Lucy at 11 months

Last Friday, Lucille was 11 months old. Boy! That was fast, only one more month until her first birthday.

She is just about ready to walk; standing on her own for long periods, taking a couple of steps before falling, and trying to stand from a sitting position. It's only a matter of time before she is toddling around the house.

She has four teeth and she knows how to use them. So be sure that your fingers don't go near her mouth! Lucy says "Mum" pretty clearly. And for some reason, she calls Mercy "Bob."

Today, we caught Lucille on the stairs up to the third step. Did I mention she is fast? Sometimes I think that she beams over to the other side of the room when I am not looking.

Jason & I are so amazed at God's mercy on us and our family. We thank God for blessing us with Lucille and pray for wisdom in raising her.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Catherine Lucille - 10 Months

Lucille is 10 months old this month. She is such a blessing to our family. The other day Jason told me that I am more attached to her than I was to our other babies, and I would have to agree. I think it is because I am not taking the fact that I was blessed with another baby for granted.

Lucy is a fast crawler! She likes to try to keep up with Joshua & Mercy, getting into their toys & following them around. She pulls up on everything - tables, chairs, shelves, boxes and she has even tried climbing the stairs. She has even stood up on her own for a few seconds at a time.

Last week her first tooth broke through. She chews on everything, tables, toys, books, & feet if she can catch them.

Lucy loves books, magazines, & papers. She will sit for a long time just turning the pages of a magazine before ripping it apart. She also likes to turn the pages herself when we read her a book.

One day at my mom's house, Lucy had a long stroll in Mercy's doll stroller. She fit into it perfectly and loved to be pushed all around the house as she swung her feet back and forth!

Last week at an appointment with her pediatrician we learned that Lucy only gained 3 ounces in the last 3 months! So we are trying to fatten her up with healthy foods. And I am supplementing a little formula along with her regular nursing. She goes back in 2 weeks to see if she has grown any.

After that appointment, I felt so worried. What if something is wrong with her? Is it me? Am I a bad mother who doesn't feed her child properly? But that worry didn't last long. I refuse to worry. I will just trust in God that everything will work out. And I will be more aware of what she is eating and making sure she is eating healthy and more often.

She IS a big eater now. I have been more aggressive in getting her to eat more, and making all that she eats count. You know she really likes something because she will very loudly demand more as soon as she gets a spoonful. She prefers to feed herself. Some of her favorite foods right now are peanut butter on whole wheat bread, mac and cheese (whole wheat or asparagus noodles), avocado, Joe's Ohs, and pears. But she also likes carrots, potatoes, peas, green beans, bananas, oatmeal cereal and cheese.

Three Little Kiddies

Jason & I took the children out for ice cream today and I was struck by the fact that we now have THREE children. As is often said, we are out-numbered! I am so thankful to God for these blessings. I am also thankful for the grace that He daily gives me to look after these little ones. And how I need it!

Joshua loves to hold Lucy, and he is always giving her kisses & rubbing her head. Lucy loves to look at her big brother, her eyes will follow him as he walks by & she tries to turn her little puff head all the way around to continue watching.

Mercy and Lucy have inherited my big cheeks. Poor little girls!

Mercy always wants to hold Lucy, she is always hugging, kissing, & putting her arm around her baby sister. Lucy does not usually like this attention, but this morning Lucy was smiling and cooing at Mercy's antics.

Life with Lucy is much more hectic. I am tired all the time, & my house is a mess (more so than usual). But life is also much fuller. When I see those three beautiful faces each morning, I thank God for His goodness.

Lucy's Doctor Appointment

Yesterday, I took Lucy for a well baby check-up. The appointment was at 1:30. At 2:45 I was in the examine room and still waiting for the doctor to come in! I was so frustrated, especially since I know that well baby check-ups only take a couple of minutes to weigh, measure & quickly check over the baby.

To make me feel a little better, Lucy stuck it to them by pooing & peeing on the scale when she was undressed to be weighed! Other than that, she was very good. She didn't cry at all when the doctor examined her. She is now 7 lbs. 11oz.

I will now switch doctors to the one that the other children use, which is too bad because I really like this doctor but can't stand the way the office is run.

Preparing For Baby

As we are counting down the days until we bring a newborn into our home for the third time, I have been re-reading some of my trusted baby books.

For pregnancy and delivery I have two favorite books. The first is What to Expect When You’re Expecting, it has been called a must-have book for parents to be, and I have found it very helpful through all of my pregnancies. The second book is The Whole Pregnancy Handbook, which is a guide that combines both conventional and alternative medicine. I just found this book during this pregnancy, and I have been very thankful for the advice on how to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery. The only thing that I don't like is that the spiritual or mind/body advice & testimonials in the the book are in no way Christian, but overall I recommend the book.

I have also re-read On Becoming Baby Wise by Gary Ezzo, & Robert Bucknam. When Joshua was about 8 months old & still not sleeping through the night, a friend recommended Baby Wise to us. I read the book and immediately started using the techiniques in the book. That night Joshua slept through the night, it was hard at first, but it worked. With Mercy we started scheduling her from the beginning and she was sleeping for 7-8 hrs. through the night at about 8 weeks. Again, I don't agree with everything in the book, but it has worked for us. Also note that Gary Ezzo has some controversial teachings (parent-directed feeding) and many people disagree with his work and organization (Growing Kid's International).

I also have taken out my dog-eared and falling apart copy of The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby From Birth to Age Two by William & Martha Sears. I have used this book with both Joshua & Mercy. Again, Dr. Sears is a follower of attachment parenting (which can be considered the opposite of Gary Ezzo's methods) and I am not an adherent to that style of child rearing. I like to think that by using both Baby Wise and the Baby Book I get a good mix, and it has really worked for our family.