Monday, September 22, 2008

Pink vacuums and cheese souffles...












I was discharged from the hospital along with baby Crew around 8pm on Saturday night. I had the option of staying through Sunday, but just couldn't wait to get home to the rest of the kids and my own bed. It turned out to be a good choice.
We not only made it home in time to help tuck all the kids into bed (those bedtime hugs and kisses always make me feel so good as a mom at the end of a day), but also got to try to get some sleep without being disturbed with blood pressure cuffs and thermomators. Crew apparantly didn't get the memo that this new sleeping arrangement was supposed to include "sleep". He had a few rough hours, but Chip was a real trooper and between him and me, we made it through from 1:40 am to 6:20 am and somehow felt human by the time the girls were up at 6:38 am. I have no idea why they decided to wake up early on a day to sleep-in, but they were very good and kept quiet as we started our day.
Chip whipped up a Cheddar Cheese souffle for breakfast and I ate each delicious, fluffy bite wondering how I again deserved such an amazing man in my life, such an amazing bunch of little kids and now to top it all off, a velvety, soft new baby boy.
Between my new pink vacuum and the reality of Crew on top of everything else that is good in my life, I don't care how much my body aches...I am feeling pretty good. =) It's not that I don't have aches...my feet are very swollen {I've never had that happen in any of my other recoveries!} and my neck hurts, my one arm won't stop itching and I am obviously sleep-deprived- still, I look around me and see nothing but blessing. It's a beautiful thing.
As you can see in the photos, we are home and Brock is thrilled to have a brother. He has said several times, "It's seems like I've known Crew forever; I love him so much!". The girls like to see his tiny fingers and toes and Ava covers her ears when he squeaks and starts to cry. Wyndham signs baby and smiles and we're all just feeling like it's a crazy, wonderful thing to have another family member around. I will admit I take way too many photos, and I promise you that I will "overpost" them too. But that's mostly because our families live so many miles away- and besides, as far as I'm concerned I don't believe there's such a thing as "too many baby pictures".
I hope you enjoy them and I now have to run because Crew is starting to squirm and squeak. It's music to my ears. =)

52 comments:

Fern said...

What a beautiful family you have! And what an incredible testimony of the Lord's faithfullness!

You had a post a bit ago that just touched my heart, I need to find time to go back and reread it (with out my daughter talking to me! :) )

Leanne said...

You have the cutest baby. I love all the pictures. I'm happy that everyone is doing well.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Jody! You are truly blessed!

Kim said...

Sounds like you are settling in just great!
I bet the other kids are beyond thrilled with the new addition!!
Rest as much as possible and savor every second!
Is there a thing as "too many pictures"??
:)
Kim

Anonymous said...

jody... many blessings hunny!! Crew is precious... just precious!!! So happy for you guys.. Miss you much! xo

Jennifer said...

Jody,
How exciting!
I can only imagine how it feels to be home! I know that I was longing for my own bed, after spending 3 weeks in the hospital! Crew is adorable and will be a great addition to your precious family!
Enjoy your first Monday at home :)

Jenna said...

He is the cutest! So glad ya'll are home. And there is no such thing as too many pictures!! Keep them coming!!

Me! said...

He is definitely one of the cutest babies that I've seen. And, I can tell how much Brock loves having a baby brother... :) He's waited a long time for this...LOL.

Post as many pics as you want...I love seeing them. :)

Dana said...

Congrats, again, Jody! He is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous little boy!!! I'm glad you're home and will be "up and around" before too long. Hope all the residual aches and pains and itches and twitiches leave post-haste!!
Blessings......

beth said...

He is absolutely beautiful. Congrats!!

Melissa said...

man! does that baby look just like his dad!!! how sweet!!!

enjoy every little squeak and squirm and that new baby scent, you gotta love that!!!

Melanie said...

Beautiful family. He is precious and you as always look FABULOUS!

Gitz 'n Jo said...

That photo of Brock leaning in by Crew almost put me over the edge. Such sweet brothers.

