Fits and Fits and more FITS

You, my little boy are having a tough time this week. And you're learning how to express that tough time in louder ways each day. Ha. Tonight when I came home from work, I took you off Kendra's hands for awhile and you and I laid down in momma and daddy's bed you cried for a little bit, then you slumped to sleep while I read a magazine and watched a little TV. You would jump every once in awhile like you were startled, but you wouldn't wake up. Sometimes you would start moving your mouth like you were sucking on a bottle. I guess it's one of the only things you do repeatedly now, so the muscle memory is kicking in. It's pretty funny, and your mom and I just look at each other and laugh. We love you so much!
~Dad

Pix from the Weekend

The pictures are the popular thing, so here's the treasure.

Here is our journey to the UCA Pre-game tailgate party. Jacob passed out in a pile of "fan hands".

"He's the sweetest thing in the world" -Kendra Regehr

Not everything is peaches and cream when you're a baby.

Bears, Chairs and Showers...

Today we decided that we needed to go look for an armoire for our living room. So after your 1pm feeding we loaded you into the car seat, and headed for downtown Conway where our favorite antique shops are. We hit one of our favorite little shops called "Bobbie's". She has unique furniture that isn't easy to find. We walked up and down the shops in downtown (it's just one street) looking for an armoire. We didn't find anything today. After that, we went to UCA to check out the Bear Den's tailgate party. We saw Casey and Heather and Ben Kent and Amanda Blair and some other friends that Kendra has worked with. These were all former students that were on Kendra's Student Activities Board. They are a fun bunch and they all enjoyed holding you and seeing how big you are. No one can believe that Kendra had such a big boy. :) You are a little 5 week old giant. You did a great job staying content in the midst of all the stimulation. Kendra and I couldn't believe that you didn't wake up and get cranky in the midst of all of this. You are really a great baby. Ha.
We both love you so much, and can't wait to spend each day with you.
Love, Dad

One Month Birthday Celebration!

It's hard to believe that you have been with us for an entire month now. Your mom & I are loving having you in our family and in our lives. It is a new world that we are in...one with true responsibilities...a human life. Our schedules, eating patterns and habits, workout routines, maintenance efforts - everything has changed. Tonight, I came home from work and momma was ready to get out of the house. I was here to relieve her and get my hands on you so I could hold you and kiss you. Kendra says that when you heard my voice you were straining your neck to look for me. That made me happy.

I took you out on the patio in our back yard and we sat on the glider rocking for a little while. You also helped me walk the yard as I inspected the lawn. I turned off the water sprinklers 2 weeks ago and only water sparingly now. The backflow valve is leaking pretty bad, so I leave it in the off position until I want to water. It's a pain, but it is better than having a section of the yard soaking wet constantly. After 20 minutes of rocking on the patio and staring around at the beautiful outdoors, I brought you in for mealtime. You've been eating 6 ounces of formula at each feeding lately, I think that it's showing up on your belly and your neck already, but you are happier than when we were only feeding you 4 ounces. I like to burp you after each 1 1/2 oz. It's our routine that I'll pull the bottle off you, sit you up, you start fussing, I hold your head resting your chin on my hand and begin patting your back. You whine a little and twist about trying to get free. I lean down and whisper that you'll be all right, and I encourage you to "give daddy a big burp". You sit there for about 30 seconds, and then you straighten your back and I know that it's coming. About 15 seconds later - buuuuuurp.

It's a beautiful thing! Tonight after you finished, I let you fall asleep on my chest. Then you rested in the rocker for a little while. Then I had to hold you again b/c you started fussing after you woke up. I sat you down on my thigh on your belly, and you went right to sleep. Momma had to take a picture, and I love it.

Homage to Katrina and your intestinal troubles

It's an odd parallel but the damage and aftermath from Katrina is extending on similarly to your discomfort from what we suspect are intestinal troubles. You continue writhing after feedings, during feedings, before feedings, anytime we mention feedings...it's all causing you pain. On that same note, any channel we turn to has the scenes of devastation playing and replaying non-stop. Even late night talk shows like David Letterman are interviewing reporters (like Shepherd Smith from Fox News) about the storm's tragic wake. Some are saying that this is God's judgement. They have their reasons for saying so I guess...Sodom and Gomorrah couldn't have been much worse than New Orleans when it comes to filth and filth trade. But what about the poor and innocent who couldn't find access to vehicles that would take them to safety? Some say that this is God's judgement on our nation for supporting an enemy of Israel. It's sometimes very difficult to understand what is going thru God's mind when we read accounts in the Old Testament of Israel defeating an enemy country and the seemingly brutal nature that resulted. I think I have always reconciled it in my mind that these were different times. It was either conquer or be conquered, and that meant full and total annihilation of an enemy population (lest they gain strength and seek revenge...). So what if innocent people suffer when God judges a nation? Does He show them kindness in heaven?
There are a lot of uncertainties when we try to figure out God's plan. (Did He plan this storm to smash into the USA, or was this one of those times where He "allowed it to happen" as so many people console themselves)? I've heard it explained that we simply cannot know. And I like to hold onto that. I choose to consider the eternal vs. temporal viewpoint...which resets my straying course from time to time. In the matter of eternity, does it matter how we get to heaven, or whether we get to heaven. I imagine that each of the souls that went to heaven as a direct result of hurricane Katrina is rejoicing with God as relishing begin in His presence. I don't think they care about the pain or suffering any longer, and I believe this whole-heartedly because I too want that for us.
Sorry I ramble so much. Though if you're reading this, you've no doubt discovered this about me already. Ha! Love, Dad.

Squeeker

It's 4:29am and we're up for your feeding this glorious Labor Day. As your mom feeds you (she just called you the "Nipple Ripper 2000"), I'm installing a programming tool that is cutting edge called Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express. Across the room, all I hear is the satisfied squeeks of an infant getting nourishment. It's awfully cute. Kendra just told me that you squeek only when feeding on the left side. Now that you're embarrassed....I'll go ahead and sign off. We love you little man!
~Dad

First Shower....and other big events

Today was a big day for you. You had your first shower, and you really enjoyed it. You relaxed nicely as I held you tight against my chest. Momma scrubbed your back and legs and you got real clean. I had read about another couple's experience taking their newborn into the shower, and they had a very positive experience. So I wanted to try it with you, and it went very smoothly.

Other news: the rescue efforts in Louisiana and the Katrina hit states in the Gulf is still ongoing. There was a live celebrity benefit on TV last night, and many artists came out to support the relief effort. Today, Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist died after battling cancer for many years. He has left a legacy of conservative rulings that will forever affect our nation (hopefully for the better).

You slept well all day today until the evening. Even as I am writing this, you are crying really hard. Your mom and I have tried to soothe and comfort you, but you must have some digestion problem that is causing discomfort. We have burped you, held you, rocked you, fed you, given you 2 different cholic meds, and now we have finally laid you down to sleep...yet you are still crying. We are completely out of ideas. Everytime you cry out, our hearts break...knowing that we cannot do anything for you. It's hard being your parents sometimes, but we wouldn't trade the job for anything!

Love Dad!

Obsession

When I'm at work, and things are getting pressurized...I think of you, and I'm at peace.
thanks little man! ~Dad