Little Peanut

Today was Jed's 6 month check-up. As we were driving there I thought of all the times I am rushing to get to the Dr's office and how long it has taken me to figure out all this getting the kids out the door stuff. I was having a proud moment because I was actually going to be a tad bit early which is so uncharacteristic of me. Having a second child has definitely been an adjustment but somehow it feels like we have finally settled into our new "normal". Granted the appointment was at 10:15am so I can't be all that proud of myself, I was smart enough to know that those early appointments just don't work for me but not smart enough to have thought about the fact that 10am is when Jed eats! Lucky for me he is such a big boy now that he can hold his own bottle. (Ollie refused to hold his own bottle until he was 1 year old so that is kind of a big deal that Jed can feed himself!) So Jed drank his entire bottle on the short drive we had to the Dr.s office, but the poor boy can't burp himself. When we got there I got him out of his carseat and carried him to the other side of the car to get Ollie out, as soon as Ollie was out Jed spit up all over the parking lot. I was wearing flip flops and the big puddle of spit up hit the ground so hard it splashed all over my feet- oh the joys! At least he did it outside and it was probably my fault- since he hadn't been burped and I was holding him where he was looking out so he had pressure on his stomach, I guess I had that one coming. I just felt bad for anyone else walking through the parking lot because I didn't really have any way to clean it up. I didn't think it all through very well anyway because I took him out of the carseat I was forced the hold him the entire time so when we walked into the office and Ollie told me he had to go pee pee I was at a loss- no free hands. I guess I'm not as good at this "new normal" as I thought!

We were there for Jed and Ollie knew it because he was announcing to everyone that Jed was going to get a band aid but he wasn't. Our last visit when they both got shots must have been traumatic for him because he has never remembered that he was going to get a band aid before. Ollie made sure that even though it was Jed's visit he still got plenty of attention. Jed weighed in at 16lbs 2oz, his height is 26", and his head circumference is 43cm. Percentile wise his weight is 25th, height is 33rd, and his head is 28th- just a little peanut! All I really have to compare him to is Ollie who was always in or pushing the 90s for his weight percentile, height wise I think they are about the same though. Dr. said it was "just a different set of genes" and nothing to worry about. His other comments were that Jed has more of a first child personality and Ollie has more of a second child personality. Which I thought was funny because Ollie seems to be like every first child I know- the center of attention. But I think he just generally noticed that Jed is super observative and calm, he likes to grab and study things and look out at the world which he said was a Type A personality. Overall he is doing wonderful- just a perfect little guy! The sad part is always watching him get shots, I still remember how he didn't even cry when he got poked in his heel when he was a newborn for his blood tests, those days are gone but I still think he must have a high tolerance for pain because although he cried when he got his shots he was over it pretty fast. And to Ollie's delight they gave Jed some bandaids.

Once I was back in the car I called Matt who of course wanted to know what he weighed in at and we chuckled over what we already knew- that he is just a little guy, and like any guy Matt started naming off what sports he can still play- surfing, snowboarding, and soccer were at the top of the list. Apparently Dallin was a good soccer player so that may be one thing those two have in common, it reminded me of a conversation we had with Sarah and Dallin over pazzokies at BJs. It was the second time we all got together before Jed was born and like any parent we all sat there and dreamed together about what this little man that we had never met would be like as he grew up, and they wanted to know what sports and things we would put him in- luckily we all liked the same things. Matt was just finishing up at a job nearby so he met us for lunch at Kneaders (Sarah and I went there after Jed's first Drs apt, and when Jess was in town we all ate there together after family pictures- places always remind me of memories tied to them.) It seems like a simple little thing, meeting up for lunch, but it was such a treat to be out of the house and eating lunch with Matt, hearing about his day and being there with the two boys was just a little slice of heaven. Sometimes I still have to pinch myself when I think of what a blessing it is to be a family out doing family things. I wonder how I can hold onto these little moments that I love that seem to be slipping right by as the boys are already growing too fast. But then I remember what my grandmother once told me, she enjoyed every stage of her life and I have to think that while this time is so precious there is still so much to look forward to.

After a Costco run we headed home. Ollie was all tuckered out so while he napped Jed and I got to play. I've decided that he needs to start working on sitting up, he's not so good at it right now but I really think it has to do with the fact that his belly is so little. Ollie was such a chunker he could just lean forward a little and his belly was like a pillow propping him up haha! Ollie sat up on his own for the first time when he was in the little play jungle thing (whatever it is called) I think concentrating on the toys he wanted to grab helped him keep his balance, so I put Jed in the same one hoping it would help him too...

He could hold it for a second but then slowly he would fall over, something to practice! He loves to grab and play with the toys on that thing, but just like Ollie his favorite thing is the tag. It always cracks me up that they try and make toys so interesting and the best thing on them is the tag!

 I love those big beautiful eyes!

Since we are getting closer to finalizing Jed's adoption we've been starting to plan for his blessing and sealing. My Mom made Ollie's blessing and sealing outfit and basically gave it to me the day we headed up to Utah so I didn't get to try the finished product on him until we were there and the vest she made him barely closed! it was so tight around his tummy. We blessed Ollie at 6 months so I was curious to see if that vest would fit Jed now that he is 6 months...

 He wasn't happy that I was putting him anything but look at that little belly and how much space Ollie filled up in that thing haha!

Couldn't resist taking a picture of him in it next to the one of Ollie in it...

 Not any easy thing to do when all he wanted to do was grab it and it kept making him fall over, but aren't they the cutest!!!

I love you little man!

6 Month Birthday/Anniversary- Baby Jed

Today Jed is six months old! Six months! How did they go so fast? Six months ago today we were in the hospital welcoming Jed into the world surrounded by all these people that love him so much and who have become such an important part of our lives. I think of how I thought I knew Sarah then but how the past six months have only deepened our relationship. As we were driving to her house these were all the things bouncing around in my head and in my conversation with Matt. I texted Sarah as we drove past the hospital, and we shared a moment. It's funny how landmarks or places carry such vivid memories with them and how time and your relationship with someone can make those memories sweeter. It's amazing how the beautiful moments at that hospital are the ones that shine so brightly now. As I am contemplating the miracle of it all, I can't help but once again be reminded of the power of the atonement. Truly in the hard things that we are called to go through in life we will always have the memory, but He can take away the pain and heal us. I know this is only coming from my perspective as an adoptive parent and in no way would I ever try to down play or belittle the pain, sacrifice, grief or loss that a birth parent or their family feels, but for me personally looking back at our journey there is peace. And truly it is the tender moments and tender mercies that happened along the way, in places such as the hospital, that I hold dear and that we celebrate because each of those memories is a reminder of all that we have gained, which is not just Jed but also our new "extended family."

What was even more special about today is that Allison, Sarah's birth mother, was in town! What a treat it was for every one of us that were there in the hospital six months ago to the day could be together again! We were all excited for the occasion. They had invited us over for Sunday dinner and Sarah only asked that Matt make some of his famous bread. He got the bread started after church but had to go back to church for meetings while it rose. I think it was a good thing that his meetings went long and that it had extra time to rise because it was the biggest fluffiest batch of bread I have ever seen him make! We pulled it out of the oven and went straight to Sarah's house when it was done. All I can say is that it was torture smelling that bread the whole way there!

When we arrived and I was getting Ollie out of the car he knew we were at Sarah's house and he looked at me and asked in his own words if Jessica was going to be there. It was one of those proud and sad moments. So happy that he thinks of her and so sad that this time we weren't going to be seeing her. I was reminded though of the happy reunion we had back in Utah when Ollie was six months old and the others we have had since and how grateful we are that she will always be a part of us rather near or far.

I didn't do the best job getting pictures tonight, but the few that I have tell the story. Jed, from the moment we walked in the door was the center of attention and he loved every minute of all his Momma's and GrandMomma's dotting over him!

 

We probably ended up staying too long, but it was such a fun night we didn't want to leave! Sarah had planned the most amazing meal (I'm totally a steak and potatoes kind of girl) and what a treat it was to sit and visit and catch up. At some point during the night Allison made the comment that it was so fun and refreshing to get together and see everyone under happy circumstances. I was reminded that she was there for the hospital but left before Sarah actually placed and leaving knowing in a very real way what Sarah was facing must have been more than difficult to say the least. I really think for all of us leaving the hospital was hardest thing we've ever done, but being a part of the placement ceremony really felt like the first step to healing. And I am glad that every moment we have been with Sarah and her family since has been a good one! It's the simple things really. Just having time to talk, and look in those big eyes at those long eye lashes and inspecting the folds in his thighs or chunky wrists and ankles is a cause to celebrate! Fun parts of the night were catching Allison dancing with Jed on the back porch, Jennifer finding anything she could to give Jed to chew on and discover, and helping Jed "chase" Ollie around as they both laugh and love life because they are brothers! Jed some people may suggest that you are so lucky to be so loved by so many, but don't be fooled sweet boy- we are the lucky ones!