For the record, there can't be too many photos... just like there can't be too many kisses on baby cheeks. It's a rule.

Oh, and I know babies change a lot, but for now that little man looks like his daddy!!! Wow.

sara
http://gitzengirl.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Jody,
He is beautiful as are the rest of your children.

You go ahead and post all the baby pictures you want. Who gets tired of looking at baby pictures?

Jen from PA
jen_lance_91998@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

He is absolutely adorable. Congratulations

Wendy said...

Oh Jody, he is gorgeous! Seeing him all squishy and cozy in his blankets, and his soft little newborn face, just makes my heart melt. And what a blessing that he has siblings who adore him. Congratulations on your sweet new boy!

DJones said...

LOVE to see lots of pictures! Too many??-- whoever heard of such a thing? Keep 'em coming!

Joyce K said...

Congratualtions Jody and family! Crew is a beautiful little guy. Treasure each moment AND take lots of pictures. God works wonderful miracles!

Anonymous said...

I saw your pic on the SIStv email that went out today so I had to rush over to your blog and say

CONGRATULATIONS -- he is so beautiful.... it's ok to say beautiful when refering to a baby boy isn't it. ;)

Shawnna Samples said...

ooops that was me above - forgot to sign in

Unknown said...

Congratulations again! I can't wait to see as many pictures as you'll post of your beautiful family.

Anonymous said...

you have a beautiful family,
congrats

ABCDH said...

Oh my goodness, I am so excited for you!!!

Lori said...

So glad you are home with the family!!! Nothing can make life easier than being home with the ones you love!!!

Enjoy your sweet boy!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh congrats to you he is so precious. What an amazing gift and I love his name! So happy for you!!

Michelle McGee said...

Beautiful, sweet, I'm happy for you.

sarah, rsm said...

What a beautiful family and so much Love. Congratulations once more. I can't believe how much the little one looks like his Daddy in these pictures! :)

Kelly said...

he does look just like Chip. Congrats! I love his awesome name.

Unknown said...

He is just so handsome!! I love it! He looks JUST like his daddy! Big Beautiful eyes too..just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing and keep em coming! I love baby pics!
~Dani

Britney said...

Congrats Jody! What a sweet little bundle you have been blessed with. He is quite a handsome man! Hope you are recovering well and enjoying the moments with him.

Nuts in a Tree said...

Congratulations to the entire family on the safe arrival of Crew. May your lives be filled with love and laughter. Have to add that he looks just like Chip! :) Enjoy your new little family member...especially Brock who looks so happy to have a little brother...one more for the 'boy team'. ;)

lori said...

He is really cute, and I mean really cute. Brock is going to be a great big brother

Angi said...

I am teary just thinking about the JOY that is in your home right now. I love that, I miss it.

My last baby is almost two & it seems she was just born, yet it also feels soooo long since I have had a tiny baby in my arms. ENJOY him :)

Rhonda said...

Jodi he is beautiful!! But I am afraid this one doesnt look like you, he looks like Chip!

Kathleen said...

Is it just me, or does he look like Wyndham?

Beautiful children, and prayers for some sleep!

Unknown said...

Crew is absolutely perfect in every way! God's handiwork is such a beautiful thing!

Praising God for your sweet, velvety baby boy! Praising God you are home and doing well.

Praying for rest and quick healing for you as you tend the your other children as well.

In His amazing grace,
Jill

karin said...

Hi Jodi,
Your story has been an inspiration to so many people, i want to tell you that i am so happy for your new baby boy, he is born into a family of love and devotion!
Enjoy him, all children are a blessing from God.
Take care
k
xx

Kari said...

Congrats Jody! Crew is a beautiful baby! You are blessed!

jennie said...

Baby Crew looks JUST like your hubby! The close up pic of his face shows it really well.

I love your sons comment that he feels like he's known his new brother his whole life...I can relate to that feeling and it brought joyful tears to my eyes to hear it from such a young man.
You are indeed blessed:)

Adrienne said...

Jody,
Crew looks like a little "Chip". I started bawling when I saw how much Brock is in love with his brother, and then what you wrote...so sweet! I love that you are all in love!

