Tuesday, January 8, 2013

John Paul: 1 Month...

Already?  Really?

Rather than focus on how quickly the time flies or how much I hate that he is growing so fast, I'm going to try and simply find joy in the moments along the way.  I have always had healthy babies, thank you Jesus.  Sometimes I fail to realize just how incredible a blessing that is, and I never want to forget that.  During John Paul's two week well-check, we discovered he hadn't gained any weight.  In fact, he had lost about half of a pound since birth.  While I know it could have been much worse, I had never had a problem with my kids gaining weight, and it worried me.  Our pediatrician gave us five days to get his weight back up, saying that if it wasn't back to birth weight after that period then we'd need to start supplementing and maybe stop nursing all together.  So, we gave it our best those five days, and it didn't work.  As soon as we switched to expressed milk and formula (for several feedings), things changed.  John Paul started actually tt-ing on me when I changed his diapers (and I was thrilled for the first time), having heavy diapers, being more alert, etc.  He had for two weeks been a really content baby, but little did I know he just wasn't functioning as he should.  All is well now, and he's rapidly catching up.  All of that to say, I am so thankful for growth!  As much as I hate to pack up his newborn clothes for 0-3 month clothes, I have a new found appreciation for doing so.  Grow, baby, grow!

Which brings me to something I read over the Advent season from a book called Advent and Christmas with The Saints, compiled by Anthony F. Chiffolo.

On Day 2 of Christmas, the prayer reads:

"Oh Child of Divinity, why do I seek God in the spectacular -- in a glorious sunrise, a sweet melody, a sacred ceremony, an inspired prayer?  Teach me, rather, to see the Divine in the ordinary -- in my grandmother's hands or my brother's face, in my child's laughter or my own baby's wail -- so that I might, finally, come to perceive God in all things and to be with God as God is always with me.  Amen."



At one month you are:

Wearing some newborn and some 0-3 month clothes.
Wearing NB and Size 1 diapers (really, you are in between).
Weighing about 9.5 pounds.  You were 20.5 inches at your two week appt.
Eating 4 oz, 7 times a day (give or take).
Loving tummy time (even taking long naps on your tummy).
Cooing a bit.
Needing your swaddle to sleep for long stretches.
Waking once a night, sometimes twice.  
Loving your brothers and sleeping through their "loudness."
Sporting a little bit of red hair with your blue eyes.
Showing possible signs of a right cheek dimple.


You are precious, and we love you so.  We couldn't ask for a better baby (much like your older brothers).



John Paul, 
Thank you for your cries, for your dependency, for your middle-of-the-night wakings.  Thank you for reminding me that God has yet again blessed me with a healthy soul to guide toward Heaven.  May I never forget to see Him in every part of you!

2 comments :

  1. oh my. I had chills reading this, because that's exactly what happened with Adler when we found out he had pyloric stenosis. I prayed and prayed for a poopy diaper, and was so thankful when they said the surgery they were doing on my 19 day old would solve the problem. I literally cried the first time he pooped after we brought him home after surgery. Thank God for the ordinary moments in life. So grateful John Paul is healthy! You are a fabulous momma. Praying for rest for you and your sweet family. Much love!

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  2. So glad he - and you all - are doing well... Enjoy these precious early moments!

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