Now That I'm Home

My plan was to stay in bed all day, sleep, read and cry.

But I got up, unpacked, caught up on stuff, dropped off the donation pile that's been sitting at the bottom of the stairs for three weeks now and

got outside to ride my bike and enjoy the most perfect fall day.

Dan and I went to Pretty Bird for dinner (fried chicken sandwiches)

and shopping for new fall clothes at City Creek. It's good to be home.

Memes that made me laugh:

 

Tearful Goodbyes

Emi had her two week appointment this morning and passed with flying colors.

7 lbs 11 oz and 20.5 inches. Dr. Jen was super calm and gentle (and young -- or am I old?)

Then we dashed home to get ready for Uncle Chris, Uncle Nick and grandpa to visit!

I just can't get over how cute she is in her giant bows!

We've all been excited to see Chris and Nick hold a new baby for the first time.

They loved loving on her.

Last night Lizzie, Marty and I talked about me going home Friday or Saturday.

Emi had a couple of 5-6 hour sleep nights (!) this week and Dr. Jen said she's officially ok'd to sleep as long as she needs at night without being woken up to eat.

I don't think you ever feel like you're getting enough rest with a newborn,

but things are settling into a comfortable routine and they are ready to have some time with just their little family. 

As I was packing up stuff for the guys to take home so I didn't have to check any luggage on my flight,

we made a universal, last minute decision that I should just go home with them rather than one day later.

And suddenly I we were saying tearful goodbyes to Lizzie, Marty and cute Emi.

Oh man, it felt like leaving Courtney at college or saying goodbye to Chris and Marty as they left on their missions. It was SO SAD! 

I've loved my time helping and holding, bouncing and rocking, and giving advice 

(some of it wrong we found out! ha!).

Every bit as special as holding Emi, was getting to live in Marty and Lizzie's home for almost two weeks and being a part of their family and sweet interactions, playing games (Quixx and SkipBo!), watching New Girl, Severance, Moana and Crazy, Stupid, Love. Talks and eating dinner togethers.

Snacking on Oreos, Butterscotch cookies and Mary Ellen's pumpkin cookies.

Sigh. 

I'll miss them. I get teary every time I think about it.

But they're happy tears, grateful to get to enjoy a part of the beginning of a new family

and immersed in so much love and joy.

And now back home to be with my all grown up babies.

This is pretty much how I feel too! I'm tired!

National Son's Day

What a dream to have boys that I love to be with --

they make me laugh and think, love to play games, have fun and work hard.

And I love that they love each other! My favs.

 

National Daughter's Day

Last Sunday was National Daughter's Day

I love adventuring with you, Courtney!

And also eating ice cream straight from the pint while watching TV with you too!

Happy National Daughter's Day!

Where Does the Time Go?

Sunday:

These two got out for a short walk.

Then I took Emi for a longer walk while they napped.

(And Emi loved sleeping in her bassinet which attaches to the stroller!.)

We magically caught a smile!

Watched the Broncos game.

Maybe she's actually a Cowboys fan?

Monday:

We changed it up around here...

I held Emi in the morning while Lizzie got caught up on the sleep she missed last night.

Then she fed Emi while I walked on my own.

Then I held Emi while Lizzie showered

and she held Emi while I showered

Then Emi napped in her bassinet and Lizzie and I both had our hands free for a bit.

And then, after Lizzie fed Emi... we all went to Target!

And had dinner at Torchy's!

Marty had to work late but after he got home, for a final hurrah, 

we played Skip Bo while trying to keep Emi 

happy for the hour before it was time to eat and go to bed.

The double-stuff Oreos were pretty tasty too.

Inspirational Nourishment

Sharon Says So podcast interview with Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein: The U.S. and the Holocaust

"Heroism does not mean absolute perfection, and many historical leaders struggled with making decisions, sometimes wrongly or too late. But as Americans, we are often at our best when we commit to considering and acting on behalf of our fellow human neighbors."

Ken Burns tells of a story about I.F. Stone, the progressive journalist and historian. "A student of his asked how he could possibly admire Thomas Jefferson, a slave owner, 'Because history is tragedy, not melodrama. In melodrama, all villains are perfectly villainous and all heroes are perfectly virtuous. But that's not the way life is.' It's complicated."

Sharon Says So podcast interview with Stephen M. R. Covey: What Makes a Great Leader Stand Out?

"The most underrated attribute in great leaders is humility, which means that effective and trustworthy leaders are those who seek to understand first, and be understood second."

Come Follow Me:

Isaiah 43:1 - 4

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee...and he that formed thee...

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; 
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: 

when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; 

neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour...
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee...

5 Fear not: for I am with thee...

Isaiah 49:15, 16 (Very pertinent this week!)

15 - Can a woman forget her suckling child, that she should not have compassion n the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

16 - Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands...

Also, Go Broncos!

Emi Photos

 I babysat Emi tonight while Marty and Lizzie went to dinner.
I had a pretty easy gig -- she slept in her bassinet the ENTIRE three hours! 

More photos from this week:

Sometimes we save horrible photos because they're so good for a laugh later on.

I looked a lot cuter in this sling when I thought I looked like

the woman in the picture on the package.