Now...for those sleepless nights...I'll be praying. Enjoy enjoying. Ade xoxox

Jenny said...

Oh Jody he is beautiful! I'm so happy that everyone is doing so well and I pray that continues.

I LOVE the name!! Welcome to the world Crew! :)

Violet said...

Love what Brock said. Things are so much sweeter when you have to wait for them. I'm sure Brock will appreciate a brother much more after 4 sister!

Crew is just PRECIOUS!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Jody! You are a beautiful mom! So blessed! Hey just reading again on dbkunz.blogspot.com about the mother who lost her little boy who strangled on the blind cord. So sad! Anyways, someone wrote to her how we pick our trials in life before we come to earth because we know the whole plan of salvation and we agreed to it because we wanted these bodies so bad. That's ok if you don't agree with that or not, but let me post some insight she wrote on choosing trials "I recently read on a blog that we "choose" our trials before we come to this earth from Heaven. I am not so sure that I necessarily agree with this. Ok I actually disagree with this. I am sure that nobody up in Heaven said... "OK here is a list of all the trials known to man, go ahead and pick 20." No thanks, but if I have my way, I am refusing to participate in this activity.

While I have pondered why we are given the trials in our lives and if we have "chosen" them before we came to earth, I remember a conversation I had with Doug a few weeks after Daxton died. I had been thinking why in the world this had happened, if I had agreed to this trial, and if I actually had agreed to lose a child, what in the world was I thinking???!!!! Doug simply explained that when we had agreed to return our son back to our Father in Heaven, we had an eternal and perfect understanding of the Plan of Salvation. We knew then that it wouldn't be very long before we saw him again.

Back to selecting our trials. Our Father knows each of us individually. I can't explain why children all over the world are sent to families who will never be able to give them what they need, while some families are not given any or some of those are taken away. Father in Heaven knows what we need. I think that before we came to earth, He had already figured out the challenges, trials, and tribulations we would have in order to help us to grow to our full potential.

These trials that may or may not have been "preselected" if you will do not include those that we bring upon ourselves through our own free agency. If we choose to not follow the commandments of God, then the consequences we may suffer are due to our own free will and choice. We bring the consequences of our actions upon ourselves. These consequences may result in more trials, heartache, and sorrow than we initially may have agreed to.

I know our Father in Heaven is mindful of each of us. He knows what we need to learn and grow. He knows what we need to grow closer to Him and to his gospel. He knows our questions, thoughts, and what our hearts desire. If we turn to Him and His perfect knowledge and Gospel, in our times of need, He will help us to make it through each day.

PS: Maybe if a big pot of trials were placed in front of me, I would have picked my own, but it certainly wouldn't have been this one, or many of the other trials I have faced."

Wade's World said...

I am oh so happy for you and your family. May God continue to bless your sweet and adorable new little addition!!

Just Me said...

Oh my goodness, he is SO adorable!! Looking forward to LOTS more pictures :o)

Take care.

heidi said...

Crew looks just like his daddy!!! Congratulations. What a blessed family you have. Too many photos?? Does a new baby EVER have too many photos?? Nahhhh. Congratulations again.

Anonymous said...

Welcome Crew and congrats and lots of love sent to you all. God is good! Enjoy the babymoon!

Mandy said...

What a doll-baby! I know you are enjoying him each day, every moment.
Thinking of you.
Mandy
GA
www.madelinegracehopkins.blogspot.com

Heather said...

Jodi Congratulations !! Your baby is beautiful in fact your whole family looks incredible. You must all be so thrilled with little Crew but especially Brock! Smell his precious little head for me :)

carriex3 said...

AMAZING, I a, so happy for you. God's blessing to your new little "Crew."
Carrie

Judi said...

What a beautiful family you have! I have enjoyed your blog for months now and anticipated Crew's birth - and I must say in that pic of him smiling he looks so much like his daddy.

I look to your blog in times of stress in my life and you inspire me to remember what is improtant to to put things in perspective. Thanks!