Everytime Grandpa said "Cheeto:, Ethan would just crack up. I tried to get it on film, but Grandpa and Ethan shied up for the camera!

Nick and I are adjusting to parenthood. We find that a consistant schedule seems to help us all function better. Ethan is doing better about naps and night time sleep.

We hope you enjoy your weekend!

Love & Hugs,
Jeannie, Nick and Ethan