We're doing okay!!

So today, Isaiah is 17 days old today - that's so incredible to me!! He is totally over his jaundice, which is great, and he's changing so much! His face is different, fuller I think. And he is so strong!! he has a fierce grip, and also has a surprising amount of neck strength! He will push himself up on your chest, and hold his head up. Granted its pretty wobbly, but still, its pretty good, i think for a 17 day old! This morning, Tyler put him on his stomach, for some tummy time, and he picked up his head, and turned it! (I'm sure all of these things are pretty boring to you readers, but to me, its VERY exciting!) AND HE SMILES! He smiles so much!! (And I don't want to hear "it's just gas!" I believe its real smiles!) He smiles about 1x a day, generally after he's finished a good feeding, and is about to fall asleep. He also smiles in his sleep. I think those smiles get me through the day (or night) sometimes. Because how can you be frustrated when you see that precious smile?!

We are making it through the days. We are slowly but surely adjusting to life here in Philadelphia, and as parents. Last night was AWESOME because Isaiah slept for two 4 hour stints! When I woke up for his first feeding, I thought I had missed one, because it couldn't POSSIBLY have been 4 hours since he last ate! But it was - thank God! Tyler and I are figuring out also how to juggle the nighttime schedule, we're still getting the hang of it. I try to get up with Isaiah a lot, because Tyler has to go to work, but I'm realizing that I also need to get some sleep for longer than 2 or 3 hours at a time. Tyler is GREAT and is totally willing to help out, so as long as I have milk pumped, and let him, he's will help out, all I have to do is ask. And he is

awesome with Isaiah.

I'm pretty sure there are few things better than seeing your spouse with your kids. Tyler is SO obsessed with Isaiah (who wouldn't be!?) and its totally adorable. Not that I didn't expect it, but having never had kids before, and never having really seen Tyler with kids, I wasn't really sure what to expect. But he's SO good with Isaiah! So patient, and helpful. Tyler's eyes light up when he comes home, and holds Isaiah. I LOVE IT! I do not know how people do it alone, I can barely do it, and I have a loving husband, and family nearby, and there are still moments, (at least once a day), when I think "I cannot do this!" But, everyday, I get through it.

It was definitely overwhelming the first few days that Tyler went back to work, and when breastfeeding was going horribly. I wanted to give up, and just formula feed, (and get the kind that makes them sleep longer at night). I wasn't sure that I could actually do it, and would cry, but it's getting better! I'm pretty sure there's no worse feeling then not being able to meet the needs of your child. He would cry because he was hungry, and I couldn't pacify him. Now, things are better, breastfeeding is going better, and I'm able to pump and nurse, so that Tyler, (or someone else) can help me with feeding. I think that my mood still is dependent on how much sleep I get, but hey - who isn't crankier when they haven't sleep? So I think that is normal.

It's a little weird still, being home 24/7, not working, not going to church, sleeping at random times. Its okay, but I definitely want to get out soon, or else the cabin fever is going to get to me. I'm really looking forward to being able to see more family, go to church, and hopefully meet some other young families.

Here are some more pictures... I haven't gotten the hang of how to import pictures to the blog in an organized fashion (HELP!) but at least you can see my peanut!!

Life's Chaos

So in true "us" fashion, we are doing tons of things at the same time. Apparently this is how we like to do it, (so says my mother). Currently, we are: having a baby (any day now), moving to another state (Pennsylvania), doing house repairs, and starting a new job (for Tyler). Doing so many things at once clearly is really stressful, but thank God everything is working out. The biggest thing that we had to deal with was the issue of housing. Our current landlords have been foreclosed on, so we have been dealing with that issue, and trying to make sure that we have enough time to move at our own timing, and not be forced to move before we're ready. Thankfully God has provided a place for us to live in Philadelphia, which allows us to move slowly but surely. Additionally, we think that we are going to be able to stay in our current apartment for much longer than we will need.

The other big issue is that Tyler is going to have to start work Monday, which makes me sad, because that means that he has to live in Philadelphia while we're waiting for the baby to be born. All in all, it won't be a huge deal, because I will just call him when I start going in to labor, and Philadelphia is close enough that he will be able to make it long before I actually give birth. But I wish that he didn't have to go, and that he could just stay with me. This will be better though, because his boss will be able to give him time off once the baby is born, instead of him being with me while we wait.

Something else that we are working on is house repairs. We are going to be staying at my grandmother's house, which is really great because its convenient and has lots of room. There is also just a bunch of work to be done on it. Thank God, Tyler and I are blessed with family members and friends who are ready and willing to help. This past weekend, Tyler, his mom, my dad and I, (more all of them, than me, lol) were able to do a lot of work at the house, and get started on the re-painting process. Its definitely time consuming, but I'm also really glad that I am able to be patient about the whole process. I'm in no rush to bet everything done before the baby is born (b/c that would be impossible) and am able to accept the little that we are able to do at a time. Hopefully this patience will last. Re-doing the house is a little intimidating because it can get expensive if things are really old, or need to be fixed. For example, we discovered that the hall sink is leaking. Hopefully it will be a simple one-part fix...we'll see.

All in all, God has continued to bless us by providing for us. We have never wanted for anything, even down to baby items. Tyler and I have to buy very little for the baby ourselves, because we have such generous family members and friends. He has also provided time for us to move calmly without a rush, a comfortable place for us to live, and people to help us get stuff done. When I look at the next year, or even just the next 6 months, I get extremely intimidated, especially when I think about the financial side of things, (especially considering I'm not going to be working anymore, our car needs to be repaired, and both of our computers are dying - with one completely dead at the moment...) but I know that God will continue to provide for us as he always has. We may not be able to enjoy the same lifestyle that we want, or are used to, but all of our needs will be met. And we can always use a wake-up call about what a "need" really is. :)