Blowout Outings

Emi had another weight check today and visit with the lactation specialist.

But first, just to show off how well she's eating, 

she had her first blowout, right on Grandma's pants.

She's back to her birth weight and nursing great! 

Amazing how in just a week mom and baby have become pros at nursing.

We're also wondering if she's a binky fan or not. 

Sometimes she'll take it, but often she won't. Uh-oh. 

(Nick wouldn't take a binky and we survived.)

Emi had another blowout at the doctor's office

and the outfit Marty had chosen for the diaper bag

was actually a nightgown that was a little too small and 

not conducive for carseat travel! Ha! Gave us a good laugh. 

But at least her hair looks cute in her bow.

I proposed we pick up lunch, and Lizzie said she was even feeling up for

eating out! Such a good feeling to get out of the house when you're finally feeling up for it.

Salad and sandwiches at Panera and treats from Butterscotch (impossible to resist that name!)

I've loved spending time with Lizzie. 

She's sweet and fun to talk to -- asks great questions and laughs when I tease.

She's kind and isn't afraid to ask for what she needs 

which makes my job easier because I know how I can be helpful. 

One thing I was worried about is you basically need your top off to learn to breastfeed and see what you're doing, so if Lizzie was feeling bashful, it could be challenging to have her mother-in-law in such close quarters. Fortunately, both of us got over any hesitation real quick -- in the first couple of days nursing was an all-hands-on-deck operation. Now things are smoother, but we're not bothering with covering up. And I'm grateful she welcomes my help and doesn't feel uncomfortable.

She's optimistic, has a beautiful smile, laughs easily and is excited when 

Marty comes home to share her day and hear about his. 

These two are such a wonderful team and so good and supporting each other. 

I'm so lucky I get to be here.

Some of my favorite pet names Marty calls Emi:

"Hi Little Missus"

"Hi Princess"

"Hi Precious"

Phase 10 after dinner tonight -- we played all 10 phases! 

And then... we watched the last five episodes of Severance -- 

and stayed up until 1:00 a.m in the process.

Oh no! I hope Emi sleeps well tonight or we're all going to be TIRED tomorrow!

Ever since Tuesday night, Emi has gone back to sleep after nursing so I've 

been spoiled and slept awesome until the morning.

I can hear Lizzie and Marty attending to her and I wondered if they'd bring her to me,

but the night I heard them the most, she was cluster feeding. So even though she was up a lot

nursing, she still went back to sleep. Good girl!

Emi Walker

Cute Emi falls right to sleep in the front carrier.

Lizzie has the Konny which is super easy to wear and cradle baby hands free.

I'm in love with the nature trail by their apartment and today is overcast and cool --

perfect for an afternoon walk while Lizzie naps.

Listened to several Sharon Says So podcasts,

did some arm and leg exercises

and decided maybe I'd become a professional baby walker --

like a dog walker, but instead I take a newborn for a walk while mom gets a nap and I get exercise!

Who am I kidding? I'm only going to do it for my kids.

I think its the best gift I could give them.

But I don't think its a bad business plan if someone else wants to use my idea!

Lots of Emi cuddles.

Guess what?! Marty found out today that his firm just updated their paternity policy

from two weeks to SIX weeks to be used during baby's first year!!

It's like winning the lottery!

You know what's rewarding?

Making dinner for adult kids -- they're super grateful!

Each night we have a picnic in the family room. 

Lizzie on the couch (a much softer spot to sit than a kitchen chair), 

and either Marty or me also on the couch and the other on the floor. 

It's cozy and companionable. I love it. 

Fajitas tonight. Chicken cordon bleu tomorrow. Chickpea & yam curry Tuesday and teriyaki chicken and broccoli Monday. I'm mainly just documenting to prove that I still know how to make dinners and am good at it! (Also made super fiber muffins and chocolate chip protein balls. Yum.)

 

Student Ambassador

Chris is a student ambassador in the business scholars program

(which means he's a mentor over a group of incoming freshmen--

they have activities, a couple of trips and a class together.)

He's also on the risk team at Sigma Chi, is working at Cottonwood Res three days a week

in addition to a full load of business classes. He feels like he's more organized when he's busy.

Wouldn't you love to have Chris helping you navigate your first year of college?!

Nerd gummy clusters? I never knew. 

Meanwhile back in Emi town, we got a day with no appointments or errands today (and tomorrow)!

Yay for new mom getting to rest and heal and Grandma to help because Dad needed to go back to work.

Sometime last night, Emi ate but wasn't going back to sleep readily, so they brought her to sleep by me.

I scootched her bassinet close to my bed (couch) so it was easy to check on her.

And wow! That mom awareness radar doesn't go away -- even when you're the grandma.

Every peep I startled awake, ready to scoop her up if she started to cry.

If she hadn't squeaked in a while, I still woke up to check that she was breathing.

Which was exactly the reason I was happy to have her near me -- 

so her parents could get a couple hours of deep sleep.

Lizzie, Emi and I took a lap around the parking lot 

for five minutes of new mom exercise. Slowly but surely is perfect.

Leftover night for dinner and then started Severance.

There was some temptation to watch more than a couple episodes,

but good judgment won out and we went to bed and a good hour.

They're the best parents! I love getting to watch them love on their baby.