Morning Happiness

I love how babies are ssssoooooooo happy in the mornings. As long as this guy has attention or is being held, he generally pretty happy. But during the hours of 6am-8am, he is so extremely smiley and giggly he can barely contain himself. His legs and arms are flying all over the place in giddiness, he is cooing and his cute round face is basically exploding with smiles. A good way to start the day.

News on the baby front

He is five months. Craaazzzzzy!!

He is now rolling over on his own. He is super duper smiley. He is teething like a madman. And he has moved from sleeping bundled up in carseat at nighttime to the bassinet next to our bed. He is growing up!

Our Joseph

On Sunday,Joseph spent the evening with us and I am absolutely smitten to see how enamored the kids are with him! He is hilarious, so kind and gentle and he always says exactly the right thing to the kids to love them, have fun with them and teach them all at the same time. Really, he is such an amazing young man. We didn't see him as much this past spring semester, but we will be more diligent in bugging him next fall after he returns from his summer ventures.

It fills me with much hope to see the fine seminarians that we will soon have as priests to go out to teach and be Christ's presence to our world. May the Lord bless Joseph's education and the work God has for him now and in times to come.

Past the 4 month marker

Benedict is closing in on 5 months in May. Unbelievable. He is past the infant stage and he is so very round, soft, and cute. I love this age!

Benedict has a friend

Is there anything cuter than babies together? This is Benedict's new friend, George, at 10 days old. Such a handsome young man. On Thursday night, good friends invited us to a the Pro-Life Across America Banquet. It was a great evening and it is inspiring to see the good work this organization is doing. Friday evening Mike and I went to see October Baby. An excellent movie, in my opinion. They covered all the bases. It was a moving film and very well done. Also, there are a couple families we know that are hoping to adopt a baby. They are in our prayers as well as the pro-life movement. These little babies are so precious, I mean....what more is there to say!?

And this picture just to show Benedict's smiley self!

3 months

My little baby.

And my little man.

He is so handsome and smiley when he is awake.

And he is just the cutest during his sweet slumber.

Big Brother Jude

The first month Benedict was with us, Jude did not quite know what to think of him. At first when we brought Benedict home, Jude called him "Baby Paul". To give him credit, I was taking care of 2 baby Pauls during the previous 4 months. But, soon, it became apparent when Jude realized that Benedict never left, he was intentionally calling Benedict 'Paul' out of a sort of denial. At one point, he called him Benedict by his proper name and then backtracked and said, "No, I want him to be Paul."

The next stage was when Jude stopped calling Benedict, 'Paul', but then he decided to just ignore him. We would ask Jude who the baby was, and Jude just acted like he was not there and would not even look at him. Often, he just turned his back on Benedict and looked at us with a blank stare.

This, however, only lasted a few weeks.

Jude started to warm up to his brother in February. First he started to call Benedict by his name and pointed to him. Next he became very concerned when Benedict would cry. He would exclaim, "Benedict! Help him Mom!" and point to his crying brother. Then when Mom and Dad were busy looking at a house, he crouched next to Benedict in his car seat and while putting his finger on his mouth whispered "ssshhhhh! It's okay Benedict!". This last week he has been getting new people's attention and pointing to his brother and introducing Benedict to people saying "This is Benedict!". Yesterday, he actually put Benedict's nuk in his mouth for him and was successful in quieting him (for a few moments!).

Also on the Jude front is that he cannot get enough of planes, trains, and automobiles. He talks about them all all all the time and he never tires of playing with any toys of that nature that we own. A friend gave him a blue metal airplane that he sleeps with and takes everywhere with us. He zooms it around for strangers saying, "Wook! Wook at my airplane!!" and he makes the 'vvvrrrroooooommmmm' sound with his lips. He is very excited about it.

Finally, the blanket that Grandma Lee made him was beginning to become shredded due to all the use it was getting. So, Jude's blanket also got a make-over. It literally gets taken everywhere and dragged on all sorts of floors. So, I made a new quilt top of cars, trucks, and airplanes (things which Jude is obsessed with) and I sewed it right on top of Jude's old blanket. So it still has the same soft familiar back and the older blanket from Grandma is still preserved inside. There was about half a day of transition, but Jude adjusted to the new look.

My little opossum

I'm starting to call Benedict my little opossum because this is his favorite position.

He likes to be on his tummy on my arm. I feel like my arm is a tree branch and he is hanging on like a opossum. Usually I just hold him on one arm and carry him around like a football; often he wraps his arms tightly around my arm and it seems like if I let go of him he would hang there all by himself!

This little guy is more of a baby now than an infant - he is not so fragile anymore. His is getting bigger each day, getting longer, and he is now smiling!

