A New Friend

Nate, Julie, Emily, and "Nano" Lamb came over for dinner Thursday night. Elisha and Emily discovered a new friendship as they ate together, played outside, and had fun with playdough.

Baby & Brother Bonding

Although the transition to big brother has came fairly easily to Elisha,
it's fun to see him discovering more opportunities to interact with
Madelyn. This week, he has become her "Activities Director,"
entertaining her in various ways. I think it helps that she now
notices him and rewards him with smiles and movement.

I have a friend who sometimes pays her older daughter
to play with or entertain her younger one.
Now I can see why...I'm saving up our change!

Time for a Check Up

Elisha's cousin, Sophia, came over for a couple of hours today. After playing trains, trucks, and a short-lived game of "Don't Spill the Beans," Sophia discovered the medical bag. "Let's play doctor" she said. Elisha readily agreed to be the patient, and the examination began...

First the heart...

Then, open wide...
(She resourcefully grabbed the dinosaur flashlight to check his throat.)

Now we trade...

Elisha always checks the ears.
Since he has had numerous ear infections,
he often discovers that his patients have one too.

Wonder Pets Link

Here's your chance to see wonder pets for yourself.

Wonder Pets

For all of you who are part of the "outside world" and who may not get the opporunity to keep up on the latest and greatest preschool shows, let me introduce you to my new favorite, "Wonder Pets." The preschool show features three pet friends who work together to help animals in trouble, while singing opera-like songs. Sounds a bit silly, but it's actually quite entertaining! Perhaps the best part is that each episode encourages teamwork and the role each person can play in the adventure...a good reminder for us all, regardless of our age. It's worth checking out if you get a chance...I love it!

Three Month Maddie

Just a quick update on Madelyn...three months old...going on 11 pounds...over 21 inches long. People who see her for the first time usually say something like "She's so tiny!" while Jim and I are thinking, "She's getting so big!" I guess like many things, size is relative. But, as you can see from the above pictures, she is healthy and happy (usually), so we are grateful.

Confession

I decided over the weekend that I am a hypocritical blogger. I regularly check blogs for new posts: hoping for something new every day, expecting new material at least once a week. I note the date and track the number of days that have passed with no new pictures or entries...

Then I realized that the last post on out blog had been weeks ago. I have photos stored in our digital camera that need only to be downloaded and posted. So, I have decided to repent and to strive to apply the golden rule of blogging: to blog as I want others to blog. Beginning tomorow...

Martha versus Motherhood

It's no secret that I like Martha Stewart.
My brother bought me a subscription to two of her magazines:
Martha Stewart Living and Everyday Food.
I watch her television program when possible
(meaning when I am somewhere that has satellite or cable.)
On occasion, I even attempt some of the projects she does.

But, I am pleased - no proud - to say that only one
of the above projects is from Martha Stewart.
The other is one I created on my very own.
(At least I think I did..I can't ever remember
learning it from anywhere or anyone...
unless I forgot and stored the idea in my subconscious.)
There goes that overactive conscience, Robin!

So, which do you think it is? Who created what?

Nonverbal Communication

You don't have to be around a baby for long to discover that
an expression can definitely make up for a lack of verbal skills.
For instance, Madelyn's thoughts on bathtime:

"Now this is the life...sleeping...dreaming..."


"Is it just me or are my clothes disappearing?
Not now, I was just entering REM."

"Alright, I'm awake. Someone had better
have a good reason for waking me up!"


"What's this? Mom is rubbing my head...I could get use to this."


"I'm not sure it was worth it, but at least I'm clean for now."

And Baby Makes Four

Someone requested pictures of Jim and me; but since we don't have any of the entire family together, these will have to do. As soon as Madelyn is released from "house arrest," we will probably use our Sears Smile Savers card and get a predictable, cheesy, yet cheap, family photo done. Then, when our friend ( and professional photographer) Gia comes this summer, we can get some really cool candid shots. By the way, if the photo of Jim and Madelyn is not here for long, it's because he doesn't know I took it, let alone put it on our blog.

The Mess

As my friend Andrea says, "When things get quiet, I start to get nervous..." Elisha had been playing in his "new room" for a while, when he came to the kitchen to announce, "I made a mess in my new room." I followed him to see what he meant, expecting to find all of his toys dumped on the floor. Instead, I found this:
The floor was covered with tiny foam shapes that we had used for a craft at a camp last summer. Now that's a real mess!

Blogging is helping me become a more patient mom. Rather than get upset, I thought of the potential for a new post and quickly grabbed the camera so I could record the event. (Elisha then had to spend the next half hour cleaning it up.)

Hanging Out

Madelyn has a new way to relax...
just "hang out" on dad's arm and rest.

A Baby Makeover

Before
Did you ever notice how there are some things that only apply to babies? If a baby is around, the expectations of society are temporarily -- although completely -- put aside and a whole new set of values apply.

Take for instance, gaining weight...a typical makeover shows photos of a person "before" and "after," with the second photo showing a (hopefully) smaller, sleeker version of the person in the first. Only in "Babyland" would a set of pictures like the ones at the left be applauded. Madelyn "before" at around 4 pounds, then "after" at over 5 and a half pounds. Just look at that those filled out cheeks and that bulging belly (ok, some of the roundness is bloating due to gas, but still...)!

We go to the hospital to get Madelyn weighed at least once a week; and it is not uncommon for us, as well as the nurses, to get really excited about the slightest increase in her weight. "Good job, Madelyn, you gained two ounces!" Where else would a person ever be applauded for gaining weight?
After
The same principles hold true for basic bodily functions. People are genuinely pleased when babies burp, pass gas or have a dirty diaper. Again, "Babyland" miraculously transforms these normally inappropriate actions into truly amazing feats for which a baby is praised and cuddled.

Babies (and by babies, I mean infants under 3 months old) are considered cute no matter what they do; and let's face it, we were all babies once who received the same preferential treatment. So, here's my advice to the babies (especially Madelyn): enjoy this time, take advantage of it, in fact. Because things eventually will change, and I can pretty much guarantee that these early years will be the only time in life when gaining a pound is positive experience.

The Big Brother

Elisha said throughout the pregnancy,
when told he would be a big brother,
"I am a big brother!"

The Big Brother and Little Sister

Here She Is!

Home at last!

Sleeping Beauty

Who does she look like...Jim or Jaena?

New Arrival

Madelyn Grace shortly after birth
(Yes, she looks like Elisha.)

Ready or Not...

Just like in a game of hide and seek, when you're searching for the perfect hiding spot but before you can locate one, you heard the words ring out "Ready or not, here I come!" You panic...not yet... I'm not ready!

That's pretty much how we felt after being told that our baby was coming 6 weeks early...ready or not. But after a variety of complications (the details of which you will be spared) and less than 4 hours of actual labor, she was here...Madelyn Grace Womack.

The Stats
Date of Birth: January 7, 2006
Weight: 4 pounds, 3.8 ounces
Length: 17.5 inches

Madelyn was in great condition and needed no help breathing or doing anything, really. She did stay in the hopsital for 18 days to learn to eat and maintain her temperature; but overall, she was in excellent shape. We brought her home from the hopsital last Tuesday weighing 4 pounds 12 ounces, and today at her check up she was already up to 5 pounds, 4 ounces.

So, we are together and are grateful for the blessings of health, family, life, and God's perfect timing...ready or not.