Please Pray For My Dad

I just got a call from my mom, telling me that my dad is in the hospital with an intestinal blockage. He went in sometime last night with what he thought was food poisoning. The doctors are treating it with medication but if that doesn't work he will need surgery.

Please pray that God would give the doctors wisdom in diagnosing and treating my dad, also that my dad would recover from this without the need for surgery. Pray also for my mom, that she would be comforted & strengthened in this trial.

My parents with the children

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.

Prayer for My Family

My grandmother, Mama Tey, has been in the hospital since last Tuesday. The doctors have been running many tests. We were told that she has ovarian cancer. Today, we received the final test results. She has ovarian cancer, that has now wrapped around her intestines. Her kidneys are also not doing well. We have been told that she has about 3 months left.

Mama Tey should be coming home today and will be receiving in-home hospice care. Jason and I would appreciate prayer for Mama Tey and also my entire family; especially, my parents who will be providing her care. Please pray that the Lord will work in the lives of my family through this difficult time.

Mama Tey, last year at the Sawdust Factory

Papa Maro, Marina, Mama Tey and Myself

circa 1982

Mercy is Feeling Better!

We are very thankful that our little Mercy is up and about after three days of sickness! She has had a high fever, along with lethargy, loss of appetite, headaches, and vomiting since Tuesday. Today, she was up and playing and talking non-stop all day. Praise God that we are in His hands in our sickness and in our health. When my children are ill, I am especially reminded of what a blessing they are in our lives.

Since she was feeling better, we did crafts. This is her kitty cat paper bag puppet.