Actually he started smiling noticeably a few days before his baptism. I thought babies didn't smile until they were at least a few months old - but this little guy's smiling response to our silly baby talk is undeniable.

Here is crazy man Jude with his brother Benedict on the day of Benedict's baptism. Jude is doing one of his 'funny' faces and this is one of Benedict's first times smiling.

More of Baby Benedict's Baptism

It was a good day.

"Exorcizo te, immunde spiritus, in nomine Patris + et Filii + et Spiritus + Sancti..."

Today we had baby Benedict baptized in the older form of the Latin rite liturgy. The Baptism begins in the narthex (entrance) of the church with an exorcism of unclean spirits. Next, the family processes down the nave of the church chanting the Creed followed by the Our Father. Throughout, the child is exorcized, blessed, anointed with oil, impressed with salt ("salt is the symbol of wisdom which gives a relish for the sweetness of divine nourishment") and finally baptized with water and words of the sign of the cross. Parents and godparents partake in "The Renunciation of Satan" (cf. the scene from Godfather Pt. II!) where they reject Satan and all of his evil works and promises. The baby's white garment (in olden days worn for 8 straight days by the newly baptized) symbolizing the purity of a soul cleansed from all sin. The godparents are given the baptismal candle as a sign to keep the new light of faith burning brightly for the child no matter what the circumstances.

A beautiful and symbolic liturgy administered by Fr. Ubel - our thanks to him. We had an open house with a few family and friends beforehand. Danish ebleskeevers (sp???) were feasted upon by all.

Good times. Deo gratias.

Coming out of the fog

For the last 2 months I have basically felt like this:


I wish I looked and felt as heavenly as this picture:

This is a normal morning at home as Faustina is eating cereal. She simply cannot get enough of her dresses. Auntie found this beautiful dress for a few dollars for Faustina.

Just now I am starting to come out of a 'having a newborn' fog and starting to feel that perhaps I remember what it is like to be a normal person again. People have been so helpful and generous - we are so very grateful. Life is busy here with day to day activities. I am in the stage that there is always much to do around the house, but my hands are full with - Benedict!

Jude and Faustina are good; just a few days ago I was thinking to myself how yes, they still are toddlers, but they seem more and more like young kids each day. There certainly is a difference. The few months before Benedict was born, Faustina and Jude were unusually difficult and would act up at the drop of the hat. They knew some change was quickly coming as Mom's tummy grew. Now, after Benedict was born, they have returned to themselves and actually are even easier than before - fascinating!

As I think about life moving forward and the fact the kids are so young and close, Benedict's face captures a fleeting thought:


But I take each day as it comes and it all turns out. I am getting plenty of sleep at night which is incredibly helpful.

Our new little guy

Little Benedict is 12 days old today! I love these first few days - his cry is still "llaaaalllaaallaa" the infant sound that isn't quite a cry yet. His little hands and fingers move in slow motions as they slowly open and close. His breath just smells fresh and he is still so so little!

I can't get enough of him to cuddle. And he really can't get enough of me - He will barely ever let me put him down! He is so sweet, I don't mind at all. Thankfully I am getting quite a bit of sleep at night as Baby Ben sleeps with me and we are both happy. Last week and this week we have been taking life very easy - in fact, today Faustina ask, "Mom, can we do something today? We never leave the house anymore.". Haha. I assured her that life would return to normal next week.

Faustina is absolutely loving her baby brother - as you can see from the very enthusiastic smile she has in the picture (!). She wants to hold him, comfort him, (she wants to feed him which she can't help with!), put him to sleep and lay by him. She is very proud of both her brothers and fits the bill of the 'eldest' child to a tee. :)

Since Mike and I were both fairly confident that Benedict was going to be a boy, I took a chance and made a cowboy quilt for him earlier in December. I am excited how it turned out and the back is oh so very soft! I copied the general pattern that my Mom had made for Faustina which actually turned out to be Jude's blanket. It was fun to make and put together as I cut out the cowboys and framed them in different colors.

A new sibling

Mom and Baby Benedict came home Christmas Day evening and it is good to be home! Things are well and Faustina and Jude are adjusting to having Benedict around the house. Faustina is wonderful with him and loves her new brother while Jude is a bit unsure at times, but seems willing to like him. He will hold Benedict and then say, "I'm done with this!" Benedict is a very good eater; since we have been home he has already gained 9oz and is up to 8lbs 15oz!

Welcome, Benedict Joseph!

Merry Christmas!
Benedict Joseph was born at 1:17 a.m. on Christmas Eve.
Specs: 8 lbs. 9 oz. / 21 in. long / 13 in. head circumference
Both mom and baby are well and we hope they'll be home this evening.
Jude and Faustina anxiously await their arrival! Deo gratias!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Blessings to you and yours on this Christmas day!