Blessing day!

On January 27th, while my parents were in town, Bruce gave Zabien a name and a blessing as customary in my church.  Throughout the meeting, I felt humbled by the fact that I was entrusted with this pure and precious spirit.  Who is really prepared to accept such a responsibility? I love both of my children, deeply, but sometimes it still feels a bit surreal.  Really??  I am given the wonderful yet overwhelming opportunity to be a mother??  And of two beautiful, innocent, and wonderful children??  Let's just hope that someday I will be able to measure up to the task.

It's a good thing we decided to bless him when we did.  Although he was barely 4 weeks old, this blessing outfit would not have fit him even a week later.  I managed to squeeze him into it long enough for a few pictures and the blessing itself.  It's a good thing I brought an extra outfit with me to church, because the blessing suit gave him a bit of a rash because it was so tight. 

The blessing itself was beautiful.  I'm really glad my parents could be here for it.  Some of Bruce's students even showed up for it. 

Zabien was blessed that he would continue to be healthy and strong and to grow both physically and by learning the gospel.  He was blessed that he would listen to his parents and by his mother and father learn the truths of the gospel and how to grow into being a young man of God in the world.  He was blessed that he would learn in school and develop his talents and abilities.  He would spend his youth preparing for a mission and learn the gospel at home, in primary, in young mens, and in scouts.  He was told to find good friends those that would strengthen him, help him to be good, to make good choices, and help strengthen his testimony.  He was blessed that he would prepare to marry int he temple a choice daughter of God and to raise a righteous family.  He was blessed that he would feel the love of Heavenly Father and know that Heavenly Father is mindful of him.  He was blessed that he would be a great brother to his sister and a continual blessing to his family.  He was told that he is loved by his parents, sibling, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles, and that as he spend time with them, they would share a love and come to know them. 

It actually brings comfort to me to hear that my son will know and love his extended family.  Living on the other side of the country from our family, limits our ability to see them often (usually about once a year).  This was something that I worry about - that my children won't know their grandparents for the wonderful and amazing people that they are.  I worried that they won't develop fond memories of their grandparents, cousins, aunt, uncles, etc. That makes the moments we do get to spend with them all the more meaningful. 

Welcome to our family little buddy.  We are happy and blessed that you are part of our family.  We sure love you!!

*Those are the only 3 pictures we got with him in his blessing outfit.  Unfortunately, we were rushed to make it to church on time, and I couldn't bear to force him back into the outfit for a second time in one day. 

Snow

It has snowed a total of about 5 times this year - only twice did it actually stick (for about half a day), and only once was there enough to actually do something with. There have been a couple of days in January that we played at the park. 

On the one snowy day, we got Eliza all bundled up and ready to play in the snow for her first time

 

She reluctantly walked in it; although it took a lot of coaxing.

 

At first, she wouldn't even touch the stuff.

 She definitely didn't want to sit in it. 

I guess her curiosity got the best of her because she decided to give the snow a chance. 

Bruce showed her how to make a snow angel (of which she wanted nothing to do with), and managed to imprint Illinois in the snow from the back of his jacket.

She lasted outside for about 5 minutes before calling it quits and coming inside.  So far... she's not a big fan of the snow. 

Surprisingly enough, she actually likes the snowsuit and boots.  She wants to put them on all the time.  When Bruce went outside to shovel the driveway a different day, she wanted to "help."  After getting bundled up again, she refused to even walk in the snow.  She stood inside the garage until Bruce had cleared the driveway.  Even then, she wanted to be carried.  She loves putting on her boots (wants to wear them around the house); but every time we put them on her, she refuses to walk in the snow- silly girl, that's what they are for.  These boots were given to me; I'm debating whether I should buy her some for next year or not. 

A few photos of newborn Zaby

The first four photos are courtesy of my friend Carrie Skinfill - she's trying to build her personal photography business. 

 

 

These last ones are with my old point and shoot camera! Yes this 3 month outfit was almost too small at 1 week old.

 

He is a cute and snuggly baby - he loves to cuddle and loves to be held. 

And I missed it

It's a good thing, I taught my mother in law how to use the video feature on her digital camera.  Of course, the day Zabien was born was the day Eliza took her first steps alone.  I was super excited when I found out about it, and she did wobble over to me to give hugs when I got home.  However, I'm not too shy to admit that I am/was extremely jealous of grandma - she got to witness and participate the shrill joy of a baby's first steps into toddler-hood; while I missed it.  I will also make a full confession that I did in fact shed some tears over it in the privacy of my own bedroom after I put Eliza to bed.  It wasn't just post-partum hormones either, I was really distraught that I missed such an important milestone in my eldest daughter's life.  I'm just grateful that my mother in law got it on camera so I could watch it later



I actually attribute Eliza taking her first steps to a number of things:

1)  She had been working with a physical therapist (more on that later) a couple of weeks before the taking of her first steps.  A friend from the ward suggested I call early intervention and get her evaluated because at 17 months, she wasn't even standing alone, or able to get up from a seated position without a lot of help.  After the initial visit, she exhibited the skills of an 11 month old, and therefore qualified for physical therapy services.    She only had a 24% (instead of the required 25%) delay in speech and communication.  So, although at this point she didn't say any words except cuckoo when the cuckoo clock went off, she didn't qualify for speech therapy  - she probably will now. The physical therapist said she has very little arch support in her tiny feet, that her ankle ligaments are twice as stretchy as they should be, and that she has low muscle tone. All of these factors put together would make it difficult for her to walk independently. She had been walking with support (holding onto both my hands) for around 4 months (about the same time she started crawling), but this was the first she did it alone.


  2) We got her a baby doll and stroller, and a walking toy for Christmas. These toys helped give her the balance and the confidence she needed to try and venture out on her own.

3) Her cousin Lillie (10 days younger) was visiting from Utah.

Lillie could walk and talk which Eliza found fascinating because Lillie was just her size. You will notice from the videos that AFTER Lillie stepped to grandma, Eliza decided to try it.


 

Having Lillie here was wonderful. The two girls played well together, and they taught each other some new things. It was after Lillie left that Eliza made huge progress with her ability to walk, and she started to try to talk more. She finally started using some of the sign language I was trying to teach her because she saw Lillie do it. I can now wash her hair without her fighting and screaming because Lillie likes getting her hair washed. Eliza taught Lillie that books can be a lot of fun, and how to share your toys. Eliza loved having Grandma Richards, aunt Angeline, and cousin Lillie here to play. I loved that Eliza was well taken care of while I was in the hospital. After our guests went home, it took Eliza a couple of days to stop looking for Lillie - she missed her. What cute girls!!