Oh My Micah (A Love Story)

I'm feeling like a boring blogger lately. Not much of relevance going on here. No job changes, childbirths, moves, death, destruction, or famine to report. Which means I'll talk about the boys. Actually, just Micah. Micah had his 4 month check up today. 14 pounds, 25 1/2 inches. Getting skinnier. I had high hopes for him, starting off so average, but it looks like he is heading in the same direction as his brother. Tall. Skinny. XL head.

I'm just starting to get to know Micah. I was talking to another new mom the other day, explaining our family's situation over the last year, and how we ended up here, and it got me thinking. I was kind of in a daze until just a few weeks ago. Right after Micah was born, the crazy hormones and recovery from delivery had me weepy, depressed, and overwhelmed. Just as that started to subside, Jake was transferred here, I became a single mom again, and Micah started his 3 month tour of Scream-Fest 2009. Colicky babies have a way of sucking the life out of everyone within earshot. I think I cried as much as Micah. And then we had to move. And the weepy, depressed and overwhelmed continued. I was barely keeping it together. You know how in swimming, when you have to hold a brick over your head and tread water for 10 minutes? I felt like that, only someone kept adding bricks to my load. And the water I was swimming in was the Sea of Depression and Anxiety. I felt like at any moment my legs were going to give out and I was going to get sucked in. I didn't particularly want to add post-partum depression to my list of Crap I Don't Want To Deal With Right Now, But I Have To Anyway, so I kept fighting to keep my head above the water. Fortunately (or unfortunately), I didn't even realize how down I was until a few weeks after the colic magically disappeared, I got my husband back, and my fog lifted. I'm not going to beat myself up for not being fully present during that time. I did the best I could. Suffice it to say, we're all feeling better now, and I am finally getting to know my son. And I have to tell you, he is delightful! What a charmer! I just can't get enough of this cutie pie!

His looks have really changed since he was born. He looks like me! Well, parts of me anyway. What an ego trip! I love it. His favorite thing is to stare at me. And stare. And stare and stare and stare, until I look at him, and then he breaks out a huge grin. And a laugh. I'm telling you, I feel like a rockstar when I am in his presence. I am the MOST fascinating person in the world to him. He can't get enough of me. My favorite time of day is in the morning, after he wakes up and nurses, and before Wyatt wakes up. We just hang out in my bed, flirting and laughing and smiling at each other. I'm always tired (NOT a morning person), but I love having that time with him. It totally makes the months of crying (mine) and screaming (his) worth it.

In addition to being perfectly adorable, he is very strong. This kid is going to be walking a month from now. Okay, of course not, but he is very strong. And determined. He rolls all over the place, stands every chance he gets. He is ticklish, and has such a silly belly laugh. I know this is turning into an obnoxious proud mama post. I'm sorry. Its not like he has turned out to be an easy baby, far from it. He is still a challenge. But his sweetness and cuddliness are shining through now, and I'm finally in a place where I can enjoy him. So indulge me while I brag and gush.

I'm so thankful for my little Micah Bean. I love that kid so much it hurts. I can't get enough of him. We had a rough start, but I wouldn't trade a minute. He is the perfect addition to our family. I love you Micah!

And the winner is...

Lillian! Your prize...

Thanks everyone else for playing. Jake was Space Ghost for Halloween. At his work everyone was calling him "Yellow Batman." Um, close enough, I guess.

Heather MHM, you and Kurt think alike. He suggested that Wyatt be mini-Jimmy for Halloween. Next year, when I get my act together, I am totally making them matching Jimmy Neutron costumes.

Heather OD, your comment cracked me up. Thank you.

Aaaaargh, Baby!

Halloween 2009 consisted of me taking the boys to Jake's work on Friday for their Halloween party, taking the party bus to the ward Halloween party and trunk-or-treat, and then pooping out on actual Halloween, during which we ate pizza and Wyatt slept. We got one group of trick-or-treaters, who got handfuls of candy from me. It wasn't really so much generosity on my part, its just that I don't like the sour AirHeads, and I feel bad throwing out perfectly good candy. We didn't take Wyatt out because our neighborhood is not really a good trick-or-treating neighborhood, and we didn't want to drive out and find one that is. Bad parents.

Micah was a pumpkin (look familiar? Wyatt was the same thing in '07), and Wyatt was a pirate. Not my first choice, but it turned out cute. I totally forgot about Halloween costumes until like, Wednesday, so we rushed out to find something, only to find...nothing. This costume was almost literally the only thing on the shelves. Except for Star Wars stuff, but honestly, I've never watched Star Wars, so I didn't even know what it was all supposed to be. Anyway, the guy who rang us up gave us this big lecture "Absolutely no refunds, exchanges, complaining, litigating, etc., etc.," and I didn't really listen, because I was just happy to have SOMETHING to dress up Wyatt in. Except then I got home and realized the pants, pirate symbol, belt, and something else, I can't remember now, sword maybe?, were not in the bag. Fantastic. I pay a ridiculous amount of money for this crap cheap costume, and half of it is missing. So the next day I went to the fabric store and got material. But my sewing machine is broken. To sum up the rest, I made Wyatt's pants with hemming tape, velcro and staples. My domestic abilities are bringing you to your knees, no? From far away, it looked good, but if you got within 10 feet, there were weird puckers, fabric bits sticking out, and lots of fraying. I was so worried his pants were going to split in half every time he took a step or sat down. I had to follow very close behind to keep disaster at bay. I'm sure everyone just thought I was a very protective mother.

The kids were a big hit at Jake's work. The patients and the staff loved seeing them. We scored lots of candy and kisses (Jake said I did a good job at hiding my panic every time someone grabbed a face, hand, or foot for a kiss. Actually he said there was terror in my eyes. I thought I did a good job at hiding it, guess not).

Wyatt has been hopped up on sugar and acting like a terrorist all weekend. Candy is almost gone, and then hopefully normal behavior will resume.

Pictures:

I will send you ten dollars if you can guess who Jake is dressed up as. I won't, actually, but try to guess anyway.

This was taken on the roof of Jake's facility. Nice view, eh?

Drumroll Please!

You asked for it...and I have to give the people what they want...

Our elevator! It sounds a lot cooler than it actually is. I guess the guy who built this house had a friend who was in a wheelchair, and he got a free elevator from somewhere (apparently there are free elevators in circulation?), so he put it in this house. Of course. My favorite part is the "in case of emergency, use stairs" sign. And there is a phone jack. In case you get stuck and need to call the fire department.

These were taken from my iphone, so that explains the quality. I can't figure out how to get video from my camcorder onto my computer (I've been told its quite simple, but no one has offered to give me a tutorial yet!).

Weird lighting is a theme throughout the house. One example:

Our family room, dining room, kitchen:

Don't judge. We're still unpacking and arranging.

We have an empty living room downstairs, so I want to get new seating for upstairs and move this stuff downstairs. That will be awhile though, we need an influx of cash-o-la. In the meantime, our downstairs sits empty, thus, no pictures.