John Parker at 6 months

We had John Parker's 6-month checkup on Wednesday and he's doing great. He weighed in at about 18 pounds, so he's growing like a weed. We working on a plan over the next month to ween him from the hypoallergenic formula and reflux medicine. He's getting closer to sleeping all night, but we're still not quite there. He's doing great at daycare and charming all the teachers.

Kate's doing well too. She's doing great with potty-training and recently transitioned to a toddler bed. No more crib! We're wishing we would have made this move earlier as she sleeps better and later now.

Life is crazy, but good!

At 5 months...

John Parker's 5-month birthday was yesterday, so I thought you all might like an update on what he's up to:

EATING: He still has pretty bad reflux. We've switched reflux medications and he seems to be doing a little better with the new one. He still spits up a good bit, but it's not as bad. He's still on the hypoallergenic formula. He's started eating cereal and now eats it three times a day. He does really well with that. We're going to get some fruit baby food this weekend and start trying that a little at a time. He only takes a bottle about every 4-5 hours during the day. This is so different from Kate. She was on a 3-hour schedule, like clockwork.

SLEEPING: This is still a work-in-progress. He's definitely doing better. We usually put him down around 8 p.m. when Kate goes to bed. He'll sleep really well the first part of the evening. He wakes up anywhere from midnight to 3 a.m. ready to eat. He'll eat a full bottle during the night. Sometimes he'll go back to sleep, but lately we've been having to move him to the swing to get him to go back to sleep. He was doing really well on his stomach for a while, but he doesn't seem to want to sleep that way now.

EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN: If you took away eating and sleeping, this child would be the best baby ever born. He is so happy and content. He has the neatest personality. Very laid-back, but very personable and engaged too. He's doing great at daycare - all the teachers love him.

Little man, you are such a blessing to us. We know you'll get the hang of sleeping soon, and before we know it you'll be slinging spaghetti around the kitchen like your sister. But you're sweet little smile will remain. We can't wait to see you grow up into all the plans God has for you. My heart aches with love for you!

I can now post updates from my phone. Should be interesting!

Blog Changes

Hi all! The password protection turned out to be too confusing, so you'll notice the blog is back to open access. You'll continue to see updates on the blog about what's going on with us here in Baton Rouge, but we won't be posting any more pictures of the kids here. This is to protect their safety and privacy. We hope you understand. I will be posting pictures on Facebook, so feel free to friend me if we're not friends on Facebook already. Hope everyone's doing great!

Back to school...for everyone but Fred!

Fred got his grade (an A!) for his final seminary class, so he is officially done! Yay!! We are all excited that he won't have to worry about school anymore. He is enjoying his expanding responsibilities at Istrouma and is excited about being more involved in all the church's ministries.

Kate and John Parker started their new preschool yesterday. They had a great first day. Kate ran right in and started playing. I think she's going to love it there. John Parker's already charming the teachers and slept better last night than ever! I think he was exhausted.

We're looking forward to a laid-back weekend of silly family time. Happy Fourth of July!

Better than a Hallelujah

Lately I haven't posted too much about how we're doing here in Baton Rouge. We've had a lot of big events (graduations, anniversaries, etc.), so you haven't heard much about the day to day of our lives. Truthfully, life's been a little tough lately. John Parker is the world's sweetest (and I do mean sweetest) baby, but we're still in the tough stage of babyhood where we get up many, many times during the night. Mostly due to his reflux, he can't eat large meals. So we usually feed him a few times during the night. Some nights are easier than others, but we've definitely had many moments of frustration. I heard this new song by Amy Grant the other day and it really spoke to me. Maybe to you too? In church, we sing beautiful songs to God that I love, but sometimes He wants our worship in the form of an honest cry from the deepest parts of our heart. Are you hurting, frustrated, tired, mad? Tell God. Cry out to Him. He can take it. He created us and He knows what we're feeling, but like a loving parent who wants to comfort his child God wants to hear it straight from us.

Better than a Hallelujah

-Amy Grant

God loves a lullaby
In a mother's tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.
God loves the drunkard's cry,
The soldiers plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah.

The woman holding on for life,
The dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes
The tears of shame for what's been done,
The silence when the words won't come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

Getaway Weekend

After a busy graduation/ordination weekend, my parents were sweet enough to stay with Kate and John Parker for a few days so Fred and I could get away for an early anniversary trip. Our 10th anniversary is next week. We had such a wonderful time in Gulf Shores at the beach.