Horsey Needs to Potty

After hanging out with Momee and Dadee in the pool (weather is amazing right now but we did have to heat the pool for a swim), Ollie came in and it was time to go potty. When we he was done I moved on to other things and then I heard him talking away in his own little world as his little feet were pattering down the hall. I peeked out to see what he was up to just in time to catch his bare bum going into the bathroom carrying his horsey. This was something I had to see. He managed to get his horsey on the toilet seat and was "helping" him go potty.

 

This kid cracks me up! He then got on himself to show horsey how it is done...

 

That is just one of his many poop faces, now you know why Jed laughs his head off when we get to sit in there together while Ollie poops! I guess having horsey go potty wasn't enough, a few seconds later he had him in the bath. "Good job!"

 

 

Poop Stories Continued...

Yep, the poop stories continue. Today was one of those terrible two's days where it seemed like every time I turned around there was something, how do I put it? New? Unexplainable? Where does he come up with these things? Those moments when you say Why? And decide that it's better to just grab the camera because the astonishment of it all has to be documented because pictures speak volumes more than words, and because somehow taking a picture makes me laugh about it instead of cry.

First incident of the day- peeing on the floor. Luckily it was the tile and the funny part was the way I found out about it was because Ollie came and told me "I cleaned up my pee pee!" At least he knows if he has an accident he better help me clean it up, so there he stood with a sopping wet paper towel.

Second incident, I hear the toilet in my bathroom flush. This is not the toilet he uses, although he did decide about a week ago to move his potty seat and his stool to our bathroom- and while I laughed about it because he did it all on his own and he was so proud of the fact that he was taking over our bathroom, I had to nip that one in the bud. I have limits and I need my space! Hearing my toilet I went to find out what was going on only to discover that he had taken the trashcan that sits by our night stand and had dumped all of the contents of it into the toilet. Speechless! Well, ok I wasn't completely speechless I'm pretty sure I yelled "Ollie no!" And then probably repeated the no part plenty of times and added a few hundred warnings that he should never, ever, ever put anything in the toilet.

He got to fish all of that stuff right back out by himself.

 

Fast forward to the afternoon. Yes, this is all the same day. I'm feeding Jed and the house is suddenly too quiet. After calling for Ollie a few times with no answer I have that feeling that I better find out what he is up to. I do the quick search and see the door to the courtyard is open. Stepping out into the courtyard I can see that he has peed on the plant. Poor boy, he has to be confused because I tell him not to pee pee outside but when he was outside helping Dadee in the yard he had to go and Dadee told him to pee in the bush. I don't think that Matt realized that Ollie would start letting himself outside to pee after that. At least his marking on the plant let me know I was on the right trail. I didn't have to look much further to find him. My jaw must have dropped because there he was, undies off, squatting on the dogs water bowl using it as a toilet. Speechless again...

 

And he wasn't just pretending. When he stood up there was a nice little log floating in the water bowl.

 

I guess I should be happy his undies were still clean? It occurred to me when he sat on another bowl just a few minutes later that he must think that any "bowl" with water in it qualifies as a toilet!

 

 

Oh how he keeps me on my toes!

 

Twenty Five Weeks Old- Baby Jed

Not that it was ever super easy to get Jed to sit still and smile for a picture, but today it was evident that it is only getting harder! He can't quite sit on his own yet, but he wants to try so instead of leaning into his bear he tries to sit upright and moments later he looses his balance...

And even when I could get him to lean into bear, he's in this stage where he wants to touch everything so instead of looking at me he was busy turning around and grabbing bear's face or investigating and trying to chew on him!

I think that sums up Jed's life right now- ever so curious. He just wants to look out and see the world and when he is close enough he wants to reach out and touch it. When there is nothing to touch he looks out wide eyed and starts kicking his feet a hundred miles an hour because the world is such an exciting place and he is so anxious to be a part of it! And all I want to do is snuggle him but all too often for my liking I have to give up snuggles to let him see all the wonders around him. Little does he know he is still the biggest wonder to me!