iPhone Eyes: Guess What?

Mastitis . . . again!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Spring Has Sprung For Sure!

Brightly painted toes.

The Farmers' Market is open.

Soccer is in full swing.

Field Day was "wet 'n wild!"

2 Months Old Already!

My precious baby boy is two months old already!  Where does the time go?  This time around it has mostly been spent nursing!  Last week Caleb and I had to work through a bout of inflamed milk duct/mastitis . . . the result of a dropped feeding, not enough rest, and underwire--a deadly combo!  I had been through this with Hannah and Madeline, but I had never been through it with children to homeschool or three other kiddos to care for.  I felt like I had been hit by the proverbial bulldozer and the flu at the same time.  But, God was gracious--after 24 hours of home remedies, nursing more frequently, and anti-inflammatory meds, I was on the mend without having to take antibiotics.

It is oh so good to feel healthy again!!!

Caleb is adorable!  He is quite expressive and social--when he's awake that is.  I would not say he has established wake times yet, but we are definitely enjoying his cognisant times of day.

Though generally a happy baby, Caleb definitely has his "fussy times," and he has battled a very gassy tummy-- no thanks to my more vegetarian/vegan diet these days . . . sorry baby!  

Let's just say Mylicon (liquid gold as we call it) is a dear friend and always close at hand. 

Cuddling Mommy is always medicinal as well!

Caleb is a snuggle bug for sure!  He loves to be held and he loves, loves, loves his blanky!  He will already take his hands and pull his blanky up close to his face to snuggle with it.  Now, if you know me, you know this is an inherited trait.  I unashamedly slept with "Blanky" until the day I was married! 

(PS- It's still in my bottom drawer.  It's, shall we say, shabby?!?!?!  I pulled it out to show Emerson the other day and she said, "Eeeeew grwooooos!" 

The girls and I took Caleb to the pediatrician for his 2 month well visit last week.  He weighed 11 pounds 4 ounces and measured somewhere between 22.5 and 23 inches--he was "quite squirmy" to quote the nurse, and thus difficult to stretch out.  Though he's not topping the charts like the girls have, he is growing and coming in around the 50th% range.  Most importantly he's healthy and thriving.  
Thank you God!

As always, I am honored that God has chosen me to care for this child. A daunting and impossible task without His daily sufficient grace!  I just wish He would stop time.  The girls grow in stature and knowledge at an alarming rate these days.  And, it is shocking to me that two months have elapsed since Caleb entered the world.  I am trying to take time each day to enjoy his baby smell, notice his baby grunts and gurgles, and delight in the tininess of his little fingers and toes.  

If I could say one thing to first time mommies, it would be "Don't rush his/her milestones, it goes by WAY too fast!  Individual days seem long, but months and years slip by and run together."

Rewind: Caleb's Homecoming

(This post is wordy-- hang in there!  There are cute pics below I promise!)

On Sunday, February 19th, somewhere between the hours of one and two o'clock we finally arrived home with  Caleb in tow.  He was greeted by three very excited sisters, my sister's family, and a special sign created by my kiddos and Tess's kids (during their stay on delivery day).

I had spent the greater part of the morning in tears, as the 19th happens to be Madeline's birthday.  She was turning 5 years old and I was missing it.  I wasn't there to wake her up with my rendition of "Happy Birthday To You," put balloons on her chair at the table, draw her a big sign, watch her eat her special breakfast-- the list of sentimental traditions goes on and on, and it was breaking my heart!  I am so glad that I had wonderful nurses (also mommies) who had gotten to know me over the 48 hours we spent together.  I was certain they thought I was crazy-- they assured me that they did not . . . that they understood and wouldn't want to be in a holding pattern in a hospital room while their kiddos were celebrating their birthday either.  I'm still convinced they thought I was crazy.  

Anyhow, Madeline had a super attitude and assured me that her birthday was the best one ever; because, after all, she got a brother for her birthday!  And, that she did.  My sister graciously picked up Madeline's birthday cake from Harris Teeter (my first store bought cake ever--very liberating) and a balloon  to boot.  After we bid my sister's family farewell, we celebrated Madeline's 5th birthday with pizza and cake.  She had her official special day a few days later when Jonathan's mother came to visit.  We took her to the Lego store, book store, and a Mexican restaurant in Raleigh.

Caleb's first month was spent getting acclimated to having four kiddos and figuring out the "new normal," as my friend Tess and I like to call it.  Caleb was visited by both Grandma and Grammy; and, he was held and snuggled a lot!

Here is what the iPhone captured during Caleb's first month of life:

We could not feel more blessed to have Caleb.  He is a gift from God.  Each child is different and Caleb has not disappointed in this regard.  He is delightful, smiley, snugly, and a cutie through and through.  He eats well; but, that has not come without its challenges.  He is very particular about his position and comfort when nursing, and he would prefer I not talk.  Let's just say nursing in public is challenging at best.  That said, he has always slept on cue (and wherever I need him to--good because we are on the go a lot!), and he seems to be thriving and growing.  He has recently extended his night and dropped the 4 am feeding-- so mommy is sleeping a little more. . . hooray!  

We love our sweet boy and I am enjoying getting to know his personality which is emerging a little bit each day.  It is hard to believe that 2 months has come and gone since my precious baby boy came into the world!

Rewind : The Big Sisters & The Whitlocks Meet Caleb

The girls could not wait to get their hands on their little brother and smother him with their kisses.  Unfortunately, when they arrived late in the day (day 2), Caleb was out of the room for his circumcision etc.  They were good sports, waiting patiently and visiting with mommy until Caleb arrived to make his debut.

Katie (my sister), Jimmy, Isaac, and Jovie joined us later in the evening.  They were also excited to meet their new nephew and cousin.

iPhone Eyes: Friday Is For Family Fun Night

Homemade chocolate syrup for milkshakes. (recipe below)

Helping Daddy whip up some chocolate shakes.

Add fun, colorful milkshake straws.

Mmmmmm! Need I say more?

Happy customers!

A "family favorite" board game.

We don't have chocolate syrup in our house all of the time. But for special occasions, this is a super quick and easy recipe that I've altered to my liking (plus no additives or HFCS!).


Homemade chocolate syrup:


1/2 C Cocoa
1C water
2 C sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla


Heat and stir water and cocoa to dissolve the cocoa.  Add the sugar, and stir to dissolve.  Boil for 3 minutes over medium heat .  Remove from heat and add salt and vanilla.  Enjoy!  (Great for chocolate milk too!)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone