Settling In

From Mommy's Perspective

Elliott meets Grampa Jim, famous for his silliness and the "squeeze, squeeze, squeeze". :) Elliott is in for a lot of fun with Grampa Jim! Add Jillian to the mix and look out!!!! ;) Doesn't Elliott look so little all bundled up in Grampa's arms?





Life with a newborn does not follow a set schedule. Not that I expected it to, but I'm reminded how easily things can change, from eating more often, sleeping longer, harder to get to sleep, to sleeping shorter times. It seems as if Elliott is settling in to what is expected of him as a baby, though, which is eat (nursing is going much better, Praise God!), sleep (although he has recently started to resist this a little more), and use as many diapers as possible. :) Earlier this week he managed to use almost every diaper change as an opportunity to test his squirting radius and range. :D Brooks and I are getting better at avoiding this, though, and Elliott seems to be less traumatized by his diaper changes in general, at least when I do it.





Jillian is so helpful, too. She is such an amazing big sister! When Elliott cries, instead of commenting "He's crying a lot" or something like that, she comes in and tries to make it stop, like offering his binky or talking sweetly to him or pulling the duck that plays "Twinkle, Twinkle"--Jillian loved that when she was a baby, but Elliott doesn't seem as impressed. Her love for him amazes me--she has not exhibited any signs of jealousy or competition for my attention. However, I do go out of my way to encourage and praise her for her help and kindness, so she knows she is appreciated. Jillian loves holding Elliott, and is even strong enough to hold him while she is standing, and he looks comfortable.
Jillian's report card came home this week, and Brooks and I were pleasantly shocked to find that she is meeting the standards in all of her subjects! Yay!!! Jillian does receive additional support services (as well as modifications/accomodations in class) at school for math and reading, and that is what seems to be making the difference. although the teachers give us credit for supporting her at home as well. We are so glad that she is gaining confidence and we pray that she will continue to grow academically to keep up with what is expected of her at each grade level and that eventually she will not require as many (if any) mod/accom's to achieve that. Her teachers have warned us that the jump from 2nd to 3rd is more like a leap, so we would appreciate your prayers, with ours, for her so that we do not lose the ground we have worked so hard to gain, particularly in her confidence. Jillian is so sweet, and I would hate to see her down on herself again. She has worked so hard over the past 3 years!


I just heard Elliott make the cutest sound ever--the little sigh after he sneezes--it's adorable!!!!!
My goal is to get a video of that and post it, since I see a place to do that on here. :) Hopefully we will catch it--we just missed it tonight. We got some really cute pictures of Brooks holding Elliott tonight, although Elliott's expressions aren't quite what we were looking for to put on a birth announcement. Oh well!


What a couple of handsome guys!!!


Brooks is an amazing father! Of course I've seen him with Jillian, and I must say that I think she is becoming a "Daddy's girl". It's getting harder for me to see her as just his stepdaughter--they really seem like they've been together since she was born. It's wonderful to see...then I see him with Elliott! He cheerfully changes his diapers, even in the middle of the night, and is so ready to take care of me and keep me resting so I recover. I accidentally did too much the other day and boy, was I sore!!! But Brooks always gets things for me, making multiple trips downstairs, and all over the place for that matter, and with pleasure, as if it was enjoyable for him! What a wonderful husband I have! I thank the Lord every day for him!!!!


Well, I see that this has gotten long, but I hope it wasn't terribly boring. ;) Hope you enjoy the pictures!